Beamafar

Hi Dave. True, but that doesn’t explain the discrepancy between mine and DH’s.

I guess we live in hope that one day they will (despite years of hearing that a higher tier will be introduced but has yet to materialise 🙄).

Interesting. I’ve never rated YC food very highly (and I’ve sailed in YC in several regions).

They now recommend making an appointment - especially on sea days - so they can accommodate you. With ‘My Choice’ dining you can arrive anytime between the hours indicated, but they can’t guarantee that you’ll get a 2-top. In our experience, the dining tended to end up as early and late seating as you were able to have the same table for the entirety of the cruise if you dined at the same time every evening. YMMV.

With The Retreat prices going the way they are, there’s going to be a lot more converts. Personally I think that the YC, on the whole, is a far superior experience - except for food offerings. Luminae beats the YC restaurant with its better menus.

I have 18000 more points than DH and we’ve always sailed together. That difference does not equate to the points awarded for pre-purchases or onboard spending (always on my card). I gave up long ago trying to figure out how they award points.

Bon voyage. MSC has a different vibe than other cruise lines, so it’s best to go with an open mind. Have you checked out the other Aurea inclusions?

Thanks. I’ll be interested to read your experience of it. I’m following your review. 👍

So far, 2 Fantasia class ships (Splendida & Divina) in 2 different regions (Europe & US) introducing ‘My Choice’ dining for Fantastica bookings.

I now have ‘My Choice’ dining with a Fantastica category cabin on our September Splendida booking. It’s still ‘Complimentary’ dining on our May Seascape booking.

It tells me that I’m not eligible. Not surprised at that - it doesn’t apply to us in Ireland. Another MSC inconsistency; other cruise lines offer the facility regardless of where you live.

Wondering if this has to do with MSC’s experience of passengers using OBC in their casinos on their mainstream ships.

Great to see a comparison between Azamara and Explora. Having experienced the former and booked the latter, it’s interesting to read this.

Thanks so much for doing this. As someone who usually does a ‘Live from’ I get the amount of time and effort it takes. The information on the Cozumel excursion was especially helpful. Have a safe journey home.

Can’t blame you for sending that back!

Even if this itinerary is offered again next year, we’ve booked Explora Journeys so there’s no point in even looking. 😕

Same here! I’ve just been lamenting the fact that MSC doesn’t do Southern Caribbean from Miami.

What a fantastic itinerary. We’d love to get back to Aruba again. Hope you have an incredible time. Divina is very different but is a beautiful ship. It’s quite a while since we’ve sailed Fantastica class but we’re on Splendida later this year and I can’t wait to experience this class once again.

How true, P. 🤣

In Europe - yes. The menus should be similar to what you’ll be offered on your sailing. Hope you have a wonderful cruise.

I posted photos of the menus on our cruise in the following review: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2968983-musica-review-october-2023/#comment-66268682

There was no charge for an extra mains when we sailed the Med last October (and that’s since the policy was introduced on US sailings). You could order as much as you liked from the menu. The menus do differ slightly as MSC tries to accommodate American tastes on US sailings. Also, the US dollar is the currency on those cruises, whereas it’s Euros on European sailings (and, I believe, it can be Sterling on UK cruises).

I’ve always brought 2 pairs of normal sized scissors onboard. I keep a pair in the front pocket of each of my (airline checked-in) suitcases to cut the cable ties I use to clip the zips together. I’ve never had a problem having them onboard (and they’re often just left on the counter in the cabin - so within sight of the stewards/butlers).

Nor will it be until embarkation. You’ll have to queue to see the m’D onboard should you wish to change the assigned time. He’ll be available between certain times in one of the MDRs (usually). Guest Services will be able to tell you where to go.

Thanks. I agree - these things never go according to plan. Factor in that it’s MSC - that, alone, is enough! 🙄😆