notley-cruise

Really wanted to do a Suez transit this Autumn, but seems like that's off the table for a while for all cruise lines.

The ships rarely stay in port overnight, like planes they are only earning when they are moving. Even a one day, no port cruise can occur in some jurisidications.

The casino will happily convert major World currencies, albeit at a bad exchange rate.

It depends, if it's listed as a 'Cruise from UK' everyone boards in Southampton and onboard currency is British pounds. Typically itinerary is round trip to Canary Isles. If it's a Northern Europe cruise, then onboard currency is Euros and passengers disembark and embark at all ports.

Your get priority embarkation, not early embarkation. If check-in hasn't opened, you can't board. Ship arrival and disembarkation needs to occur first.

Southampton cruise terminal is in an industrial port area. Once onboard just enjoy the ship ! Decks 9 thru 12 have cabins above and below them, so would be preferred.

Surely they've had a month or more based in Southampton to restock ? Is this another Brexit dividend ? MSC can't get decent booze supplies in UK !

Which ship ? what itinerary ? Is it a cruise from UK ? or a circular european cruise ? Cruise from UK, they have to clear the ship of stragglers before letting new passengers onboard.

There's no promos codes for direct booking on website, not even a field for them. You either time your booking for when MSC has sales on, track the prices via a cruise price tracking website, or book far in advance. Or you book the minimum cabin you'd be happy with and put in a low bid for an upgrade. Or go via a travel agent, or book a future cruise at the onboard sales deck for the onboard credit.

Certianly don't buy Aurea experience on Musica and Lirica class ships just for the thermal area and sun deck. Spa area is poor compared to newer Fantasica and Mervaglia class ships, sun deck is way too windy on sea days, will you use it on port days ? Not aware of a fee for sun loungers. Aurea gets you anytime dining, priority on embarkation and disembarkation, but not ports. Cabins are the better located balconies and suites, there's no Yacht club on Magnifica. If you get a good price for the cabin via Bid Up or promotions go for it.

Maybe there's a quota for Americans vs Europeans and RoW 😉

Depends from which country you are booking and on which MSC booking website... Initial cruise deposit and any pre cruise add-ons and cruise full payment will be in local currency for booking site. i.e. MSC Cruises UK will charge in GBP. Onboard extras and excursions booked on board, casino spend and other charges on your cabin account will be in EUR via Geneva or Paris for European cruises. Round trip cruises from UK with GBP used onboard will charge in GBP.

We sailed Eastern Med last month on MSC, we had Aurea and other family members had Bella, Restaurant manager agreed to move them to any time dining with us. YMMV

There's food available twenty two hours a day, so you'll need to pace yourself. Pizza and Buffet open for Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch, Afternoon snacks, Dinner and Midnight supper. Restaurants open for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, and you can order multiple dishes. Seasoning can be hit or miss, Veg and potatoes often undercooked, pasta a bit al dente. If you want consistency and individual preparation then book into Yacht Club or Aurea which have their own prep restaurants.

If you are foodies then the food will likely disappoint. Outside the Yacht club it's mass catering rather than prepared to order. Even in YC it's four star hotel standard at best, rather than Michelin starred. Virtuosa is a good ship, plenty of interior space, bars and restaurants, galleria full of shops and upsell venues, spa is great, ditto gym and inside pool, rear pool disappointing as metal bucket with no view, but plenty of deck space including Aurea and YC only areas.