Cruisennerable

3 hours ago, Nashna said:

I just put in a bid this morning for that sailing.

I'm so interested in the bid process I would love to try to book a cheap room just to try for better bidding options next time. Curious what you bid on and your options etc

One week countdown! I'm sailing with my brother will be interesting how sharing a room since we were kids will turn out? 😁

On 1/3/2020 at 8:16 AM, mvh said:

I just noticed my Visa has been charged for my bid amount, but my room has not been changed on my booking and I have not been notified.  How long does this usually take? I sail on Jan 12. 

Thats exciting I'm on that sailing date as well! I hope this is great news for you. When did you get charged? What room category did you win & what did you originally reserve? How much more did you bid and what bid catagory did you choose, weak, fair strong? Would love to hear the details. 

21 minutes ago, jkgourmet said:

 

You are correct - I was indeed looking at outdated information. 

 

As to the MSC drink package - I've gotten the Easy Package as part of my booking.  Had I known about the serious limitations of it, I may very well have not booked this cruise.  My bad for not doing the research.  (and I admit to being spoiled by Celebrity Perks that include a very generous standard alcohol package.)

 

My dissatisfaction with the Easy Package:

• VERY limited choices - only two red wines, etc.
• Not allowed in specialty restaurants
• Want something priced above your $6 Easy allowance?  Your paying the full price, not just the difference.
• The limited choice of mixed drinks - I want a martini?  Order a glass of vodka on the rocks, then get an order of dry vermouth.  Mix a little of that vermouth in my vodka, then throw away the rest of that vermouth.  Want a frozen daiquiri?   Order a virgin frozen daiquiri and a glass of rum.  Mix it together.  It's really a damn silly program (and a waste of vermouth). tin

 

 

 

Sorry once again I must reiterate you are comparing apples to oranges the Easy Package is mostly a free throw in or for people who don't drink Martinis which there are plenty. It isn't advertised as a Martini program- you could have had that for just a few dollars more still hundreds less than Celebrity. There are few cruises who would get their value out of the price of a premium drink package and MSC is the only cruise line who allows this low level package and gives it out free many times with no hidden fees like the other cruise lines charge which is a plus not a negative. You could have upgraded your free package a fraction of what you would pay at Celebrity who once again charges $70USD plus 20% gratuities on top of that -yes I said 20% plus 10% tax.

You could have paid 140 to upgrade your package no gratuities or tax and had your martini  drink you wish and still saved 600 or spend the $10 and save $780.

I continually see cruises book MSC to save thousands and then seem confused when they don't get champagne  treatment even though MSC offers this white glove treatment for a fraction of the cost

4 hours ago, jkgourmet said:

 

I can only comment on the prices of alcohol packages.  RC has only one package, and its virtually unlimited everything at $55usd +18% gratuities.  The equivalent would be MSC's Premium Plus at $79usd +0% gratuities IF the package is purchased prior to boarding.

Sorry the actual price as per RC right now quoted straight from their own site is     $63.00 - $89.00/per day for 2019-2020 plus 18% gratuities and 10% VAT

so too price is $808 USD

MSC charged me no tax or gratuities for a grand total of $200 In Canadian which is even less USD to add drinks and wifi. 
I am continually baffled at the posts I see upset about MSC drink package when cruisers could still by 10 drinks per day out of pocket and still not spend as much as other cruise lines. 
 

On 1/2/2020 at 3:16 PM, frank808 said:

Also sister line Royal Caribbean just charges the difference.  Have the deluxe package that covers up to $12 but want a $14 drink?  Just pay the $2 difference and the 36 cents for the 18% gratuity on the $2.

Didnt it also cost you hundreds more for the package wigh RC 

Plus major tax and gratuities. Their soda package is aa expensive as MSC drink package?

I emailed as I couldnt print my tickets and had an emailed set within an hour! Great service

I agree on this site as well as on facebook groups the YC seem to take over everything. Only YC Menu's pinned etc. I wonder if its the organizers who push towards that way as I am curious why nothing else gets pinned as there are way way more rooms for NON YC. 

Don't be concerned - you paid a fraction for your trip and drink package compared to the other cruise lines out there

MSC is way cheaper so even if you have to upgrade a few hundreds to get a better drink package. Do a fake cruise booking and you'll see

On 12/21/2019 at 9:44 AM, SirWolf said:

Really ? ...that is strange. We experienced the most attentive service in YC and tipped our butler and assistant butler in addition to DSC. On our past 3 cruises we had no reason to complain (except quality of dinner on Meraviglia) and have never considered to remove DSC.

On 12/22/2019 at 11:18 PM, perakcruiser said:

Worth to add that -as far as I know- not all nationalities can remove the DSC. Actually I am very surprised that MSC allows the Americans to do this. 

 

On American ships the Europeans can remove and the Americans cannot, right?

The same people who expect to be treated like royalty and have their butler run around like crazy for them 

If yoy bid on a doom that has an aurea experience associated with roo ? Will you also recieve the experience benefits of aurea if your bid is accepted

What dock did you port in Ochos Rios?

James Bond or Turtle Bay?

My MSC cruise that I just booked has these packages available to purchase before the cruise, it is probably in your account somewhere if you dig around for it.

Package details indicates that if you purchase any of the print packages you may purchase the digital copies on the ship discounted by 50%.

 Please note these are CAD prices so US is 3/4 the price.

I have seen many inquiries regarding internet packages & pricing. I too had many questions prior to booking my cruise but I was unable to find these details ahead of time to see if the upgraded package to buy internet and drinks with my cruise was worth the money. Now that I have my cruise booked and paid for I have this information easily available in my MSC account. For those who might be interested I have compiled this information as provided to me fromure  MSC which for a 7 day Caribbean Cruise departing Miami on the Meraviglia, I am sure it would be a great guide for other 7 day Caribbean/USA cruises.

Please NOTE

* I am CANADIAN and all prices shown here are CAD so prices in US$ are much cheaper ( I would multiple by .75 or 3/4 the price) If anyone has pre-booked in US$ maybe you could provide exact US pricing information  including which package and your price.

* MSC indicates that booking before the cruise saves 20% on all packages offered  but I am not sure if anyone has been offered specials

1. Standard Internet 
Book now and save 20% vs. onboard price! Price: CAD $ 63 Per person
Data limit: 2 GB that can be used throughout the length of the cruise Up to 2 devices
Benefits :Ideal for limited internet usage, the "Standard Internet" package lets you access all social networks and chat APPs, check email and browse the web. If you finish your MB before your cruise ends, you can recharge your package buying more MB at a cheaper price.

2.Standard Internet (Including MSC Ocean Cay)
Book now and save 20% vs. onboard price!Price:CAD$ 84 Per person 
Data limit: 3 GB that can be used throughout the length of the cruise Up to 2 devices
Benefits:Ideal for limited internet usage, the "Standard Internet" package lets you access all social networks and chat APPs, check email and browse the web. If you finish your MB before your cruise ends, you can recharge your package buying more MB at a cheaper price.

3. Premium Internet (Including MSC Ocean Cay
Book now and save 20% vs. onboard price! Price: CAD $ 120 Per person
Data limit: 6 GB that can be used throughout the length of the cruise Up to 4 devices
Benefits:Full Internet package, perfect for heavy users or families. This package allows to connect up to 4-devices and offers full web browsing, access to all social networks and chat APP and email checking. If you finish your MB before your cruise ends, you can recharge your package buying more MB at a cheaper price.

4. Unlimited Internet Cruise Package (Including MSC Ocean Cay)
Book now and save 20% vs. onboard price!  Price: CAD $ 167 Per person
Duration: entire cruise Data limit: unlimited One device at a time
Benefits: This cruise package gives you access to unlimited web surfing, email access, social media access, Youtube and all apps. It can be used only on one device at a time. This package does not allow video streaming (e.g. access to websites such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Audible, Hulu etc.).
 

Yes sorry you are right my mistake; I misunderstood liquor for alcohol

On 11/22/2019 at 7:07 PM, jdvmd said:

You cannot order liquor to your cabin.

 

Actually that is not accurate there are many beverage packages you can prebook for your cabin. Order them from your MSC account in the Beverage section. I suggest everyone peruse it as there are lots of fun surprises you can book and reasonably priced. Here are the wines I found - Please note prices are Canadian so cheaper for US

BOTTLE OF RED WINE IN CABIN

Book now
Including:
1 bottle of Woodbridge Merlot
Can be consumed in cabin

It's wine o clock!

Per stateroom $ 27

BOTTLE OF HOUSE SPARKLING WINE
Price:
$ 21 per Stateroom
BOTTLE OF HOUSE SPARKLING WINE

Book now
Including:
1 bottle of house sparkling wine

Simply bubbly!

Per stateroom $ 21

BOTTLE OF WHITE WINE IN CABIN

Book now
Including:
1 bottle of Woodbridge Chardonnay
Can be consumed in cabin

It's wine o clock!

Per stateroom $ 27

On 11/24/2019 at 10:41 PM, Invero said:

We saw both shows last week. Personally, I enjoyed them both tremendously. We did the Cocktail option for both. (You get a choice between three cocktails and one non-alcoholic cocktail)

 

For Viaggio, we were seated in the "Cocktail Seats" (first-come, first-seated), which are located off to the side, and behind the dinner guests. They were OK. Not bad seats by any stretch... just not great. Also, the cocktails with Viaggio were nasty. I don't think I saw anyone drinking them. There were tons of still-full glasses all around the theater when the show was done.

 

For SONOR, we had assigned seats in the center that were very good. I suspect they were originally for Yacht Club guests, and then when they had extra, they released them to regular bookings. The drinks with SONOR were significantly better.

 

If I were to pick only one to see... I guess it would have to be SONOR. It was the more unique show, and I think I enjoyed it slightly more. 

 

Enjoy the show. I honestly don't think you could go wrong with either.

Did anyone bring in a drink from another bar? Do you know if this was allowed?

They are adding the Gratuities into the all inclusive upgrade which normally has WiFi and Easy Drinks. This upgrade comes with a cost depending on each room and experience- our free upgrade cost us $500 PP or $1000 for a Balcony Fantastica so I wouldn't call it free

7 hours ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

You read that right. $199.00 pp for 7 nights on Meraviglia or seaside sailing for dates in December (until the Christmas/NY sailings).

 

Just when I thought the rates couldn't get any cheaper, MSC has dropped to the lowest I've seen in years for balcony cabins on new ships!! Inventory is still high so there is  time to secure these rates. For many of you, I suspect it might be cheaper to cancel (take the penalty) and then rebook. I sure do hope someone can benefit from these.....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MSC has stated that these dates will receive $100 OBC which makes these cruises ridiculously inexpensive (you'll also get the 20% of $199)

It cost more money to stay home!!

 

PLEASE, go book!! you simply can not go wrong with MSC at these prices.

I am in Canada and when I search these prices don't come up on the sites I find. Has anyone found this price recently

1 hour ago, Phaedrus78 said:

 

I may have just finished creating a spreadsheet just like this for my Jan. 23 sailing...

Spreadsheet ..... omg I’ve been keeping hand written notes and rewriting them - how did I not think of spreadsheets Yay more assistance for my ocd 

1 hour ago, amscene1 said:

I would call the old upsell number and ask them to send you a bid

Where can I find that number?

On their December cruises out of Miami I’ve been watching these are the differences since the promo changed. The new Take 5 doesn’t appear to be available for the Bliss but you still can get the pick 2 Free @ Sea on Balcony & higher with AIR same price; except you lose the free WIFI that was offered.

The Take 5 is available for other ships combined with AIR on cabins including Oceanview and higher now but the cost is higher for the cheapest Oceanview GTY (not to be confused with Sailaway) than the cruises not offering the Take 5 with Air. They have raised the price for the lowest Oceanview room on the Getaway was 1050ish CAD (sorry that is 1.31 times US) and now it’s 1338CAD

8 hours ago, vacalover99 said:

Figured I'd jump in and tell everyone how I made out with booking my GTY  BF room for a cruise on the NCL BLISS December 1, 2018.

 

I booked last night a GTY BF which is a balcony fwd or aft on deck 9 or 10

Today I logged into my ncl.com ... and I was assigned a category BA which is a mid ship balcony on deck 13. 

 

I lucked out!  Great location - even close to the stairs. AND this room is selling for ALOT more than I paid!   I am a very happy cruiser!  Def. saved a ton of money by booking a BF GTY cabin!  Will do it again in a heart beat! 

 

Also my brother in law booked the same category (we booked the same time through the same TA) and he was assigned a room only 1 away from us!  So this is nice and convenient!  

 

Thanks again for all your responses to my question!

 

Can't wait to cruise again! 

I was going to do the same thing but with free air as I’m in Canada but checkered out due to the double uncertainty. Would you please let me know if they also offer you a bid to upgrade?

4 hours ago, Wyatt ncl said:

 

I went below the 80 day mark without an upgrade offer, call NCL and they sent one.

You contacted NCL and they sent you a bid at your request?

I absolutely love this new pill type forum and believe it is different from what I’ve seen prior. If we all like myself(I’m now guilty) didn’t comment on it the comments wouldn’t grow. I might be a cursmudgeon but I wish people would use the like button for congratulating people on winning bids instead of making a large quote with a congrats added. Just my opinion and doesn’t mean I’m right 

I was wondering if your Air  Canada flight was part of a Sea Air promotion

I am sitting on the edge afraid to book this as the options are so up in the air for travel
I would be flying out of Toronto and Air Canada is one of the airlines who they might use

Has anyone upgraded on board for only a portion of their trip. When I sailed on Celebrity I was able to do this. I will be on medication for the first half of my cruise and not even able to drink until the last three days and my spouse drinks what is in the DOS package only already. I was hoping to upgrade for 4 days only