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Very Important Announcement
Msc Cruises Announces Unavoidable Implementation Of Long Anticipated Fuel Supplement
JOHANNESBURG (November 14, 2007) It will come as little surprise for most to hear that MSC Cruises have announced that it will reluctantly be joining the growing list of major International cruise lines who have been forced to impose a mandatory ‘Fuel Supplement’ on their cruise fares around the world.
In the last six months barrel price of oil has increased by 55%, and while the Company had hoped to continue to support these increases, the trends shown in the last months have left them with no alternative but to impose a Supplement on cruise fares going into the future.
The fuel supplement has been fixed at US$ 5.00 per person per day but limited to a maximum of US$ 10.00 per cabin per day. This increase will apply to all new and existing bookings for cruises departing on or after January 1st, 2008.
In addition, a lesser supplement of US$3.50 per person per day (max US$7 per cabin per day) has been allowed for the New Year cruise of the Melody departing Durban on December 28th, 2007 – or a total of US$70.00 per cabin on this cruise.
To obviate the administrative nightmare of attempting to collect tens of thousands of relatively minor payments – creating the possibility of payments going astray or being misallocated (which would result in denial of boarding on departure day) - we have secured permission from MSC Cruises to have the applicable amount debited to each passengers’ ‘on-board’ account, for settlement prior to leaving the vessel.
Other lines that have already announced the implementation of their own Fuel Supplement include Carnival Cruise Lines, Costa Cruises, Cunard Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, The Yachts of Seabourn, and Silversea Cruises.
Please be advised, therefore, that ALL passengers travelling on the Melody on or after December 28th, 2007 will have the applicable surcharge added to their on-board account which will be presented to them for settlement on board prior to disembarking in Durban.
It is interesting to know that these amounts only go in part to off-setting the effect which the fuel price has had on the operating costs of large passenger liners – the ship owners are bearing the balance of the costs.
As it is essential that every effort be made to contact all passengers currently holding a booking, please do not be alarmed should you receive this notification more than once prior to departure.
MSC CRUISES SMOKING POLICY ON BOARD
MSC Cruises has introduced throughout its fleet a “Clean Air” policy, which will allow both smokers and non-smokers to enjoy their holidays on board in mutual respect.
After the introduction of the ‘Clean Air’ policy, the trials of the extensive smoke-free zones have received general approval of passengers.
‘We have eliminated smoking in all areas where non-smokers and smokers would have shared the same spaces,’ General Manager Emilio La Scala said. We assigned a few rooms where smokers are welcome, but the majority of indoor spaces are now non-smoking’.
On all MSC vessels, smoking is therefore only allowed indoors in the Cigar Rooms, the Casinos and in one dedicated lounge. Passengers can also smoke outside, on one side of the sun deck, but no smoking is allowed in cabins or on balcony cabins.
The rest of the ships is therefore totally smoke-free, for the benefit of non-smokers.
Thanks to the Clean Air Policy, MSC Cruises has therefore managed to satisfy both smokers and non-smokers by having a 90% smoke-free ship.
Important Information Regarding The Use Of Your Credit Card For On-Board Expenses
Life on board the Melody is effectively like living in a ‘cashless society’. The only items that can – and must – be paid in cash are the baby sitting services and the casino if utilized and shore excursions if the charge is not added to your bill.
In keeping with the generally adopted practice of most major cruise lines, you will be given a ‘Cruise Card’ at the time of check-in. This card acts as both your ID for getting on and off the vessel, and is also used when making purchases on board.
Once on board you will need to ‘activate’ your card, and to do so you will need to visit the ‘Cruise Card Office’ on board, and there leave a cash deposit to be offset against expenses which you will incur when using your ‘Cruise Card’ for making purchases on board.
You may also activate your Cruise Card at the Cruise Card Office by making use of your own Credit Card.
If you elect to activate your cruise card by means of your credit card, it is very important to note the following.
Again in keeping with the general practice adopted internationally, your card will be ‘swiped’ for an anticipated amount that would normally be expected on a cruise of the duration of that on which you are booked.
If you activated your Cruise Card with a credit card, at the end of your cruise 2 copies of your bill will be placed in your cabin on the last night of the cruise. If you are satisfied with the charges reflected therein, sign one copy of your bill and leave it at the Reception desk before disembarking. (If you have any queries please approach the Cruise Card Office before arriving in port)
* It may turn out that the amount originally anticipated was in excess of your final expenditure on board.
It is important to be aware that the final ‘accounting’ of each cruise is sent to the head office of MSC Cruises in Naples. At that time any ‘surplus’ amount that was debited to your credit card in excess of your actual on-board expenditure will be refunded to your credit card. Do not be concerned that you have ‘lost’ this money, as this procedure can take between 7 and 10 days.
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