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On 1/11/2024 at 3:20 AM, nini said:

We will probably take the National Express coach from LHR when we arrive the day before the cruise. Then it will be a short cab ride to our hotel. Then we will take the Princess transfer from the port to LHR after disembarkment. 

Last year, we took a private cab transfer from LHR to our hotel and they are VERY expensive!

Thank you.  I’ve been looking at transfers and have been quoted anywhere from $260-$390.  I’m so surprised there aren’t more economical transfers; in Rome, it was always easy to do private or shared rides.

Is it really this difficult?  We are arriving to LHR and need transport to and from Southampton. With all the ships porting there, and International Friends only driving one day in the month of March, I need suggestions on a transfer service, train route or bus.  

We always go to Bimini Beach, even when we’re YC guests.  However, since we overnighted there last month, we chose lounge chairs on the grassy area at the YC for our 2nd day. It was lovely, and butler service there was great.  As mentioned above, the food is also very good.

5 hours ago, Anastas617 said:

When do the upgrade bid emails go out? I don't think I ever received one for my July cruise and I haven't received one for my October 23 cruise. Do they usually not send them to solo travelers?

The upgrade bid emails often go out after you check in online. I have clients sailing on Oct 6th, and they all received one yesterday. We bid an upgrade on Seaside last month and went to YC. We’ve sailed MSC 11 times, 3 times in YC, and it is well worth the bid. Our bid cost us about 25% of what retail YC would have.  

This is surprising to me both as an avid MSC cruiser and as a TA.  I book solo cabins with MSC all the time.  Granted, there is sometimes a “single supplement”, but, as previously stated, they also run promos for singles.  A good TA can let you know when those dates are available.  Again, I’ve never not been able to book singles..

If this a group booking, I’d call MSC directly and have them facilitate it for you.

Has anyone done the AI at 40 Cañones?  It’s almost twice as much as Nohoch. Thoughts?

22 hours ago, kittymadam said:

How was the Welcome Back? Were there complimentary drinks? We are not buying the alcohol package, so trying to see where to get low price drinks. 😃  (First time sailing CHILD-FREE!!)

 

It was very nice. Yes, free drinks. MSC often offers free drink and wifi with your booking. Much cheaper than adding a pkg. 

22 hours ago, kittymadam said:

Is the ship using cruise cards where you slip a part of it down to open the door or it's a bracelet? (Want to see if I should bring lanyard, badge holder or hole punch card.) 

 

How is the dining service so far? 

 

Was there a Welcome Back Cocktail for regular members? (So not Yacht Club and if this is not your first time on MSC) 

 

Thanks for doing this! We are so anxious about our trip in 2 weeks!

 

 

Onboard this week as well. 
 

You tap your cruise card to the door, and it unlocks your cabin.

Dining service is excellent. We’ve also eaten in the specialty restaurants, and they are exceptional. Def worth buying a package with 3 1/2 sea days. The food in the buffet is very good. I’m gluten free and have found plenty of healthy options. Today, the buffet had a dessert bar (I’ll post a pic below), and tomorrow’s will be all chocolate according to the pastry chef. 
 

Yes, there is a welcome back cocktail party. Ours is today (Friday) at 5pm. 
 

Currently onboard the Meraviglia for the 6th time. We came over from Celebrity and haven’t looked back. For the money, you get a great product with MSC. Don’t walk onboard comparing it to any other line; they’re all unique. Been on 5 MSC ships and can honestly say their staff is the best. For those complaining about the food, I offer a few current pics. 

On 2/3/2020 at 6:39 AM, Jimbo said:

Any pictures or thoughts on Cabin 14268 on Meraviglia, good or bad? It appears to be dead center.

Just a heads up - the balcony is TINY. We’ve never had such a small space. The “view” is completely blocked if you sit in the chairs. 

We just returned from Meraviglia. We didn’t rent a cabana but saw many available. Only one was rented, so I’m guessing you can pick your location. The number of pax now is very low, so you’ll be able to pick any location on the  3 beaches that are open.  Only Lighthouse, North, and South beaches are open at this point. 

Just returned from the Meraviglia today. We took our own masks and washed them when needed. We also took one pack of disposable masks.  Masks were available when entering any venues, and signs posted around the ship say passengers must wear them when moving about the ship. As in most places, masks should only be removed when eating and drinking. 
 

i have to say MSC did an amazing job of keeping us all Covid-safe.  Many said they felt safer there than when they’re home and in public. 

Just came off the Seaside today. Prior to sailing, we purchased the 3 GB with 2 devices. We bought the additional 6GB pkg (w/up to 4 devices) onboard after using up the 3GB. You MUST press the Stop button each time you finish a session, or your phone will continue using data, even with the background refresh turned off.  I learned this the hard way after setting my phone down for a few hours. 
 

The internet speed is very good especially compared to other cruise lines. 
 

Our cellular carrier, Sprint, has Open World, so we had cellular service in all ports. Check with your carrier.

On 8/11/2019 at 11:42 AM, WNcruiser said:

How do you know which program to use if you have several high statuses? Can you call and ask which will give you the highest? 

 

We are Celebrity Elite +, RCI Diamond + and Hyatt Explorist. 

 

Thanks 

I called them directly.  They have a chart and will check for you. Remember, you can only match once, so it’s worth the call. I was able to get these levels from the chart:

RCCL - Emerald, Diamond, and Diamond Plus = Gold

Celebrity - Elite and Elite Plus = Gold

Marriott - Platinum Premier & Platinum Elite = Silver

Marriott - Platinum Ambassador = Gold

She also told me that top tiers on cruise lines (Pinnacle, etc.) match to Black on MSC.

i hope that helps.

We were just aboard her from 3/30 - 4/9, and I, sadly, agree with the OP. We had an aft balcony, and the railing was in such bad shape, you couldn't touch it without splintering your hands. Lots of rust also. The fronts of our drawers pulled off each time we (gently) tried opening them. All the aft bathrooms spelled badly, and the cabin attendants had to bleach them every day. She is not the ship she once was... The crew was fantastic, although no one saw the Cruise Director other than at the shows. She also made no announcements during the day - very odd.

Has anyone used ShoreExcursioneer in Cuba? Their reviews are good, but I'm a bit leery. Input, anyone?

I spoke with the Crown & Anchor Diamond+ desk, and they have changes for Oasis and Allure only. Nothing is posted for a change with the Empress sailing tomorrow. Also, they said RCCL would email every passenger if there is a change to their itinerary. I guess we're in a wait-and-see...

Yes, Big price will remain the same.

 

Extra levels are $20 extra, which is comparable to the US pricing adjusted for exchange rates (actually a little bit more generous given current rates).

According to Celebrity, and this is in US $$, the differences are as follows:

From Big to Better - $15 per person per day (one add'l perk = 2 total)

From Better to Best - $45 per person per day (all 4 perks included)

(Best also upgrades the beverage pkg. from Classic to Premium)

With the new wifi perk, they've added some add'l wifi pkgs:

unlimited (10-14+ day cruises) = $349

$59 = 90 minutes

$109 = 240 minutes

$59 = 24-hr day pass

Wifi packages may be shared, but only person may be logged on at a time.

I totally agree, budget for the surcharge.

 

The BBB is not available in Australia as yet, the 123 Go finishes up on 8 august, so perhaps it will start then.

Personally, I liked the 1, 2, 3, Go better, but the BBB is easy to figure out on a per person basis. They've also added unlimited internet with the BBB, so one choosing that perk can only hope they improve the wifi before adding even more users to the system. ;)

Spot on. Cruise lines don't want to pay their staff as much so they can escape certain taxes. Guaranteed if it was the other way around and the staff wages component of the fare was fixed and profits for the cruise were the tips they would not be able to be changed or removed.

The industry has long depended on tips/gratuities as a way to encourage and acknowledge excellent service. This is more of an industry thing rather than a country-by-country divisive decision. As tipping (and I know that means something different in Australia) is not customary in all countries, the cruise lines have added it, either into the fare, as a booking perk, or onto the cruise account as a way to ensure their people always have a solid income. Employees we've spoken to say they make more in gratuities than they have in salary doing the same jobs elsewhere.

I think it's just a cost we need all to figure in as we plan our cruises. I do have a question, though. Is the 1, 2, 3 or Big, Better, Best promotion only stateside? Do non-US citizens, booking onboard, receive the same perks?

I was unable to withdraw refundable OBC in cash from guest services on Rhapsody but was able to on Quantum.

 

I was able to withdraw both types of OBC on both ships from the casino but was charged 5% each time.

Celebrity casinos charge 5%, and RCI's charge 10%. We take cash out from the casino throughout our trips and have never had anyone question it. With the amt. of OBC's on last year's Iceland, and next year's Sydney, cruises, I have no issue with them keeping a bit and giving me the rest. After all, they're giving me 90-95% of their (free) money.

The process is such that you are taking cash out, and that amount is charged to your onboard account. Your onboard account has your OBCs, so you're 'charging' against your credit.

TxnAquarian - did you already take this cruise or is it in 2016? If you've done it, please post back with what you found on each island. We are doing the same 12-day itinerary on Celebrity in March 0f 2016.

Two questions:

 

How were the seas on the way down to Barbados? In Jan., they were a bit rough.

 

What time was sail-away? Was it 5:45pm?

Oops - I meant what time was the boat drill (not sail away. That's at 8:30, I know).

Two questions:

How were the seas on the way down to Barbados? In Jan., they were a bit rough.

What time was sail-away? Was it 5:45pm?

I'd also like to know if you had to get the ice show tickets in advance or just show up? I know I can't book it on line, but trying to figure out if I need to get tickets ahead or jsut go. Recent compasses do not mention anything about tickets at all!

Glad you all had a good time! Thanks!

The last few times we've been aboard, it was first come first seated.