Benzbuddy87

We are thinking of returning to Orient Beach, and wanted to take the local bus.  Do all of the buses run through Back Street?

Also, a visit to Toppers means we would get on the Maho Bus, is that correct?

I think you'll find that \Europeans will expect to take 1.5 - 2 hours for dinner, so it wouldn't be a service issue. It's the US guests that wolf their food down and want to have a meal in a few minutes just like in McDonalds

Wolfing food in a few minutes? That's mighty presumptuous of you, don't you think? I don't know of anyone who routinely wolfs down their food. Conversely, I don't know anyone who would want to spend 1.5 - 2 hours at McDonalds, whether in the US or UK.

Hello! We are going to MSC Preziosa soon. I saw in a post in this forum that I can prepay the gratuities. Can someone tell me how? I have asked the agency I booked, but they answered that on MSC gratuities can not be prepaid...

Thanks in advance

Yes, you can prepay your gratuities. However, in lieu of prepaying your gratuities, I would suggest that you merely pre-purchase a credit to your account. MSC's US website will let you select from various amounts - merely select the credits you would like. As an example, if the suggested gratuities are $250, either select a $250 credit, or an amount close to $250.

The answer is simple - book your own flights (our flight was at 11:55 but there were earlier ones) and then book an MSC transfer from the port to the airport (£20 for 2 persons)

 

That is what I have done on 3 occasions and did so on the cruise that docked 17 june 2018

 

pete

Often, I think people make too much of a situation when a simple remedy is at hand. Conversely, I believe walk-off was available at Port Miami on the Divina and Seaside. If this is not available on EU cruises, why not merely add the suggestion as either pre/post-cruise feedback?

They claim that if you have chosen the Aurea package that you get preference of cabin but that is not true. i had originally booked the aft facing cabin with the fantastica package. I decided to upgrade to aurea, but they would not let me keep my rear facing cabin which made me very sad. I would have much preferred that cabin than my side facing cabin on a higher deck. I made a choice, but for the cruise line to say there's a preference/choice is just not true.

Actually, it is indeed true! As is the case with any other "MSC Experience" and most other cruise lines, you are able to select from available staterooms within each Experience. As an example, Fantastica cannot choose Aurea, Bella or YC. Likewise, if you opted for Aurea, you must select from available Aurea staterooms.

Sailing on Seaview in September 2018 (Italy, Malta, Spain, France), booked February 2018 with MSC Cruises USA. The booking overview of my reservation AUREA Suite shows "MINERAL WATER IN DINING ROOM Included".

I though the post about "free water in MDR" was for cruises in the Caribbean. The Seaview isn't sailing in the Caribbean!

That's why water is available 24/7 in the buffet.

 

If you think that's "diabolical", get this: those from the US (and Canada?) get FREE bottled water in the MDRs on MSC ships!!!! They obviously made enough noise and MSC is trying to grow its market share in the region so their voices are heard in MSC HQ. :rolleyes:

Since when? I don't know any restaurant (land or sea) or cruise ship which provides free bottled water. Heck, MSC still sells bottled water on the ship - either by single bottles, or via bottled water package).

Thanks you. Not sure if we will do this cruise with MSC. The reviews are down right scary

I laugh at some of the reviews. Some guests have no clue about cruising, while others have blatant misconceptions.

Thanks for the information regarding the service charges on MCS which I find a little high. For 2 adults on a weeks cruise this means 'charges' (otherwise known as tips - 'charges' should be included in the price quoted) of approx £125 -130 which is a lot more than we would normally leave.

I note in your information that you can ask to have them removed but do you have to give a reason? Can you simply say you don't want to be charged or is it only deducted if you are complaining about the 'service'? :confused:

Service charges (gratuities) are not normally included in the base price Caribbean cruises, and are actually very reasonable. Crew members receive gratuities (service charges) as payment for their service to passengers.

These were taken on the transatlantic from Europe to Miami before the ship began its regular Caribbean sailings. However, I doubt they have changed them. Since the ship was created for North Americans sailing the Caribbean, these are the menus that will continue to be available throughout the Caribbean.

My concern would be that there are a number of beverages listed on the menus which do not match what is believed to be the Classic Beverage Package for the Caribbean. As an example, in the menu's posted, Yuengling Lager and Bailey's are listed as a premium, though they appear on the Classic Beverage Package. I agree that it would not make sense to print a special set of menus for the T/A cruise, but other cruise lines have made custom menus for unique itineraries.

It's good for lattes, cappuccinos, expresso, etc.

... as well as frozen coffee beverages which were about $4.50 +/- on the Divina, so it was a very good deal for us.

Can you buy the coffee package on board? I think it's $29 for 15 drinks?

In 2016 and 2017, it was only offered online, and not sold on the ship. It was a wonderful package! :)

Right. So they made it free on Divina after it initially was not, and then went back to the original approach on Seaside. Did they think that customers wouldn't notice or just not care?

MSC has been tweaking their model for years. Far more things have been added (including Loyalty Match) than have been removed, and prices remain very reasonable. I have no problem with tweaking, but it is usually a give and take.

No, there aren't, sorry. There is nowhere for guests to iron their clothes anywhere onboard MSC ships. They offer an ironing service, though it's quite costly.

I had to have a dress shirt laundered and ironed/pressed while on the Divina. If I remember correctly, it was about half the cost of dry-cleaning and pressing. I thought it was reasonable for 12-24 hour service.

Seems like another stupid move by MSC, especially since the food was already free on Divina.

In December 2016, the food in the Divina Sports Bar was NOT complimentary, and the Mealtime Beverage Package could only be used in the buffet and MDR. When I returned in May 2017, the food in the Divina Sports Bar WAS complimentary, and the Mealtime Beverage Package was expanded to include the buffet, MDR, all bars and all specialty restaurants.

Originally posted byBoychef:

Hi Ashley, Are the hot alcoholic coffee drinks included in the coffee package? Thanks for posting the menus

That's a great question! I'm not sure of the answer, but I would assume you'd need an alcohol package to order anything with alcohol in it and not be charged. Anyone else know?

I had the Coffee Package last summer. Alcoholic coffee beverages were not included, and not expected - especially given the low cost of the vouchers. Double check the details of the vouchers online, as things can change. In late 2016, the Mealtime Beverage Package was only available in the buffet and Main Dining Rooms, but this past summer it was available in all bars and restaurants (including buffet and MDR) at no extra cost. :D

Does anyone know if the drinks on the menu in the above photo are available with the classic drink package. It doesn't have the * by the prices, but when they mention it excludes premium I wonder if since this menu mentions premium if they are not included?

 

I ask mostly because this menu has a Sidecar which is one of my favorites and would be my drink of choice. I will be terribly disappointed if it isn't included with the drink package we have.

I believe the Sidecar on that menu uses premium ingredients. You should be able to order a traditional Sidecar, without using premium ingredients. A bartender should be able to make one with Brandy or Cognac and Triple Sec - tell them that you have the Classic Beverage package.

Read a thread here on CC where they said a lot of folks were getting fed up in the YC due to long wait times for food which arrives cold and improperly cooked. Don't know how prevalent that has been but the poster said they saw at least one table just get up and leave after waiting 15 minutes for food and ended up following after their food finally arrived cold and improperly cooked. Hopefully some others will weigh in as maybe that is something they're working on improving.

There are a few professional complainers who seem to be posting #FakeNews. In one thread, many other guests were challenging the other guest on their antics. I tend to ignore ignorance. :o

In Divina 11/2017 Aurea MCD and noticed NO difference in service, menu or any other aspects from normal Traditional dinning. The Aurea dinning area was bottom level left side entrance of Black Crab MDR. Nothing special or what we anticipated based on MSC write up. Would not consider this as a perk if you don't require My Choice Dinning.

Aurea experience My Choice Dining does not offer a different dining service, rather, it offers non-fixed time dining in the MDR. Their website provides the following information:

“Aurea” Experience, with its dedicated spa package, unlimited drinks package, and My Choice Dining gives you the most relaxation and flexibility during your vacation.

Aurea experience provides a spa package, Classic all-inclusive beverage package and My Choice dining. My Choice Dining enables guests to dine in a reserved section of the MDR, at undesignated times which are convenient to the guest (subject to restaurant hours of operation, and space availability). Some cruise lines require or request guests to make reservations, while other do not. I am not sure what you anticipated, but it sounds like you participated in My Choice Dining.

4. How do the hair dryers work in the staterooms? How do they compare to a good home version?

- They are just simple hair dryers and don’t compare to good home vetsion but they are adequate.

Regarding the no decorations are permitted on the outside of the door thing. I've seen videos and pictures of several staterooms with decorations on the outside of the door. Wonder did they just put them up for the video or maybe not find out about this until later?

I've only seen a few pictures of items taped to doors. I wouldn't know if people asked in advance, but expect that most do not.

Post #8 in this thread has a listing of the various alcohols by brand that are listed for classic, deluxe and super premium at the casino bar. That's the closest thing I have seen on the boards to what you're looking for.

Thanks, I saw that before. It would be nice for everyone to see what is physically included in a beverage package (perhaps on MSC's website), instead of having to look at a JPG of a menu on a 3rd party website. MSC did a good job with the information in the links (post #102), so I am hoping that will be something forthcoming. As it is now, some of the information in the menus is conflicting.

Seaside casino staff needs to read our post about craps. If this ship is based in Miami ——that is what this market expects in a Casino.

I don't think the "market" is defined my Miami. Nationwide, slots are the most popular games for US markets (land and sea).

- Slots: 50% - 60%

- Blackjack: 20% - 25%

- Roulette: 5% - 10%

- Poker: about 5%

- Craps: about 5%

Does anyone have access to a current link or post from MSC, which indicates which specific beverage (brands) are included in the Classic vs. Premium beverage packages? I've seen variations of charts, but they aren't dated, and don't seem to match up to the beverage menus in this thread.

https://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/9/5/8/2/0/8/webimg/976814651_o.jpg

https://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/9/5/8/2/0/8/webimg/976814655_o.jpg

MSC states that all staterooms have hairdryers, any word on if this is true and how well they actually work?

Do the bathroom sinks plug for hand washing?

Does housekeeping replace wet/dirty pool towels or is there a trade in desk?

Are the doors and walls metal for magnet usage?

Yes, they have hair dryers. Yes, they work.

Yes, your stateroom host will replace towels.

No decorations are permitted on the outside of the door. I forget, but believe the interior portion of the door is metal.

I have the Aurea experience with my wife and family. I will be the only one participating in the drinking. I know that you have to upgrade all of you want to upgrade to the premium package, my question is can you pay the upgrade amount for each drink if you want premium? Or do you have to pay for the whole drink. I’m trying to decide if I am better off to just pay the difference as we go or spend the $112.

You would have to pay for the entire drink.