Georgia_Peaches

Funny you should mention that. My dad told me that in the old golden Las Vegas era, the one where the rat pack played in night clubs and cocktail lounges, the better your tip the better your table. He didn't understand those working but caught on quickly as to what a $5, a $10, and a $20 would get you!

We status matched to Gold so didn't get that perk but I agree it is nice! Was the dinner on the fixed menu or could you order ala carte?

LOL...my butler left that part out.

We got $240 refund on our last cruise booking (5% off). That refund covered our gratuities plus a little more. Like you, we were also given the gym bag which I used on the private island day. We were told we could have laundry service but I don't want others washing my clothes. We didn't take advantage of the free picture. We have loyalty points with NCL, RCL, Celebrity, Carnival, and now MSC. None of those lines offer loyalty perks that wow me into sticking with them exclusively. I really just don't care about the "perks" all that much.

What is this?

Oh no! I can see where this is going. Once on board, they will likely tell you there is nothing they can do as all this sort of stuff is taken care of shoreside and you will have to call MSC... I hope not!

Yay! I love that wall. I think I read somewhere, maybe this thread that the Solstice didn't have that wall.

It's always been a mixed bag for us on Celebrity. We've had both waited service and self service on all cruises. Sometimes I get stage fright when approached by a drink waiter and blurt out the first thing that comes to my mind... Me: I'll have a tiramisu martini, please. Them: I'm sorry, a what madam? Me: (now very confidently) a tiramisu martini, please Them: (confused) and madam what would those ingredients be? Me: (looking to DH for help) DH: My wife would like an espresso martini please Me: Yes! That's it. Thank you! Never fails...every time we have a drinks package, I get hung up on what to order. I want to step outside of my little box and get something exotic...but alas, exotic, I am not. Having said all that, we don't have a problem getting our own drinks. It gives me a chance to pic the bartender's brain on new drinks to try.

Seems like a lot of parameters have been set by MSC for $50. Not knocking the amount so much as the thought process on their part. If they want to give a perk to certain loyalty levels, then give it without all the hoops!

I knew there had to be money in it for the third party somewhere. Good information! I opted out of e-mail promotional communications when we booked our last cruise but got the offer to bid recently. We booked a YC inside suite and the offer to go up to YC deluxe was $420 pp. A mock booking revealed a ton of these suites left on Meraviglia for our departure date and the total would come out to Be $100 plus change less if we upgraded via our TA than to do the bidding process. We passed but I guess my point is to do some research before bidding. I think bidding is psychologically powerful in the consumer market because people like to “win” and feel like they got a “good deal”.

I don’t make a habit of inserting myself into the maitre’ d interactions of others while on a cruise. How else would one see this happen?

Do people really do this? I've only seen it done in movies.

So am I understanding correctly in that the YC restaurant is not in the YC proper?

I get that but I'm wondering if the third party earns a commission? If so, it would be in their interest to inflate the prices, no?

I didn't know this! Good info to have in my back pocket. Makes a lot more sense now. Thank you!

We booked YC and got an upgrade offer before our departure and as you suggest it would have cost more to bid than to book the existing room outright. Can’t speak to MSC’s motives here but I always go ahead and book the category I want from the beginning. Bidding does not equal better deal.

I’m certain BC had 4 seaters when we were there in 2019. Bummer. Yes, you can pull over and access the beach just about anywhere. Sadly, we only saw the flamingos from a distance and never came across the donkey sanctuary. Guess we will have to go back! 😊. Enjoy!

Do you mind sharing what makes Divina your favorite ship? As a relative newbie to MSC, I am still learning about the fleet. Thank you!

I'm so jealous. It's only been a few weeks since we debarked Seashore but I'm already ready to go again!! I don't recall having tissues in the bathroom but that could have been because of the drink package 🤪. We received the wrist bands but never used them for the reason stated by MSCDivina. You get both a key card and a wristband so you can decide. Water options were "sparkling or still" and was always poured from a bottle. Hope you have a great time!

I believe you can sign up when you complete the on board check in.

YES! TA or bust when it comes to MSC...I learned that very quickly.

I took it as humor, noting more. Sometimes things get lost in translation.

Absolutely! Can't wait to not find the area in November. ☺️

Huh...perhaps I have been looking at that tub all wrong...😎

Did you rent directly on the beach or was this a ship excursion? If on the beach, what was the method of payment?