blueslily

Earlier this month, I was able to book a deluxe balcony cabin on Seascape in Dec for a friend's daughter to be in there solo. Paid less than 200% and the rep didnt blink booking it when I called. The reservation would not go through online. But, it wasnt a problem when i called. Last month, I could have booked it online as the option was working then, but her dad wasnt ready to commit to the booking just yet.

I'm looking and just not seeing what I consider value or good deals. Their pricing has increased. I guess it looks good because other lines have increased a lot so MSC looks good in comparison to the current prices on other lines. For context, I'm looking at sailings out of the US and at least 7 day. Maybe the short cruises are pricing different. Im not sure. And, i just mean recent pricing. I sailed with MSC in 2022 and was a happy camper with those prices. But for 2023 sailings, just not that happy. Not looking that far into 2024 yet. I will keep looking to see if a good deal pops up for adding another cruise for this year. I'm not comparing MSC to other lines. Just comparing MSC to historic MSC pricing. I dont really put them in the boat with other cruise lines. LoL, thats funny, lol. I totally get that tons of things in life have increased. When I think of a good deal, i dont see value in comparing it to a price offered elsewhere, especially when I know that price is inflated. Happy cruising everyone.

Thanks. I'm with you. I prefer to choose my cabin location. I dont mind walking a little bit to get to the spa. Plus, the balconies on the cabins shown as available are the same size. Its just a deluxe balcony with a Aurea experience. Its not the Aurea suites. Just a regular room with Aurea experience.

Ok. Great, thanks. Enjoy your cruise.

Does anyone know how the progress is coming along on the MSC terminal? Any update on when it will be opening in December? We will be sailing in December and just wonder what the odds are that we will be able to use the nee terminal. That would be exciting OR a mess since the kinks won't be worked out yet. Either way, we tend to pack patience on embarkation day.

Hello, we are in the same situation later this year on Seascape. Have you received any clarification about this?

I'm glad I found this post. I was just told by MSC customer service today that we cant do this due to policy. We have 2 cabins booked. One has drink pancake using the sale that's going on right now (and keeps going on, lol). The second one does not since she doesn't drink much. Neither do I, but in my cabin we both had to get the package for the booking. The bookings for our 2 cabins are linked. When I called today about something different, the rep told me that we can't sit together in the MDR for dinner because the other cabin does not have the drink package. Man, that was a moment. So, is that true? This is for Seascape. I see the response above, but I think her situation is different. We know one another and linked our bookings when we originally reserved the cabins. When I originally booked the cabins, nothing was said about both cabins needing a drink package to sit together in the MDR. I'm hopeful the rep today wasconfused, but she was a bit adamant about it. Thanks!

Yep. That's what I'm seeing for sailings I'm interested in.

Oh yes, thank you. My mom had one of those befor won a NCL ship. Shoot, I forget what they arecalled, but it was called a specific type of balcony when the cabin was assigned. Maybe it was called an enclosed balcony? Shoot, cant remember the name. Thanks so much. We opted to go to a higher deck, 14, to get away from the noise of Deck 8. I am hopeful that they are cabins with beds by the balconies. I tried counting every other room using numbers and that its accurate. They are cabins 14095 and 14114. Two different sides of the ship which we wanted so we can bounce from different sides to see the different views, lol. Prices are rising so we had to act quick. I will continue to research this topic and if necessary, will change the rooms again. Silky question. Why are Areau cabins so close to the front or back? Those front cabins are not in the best locations. For higher cost experience level, I would think the cabins would be better locations. Ugh. Decisions decisions. Thanks so much for your help!

Thanks so much. And one more question that might seem silly. What do you mean by metal balconies?

Ok. I see. I guess I would just look at the pricing situation a little different. Yes, if I compared it to I guess the $4,000+ that the Oasis sailing is costing you, it looks dirt cheap. I guess I look at it that the Oasis sailing in Oct is crazy expensive, lol. I would personally pass on paying that much if it's just a normal Caribbean sailing and all the other costs haven't even been added yet. That's just so inflated for what's included, as you said you have more to add for the overall cruise experience. Happy cruising. Glad you are happy with the Seascape Sept 2024 pricing. 🛳🏝🙋‍♀️🌞🤗

Thank you for posting about recent experiences. It seems like in this thread some people are sharing opinions based on past/old experiences. For people that want to know what the experience is like now using WOW bands, it's great to hear from people with more recent, in 2023, experiences versus what their functioning was like in prior years. Thank you! Thanks to other people that posted about recent experiences as well. Very helpful.

Ok. I'm looking at Caribbean sailings up through Feb 2024. Which 2024 sailing did you book for a great, cheap price? We aren't looking beyond Feb 2024 yet as we will be doing some international, land travel in 2024 as well. Thanks!

Wonderful, thank you. One more question please. Is day access usually sold prior to sailing or only once we board the ship? Thanks

Thanks. Which ship and sailing date was that price for? Thanks so much!

Extremely helpful post. Quick question: When you say for a quieter location, book balcony 10-03 and forward, what room number does that mean? Sorry, the - is tripping me up a little. Thanks so much. Awesome thread!

Thank you. Very helpful reply. Thanks you so much.

Thanks Biker! I will spend some time looking at videos for MSC Seashore which is the newest sister ship for the Seascape. They are nearly identical and there should be a lot more videos of cabins for that ship. Prices are steadily increasing for the sailing we want, so I need to figure this pattern out ASAP. Thanks so much!

Please don't kill me for asking here, but I have this same question right now for MSC Seascape. I've asked multiple times on the MSC boards how to figure out if the bed is by the balcony or the bathroom. Cruisers on those threads don't know. And employees at MSC Customer Service dont know. We really want a balcony cabin on Deck 11 or 12 near the middle heading towards the back that has the bed by the bathroom. I've looked at deck plans and can't figure out a pattern. The ship is new so there isn't a lot out there, but I've looked at several YouTube videos, but can't figure out the pattern. And the deck plans on that site most people refer you to isn't really updated to be specific for Seascape Agh. I'm so glad that I know how to figure it out on Royals Oasis ships. But, I don't really want to roll the dice on my Seascape cabin selection though. Ugh. Anyone know or have any tips for how I can figure it out? Again, i know this is a Royal forum. I also know that many of you are seasoned cruisers and may cruise with other lines also. Thanks.

Yes, many first time cruisers are sailing in 2023. Fewer loyalists are bookings much as they used to right now due to various changes. They know so much more history than the new cruisers sailing and booking right now. Plus goodness, prices are indeed up for some itineraries. So, many folks sailing now and this year don't really know the impact of the change. They dont have much to compare it to. I'm not going to not cruise because of reduction in cabin cleaning, but I will pass due to more expensive pricing.

Hello all, bumping this question up again. I have been watching YouTube videos and have seen a few videos of balcony cabins. We will be on the Seascape. I'm looking for a deluxe balcony on Deck 11 or 12 that has the bed by te balcony AND is on the bump out near the center toward the back so that we have a better view down to the ocean versus looking down at the deck with chairs and people on Deck 8. A lot of the lower balcony cabins on 9 and 10 near the front and back have a down view looking down on people on Deck 8 versus looking down at the ocean. I'm so appreciative of people that post cabin tours and label their cabin numbers in the video. It's even better when they walk out on the balcony and show you the view down from the balcony versus just showing the balcony chairs. Views differ at different locations for sure. Anyone know how to tell from the deck plan if the bed or sofa is by the balcony door? You can't rely on the videos on that site people post on here often because it's not updated yet. YouTube has been my best true source so far. Thanks

Similar question for an upcoming sailing. Anyone have experience. Sailing on Seascape, 7 day Caribbean out of Miami. Thanks!

Thanks for this question. I am getting ready to book cabins and 2 friends are going. We will be on the Seascape for a Caribbean sailing out of Miami. First, sorry, but the Florida departures for Caribbean sailings are not looking like the deals they used to be. Man, this will be the most that I've paid for a MSC sailing and its not a holiday sailing. Its early December which I sail every year. I get that it's a new MSC ship, but been there done that on MSC also, and this is still more. But, definitely not as inflated as the other lines that have bumped their heads with prices for Caribbean sailings. Back to the topic. One person going has only cruised once and it was with me on Royal's Symphony of the Seas. He fell in love crusing on that sailing. The other person has never cruised. For our sailing, Aurea is $270 more per person just for a deluxe balcony room that we can get with Fantastica. Honestly, the room locations for those cabins are not good. They are at the front or back and that isn't the best for views from the balcony. But, if we book suites, then you get better rooms and Aurea benefits for hundreds more. I was feeling torn because of all the options included, I want the Anytime dining, the Solarium, and the thermal suite access. I called and asked how much for the thermal suite as an add on for the week. The price is half the upgrade cost which is good. So, that leaves us without the Solarium and Anytime dining. I could deal with the dining loss, but I think we want the Solarium just to have a quieter outdoor space since ships are sailing full. It's ok if there isn't a pool. We just want access to a quieter outdoor space for relaxing, in addition to our own balconies of course. We just dont wat to be limited to staying in our rooms for quiet outdoor space. So, my internal debate continues. Sorry for the long post.

I do both. I pack water in my rolling bag. And I order water to be in the room when I arrive. Both are easy for me. Both work for me. Taking the pack of water myself is never an issue. I can't relate to people that post about "the hassle of lugging water". It's sitting in a little rolling bag. I'm not literally carrying it so it's not ever an inconvenience for me. Port security never makes me take it out the bag. So, taking it has always been easy peasy for me. Different strokes for different folks. I take it for medical reasons and don't get swayed by posts on here about it. Have a good cruise, and do whatever works for you. 🤗🛳🙋‍♀️

Thanks. Sorry, I should have clarified. I meant beyond the buffet and MDR. Like NCL has the pub and Royal (on Oasis class ships) has like 3 casual food included options. Sorry for not including MDR. I just meant other than those two of course.