Sorry kate, I see you already did.

I think it was stressed that there was no pressure to donate points. Some people may be saving them for some special HT goodies.

Yes, come on guys and gals...........even if you do mean it in a friendly encouraging way, this is the reason some people had reservations about doing the `all in one day` thing.

Let`s not turn a good thing sour by not thinking about inadvertently laying a guilt-trip on someone who doesn`t deserve it.

OMG! Give me 5 stars and I get all sensible!!

I was trying to get enough points for a t shirt but I reckon it might take me till next year. Bit like the cruise, always just out of reach. Didn't want to nag anyone' just to gently hint.

Hi Maureen,

I`m honestly NOT having a go at you or anyone else.

Just trying to stop a problem before it happens.........you know how these things can so easily get out of hand.

I only put myself forwards as the `policeman`of this as I felt someone had to say these things before they became a problem.....and I`m thick-skinned enough to take the flack!!

Cheers,

Tony

PS..........you keep saving for the T-Shirt until you get it and wear it proudly! That is what the HT points were originally for and the Charity donation is just another way of using them for people who do not want the goodies.

It's okay Tony, I know you weren't getting at me 'cos we were posting at the same time, you just type faster!!!
Asleema is right I shouldn't nag people, well only R*** and the Daily Express, maybe.
I didn't see the original post about donating points and as the total was so near the target, I just got carried away.

Thanks for that Tony ........I was beginning to feel a bit uneasy about saving up my points. I choose my own charities to donate to and I do have my favourites(no offence intended). I also actually work for a charity and as a volunteer and so have some loyalties elsewhere!

Good luck to everyone soon off on the trip of a lifetime........and I can assure you all, it will definitely be this:

Also there is def a hairdryer in cabin, yes? Thanks.

Yes, there is!

Alli

Hi folks. Just to say I'm still here watching the postings but been a bit rushed of late. Have a wonderful time all you cruisers setting off in the next week and keep trying all those who are still wrestling with demons to get theirs. Will donate my few points now!

Maureen dear, I wasn't having a go at you either but just thought that some people might have felt embarrassed at holding on to their points, which I know you would not have wanted.

Well folks - have donated my points and the total is now £2004.57 - yippee

Well, the £2000 target has been and gone - great going everyone!

really happy to see people are still getting cruises, but I am puzzled. I sent my summary and letter to M** on 14 May, and got a call from A on the 16th confirming no call outs being made as it was in the hands of the legal dept. Heard nothing by 26 June so sent the summary and a letter to R***. Had a call from thier Help Desk saying the promotion was suspended or on hold (cant remember which she said!) and when I pressed her as to when they would be able to give me more information she said she couldnt say as they were waiting on the Daily Express.
I was going to send my summary and another letter to the DE, but having looked at some of the recent positive comments here, dont know if I should wait and see!
Could be time for another of my whisky nights perhaps!
Done it before, but cant see how at the moment, but how do I donate my points anybody?

Forget that last question - just opened my eyes and seen it at the top of the page!

Hi Johnfrun,

I was going to send my summary and another letter to the DE, but having looked at some of the recent positive comments here, dont know if I should wait and see!

The two things are not connected. Those who have cruised have had a fantastic time and others, like me, who have been confirmed expect the same, thanks to MSC. The problem lies with DE/R*** who have not fulfilled their obligations to many people, who saved up and sent off tokens in good faith for a guaranteed cruise and are still in limbo. I feel you should pursue all avenues and keep on until you get what you were 'guaranteed'. If you and your brother both buy a car from the same showroom at the same price but yours has a load of faults, you wouldn't not complain just because your brother's was perfect would you.

Hi Johnfrum,

I was going to send my summary and another letter to the DE, but having looked at some of the recent positive comments here, dont know if I should wait and see!

I read this as meaning that you might ruin your chances by making a fuss........am I right?

If so, I personally found that being firm yet polite and persistent without being irate had the best results.

I know it has changed since Rise/DE went onto their back foot and playing hard to get but I would not think that putting your case again to DE would do any harm at all.

many of the people who secured cruises did so by not accepting the Rise versions of having vouchers, paying for various elements/supplements but instead got onto the DE who then chased Rise.

None of us really know how much truth there is in this talk of extended `negotiations` or how much of it is a smokescreen, so I say keep at the DE, Watchdog and anyone else who will listen.

I feel that it would suit certain people if everyone just quietly gave up and went home so they could get off the hook.

It`s up to you............do you feel suitably angry that you have not received what was promised or do you want to let them get away with paying for another cruise?

The choice is yours..........but we`ll still love ya` either way!

Hi Everyone

Had a great time on our cruise.
Will do a full reveiw later, but heres a few notes.
Met quite a few people traveling on M*m promotions, not just DE.
EVERYONE not got a cruise keep on at them, one of the DE cruisers got a cancellation cruise 6 days before we sailed. She wasn't even an HT'er.
Didn't meet up with my fellow HT members till the last day
Make sure , if you want to meet each other, you exchange cabin numbers and as much info as possible. I followed previous cruisers advice and contacted Ayesha but no one else did till the end of the cruise.
Ayesha is the English hostess, very nice lady, worth meeting and will give info on ports the ship etc also other HT cruisers. Got to hear about the PLATES in the resturant
I also warned her about the July 4th cruisers

Port info and map are available from the Premier Reception desk the night before. Ship arrived ahead of time at all ports!

The next meal's menu is also on Premier deck near the lifts. (Can help speed up the meal, if you get the same service we did you will understand why!)
IF you want coffee, after dinner, you need to ASK for it and have allowed enough time to get it!
Would recommend 1st sitting as it gives more options to do things.

Duty free shop on board has very good prices for spirits, cheaper than Genoa port's duty free shop. But doesn't sell wine!
It opens soon after leaving port, from the way, people were bulk buying the cigs. think they must be cheap too, but I dont smoke so can't confirm.

Naples, had no problems doing our own walking tour. We even ran into a Melody excursion, poor people having to listen to everything in four different languages! Soon left them behind!
Dont bother doing the archelogoly musem, we got there to find it shuts all day Tuesday!
Valetta, again its not too far to walk into the town, but note some of the smaller shops dont open till 4pm and you have to be back on the ship at 5pm!
Tunisia did a tour to Carathage but not a lot to photgraph! Try another.
Some people got the taxis, price went from €40 bartered down to €10

Ibitha head for the Spar supermarkets, just up one of the side streets from where the shuttle bus drops you, their wine is €0.85 a litre boxed!
or €0.75 if you want a bottle, dont forget a cork screw! And its not bad after a few boxes even the entertainment looks good
San Tropez go straight to the disembarkation point on the restraunt deck and get on a tender, about 11.30.a.m. If you ask any one they will tell you that you cant leave till after 1.30pm BUT you can!
This place is worth seeing at night, get the 11.00pm tender back to catch the on board entertainment!
Genoa if you have time the aquarium is worth doing.
Can see why its only rated 2.5 stars though. Food is ok but the service can be slow and erractic, entertainment..... have seen better at Pontins.
We had two gala nights, but the 1st is the smartest one.
If you like lots of food do the buffet breakfast and lunch if atmosphere the resturant. Comprise is the satelite resturant get your buffet than about turn and walk to the front of the ship. Had no problem finding a table, people dont seem to realise the place exists!

Be prepared for children its the Italians school holidays and a whole lounge was set aside for them.

Happy Cruising

Peter

Fay's comments take note of, had to request bin, fruit didn't turn up till second day. Wife says there was no tissues in any of the toilets on last day! You have to leave your cabin by 8a.m. so be prepared ladies.

Hi Peter,

Welcome back, it sound as if you had a good time. Thanks for all your advice. I'll look forward to reading your full report, though doubtless we will have left before you get round to it.

However

I also warned her about the July 4th cruisers

- I really don't know what you mean. Anyone would think we had a reputation. You couldn't wish to meet a more friendly and innocuous bunch than us. Our only problem is that we are all rather shy and retiring, so we will need to be brought out of our shells.

Hi Pat

- I really don't know what you mean. Anyone would think we had a reputation. You couldn't wish to meet a more friendly and innocuous bunch than us.

Lets see how many camels Tony, Thomas and Phil get for Tiffany.

I warned her that there would be no sleeping on board that week because of all the laughing

Peter

Welcome home Peter

It all sounds so familiar! I'm wishing I was back there.

Ibitha head for the Spar supermarkets

I forgot about this - best chocolate I've ever had from here! I tried to do 'cash-back'. NO! (well, it was a Spar shop!). I had a job finding a cash machine that worked.

Table 12, first sitting - the service was just right, not at all slow! Expect it's just the luck of the draw (as with the bins - I had two!) ...... when I was in second sitting, it was definitely slower.

Alli