JAGR

Yes, we have separate line-items for onboard for each passenger too, but i am tempted to call them up since the current deal is very similar price-wise, but you do get the addition of free wifi now.

We thought about doing that, as well, but we'd lose $100 total in OBC credit (We got $200 each, and it's now $150/person):

Book your cruise now and travel to the most stunning Caribbean destinations at unbelievable rates PLUS bonus perks!

That’s right, we’ve made our 2 for 1 cruise deals even better with bonus perks, including:

• Interior Staterooms: $50 Onboard Credit

• Ocean View Staterooms: $50 Onboard Credit + FREE Surfer WiFi Package

• Balcony Staterooms: $50 Onboard Credit + FREE Surfer WiFi Package + FREE Mealtime Drinks

• Aurea & MSC Yacht Club: $150 Onboard Credit + FREE Surfer WiFi Package (Unlimited Drinks are already included in the Aurea & MSC Yacht Club Experience)

You can't pay ahead of boarding for excursions, but do remember that the private island will have a private area for YC that has cabanas already, so you probably don't want to pre-book and pay for one outside of the YC complex.

Hi.

I won't be sailing Seaside YC until 2019 but have an OBC question.

Between the $150 I am getting from the cruiseline and the $375 I'm getting from my TA, I will have $525 in OBC for my sailing.

 

Can I use the OBC for the gratuities?

 

Can I use the OBC to book an excursion prior to my getting on board? For instance, if the new private island has cabanas, I would like to book one and wondered if I wanted to book prior to getting on board, could my OBC be used to purchase?

 

I will have the drink package with YC and two nights in specialty restaurants for being Black card and have access to the thermal spa and the only other thing I can think of using it for is spa treatments but had hoped to be able to use for cabana or gratuities.

 

Thank you all so much!

We did something similar. Booked a March 2018 sailing in Yacht Club in October of 2016. When I got my notice (Booking Confirmation), it breaks down dollar by line item for each guest. In both of our it shows a cancellation of $150 OBC each, and was replaced with a $200 OBC for each. The item code should begin with SB. If you didn't get a confirmation pdf with the breakdown by PAX, I would just call my planner and have them e-mail you a copy.

I am curious about when points are accrued to move up levels in Voyager Club. For example, on our next cruise we get 1500 points for the cruise. We need 1200 to move from Silver to Gold level. Will we get the next level on the cruise, or not until after. Carnival, for example, will credit you at check-in for what level you would be at when the cruise is over. If you are Gold and would have enough nights to be Platinum, they will issue a Platinum card at check-in for that cruise. Not a burning issue. Just curious.

Whoops, did change Divina to Seaside, also here are the dates of the B3B:

 

March 3, 2018 - Same Stateroom

March 10, 2018 - Same Stateroom

March 17, 2018 - Different Stateroom

Look forward to meeting you on March 3rd! Thanks again for your helpful and honest review!

I looked on the threads and didn't see an answer to this. We have a reservation in YC on the Seaside in March. I was looking at add-ons, but can't tell if there is a real discount for pre-purchasing versus buying on board. I assume it is cheaper, but they seem to have sales on board, based on poster's pictures and comments. Also, in looking at the spa packages, I assume the thermal spa pass is not needed, given our Yacht Club booking. Thanks for any guidance.

I take it that your signature is wrong about 2018 MSC cruises, since it says Divina, and you write that your are really going B2B on Seaside. We are on Seaside in YC on March 3rd. Curious what weeks you are on her. Great review so far. Love the details. Thanks!

We're on Seaside in March 2018, and it still shows as $98. Maybe a special because of it being a new ship.

Thanks Mike, since I have an inside in the Yacht Club I expect to be spending a lot of time there.

Same for me with an inside cabin. Thanks to Mike and Chip!

Where are you seeing YC interior sizes that big? Cruisedeckplans is showing 17 sq. meters on Seaside and Seaview. MSC says 226 sq. ft. (so 21 sq. meters), but it also says the Y1 balconies are 21, but that is including the balcony. The deck plan doesn't visually represent the interiors as bigger, so I really think it's a mistake on the MSC site. I have an interior booked on the Seaside in March, so I'll know for sure then.

I think it looks very nice! Look forward to meeting you on the second portion of you B2B.

I have found the key to getting a good price is booking really early. I have three cruises booked at an average cost of $1700 (with single supplement). All are for an inside YC. Problem is, I can't find prices like this yet in 2019.

You are right! Glad it's just not me. The prices aren't bad, but at least 18-22% more than 2018.

Thanks for the reply! We are booked on 3 March. You will be experts on the MSC Seaside Yacht Club layout by then!

Sorry! I looked through the various YC-related posts, but couldn't find the answer. I've tried to contact MSC through the web site "Contact Us" section three times, but have not gotten a response. We booked Yacht Club for next March (first-timer: Reformed Carnival patron!), and in my confirmation statement, it reads EXPYC−YACHT CLUB: Exclusivity & Luxury, and EXP3−AUREA: all inclusive & SPA. I was trying to find out if that means what I think it does, and that is you get all YC privileges as well as AUREA spa (including the wellbeing package with free massage for two suite occupants, as well as the MED diffuser). Is my interpretation correct? Thanks in advance for your help.

Popcorn from the Lido bars doesn't really make the Dive-In Movie a Dine-In Movie to my mind! Thanks for the chuckle. To answer your question, I haven't seen a schedule.

On the first night (and often on the second night), you can get the free bottle of cheap wine, or they offer half of any bottle on the wine list. You can take the half-off price, but you cannot then also apply your Cheers discount as well. We opt for the half-off wines every time! Enjoy your cruise.

For those considering the Sunshine, it is much less crowded in the Havana bar area, more tables for eating. At the beginning of our cruise it was practically empty. Later in the cruise people seem to realize it was there. There is also a good Asian and Italian restaurant back there that are free at lunch time. And the Cuban coffee from the bar is the best coffee I had on the ship. Don't even get me started on their espresso martini!

Just curious what the price is for the Cuban coffee.

It'll officially begin on January 29 I believe. I have not cruise Jeezy the stagger check in time is been assuming they work the usual way. I have a cruise schedule out of there February 24 and I was able to pick my check in time.

 

 

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See you on board on the 24th! Safe travels!

YES...definitely use Melbourne airport. Often it's less expensive than Orlando. Much smaller and easier to get around without all of the Disney crowds of people that hold up the lines. Use Melbourne Airport Express to get to/from the port. Easy.

Cheaper still is to do one-way rentals. There is not surcharge. We fly into Melbourne, rent a car from National and drop off at the Port Canaveral location and take free shuttle to the Port. Reverse on the way back, although sometimes we have one of us shuttle to get the car and then come back to pick up spouse and luggage.

The one-way rentals are $40 each (or less), so we find it beats the shuttle service.

The buffet is the only dining venue open for lunch on embarkation day. :)

Sorry, this is a marginally related question. We are on our first MSC cruise(on the Divina) in a few weeks. The departure is listed as 7:00, and we reserved a room in the Yacht Club. What time would the ship open for boarding? I was hoping sometime before 1:00, but we are used to 4:00 Carnival departures from Miami. Thanks for any advice.

I guess you're one of those that would be tickled pink if gas jumped from $2 per gallon to $4 per gallon overnight. :rolleyes:

 

I guess I'm lucky that neither my wallet nor I have to worry about your beliefs. :)

They must not teach understanding irony in tech school!

Bagel with salmon and cream cheese.. [emoji18]

 

 

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Very good, but unfortunately, smoked salmon is no longer on the menu. I usually make a daily trip to the deli and ask for lox and bagel sandwich, without the bagel and cheese. I put the salmon in a sandwich bag and have it in the fridge to put on my bagel and cream cheese the next morning from room service.

Sorry the sarcastic remark went over you. Posted ways to beat the system on an open forum is not always the best way of doing things. It's the same as telling Carnival hey, I found a new way!.

 

For the record, yes, I did get beat up a lot!!!!

We agree, and I'm Irish, so I know a little about sarcasm! :D

They read CC, so you are late. You got beat up a lot by other kids when you were growing up, I bet!

As others have reported, it's only available in the Steakhouse on first night, and usually on second night. Cucina only offers the free house wine carafe.