MSC Poesia Review

4.0 / 5.0
507 reviews

MSC Poesia Miracle Cruise

Review for the Eastern Caribbean Cruise on MSC Poesia
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Fast Alongside
10+ Cruises • Age 70s

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Sail Date: Dec 2010

This was our second MSC cruise, the first being on the MSC Opera. We call this our miracle cruise because it was a miracle we ever made it on to the ship. we were to fly from the Minneapolis-St.Paul airport to Ft.Lauderdale on Sunday,the day after the largest blizzard in nearly twenty years. We awoke at 5:00 am to find that both our driveway and street had not been plowed. We called the airline and they said that the airport was open and the flight was on-time. Of course we had to get to the airport first. We didn't give up (although it seemed the most logical thing to do!) and called our good friends who were to give us a ride from their home to the airport and also take care of our little white dog while we were away. Our first angels of the day. We carried our bags, dog and all of his belongings through the snowed-in street two blocks to the main road, which had been plowed,where our friend had parked his car. He then took us to their house where we dropped of the dog with his wife and continued to the airport. The highways had been plowed and we made quite good time. After arriving and having a nice breakfast we went to the gate. Shortly thereafter we were notified that the plane was in Green Bay, Wisconsin, but would be leaving shortly. Upon arrival at MSP there would be a further delay due to a maintenence issue. When that was repaired we would depart late but still with time for us to make our departure time. Well of course the delays dragged on and I began calling the travel agency and our travel insurance company. We were told that if we arrived at the dock by 6:00 we would be able to board. This would be close, but possible. The travel insurance agent essentially told us that the trip delay and cancellation coverage would not apply (!). This is why I rarely buy travel insurance-too many exceptions. The airline was the most helpful, saying that we could get a full refund for the cost of the flight. We made the decision to board the flight as it looked like we would just have enough time. After the door had been shut we waited and waited. Eventually the pilot informed us that due to an error the flight had not been taken off the maintenence list and therefore there was no vehicle to push us back from the gate. This resulted in a further one hour delay. We knew at this point that we would not make the port in time for departure, but since the door had been shut there was nothing to be done but fly to Ft. Lauderdale.

Eventually we took off for a smooth and uneventful flight, wondering what to do with our week in Florida. At least it would be warmer and not snowing. As we flew over the cruise port on approach for landing we were startled to see our ship! Could it have been held due to other delayed passengers? We knew it wsn't being held just for us!

We dashed of the plane (thank goodness we only had carry on luggage!) and hurried to the taxi stand. Even the driver remarked that this was pretty late to be going to the port. We arrived at the terminal only to find the secuity and port staff preparing to leave. We were politely told that there was no way for us to board, for a number of reasons. When we saw one of the lines being dropped we knew all was lost, in spite of our efforts. Just then an ambulance and rescue squad pulled up to the dock. Then a car pulled up and a man in a business suit got out, speaking on a cell phone. As he began to enter the terminal my wife approached him and asked if he was an official of the cruise line and if he was getting on the ship, could he also get us onboard? He asked us for our boarding pass and passport. We were thankful that we had pre-registered on line so we knew we had been checked out for security purposes. He spoke further on his cell phone and told us that he would return and that when the gangway was lowered for the ambulance he would walk us onto the ship! He was our second angel of the day.

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