JAGR

For breakfast, lox and bagels with cream cheese is on the menu in YC. For the dinner, it would be wise to advise the staff on what you want. The French Onion Soup, Caesar Salad are only one one day of the seven-day rotation The Shrimp Cocktail has been on the the always available on our last cruise, but that may change. Certainly, those three requested dishes would be easy for them to make up for you with a bit of notice. Good luck against U Mass. The next week may be a bit more difficult for you! (I hope, at least! ☺️). Go Bucks!

CruiseFamilyHoliday is probably worried about all the "tin hats" on that chat! What a wonderful turn of phrase to encourage helpful advice from others! Not!

I suspect that you were on Divina back in '19 or '20. They still had the three airliner bottles in the fridge back then. The big bottle was introduced after COVID precautions were eased. We got big bottles starting on our B2B in October of last year. One bottle per week.

That may have changed. At one time, they did have one vodka that was larger size.

Should only be one bottle per cabin.

Some caveats: This is more information than what you want (more a detail of a lot of available things), and it is limited a bit to Meraviglia (other ships may have one or two extra restaurants). Start at about page 38: https://www.cruisehabit.com/daily-programs-menus/meraviglia-msc-cruises-msc-meraviglia-bar-restaurant-menus-2021-08-20-000000

My favorite specialty restaurant lounge is on Seaside. Deck 16, right outside YC entrance!

Ah, but the question is was it a few couples and a butler, or an interloper dressed as a butler, and he was sneaking the interlopers into the YC? 😊😆

YW! I'm jealous! I'm a few years away from being able to have the time off to do five weeks in a row! I'm sure MSC will be willing to take some money from you!

I don't even know if they offer it. We use a commercial service. We stay the night before in Orlando, so we use Cruise Control Transportation, non-stop from our hotel to the port and then on return from the port to the airport. It is $50/person round trip.

Not, Morpheus here, but the good thing is you are already YC for the first two weeks. If your bids don't go through, early in week one approach the concierge desk and ask about getting on a list for upgrades (don't do it on the first night! Give them time to settle pressing issues on embarkation days!). They probably won't give them right away, but will put you on the upgrade lists for each subsequent week. You'll be on the top of the list, ahead of those who are boarding afterwards and are looking to upgrade. We did this on a smaller scale. In YC on week one of a two week trip. On day two, went to the concierge and asked about upgrading. Again, they couldn't guarantee it, but about noon on the next embarkation, it went through (cost was about a total of $540 or so for us for the room upgrade). Best thing was, we didn't even have to change rooms! It's not a guarantee, but gives you the best shot if your bids don't work.

The reference was to "disembarkation," not embarkation. You can treat the assigned time for check in as a guide. Specifically, for YC, just show up when you want (as long as it is after 10:00 am on US=based sailings).

Historically, MSC has celebrated Hanukkah on board. I would assume they would do that from NYC. As noted in Cruise Critic, "Hanukkah: Ships host nightly menorah lighting, with a large menorah on display in the main atrium; there will also be daily prayer service. The ships' buffets will serve some traditional Hanukkah foods, and special kosher meals can be ordered in advance." The complete article discussing holidays on cruise ships, see: https://www.cruisecritic.com/articles/hanukkah-and-christmas-cruises-a-guide-to-onboard-festivities

Just hoping that good fortune is still on Seashore in March. Looks like that may be a chance for us to meet up again with Arthur.

Sorry for the confusion! A dated reference, I guess. "Columbo" isn't the typical detective whodunit TV show. On most detective shows, viewers don't know who committed the crime until the detective pieces the clues together and figures it out. On this show, however, viewers see the crime unfold at the beginning of most episodes, including who the perpetrator is. The mystery and fun for viewers is trying to spot the clues that will lead Lt. Columbo (Peter Falk) to discover the culprit and watching the tricks he uses to get a confession. He employs humble ways and ingenuous demeanor to winkle out even the most well-concealed of crimes.

Or better yet, "Columbo!"

You can use any OBC for any room card charges. The balance will also be applied to the daily service charge. Accounting is supposed to apply the non-refundable credit first, but may not be consistent about it.

I don't know or care! I wasn't talking about that part. I was simply answering another question in the thread about the difference between specialty and signature facilities!

Another source (I use drink packages, and then read and research instead of drinking from rum runners or mouthwash bottles) would be a discussion in March on this topic: Pay special attention to the wise comments by no greater a source of information than @Beamafar herself:

I'm only trying to suggest the difference, which I believe comes from some sort of licensing arrangement. At any rate, this is is from MSC, and is a guide to all-inclusive packages. read toward the bottom of page four: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjqppm27cWBAxUNjYkEHXYCBIsQFnoECA4QAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mscbook.com%2Fpages%2Fsdl%2Fimg%2F%2FALL-INCLUSIVE_GUIDE.pdf&usg=AOvVaw0q3M6vVs7BcmRm5TBKdgzK&opi=89978449 If you don't want to open it, it is: The following exclusions apply: tobacco, souvenir glasses, ice cream menu, retail items, minibar, room service, promotions and signature venues Venchi 1878 establishments or Jean-Philippe Maury venues, MSC Virtuosa Starship Club, regardless of beverage price. The Coffee Emporium and Raj Polo Tea Room onboard MSC World Europa signature venues are included in Easy Plus and Premium Extra packages. Must be of legal age to consume alcohol - see our terms of our guest alcohol policy.

If you read the threads, the amounts vary tremendously from guest report to guest report. Above, I just put in what appears to be the "average" amount. Keep in mind the level of service you receive may vary from week to week. Also, keep in mind how much service you require. Daily consults with the sommelier versus only occasional contact would impact the tip amount. Also, for dining, you will usually have a team with one lead waiter and two or three assistants. The lead waiter will have a gold tie. I am assuming this would be US-based cruises. Tipping is less expected overseas. The offical MSC line is that tipping is not expected. In reality, the top servers bid for US-based cruises because of the likelihood of tips.

One minor factor. You mention butler and cabin steward. Keep in mind that the YC rooms are served by Butler and Junior Butler. The junior butler distinction is a source of pride to those individuals, as they represent an elite level for the steward position.

I believe Signature venues are essentially vendor-owned operations that lease space on board the ships. In addition to Venchi 1878, it would include Lavazza Coffe shops, Jean Phillippe, and the Crepes & Gelato operations. Technically, MSC list Hola! as a specialty restaurant, but they seem more relaxed bout honoring drink packages in some cases.

Butcher's Cut and Ocean Cay. Years ago when we were on her, you couldn't get dinner at Roy Yamaguchi's.

You beat me to it! 😁