Bibble

you never get tired??? luch and dinner ARE free on MSC you pay 3.5 after 11pm for delivery. On what line you get free specialty coffe? an I hope you know about Princess and HAL special adult decks for charge.

 

So you're saying that room service is free (just like Carnival) up until 11pm (then extra charge for delivery)?

 

Thank you!

Our family of 4, mom, dad and twin boys 10, had a great time on the Divina.

My mom and her friend also joined us. I will give you a quick review of the experience. The ship was BEAUTIFUL. My mom has stated to many people that this is the most beautiful ship she has been on (she's been on about 4). Check in went very smoothly and we were on board and have lunch at 12:30. We then went to tour the ship. CLEAN! This ship was so clean.

We did not have our bags before dinner so my husband had to wear shorts.

The dining room was great. Gusti was our waiter. Every night he would cut my sons' steak. He loved that. My husbands complaint was it was challenging to get a cocktail during dinner. The drink coupons were very easy to use.

 

The first night I went to the excursion desk to double check that my reservation for the dolphin swim in Grand Cayman was scheduled. I did this online before we left and called to confirm it. It was not, so we needed to sign up again. We had to rooms going. The night before they give you the meeting place and time, well they did not put my room together with my moms. Long story short, we did finally get together- my complaint was how it all was handled. We tend to vacation a lot in Disney and I feel that they have superior customer service. MSC could learn from them. This error was MSC's mistake, yet not one person apologized to me. The excursion was awesome until the end when we had to take a hot taxi back to the ship and their was not enough room for all of us. My 10 year old did not even have a seat. I know this was not MSC's fault, but it is good to let them know. I did bring this politely yo the excursion desk and still was not thrilled with the way managed my complaint.

 

The shows onboard were amazing, I think we saw 4 or 5 of them. The food I thought was comparable to any other ship I was on. I wished that had a few more kids activities. All and all we had a wonderful time and would sail on MSC again.

 

Thank you for this. Just booked Divina for a short sailing in May.

 

Did your sons find enough to keep them interested? (my 11 year old daughter is very comfortable on Carnival, and I'm hoping it will be the same on the Divina).

Here is a list I compiled for my group about extra charges onboard the Divina:

 

Gratuity:

 

The onboard currency is in U.S. dollars. A $12 per adult, per day, gratuity is automatically to your shipboard account; and $6 per person, per day, for those ages 3 to 17. Gratuity is not applied for children younger than 3.

 

A 15% service gratuity is automatically added to each drink or food purchased onboard.

 

Wi-Fi

 

$29.90 for 60 minutes

 

$44.90 for 100 minutes

 

$99.90 for 300 minutes

 

$149.90 for 480 minutes

 

$299.90 for 1,440 minutes

 

Internet Cafe

$6 for 10 minutes

 

$0.60 each additional minute

 

The Top 18 Solarium (Deck 18)

 

Adults-only sunning spot that features two hot tubs and a bar. Furniture includes standard loungers and covered rattan sun beds.

 

$5 to $30 depending on which piece of furniture is being used and the duration.

 

Candlepin Bowling Alley (Deck 7)

 

$7 per person per game (Only accepts coins)

 

Formula 1 Simulator (Deck 16)

 

$9 per person

 

4D Cinema (Deck 16)

 

$7 per person

 

Aqua Cycle

 

$12 per person/per class

 

Eataly Steakhouse

 

Eataly features a la carte pricing, with pastas starting at $8.50 and entrees ranging from $15 for lamb or salmon to $25 for an 8.5-ounce tenderloin. Veggie sides are $3. Attached to the steakhouse is Ristorante Italia, which serves a different prix fixe menu each night for $34 per person. There, menu options represent the various regions of Italy; they include Tuscan selections like Citrus-infused seafood passatelli or lasagna and Sicilian favorites like spiced braised veal cheeks and stuffed sardines. Both are open only for dinner from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.

 

Galaxy Nightclub

 

Serves a daily luxury brunch for $28, which includes breakfast items such as omelets and waffles and options like oysters and foie gras, as well as one glass of Prosecco per person. From 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., dinner is served there, with several different Mediterranean fusion menus. Passengers can choose a la carte options (with appetizers starting at $7.50, pasta and rice starting at $7.50, main courses starting at $12 and desserts for $5) or choose from one of three price fixe options. The Saturno menu offers courses for $24 per person; the Venere menu is five courses for $35; and the Galaxy menu is seven courses and includes a glass of wine with each dish for $59 per person.

 

La Cantina di Bacco (open 6 p.m. to midnight)

 

A small but charming spot on Deck 7. There, wine- and beer-lovers can chat over a glass of wine and a tapas plate (olives and bruschetta, for example), included when you purchase drinks. This is also the best place on the ship for pizza. It's delicious, with flakey, thin crust, and the ingredients taste fresh. The spicy pizza, with its hot Ventricina salami, was a favorite, as was the vegetarian. Pizza pricing starts at $8.50 per pie, and one pizza serves two comfortably.

 

Sports Bar (Deck 7)

 

It's clear Divina is aimed at American passengers. (The menu even reads "American Food Experience.") Dining options are strictly of the bar/finger food variety and include Buffalo wings, chicken tenders, burgers and wraps. Prices are a la carte. For $7, the burger is the best onboard -- juicy and melty.

 

Room Service

 

A small room service menu is available all day, but a small service charge

($3.50) applies to orders placed after 11 p.m. Pizza delivery service is also available for an extra charge starts at $8.50 per pie.

 

Nutella Crepes (By the pool)

 

Starts at $4 per crepe and price increases depending on fillings chosen.

 

Gelato

 

Starts at $2.50 for a cup and increases from there.

 

Pastries

 

Start at $1.50 and increase from there.

 

Specialty Coffees

 

Start at $2.25 and increase from there.

 

Thanks! This s exactly what I was looking for. It must have taken a lot of research to compile. I hope others find this as useful as I did.

 

But I will say, This is a extensive list. But when you start to look at it, there is a lot that I wouldn't take part in.

 

I just booked Divina today, and then found this list. This is fantastic information for the newbie!!!

Thank you!

I have tried to find these answers, truly I have :)

 

Having cruised Carnival many times, RCCL a few, and NCL a couple, I know that they are very similar. So now that I'm going to try MSC, I'd like to check if they're similar too.

 

Typically I'm the person who shows up to port at 10:00am, checks in, and waits until about 11:15 embarkation, for a 4pm sailing.

My cruise shows a 7pm sailing - do they typically start embarkation around 11:00/11:30?

 

Can we bring our own water and soda aboard?

 

Can we bring a bottle of wine?

 

Thank you for any help you can give this MSC Newbie!

True, it doesn't mean strictly an Inside gty. If at time of cabin assignment inside cabins are available, they will be given. If they are sold out, then yes, an upgraded cabins are assigned where available. I too have known numerous folks to get upgraded to a balcony. However, I also have seen inside cabins assigned. It's a cheap way to gamble on a balcony! :)

 

 

Bret

 

Thank you all so much for your help!

I was able to convince my family to book the cruise :)

 

When I got through on the phone today, I was indeed told that I'm booking a guarantee, and that we will be assigned cabins at a later date, and that we do have a chance to get a higher category upon assignment.

 

Today the Oceanview cabin was the same price as interior, so even though we were willing to take interior, we just boosted our gamble up a level! Would LOVE balcony, but would be perfectly happy with a window.

First time on MSC, only doing a 2-nighter to try it out.

 

Thanks again for everyone's input.

[quote name='Rudyard']I believe they actually have to make it to dry land[/quote]

Yes, that's true.
A few years back, a group landed on a piling to a bridge in the Keys. Unfortunately, it was an old bridge that had chunks taken out of it - the section they clung to did not "attach" to land anymore, so they were sent home. It was quite a big deal, because technically the bridge is under US control, yet it didn't touch land. It was very sad.

Before I moved to South Florida, I really had no idea what these people go through to get to the U.S. I have now heard first-hand accounts, and it's very humbling to hear these stories.

What I also learned is that even if Haitian refugees do make it to dry land, they are not allowed to stay, because they are "only fleeing poverty, not tyranny".

ETA: it seems that a sick child and parents were actually allowed to stay
[url]http://www.nola.com/business/index.ssf/2014/03/after_carnival_ecstasy_rescue.html[/url]

I have a I1 gty which shows up as G00000 and an I1 assigned cabin that shows up as 5014.

So its just the lowest interior cabin on the ship.

 

riclop is correct that it can be either a cabin assignment or gty. If you are only seeing gty's when trying to book, that means all cabins in I1 are sold out.

 

Bret

 

Yes, it shows as G0000.

Thank you all!

He is asking for I1 interior 1 not 11.

 

That's correct - basically the lowest level interior cabin.

Which does make me believe that my assumption is correct and it's a guarantee, but my computer has been quirky all day too with the internet, so I don't want to base my planning on just my "assumption".

 

Thank you :)

Please forgive me if this is here somewhere. I tried searching but cannot get any threads narrowed down.

 

Can anyone tell me if category I1 is a "guaranteed" type of category? When I try booking the Divina with the I1 category, it doesn't give me an option to choose a cabin.

I am familiar with a "guaranteed" type, like on Carnival, but it spells it out that's what it is. I can't find anywhere on the website for MSC where it says it. I tried calling but was on hold forever, and I even tried the online chat, but it timed out and said they were too busy with online chats and I could get a call back in 24-48 hours.

 

So I turn to you kind folks. I'm hoping that those of you whom have sailed on MSC before can help.

Can someone please confirm this for me?

(It's for the May 17 Divina sailing, if that makes any difference)

 

Thank you for any guidance!

No where in the article do they state the recue should not have occurred. It's quoted they were happy to be part of they experience and was glad to help someone out.

 

Can't we focus on the fact they did not understand the contract instead of throwing stones.

 

Unfortunately, the article made it sound like they were fine with the rescue until it impacted them:

 

“The atmosphere on board, everyone was happy. They were clapping. They were excited that we were going to be a part of possibly something great,” Bailey said.

What Kevin Bailey and the rest of the people on board didn’t know was the Mexican destination they had planned and paid for would now have to be changed because of the rescue.

 

Living in Florida, I have heard personal accounts of getting to the US from Cuba. I've also had the privilege of seeing a "boat" that made it to the Florida Keys with about 16 people on it. The boat itself was in such horrible shape that it made me gasp that people made it. Then I looked in, and there was a toddler's hat and some coloring books on the small wooden deck. To see what people will do for a better life, well, I'll say it's quite humbling.

 

I agree that the passengers have every right to be disappointed to end up in Nassau instead of Cozumel. I just don't agree at ALL that they should have aired this disappointment in the media, focusing on what "they" lost out on. Those refugees had to go back to Cuba because they didn't manage to touch dry US soil.

Last year on the Paradise, I managed to win a Ship on a Stick at the piano bar (for being the loudest, uh, "singer". Yeah, we'll call it "singing".).

The next night, early, my daughter came in with us, as did my parents. DH, DD and I were at the piano, mom & dad were sitting along the wall.

DD (11 years old) said that she really wanted to win one too. The piano stools were full, and there were three separate groups scattered in the bar. So, when it came time to sing "Don't Stop Believing", I told her she had to be as LOUD as she could.

During the first round of voting, she got 1/3 of the votes, and two other people did too. Then we went into a "vote-off". One of the other "finalists" changed her own vote to my daughter, so then the other finalist did too, and so did the rest of the bar. You would think she won a real piece of gold!! She was thrilled!!!!

 

I am sure right after we left, the piano player pulled out another one and did a more grown-up version, but honestly, I don't think any of the other people even cared that an 11 year old won, the smile on her face seemed to make everyone smile :)

I have been on quite a few 3 day cruises on the Sensation because I live close to the cruise port...if I had to spend $ to fly or drive to the port, don't know if I would do it. Or, if I had to take 5 days off from work to allow for travel days, don't know if I would do it.

 

The Sensation has provided many days of total relaxation for me at very little cost. The ship itself is always clean, staff is personable, food is good, show lounge entertainment was oftentimes better than on the larger, newer, class of Carnival ships. You get the same cruise experience that a longer cruise provides only it is compressed into 3-4 days.

 

I'll "second" all of the above!

I also believe they will be fine. It really is no different than a married woman showing the paper trail from birth certificate to "now" name.

Part of the reason was to go on the Sunshine, however the time and money involved, it makes sense to wait and go on a longer cruise...If it had been 3 days I probably would do that...Thanks for the responses:)

 

I understand that - we are doing 2 nights on RCCL Oasis in August. Crazy $$$ (whereas the other 2 nighters I've done have been around $199/person), but our point to do it is that we most likely won't ever book a full week on the Oasis. (and again, it's only 1 hour for us. Even for the Oasis, I'm not sure I'd drive more than that).

Carnival Sunshine will do a 2 day Cruise out of Port Canaveral in April, leaving on Thursday and returning Saturday am...Debating if its worth a 4.5 hour drive one way for such a short cruise, plus we will just be getting settled in...Any comments will be helpful...

 

I've done a few two-nighters to Nassau. They are a lot of fun, but I say that as living only an hour away from Port of Miami. If given the opportunity to do a 2-nighter, say from Port Canaveral (3 hours for me), I don't know that I'd do it. If you do, just expect that it will be a total whirlwind of a weekend.

Can you add a day in Orlando to make it more worth the trip?

How about both? ;)

I'm traveling in May to try the Bahamas do I need a passport or can i use my birth certificate?

 

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As long as you're cruising, and not flying. I do assume, since you asked here, that you're cruising, but I'm just covering all bases...

Here's one that I found:

http://www.destination.ky/government-directory/1141-george-town-hospital-dialysis-unit/view-details

They even specify that they serve cruise passengers.

...and once your on the ship, everything is alright.

 

Absolutely!!

We do have three kids ages 3, 11 and 15 so some of those activities will not be doable.

 

THANKS!!!

 

Whether the kids are in the same cabin as you (i mean the older ones) or next door, bring an over the door shoe holder to hold all sorts of stuff to keep things off the vanity and such. Less time trying to keep the cabin neat. (you don't need to "plan" what to put in there, just hang it, and you'll see. But some suggestions are: hairspray, brushes, my daughter's ipod, sunscreens, etc.)

 

and plan to have some relaxing time!

I would also include her health insurance info on the form where you talk about medical decisions, and send her insurance card with her too.

thanks, Phlybice.

we have 2 options for our rooms....midship Main level and mid-front on Empress.

I've been told that midship or back is better than forward - more motion for us first timers.

 

On Imagination (and other Fantasy class ships) I tend to gravitate to midship empress. It just seems the most convenient.

$50 for a change.

 

That would be, if he weren't Early Saver.

 

I understand what you're saying, but I haven't once seen where someone has tried to change it online.....I'd love to hear from someone who unsuccessfully tried, just to know that I shouldn't even try. To me, it looks legit. I haven't once talked to carnival reps, I've done it all online. Thanks. I might take my chances.

 

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I do hope for you that it works out.

Please let us know if it does. I'd love to use that feature in the future if it does work, but definitely wouldn't be the guinea pig.

I went online to "my guests" and just to try changed my guest....it worked, and now my friend's name shows up where my husbands was. Should I be worried about that?

 

 

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I would definitely call, as the policy for early saver is no name changes. As "dramaqueenjan" had done, it's more of a "cancel one person and add another".

 

Are you sure you're Early Saver?

 

If it was anything other than a cruise, I'd say "just go with it" and see what happens, but I definitely wouldn't take that chance arriving at port.

I know this topic is here somewhere, but I'm not able to search. My husband has now decided that he just can't face his fear of flying, so I really need to switch my companion. Can anyone with experience doing this tell me what the penalty is? Thanks!

 

 

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He will lose all but $50 of his deposit. The remainder of his deposit will be held as "carnival credit". The new person "should" pay whatever rate you have already secured in that cabin. (this is all based on changing before final payment date)