nonchalant_muse

I recommend always carrying at least a small amount of cash on your person at every port. Many places will accept credit cards, but there are still those outliers that accept cash-only. You will also need cash for any tips you may give out. As for how much cash to take total, bring more than you think you will actually use. It's better to have a surplus of cash at the end of your vacay than it is to not have enough. Keep the majority of your cash along with other valuables (passport, etc.) locked in your cabin safe.

Hmm, that's a tough one. The thing is, Premium Plus is not just alcoholic beverages (though it's probably the main reason people choose to upgrade). Starbucks beverages, energy drinks, bottled water, fresh-squeezed juices and sparkling water are also all part of the package. I'd absolutely recommend calling NCL to see what options you might have. Maybe there are certain circumstances where NCL will allow the purchase of non-alcoholic drink packages for 21+ guests (as they do for guests under 21). The worst they can tell you is "no".

I will add that additional guests (guests 3 and beyond) receive the plus beverage package only, they do not receive additional dining credits, $50 excursion credit, internet. Not sure if the same charge per person is applied to guests 3 and beyond, would need to check with NCL. And yes, per the package guidelines, it is $50 off per passenger (guests 1 and 2). All the included perks are outlined in the attachment for Free at Sea Plus. Free_at_Sea_Plus_ver011823.pdf

If you upgrade to Free at Sea Plus, everyone in your stateroom must also upgrade. If it's any consolation, you will also get additional specialty dining credits (2) and additional 50-dollars off per excursion. This means that both of you, not just one person, gets 50 dollars off per excursion per port. The Plus beverage package also includes items such as bottled water (not available with the regular beverage package) and Starbucks Coffee drinks. Not sure if your wife is a coffee or tea drinker, but the bottled water will surely come in handy when walking about under a hot sun or lounging by the pool 🙂

Our cruise is Feb 5-11. I'm hoping to get lucky with the Seaview Dailies before then. But at the very least I'll collect the ones that we get on our upcoming cruise and post them here. This will help you and anyone else cruising on Seaview after us 🙂

It isn't the norm, though I have heard NCL is going through some unusual growing pains at the Pan American pier (this is the pier NCL uses for embarkation at San Juan). I fully anticipate, however, that NCL will eventually get a handle on things and the embarkation/disembarkation process will go much more smoothly. Probably by mid-January there won't be any problems and people will begin boarding around 11 am per usual.

Anyone have recent Daily Planners from the Seaview sailing out of Rio de Janeiro?

I haven't done this myself just yet, but yes, you do need to upload a photo in order to complete your online check-in (and, I think, they will also take your photo at embarkation......kinda strange). The system can be finnicky when it comes to accepting your photo. I've been told to use a blank background (preferably white) and to make sure full face, head, and shoulders may clearly be seen in the photo. Might take several tries, suggest to take multiple photos as backup in case your first photo is a no-go.

We'll be on the Seaview February 5-11, also a 6-night cruise from Rio. Cruised MSC once in the past, on the Meraviglia. You are correct that most passengers will be Brazilian and Portuguese-speaking. There may be others from various countries also on the ship, but majority will be Brazilian. There is also a law, from what I've read, requiring that a majority percentage of the staff and crew must be of Brazilian background on all Brazil-based cruises. However, staff and crew will understand and speak English. We are staying at the Miramar Hotel by Windsor in Copacabana beach prior to our cruise. It's a gorgeous highly-rated 5-star hotel, a little pricey (roughly $150 per night for the basic rooms) but right on the ocean and in a safer area of Rio. Yes, as far as taking precaution, be very careful while touring around Rio. Pickpocketing, robbery, and violence are commonplace occurrences there and the police do next to nothing. Never wear flashy jewelry nor have your smartphone in your hand as you walk around, you will be targeted if these criminals see you are carrying anything of value. Also be aware of your surroundings and keep within the touristy areas of Rio; wandering off into streets near the favelas can be dangerous even during the day. From what I have seen, Rio is very beautiful and there is a lot to see and do. My recommendation is to visit Sugarloaf mountain, the Tijuca rainforest, Ipanema beach, and (if you have time) the imperial city of Petropolis.

Thanks so much for posting! I'll be aboard the Epic in April, also embarking in San Juan. I hope by then the disembarking/embarking process has been smoothed out, sounds as though there are definitely some major kinks to be worked out. A couple questions: 1. Is the complimentary continental bfast room service officially gone? I've heard it's starting to phase out and is being replaced with an automatic room service fee (I think only Haven-level guests are exempted). 2. Whilst leaving the San Juan port, how soon before taxes on beverages no longer applied? Is it as soon as the ship departs, or did it take some time after? That's all I've got for now, thanks again!

I sincerely hope all goes well and your flight goes off without a hitch! If the worst should happen and you can't fly out that day at all, there may be one last solution you could try which could salvage at least some of your cruise: find out if SWA will agree to arrange to fly you to meet the ship at the first port of call. Several years ago my DH and I missed our cruise embarkation due to unforeseeable circumstances which were flight-related. We did arrange for a different flight to the first port of call and met up with our ship there (we only missed embarkation day and one sea day). Just an idea that could hopefully save you from losing your cruise entirely!

Just to add to this: if you and your guests are wine drinkers, you may bring aboard bottles of wine (in your carry-on luggage) with no corkage fee so long as you have the beverage package. You can then store the bottles in your cabin for you and your guests use. Wine-only, NCL does not allow bringing aboard beer, liquors, or spirits.

I'm a huuuge fan of MSC Yacht Club! Will be sailing in YC (on the Seaview) in early Feb 2023. I'll start off by saying that I have never sailed in the Haven (or on NCL, first-ever sailing with them will be in mid-April) but, from what I've read about it, it's a similar concept to the YC with the private section of the ship closed off and dedicated only to Haven guests (i.e. "ship within a ship" concept). I love this as I can enjoy all the benefits that come with cruising on a very large vessel while at the same time enjoy a more private and less crowded space to retreat to when I need a breather 🙂 Anyways, this is what I've learned as far as the positives of MSC YC over NCL Haven: 1. YC restaurant menu rotates day to day; there are a select core of entrees that remain the same throughout the cruise, all the rest change on each day of the cruise, lots of variety. My understanding is that the Haven restaurant menu does not change. 2. YC guests are allowed unlimited access to the MSC Thermal Spa area; this is one of my favorite perks regarding YC, you automatically get free, unlimited everyday entry to their Thermal Spa (and it is sweeet!!!) As a Haven guest, access to the NCL Thermal Spa requires an additional charge unless one is booked in a Haven Spa suite. 3. In YC, room service is included and is free, including delivery of alcoholic beverages for free. My understanding is that Haven does not allow for delivery of alcoholic beverages without a fee (although room service for other items is free and included). 4. High tea service in the YC Lounge every late afternoon (roughly 4 pm). Another one of my favorite perks of the YC, you receive personalized high tea service in the YC Lounge every afternoon of your cruise. I love tea and absolutely adore their high tea service; they bring a cart with a selection of various teas and brew it in front of you, along with a tiered plate setting of scones, clotted cream, jams, tea sandwiches, and petit four desserts. I do not believe this type of tea service is offered in Haven. 5. This is something new and I think may only be offered on the newer MSC ships (Meraviglia-class and newer) but YC guests are given a wristband in addition to a room key card. The wristband works just like the card; you use it to unlock and enter your cabin, to scan and receive beverages from the bar/cafe, to unlock and enter private YC areas of the ship, etc. It's great because one can just wear the wristband without having to carry around a room key card (I found this especially useful while lounging/swimming in the pool, and yes, wristbands are waterproof). To my knowledge Haven does not have this feature, but correct me if I'm mistaken. As an aside, you DO need your room key card whenever disembarking the ship while at port. Only the room key card will allow you to disembark/embark the cruise ship. That's all that comes to mind for now, hopefully you and your husband will be able to try out MSC YC at least once. It's generally a hecka lot cheaper than NCL Haven, too, if price point matters to you 🙂

I hear ya, but for some cruisers, it adds up beyond just the cost of a cup of coffee. As some have stated, they enjoy a daily morning coffee/pastry delivered to their room. If you're talking a lengthy cruise (let's say 10-nights or more) that's $50+ in just daily coffee alone, not including gratuity/tips paid on top of it.

Personally, I love MSC. DH and I have a sailing booked with them early next year. Most of the negative comments are attributed to the fact that it is an international cruise line and operates a little differently from an American cruise line. However, MSC has paid close attention and is working hard to cater more towards the preferences of American customers. Pricing-wise, MSC is hands-down the best. And, in my humble opinion, accommodation, service and amenities on MSC rivals that of any other cruise line despite paying far, far less.