Is Aurea worth it compared to Fantastica?

[VernRDH]

Looking at taking Meraviglia next October out of NYC. Would be our first time on MSC, we have only done Royal and 1 Celebrity cruise. With free drinks and wifi, and now OBC, I am wondering if the additional cost of Aurea is worthwhile. Just 2 of us, we do enjoy relaxing at the adults pool preferably in the shade on sea days, prefer early dining. Not party people, enjoy shows and the casino.

We usually get a balcony, but lately have been trying different room categories to see what else we might like.

Appreciate any insights offered. Thanks!

And yes we already did status match.

[Essiesmom]

I’m happy in any cabin, booked Fantastica inside gty but bid on upgrade to Aurea balcony, lowest Aurea category.  Just wanted to see what it was like.  I won.  Cabin and service was not any better than Bella and Fantastica balconies we have had before.  The macarons and bubbly are wasted on me.  Do not use the spa.  I liked the My Choice dining, priority boarding was a bit confusing.  I’m too old to lay out in the sun.  It was okay, but next time I’ll book another inside gty and probably be assigned an obstructed balcony.  EM

Edited August 26, 2023 by Essiesmom

[gizfish]

If using the thermal spa area and being able to pick what time you eat each night are worth the price difference than it may be worth it.  You should check how much a spa pass would cost to see if there is any savings on that by booking Aurea.

[VernRDH]

Thanks for the replies! I think we may just go Fantastica this time and see how we like the overall experience. 

[VernRDH]

Thanks for the replies! I think we may just go Fantastica this time and see how we like the overall experience. 

[MsTabbyKats]

Are you talking about Oct 2024?  Try YC....inside YC cabins are very reasonable (all sold out for this Oct).  Inside or outside....the additional cost is well worth it!

[VernRDH]

2 hours ago, MsTabbyKats said:

Are you talking about Oct 2024?  Try YC....inside YC cabins are very reasonable (all sold out for this Oct).  Inside or outside....the additional cost is well worth it!

I actually looked at inside YC, it isn't unreasonable. But just not us really.

Plus I don't want to do it and be disappointed I can't do it again because it's too expensive!

[MsTabbyKats]

22 minutes ago, VernRDH said:

I actually looked at inside YC, it isn't unreasonable. But just not us really.

Plus I don't want to do it and be disappointed I can't do it again because it's too expensive!

YC "wasn't us either....until DH had health issues, and I decided that he needed the service.  You know how they say once you do a balcony, you can't go back.  I did balconies....and I went back to interiors without a problem,  With YC...as you suggest...it's hard to go back. 

 

When I compared NCL sailaway rates (you don't pick your cabin and nothing else is included)...and interior YC....the costs were about the same.  When I threw in the status discounts and TA discount (my TA gave me a 10%ish reduction)...it was a no brainer.

 

Also...there is no need for a YC balcony.  There is an elevator within the YC....for YC only....that takes you to an almost empty pool deck within a minute from your cabin.

[NYcruzzer]

Can anyone who had  Aurea experience  out of Brooklyn explain how priority embarkation is handled ? I assume it is different area then YC ?

[ReneeFLL]

On 8/26/2023 at 1:06 AM, Essiesmom said:

I’m happy in any cabin, booked Fantastica inside gty but bid on upgrade to Aurea balcony, lowest Aurea category.  Just wanted to see what it was like.  I won.  Cabin and service was not any better than Bella and Fantastica balconies we have had before.  The macarons and bubbly are wasted on me.  Do not use the spa.  I liked the My Choice dining, priority boarding was a bit confusing.  I’m too old to lay out in the sun.  It was okay, but next time I’ll book another inside gty and probably be assigned an obstructed balcony.  EM

Is My Choice dining not offered to everyone? Do you need to be in a certain category to have it? We do not like assigned time for dinner. For My Choice dining can you show up anytime?

[ray98]

38 minutes ago, ReneeFLL said:

Is My Choice dining not offered to everyone? Do you need to be in a certain category to have it? We do not like assigned time for dinner. For My Choice dining can you show up anytime?

 

No....Aurea only.  The rest get the chaos of MSC assigned times.  Book Bella and there is a good chance dinner is the 9:30pm seating.

[UPNYGuy]

On 8/26/2023 at 8:09 PM, VernRDH said:

Thanks for the replies! I think we may just go Fantastica this time and see how we like the overall experience. 

 

If you are used to flexible dining time, this is only offered with Aurea level bookings. Or (as it has been mentioned) forgo the balcony if you can, and book in the Yacht Club in an inside cabin. You will be surprised at the level of service. 

[UPNYGuy]

1 hour ago, ray98 said:

 

No....Aurea only.  The rest get the chaos of MSC assigned times.  Book Bella and there is a good chance dinner is the 9:30pm seating.

 

unless you pre-request dinner at the early seating. DW and I have done bella and have never had 9:30 dinner seating. 

[UPNYGuy]

On 8/25/2023 at 7:19 PM, VernRDH said:

we do enjoy relaxing at the adults pool preferably in the shade on sea days

 

def. go for the interior y/c on the Meraviglia in this case, much less hectic. You can feel that the ship has as many people on it as it does.

 

 

Edited September 1, 2023 by UPNYGuy

[JamieLogical]

10 minutes ago, UPNYGuy said:

 

unless you pre-request dinner at the early seating. DW and I have done bella and have never had 9:30 dinner seating. 

 

You are lucky! I was Fantastica on my last sailing and initially assigned an 8:30 dining time despite requesting early. Even with Fantastica, there are no guarantees that you will get your requested time, you are just allegedly given priority for your desired time. I was able to get my time changed to 6:00 once onboard by being willing to do a sharing table.

[UPNYGuy]

7 minutes ago, JamieLogical said:

 

You are lucky! I was Fantastica on my last sailing and initially assigned an 8:30 dining time despite requesting early. Even with Fantastica, there are no guarantees that you will get your requested time, you are just allegedly given priority for your desired time. I was able to get my time changed to 6:00 once onboard by being willing to do a sharing table.

 

Im also Diamond, so perhaps that plays a part, but I have never had late dining with bella.

Edited September 1, 2023 by UPNYGuy
cannot type

[ray98]

2 hours ago, UPNYGuy said:

 

unless you pre-request dinner at the early seating. DW and I have done bella and have never had 9:30 dinner seating. 

 

There were plenty on the Seaside in May including some who were Fantastica that didn't get their preferred early choice.

[UPNYGuy]

Just now, ray98 said:

 

There were plenty on the Seaside in May including some who were Fantastica that didn't get their preferred early choice.

hmm. That’s interesting. 

[CruisingFox27]

6 hours ago, ReneeFLL said:

Is My Choice dining not offered to everyone? Do you need to be in a certain category to have it? We do not like assigned time for dinner. For My Choice dining can you show up anytime?

Anytime dining is only available to Aurea experience passengers or YC. And, yes, you can dine at any time during the restaurant opening hours. 

[ReneeFLL]

17 hours ago, ray98 said:

 

No....Aurea only.  The rest get the chaos of MSC assigned times.  Book Bella and there is a good chance dinner is the 9:30pm seating.

Thanks.

 

12 hours ago, CruisingFox27 said:

Anytime dining is only available to Aurea experience passengers or YC. And, yes, you can dine at any time during the restaurant opening hours. 

Thanks.

[lcpagejr]

On 8/27/2023 at 10:14 AM, VernRDH said:

I actually looked at inside YC, it isn't unreasonable. But just not us really.

Plus I don't want to do it and be ppointed I can't do itdisa again because it's too expensive!

I think your later statement " be disappointed I can't do it a again because it's too expensive"...is the main reason and rightfully so...Because once you cruise in YC you will not want to cruise in another category on a MSC ship.   Its safe to say....MSC cruise outside of YC....is a crap shoot and likely will cause more headache then pleasure

[CruisingFox27]

17 hours ago, lcpagejr said:

I think your later statement " be disappointed I can't do it a again because it's too expensive"...is the main reason and rightfully so...Because once you cruise in YC you will not want to cruise in another category on a MSC ship.   Its safe to say....MSC cruise outside of YC....is a crap shoot and likely will cause more headache then pleasure

 

While this may be your opinion, it's a wholly inaccurate statement. YC is delightful but, so is a cruise not within YC. 

[UPNYGuy]

3 hours ago, CruisingFox27 said:

 

While this may be your opinion, it's a wholly inaccurate statement. YC is delightful but, so is a cruise not within YC. 

Correct. DW and I cruise in and outside YC. This is a generalization, and one I find to be inaccurate. 

[lcpagejr]

4 hours ago, CruisingFox27 said:

 

While this may be your opinion, it's a wholly inaccurate statement. YC is delightful but, so is a cruise not within YC. 

Yes… but not necessarily on MSC. Ive cruised on most major lines out of N America and MSC is the most inconsistent and chaotic cruise line 

i have observed. You need alot of patience and a good sense of humor to survive a week on MSC , outside YC.  

[MsTabbyKats]

And I'm putting that to the test today!  Going to Canada on NCL Escape....regular balcony, no frills.  I looked into the Haven, but for the price differential...and what it lacked compared to YC (no wifi or drinks included...no breakfast/lunch buffets at the pool, no spa included, no delicious customized pizza delivery to the pool)....it just didn't make sense to pay so much more for so much less.

 

I have 2 YC sailings and one Carnival trip booked.  If the Escape really just doesn't do it for me (compared to YC Meraviglia) I'll probably cancel Carnival.

 

I was happy with MSC before I tried YC....but now it's just gonna be YC for me.