First MSC cruise - Long time NCL customer

[MrMike45]

My wife and I, along with our 2 year old son, will be taking our first MSC cruise in October on the Metaviglia, after 16 on NCL (the only cruise line we have been on).  11 day cruise to Canada from NY.  Price was simply too good to pass up.  Way more of a luxary line than NCL...who even with Casino comps and latitude discounts, was only $100 less than MSC for a 7 day cruise at the same time.  4 extra days, on a nicer line/newer ship, for $100 more...sign me up!  

 

Anyway, I digress.  So we're booked, deposit is paid, and the more I read on these boards the more I'm like OH MY GOD WHAT HAVE I DONE!!!  I live in Long Island.  I take the LIRR to midtown Manhattan 5 days a week in a Suit and Tie.  When I am on vacation, I want to relax.  I don't want to wear my work outfit.  

 

I totally understand that on the "elegant" nights, we will be tarred and feathered if we try to step foot in the MDR.  But during the day/rest of the nights...

 

Daytime - Khaki shorts/tshirts/boat shoes ok?  

Dinner (non-elegant) - Jeans/Button down/polo shirt ok?

Dinner (specialty restaurants) - On elegant nights, can we go there in Jeans?  

 

Thanks in advance 

Edited February 28, 2019 by MrMike45

[Fostelo]

I was on Msc seaview last july as a first time Msc cruiser and had the same thoughts as you about dress code  but i never once felt out of place in jeans and a smart polo and even wore smart trainers most of time. Ignore all the negative reviews and go with an open mind, like you said 10 days over 7 days is a no brainer and you will love Msc trust me i have another 4 cruises booked with them now and I’m hooked 👍🏻

[EngIceDave]

I have been on many cruises and (within reason) ignore the "formal night" BS....you're on holiday!

 

If others want to, fine.

I will wear a pair of slacks or dark/black jeans and a button down or polo shirt, but I wear that to the MDR at night anyway.

 

It's other people's problem if you don't dress up enough for them...they didn't pay for your holiday

 

Dress smartly, or as some say "Resort Casual Dress"

Edited February 28, 2019 by EngIceDave

[BermudaBound2014]

You'll be just fine, especially sailing on this side of the pond. There will be more people 'dressed' than NCL but it's not insane. I'd toss in a pair of dark pants for elegant night if you want to eat in the MDR. You won't see many in jeans.

 

BTW, I would not consider MSC more luxurious than NCL, but it is different than NCL. If you remember that you selected MSC as inexpensive vacation and match your priorities to the cost paid you will be well served. 

 

Enjoy! 

[phissy]

We had same thoughts at first.

Always sailed NCL, and Haven sometimes.   Just like on NCL, there are people who dress up for evening with Captain pictures etc. We always dressed in what I would call Resort Casual. Slacks and nice shirt. (Hubby usually wore nice polo shirt or Cubavera style (straight hem, not to be tucked in) shirt. Same with me.  Nice slacks with "fancy" top or sweater. 

We are sailing next week in the YC ,on Meraviglia .  still going with same dress plan. It will be cooler than normal so, sweaters and slacks seem appropriate.. We REALLY do not do Tuxedo and Formal wear.  To those who enjoy this, rock on.

[CGTNORMANDIE]

Hi Mr. Mike,

You will be fine with your intended wardrobe but you might want to rethink about the time of year you will be sailing.  You will need heavier clothing in October especially in New England and Canada.  You will enjoy the Meraviglia.

[MrMike45]

Thanks all for relieving some of my concerns, and doubts. Seems like the normal attire will work fine, obviously accounting for the weather as some pointed out. 

 

Definitately not the tuxedo type on vacation. Heck I wouldn’t even know how to get it on board without it being all wrinkled

[EngIceDave]

Exactly why I don't really bother or care. Any nice stuff I bring will get all wrinkled and you can't have an iron.

 

I say chalk this up to the same argument you get about people who recline their seats on a plane

[CGTNORMANDIE]

Pack all your shirts, pants and sport coats on individual hangers in individual plastic dry cleaner bags.  You will be completely wrinkle free and you will be able to hang up all your clothes in record time.  So easy to pack and unpack. 🙂

Edited March 1, 2019 by CGTNORMANDIE

[citizenfrank]

Mr Mike

Have experience and what I'm considering as deep knowledge of both lines now.

NCL was and remains a favourite of mine, but their business model frustrated me when it changed, that said I'm still sailing with them again.

MSC seduced me and are a wonderful line, yes there are issues ...but for me they are within policy, not the cruising experience and let's be really honest ...have we ever sailed with 100%, not 99% but the full 100% satisfaction.

I can't really add much over the comments in your thread already offered ...slightly different on the US side of the water in your favour, glorious vessel and a truly stunning experience.

 

You will enjoy and I'm glad you're sampling the MSC brand.

 

Bon Voyage 

[MrMike45]

Thanks again all.  

 

I am the type of person who prefers to experience things first hand before forming an opinion.  While I will read reviews and comments, I take them all with a grain of salt until I experience the same.  There are tons of negative reviews on the NCL forum.  But in all honesty, 16 cruises with NCL, and I can say neither my wife nor I have ever had a "Bad" cruise.  An issue here or there, yeah sure.  But the only ruined cruise we ever had was one we caught noro on a few years back.  But even then, the first half of the cruise was great up until we got sick.  The reason for the change to MSC is not the NCL product, it's the corporate side of things and the value of said product.  

 

Anyway, I digress again.  Biggest concern after booking was being the family that everyone stares at and snickers at for being "trash" and not dressing up or belonging.  Or being embarrassed and kicked out of a restaurant or venue for not meeting a certain criteria.  You guys have put those concerns to ease, so thank you all very much. 

[Two Wheels Only]

1 hour ago, MrMike45 said:

Biggest concern after booking was being the family that everyone stares at and snickers at for being "trash" and not dressing up or belonging

 

Don't worry, that won't happen.

[SeaTheW0rld]

Speaking only for myself, I'm not worthy of notice - no matter what I'm wearing. Or not wearing. By the same token, I don't really care what others are wearing. 

[Homosassa]

Don't worry. If you are more casually dressed than others, the other cruisers from other parts of the world will correctly assume you are a cruiser from the USA and therefore not be held to the same standards of dress as you don't know any better. 

[styles27]

I’m so glad you asked this question! 

 

We will be on Divina for a Mediterranean cruise 04/28/19...also first time on MSC.  

 

We’ve cruised with NCL, HAL, RCCL, Princess and Carnival...as you can see we’re not really loyal to any, we book our cruises solely based on itinerary and cost, not so much the ship.  We’ve never had a bad cruise either...heck we’re on a cruise vacation, not at work so that’s a huge plus right there. lol

 

Knowing we won’t need to pack our formal wear for dinner is a huge relief as we’re staying on land for a few days before the start of the cruise and then another few days after we disembark.  

 

We plan on packing light as we’ll have laundry facilities in both air bnb’s we booked.

 

 

To be honest, we’ve noticed on every cruise line we’ve sailed that a good number of passengers have relaxed the dress code over the last 20yrs or so.  

 

Don’t get me wrong I love to dress up but trying to fit formal wear into 1 suitcase when you’re packing for 2 weeks isn’t ideal.

 

I hope you have a great cruise!  We did that cruise on Princess about 8 years ago and we loved it.  We live in RI so we’re used to the cool New England night temps in October and you will be too.  What’s “cold” to others was perfect for us New Englander’s.