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Sun beds |
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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. |
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Free pastime activities onboard |
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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. |
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Garages for vehicles |
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A garage that has made special arrangements with MSC is available in most ports of embarkation and airports (this does not include Dover). Service is chargeable. It is advisable to phone for reservations |
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Shops and services on board |
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A vast selection of the best brands is available from the Duty & Tax Free shops on board: clothing, beauty and perfume items, jewellery, film and photographic equipment, glasses, suntan lotion, tobacco and liquor items, as well as products with the MSC logo. All ships have hair and beauty salons, sauna and massage, gym, laundry and photographic service with prices published onboard. |
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Meal times |
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Early breakfast is served on deck between 06.30 and 07.00. Breakfast is served in the restaurant from 07.00 until 09.30, at the on-deck buffet from 07.00 until 10.00, or in your cabin from 07.00 until 10.00 (except on the day of disembarkation). Cabin service can be requested using the form found in the cabin. Lunch is served from 12.00 until 14.30 in the restaurant and on-deck buffet. Dinner is served in the restaurants in two seatings at 19.00 and at 20.45. Times may change depending on dockings and excursions. Any changes will be indicated in the Daily Programme. Special diets can be catered for if requested at the time of reservation. A supplementary charge may apply to these special requests. It is possible to reserve lunch and/or dinner at special and à la carte restaurants through the Reception Desk. |
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Clothing |
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Casual wear is advised for life on board ship and for the excursions. For the Gala evenings and parties you may wish to dress more formally, we suggest a dark suit for the gentlemen and an evening dress for the ladies. For informal evenings, we recommend summery dresses for women and a lightweight jacket for men. For those few formal evenings, cocktail dresses for the ladies and a lightweight suit, or even dinner jacket for men. It is advisable to have a sweater or shawl handy to be prepared for the changes in temperature between the air-conditioned interior of the ship and the deck areas. For excursions including visits to sacred sites we advise "appropriate" clothing (no shorts, bermuda shorts, vests etc.).
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Loungers |
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These are available free to passengers (they cannot be booked). Guests are kindly requested not to occupy deckchairs and loungers with personal items during any long absences. Around the swimming pools beach towels are available which should be returned after use.
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Entertainment & Fitness |
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Onboard you can use the state-of-the-art Fitness area. During the cruise there is bridge, canasta, table tennis, tennis, volleyball and shuffleboard tournaments, pool games, song festivals, treasure hunt, quiz games, fancydress balls and beauty contests. For special occasions or just a special evening, the onboard musicians can be hired for extra performances. |
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Entertainment for Kids
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Entertainment for kids is free of charge: - Mini Club (kids 3 to 6 years old, also available during the excursions) - Juniors Club (kids from 7 to 12 years old) - Teenagers Club (teens from 13 to 18 years old).
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Pre and Post cruise stay |
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Should demand exceed the number of rooms available in the advertised hotel, MSC Cruises reserves the right to provide guests with accommodation in a different hotel of the same category. |
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Valuables |
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Safe deposit boxes are provided in all the ships cabins (except on MSC Melody, where a safe deposit is provided, for some cabins, at the reception desk). The Company assumes no responsibility for loss or theft of money or valuables stored in the cabin, in luggage or left unattended.
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| Q: |
You protect the sea? |
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We ask our passengers not to throw waste in the sea or in ports to help protect the sea, marine life and ecology. |
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MSC for UNICEF |
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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), 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.$1.50) will be automatically debited to your final account. For more information please read the informational brochure left in every cabin or go to www.msc-unicef.org |
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Special Diets |
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Special diets can be served on board. Guests need to request them at the time of booking.MSC Cruises works closely the AIC - Associazione Italiana Celiachia (Italian Celiac Association) to provide gluten-free menus in the restaurants of MSC Fantasia, MSC Musica, MSC Orchestra ed MSC Poesia cruising in the Mediterranean and in Northern Europe. On MSC Splendida, MSC Lirica, MSC Opera, MSC Sinfonia, MSC Armonia, MSC Melody guests can find pre-packaged gluten-free products like snacks, biscuits, croissants, plumcakes and muffins. |
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Daily programme |
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Each evening Housekeeping will deliver a detailed programme to your cabin for the next day. It contains all the information on the activities and entertainment proposed by the MSC Cruises' staff. |
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Tips |
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No tips are requested on board. |
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Onboard Currency |
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For cruises in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe, as well as transatlantic cruises departing from Europe, the onboard currency is the Euro (€). For cruises in the Caribbean, North America, South America and South Africa, as well as transatlantic cruises going to Europe, the onboard currency is the US Dollar ($). |
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Other services |
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MEDICAL CENTRE: physicians and nurses are available for medical assistance. Charges are in effect for physician's services. The following services are also charged as extras: photographer, Turkish bath, beauty treatments, casino, video games, 4D cinema and F1 simulator (only on MSC Splendida and MSC Fantasia), golf simulator (only on MSC Sinfonia), golf practice (free and only on MSC Musica), internet stations, hairdresser, barber, beauty salon, sauna and massages, laundry and ironing.
POST OFFICE: mail can be taken to the onboard Information Office who will take care of the stamp (charged to passenger) and pass it to our local representatives for mailing. Radio and telecommunications: telephone, fax and e-mail are available at the rates displayed onboard.
VOLTAGE The current on board for all the ships is 110/220 V. Passengers may request electrical outlet adapters from the information office.
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Wi-Fi connection |
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A Wi-Fi card is available onboard all ships and enables wireless Internet connection in certain areas of the ship displaying the sign "MSC Hot Spot Wi-Fi Area". All you need is a prepaid MSC Wi-Fi card that will enable your laptop to access the service. You can buy the card from the Reception desk. 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!!! 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. |
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Service Charges |
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All onboard services offered to MSC Guests are subject to 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 charge is fixed and cannot be altered: · Mediterraneanand 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 Dollars/day per adult; 6 Dollars/day per child under 18, including spring transatlantic cruises · South America cruises: 9 Dollars/day per adult; 4,5 /day per child under 18, including spring transatlantic cruises · South Africa cruises Season 2009/2010 South Africa cruises: 4 Dollars/day per adult Positioning cruises: - heading to South Africa 6 Euro/day per adult - coming from South Africa 6 Dollars/day per adult From Season 2010/2011 Onwards
South Africa cruises: 6 Dollars/day per adult Positioning cruises: - heading to South Africa 6 Euro/day per adult - coming from South Africa 6 Dollars/day per adult The applicable service charge for children under 18 will be 50% of the above rates |
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Restaurants and Buffet, Bars and Cafes - Service Charge
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All food, drink and related services not included in the cruise price shall be paid at the end of the cruise. A 15% service charge is already included and detailed in the final bill. No tips are therefore required for bar and restaurant staff. |
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Ship Alcohol Policy |
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Passengers are warned not to attempt to take personal supplies of alcohol on board. In keeping with the policies adopted by Cruise Lines throughout the world, personal supplies of alcohol will be confiscated if found in passengers luggage or if observed in passengers cabins. Both the main luggage as well as hand baggage is thoroughly searched before embarkation. NO Exceptions will be permitted. To avoid embarrassment in the presence of fellow travelers - Personal supplies of alcohol are best left at home |
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New Regulations concerning food and beverages |
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In order to ensure our health and security standards, we kindly inform that, from November 1st 2008, it will be strictly forbidden to bring food and beverage onboard the vessels of our fleet. In compliance with this regulation and in order to guarantee the above standards, during embarkation a careful check control will be carried out through all passengers luggage. In order to facilitate the embarkation process, we ask that you please avoid bringing any food and beverage or transporting any food and beverage as part of your luggage. Please note below a list of the items that are allowed: - Personal hygiene products: toothpaste, cleansing products, lotions.
- Fluid medications for therapeutic use.
- Baby gear and baby food items.
- Dietary items: prescribed by a physician.
Any local or " typical" food item purchased during the cruise in any port of call will be collected and returned at the end of the cruise. |
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