Morgsmom

I think you have to look at the "net net"... a lot of OBC is smoke and mirrors, in my opinion. Sure, here's $1000 on Azamara toward excursions... wait, what, the walking tour is $139/pp? At the end of the day you need to look at the total price of the cruise. Spending funny money on a $30 purse marked up to $150 is not really a deal (IMO)

On our last 3 sailings (2 in YC and 1 in "gen pop") we did not receive an end of cruise bill. This seems to be the norm. Fortunately we went the 2nd to last day to close out our account, but I would have assumed we would get a $0 balance bill on the last day. Nope.

That is correct.

you cannot take any onboard. If you have a beverage package of any level you can get bottled water (sparkling or still) at any bar. If you do not, bring a thermos and fill at the buffet. Alternately the "tap" water is perfectly potable.

First of all, CONGRATULATIONS on getting a knowledgeable MSC phone rep! That's truly a Christmas miracle!!! (just kidding, but not really....) On the Divina we noted the same thing - - cabin categories were closed out and showing as full, but the ship sailed with about 50% capacity. Definitely having staffing issues

Shaking my head. The categories in YC are YIN (yacht club interior/inside) and YC Deluxe Suite. It is NOT a "Yacht Club Balcony". Even though it has a balcony it is NOT a Balcony cabin. The categories outside of YC include: Interior, Oceanview, and Balcony. Thus the promo was "get a Balcony cabin for an Interior price." Applicable outside of the Yacht Club. And if your (flawed) logic was applicable, then why couldn't I book an Inside and INSIST I get an Aurea Whirlpool cabin since it has a Balcony? How about the MSC Yacht Club Duplex Suite with whirlpool since that has a balcony? Terms and conditions are just that - of course there is fine print, and exclusions." They are 100% whatever the cruiseline wants them to be. The promo never, ever applied to Yacht Club.

The balcony upgrade offer does not apply, nor has it ever, to the Yacht Club. It was for Inside to Regular Balcony. It never read as yacht club inside to balcony. This is a stretch at best.

I would say to not hold your breath. I am still waiting for a refund on a wifi plan going back to September. Onboard they said "no problem, it'll get refunded" and I literally just laughed at them. (This was Yacht Club, mind you).

If it is a closed loop cruise you do NOT need a passport. Good luck with SIX kids 🤔

Just to confirm, there is NO coffee maker (Nespresso) in the YIN on the Mera? insert frowny face

For 2 other cabins, who booked Bella, for whom it is their first MSC cruise to jump on the coattails seems bit of a stretch, IMO

No noise really from the Champagne Bar on the Mera.

Depends on ship & sailing. We were on the Meraviglia last March and it was a ghost town - about 800 pax. Last month less than 2000 on the Divina though no one will give you the "real" number. The 3 nighters have the highest occupancy, followed by the 7 nighters, then the 4.

Welcome to the world of MSC horrible IT!!!!

MSC is a for profit enterprise. They weigh all of these decisions. In the end issuing some OBC to a few passengers is more profitable. Cruiselines (especially MSC) are not in the hospitality industry, they are in the profit game. Same with any restaurant shoreside. Walk-in party of 20? Sure, we'll take you. Do we have "enough" staff? Maybe not, but we are not going to turn away the revenue. With food/produce/etc being at inflationary highs I'd do the same thing. Does it stink? Sure does. But it's a mass market ship trying to squeeze out dollars after two plus years of losing.

Any notice of why it had been cancelled? We were looking at the same date & sailing previously.

While true, some bartenders make much better cappucinos than others 😉

Yes, they have it for both kids and adults on the last sea day of 7 night cruises. My husband LOVES it and has won twice 😉 No, you cannot cook since it is in the theater but it is great fun nevertheless for those who participate.

In fact, neither Patricia, nor John (her sweet husband) are butlers - they are YC assistants or stewards or something. (Well at least as of 18 September) They WANT to be full fledged butlers and hope to get picked up for another contract again. We met Patricia last March on the MERA and she remembered us 6 months later on a different ship --- that's amazing and wonderful. Please tell her that "Maam Donna and Sir George" say hello and wish them safe travels home.

Oh, Rodwin and Patricia are the best 🙂 Enjoy their impeccable service.

Rodwin is FABULOUS! We had a 7am wakeup call with cappucinos every day. Delivered with smile.

Thank you! Those are hardly "signature drinks" 🙂

So that you, theoretically, can't leave a hairdryer or curling iron plugged in and running, potentially causing a fire....

Just want to chime in having done Bella, Fantastica, Aurea and YC I can honestly say that no one knows which "category" of services you have in the first 3. Only Yacht Club is different. Of Bella and Fantastica the only difference is room service breakfast, choosing your dining time (but you can switch once onboard) and picking your cabin. That's pretty much it. Aurea adds some experiences, but nothing that different... I'd think about trying MSC.

Not the best place for these questions, however - GF should be noted pre-boarding using the special dietary request form. Tea bags vary by country of origin of sailing as well as venue (YC has different teas - loose leaf and bagged than the main dining room and buffet) Yes, there is sweet & low and Equal, but no stevia. There are no tea kettles in balcony cabins. The YC will have nespresso machines.