JAGR

We've seen it on a few occasions on recent cruises. The last two times were for an officer's family. I do like how MSC does some good things for the crew (recognition programs, allowing family members to sail for free, etc.).

On a sailing from a US port, the ship must be zeroed out before boarding can begin.

Oh, no, David! That can't be so! 😉 Sorry for the apparent troubles you are experiencing in the UK. Here stateside, we can sleep at night knowing that USA MSC's theme is, "Promises made, promises kept."

Posted a pdf and the link here in case others need it. John https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjeorS-9pz9AhVtlWoFHQx8BIgQFnoECB0QAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.msccruisesusa.com%2F-%2Fmedia%2Fglobal-contents%2Fpdf-documents%2F16026_15_msc_special_needs_form_eng.pdf&usg=AOvVaw1HRgJ3HFtsuDWRoICXZ1Ky

Special-Needs-ENG-BASIC FORM.pdf

So sad. Enjoyed him as a CD on Carnival three times and twice on MSC. May he rest in peace.

True, it is anytime you want, but as you pointed out, realistically you should not plan on being able to board much earlier than 11:00 a.m. I wouldn't show up at 9:30 a.m. to sit in the YC staging area for an hour and a half! We see a number of people confusing check-in time with boarding time. Two different animals! Notice, I did use the a.m. designation! 😉

I would say the better morning coffee bar would be the Loft Cafe on deck 8. It opens at 7:00 a.m.

Yes, you do have an Espresso machine in your suite, but you also have 24-hour butler service, so you can have it delivered to your room. Ocean Cay (the restaurant, not the island) and all of the other specialty restaurants have a fee or a la carte pricing. This may be TMI, but this recent post from Seascape describes all the restaurants, including YC and other experiences: https://eatsleepcruise.com/msc-seascape-restaurants-guide-with-menus/

Sorry that happened to you! Joe must be your cousin! 😉

True, but what I said was true as well.

Thanks. My Bad. I've only been on ships with more advanced technology, like the Seaside and Meraviglia class.

Thanks, but even while he has bad re-venting days, MSCDivina2016 still has moments where pearls of wisdom are offered. I hope that could be said of all of us....Even the sarcastic Irish! ☺️

I think most of us on here know of your single-minded determination. I'm bad at showing my "surprised" look. 😯

You are very lucky! 😁 If I had half that amount of luck, I'd buy a mega millions ticket!

I think this is an exaggeration on the Mark and Donna's part. Theater seating for shows is by reservation, and I've never hear of them overbooking like airlines and hotels tend to do.

This has been "elaborated on" ad nauseam!

Mariner Boy, Mariner Boy, M.....Won't say it three times! 😉

The YC interiors are all pretty much the same on Meraviglia. There are not larger handicapped rooms. There are a number of Youtube videos you could review: This is probably the best one:

I've been following the thread and your growing disappointment with MSC, and reference to other "prestigious" lines. It's hard to delineate exactly what lines are truly prestigious, since so much of it is based on personal preference. The title is also subject to shifting, based on one's latest cruise experience. I think that shift is evident in your latest experience. Assuming you earned Diamond status, you have cruised MSC more than recently. You must have liked some of those experiences in order continue sailing with them. It seems like you have reached your breaking point with MSC, and I can understand that. I would offer my observations on the "MSC Brand" experience. Since you are from Westerville, let me use a local reference: Kroger Company. In this area of the Columbus metropolitan area, we have four Korger's that serve the market. Even though they are all Kroger stores, they are not alike. Not sure what part of town you live in, but here is my rundown of the stores. First is Maxtown Rd. This is bright, well staffed and serves an upscale market. You can tell that because not only do the carts roll freely and straight, many are computerized to allow customers to scan and buy their food without contact with a cashier. They have a large Starbucks, a liquor store and large wine shop (with sampling counter), and actual workers (!!!) behind the deli and meat and seafood counters. This Kroger is the Flagship store (think Europa or Euriba), and is the equivelant of the Yacht Club. Further west, you have Kroger Polaris. It is a larger Kroger store, well stocked, with a liquor store and sometimes staff areas like the bakery, deli, meat/seafood with real workers, and many of the carts have all four wheels and work. It markets upscale apartment and condo residents. This is the Kroger Aurea experience store (Seaside). In the southeast of Westerville is the Schrock Road Kroger's. In its day, it was considered a destination store (think Fantasia, the first YC ship), but is now a weather-worn former grand dame. Staffing levels are low, and they are usually going on break when you approach them with a question, and stocking levels are not complete. It gets the job done, but could have been so much better. Carts are in short supply and getting through the aisles requires determination. This Kroger's is Fantastica class. Finally, there is Worthington Centre. Despite the quaint English spelling of center, this is Kroger's Bella experience. Shelves are barren, staff hide in the back room, and people fight over the last can of creamed corn. This Kroger should rest in peace with MSC's Monterey and Patricia. Just remember, don't paint MSC or Kroger with one brush. 😊

If he gets there around 11:00, he should not have to wait too long to board. 3:00 seems to be the place holder that MSC has been using since COVID, but they usually change the time to a more realistic one closer to the date.

You can easily test the discount. Once you pick the cruise you want, when the prices come up, take note of them, and on the the top of the screen there is an option to enter your VC number. When you do, it should change the prices shown to reflect the discount (the regular 5%, or any other additional discount associated with that sailing and the date you are booking.) If the price doesn't change, something may well be off.

Good catch! Well played, sir! Well played! Lol

When is your cruise? The process really only opens 20 days out for downloading or getting your documents emailed to you, although some have reported getting their paperwork earlier.

I have to admit that I am amazed sometimes with your posts! You go to great lengths to find the "right" words, highlighting the preferred words in quotation marks, and yet, you at times, "Cry, 'Hovoc!,' and let slip the dogs of war (grammar soldiers)." Too many hors d'oeuvres may have spoiled you, for again you have brought one of the sister cities that is home to the University of Illinois into play. I'll drink a glass of champagne to that! 😁