MSC Cruise

bowlesbargain

Anyone been on a MSC Cruise. I do not want to pay the 7 euros per day service charge how hard is it to opt out or reduce the amount taken.

Also any idea how many formal nights.

If I don't want to register my credit card the Internet site says you have to leave a cash deposit but it does not say how much anyone any idea.

PolishBigSpender

As I recall, you don't have to tip them anything - but with the way that cruise companies work, not tipping the staff will cause nothing but trouble for you. Of course, you can just tip them by hand if you prefer - but it could easily work out much more expensive.

moonrakerz

bowlesbargain wrote: »

Anyone been on a MSC Cruise. I do not want to pay the 7 euros per day service charge how hard is it to opt out or reduce the amount taken.

Also any idea how many formal nights.

If I don't want to register my credit card the Internet site says you have to leave a cash deposit but it does not say how much anyone any idea.

To be blunt - you seem to be determined to have a lousy time before you even set off.

Try Butlins !

niceday999

bowlesbargain wrote: »

Anyone been on a MSC Cruise. I do not want to pay the 7 euros per day service charge how hard is it to opt out or reduce the amount taken.

Also any idea how many formal nights.

If I don't want to register my credit card the Internet site says you have to leave a cash deposit but it does not say how much anyone any idea.

Can you afford to be going on a cruise then if you dont want to spend any money......?
most of the staff depend on the tips to even get a wage....why should everyone else tip and you not........

daveyjp

£6 a day is quite good value for tips. Some charge more than double this. There may also be a service charge of 15% on all drinks.

Removing auto tips is usually possible at the pursars desk (but I have read that it has been known for lists of passengers who do this to be posted in staff areas!)

On a week's cruise two formal nights is usually the norm - MSC brochure will advise.

You'll need to ask MSC about how much pre payment they expect.

Closey80

The service charge is not compulsory, but as someone said earlier, tipping is generally done, so either way on any cruise line, you would be tipping.

With regard to travelling with cash, I did exactly the same thing on a cruise, I have not travelled with MSC, but if it was the same as the cruise I travelled on the following will happen:

1. You deposit your cash at the ships concierge desk (however much you want)
2. Your room card is credited with the value of your deposit
3. You use your room card to make purchases on board
4. You can request statements at any time
5. When your funds are running low, concierge will contact you and advise you.

There are usually cash machines on board.
Its very much 'pay as you go' rather than pay on depart, and in some eyes a better way to keep tabs on your spending.
One other thing, I know MSC are an Italian registered ship, Euro's may be the best option, but someone else who's more clued on exchange and strength of currencies than me may advise better.

Enjoy Cruising, and keep your eye out for Sophie Lauren.

rosieringlet

Actually I'm just back from an MSc cruise and the tipping is now compulsory. We booked in Nov 2009 for an August cruise 2010. The information on the tipping was in our cabin on arrival. We subsequently learned that since we had booked in Nov 2009 we were still allowed to opt out as it had not been compulsory when we booked, others on the cruise ship who had booked later could not.

Incidentally we decided to just go with the daily charge as the service is excellent and the staff truely deserve it.

rosieringlet

Forgot to add 2 formal nights on MSc cruises that are a week long. Ladies mainly wore any kind of dress, men some had dinner suits, some had ordinary suits, others just dress trousers and shirt.