Live from Meraviglia

[Beamafar]

This may help people wanting to catch the Cirque du Soleil shows.

I was just able to reserve both late shows on day 3 and day 7 at 10PM for our cruise by calling my MSC agent directly on the phone. After reading this I was concerned so I called to check and it worked. Hope it helps...

 

Unfortunately pre-booking a set night wasn't an option at the time for us. We didn't even get an assigned show on our tickets, unlike others who had pre-booked were saying on the forum before we sailed - they were sailing on later dates. The shows weren't on their regular schedules yet. We saw Sonor before its launch night of 19th June.

 

I had delayed booking the show as I was trying to find out when the Elegance (previously known as Gala!) nights were on. We had 3 nights outside of the YC restaurant to dine - 2 nights at Speciality restaurants plus the dinner & show - and we didn't want any of them to be on formal night. They hadn't decided by then which nights were going to be formal as everything was still up in the air. I even thought at one point that the 2 formal were on consecutive nights. For us, they were on the nights of the port visit to Messina on Tuesday and again on Thursday, the day at sea.

 

On the subject of speciality restaurant dining. I asked the concierge one morning about the VIP parade to see if I could book our Black Card dinners at the time of the parade or not. She didn't know what I was talking about! I didn't pursue it as I got fed up trying to chase information down about different things all week. On the daily planner, under "HIGHLIGHTS ............ ENTERTAINMENT" it shows Officers Parade: 20.15 & 22.00. Speaking of the 'Daily Program' - the layout is different, and not for the better, IMHO.

[Beamafar]

 

This was on the second 'Elegance' night which more people dressed up for.

 

I will try to put up photos of the daily planners if they haven't been posted anywhere else and if anyone wants to see them.

 

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[Beamafar]

Yes I saw the wine list with Laurent Perrier - hopefully that will be in the wine bar too :) just been dipping in and out of CC too myself so not keeping up either

 

You mean on Fantasia? I doubt it, Tim, as it was only available in Butcher's Cut and the specialist Champagne bar. It wasn't even in YC although it's onboard. It's a bit like hoping that all the beers on tap in the Brass Anchor will be available fleet-wide - it's not going to happen. That's what makes these venues 'specialised'.

[cruisefanatic16]

Good Morning,

 

any info regarding the mdr menus pls not for yc guests?

[Beamafar]

Good Morning,

 

any info regarding the mdr menus pls not for yc guests?

 

Hi ................. I'm sorry, but I never dined in the MDRs so never saw any of the menus from those venues.

[Beamafar]

Thank you Bea!!

 

I have gotten up early every morning to follow your fantastic travel log. We hope your next cruise will be a Grand Voyage...at least three weeks!!! :D

 

HaHaHa .................... :D (Lovely thing to say, bytheway - thank you!)

 

This review is my first - and probably last - one!!!!! LOL ..................... definitely the only 'Live' one I'll ever do. I really appreciate all the positive feedback I've had, though - it's made it all worth it.

 

As it happens, I've just booked 2 Grand Voyages this morning - both longer than 3 weeks ................. and I'm not saying nothing more about them!!! Except (drumroll here, please) ................. I've just nabbed one of the square YC1 cabins for a 28 night awesome itinerary with 30% + 5% discount, to boot!! A saving of (another drumroll, please) ............. €4750 :') ;p :cool: :p

[Beamafar]

Some photos of our cabin # 18012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There was a walk-through area to the bathroom. On the right, there was a 2-door wardrobe containing a hanging rail and, on the left, a 1-door which had a number of shelves, with the safe being on 1 and the pool towels on the other. In the main body of the cabin, next to the mini-bar, there was a 2-door press (cabinet) with 3 pull-out drawers - DH reckons they were a metre wide. There was also a 1-door press with 2 sliding shelves which we used for shoes and bags.

 

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[Beamafar]

 

 

This is the bank of elevators outside the double glass entry/exit YC doors.

 

 

There were another 3 directly opposite.

 

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[sverigecruiser]

(y):champagne-toast:

 

Thanks, again!

 

I'm glad that I only have to wait 17 more days!

[Beamafar]

Photos of the new wristband. We gave up wearing them after a couple of days. They were awkward to put on and you had to place it directly against the cabin door lock, the YC access doors or the lift call button (for priority service). It was just easier to tap your cruisecard against these things.

 

 

 

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[kikki21]

The stateroom looks very smart indeed! And wow 2 Grand Voyages - lucky you Bea! [emoji4]

 

 

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[Beamafar]

Following, we sail in two weeks in yacht cub. All info will be greaty appreciated. Wshing you a fab cruise:cool: two years is a long, long time to wait

 

Bon Voyage, Ashling ....................... hope you have a wonderful cruise. We loved our time in the Yacht Club.

[Beamafar]

The stateroom looks very smart indeed! And wow 2 Grand Voyages - lucky you Bea! [emoji4]

 

They're a year apart, Kikki.

 

I wanted to get the best value from the discount voucher and DH is celebrating a birthday with a 0 at the end next year so we've decided to spend the year's budget on one trip of a lifetime with 4 weeks in the Yacht Club. We are so excited about that one!!

 

Another Grand Voyage that appealed to us, as an alternative, was booked out. So we bit the bullet and booked for 2019 so we could get a good choice of cabin. We've managed to get an Aurea 'Experience (B3) balcony for a reasonable price for 31 nights and it's only €200 deposit - not a major commitment.

[irishcruisefamily]

They're a year apart, Kikki.

 

I wanted to get the best value from the discount voucher and DH is celebrating a birthday with a 0 at the end next year so we've decided to spend the year's budget on one trip of a lifetime with 4 weeks in the Yacht Club. We are so excited about that one!!

 

Another Grand Voyage that appealed to us, as an alternative, was booked out. So we bit the bullet and booked for 2019 so we could get a good choice of cabin. We've managed to get an Aurea 'Experience (B3) balcony for a reasonable price for 31 nights and it's only €200 deposit - not a major commitment.

 

Bea do you book directly through msc? Sounds amazing

[kikki21]

They're a year apart, Kikki.

 

 

 

I wanted to get the best value from the discount voucher and DH is celebrating a birthday with a 0 at the end next year so we've decided to spend the year's budget on one trip of a lifetime with 4 weeks in the Yacht Club. We are so excited about that one!!

 

 

 

Another Grand Voyage that appealed to us, as an alternative, was booked out. So we bit the bullet and booked for 2019 so we could get a good choice of cabin. We've managed to get an Aurea 'Experience (B3) balcony for a reasonable price for 31 nights and it's only €200 deposit - not a major commitment.

 

 

 

4 weeks in YC! You will definitely want to stay on the ship! It sounds amazing - we are looking ahead to 2018 as well as 2019 which will be extra special as we are planning to get married then - need to get some money into the coffers for that!

 

 

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[Beamafar]

4 weeks in YC! You will definitely want to stay on the ship! It sounds amazing - we are looking ahead to 2018 as well as 2019 which will be extra special as we are planning to get married then - need to get some money into the coffers for that!

 

 

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Toots congrats!! :*

 

Get friendly with one of the Guest Relations officers and ask if you could have a sneak peak in YC. Tell him you're considering it for a honeymoon (even if you're not!). :evilsmile:

[Norwegian Cruiser 73]

Welcome home Bea and congratulations on booking two Grand Voyages :D Sounds amazing to have 4 weeks in YC sailing the big oceans. It's my dream:):cool: Excellent work with the live review from the amazing MSC Meraviglia. Best regards from the Norwegians across the North Sea:):cool::*

[Beamafar]

Thanks, NC! ;) Will be in touch soon to tell you all about our newly booked, exciting trips.

 

I need to finish up on this first. I've just a couple of things to share, then I'm done.

 

How I wish you and our English friends could come along with us! Can you just imagine it - the 6 of us in YC for 4 weeks :eek: I think MSC would throw us off long before even the first week was up! :o :D

[Beamafar]

The Voyagers Club Welcome Onboard letter. A list of discounts for members is overleaf:

 

 

 

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[Beamafar]

So ................. just a couple of things to say before I finish:

 

We rarely saw our butler but our cabin attendant, Berthine, was wonderful and we gave her a tip. I had noticed that there weren't any sanitary bags in the bathroom, nor was there a dispenser for them. I asked her about it and she said that she had noticed the absence as well when she had started work onboard. When she mentioned it to her supervisor she was told "No need .......... the bin is lined, just grab bag and tie off"! How gross for her!! A few minutes after I spoke to her, there was a knock at the cabin door and there was Berthine with a box of bags for me. She had gone to the storeroom to fetch it. So, if you think you'd like to have them supplied, ask your attendant for some.

 

DH witnessed an incident one afternoon in the Top Sail lounge on the day the captain was to come and meet YC guests. He saw a butler approach a woman who was helping herself at the buffet. She had a bikini on with a flimsy cover. DH reckons the butler had a word with her about her attire as she left and came back soon after and she had changed. Whether this was because the captain was expected or not, there is no way of knowing. I've never seen bikini-clad women in the Top Sail in 4 YC cruises before.

 

It's a testament to how well MSC looks after their ships that this one didn't feel any 'newer' in terms of condition of the fixtures and fittings.

 

I'll finish with a tip for those who go late to breakfast in the restaurant. If you fancy having one (or two) of the wonderful pastries in the buffet at the entrance, grab them before you order breakfast or you'll find they've been cleared away!

[Beamafar]

.............. and one last image which left me bemused. Where should the runners go when they reach the sunbeds that are placed in their lane??

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you all for following and for all the wonderful comments. [emoji4]

 

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[kikki21]

Toots congrats!! :*

 

 

 

Get friendly with one of the Guest Relations officers and ask if you could have a sneak peak in YC. Tell him you're considering it for a honeymoon (even if you're not!). :evilsmile:

 

 

 

Thank you for the tip! If we like MSC then we could consider one of their ships for a honeymoon cruise but still a long way off as yet! [emoji4]

 

 

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[macattack1111]

Hi Bea

 

Quick question for you, the bar and cocktail lists and wine lists that you have sent.......is this what all passengers see...ie bella and

Fantastica experiences......or

Are those just for yacht clubbers and above.

 

Cheers Bill

[Beamafar]

Hi Bill .................... the bar list from post ≠ 70 is from the Infinity lounge which is accessible to all passengers. I think that bar had the most comprehensive list which is why I photographed and posted it. Other bars may not carry the full range, but I didn't get pics of their menus. The Yacht Club bar menu doesn't have prices shown so that is how you can distinguish between it and the one from the main part of the ship. The basic drinks package will cover all items not marked with an asterisk. Those with 2 asterisks are not included in any packages. Keep in mind that a 15% service charge will be added to the price if you pay as you go.

 

I also posted a picture of one page from the Champagne bar to show which champagnes were available on the deluxe (premium) all-inclusive drinks package (an asterisk beside the price means it's included in deluxe).

 

You also asked earlier on about rosé wines onboard. I may have answered already but, if not, I'll just say now that I don't drink rosé so I'm sorry that I can't give a view on that.

 

If there is anything else you're wondering about, feel free to ask and I'll answer if I can. :)

Edited June 29, 2017 by Beamafar

[Dr. Cocktail]

Bea:

 

Thank you for your superb and time consuming review!

 

I have never sailed on MSC before and have a whole bunch o' Yacht Club sailings booked on Divina and Seaside. Your review convinced me that I will likely have a good time!

 

You went with a good attitude which is EXTREMELY important on an inaugural sailing on a new class of ship.

 

Unfortunately, not only do the passengers have problems on these sailings but it's the poor crew who become the public face of the new venture. They have to bare the brunt of poorly designed venues and ill-conceived concepts.

 

While people may disagree, Norwegian Escape's introduction and Haven experience recalled many of the challenges that you described. The Haven was greatly expanded from a smaller class of vessel with many issues not well thought out. They thought that adding many more people would easily be managed by the same numbers of crew. In Escape's case, the private dining room was hugely expanded but the galley left the same size ... an issue not easily remedied.

 

Looking forward (even though you "said" that you wouldn't write any!) to more great reviews!