Ryan82

From my msc account. Msc direct have a best promo + drinks offer where you can get premium drinks added quite cheaply.

If booking in advance by 9 months or more I think you get the 50 OBC regardless of booking method

As its more than 9 months off you'll get the 5% plus 5% discount for being silver or above @Captain-John

Twice to three times based on most recent cruise.

That is a great price @elmsliebev !

Why is it disabled?

Hey @pcwoodwardflier on Virtuosa in April and June. Did you find the cigar lounge?

Facility seems disabled?

Hi @elmsliebev - you'll need to book the restaurants when you are on board. BTW - I'm on Virtuosa in April and June - and they're not showing specialty restaurants or the carousel shows as being able to book yet. When is your cruise?

Enjoy your holiday and safe travels mate.

Agree @Kevin79 I guess they have to film alot to have enough footage to make a video. They make it through the adverts on YouTube although not much @FSHLOT - although I think the goal is to gain enough subscribers that they will get freebies etc from the cruise lines to promote their brand. Some of the videos are really helpful and I do enjoy them. But not all.

Haha. Sorry this kind of thing riles me. I worked once for a UK high street bank nearly 20 years ago. A very middle class lady complained to head office that I'd sworn repeatedly at her once serving her and was given compensation. It was a completely false claim and whilst it was believed that I had not sworn at her I was livid money had been chucked at the liar just to shut her up. People do unfortunately tell absolute lies at times.

And this particular blogger uses sensational "click bait" titles for each of his videos. Also no real explanation as to why he was using a crew entrance. Not making excuses for the shoving (if it did in fact happen) but maybe from behind the crew member thought it was someone else and it was intended playfully etc. You'll never know the story is one sided.

I'm sorry I'm going to say it too. A lot of the cruise bloggers are way too full of themselves in terms of their "importance" and "influence". I don't care if that makes me unpopular. Whilst it's fun undeniably to watch their videos sometimes I do think sometimes filming stuff all the time must be annoying for crew (albeit most politely smile etc).

Interesting video @Stockjock While on the Preziosa in Oct from Southampton I heard a guest claim at reception services he had been "poked" and "shoved". This guy was extremely agitated and angry and very loud. However on the offer of a free spa treatment from the guest services manager his anger disappeared immediately. I had no idea what happened but I concluded it was "false / massively exaggerated" because if I'd been poked and shoved by a crew member for absolutely no legitimate reason then I'd not have shut up for a free massage....

Thanks @Stockjock seems very random. But the same applies for how the excursions show up. Definitely book MSC for the experience and itineraries and not necessarily the quirks of their off board experience I'll be on the Virtuosa in June next year. Haven't been on it myself but a mate has and I think we're going to be very happy.

Thanks to everyone who replied I'm convinced to try 😁 I've three cruises holidays next year all with MSC, in May, June and August. However none of the bookings are showing any speciality dinning options yet. When do they normally pop up on the online portal?

Some great tips here. Is it just me that no matter how carefully I pack my clothes end up looking like a dog has rolled about in them? 🤣

I love steak. Bc tempts me. Must admit I am fussy with steak and typically prefer what I can buy and cook at home. On the preziosa we'll only have BC and the Galaxy to pick from though. Great to hear you had a positive experience.

Yes I know. I'm asking why?

I've cruised many times with MSC (but still only Gold status) I always opt for the Premium drinks packages because I don't like limitations or worrying about unexpected bar bills because we do enjoy lots to drink on our cruise. I've never tried the speciality dinning restaurants because I really like the food and service in the MDR. However I have a two week cruise in August on the Preziosa to Norway and Svalbard and am thinking 14 nights in MDR might need breaking up with something. Any opinions?

Interesting I don't think we get these kind of deals in UK. Out of interst what's the rationale for cruise critic not to mention travel agents by name? Because its funded / paid for by the agents that they promote?

Not had similar situation but you'll get the experience you paid for ie Bella. But it was lucky to get allocated an aurea cabin.

That's a shame mate. MSC's onboard experience, I've always found to be really good and the Seascape looks like a stunning ship. Definitely on my list. Don't think they've treated you fairly. The headline summary for USA states - Available for all MSC Cruises’ sailings of any duration (MSC WORLD CRUISES excluded. There is no link to a caveat explaining any limitations of that offer meaning in the UK you could complain to advertising standards authority. Last suggestion- try asking for OBC - ive heard they're happier to give that out.

That is frustrating. Are you going ahead with the booking?