LinRon3

We always look for the Pauliner Doppelbock beer. A few ships carry it, but more often than not, not. Some advertise it, but then are always out of stock. Voyager had it; Harmony I think did. Jewel, Mariner, Vision, Allure no. we're on the Adventure OS later in the year. Hope they have it. Thought I'd mention it since thread is about drink menus on the Adventure.

We just got off the Meraviglia Feb. 12th and it was our 4th MSC cruise and 2nd on Meraviglia. MSC has so much to offer, especially if one speaks to bang for the buck. We usually do balconies, but find we are being priced out to oceanview and even interior on other lines. We are diamond with RCL...which was first 'good' point with MSC, as they status matched us to their GOLD level. But this was also the first glitch as we were first issued silver sea cards. After waiting at customer service in a long line, we were given GOLD cards...but then they would not unlock our stateroom. It was this kind of thing that seemd commonplace...what I'd call glitches, or inefficiency. Embarkation was very chaotic...again long lines..but it was also raining that day so that might be overlooked to some degree. We seemed to be waiting in lines throughout this cruise. MDR food was not as good as other lines [like RCL and especially Celebrity]...but we're not foodies and it was certainly adequately good. We liked the marketplace [their windjammer buffet]. Always found a table and not as chaotic and the food, again, adequately good. On the good side, our cabin was one of the nicest we've been in, quite roomy, and the balcony nice. storage was a bit limited [something we found on Seaside also], but manageable. Bathroom was quite nice, shower large and robust. We found the bars often 'packed' and hard to get a drink...again, cuz of the lines. Wow, sounds like I'm being overly critical here, but thing of it is, we LOVE MSC. These ships are absolutely beautiful...and there's all the bells and whistles...the entertainment great [there were at least 4 production shows] plus 2 wholly different 'Carousel Shows' [a hold over lounge setup from the old Circ de Soleil that used to perform there]. Truth is, as much as we'd love to be devoted to MSC [their cruise fares are priced way below other lines]...they just need to get their efficiency down better. Our embarkation, for example, was one of the worst we've experienced [in the top 3 worst]. More 'hurry up and wait' lines...first to be called to debark...and then something like an hour standing waiting for our luggage to be brought to the pickup area. I think there may have been a medical emergency that cause the delay though [not sure...just that we stood for a long time]. There was something that happened at Cozumel also...a line to get back on the ships [mostly to do with the Allure that was also docked]...that was unbelievably long. That may have not been MSC's fault though [perhaps the Port authorities or something]. Another good thing, this was the first time we went to Ocean Cay, MSC's private island in the Bimini chain. It was quite nice. MSC has put a lot of money in building that island and it was beautiful. We'd love to go there again. All in all, nothing here that we'd term a 'deal breaker'...and we'd gladly book MSC again if we see a good itinerary. Yes, MSC does need to work on that efficiency, but if they ever pull that together, they are going to grab market share for Caribbean cruising like you wouldn't believe. Better lookout RCL, NCL, and Carnival. Hope this not stepping on toes of OPoster...but thought we'd add our 2cents to the topic. It really was a great cruise for us overall [even with the lines, the gliltches, and perhaps not inspiring MDR dishes]. But you gotta love that fare price. And those balcony cabins are exceptional.

Not sure if you've already sailed or not, but we just got off the Meraviglia last Sunday and took an excursion to Chankanaab for snorkeling the previous Friday. Like you, we booked the excursion even though we have been in Cozumel several times and Chankanaab twice before...'cuz there were five ships in port that day, and we wanted to make sure we'd get back on time. We've seen some tight traffic snarls in San Miguel [once with 7 ships in port and stop and go to get out of town]. The RCL Allure was docked alongside us that day...and we experienced a line to get back onboard like we had never seen before at that International dock [why was Meraviglia docking there anyway...usually they dock at Punta Lagosta]. The line [to get back to the ships at inside the port] stretched all the way back past the port stores street entrance 'winding' back around. You'd have to have seen it to believe how long it was [to go through the security check]. People had to be in the line for close to an hour [just a guesstimate]. Luckily for us, it was mostly for the Allure. Yes, it's quite easy to get to Chankanaab on your own...but with a lot of ships in port, well, we don't want to be on one of those 'pier runner' videos we all get such a kick out of, ha. And yes, traffic was bad that day [but once out of town it was ok]. Our excursion DID take us to the Chankanaab park [taxi ride]...but the wording for your's does seem quite ambiguous. It's a great beach snorkel there...and lots of solid chairs and lounges and several bars. Even so, it was filling up as we left the water [around noon]. Some of the Cozumel beaches try to be more for kiddies [the blow up slides and stuff]...and some have murkier water and not great [IMHO]. Chankanaab has always been crystal clear times we've been there and there's fair amount of coral and several places with stairs for easy entry/exit. A great place and one of the best beach snorkels we've found [Saint Lucia and off Mahagony beach in Honduras are good one's too..."for off a beach"]. Even some Myan relics back in the woods there that's interesting. Beware some of the vendors up by the tequila tasting area. My wife bought a gift for a relative and we were double charged [having my credit card company try and remedy the situation even now...will take weeks]. He even charged us 25% more than the price he said...but that was my fault for not checking the peso to dollar calculation [dummy me]. Not sure if I should complain to MSC [it was their excursion] or even Chankanaab park itself? Getting ripped off in Mexico is...well, I won't say it's typical...but you gotta be on your toes there. I write too much; sorry...but we were just there. A great place and you'll have a good time I'm sure. Wish I could help on the transportation question as the description does sound...well, it's not clear.

thanks for the info. Disappointed that we'll still have to log in our credit card once onboard. It's not that big a hassle, but just something else to have to do and remember. Now if only there are no towels on the lounges...uh...

We looked for that health questionnaire earlier today [Tues]. We found a link and it showed momentarily before fading back to the web check-in start page? Did that several times and it appeared and then 'disappeared' [back to that start page]. Everything else went fine [we think]. Yea, we remember from before pandemic that MSC website used to give us fits [still can't access my voyager account]. Wife and I decided that perhaps we can't fill in that health questionnaire until just before embarkation day [we're still 18 days out]. Our TA provided us with a hardcopy questionnaire form, so guess we will just wait until embarkation. Makes sense as at least one question involves any symptoms in the 'previous 3 days'. At least it looks like you can log your credit card now online. Before, you had to do it onboard within so many hours at some sort of kiosk [if memory serves me].

I get the op's point. Just 'seems' like everything geared toward YC on these forums? Sort of a 'Grey Poupon' commercial, say what. Steerage scum not welcomed, ha. Just a feeling of course; my flaw.

Ok, thanks. Yea, Money Bar was on our radar; might just do that...or maybe just go to Chankanaab or something?. We like to shop in San Miguel after a snorkel or excursion, and thought if something right by pier would be convenient. Yea, looks pretty built up right in that area; but never know if someone might know something. At the Carnival pier, there are several hotels that allow day passes and have small beaches and some snorkeling [Grand Park Royal comes to mind]. Wondered if something like that around the Punta Lagosta area. Thanks for your input; we'll probably just get a cab and go south.

Hmm...pitcher of beer. Sounds good. Can one use crown and anchor vouchers for the pitcher? How many vouchers used per pitcher if so?

Thanks for the update. Sad though. Probably some places to get in the water nearby though [on one's own]. Wonder if the tarpon still hang around, ha. Again, sad.

Has anyone done any snorkeling off the rocks near the MSC dock in Cozumel [I think MSC docks at the Punta Lagosta pier]? We found a restaurant in Grand Cayman that allowed snorkeling [mentioned in another thread] and wondered if anyone knew of a place like that in Cozumel, within walking distance of that MSC dock? I see several possibilities such as a hotel, several restaurants, and even a scuba store of some sort [on google maps etc], but know nothing about businesses in that area. If you've done any snorkeling there, do you have to reserve something or just show up somewhere [I think there's a public park nearby for instance]? Maybe a day pass at a hotel there? Thanks for any help [we're not there until Feb].

Pre pandemic, Paradise Grill is just a block or so from hard rock near tender port in Grand Cayman [yes in walking distance]. It had a good entry into water and a changing shed after [vest required, rental for $10]. They chum Tarpon there apparently and its kinda fun snorkeling with the big fish swarming all around you. Wife would have lunch while I snorkeled...later changing to have a beer. I really hope Paradise Grill survived the pandemic though. Does anyone know if it's still there and open to the snorkeling?

We just got off the Vision OS Dec. 16 and it was very spotty having to sign for voucher drinks. I'd say about 20% of the time we signed, otherwise we just handed over our seapass card, they scanned it, and nothing else. I think it's more of a hassle for the bar tenders. Actually, last few days of the cruise, I don't think we had to sign at all? So I think this program might be sort of petering out on it's own, ha.

Thanks Cruiseguyinorl (Bret). Wife and I were encouraged by Niknot's post and we were talking about putting a pack of soda in our carryon's. Like my earlier post, we found some MSC ships to be more strict than others. I think we've changed our minds about our Meraviglia cruise and will play it on the stricter side of things [no soda].

You know [and this thread probably not the place to say], I've always found these drink package deals to be outrageous? I can't imagine anyone drinking enough alcohol to make it cost effective...even close. I may be able to cover, perhaps, one day...even two...but all seven or more days of a standard cruise? But we suppose people do buy these packages or they wouldn't sell them. Just a mystery to us. But I'll go one further. I might even consider purchasing a drink package if it was only myself who had to buy it just for the convenience of not having to 'think' when one orders a drink. But the two of us [me and wife] in a cabin...uh, no way. Yes, I know the reason is that people would use their package to buy for others...but it often almost doubles the cruise cost for us...so again, no way. But one wonders if a cruise line might actually make more profit if they DID sell them to individuals [and not all stateroom occupants] that they might increase sales even with the abuses? Anyway, I've always wanted to log this disbelief at the pricing of these drink packages and amazement that ANYONE would purchase 'em. So...now logged, ha. I see no value there at all. Just sayin'.

Hey, thanks for this post. I really have trouble wading through these websites to find specific information like above [also searches here on CCritic]. Sort of figured nothing had changed but one vlogger on a MSC ship had what looked like an 8 pack of soda and another some champagne which prompted the query here. The 'Exception of dry commercial packaged foods' does seem to support what my wife said about packaged small snacks. Ha...I saw where one can of pringles cost $8 in one RCI ship's stores [assume MSC's shops just as pricey]. Plenty of free alternative options though. I tend to drink too many sodas anyway, ha.

We know from 3 MSC cruises before the pandemic (Seaside, Armonia, Mervaglia) that MSC is strict and does not [did not anyway] allow carrying on ANY food or drink of any type on embarkation day. We watch cruise/travel vlogs however, and noticed that a couple vloggers on recent MSC cruises 'may' have had soda and sparkling wine in their cabin? It made us wonder if MSC might have relaxed their strict policy on such issue? So, It's prompted us to query here about any policy changes on bringing aboard SODA [in particular] on embarkation day? We're sure alcohol is still verboten, but RCI and Carnival has always been lenient on soda; so thought maybe MSC, trying to gain more American market share, might have followed suit now? We find the MSC general information of recent nature [post pandemic] on any policy changes addressing food and beverage policies hard to find. SO we assume there's been no change and NOTHING is allowed. My wife seems to think that packaged snacks, like a can of pringles etc, are allowed since she seems to remember taking these aboard on the earlier MSC cruises? We found MSC's 'stated written policy' to be emphatic on the subject [before], but the ships themselves sort of relaxed on enforcement? It's a shot in the dark, but thought I'd ask if anyone knows from recent experience on MSC cruises [we sail on the Meraviglia in Feb]. Thanks in advance.

Ya know, benefits are nice, but the more they are abused, don't ya think RCI would be incentivized to maybe take them away? Just sayin'.

Yea, what Ocean Boy said, sort of what I meant by 'wanting to get off ASAP'. We are always quite sad to debark. But we've experienced some qued up lines on Debark day and always the stress of getting home [shuttles, planes, traffic...that sort of thing]. It's not that we're 'glad' the cruise is over. Quite the opposite. Just don't like those ques and lugging luggage around.

We've used D vouchers for specialty coffee on Debarkation day [on the Voyager]. No problem. Just sayin'. Who needs a bunch of voucher drinks anyway on Debark day as I'd think most just want to get off the ship ASAP and we usually are off before 9am.

Thank you Thrifty99. I'd like to copy your post here and carry it onboard, as we also have run into this problem [on the Allure I believe]. I think at least 3 other RCL ships honored the old cards without reluctance, smiling and appreciative. But we too felt we were being incriminated somehow when we asked on the Allure [I hope my memory is correct on the ship]. We assumed it was a 'ship by ship' policy and we have to ASK each different ship [with the risk of that incrimination like one is trying to get away with something]. Cudos to you for getting to the bottom of this issue and calling RCL executive offices for clarity. And I tell you, the importance RCL puts on employee attitudes being totally committed to service...this Fernando fella...well, I sort of hope he really is cleaning bathrooms or maybe the bilge tanks. The rest of RCL crews work so hard to provide service with a smile, I'd say Fernando is not a good fit for RCL But then this Vivian gave you 'another' story altogether...which looks like they were just BSing you to 'handle you'...but you showed them up in, well...someone was lying [actually both since you went to the executive horses mouth]. Thank you so much. We all now have AMMO to fire back if ever rejected for unused punches on these coffee cards. I too do not like retort that implies I've done something wrong for 'just asking' [my experience on the Allure, though my memory is a bit rusty on particular ship].

Second about the Vision. The fella taking care of the lounge was super [wish I had gotten his name]. But good luck on finding a seat [any Diamond lounge we've visited really]. Well...no...if the lounge is in lower decks, there doesn't seem to be as many crowds as the lounges in upper decks [like Viking Crown etc...or even by Schooner on Vision class]. Just an observation; could just be our timing though.

Since we're talking Diamond Lounge here, anyone else a little worried that D+ no longer able to use Concierge lounges? Crowding seems to be a problem in D lounges also. Our last 3 cruises the D lounge was really unusable (for us anyway) except for a quick grab for coffee and head on somewhere else. If crowding was what promoted the loss of Concierge for D+, what might RCCL do for Diamond? Is there any reason to worry?

Interesting strategy. Might scare 'em that you're withdrawing your next move [and no $$, ha]. Assume you like to bluff in poker too, LOL. Was your bid accepted..from what to what if so? We see these royal up bids as just part of the fun; like playing the lottery or something. You know you're going to lose, but heck, you get excited anyway, ha. Just think what that Royal Suite is gonna be like, ha.

Just gotta say this. We've heard this term 'nickel and dime' for a long time now, and we don't see it that way [the term]. We are budget cruisers who want to cruise as often as we can. Watch Emma Cruises vlog, and you'll get the viewpoint we have; in a word, CHEAP, ha. Point here, nickel and dimeing to us just means 'CHOICES'. By keeping fares lower and allowing some, like us, to make CHOICES after we board, well, it means we can cruise when otherwise we'd be locked out. So, yea, we like this 'nickel and dimeing' [sic] as we do CHOOSE to splurge sometimes if we want, but more often, we like to save our bucks for more cruises. Just a point of view I thought I'd point out. From a business view, I think more people they can bring aboard by keeping fares as low as possible and not all inclusive, will mean more consuming overall and $$. There's plenty of options for 'all inclusives' it looks like anyway. Now...to steal your lounge!! LOL

Hmm...not sure, but looks like a forward oceanview cabin [we quick checked deckplans on google], about like the one was had on the Mariner OS, as you say, overlooking the heliopad. If so, we really liked this cabin a lot because it was so roomy. The wall where the window [or porthole] is slanted, making extra floor room. We usually like balconies, but if we book an oceanview now, we request the 'forward oceanview' if available. Wow! 27 nights! Have a great cruise.