KINGBOBOFTHENORTH

That 4th picture is about the only thing I don't like about the Seaside-Seaview-Seashore-Seascape class of ships. Because there is nearly always music playing in the atrium, whether it's a singer, band or DJ, and because the Reception desk is in that confined space, it's makes it next to impossible to converse with the people in Reception during performances. It's LOUD! But other than that, great ships!

Crew will be happy to accept anything you have to offer.

No, gratuities are not included in the quoted price and get added to your shipboard account during the cruise.

I've got a MSC cruise coming up later this summer from Port Canaveral which I can drive to. I'll certainly plan to get there for the time slot MSC gives me because driving is within my control. Last year I had a MSC cruise from Kiel, Germany in which I arrived via several train connections from Amsterdam and then took the MSC bus to the ship. I got there when I got there because the train timings were not in my control. Your profile lists you as living in Canada so I'm going to guess you would fly to any MSC cruise. You're going to choose your flight based on convenience and price and weeks or months before MSC assigns their embarkation time to you at T-21 days. I highly doubt you wouldn't just get in line at the terminal when your ride gets you there, regardless of what MSC assigned to you.

Boarding probably won't begin until closer to noon but yes, as we're discussing in a different thread, just "get there when you get there". I've never had anyone ask to see my designated embarkation time. Don't point it out, don't ask anyone; just get in the queue.

Sorry but that's not even close to the same thing. If my long ago booked flight arrives into Miami at 10AM and I get to the port at 11:30AM, I'm checking-in even if MSC randomly assigned me 2PM. I'm not standing around waiting, especially when no one is asking for my assigned time. Also, I've had situations where MSC had to email docs to me three times and I had three different assigned times! This question comes up numerous times and my answer is always the same: get there when you get there and ignore the assigned time because NO ONE IS LOOKING AT IT AND NO ONE CARES.

I have been on four MSC cruises post-covid and they beginning the assignment of boarding times. No one has ever asked to see my boarding time. You just get there when you get there and get in the queue.

No one has called it "high speed rail". It's called "higher speed rail".

My wife was unable to attend a MSC cruise a few weeks ago so was a no show at the pier. I did not call MSC ahead of time to report her not coming because it was within the 15-day window for cancellations so what was the point. When I got to the cruise terminal, I simply told the rep that she had a conflict and would not be boarding. They removed her right then and there and when I later verified at Reception that I was the only one in the cabin, they confirmed it. (I didn't want to pay gratuities x 2 if I was the only one.) If you need to do the online check-in to get your docs, just repeat your info for the dummy person. So just inform then when you check-in.

Looking through past programs, the shows were at 21:30 nightly. I would recommend you book them ahead of time because they're popular and sell out. Should you end up with a dinner conflict and they can't change them, just eat in the Buffet or Anytime Dining venue that night.

Doesn't MSC still run a laundry special for $20 once per cruise?

In the U.S. market I've never seen MSC offer any air options. I know they offer air in European markets.

And even in Saudi waters, you can get alcoholic drinks at the casino bar and apparently in the YC. (Although not when in port itself when the casino is closed.)

Nearly the entire ship was refurbished. Cabins had new carpet, wall coverings and furniture installed. The ship's public areas were all redone. So much more than simply being "painted over".

The Grand Lucayan is adjacent the Port Lucaya Marketplace so there will be a little bit of shopping nearby and a Wendy's within walking distance, lol. We did a day pass at the Viva a few years ago and it was ok for the day but the hotel itself looked dated. Not sure about the Grand; it's no spring chicken either. Misc comments: * Make sure your transfers are included. The resort is nowhere near the port. * Keep in mind that hotel check-out may be as early as 11am but cruise check-in back at the port may not open until 3pm. So you may have time to kill depending on when your return shuttle departs. * Not a lot to do in Freeport but for 4 nights with 2 on the ship, I think you'll have a good time. Enjoy!

I was on the sailing immediately prior to yours. Although you're no longer in Saudi Arabia, please note this for future reference. The casino bar did serve alcoholic drinks while the ship was in Saudi waters. The other bars could not. I learned this on Evening 1 of our cruise. Now why the casino bar could serve alcohol, I have no idea. But that's where I got my drinks, lol.

I just got off MSC Splendida in the middle east and the first device was billed as €151.14 and the second device as €118.75. However, this was for the full deluxe internet, not as an "upgrade". If your cruise includes basic wifi, then upgrading should cost less than this.

Thanks for your Review. We've been twice and what you describe is largely what we've experienced. Looks like Jimmy's Ship Show is now only 1x per cruise; when we went they did it both nights. I think the 10 drinks for $99 is a good deal since it includes gratuities and you can share it with someone else if you're not going to use all of them yourself.

When you call MSC, one of the options to select pertains to computer issues.

I've never had anyone at the port look at the form that has the designated check-in time. The advice I always give everyone is just "get there when you get there". However, if you're not planning to get there until 3:30pm or 4pm even, I think you're taking a big risk. Not sure what time check-in and boarding actually closes, but it's likely around that time.

I cancelled and rebooked a cruise last week and the refund posted within 3 days. (March 21 > March 24)

All the MSC cruises I've been on that involved time zone changes DID change the ship time.

I can't speak to your experiences, but we were on Carnival Legend from Baltimore to Bermuda a few months ago and the ship moved clocks one hour later to Atlantic time. Likewise, one month earlier on Carnival Magic from NYC to Atlantic Canada, the ship moved clocks ahead one hour for the Atlantic time zone.

You could also take a taxi or rideshare to the nearest Tri-Rail station which is called Fort Lauderdale Airport station. (The airport and cruise port are adjacent.) Southbound trains end at Miami International Airport. Be aware that their schedule is reduced on weekends and holidays. For map, schedules & fares: https://www.tri-rail.com/