maddy_o

Thanks for that, I didn't even think to check what time it was docking.   It makes sense now.

We are doing the 3 day cruise and spending a couple of days in days in Rome afterwards.

Hi 

Just received our paperwork for embarking MSC Divina in Barcelona for Sunday 2nd November but our time to embark is 17.20 in the evening. 

Do you think we would be able to embark earlier than this?  Has anyone got on earlier, the ship isn't due to depart until 21.00.

Thanks

Not here...... I looked 1 Minute ago. I guess I just have to be patient. :halo:

I had account on both the Irish and German websites however now when I try to log into the German website to view my booking I am getting the following message

Counting down the days!

I was able to access it on http://www.msc-kreuzfahrten.de/ however this is all in German so I have to copy and paste the text into Google translate.

Sorry ... USVI = US Virgin Islands.

 

 

 

The reason I asked is because the drinks situation is a little complicated as MSC has either US$ or Euros as onboard currencies, depending on the region you sail. If the ship is on a Caribbean itinerary, but doesn't enter US territorial waters (such as visiting USVI), then the currency onboard will be Euros. However, you are embarking in the US, so the currency onboard will be US$ - which means that the basic drinks package will be more expensive per day than if the currency onboard were in Euros. If you decide to purchase one, you can prepay in Sterling and avoid a 15% service charge that's added to the cost if you wait until onboard to book (plus you'll be at the mercy of the currency exchange rate). Also, MSC charge different per diem rates, depending on the length of the cruise (you will see this on the link I'm posting). As your cruise is more than 8 nights, the price per day is the cheaper one.

 

 

 

Onboard, the Classic drinks package will cost you $38 pppd and the Deluxe (premium) will cost you $44 plus 15%:

 

 

 

https://www.msccruisesusa.com/en-us/Manage-Your-Booking/All-Inclusive-Packages.aspx

 

 

 

If you pre-book, the Classic will cost you £30 pppd and the Deluxe £35. You will find these prices on page 214 of the online brochure on the MSC UK website. Scroll down on the homepage to the bottom and you'll find the link "Online Brochures" in the second column.

 

 

 

Here's a link to drinks menus in US$ from last year (there are more up-to-date ones in Seaside reviews but I don't have a link)

 

 

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2527257&highlight=Drinks+menu

 

 

 

Everything without an asterisk is included in the Classic package and everything, including items with 1 asterisk, are included. Items with 2 asterisks (Super Premium) aren't included in any drinks packages. Bear in mind that you need to add 15% service charge to these prices.

 

 

 

Wines are limited to a choice of 2 reds, 2 whites, 1 rose and 2 sparkling - sweet and dry - on the Classic package; the Deluxe package has a wider range.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A1. We're booked on the Armonia for a 7 night cruise in January and the Classic drinks package was included as part of a promotion (in Rep of Ireland).

 

 

 

A2. You need to do the maths to decide if it's worth it to you to purchase a package. Personally, I wouldn't be without one; I don't want to spend my time onboard watching what I'm spending (it can add up quickly). I also upgraded our included Classic package to Deluxe as the difference in price when the currency is US$ is negligible, considering the extras that the Deluxe includes - especially the better choice of wines (plus mini-bar, room service menu items and premium drinks).

Hi, I was looking at booking this cruise for the 28 Jan 2019. I found the cruise on ********** but couldn’t find it in the Msc website. Do you mind me asking how you booked your cruise? I’m in Ireland too.

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Brilliant review so far Pete, looking forward to the rest - we'll be getting on the ship next Sunday at Abu Dhabi!!

 

Great info too Bea!

 

Bit worried about the cabin cards though as we intended to board the ship around 9ish and after a freshen up leave the ship to see a bit of Abu Dhabi. Not sure how we can leave the ship before 1pm if the cards aren't ready!

Any ideas if this is possible??

The cards are there from when you board.

After we boarded, we got something to eat, changed our clothes in one of the bathrooms, collected our cards and we were back off the ship heading into Dubai by 11.30.

Upcoming

Carnival Paradise September 2017 Western Caribbean

Past

Msc Fantasia January 2017 U.A.E & Oman

Carnival Valor May 2016 Bahamas

There was a smoking section around the slot machines on the Fantasia.

Having sailed he U.A.E and Oman in January on the Fantasia you can use euros or your card in the slot machines. We used euros while we were playing.

Upcoming

Carnival Paradise September 2017 Western Caribbean

Past

Msc Fantasia January 2017 U.A.E & Oman

Carnival Valor May 2016 Bahamas

Off peak times only I thing, before 1 in the afternoon and after 8.30 at night

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I ended up buying a Groupon deal for a fast track ticket which also included the James Bond exhibit for the Burj Khalifa. It was definitely worth it as we were able to skip all the queues going up and also on the way down(which was 30mins) If you purchase it on Groupon you can get a further 40AED off by entering the code WELCOME at the checkout.

The deal comes up quite off but is usually only valid for about 2 weeks so you need to buy nearer the date you wish to go. You also don't need to pre book your time either, you can just walk up on the day.

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Hi all

I can only speak from my own experience and when I originally contacted MSC I had requested 2 seats together in a back row. We were allocated 48A and 49B on the outbound and I am currently sitting in seat 49A on the way home [emoji22](On Emirates free wifi).

I'm not sure which company the lady in the airport was from and I'm not sure what the significance was about asking how many pieces of luggage we had. She just had all our names on a list and was crossing them off as we confirmed them. There was no one at the airport this morning.

Just a bit of extra info too, Sir Bani Yas Island was canceled again this week due to bad weather and was replaced with Khasab. They also extended our Khor Al Fakkan stop from 8-1 to 8-6.

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Just to follow up, while queuing in the airport earlier to check in for our flight a lady was asking everyone who was going on the cruise and how many bags they had. She said all cruise passenger seats had been pre allocated and she was unsure if they could be changed but to ask at the desk.

At the desk I asked the gentleman did we have seats together and he confirmed we did and that they had received a prior request from MSC regarding it.

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There is no option for me to do it, I received my e docs today and copied the link regarding booking it but it came up unfound. The same thing happen with the photo package link.

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I'm confused Maddy, did you get that email about the seating from Emirates or MSC? Thanks!

Apologies for the confustion, I contacted MSC. I have just seen that I wrote Emirates in the original post. This was a typo.

Hi Maddy, you say in your post that you contacted Emirates, was it direct to them or via MSC when you mention you used the online contact form?

I contacted MSC direct through their online form on the website.

I had contacted Emirates early last year but they could not help me as it was group booking and they advised me to get back in contact with MSC.

I couldn't find any option either to pre book my internet package on the website, I wonder are there different variations of the website for different regions?

I initially filled in the contact request form on the website but I have been receiving replies from mscdirect@msccruises.co.uk.

Hope this helps.

Just as a follow up to my original query, I contacted Emirates again about seat requests and got the below replies:

"I am pleased to confirm that the flights have now been ticketed, hence, i would now be in a position to request seats together for your booked flights with Emirate from Dublin to Dubai

May i kindly request whether you have a preference for a window/middle/aisle seat with seats together?"

I requested 2 seats together in a back row of any block of seats and got the following reply:

I will forward on your requests now to my flights team highlighting your preferences of a window and middle seat onboard the aircraft

We will certainly try for a back row seat, however, i cannot 100% guarantee this i'm afraid

In any case, your seat numbers will be confirmed at the check in desks at the airport. However, we will of course ensure the airline is aware of your requests beforehand.

Hopefully we wil be seated together now.

Thanks to all for the advice and tips!

Thanks for the review and fantastic photos!

Hi, we are calling here for one day and have the Mystical Muscat tour booked with MSC.

As we will have this prepaid, I was just wondering is there an ATM in the port or somewhere near? I am unsure how much Rials to bring as I don't think we will need that much money as we don't plan on doing much shopping?

Any advice appreciated.

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Hi

Just wondering has anyone ever used any of the deals for tours in Dubai from the Groupon Dubai website?

There seems to be very good value for desert safaris and city tours on it.

Any feedback appreciated.

Thanks for all the tips!!

Just make sure you get the second row of emergency seats as the first row does not recline!

Greetings from Dublin

 

here is a tip, for emirates.( you can buy me a pint later :D )

 

they are one of the few airlines left, where you can not pre book the emergency exit seats, as they need to seee the person, before they allocate it.

 

Assuming you are in good health, and will be able to open the door,,,

 

so, lets just say, your flight departs 8pm, check in opens 5pm, be in the que at 4pm,

 

and, as soon as check in opens, ask for emergency seats. I have a 100% record, of getting them.

 

and, this way, you will have plenty of time to relax and enjoy yourself in the terminal, and, have nice seats with loads of legroom.

Thanks for all yer helpful replies, I contacted MSC again an got the below response.

Thank you for your enquiry

We are sorry we are not able to provide flight reference numbers i'm afraid. The reason for this as your flights booked with us form as part of our group allocation agreement we have in place with Emirates

However, we will be in a position to request a position on the aircraft for you, although this would only be possible once flights are ticketed. This is usually the case approximately 4-6 weeks prior to sail date

We would therefore ask you to contact us again nearer the time..and we will see what we can do going forward