AmoMondo

Thanx for this info.

 

What I wonder: isn't any "latte machhiato" included in the "Extra All Inclusive"?

I cannot find it on the bar list, although in the German description there is written: "Gönnen Sie sich einen frisch gepressten Orangensaft morgens zum Frühstück oder einen milchschaumig schönen Latte Macchiato mit Freunden an der Bar."

= "Treat yourself to a freshly squeezed orange juice in the morning for breakfast or a frothy milk beautiful latte with friends at the bar"

 

But in all of the bar lists, which I have about the "Extra all inclusive", it is not listed. As if there isn't any Latte Machhiato available on the whole ship!?

 

This doesn't make any sense because of the above sentence!

 

Or does it have another name than "latte macchiato"?

 

And is it included or not?

 

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Also I would like to know if the chocolate fountain (where you can get fruits in chocolate) at the chocolate bar is also included in the "Extra all inclusive".

Because I heard about that it was included in the "Ultra all inclusive", but I don't find any info, if it is still included in the new "Extra all inclusive"!?

 

I hope someone could answer, who had the Extra all inclusive and not the

Ultra all inclusive.

 

 

I had the normal AI at €19.50 per day in January. I had a fresh squeezed ornge juice and a cappuccino (could have had a caffe latte) each morning at a bar. Don't remember there being a latte macchiato but maybe it's just a latte? Looking at wikipedias description of a latte macchiato it sounds pretty much the same as a latte.

Sorry can't help with your other question about the chocolate fountain.

Here is the second half of the photos from our trip:

 

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151117014400855.444544.692350854&type=1&l=5a6ba0d898

 

Enjoy!

 

Tim.

Thanks Tim. Especially enjoyed seeing the photos of Salvador and in the sun. We had torrential downpours off and on so my first purchasenof that day was a brolly from a street trader. Some swine in a cafe in Lisbon nicked it though!

Thanks dor your answer! I will keep an eye an those offers. I have however the feeling that MSC prices are higher as in other Cruiselines also for repositioning ships.

Absolutely not. I paid £1500 for 19 nights on the Opera from Buenos Aires to Southampton this year in the highest category balcony cabin with BA flights from Edinburgh to Buenos Aires and a flight from Southampton back to Edinburgh included. If I'd gone fir an inside cruise only, I could have gotten it for just £500-600. Just had a look on the UK website and the 17 night return trip from South America (Santos to Venice) on the Fantasies has insides available at £605, OCean views at £848 and superior balconies at £1090 all cruise only, sole occupancy (no single supplement)

I have got 2 other lists, what is included of Extra alll inclusive and in each is written that apparantly only "Espresso decaffinated" is included.

So I am really wondering about this!

Can someone confirm, that the caffinated espresso really is included?

 

And does someone know if the Lavazza cappucino / espresso also are included in the mdr after lunch/dinner and can you order it at breakfast in the buffet?

I had a cappuccino every morning but ordered it at a bar on the aft pool area where there was also a limited buffet set up. Never ate in the MDR at all as I was in a samsara cabin. Definitely had a few espressos too but again not in a restaurant. I did as the Italians do, and ordered it in a bar after meals.

Thank you very much for your review. It was fun reading it. We are booked on the MSC Magnifica repositioning from Brasil to Germany.

You mention that MSC is convenient for solo travelers. Could you please tell us what do you mean? I cruise sometimes alone and I always end up paying for two on a cruise. Is this different with MSC?

I can answer that as i invaraibky cruise solo. They don't charge any supplement at all on their repositioning trips, which makes them very affordable. Even on other cruises they sometimes reduce the usual rate of 100% on balconies and suites and 80% on ocean view and insides. They dont restrict the cabin type you can occupy as a solo, so balconies and suites are allowed and not out of reach financially. Costa seem to be reasonable too but it's difficult to get a different cabin type if you don't like single (mainly smallish inside or ocean view) cabins.

Safe journey home Tim.

I've no idea what your day job is but you'd make an excellent travel writer. Your writing style is so enjoyable to read. Interesting facts coloured by humour.

How did you enjoy your repo cruise on the Poesia Sidari?

Tim, I look forward to reading your latest instalment each day. Just love your sense of humour, not to merkin your strategy for getting rid of the bugs that invariably circulate on the repo cruises. Think it's partly all those bodies cooped up together on sea days on the crossing and partly the change in climate.

Have a great time in Salvador. I really like that town and it's so easy to explore on your own. Just nip around the back of the indoor Market (or through it) acrossnthenroad to the public elevator up to the historic barrio alto.never seen so many different coloured pastel buildings and churches in any given square. View from up there is amazing too.

I bought mine in advance and there was no 15% added as it did not factor in to my onboard account - it was paid in advance of the cruise. Anytime I've bought a drinks package onboard, they do add 15% to the basic price quoted.

Great pictures Tim. Really enjoying your regular blogs as well.

They are not provided for insides or outsides, categories 1-5. I know the top categories have them. Perhaps Amomondo could jump in here?

Splosh....in I leap..........

You only get robes in suites and balcony cabins(unless you are gold or black card member, then you get them in any cabin type).

Another great post Tim. I feel like I'm reliving my repositioning voyage all over again.

Really enjoying your live review Tim. I always try to be back for lunch in the MDR on port days. It is such a pleasant experience. Sea days you need to go shortly after it opens. It's is so much quieter then and you're guaranteed to get a table. Really only the elderly and Germans that are there prompt. All the Latin types wander in half way through or towards the end and then take up residence as you found. It should improve as the weather improves. Soon as it's warmer more folk spend all day on the pool deck and head to the buffet.

Have a great time.

I'm looking forward to hearing all about it

The pricing structure on US sailings is lower than in Europe but I can't give you the prices as it's been several years since I've cruised in the US. Used to be if a drink was €6 in Europe it would be $6 in the US.

In another few weeks, you'll start getting posts and reviews from people cruising the Caribbean this year and should be able to get answers to your question.

I nearly always cruise solo but don't like activities much. I prefer to go to the spa, read my kindle by the pool or listen to music. They don't do anything specific for solos usually. Occasionally they will have a meet up. Went to 2 but they didn't work, too many different languages. Might be better on a US sailing where there will be a higher percentage of English speaking passengers. They have pool games, bingo and stuff like that. The quizzes can be fun and the bingo is a hoot in 5 languages.

In the evening they have what I think of te daft stuff in one of he main lounges, the evening show and a huge selection of bars and lounges with differing atmosphere and different style of live music.

Eating in the MDR at breakfast or lunch (in my opinion) is not only better than te buffet - more peaceful and calm asnd better food- butbis a good opportunity to meet and talk to other passengers.

MSC works for me as a solo European who likes to mostly keep myself to myself and just chill out and relax. I don't think it is as action and activity packed as some cruise lines, but they are usually pretty port intensive anyway. I'm sure that on a ship the size of the Divina, you'll not run out of things to do

Is the main dining room open at lunch time? Are you allowed to wear shorts at lunch? Also do they ever do afternoon tea?

MDR is open for breakfast and lunch on an open seating basis. Shorts can be worn at lunch although probably better at the buffet if they're not tailored smarter shorts.

They do have afternoon tea but not like were accustomed to in the UK and it's almost always in the buffet now. They have small sandwiches, filled rolls and a few pastries, cookies and desserts. Really nothing startlingly.I miss them doing thenwaiter served teas and coffees on a lounge like they used to but seems a lot prefer the speed and convenience of a buffet service.

Honestly if they like their jeans, there is no reason they can't have them, just not on the formal nights - although there will be a few that might. Only downside to having jeans, is that theybare not that comfortable (just my opinion) when it's really hot.

Shorts are ok anywhere onboard during the day, doesn't really matter what types they are.

Dress shirts and pants fine for the formal nights. Ties won't take up much room, but not all men wear them, some prefer open necked dress shirts. As for jackets some do and some don't. Women tend to dress up more than the men do (but isn't that often the case?).

Just go with the clothes that are most flexible for you and your family and what you like to wear and works with any baggage allowances you have with your airline.

AmoMondo, I know that you have cruised MSC a lot. Mostly the MED I think. How is MSC dress code for daytime and non-formal nights. Can nice jeans be worn during daytime on ship and in MDR? What about T-shirts? Do they need to be plain or can they have logos/pictures. Or is it better to get some nice collared golf type shirts?

 

Thanks. So excited. Less than 30 days. Need to get away from Sandy's devastation her on Long Island, NY. My family and friends made out ok. But it is the gas shortage that is making for problems. But we NYers are resilient. Soon everything will be back to normal.

I've done a lot of different itineraries in almost all regions they sail and dress code is pretty similar regardless of where you are. You can wear pretty much anything during the day. You can wear jeans and tshirts on casual evenings and a some do, although personally I wouldn't but I like to dress for dinner. Less acceptable on informal evenings to be in jeans etc.

Tshirts can really be any type during the day. Polo (collared golf shirts) better for dinner, unless you go to the buffet, in which case almost anything goes.

Can you tell me how many formal nights you had on the Poesia?

 

And how formal was it? And how was the other nights???

 

Trying to figure out what to bring on our New Years cruise in 56 days!!!;)

If it's a 7 night cruise there will be 2 formal nights. Most will probably dress up for the New Years Eve one, as for the other small percentage 10-20% really formal, same again for completely ignore the dress code recommendation and everyone else somewhere in between..

We haven't experienced bad service on CCL, and even food was ok, haven't seen drunks either.. but colors, design, crowds everywhere (especially on Liberty) were horrible. Ship definitely couldn't properly handle 3700 people. And well.. not to sound snobby... too many folks we don't usually meet in our regular life... Cruise on Miracle out of NYC was better (ship was actually better designed), but colors...

 

We also felt management/crew doesn't trust passengers. You have to sign with your card for everything... even to play ping-pong or minigolf. :rolleyes:

 

I am a bit concerned about MSC though... their space/passenger ratio is one of the lowest overall with 28... But we are booked in balcony room so if worst comes to worst we will spend more time there.

Wow that's a lot of in your face colour! Found the newer Costa ships the same but hey each tontheirmown, so like bright and colourful or wouldn't do it. I prefer the more neutral and understated designs of MSC.

What is more irritating is that even when you finally give in and sign up to the MSC mailings 1) the pop ups still appear and 2) in 6 months and dozens of sign-ups no email has ever arrived from MSC! Now that is irritating.

It's the same in the UK, although you only get the pop up once and it doesn't appear again after you close it. If you doming up (have done several times because I'd likemto see the latest promos) they don't send you anything. So bitnof a pointless pop up really.

Sorry reread paperwork it is $57 per day adult and $28.50 per day for child.

I forgot about the service charge.

 

Only one Allegrissimo package but since my hubby is not a drinker, I would really be losing money. For a 10 day cruise, that is $570 per adult and $285.00 per child for a total of $1,425.

 

This is what the package entails:

 

MAIN RESTAURANTS AND SELF SERVICE BUFFET: All wines from selection "By the glass", mineral water, draft and bottled beer, soft drinks

 

MINI BARS: all items (except on MSC Melody, where mini-bars are not available)

 

CABINS: Mineral water

 

BARS: all drinks from bar list including premium brands

 

SPECIAL MENUS: All items from "Gelateria" menu, Chocolate bar and Pastry shop delights,

food from Room service menu

 

EXCLUDED ITEMS: cigars, cigarettes, bottles of wine, sparkling wine and champagne,

souvenir glasses and drinks served in souvenir glasses, all food consumption in restaurants on payment (Sushi bar, Chinese restaurant, Tex-Mex, Restaurant à la Carte, Sports bar).

 

Since I am not sure about prices, I cannot really tell if it would be worth it. I do have 5 port stops with excursions. I am thinking juice and coffee every morning, bottled water 2-3 times a day, 2 glasses of wine at dinner, coffee at dinner and maybe an evening cocktail. Gelato at least once a day..:). And this is for me. Hubby would be less. Son would be mostly ice tea, soda, water and of course gelato (largest size) every day.

 

Can anyone who has prices tell me if it would be worth it?

OK maybe I can help here. As you are cruising in the Caribbean, your coffee and juice at breakfast is free. Can't see you needing so many bottles of water either as iced (tap) water is free and readily available in the buffet, MDR and at bars, so really only for going ashore. You can get American coffee free of charge 24/7. Iced tae is also available free. So from what you listed it's only going to be the gelato, wine, soda and cocktails and thenodd bottle of water you'd have to pay for. You'd have to be drinking gallons to wrack up more than $1500 to make it worth your while. Not sur about the Prices in dollars but in euros a litre bottle of water is just over €2, glass of wine between €3-4, bootles of wine from €18 upwards, cocktails around €7, can't remember about the gelato but think it was in the region of €2-5 depending on size and whether you had fruit and cream etc or not.

If you are going to drink as a family 12 cocktails or sodas or 14 waters then just buy the onboard packages that give you 2 free. You can all share them. You buy them at any bar and can buy more booklets of the vouchers during your cruise if you finish one. If you think you'll get through 7 bottles order a wine package in advance or onboard (some include some free bottles of water).

The paperwork I got from MSC shows that the Allegrissmo Drink Package is $67 per day in the Caribbean. I do not think that I will save anything. I was thinking of ordering bottles of wine at dinner to be held over to the next night to save money. I was trying to think what the minimum drinks I would get each day and do not think that I would even equal $67 per day.

 

I do not thinks that for me this package will work. I am thinking that the prices in the Caribbean is more than in the Mediterranean. I took into account going from euros to US dollar.

 

Any thoughts??

 

BTW, How much was bottled water and what size?

That is the equivalent of the Allegrissimo Premium package in the UK that costs £39 pp per day. I personally have never felt that package would be cost effective for me. I've still gotbto add up all my receipts but know thatbthey added up to around €30-40 each day. Havingbthe AI did change my normal behaviour a bit - instead of having the free juice I ordered fresh squeezed orange juice and had cappuccino of tea at breakfast (that added just over €5 per day)

litre of water was €2.30.

They called my name and told me a case was missing BEFORE the carousel started moving with bags!

Wow that's different! Normally you stand for ages with that sinking feeling, the more time passes without sight of your case.

Enjoyed reading your step by step review.

Really enjoying reading your live review papcx.

The onboard immigration queueing is a pain in the proverbial. It's down to the local authorities whether they are happy to just inspect the passports that are held by the ship or whether they want each passenger to present themselves in person with their documents. On my last cruise UK Border Agency staff spent the last 2 days onboard on my last cruise before we reached Southampton. With very few European passport holders onboard and loads of South Americans, guess they were being catutious I was surprised to be asked quite a few questions by them. Normally returning to the UK with a UK passport, they hardly say anything at all. Took almost an hour for me to get my turn as other nationalities were getting loads more questions and there were only 2 immigration staff. Nice little jolly for them though!