AlmiranteChurruca

Where to start... First of all, bear in mind that my catch on this cruise may have been affected by the fact that it was a Xmas cruise (meaning that the ship was way overcrowded with families with kids) and also that I have cruised many times with MSC (YC and non-YC) and therefore I am always comparing and drawing my very own personal conclusions from those comparisons. This said and to sum it up, the WE cruise is the one I have enjoyed the least after my 14 years story of cruising with the company. Do not get me wrong, it was not an awful experience. In fact, I should say I enjoyed it but... The ship is huge, beautiful and it has that WOW factor. BUT the layout is (to me) the worst one I have ever found after around 30 cruises. A LOT of wasted and underused space dedicated to assorted extra pay venues (business is business, I get it). This caused extreme overcrowding in the rest of the areas which led to a less than relaxing experience throughout the week. Service at the public areas was efficient and polite and always did their best considering the sheer amount of people. Room was beautiful, well appointed and always clean thanks to a very hard working cabin attendant. Food was OK and you will not go hungry but again, the overcrowded ship led to stressful visits to either the buffet or MDRs. My advice, concentrate on the good and try to disregard the bad. Not easy on this ship but doable. I would cruise MSC again, no doubt about it, but not on this ship. Bear in mind that the average rating on this site for the WE is 2.8 (poor). I think this sums it all up! Not saying "do not go", but just saying "be warned" about the shortcomings and find your own way to enjoy yourself. I am not good at writing lengthy reviews, but will be happy to answer any specific questions you may have. Feel free to ask! 😉

Hello helenb and be most welcome to my homeland! Another difference with US itineraries I would not overlook is the possibility of enjoying a more relaxed lunch at the MDR on embarkation day. While on US itineraries only the madhouse (er, the buffet, sorry) is open for lunch, on European ones you will see that one of the MDRs will be open. Not everybody is aware of this since on the daily programme they will not mention it and the crew will ALWAYS try to steer you on the way to the buffet. Why? Because (company rules) the MDR is supposed to be available ONLY for guests who already boarded on a previous port. However, being previously aware of this, on our last Xmas cruise on the World Europa from Barcelona my party and me disregarded the "go to the buffet" instructions and went straight to the open MDR (again, not on the info provided upon embarkation, you will have to go and have a peek by yourself) and were happily accepted and promptly seated. I was worried that upon scanning our cards they would reject us because of our just-boarded status, but had zero issues and managed to enjoy a nice meal with table service away from the buffet mayhem. True, the buffet area may not be so crowded on Europen loop crusises, but still not the place for me to go, particularly when boarding on one of the two main hubs (Barcelona and Rome).

Tipping Hero. Thinking of changing my nick right now! This comment proves once again that what I have been told quite often is true: "do not be so ironic, nobody gets it". 🤪

Good point. And guess what? I must be the most stupid thief to sail on any cruise line since all passengers in my party have paid 555€ DSCs up front when we could have added it onboard. And before anybodys suggests it, NO, we are not having those removed under allegation of bad service onboard or any other random reason you could think about.

Honestly, wanted to stop posting on this thread, but feel compelled to clarify this. Coming next are the specific T&C under which I booked as seen on NCL's Spanish website. Here is the link and also the specific extract of what concerns us here. And, by the way, upon closer inspection NOWHERE on these T&C is anything said about being or not being allowed to share the drinks I may order (which I admitted from the start to having previously read somewhere else). Link to the full T&Cs list: https://www.ncl.com/es/es/Acerca-de/Términos-y-condiciones/Promociones-de-Ceuk-39dvus/ Thread-relevant information (highlighted in red what concerns us most). It seems to be a temporary promotion (Feb. 1st to Feb. 20th) and this could be the reason some people are confused as to why the 3rd passenger did not need to have the PBP. Once again, 3rd guest has a soda package for which extra money was paid. Had the original intention been that of stealing or bending any rules we would have put that money to better use, not even purchased the soda package at all and happily shared our drinks through the PBP from either passenger 1 or 2). CE - MEJORA DE LAS VACACIONES FREE AT SEA Periodo de reserva: del 1 al 20 de febrero de 2024 Viajes elegibles: toda la flota Free at Sea - Según la categoría/elección seleccionada Importes de recargo de Free at Sea por persona (1° y 2° pasajero únicamente) en función de la duración del viaje Duración del viaje Recargo FAS por persona en euros 3-5 noches € 149 6-8 noches € 199 9-11 noches € 249 12-14 noches € 299 15-17 noches € 349 18-20 noches € 399 21 noches o más € 449 La mejora de las vacaciones Free At Sea se aplica al 1.° y 2.° pasajero en reservas únicamente de camarotes de categoría estudio, interior, exterior, con balcón y Club Balcony Suite. Suites y The Haven: reciben automáticamente todas las ofertas Free at Sea. Paquetes Paquete de bebidas - Se aplica a los pasajeros 1 a 2 de la reserva Paquete de restaurantes de especialidades - Se aplica a los pasajeros 1 a 2 de la reserva Paquete de internet - Se aplica a los pasajeros 1 a 2 de la reserva 50$ de descuento por puerto para excursiones en tierra - Se aplica al pasajero 1 de la reserva Los pasajeros 3 y 4 viajan solo con impuestos (determinados viajes) Paquete de bebidas ilimitadas: El paquete de bebidas de primera se aplica a todos los viajes que cumplan los requisitos, excepto a los viajes en el Pride of America El pasajero 1 o 2 debe tener, como mínimo, 21 años al momento del viaje para poder usar el Paquete de Bebidas Premium. Los pasajeros menores de 21 años reciben el paquete de gaseosas. Si el viaje no comienza/termina en Norteamérica o China y el pasajero no es ciudadano estadounidense (de California o Carolina del Norte), entonces el pasajero debe tener al menos 18 años de edad en el momento de viajar para que sea elegible para el Paquete de bebidas de primera. Los pasajeros que cumplan los requisitos tendrán derecho a dos bebidas por persona y por transacción Incluye una variedad de licores y cócteles, vinos en copa y cerveza en botella o barril por un precio minorista de hasta $15 USD. Incluye fuente de refrescos, jugos y cerveza sin alcohol. Se aplicará un 20% de descuento en botellas de vino (champaña y vino espumoso incluidos), catas de vino y bebidas alcohólicas, degustaciones o vuelos comprados a bordo. La oferta no se aplica a bares, restaurantes o instalaciones de Harvest Caye No incluye: cata de vino y bebidas alcohólicas, degustaciones o vuelos, Starbucks, bares de hielo, servicio a la habitación, ofertas de paquetes, botellas de agua, ofertas específicas de cada barco o cubetas de cerveza, marcas Super Premium designadas (sujetas a modificaciones), botellas de vino, compras en el minibar, jugos exprimidos frescos, algunas bebidas con café Lavazza, dispensadores de vino, bebidas energizantes ni máquinas expendedoras. Los pasajeros que se beneficien del paquete de refrescos podrán consumir bebidas no alcohólicas de máquinas expendedoras en cualquier bar, sala o restaurante durante todo el crucero, excepto en bares, restaurantes o instalaciones de Harvest Caye La cuenta del pasajero puede reflejar el IVA y/o impuestos correspondientes en ciertos puertos o itinerarios en función de la legislación aplicable. Para los viajes hasta el 1 de enero de 2023: Se incluye el 20% en concepto de propinas sobre el valor minorista del Paquete de bebidas de bebidas de primera ($19,80 USD por persona) y/o el Paquete de refrescos ($1,59 USD por persona, por día). El valor de venta del paquete de bar abierto ilimitado es de $99.00 USD por persona, por día. El precio del paquete está sujeto a cambios Para los viajes el o después del 1 de enero de 2023: Se incluye el 20% en concepto de propinas sobre el valor minorista del Paquete de bebidas de bebidas de primera ($21,80 USD por persona) y/o el Paquete de refrescos ($1,59 USD por persona, por día). El valor de venta del paquete de bar abierto ilimitado es de $109.00 USD por persona, por día. El precio del paquete está sujeto a cambios. El valor minorista del Paquete de bebidas no alcohólicas para adultos es $7.95 USD por persona por día. El precio del paquete está sujeto a cambios

And now FOR REAL: ☠️🐴☠️ 😆😂😆

I LOVED that last hypothetical. Such a thing has never ever happened to me and I have cruised solo like a zillion times. Not just a potential criminal, but a loser too! Next time you hear about somebody intentionally jumping overboard from an NCL vessel rest assured it is me. Cannot stand this life of misery. 😆

Well, I guess nobody ever forced you to read all six of them! 🤪 I tell you, I will be mesmerized if that next poster/potential future thief/whatever is from Spain too! Speak about reputation! 😆😆😆

Indeed! Bless you too! Happy? 😅

Sure the 3rd person can buy and pay for those drinks à la carte. And most probably for everybody's peace of mind (including mine) and for preventing NCL going bankrupt becuse of my sharing (or stealing as many want to call it) that 3rd will end up doing so. So, thank you fellow CC members (at least some of you). I was a horrible criminal just for even imagining a future crime scenario, but so many well meant comments have made me see the light. Forever grateful. And now I officially call this a dead horse from my side. Happy sailings. At least nobody will put the blame on me if and when NCL decides to raise the prices for their packages one more time.

OP here. Let us imagine a different scenario. Me (Premium Beverage Package) and my cabin buddy (Soda Package) go together to the bartender with cards clearly visibly on our foreheads. I order a mocktail (or a glass of wine) and he/she orders a cola soda. Bartender then proceeds to pour our drinks and swipes BOTH our cards. No rule has been broken since each of us has ordered drinks that are included in our packages. We then proceed to a table, have a sit and I hand him over my mocktail/wine and I get his cola. Suddendly, I feel I prefer a glass of wine over the cola soda and proceed to order it ON MY PACKAGE. Again, no broken law, drinks have been ordered within the rules, cola on the Soda Package and mocktail/wine on PBP and no more than two drinks per serve. The final result is THE SAME as with my original "scheme" (as some have called the original scenario I proposed) but just the way the orders were placed is different. What now? And NO, I AM NOT a thief of sorts trying to find ways to bend the rules, but to those whose say that "rules are rules" and "stealing is stealing" I hope this scenario creates at least a reasonable doubt as to how absurd/unenforceable some written rules can be in the real world.

Indeed! Plus, tipping NOT mandatory to get good (or bad) service. All inclusive! 😁

Terms and conditions under which reservations are made as of today. At least in Criminal Spain. 😅 Free at Sea Paquete de Bebidas: El 1º y 2º pasajero de la cabina tendrán incluido una selección de bebidas alcohólicas y cócteles, vinos, cervezas de barril, zumos y bebidas no alcohólicas (excepto destino Hawai). A bordo se abonará el IVA y/o impuestos correspondientes en ciertos puertos o itinerarios en función de la legislación aplicable.; Crédito para Excursiones: Descuento para excursiones en tierra de 50$ por camarote y puerto de escala; WIFI: El 1º y 2º pasajero de la cabina tendrán incluido incluidos: - 75 minutos en cruceros de 3 a 6 noches. - 150 minutos en cruceros de 7 a 11 noches. - 300 minutos en cruceros de 12 noches o más. ; Restaurantes de Especialidades: El 1º y 2º pasajero de la cabina tendrán incluido: 1 cena de especialidad: - en cruceros de 3 a 6 noches. - en cruceros de 7 a 11 noches reservando en categoría Estudio, Interior o Exterior. 2 cenas de especialidades: - en cruceros de 7 a 11 noches reservando en categoría Balcón o superior - en cruceros de 12 noches o más reservando en categoría Estudio, Interior o Exterior. 3 cenas de especialidades: en cruceros de 12 noches o más reservando en categoría Balcón o superior. ; Pensión Completa: Incluye todas las comidas en el buffet y restaurantes principales ; 3º y 4º persona: 3º y 4º persona en el mismo camarote pagan solo las tasas. (Válido para una selección de salidas. Gratis el precio de la cabina, los impuestos y restos de gastos tendrán que abonarse)

Must be the European reservation rules I guess. Third guest was not forced to book any package upon or after reservation. Not sure if this is the usual practice or some promotion.

Could not agree more! Too bad the least we got here were those real life experiences I was looking forward to reading about. Thank you very much indeed to the few who supplied some really useful information about their personal experiences onboard. Much appreciated!

really? you're reading conflicting reports on this issue? really? excuse me, but you kind of lost your credibility way upfront with this statement. on NCL, bottled water (the base variety of which actually comes in a carton) is not even on the regular drink package, the one that includes alcohol. so who is it that might think it would be available on the soda package at about half the price? where did you see these conflicting reports? Now, I really have to answer to this and the answer is quite simple. CC, although probably the best board for cruises, it is not the only one. There are many others from different countries and in different languages. If, as already shown, same cruise lines have different reservation rules when on different markets, it could be possible that reasonable doubts arise among cruisers as to what is included or not depending on where they write from. Add to the equation the possibility of special temporary promotions with extra inclusions and the reasonable doubt is more than clearly warranted. From the rest of your post I gather that you are on the side of those that consider me a thief and, without saying the word, you imply that I am also a liar. On NCL's conditions they indicate the inclusion of "soda water" in the soda package. It could be cultural differences between continents or just the way the same thing is called a different name in a different place. For us in Spain soda water is assimilated to sparkling water while maybe for the US they are two completely different things. Now go ahead and keep bashing this Spaniard without morals for asking what he considered to be a very normal question and whose original intention was NEVER to get into a moral debate here. Cruise Critic or Cruise Court?

Thanks for your advice! Greatly appreciated! 😊

How dare you! Adding insult to injury? Second dessert and waiter not reported yet? Not even Saul can save you! 😉

Se habla español...he's my man! 🤪

Yes, nobody escapes the Spanish Inquisition! I should know about it being from Spain myself! I think I better call Saul! 😉 Anyway, thanks in advance to those of you who from now on may report some real life experiences on this matter from recent NCL cruises.

Aha. Right. And wine from a package I have paid for in my cruise fare is NOT considered to be MINE after paying for it? Interesting.

Wish I could have expressed myself with such clarity from the start. Would have saved myself from feeling right now just one step away from death row for just even considering the possibility of sharing some mocktails/wine glasses. Thanks. 😁

To add another layer to this topic, or to make it even more complicated, think about the following. NCL removed the corkage fee for passengers with beverage packages and now allows you to bring your very own wine bottles (no restrictions as to how many, just wine, not other alcoholic drinks) onboard to have them used anywhere on the ship. Now picture the following situation at any onboard venue. I open this MY bottle and pour a glass to the buddy with just the soda package. How would the CC people's jury descibe this "felony"? Is it, according to some, theft too? Would I be breaking another sacred NCL rule?

Once again, wrong. It is my amazement as to how some people would want to spend their holidays minding other people's business. Just that. Really, when I started this thread I was not expecting anybody to condone any, may I remind you of this, future potential behaviour (no crime has been committed so far, agree on that?) from me or anyone else. Could it be that because English is not my mother tongue I am not making myself clear enough in my question? Good to know you all have very high moral standards that most of you feel I am lacking of, but this is not the point of my thread. The point, I ask for a final time, is if and how those written rules are implemented or not. Thank you!

Makes sense. Thanks for clarifying this!