poohdreaming

Recently cruised on MSC Divina. It was on the starboard side on the week of Sept. 4th.

If you are not in the YC, you do not get to choose your dining time. The dining time is assigned to your ship card. You will be seated with other strangers/cruisers. If you do not like the time/the table assigned to you, you can try to request to change it by seeing the maitre'd.

Do not know which cruise ship you would be on. But yes, all of them have TV channels that show the bow view and another channel with the ship information. On Divina, last week it was working.

It really depends on everyone liking.

MSC cruise prices are really good.

Food - a lot of people are saying MSC food is okay.

Their pizza are the best.

No self serve ice cream.

No hotdogs, chicken fingers yet.

Shows - some might find MSC shows boring.

I just wanted to comment about the animal towel.

Most cruise lines are done with making animal towels.

However, if you requested it and/or your cabin steward is happy - can make animal towels.

It vary ship to ship with how the meet & greet work.

It also depends on the person who host the meet & greet.

With the pandemic, of course staffs does not need to show/attend the event.

What they can do is leave a card / note (name of all officers and their telephone #) delivering to all cruisers that attended the meet & greet.

The event should still be successful and fun if there are cruisers that showed up even without any officers. The main purpose is to get to know other cruisers and to hang out/make plans throughout the cruise. There are still other meetings listed on the daily everyday like the solo travelers meet up. Some cruisers do show up for that one on the first day and some attend throughout the cruise.

One time match only. If you haven't cruised with MSC for awhile, you would then start all over. If you continued to cruising with MSC, you would then continue to get points.

Hello All,

It will be my first time on MSC Divina sailing solo.

A connecting stateroom was assigned to me.

Are these staterooms okay?

Or should I give MSC a call to see if there are other cabins available?

I wanted to see/hear opinions/reviews before going through the necessary of calling MSC.

Thanks.

https://www.msccruisesusa.com/manage-booking/before-you-go/travel-documents-visas

https://www.nassauparadiseisland.com/getting-here/passports-entry-requirements

https://covertrip.com/trip-planning/can-you-travel-to-the-bahamas-from-the-us-without-a-passport

What publicpersona mentioned is true about a U.S. citizen/resident on a closed-loop cruise not having a passport. A passport is needed when in case you are sick/need to get off board and if necessary, to fly from that port to home. Without a passport, can use birth certificate and ID (real ID).

Did you check out Viator?: https://www.viator.com/tours/Cozumel/Cozumel-Beach-Horseback-Riding-Tour/d632-14856P3

Yes, depending on what interests you.

Sites like viator, the native choice, etc.

Other cruisers had mentioned that home tests are allowed. If you used vendors like On Point to schedule a virtual covid test, it is accepted.

1 hour ago, trafaelwyr said:

Thanks for all the advice everyone!  I've got an excursion for Roatan and Belize booked....I'll probably skip doing an excursion on Costa Maya, but still looking for something of interest in Cozumel.

For Cozumel - Look into the bar hop excursion - A lot of people mentioned it.

4 hours ago, Beer Belly said:

Do much better at a CC M&G

Agree that at a CC M&G, their services were much better.

However, not every cruise have one.

Previous ones I attended before covid was nicely done.

One time after the M&G, strawberry covered chocolate along with other small tiny desserts were send to stateroom to all that attended along with a card listing all their name and direct telephone numbers.

These cocktail party - their main goal is to sell you these certificates.

Some cruisers attend if they do not have a drinking package and wanted a wine/punch.

Some just wanted a NCL pen.

Tray of cheese (white/yellow) w/ crackers and spring rolls.

Drinks: Red Wine, Hawaii Punch

If you have a drinking package - you can order the drink you want. Just need to provide your card.

5 hours ago, 1kaper said:

 

It does. My friend has been playing for awhile so she has tons of points. She plays huge bets and says it only takes her a few minutes to fill up her daily rewards.  I noticed the same when I was playing larger bets. 

Sadly, the terms and conditions say it is for US residents only.  I am not.  Wondering if any Canadians were able to use it. 
When we booked through a TA this year, the TA booked us through the US site even though we weren't.  I'm wondering if they would let you.  I've debated just trying it anyway and asking for a refund in points if the answer is no.  Even if they don't, I don't have anything to spend them on. 

Lps are non-refundable for MSC Cruise. It clearly stated for U.S. residents only. If you have an address in the U.S., then maybe. If not, then I won't redeem for it. If you don't mind losing those non-refundable lps, then you can try it otherwise nope. There other others rewards you can redeem for. You just have to wait until they release other rewards. Myvegas did one time had rewards like gift cards to restaurants, iphone earphones, ipads, etc. Royal Caribbean rewards - I believe Canada residents can redeem for it. 

On 8/3/2022 at 8:24 PM, Turtles06 said:

Best place to research and to ask:

 

Florida Departures forum  

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/386-florida-departures/

I couldn't find this board earlier on so I decided to post under the cruise topic. Thanks.

On 8/4/2022 at 5:51 AM, JohninDC said:

How late does your flight arrive into MCO?  The later you arrive the more it makes sense to stay near the airport instead of staying in PC or nearby Cocoa Beach.

Arrival to MCO around 12 pm if no delay.

All other posts - thanks for the suggestions. My hotel stay and shuttles are now taken care of. 

Do you still have the drinking package even though you do not drink alcohol? There are a lot of drinks to get that does not have alcohol in it. You can order sodas. As for coffee and iced tea, these are usually in the buffet / restaurant.

I never been on either cruise ship. As to answer your questions, I would personally choose Prima over Joy. Take a look at the layout of each cruise ship and see which ones you like better. For example, some cruise ships have more shading areas than others and some have different restaurants.

Cruised with NCL this past April. Watched the muster drill video when doing the check-in. You had to do it in order to be able to print out your edocs. Watched it like 1-3 times. They also send out emails to remind you to watch it. Once on board, you go to your muster station. At the muster station, 1-2 staffs show you how to put on the life jacket. After watching, they swipe your card and then you are free to go to do whatever you want (book shows, go have lunch, etc.)

5 hours ago, Stumpman1974 said:

So they don't have the date on pop slots for the free cruise but the have it on their pay app..how do I change the date or is it allowed after I book  ..I want the 7night cruise and they have a August cruise but I'm not ready just yet..thanks

There's date listed on those rewards so I'm not so sure what you mean by no date on pop slots.

If pop slots does not shows it, you can use other app - myvegas, etc.

There's a 7 night for August - 8/21/22 for 1,000,000 points

7 nights for September - 9/4/22 for 1,250,000 points

7 nights for September - 9/18/22 for 1,500,000 points

The 10/2/22 one is sold out.

So you can either redeem for the 9/4 or 9/18 if you have that many lp points.

Hello,

Looking for recommendations needed for a hotel stay and for shuttle services.

Need a shuttle from the airport (MCO) to the hotel, from the hotel (next day) to the port and once the cruise end, back to the airport.

Much appreciated.

Thanks.

Hello Cruise Critics,

I'm looking for recommendations to which hotel to stay at once arrived from Orlando airport (MCO) and looking for the best shuttle services.

I would need a shuttle from the airport to the hotel, from the hotel to the cruise port and then once the cruise end, a shuttle back to the airport.

Much appreciated.

Thanks.

On 7/29/2022 at 9:00 AM, F858MM said:

Going on the Seashore in October, can I bring on my own bottle of water?

 

No pack of water to bring on board.

However you can bring an empty water bottle to fill it up using their cups in the buffet.

8 minutes ago, Sleddogs said:

Not sure if this has been addressed in the past, please bear with me.  We have not cruised since 2018.  We are hoping to return to Alaska next year.  I was researching Alaska cruises on NCL and noticed their booking process has changed.  I used to be able to see the deck plan and pick out the cabin I desired.  We always prefer an aft cabin and I know they sell out quickly.  Is there a way I can choose my own cabin?  I am not happy with what NCL is choosing for me.  Thank you very much.

Under the cabin they choose for you, it should show: "Choose a Different Stateroom"

Sorry that you tested positive for the Covid test. However, I wondered why you decided to do a test 1 week before the cruise? Isn't the cruise line usually requires the test 1-2 days before the departure for the cruise? Sometimes, it depends on your health. What if you might be all better by the time for your cruise?