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How can I find my way around the ship?
A map of the ship is available in every cabin.
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What will the temperature be like on board?
MSC ensures sure that the temperature inside our ships is pleasantly regulated taking into account the weather conditions. The temperature in your cabin can be easily regulated using the thermostat.
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What to Wear
Lightweight, loose clothing, sunscreen and head covering are ideal for daytime. For informal evenings, we recommend casual dresses for women and a lightweight jacket for men. For formal evenings, gala dinners or Captain’s cocktail parties, a cocktail dress for the ladies and lightweight or dark suit or dinner jacket for the men is recommended. There are usually at least 2-3 gala or formal evenings per cruise. Throughout the cruise (day or night) there maybe theme parties, including 60s, floral, white or Italian parties. Dressing in theme is NOT compulsory. Please note there are no shops onboard to purchase, make or hire theme costumes or dinner suits. The dress of the day is published in the Daily Program.
A sweater or shawl is handy for unexpected changes in temperature or air-conditioning from interior to the exterior of the ship. For excursions including visits to sacred or religious sites we advise appropriate clothing or covering (covered knees, heads and/or shoulders, no low-cut tops or short shorts). Cruising in the European cooler months may require a rain or heavier jacket and an umbrella. A laundry service is available onboard for a nominal fee. There is no self-serve laundry facilities on any of the ships.
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What medical services are available on board?
All MSC cruise ships have a well-equipped Medical Centre, supervised by a ship’s doctor and other medical personnel. The Medical Centre is open at the times advertised in the ship’s Daily Programme. Emergency services are available round the clock by calling the Medical Emergency number.
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What if I lose something on the ship?
Guests who lose items on board should refer to the Reception or Guest Services to see if their belongings have been handed in.
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What are the service charges?
The service charge, which is calculated on a daily basis according to the length of the cruise, the destination and the ship, is charged by MSC Cruises at the end of the cruise. This service charge is paid over entirely to the staff who provide the hotel services on board. For this reason, no tips are required or payable.
Bar Service Charge
A 15% Bar Service Charge is automatically added to all purchases.
Spa Service Charge
A 15% service charge will be added on all spa services purchased on board and paid at the end of the cruise on your final bill.
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Are the prices on board more expensive than those on land?
No. In fact the special operating environment that regulates the maritime sector means that many products (such as alcohol, tobacco and fragrances) can be sold duty free, bringing reductions of up to 30% off retail prices on land.
*Depending on the itineraries and subject to applicable legislation.
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Is smoking allowed on board?
MSC Cruises respects the needs and desires of all guests and have considered carefully the preferences of those who smoke and those who do not. In line with global standards, smoking areas are generally fewer than non-smoking areas. Smoking is freely permitted in areas specifically indicated throughout the ship (selected mainly because of increased or modified air extraction.) Smoking is not permitted in any food service areas (buffets and restaurants), medical centre’s, child-care areas, corridors or elevator foyers, areas where guests are assembled in groups for safety exercises, disembarkation or tour departures, public toilets or in bars directly near areas where food is served. Due to the specific and proven risk of fire, smoking (including electronic cigarettes) is not permitted at any time in cabins or on cabin balconies. If evidence of smoking is found, a special cleaning fee of EURO70 will be charged to the guest’s account. 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 and in the Daily Program to avoid throwing cigarette butts over the side of the ship, where they could be blown back onboard and start a fire.
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What are the payment methods on board?
All on board purchases are made with the personal cruise card, eliminating the need to carry cash or credit cards on board. To activate purchasing with the Cruise Card, Guests must either register their credit or debit card at the check-in or onboard at the Cruise Card Activation Points (only available on certain ships), or by leaving a cash deposit at the Reception - Guest Service immediately after embarkation.
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What medical services are available on board?
All MSC cruise ships have a well-equipped Medical Centre, supervised by a ship’s doctor and other medical personnel. The Medical Centre is open at the times advertised in the ship’s Daily Programme. Emergency services are available round the clock by calling the Medical Emergency number.
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Can cash withdrawals be made on the ship?
A cash advance service is available if a credit card has been registered at the on board account. This can only be done in the on board currency (euro or US dollars, depending on the itinerary), for a fee, set according to the itinerary.
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Are sunbeds available?
Sunbeds are available at no charge to guests in main pool/deck areas however they cannot be booked or held with personal items for long periods of time without use (no more than 30 minutes). Beach towels are available at the pool areas and must be returned to the pool areas or they will be charged to your onboard account. The exclusive Solarium Sun Deck on the top deck of each ship offers a private enclave of relaxation for adults only and will be at a charge for Bella or Fantastica experience bookings where applicable.
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Voltage onboard
Electricity on board all ships is supplied at a voltage of 110V/220V 60 cycles AC in the cabins. International adaptors including European/Asia/Japan and USA plugs are recommended to be taken with you as only a limited supply are available from the Information Office. NOTE: Heat-generating devices including irons & hair irons, electric kettles, bottle warmers, electric blankets etc are not allowed onboard.
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Health and Medical Requirements
Passengers warrant that they are fit to travel by sea, air and coach and that their conduct or condition will not impair the safety or convenience of the ship, aircraft, coach and/or the other passengers. Passengers with a condition that may affect fitness to travel including reduced mobility and/or disable requirements must advise their agent and/or MSC Cruises and submit an MSC Special Needs Form and a doctor’s certificate prior to booking. Any specific transport, assistance needs and/or lodging requirements must be communicated at the time the booking is made and is subject to availability and confirmation.
Unless the Carrier agrees otherwise and in writing, passengers are limited to bringing two (2) items of such mobility or medical equipment onboard per cabin with a total value not exceeding EUR2,200. All equipment must be capable of being carried safely and must be declared before the cruise. Pregnant women must, at the time of making the booking, produce a medical certificate from a doctor con-firming their fitness to travel on a cruise ship for the period of the cruise and mention the actual itinerary of countries. MSC Cruises will not accept a booking or carry a women who will be 24 weeks pregnant or more by the departure date of the cruise. Disable guests or guests with reduced mobility must make MSC Cruises and/or their agent aware at time of booking and complete all relevant Special Needs Forms as required prior to making final payment. Any specific transport assistance needs must be communicated at the time the booking to MSC Cruises or the agent and is subject to availability until confirmed. Please refer to Booking Conditions page 116-119 Clause 16.1-16.10 for further information for disabled guests or guests with reduced mobility.
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Currency Onboard
For Cruises in the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Arabian Peninsula, Cuba and West Indies, the onboard currency is EURO. For cruises in the Caribbean, South America and South Africa the onboard currency is USD. For Grand Voyages departing from Europe to Arabian Peninsula, Cuba, South America, South Africa, and West Indies the currency on board is EURO. For Grand Voyages returning from South America, Caribbean and South Africa the currency on board is USD. World Cruise onboard currency will commence in EUROS.
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Accomodation onboard
Specific cabins, sizes, decks or bed type, views from the balcony featured in the brochure are to be used as a guide only and cannot be guaranteed. Where cabins are described as twin cabins they may have two lower beds, or a double bed or a lower bed plus sofa bed. Some cabins may also have upper bunks for additional travelling companions. All cabins have en-suite bathrooms with shower or shower over bath. Cabin sizes and layouts are a guide only and may vary. NOTE: A cruise ship is a moving object and even with the latest technology and modern sound proofing there is likely to be some background noise or vibration – especially as the ship, unlike a hotel, operates 24-hours a day. Photos/diagrams, maps, cabin layouts, deck plans and details in the brochure are for illustration and guide purpose only.
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Extra onboard services
Selected onboard extra services can be booked online at www.msccruises.com.au up to 4 days prior to your cruise departure and paid for by credit card at time of purchase. Items added to shopping carts only remain live to book for 24hrs then go back in for sale. All ships offer hair and beauty salons, sauna, massage rooms, health, wellness centres & doctors, fitness classes & centres, laundry (not self-service) & dry cleaning services, video games, 4D cinema, F1 simulator, bowling alley and much more at a surcharge price payable onboard if not pore-purchased through the website. A golf simulator is onboard MSC Sinfonia and a golf practice facility is available on MSC Musica. Not all services mentioned are available on all ships please visit www.msccruises.com.au for relevant details or ask at time of booking.
POSTAGE: Mail can be taken to the onboard information officer who will provide postage (surcharges apply) and pass to local representative for mailing. MSC Cruises will not be held responsible if mail does not arrive or goes missing and no refund will be given.
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Animals
No animals are allowed onboard, apart from recognised assistance dogs. Bringing assistance dogs onboard is, in always subject to the approval of The Carrier and must be requested at time of booking.
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Guest safety drills
A Safety Drill and Briefing are held to ensure you are familiar with safety equipment and evacuation procedures in case of an emergency. The importance cannot be overemphasised. Safety Drills are held upon embarkation from main cruise ports, while Safety Briefings are conducted for all newly embarked passengers joining the cruise in secondary ports. The Safety Drills are conducted in 6 languages (English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese & Spanish) and involve the entire crew and all the passengers. Passengers will be asked to fetch their life jackets from their cabin and go to their assigned Muster/Assembly station. Once there, they receive further safety instructions and information as the aim of the drill is to practice the evacuation procedure. For passengers embarking in secondary cruise ports they attend a Safety Briefing with their life jackets and are asked to assemble at Assembly Stations where the main briefing will take place. Guests are then accompanied to their assigned Muster/Assembly Station. Guests are informed of the schedule for the drills both in the Daily Program and over the ship’s public address system shortly before it is due to commence. In addition our crew conduct general emergency drill each week, including fire simulation, evacuation and abandon ship drill with lifeboats. All our Safety Drills and Briefings are compliant with the strict requirements of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) developed by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). MSC Cruises is constantly reviewing our drill procedures for your safety and peace of mind to ensure the greatest possible clarity and safety, while working transparently to the highest standards. It is the responsibility of all guests including children to attend safety drills or briefing at all times when requested.
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Silence is golden
On your MSC Cruises, we wish to provide the most relaxing and undisturbed cruise possible, so we limit public announcements to the emergency communications. For other times and activities, please check details in the Daily Program delivered each evening to your cabin. In order not to disturb other guests who may be resting, we kindly ask you to keep the TV/Radio volumes low in the evening and at night.
