KINGBOBOFTHENORTH

Glad that worked for you. Please note that the only hotel within walking distance of the Orlando Amtrak station is a TownePlace Suites by Marriott. There are more hotels a little further north in downtown but those would require a taxi/uber ride.

Do take a look at Amtrak which may have one train on your day of travel. The Tampa station is near the cruise terminal while the Orlando station is near downtown Orlando but there are also stations in downtown Kissimmee and downtown Winter Park.

If you provide proof of vaccination, then a covid test is not required. If you don't provide proof of vaccination, then a covid test IS required.

Makes sense.

It seems likely that MSC will collect everyone's passports at the beginning of the cruise and then return them just prior to entering the EU or just after the first EU port. Passport stamps as required will be obtained by MSC.

We did a cruise out of Germany last year but departed the ship in Estonia. Both are EU countries. We informed the Reception desk that morning that we needed to return early back to Germany because of personal business. They made us sign a form that said that we were voluntarily ending the cruise and that we were not entitled to any compensation because of the cruise ending early (for us). So I doubt you would have any issue departing your cruise early. Just inform Reception.

Mine was deck 5, 5091. I've booked a future cruise in the same cabin.

I'm fascinated by your Ocean View cabin because mine was much larger with two chairs and a table adjacent the porthole. I was on Deck 5 which is not an upgrade yet the larger cabin.

The Cruise & Stay option is listed on their website: https://margaritavilleatsea.com/cruise-stay/ They don't mention 2-nt stays, just 4-nt & 6-nt. Perhaps it's available if one calls them. I recall you have to clear Bahamas Customs & Immigration upon arrival since you're not a day passenger. On the return, hotel check-out is well-before cruise check-in at the cruise terminal so there's a few hours of waiting around.

Wasn't aware they charged for burgers at the 5 o'clock Somewhere Bar. What appear to be the same burgers are free in the buffet next door. The comedy show on board is free for both the family show on Night 1 and the Adult show on Night 2. MSC charges for some of their specialty shows. Yes, $22/night to valet park is extra but I think that rate is comparable to what they charge at Port Miami and Port Everglades for self-parking. Yes, a $5 tip when your car is delivered is a nice gesture. You got me on the fuel surcharge. No one else is doing that currently to my knowledge.

The only dancing I recall on either of these two ships was in their dance clubs with Top 40 music coming from DJ's. Florida sailings have a lot of Latin dancing. Looking at my Meraviglia programs from 2019, there was a Jazz trio playing in the atrium. If you want ballroom dancing, I think you need to look at HAL.

Yeah, they charge for pizza and no one else does that. But other than that, what exactly do they charge for that no one else does? Nickel and diming? Every cruise line tries to squeeze as much out of you as they can.

I thought I recall that Enterprise has a location near the Tampa port. But even if you have to drop it in downtown Tampa, a taxi/uber from there would be much cheaper than returning the rental car back to PIE. Also, there is a train (trolley) from downtown to Tampa's Ybor City area that makes several stops at Channelside next to the port. http://tecolinestreetcar.org/

If you live in Pennsylvania as your tag indicates, then No, this would not be worth a trip. But if say, you combined this 2-nt cruise with a 3-night cruise out of Fort Lauderdale or Miami, then it would be worthwhile, IMO. And since the 3-nt cruises probably go to Nassau and/or a private island while Margaritaville at Sea goes to Freeport, there wouldn't be any duplication.

I was on this ship last week and felt it was a really good value. They're running that Buy One, 2nd Person Sails For Free promo right now but that may end today unless they extend it. With that deal, 2 can sail for as little as $75 per person, plus international taxes of $88.44 per person. Hopefully links are allowed here. For my overall Review, see my non-commercial travel Blog: https://savepleasureisland.blogspot.com/2022/09/trip-report-margaritaville-at-sea.html?fbclid=IwAR2A2adcqvflER47PyYhjLsoO69XUSwbqeIrVxSqqz4RK7eyGIjN1KpJCKg For my Review of entertainment on board, see my non-commercial nightclub Blog: http://www.orlandoentertainmentnews.com/?p=17798 If you have any questions, please let me know. BobK/Orlando

We did the Viva Wyndham a few years ago and it was a great value. Arrival via their included roundtrip shuttle was early enough to enjoy their breakfast buffet and then a few hours later, their lunch buffet. And of course, the drinks were included during the entire stay too. We hung out by the pool but the beach is just steps away.

About 45 minutes - 1 hour at the most.

No one will ever ask to see your appointment time. Just get there when you get there.

Take a taxi to your rental car company downtown and beat the crowds. With a shuttle you have to wait on them and then when you get there everyone jumps out and creates a line for the cars with just 1 (or 2 if you're lucky) counter agents serving the line. With a taxi, you hop in right away and a few minutes later you're at the rental office. It's worth a few extra bucks to save an hour in line. That's what we did a few years ago when we rented from Sixt in downtown Miami.

I agree fully with 2 one-way rental cars. It avoids parking charges, security for your car and convenience. Check with Enterprise to see if they will price one way rentals because they have a lot of neighborhood locations to pick up and return to.

You request the free shuttles when you book the train tickets in advance.

Clarifying regarding tea, tea bags are available along with hot water. As far as ice tea goes, it is provided at lunch and dinner on U.S. sailings but not on European sailings.

What is the current concept that you don't see them surviving in?

I'm sailing on board this coming Thursday. I'll be sure to post a review. Looking forward to it. (I see the Saturday Labor Day weekend cruise is sold out.)

TPG is The Points Guy website which is mostly about airlines and earning frequent flyer miles. But their staff will also review hotels and I guess cruises. Not sure what happened to you on a Disney cruise but they deliver an amazing product plus for families, it can't be beat. Except for price; they have ridiculous prices which they're able to still fill their ships with so more power to them. One can sail a similar itinerary on Royal Caribbean or Carnival for one-third of the price.....but it's not Disney.