sealynx

I've booked a MSC cruise for may 2022, 7 night Western Mediteranean. Balcony cabin (Bella) for 3 (2 adults, 1 kid) for under € 2.000,-. I've looked as several other cruise lines. Only Costa comes close to that price with a price around €2.500,-. All other lines ask for more than € 3.000,-. Often even an ocean-view cabin is more expensive than € 2.000,-. So yes, MSC gave us a great deal. I believe the 'kids go for free' makes up most of the difference. When booking just for two adults the prices are closer in range.

48 minutes ago, MajestyCat said:

I was under the impression that self-assist wasn't allowed right now? Something to do with needing to sanitize every piece of luggage that gets off the ship.  I hope that information is incorrect, because I would definitely prefer to do that!! 

Ohh, if that is true I do hope that'll be over soon. We always self check out. We don't mind carrying our own suitcases off the ship. We have to carry it around until we arrive home anyway. I really speeds up things, since you can get off the ship right after the majority off passengers who leave just for the day have left.

On 6/18/2021 at 11:09 AM, Nunagoras said:

It is clear that the half outside promenade seems to be a mix of what on the Oasis is the boardwalk and Central park, perhaps joint together instead of separately. Some renderings show that there is at least full color LED lighting on the external promenade and a LED screen on the inside one...

I believe they are on different decks, so I don't think they'll be joint together.

The first one is incorrect for the lower decks with public spaces. It is a copy of Seaside/Seview, but Seashore has a totally different layout with different venues. The one from Markus is correct.

I'm wondering what MSC means with 'A Y-shaped aft will open onto the 104-metre-long Europa Promenade, offering views across the ocean. The promenade will be half-open to the sky and half-covered by an LED screen, which will feature tailor-made displays throughout the day. '.

I see the design as a ship with 2 promenades, one halve covered (what RCL calls the board walk on Oasis-class) and one indoors. On the rendering I do see some light strips on the 'board walk', but not a LED screen. And on the indoor promenade I do see the LED screen, but that is fully covered. Will the two promenades together be 104 m? Or just the 'board walk'? Or do they mean the light strips to be an LED screen? Or did they mix things up themselves when describing this feature?

22 hours ago, Nunagoras said:

Just out of curiosity: Can you tell us what the price difference is between one of those Fantastica/Aurea infinite view and a true Fantastica/Aurea balcony looks like? I'm asking because the World Europa is not open for booking here from PT yet.

I can try to answer this question for you, as soon as the MSC-site is working again 🙄.

On 6/13/2021 at 12:19 AM, sidari said:

Nuna ... Thanks, the top half of the cabin window on the Edge class comes down so that you in effect have a balcony within the cabin while having the extra space of the balcony area. There are videos on YouTube of the Edge class cabins.

I have the idea the 'infinity' cabin on MSC World Europa will be a tad different. While on the Edge class there is still a balcony space between the cabin and the window, on the MSC World Europa the window appears to be the fourth wall of the cabin itself. It's more like a French or Juliet balcony to me.

7 hours ago, RD64 said:

I think that MSC will launch this product as a true luxury concept. Hopefully it will have a European focus!

And that might exactly the niche they are looking for. This decade the European cruise marked has definitely matured, but most luxury cruise lines are still focussed on American clientele. Only in the ultra-ultra luxery niche, their are some true European operators like Hapag, Ponant and maybe Hurtigruten. I expect Explora to be in the range of Seabourn, Viking, Oceania, Regent, Azamara and/or Crystal, but more focussed on Europeans.

On a website called Crew-Center you can find pictures of crew quarters of several newer cruise ships (including MSC Mergaviglia and MSC Fantasia-class). They give you a good insight on crew facilities on board. I've heard that on older ships, the space is more limited, but they don't have pictures those ships available. To me these facilities seem to be very adequate. However, lets not forget that crew members work long days, late nights, are on their feet most of the time, and don't get any weekends off. It is hard work (and cruise lines should pay them accordingly and not leave it to the passengers so they can advertise lower fares, but that is a different topic).

On 6/5/2021 at 11:21 PM, johnnylincoln said:

Spoke to my TA this morning and we've got a 7 night Mediterranean cruise booked for October 2023. £1,885 for two adults and one child in a balcony cabin (Fantastica) 

 

Happy with that...just a shame the itinerary is the same as the cruise we are doing in May 2021 on the Seaview. 

That seems like quite a good deal you have there. Something to look forward too.

MSC seems to always employ their newest ship on the most popular itinerary they have (an itinerary also offered with nearly identical ports of call by Costa, AIDA and others). And since MSC offers several embarkation ports, nearly al cruises call at Barcelona, Marseilles and Genua, leaving only 3-4 options for other ports (often Civitavecchia, Palma, La Spezzia or Naples). I am excited about them offering two totally new destinations on Seaside though, they do seem to be trying to differentiate.

As you are a a European citizen your network provider (if it is also from the EU) will not charge you extra for roaming within the EU and some other countries (like the UK, Switzerland, and some others). When in port and the first km's from shore you won't need a wifi-packages when using your phone (directly or connecting your phone with your laptop/tabled via a hot spot). This might be a cheaper option, if of course you can go without internet access when on the high seas.

Depends on what you are looking for. The theatre shows are quite good, broadway-style, with loads of music, lights and extravagant costumes. The live music in bars is also very enjoyable. Every bar has a different style, so you can pick what fits your mood. Butlins-like activities are available, but not as many and not as often (and with far fewer participants) as on major American lines. I don't know about specific teen-activities though, but I'm curious as well.

I don't know about your kids, since I only have one.

On my MSC-cruises the white nights were in a bar (purple bar on Magnifica) or on deck (by the big screen on Seaview). Some people were already in white during dinner (early seating), though more got their party outfit on only later. Most people weren't wearing white at all.

We never do drink packages. What we drink doesn't ad up to the total costs. At the buffet there were more than plenty desserts choices, but never ice cream. Though you can always buy ice cream whenever you want from the ice cream shop. Prices were reasonable and the quality was excellent.

Enjoy your cruise! I'm more than a bit jealous.

Apart from the slides I haven't seen any age ristrictions, but be aware that there are no life guards. You hold full responsibility over your child. When packing, don't forget safe floating equipement.

I once booked an inside cabin and got assigned a mid ship balcony cabin. Talking about great value for money. And smart thinking by MSC, because ever since I feel I just need a balcony.

I loved that smell. I asked if they sold bottles of the body wash seperately, but unfortunately the answer was no.

19 hours ago, John Bull said:

Dinner is lots of small dishes, lots of pasta, and a long drawn-out meal. Great in the right company, not so great if you've got places to go, things to do.

I agree with most you say, but certainly not this one, since my experience was the opposite. In the main diningroom MSC has two or three seatings. Especially the first seating is a quick one (an hour or less). After 90 minutes you'll be ushured out so they can clean up for the next group.

You can register when onboard, but be prepared for some waiting time since drop off, pick up and resistration are all handled on a first come first serve basis from one counter.

2 hours ago, nyk24 said:

As tempting as the classic cakes sounds, I just wonder if I would be better bringing my own cake and candles on board?

I'm not sure if they'll let you bring your own cake (for consumption in the cabin maybe they will), but they will definitely not let light candles on any cake while on board. Too much fire hazard. They'll probably kick you off the ship for even trying.

Dress codes aren't communicated very extensively and aren't enforced at all at MSC. Even on a 'formal night' you'll see many jeans and even some shorts. And others tend to dress up every night, also fine. Personally I'd even wear (and I have) jeans to a Michelin-star restaurant. Combined with a nice top, this can be very shipshape in my opinion and very suitable for a formal night on a cruise ship.

We used MSC's own valet parking service in Genua. It was € 90,- for a week and the car was parked somewhere indoors (I presume so because the car was nice and cool when we returned, even though it was in the middle of summer).

20 hours ago, philsuarez said:

Are they doing anything to improve the pool size?

To me the pool is just one of many design mistakes on these ships, varying from minor to major. Examples of minor mistakes being the lack of a magnet in the shower doors or uncomfortable seating throughout the ship or the hidden cabin light switches. Examples of major mistakes being of course the pool, but also the lack of storage in the cabins, the way they set of the cabanas on the sun deck so from the second row you can't see the ocean but instead a screaming big white number on the row in front of you (how romantic / funny, because on the designs they were set up alternating) ), the ridiculous idea of a tattoo shop (what company wants to have the risk of souvenirs that'll be regretted the rest of one’s life?) or the old-daddy-wants-to-feel-young-again guitar hero suites.

I'm confused. An article on cruiseindustrynews says the Arvia will have P&O's first retractable SkyDome. But don't all P&O's ships have such a roof?

When I was on MSC the port of Ajaccio on Corsica got changed to Toulon on the French main land. Passengers were offered a free ferry service and a hotel stay to get to / from Toulon. MSC paid for this.

I wouldn't worry to much about the Palma stop though, that port is much larger and more important than Ajaccio. Therefore I don't think they'll change it for Barcelona. And, ofcourse, most MSC cruises already sail via Barcelona. Ofcourse, weather may permit otherwise, but that's a small change in the med.

Can't answer all your questions, but regarding the first: if you like the outdoors, then Seaside is better. Her class has a vast outdoor promenade nearly all around the ship, with plenty of seating and the possibility to eat out doors from the buffet. If you like to be indoors, then Grandiosa is better. Her class has a magnificent indoor promenade with a unique LED-ceiling.