******MSC - UK CRUISERS ***

[Ryan82]

I've always loved cruising with MSC I like what they offer 

[BertieRulesOK]

From watching a lot of YouTube blogs and reading reviews on here, I suspect a lot of the negative attitudes of MSC come from ppl who pay MSC prices, but expect it to be the same standards as P&O or NCL.  Either that, or they are people who booked it for a 'quiet break' during the school holidays!  Ha!  They did not manage their expectations and seem driven to find fault.  Just IMHO obviously.

[FamilyCruiserUK]

14 hours ago, BertieRulesOK said:

From watching a lot of YouTube blogs and reading reviews on here, I suspect a lot of the negative attitudes of MSC come from ppl who pay MSC prices, but expect it to be the same standards as P&O or NCL.  Either that, or they are people who booked it for a 'quiet break' during the school holidays!  Ha!  They did not manage their expectations and seem driven to find fault.  Just IMHO obviously.

Yeah i agree. You shouldnt compare experiences on different cruise lines. We have decided to book a short 1wk last min for end of march just to see what the ship and service is like. See whether it suits us or not. I think my only concerns really are being hassled to buy things onboard. Special resturants etc as ive seen a number of vids of people being constantly asked in the buffet etc. As for charging for stuff onboard same as most other cruise lines. We do tend to spend very little on a ship and that gives us more money to try more cruises. 

[ellie1145]

On 2/27/2023 at 1:51 PM, FamilyCruiserUK said:

Yeah i agree. You shouldnt compare experiences on different cruise lines. We have decided to book a short 1wk last min for end of march just to see what the ship and service is like. See whether it suits us or not. I think my only concerns really are being hassled to buy things onboard. Special resturants etc as ive seen a number of vids of people being constantly asked in the buffet etc. As for charging for stuff onboard same as most other cruise lines. We do tend to spend very little on a ship and that gives us more money to try more cruises. 

We did our first MSC cruise on Virtuosa in December and did not find we were hassled at all. Much better than on RCI where it’s constant. 

[FamilyCruiserUK]

51 minutes ago, ellie1145 said:

We did our first MSC cruise on Virtuosa in December and did not find we were hassled at all. Much better than on RCI where it’s constant. 

Ah we have just come off oasis of the seas in mid feb and apart from the odd person by a stairwell offering spa treatments we were not hassled at all. We have now booked for the end of march school holidays. So be good to see the ship and experience. 

[smokey01]

Newbie to MSC but not to cruising so we have some questions:-

 

What is the earliest embarkation time slot from Southampton for diamond priority (through status match)? We go to the fjords (Norway only) in May will Southampton be the only embarkation port? Typically what time is the cabin ready?

 

What is the normal disembarkation procedure from Southampton and how does that differ for the late diamond disembarkation perk e.g. what is the latest time you can leave the cabin, what time is buffet / MDR open for breakfast?

 

When can MDR menus be viewed on the app? Is it only once on board? Per day or per cruise? Ideally we want to look at weeks worth of menus before deciding when to book our diamond speciality meal.

 

We go on the cruise in May does anyone remember from last May if they have 2 or 3 sittings in the evening in the MDR and what times? 

 

What times are the carousel shows? as we are Bella we currently do not know/control our dining time so do not know which show time to book. Can you take alcoholic drinks into the carousel show (instead of the free cocktail)?

 

Can you take drinks into the main theatre ?

 

 

[insidecabin]

On 3/3/2023 at 5:07 PM, smokey01 said:

Newbie to MSC but not to cruising so we have some questions:-

 

What is the earliest embarkation time slot from Southampton for diamond priority (through status match)? We go to the fjords (Norway only) in May will Southampton be the only embarkation port? Typically what time is the cabin ready?

 

What is the normal disembarkation procedure from Southampton and how does that differ for the late diamond disembarkation perk e.g. what is the latest time you can leave the cabin, what time is buffet / MDR open for breakfast?

 

When can MDR menus be viewed on the app? Is it only once on board? Per day or per cruise? Ideally we want to look at weeks worth of menus before deciding when to book our diamond speciality meal.

 

We go on the cruise in May does anyone remember from last May if they have 2 or 3 sittings in the evening in the MDR and what times? 

 

What times are the carousel shows? as we are Bella we currently do not know/control our dining time so do not know which show time to book. Can you take alcoholic drinks into the carousel show (instead of the free cocktail)?

 

Can you take drinks into the main theatre ?

 

 

They have not been checking times.

 

They open security around 10am to start check-in boarding there is no diamond priority for security (YC get escort to front of the line)

 

Once back home port Southampton it can get very busy with single turnaround it has been known for the port to be blocked with everyone arriving early to park.

 

Cabins ready varies on how busy we have been able to bag drop in the cabin before they have finished setup. 1pm ish would be a reasonable guess

 

Current cruise our YC cabin was ready at 10:15.

 

Disembark you can just wait around first last call can be early  we have got off gone 10am.

last cruise out of cabin was 8am we  stayed later down to cabin steward and how busy if they start rushing you.

 

Once on board just about everything is available on the app,

menu for the full cruise.

Daily program by day.

 

On our full cruise last year they had 5 dining times once you get allocated it can take a day or two to change if not happy

 

Current cruise

Carousel shows are 19.45 21.45 can take drinks

 

No drinks main theatre but the shows are only 35mins 19:00, 20:30, 21:45.

 

 

[smokey01]

5 hours ago, insidecabin said:

They have not been checking times.

 

They open security around 10am to start check-in boarding there is no diamond priority for security (YC get escort to front of the line)

 

Once back home port Southampton it can get very busy with single turnaround it has been known for the port to be blocked with everyone arriving early to park.

 

Cabins ready varies on how busy we have been able to bag drop in the cabin before they have finished setup. 1pm ish would be a reasonable guess

 

Current cruise our YC cabin was ready at 10:15.

 

Disembark you can just wait around first last call can be early  we have got off gone 10am.

last cruise out of cabin was 8am we  stayed later down to cabin steward and how busy if they start rushing you.

 

Once on board just about everything is available on the app,

menu for the full cruise.

Daily program by day.

 

On our full cruise last year they had 5 dining times once you get allocated it can take a day or two to change if not happy

 

Current cruise

Carousel shows are 19.45 21.45 can take drinks

 

No drinks main theatre but the shows are only 35mins 19:00, 20:30, 21:45.

 

 

Thanks for the answers. We are only Bella so cannot choose our dining time but at least knowing the showtimes we can figure out what time would suit us best to both dine and see  a show and then attempt to change dining to suit if need be once on board. 
 

We did have a check in time of 9am which I knew would change as they never can check in before last cruise has departed. It has now changed to midday but as a diamond I am supposed to get priority so will aim for 10am but realise if we have to queue for security so be it. 

 

[insidecabin]

21 hours ago, smokey01 said:

Thanks for the answers. We are only Bella so cannot choose our dining time but at least knowing the showtimes we can figure out what time would suit us best to both dine and see  a show and then attempt to change dining to suit if need be once on board. 
 

We did have a check in time of 9am which I knew would change as they never can check in before last cruise has departed. It has now changed to midday but as a diamond I am supposed to get priority so will aim for 10am but realise if we have to queue for security so be it. 

 

Empty ship before boarding starts is an American thing.

 

UK they start boarding as soon as ready does not matter if some are still left.

 

As many Europe cruises are multiple embarkation ports  for some on board it is just a regular port day.

 

2 weeks ago there was no diamond line  at check-in but it did not matter as they were clearing the short line very quickly.

 

We had 7:45 dinner which is a bit late but very convenient no rushing after port time.

We could do show before or after depending how ready we were.

The late show is followed by the Galleria party.

[ellie1145]

Prices have now dropped on our cruise. We booked via a TA. Is there any point in asking if they will upgrade us from an outside to a balcony cabin which are now cheaper? 
 

Many thanks. 

[ConnieTact]

8 hours ago, ellie1145 said:

Prices have now dropped on our cruise. We booked via a TA. Is there any point in asking if they will upgrade us from an outside to a balcony cabin which are now cheaper? 
 

Many thanks. 

I think it’s always worth asking! Your TA will call MSC and ‘get a price’ for an upgrade. Mine did this for a NCL one for me and it was only £10pp for a 12 night cruise! 

[insidecabin]

17 hours ago, ellie1145 said:

Prices have now dropped on our cruise. We booked via a TA. Is there any point in asking if they will upgrade us from an outside to a balcony cabin which are now cheaper? 
 

Many thanks. 

Some TA can't be bothered as it is work for very little money.

 

Make the call as see how customer friendly they want to be.

Sometimes changes that add a bit of money are more acceptable.

 

If you added the drinks at booking check like for like with drinks.

 

One cruise we are watching cruise fare went up around  £300 drinks package dropped around  £300.

[RBrowny]

I'm going on my first cruise with MSC, at the beginning of May on the MSC Europa. Never been with MSC before, so quite looking forward to it. We were with NCL last year, but have two MSC cruises booked this year.

[ellie1145]

On 3/14/2023 at 12:25 AM, ConnieTact said:

I think it’s always worth asking! Your TA will call MSC and ‘get a price’ for an upgrade. Mine did this for a NCL one for me and it was only £10pp for a 12 night cruise! 

Well we made the call and got nowhere as expected. They came back with a figure of £285 to upgrade to a balcony cabin. As they are now selling balcony cabins for £50 less than we paid for an outside it’s not really an option. 
 

MSC has also emailed us with an upgrade offer of £220 per person for a balcony which again is really not a runner.
 

Of course we know you just have to decide what is an acceptable price when you book so I’m not moaning. This will only be our second cruise with MSC but we were agreeably surprised at how good it was in comparison to all the other cruises we have taken. 

[ConnieTact]

4 hours ago, ellie1145 said:

Well we made the call and got nowhere as expected. They came back with a figure of £285 to upgrade to a balcony cabin. As they are now selling balcony cabins for £50 less than we paid for an outside it’s not really an option. 
 

MSC has also emailed us with an upgrade offer of £220 per person for a balcony which again is really not a runner.
 

Of course we know you just have to decide what is an acceptable price when you book so I’m not moaning. This will only be our second cruise with MSC but we were agreeably surprised at how good it was in comparison to all the other cruises we have taken. 

I hope you have a great cruise anyway. Sorry the upgrade fairy hasn’t worked their magic yet! 

[heatherb1958]

6 hours ago, ellie1145 said:

Well we made the call and got nowhere as expected. They came back with a figure of £285 to upgrade to a balcony cabin. As they are now selling balcony cabins for £50 less than we paid for an outside it’s not really an option. 
 

MSC has also emailed us with an upgrade offer of £220 per person for a balcony which again is really not a runner.
 

Of course we know you just have to decide what is an acceptable price when you book so I’m not moaning. This will only be our second cruise with MSC but we were agreeably surprised at how good it was in comparison to all the other cruises we have taken. 

 

At least you enquired , I always say if you don't ask you don't get . Have an amazing time regardless.  

For future reference when booking cruises if you haven't paid the final balance already sometimes it is worth cancelling  a cruise and lose the deposit and rebook if the price drop is so significant but you have to be aware you will more than likely  lose any promotions on the original booking . We booked a cruise recently , not MSC , the day after we booked the cruiseline's new promotion was free upgraded drinks packages on the one we paid for , a crystal ball would have been handy then 😆.  

Edited March 17, 2023 by heatherb1958

[ellie1145]

On 3/17/2023 at 10:29 PM, heatherb1958 said:

 

At least you enquired , I always say if you don't ask you don't get . Have an amazing time regardless.  

For future reference when booking cruises if you haven't paid the final balance already sometimes it is worth cancelling  a cruise and lose the deposit and rebook if the price drop is so significant but you have to be aware you will more than likely  lose any promotions on the original booking . We booked a cruise recently , not MSC , the day after we booked the cruiseline's new promotion was free upgraded drinks packages on the one we paid for , a crystal ball would have been handy then 😆.  

Thank you heatherb1958, I’m sure we will have an amazing time. Looking forward to it. 😊

[ellie1145]

On 3/17/2023 at 7:48 PM, ConnieTact said:

I hope you have a great cruise anyway. Sorry the upgrade fairy hasn’t worked their magic yet! 

Thank you ConnieTact. You win some, you lose some! We will enjoy it regardless 😉

[lindylooellalouise]

Hi can anyone remember the discount code for AB parking in Southampton.

[Cruiseforever11]

26 minutes ago, lindylooellalouise said:

Hi can anyone remember the discount code for AB parking in Southampton.

Hi last year i used ABPMSC22 don't know if they have a new one out. 

[lindylooellalouise]

3 minutes ago, Cruiseforever11 said:

Hi last year i used ABPMSC22 don't know if they have a new one out. 

Hi thanks  you have just jogged my memory I think I used ABPMSC23 last month will give a try.

[ConnieTact]

42 minutes ago, lindylooellalouise said:

Hi thanks  you have just jogged my memory I think I used ABPMSC23 last month will give a try.

If it doesn’t work just give them a call. They are lovely and will tell you the latest code. 

[lindylooellalouise]

4 minutes ago, ConnieTact said:

If it doesn’t work just give them a call. They are lovely and will tell you the latest code. 

Thanks will do, really enjoyed your last review on Virtuosa I’m looking to book again for June 23.

[ConnieTact]

6 hours ago, lindylooellalouise said:

Thanks will do, really enjoyed your last review on Virtuosa I’m looking to book again for June 23.

Thanks so much! It’s always great to get positive feedback! I hope you have a great cruise in June! 

[insidecabin]

Port parking CPS and ABP has got silly expensive.

£5day or less available 5mins from port cheap taxi ride or drop bags park and walk.

Savings will pay for a night in hotel.