Essiesmom

You only have 20 minutes to edit. EM

Because drinking water with meals is an American practice, water is provided at meals, sometimes from a pitcher of ice water, other times from a bottle at room temp. No internet discount for Diamond. It is best purchased online before cruise. It is per device, you cannot switch back and forth among devices. No special perks for doing B2B. EM

My most recent experiences on Seaside and Seashore the bracelets were available at the photo kiosk and cost $10. I have. Of seen a guest talent night but on Seashore the karaoke was excellent. People of all ages, sometimes the same people each night but not si going the same songs. I felt like most had been in garage bands in younger years. EM

Whereas menus are pretty standard across the fleet on other cruise lines (US based) I find that this is not always true on MSC. Even from one cruise to the next. Dish may be the same, but description different. Last year the first page had the choices for the day, the second had the always available. But more recent menus posted have them mostly together on the first page. EM

Totally agree. I think it is standard for the sheets to be changed once on a 7 day cruise, usually day 4. 50+ cruises over 50 years. EM

I found the Brooklyn Cafe on deck 8, opposite the Sports Bar to be underutilized most of the time. Times Square on deck 6 is not really a lounge but has comfortable seating and sometimes piano music. But the people watching is pretty good there and may interrupt your reading. The bar at Venchi is handy. There are times of the day when you could relax in the Uptown Lounge and Le Cabaret Rouge. I don’t know what the bar hours might be there is no activities are scheduled. Those are only a few suggestions. EM

According to the deck plans (cruisedeckplans.com) there is a power walking track on deck 14 and a longer outside promenade beneath the lifeboats on deck 7. EM

Back in 2009 we had a swine flu scare and cruises to Mexico were rerouted to Canada. I did a B2B on Carnival Splendor. On my first leg was a woman who was recovering from her second knee replacement in several months. She was in a nursing home for rehab, and asked the doc if she could go home, she was depressed. He said not unless she had someone to cook for her, make her bed, and a place to walk. She said she knew exactly where to get that, and booked three cruises B2B. EM

Let me give you my theory/practice/experience on booking cabins on MSC. We had two cruises on Divina before we had the opportunity to sail Seaside. I perused the deck plans, and discovered that there were 80 OV cabins, and 1300+ balconies. At the time, the OV cabins were half Bella, and half Fantastica. I wagered that if I booked a Fantastica OV gty I would get a balcony. That happened. Fast forward to 2023 and I booked Seaside again. I did the same, and got a balcony. In Dec I booked late on Seashore and took a Fantastica OV. Chose my cabin, no upgrade. I am now booked on Seashore again, OV gty. No choice, only Bella offered. Free upgrade to balcony. Look at the numbers: Seashore balcony 1425, OV 100, inside 519. Meraviglia balcony 1282, OV122, inside 657. Virtuosa balcony 1354, OV 173, inside 249. I could go on, but I hope you get the idea. EM

If you are looking at the menu on the VV website, that is just a sampling of what is offered. I googled and found a website that had all the recent menus. Can’t post a link as I don’t remember the name, and it is a travel agency. EM

Checking in was more difficult than in the past. I started on my iPad and nothing would come up, or go through…lots of error things. So I went to my phone and the app. I got my picture accepted, personal info…but it couldn’t scan my passport…I think I couldn’t hold it still enough. So I input the stuff manually. Then it was on to the credit card which wouldn’t take. Try to go back and it wants me to do the personal stuff and pic again…. Finally I went back to the iPad and switched to chrome. Got it done. I printed out everything, it it is also in the app and my Apple wallet. EM

I think there were a couple of Live From threads recently. @Stockjockdid one on World Europa, and I believe someone did one on Euribia. They usually post the menus as well as other pics. EM

I printed my edocs, and on the boarding pass next to the bar code, I see Fast Track. This was t on my papers back in Dec…can anyone explain what it gets me? I am Diamond (but sailing in Bella). EM

I have done it at PC on Carnival and MSC. All consecutive cruisers meet at a certain time and designated place, and are walked off, scanned with facial recognition, and walk back up the ramps to the ship. EM

This absolutely happens on Princess. It’s called a Move Over Offer. Switch to other dates without further payment, and the amount of fare refunded as refundable OBC. Ask on the Princess board. EM

I haven’t sailed MSC in Europe, but I can answer one of your questions. Water. In Europe it is not standard to offer water with MDR meals. But since it is expected by Americans and Brits, MSC gives and included water package…not sure it is only for meals. I believe it is bottles, and may be room temperature. EM

Bimini beach is for everyone

Welcome to Cruise Critic but, oh dear, you have landed in the wrong part of the website for your question. This area is for people having technical problems using the website. Your question belongs in the ROLL CALL sections of the forums. That’s where you can connect with other CC members who will be sailing with you. Go back to the main boards page, scroll down to ROLL CALLS, choose your cruise line (Viking Ocean), and then your ship. Scroll down then for a thread with the dates for your cruise. If there is not one, you can start one. There are several topics in this help area that explain Roll Calls. EM

The food truck eats are free, except the seafood truck. EM

Got my cabin assignment today for my June 23 sailing on Seashore. Booked Bella OV gty and got deluxe balcony BR3. Quite satisfied. Now that I have a cabin, they sent me the offer to bid for upgrade. Interestingly, YIN is less expensive than all categories except basic Aurea balcony. But I’m not biting. I have other plans for that money. Tomorrow I can do web checkin. I wonder if I can do it at midnight…? EM

That’s probably the only way I could have got my father on a ship…but I think he would have preferred steam. EM

It only refers to dining in the MDR. You get priority preference for seating, but only Diamond get guaranteed. EM

I booked a Bella OV gty…would have preferred Fantastica but with OV the on,y offering was Bella gty. Today I got my assignment…a balcony. EM

Booked a Bella OV gty for June 23 on Seashore and today got my assignment…a balcony.