margie1221

Update - I called the Casino Reservation number and just asked about my options. Apparently MSC is like Celebrity, HAL and Carnival… we can book one cabin each on the same sailing with our certificates from Twin River. I guess NCL is the only one that has a “household” rule limiting how you can redeem the certificates. Hope this info might help someone in the same situation

Looking for first-hand experience from anyone who has received two "free" MSC cruise certificates - from a land casino - for two people in the same household... what are the options for redemption?? Combine the two certificates to upgrade one category (like NCL) and/or book two cabins on the same sailing (like HAL, Celebrity & Carnival) - just wondering. Also, I understand that I do not have to pay port charges & gov't fees, but I do pay gratuities. Thanks!!

Yes - this has been our experience also. Years ago you could book two cabins on the same sailing with two certificates but they've done away with it on NCL

Yes!!! This is why I was disappointed to have been assigned a 3:00pm check in time... will miss a nice relaxing lunch to set the tone for the vacay!!

Sounds great!! This will be our first time on Holland America - looking forward to it. Take care and enjoy those cruises 😎

Hi Terry!! We're boarding the Zaandam this Saturday for Maine and Nova Scotia - hope all is well with you and that we sail together again someday!!!

Thanks - Did that - recorded phone message referred me to website - no option to talk to a person!! So I emailed them - we’ll see what happens

Yes, May 20th is my sailing on the Zaandam (roundtrip from Boston) - after waiting a few weeks, it now appears on the drop-down list on parking.com for the 93 Fargo Lot but I keep getting kicked out of the reservation - I simulated a Friday departure on the NCL Pearl and it went to the next step... Maybe not doing Saturday departures?? That's what I'm trying to determine - anyone with this same experience???

Thank you Renie Raider - however we will be on Zaandam Saturday May 20th - seems like the MASSPort site doesn't like Saturday departures - I entered a Friday departure on the Pearl and the reservation went through to the next step - the Saturday departures seem to get kicked out... Anyone have any luck recently booking parking with a Saturday departure?? Otherwise I guess I'll go with ParkWhiz (no shuttle?) and drop off bags and pax, then park and walk back to pier. Please advise

These suggestions are all great - that's why I love Cruise Critic!!! I agree if all adult travelers, do three smaller suitcases and cross pack. I also keep our CPAPs and a small rolling carry on with us - pack things I don't want to check but also don't want to lug too much around the ship until our cabin is ready!! Think iPad & charger, meds, jewelry, bathing suit if warm climate cruise, light sweater if cool climate cruise, small sunscreen container - essentials/valuables. This approach is also helpful at the end of the cruise. I leave our regular luggage outside the door on the last night for pick up and keep the small roller/carry-on bag for essentials/valuables along with the CPAPs to debark the next morning. Hope this helps... enjoy your cruise! The luggage with four wheels that swivel 360 degrees have saved my back and shoulders immensely in all forms of travel!!!! Great invention

Going on first Holland America Cruise in May - requested Distilled Water and an extension cord from phone representative at the time of booking. Both of us use CPAP so this is standard arrangements for us when traveling. On occasion we have brought a sealed gallon of store-bought distilled water with us on other cruise lines - no issues at check in as (unfortunately) CPAP equipment and supplies are fairly routine to pass through the cruise security check line these days...

Thank you!!

This is very helpful but... the Holland America Zaandam sailing on May 20-27, 2023 isn't on the drop down list for the Fargo Lot, so I can't go any further. Any others with same experience??? thanks

Hi folks - new to Princess - just received “free” cruise offers from land casino - one each, same household. What’s Princess policy on using two vouchers on the same cruise for two separate cabins, or combining the two certificates to get a free upgrade. Any experience on this?? I have done both on Celebrity Norwegian and Carnival - all have different policies, TIA.

The food is very good at Nachi Cocum - better than Playa Mia (right next to Mr. Sancho's) if you're considering that one...

I realize this thread is out-of-date but just wanted to share that we stayed in Reflection Cabin #8355 - Sunset Veranda, just off-center aft. - in April 2022. We LOVED it. We liked location - really not a long walk to elevators/stairs, we had no issues with soot on the balcony, and we did not feel exposed to onlookers from above. CDABA9E9-9A27-4EF4-81FB-7AF23D18EC6E.heic

Sail Away gatherings are at sail away - no preference is given to those who arrive early!! Everyone has to be onboard by then - Celebrity Cruise Critic boards tend to pick the outdoor Sunset Bar - in the aft of the ship. However I do recall that we planned one for Craft Social once since it was late August and too hot to sit outside!!

Awesome review - thanks for sharing - I really like your format!! One quick question... you mentioned going to Nachi Cocum in Cozumel then decided to stay on the ship. Did you forgo your $59pp or did you plan to just show up?? I thought you had to make advance reservations. Please advise when you have a moment - thanks again. We're sailing the Infinity for the second time in November - trying the "Suite Life" for the first time 🙂

Thanks amypintx!! This is VERY helpful... BTW my son and family are in Newcastle - lived in Moore before that - small world 🙂