Happy New Cruiser

Thanks for posting this kids club info. I find the kids club info difficult to find sometimes. Are these fairly current and are the “kids dailies” as well?

Thanks for your reply. This is my first time sailing MSC. I’m taking the negative reviews out there with a grain of salt but it does seem that the communication and attention to detail can be lacking. I’m sure everything with the pass will work out fine once we are onboard.

I pre booked a couples pass for the Thermal Suite on an upcoming Meraviglia cruise. I don’t know if anyone else found the fine print confusing, but I did. It says that the two people have to be assigned at booking but if I click on both people in the cabin it charges me twice. So I booked it in my wife’s name but it didn’t ask who the second person is. Does anyone know the details for its use? Will we both be able to go whenever we want or do I have to go with her because it’s in her name? Any guidance from someone with experience would be appreciated.

I didn’t wait at all after the actual check in. Quick rundown of the process: Arrived at 9:45ish and was in sight of the terminal. Waited 5 minutes in line to drop off bags Another 5-10 minutes to parking spot at outside lot. (Garage was only for handicapped sticker) 5 minutes to walk to the terminal (we were stopped just outside to check the kids vaccine status. They were both vaccinated and got a sticker to indicate that they didn’t need to test) Inside to security line (5 min wait in line). Made it through with 4 bottles of wine no questions asked. (2 staterooms but one that didn’t have someone over 18 in it.) No wait for registration. It probably took 2-3 minutes to check in. *Behind the registration desk there were many people sitting around waiting. Not sure if they were waiting for their boarding time. After registration we were immediately allowed to board.

I read these boards a lot leading up to my trip and thought I could offer some info I hope others will find helpful. The following is not necessarily a review but just some info for those interested. Refreshment Package: The cups we received with the beverage package were the clear plastic insulated type with the imbedded sticker. (I got the other non-insulted version with my Labadoosie) Straws: The straws on this sailing were seemingly plastic but biodegradable. I couldn’t tell the difference between these and traditional straws. Crowds: The ship was definitely crowded. I believe the captain said there were 6,183 guest. However, I was able to get dining and show reservations without much trouble and if I had to wait in line for things which happened often the wait was fairly minimal. The only thing I couldn’t do was free skate. Unexpected Dining Change: My wife and I both had the UDP because we wanted to have a couple nights in the specialty restaurants and we also wanted to go to many of the à la cart restaurants. We also wanted to have a regular routine with our two sons and the main dining room. Even though we had requested an early dining time and it showed up that way on the app before our cruise, when we got on board they switched us to my time dining. I had to go down to the restaurant and plead with the headwaiter to give us an assigned time. Just be aware that if you have the ultimate dining plan they may switch you to my time dining without notifying you. (One of the best things I did. The boys built a great relationship with the waitstaff and fell in love with the guests at our adjacent table who were celebrating their 58th anniversary. The one night we didn’t eat in the MDR our boys insisted on going there just to say hi to everyone) Adventure Ocean: They request only one parent go to register the kids but this information is on the paper they give you after registering so no one knows. Many kids were in line and bored. Let the kids tour while one adult signs up. Our kids were in Juniors for 3-5 and had a great time. Lots of arts and crafts and themed activities. The staff is very kind. They will give out a phone if you ask but it looks like most people don’t. We always asked for one but it was never used. Labadee: Watch out for jellyfish. We were at Nellies beach and many people were stung. The lifeguards carry some type of vinegar spray because so many people need it. Also, Labadee isn’t as big as I expected. We walked to Nellies beach In about 10 minutes. We took the tram back because the boys were tired later in the day. Elevators: I went on NCL Escape in 2019 and finding an elevator was always a problem. I was so impressed that with over 6000 guests the elevators always seemed to come immediately. Only problems were on the aft elevators at dinner. Lobster Night was day 8 on our 9 day sailing. Windjammer/solarium Bistro: I forgot to mention this when talking about crowds. The windjammer venue even with both sides open is unbearable. I stepped foot in here twice and neither time was a table available. We loved the Solarium Bistro. Lots of great options and it was a peaceful place to eat. Always got a table. Omelette Station: In the solarium bistro there was not a omelette station per se, but if you went to the hot food line and asked they would make an omelette for you and bring it to your table. Cape Liberty: We arrived at 9:45 because we had a 10 AM boarding time. There was a short wait to drop off our bags and get a spot. The process was pretty quick once we were inside except they didn’t know how to deal with our son who is under five but fully vaccinated. The week we arrived was the first week that any under five kid could be vaccinated. On disembarkation day we were in our car 20 minutes after leaving our state room. TIPPING!: just kidding…no comment I hope that some of you find this at least somewhat helpful. These are just some random thoughts and things that I thought would be helpful to others. If I think of anything else I’ll add him to the thread. Happy cruising!

Another question about the app… I’ve read that a lot of people go right to a specialty restaurant and make all their reservations for the week after boarding. Can this be done in the app once on board if I have the UDP?

Thank you for all of your responses. This was very helpful. In the app I switched back to my sailing which leaves Friday and it has finally been updated to show the activities schedule. Is this schedule accurate or will it be different once I board?

Thank you all for the clarification

I sail next week so I thought this week would give me a good idea of what to expect. I am glad to hear the schedule is more complete on board. I just assumed I was seeing the same thing that those on board were seeing. I actually am somewhat in support of having it all be digital just to conserve all the paper. I just don’t understand why they don’t take the suggestion of many on these boards and make a PDF version of the Cruise Compass. Then everything will be included in one place and it can still be digital.

I signed into the app and selected the current Oasis itinerary so I could see what activities to expect on my sailing next week. There is no mention of Aqua80 or Cats (not that I’m planning to go) in the app. I’m pretty sure they didn’t cancel them both for an entire sailing. There are so many other activities and shows listed but, how is one to know when the main shows are if they don’t appear in the app and they don’t give you a daily Cruise Compass?

Thank you for the replies. I just wanted to make sure he’s treated as vaccinated because I was planning on him doing a rapid test like the rest of the family. I wouldn’t want to be denied at the terminal because he didn’t do a PCR.

My son is 3 and will be fully vaccinated for our August cruise (2 shots plus 2 weeks). Right now there is no place on the app for us to enter his vaccine status. The rest of us all have that option and have already completed our info. Shouldn’t he be treated as vaccinated (because he is) even if he’s under 5?

Thank you! I always have my phone muted and it will always play any media I click on with sound. For some reason the Royal App is the exception. I’m glad I asked.

I was trying to watch the video in the app today and there is no sound. Anyone else having this problem? Do you have to wait to get to the pier for it to work?

I assume if the kids have the UDP they would be free in JR. my question is whether they would be free because of their age like they are in the other specialty restaurants. The other restaurants have a kids menu for under 6 that is free. For example, my wife and I can bring the kids to 150 CP. We are free because we have the UDP. The kids are free because they eat off a kids menu. I was wondering if under 6 is still free at JR or they would have to pay the cover. If they had the UDP I have to imagine they would be covered.