Morgsmom

@wgeddings so depending on your itinerary if you are on a 7 nighter with a stop in Cozumel you literally will dock right across the street from the Mega supermarket. There you can pick up a six pack of soda and bring it back to the ship with you. (No, they will not stop you, they only will at original embarkation.) So if you are a light soda drinker you could purchase as needed for a few days and buy some mid way at a port of call.

MSC is flush with cash from their shipping operations; as such they do not need to offer discounted gifts cards. In addition, they tend to "sit" on money in terms of not issuing refunds for an extended period, thus capturing even more interest on the $$.... So, no, they don't have discounted gift cards.

No sterilisers onboard. While a baby CAN go into a bar and theater.... why would you unless they were sleeping? (Which they won't be in the theater with all of the noise).

Best bet is to let him be a no show.

Fantastica includes the ability to "request" your preferred dining slot - early or late. It does not include any specialty restaurants.

Keep in mind that while your cabins might be "fantastica" your experience will still be Bella.

Yes, there is a kids menu (same every night) with suggestions by ages.

The cruiseline will not tell you. The best way I've found is to google the date and name of ship and add "charter" or the like. (Ditto with looking for a "book of the faces" group using that date and ship) If it's a charter they most likely have a webpage or FB group. In the past I've found myself inadvertently on a Swinger's Cruise, on a ship with 2000+ High School graduating seniors from Canada (no thank you!), and twice on a "Goth" cruise (the Divina) which was great fun. The biggest issue is that these groups tend to overrun the place and close down venues that you would otherwise have access to.

Someone correct this old gal's memory, but the YC doors are the same size as regular doors (??) unless you are in a Handicapped Cabin in the yacht club.

It's very common with MSC; normally it takes 2 months for a refund. Yes, that's why they have lots of $$$$$$

Well Celebrity's prices are MUCH, MUCH higher than MSC. You are paying for it in the base fare. If you book Fantastica level on MSC you can indicate if you want early or late dining. If you mean you'd like to indicate that you want a table every night at 7:30, that's a logistical nightmare that MSC would not be able to accomodate.

Yes, DH has been able to watch NFL football on MSC ships while in the Caribbean. If it's a BIG game (like "the Big Game") they will show on the big screen.

Just curious, how is this different than many other lines who have fixed dining times? You can always upgrade to Aurea or Yacht Club if you want to dine at will. As far as the $5 charge, it's new. And it's really to discourage the massive amount of waste.

It REALLY depends on the Dining Room Mgr/Maitre D'. I've seen gents turned away for wearing shorts, and others sporting ball caps in the dining room at dinner 🤢

No beach chairs however the umbrellas on Lighthouse Beach are free and first come, first served

There are many reports of the Dysons not working properly or short-circuiting due to amp issues. Wouldn't risk it personally.

98% of the time the Starboard Cabins "face" the island.

chances are .0000001%

Yes. You’d be better on same deck.

The only good thing is that there is a hallway / passthrough right outside your cabin to go across the deck to their cabin

To note, smoking of weed is NOT allowed ANYWHERE on the ship. To many (me! me!) it's gross. You wan't to F* yourself up without messing up the air that other people have to breathe, then go for it. Shove that $..t up your nose, swallow a gummy, whatever, but the minute you put your weed smoke in the air it's now my problem. I'm expected to inhale that air so that you can get an (illegal at sea and violation of MSC rules) buzz on. Gee thanks. In addition, smoking (cigarettes or doobies) in a cabin in a violation of the no open flame rule as well as jacking up the cabin for the next person. I have found it to be a BIG issue in the YC and agree that nothing is being done about it.

Oh, man... we are going on our first NCL cruise (and on the Joy) in a few weeks. Now I'm leery. Actually I have been since I found out that I can't get a bottle of water or espresso with our beverage package... To note, the Veuve issue on NCL is not a supply issue - the menu was re-written to exclude Veuve. It's not like it's listed and they say it's out. As far as Rudolf on the Mera - sorry, but I've cruised with him twice and had exactly the opposite experience. He actually challenged me to a blind tasting once when I refused to drink from a $3 bottle of Mondavi that he produced.

I actually find connecting rooms creepy. I know, I know, it's irrational but 🤷‍♀️

Exclusive YC experiences/excursions are a thing of the past... their ship has sailed 🙂

Likely not possible, unfortunately.