Spencer1234

BUMPED OFF MSC June 3, 2006 Baltic cruise
For Proof see my website: http://www.cruisebumping.ca

This letter is asking for advice & give a heads up to those planning a cruise with this company.

We are incensed that MSC appears to think that they can behave in this manner with impunity.

This was a cruise we’d saved & planned for our later life. We can’t afford to try again. The whole experience has devastated us.

We booked & paid a deposit on November 1, 2005 & paid in full on March 13, 2006.

6 weeks before we were to leave we were told we had been BUMPED OFF.

The June 3rd sailing was the pivotal point of our trip: The hours of planning a family reunion for our 85 year old mother, and trips round the rest of Scandinavia all hinged on the cruise dates. Relatives & friends were inconvenienced because dates had to be fixed to the cruise departure date. Hotels, trains, planes etc. had been booked well in advance to get the best prices & confirmed bookings.

Spencer

Wednesday

Were just you and your party "bumped" off the cruise or was the whole sailing cancelled ? Unfortunately they all must cancel cruises, it is not unique to MSC, nor is their offer. I am sorry that happened to you and your family and they declined to reconsider their offer.

joan

I read Spencer's account in Cruise Critic. The ship sailed, but apparently a large party wanted ON, so Spencer's family was OFF. Unbelievable - like you said, you have a contract with them. They decide they can get a better price from another customer, so they just cancel you!

The equally terrible thing is the TA on Cruise Critic who had it happen to her group of over 200 - and she went to the highest members of the MSC cruiseline, as well as to industry organizations. Everyone gave her lip service, but nobody honored all those contracts. Her agency lost thousands and thousands of dollars - because they honored the PAX and found them a different ship for the same dates.

That's what Spencer's lousy TA should have insisted on.

kfusto

Joan, that TA is me! Yes, these people that run MSC have no ethics nor honor and their word cannot be trusted. I would never recommend them to anyone as they continually demonstrate unconscionable behavior.

Spencer, I am sorry for your story. Yes, cruise lines will occasionally bump for a full charter, mechanical problems etc, but this treatment of you and you your wife is indicative of their short term attitude to ring the register.

Achille Staiano is the big guy in Italy. You may want to write him a letter but I will tell that he also did not honor his commitments.

Best of luck.

jacketwatch

I was considering a cruise with them. No mas! What they did staggers the imagination. Franlky if they don't change their practices I hope they go out of business.

Wednesday

wow, yes, anything short of a mechanical/dry dock type entire cancellation is inexcuseable. I now see you got bumped and the ship sailed. I am so sorry that happened and would feel the same way.

Treesa

I was checking some of their itineraries and they looked interesting, however, after reading your post and Kfusto's comments there is no way I would consider sailing with a company that holds their passengers with such obvious disregard.

Spencer1234

To all those who have replied a hearty thanks for all your support. I think the most frustrating part is not getting anywhere with the agencies that are supposed to be out there to support us.

I finally found two people that have turned this around. I got in touch with Chris Elliot of the Miami Herald. He immediately sent my email to Anita Dunham-Potter, travel journalist for TRIPSO, MSNBC and Fodor.

I am thrilled to tell you that today her article appeared on TRIPSO. She has been very fair, clear & practical.

http://www.tripso.com/dunhampotter/index.html

Thanks to everyone again.
Spencer

jacketwatch

Good for you. This may be w/i their policy but that doesn't make it fair or equitable IMHO policy be damned. Its their crass response to destroying your trip that is unbelievable.

P_M

OMG, this just goes to show that truth can be stranger than fiction. We've all heard of being bumped from flights, but this is the first I've ever heard of being bumped from a cruise ship!! And what a jerk that Sasso guy is to say, "That's business." Well he's not getting mine. I am so sorry this happened.

"That's business," MY TUSH!!

(cleaning the above language to PG13)

joan

I hear ya PM!
I can't think of any other industry where you get to make a deal, then break it when a higher paying customer comes along. Sickening.

Spencer (& kfusto too!), you ought to post this on the Europe and the USA boards here. It needs more attention.

Wednesday

I just read the article on msnbc.com

Spencer1234

http://www.cruisebumping.ca
had been updated.

I finally got a reply from the Federal Maritime Commission so I thought you might like to have an update & an address.

The Federal Maritime Commission says the "Public Law 89-777, the statute governing this situation, requires only that the cruise operator refund the actual cruise fare."

Transportation Specialist
Federal Maritime Commission
Office of Consumer Affairs & Dispute Resolution Services
Washington, DC
20573-0001

Regards
Spencer

joan

Spencer, in the link you show, there is another link to a cruise critic article "Can You Be Bumped?". That link shows the following statement, a response specifically to your situation:

***********************************
According to Rick Sasso, CEO of MSC Cruises USA, "No cruise line ever wants to cancel anyone's cruise ... [We] follow procedures very similar to those of other cruise lines ... When a sailing is cancelled within a few months of the sailing, it is normal for the cruise line to, as in this case, extend the choice of an alternative voyage with stateroom upgrades or a full immediate refund so that the guests can choose to make their own alternative arrangements with their travel agent. As a further gesture, guests are offered a 25 percent discount on a future cruise ... [We] also recognize that every guest has personal concerns and issues that we realize must be taken into account, and we make every reasonable effort to accommodate those needs when possible."

***************
But if I recall correctly, you were bumped not because your cruise was cancelled, but because MSC got a better offer from a large group. Correct?

If so, that is further slimy behavior by MSC.

Arizona07

Spencer,
Were you able to rebook on another cruiseline & take your family cruise?

jacketwatch

Joan; That is how I understand it as well. BTW there were a number of people bumped off an NCL cruise in the summer to accomodate Rosie O'Donnell and a large group with her.

Grammaonthego

Having sailed with MSC several years ago, I don't think I will ever sail with them again and have warned others NOT to sail with them. First off, I was taking my best friend on her first cruise and her first time out of the country. She had just lost her husband and needed some rest. We booked our trip, and had 1 week to get there.We ran to Miami to get her a passport, did some fast shopping and made it to the ship with 2 hours to spare. Our first problem arose when we arrived in PR and went to the ATM.. It seems the cruise line had charged us $300 more per ticket than our agreement. A few days later another passenger cut her foot open, as the crew looked on my friend and I worked to stop the bleeding. When no help came from the crew I went in seach of the Dr. while my friend stayed with the lady. When I finally made someone understand me(few crew spoke english) a nurse came up to help. She pronounced that the bleeding had stopped and why did we bother her. I advised her that stitches were needed and that as soon as the foot was walked on it would bleed again. She reluctantly agreed to treat the lady. We were almost left in Barcelona when the bus left 15 minutes early and we had to pay a cab to return us to the ship. When we arrived in Genoa we were divided up on different buses based on our destination. Our luggage was tagged to meatch the bus----supposedly. our bus driver got lost on the way to the airport and we missed our flight. Also upon arrival at the airport the driver unloaded everyone's luggage. Our largest bag, with all our evening gowns,shoes,etc.. was gone!!!!!!!!!!! We filled out some paperwork, was told to give them a few weeks to locate the bag before calling. After repeated calls with no one willing to speak with us we gave up. This cost us approximately $3500 in lost belongings, increase in ticket prices, changing our flight, etc.. I will never recommend this cruise line to anyone.

Spencer1234

Joan,
I'm so glad you picked up on the points made in that article. I am so relieved that there are people who see through the eyewash.

Arizona,
No, we had to continue with the other plans that I'd arranged. I had to plan other arrangements for the week of the cruise.
Thus we never did get to see the two places I really wanted to see: St. Petersburg, & Tallinn.
Afraid that was the last kick at the can as far as St. Pete's etc. goes. I guess picture books will have to do.

Thanks everyone for your replies.
Spencer

joan

jacketwatch, feeling the way many do about Rosie O'Donnell, no wonder her bodyguard is armed. Yikes!

Grammaonthego, that is a horrible story. Although some of the problems do not seem to be MSC's fault, your story illustrates why trip insurance is a good idea. $3500 is quite alot of money, enough to warrant getting an attorney involved - IF you knew the name of the bus company.

jacketwatch

Joan: Actually I saw a program just two days ago about Rosie and her previous cruise on the Dawn. This was a cruise for gay and lesbian couples with their families. What was remarkable to me was what a good parent she seemed to be. Perhaps at least some of that boisterous behavior is for the cameras. With her kids she was terrific I thought.