Cruzinforpeace***

8 hours ago, Illbcruzn4life said:

Was on Seashore from 4/14 to 4/28. Had the lobster tail and filet both weeks. Wasn’t charged extra.

We were on a February Cruise on Meraviglia and were charged for the extra entree on lobster night.

Just now, morpheusofthesea said:

A friend that played piano on board told us to always count the steps to the nearest escape stairway in the event of no lights in an emergency.

That is excellent advice.  I’m going to remember that for our next cruise.

Always take the muster drill seriously.  Your life could depend on it!

9 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

So,So. true.

Costa Concordia the crew were assigned to life rafts, only 2 life rafts were launched, so the crew took the passengers places on the life boats and 1000 passengers were left on the ship.

  Captain Michael Llyod  https://www.tiktok.com/@cruiseshipbook/video/7216419541537099014

 

Yes that was such a terrible event.  The captain on the Concordia was my Safety Officer when I worked on the Costa Atlantica in 2002.  I remember him being somewhat lackadaisical about safety procedures back then.  You really need to pay attention to where ALL the lifeboats/liferafts  are located because in an emergency it’s most likely an “every man/woman/child for themselves scenario”.

As much as the new way seems much easier, the old way is more realistic in an emergency.  Everyone will be going all at once if there truly was an emergency.  Hopefully it never happens🙏.  All these ships nowadays are so huge I’m sure it would be absolute pandemonium if there was an actual emergency, “abandon ship”.

51 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Having sailed on a couple of MSC Yacht Club cruises, we have found that many of our past favorite staff are gone or rotated to other MSC vessels. BUT NEVER FEAR ! It only means ones sphere of favorites is about to expand. Bring a note book. Have discovered that even the waiters with black ties are just as good as those with the coveted gold ties. Here is another random comparison of staff and crew that just came to my mind which we just experienced while on board Regent Seven Seas Grandeur. A lady waiting with us to exit the Grandeur ask a passing staff member what was the hold up getting off to catch a flight. His answer "It's not my department" and continued on his way. On MSC I stopped and asked a crew member painting the railings in overhauls where was something, he stopped, put down his paint brush and escorted me all the way to where I wanted to be.

We also experienced very helpful crew from many different levels.  I’ve never seen so many smiling cleaning staff on a ship before.  They seemed genuinely happy to be there.

On 4/11/2024 at 4:57 PM, Momto3girlsintheCarolinas said:

This post will stir up trouble, but I am curious about what people think.

 

My partner and I will take our first MSC cruise in about a month.  We've sailed other lines, but not MSC.  I want to keep an open mind and remember that being unhappy on a cruise should be tough.

 

I understand that MSC is cheap and that one should keep their expectations realistic, given the low-cost fare.  Rarely can one enjoy Kobe beef at a cheeseburger price.  However, it occurs to me that there should be some minimum standard that guests can expect.  Otherwise, it seems like gaslighting guests and justifying poor food and service.  

 

I think it is important to have reasonable expectations for the price one pays, but when I read reviews that talk about inedible food and rude crew, that seems to go beyond the pale.  

 

If MSC sells cruises even with awful food and service, what motivates them to improve?  There is none, I guess.  It seems unfair that people should be able to get reasonable service at a fair price.  Like, even the cheeseburger should be edible. 

 

What if a family can't afford other lines?  Shouldn't they get a quality experience, too?  Or should they not cruise at all or put up with this standard of food and service?

 

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, so please play nice.  I am interested in what others think.

We loved our recent MSC cruise and I think it’s an excellent value for the money.

Here’s my review from our February cruise:

On 4/12/2024 at 10:13 AM, sptrout said:

If you compare Celebrity's Retreat Class vs. MSC's Yacht Club (YC) then the differences are very minor. Some will say that the YC is as good or better than the Retreat. In most cruises the YC pricing is considerably less than a Retreat Cabin.

 

Outside the YC or Retreat, then there are considerable differences. Most will then compare MSC to Royal Caribbean, NCL, or Carnival.

 

Which class of cabins do you normally book on Celebrity? Your answer will drive comments from other people that respond.

I disagree.  We found our February MSC cruise (we were in Aurea level) to be superior to our Celebrity cruise in July.  We’ve also sailed suite class on Celebrity.  The food was much better on MSC.  Celebrity used to have good food.

19 minutes ago, NJsharon said:

 

 

Good to know about parking.  We're in Hunterdon county NJ, so not a super long drive. I may drive & park in the terminal or may get my husband to drop us off.  How was the parking cost at the terminal?

I am reading your review & making notes, it is great!
I am typing questions & notes as I am going through your review, so this is going to seem long!
Really appreciate the review though. Being first time with MSC, same itinerary, it helps a lot.  I will pay it forward & write a review when I return too!



So, I guess a silly question, but all the walls are metal then & the magnets stuck to them no problem?  Never thought about the magnetic hooks = genius!

Did your ship stop at Miami, and that is where you took the excursion?  Ours will stop at Port Canaveral, Nassau & private island.  Okay, nevermind, just read it was a substitute port... so once it was announced, you were able to book your excursion pretty easily?  Kind of hope we stop at Miami instead of Port Canaveral as there is more to do!

I have to laugh about the McDonalds.  I remember one year we went to Nassau & my daughter just wanted McDonalds.  lol  Kids.  lol  My daughter did do honors Spanish & is great, so kind of hope we stop there so she can test it out!

The loudness my 19yr old daughter (18yrs old now) will hate.  It is so funny but she loves fireworks, but won't watch them live as she hates the sound.  I guess ear plus for her! So really appreciate the heads up there!

The spa, is that only available with the package you chose or if we did the Bella could we pay to go in?

Main promenade light displays look beautiful!

So cool about the cell phone lights with the Virgin ship! lol  I really want to take a Virgin cruise one day, just expensive... one day!

The comment about the 17yr old son.  My daughter is 18yrs old & must be the age.  She tells me I am allowed 1 photo a day when we are going somewhere.  So nice of her to grace me with that.  Sheesh.  Shhhh sometimes I get away with saying the previous photo I took didn't take.  lol

Is there anything to stop other passengers from hanging in that lounge space on the Aurea deck?  Or just for passengers with that level.  I know my daughter likes to read, journal or sketch, so finding quiet places will be great.

I have never hid or found a cruising duck.  I know it was a thing a while ago when I was cruising.  Nice to know it is still going!  I may have to do that!  My daughter & I like to look for geocaches, that is fun too.  May try on land & see if that is overseas too.

 

Nassau, is it still crazy when you get off the ship with people bugging you for hair brading, taxi rides etc? I haven't been to the straw market for years & avoided it.  It was so crowded, did not like the people bugging you to buy at their stall, and worry about pickpockets.  Is it any better then?

Snow picture is funny.  We are in Flemington, so yep!

My daughters (have twin girls, but just taking one on the cruise, other one does not want to go!!!) have been going on cruises since they were tiny too! I am so happy they've had those experiences & at least Emily (who will come with me) knows how lucky she is to have experienced all that!  The sleeping photo is funny, I have a few of my girls like that.  It is kind of nice to see that & that they are just a kid.  lol

My daughter & I absolutely love arts & crafts. Sad to see the paper mosaic though, as that looks so very basic for us.  I do scrapbooking, cardmaking, diamond dots.  Daughter does painting, sketching, paper crafting. Did they have any other craft sessions you remember?

 

Their mascot is a little lame, I have to say.  lol
Hash browns is a huge favorite of my daughter (dunkin has browns are her favorite) so she will enjoy those.  lol
Did they have a crepe station by chance?
My daughter also loves watermelon, so she is going to be happy!

Did they have bingo, quiz nights, anything else like that?

Thank you so much!!!!!

 

 

 

You can thank JamieLogical 😀 for the magnet ideas and yes most of the walls and doors are magnetic.

I ordered some fancy earplugs for our upcoming July cruise and they are soooo comfortable and cute:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0CNGFS1T8?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title
 

The Miami excursion was super easy to book. They gave us the alternative options right away and we booked it on the app if I remember correctly.  Very reasonable pricing too.

The spa is included in the Aurea experience and extra for any levels below Aurea.  We loved the Aurea level experience; totally worth the upgrade.  We loved the priority embarkation; basically walk right on (other than the bowling ball debacle we had).  We loved being able to go eat in the dining room anytime we wanted to between 6-9pm (or around that time; I cant remember the exact time frame).  The special outside Aurea deck is only for Aurea.  If you need quiet you may want to think about an upgrade.  The spa is very quiet and the outside Aurea deck as well.  Your daughter will not be able to access the spa until she’s 18.  Something to consider.

We didn’t feel any hassling in Nassau.  I like the bargaining in the Straw Market but it’s not for everyone.  We just use common sense in any tourist town.  Be aware of your surroundings and don’t have your purse or wallet hanging out in view for all the see.

They also had a Dream Catcher craft and origami.  I think there was another one besides those two and the coloring.  It’s all free.  It was fun to get to meet other cruisers.

They have a crepe cafe in the main promenade area but is for a fee.  I didn’t find the “snacky” type places to be too expensive.  I can’t remember the prices but I don’t recall anything looking exorbitant.

I remember seeing Bingo and Quiz competitions as well.

19 hours ago, Crown Vic said:

If possible, think about getting to the terminal in Red Hook by ferry. Driving and parking, near by, can be challenging. Enjoy!

We had no issues with parking this past February; plenty of parking at least for our cruise.  It also wasn’t a long drive into the port.  We arrived around 10am with minimal traffic.

Here’s my review if you want other MSC Meraviglia info:

It was also our first MSC cruise.  We loved it.

49 minutes ago, P27159 said:

Thanks for this.  Think you just gave us the best strategy, which is to not register the kids and have them just show up at the first event, and then see what happens.  Our experience with the team club on previous cruises is that our kids meet people at the first event, and then end up hanging out with those friends they made for the rest of the cruise, and don’t even go to any specific team club organized event..

Exactly.  That’s pretty much what my son did.  Some days he did the activities but usually he would see the kids he met at the club the first day up at the buffet and then they would hang out during the day.  We hardly saw him on this last cruise. He didn’t care much for MSC compared to the other cruise lines he’s been on but he did seem to enjoy seeing the other teens and “chilling” as they say nowadays. I think it’s his age now.  It’s an in between age where he’s not into the kids club games but not mature enough to enjoy the adult activities. I also think it was the time we cruised too.  February and not during a school break; not as many teens on board. This summer will feel different I’m sure.

My son is 17 and we cruised the Meraviglia in February.  He was not required to register for the teen program neither was he ever asked his age.  He said there were 19 year olds up there.  Probably not very safe for the younger teens in that age group but they were supervised for all the activities and in the teen area during the club hours.  We’re going again in July, God willing, and he’ll probably try to hang out again in the teen area as he will be 18 and a bit too young to enjoy the adult crowd and activities.  

I believe for your son’s age you register him on the first day of the cruise.  Not sure if he can check himself in and out.

Reservations for the shows are made at these screens throughout the ship.  They’re literally everywhere and very easy to use.  We never had any issues getting our first choice.

I always look at the suggested gratuities as part of the cruise fare.  We also tip extra at the end of the cruise for excellent service.  It’s much different now than in the old days of passing out envelopes on the last night.  I kind of prefer this way; less pressure all the way around.  We still find the service to be great.

20 hours ago, Notch8 said:

When I was on the MSC Meraviglia in July, there was a permanent station for (free) soft serve at the main pool.  It was only open for a few hours in the afternoon.

It was not self-serve; they had cups and cones.  (Most of the time, anyway.  Sometimes they ran out of one or the other.)

On our trip, they only had two flavors available at a time.  I recall only vanilla and chocolate, but I didn't go every day.

They also had some sprinkles that you could add.  I'm not into sprinkles on my ice cream; I don't think it adds anything flavor-wise.  (If they had had chopped peanuts, on the other hand, I'd be all in on that.)

Whatever formula they used for the soft-serve was fantastic, in my opinion!  I've recently sailed on Carnival and their soft-serve is terrible.  MSC's was worlds better than Carnival's.  (My opinion only.)

 

AGAIN - this was FREE.  As was mentioned already, there are options to pay for frozen desserts elsewhere on the ship.

 

-Jim

I concur!  The free soft serve was delicious😋

5 minutes ago, mscdivina2016 said:

When and what ship? Where they ridiculous looking, too short or ripped? Had to be real bad for them to say anything.

Last month on Seashore they were even letting shorte into the YC restaurant and not saying a word.

February 4th Meraviglia cruise out of Brooklyn in the Panorama MDR.  I didn’t think they looked unkept but they politely asked them to go change and return in proper attire.  The passenger didn’t seem offended.  The staff was very respectful and matter of fact about it.

2 minutes ago, mscdivina2016 said:

On any other cruise line yes. MSC no!

 I don't know how often you cruise with  them or what category you book , as well as length of sailing and which countries,but the issues I have been subject to are terrible and a TA is my safety net . It's costs nothing to have a TA.

 Every cruise it seems has an issue. I have a cruise this weekend coming and they moved my YCGS even though I originally booked it on another sailing and gave it to a TA. I got my room back.

  I have have ships changed, embarkation ports changed, disembarkation ports changed. Rooms taken away, days added to a cruise. OBC missing, on and on. This happens not just here in the US, but on sailings around the world .

 

 

Oh my.  That sounds terrible.  Thankfully we didn’t have any issues on our first sailing with them.  Again, I just told myself to expect chaos and we were pleasantly surprised.  Perhaps it was the category we booked?  We had Aurea balcony level. We got to choose our cabin and it was indeed the same cabin we chose when we booked over the phone.  Not really too many surprises for us, other than the disembarkation debacle.

On 2/19/2024 at 1:37 PM, JamieLogical said:

 

If you have the Bella or Fantastica experience, you will be assigned a dining room, time, and table.  You will need to show up within 15 minutes of your assigned time. Shorts and open toes shoes for men are supposed to be a no no, but you are unlikely to be turned away unless it is an Elegant Night. Tank tops on men you definitely have a higher chance of getting turned away on any night.

We did actually see someone denied entry into the MDR on elegant night because they had shorts and a non collared shirt.  I was surprised but also glad that they are attempting to keep the “cruise etiquette” dress code going.

On 2/9/2024 at 7:45 AM, mscdivina2016 said:

That is excellent advise. Do not book MSC without a travel agent.

We booked on our own without a TA.  No issues other than at disembarkation over a billing issue but that would also have happened with a TA.  If you’ve cruised before and have booked on your own before you should be able to handle a direct booking.  Just book with an open mind and try to go with the flow.  They run things differently at MSC sometimes.

8 minutes ago, jdevine said:

Great review. We are leaving on MSC in April. It was great to read more about the cruise line since this will be our first MSC cruise. 

I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised. Have a great cruise!🛳️😀🌴

I 

LOVE

SLOTHS!

totally living through the 2 of you right now.❤️

Happy Anniversary!🍾🥂💐🎂

7 hours ago, JamieLogical said:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You’re making me want to take this cruise!  

12 minutes ago, nferr said:

 Always check your balance the night before and clear up any discrepancies. Hopefully that would avoid that type of situation. But things do happen.

Yup.  But we still checked it and had an issue.  Just expect it to happen and you’ll be pleasantly surprised if it doesn’t 😀