perakcruiser

2 hours ago, daisy-mae said:

We have just returned from our first MSC cruise (in Europe) and found that the difference between the cruise line and others is in the service - or lack thereof. Where other lines encourage the cabin attendants to introduce themselves shortly after the passengers arrive, on MSC we only met our steward on the fourth day, and only by chance.

This is the old problem, you expect personal treatment, the Europeans (and Asians) expect "do your job, be invisible". I don´t think that any Non-American cruise line encourages this, definitely not in Europa or East Asia. 

And yes, also many would think it is very rude to annoy a superbusy waiter at dinner to go to the next cafe and bring a cappuccino. But for Americans this is totally OK, these are the differences. 

For many US cruisers MSC (or any non-US cruise line) is not a good choice, but for some it is great. Just try, they are much cheaper than others and also have lower additional costs on board. 

6 minutes ago, Tapi said:

Same with Basic Economy and Comfort Plus on Delta. Not that much difference between the two classes of service, except for the fact that your accommodation is in a more desirable location, and you may get a little extra perk, but otherwise it’s the same exact type of accommodation. 

Ah OK, than please forget everything I said, "Comfort Plus" sounded like much bigger seats with more legroom to me ;)

7 minutes ago, Tapi said:

We’ve done Fantastica and Aurea on MSC. The only reason why we chose Fantastica over Bella was because of cabin location (otherwise our cabin would’ve been above a music lounge). But with Aurea is where the real perks kick in. 

Yes, Aurea makes the big difference. But for late bookers usually there is no choice anyway, because all Bella long gone. Anyway, the price difference between Bella and Fantastica is so small, with the free photo and the higher decks alone you are not making a bad deal, even if you don´t care for the Voyager points.

9 minutes ago, Tapi said:

Using Delta Air Lines’ classes of service for comparison, Bella is like Basic Economy, Fantástica is like Comfort Plus, Aurea is like Premium Select, and Yacht Club is like Delta One. 

Even I have never flown Delta I am not sure if I can agree here. The difference between Bella and Fantastica is extremely limited as the cabins are the same and the perks almost the same. But in Airline language one thing is true of cause, Fantastica brings you more miles aka Voyager points than Bella. 

It is also very difficult for me the compare MSC to other lines. As the ships in their fleet are so different. Of cause I agree that the Meravigla is one of the best cruise ships that sails the oceans (for me number one), but you cannot go on the Lirica with the expectations from the Meraviglia. 

But I can answer @TwoCruisers that I don´t think there is any boat in the Carribean that is better than the Meraviglia. If you are choosing between the Meraviglia and the Armonia and the Meraviglia costs 20% more, take the Meraviglia. 

11 hours ago, cruisingnewtoit said:

Does their ships carry any dairy free milk?

As MSC has a lot of Japanese, Korean und Chinese passengers this is not a problem, dairy free milk products are always available. 

That is just the usual clause to avoid that people use the cruise line as a moving company by booking a "Grand Voyage" to their new home overseas. If you have normal lugguage nobody will care about the weight.

12 hours ago, BeachinLar said:

I'm always more open to new things, so I am looking forward to it.  Glad to hear that the Bella class isn't segregated in any way...  Thanks for your input!  I really appreciate it! 

Actually the split between Bella and Fantatisca was started long after most of MSCs ships were built. So the cabins are the same, Fantastica gives you a higher deck. And some free extra kids activity, a few more Voyager points and a free photo. 

18 hours ago, BeachinLar said:

'm a night owl and like the shows, the music and the disco.  Not many people on the threads talk about nightlife on the Seaside.  Is there any?  Or does the ship pretty much go to sleep at 10pm...

10 pm is the time many Southern Europeans think about dinner. Music and disco starting much later. You will be suprised how many kids are still running around after midnight 

8 hours ago, skings said:

Hi Em, yes I know but MSC hasn't changed my booking. Can I just walk off with luggage?

They put the request in that you will leave in Le Havre. As both are Schengen ports, no problem at all. And Le Havre is official disembarking port on this cruise. Many people will  In the case the cruise date on your cruise card will not be correct, just go to the reception and let it change. You also could tell them only the day before that you will end the cruise tomorrow, but better handle things early. 

3 hours ago, dexddd said:

I didn't think Seaview had made it to the US yet?

Almost no difference between Seaview and Seaside. 

All coupons are gone. MSC is not doing coupons any more now. 

We will never forget the good old days, but they will not come again :(
 

39 minutes ago, dns20 said:

Are we talking about bottled water or tap water being free or not in the MDR?  I was on a Caribbean cruise and they automatically poured tap water from a pitcher unless you tell them no. I don't think they knew our nationality.....

Tap water. And they know your nationality very well. But on cruises where almost all passengers are non-eligible for free water (for example Carribean starting from Havana), the eligible passengers will just get bottled water unlimited for free. It´s like a free bottled water package on your cruise card. 

The tap water pitchers only exist on that Miami-based MSC cruises, at least I have never seen it anywhere. 

13 hours ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

[Corsica was one of the two ports that caused us to book this cruise.  If they cancel La Spezia, we should just stay in Barcelona for another week!]

Exactly the same here. I am planning not to leave the boat in Genua, Civi, Barcelona and Palma. But the family cancelled already my Palma seaday plan.

9 hours ago, ocntscha said:

Does MSC have free coffee available?   Thank you in advance..

At least this can be answered easily. Yes, free coffee is available always at some stations in the buffet area. It is OK, nor worse than other cruise lines, not much better.

Water is a long time topic here :)
Water is free for all at the stations in the Buffet restaurants. Most nationalities have to pay in the Main Dining Room on all cruises. For some unknown reason, the Irish get it free:

https://www.msccruises.ie/en-ie/MSC/Water-Tea-Coffee-Guests.aspx
My educated guess: This is because MSCs favourite passenger, @Beamafar, is from Ireland. 

I heard that on cruises out of Miami it is free also for US pax, others definitely know this better. 

Mainland Chinese passengers get free hot water.

Maybe next time I should ask to be placed on a table with Irish guests ;)

4 hours ago, TrustMeI'mANurse said:

 

Is there a benefit to booking directly through MSC?

No.

12 hours ago, jacobichka said:

Check in or carry on luggage?

Check in.

One bottle in the lugguage should be no problem. But also depends on the security checks of the departure port. 

9 hours ago, WonderMan3 said:

Heads up for anyone on the Seaview sailing after mine. They have changed the port of Ajaccio, Corsica to the port of Toulon, France. It will apparently be a tender port.

So sad for the people affected. But MSC is still selling tomorrows Cannes departure with Ajaccio! That is very nasty. 

9 hours ago, Tapi said:

I can’t think of a better way to introduce small children to Europe. 

So true. I felt so happy when I saw my girl cooking fresh Italy pasta with the Doremi chef on the Meraviglia. In an athmosphere of passion, chaos and total freedom. So many different languagues and nationalities, but kids don´t mind at all ☺️ Kindergarten life in our part of the world is so different.

Things change, meanwhile our main reason to sail with MSC is their kids club. 

From the viewpoint of kids the Grandiosa is certainly the better choice. And the Grandiosa has so many new features I am very keen to see :)

But if you have never sailed the Divina-class, no mistake to book it. 

No Voyager room on any ship, but a Voyager counter. 

25 minutes ago, cellfree said:

MSC also has a “nice” cancellation policy - entire deposit refunded until 90 days prior to departure.

Unfortunately this is also totally different in every market MSC serves. I guess almost all markets except the US are not enjoying this generous policy. But I agree that their policy is friendlier than others. 

35 minutes ago, donutcop said:

Please explain the harbour taxes?  When do they get added?

No idea as I don´t have to pay them seperately. 

You need to ask someone of your nationality who cruised MSC before. 

13 minutes ago, MikeNKim said:

I am worried what I am missing in why these cruises are so cheap?

MSC prices follow European school holidays, so the price goes up extremely in main season and also goes down extremely in off season. That is the same for all European cruise companies. 

As you are from Canada, they will probably add harbour taxes and stuff like this to the price. 

9 hours ago, mapsmith said:

We like :

Inexpensive

Italian

Great Food.  (Some of the best on the seas as long as you don't want steak at every meal.)

Friendly Officers and Staff.

They used to have the entertainers and officers eat with passengers.  One of the few lines that actually still has a Captain's Table some nights.

Not USA centric.  That is, more European than American.

I would emphasize on this. And add the detail that they are certainly the most kids friendly line. 

But Italian is the key factor for us, the US companies are too american for us and the Germans too german. We sometimes sail with Celebrity and TUI Cruises also, but only on MSC I have the Italian holiday feeling that is priceless for me. 

Following closely now as we will go for our 10th MSC cruise on the Seaview in October.

But I better not read the YC menus otherwise I regret that I will notbe able to get this in the MDR :)

On 9/19/2019 at 11:13 AM, PopcornDK said:

My wife enjoys a good glass of wine, and loves cocktails, while I am an avid beer lover and none of us is in to champagne.

Difficult! 

Easy is perfect for you, but your wife will never have a good glass of wine in that case.