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Bumping trying to find a soul who can help... 🙂

Hello,

Having difficulty understanding what exactly is included in Ocean Cay (island) with Yacht Club.

I'm aware of the exclusive little island where Ocean House Beach (restaurant and beach) are located.

What else is available? Do you have free access to cabanas? Are they only in Ocean House or can be used anywhere?

Also, I'm aware the drinking package is available at the island. However, what about the ice cream at Smiling Fish?

In fact I'm not even sure if ice cream at the Atmosphere Ice Cream Bar is also included with Yacht Club.

If someone is able to provide some help. Thank you!

8 hours ago, racephoto said:

It’s 5% discount then 15% off the new total, or 19.25% total discount. When do you sail?

Thank you, we sail this week. Never heard about my status match despite casa, emails, etc.

18 minutes ago, SkierRobUMN said:

- the daily program says Cinema 4D and F1 Simulator open from 3pm to Midnight. 
 

- all pools open 8am to 8pm according to the daily flyer. 
 

- I checked in around my departure time (1pm) but there was literally no one around. You absolutely could show up later and no one would care or even notice. 
 

- haven’t tried soft serve yet. Honestly haven’t seen it anywhere. But if I see it I will have to try it. 
 

- In the buffet at lunch on embarkation day they had pepperoni pizza and a cheese pizza. I had the pepperoni and it was seriously so good. Going to see what they have this evening, hoping for a sausage one. 

Thanks so much!

The pool closes very early...

Maybe the flight simulator is not operational, unfortunately.

Just so you know you may find soft-serve at these locations on deck 15 (the pool deck): Atmosphere Ice Cream Bar and Pool Bar (this one inside Bamboo Pool). Give it a try! Also on the island, at Smiling Fish (apparently more flavors).

Hello from land!

Hope you are having a great time!

If possible:

- are you able to check if formula1 and flight simulator are operating, and if they are free?

- what time do the pools (for example the bamboo pool) close?

- did you check-in at your embarkation time? I ask because we might arrive a little later than the stated time, and I'm not sure if that would be a problem.

- did you try the soft-serve? Many say it is good! Also not sure how many pizza options they are having currently. Also, it seems there in Ocean Cay (island) there is the Smiling Fish with different flavours like key lime soft-serve.

Anything you share is already helpful, and enjoy the day!

4 minutes ago, worldtravelista1 said:

You're so welcome. Yes, the saunas were open. The steam rooms and all those different showers were open. I was actually the only there... ha! But one of the steam rooms was having mechanical issues, so I was all by myself until some maintenance workers came to fix it. 

 

Haven't used a sauna in a year and a half, will definitely use it now! Thank you!

55 minutes ago, racephoto said:

It took me 8 minutes on the phone to get the 5+15% discount and $50 OBC applied to 2 different bookings after I got my match two weeks ago. 

Hi! Would you be able to tell me how they computed the post-purchase discount?

I'm in the same situation and I'm not sure how they compute the 5+15%. Is it 20% or 15% applied after a 5% is applied?

My situation is even worse because maybe the match will not arrive before sailing, but I will still ask for it because the status match should not take so long to process (poor service in my opinion).

Thank you!

16 minutes ago, worldtravelista1 said:

Was on the Aug 2nd sailing

 

Thermal Suite was wonderful, and only available for Vacc'd guests

Casino was only available for vacc'd guests

Sky Lounge bar was only avail for vacc'd guests

Nothing closed in the YC area. And plenty of chairs marked for social distancing. 

Thank you both.

We are vaccinated.

Even the saunas were open? Everything in the thermal suite? I'm surprised, actually!

Hello all,

If you have sailed on Meraviglia very recently...

I would like to know what is currently closed in the Meraviglia for upcoming sailings (late August / early September).

For example:

- Bowling

- Flight simulator

- Saunas in the Thermal Suite

- Any other Yacht Club perk

For example I know they are not having Circle du Soleil. I read an earlier post that maybe bowling is closed.

Unfortunately, it seems MSC does not provide a list of what is open/close.

Thank you!

6 hours ago, tlmaule said:

Hi!  We were on Meraviglia on August 2, and just booked for September 10.

Yes, they do have delicious soft serve, and it's totally free. 🍦  Enjoy!!!

4 hours ago, the nurse said:

We disembarked today.  There is free soft serve ice cream by the pool.  It was not self serve and hours were limited.  And....they had sprinkles !!!  

Thank you so much for sharing!

Thank you for sharing all that!

I'd like to know if you or anybody else noticed they have soft serve ice cream, and if it is included or require a package?

Thank you.

Hello all,

If you have sailed this month (August) on the MSC Meraviglia and could help: do they have soft serve ice cream? Is it free/unlimited or needs the adult non-alcoholic package (we don't drink alcohol)?

Thank you for helping!

2 hours ago, Homosassa said:

Is this your first cruise on any cruise line?

 

If so, some tips: Sail time is the scheduled time of departure for the ship. Cruiselines will ask that passengers be on board 1 -2 hours before scheduled departure.  Check your documents; it will tell you the cut off time for boarding the ship.

 

Given the departure time of 7 PM, boarding time probably ends at 5 PM to allow for muster drill. I am also not sure of boarding time cut offs to allow for any preboarding testing. While MSC used to have some overseas charter groups arranging close to sail time, that is not currently an issue.

 

This leaves you with only five hours from when your plane hopefully arrives and when you must be on board ship. This could be a big problem when flying in the day of the cruise.

 

You are flying into Florida at a time of year when storms (not only hurricanes but run of the mill thunderstorms from east/west coast sea breeze collisions or frontal passages occur with regular frequency).  In Florida, airports will shut down when lightning strikes are present within a short radius of the runways. Shut downs can be several hours in length and can wreak havoc on flights into and out of the states as flights are delayed or diverted.

 

Have a back up plan on how you can hopefully obtain your luggage and make your way to the ship (a half hour from Miami airport, about an hour from Ft Lauderdale airport, an hour and a half from Palm Beach airport).

 

Prebooking research on the MSC website would have told you the policy on current booking and cancellation procedures and the availability of beverage packages for purchase before booking the ship. I am not sure what you want MSC to do about procedures available on their website.

 

Make sure you pack watershoes for your time at Ocean cay.  The island is a reclaimed industrial mining site with sand dredged from the ocean. There are bits of coral in the sand and it can be painful to walk on the sand either on land or in the water.

 

 

Thank you!

I've booked the earliest flight, and expected to be in Miami 8 hours before sailing time. I'm not willing to flight the night before and pay a hotel night for such a short cruise trip - either the weather is acceptable and everything goes well (with space for some small problems), or cancel. Very likely we will only have carry-ons (I rarely travel with checked bag). I will consider the watershoes, thanks for the tip!

I just disagree with the prebooking research you said. I did read the information that is clearly displayed to me, and as most I did not read dozen of pages in their Terms. I was never informed during booking that they expect me to be at the port 9 hours before sailing, and I find it excessive (but now I know from friends here that it is, in fact, excessive; and I should be OK arriving later). Regarding the beverages, their beverage package page (https://www.msccruisesusa.com/on-board/dining-drinks/drinks-packages) even has a Add To Cruise button, so I thought that would be very simple to do once booked. Wrong. Clicking that button takes me to a page where this specific beverage package (adult nonalchologic) is not available - and will only be available once onboard. Sorry, this is not clear and was not my fault. I believe I have the right to complain here and it seems I'm not alone.

3 hours ago, Beamafar said:

I wouldn’t pay too much notice about the boarding time.  Ours indicates 1800 hours - that’s the time the ship is due to sail!  🤣

LOL!

55 minutes ago, alyssamma said:

I'll let you know once I collect my points on this next cruise and I'm Diamond 🙂

 

1 hour ago, no1talks said:

I've read different things about the quality of the chocolate ships. Are they available in milk chocolate?

1 hour ago, maureencruiser said:

 

Old Black is now Diamond.  I got a free specialty dinner at the steakhouse.  I couldn't order a steak, it was carpaccio, thinly sliced raw beef.  Not great.  It took hours for that solo meal, while I watched couples come in, order steaks, enjoy a bottle of wine then leave, while I still sat at my empty table.  Now, when I paid for the steakhouse, I get the best filet I'd ever had, but, that was $35.00

Friends may I bother you with additional questions:

- Yatch Club: we will only sleep in the Balcony room (guarantee), don't plan to spend any time enjoying the room/view/balcony. Balcony was same price as interior so that's why I got it. Remember it's actually just a 2 full day cruise being one day at the island. Is the upgrade really worth it? We don't drink alcohol and I'm going to buy the "adult nonalcoholic package" so we can have smoothies, and other stuff. Please share if I should really pay the upgrade? It's like $200 per person I think and it sounds too much for us to enjoy.

- my partner loves soft serve and would love to have unlimited soft serve, lol! Kid at heart ❤️. Does MSC Meraviglia has soft serve? Is it good? Is it included free or part of the nonalcoholic package?

Thank you so much for helping. As it is the norm today, internet forums are SO much more helpful than paid employees. I wish you all had access to internal systems lol.

1 minute ago, maureencruiser said:

 

Yeah, I'd say that's a mistake.  But, agree with above.  The times are to keep everyone from arriving early, you can always show up later.  You know you have to show a negative Covid test, even if fully vaccinated?  That just changed friday.

Did not know. Had the idea that they do tests if necessary. But I'm organized and will go through all requirements one week before sailing, making sure I know everything that is required. Thanks for alerting me.

1 minute ago, alyssamma said:

Oh,, I can guarantee you 100% you won't start boarding that early. They won't clear the ship until just before then. I would be surprised if boarding starts before 11am.

 

Also, FYI, my boarding time has changed 3x for my 8/20 cruise...from 11am to 12 to 12:30.

 

Relax, you'll be fine 🙂

 

Thank you. I'm very pragmatic person and I like stuff organized and act immediately. I'll keep checking to see if it changes. I'm the meantime I'll try to get someone to process the status. Thanks for your expertise!

1 minute ago, alyssamma said:

You'll be fine 🙂 You won't be denied boarding. Those times are really to say you can't show up before then.

 

One of two things will happen...1) They just check you in when you arrive or 2) They make you wait for a while and then check you in. Regardless, you'll get on the boat 🙂

 

Enjoy the cruise...one you get on the ship things will be much better...

Thank you. It's just that I've seen recent reviews showing they are very strict due to complaints. Even the person on the phone told me I should not go later. She talked with a supervisor and they said it can't be changed and I should not arrive later.

I guess it will be stressful, if I decide to take the chance.

I've tried a few higher level emails to at least reach someone to help me. They closed all doors. Phone, after over 30 minutes waiting, is the only option to reach a human at MSC.

I'm playing for this 😞

4 minutes ago, maureencruiser said:

Definetely curious what ship, date.  Most ships are just arriving in port nine hours before departure, can't imagine they'd want you there then.

MSC Meraviglia. 3 day cruise. Departs Miami Sep 3rd. Sailing time is 7 pm, embarkation time 10 AM (9 hours before sailing time).

1 hour ago, alyssamma said:

Welcome to MSC 🙂

 

If you read through the posts here, you'll find many, many experiences similar to yours...many worse.

 

So why do people sail MSC? Because once you're onboard it's amazing...especially if in the Yacht Club.

 

Here is what I suggest:

 

1) Not sure when your cruise is for, but if it is for far enough away then you *can* get a refund.

 

2) Unfortunately no one will help with your embarkation time, but considering starting 8/27 they are no longer testing at the pier, I expect things will be more flexible by then. However, one option is to fly in the night before if you are really worried about it. Most airlines now allow free flight changes...but I really think you'll be fine arriving after your time. You definitely won't be turned away.

 

3) Once onboard you'll be bombarded with offers to buy the drink package so don't worry about standing in long lines for that. Instead, research the packages carefully - they can be confusing - so you know which one you'll want when they offer it.

 

4) Keep calling for status match and try to get a supervisor. Press them until they give you one. It's a pain but really the only way to get it fixed...but even then you might have to call again 😞

 

5) Lastly, know you aren't alone 🙂 For example, I spent 2hrs today on the phone with MSC. Granted it was for 3 different cruises, but still a long time. Everyone does it...we share your pain

 

Thank you so much.

I'm sailing Sep 3rd. I'm unable to fly the day before, and not willing to spend money for a hotel because of that.

The problem is that, if I don't cancel by Step 1st and they deny me because I arrived 1 hour later, I'll not even get a credit.

Not sure if I should take the chance or just cancel and push for a refund, or take the credit.

I really feel cheated. I was not informed it could be 9 hours before the sailing time, that's a lot.

Spending 2 hours on the phone is also a lot for something that you are paying for.

I'm so frustrated.

Hope everyone is well here.

I've been having such a bad experience with MSC. Not asking for a refund - I'm a new customer and just wanted to give them business.

The Status Matcher program never got back to me. Sent email, never replied. Called, they can't help with that. Has been two weeks already, nothing moves.

Decided to go ahead and book the cruise due to a promotion I didn't want to miss. Turns out they put my embarkation time 9 hours before sailing. I got the earliest possible flight and will only arrive 7 hours before - thought that was more than enough. Called and was told they can't help/switch.

Also, wanted to purchase a beverage package and turns out they are not available for cruises of 3 days - you have to deal with lines and customer service (hello covid) once onboard.

Nobody can help with anything. Emails are not answered. Calls take at least 30 minutes on hold to be answered.

If I cancel, they don't refund, only a credit.

How is it possible this is considered to be OK.

Do you guys have any idea what I should do?

Sincerely, I think if they expected me to be at the port 9 hours before sailing, they should have showed that during booking. I'm not able to make that early. Plus their service has been so horrendous already, nobody can help with anything.