CruisingFox27

We had a UK social media post yesterday advertising the winter 24/25 sailings being available. It had a separate line stating South America and Asia were 'coming soon'.

Closing is generally listed as 20:00 on most of the planners. I've certainly been there until 19:00, alone as everyone else was long gone!

I've a recollection of opening being 7am. I did just look at old daily planners, some say 7am, some say 8am and others have nothing listed. These were from a selection of ships over the years so, unfortunately, not your ship and it would appear that it can vary.

Great to hear that it was also your experience. The ships are less than 20 years old so, it would be a surprise if they were to dismissed very soon. It maybe something they're working on, there's certainly a speciality restaurant on Lirica, deck 6 next to the piano bar. An Asian restaurant, which was very good.

I have tried lots of mock bookings this morning, there is a lot of cabin availability on the UK site for our sailing, including aft cabins. Unfortunately, all only allowed me to select Fantastica in an aft cabin. I also looked at other sailings on Divina class ships, they only have Fantastica for the aft cabins too. I'm sorry, I'm afraid that I may have given you false hope for an Aurea experience aft cabin 😪 The sailing on 17th October from Bari only offers me availability in a suite or YC, and there are only 2 cabins available in those categories. Although, the Royal Suite did show as available 😀 I've flown with Ryanair a lot, when we lived in Ireland they were my only option when regularly returning to England to visit the family. Which, generally, cost £10 each way. Yay! I have always found that as long as you adhere to the T&C's, you're grand. The bad rep largely came from the people who didn't and then fell into paying fees. In the old days, before the app, the big one was not printing your boarding pass and being charged. People didn't print them and were charged....well, yes 🤷‍♀️ Our flight to Trieste is £120pp, including 2 x hold luggage each, extra legroom and fast track security. It would only be £65pp with carry-on only. It's basic but cost-effective.

The £30 a day for PE is currently a special offer for some cruises on selected dates, it's £64 if the offer doesn't apply to your cruise, or you purchase separately. If you buy the drinks package onboard you'll have a 15% service charge added to the cost. In the UK we have the daily gratuity included too, but this doesn't apply to the US and is a different charge to the 15% drinks service charge. Assuming that's what you were referring to by 'at check out'.

When booking, if you select a balcony cabin, it then gives the option of the level of cabin and then the experience available. At least that's how the UK site takes you through. I'm going to look for aft cabins on our sailing tomorrow and see if the options are there (I need the computer for that and I've logged out for bedtime now). I'll report back with any success. Hopefully, your TA may have an answer anyway. The only minor issue may be that because they only sell a limited number of Aurea experience cabins, so not to over subscribe the Aurea restaurant and Top 18 there are no Aurea experiences remaining. The train journey sounds a lovely way to finish your trip.

Ahh.. we're not embarking until 28th October. We looked at embarkation in Bari but the flights were difficult for us so we're Trieste. Some Fantastica balcony cabins can also be Aurea experience cabins but, if you bid on an experience upgrade I strongly suspect you'll be in a new cabin. Although, it could be worth asking if yours could be upgraded. We tried a Fantastica experience on our last trip but did miss the sundeck, even though the ship wasn't really very busy. It just feels more tranquil. We'd just have simple drinks so have never had an issue with the bar set up, they have beer, wine, some spirits and I've definitely seen an aperol served too. Frozen cocktails aren't served as they've no equipment but, there is a bar just below that would serve those. Oh and another advantage of the Top 18 is that they have their own nicer towels.

Personally, I'd say yes if the ship will be busy. We've sailed twice on Splendida in an Aurea experience cabin. Loved having the sundeck available. You don't need to worry where a sunbed might be available and they're more comfortable. With regards to the paying guests, usually if the Aurea area is busy they don't sell the guest passes or they're only available after 3pm. That's been our experience anyway. The area does have a bar facility albeit that it's a 'pop up' one not a permanent built one so, has a limited range of drinks. We've been on sailings where they do approach you for drinks but if it's busy you need to go to the Top 18 bar yourself. Also, if you book Aurea you'll have the Anytime dining rather than fixed. We're back on Splendida ourselves in October.

I've always taken my hair straighteners and occasionally, my hairdryer onboard, absolutely no issues at all. I thought that someone had previously suggested the website had been updated to show straighteners were permitted.

We've just sailed on Lirica and it really didn't feel like an old ship at all. Not as glitzy and sparkly as the new ships but, nothing like an old ferry. Admittedly, we're very low maintenance and don't look for a lot in the way of features and activities being available onboard. I'm hoping for a return to itineraries in Asia, proper itineraries not just the 3 or 4 night versions currently available.

Yay! As I said in another thread recently, MSC are brilliant at cruises and the ships are beautiful. Websites and computers, they're not as good with...🙄

Our listed excursions generally mention the pyramids in the text description, the classic Cairo one does include a visit to the pyramids. I see 3 which cover the pyramids. It's possible they may add to your excursions list as you're a way of sailing yet. I've never known a wait list, more that you have to wait and book onboard.

I think someone at MSC heard me. I did just have a blank page under full description but I now have words and a full description for both excursions, both include lunch. I've not properly compared them as I only logged in to take a screen shot if the blank page to post here 🤣 Edit: ohnonotmeagain is absolutely correct, one is a packed lunch and the other is a hotel lunch.

@ohnonotmeagain It was my intention to direct that at Ryan in quoting his post, apologies for any confusion caused. Indeed, sometimes you just think, this is a one-off opportunity, so I'm booking it and plan for a snooze on the coach 😂 And on the bright side for you, our option for the following day in Safaga is a 4-hour coach ride, each way to Luxor and the Valley of the Kings 😱

We're going to Aquaba/Petra on our October repo, do you have two choices of excursions - The Wonders of Petra and Petra? The one I have just called Petra but, absolutely no explanation of what's included. Do you see anymore? I think we're going for the Wonders of Petra but I'm curious. (It's one of the Wonders of the World so I'm just ignoring the 2 hour journey and £200 cost, likewise the pyramids excursion 😳).

Definitely wouldn't pay more, I also just walk by or say no thank you.

We sailed into Malaga in April and remained onboard until around 11.30am. Our sailing was on Lirica so not an option to be YC and we'd no issue having drinks before disembarkation.

Only Aurea experience passengers and YC can access the Aurea solarium and bar.

We've obviously been very fortunate, ours have always been added by the time we've returned home from each trip. *We're in the UK and the UK office service is prompt and competent... usually, hoping I've not jinxed it now 🙃

@mommaredswe're boarding Splendida on the 28th October, I'll probably already be watching her on live tracking when you board, hope your trip goes well!

The pre cruise spending points will be added with your cruise points and any onboard spend, after the cruise.

Bellissima is a Meraviglia class ship.

It very much depends where you're sailing. If it's a multi embarkation itinerary in Europe, you'll be grand to stay an extra few hours. We've disembarked at lunchtime on various cruises. If it's the USA or if it's the last port and everyone is disembarking, it's not going to be an option.

Yes. Lots of people will have early am flights and disembarkation usually starts about 1am anyway.