Nunagoras

This! And it's not only CCL, even though those riots, brawls, fights, etc. seem to be more prevalent there. MSC wants their experience to be at least a little bit more upscale. I score them as "affordable elegant cruising". They're having something on the likes both for US and UK sailings as reviews go, and they'll surely to call it a night on that. I once was a hard drinks packages supporter for account control on pax part. Now I'm not so much, other than for the premium suite guests, even on longer cruises. Why? Sadly; because massification for the good and for the bad is permitting just everyone aboard a cruise ship right now. The good, the bad and the ugly ones, sadly Let me to have a break here: When I go to the Portuguese MSC website version and I see a winter weeklong cruise for less than EUR 500 with Easy plus, taxes and gratuities on one of the Meraviglia/Seaside class vessels out of Barcelona; me thinks: What am I doing here now that cold temperatures are arriving, if I could have been aboard one of those cruises alike? Sadly; it is because the flights to go from Lisbon to Barcelona and return plus the odd one night hotel before the cruise would cost me more than the cruise itself!... And I'm not even considering cruises on the older ships. Those are half the price at same terms and conditions!... At those rates, a week inside a cruise ship goes as cheap as it can be! Unless the companies make clear that the door is open, but it is not ooooopen, some bad behaviors on certain cruisers will to pop up. Sadly I have to agree with the more restrictive measures companies are implanting now to control their ships. How I understand the ones affected, but sadly for the sins of a few the ones who pay are most of the honest crowd. A way forward to try to serve the honest crowd and at the same time enforce some rules would be to do what Virgin is doing: Sell a certain bar bill amount and let the client to use it as he pleases. EUR 125 for real EUR 100 good on any bar or restaurant for whatever else on menu. Finite set price block will pave the way for assertive consumption.

This, exactly! Paying attention to the cultural mix involved is critical here. Acrobats and music are the obvious solutions, and what has worked for years will continue to work for the future. MSC will continue on that line, even though with a larger variety as the World and above classes becoming more prevalent.

It's not EU versus US, IMHO. The problem is: If you have a very multinational crowd aboard, you'll need such a more visual, less language depending sort of entertainment. And even at the language dependent, let at least us to have something all of us know and understand like Andrea Boccelli songs and the likes. As far as I understand, MSC is tailoring their experience now more around your embarkation port region. No surprise, some American things will pop up one or the other day like a comedian or such. MSC doesn't do regular belly contests, love and marriage, or similar on their ships like RCI, it is more refined experience, though, their animation team will likely to host some activities, family oriented at the pool deck by the day and adult oriented on one of the lounges by night that may attract such a good audience. And they used to host Masterchef at Sea and other passenger contests that could also attract such an audience.

Drinks packages on less than 4 nights cruises on MSC are a ship by ship, sailing by sailing decision. They'll to decide within the demographic's count. Either way with all those fights & brawls topics popping up lately on the whole industry, It's not exactly a surprise to see MSC being now more restrictive regarding said offerings on the shorter runs. And even those "booze" promos out there for said cruises would be good to have an end, IMHO. MSC doesn't need more "bad press" these days if they want to remain competitive and attract such a slightly more premium audience their wonderful ships deserve.

Actually all mainstream companies are following the money actually and the money comes mostly from young families for most part at that segment. Experience wise, young families of today seem to be less demanding than the older cruise crowd on what music concerns. For now some disco like "upbeat" music elsewhere sufixes most of the time. Back in the day, they used to have a nice set of pianists/string threesomes/quartets that popped up every night in the ship's atriums for our enjoyment. Maybe they already have at least part of it on the older ships? Apparently on the brand new World Europa only YC guests will eventually to enjoy the privilege... Simply; there's no need to spend tons of money on good quality music when an "upbeat" anything else suffixes. Luckily a nice choir or classical music provider traveling as a guest offer themselves to "officiate" during your cruise (on one of my cruises there was the Geneva Cathedral Choir, and on my last one there was a wonderful top notch German classical ballerina on her retirement cruise. Both were top notch shows, but hey, they were the lucky on me MSC moment), or you'll have a minimal version of the classics elsewhere, but sadly those times are mostly over. Thanks to the contribution and have a nice day!...

Sadly, I must admit that, by the norm, MSC shows are just entertaining, but nothing really worth to write home about. Some of the more recent shows will have a "cirque du soleil" style show that maybe of value, but other than that, the main theater show will be such a 35-45 minutes, mostly music and acrobatics sort of thing. They'll have some nice music round the ship though, and if you want to stay away from alcohol, they have a quite nice virgin cocktails page on the menu!

While this is such a subjective issue, count me one more to the no, it isn't too big ship and not really that crowder, other than when it is supposed to be like after shows or at port's gangway opening time. As some of others pointed out, the main concern from my experience is that there is rarely a place where you can relate to the sea once you're deep onboard, except maybe the pool decks. But that's sort of ok on me, once my unique experience was on a quite port intensive cruise in Europe, with only a sea day, and I was most of the day touring the ports. At night really it is for some entertainment followed by bed time.

And that is not a bad quote by any means. The problem seems to rely more on the suites and above, plus the excess of 3+ cabins available compared to the lack of doubles. To each their own. Back in the day a few years ago, when Allure went Europe, fares were just relatively lower than that. I believe said time fares plus inflation from there onward makes this a nice deal, lately.

And have a nice day!...

Yes, I added that for OP's consideration exactly. No; I don't know what the price per item of those things purchased separately; but they're very, very likely far more expensive; to let alone that if purchased onboard there'd to be a 15% service charge added and MSC doesn't permit those purchases onboard on less than 4 nights cruises. Obviously the deal would be less desirable in the event of a 3+ guests in same stateroom, but even then not by a large margine. I'd go for it!

A few bottles of water plus a coffee drink after meal time plus a nice cappuccino with breakfast and perhaps a hot chocolate before bed time mostly pays for a drinks package discounted at that level while bundled in the cruise fare. To each their own.

3+ need to pay catalog prices for both drinks and internet packages. Minors will have the minors nonalcoholic drinks package, no internet.

Better to keep this deal, really. If I had deals like that from where I live to Barcelona, I'd just to pick the less desirable inside of all ship and snag some 2 or 3 consecutive 3-4 nights cruises just to be out of my routine!... Meanwhile; I believe you're talking about the Divina, sure? Classy ship for a quiet cruise. Wonderful!... The deal is clearly for 2 devices.

Surely; school breaks are to be avoided as much as possible for nice mainstream cruise lines experiences. Regarding the shuttles vs "on your own" shore excursions; things works like follows: If you purchase an MSC "on your own" shore excursion, that will be provided with a bus and a guide; you'll be given a ticket, a meet point inside the ship, you'll be escorted to your actual bus and your guide will give you information on your options during your free time, usually a map of the city, an emergency contact and you'll be given a time to come back for return travel. Pick up places use to be as near as possible to the main attractions and are rarely on public transportation places. You can purchase an "on your own" excursion beforehand, and they'll be done generally on modern tourism buses. More expensive, but generally better value than a regular shuttle. MSC may or may not offer a shuttle bus service from your ports of call to the main attractions, depending on whether the ports authorities manage their owns exclusive ones (they'll tell you the business port model for each port of call on the dailies or by shore excursions desk). Either way normally you can only to purchase said shuttle onboard or at the port's proprietary shuttle services desk. They'll have a meet point usually in the port's bus parking lot and you'll be completely on your own from time you left ship. Those shuttles will usually to be done on regular urban commuter buses and will usually take you from port to the main transportation hub on the main location, which may need a connecting public bus ride to the main attractions.

Only RCI knows, but certainly not like some here think. Most cabins maybe held for TA's blocks, while there is that new doubles/triples/quads out there. Let the hype to fade a little bit and sooner rather than later we'll to know.

Ah, I understand!... I don't know the exact quote. It may be dynamic these days, but €40 pppd for Premium Xtra is quite pleasant these days. Maybe a special bonus offer from TA. According to what I can gather online the current onboard prices are on €60-€65 plus 15% service charge and possible plus Spanish VAT, so a nice quote.

Surely: Pro videos are rare for WE to date!... The concept is incredible! Even though the obvious RCI Oasis comparison, I believe this as being an entirely different beast for the better design wise. Let's to see if MSC is ready yet for a beast this caliber she is logistically speaking. I'd give them such an year or an year and a half till I'm comfortable to book, because, I've some doubts about it these days. If successful; I'm in for going on her one day!...

If you're under a specific promo that includes Easy, or Easy Plus drinks packages, that might to be the upgrade price linked to the special offer, or a special offer itself for a new booking under a certain time frame which would be a great deal these days. Either way; online bookings are exempt from paying the service charge.

Well: Actually; the Icon is not sold out. TA's have blocked most of it, and RCI doesn't want the classic doubles to stay there. Let the hype to cool down a little bit and we'll see. Regarding the World Europa; I believe that it is megaship done right. New generations oriented? Yes, but with a classy twist of itself, and with kids and teens venues relegated to its clear spaces, against the Icon where they are anywhere. Some of the main complains on most MSC ships is that there isn't enough gym and buffet space. On World Europe, only the buffet more than doubles the Oasis of the Seas one, for example. Bear in mind the ship is being finished during the travel to Qatar. Some today's photos of the YC areas do give an entirely different perspective from what was shown a few days ago on the first videos wave. There are more chairs, more tables, complete carpeting, etc. Same might to be said for the Aurea venues. One thing is indeed true on your concerns: Lack of bar/lounge space for the ship's size. I hope, at least, MSC to use the tea place in such a liberal way. Premium breakfast at morning, tea house by the late afternoon and just turn it on a classical music with bar venue from 6:30PM onward. That would help. It won't solve the issue, but helps solving it. The "secret location" seems a pick from MSC catering to the Virgin crowd, eventually. It's a truly 18+ venue for the very adult activities to take part on. Again: Something for everyone in such a balanced way.

And/or; maybe; even RCI works differently with European partners rather than the US. Common hotel/cruise/general tourism places here in Europe procedures are generally what I stated on my post. Thanks to your contribution though. I'll need to live years or my entire life to see any Portuguese or either way EU TA to have an "Immediately Available" note behind a triple/quad room/cabin elsewhere other than Disney cruises and perhaps the odd land hotel family room elsewhere that falls to a group booking business.

Industry wise and not RCI specific. When a TA needs a triple/quad stateroom, either way 1 double will be transformed on said triple/quad, or cruise line will exchange one of the doubles in TA's inventory with one of the triple/quads if available. This is why on most sites, at least here in Europe, each time you choose a triple/quad stateroom you'll to be prompted with an advise saying something like "Availability subject to request". I went on Allure in Europe in a triple on a TA's block under those conditions. There are very few exceptions for that: Disney cruise lines, and now apparently the RCI's Icon class are the most notable, or elsewhere when a ship has a "family" cabin category of sorts on inventory. If RCI notes there's a large amount of staterooms not selling at triple/quad like they intended they'll just to make the adjustment. As I say: Let the hype to cool down a little bit.

Thanks to the review. This is not the MSC I know. Surely school breaks coupled with understaffed ships pave the way for bad service elsewhere (not only but including MSC). How can I understand you on whether the cruise lines will to "receive it" in return: Less bookings one day. The industry is changing as a whole, MSC also. Not for the better most of the times lately, despite some wonderful new designs popping up here and there. Either way; there are just a few options now: 1) Pay above the premium to go on a mainstream flagship, and endure the early bird bugs. 2) Pay premium to go on 2000-3500 guests per ship oriented company. 3) Pay discount to travel like cargo on a gigantic barge. There are sadly little alternatives, unless one travels less times to go once in a long time on a small vessel oriented luxury line. Wonderful if you can find a mainstream older/smaller ship doing a nice itinerary near you. Forget: They're doing the Premium Lite more "exotic" itineraries. I'd like to be optimistic, but I need to be realistic. Cruise lines are desperate to make "easy" money to recover from the last 2 years break. We had one of the MSC Fantasia class vessels linked to the airbridge here on Lisbon's main terminal for most of 2020. That will be paid elsewhere from anyone... Meanwhile, for the ones flexible enough on their planning: Try to avoid school break weeks. At least with less kids, there'll to be an at least a far better environment!... Have a nice day and at least try to have the best of it. The seas are calling! I'd to be on that "mess" in a second if I could, instead of sitting right now on this not so pleasant cloudy rainy Lisbon's day!

Time will tell. It seems not that premium, but it also seems quite incomplete, maybe there are more materials they'll only to receive in Spain...

According to a Brit video that popped up today, the indoor pool is definitely for all. The exclusive Aurea sundeck is on deck 20 above and beyond the indoor pool. And to say the least, it isn't the most beautiful area of the ship. It seems incomplete right now. Time will tell, but the ones paying those over inflated Aurea prices would deserve something better, just IMHO.

Never thought on that either. Perhaps a bit out of my budget for now, but nonetheless impressive. I'll take a better look later, many thanks!...