Some clarification for MSC first timer please

[Speedbird01]

As the title suggests, first timer on MSC so a few questions if I may be so bold?

1/ Just about to book on Magnifica, sailing from Southampton June 2021, has this ship had a re-fit recently?

2/ Drinks package included with my purchase, what level will it be? I'm guessing that it will be the 'basic' one as it's included with draught beer? Any ideas?

3/ Are the specific smoking places on board or is it smoky free for all?

4/ Room service, cost, selection and availability

5/ This is the most subjective one to answer, how does the buffet food compare to Royal Caribbean ships as we tend not to use the dining rooms.

Thank you for your time and responses.

[shipgeeks]

Speedbird, I can probably only answer a couple of your questions.

I would say that the buffet is a similar standard and variety to RC.  (However, we are only familiar with Seaside, a large ship, and much smaller RC ships.)

You are probably aware of the different "experiences" on MSC, which include different advantages.  Room service is not included in Bella; I believe it is included in the other levels.

I might add that we loved our MSC cruises!  We will choose MSC over RC and Celebrity from now on.  Do you have a loyalty level with RC?  If so, it might be worth applying for Status Match with MSC.

[Rotterdam]

44 minutes ago, Speedbird01 said:

As the title suggests, first timer on MSC so a few questions if I may be so bold?

1/ Just about to book on Magnifica, sailing from Southampton June 2021, has this ship had a re-fit recently?

2/ Drinks package included with my purchase, what level will it be? I'm guessing that it will be the 'basic' one as it's included with draught beer? Any ideas?

3/ Are the specific smoking places on board or is it smoky free for all?

4/ Room service, cost, selection and availability

5/ This is the most subjective one to answer, how does the buffet food compare to Royal Caribbean ships as we tend not to use the dining rooms.

Thank you for your time and responses.

Hi Speedbird,

I can answer to #'s 4&5.

I sailed MERAVIGLIA in October 2019 o  a 13 day cruise. I was in a BALCONY CABIN w included room service.

In certain categories room service is included. The breakfast menu covers everything from tea, coffee, fruit, croissant, toast, eggs & bacon.  I put the order card on the door each nite w desired delivery time. EVERY DAY my order was delivered on time, hot & correct. There was no charge but I did too the waiter each day.

As far as th he food in the buffet I thought it was very good for any meal for anyone's taste.

I'm not a big fan of buffets but I only ate 1 dinner in the diningroom w lunches in buffet or ashore.  Usually I'd have cocktail hour @4 and enjoy pizza, guacamole & chips, cheeses etc.

Dinner was 8:30 or so.  The variety was vast. Ethnic, every nationality imaginable, a grill w burgers etc.  THE PIZZA WAS GREAT and they would make special orders as requested. Even a simple variation of pastas, salads, roasts, vegetables etc was available & changed daily. Late nite I would sneak down for a snack. They did have every dessert imaginable but I loved the gelato on Deck 6 so each evening that was my choice.

I sailed on RCCL & didnt like it at all...from the ship to food was mediocre at best.  MSC does a great job all round & I prefer the Italian flair. After 4 cruises w MSC I've always been happy w the product.

The ship itself was spotless & constantly being cleaned. There was a small outside aft  deck area I found & I enjoyed many a meal outside.

Enjoy your cruise

 

 

Edited November 28, 2020 by Rotterdam

[Speedbird01]

5 minutes ago, shipgeeks said:

You are probably aware of the different "experiences" on MSC, which include different advantages.

Err, pardon my ignorance, but no i have no idea what that is all about.

Surely room service is not only available to certain passengers if available at all?

I can get Status Match to Gold according to the rep.

[Speedbird01]

16 minutes ago, Rotterdam said:

As far as th he food in the buffet I thought it was very good for any meal for anyone's taste.

I'm not a big fan of buffets but I only ate 1 dinner in the diningroom w lunches in buffet or ashore.  Usually I'd have cocktail hour @4 and enjoy pizza, guacamole & chips, cheeses etc.

Dinner was 8:30 or so.

That was the sort of answer i hoped for, thank you. What's the cocktail hour? is it a thing or something you like to do.?

[Speedbird01]

19 minutes ago, shipgeeks said:

different "experiences"

Seems like mine is Fantastica but I cannot find anything on the MSC site regarding it.

[Rotterdam]

8 minutes ago, Speedbird01 said:

Err, pardon my ignorance, but no i have no idea what that is all about.

Surely room service is not only available to certain passengers if available at all?

I can get Status Match to Gold according to the rep.

There are different categories of staterooms..BELLA, FANTASTICA, AURORA,  YACHT CLUB.

I was in a FANTASTICA CABIN.

LOOK AT YOUR BOOKING INFO. it will list all perks associated w your booked cabin.

[Rotterdam]

4 minutes ago, Speedbird01 said:

That was the sort of answer i hoped for, thank you. What's the cocktail hour? is it a thing or something you like to do.?

I live in NYC & we always have drinks before dinner. When I'm on a cruise I'll have drink before dinner in a lounge or on the MERAVIGLIA cruise, since it was mostly in warm weather I'd go to the buffet order a drink & pick hordoerves from the buffet selection.  Sometimes fruit,  cheese, guacamole & chips...just something to hold me til dinner. Delish🍢🍤🍤🍷🍷🍸🍸

[shipgeeks]

1 hour ago, Speedbird01 said:

Seems like mine is Fantastica but I cannot find anything on the MSC site regarding it.

Fantastica does include room service.  There should be more info somewhere on your booking and/or MSC site.  I can only access the US site here, so don't want to mislead you.

There is also some info here on Cruise Critic, at the top of the MSC forum.  You might have to dig through several pages to find the chart that breaks down the various perks.

[Speedbird01]

1 hour ago, Rotterdam said:

There are different categories of staterooms..BELLA, FANTASTICA, AURORA,  YACHT CLUB.

I was in a FANTASTICA CABIN.

LOOK AT YOUR BOOKING INFO. it will list all perks associated w your booked cabin.

Finally found it, Thank you

[Speedbird01]

1 hour ago, Rotterdam said:

I live in NYC & we always have drinks before dinner. When I'm on a cruise I'll have drink before dinner in a lounge or on the MERAVIGLIA cruise, since it was mostly in warm weather I'd go to the buffet order a drink & pick hordoerves from the buffet selection.  Sometimes fruit,  cheese, guacamole & chips...just something to hold me til dinner. Delish🍢🍤🍤🍷🍷🍸🍸

A person after my own heart. LOL Thank you I might just copy that.

[Speedbird01]

9 minutes ago, shipgeeks said:

Fantastica does include room service.  There should be more info somewhere on your booking and/or MSC site.  I can only access the US site here, so don't want to mislead you.

There is also some info here on Cruise Critic, at the top of the MSC forum.  You might have to dig through several pages to find the chart that breaks down the various perks.

Perfect, thank you.

[shipgeeks]

Glad you are getting some answers!  Keep asking, if more questions come up.  I, for one, am loving going back in my memory to think about my MSC cruises and what some of the nicest things were.

[Sailing12Away]

Hopefully sailing with MSC for the first time in January (although it doesn't look promising). We've been loyal to NCL up to this point, so I'm trying to understand the differences between the 2 lines. A few follow-up questions regarding how things are handled on MSC for the experts out there.

 

1. With NCL you need to pre-book reservations to certain entertainment shows and for the specialty restaurants. Is that the same with MSC? I don't see anywhere under my booking to do this.

 

2. We'll be booked in the YC with the included drink package that came with it. When we're outside of the YC, do we still get the same drink package coverage, or only within the YC itself can we drink to our liver's content?

 

3. On NCL you can order anything you like (within reason) for breakfast room service, even if it's not on the card itself. Is that the same with MSC?

 

4. Typical snacks on NCL Haven are M&Ms, gummy bears, cookies, small sandwich bites, etc. What type of snacks do the butlers serve in the MSC suites during the day?

[wallyj]

Regarding room service on MSC, not sure if there is a diffence between Europe and USA sailings. I have been watching a few YouTuber reviews on MSC ships. A reviewer on a Europe sailng said yes 'room service charge was free' , but 'food' was not free, sounds like 'breakfast' may be no charge according to some of the recent posts?

[dolphin1313]

7 minutes ago, Sailing12Away said:

Hopefully sailing with MSC for the first time in January (although it doesn't look promising). We've been loyal to NCL up to this point, so I'm trying to understand the differences between the 2 lines. A few follow-up questions regarding how things are handled on MSC for the experts out there.

 

1. With NCL you need to pre-book reservations to certain entertainment shows and for the specialty restaurants. Is that the same with MSC? I don't see anywhere under my booking to do this.

 

2. We'll be booked in the YC with the included drink package that came with it. When we're outside of the YC, do we still get the same drink package coverage, or only within the YC itself can we drink to our liver's content?

 

3. On NCL you can order anything you like (within reason) for breakfast room service, even if it's not on the card itself. Is that the same with MSC?

 

4. Typical snacks on NCL Haven are M&Ms, gummy bears, cookies, small sandwich bites, etc. What type of snacks do the butlers serve in the MSC suites during the day?

1) No, you can't book the shows prior to the cruise.  The YC has reserved seating for the shows.  If you let your butler know what time you plan on going, they will gather everyone and escort you down to the show.  People not in the YC need to book the show when on-board.

 

2) Yes, the same drink package is available throughout the ship.

 

3) I didn't order anything for room service, but from what I've heard from other's just let the butler know and they will do their best to fill your order.

 

4) I didn't request anything but they have some snacks (choc. peanuts, pringles) in the mini fridge.  I'm sure that the butler will try their best to get what you want if it's possible.  In the YC lounge, there are snacks/finger foods available most of the day.  The butler doesn't automatically bring sandwiches every after noon like on NCL but I'm sure you can let them know the first day and they will.

 

[dolphin1313]

7 minutes ago, wallyj said:

Regarding room service on MSC, not sure if there is a diffence between Europe and USA sailings. I have been watching a few YouTuber reviews on MSC ships. A reviewer on a Europe sailng said yes 'room service charge was free' , but 'food' was not free, sounds like 'breakfast' may be no charge according to some of the recent posts?

At least in America, if you're in the YC they don't charge you for room service or the food. 

 

But if you're not in the YC, the room service and food charges depend on your experience.  This can be very confusing if you didn't do your research.  So if you booked a different experience, make sure you know what is free and what isn't.

[Two Wheels Only]

19 minutes ago, Sailing12Away said:

3. On NCL you can order anything you like (within reason) for breakfast room service, even if it's not on the card itself. Is that the same with MSC?

 

They are more flexible than what is on the card. I even forgot to order the night before and woke up early to make an order and it was delivered on time. If you want bacon, specify if you want crispy or soggy. 😛

 

22 minutes ago, Sailing12Away said:

4. Typical snacks on NCL Haven are M&Ms, gummy bears, cookies, small sandwich bites, etc. What type of snacks do the butlers serve in the MSC suites during the day?

 

Just tell your butler what you want or let him/her surprise you. There's food all over the place (the lounge, the sundeck, elsewhere on the ship, etc.) and the butler will get you whatever you fancy. 

[Nunagoras]

6 hours ago, Speedbird01 said:

As the title suggests, first timer on MSC so a few questions if I may be so bold?

1/ Just about to book on Magnifica, sailing from Southampton June 2021, has this ship had a re-fit recently? She had a full refit in 2018.

2/ Drinks package included with my purchase, what level will it be? I'm guessing that it will be the 'basic' one as it's included with draught beer? Any ideas? It might depend on the promotion given up on your booking. Usually it is the "basic" one. Names, terms and conditions may vary region by region from time to time.

3/ Are the specific smoking places on board or is it smoky free for all? Usually they will let you to smoke in a section of the pool decks, specifically signaled for that. Apart a designated casino section, it is smoke free for all in the inside, including cabins and the balconies.

4/ Room service, cost, selection and availability That depends on your room category. Continental Breakfast is free for Fantastica and above rooms. Prices, terms and conditions vary by your cruise region.

5/ This is the most subjective one to answer, how does the buffet food compare to Royal Caribbean ships as we tend not to use the dining rooms. That is sort of difficult to answer, really. Generally speaking, to understand the answer, it is perhaps worth to understand the difference on how dinner is understood for different cultures. For the Italians (MSC is an Italian line) dinner, especially if you're on vacation, is understood as a family experience meant to socialize on conversation while you quite slowly savor your nice meal. While you might find several individuals who want to dine on the buffet, I'd say most of the crowd will likely to prefer the MDR. So; I'd say the following. Breakfast and lunch MSC buffets are surely generally better than RCI ones. Unless your actual cruise has a very specific demographic, dinner MSC buffets will tend to run under the basic side of the pound far below the RCI standards both  in quality and especially on availability (they'll likely to open just a tiny part, say one quarter of the full buffet area). Think a way forward to feed the ones that failed their allotted MDR time frame with Pizzas, burgers, perhaps a roast and a little grill station and all the other usual basic suspects, but not really anything more to write about. UAE cruises are an exception. According to some members US sailings tend to be another exception. I don't really know for the UK, but, perhaps it would to be good to lower your expectations on their dinner buffet.

First of all be welcome to the forum! Find your answers in green alongside the quote. Bear in mind those opinions are related to before Covid-19 procedures. Some of them will be surely different on the near future.

Edited November 28, 2020 by Nunagoras

[Nunagoras]

1 hour ago, Sailing12Away said:

Hopefully sailing with MSC for the first time in January (although it doesn't look promising). We've been loyal to NCL up to this point, so I'm trying to understand the differences between the 2 lines. A few follow-up questions regarding how things are handled on MSC for the experts out there.

 

1. With NCL you need to pre-book reservations to certain entertainment shows and for the specialty restaurants. Is that the same with MSC? I don't see anywhere under my booking to do this. Yes for specialty restaurants, generally no for most of the entertainment. Bear in mind that this might change due to the pandemic. Ask your concierge desk at embarkation day.

 

2. We'll be booked in the YC with the included drink package that came with it. When we're outside of the YC, do we still get the same drink package coverage, or only within the YC itself can we drink to our liver's content? Same package round the ship. Outside the YC you'll be requested to sign a receipt per order.

 

3. On NCL you can order anything you like (within reason) for breakfast room service, even if it's not on the card itself. Is that the same with MSC? MSC used to be more strict on what concern out of the menu availability when compared to the more America lines... But as far as I know on the YC they tend to be more flexible...

 

4. Typical snacks on NCL Haven are M&Ms, gummy bears, cookies, small sandwich bites, etc. What type of snacks do the butlers serve in the MSC suites during the day? Well: I don't know about the in suite mini bar or room service menu, but at the YC lounge they have a quite superb small buffet that changes from time to time... Lots of Youtube videos on that one!...

Find the answers in green alongside the quote. Have a nice day!

[Sailing12Away]

Thanks everyone for your insight. Is the mini bar snacks and drinks included in your package deal, or are those extra charges at the end?

 

What about prepaying gratuities? I'm used to there being a big button on my account page to let me handle that pre-cruise so I only get a bill for my excursions and ancillary drink costs that exceed the package limits. Are you able to prepay with MSC, or is it just added to your bill at the end with additional cash brought for bonus tips to staff as needed?

 

With NCL Haven, the butler and concierge tips are not included in your regular gratuities, so you're expected to pay those in cash at the end of your trip directly to staff. Are there any caveats to know about with MSC like that with regards to gratuities? Lots of small differences between the lines and I'm reading as much as I can, but haven't found that yet and don't want to short change anyone.

[Two Wheels Only]

6 hours ago, Sailing12Away said:

Are you able to prepay with MSC, or is it just added to your bill at the end with additional cash brought for bonus tips to staff as needed?

 

Hotel Service Charge is deducted from your account daily. You can call to prepay it.  AFAIK, there is no option to prepay online other than buying OBC beforehand and having the service charge deducted from your account which will have the OBC on it . 

 

6 hours ago, Sailing12Away said:

With NCL Haven, the butler and concierge tips are not included in your regular gratuities, so you're expected to pay those in cash at the end of your trip directly to staff. Are there any caveats to know about with MSC like that with regards to gratuities?

 

Butler and concierge are included but you are free to tip additionally if you wish. 

Edited November 30, 2020 by Two Wheels Only

[gkbiiii]

Unlike with Royal Caribbean in a Full Suite, MSC Yacht Club does not include the full Dining Room menu, for Room Service.  On Royal's largest ships, Full Suites get Room Service deliveries from the California Grille Dining Room. 

 

On MSC YC, there is very little to order, it is the same crap, as everyone on the ship gets.  You can't even order Room Service Specialty Pizza, for dining in the YC Lounge!  On most Premium & Luxury Lines, you get full Room Service from the Dining Room menu, and often the Specialites as well.

[sverigecruiser]

On 12/20/2020 at 10:22 AM, gkbiiii said:

 

On MSC YC, there is very little to order, it is the same crap, as everyone on the ship gets.  You can't even order Room Service Specialty Pizza, for dining in the YC Lounge!  

 

But you can order the excellent pizza for dining in the cabin.

[panamapd]

Hi Speedbird01 - re refit back in September 2019 " MSC Magnifica will undergo a significant $140 million USD refurbishment which includes cutting the ship in two and adding an additional 23 metre (75 feet) section." 

 

We are booked onto the May 2021 and October 2021 sailings and were looking forward to it.  To make up for the disappointment they have offered us £50 per cabin obc for May and £100 for October - not bad!!

 

However, due to the pandemic this is no longer going ahead.