newistcruiseaddict

On 1/27/2022 at 2:35 PM, dumbth said:

 

As a new user this complication is likely not essential. Can't you just pop an evening antihistamine to clear airways a bit for this one week? I bet the rest of the world thrives without burdensome crutches like this, and I would try putting it aside at least one week a year anyway to see if no longer needed.

As someone who actually works in medicine I find this statement both ignorant and infuriating.  Do you know what the risks of untreated sleep apnea are? Hypoxia can lead to deadly arrhythmia and heart failure. Its a matter of the throat being blocked and not the nasal passages so an antihistamines is laughable. And other than fatigue most people don't have symptoms until the damage is done..so a trial to see if one still needs positive airway pressure is equally moronic. I'm not sure exactly what your day job is, but maybe you should stick to it.

On 7/26/2021 at 2:33 PM, EngIceDave said:

I just retired and that is kind of in my plans for now.

I know this sounds crazy and is total first-world problems, but you know your life isn't too bad when you're saying "OOO, St Maarten again?" with a sour look

 

LOL

 

I am going to just try and go as slow as possible.

After coming off a 100mph life, it's odd

I'm starting to say that about cozumel now 

Yeah I called tonight and waited on hold for over 70 minutes. Thankfully my requests were taken care of in less than 10 minutes. 

Yeah I'm having no luck booking in advance.

Does anyone know if I will be able to see the entire week menu for the main dining once on board to better decide what night to do the specialty dining? 

We are just off Carival Valor and they are doing sip and cover but also poorly enforced. We only had one bartender ask us to re-mask. However one night in the lobby the band kept issuing threats and finally ended the show early. From what I could see from my view point everyone had a mask except people at the bar over 50-60ft away, most of them with their back to the band. 

31 minutes ago, julig22 said:

FCC is split by everyone on the ticket.  CN certificate is deducted from from FCC for original owner.  Insurance may be subtracted (not sure how that is tracked).  Some fees are returned (water, additional dining etc).  So you'd have to look at how you got to 2300 and look at the other accounts.

Still dont see it. Only 2 passengers. No insurance. I only paid mandatory fees on free bar package. Care to take a crack at it?

I paid $2300 for our cancelled cruise for 2 (including a $250 cruise next deposit) and I'm showing a future cruise credit of $488 plus bonus....I have no idea where this number even came from and is nowhere near what we paid. 

I tried to call but the man was outright rude. He didn't even ask my name or look up my booking. He told me to give it a few days. 

On 10/12/2019 at 10:02 PM, Essiesmom said:

Doors on Seaside would not hold a magnet so we put them on the wall outside the door.  Some of them disappeared.  Two the first evening while we were at dinner.  They did stick on the door on Armonia.  I don't think we had any on Divina.  EM

Id be happy to mount it on the wall next to our door if thats the case. We had 3 of these flags on a Nov NCl cruise last year and had no issue with them disappearing, even though we were roomed very close to public areas. As this is a transatlantic cruise I'm hoping for fewer hooligans. Thank you for your response. 

Does MSC have a door sign policy? My search is not really netting any results with the exception of a post from 2013. I have a magnetic mounted flag and this is our first time on MSC. I would prefer to know before I pack it and schlep it around Europe for the next 35 days. Thank you in advance. 

I've just skimmed through all 27 pages. What a great thread.

We are on the Divina for a 20n transatlantic this fall. We were originally in an inside bella, room 8260 (looks really small but not sure on size exactly). It was only $1330 to upgrade to a bella balcony guarantee (2ppl) and we were assigned 13070. I'm excited to have the extra space and the views for such a lengthy cruise and found the price difference reasonable.

I know about the overhang and as Floridians we definitely prefer sitting in the shade. Do these balconies get ANY sun? Also does the fact its recessed help cut down on wind at all? Do you know if there is a sofa or chairs? Looking at the deck plans it appears we are just below the divider between the 2 pools on deck 14 so I'm hoping for minimal noise..at the very least no tables/chairs scraping? Any other insights? I like proximity to the elevators but I expect some noise there. 

I think the big overhang will be fine. We had a balcony for a Nov Caribbean cruise and it honestly was too "bright" and warm to sit on for a better part of the day. I'm just wondering if we will miss the sun given it is a transatlantic cruise in November. I expect we will have cooler weather at times. 

We are new to MSC too! I think the wait-listed bit means you are not guaranteed early dining and may wind up with late dining once onboard. I believe the two times are 6 and 9? 

I'm having the same issue with check in/arrival time. Actually I'd just be happy to drop off my bags and come back because I also have to check out of my AirBNB at 11. But we will be in Genoa and no one seems to know how early this would be possible. (I've successfully dropped off bags at 10am when departing from the states). 

I have no idea on the hair dryer but they seem nice in the pics I've seen! 😂

19 minutes ago, Até said:

Make sure you're not in one of the small two person balconies where they are four cabins across from port to starboard.  Those are extremely small and don't even have a couch or real chair to sit on.

We're good I think. 13070. I believe we are directly below a divider between the two pools so I'm hoping no chair scraping either. 

On 8/28/2019 at 8:28 AM, cruisegermany said:

Hello! Does your boarding ticket say something about check-in times? I have been on many cruises, and I always had the opportunity to drop my luggage at the pier. There are always people taking care of the luggage, because thousands of pieces have to be delivered and checked-in. I always found the two procedures taking place at the same time.

 

Furhtermore, all hotels I have been staying at allowed to drop the luggage at the reception or a special luggage room for a couple of hours, after checking out.

I haven't tried to print a boarding pass yet....

And unfortunately leaving it at the hotel is not an option. We are in an airbnb so no reception. I did contact the hostess who said "possibly" if someone doesn't wind up booking our check out day. But the place stays pretty well booked up so I'm not planning to count on that. 

Ive never had trouble dropping off luggage early, even as early as 10am. But my experience is in the US only so far. 

We were originally booked in an inside bella for a transatlantic cruise on the Divina (I was able to choose the room, deck 8.) I opted to pay the difference to upgrade to a guaranteed bella balcony ($1330 more for 2ppl on a 20N cruise) and we were assigned a Fatastica balcony on deck 13 in less than 12 hours (we are after the final payment date).  I'm pretty pleased. I had a moment of panic after I saw some of the terrible balcony options (which I would have been just fine with had we paid for IS or OV). Have you seen the aft bella balconies on deck 13? LAWD!!

On 2/13/2019 at 5:52 PM, SeaTheW0rld said:

Like the title says...  I ran a search and didn't find anything remotely current. 

 

Today my TA mentioned I had been assigned Flexi Dining for my Divina Transatlantic in a few weeks.  At first I thought "anytime".  Wrong, again.  

 

From what I understand after reading the older posts, you pick a time within early/late, subject to availability.  You can change it every day. In theory.  Some older reviews also said it was such a disaster it was discontinued on certain ships.

 

What's been your experiences?  Thanks!

 

 

 

Completely off topic but I can't find an answer for this question. We will be on the Divina for an East to West transatlantic in November. Do they manage to keep the offerings in the dining room unique every night or do the tend to recycle some of the menus?

On 8/20/2019 at 7:36 AM, Beamafar said:

 

Moot point now that they're included in the cruise fare, CF.  On a 7 nighter, the DSC was good for 100 points (almost;  another €10 onboard spend and you were there - though extra spend wasn't required when on a US-based cruise as you reached the requisite $150, what with the DSC being $12.50 as opposed to €10).

Gratuities are included in the cruise fare?

We will be boarding the MSC Divina for a transatlantic cruise in November. I don't think the entire ship will be disembarking as some will stay on until Rome. I plan to explore the port before actually checking in and boarding but I'm trying to figure out the best arrangements for luggage. We have to be out of our hotel room at 11 am. If the ship arrives at 9am, when can I attempt to check luggage? Are there porters?

Thanks in advance!

I'm trying to research the fun pass. I see its basically a higher value than whats paid but this has either changed or completely different in European markets. This is pasted from my current booking on the Divina out of Genoa: Prepare for all the fun you can handle and purchase your Fun Pass now. Valid for all guests in the same cabin, with the Fun Pass you can enjoy unlimited access to all attractions. Feel the rush while speeding through all of the Grand Prix official tracks in the Formula 1 Simulator, experience multiple new adventures in the Cinema 4D, and perfect your strike - bowling as often as you wish at the mini-bowling lanes. 

So my question is, if it is unlimited, and valid for all guests in the same cabin, why do I have the option of purchasing it for all cabin members? 

Answers greatly appreciated!

Yes, not enough information! Which sucks because you save money with advance purchase!

I'm wanting to pre purchase a photo package. Does anyone know if there is a size limitation with this package. Its the same price as the 10 photo mix and match but comes with 10 photos AND a CD. Guess I'm trying to figure out the catch. I did read the FM package have to be posed pics only, no dining/embarkation/candid shots and they have to be chosen from what is already printed.

Description on MSC:

Family Moments

Book Now and Save up to 47% vs Onboard Price! 
Including:

• 10 ready to frame prints
• 10 digital files to share with your friends, family and on your favorite social network

Posing for a family portrait is a pleasurable experience with our talented team of photographers onboard.

The package includes photos for guests staying in the same cabin and is valid for one sail date only, it is not applicable for back to back cruises and does not include Wedding, Group Photos, and Private Photo sessions. Further terms and conditions available at the onboard Photo Shop.

Id also recommend inquiring with the airline, they have a time period they recommend you book after arriving on a cruise.

But I doubt this is doable. You have a minimum 2 hour before flight time check in for most international flights and just because you dock at 7 doesnt always mean you will have cleared customs. I always add at least one hour to get through the whole disembarkation process...

On 5/1/2019 at 7:10 PM, alaskancruzr said:

Don’t know your interests but we did a fantastic tour in Lisbon via motorcycle and side car.  

I'd love more info! I'll see what I can google.

On 5/6/2019 at 12:48 PM, grnrab said:

in Lisbon and general vicinity, We Hate Tourists tours. Excellent trips reasonable prices. Most trips leave from  Av Liberdade area  or their headquarters at the foot of the April 25th bridge.

 

What tours have you done? The "lunch in our home" sounds fantastic.

On 5/20/2019 at 5:17 PM, Joolsverne said:

Earlier in May this year we used a company  run by Pedro called ‘Lisbon Taxi - Splendid Transfer’ for airport and hotel transfers.  They were reliable, had nice drivers and reasonably priced.  They also offer tours although we didn’t try those.  We will certainly use them again.

 

Would also recommend the free Discover Walks (they operate on a tip basis) which we enjoyed very much.  

Get a Viva Viagem card from any Metro station and ride the tubes, buses and trams - €6.90 for 24 hours and use it as much as you want.  OR you can just Pre-load the amount you want for one or two journeys.  Staff speak good English.

 

if you want the HoHo buses they go from just outside Marques de Pombal Metro Station in Eduardo V11 Park.  Enjoy Lisbon, it’s lovely.

We love tip based tours. I'll check out Discover walks...thanks!

I take that back, I did find a company online.

I've not found any private excursions that offer luggage hold.