|
|
 |
| Q: |
Meal times |
| A: |
Coffee is served to early risers on the outside deck, from 6.30 am to 7 am. Breakfast is served in the restaurant dining room from 7 am to 9.30 am, at the buffet on the outside deck from 7 am to 10 am or in cabins from 7.30 am to 10 am – in this case, breakfast is to be ordered from the deck attendant.
Meals are served in two sittings. Lunch is served at 12 noon and at 1.30 pm in the restaurant dining room and from 12 noon to 1.45 pm at the buffet on the outside deck.
Dinner is served at 7 pm and 9 pm in the restaurant dining room. Special diets can also be catered for, but must be requested when booking the cruise.
The above times may vary depending on the ports of call and excursions |
|
| Q: |
Smokers |
| A: |
MSC Cruises respects the needs and desires of all guests and have considered carefully the subject of those who smoke and those who do not. Conforming with global standards, smoking areas are generally fewer than non smoking, however smoking is freely permitted in areas specifically indicated throughout the fleet (selected mainly because of increased or modified air extraction.) In general smoking is not permitted in any food service areas (buffets and restaurants), medical centres, child-care areas, corridors or elevator foyers, areas wehre guests are assembled in groups for safety excercises, disembarkation or tour departures, public toilets or in bars directly near areas where food is served. Smoking in all cabins is highly discouraged and because of specific and proven risk of fire, smoking on all cabin balconies is not permitted at any time. Smoking is permitted in several designated bars on each ship and on one side (indicated by signage) of the principal outer pool deck areas, where ashtrays are provided. Guests are advised by the Cruise Director or daily program to avoid throwing ciragette butts over the side of the ship, where they could be blown back on board and start a fire. |
|
| Q: |
Shops |
| A: |
Clothing, cosmetics, perfumes, jewellery, films, photographic equipment, glasses and sun creams can all be bought from the onboard boutiques. Furthermore, international items can be purchased from the duty free shops. |
|
| Q: |
Clothing |
| A: |
Leisure wear is recommended for life onboard ship and for the excursions.
For the gala evenings and parties, we recommend black tie for men and eveningwear for women.
It is a good idea to bring a pullover or shawl to protect against the differences in temperatures between air-conditioned areas and the outside.
Simple clothing is recommended where excursions include visits to holy places (i.e. no shorts, Bermudas, vests, etc.). |
|
| Q: |
Sun beds |
| A: |
Sun beds are available to passengers, free of charge without the need to book. Passengers are invited not to leave their personal belongings on sun beds during extended periods of absence.
Beach towels are also available near the pools, and these are to be returned after use. Alternatively, beach towels can be ordered from your cabin attendant. |
|
| Q: |
Program for the day |
| A: |
A detailed program of the next day’s activities, designed to keep passengers informed about the events and entertainment offered by MSC staff, will be delivered to the cabins every evening. |
|
| Q: |
Daily newssheet |
| A: |
An extract of the main news, taken from Italian and European dailies, will be published daily.
Copies of this newssheet can be requested from the Information Office. |
|
| Q: |
Free pastime activities onboard |
| A: |
During the cruise, tournaments - including bridge, canasta, table tennis, tennis, volley ball, shuffle board and pool games - will be arranged, as well as song contests, treasure hunts, quizzes, fancy-dress balls and beauty contests. |
|
| Q: |
Stays |
| A: |
In the event of accommodation not being available, MSC Cruises reserves the right to replace the hotel facility indicated with another of a similar category.
|
| Q: |
Parking |
| A: |
If you require a car parking facility prior to your cruise departure in Italy, click here to view options.
If you require a car parking faciliy in Spain, please see below.
PARKING VALENCIA
Outdoor secure parking
TERMINAL DE PASAJEROS DE TRANSMEDITERRANEA,
MUELLE DE PONIENTE
46024 VALENCIA
PARKING BARCELONA
Aparcainavega
24-hour vehicle care with video surveillance service
Ctra. Ca L’Alaio, 5
08820 El Prat de Llobregat (Al lado de Mundiauto)
Tel. 93 3 704 765
Mobile 692 618 424
Parking Vinci Park Tres Chimeneas
Avenida del Paralelo numero 41,
c/ Vila i Vila, 44
2 entrances located in the Tres Chimeneas Park
Tel. 93.441.37.52 |
|
| Q: |
Various services |
|
A:
|
Medical Facility:
Medical assistance is offered by doctors and nurses exclusively when at sea. The services of the onboard doctor are paid for by cruise passengers on the basis of the tariffs published by the Medical Association of Genoa.
The services of the photographer, hairdresser, barber, beauty salon, sauna and masseur, as well as the laundry and ironing service, are also chargeable to the passenger.
Post Office:
post can be handed in to the Information Office, which will stamp and forward it via the company’s local agents, charging the service to the passenger.
Radio and telecommunications:
the onboard radio station operates 24 hours a day, but closes when in port. Telephone calls can be made via the INMARSAT station (+390687120483) in Rome or directly by using the numbers that appear in the table. All cabins are fitted with alternating electrical current as follows: MSC Musica, MSC Opera, MSC Lirica, MSC Sinfonia, MSC Armonia and MSC Melody 110/220V.
Current adaptors are available on request from the Information Office. |
|
| Q: |
Safe deposit service |
| A: |
The company declines all responsibility for the loss or theft of valuables or precious items stored in the cabin or the passenger’s luggage, or left unattended. Passengers can use the safety deposit boxes available in the Information Office and in some of the ships’ cabins. |
|
| Q: |
Wi-Fi connection |
| A: |
A Wi-Fi card is available onboard MSC LIRICA and MSC OPERA, MSC POESIA, MSC FANTASIA (soon on all ships) and enables wireless Internet connection in certain areas of the ship displaying the sign "MSC Hot Spot Wi-Fi Area". Wi-Fi connection is available in the following communal ship areas:
MSC LIRICA: outdoor swimming pools - Lirica Lounge - Information Office - Library - La Pergola Bar - Coffee Corner - Lord Nelson Pub - Le Cabaret.
MSC OPERA: outdoor swimming pools - Caruso Lounge - Information Office - Library - Patio Bar - Aroma Coffee Bar - Sottovento Pub.
All you need is a prepaid MSC Wi-Fi card that will enable your laptop to access the service.
Configuration and Activation: Your MSC Wi-Fi card is already active and ready for use. All you have to do is reach the designated areas and open your browser. The system automatically connects you to the MSC Wi-Fi portal. Insert your Username and Password (provided on paper) and bob's your uncle!!! Remember, you can buy the card from the Information Office. Prices vary from USD21 for 30 minutes, to USD42 for 1 hour and USD65 for 120 minutes.
Conditions: The service is made possible by means of a shared bandwidth satellite connection. For this reason, the service may be slower during peak usage times. Any unused credit cannot be refunded, and the card will be automatically cancelled at the end of the cruise. |
|
| Q: |
Currency on board |
| A: |
For cruises in the Mediterranean & Northern Europe, the currency is the Euro. For cruises in the Caribbean, South America and South Africa the currency is the US Dollars. For your convenience we have created a 'cashless society' on board which means that you sign for your drinks and bar purchases. At the end of the cruise and itemised bill may be settled with Visa or Mastercard credit cards.
Passengers without credit cards must deposit a minimum of EUR150 cash per Passenger, or the equivalent, with the cashier on day 1 of the Cruise. This amount must be replenished during the cruise when expenses exceed the deposit. If all the deposit is not used then the balance will be returned with the bill.
Facilities are available on board to purchase local currencies or change travellers cheques (commission charges apply) for use ashore.
IMPORTANT NOTE: All accounts are settled the morning before the Cruise finishes. Thereafter passengers will need to pay for any drinks or items of a personal nature in cash. Passengers are advised to ensure that they have sufficient cash to pay for these during the last day.
|
|
|
Q: |
Service Charges |
| A: |
SERVICE CHARGE
MSC will automatically charge a modest service charge which will be billed to the Guest's account. Payment will only be requested at the end of the cruise and will depend on the number of days services were actually provided. Service charges serve the purpose of maintaining the highest quality standards of service to the passengers.
The amount of the service is as follows and will be added to each passengers account on a daily basis:
Mediterranean and Northern Europe cruises
- 8 days or less: 7 Euro/day per adult
- more than 8 days: 6 Euro/day per adult including autumn transatlantic cruises
There is no service charge for children under the age of 14, whereas guests between the ages of 14 and 17 will be charged 50% of the above rates.
Caribbean and North American cruises: $12 US Dollars/day per adult; $6 US Dollars/day per child under 18, including spring transatlantic cruises
South America cruises: $9 US Dollars/day per adult; $4.50 US Dollars /day per child under 18, including spring transatlantic cruises
South Africa cruises
South Africa cruises: $6 US Dollars/day per adult
Positioning cruises:
- heading to South Africa 6 Euro/day per adult
- coming from South Africa $6 US Dollars/day per adult
The applicable service charge for children under 18 will be 50% of the above rates.
Should you wish to change or remove the suggested amount from your account, please contact the Guest Relations Manager onboard prior to the last day of the cruise. Tips: No tips are requested on board. |
|
|
|
|
|
Q: |
MSC for UNICEF |
|
A:
|
Starting from July 13th, 2009, MSC Crociere will support an innovative UNICEF programme to combat poverty and inequality by helping ensure disadvantaged children in Rio de Janeiro and São Paolo gain quality education.
Guests are also invited to “get on board for children” and make a difference by offering a small donation. This can be as little as €1 (or $1.50 USD per person), which will be added to the bill at the end of the cruise. However this small donation, valid on all ships in the MSC Cruises fleet, is of course optional. Therefore, passengers may freely decide whether to increase, decrease or cancel it, communicating their decision to the Accounting Office before 22.00 of the last day of the cruise. This Office is at guests’ disposal for further information. For your convenience, should you give no indication to change the amount, the sum of € 1 (or $1.50 USD per person) will be automatically debited to your final account.
For more information please read the informational brochure left in every cabin or go to www.msc-unicef.org
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contact Us
MSC Podcast
MSC Press Area
Virtual Tour MSC Fantasia
MSC Club
MSC Online
MSC Cruises
MSC Express