Mark_T

So glad to finally get a chance to read this entire thread, sounds like you both had an amazing time. Had a lot of family stuff to deal with since we parted company in Miami earlier this year, but I was determined to get to this tread eventually, and it was certainly worth the read. Thanks also to the others sailing with you for their contributions. This itinerary remains on our bucket list for sure.

What do you believe the cost to be..? ... and where are you cruising from? Getting a single device plan shouldn't be prohibitive, so I'm wondering if you are looking at the right prices and perhaps just looking at the single-day rate x 14?

This is the important question as I'm sure we are all hoping that the OP gets to go on their cruise, and their experience in how it was handled at the port would be helpful for a lot of people...

This is from the CBP website: U.S. citizens on closed-loop cruises will be able to enter or depart the country with proof of citizenship, such as an Enhanced Driver's License (EDL), a government-issued birth certificate (issued by the Vital Records Department in the state where he or she was born) or passport, and if 16 or older, a government issued driver's license, picture ID, denoting photo, name, and date of birth. The Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) allows you to re-enter the United States from Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. The EDL is only accepted at land and sea border crossings, not for air travel. An U.S. citizen under the age of 16 will be able to present either an original, notarized or certified copy of his or her birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad issues by Department of State, (DOS) and/or Certificate of Naturalization issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). https://cbpcomplaints.cbp.gov/s/article/Article1378?language=en_US The critical point for leaving the USA on a cruise is proving citizenship, EDL does do that, Real ID does not as it is available to non-citizens.

In general I'd suggest keeping a close eye on the 'Healthy' section of the menu as they will slip in some excellent choices there, like the butter chicken, and it is all too easy to miss them if you don't study that section every day.

The EDL is enough on its own though, which would have been helpful here.

I believe Jamie is correct, Real ID on its own is not going to be enough sadly..

Is that an Enhanced Drivers License? A photocopy of your birth certificate isn't going to be acceptable.

Did they already sort out the food? There is a list on the MSC Israel website of the Kosher food options... https://msccruises.co.il/en/on-board/dining-drinks/kosher/ No idea if this is available on all cruises though...

Around 9% is about right as it isn't 5+5=10%, it is 5% off then 5% off the remaining 95%, this is why it is written as 5+5%. So you get 9.75% discount rather than 10%

I would not depend on that as it is officially not allowed. Glad she got lucky but I wouldn't treat that as a generally available option...

MSC only let each passenger do one status match, and your current status would get you Gold, but if you wait until you are Princess Elite that would match to Diamond. On the other-hand it really doesn't take long to get from Gold to Diamond...

No, you cannot bring wine onboard to consume during the cruise. If you do purchase anything while in port on a cruise it will be stored for you until the end of the cruise.

As I understand it, the MSC contract provides for their salary in full and in addition a guaranteed sum which reflects their anticipated minimum share of the daily service charge. This allows the crew to plan what they are sending home and removes the fear of being impacted by passengers removing the charges during the cruise. Then as long as the service charges collected exceed the expected minimum they get an additional bonus, if it falls short then MSC cover the difference. This always seemed like a fair solution and gives the crew some stability when they have a large percentage of guests from markets that allow the removal of the 'gratuities' during a cruise...

... I did say 'most' ... 🙂

Yes, and Yes. I defy most people to stay in YC and not feel a strong desire to leave an additional tip for your Butler and his assistant.

Everyone, including your butler are covered by the daily service charge that will appear on your room charges if you booked in the USA. Additional tipping is always welcomed but never expected.

Understood, but your initial dining assignment will be different so you will need to get that fixed once you are onboard, unless you all plan to eat in the buffet every day... If you win the bid of course which is always far from certain...

It would however be a considerable stretch to imagine them giving you a YC cabin that you didn't bid on when you are currently in a Fantastica Balcony. Given you are in a group I probably wouldn't have bid on the Aurea suite either as you will have different dining arrangements to the rest of your group... but you can fix that once onboard, just talk to the Maître d' and see if they can move you to whichever dining room the rest of your group is in...

You are over-thinking this, if you win a bid for a whirlpool suite then that is what you get, if you don't win you don't get the whirlpool suite you stay where you are.

Probably not worth the effort as all that will happen if they do accept the point is that the prices will go up by the same amount as the current gratuity, so you'll be no better off.

How do you get beyond the 2nd day without raising that sort of problem as a concern? I remain a firm believer in calm complaints while there is a chance to fix a problem, rather than complaining afterwards...

Always interesting to get different perspectives, we have been on Divina twice now, most recently in February this year and still find the YC restaurant preferable to Luminae on Celebrity. Didn't find it dark and only had to return one dish where the waiter had simply picked up the wrong plate and it was rapidly replaced. We also loved the smaller YC section and the resulting very personal service from all the crew. We will certainly sail on her again at the earliest opportunity.

Envelopes are alive and well for any additional gratuities you wish to give out. They are not required and MSC officially discourages it, but of course on US sailings it is still common.

We usually sail in YC and although the escort to the head of the line is very useful, I would not depend upon it to try to reach and board a train that departs only 25 mins after the planned arrival. Those tickets are still available simply because they are not a viable alternative.