cublet

Hello, This is the best general review of MSC (after my own of course and that of JamieLogical). My own views are posted elsewhere if anyone is prepared to look. I don't know how many MSC cruises I've done but I have a further six booked including one departing today.so this note is only brief. MSC is, to my mind, on a par with Royal, Celebrity and Cunard. If I had to change just one thing about MSC it would be to replace the cafeteria type serving lines in the buffet with 'island' type sections as on Royal. And that's it. Regards, Cublet

Hello, All my Anthem ex UK sailings last year had the Suite/Concierge buffet/drinks time as 17:00 - 20:00. Regards, Cublet

Hello, Introduce a Single Supplement on X of 50% similar to on Royal and I'll be there. Regards, Cublet

Hello, Agreed. My Pin's 6 drinks and 525 points 3 bottles of wine is quite enough to see me though a week (just). But what would annoy me, without the above, would be the offer to 'Buy one, get one 50% off" - as a solo traveller even with 50% off, a second drinks package is of no use to me so is (would be) a disincentive to me to book. Much better value is buying a drinks package at the time of booking that includes water and gratuities from MSC and comes in at about £30 per night for me. And I will be giving it a good thrashing starting this Friday! Regards, Cublet PS: And, needless to say, when I order Prosecco I get Prosecco and not something dug out from the back of the cleaning cupboard.

Hello, Yes, but and/or Pins and Suite cards were sometimes a different colour so keeping them on show told the waiter which camp you were in. Regards, Cublet

Hello, The former Berlitz Guide to Cruising and Cruise Ships, now Insight Guide, inspects cruise ships and analyses them into four categories depending on number of berths. The 2024 edition inspected 326 ships whilst a further 17 were not rated because of their recent launch dates. Out of a possible 2000 points, Europa 2 came top with 1792 points and National Geographic Sea Lion came bottom with 772 points. Of the total 326 ships, MSC Euribia was in 52nd place with 1490 points whilst the highest Celebrity ship, Beyond, was is 75th place with 1445 points and the highest RCI ship was Anthem of the Seas in 92nd place with 1419 points. Aside from Cunard, the ships ahead of MSC Euribia came from Mid-size, Small and Boutique categories. Of the top 20 Large Resort Ships category, 12 of those 20 places were filled by MSC ships, beaten by QM2 and Mein Schiff. The criteria being marked were: The Ship; Accommodation; Cuisine; Service; Entertainment; The Cruise Experience. Price, of itself, was not a criterion. I don't think MSC's achievements were gained by being 'cheap'. Regards, Cublet

Regards, Cublet

Hello, Whilst I do not go on cruises to lose weight, the only cruise (out of 50+) on which I *DID* lose weight was on Celebrity Eclipse whilst in AquaClass and dining in Blu. Regards, Cublet

Hello, But it's a good deal if you want to use the Coke as a tarnished metal cleaner (the only thing it's fit for). Regards, Cublet

Hello, The booking number on the 'strange' upgrade email is unknown to the MSC booking system according to my TA. Regards, Cublet

Hello, It would not surprise me if the major cruise lines, in order to 'save money', contracted-out their IT. So there is probably a single source of itinerant coders making the same balls-up on all the lines. Regards, Cublet

Hello, I've had a similar email this morning. Ship, cabin type and sail date are correct, Booking Number and cabin number are incorrect. Interestingly the upgrade costs are the same as I have already responded to on the booking I think I've got. I have set my TA on the case. Regards, Cublet

Hello, Here, the UK, most zero foreign transaction fee cards come from 'building societies' (mortgage lenders) not traditional high street banks - though the difference is becoming increasingly blurred. Regards, Cublet

Hello, Non-sterling transaction fees are more down to the T&Cs of the card issuer than of the cruise line. But.... I cannot speak for Euribia only Virtuosa out of Southampton. Firstly, last year the onboard currency was the pound sterling (GBP) so no non-sterling transaction fees, and I was not charged anything when I registered my credit card (apart from £1.00 'donation' {?!} to the MSC charity), I was charged the whole of my account at the end of the cruise. This cruise was a round trip with no pick-ups/departures en route which may explain the currency. Traders may put a 'hold' for an amount on a credit card, it reduces the available credit but is strictly speaking not quite a 'charge'. Regards, Cublet

Hello, The ban is wider than just alcohol: - 11.7 In order to ensure safety and security standards, it is strictly forbidden to bring food and beverage onboard the Vessels. In compliance with this/her regulation and in order to guarantee the above standards, during embarkation a careful check control will be carried out through all passengers luggage. The items that are allowed are: personal hygiene products, cleansing products, lotions, fluid medications for therapeutic use, baby gear and baby food items, dietary items prescribed by a physician. Any local or “typical“ food item purchased during the cruise in any port of call will be collected and returned at the end of the cruise. I think, and this is only my opinion: Raw/uncooked products; products not in sealed (airtight/vacuum) wrapping; items requiring (proper) refrigeration are the genuine no-nos. Regards, Cublet