doones2

Just booked our cruise in the Mediterranean and it says mineral water and coffee in main dining room.

I am surprised I can’t bring wine on board on embarkation day.  Can I purchase wine for my stateroom on the ship?

Finally got my booking#.  They had the incorrect email. We turned in our cabins and then rebooked the cabins we wanted.  It was really quite easy.  Booking # stayed the same. Also found out the cabins that are available on line are not the only ones.  Many more cabins.  Don’t know why but I decided to ask for a cabin that wasn’t listed on line and it was available.

I am new to MSC.  How long does it usually take to get an email with my booking # confirmed.  In the past it was usually within a few hours but I have received nothing. Also my grandson and his friend want to switch cabins with me after I get my booking #.  How difficult is that to do?

Is there any place on the ship that the Easy Plus package can’t be used?Such as your cabin.

My family and I are considering a Mediterranean cruise out of Barcelona.  This would be our first cruise in Europe and first on MSC.  In the Caribbean we booked our own excursions outside of the ship.  Is this a wise choice for the Mediterranean?  I found the excursions but no prices.  I have no idea what is a good excursion and what isn’t.  I would appreciate any info.

I haven’t been on these boards in two years.  I was looking at prices for Mediterranean cruises on NCL.  Does the price they quote include the drink and restaurant packages automatically?  And if they do, do they also give quotes for cruises without those packages?  The reason why I’m asking is because we are not big drinkers and being a port intensive cruise, we don’t believe we would get our moneys worth.  I can’t seem to find these answers on their website.

Haha!!!! I can’t imagine putting ketchup on a great piece of steak.  

1 hour ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

Ketchup actually originated in China.  We just made it better 😉.

1 hour ago, david_sobe said:

If you sacrifice one of your sides, you probably could get it for no charge.  A lot comes down to your server.  I just got off Encore in March and we were allowed 1 appetizer, 2 sides, and 1 dessert at Cagneys.  I remember some said they were only allowed 1 side, etc.

At Onda, I selected an upcharge wine TWICE, clicked the acceptance that I agree with the upcharge yet was not charged either time.  We had 2 with us that had no drink package.  Sometimes they would not charge us for  a soda either.  I felt the staff at each restaurant went out of their way to give you the best meal possible with as little upcharge as possible.  Of course our tip reflected that 🙂

So its not impossible for your server to throw in the sauce.  But don't expect it.

2 hours ago, casofilia said:

In any restaurant whenever I am shown the ketchup bottle I wave them away with "What do you think I am, American?" 

However each to his own. 

Pork with apple sauce; yes.   Lamb with mint sauce; yes.  Ham with mustard; yes.   Fish with Tartar Sauce; yes.   Being originally from the UK HP sauce is acceptable for burgers etc.  

Ketchup; never for me.

I’m wondering if this is fairly new.  I don’t remember being charged a few years back.   I suppose if no one complains they can charge for a lot more.  

I was listening to a podcast and a cruiser mentioned that in Cagney’s there was an upcharge if he wanted a gravy on his steak?  Is this true?  Is it something new?

When we did gty we requested a neighborhood balcony and preferably CP.  We got deck 12 middle of CP.  Our balcony was great.  We always had ocean view balconies but decided to try something new. I never thought I would like it.   I loved it.  I enjoy people watching now instead of starring at the ocean.  

I do believe a spacious balcony room is a room that is slightly bigger.  The balcony is usually slightly smaller.

I never thought about the fact that the cost of  a cruise to Bermuda is based on supply and demand. It’s not a year round port of call. I have cruised to Bermuda in the fall many times, in the summer once, and in the spring once. I definitely like the fall weather the best.  I have vacationed on Bermuda twice for a week and found it to be equivalent to a cruise as far as expenses go.  Airbnb’s are reasonable and with kitchens or bbq grills we saved money food wise.  I guess what I’m saying is because the cruise is kind of high  I found I could stay for a week in paradise instead of 2 1/2 days for close to the same price. 

Can anyone tell me why cruises to Bermuda seem a lot more expensive than cruises to the Caribbean?  

Grandma Petania you are so right about the CP balconies.  We never felt like we were being observed by the people across from us.  We also loved having breakfast on our balcony while watching Central Park come to life for the day and in the evening listening to music while having a cocktail on our balcony.  The lights at night were magical.

I sailed for the first time on an Oasis class ship about a month ago.  I must admit I was very leary about sailing on a ship so large.  Always sailed Freedom or Voyager class. I always had an ocean balcony but decided to do  Central Park balcony.  I absolutely loved it.  I loved everything about the Allure.  It never felt crowded even though it was sold out.  The entertainment was so professional.  The food in the MDR was delicious as was the food no matter where we ate.  I guess I was surprised that I liked the cruise so much.  I’m so glad I decided to take that cruise.  💙💙

5 hours ago, johnjen said:

We can only hope this is true, Fred....any mention of a toilet flooding though, brings up images.

Why do you have to be so negative?  You seem more upset about it than the OP

Thank you.  My daughter was wondering if she would have to tell the taxi driver since Explorer hasn’t been at the Miami port for awhile.  I told her cruise critic will know.👍

How can I find out which pier Explorer will dock at when she arrives in Miami on Tuesday?

Thank you for your input.  I know the wine isn’t worth what they are charging.  The tray is hard to judge because I only have a picture.  Never seen it otherwise.  Just the tray is $25. I’m looking to have it delivered to my daughter and her husband’s cabin next week.  I would like to send them something.

Has anyone ever ordered the cheese tray and bottle of wine on the RCL website for their cabin or as a gift for a cruiser?  If so what was it like?  The pictures make the tray look skimpy and not sure about the wine.

13 hours ago, kidless said:

I pin them on my beach bag. DH had a hat he’d put them on....unfortunately he lost the hat guess he’ll have to start over! 😆 

I have no idea where my pins are.

On 10/15/2019 at 2:26 PM, HBE4 said:

 

Couldn't agree more. Why people are willing to pay more for an itinerary / ship that may not be your first choice just for the loyalty status is beyond me. I'd much rather save the money and go with my first choice, even if it 'll take me a few more years to reach diamond.

 

The same goes for Hotel and Airline loyalty programs. I let my wallet do the talking. 

Totally agree.  If I had only cruised with RCI I would be a D+ but instead I have enjoyed trying different cruise lines and I always look for price and itinerary first.  I feel that eventually the perks associated with the loyalty program will get less and less.  

1 hour ago, Bearsfan82 said:

We were on adventure in May and much to our surprise, the attendants in the solarium were hyper vigilant about chair hogs on sailing days. 30 minutes on the dot, stuff was removed. Really put the cherry on top of that wonderful cruise

In the solarium on Allure there are cushioned chairs and love seats.  Two of the love seats had people sleeping on them all afternoon. While their backpacks took up space on the chair next to them So they were taking up seating for 5.    All seats were occupied   A different example of chair hogs.