1kaper

18 hours ago, showingdiva said:

Yes, you can have your Southern Comfort and coke and your wife a Diet Coke, but you will need both cruise cards to order them.   Ordering two soft drinks on one card is generally accepted.   Doubles, I don't know (I'm teetotal).

We have had no trouble on a number of MSC Cruises ordering several drinks on one card.  I was with a group of about 8 and the server would often just take one card to ring them in. 

On a cruise with my husband we frequently got each other drinks without the other card.

On 4/22/2024 at 5:29 PM, rodndonna said:

We are looking at booking our first MSC cruise and am kinda surprised with the thread response being so resoundingly in support of TA booking over MSC, and in particular in case something goes wrong. I guess intuitively with other line bookings we always book direct as I feel like I have more control over the booking (no in-between) .

 

I guess my biggest concern is that maybe MSC is known to have more issues with bookings than other cruise lines. Is that the case? What kind of problems arise? I see one poster referring to being downgraded from YC, but wondering how common that is and what other kind of issues arise from the MSC side.

 

We're looking at a run-of-the mill Seascape 7 day Caribbean next March in a Premium Aqua cabin or YC inside cabin if that matters ....

It's not always on MSC's end. In my case I had a completely unexpected medical issue where I had to move a cruise.  Dealing with MSC was TORTURE.  From the hour wait (calling from Canada) every time I had to call.  And I had to call numerous times because there was an issue with the phone line and I got frequently disconnected.  Even though they asked for my number to phone back if we got disconnected, not one person called.  To the conflicting information I got on almost every call.  I eventually did get it changed.  

But on two other cruises, my friend I was cruising with had to deal with them for our reservation.  I can't remember the issue the first time. The second time she didn't get the discount price.  And when she got that fixed, it changed the room she had picked. It took a number of calls to sort it out and we never did get the original room. 

On 4/11/2024 at 7:59 PM, Two Wheels Only said:

Knowing that MSC doesn't really try to do "typical Southern comfort food" that many cruisers want will explain some of the complaints. I read one complaint from someone who wasn't familiar with gelato and wanted ice cream. Because it was "different", the reviewer wasn't happy.

 

Staff might not be the "bubbly woo-hoo" type but I've never encountered rudeness. Some reviewers think that not getting their way equals rude staff members.

 

Plenty of people in Bella interior staterooms have great MSC cruises. Sure, Yacht Club and Aurea guests get more but that doesn't mean that Bella and Fantastica guests are mistreated or have sub-standard experiences (no pun intended).

I agree that the staff isn't the over the top/best your best friend/always around greeting you by name type friendly that you see on other lines and people consider that rude.  I don't.  I actually prefer it. 
I haven't had overtly rude service. 

I often say you get what you pay for on MSC.  The cruises I have done with drink packages are still a better deal than I get on another line with "free room" ($100 pp and $100 on board credit per person).  

By that I mean, I can always find something to eat.  The last two I didn't love the buffet and found it repetitive but still managed to eat.  The food in the dining room has been fine to very good. 
The drinks again are fine.  I truly enjoy the Alchemy Bar on Carnival and prefer their cocktails to MSC.  But again, there is alway something to drink. 

I have had a lot of trouble with customer service over a couple issues and they are a HUGE PITA to deal with.  But again, cheap rate so I book knowing I risk having a PITA.  

I don't find they have a ton of options for Caribbean cruises.  But again, the price is good. 

I also hate the beds on MSC.  Again, something I put up with because of the cost although after my last cruise it may not be worth it anymore for me. 

My room is always clean, I can always find something to eat or drink and I can get service.  

3 minutes ago, Mark_T said:

It works fine, it didn't in June last year but it has been added since then, and was working fine in February when we were onboard...

That's what I get for referencing MSC's own page.  Haha. 

17 hours ago, Essiesmom said:

There is an app.  It is MSC for Me.  
How much you can order depends on where you are sailing (from).  If you are sailing from the US you can order as many apps and desserts as you want, but only one entree/main.  Second entree is $5, although there are reports of some. Not being charged.  This does not apply in the YC, I believe.  If you are sailing in Europe they say they are not being limited to one entree.  
 I believe you can book excursions in the app.  EM

The app doesn't work for all ships.  Divina is one of the ships it doesn't work for.  Or at least it didn't when I sailed and a quick search says it still doesn't. 

You can also log into your reservation on the website and look at excursions there to purchase before hand.l 

22 minutes ago, CruzerDeb said:

For my first cruise to HMC in 2013 (only 2nd cruise ever, so still a newbie), Carnival sold a soft-sided cooler with 4 bottles of Bud Light and an opener, which I purchased. I had my room steward fill it with ice and walked off the ship with it. I actually did that the next time I cruised also. Don’t see the problem, really. I bought the beer from them and then drank it on their island. Guess I’d get in trouble for that now. 

That's what we did the last time on HMC. That was November 2022. 

I forgot, the Old Triangle would also have local beer on tap.  Also walkable from the port. 

Depending on when you'll be there. 

There is usually a lobster roll hut at the port but that is seasonal. If you are early in the season it may not be open. 
Flavour on the Water is right in the port as well and open year round.  They have a lobster roll and good food.  I've not had the roll but I've heard good things.  But it is a bit pricier. 

Governors is also within walking distance and would have a decent seafood menu and good food.  I'm not sure about a lobster roll though. 

None within walking distance.  As the poster above mentioned Governors will have local beers on tap and in the tourist season they open an outdoor tap room.  It is a nice spot to have a drink. I just don't like they don't serve Breton Brewing. 

However, they do not carry Breton Brewing beer which is the closest local beer (they are planning to open a space downtown but not sure when). 
The restaurant in the Port, Flavour on the Water, would have the local beer.  

The nearby Holiday Inn also has a decent pub.  

There is a cidery that is within walking distance.  Island Folk. 

Not me but when I sailed with my sister she booked a Bella inside and got an inside accessible cabin.  The extra space was nice. 

2 hours ago, CruzerDeb said:

Ugh. Thanks! I believed this to be the case. Do you know if they’ve changed their policy for Half Moon Cay - can we use the pkg there? The last time I was there, I couldn’t. 

I have had success with them giving me unopened beer at different times during the cruise but I found the day before and day of HMC they will absolutely open it every time.  

On 1/27/2024 at 9:09 AM, kdr69 said:

Call, asking here is like asking for the lottery numbers that will win.

Honestly, so is calling.  You can get a different answer every time you call in my experience. 

On 1/27/2024 at 8:49 PM, RJ257 said:

Thanks for posting. Ive traveled to Nassau over the 30-40 years and there have been many types of warnings to exercise caution. Usually not murders though. This is not the downtown, Cable Beach or Paradise Island area fyi. There is a much higher level of security in tourist areas but still be alert to your surroundings.

That's what I thought but Canada has also issued a warning to use a high degree of caution and states 

"There has been a decrease in violent crime since the beginning of 2018. Crime, however, including violent crime, still occurs, mainly on the islands of Grand Bahama and New Providence.

Armed robberies, burglaries, purse snatchings, theft, fraud and sexual assaults are the most common crimes committed against travellers in Freeport and Nassau. Incidents of robbery also take place in cruise ship terminals and in and around popular resort areas, even in daylight hours. Crime increases during the holidays.

• Avoid Nassau’s “over the hill” (south of Shirley Street) and Fish Fry (Arawak Cay) areas, especially at night"

and "

Women’s safety

Sexual assault occurs frequently in The Bahamas, particularly near hotels, in hotel rooms, in casinos, on cruise ships and on the beach. Reported incidents are on the rise in Nassau, including on Paradise Island. In some cases, the victim was drugged.

• Be wary when embarking on jet-ski rides with licensed or unlicensed operators, as several incidents of sexual assault have been reported
• Avoid excessive consumption of alcohol and avoid using drugs
• Don't accept rides from strangers or from unlicensed taxi drivers"

https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/bahamas

I don't know if they "allow" it but they don't check when you are getting off.   We carried a smaller cooler off with beer. 

If you have a drink package, a lot of the time on Carnival you can get cans of beer unopened.  I noticed that the day we were on HMC they were super strict about opening them so you may want to collect a few before hand.  

1 hour ago, emknott0711 said:

Where is pick up at? And do they give you a pick up time?

Yes. It was right outside the Harley Davidson shop at the port. Most of the excursions picked up at the same spot. 

On 11/30/2023 at 5:39 PM, Itchy&Scratchy said:

neither are they enforced on Princess or RCI. The only time our embarkation time was enforced was freshly post-pandemic in Nov 2021 on Harmony.

 

I actually found embarkation and debarkation on Seascape in POM to be quite ordinary (though, not in ports of call). Zero complaints (except for me not knowing how to order wheelchair assistance for my dad).

 

Imagine my shock when I saw a guy at MDR on Seascape who was wearing rashguard and trunks to dinner. I was surprised because cruisecritic reviews usually state that people dress up a bit more on MSC than they do on other, more Americanized, cruise lines. Not this dude, though. 🙂 We are usually quite casual, but we do not wear swimming suits and trunks to dinner at MDR.

On Divine one guy came to dinner in the MDR with a baseball shirt totally unbuttoned and nothing underneath. 

5 hours ago, Sailor75 said:

It seems my earlier post disappeared, not really sure why. Someone claimed the casino is operated by a third party, I don't know if that's true or not; but, I know MSC selects which slot machines are used and I don't know why they would use such an outdated method using vouchers that seem antiquated and costly with them needing to purchase voucher paper and needing to refill them; I guess I read between the lines.

I liked the fact I could print out the receipt and cash it out so I could get money  without having to charge to my credit card or withdraw from a foreign atm. 
 

Now I didn’t love having a bunch of random  vouchers. I also like when it goes back on my card. 
 

I mean - I don’t think they picked those machines for the sheer fact they can collect the extra vouchers. I don’t think MSC is any more or less greedy than any large cruise line. 

5 hours ago, Sailor75 said:

That sounds like a good idea. I believe even Carnival donates money left by cruisers to St Jude if it's under some amount like $5, I'm not sure of the exact amount. Anything over that, they mail you a check.

6 hours ago, Brighton Line said:

Land casinos who do not give back change, some of them set up donation boxes for that less than a dollar vouchers.

 

Donations they make in their own name for both reputational and financial benefit. They claim the tax benefits of charitable donations. 

I recently listened to a podcast that

talked about how Starbucks uses its pre-loaded payment app to make money. To my point, a significant amount of pre-paid money, like gift cards or preloaded apps goes unused. 
 

https://www.inc.com/justin-bariso/starbucks-devised-a-brilliant-plan-to-borrow-money-from-customers-without-getting-anybody-angry.html

2 hours ago, Sailor75 said:

No, that's not at all what I'm saying. I never said any employee is cashing vouchers. Maybe the vouchers are destroyed, either way if it's not being cashed within the 14 days it's money that isn't being paid out.

I guess I’m not really sure what you point it. 
Sure it adds up for them.  I’ve sat down at a machine once or twice with a few cents left on it.  My last night I left one with money in it. 
what do you think happens when someone buys a gift card and loses it. Or you have those apps to pay at a certain coffee place  and don’t have enough to buy a coffee. Companies do this all the time.
I’m not mad. When I leave that money I know someone’s getting it. I don’t care who. If you left a large amount.  Well. That’s on you.  

I sailed Seaside in May for a 4 night on a full ship. And sailed Seaside last week for a 7 night. I heard it was a full ship but can’t confirm. 
They were two different experiences altogether. I found the May cruise too crowded. Hard to get a chair on the ship and on ocean cay. Crowded bars. It was so hard to get a drink that when we did we ordered multiple to avoid having to go back to the bar.  The elevators were jammed. 
Last week we were able to get chairs in convenient places almost any time. The last sea day was the one time we found it hard. But we went in the afternoon. And that is not uncommon on any ship. No issues on Ocean Cay either. Bars generally weren’t too busy. I didn’t even order multiple drinks. Even the elevators were fine. 
 

I have a few thoughts - maybe it wasn’t a full ship last week. 
but I’ve also considered that shorter cruises tend to be booze cruises so you have a larger portion of the passengers looking to use the bar and pool areas. 
We did 2 days at Ocean Cay last week so maybe because we had so much time not everyone went all at once. 
 

I guess my point is it all depends. 
 

I do believe that summer tends to be the quieter time. And peak hurricane season (Sept/oct I believe). Last week seemed good but last year we sailed on Thanksgiving and I believe that ships tend to be full that week. 

We were on last week and I don’t think I saw any itineraries. We sailed out of Port Canaveral so not sure if Europe is different. 
 

the first night it was open 9-11. We were told it’s usually open 9am-11pm. But I know on our last sea day it closed from 5pm-7pm. 
 

Our kid usually went after dinner around 9 until 11pm.  He loved it though. 
 

They did post certain events on the day things to do. If the kid was in the club they would take them. If they weren’t, you could. Like the Master Chef Junior at Sea. 
 

In this case I wouldn’t bid. The “upgraded” room isn’t worth the risk of moving to a noisier room. 
 

I cruised on MSC last week and our table mates booked Bella and were given a balcony. 
 

I cruised in May with my sister. She booked Bella and ended up with an accessible room. She didn’t need it for accessibility but the extra space was really nice. 

2 hours ago, Sailor75 said:

Thanks for the reply. Maybe that's all it is, it just seems MSC could do it differently so people don't accidentally leave money behind; I don't recall it being an issue on Carnival. I just thought this was a different topic than the usual threads that are repeatedly discussed.

Doesn’t the money go back to your room account on Carnival?  I don’t recall having printed out vouchers. 

1 hour ago, Morgsmom said:

After the muster video you then have to go in PERSON to your emergency station and have your card scanned.  Did you do that part?

I know on my last cruise we did both and got numerous calls saying we didn't. Even after I contacted Guest Services.