Plan B

Yes, I saw your post earlier in the week, Bollinge. We (MSC) are still going to Haifa - originally we were also scheduled into Egypt but that was cancelled many months ago.

How on earth MSC can take the next few cruises to Israel after sending this "The cancellation of the call to Haifa was due to terrorist threats which caused us to decide against sailing there. We hope you can appreciate that this decision was made with our passengers safety in mind" to yourself? When you go in September the region might be much more stable than it is now.

This is the reason my DD is not dis-embarking.

Myself and OH are going to wait until the last minute to make a decision but it will definitely be a ship tour - we normally make our own arrangements but would feel more safe in Israel knowing that MSC would wait for all their tours to be back on board before sailing.

So, Travelstogo, yes that is our sailing but no we won't be joining yourselves overnight in Jerusalem. But, it is good to know that there will be other English speaking guests on board:)

Any other insights or advice would be much appreciated. Thanks

We are going on the same cruise next month :)

Do any of you still have the MSC tour leaflets for Haifa? We are trying to organise as much in advance as we can and I read on here somewhere :confused: (I've read that much that my brain is about to expode!!) that MSC have more tours available onboard ship than online.

If you did the MSC tour could you let me know which one? My OH's attitude is "might as well see it - not be here again" and I haven't worked up the courage yet to tell him how far away most places are :( and my DD is refusing to get off the ship totally! And I really cannot wait to see the Holy Land, I'm excited.com

Also, I read that there was a 2 hour wait for passports to be checked???? Anyone else?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Aurea booking with Allegrissimo package. Does anyone know if one can pay the difference and get the unlimited drink package when booking?

The Allegrissimo package is an unlimited drink package

We have been on 3 MSC cruises with our daughter (who is now 14) and have never noticed any bars that have an age restriction. We like to sample the atmosphere in all the venues - although, we have never ventured into the night club area.

MSC ships have a very European feel to them where children usually stay with the adults and participate in things as a family.

Not sure if this is the correct page but we are wanting to book a cruise from Florida to the Caribbean in early December 2015.

I was watching the Serenade of the Seas from Fort Lauderdale on 4th December but I wasn't in a position to book until today. But, in the past few days all the balcony cabins have gone and the inside and ocean view cabins have increased dramatically in cost!

There are plenty of other cruises still available so I'm wondering whether they will be reduced in price or will they go the same way as the Serenade? Should I wait for a last minute bargain or might I lose out??

Any help and or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Not sure if this is the correct page but we are wanting to book a cruise from Florida to the Caribbean in early December 2015.

I was watching the Serenade of the Seas from Fort Lauderdale on 4th December but I wasn't in a position to book until today. But, in the past few days all the balcony cabins have gone and the inside and ocean view cabins have increased dramatically in cost!

There are plenty of other cruises still available so I'm wondering whether they will be reduced in price or will they go the same way as the Serenade? Should I wait for a last minute bargain or might I lose out??

Any help and or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Trousers and a nice tucked in shirt will fine. Enjoy!

Yes, all the drinks marked with a red * are included. Cheers

We have out tours booked and plan on bringing a lightweight day pack for sweaters, water and purse stuff.

Not sure you will need sweaters in June in the Med, unless "sweaters" doesn't mean something to wear when it is cold? Might be a difference in USA/UK :)

Jeans? Blue denim? Frowned upon in the MDRs on our last cruises. Most people were smartly dressed although I didn't see anyone wearing a tux!

Loved this area on the Armonía! Booked the Aurea package on the Fantasía thinking the sauna and steam room would be the same :( I will lower my expectations! Is it still men and women together? Cheers

Thanks to all for your help.

Booking today :D

Skier52

I've tried the exact booking on the Spanish system and at a price of 2,476euro for 2 ad, 1 child and 1 teen. But, the split is 909euro per ad and 329euro per child/teen regardless of age - although you do have to input the age. The Spanish system always shows the cost of the cruise and the port taxes separately, for some reason!

I can't do the thing where you copy the screen shot into here:( I tried an attachment and that wasn't it??

Thanks for the input Skier52.

How does the MyTime Dining (or whatever it is called!) work? If it like in the MDR at breakfast and lunchtime - just turn up and be seated with other couples, who might be halfway through the meal? Or??? Thanks

MSC are quoting 26euro per adult and 13euro per child per day for our 11 day cruise in the Med Feb 2016. Well worth the money :)

Haha! Yes, the cabins - we had 2ft wide bunk beds and the floor area wasn't much bigger. The travel agent told us we would probably have single beds that might be pushed together but bunk beds :eek:

Nevertheless, the SS Norway kick-started my cruising bug :D

I'm working in Euro.

The Aurea will cost 3,163euro

Fantastica is 2,363euro plus 704euro for the Allegrissimo = 3067euro

So, for 96euro we both get the Spa access, a massage, My Time dining etc :)

Although, I do prefer the location of the Fantastica cabins :rolleyes:

I was just about to book the MSC Fantasía Aurea balcony cabin Med cruise - mainly for the Allegrissimo drinks package and Spa access.

This is what it says about the Aurea:

"FOOD & DRINKS BENEFITS

· Premium 20-hours-a-day buffet (gourmet menu for every moment of the day)

· Wide variety of special restaurants serving Mediterranean and international dishes

· Unlimited drinks included (Allegrissimo! Package)"

But, when you download the small print it says:

"› Unlimited mealtime drinks included (Cheers! Package)"

Does anyone have experience of the Aurea? Will we get the Allegrissimo or the Cheers? Thanks for any help

Skier52 you are always posting good info :) Thank you

I have checked the Spanish site and that says the exact same thing.

Have you tried to do a booking to see how much MSC might be charging? I have tried a few times but keep receiving a message to say 'Please try again later' !!

Might have to start cruising without the daughter :D:D

We've completed 3 MSC cruises and have always arrived early for embarkation regardless of what it says on the paperwork. Boarded at Dubai, Barcelona and Las Palmas by 11.30am on each occasion, hardly anyone else around - straight through :)

Thanks for your reply Skier52 but I've been outvoted! My OH and daughter don't fancy the long, boring flight :(

Now looking at the Fantasia from Rome :)

Thanks for the review. Loved the photos :)

We cruised on the MSC Splendida in cabin 12207 which is toward the back of the ship in one of the recessed sections. The balcony was slightly breezy.

We are now looking at the MSC Fantasia cabin 12045 which is the front section of the ship and not a recessed section.

Can we expect the balcony to be windy when at sea? Mainly because it isn't in a recessed section?

Any help would be appreciated. We like to spend a fair amount of time "watching the world go by" but have decided on the Aurea experience which doesn't have cabins in the recessed area.

Thanks

:(:(: I can only book through the Spanish site and it's 2,079euro for the Aurea balcony :(:(: Might have to re-think :rolleyes:

Wow!! Fantastic prices :D

Do you mind me who you use for the flights? I need to look at this :) Cheers

I seem to remember reading somewhere that MSC allows smoking on open decks on the port side in designated areas. Now I can't find it! Anyone out there know if this is true? Thinking of booking a deck 8 balcony which is just above the lifeboats and the open deck, but don't want to be bothered by second hand smoke.

Thanks everyone :)