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Just off the Divina! Ask away..

YellowDog

By YellowDog,
in MSC Cruises

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disneykins

disneykins

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We sail in March so we don't get the Fantastica drinks package. We have a few questions about the drinks packages.

 

We bought the beer package (14 for $57)and the cocktail package (18 for $84). Where do we pick up these vouchers? Is it a coupon book and you rip out the coupon and hand it in? Is the service charge already included? If we use one while in Port of Miami do we pay tax on the drink?

 

We have early dining. What time is that? How do we find out which restaurant we are in? I've read that Black Crab is nicer than Villa Rosa, can we switch to Black Crab if its not assigned? Can we request a table for 2?

 

With our Black Card status (because of NCL Platinum matching) do we get a free hour each in the thermal spa? What does this include? Do we need to make an appointment?

 

For the Black Card free specialty dining do we make a reservation once we are onboard.

 

First time on MSC so lots of unknowns but we're really looking forward to it, the ship looks beautiful.

 

Thanks to all for answering so many questions.

Tony and Debbie

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mjonis

mjonis

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We sail in March so we don't get the Fantastica drinks package. We have a few questions about the drinks packages.

 

We bought the beer package (14 for $57)and the cocktail package (18 for $84). Where do we pick up these vouchers? Is it a coupon book and you rip out the coupon and hand it in? Is the service charge already included? If we use one while in Port of Miami do we pay tax on the drink?

 

We have early dining. What time is that? How do we find out which restaurant we are in? I've read that Black Crab is nicer than Villa Rosa, can we switch to Black Crab if its not assigned? Can we request a table for 2?

 

With our Black Card status (because of NCL Platinum matching) do we get a free hour each in the thermal spa? What does this include? Do we need to make an appointment?

 

For the Black Card free specialty dining do we make a reservation once we are onboard.

 

First time on MSC so lots of unknowns but we're really looking forward to it, the ship looks beautiful.

 

Thanks to all for answering so many questions.

Tony and Debbie

 

Don't know about the beer package, but the more for less coupon book is a coupon book with 18 coupons. You tear one out and hand it to the server. If you pre-purchased, there's no 18% gratuity. You pick them up in the Casino after you embark (we went straight there because we needed a drink after 4 hours waiting to embark). I strongly suggest you bring a printout of your order because they are seriously disorganized and may not have your coupons or even the fact that you ordered them. The coupon can stick together, so be sure you're only tearing off one of them.

 

Yes, you can use them while still docked at the POM and there's no additional charge.

 

Early dining on our sailing was listed as 5:45 and it stated they closed the doors 15 minutes later. However, the doors never opened until 6:00 and they closed at 6:15, so it was apparently a mis-print. We were in the black crab, so I can't speak to if the other dining room was "better". Seats are very comfortable (you'll be sitting for a long time), but tables are very close together (at least in the area we were in, the wait staff had a hard time navigating between tables as did we when attempting to sit down).

 

You can request a table for 2, but good luck. You'll need to track down the maitre'd ASAP (good luck with that) and prepare for some resistance (you don't want to sit with other people? what's wrong with you?). But don't be surprised if you don't get it. On our sailing I heard from many couples that they (including ourselves) were not able to get seated for 2.

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disneykins

disneykins

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Don't know about the beer package, but the more for less coupon book is a coupon book with 18 coupons. You tear one out and hand it to the server. If you pre-purchased, there's no 18% gratuity. You pick them up in the Casino after you embark (we went straight there because we needed a drink after 4 hours waiting to embark). I strongly suggest you bring a printout of your order because they are seriously disorganized and may not have your coupons or even the fact that you ordered them. The coupon can stick together, so be sure you're only tearing off one of them.

 

Yes, you can use them while still docked at the POM and there's no additional charge.

 

Early dining on our sailing was listed as 5:45 and it stated they closed the doors 15 minutes later. However, the doors never opened until 6:00 and they closed at 6:15, so it was apparently a mis-print. We were in the black crab, so I can't speak to if the other dining room was "better". Seats are very comfortable (you'll be sitting for a long time), but tables are very close together (at least in the area we were in, the wait staff had a hard time navigating between tables as did we when attempting to sit down).

 

You can request a table for 2, but good luck. You'll need to track down the maitre'd ASAP (good luck with that) and prepare for some resistance (you don't want to sit with other people? what's wrong with you?). But don't be surprised if you don't get it. On our sailing I heard from many couples that they (including ourselves) were not able to get seated for 2.

 

Thanks for your reply. We probably wont bother chasing down the maitre'd for a table for 2, not worth the hassle. Thanks for the answers about the coupon books, seems a little old school but this old guy should be able to figure it out. I think we'll be printing everything out, still not sure about this paperless society. It seems we have everything on the phone but still need paper backup.

 

I guess we have to find a computer onboard to register our credit card for onboard purchases? We cant do this when we check in? Seems it would be easier to do at the check in desk instead of finding the machine on board and lining up again to do that.

 

Tony

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mjonis

mjonis

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Thanks for your reply. We probably wont bother chasing down the maitre'd for a table for 2, not worth the hassle. Thanks for the answers about the coupon books, seems a little old school but this old guy should be able to figure it out. I think we'll be printing everything out, still not sure about this paperless society. It seems we have everything on the phone but still need paper backup.

 

I guess we have to find a computer onboard to register our credit card for onboard purchases? We cant do this when we check in? Seems it would be easier to do at the check in desk instead of finding the machine on board and lining up again to do that.

 

Tony

 

Hi Tony,

 

The coupon books (if you get them, LOL), were a really good deal. We're looking at other cruises now and none of them have anything "reasonably" priced like that.

 

Anyway, yes, for some bizarre reason you have add your credit card on the ship. There's a few kiosk type machines spread around. Two that I know of were on the 6th floor. One by Guest Services (don't confuse it with the other kiosk for something or other else that's on the other side of guest services), and one by the entrance to the Black Crab dining room. You'll need the cruise ship cards for everyone you wish to put on that credit card (so if both are using the same card, make sure you have that other person's cruise card).

 

For some reason, on our sailing, the kiosks were not working correctly with cards with chips in them and then you'd have to suffer the hour+ wait in line at guest services to process manually. Hopefully that's been fixed since then (but knowing MSC maybe not).

 

I believe you have up to the 2nd day to do this, but I could be wrong.

 

I did find that it seemed to help if you find a bar that you "like" (either due to location or seating) and then use the coupons and tip and extra couple bucks USD and from that point on, they'll remember your name and it seemed anyway, we got "better" (ie: stronger) drinks. LOL!

 

Enjoy your cruise, hopefully the disorganization by MSC is getting better. Don't forget to read some of the tips/tricks, if you've never been on MSC before.

 

I would strongly recommend that you get the water package so that you can get the bottles of water for dinner if you're eating in the MDR. Otherwise you'll probably go thirsty as you'll get one glass of water and that'll be it for the rest of the meal (unless you ask for a refill when you're half way done and then wait another 30-45 minutes for a refill to show up). but Maybe they'd leave the pitcher of water at the table for you so that you don't have to pay for the bottle water?

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nikkiw60 "Live from...." Rare

nikkiw60

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Re the table for 2 we managed to get one. We went to see the maitre d' at 1.30 on embarkation day. They took down our details and said the first night to sit at our assigned table and if they could get us a table for 2 they would leave a note in our cabin the next day. Which they did.

 

 

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YellowDog

YellowDog

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Hi Tony,

 

The coupon books (if you get them, LOL), were a really good deal. We're looking at other cruises now and none of them have anything "reasonably" priced like that.

 

Anyway, yes, for some bizarre reason you have add your credit card on the ship. There's a few kiosk type machines spread around. Two that I know of were on the 6th floor. One by Guest Services (don't confuse it with the other kiosk for something or other else that's on the other side of guest services), and one by the entrance to the Black Crab dining room. You'll need the cruise ship cards for everyone you wish to put on that credit card (so if both are using the same card, make sure you have that other person's cruise card).

 

For some reason, on our sailing, the kiosks were not working correctly with cards with chips in them and then you'd have to suffer the hour+ wait in line at guest services to process manually. Hopefully that's been fixed since then (but knowing MSC maybe not).

 

I believe you have up to the 2nd day to do this, but I could be wrong.

 

I did find that it seemed to help if you find a bar that you "like" (either due to location or seating) and then use the coupons and tip and extra couple bucks USD and from that point on, they'll remember your name and it seemed anyway, we got "better" (ie: stronger) drinks. LOL!

 

Enjoy your cruise, hopefully the disorganization by MSC is getting better. Don't forget to read some of the tips/tricks, if you've never been on MSC before.

 

I would strongly recommend that you get the water package so that you can get the bottles of water for dinner if you're eating in the MDR. Otherwise you'll probably go thirsty as you'll get one glass of water and that'll be it for the rest of the meal (unless you ask for a refill when you're half way done and then wait another 30-45 minutes for a refill to show up). but Maybe they'd leave the pitcher of water at the table for you so that you don't have to pay for the bottle water?

 

That part about needing everyone's card I found to be not true when I was on the Divina in Dec. As you through using the kiosk it will ask you who else in your cabin you want to be able to charge. I unchecked the boxes for my kids (who are 5) and kept the box checked for my wife (that may have been a mistake :)). Anyway, the process was different, but very quick and easy.

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nikkiw60 "Live from...." Rare

nikkiw60

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Re the table for 2 we managed to get one. We went to see the maitre d' at 1.30 on embarkation day. They took down our details and said the first night to sit at our assigned table and if they could get us a table for 2 they would leave a note in our cabin the next day. Which they did.

 

 

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MrsKate

MrsKate

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Are there any deck areas with lounges that are not super crazy the whole time? I saw that we could pay for the solarium, but I dont want to do that if we do not have to :) My hubs and I are about to book the march 25th cruise on the Divina for an anniversary/ bday cruise!

Also I have heard they often upgrade rooms, is this true?

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YellowDog

YellowDog

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Yellowdog, you said u unchecked uit for your kids, so there was no way for them to go to the arcade and run up a big bill?

 

 

Correct. I unchecked my kids mostly in case they lost their card it couldn't be used to charge. They do have a teen card that is prepaid to a certain amount that you could older kids so they can buy ice cream or use the arcade up to the prepaid amount.

 

 

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YellowDog

YellowDog

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Are there any deck areas with lounges that are not super crazy the whole time? I saw that we could pay for the solarium, but I dont want to do that if we do not have to :) My hubs and I are about to book the march 25th cruise on the Divina for an anniversary/ bday cruise!

 

Also I have heard they often upgrade rooms, is this true?

 

 

There are a lot of places. The aft pool wasn't bad on the starboard side (away from the smoking bar). Also of you up a deck from there it's relatively quiet. The further you get from the main pool the better for less crazy.

 

I can't speak to the upgrades as I didn't get one. :)

 

 

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easyboy

easyboy

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Correct. I unchecked my kids mostly in case they lost their card it couldn't be used to charge. They do have a teen card that is prepaid to a certain amount that you could older kids so they can buy ice cream or use the arcade up to the prepaid amount.

I can share this with my son. He often worries about his teen son losing his card. Thanks.

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tweety33

tweety33

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What would you say the average age of the cruisers was? Me and some friends (in our 20s) are looking at the Divina on April 1st, but we want to make sure there are people around our age on the ship.

 

Welcome, to making your first post. We are on that April 1st sailing, but we are old. Leaving the grandkids home.

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AEckhardt

AEckhardt

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What would you say the average age of the cruisers was? Me and some friends (in our 20s) are looking at the Divina on April 1st, but we want to make sure there are people around our age on the ship.

 

 

 

Too bad you're not sailing Feb 25th! We bring the party with us, lol! We'll have fun no matter what the age range is, but we might be a little too loud for some.. [emoji51]

 

 

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YellowDog

YellowDog

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Did you happen to get a pic of the menu for the sports bar? Someone mentioned that there is no longer a fee.

 

 

I didn't get a pic. Sorry. But the food on there is included. We had lunch there a couple of times. Service a bit slow bc I think they only had 1 or 2 servers. Food was good though. Had burgers, mozzarella sticks, and fish and chips. We liked it. A nice alternative.

 

 

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KiMnEvan

KiMnEvan

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I didn't get a pic. Sorry. But the food on there is included. We had lunch there a couple of times. Service a bit slow bc I think they only had 1 or 2 servers. Food was good though. Had burgers, mozzarella sticks, and fish and chips. We liked it. A nice alternative.

 

 

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Thanks so much! Were the burgers the same ones they serve at the buffet? Did they offer hot wings or onion rings .Is the food cooked to order. I am full of questions sorry!

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