joanneTravels

I think I got a few good ones.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wow...these sunset pics are phenomenal. How did you manage that! Which camera did you use?

Hello. Yes, it is true that there is a special menu for the package. I took a photo of the special menu for Asian Market and Butcher's Cut (I attached it here for you). The Ocean Cay Menu was a long fold out, so I didn't bother. Sorry.

The Dining Experience is $35 at Asian Market if purchased on board.

The Dining Experience is $39 at Butcher's Cut if purchased on board.

These 3 specialty restaurants were $69 in total per person if purchased prior to sailing. No additional monies were charged on board.

If you have purchased the Dining Experience package, you are entitled to 3 dishes of your choice from the Dining Experience menu. Other items from the a la carte menu are 50% off. You can also order any additional dish at full price (see attached menus).

I sailed March 24, 2018 on MSC Seaside and did the specialty dining ($69 pp for all 3 Asian Market, Ocean Cay, Butcher’s Cut / tip included). One needs to book the specialty restaurants once you get on board. We waited too long and did not get the times we wanted. So, my advice is to book all three ASAP once you are onboard.

Note: twice they messed up our reservations (wrong date, wrong time). A couple who entered the restaurant ahead of us had a mix-up too. So.... do check your MSC app right away after booking to double-check that the dates and time are correct. It shows up pretty much right away onto the MSC app. So don't walk away from the person doing the booking for you until you see it correct on your app.:o:o:o :o:o:o

BTW: I really enjoyed the specialty dining. Nice change, and all 3 felt upscale, and all 3 times we were seated next to a window.

Yes. I went to first seated dining at 5:30 p.m., and show at 8 p.m. No rush to do it that way.

By 7:15 p.m., the waiters at the 5:30 p.m. dining are hoping that you are finished eating so they can set up the table for the next diners.

If you show up for the Show 20 minutes prior, there are lots of good seating choices in the middle. By ten to, it is quite full. Five minutes prior to showtime is when they let in the people without reservations.

I was on the MSC Seaside week of March 24th, 2018 for its western Caribbean cruise and showtimes were:

6:30 p.m., 8 p.m., and 9:15 p.m.

The same show 3 X per night.

A different show every night.

Book in advance; they'll let you in 5 minutes prior without reservations.

Shows are phenomenal! Really talented cast of dancers, acrobats, contortionists, musicians. Many standing ovations, particularly for the Michael Jackson impersonator. I found the Latin dance pair stunning.

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I have an existing booking is NOT working.

However, if I enter my e-mail address and username, that is working.

I figured out just moments ago that my e-mail address wasn't working because the system is using my original e-mail from when I booked two years ago, and not the updated one.

Wednesday, March 7, 2018

I have an existing reservation and have not been able to log on to the MSC website for the past 3 days. :confused::confused:I am using the USA site. The weekend prior, I was able to log in using my booking number and was pleased to see their new site layout. However, there were glitches, like when trying to input data. It also showed that I had been assigned two cabins. One was correct. The other I had never heard of before.

I called MSC and the representative was able to make the changes/updates to my booking from her end, no problem. She did not see the 2nd cabin.

I tried Safari and also Chrome. Even Torch.

Have you been able to log into your booking?

Their private tours do not include lunch. Fair enough! Still a great deal.

Karandas Tours got back to me after a day and a half of my e-mail:

US$190.00 for group of 8 persons. Covers round trip transpo only and allows open itinerary to do any tour you would like to do and pay your own entrance fees.

I need to ask if they still include lunch on a private tour.

I have now looked into private tours for Dunn's River Falls, to compare them with MSC Seaside OCH29. I've decided to do Mystic Mountain in the a.m., a Jamaican lunch, climb Dunn's River Falls in the p.m., and take a tour of Ocho Rios, including Fern Gully prior to returning to the ship. I read many reviews on TripAdvisor, and narrowed it down to a top four. Next I e-mailed each for pricing options for my group of 8. The first three tour companies surprisingly responded within a few hours (#1 and #2 wrote back even though it was nighttime for them in Jamaica, and #3 wrote back early the next morning). The reply e-mails were all professional, friendly, and not a hard sell. Know Jamaica's response was especially personable.

1.

Island Transfer & Tours

Transpo Adult $35pp, child $28pp. We pay all our own entry fees. Driver will stay with us all day.

2.

www.knowjamaica.com Know Jamaica

$45 pp/child $30 (you pay the entrance fees). Build it yourself. Customize it. We pay all our own entry fees. Driver will stay with us all day.

3.

http://www.marvynsparadisetours.com/ Marvyn’s Paradise Tours $180 for all 8 of us. We pay entrance fees and lunch. Driver will stay with us all day.

4.

toursinochorios.com/best-of-ocho-rios-tour/ Karandas Tours

website states all their tours include lunch (e.g. at Scotchies -- outdoors jerk restaurant)

They wrote back just over 24 hours later and wanted more info as to what activities we wanted at Mystic Mountain so as to give us an accurate quote. I was hoping they would just give me their pricing options. I am waiting to hear back again now that I said we're not sure yet (with bobsled, without bobsled, likely not ziplining)

I like the idea of not filing onto a tour bus of 30, and having a van all to ourselves whisking us away to wherever our heart desires, and making stops at our request. Jamaica is such a beautiful country with lots to see and do, so why waste precious moments. I was born and raised in Kingston so I really want to give my friends the best experience possible of my home country.

TripAdvisor has so many wonderful reviews for all these 4 companies, it would be hard to choose. As you can see, pricing does vary. I'm leaning towards #3 since I will be paying the van/driver myself as a treat to my guests.

The first three come across as "mom and pop", while the fourth is more corporate.

I still would like to hear from others who went on the OCH29 excursion with MSC Seaside as the one that did respond didn't have too great of an experience. I was especially dismayed to hear that she had not gotten a tour of the city as described in their promo.

Thank you all for your details :cool:. The Almond Tree Restaurant looks nice from the pics. I actually prefer a cliff site to a beach (I'm not that much into sand). Scotchies restaurant also interests me--outdoors, a bit rugged, but still alluring.

I am stunned to hear about the pit stop which forced the buying a water shoes from a car, as well as no sightseeing as advertised!!! This surprises me given it's affiliation with the cruiseline.

What is the name of that tour company?

I am now looking into some private tours and I am considering Mystic Mountain in the a.m., Jamaican lunch, Dunns River Falls, and hopefully a quick scenic tour which includes Fern Gully. I came across a tour company that includes lunch at Scotchies in their already low price (Karandas Tours). Island Transfer & Tours appears to have a great reputation on TripAdvisor and reasonable pricing. I e-mailed these two tour companies today and am waiting to hear back.

Ocho Rios & Dunn's River Falls (Ship Excursion code: OCH29) Duration 5h30

I'm considering booking this and want to know all about it, and can't find find any reviews!!! Thus far, my understanding is that this ship excursion begins with climbing the falls, Jamaican lunch on a beach, and ends with tour of Ocho Rios. Adults US$75, child US$53 (you can save if booked prior to cruise). The pricing is cheaper than private tours I researched where food isn't included.

Please give me lots of details...;)

Sample questions I have:

- what time is pick-up and drop-off?

- how many people are on the tour with you?

- where exactly do they take you for the Jamaican lunch?

- are there tables by this beach to eat on?

- does the tour take you thru gorgeous Fern Gully? The scenic outlook where one can view the ship?

Also, how far in advance should one book this tour? That is, do they fill up? I have a party of 8.

Thanks in advance.:D