Powersboyee2

We are sailing towards the end of Jan on Divina.  I got an upgrade offer email already back in early November and heard back that it was accepted on Dec 12th.  We had a Bella balcony booked and upgraded into a yacht club deluxe suite.  Booked directly through MSC.  This is also our first sailing on MSC, but are Diamond aka Black card members, because of status match from Royal.  Good luck on upgrades everyone!

Does anyone know if the drink packages will work on the island, as they do on Royal's private stops?  Just curious because they offer an "Ocean Cay" alcohol package as well.  Don't know if this is needed on top of the premium package or what the deal is.  Sorry, MSC newbie here!  Thanks in Advance!  Heading there in Jan.

Hello Everyone...  Sorry, newbie to MSC here.  Heading out in Jan.  Couple quick questions.... Also forgive me if this has been answered elsewhere, but I could not find it on CC.  Is the ship drink package going to work on the island?  Only asking because I see in the cruise planner that they have drink packages that say ocean cay.  Didn't know if this was needed on top of the premium package or not?  Also, our status match from RCCL got us black status on MSC.  Is that going to be worth anything haha?  Thanks for the info in advance!!!

1 hour ago, coaster said:

Very generous compensation. Those of us who were on cancelled Empress sailings back in 2016 due to a drydock gone bad just got $100 pp obc for a future cruise. 

Oh No!  Thanks for the memories 😢 I had two sailings cancelled at that time. In a JS. Ended up going on Oasis instead as dates weren’t flexible. Paid the “prevailing rate” for A JS a week out.  OUCH!!  NO price protection and very little OBC as compensation.  

2 hours ago, Cruising305 said:

Would be interested in seeing menu and pricing for JR Express. Thanks!

Look up a menu from Anthem... Should be the same. From what I remember, you end up paying about the same as a cover charge one. Downfalls are no unlimited fries and rings and also the amazing sundae is gone 😞

Seems about right to me.... as my earlier post stated it doesn’t end up being good for the customers at all in the end.  About on par for what we were offered. 

2 minutes ago, jennadanielle said:

Powersboyee, how close to sailing did they announce the cancelation? 

It was in-between 1 and 2 weeks out I think. 

2 hours ago, jennadanielle said:

Oh no! I hadn't considered that they could cancel our sailing. My Cruise Planner is also showing dates as Feb 24-Feb 25.

I do know that their website has been jacked up all day so I'm praying this is just a glitch. What happens when they cancel a cruise?? 

I have been scheduled to be on the first two cruises actually after a dry dock, and they were both cancelled due to longer than expected work.  What will happen if this is the case, is that they will give you price protection on a VERY few number of other cruse itineraries that you can switch to for the same rate or cancel for a full refund.  These sailings will almost be immediately sold out as everyone tries to rebook at once, so then you will be forced to chose refund or pay the prevailing rate for a cruse that is a very short time away. (usually meaning super expensive)  They will reimburse a VERY small amount towards travel expenses, but not even close enough to cover for most.  We ended up having to chose an Oasis sailing, which was 2 nights less total, for the prevailing rate and was about 3400 more. Wasn't too fun dealing with it all but we of course had a good time once aboard.  We had just been on oasis earlier that year but oh well.  Its definitely the risk you take being on an immediate sailing following a dry dock.

On 12/3/2018 at 12:23 PM, Moltar said:

Exactly.

 

Does anyone have a link or can share what the 8 night MDR menu's are on Anthem?  

SO how was the cruise??  Do you have the menus that you could share now?

What about Anthem out of Bayonne??  How early does boarding start in that terminal?  Newbie to that port, sorry haha.  Ive been on ships as early as 10-10:15 but that was port everglades.  

Hello All!!

I see it's been a few months since anyone has posted in this thread, but i'm just curious as to if anyone has had any recent news of the day pass availability???  We have done day passes at other Sandals locations, but never this one.  It was usually arranged per email.  Does anyone have an email for someone at the resort that handles this?  I would call, but I seem to have exhausted all my options for international calling them and can't get it to work!!  We sail in a few weeks.  Thanks in advance to anyone who may have some info!

On 12/8/2018 at 10:49 PM, Host Clarea said:

 

I think it depends on how drink sales are going on that particular sailing.

Hey Bob.... I know in the past, some ships offered 20% off drink packages for D.  Is this the case any more that you have heard of?  I was told yes on Navigator earlier this year but no on Jewel.  Wondering for Anthem..... hmmmmmmm  

Are the passes all inclusive?? Drinks, food,loungers??

 

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Yes indeed. Basically like you are a guest, with no room. Here’s a pic from our loungers by the pool and of DW fetching some drinks lol.

This week we are on different itineraries. We were supposed to be in Dominica with them we will be with MSC Seaside in St Martin

 

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Gotcha. Enjoy her! Amazing ship and crew! Say hello to Sergey in the DL for us. Let me know what you think of the MDR. We were not very impressed to be honest. Drastically different than the previous week on Freedom. Giovanni’s and chops were great though.

One last look from 1602 before we surrendered

Garbage scow blocking my view

 

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Lol. Don’t worry, you’ll see plenty of that ship throughout the week.

How much are the day passes?

$105 pp

Currently onboard freedom.... well currently sitting on the beach in St Maarten actually [emoji847] But the internet perks are alive and well, just as they have been. No issues. We will be on Jewel next week and can report from there as well.

 

Junior is the DC and Gisleni from Brazil is the Suite concierge. 4th ship we’ve had Drew as our cruise director. He’s good stuff Maynard.

Alright so I reported no change last week on Freedom and figured I do the same here for Jewel.

Internet benefit is intact.

This ship Does NOT offer any Drink package discount for diamond tho as others have reported from other ships a discount of 20%.

30% for D+ and 40 for P is available tho.

Lastly, there is never anyone in the DL even at peak times. So overcrowding is not an issue what so ever on this cruise. There was 4 other people in there for a bit last night, and that was as crowded as it got lol

Being from Green Bay, can you rate the cheese?:')

Oh god.... don’t even get me started on their “cheese” as they call it. White cheese in the made to order omelets instead of cheddar etc lol. Weird white cheese sauce for nachos. It’s not terrible in the pizza tho. Since mozzarella is what’s supposed to be on it but yeah.

How about the MDR cheese rolls tho!? Sooooo good. Too bad you have to special request them now, so we never get them right away. Last night had a basket of 8 of them for our table of 2 lol. [emoji847]

We are leaving from Miami on the Jewel for a 10 night southern Caribbean cruise on February 15, 2019. It doesn’t show up in the brochure, but my TA assures me it is an available cruise!!! I think they did a little shuffling because of the still unsettled state of SJ.

Alright, so I’m not trying to start any rumors because I could be wrong in the times etc....

At the top tier event one of the people speaking said something about it was just released to them today (yesterday) that they would be going to Dubai after Europe and not returning to do Caribbean after their Europe season. Again, not sure in the timing but I did hear them say something along those lines.

Alright so as far as the pizza.... it ok I’d say lol. Not terrible but definitely not as good as last week on Freedom. So is it a good snack? Yes. But not great lol. Hope this helps.

12$ each way for taxi. 2 peeps. In case anyone is wondering. Took about 15 mins.

What day are you in Antigua?

 

 

 

I'm showing the Jewel of the Seas is only there tomorrow the 25th and doesn't visit the island next week on the voyage leaving San Juan on the 29th.

We are here today yep yep

Just a quick review as we sit at the Westin watching the rain clear...

 

Embarkation- Quick and painless, we were onboard within 15 minutes of arriving at the pier

 

Dining- We did the ultimate dining package, which was a first for us. We loved Chops and Sabor, Giovanni’s not so much. The staff at both Chops and Sabor were outstanding.

 

Drink package- let’s just say we got our money’s worth. Never a long wait for drinks, lots of bar servers by the pool. The bar staff in Viking Crown Lounge were excellent [emoji106]

 

Excursions- We did the Day trip to Nevis with lunch, Mofongo and Mojitos in San Juan, and Buccaneer Beach Break In St. Marten. All were excellent.

 

Crew- Friendly, very helpful and always available.

 

Ship condition and cabin- We were in a GS on deck 10. Great cabin and location. One elevator was not working the entire cruise, but otherwise the ship was in great shape.

 

Entertainment- We’ve cruised with Royal many times, so didn’t go to all the shows. The ones we attended were great.

 

Concierge/Diamond Lounge- Packed every night. We ended up not utilizing either venue much due to the crowding in both spaces. We did receive our crystal block for 280 points. It showed up in our cabin mid cruise with a nice note from the loyalty ambassador.

 

Debarkation- relatively painless. We were off the ship a little after 8. Self assist were off by around 6:30. We have a late flight, so I booked a day pass at the Westin on Ft. Lauderdale Beach. I would highly recommend this if you have a late flight out. Full use of the pool and spa, excellent staff.

 

Any questions, please ask and I’ll try to answer (I did not keep any Compasses).

 

 

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Just a quick few thoughts as I was on this cruise with several others as well.

Embarkation was a breeze.

Bar staff excellent and waits for drinks minimal and always walking Around the pool deck.

We ate at the the specialty restaurants as well but our experience was that Gios was by far the best so we went there twice. Same for our cruise mates.

Stopped in the cramped CL once just to ask Gisleni something, but never returned as the DL is far better. As far as the DL, we had zero issues with crowding actually. Stopped in about 7 each evening and always several spaces available. Stayed until dinner some nights and left.

Alex was Great.

Shows were good/ the ones we attended.

Drew is a great cruise director and we were glad to have him as we’ve been on his ships several times in the past.

Have a great cruise, but get off the ship quickly next Sunday!

Lol. Sure thing. We have a 6pm flight [emoji3]