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Everything posted by Até
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Did you book Fantastica experience and pick your cabin on deck 15? Or did you book a guarantee and were assigned the deck 15 cabin? I'd be a bit surprised they would change a cabin you selected, even for a free "upgrade".
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Edited to discuss Easy Plus: For North America and UK bookings of European sailings all bookings get bottled water and coffee in the dining rooms at lunch and dinner without any drinks package. If you purchase or get the Easy Plus package through a promotion then you can also get drinks up to nine Euros in any bar or restaurant. Easy Plus can be used as a credit towards more expensive drinks. Easy Plus can be used in the specialty restaurants and any bar, but not the "signature venues" like Venchi or Jean-Phillipe. With Easy Plus you can get the incuded wines and beer in the MDR but mixed drinks and cocktails are usually more difficult (regardless of which package you have).
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I don't use the casino but am interested to know. Points are not cumulative but only good for the current sailing, correct? I always thought the points chart above was showing points required for the sailing type you were currently on. Showing the level of points you need to accumulate on that length/area sailing for each corresponding level of reward certificate. Then whatever reward you've earned can be used on any sailing. But on that next sailing you need to meet the corresponding length/area level of play points requirements in the same chart to get your next certificate reward level that can be used on any next sailing. There's no selection of the length/area you want, it's the length/area you are currently sailing. And you must meet the chart's requirements to get the corresponding reward that's good for your next sailing anywhere. I don't remember it possible to be on a 10 night sailing and to only play for 5000 points but ask for a certificate for an inside cabin based on the desire to use the points for a four night US sailing. It seems some are suggesting you can pre select or post select the certificate length/area type you desire and play to those length/area requirements regardless of your current sailing. That doesn't make sense. Is my understanding of the program incorrect?
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Thanks, forgot about MSC doing this on further out sailings. When inventory of the two berth cabins gets low enough, or sail date gets closer, they will start offering those upper deck cabins to two people. I've run into this where I booked a two berth cabin but later, near sail date, when they opened up the rest I was able to change cabins to a better location but was 3/4 berths (not that I consider those upper deck cabins any better). As mentioned people have been able to call and get assigned a cabin that shows this type of unavailability on the website. So if you really want one now it may be worth a try. However on ships with fewer 3/4 berth cabins there have been reports of getting reassigned because they run out of the three/four berth cabins, like a Holidaysailing. I don't think that's likely on a ship with so many YC cabins.
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MSC has lots of senior staff from NCL, It's the same playbook where you don't show all the cabins available. Sure they keep some cabins aside for designated markets but two whole decks held back from the primary market, I doubt it. My last NCL sailing the Haven only had deck 17 cabins available, the more desirable deck. Nothing was ever available on deck 18, the less desirable deck. All the way until one month before sailing NCL never offered deck 18 and deck 17 still had about 30% availability. Then one day the Haven was sold out. Turns out the Haven was full at sailing. I knew the concierge. Every cabin on deck 18 was an upgrade bid won. If MSC sells all the cabins on the shown current decks more will become available. Thier jab at those who know this to go ahead and book is to offer the better decks first.
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With a smaller number of cabanas I think Seaside will have more angry YC passengers who never get a chance to use them. Interested to see if this policy can move to Meraviglia.
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Meraviglia 6/30 cruise - thoughts and observations on a very mediocre cruise
Até replied to kwokpot's topic in MSC Cruises
I've been watching a few Meraviglia sailings this Fall. Thanks for sharing your experiences. -
In the past MSC has not included any of the Aurea perks when you are given a complimentary upgrade, it usually is the cabin only. Some have reported getting the My Choice dining but it's not a guarantee. All of the Aurea perks are included when you win an upgrade bid.
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Some weird hypothetical examples; The cruise line says port fees are only ten dollars and you miss eight out of ten ports. They could claim you are only due eight dollars. Same goes if you cancel after final payment and only get the port fees/taxes returned. What will insurance cover? Conversely they could under price the cruise fare and claim taxes are higher, artifially altering their earnings profile. Likely illegal but I've see MSC doing it on several of my sailings. I think it's better to keep these two items accurate and transparent.
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You used to be able to easily find the taxes/fees right on any general search page, albeit in small print. Now with MSC you have to dig much deeper, with a mock booking. I have no problem with making cruise lines show an inclusive price but it needs to be easier to see the actual taxes/fees. They could just state "Inclusive of $XX.XX taxes/fees" right on the search page like they used to.
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Updated Bar Menus (As of 6/23/24 on Seashore)
Até replied to squigglydownunder's topic in MSC Cruises
Non alcoholic package includes the various coffees at all ship bars but not at the signature venues like Venchi 1878 or Jean-Phillipe Maury venues, MSC Virtuosa Starship Club, MSC World Europa Coffee Emporium or MSC World Europa Raj Polo Tea Room. The Spa Bar on Divina and similar ships, used to have "healthy drinks". I haven't seen a menu lately but here's an older thread with pictures. https://boards.cruisecritic.com.au/topic/2632079-spa-bar-menu/ -
Here's the Terms & Conditions of the Drinks & WiFi promotional rate (currently called 4th of July Sale due to increased OBC). Terms & Conditions: Rates are per person based on double occupancy and quoted in USD. Offer is valid for U.S. residents only and on new bookings only. Subject to availability while supplies last. Government fees and taxes are included in the price. Offer is capacity-controlled, subject to availability, and can be withdrawn at any time without prior notice. Offer is not applicable to group bookings and cannot be combined with any other promotion. One (1) of the following discounts may be applied as applicable per stateroom: MSC Voyagers Exclusives; Healthcare Workers; Civil Service; Military; Interline. MSC Cruises reserves the right to pass on any fuel surcharge without prior notice to all guests and refuse to honor any prices/sailings that are erroneously printed or quoted. Cruise deposit: 0-4 nights: $99 per adult; 5-14 nights: $199 per adult; 15+ nights: $300 per adult. Easy Plus Drink Package: Beverage packages are not transferrable and may not be shared with other guests. Valid for one beverage only, per each order. Violation of these terms may result in cancellation of a guest's package without eligibility for a refund or credit of any kind. Once activated on board, packages cannot be terminated or refunded. Packages must be booked by all guests occupying the same stateroom, traveling together and wishing to dine at the same table. This includes minors, for whom the Minors Package must be booked. Packages are not obligatory for infants under three years of age. The following exclusions apply: Tobacco, souvenir glasses, ice cream menu, retail items, minibar, room service, promotions and signature venues (Venchi 1878 establishments, Lavazza Coffee Shops, Jean Philippe Chocolate, Coffee, Crepes & Gelato, Starship Club, Hola! Tacos & Cantina), regardless of beverage price. Must be of legal age to consume alcohol - see our terms of our guest alcohol policy. Other conditions & terms may apply. Beverages and liquors may be substituted based on availability and itinerary. Browse-1 Device: Internet access for 1 device per guest, up to 2 devices per stateroom. Features: Browse the web; Send and receive emails and images; Chat on messenger apps (e.g. WhatsApp). No Video. Duration: entire cruise. Data limit: unlimited. Yacht Club staterooms do not receive an additional Beverage package and/or Wi-Fi package as they are already included in the Yacht Club experience. Onboard Credit: 2-4 nights – up to $75 per stateroom on Inside, Oceanview and Balcony; up to $150 per stateroom on Suites & MSC Yacht Club. 5-9 nights – up to $125 per stateroom on Inside, Oceanview and Balcony; up to $250 per stateroom on Suites & MSC Yacht Club. 10 nights & longer – up to $250 per stateroom on Inside, Oceanview and Balcony; up to $500 per stateroom on Suites & MSC Yacht Club. Onboard Credit can be used onboard the ship and on our exclusive private island, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. Onboard credit is nonrefundable, nontransferable, and cannot be redeemed for cash. Other restrictions may apply. Subject to change. Ships’ registry: Panama and Malta. Ask for “DRINKS WIFI OBC INCLUDED” promotion when booking. https://www.msccruisesusa.com/cruise-deals/promo-terms-and-conditions Since all passengers in stateroom must have the drinks package all people in the cabin get the appropriate package for their age. But WiFi is limited to two devices.
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I didn't order any but was told food items were chargeable. Sorry for the bad photo but this doesn't appear on the pdf lighthouse bar menu. ETA: Appears unreadable Caribbean crab cakes $6.95 Chicken wings $5.95 Jerk sweet potato samosa $4.95 Shrimp cocktail $6.95 Spicy beef patties $6.5 Rum cake $3.95 Spiced chocolate cake $3.95
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Just a note for people looking at booking more than two in a cabin: When selecting more than two passengers the MSC US website currently does not correctly display the per person cost on the "Choose Your Limited-Time Offer" screen (as OP shows in screenshot above). Do not make any assumptions based on this fictional per person number (it's actually more than the per person for two in the cabin - in this case $555 and $870 respectively) and only use the total "Cruise fare" price displayed at the bottom once you select the offer you want. Note below image where four people are selected and it shows $920pp but the total "Cruise Fare" at the bottom is only $3160. If the per person was correct it should total $3680. The lower total "Cruise Fare" is correct and only trust the Summary (below image) once you select your cabin to see the actual per person cost. Total cost is rounded to the highest dollar (thanks TWO) but once you get to checkout it will correct it to the cent. The per person error above is true for both the base and the inclusive rates.
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Updated Bar Menus (As of 6/23/24 on Seashore)
Até replied to squigglydownunder's topic in MSC Cruises
Not sure. It's pretty close to one I saved from last Fall. Just missing the gin project section. SPORTS-BAR-LIST.pdf -
My issue is that no one seems to be checking what the cruise lines are charging. So many times I've seen MSC set very high port fees/taxes for months, only to cut them by 75% for later bookings. Now that the fees are hidden from obvious view people will never realize they paid three times as much as others for something that is supposed to be fixed equally for all passengers.
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For the most part it's cheaper to pre-purchase. You never know if they will put your particular treatment as a special. I can't speak as to what offers might happen on your sailing, but there's been several live threads showing the dailies and that week's special on-board offers. Also if you ask someone might be able to post a recent on ship spa price list (usually much more than pre-purchase).
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Saw this first hand as I was on an Epic sailing in 2015 when the Paris terrorist attacks happened. And I've been back several times since. But it's nothing compared to the chaos I saw in Acapulco.
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We took a private tour and lucky only traveled about a mile from the port. The glamorous old city has been destroyed, and not just from the hurricane. It was already left derelict from decades of infighting. Every local that operates in the area must pick who they are aligned with. The cartels aren't only fighting over drug routes. There's also fierce competition to control the few tourist dollars left. Any search about what's (still) going on in Acapulco shows certain cartels are also fighting over control of the tourist areas and often it's not just the cartels killing each other. So when visiting some vendor in a market or a tour guide approaches you hope that they aren't encroaching on territory controlled by another faction. Tourists and bystanders frequently get hurt by being in the way. Heavily armed Federales and the tourist police try in vain to keep the fighting away from the port and beaches/resorts. Venture just a short distance away and you'll have local police warning you that you are in direct danger - if you are lucky. I hope NCLH is just stuck in some 1950's dream about Acapulco and that it's a selling point of these sailings rather than apathetically putting their passengers in danger because it's a cheap stop. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/acapulco-grocery-store-killings-after-bodies-found-mexico-resort-city/ https://www.cbsnews.com/news/killings-acapulco-police-deployed-beaches-cartels-recruit-youths-social-media/
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NCLH ships are practically the only ones willing to stop there, other lines avoid it and for good reasons. Went once on the Jewel and don't plan to ever go back. https://www.cruisetimetables.com/acapulco-mexico-cruise-ship-schedule.html
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The app can be flaky, I'm surprised they can't be purchased for an August sailing. Can you add other items like internet, dining or excursions to your cart?
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As a general rule, yes you can get the Voyagers discount applied to a booked sailing. But if you're paid in full it can be difficult, or past final payment it's not likely to happen.
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Yes, it's pretty similar. You can loop around with the rest of the drop off traffic and just past the regular bag drop near the bottom of the escalator you will see the YC tent and banners. There's a recent thread with pictures.
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You can purchase treatments before the cruise through your account login on the MSC website. You may need to link your booking number through a weblink on your account home page. The actual day and time needs to be set once on board. ETA: It can also be done through the MSC for Me app.
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It's not typical to share a table in the YC restaurant but we've done it several times. Sometimes with couples and others with solos. It might be hard to meet others on such a short cruise. Talk to the maître d' and possibly the concierge.