Bubsmoljo

5 minutes ago, Morgsmom said:

This is highly unusual especially since you are paid in full.  Never, ever seen this happen (the price on my most recent cruise dropped about $250 the day after I booked).  Was told "too bad, so sad".. or  the Italian equivalent of 😉

 

Right-I think you def got lucky Smokeycat.  When i booked my first cruise with them I couldn't get the lower price before my sailing because I had already paid in full.  

3 hours ago, oceans.calling said:

If you cancel and rebook, you would lose the booking onboard OBC. Not sure how much you received but maybe compare the prices before you cancel then decide. 

i didn't think of that!!!  i got $125 plus my VC 5% disc so ill just leave it alone

Hi All-

Cruised out of Brooklyn on the Meraviglia/Aurea to Nassau on 08/04.  Loved it!  We have booked the 08/24/2025 on the Mera. to Bermuda.  I put the deposit down on the cruise while onboard, but haven't paid in full.  When I see sales (like the Labor day sale online now) and can save $150 bucks or so on my final price,  do I call and ask for that pricing or will they apply it as onboard credit? I learned the hard way on the last cruise not to pay in full because you can't take advantage of sales etc.  Am I guaranteed to get the updated rate?  Do I need to call everytime there is a sale?  Or am I being a cheapskate lol.  Not sure I"m conveying my proper question, but hopefully y'all can read my mind .  thanks!

39 minutes ago, DaKahuna said:

 

 Would a hotel keycard work?  

 

IT DIDN'T WE USED ONE OF THE KIDS WHILE WE WERE OUT, BUT I DID LEARN THE AC DOES STAY ON WHEN NO CARD IS IN THE SLOT.

I have a few crew members I want to give KUDOs to for their awesomeness and I didn't receive any survey's from MSC after my cruise ended on the 11th -and yes, I am signed up to receive emails...Also, does anyone know how long it takes to receive your Voyager's Club points after cruising?  Thank you!

Hello!  Sailing on Meraviglia 8/4.  I rented a cabana (not yacht club) does anyone know what beach they are on and are the 1st come 1st served?  If so do you get to pick your location?  If we get to pick our location-what would your favorite spot be?  Just quiet enough, but close to drinks/food/bathroom?  Thank you!!

15 minutes ago, JamieLogical said:

 

I have never once had to wait 30 minutes for a drink on MSC except maybe when ordering a cocktail in the MDR. The MDRs on MSC aren't really set up to serve any alcohol besides wines, so it can take a long time to fetch a cocktail. I usually solve this problem by stopping by a bar on my way to dinner and bringing a cocktail in with me.

its my understanding you can order the "house" prosecco in the MDR correct? or just wines...

On 7/10/2024 at 9:24 AM, kad56 said:

You know, there was a couple of things. I was actually expecting to be grouped with other solo travellers (there were plenty on the sailing). I was assuming I'd make friends at the dinner table. I ended up with two couples, who were nice enough, but the men really dominated the conversation, and they group were really slow eaters, so when I did eat with them I ended up missing most of the early show. The folks were nice enough, but I didn't like them enough to spend 2 hours with the everyday and miss the entertainment. So then I tried to change my table, and I had a pretty unpleasant run in with one of the managers, so that really put me off. I really love the MDR, so that was dissapointing, but it was my trip and I really didn't want to run into this mean dude. I know I could have complained to guest services, but I'd rather focus on enjoying my balcony than spending my day escalating. I looked a some videos of a sea-class ship, and it looks like the have more small tables with like 2 inches in between. That's great for me. Probably my preffered set up. I get my own table, but I get to chat with the group next to me. 

We will be heading out of NY on the Meraviglia on 8/4. I'm glad I saw your post so I can be prepared.   We aren't chatty people at all so the idea of sitting that close to people in the MDR or on the pool decks freaks me out.  Don't get me wrong, we aren't rude or anything, but I def. don't want to be forced to hang out with/talk to the same people every night considering I thought the waiters usually sat you at the same table each night?  We are Aurea so at least we can go up to the solarium to be more "away"  during pool time.

2 hours ago, ZandZ said:

This is interesting. I found parts of the ship overwhelming but, at the time, attributed it to the décor - shine and mirrors everywhere, I could see myself from 5 different angles just walking, lol. It was a bit of sensory overload for me but I wrote it off as a "personal problem" - vacation was otherwise great but we tended to keep to low key areas, Aurea deck, chocolate store (Esp nice during the silent party!), back of the buffet. Coming back in a few day, will try earplugs to see if this makes a difference.

I am very sensory sensitive and this topic has been really helpful.  I will definitely be bringing ear plugs!  My son and I both get easily overstimulated so I'll need to help him adjust as well.  Thanks for the heads up on the Silent party (I think Imma love that LOL) will also be heading directly to the waaaayyyyy back of the buffet.  I was really hoping to rely on room service or MDR for food.  I am NOT a buffet-peoples hands touching everywhere-pushing/shoving-kind of person 😬.

12 minutes ago, Best Cat Mom said:

I am also GF. When I submit the special needs form, I always get a reply (though it is more of a standard reply than a personalized one). I suggest you resubmit it as soon as possible. I believe they request to receive it 60 days in advance of your sail date so better to send it in now vs. waiting.  This gives them an idea of how many GF people will be on board and need various GF foods.

 

We always sail in Yacht Club so we've never used room service for breakfast. They do always offer me GF bread at breakfast in our YC restaurant, though I don't know if that would still be available to you for room service.

 

GF pizza crust is available fleet-wide. I've been on sailings where they don't have any available when I've asked. I would think that making sure to submit the special needs form improves the chances that they'll have it. When they didn't have it, I was able to easily remove the toppings from our room service pizza and eat it with absolutely no adverse reactions. We've never used the buffet, so I can't say if that would work there as well. I will tell you that I thought the GF pizza crust was one of the best I've ever had -- so good that I asked them to save the edges of my crust for dinner instead of the GF bread they regularly offer me. Yes, they thought I was nuts. Yes, I was so happy I did not care. 🙂

 

YAY!!! The GF pizza makes me SO excited!  Thank you-yes I did submit it back in early April and got the canned response-I "forwarded" the canned response at the end of May and said "just double checking" and got no response so I hope the request is in fact on my account-I wish they would note little things like that on your "my cruise" area.  I'm hoping I can order GF toast via room service-I'm not much of anything in the morning so going to a buffet for breakfast is 👎  Now if I could just find out about DF milk options....

30 minutes ago, pamelanj said:

1- we did Aurea in February and DH bought a bracelet to replace the card in photo area. It was only $10 and he liked the convenience. We were not given any other bracelet thingy.

 

2-while we do not have allergies we were asked prior to every meal if we had allergies.

 

10- we were assigned a restaurant (forget the name) and were able to go any time during that time period mentioned. 
 

13- Nassau is not very safe right now and there is a travel warning. I would not go wandering on my own these days as we have in the past. If you do an excursion with the cruise ship you should be fine. If you haven’t been to Atlantis, your sons will love it. We love it and we are not kids! We are going there in September and won’t leave the resort.

 

i hope you have a fun time on the cruise. 😊

OMG I didn't realize that about Nassau... definitely going to look into a guided excursion now!

OH looks like 4pm so I guess that's not too bad 🤷‍♀️

my check-in time says 12:30-1 on my paperwork

That seems a bit late?

On 2/6/2024 at 3:29 PM, Cruzinforpeace*** said:

Yes gale force wind gusts up to 50mph.  It’s not too bad for us right now.

Did you get sick?!?  I'm easily motion sick and I'm terrified there will be a storm!  I will be packing my patches/pills/ginger chews tho-fingers crossed!

On 6/24/2024 at 4:00 PM, bucfan2 said:

Awesome.  We would like to try ourselves, and probably will at some point;  been reluctant to do so based on experiences of friends as well as overall reviews. We're pretty easy to please, so that will help if we decide to do so. 

 Are the ANY advantages of Aurea?  OR is that just a window view "steerage" not "middle seat" steerage LOL?

My family and I (me, hubs, 16 & 14yo sons) are going on our first cruise EVER.  I know to go into an MSC cruise with no expectations as reviews are all over the map.  We have an Aurea Balcony room (10135)  I have some questions, that in my OCD research/planning, I have been unable to get an answer to.  I appreciate any insight and thank you for assuaging my anxiety LOL.

1) I read somewhere that with Aurea you automatically get a cruise card AND a bracelet-is this true?  I don't like things hanging around my neck so was going to get those telephone cord looking things from Amazon that you wear on your wrist-Can I do this or will I need to use a lanyard?

2) I am Gluten Free (I have submitted the special needs form but gotten no response)  should I be concerned or will it not be an issue and I should just talk to someone the first day?  

3) I also can't eat cow's milk dairy-I have read there is only Soy available as an option?  Can I bring my own sealed container of Oat Milk?  I did ask this in the special needs email I sent, but again-no answer.  Maybe someone knows?

4) can I order gluten free items via room service for breakfast?  Does anyone know if they have gluten free pizza crust?

5) I have read in multiple places that the MSC app messenger feature is only for 16 and over?!?  Does this mean I can't keep in touch with my 14yo??  Granted he will be with his brother most times, but really?  Will I have to buy him the wi-fi package?  I have read also that iphone to iphone messaging still works anyway-regardless of whether you have a wifi package or not? Is this true?

6) I have seen many posts about the rooms being hot because your key card has to be in the room slot for the AC to work?  I have seen on Etsy room "key" cards to leave in the slot?  Any insight on this?

7) Are nice men's shorts allowed in the MDR?  My husband usually wears linen shorts/button downs but I've read shorts aren't allowed...

Hiding/finding ducks: is this a thing on MSC? is it worth doing or don't spend the money buying ducks?

9) What is the quietest/nicest morning view (if I can't get my coffee via roomservice) for my hubs and I to have coffee together-we aren't SUPER early risers but def. around 7-8. Can you get breakfast only via roomservice or the buffet?

10) What Restaurant are you assigned to with Aurea (anytime dining) or does that change daily?  I have also read that with the anytime dining you still need to make a "reservation" and not just "show up" in the 6-9 timeframe?

11) how does the Photo package work?  I'm used to Disney memory maker where you take a picture anywhere there's a photographer & you scan your card and go?  Is this photo package similar?  Not sure if it's worth purchasing or not?

12) I know that you can't bring your own water or alcohol onboard.  Can I bring candy & snacks?  If I want water do I have to go to a bar or the buffet or are there water stations around?  Sorry this may sound stupid, but I"m the person that carries a cup/water bottle everywhere and just want to know what to expect.  Ice machines?

13) On Nassau-it makes me anxious to read all the reviews about walking off the ship and ppl coming at you-is it safe to do our own "walking tour" any must do's or recommendations from previous visitors?

I think that's all (and quite enough 😅 lol)-I so very much appreciate any insight/tips/tricks/hacks that anyone can offer!  Cheers Stacy