JAGR

That makes sense.

US

2023! Wow! Talk about "Back to the Future!" 😉

Same!

They are not really available on the app. If you try and select it, it will show as not available or sold out. I called an made our bookings for our trip next week. I got the dates I wanted assigned, and only need to select the show times when we board. At the very least, you save the 15% service charge on board, and you are assured of the day or days you want.

It's not new, maybe expanded from usage in the Serenity area. When we last sailed Carnival in 2017, they were putting the notes on unoccupied chairs in that Adults only area, and they gathered belongings back then. Perhaps they are doing that ship wide now.

The times for check in typically change. They have often now use 3:00 p.m. as a place holder. The key one is what shows on your ticket (usually available 20 days out from sailing). Prior to that date, it may say 3:00, like ours did, or something along the lines of "Embarkation will be announced shortly." Here is ours for a few weeks from now:

Hard to answer your question. Do you mean Yacht Club or regular? Interior or balcony? If you Google MSC Virtuosa or Grandiosa (sister ship) accessible rooms, a number of YouTube videos are there. Most are Grandiosa, but the cabins would be the same between them. Here is a link to a video of both a regular interior and balcony accessible cabins:

Didn't notice that last time you posted this picture! Who set the table? Your DW has the knife and fork both on her left! Someone should be walking the plank! 😉

Check-in is separate. YC begins outside at a tent. When you enter the building and clear initial COVID protocol and security, be sure to tell staff that you are Aurea. They should direct you to the right queue. For the later cruise, it looks like MSC is setting the initial embarkation at 3:00. When you get inside the 20-day window, your ticket will show a more realistic time (or at least should).

We are sailing in a few weeks. I just called MSC and booked both shows. Got the dates we wanted and just need to find the show time we want when we board. That saves the 15% service charge if you wait until the day. Not sure about Aeroplex's discovery of a discount, at least on sailings out of Canaveral. The discount did not show as available with the Specialty dining experiences. There are so many experience levels for specialty dining on these upcoming cruises (3, 4, 5, and unlimited) that I think the offer may not be included.

I'll find out in a fortnight.

Question one is difficult. What criteria would you have? Value, experience, safety? We were former Carnival cruisers that now book MSC YC exclusively. To us, MSC is better overall, hands down. There are articles doing comparisons between the two lines. One of the better and more objective is from Cruise Blog: https://cruise.blog/2020/09/compare-msc-vs-carnival-cruise-line. Other answers are above in your text.

I don't know, not having sailed on MSC during Halloween, but this was from a Cruise Critic review of cruise lines and Halloween:

Calm down! I just meant that on Meraviglia he would have the app. Wasn't arguing with you, just adding information.

To clarify for @tbmrt, I was looking at my tickets for later this month, and they do mention the MSC for Me for chat function o the Meraviglia.

I'm sure you'll be okay. I don't think they were in Royal or Owner's Suites, since they said that they asked for a bigger room and none were available.

I wouldn't mind that too much either. Could tie a cruise from there with a visit to friends and relatives in Sequim/Pt. Angeles area.

I think @tbmrt is looking at Meraviglia, so assuming he and his friends install the app on their phones, they should be alright.

Not surprising. He's only been with MSC for a year and a half! That's a heck of a time to switch, but Carnival was having all kinds of trouble back then.

If the ship you are on has the technology for using the app MSC for Me, it has a chat feature (MSC for Me Chat) that doesn't need you to buy a wifi package. This link explains the functionality of the app: https://www.msccruises.com/en-gl/Discover-MSC/MSC-for-Me.aspx

I remember him from my days sailing Carnival! Nice enough fellow! Didn't know he switched to MSC.

You can do it on board. As Sidari pointed out the points go to the cardholder that settles the bill on board. Keep in mind you and your roommate will still get your base points (for length of cruise and experience. The points we are talking about would be the ones for charges on your account.