johnnylincoln

1 hour ago, Bgwest said:

Where does the Virtuosa dock at Southampton?

What hotels are close?

Usually at Horizon dock. 
 

Hotels closest have been listed above 🙂

4 minutes ago, mnpurple said:

We'll be on Euribia out of Southampton in March. Can anyone let me know if I should stay over night in Southampton or is it just fine to take the train from London the day of? I'd rather have a full day in London ahead and just take the train early in the morning.  I did search the port of call board, but didn't really find what I was looking for.

In all honesty I’d travel the day beforehand. 
 

We live about 2 1/2 hours away by car and always stay the night before. 

The Virtuosa leaves Southampton on the 27th October 2023 for Dubai where she will spend the winter months. 
 

The Euribia then homeports in Southampton and does the Winter/Christmas Market cruises. 

47 minutes ago, jame_g said:

Did you get a copy of your booking paperwork? It is listed as a Privillege under the "Your Experience Yacht Club" section which is about the 5th page. It shows "- 1 free cruise change*

 

Also, if I go online to Manage My Cruise, then Cruise Details, then expand the MSC Yacht Club Benefits, it's listed as a benefit close to the middle of all the text. "1 free cruise change (Terms and Conditions apply)"

 

It's on my current bookings which were made in Dec for 2023/24 cruises. Plus it's on a booking from my Oct 2022 cruise which was booked May 11, 2022. Of course, we booked in the US and there could be differences in the booking terms in the UK vs US.

Thank you. I’ll investigate further but that’s really helpful as a starting place to look. 

No you can’t I’m afraid. 
 

You are free to join them in any other bar on the ship though. 

Hiya 

Does anyone remember when MSC started the one free cruise move? 
 

Our TA says MSC told him that we booked before the free change was allowed but I’m not convinced by that explanation. 
 

Thanks

If you want to use WiFi on both devices then you'll need a two device package. You can't swap devices once you've registered one. 

Four years ago I booked a Royal Caribbean cruise from Southampton on the Independence of the Seas...two weeks after booking they decided to pull Indy from Southampton and put Anthem of the Seas there instead and double the prices. My two choices were a refund or pay the increased price. 

All cruise lines are as bad as each other. 

We've never found the Aurea discounted drinks package price either...it may be something that either your TA or MSC would be able to add over the phone rather than online. 

We have sailed both Aurea and Fantastica with MSC. Cabin placement seems to be hit and miss, some of the Aurea locations suck and some of the Fantastica locations should be more expensive! 

My advice would be to book based on location or based on your need for Anytime Dining, the private sundeck access and having a Spa facilities pass which are the main draws to the Aurea package. 

If you aren't going to use them, or think they are worth 1500 more to you then I think you'd be better off with a Fantastica Balcony. 

On 6/14/2022 at 8:22 PM, Raj.K said:

We are looking forward to our cruise. I requested the documentation from Barclays (via the mobile app). They gave me the policy number to provide the cruise line. They also gave me a link to request the paperwork directly via a secure link. I was sent the policy document and a letter from Barclays. I am taking these with me to the cruise terminal.

 

They also confirmed via the Mobile App (Chat) that we are covered for covid related cover for cruise.

 

My travel agent requested for the Policy No, 24hr emergency number for the Insurance and who the insurance was with at the time of sending me the cruise tickets. As you may know, the Barclays Insurance is provided by Aviva so I mentioned "Barclays (Aviva)". 

 

I hope the above helps. If I encounter any problems I will let you know within the next week or so. 

Thank you. I've got the letter from them with the details of who is covered plus the Covid information. Hopefully that is sufficient. 

We sail on the 25th June so I'll update if we get on successfully with it 😂 

On 6/12/2022 at 10:40 AM, Raj.K said:

Travel Insurance that comes with some bank accounts covers families - such as the travel pack with Barclays. Any pre-existing health/medical conditions have also got to be disclosed at the time of adding the pack to your packaged current account.

 

I think sometimes the Cruise option has to be added on to the standard insurance that comes with bank accounts. If my memory serves me right this may be the case with Nationwide but Barclays has cruise cover as standard. Please check with the insurance company or bank to be absolutely sure.

Did you use the Barclays Bank one for a cruise with MSC? If so do you mind telling me what you took as proof? Thank you 

Thank you all so much. 

At least I know not to expect much and anything else is a bonus 😂 

Hi, 

Has anyone used the exclusive Aurea sundeck on the MSC Virtuosa? Just wondered what to expect? Is there a bar there? Or someone for drinks service? Any food at all? 

Thanks 

Johnny 👍

14 hours ago, ScratchTheRat said:

COVID tests negative, bags are packed and documents all printed and in a lovely pink binder 😄

 

I already have a matching binder with all the documents for the other cruise a week after (Carnival Pride!) so stay tuned for that one too!

 

First thing in the morning (5am) I will be logging on to Carnival's website to check in for the Pride cruise, then coffee time before the short trip to the train station.

 

There, we get a train to Southampton to join the ship!

Have a wonderful time. We are on her in June after two cruises on her last year from Southampton. 

Looking forward to following along with your cruise! 

Does anyone have a recent picture of the MSC Flutes that are given with some pre paid packages? 

On 5/6/2022 at 4:32 PM, kernow said:

We did Indochine with our voucher last year, enjoyed it but not enough to go again hence trying BC this time. We didn't think it was worth paying extra for steak when they did a very nice one in YC. I know we can't use the voucher there but may try the teppanyaki too, have you ever been to that one?

I don't think you can use the free Diamond meal for the Teppanyaki restaurant? Pleas let me know if I'm wrong...it's the only restaurant we haven't eaten in on the Virtuosa! 

I've generally found most add ons to be approximately 10/15% more expensive to buy onboard. 

On 3/20/2022 at 6:14 PM, Kevin79 said:

Check out this on their website. It looks like you may need to complete a form and send it to them in advance.  

 

https://www.msccruises.co.uk/manage-booking/special-needs

 

Hope it helps.

Thank you so much! 

Does anyone know how to go about booking assisted Boarding in Southampton? We tried to use it last year and were denied because we weren't on the list, I'm now wondering how to get on the list for June. Thanks 

7 hours ago, caffeine_demon said:

I thought self tests weren't acceptable (and they have to be official lab tests)

Self tests are acceptable provided that you receive a lab result certificate showing your result. NHS self tests with a text or email are not acceptable. 

It kind of depends. 

I've had a cruise for the Med in October 2023 booked for about 6/8 months already. 

Other cruises haven't appeared until a year before I've booked them. 

Interested to see how many points people have with thier Voyagers Club 🙂

Randox self test Antigen LFT is accepted for boarding in Southampton. They are around £13 each as well so very good value. 

17 hours ago, Two Wheels Only said:

I don't know how accurate this is but I found....

 

Cabana's available for all guests:

• Ocean Cay Beach Cabana - $249  
• Deluxe Ocean Cay Beach Cabana - $349  

Exclusive MSC Yacht Club cabanas (ONLY AVAILABLE FOR MSC YC GUESTS):

• MSC Yacht Club Ocean View Cabana - $399  
• MSC Yacht Club Beachfront Cabana - $449 

 

Thank you so much. This may be the only time we all get to the Caribbean so I'm looking to book some special things we wouldn't usually. 

Hi, 

Looking at a Caribbean cruise in 2023. Can anyone let me know the cost of a cabana on Ocean Kay? 

Thanks