tomlin

Thank you so much for this information, very much appreciated

Hello, would you happen to know the cost per person per day to buy the drinks package on board? I’m going on a 4 night cruise from Barcelona to Rome, RC have told me I can’t pre purchase the package before I go I have to buy it onboard.....thanks

Hi, I'm not sure, I don't think it would be a problem but not 100% sure. There were three shows on most evenings in the theatre, maybe the dress codes are more relaxed for the earlier shows and more enforced for the later ones. Sorry I can't give a definate answer.

Hi, I would say that smart jeans would be fine. There is a formal evening and they may enforce the dress code then. With the mix of different nationalities on board some dressed up in the evening but many were casual.

JonHeath, I too thought that the ship would be ready to disembark long before 9.00. There was a Thomson ship entering the port in front of us and it looked like we had to wait until it was clear. There was only one exit on the main promenade, we asked about five different mebers of staff if this was the only exit and was it for everyone and they all said it was. Our flight home was at 12.30, once we managed to disembark there was a fairly short queue for taxis and we got to the airport about 10.45. If we hadn't of jumped the queue we probably wouldn't have made it. I'm sure that the problem will be sorted, maybe going back to the old system where passengers wait to be called in designated lounges etc is a better solution. What time is your flight?

Hi,

We have been to all the ports previously so really booked the cruise for the ship, although we did get off the ship at all the ports and just walked around. We didn't eat at any of the speciality restaurants. When we did pass them they did seem quiet.

Disembarkation was an issue that I'm sure MSC will address. Our first port Naples was a 2.00pm arrival time, this resulted in massive crowds all wanting to leave at the same time, there was only one gangway open. We waited a while for the queues to lessen but were still in line for an hour to get off. Barcelona was also a problem, they give the coloured tags with a time to leave. We had a flight home at 12.30 so got red tags for the earliest time 9.15 am, ( same as elite etc) they told us to stick the reciept on our cruise card to show at the gangway and to watch the tv screens ( there is no set place to wait to be called off like other cruises I've been on ) When the ship docked at 9.00 it was total madness, I asked if there was only the one exit and was told yes. I went to one of the staff trying to control the madness and tried to explain we had a flight to catch, he just shrugged his shoulders. We ended up jumping in the queue, I felt bad but we would have never got to the airport. Again I'm sure MSC will get lots of feedback about this and will improve the system.

I was surprised that Cirque du Soleil was on, I was told it didn't start until July, I did see people booking on the large interactive screens and I heard it booked up quickly. We did see a theatre show called Way which was excellent.

Our inside cabin did not have a pullman bed or a sofa, there was less storage space than any other ship I've been on so I would travel as light as you can.

The buffet was open long hours but the food was restricted at times, pizza seemed to be available all the time.

Sunbeds were an issue on the sea day but that is the same on a sea day on any ship. We managed to get one but I think you would struggle to find one after 9-10.

I think there are more asterisk drinks, my husband drinks beer and he had Corona and Peroni on the drinks package last year on the Preziosa, this time the only bottled beer available ( lager type) was Heineken. People we spoke to said there was a much better choice in the English pub. I drink wine and the wine on the package was very nice.

Hope I've answered all your questions. As I said before there are teething problems but that is to be expected. The ship is spectacular

Hi, I'm a bit of a stalker rather than a poster on these boards. I disembarked MSC Meraviglia yesterday in Barcelona and just wanted to give my opinion on this fantastic ship.

Bit of background, myself and my husband are absolute cruise addicts. We started cruising about 10 years ago and have been lucky enough to have been on over 30 cruises. We sailed on the Preziosa last year around the Mediterranean and loved everything about it. We booked a 5 night cruise on the Meraviglia embarking in Genoa. The ports were Naples, Messina, Malta a sea day and then Barcelona. We stayed in an inside cabin on deck 11, the cabin was lovely and certainly bigger than other inside cabins we have stayed in. The ship is absolutely wonderful, definately the best ship we have ever sailed on. The staff and entertainment were top both excellent, you certainly are never short of things to do. We ate in Waves restaurant on the late 9.00 pm sitting. The food I have to say was good but we preferred the food on MSC Preziosa. Yes there are a few teething problems, this seems mainly due to all dining and food orders being taken on i pads. The staff were still getting used to this new system and sometimes the computers crashed and orders had to be taken manually. I can honestly say I was sad to leave the ship yesterday, I would of loved to have stayed on this wonderful ship another week.....

Sorry misspelt Meraviglia !!!

Hi, I'm a bit of a stalker rather than a poster on these boards. I disembarked MSC Meraviglia yesterday in Barcelona and just wanted to give my opinion on this fantastic ship.

Bit of background, myself and my husband are absolute cruise addicts. We started cruising about 10 years ago and have been lucky enough to have been on over 30 cruises. We sailed on the Preziosa last year around the Mediterranean and loved everything about it. We booked a 5 night cruise on the Meraviglia embarking in Genoa. The ports were Naples, Messina, Malta a sea day and then Barcelona. We stayed in an inside cabin on deck 11, the cabin was lovely and certainly bigger than other inside cabins we have stayed in. The ship is absolutely wonderful, definately the best ship we have ever sailed on. The staff and entertainment were top both excellent, you certainly are never short of things to do. We ate in Waves restaurant on the late 9.00 pm sitting. The food I have to say was good but we preferred the food on MSC Preziosa. Yes there are a few teething problems, this seems mainly due to all dining and food orders being taken on i pads. The staff were still getting used to this new system and sometimes the computers crashed and orders had to be taken manually. I can honestly say I was sad to leave the ship yesterday, I would of loved to have stayed on this wonderful ship another week.....

I'm just back from my 5 night cruise on Costa Fortuna. Thought I would report back on the All Inclusive drinks package. The good news, they were selling it, the bad news....it was 40 euros per person per day not 25. The package included all drinks up to 7.50 and also contents of the mini bar. I think this must have been new for the cruise we were on, as when chatting to the English speaking host she did not know anything about it. They were also selling the usual wine and water packages, also beer packages. We did end up buying the package as we thought it was worth it for us. The ship is looking tired in places but is going into dry dock soon to be refurbished. We had a great time , ( maybe the drinks package helped ) :)

I would normally drink white wine, pinot or sauvignon, and my husband lager beer. I am also partial to the odd cocktail or three!!

Hope I'm not going to have to take out a second mortgage!!

Thanks for your help.

Linda

Just to report back, I contacted Costa again but no joy :(. They said the All inclusive only applies to cruises of 7 nights or more. Guess we will be consuming a little less alcohol on this cruise!!

Does anyone happen to have an up to date bar price list? All the one's I have found are for the All Inclusive package.

Many thanks Linda

Thanks for your help and advice.

I did email Costa and said that it's not clear on the website that it's only longer cruises. In fact when I go in to manage my booking it shoes you the AI and then when you try and purchase it shows not available. They said that All Inclusive is not available on short cruises, but beer and water packages are available to purchase on board.

I'll try ringing them tomorrow and report back. I'm sure there will be many more disappointed guests as it's such good value!

Linda

Hello, we are on the Costa Fortuna, 5 nights from/to Savona.

Hello,

I've been on a few Costa cruises ( the latest one was April 2014 ) and have always purchased the All inclusive drinks package, even for cruises of less than 7 days. I've recently booked a 5 night cruise for October this year and when I rang Costa to add the package to the booking they have said All inclusive is not available for cruises less than 7 days? :( .

I've also emailed Costa and they have said the same thing. Has anyone else come across this?

Thanks Linda