DonnaK

We were in a similar situation on Ascent in February. We just went to the Tuscan dining room at 5:30pm, and asked for an assigned table there for the remainder of the cruise. We were able to order what we wanted from the menus of the other 3 dining rooms.

We recommend The Riverside in Las Olas. Their Boathouse restaurant is excellent, and we also recommend Louie Bossi's restaurant.

Bhanwar was our server on Ascent in February, and I agree she's the best!!! 🙂 Very knowledgeable about the menu items, especially those in the other MDRs that are available to order in the Tuscan one.

We did this itinerary on Liberty in August 2023. It was wonderful. Don't listen to the complainers, We stayed in one of the newer panoramic OV cabins on deck 12. highly recommend.

This is exactly how we feel. We are almost to D+, but instead of working towards that goal, our last few cruises have been on MSC Yacht Club and Celebrity (Ascent). They were less expensive than a standard OV balcony on a similar Royal Caribbean cruise, and the service and MDR food were so much better. We have 4 future cruises booked, but only one is on Royal, Symphony of the Seas (because I had a FCC to use up). Until the menus and service on RCI significantly improve and the prices become competitive with the other cruise lines, we get a better value for our money elsewhere.

We like the Riverside Hotel in Las Olas section. It's reasonably priced, clean, on the riverwalk with so much to see and do closeby. We stayed there last February, and will be staying there again this weekend.

OP here! Thanks for all this helpful info! 😍

We will be on Ascent in a few weeks. We are Elite due to status match from Royal Caribbean. What can we expect? For example, on the list of benefits, "Access to exclusive daily coffee house-style breakfast and Evening Cocktail Hour" listed. Where is this held, and what are the hours? What is served? Are there complementary beverages involved, like the 4 free coupons per day that we get on RC? Also "Complimentary access to Persian Garden (on one port day)". Must we make a reservation, or just show up on the chosen day? Can we stay all day, or is our time limited? Any other tips?

I just called MSC and it was very easy to cancel. I didn't want to wait until onboard because I wanted the refund to go back to my original form of payment instead of OBC.

We are leaving on Meraviglia on Sunday. I have the Blue Lagoon excursion booked for our day in Nassau. So far, while other cruiselines have canceled their excursions yo Blue Lagoon because of the recent ferry sinking/death, MSC has not. I no longer want to go and would like to cancel, Can I do this and get my payment refunded? I can't see where to do this online. Do I have to call, or wait until I am onboard?

Thank you so much for the heads up. I am on the same cruise, and just called to save $454.00, plus I changed from a guarantee to an assigned cabin!

Are there any shady spots at all by the YC pool area on the Meraviglia? How about on the YC beach on the private island - are umbrellas available?

My choices on an Edge class ship are: Infinity balcony = I selected a cabin in the location of my choice or Concierge class guarantee The price is the same. Which would you choose?

To be honest, we leave the auto-tips in place and that's it. Unless someone does something extraordinary for us, over and above the usual expectations of their job, we do not give additional tips. The auto-gratuities are sufficient.

On our upcoming Ascent cruise, we will be Elite due to status match with RCI. Please tell me about the Happy Hour drinks? What is included? At any bar, or just a specific one? Any other useful benefits included?

This is great info! thanks!

Is the marketplace walkable from where the ship docks?

MSC newbie here. Have the YC booked for a November cruise. I have read that the YC beach is rocky and not as nice as the other beaches on the island. Are we better off just going to another beach? What is the lunch like, compared to the offerings in the non-YC areas? Any advice/tips?

We agree with this recommendation. Lovely clean hotel on the Riverwalk, with plenty to see/do. We had been to FLL numerous times, always staying on 17th street. The last visit, we chose Riverside, and wondered why we hadn't done this before!

We will be on a cruise that calls on Miami on the day before Thanksgiving 8am to 10pm. Any suggestions of what we can do in port that day? We were considering the cruise ship tour of the Everglades, but want to look at other options.

Boarded Liberty today. The CD is “Coco” Colette from the UK. It sounds like she was the activities director who has now moved up. No word on where Eric is, or whether Colette is just filling in for this week, or if this is a longer replacement.

I am very disappointed that they took away the antipasti selection in Sorrento's. That was my favorite!

WE really like Nellie's Beach!

Yes. It is unlimited. If you get it for one device, you need to switch log in and off in order to switch users. We usually just splurge for the two device option so my husband and I can each stay logged in.

If the interior room is directly across from the balcony room, Royal allows you to book your kids into their own room even if they are underage. You have to call to make the arrangement to book minor children in their own room, and the rule is that their room must be directly across from your room.