VernRDH

Was hoping someone could tell me what the gratuities are daily in YC? We are booked next October on Meraviglia in an Aurea balcony, thinking of moving up to YC. Just trying to get a fix on the price difference. My TA is not terribly helpful and I just wanted to know what the difference is between Aurea and YC for grats. Thank you!

We are headed back to Bayonne, seas are moderate with a bit of motion. Warm and sunny though, so all in all a good day. Not sure what tomorrow will bring as we will be further north, but I am still on a ship, having a good time.

On Oasis currently. Agree on riding the carousel and seeing Aqua 80- one of the best shows we have seen in 25 cruises. Solarium bistro is a nice spot to eat. Freestyle machines are plentiful- Windjammer, Solarium bistro, Sorrento's on the promenade and el Loco Fresh. If elevators are packed and everyone is going one direction, go the opposite. Like salmon swimming upstream. When it gets to the top or bottom, you are already on. Trust me, it saves time. IMO, Oasis has the worst laid out Windjammer. Be prepared to be frustrated or choose to eat elsewhere. There are plenty of free alternatives. Front facing OV- one of our favorites. Enjoy! Early seating is 5pm. I don't know when it got so early, but it does make getting to the shows easier. For us, it means we skip lunch, otherwise we are too full to enjoy dinner. If there is anything particular you want to know, just ask and I will try to find out.

Could we go to the beach in FLL? Yes. Not quite the same as CocoCay, but doable. We got the letter when we returned to our cabin around 8 pm. We docked this morning at 7. Not that i am being cheap, but a beach day here is going to cost me where CC is a free day. We may go to a beach in Nassau tomorrow instead. Yesterday was Canaveral, we did the Daytona speedway tour- highly recommend! Still not at work, so lemons->>>lemonade.

On Oasis, received a letter stating that due to adverse weather conditions we will not go to CocoCay tomorrow, instead we are going to Ft Lauderdale. So another ship day for us and in 20 years of cruising on the second time we have missed one. It was however our only beach day for this trip☹️ Bright side- we still aren't at work.

On Oasis currently from Bayonne heading to Port Canaveral. Right now about 65 degrees, sunny and smooth sailing. We go out of NJ a lot, have never had an issue. But we also like a bit of motion, better sleeping! May you should be fine, as others suggested, take the Bonine.

Thanks for the info! We board Oasis on Sunday, want to go to Playmakers and watch the early games!

Nice to meet you neighbor!

John- that is a fantastic story! I live half a mile from Van Patten golf course and I work in Colonie. Yes "downtown" Clifton Park is built up and there are tons of hotels for sure. But it is a nice place to live.

Are you from Clifton Park? Cause I haver never known ANYONE to know that word if you aren't local!

If you book online, you get two options: best rate(no extras) or best value (which includes drinks and wifi). There is a price difference. So if you picked best rate, then no those aren't included.

Yes it was for lunch on embarkation day. I had not had it before, but had seen it. And yes the fries just came with it, I didn't ask for them.

I ordered that on Liberty in May, expecting a large salad with steak on top. Below is what I got. A little salad with a steak. When I questioned the waiter he told me that was a steak salad. LOL We had UDP on that trip and loved Giovanni's, it is now our preferred specialty restaurant. I tried the branzino for the first time and loved it. Didn't hurt that our server at Gios was phenomenal. I do miss Portofino too. And you can keep Giovanni's Kitchen, not worth the price IMO.

Previously and for our upcoming Anthem cruise I could pre book. Looking at this week's cruise, Giovanni's was open for lunch yesterday. Guess we will have to see what happens when we board, as the option is not there to book.

For our Oasis cruise next month NO specialty restaurants are available for lunch on embarkation day. We were really hoping once we get on board something may be open, since we are tired of the chaos that is WJ.

So mystery solved. She gave us the wrong number ( one digit off). Her response to me was "enter your number ( the correct one, not the one on either my emailed or printed invoices) and if it doesn't work call MSC" Wait, isn't that why I have a travel agent? She sent me a new invoice, number is correct in one spot, incorrect in another. I got in with the correct number, so all set. Again, not feeling the confidence in this agent.

Yes I already created an account. As far as I can see everything matches. Never gave my middle name either to TA or when doing status match or creating account, but I can try that.

I have tried both numbers on my invoice, neither of them will work. Hoping I get an answer from her tomorrow.

I have not but will check. I already sent her an email. We did book the package with the wifi and drinks, it does show on the invoice. ETA: just checked credit card, yes deposit is paid

Thanks. I have tried multiple times but it doesn't come up. 🤔 I verified that my information is correct and I logged in but nothing shows. Is it possible there is a delay due to us booking late on Friday afternoon? Again haven't used a TA in forever so unsure of how this works.

So we just booked our first MSC cruise for next October. We used a local travel agent as they provide transportation to Brooklyn and I have read here on CC that dealing with MSC customer service can be trying at best. But a few questions: Can I not access my reservation in the app or on the website? I have tried multiple times to enter the booking number but it says it's not correct. We booked on Friday, and on the MSC site there was still the promotion for free wifi and drinks as well as OBC($100 when I did mock booking). Can you not get that if you use a travel agent? I asked specifically and she said no OBC. We did status match and are gold. In the list of benefits it says $50 OBC per person. Does that not show up until we are onboard? We haven't used a travel agent in 20 years so I am unsure if she is doing right by us or not. Thank you for any help, we are experienced cruisers but new to MSC and trying to learn as much as we can.

We booked yesterday, went with Aurea on deck 13. Used a travel agent, which I haven't done in 20 years as one local one offers transportation to Brooklyn and I am not necessarily interested in driving there or paying the exorbitant parking fees. Now to do more research!

We have considered going out of Baltimore, just haven't yet. Want to get on vision before they scrap her, so may need to go sooner rather than later.

What cruise are you on in Feb? We are on Anthem 2/9 sailing. Regular balcony, nothing fancy. Also hi 518 neighbor!

I actually looked at inside YC, it isn't unreasonable. But just not us really. Plus I don't want to do it and be disappointed I can't do it again because it's too expensive!