the wandering two

I'm glad someone asked this question. We are existing Voyager's club members (silver) but we would have higher equivalent status on other lines.

Can we still ask for a status match & how long does it stay live for?

We have an existing booking for March '19.

As an aside we last sailed with MSC March '14 our accounts are still live. On reading the small print I thought that you had to sail within three years to keep them?

As many of you (way more loyal than us) have said the points aren't worth much after the change to the current scheme, but we'll take what we can get!

Regards

Mark & Heather

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Hi Nikki,

Great thread. Re New York sailings, have you priced MSC USA?

8th Oct Sailing working out at $1928, two people inside Fantastica with 24hrs Internet credit, mealtime drinks & $25 obc plus the 12 drink vouchers that Fantastica cabins receive anyway. That's with 5% voyagers club applied, taxes & fees.

Eagerly anticipating Lirica Dubai to Venice, March '19 hence our renewed interest in all things MSC.

Regards

Mark & Heather

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Thought as much. We have been assigned early, we'll just stick with that, 9.30 way too late.

M

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Hi Davy,

Any chance you would remember the early & late dining times?

We are on Lirica next March from Dubai.

Cheers

Mark

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In a similar vein, miso soup every lunchtime in buffet, on Epic at least.

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Thanks, know what you mean about Blue Moon, haven't tried any lagunitas, so will look out for it.

M

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Hi Soggy,

So glad you enjoyed Epic, bit of a love or hate for most.

So looking foreward to our 5th trip on her this Nov transatlantic.

You mentioned that there were a few craft beers, any further details? Other than Guinness or Newcastle Brown I thought it was mostly generic lagers.

Cheers

Mark

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Gosling's black seal also now back under $15 limit.

Wonder if any corresponding cocktails have been included, ie dark and stormy?

Hope they don't change before our Epic TA in Nov!

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Thanks Casofilia & Birdtravels,

good to know we can give them our platinum vouchers. We are on Epic's TA, booked that long ago that we have the six meal perk, so plenty left for ourselves.

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Anyone tried to gift platinum vouchers to someone else? We are sailing with M&F in law, who don't have any dining credits & we have both. Would plan to dine together if that helps.

Any thoughts?

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There were two within the classic limit, Tawny & LBV, you need to look at a wine list for cellar masters to find them.

Doesn't help the original posters question though!

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So if you are really on a budget & just pay as you go can you get a $6 glass of house wine, as per standard package limit? Just back from Constellation and didn't see any wine priced that low on any list?

Mark

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I buy the JWB on the cruise ship to take home. Great prices for us and to use some OBC. One of the bars or Michael's Club had JWB.

 

This was asked in Michael's Club.

"I did get a "no" when I asked for Johnnie Walker Blue. The World Class Bar had it but would charge $20 over what the premium package included. Their bartender did comp me a shot of it once. Personally, I like the Johnnie Walker Black better."

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=51861451&postcount=4

Ouch, only tried blue once, January '16 on NCL Spirit, $4 up charge plus 18% gratuity.

Super premium brands were $19, fifteen of which was covered by package.

Mark

On our recent transatlantic on Brilliance there wasn't any on display in the buffet. Other previous cruise staples like sweet cure herring, eggs benedict & grapefruit were conspicuous by their absence also. This did disappoint us as it was our first cruise on Royal in six years so just assumed it was the new norm, didn't think to ask for any, as others have suggested, but shouldn't have too.

As an aside, shrimp cocktail wasn't on the MDR evening menu but we noticed others being served it. As it's my MIL fav we asked, no problem, she then had one most nights, yet again shouldn't have to ask.

And people think NCL nickel & Dimes!

Regards

Mark & Heather

I find it most hilarious though when people say it must be boring, same old crap food day in day out etc, and then they go on about the fantastic holiday they have booked at an all-inclusive resort that basically serves up the same crap every day!!!!!

You stick to your holiday, and I'll go enjoy mine. I am not sure I'd want you to come along anyway!

I'm with you on this one. Sister in law swears she will never book a cruise, she & hubby spent a week on a Greek island & other than going into the local village for a meal one evening, never left the hotel, "but you would be trapped on a cruise ship! "

Mark

Got off Brilliance's transatlantic a couple of weeks back.

We were on deck 4, 4539, great location close enough to the centrum/R bar yet no noticeable noise from any music if we copped out early. What was a pain was the thumping from the shops above around 4am most days, it didn't last long, but be aware of what could be above your cabin.

In laws were in 8515, didn't report any problems, be it noise or movement despite its forward position.

Hope that helps.

Mark & Heather

Hello Campolady,

Just wanted to say a big thank you for all your advise on this forum.

We had a great time on our recent port stop in Malaga. Walked from the ship into town, a few drinks in Antigua Casa de Guardia & onto the nearby market on Atarazanas for lunch, walked about 7 miles altogether just taking in the city.

Already planning our day there on next year's transatlantic.

Regards

Mark & Heather

Just off Brilliance transatlantic, our first Royal cruise since 2010 and noticed a few changes,

mostly in the buffet. No smoked salmon, herrings, eggs benedict or grapefruit at breakfast & very repetitive lunch choice. I expect repeat items especially on a two week cruise but the same two choices of pizza (cheese or pepperoni) as an example got a bit weary.

Thankfully the MDR was excellent, although we noticed Royal doing the exact same that NCL get flamed for, ie no lobster(couldn't care less anyway) & upcharge items on the MDR menu from Chops.

All in still a great cruise mainly because we booked 18 months ago at a great price, but would let my wallet make the final decision on any future bookings.

Mark & Heather

ps as a consolation they did offer a "giant prawn"!

Hi,

Can't recall the company name but we used the bag service that was just outside the port building, around €10 per bag, (in 2014 anyway).

Without baggage it's an easy hop on the blue port bus that drops off at the Columbus monument at the bottom of Las Ramblas.

Barcelona is a great walking city also the beach area Barceloneta, is quite close although with a four yr old in tow a tour/transfer combo or at least the hop on/off city tour maybe easier.

regards

Mark

Hi all,

When the packages changed I asked Royal to clarify how much the upgrade would cost & weather it could be done part way through a sailing.

I got two replies from two different people on the same day, the first confirming the $10 plus grats no mention of duration. The second also confirmed $10 etc but added that beverage packages could only be bought or upgraded either prior to the cruise or on the first day only.

I thought that Royal's faqs state that you can upgrade within four days of the cruise end.

Any thoughts?

Regards

Mark & Heather

Brilliance TA 17Oct 2016

Hi David,

We are on this sailing also, like you we are hoping to clear immigration in San Juan.

Our recent experience has been on NCL Epic crossings were we cleared onboard in St Thomas.

On any of our previous crossings on Royal, (admittedly six years ago, so policy may have changed) I don't recall clearing anywhere other than mainland US, even when SJ was a port of call.

regards

Mark & Heather

Thanks for the correction. More reason not to want the beverage package.

I applaud your self control, I assume you would then pay al a carte for drinks and spend less per day than the $14.22 gratuity would cost.

Happy cruising!

I assume you have checked that all the perks are equal.

As a yardstick I priced Epic transatlantic Nov '17, just because we have it booked already.

Dot EU site, non guarantee balcony €1069

Dot DE site, what still looks like a guarantee balc €1259

I know this is only one example, I hope your german is good enough to tell what is included with each counties' promotion.

regards

Mark

Hard to pin down a definite answer, have sailed Epic many times & loved it. Haven't sailed Divina but loved Magnifica & Fantasia in the med. For you it may come down to logistics & price. Where are you flying into? Epic is based in P Canaveral, Divina, Miami. If your party are big drinkers NCLs included bev package is great, even taking into account the price difference between a guarantee no perks cabin vs the next step up to get a feel free promo. On the other hand MSC's drinks coupon books that I have read about sound like a good affordable half way house. Freestyle dining may suit non cruise folk as first timers. For what it's worth, a work colleague's first cruise was Davina Med & loved it.

Which ever you choose your friends should have a ball, IT'S A CRUISE!

Regards

Mark & Heather

Following.

Travelling on Brilliance next month with in laws, all with included select package. MIL has a sweet tooth so beer is out, but likes anything sugary sweet like alco pops. I assume she could ask for red wine with sprite to make a passable tinto verano. Anyone know if vermouth is classed as a wine (is in UK) as vermouth sprite mix is another possibility.

ps Estrella GF is listed in the beer selection on the new bev package list posted elsewere.

cheers

Mark & Heather