Diamond Plus tries turning Black on MSC

Italians have never mastered the concept of standing in a line.;)

I agree,mind they were good fun to watch on,

Its A Knockout years ago when they were useless.

I agree,mind they were good fun to watch on,

Its A Knockout years ago when they were useless.

Je Sans Frontier was the European version from the 1980s.

The Italians seem to have a built in panic button and can't wait their turn anywhere.

I am glad i did not get this trait from my Italian grandmother lol.

italians have never mastered the concept of standing in a line.;)

+1.

Italians have never mastered the concept of standing in a line.;)

Or standing still or showing respect to anyone who is not a family member.

Or standing still or showing respect to anyone who is not a family member.

This is a very rash generalisation :mad: My son lived in Italy for a year not long ago and the young people he met out there were delightful and highly respectful - as are many people we've met in our travels in Italy.

Agree about the lack of standing in line though. ;p

Or standing still or showing respect to anyone who is not a family member.

Be careful. You are talking to a full blooded Italian here. I've spent a lot of time in Italy. Lack of respect is not something that I ever encountered. Maybe that is because I speak the language.

Be careful. You are talking to a full blooded Italian here. I've spent a lot of time in Italy. Lack of respect is not something that I ever encountered. Maybe that is because I speak the language.

My grandmother was Italian and her name was Bellinie.

I highly recommend the Yacht Club experience if you can find a good deal. So very worth it! It’s all inclusive. We did a Divina Caribbean cruise. Separate dining area and better menu. Private lounge/bar, private pool area for YC only where they serve breakfast daily. A butler at your beck and call. I also cruised a Fantastica balcony and although less impressive I enjoyed it.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Thanks for the great review. We are booking our first MSC cruise on the Preziosa leaving from Guadeloupe and hitting a new Southern Caribbean port every single day. I was a bit leery, but will pull the trigger now. We will do the Fantastica experience instead so it isn't so a la carte. They matched us to their Silver level - still good for 5%.

Yacht Club

I was lucky enough to get a brief tour of the YC area.

The YC is on decks 15, 16 and 18. There is no deck 17 on Italian ships as it is considered unlucky.

The cabins are on 15 and 16, but there are also 3 Family Suites at the very front of Deck 12 (these do not have balconies)

The Royal Suites are 16007 and 16008

Capacity when full is 180, but usually they have 160 guests. It really is a 'ship within a ship'

There is a private elevator between the YC floors which also gives access to the Spa area on 12

There is a Top Sail lounge.

All drinks are included including your mini bar contents

You can have a newspaper delivered daily.

The TS lounge is open for continental breakfast (if you want a full breakfast you go to the private Palmerie restaurant) or they do cook eggs and sausage by the private pool bar area.

The Palmerie serves breakfast lunch and dinner. It is at the other end of the ship though.

In the TS lounge you get

Breakfast 7-11, then

Snacks 12- 3'30

Afternoon tea 4- 5

Canapes 6 - 9

Chocolate and sweet selection 9-1.30am

From 4;30 onwards they have a gentle selection of live music (piano and violin etc)

The pool area has a small private pool, a bar and one side allows smoking

You are met and escorted on by a butler, and you have priority boarding and disembarkation.

Having checked the prices the YC and compare favourably to RCI suite prices and you get a lot more!

Terrific report, LB. If you don't mind, I'd just like to point out that sailings from Miami (I'm thinking Divina and the new ship, Seaside, which will sail from December) will be very different experiences to MSC sailings in Europe. In fact, even your itinerary had some things that were different to Med cruises. The availability of a kettle in the cabin, for instance, being a nod to English guests as the ship took on passengers from Southampton. They're not provided on other ships. They'll have them on Magnifica next year. Again, because one of her homeports will be Southampton. In fact, MSC is planning a much more "British" experience on her next year:

http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/shipping/15226860.PHOTOS__New_2_500_person_cruise_ship_to_make_Southampton_its_home/

For the poster who asked about the drinks package prices for US sailings - yes, the packages are more expensive. On most MSC sailings, the currency onboard is in Euros. On sailings from Miami (and some other regions - it's too complicated to go into here! Same with trying to explain the different prices for the packages LOL!) the currency onboard is in US$.

To those who are considering the Venice-Durban itinerary: we did it on the smallest class ship with MSC. It was fantastic! We spent a total of 28 nights onboard - 24 for the Grand Voyage and another 4 sailing from Durban to Portugese Island (uninhabited!), to Mozambique, back to Durban. MSC is deploying the mid-class ship, Musica, on that route next year.

... There is no deck 17 on Italian ships as it is considered unlucky. ...

Interesting. Do they have a deck 13?

Interesting. Do they have a deck 13?

Yes. There are no cabins ending in 17, either.

It comes from an anagram, in Latin, of the number 17 in Roman numerals XVII. The anagram in question is VIXI which means "I HAVE LIVED" (perfect tense), implying "my life is over" or "I AM DEAD" (courtesy of Pete - Skier52 from the MSC thread!)

Yes. There are no cabins ending in 17, either.

 

It comes from an anagram, in Latin, of the number 17 in Roman numerals XVII. The anagram in question is VIXI which means "I HAVE LIVED" (perfect tense), implying "my life is over" or "I AM DEAD" (courtesy of Pete - Skier52 from the MSC thread!)

Thank-you, had no idea. :)

Interesting. Do they have a deck 13?

I was surprised that they have a deck 13 on the Quantum class ships since they left it off of the Oasis class ships.

I was surprised that they have a deck 13 on the Quantum class ships since they left it off of the Oasis class ships.

Did you know about the unlucky 17 thing?

Did you know about the unlucky 17 thing?

Nope.

Looks good. I see that it includes email, but get the feeling that web based email is not included. They must be limiting it to POP/IMAP protocols.

I had a surfer package on Divina and was able to use web email, as well as POP/IMAP.

I had a surfer package on Divina and was able to use web email, as well as POP/IMAP.

Thank-you.

I hope you will enjoy your first cruise with MSC. I've done 7 with them so far and I'm also a Black member.

Yes, they do status match with other cruise lines, and I agree and partially disagree with that. I've done a few cruises with MSC myself and gained a Gold status, before I got my Platinum with NCL, which bumped me to a Black status on MSC. Yes, it was a bit of a jump over, but I already had a few cruises with them under my belt, and I think it was fair. Now, they are also upgrading a brand new guests, who never sailed with them before, but they have a platinum etc. status on other cruise lines - and this is what I disagree with. No offence.

Anyway, since this is your first cruise with MSC. As you've noticed the drink package is cheap and probably the cheapest on the seas! And well worth it! Their cruises are also cheaper than other cruise lines, which is a main reason why we haven't cruise with RCCL yet (but we are booked now for Anthem for the next year, hence my presence on this forum).

As to the atmosphere, it's like others already mentioned, it's different to the American cruise ships. It's Italian. Everything goes slowly, announcements are made in a number of languages, and the leading language depends on a number of guests speaking that language, which means, that English might be only second or third language spoke on board. Dinner takes about 2 hours (for 2-4 people) or more, if you have a larger party. There are 6 courses at dinner, small portions and you don't have to order every course. I personally think the food is great, with some mains better than others, but still. Pizza in the buffet and gelato - real Italian!!! The best on the seas!

Their ships with a cleanliness and a decor are a bit fancy. And you will see the staff constantly cleaning them, vacuuming, polishing, dusting. I've found a lack of that on our last cruise with Carnival...

One advise, go open-minded, don't think of what you have experienced on your previous cruises. And be prepared for a slow motion service and people :) And yes, Italians don't know any culture about "standing in line", "in the queue". They just get in where they want to get :) And once they will finish their dinner, they are running in hordes to the coffee shop for their espresso! Try not to be in their way ;) They are not being rude, it is just the way they are :halo: embrace it and you will enjoy it!

Thank you everyone for all the great information! Now, of course, I have a couple of questions and apologize in advance if these were already answered.

1. I am a type II diabetic, therefore I am also a huge bottled water drinker. We are booked on Seaside in February, in a Fantastica class balcony cabin. We also qualified for the 2 for 1; beverages at lunch and dinner in the restaurants, and some OBC. Can I request bottled water in our cabin and also at mealtime?

2. Also, my husband loves his coffee all day (just coffee nothing fancy). Would it be possible to get one of MSC's coffee pots for the cabin?

Thank you

You might want to move your questions to the MSC threads.

Yes. There are no cabins ending in 17, either.

 

It comes from an anagram, in Latin, of the number 17 in Roman numerals XVII. The anagram in question is VIXI which means "I HAVE LIVED" (perfect tense), implying "my life is over" or "I AM DEAD" (courtesy of Pete - Skier52 from the MSC thread!)

Wow! I'm tying to remember my amo, amas, amat...!

Thanks for the explanation.

IT IS ALL ABOUT THE YACHT CLUB !

This is definitely the best deal at sea.

We Loved our Grand suite on the Harmony but cannot justify the price for next year.

We just booked a YC cabin on MSC Seaside for next September. Cheapest GS on Harmony we could find was $3100pp.

On the Seaside, we got a YC for $1900pp plus $250. on board credit, plus free gratuities....and I have not deducted my 5% black card credit yet !

We have done yacht club before. Remember that drinks are included so not need to buy a package....that saves a lot.

Even in your mini bar...not only hard liquor but beer, soda,chips,peanuts etc....all free.

Your private pool area is never crowded.

We love the small ship feel of the yacht club are but also appreciate being on a large ship for great shows and a large casino. We the earlier poster who was concerned about smoking....my hsband is very sensitive to smoke.

Eventhough the Oasis class ships have giant casinos, the are 'half' smoking. My husband was unable to indur the smoke drifting across.

MSC has a fully smoke free casino.

I am not bashing Royal Caribbean, I absolutely love them. But, we are getting older & I want the better cabins & amenities that come with a suite experience. Royal is just to pricey sometimes.

I dare anyone to youtube MSC yacht club & not be impressed.

After about 50+ cruises within the RCI/Celebrity/Azamara family (and a few on NCL), a cruise on MSC was not really on my radar. I’m not sure how I found this cruise …perhaps an ad flashing up on my screen. Let’s start by saying it was cheap! Just £632 ($835) for 2 of us for a 7n cruise from Southampton round to Genoa in an ocean view cabin. That is cheap right? For that price how bad could it be! When I then found out that their drinks package was only £20pppd ($26.50pppd) I decided to book.

Firstly MSC have very smartly introduced a Loyalty Match to tempt cruisers from other lines. You simply send in proof of your loyalty tier, and 24 hours later you are enrolled. As I am D+ with RCI I was straight in at Black on MSC. Black is their top tier….and I hadn’t set foot on one of their ships yet! Blacks automatically get 5% discount on the booking price, and on board they get perks such as a complimentary dinner on board in one of the specialty restaurants, and a welcome bottle of champage (proscecco), a welcome gift like the baseball caps RCI used to give out, free photo and a chocolate ship. All good so far.

Now starts the story of needing to do your research! MSC have a ‘class system’ that would not look out of place on the Titanic or on Cunard…..I booked an oceanview within the Bella Category (which is the lowest category) and I expected (foolishly it would appear) that all the usual ‘stuff’ you get on a cruise would be included. No: I then learnt that Bella cabins were not entitled to free room service, Bella cabins were not able to utilise My Time Dining, Bella cabins were not guaranteed to get a table at their preferred dining time in the MDR, Bella cabins may sometimes get allocated a table for dinner in the buffet, Bella cabins have to bring their own toilet paper….ok I lied about that last one but you get the general picture. This somewhat took the shine off the cruise but it was too late! I could always drink myself to death if it was that bad.

The Preziosa is a Fantasia Class ship of just under 140,000 tonnes; with a maximum capacity of 4345; she was christened by Sophia Loren in March 2013; and she was originally being built for the Gadaffi Libyan family, complete with a shark tank on board! When they couldn't 'ahem' complete the purchase due to other commitments, MSC took her over. The ship looks new, and rather ‘bling’ with a pair of Swarovski crystal grand staircases.

Reviews often commented on the food and how it ‘wasn’t very good’ so to make sure we didn’t starve we booked a 2n dining package which gave us dinners at Eataly and Galaxy for £24pp ($31.75pp) in addition to our Black free meal!. I was certainly noticing that the on board costs were considerably cheaper than on RCI.

Have I mentioned that the drinks package is £20pppd?! Each person in the cabin has to book the drinks package. Apart from alcohol this also covered coffees and even ice cream, The Italians should be able to make good ice cream I think.

We also prepaid the gratuities at £49pp ($64.75) which is slightly cheaper than the €10pp (€70pp for the week/$82.65) payable on board.

Wifi was £14/$18.50 for the week. I understand this gives you surf access but no streaming.

MSC seems to operate their cruises like a bus.

People can board at ports along the route, meaning that there are Muster Drills on a daily basis and seems to mean that the formal nights could be on the night you board. Because of the international clientele the announcements on board are in up to 6 languages.

We also noted that the times in port were very short compared to RCI. The itinerary was

 

Wed: sail from Southampton at 1800

Thurs: at sea

Fri: La Coruna, Spain from 0800 – 1500

Sat: Lisbon, Portugal from 1300 – 2000

Sun: Gibraltar from 1500 – 2100

Mon: at sea

Tues: Barcelona, Spain from 0800 – 1400

Wed: Genoa, Italy arriving at 0900 and disembarking

……..I mean, who on earth goes to Gibraltar at 3pm on a Sunday afternoon??!!

There was a small but select CC group, most were newbies taking their first steps on board. We were all going to be in the same boat together!

So next up will be boarding and first impressions.

If you have any questions please ask.

Hello

We met this time last year RCI cruise from Dubai, and like yourself are now venturing away with MSC for the first time 10th April Barbados-Genoa on Fantasia I was interested to read about the loyalty match system but finding it hard to enrol on the site, can you give me any hints about this, also have you cruised on Fantasia yourself

Regards

Belle