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Valuables
Passengers are strongly advised to use the complimentary Safe Deposit boxes for valuables. Safe Deposit boxes are provided in all cabins on all ships. If passengers are travelling with expensive camera equipment or video equipment, it helps to carry receipts in order to avoid unnecessary delays in clearing customs. Passengers must ensure they are properly insured. The Carrier assumes no responsibility for loss or theft of money or valuables stored in cabins, in luggage or left unattended.
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Daily Program delivered to your cabin
Each evening the Daily Program will be delivered to your cabin, placed at the foot of your bed. The Daily Program provides an extensive coverage for the next 24-hours including events, weather, activities, movies, shows, meal timings, port information, shore excursion arrangements, reservation and spa hours, navigation news, disembarkation information for all ports as well as departure time for each port of call. A Daily Specials section provides a guide to special offers, shopping and deals available onboard. It is highly recommended guests consult the Daily Program for all up to date onboard information. INFORMATION DESK – our multilingual team are on duty to provide assistance and information as requested.
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Shore Excursions
Shore excursions offered by MSC Cruises can either be pre-purchased and pre-paid prior to final payment, or booked online at www.msccruises.com.au through Manager Your Booking, once you have your booking number and paid by credit card. Shore excursions are optional and provided by independent third party contractors. Once confirmed and pre-paid, shore excursions are non-changeable and cancellation fees may apply. Any amendments or cancellations during your cruise, by the cruise ship or shore excursion operator will be advised in your cabin and may be refunded. If shore excursions have been pre-purchased and pre-paid via the website, they will be refunded to the same credit card used to pay the shore excursion. If they have been booked and paid through an agent or MSC Cruises (Australia) office before departure from Australia or New Zealand, copies of the voucher with a letter explaining the reason for the cancellation from the ship must be retained and upon your return lodge all the documents with your agent or send to MSC Cruises (Australia) to obtain the refund. No-show or change of mind is non-refundable. In case of illness, a medical certificate issued by the doctor onboard is required to qualify for compensation. Any refunds will be applied on an individual basis for illness.
Shore excursion price includes transport, visits to sites and/or museum, meals and drinks as detailed in the description of each shore excursion. Excursion programming and timings (departure/return) will be confirmed onboard during the cruise. Shore excursions are conducted based on minimum or maximum passenger numbers and language requirements. If by any chance, only the minimum number of passengers is booked for an excursion, groups of passengers of different nationalities and/or language maybe required to travel together in the same coach. Some archaeological sites charge supplements for the usage of videos and cameras. These extras are not included in shore excursion prices, full details will be given onboard.
Passengers are requested to wear appropriate clothing for visits to religious sites (covered knees, head and/or shoulders, no low cut tops, short shorts). For beach tours, swimming towels and bathing suites are required to be taken.
Grand Voyage Cruises include shore excursions dependent on the cruise itinerary and price chosen. These are set shore excursions which cannot be altered or replaced with other shore excursions of similar value. None attendance on these included shore excursions is considered a no-show and no refund will be provided.
Wellness Experience includes shore excursions dependent on cruise itinerary booked and will be on a select itinerary involving fitness activity rather than sightseeing information. None attendance on these included shore excursions is considered a no-show and no refund will be provided.
MSC Yacht Club passengers (aboard MSC Preziosa, MSC Divina, MSC Splendida, MSC Fantasia, MSC Meraviglia, MSC Seaside, MSC Seaview & MSC Bellissima) can contact their 24-hour concierge and organize to enjoy personalized shore excursions via chauffeur-driven limousines, hire car or mini bus at a surcharge price subject to reservation and availability at time of booking.
MSC Cruises is not responsible for any changes to the program resulting from local holidays, days that sites are closed and/or any other local events that completely or partially prevent the original itinerary. Unless otherwise stated shore excursions will be conducted by coach.
MSC Cruises advises that excursion itineraries and prices are subject to change due to cost variations and contingencies without prior notice by MSC Cruises. Shore Excursions pre-booked and pre-paid via a travel agent or MSC Cruises (Australia) after final payment and travel documents are issued and prior to three weeks before departure will incur a $AU/NZ55 per amendment fee per booked service.
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Service Charges
During your cruise you will meet staff throughout the ship who provide you with excellent service. They are supported by just as many staff and crew who work hard behind the scenes to ensure you enjoy every moment of your cruise.
For your convenience MSC Cruises automatically add a daily Service Charge to your onboard account, based on your chosen itinerary and the number of days for which the services are actually provided. The Service Charge serves to ensure we maintain the highest quality standards of service to our guests. The daily amounts in the table on page 114 are calculated with this in mind and cannot be modified.
For your ease you can prepay your service charges at time of booking in AUD or NZD dollars prior to final payment. Service Charges added after final payment and/or prior to three weeks before departure will incur a $AU/NZ55 amendment fee. Please view Service Charge table on page 114 for relevant on board or prepaid charges. Should you wish to remove any of the daily Service Charge in the unlikely event that you do not receive satisfactory service, you may do so by contacting the Guest Relations Manager onboard. MSC Cruises does not recommend tipping individual members of staff. A 15% bar service charge is automatically added to all purchases onboard. MSC Cruises advises that Service Charges prices are subject to change due to cost variations and contingencies without prior notice.
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MSC for UNICEF
From 2009 MSC Cruises has been supporting an innovative UNICEF program helping children in need around the world. For four years in Brazil, through this program MSC and UNICEF were able to improve children’s education in favelas of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. Since January 2014 we have committed to helping the world’s most vulnerable, malnourished children, to save children’s lives using Ready-to-use Therapeutic Food like Plumpy Nut. Guests are invited to “Get on board for the children” and make a difference by offering a modest donation of as little as EUR1.00 per person (or US$1.50 per person), which will be added to your bill at the end of the cruise. This small offering, valid on all ships in the MSC Cruises fleet is of course optional. 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. For your convenience, should you give no indication to change the amount, the sum of € EUR1.00 per person (or US$1.50 per person) will be automatically debited to your final account. The Accounting Office is at guests’ disposal for further information. Currently MSC Cruises has raised over 6 Million Euros for UNICEF through the generosity of our cruising passengers. For more information, please read the informational brochure in every cabin or visit www.msc-unicef.org.
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Dining
Dining times and speciality restaurant opening hours are published in the Daily Program. All prices include main restaurant dining or the choice to dine at any time in the 20 hour gourmet casual buffet dining. All times printed in this brochure or your e-documentation is subject to cruise schedule, arrival and departure times, geographical locations, weather and shore excursion returns. Exact dining time and restaurant will only be confirmed at time of check-in. All restaurants offer special children menus and the casual buffet dining offers a children’s corner.
Full breakfast is served in the main restaurant from 7:00am until 9:30am and buffet breakfast in the casual dining starts approximately 6:00am. Onboard MSC Preziosa and MSC Divina the Galaxy Restaurant will sometimes offer a late brunch from 10:00am dependent on cruise schedule (surcharges apply). Lunch is served from noon until 2:30pm in the main restaurant. A grill and pizza service is available at the 20-hr gourmet casual buffet dining from noon to midnight. Dinner is served in the main restaurant dependent on experience pricing booked.
Bella Experience dinner bookings can choose a classic dining time between MAIN/LATE seating, at approximately 6.15pm and 9.00pm for dinner subject to cruise schedule. Exact dining time and restaurant will only be confirmed at time of check-in. Fantastic Experience dinner bookings on all ships excluding the new ships, will also choose a Classic MAIN/LATE seating as per above. Fantastica Experience dinner bookings on the new ships (MSC Meraviglia, MSC Seaside, MSC Seaview and MSC Bellissima) can choose Classic or Flexi dining. Under the flexi dining selection, they can allocate through www.msccruises.com.au via Manage Your Booking, the time of their flexi dining choice. These time allocations can only be made between 30 days up to 48 hours prior to embarkation of your first cruise. Changes to dining times can only be made once onboard with the Maitre d’Hotel before 4pm. Aurea Experience dinner bookings offer myChoice Dining allowing guests to dine whenever they like when the main restaurant is open. Simply turn up at your chosen time or you can make a reservation to ensure you do not have to wait for a table. To make a reservation go the myChoice Reservation desk or call from your in-room phone or use the MSC for ME APP whilst onboard. (download MSC for ME APP before you leave Australia/New Zealand). MSC Yacht Club Dining guest can enjoy round-the-clock room service menu, Top Sail lounge and One Pool area dedicated 20-hour meals and beverages from a menu, while a fully dedicated restaurant with free choice of dining times is available for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day. Finally a traditional English High-Tea is served daily in the Top Sail lounge or in your suite.
The Carrier will make all reasonable endeavours to accommodate your seating requests but requests are subject to change until embarkation on day of cruise.
Additional meals - 24-hour cabin/room service is available, surcharges apply and a price list will be found in your cabin as well as a pizza service can be ordered as room service on selected ships, room service delivery charges may apply as well please check when ordering room service. Specialty Dining: Dining at specialty restaurants is at a surcharge. You can pre-purchase your speciality/theme restaurants via the website www.msccruises.com.au and pay by credit card or book when you are onboard. This dining requires a reservation to be made through the phone numbers on the Daily Program or with the Maitre d’Hotel or your Dining Waiter onboard.
Afternoon Tea and Midnight Snacks are served in the 20-hr gourmet casual dining buffet.
We cater for a variety of allergies and other special dietary requirements please advise allergies at time of booking so correct menus can be organised for adults or children as they may not be able to be actioned onboard.
A 15% bar service charge is automatically added to all purchases onboard. No tips are therefore required for bar and restaurant staff. All food, drink and related services not included in the cruise price shall be paid at the end of the cruise.
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Special Diets/Special Requests
Any special dietary requirements/allergies or special requests must be advised in as much detail as possible at the time of your cruise booking and prior to departure from Australia or New Zealand. Descriptions such as “Vegetarian” are not sufficient. A supplementary charge may apply to these dietary or special requests including birthday cakes, anniversary cakes etc. Kosher menus (pre-packaged) and Halal products (beef, lamb and poultry) are available on selected itineraries or ships, however they must be requested at least 2 months prior to cruise departure, please check at time of booking. MSC Cruises works closely with the Italian Celiac Association to provide gluten-free menus in the main restaurant when cruising in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe. Onboard MSC Opera, MSC Sinfonia and MSC Armonia, guests can find pre-packaged gluten-free products such as snacks, biscuits, croissants, sponge cakes and muffins. Celiac menus and pre-packaged food are dependent on the cruise and itinerary booked please check at time of booking. The Carrier will make all reasonable endeavours to comply with the requests but cannot be held liable in relation to the inability to provide the required dietary or special requirement or the inability to provide a variety of special dietary meals or to meet any other special requests advised onboard.
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Bars and Entertainment
The bars as wells as the restaurants onboard offer a journey within a journey and our drinks have been carefully selected by our team. From health to fun, all styles of beverages can be enjoyed in the numerous bars and lounges. A 15% bar service charge is automatically added to all purchases onboard. No tips are therefore required for bar and restaurant staff. All food, drink and related services not included in the cruise price shall be paid at the end of the cruise.
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Entertainment
Throughout the cruise a wide range of entertainment can be enjoyed including card games, table tennis, volleyball and shuffleboard^ tournaments, pool games, song festivals, dance competitions, quizzes, fancy dress parades, beauty contests and many more. Spectacular international Broadway style shows will take place in the theatre and professional musicians will entertain in the lounges of the ship. Hiring of musicians for private functions must be pre- arranged and surcharges apply. MSC Meraviglia’s exclusive Carousel Lounge will showcase the shows by Cirque du Soleil for two shows over six nights of cruise. This special show is at a surcharge for either set dinner and then watch the show or just a drink and show option. Prices can be pre-purchased prior to departing from Australia/New Zealand. ^not available on MSC Magnifica.
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Languages Onboard
The Carrier uses six main languages for its communication onboard: English, Italian, German, French, Spanish and Brazilian Portuguese. The order in which these languages are spoken or appear is determined exclusively by the number of guests in each language group onboard compared to our total guests. The Daily Program and other printed material used onboard are available in different versions of the six languages above. The order of languages used in menus changes depending on the area of the world in which the ship is cruising.
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Spa and Fitness
The MSC Aurea Spa is a lavishly appointed wellness centre offering a vast range of health and beauty treatments, sauna, massage, gymnasium, hair and beauty salons. While gym (access from 14 years and over) is complimentary, price lists for the spa, health and wellness treatments and salon can be found in your cabin, at the Aurea Spa or in the Daily Program. Under 18 years may enter the thermal area (sauna and spa) only if accompanied by an adult. Selected Spa packages can be pre-paid and added into your cruise booking prior to your departure from Australia or New Zealand through your agent or with MSC Cruises. If you add after final payment through your agent or MSC Cruises an amendment fee will incurred. To book and pay via www.msccruises.com.au, click on Manage your Booking and add in your treatments and pay with credit card.
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Casino onboard
Our onboard casino offers games for players of all abilities. Roulette, Blackjack and a range of Poker tables including a Texas HoldEm electronic poker table. In the onboard casinos, guests may charge up to a maximum of Eur2000 per day to their onbaord account. If using a cash deposit then the amount will be limited to what is available on the Cruise Card. Guest registered with a cash deposit should check with Accounts onboard before commencing to play for amount to be used on their Cruise Card.
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Break of voyage
If for any reason you are departing the ship prior to the end of the cruise, please contact Reception. You will be asked to complete a “Break of Cruise” form to provide clearance to leave the ship. Surcharges may apply and will be advised at time of confirmation of break of cruise whether pre-advised before departure from Australia and/or New Zealand or arranged onboard the ship.
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We value your thoughts/comment form
Your comments are of great value in our unending drive to better meet your requirements and to exceed your expectations. Just before the end of the cruise, in your cabin is a brief questionnaire to complete and leave at the secure box at the Information desk before you disembark.
