jason3695

Hi Kim,

 

Our family just got off the Splendida 3 days ago so I think I can answer some questions.

 

1. Menus are in several languages, including English. Also, all MSC employees speak English so getting questions answered will be easy. MSC knows what language you speak so your daily planner that you receive in your cabin in the evening from the cabin attendant will also be the English version.

 

2. There is plenty to pick from at the buffet for breakfast and lunch. At breakfast they have the usual staples of scrambled eggs and fried eggs, toast, pancakes and french toast. However, be aware, MSC dos NOT have maple syrup for pancakes or the french toast. They have flavored syrups (blueberry, raspberry and chocolate) but no maple syrup. If you son needs the syrup then pack some of you own. Also, no half and half or cream for your coffee. At lunch they have hamburgers, pizza, hot dogs and fries. There is also a child's menu at dinner.

 

3. On our cruise the indoor pool was packed with kids. The outdoor pool was empty.

 

4. Regarding packages make sure you order them before you leave. Especially the photo package. It is a terrific deal. I had 3 soda ticket packages for my sons, a cocktail package of 12 mixed drinks and a 6 bottle of wine package for dinner. It is definitely best to get the packages before you go. They are more expensive once you buy them on the ship. The tickets are good for anyone as they are generic tickets. Because your son is a minor you can get him a child's package different from what you and your husband get.

 

5. The storage in the cabins is tight. Not as much as other cruise lines. The best advise I can give is to pack smart. There is a tendency to over pack so keep in mind that space is limited.

 

Enjoy your cruise. We had a terrific time on MSC.

 

Paul

Thanks so much for this. Very informative!

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They also will if everyone is onboard in a port.

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I forgot to put this in my reviews, but while I still remember:

 

Another "con" we had on our cruise was that the ship time changed twice. Makes sense, but my issue was this:

 

DO NOT RELY on the time/wakeup phone call of their phone system. I work in IT, so I have to see *any* PBX or VOIP system that doesn't automatically adjust it's time accordingly. But MSC doesn't do that.

 

So when you see in your flyer thingy that ship time is "ahead" or "behind" one hour that night, do not do what we did which is:

 

Let's make a wakeup call so it'll wake us up at the correct time. Nope. We showed up at the MDR thinking it was 8:30 and it was 9:30. No breakfast for us. I informed them that the ship phones still showed the wrong time. Sure enough, even that afternoon, ship phone STILL has wrong time. granted, we did not starve (there was still the buffet) but it was yet another hassle on a highly disorganized and hassle-filled cruise.

 

BUT:

 

Apparently you have to magically know this (we found this out from our tablemates) that you have to pick up the phone and dial "any" number and THEN it'll update to the proper time.

 

Idiotic, IMO, but it is what it is.

 

So for any "newbies" out there to MSC (don't honestly know if other cruise lines have this same "feature" or not):

 

a) don't depend on the phone wakeup call to have the correct time

b) "use" the phone to get it to update properly.

Thanks for telling the world this. I'm cruising msc next week on a port intensive itinerary so good to know!

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The Celebrity Reflection Eastern Med cruise is superb...one of the best vacations of my life. NOT TO BE MISSED! While I've cruised NCL a lot and I love them, the Reflection Eastern Med itinerary and ship experience can't be beaten. You should do it for sure.

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I've done both ways. I always have a bit of apprehension using public transport in foreign countries and the only place it hasn't worked out for me perfectly was in China.

While the private transfer was great as it didn't require a walk to the ship, I would take the train next time as I'd rather save the money. It was no issue at all. The only reason I took the private transfer last time is my 1 year old son was with us.

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We are joining Domenico Aronica for a walking & street food tour of Palermo on 9th January 2017.

 

We have to meet him at the Massimo Theatre-Opera House at 9.15 and our ship, the Norwegian Spirit, docks at 8.00.

 

Can anyone advise the best way to get from the ship to the Opera House?

 

Does the ship put on a bus? or how much would a taxi cost for three people?

 

Any advice would be very welcome.

 

Thanks

How did this work out for you? I'll be in Palermo the week after next and I have no idea what to do.

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Hi all

 

 

 

I've just booked a cruise on Fantasia and there will be several consecutive sea days.

 

 

 

Just wondering what you would all suggest as activities for a couple (I'm 30 and partner 47)

 

 

 

Tim

This is the best time of cruising....drink eat party gamble watch shows watch movies swim sleep...repeat.

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That's what I did Sandi. After reading about it from you. [emoji4]

See you a week from tomorrow Chinita when I join you onboard in Barcelona!

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We are a party of 5 (3 young children)

We have the early dinner seating. Any idea if we will have our own table or do they sit you at tables larger than 5?

 

 

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I've been curious about this too. We are only a party of 3 but I'm concerned my son will make others dinner unpleasant as well.

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Shipboard credit or discount?

I called and asked why I didn't get my 5% discount. They added it to my booking as shipboard credit and sent me new e-tickets with it included.

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Just called and for the 5% in shipboard credit. Everyone needs to make the phone call!

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I've been on 4 NCL Cruises and doing my first MSC in 2 weeks. Will let you know my thoughts!

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I recently booked and while it showed the passenger type as Voyagers Club 5% on my booking documents, it did not actually apply it.

 

 

 

A simple call to their customer service line fixed it though.

Thanks for flagging this. I just realized mine has done the same. I'm going to call now!!

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Does the Splendida have laundry rooms for ironing? Or only their service will iron?

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From what I've heard. Messenger at sea works better iPhone than it does on android.. My partner has an android. And ended up having to use the messenger service on the browser. But it still works for us

 

 

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I get on the Regal Thursday. I'll come back here and report how it goes.

The app only provided the login window which is the same as the web version. If for some reason it's been removed from the App Store you simply need to use your web browser to log in.

So you don't even need it? Just browser is fine?

Several of the Baltic HOHO buses actually handed out free ponchos. Flimsy, but did work.

Really? I was going to go buy ponchos today but I already have tickets for the Copenhagen City Sightseeing HOHO. Wonder if I can snag them for free there?

Thanks for the tip!

In-room babysitting was something my wife and I took full advantage of when we travelled with our one year old on Celebrity. We are sailing the Regal this week and I wish they had this too!

Thanks everybody....time to go poncho hunting.

Hi all,

I have done multiple advanced searches on the forums and have not found the answer to my question.

Next week I will be sailing the Regal in the Baltic. I am sure it will rain a bit. Does Princess have umbrellas in the room or should I bring a few with me?

Thanks!

With many many happy sunny beaches, overflowing buffets and magnificent glaciers, life is taking me in a different direction-cruising Europe. I have cruised the Caribbean and Alaska many time and consider myself a seasoned cruiser...but...would some kind soul give me their "elevator" conversation about Europe, specifically Normandy tours and Spanish ports of call! Do's and don'ts would be greatly appreciated! Insightful insider info very important. :)

Europe cruising is where it's at. My favorite place to cruise by far. My wife loves it so much, she doesn't like the Caribean anymore.

Thanks for taking the time to write this. I'm looking forward to regal and my first princess cruise.

When I click your photo guide on how to use the busses, it takes me to the old thread. Am I missing something?

Nevermind, worked on the computer. Somethings up with the iPhone app.

I'm travelling with a 2 year old and we need to get from the Radisson Blu Royal to Oceankaj. Should I even try public transport with a little one and bags or just book a car with a car seat?

Thanks for the insight!

I think its time for a new thread, I will not answer any questions in the old thread as the answer might be here instead.

 

 

Pier Information.

 

http://www.cmport.dk/ships-in-port/cruise-ships/season-current

 

 

Transportation

 

 

Public transportation

 

http://dinoffentligetransport.dk/service/for-tourists/

 

 

Price from the airport to central Copenhagen or the piers is 36 DKK

From central Copenhagen to the piers is 24 DKK

 

 

Public busses

26 goes to Indiakaj near Langelinie and stops at the central station, Town Hall Square, Kongens Nytorv/Nyhavn and Østerport

 

25 and 27 goes to Oceankaj via Nørreport (only 25) and Østerport.

 

The new timetable for 25 should be online sometime in April

http://dinoffentligetransport.dk/trafikinformation/koereplaner/koereplaner-bus/25/

 

 

26

http://dinoffentligetransport.dk/KoereplanerPdf/26-0026-131215.pdf

 

 

27

http://dinoffentligetransport.dk/KoereplanerPdf/27-0027-131215.pdf

 

 

And here is my photoguide on how to use them

 

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2048740&page=11

 

 

 

Info about luggage storage at the central station.

 

http://en.hovedbanen.dk/dsb-information/dsb-luggage-service/

 

 

Taxi

 

Dantaxi

http://www.dantaxi.dk/Koebenhavn

 

Taxi Nord

http://www.taxinord.dk/

 

4x27

http://amagerobrotaxi.dk/

 

 

 

Taxi Nord has a practical price calculater

 

http://www.taxinord.dk/nyttig-info/beregn-pris-paa-taxi.html

 

 

akst 1 and 3 is normal hours.

 

Takst 2 and 4 is night after Friday and Saturday from 23:00 to 07:00 and public holidays.

 

 

To quickly sum of the taxi situation at Oceankaj.

 

In general they don´t accept prebooking at Oceankaj because in their experience people just takes the first available taxi instead of the one they booked.

but they say that there should be plenty of taxis all the time.

 

 

 

So ask away :D

When I click your photo guide on how to use the busses, it takes me to the old thread. Am I missing something?

Does there get to be laundry lines/queues on the Regal? I think I'll do my ironing at 4 in the morning when everyone's asleep!!