bigAWL

Has anyone had their birthday on the day of disembarkation? Did you still get a cake during the cruise?

My daughter's upcoming birthday is on our disembarkation day. I was assuming I could simply ask someone for the cake the night before. Maybe I should have our TA note it for the date we want it?

We're sailing the Divina on Dec 30 from Miami (staying in Maimi the night before). I would like to know approximately what to expect from the check-in process.

• When should we expect the port to open for embarking passengers? We like to show up as soon as we can for check-in.
  
• Is there anything in particular we should ask at the check-in desk? Should we try to verify our drinks package upgrade, internet package, or excursions before boarding?
  
• We are status-matched to Black card except for my mother-in-law who is Silver, but booked in the same cabin with Black level members. Will we all be given priority boarding privileges?
  
• I've heard we might expect boarding to start between 11:30 and 12:00. Is that a fair approximation?
  
• When should we expect to gain access to our cabins (two Fantastica balconies on deck 11).
  
• I understand we will need to link our credit card to our account after boarding, but that it doesn't have to be done immediately. Is there something that we should consider doing immediately or soon after boarding?
  
• When's the best time to book specialty dining, either from the Black card status or additional dinners?
  

Thanks for any input?

You're next post actually answers that! HAPPY CRUISING!!!!!!

Could you clarify?

I don't think telling a cruiser that he can't have a mixed drink in the MDR is the same as "publishing" a policy.

I understand the practice and the practicality. But the wording in their published materials doesn’t spell out such a policy. In fact it seems to imply that it’s all AVAILABLE wherever you want. They shouldn’t be surprised when someone expects it to be.

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It was always my understanding that mixed drinks weren't served in the MDRs - only wine, water, beer and after-dinner liqueurs. However, I've noticed people on the forum (like yourself) who have managed to get mixed drinks. You're the first (that I know of) that achieved it on a non-US based ship.

My first MSC cruise is coming up this winter in the Caribbean, so I have no first hand experience yet.

But I've read in several places on MSC websites that say all drink package drinks are available in bars, dining rooms, and specialty dining rooms.

For example, this is a clip from the full MSC brochure listing drink packages for cruises all over the world, specifying that they can be consumed in the restaurants. Then again, maybe they will say you need to order them elsewhere and carry them in?

We've been loyal to our TA (who runs her own smallish operation) for many years now, because she knows us and our tastes and has never steered us wrong in her recommendations. She does always offer a modest OBC, and also kicks in extra when we refer friends and family to her (which we have done many times). When we were looking for a cruise this coming January MSC was not on our radar, but she highly recommended we try them out. Not sure if we will love the cruise or not, but ours is certainly one TA who is not averse to dealing with MSC.

There's a good chance that the choice of wines on Divina will be different as US sailings are stocked differently to Med ones.

Right. I'm guessing it will be a lot less... Italian.

Enclosed the selection for the classic wine package last august on the Meraviglia.

 

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Dank je wel!

Sailing on the Divina in January 2019. Does anyone know the details about the 7 bottle wine package offered for $160. I understand there is a limited selection for that cost. Is it possible to order a more expensive bottle from the full wine list, use one of the package credits, and pay the difference? Or is that bottle going to be full price?

DH & I and 2 other couple friends will be with you too! We've wondered about the Colon excursions, but haven't gotten that far in our planning yet! Look forward to seeing what's available.

Great! Come on over to this roll-call thread where you can meet some more of us.

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2520351

Colon gave me a real shock ...it was like out of a movie...I wasn't expecting what I saw when our excursion bus drove through, it was sad.

 

Def. Contact msc and ask when they are getting the excursions listed. The ONLY way to do Panama when stopping in colon is with a ship excursion imo.

I've submitted a question on the MSC website and waiting for a response. I'll report back here when I hear from them in case it will help anyone else.

I'm on the Divina sailing Dec 30, 2018. We are scheduled to stop in Colon, but there are no excursions available for booking on the MSC website. In fact, when I look at the website port page for Colon and look for excursions for other sail dates, I don't see any available excursions for any months at all.

Anyone know what's going on there?

If the child is familiar with a wide range of Disney characters, then between the characters, splash zone, the shows, the deck party, I would guess he or she would find it enjoyable. There's also a nursery (which you can book for an extra fee) which is great for the kids and gives the adults some free time.

When registering for my cruise’s Meet and Mingle, I was the first one (Dec 30 sailing on Divina). It says they will hold a M&M if as many as 6 people sign up. Presumably, it could be just the six people in my party (2 cabins) enjoying the party with the crew.

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The video does help. It looks like it will work for three kids or teens to fit in that 2nd bedroom. Does anyone know if the pull out sofa in living room can fit two adults?

This video shows a family suite where they brought in a roll-away bed next to the living room sofa bed, making it a double.

Go to about the 6:20 mark to see it set up with the roll-away.

Another possibility is to "double book" and have two adults in the inside cabin AND in the suite.

Extra passengers in suites don't pay all that much extra (and there are times when the 3rd and additional stay free, except for taxes/fees - but it's never 'much').

 

Yes, yes, this CAN be done, despite the naysayers who will probably chime in.

It's been done by others (who have successfully made the reservations AND done the cruise that way).

 

Everything is fully paid for.

In fact, the extra two passengers are paying TWICE, once as the extra suite passengers, and *again* as the occupants of the inside cabin.

No one is "getting anything for free".

 

There is a good description of how this worked, somewhere on CruiseCritic, but I don't know what to search on... sorry!

 

GeezerCouple

My understanding is they do not allow double booking anymore. The only way to do it would have the minors of the parents in a connecting room to get everyone suite perks.

I'll be able to report back in a couple months (Oct cruise). I have my father double-booked in our family suite (family of five) and an inside cabin. My TA made the booking. So far so good, but we haven't sailed yet. I have my fingers crossed that there are no issues on board.

From the floorplan of the 2-BDR family suite, it looks like it is "something" on the wall behind the door in the second bedroom:

 

 

And on this youtube-video it starts with the second bedroom, and it definitely looks like a "double" closet behind the door (probably one part with shelves and one part with hangers). And to me there is not much more storage space, except a few shelves in the bathroom:

Thanks for the link to the video. There was another that YouTube suggested on the same page that shows that closet a little more clearly. There are two hanging rods with a group of three drawers under one of them. I'm sure there will be arguing over the space (as there always is with my girls), but this looks like it will be just enough. Now I need to figure out where to put my stuff after my wife claims the entire master closet.

Oh, and I forgot to also ask... for those not using the second room to stow luggage... where do you store your luggage?

I'm traveling in a 2-bedroom suite (non-haven) in October on the Jade. It's 11524, so it looks like we'll be under the very end of the fitness room. Hopefully a quiet corner, but we can deal with some noise.

Yes. The 2nd room is a little smaller than an inside cabin but you have the living area to spill out into. I shared the 2nd room with 2 adults and we were fine - even had enough storage.

I'm very curious about the 2nd room accomodations for my three girls (13, 11 and 8). I'm sure they will have plenty of sleeping space, but I haven't gotten a good feel for the storage in that part of the cabin. Are there drawers for clothes (hopefully as least three so they can each have their own). And how much hanging space? Anything additional where they might stow their books and devices?

I've searched a bit for information about the procedures on turnaround day when doing a back-to-back cruise on the Jade out of Venice. I've read that there may be an information session on board to learn about how it works. I generally understand that since we are staying in the same cabin for both cruises, we do not need to pack anything up or re-check in. I also understand that we can expect to be able to disembark and reboard farily easily through alternate procedures that keep us out of the way of the other passengers ending and starting their cruise. I would also expect that we need to be present again for the safety drill before the second sailing. Please correct me if I'm wrong in any of that.

What I haven't found is information about what ship services are open and available during the turnaround time. Is there anywhere to get food/drink/etc or are all restaurants and bars closed for a time? What about the pools, fitness center, internet cafe, or sports deck? Any suggestions for spending a peaceful morning on board?

Does this mean they provide two different voltages? 110v in the US outlets and 220v in the European?

I've used cruiseline transfers, rental cars, and town car/limo services to get from the airport to the port. My preference is for the town car service. Depending on how many people in your party, it can be more economical than the cruise line transfer. Probably not as cheap as a rental car, but I find it much more convenient and relaxing. They drop you off where you want to go. No dropping off cars and taking shuttles.

I used to rent a car, drop my family and luggage off at the port terminal and then drive to the rental office. Then I'd take their shuttle back to the port. It took a lot of extra time.

I just checked a couple prices for our favorite town car company and see $120 one way for a town car (4 people), or $135 for a minivan (5 people), or $145 for a 10-passenger van. This is without tips and port fees though. Round trips are a little less than twice the price. A stretch limo costs more, but is great for going in style.

Staying the night near the port... we did this once at Country Inn and Suites. I think they also may have a park and cruise offer, as well as a hotel shuttle to the port terminal that seemed to work OK. Just make sure you know when and where you need to reserve and meet the shuttle. It would likely be crowded on the morning of the cruise, and they may have to run multiple times to get everyone there.

I also really want to try the Oreo cheesecake and creme brûlée

Do it!! The oreo cheesecake was really good.

That Oreo cheesecake is AMAZING.......and this from the girl who doesn't do dessert! :o

You had me at "Oreo."

I found these posted last Aug. Is that recent enough? Post #1 or #6 might have what you are looking for.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2093691

We just did the Pearl... the kids club for my 11 year old (the Dolphins 10-12 year olds) was awesome. Great counselors. Activities that really fit the age group...

 

On any given day they had sports court time, circus skills (they put on a show at the end of the week on the main stage), and theme games--which were between 7 and 10-10:30 pm. The theme games and circus were the big draws. The theme games were games based on Survivor, Hunger Games (they called District 12), Divergent (which they called Factions), Boys vs Girls, Black OPs... it was really really cool. Some involved scavenger hunts... All I know is there was no way my daughter would miss the night activity. So we ate dinner at 5:30 so she could make it in time.

 

I am sad because she will be in Entourage on our next trip... which I have heard mixed reviews about.

 

My biggest tip, is the kids need to go on night 1. That is when the friends are made.

Was your cruise during a school holiday season? Were there a lot of other 10-12 year olds?