What should I do

I have no suggestions for you, but how unfortunate that your TA booked you on the wrong ship. Which ship were you supposed to have sailed on ? Looking at the MSC website, they show 3 ships leaving from Genoa on Sept 29. Couldn't they have changed your booking? Or, rather, couldn't your TA have corrected the booking, since it would seem that this would have been their mistake? ( your invoices and booking confirmations at the time of booking would have specified all of these details). Since you're well past final payment date, I hope the loss of the nonrefundable portion won't put too big a damper on the rest of your trip.

If your family still wants to go on a cruise, it's not too late. I'd recommend, however, that you use a reputable cruise specialist to help you. Who knows, since this is well past final payment dates, you might find a really good deal.

What did your travel agent say? And what dates did your travel documents state?

You need to start planning the remainder of your trip. You don't need transportation in Florence itself and for day trips you can use the trains. If you want to rent a car for trips outside Florence, make sure you get an International Drivers Permit before you go. You can get them from AAA.

For the tickets from BCN to Genoa you probably won't get a refund if they were non refundable but you could use them and then take the train to Florence from Genoa.

If you decide to book another cruise. Try booking it yourself through vacationstogo.com. They're an online travel agent. I've found their prices are the same as all the other online travel agents. I recommend them because they have the best search engine I've found. I've also used them for a handful of cruises and never had a problem (at least not with their booking).

If you look at "last minute cruises", basically 90 days to go, you might find a better deal than you had before. If you mess up the booking, you can only blame yourself because you pick your own cruise. When you book they'll talk to you to finalize the arrangements (cabin selection and your travel information).

I have been offered by MSC a Royal Suite at an addtl cost.. total 7400.00 which is a great deal.. Now is it worth it in Europe or is it worth spending that week exploring another city. We did the Mediterranean and did not really do much on our ports we enjoyed the ship instead. Im in a cross not knowing what to decide. Question for you experienced European travels. Are cruises part of your agenda when you go to Europe?
The Royal Suite is what I originally wanted but was much pricier now at a lower price it still seems quite pricey... They also quoted me the Family Suite in the YV at a better price also.. So what should I do...

This forum specializes in land travel. To help you make your decision, try Cruise Critic, particularly the MSC boards. cruisecritic.com

Good luck and bon voyage,

I have been offered by MSC a Royal Suite at an addtl cost.. total 7400.00 which is a great deal.

Is this for your original dates so that your schedule for all your other travels does not have to change?
Is this $7400 total or $7400 more than what the original cost was?

They also quoted me the Family Suite in the YV at a better price also

"in the YV" Huh? What is that?

You have provided too little info for anyone to make a useful and informed judgment as to which choice may be preferable

7400.00 Total for the Royal Suite on the MSC. The change is minimal and can be done.
The YC = Yacht Club

What is the fastest and cheapest way from Barcelona to Genoa?

What is the fastest and cheapest way from Barcelona to Genoa?

Picking a random date in Sept skyscanner.com shows Vueling has $65 90 minute non stop flight

Depending on exactly when you are traveling, hard to imagine there is a faster or cheaper way

I certainly do not mean to add to the OP’s problem here but I feel compelled to say that her/his experience is exactly why the Travel Agent is an almost extinct species.

While it is more work you are much more likely to get a better deal and actually know what is happening on what date with what ship if you do the planning and booking yourself. In fact most TA’a are just going to use the same sites you do except there may be a TA entrance portal.

TA’s were a necessary inconvenience when communication with airlines, cruise lines and hotels was done over teletype, fax and phone and tickets were actually issued by TA’s. But they all got tired of paying 10% for haphazard, incorrect and screwed up bookings then came the World Wide Web....

Actually, the travel agent business is growing again. Surprisingly, Millennials are using them to book complicated trips as they don't want to waste their time planning a trip when they could be spending that time posting every aspect of their life on Instagram.

Personally, cruise ships don't appeal to me. I'd rather sleep in a hotel and eat in local restaurants than sleep and dine on a moving city of a few thousand people. YMMV.

Aarthurperry, I might agree with you as far as relatively uncomplicated land travel goes, but not for cruising. Especially for novice cruisers, a GOOD TA, who is a cruise specialist, can help select a line that suits their tastes, a ship with an itinerary that best suits their interests, and a cabin category and location that fits their budget. They can also provide advice regarding pre and post cruise transportation and hotels, and some may help navigate the waters of Visa procurement, when needed. Even experienced cruisers will use cruise specialists, as some of the larger ones add extra on board credit or perks to attract customers (a free beverage perk is worth a fair chunk of change if you are one who cares to imbibe).

Something is missing from the OPs description of the mess she had with her original cruise booking. Usually if a TA books a cruise, they technically own the reservation until you board, and the cruise company won't talk to you directly.

OP, regarding the question about getting from Barcelona to Genoa - how were you originally going to get there? Didn't you already have plans to fly?

@CJean I get what you are saying...but it sounds suspiciously like it is coming from a TA.

In fact all of what you describe can easily be done online through cruise review sites, Cruise line web sites and places like cruise critic. In addition there are any number of good guidebooks aimed at getting you on the right cruise.

When you tell a Cruise agent all of the things you say a good TA can do for you one has to hope they are listening carefully and understanding. Which in my experience most don’t.

Another issue that needs to be brought out is that certain cruise lines may have special perks or upgraded FAMS or Free Tips for agents that book a higher number of their cruises. Please don’t tell me that these incentives are not playing out in the mind of the TA as they are deciding which Cruise is “Best” for you.

As for Visas; Most cruise destinations Americans use do not require visas in advance those few that do can be easily done through a visa service or by yourself and again even a visa for Turkey can be done online.

And the best part? If you are a halfway competent person you will know what you have booked and will know it is right.

And for this 4 month trip I am on now I considered taking Cunard to Europe and I found I got the Best prices, Best incentives and more freebies directly from the Cunard Web Site. I would have gone with them but sadly they did not have space for my pooch. All the kennel space was reserved.

As for a Cruise being more difficult to plan than a land trip...? I have to disagree that One booking is more difficult than the 9 Countries, 9AirBnbs, 13 hotels(I know I’ve missed some), 5 Rental Cars, 7 Train trips, 2 ferries and more all with a dog in tow...To be fair almost any land trip is more complex than a cruise even though my trip is not typical.

I have cruised my whole life and like it however I must admit I only like it when its concierge/yacht club etc.. And it is a pretty penny.. I will not do a 2 X 4 when I have the luxury of my home. I will however do the one bedroom suites so hubby can relax. He is not a fan of cruising so is very happy with these travel tips that turned me mostly away from cruising and into an adventure of sightseeing!