Review of the CFC RENAISSANCE's 'EN VOGUE' experience (page 3 of 6)

Hello, Sorry, the evening buffet wasn’t open for EN VOGUE, but it should be during a real cruise. I was able to try the breakfast buffet—I’ll talk about it later. As for PLANETE CROISIERE, they’re really pathetic for acting this way. This won’t save CFC, ugh. On top of charging high cancellation fees, we now know this agency is dishonest! Originally, this agency was created by someone who lives not far from me. Their father owned a physical agency in Mouvaux, and they don’t know it, but I know them! I don’t know if their father is aware of their practices… he seemed pretty honest back then. Anyway, at least now we know what this agency is worth! Regarding the price, I still find their rates quite high, even if the food seems decent. That’s not everything—disastrous organization, not being able to swim, and numerous onboard issues. There are definitely better options out there!

Hi,

Not long ago, I called Croisiland to ask for an MSC quote. My contact told me that MSC had removed the discounts linked to their Facebook partnership with Croisiland. At the same time, I read on FB that Planète Croisière had partnered with MSC and was offering extra discounts. Is this blatant, or am I just being suspicious?

which way?

Hi Catherine!

All this is so surprising!

Anyway, I’ve never trusted this agency, and I’m not ready to book with them.

Once, I asked this person (the one in question) for a quote for a Celebrity cruise. When I saw how they operated, I preferred to finalize the quote with another agency I usually work with.

I also think they’re dishonest. From what I understand, this person on Facebook organizes a lot of group trips, which I really don’t like.

I’m sticking with the agencies I usually travel with. That’s final—it’s not for me.

Hey Yeah... but it wasn't him who did the censoring—it was his boss...

Hello,

Not long ago, I called Croisiland to ask for an MSC quote. My contact told me that MSC had removed the discounts linked to their FB partnership with Croisiland. At the same time, I read on FB that Planète Croisière had partnered with MSC and was offering additional discounts.... Is this blatant, or am I being paranoid?

Hi Catherine, yeah, that *is* weird... you’re talking about the discounts linked to the LARGUEZ group, right? That group isn’t exactly transparent either... 😕 unfortunately.

Anyway, whenever there’s money involved, it’s all about the commissions! Personally, I miss the old AZUR agency. 🙁

they all agree, don’t they! I’m lumping them together! The proof is that the other one dodges the subject when you ask them

Alfred, do you always book through the same agency? Could we get a hint? 😉

You always book through the same agency? Could we get a hint? 😉

Hi Isa,

Since Azur Croisière closed, I’ve been buying all my cruises either from Croisiland or Logitravel.

Yeah... I’ll admit, ever since I’ve been reading all this, I’m a bit apprehensive... Okay, I chose it for the itinerary, but if everything around it is awful... And my husband’s grumbling next to me that I’m going to put him off cruises🙁... I’d spotted a Celebrity cruise leaving in May with a great Aquaclass rate... But the itinerary was way less appealing... Lots of complicated industrial ports and short stops.

Anyway, the wine’s been poured, so we’ve got to drink it😎

I recently tried Seascanner for a cruise with Mein Schiff, but unfortunately, it’s not sold in France. I called all the agencies, and none of them sell Mein Schiff here. On the other hand, everything with Seascanner is in English (calls and emails).

Unfortunately, due to reasons we’re all aware of in the Gulf, the cruise was canceled. Otherwise, I usually book my cruises through Croisiland or Logitravel.

which way?

Surprising and weird, as Alfred and Isabelle said. [;]

Yes... Actually, from what I’ve understood so far, MSC also used to contribute to its discounts on Facebook. Now that’s no longer the case. So the discount is only granted by the agency... They’re dipping into their own margins if they offer an extra discount, which apparently wasn’t the case before—it’s up to them who decides... I don’t know how much margin MSC gives to agencies, but just as an example, NCL gives them 15%, so when they offer an 8% or 10% discount, it’s deducted from that margin.

If it's a discount given by the agency, we're not talking about a partnership.

Well, yeah. The Facebook group has a partnership with the travel agency that gives a discount..

Not quite—the agency had a partnership with MSC for the FB group. It’s not the same thing.

CONTINUED We still managed to sleep despite that horrible ventilation noise... but it’s annoying because when you wake up often during the night like I do, it’s not easy to fall back asleep. We were in cabin 9123—I’d definitely advise against it because of this issue, which lasted until we left! We found an invoice slipped under the door (for the cocktails we had last night). Of course, with their constant glitches, my bank card wasn’t registered. 😕 I decide to go pay right away while my husband finishes getting ready... but when I get to reception, there’s already a huge crowd—ugh—and it’s not moving since there are still only two people working there. I give up... we’ll pay before we leave! Off to breakfast—this time it’s at the buffet on deck 11! The selection is varied and tasty, except for the undrinkable industrial fruit juices. There’s also a clear lack of staff to clear tables and restock when things run out. I hear people complaining about their night... we weren’t the only ones with that ventilation problem. A woman tells me she didn’t sleep a wink, another says she has a terrible migraine and feels bad for future cruisers who’ll have to put up with this for days... Someone else overhears us and mentions there was a leak in the hallway outside their cabin... that’s a lot of malfunctions! Here are a few photos:







There’s a bit of everything—savory, sweet, hot, cold—too bad about the undrinkable fruit juices.

We decide to explore the outdoor decks since the weather’s nice today. There’s a walking circuit at the very top, but it’s not very interesting. The one on deck 6 is more pleasant. I’m going to test the freezing outdoor pool, of course.



Then it’s off to the gym and spa.

One perk here—the spa is free, but the jacuzzi doesn’t bubble at all, so it’s just a big bathtub. The hammam wasn’t heated either... hopefully, that’s not usually the case.



The gym is decent.



We continue to the panoramic lounge, which is really nice—where they must hold dance parties.



Okay, we’ve seen it all. We head back through the cabin hallway, and you can still hear the ventilation in places—it’s unpleasant. Back in the cabin, the cabin steward came by to collect the water bottles—lol, I guess they’re afraid we’ll steal them. :) Off to reception to pay, and—shock—there are about a hundred people waiting! Still only two people working there.





I’m thinking they’re really amateurish! It shouldn’t be hard to add staff when it’s this busy. Some people are worried about missing their train, but from what I hear, a lot aren’t exactly sad to leave—what a shame! Finally, it’s our turn. I pay—it should be quick, but no! Everything takes forever, even printing a simple invoice... My mom mentions she drank a bottle of water, and the staff member says he doesn’t see any charge on his screen. He calls someone—no answer. He tries his cell—still no one. Finally, a bit exasperated, he says it’s fine, she doesn’t owe anything... We head down, and the bus is there to take us back to the model pavilion.

TO BE CONTINUED—CONCLUSION 😉

Hey Isa,

Can you imagine a transatlantic crossing on this ship with that noise? It’s unbearable!

I usually enjoy transatlantic trips, but do you see me spending 20 days or more without sleeping at night? No way, it’s unthinkable.

As I’ve said before, this ship isn’t for us. And when I say "us," I mean you, me, Catherine, and the others. For regular travelers, no—it’s really not for us.

I’ll be there for the wrap-up! !

Yes, that's right.. MSC ended this partnership but still commissions agencies, of course. The agency can do what it wants with this commission and may pass part of it back to the client.. That’s why some agencies still offer discounts to their customers.

Ugh+++ I'm at this bridge... hope I don't run into the same issue... Is it inside the cabin or the whole deck? I saw you were next to the laundry room... did you check it out?