Liz

On 6/26/2023 at 3:58 PM, steamboats said:

I just returned from the new MSC Euribia. And I've been on a couple of MSC cruises - Med, Arab, US - and the only cruise USD was accepted onboard and the casino was the US one. So just personal experience 😉.

 

steamboats 

Good for you. Everyone has different experiences in life.  And there’s an old saying: your results may vary.  

21 hours ago, JandC_Cruising said:

yes...I've been a member for some time.  Much more activity on that group than our roll call on CC...

Lots of good info on the fb group page. I’m not sure why NCL roll calls are not as popular as they used to be on CC.

12 hours ago, steamboats said:

 

MSC World Europa has Euro an onboard currency therefore also the casino is Euro.

 

Only the MSC ships departing from US port have USD as currency. All others do have Euro. There might be some cruises focused on UK where they do have GBP as onboard currency. But that´s only one ship.

 

steamboats

Sorry not sorry, but I was assured by several reps - including mid-level management - at MSC Corporate that USD are used in the casino.  And yes, I specified the ship and sailing date.  As a travel agent, I always check multiple times when working with a new-to-me cruiseline, especially when the information on their website is questionable.  It didn’t sound right so I questioned it. And I wasn’t the only American who received that misinformation. 🤷‍♀️

Thanks for your replies!!

Liz

5 hours ago, JandC_Cruising said:

We are on the same cruise!   Yes...Cash at tables and machines all require USD.   We plan on brining USD for the casino and on-ship tipping as desired.  Euro's and Pounds for the ports and post cruise stay in London.  See you in 35 days!

Awesome! Without promoting that “other” social media site… if you are on fake book, there is a private group to join.

Liz

4 hours ago, steamboats said:

Onboard currency is US Dollar - so why should there be Euro in the casino?

 

steamboats

Because one never knows and it doesn’t hurt to ask - that’s what this forum is about.  I brought USD on MSC World Europa after being told by multiple parties at MSC that the shipboard currency was USD - and the casino only accepted Euros.  I prefer to avoid that surprise again since I live in the US.

Greetings to all!  I’m cruising on Getaway from Lisbon to Southampton at the end of July. According to the NCL website, “all gaming is in US dollars”.  Can anyone confirm this to be true? It’s been a few years since I sailed NCL in Europe and want to plan accordingly.  Thanks!

Liz

I’ve been following your adventures, since I’m boarding WE on Friday.  As far as transfers in Genoa - did you check the website rome2rio dot com? I have found some good ideas there in the past. Crossing my fingers that you find a solution - safe travels home,

Liz

Can someone provide YC tipping “guidelines”, please?  My April cruise will be my 75th cruise overall, second time on MSC but first time in YC (or similar category). I usually tip my stateroom attendant and waiter in cash (above and beyond DSC) but am stumped when it comes to butler, concierge, etc.

Thanks in advance!
 

Liz

I will be cruising with you all.  Second time on MSC, first time in Yacht Club. Arriving BCN a day early, to explore one of my favorite cities in the world!

Liz

My first time on MSC, 73rd cruise overall, and this was the first ocean cruise without either item.  (No washcloths on two of my three river cruises.). There were five people in our group, total of three staterooms and it was the same situation for all of us.  There was a metal plate covering the opening where you’d typically find tissues in the bathroom, so that seems to be a permanent thing.  And we had different stateroom attendants so it wasn’t human error.  It’s a mystery…

Liz

If you are sailing on Divina, bring your own tissues (Kleenex) and washcloth.  Neither were in the staterooms for the 10/21-10/24 sailing.

Liz

I’ve scoured the MSC board here on CC and have looked online but can’t find definitive answers to my questions.. I’m hoping my fellow CC’ers can help.

I received (earne?) the infamous 30% off coupon while on my Divina cruise.  I found a 2023 cruise that looks great and want to book a Yacht Club stateroom.  Do I book the stateroom, pay the full price, and receive a reimbursement after I return from the cruise, or do I apply a coupon code to my online booking, or ???  I have seen several different procedures here on CC and am not sure where to turn. The Casino department is closed today (Sunday) and I know I can call tomorrow, but I found a great airfare and placed it on hold - and the hold expires at midnight tonight.  I called Customer Service, hoping someone could assist, but was told to call the Casino department tomorrow.  Are there any MSC cruisers who can walk me through the process, please?
Thanks in advance for your help!

Liz

Thank you, everyone!

Liz

We are sailing on Divina’s three-night itinerary in October, which overnights at Ocean Cay (no other ports of call). Our plan is to dress casually (only bring shorts, tops and bathing suits/cover-ups) and eat all of our meals in the buffet (avoid the MDR), .  Someone in our group read that gents must wear long pants after 6:00pm - true?  I don’t see that requirement on the MSC website and he doesn’t recall where he saw it.  
Thanks in advance for your help!

Liz

13 minutes ago, Canal archive said:

Liz just enjoy yourself have a wonderful time.

Thanks - I always do! This will be my 70th cruise, third on a river. Now that I am retiring my business, I suspect there will be many more cruises in my future.

Liz

Don’t shoot the messenger, folks - just trying to be helpful! The costs are per person.  And yes, other lines might include some of the tours, but Uniworld waived the solo supplement on more cruises than other lines on the Douro.  And since I’m traveling on a voucher from 2020, I really can’t complain.

Liz

Sharing some information I received yesterday from Uniworld:

If you are doing Uniworld’s three-day post-cruise extension in Lisbon, there are several Masterpiece Collection tours available that appear on the “schedule at a glance” document.  You purchase them onboard.  Prices are:

Bike tour  €39
Sintra and Cascais €55
Cooking class €149
Foodie tour €99.

I do not have descriptions of the tours.

Liz

I purchased a neck fan from Amazon - just in case the heat is beyond what I’m used to here in Southwest Florida!  Tested it poolside and I give it two thumbs up.

I usually budget $30/day (€ equivalent) on cruise days for incidentals.  Does that sound reasonable to the “Douro alumnae”? 😉. I know there shouldn’t be too many out of pocket expenses but I hate to use a credit card for purchases unless it’s truly necessary.  I haven’t researched Lisbon yet but am thinking $70/day since I’ll be responsible for most of my meals. Any leftover cash will be useful for my next trip, to Spain.

Five weeks to go!

Liz

35 minutes ago, CUTTERSAM said:

Do as the locals do walking tour. Lunch at Quinta. Vineyard hike and tasting. Castelo Rodrigo, Guimares city tour. I skipped Salamarca it was 4 hours on bus. These were good picks but bear in mind it will be 100 degrees when you go. I didn't hear any negatives. Tested upon arrival and day before departure. The arrival was free departure I think was 60.00. I could be wrong on that. I had no bill leaving the ship but I had a 100.00 credit. You can test everywhere

 

I booked a night at hotel for first night and went from there, you can board the ship early but rooms are no ready. Country club casual for dinner. I only took a carry on and a medium backpack.  There is a little self serve laundry on the ship, very handy.  I don't remember anything good on the dockside. Hang out on the Riberia side of the river than cab over to your ship.  How do you intend to wander with suitcase?  You could but Porto is like San Fran with the hills. You'll be 40 pounds lighter by days end.  Any other questions, fire away..ps no sundries for sale on board, so don't look for aspirin or pepto or any "emergency items". The shower is going to make you crazy, you'll understand when you get there. I look forward to your "review"!!

Thank you!  I’m using Uniworld for airport transfers, so I suspect they will store my bag until my room is available.  I usually do hand-laundry when I cruise, but it’s good to know about the laundry! I’ve started my packing list (including sunscreen, a bathrobe and full supply of sundries 😊) so will include a handheld fan with extra batteries.  I will check in with more questions, I’m sure!  Thanks again for your help!

Liz

On 6/1/2022 at 8:05 AM, CUTTERSAM said:

Of course, fire away 🙂

Apologies for the delay. Life seems very busy lately!

Shore excursions: it looks like there are three days that offer two different excursions.  What did you do in each port? Did you hear any negatives about the other tours they offered (the ones you didn’t take)? 
Did they test for Covid before disembarkation? I’m doing the three-day post-cruise extension in Lisbon so will probably bring a self-test in case they don’t provide one at the hotel.  Will also look for a pharmacy or test site nearby as a backup.

I’m sure it will be hot so I’m planning to bring shorts to wear during the day, with a large scarf to wrap like a skirt if we visit any churches.  Do you think that will be okay? I also plan to bring capris and two pairs of slacks with nice tops or sweater sets to wear at dinner. Acceptable? That’s what I did for my previous river cruises (Emerald and Viking) and it was fine, but you never know!  I’m trying to limit myself to a medium suitcase this time.

My flight arrives Porto at 8:25am Sunday morning. I understand we can’t board until mid-afternoon - did you find any don’t-miss sights in Porto while waiting to board? My plan is to wander and explore, especially after a long flight.  It looks like there are cafes fairly close to the dock, so will research them to find a lunch spot.

Thanks for your help!  I’m really looking forward to this experience!

Liz

8 hours ago, CUTTERSAM said:

Hi Liz, just back from Uniworld Douro. Good, very good and needs improvement .  I found a could of "kids" my age right away and spent dinners with them. Food and service was outstanding. Tours were so good and focused.  You felt like you really got something that would stay with you. Rooms are really tight on storage. The bathroom is a horror, the shower is like a phone booth but doors don't stay closed well and you flood.  no bathrobes!! Laundry has 48 hr turn around (useless) but they have a w/d you can use. I tested negative 3x, got out of Europe and tested pos just after getting back in the states...whew close one, but I have no symptoms.  Happy to answer any questions. BTW, Portugal's Douro river was a site to behold. I could not take my eyes off the vistas and vineyards. Spectacular scenery and you will be hot!!

Thanks for the update, sorry to hear about your test results though.  I’m going to make a list of questions for you and post them in the next day or so, if that’s okay. That way you can answer all at once.  Welcome home!

Liz

On 4/17/2022 at 11:03 AM, CUTTERSAM said:

I will. Mine is a rebook, price held when they cancelled. If I were paying for it today it's over 13k. I paid 4500 French balcony solo.

The current prices are crazy, aren’t they!  Are you doing the post-cruise package in Lisbon? I added it - I have wanted to visit Lisbon for a long time, so this will give me a taste of the city.  I’m hoping I have time for a day trip to Sintra and (maybe) Cascais.  Both are supposed to be spectacular but with only one free day, I might have to choose one or the other. 

Liz

On 11/8/2021 at 2:01 PM, CUTTERSAM said:

Lois I am on Uniworld 5/22

 

 

I am booked on Uniworld Douro for July. I know the weather will be “warm”, but the “no single supplement “ deal made it hard to pass up.  I hope you have a great time!  If you can, please post a review or your thoughts when you return!

Liz

Look at Travel Insured International.  They have excellent plans available which include medical coverage.  All trip protection is not created equal - be sure to read the entire policy, it will be worth your time if you need to file a claim.  Do not rely on your travel agent to do it for you!

Liz