miataman19

Is this Express Pass thing similar to The Key (which I purchased) for embarkation? Haven't sailed on RCCL for a while.

Hello everyone. Just wanted to find out if the embarkation process for Haven guests at Terminal 10 at Port Canaveral is basically the same as MSC Yacht Club. Base of the stairs for drop off of bags and then separate security line then too the Haven Lounge area to check in. Thanks

We upgraded to the Plus option also. The Starbucks and the bottles of wine sealed the deal. The Inniskillin Ice wine by the glass is another plus.

On 10/18/2022 at 6:06 AM, B42low said:

Does anyone know the capacity on the Meraviglia for 10/23/2022 sailing? Thanks

Looks like 2400.

Yes, the cabins in Divina YC are smaller (older ship) than Meraviglia. Meraviglia YC1 cabins are a good size. My last 3 MSC sailings were in Meraviglia YC and I love that ship. Will be doing a solo B2B on Divina in a YC1 leaving today. Only time I look at a TV in my cabin is to check my folio or the ships position.

6 hours ago, texangal39 said:

OH NO! I'm booked on a 3-nt cruise coming up soon. As a seasoned cruiser looking for some quiet R&R on a long weekend, I am now wondering what I've gone and done! 🤦‍♀️

 

I had read and saw recent videos indicating the MSC cruises have still been fairly empty ... Ya'll I think I'm having buyers remorse!

Book Yacht Club and you'll get some great R&R. Leaving tomorrow on a 4 day 3 day B2B on Divina in The Yacht Club.😀

Thermal suite on Meraviglia is a very relaxing experience, loved it. However, IMHO, I will say that the forward facing NCL (Escape) thermal suite is better. The large whirlpool and the forward facing heated ceramic loungers do it for me. It has a more open feeling. Spent many a sea day in that Thermal Spa.

It depends on the ships capacity on your sailing. If you only have 800 - 1000 on your ship they probably won't check. If it's closer to ship capacity, they will. If you are in Yacht Club arrive anytime.

Does anyone know if the menu change on Divina was in the MDR and the Yacht Club restaurant or just the MDR?

In Yacht Club but I thought this was interesting. 9:30am...lol

As of now and according to MarineTraffic.com Seashore is headed to Ocean Cay. And at 21.5 kn. Pedal to the metal...lol

Mom is correct. The only people they do test at the port are the very young kiddos that can't be vaccinated.

I'm sure that the YC menus are different depending on the region you are sailing in. Are the menus the same for each ship in that region or does the YC Chef have the power to change his menu for his ship? Last 3 sailings on Meraviglia. Next 4 on Divina. Would be nice to have a different menu.

Love my 45 minute drive to Port Canaveral. The drive to Miami is a crap shoot. Some days, from Orlando, only 3 hrs. Other days, 4-5 hrs. Traffic is a bear. I do love seeing the ships as you enter the tunnel in Miami. Then pop out the other end, and there you are. The tunnel goes right under terminal 5 so about half way I look up and wave to the MSC ship that's docked there. Cruise nerd, I know...lol

Here is my ballpark for a 7 day sailing. Again, as stated in earlier posts, it depends on how much you utilize the services of each individual. I'll bring an extra $200 - $300 for these tips.

Butler - $40

Assistant Butler - $20

Sommelier - $50 -$75 (I utilize him alot..lol)

Maitre d' - $25 (If he does something special for you)

Concierge - $25 (If you utilize he or she. If you don't utilize them, no tip)

Server, DR +Top Sail (if you get the same one's throughout the cruise) $20 each

DR Hostess - $20 (you see her everyday)

Favorite Bartender in Top Sail - $20

Top Sail Musician - $20

I know I'm forgetting someone.

I guess I'm lucky or it's because I stay in Yacht Club. All my sailings show up about 3 days after I disembark.

2 hours ago, Homosassa said:

Also an FYI in case you are not  aware of tis:

 

Any charges on board ship will be processed through a bank in Europe (French, if I remember correctly). This applies to any MSC cruise anywhere in the world.

 

That means the initial on board authorization to your credit card will come from a foreign bank.

 

1. If possible, use a credit card that has no foreign transaction fees.

2. Call your credit card company ahead of time with your travel plans and warn them that an authorization request will be coming for MSC from an European bank.  This will prevent a decline of the charges by your card.

This happened to me on Meraviglia March 17th. Called my CC company to alert them to my travel plans, Oh, don't worry you're fine. Registered my card onboard and the $250 hold was denied. The bank MSC uses is in Paris France. Had to call the CC company to OK the transaction. Very frustrating when the Yacht Club Concierge calls you to come down to the desk to take care of your account.

18 hours ago, SUSIEK said:

I am ok with it too..... BUT I live 1 1/2hours  from the port.  If, for some odd chance, I test positive at the port after testing negative 2 days before, I turn around and drive home.  Think of those that are flying in.  That's a huge hassle and anxiety for those people.  I can understand that. 

 I also live 45 min from the port. If I test positive at the port, I'm on my way to Key West, be there by diner time. As they say in all their marketing, "Come as you are".

When I was on Meraviglia in January the YC staff said something about most of them going to Seashore in a few months. So here is a short list of our servers on Meraviglia YC. Kassius, Raymond, Jayson, John, Kevin. And our Sommelier Rudolf (Rudy). I'll be on Meraviglia in 7 days so I'm hoping that some of them are still there. If not I'll see them on Seashore in June.

On 2/23/2022 at 9:23 PM, GA Dave said:

Opinions are like a large sphincter in the general vicinity of the gluteus maximus.  Everybody has one.  My opinion is that Meraviglia is a ship that I love so much that I have already cruised on her twice and have two more already scheduled.

I'll agree with Dave. Been on her twice since October 2021 and sailing again on her in 2 weeks and again in October 2022. I'm slipping in a Seashore sailing in June to check out the larger Yacht Club to see if I like the bigger version.

21 hours ago, Morgsmom said:

Assuming you had booked directly with MSC (and had not gone through a TA), correct?

Yes, you are correct. Booked thru MSC

Happened to me twice this year. I did call and the 15% was applied as OBC. 

Just throwing this out there. On our last Meraviglia sailing, January 8th 7 day, My traveling companion had a YIN, I had a YC1. When we got to the port she had been upgraded to a YC1, no cost. It might have something to do with the ship only having 427 total and 47 in YC. Roll of the dice 🙂

1 hour ago, Fogfog said:

YC beach is rocky right now…we think the big hurricane that stalled over the Bahamas swept a lot of sand out…you need tough feet or water shoes

Totally agree. Love going to Ocean House but that beach is atrocious. The beach itself is great but if you want to go in the water you do need water shoes. 

On Meraviglia last month. Went to the Roulette table and gave the dealer my room card and said $300 please in $5 chips (My non-refundable OBC). He gave me the chips I played 3 spins at $25 each spin and left even. Went to the cash window and cashed out $300. Easy Peezy.