Kevin79

We won't know until she starts sailing again on the 25th September.

The menu did look interesting, but most of the items seem to be in the Crown Grill menu, so not really missing out. I'm sure it'll still be lovely.

I realise this was expected, but the app for my upcoming cruise, embarking on 25 September, has now changed Bayou to the Crown Grill. My dinner reservation appears to have transfered over too. When I go into the Crowb Grill, reservation is there. Website not updated yet.

As I understand it, your next cruise needs to be within 3 years of the end of your last cruise. if it's not, then whilst you may currently have the Silver/Gold level if you're currently within 3 years, you won't by the time of your sailing.

We sailed on Grandiosa with Aurea September 2022, with 2 solo friends who were both Fantastica. As they had the same drink package as us, I was able to get the bookings linked. Went to the restaurant on the first day to get assigned together, thinking same as you, and Friends were allowed to use the Aurea dining area with us. We were totally prepared to use fixed dining times. I should add I wasn't able to link bookings online, but they did it via email. I just sent an email without any expectation for timing of reply or if it would happen etc.

Charge to your cruise card and settle at the end, bring Euros onboard. The ship won't give a "deal" on converting money.

Book more than 9 months out, and get 50 dollars/euros OBC. Always get 5% discount. Doesn't provide any priority booking, but does mean closer to Black/|Diamond where you get a free dining experience in a speciality restaurant. What you get onboard is listed in the benefits...

Thanks - the sea days make sense and what I assumed, but certainly didn't want to assume.

First time with Princess, and looking to start booking dinners in the planner, but don't when Gala/formal night night will be. Does Princess tend to do them on sea days or day before (or another...)? Have 2 sea days in 10 night from Rome in September. Thanks.

Can't wait to try this area on the 4th Oct cruise, though I imagine it doesn't contain an electronic roulette table... that's my favourite.

That's interesting, and I guess goes someway to help for those who want to play but don't want to spend time in the main casino which can get very smoky regardless how much the AC is on. If it takes off / increases revenue, I won't how long before other ships get a small sub-casino. Assume games only on after left port.

Boarding the Meraviglia next month in YC. Plan is to board early after ĥotel check out. Will we be able to disembark as if it were a port day or is it a case of one on, that's it for 1st day? (I know in Europe, we're able to get on as they have multi-port emparkations)

Southampton is a tiny airport used mainly for domestic business flights and European holidays. I wouldn't recommend bus to Southampton, but take the Elizabeth line to Reading then train to Southampton. This will take a little over 2 hours, and will avoid traversing central London.

If you google the ship and cabin, good chance you'll get video of your cabin, or from a sister ship where layout would be the same.

Depending on the route (you didn't mention), Virtuosa is a multi-embarkation ship i.e. passengers and embark and disembark at multiple stops on the route; most of MSC's routes in Europe are like this. Assuming your sailing is like this, you shouldn't have any issue staying on board a little longer. When I debarked in Barcelona, I was able to stay onboard until about 11am with no issues. We weren't asked to leave, our cards were still working and packages available for us. If you're doing a single embarkation cruise, you'll need to leave by around 9.30/10am, shortly after the last group (on the list you've shared above) are due to leave when they'll call for the stragglers. From what I've seen, only the Canary Island route is a single embarkation sailing. You should note that MSC is relatively unique in having multiple embarkations on a route. Most others only have one.