JAGR

Not necessarily. MSC will let you check in and get your "ticket" or boarding packet 20 days before sailing, although you sometimes can get it earlier. You got msccruisesusa.com, pick Manage Booking, enter your booking number, fill out the web check in information. If you try and get your ticket too early, you will get a message online like this one.

I'm betting you will not post pictures shore side in Costa Maya! Too hard to get through the shopping gauntlet to feel safe!

Sorry! Thought that was a quartermaster corp specialty mark!

Well, as a Petty Officer Second Class, you could spend time in the wheelhouse assisting with bearings and depth soundings! Maybe you can open a Blue Jacket Bar! Seriously, it's been a while for us (over two years ago). There will be the obligatory musical entertainment, but there are also some cooking demonstrations, more trivia events, arts and crafts (demo and hands on), a few lectures and some sporting contests (most not too physical in nature, billiards, foosball, air hockey). Hopefully, some recent TA cruisers will chime in. Thank for your service, and happy sailing!

Hi, Nashna! Glad you will finally be able to enjoy YC! I do suspect that Explora may be siphoning a bit of YC guests away, the market size being somewhat limited. To me, it's like the market for hard seltzer drinks. When there were only a few on the market, they all did well. Then every company put out a new seltzer. I think they simply split up whatever market was there. To me, it's a pie. It doesn't change per se, but you can slice it eight ways, ten ways, or even more. It's still one pie! Happy sailing to you!

Morpheous may have had an inside cabin back in his youth! To answer your question, yes there is ample room to store luggage under the bed. It if it is an very thick one, you may have to leave it open and use it as a laundry hamper. Sorry! Should have read on down the post to see that this was already answered!

If you are in YC, the concierge can get you a reservation in the restaurant you want to use. If not in YC, the best way I found is to go to the specialty restaurant host station and have them make the reservation for you (if you are in a Seaside-class ship), or if on a ship where the restaurants are spread out a bit, like Meraviglia, there is usually someone at the Butcher Club host station, and they can arrange a reservation at the restaurant of your choice. Note that when you embark, check your card to make sure it notes "Diamond" status. The reservations people will need to know that you are using your Diamond meal perk.

I do use the Special Needs Form. I text the need for distilled water under medical details. Honestly, it works half the time. If it isn't already there in the room, the butler will take care of it. Not sure hwo it works outside of YC, but at least you have a record of the request when you embark.

MSC has said US citizens traveling on Caribbean cruises from the US do not need a passport. See the fourth paragraph. GO BUCKS!!

It's not like Carnival. There is no cap on the number of drinks you can have.

But not too far! GO BUCKS!! Should be a good game heading into the new year!

I fear you and I both know that the DW is the most important figure to our own personal enjoyment (read "survival") of a cruise experience! Happy sailing and happy new year to you both!

Freudian slip? Lol

YW! Typically, MSC would call the private YC pool "The One Pool," and the overall deck (deck 20 in this case) as the YC The One Sun Deck. Glad at least you liked your butler! Our favorite pool guard/attendant (Onil Jay Pedernal) from a few years ago is now a butler on Seascape.

From my experience, the Oceanfront are the ones on the beach, while Ocean View are the ones on the hill (with the "ocean view"). Lower numbers are Oceanfront.

Thanks for the video. Only thing I would point out is that when you were filming the walk through of the Top 19 Deck, you mentioned that it was reserved for Yacht Club. Actually, while YC guests would have access to it, the Top 19 is designed as a reserved area for Aurea experience guests.

That is a shame! We all know that consistent inconsistency is MSC's claim to fame. In the examples I experienced, all communication was through the staff at the concierge desk. They had a set price in mind, and didn't appear to have to go to "the back room" and get approval from the Hotel or YC director. It may be unique to Florida cruises, but it sounds like you sailing was more micro managed perhaps than ours. Hope you still had a great time. Best wishes for the holidays! John

Some earlier threads: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiy7KfusYb8AhUYRzABHWkZCeoQtwJ6BAgkEAI&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D238XttJxayA&usg=AOvVaw3GNUkWiuyHUKdBhnCz7Cx-

Not me, but know people who have. If you go to MSC's website, you will see more detail.

Thanks, Ivi: That's why I mentioned at the end that I didn't think it would work if attempting to upgrade from a non-YC booking. Wasn't sure what Stockjock's original booking level was.

I have to disagree with TravelBerlin, at least based on our experience. In October, we were on Meraviglia for a 7-night cruise in YC interior. Pre-cruise upgrade offer was about $2000 total. On boarding, I went to the Concierge desk and asked to be signed up for a potential upgrade. We were first on the list and moved into a Y1 before sail away. Cost was about $525. She said it was about $75/night/couple. We took it and enjoyed. To my mind, it is simply a case of supply and demand with time factored in (the ship is about to sail, the upgraded room is available, and how much does MSC think the room is worth at the last minute?). In March we were on a B2B in a physically challenged interior YC room (I do qualify for the ADA allowance). We asked about upgrading to the a physically challenged room with balcony. Cost quoted was $560 or so. DW didn't want to move mid-cruise, so we turned it down. That is twice where the upgrade can be done and is cheaper. Going through the concierge is key, I think. If you were outside of YC, I don't know if general reception would be willing to take the time to investigate the feasibility and availability.

I'll light a candle for you at church!😉

We've only done Caribbean on MSC (seven times). I could see it likely to be stocked in Europe. Perhaps with the rising popularity of Moscow Mules they may have them on the Caribbean cruises. I know last month on Meraviglia, DW ordered a Mexican Mule in YC, and they made it with Ginger Ale.

I've never seen it on MSC. Ginger ale, yes, but not ginger beer.