SeaTheW0rld

Not a lot of open deck space for the number of pax.  It's going to be crowded.

Maybe they are trying to compete with NCL - no charge for food in their sport's bar.

I did a spreadsheet to see if the NA package would make sense for me.  For just sodas, you would need to have 21 per day ($29/day * 2).

                                     with 15%

2 minutes ago, TrinaLC said:

Interesting, this is a trial. Article:

https://www.secureidnews.com/news-item/facial-recognition-cruise-ships-moves-passengers-quickly/

 

 

Cool.  Maybe someday it will unlock cabin doors and make purchases.

18 minutes ago, TrinaLC said:

This cruise was about 20% Americans. 

Yes, but every country has a photo on the passport. Every country is going to cooperate with providing that, too.

Russians?

Facebook?

Seriously, though, who knows.  We submit a passport photo. Maybe that. The database would be in place. 

If the price as relatively close I would go for the YC, but not for $1800.  That's another cruise (or two).

4 hours ago, cruisefanatic16 said:

no they do not give this info only one or two weeks before sailing 😞 

I hope you have used this agent before.  You should have gotten the booking number immediately. 

10 hours ago, Até said:

It's also the airport code for Faroe Islands...

Been there.  Very interesting.  Very isolated. A few pics from Tórshavn:

I made a spreadsheet to see if I could get value out of the non-alcohol package ($580 for my 20 day cruise). These are per/day calculations. 

It's working for me. Are you logging in with your account or booking number?  Have you logged in before?

11 hours ago, lburchard said:

 

That would be good, but it doesn't look like ours has that.  This is what ours shows for a June 30 sailing on MSC Poesia:

 

Give your TA a call.  Don't take "no" for an answer. 

46 minutes ago, sfaaa said:

These awards are like Oscars. Hardly objective and totally meaningless. The only thing that really count is the company's own bottomline since this is a true reflection on how well the cruise line does against its competitors and whether its product is well received by consumers.

The Oscars are still a thing?  

1 hour ago, lburchard said:

Does anyone have any update on beverages available in the MDR on European itineraries without additional charge?  The free water package doesn't seem to be a thing any longer.  The European site indicates a free water, coffee, and tea package in the MDR will be available for bookings made after May 1, 2018.  Our booking fits the time, but that was not indicated and is not on the U.S. site so it may only be for European bookings.  A drinks package wouldn't make sense for us, but water or coffee at meals would be appreciated. 

US bookings have water and coffee included in the MDR.  You'll see this on your booking. 

7 minutes ago, Bobal said:

This happens all the time. We've just returned from a Celebrity cruise where lots of people had colds and coughs and my husband picked it up. I picked up a cold leading to a cough from an MSC cruise in October and another cold from a land based holiday in January. Lots of people in confined spaces using buffets is a hothouse for bugs.

 

The fact that the plane was full of people who had all been living in the same space, eating in the same places and then boarded the same plane would only amplify it. And whilst I don't doubt that there was a high prevalence of what sounds like a nasty bug I do have to pour some scorn on the fact that the BBC article says that several of the flight crew were taken ill with it. It doesn't take a genius to know that this sort of bug does not manifest itself within a few hours of being exposed to it, so there's a certain amount of sensationalism going on here.

Excellent point. 

6 hours ago, pacruise804 said:

Perhaps you should try focusing more on your workout and less on other people.  I'm like @angie7911922 that I rarely notice what others are wearing - and even less so on a cruise when I'm focusing on keeping my balance if the seas are rough.

 

I don't enjoy seeing hairy armpits or bellies that don't stay covered by a shirt, but I know how to avert my eyes or change my position so I don't have to see it.

 

@pam32310, I hope you had a great cruise and were comfortable in whatever you wore for your workouts.

So you do notice...

10 minutes ago, Até said:

The first of OP's questions cannot be answered as there is no longer any real list.  Attached at bottom of this post is the closest I've seen to one, I think it no longer is on the website.  All that I see now is the comparison flyer:

https://www.msccruisesusa.com/en-us/Assets/MSC-18-353_Drink-Package-Consumer-Flyer.pdf

 

The second question was answered by the first response.  Non alcoholic cocktails are included with the Easy package as are well brand shots.  MSC has no trouble with ordering two drinks at a time, I always order whisky or Bourbon as a double.  No problem.

 

 

Nov 2018 Drink_Package_Comparison_Guide.pdf

When they eliminate the Easy Package, or raise the price, and people start howling I'll reference this thread. 

40 minutes ago, FMZ said:

There is no need to seperate the order between people.  Folks are walking up to a bar and ordering a drink and a shot, which is allowed in this drink package. A scam would imply you are breaking the cruise line rules. These drink orders are not. 

Then address the OP's original problem/question....

With the premium package or above, they can order a frozen alcoholic drink (I assume they are less the $12). No need to be creative/scam.

https://www.msccruisesusa.com/en-us/Assets/All_Inclusive_Drink_Package_Comparison_Guide_update11192018.pdf

There's many threads about the dress code here so I won't go into that. 

Try google maps on getting from the airport to the port. You may get better answers on the Ports of Call boards. 

I've lost, and kept off for several years, 180 pounds.  There is no secret.  Burn more calories than you take in and you will lose weight. 

Best wishes. 

6 hours ago, angie7911922 said:

I respectfully have to disagree with this and could say the same thing about a few men I've seen in their speedos. Seriously, ugh.

 

Pam32310 - wear what you are comfortable in while you are exercising. Whatever clothing motivates you to move is what you should wear. Seriously, I don't even notice what most people wear to the gym, as I focus on what I am doing. I was at the gym about 4 hours ago, and I couldn't tell you what anyone had on, even if I tried, except I noticed my best friend had new shoes.  🙂

It would seem you agree with me about spandex ot being a right. I've yet to see anyone in a speedo at the gym. I've seen more camel toes than I can shake a camel at, though.

But I do believe this: If you got it, flaunt it.  If you don't (and most don't) keep it covered. 

4 hours ago, FMZ said:

They are not scamming at all! The package include virgin cocktails and shots of booze!! They're just making it work for them!! All within the "rules". 

Then why did one have to order one part of the drink and the other ordered the other part?  Scam. When they raise the price of the drinks packages, again, you have nobody but yourselves to blame.  Just like when they started to require all in the same party buy the same level package. 

1 hour ago, Beamafar said:

 

There's no problem ordering 2 drinks at a time on MSC (it's nothing like Celebrity's policy of only one drink per card  ), so no need for the wife to order one drink and the husband to order the other.  In fact, if you're sitting with others who the server knows have the same package as you, they'll often only take one card for a round of drinks.

They are scamming the system, though, since the frozen alcoholic drink was not included on their package.  That's how I read it, anyway. 

52 minutes ago, daisy-mae said:

Thanks! I will give it a try.

(I didn't know about the OBC, that would be a bonus!)

Not sure what status you are, but you have to be silver or above to get the OBC.

45 minutes ago, miataman19 said:

Our last sailing on Divina some folks we met at the Garden Bar did that exact thing. The wife would order a Virgin Pina Colada and the husband would order a shot of rum. After about 2 days the bartender just gave her the drink with the rum in it. 

This kind of behavior is what ruins things for everyone.