seeriteR

They have both European and North/South American sockets side by side.

Plus, there are multiple sockets in the cabin so no need to bring a multiplug.

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Looking forward to your review

 

 

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So am I!

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HI! From cruisers Lana and Andrew in Warwick

Lana and Andrew, are you sailing on Seaside December 1? I saw your welcome post on our Roll Call and replied.

Jim

Will be on Funchal next March 18. Are there any taxis at the port which do island tours and approx cost?

Dave,

Check out my slide show of our cruise stop in Madeira.

Our taxi driver was excellent and gives tours. His website is shown in the video at 1:57. You can email your reservation from the website. We will be there again in December and already have our tour lined up with him.

Hope you have a great time,

Jim

End stage digestive product just hit the oscillating rotary ventilation device.

Just had to cancel aft cabin 14262 on Seaside for 1/13/18 & 1/20/18.

So, that's available.......

Cuervosar ... shame you will not be in the same cabin after us ... :(

Sidari,

If that's what caused him to cancel, maybe you don't want him so close! :D

Jim

We've cruised HAL 6 times and MSC once. We have 2 upcoming on MSC and 1 upcoming on HAL. We are easy going people who can adapt to most situations. With that said, we have found MSC to be on the same level as HAL. However, MSC is geared towards Europeans whereas HAL caters to Americans. This will make a difference in your experience but not necessarily a negative one. It depends on what you can adapt to. Do you enjoy Italian food? Long dinners? Cultural experiences?

MSC Poesia is the most beautiful ship we have been on although HAL Konigsdam is a very close second!

For the price, MSC is hard to beat.

Tipping is similar.

MSC categories give you added perks that you should review before you book. Bella is basic. Fantastica provides better cabin selections and some drink vouchers.

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Enjoyed reading your review. We will be sailing on Divina transatlantic in March. Every cruise offers new experiences! May you enjoy many more!

Jim

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Thank you. We have booked the cruise; although not sure about the leaving date; looks splendid though and very excited.

Panger,

Just found your post so this may be old information. By now, if you booked, you will know that Seaside sails from Trieste, not Vencie, on Dec 1, not Nov 30.

If you did book and would like to join the Roll Call for this cruise, please feel welcome! http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=53544008&posted=1#post53544008

Jim

The Cruise Critic Meet & Greet is planned for every sailing on MSC Divina and will be printed in your daily program on board. The ship selects the time/space depending on the availability of the lounges during each sailing; however, it is usually hosted during the first day at sea. At this time, there are no snacks or drinks provided during the meet & greet, but they are hosted near bars in the case that someone wants to purchase something.

 

Hope this helps!

We are on the Seaside and there is no Meet & Mingle available on the Cruise Critic site. The only ship listed in Divina. Will other MSC ships be added? Who do I contact about getting the Seaside listed?

Jim

I'm booked in 11002 for April 2018. I made 2 calls to my TA but she said it is a 2 bedroom. Called MSC today and the rep insisted it was 2-bedroom. Explained the discrepancies between US and U.K. I finally told him that I would just wait. He called me back 10 minutes later. Said he got on the U.K. site and it does show only 1-bedroom and 1-bathroom. Now will have to look for different rooms.

I looked on the US site and found this. Maybe it's helpful to you, maybe not. We'll be on the inaugural sailing in December.

Jim

Grand Suite

• Spacious suites that come with 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms (one bathtub, one shower), a balcony and a separate sitting area
  
• Each suite is equipped with a queen bed* (bedroom 1), two single beds (bedroom 2), spacious wardrobes in each room and an additional pullman bed
  
• Air conditioning, interactive LCD TV, telephone, mini bar and safe
  
• Surface approximately 344 - 527 sq. ft., plus a balcony up to 226 sq. ft.
  
• Accomodates up to 5 guests (Staterooms 14002 & 14003 accomodate 2 guests)
  

I know nothing about this line, but the ships look awesome and we are looking at the Seaview out of Europe next year. We are looking at booking a SuperFamily pod consisting of two cabins for 5 people total.

I am confused by the terms Bella, Fastisca, etc. For sure want a balcony. What else can you think of that I might need to know before I take the plunge?

We sailed on MSC Poesia a few years ago and loved it. We are booked on the new MSC Seaside inaugural sailing in December and on MSC Divina in March 2018.

The Poesia is the most beautiful ship we have been on so far. We sailed from Miami to Genoa and had many Europeans on board. On our sailing, all the announcements were in 5 languages, so that got to be a drag after a while. At least English was first! Some of the older passengers were impatient in the food lines and often cut in front of people. This was more a culture issue than an MSC issue. Dinner was always a treat. We enjoyed the food. Our waiter was top notch as was the cabin steward.

As far as Bella, Fantastica, etc. you can read about the various benefits of each on MSC. For example: Bella is pretty basic, Fantastica offers room service and slightly better selection of cabins. As you move up (and pay more) you get more. Bella meets our expectations since we are easily pleased. Bella allows you to choose early or late dining but priority is given to Fantasica and above. So, if room location, room service, dining times, etc matter to you, then look beyond the Bella experience.

You can view the different experiences here: https://www.msccruisesusa.com/en-us/Cruise-Deals/Our-Fares.aspx

Hope this helps!

I agree with Brian and others. Thank you for your review. We are booked on Seaside in December and Divina in March, 2018. Looking forward to both cruises. We were very impressed with our first MSC cruise aboard Poesia, which we still consider to be the nicest ship we have been on to date.

Jim and Pam

eroller,

Thanks for the brochure pic. Not sure where you get that one from, but I did order the MSC Excursion brochure for 2017-18. We are booked on Seaside sailing Dec 1. Loved seeing all the pics and news on the construction shown on this thread.

Jim

I read on an earlier post that the toboggans close at 1 PM on Sunday does this continue to be true? As it would have it our ship arrives at noon

http://www.madeira-island-tours.com/Madeira-Cruiseship/Center_toboggan.html

Shows Sundays 9am - 1pm

Once, when I was on a long cruise where I wasn't the PGM, I asked the assigned PGM when he was going to Celebrate Communion and he said he wasn't going to do it. When I challenged him on that, he said that I could lead it if I wished. So, I talked to the Cruise Director and we scheduled it for the next Sunday morning (which was a Sea Day) ... the place was PACKED.

I have served twice as a guest minister on HAL but the guidelines provided to me at the time of my first assignment stated "... in order to provide a consistent experience, Communion should not be conducted as part of the interdenominational Protestant services." Had someone asked for Communion, I would gladly have celebrated it with them in my cabin or elsewhere. However, coming prepared for Communion and getting approval from the Entertainment Director sounds like a fine idea. I'll try that next time.

RevNeal,

I asked the Entertainment Director about holding a service for the crew and was told "No one would be interested." So I'm curious as to how you went about this. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

If you like Rick Steves, he just came out with a Northern European Ports guide. You might want to get a copy. All the ports are in that book, together with how to get from the various ports to the cities themselves.

I am reading Rick Steves Northern European Ports right now. Excellent information! Everything from where the ship docks to local transit, walking tours, costs, good eats and all the highlights.

Another idea to get information is to read the reviews on Cruise Critic from cruisers who were just at these ports. Join a Roll Call for your cruise. In fact, join 2 or 3 of them to see what others are finding.

You have to do some of the work yourself to get the most out of your trip. Decide what you want to see and as your read all the comments you can figure out if it's worth your while.

Biaria,

Merry Christmas to you and your husband!

We remember our trip to Madeira in 2011 and have recommended a stop in Funcahl to others including our sister-in-law who will be cruising to Canary Island and Madeira in February. I asked her to contact you via this forum but I will also provide her with additional contact information that I have.

We will be cruising again in 2014 but this time to the Baltic. A return to your wonderful island is still on our list!

With fond memories and best wishes for Christmas and the New Year!

Jim and Pam

We bought our equipment from Snorkel Mart on line. He sent in his eyeglasses prescription and got a mask made for him. The cost was around $60.00. He now really enjoys snorkeling since he can actually see. :)

Ditto. My wife and I are casual snorkelers and decided to buy our own on line. We got prescription lenses and they work VERY well. Call the store if your script isn't shown on their site. They suggested what I would need and it worked great. Well worth it.

Love this show!

 

Alaska cruise is definitely on our bucket list.

 

May just do one of those Amazing Race excursions next time I see one offered....anyone try one?

Alaska is simply Amazing. No race needed. Book a cruisetour to get a feel of the real Alaska. We enjoyed watching the last epidose and noticed the Pearl too. Pretty neat.

We will be doing a Western Carib in February and booked the Amazing Race in Cozumel. Can't wait to get there and try it!

We didn't get any rubles either. We used credit cards to buy souvenirs, and tipped in USD. One thing others have mentioned though... Rubles were required for those wanting beer at some of their lunch stops.

Well that's good to know!

We are there in June 2014. Thank you all for the great advice!

A true blue spectacle, a MIRACLE come true!

Barry Manilow

GLORY, Glory, Halelujah!

Sweet land of LIBERTY, of thee I sing!

Please keep in touch and let us know the outcome.

Yes, please let us know.

My folks booked an inside on a Costa ship 3 years ago. After settling in, the room steward told them they would have to go to another room. My mom asked why but the steward didn't know. Later, the head room steward knocked on their door and told them they were in the wrong cabin. Mom said, Not at all, this is our cabin as shown on our boarding card. He said, I'm sorry maam but you will have to leave this cabin. We have prepared another cabin for you. Mom said, Let's see it.

My folks checked out the other cabin and my mom stood her ground and said this cabin is no better than the one we already have. We're not moving.

Then the hotel manager came and told my folks they had to leave because someone else wanted this cabin. Mom told him to tell the other people they could have the other cabin because she wasn't moving. The manager relented and my folks stayed put.

I realize my story is a bit different than OP's, however, HAL should have been able to straighten this out very easily right from the start. Too bad you had to go through this.

i was wondering the minimum but we are planning on prepaying or all excursions and gratuities as well as the drink package. but know i must have money on account incase something comes up.

Each cruise line is different but most require you to open an on board account. The preferred method is to use a credit card. They will not charge your card for what you owe until the end of the cruise. They may (or will) put a hold on the account for $60 per day per person. This isn't unreasonable. The same thing happens when you check into a hotel.

You can also deposit cash up front, likely $300 per person. You will have to settle the account before you leave. Be advised, there could be a long line! Check you cruise lines On Board Account policy.

During your cruise, you can check your account at the front desk and correct anything you find wrong. I have never had a problem but some people have. You will especially want to review your account prior to disembarking the ship because once you leave, they will bill you whatever is on your account.

Hope you have a great cruise!

Good idea! Thank you!

You're welcome!

You may also want to look at MSC. The Divina is cruising the Caribbean starting this year. I was on the Poesia and was very impressed.

Sign up with different cruise lines to get notified via email of their sales.

Figure out what kind of cabin you prefer. Inside, balcony, suite. The cost is quite different for each. I'm budget concious and always book an inside cabin. We spend very little time there and more time on deck. But I won't pass up a balcony deal!

In the end, just plan to have fun and enjoy yourself!