CarolnLarry

I would put a hundred years from their birth date and let the computer/MSC figure it out.  Enjoy your cruise and spoil the children.

If your driver, Uber or cab, doesn't know which pier to go to it will be marked at the signs entering the pier.

Love the Divina did the same cruise you are on a couple of years ago and it convinced us that MSC was our new cruise line of preference.

On 9/22/2021 at 7:14 PM, cdel71 said:

 

Never sailed in the YC before so these are great tips - Thanks!  Sailing in 3 weeks, so i'm reading / watching everything I can on the YC.

 

Do you know if you can order from the MDR UpCharge Menu in the YC, and if they charge you?

For Instance, I believe they have a Filet (assuming 5oz) is always available, but can you order a lobster tail with that for surf and turf (normally $25 up-charge in MDR), and if you can order it, do they charge you being in the YC?   If they do allow that, and don't charge you, that's a pretty nice perk right there!

My wife loves lobster.  She would tell the Maitre d the night before she wanted it for dinner and he always complied with her request.  Ask for anything you want and they will provide it if they can.  On the Divina they had a wine I liked but they only served it one night.  I asked for it the next night and they got it for me.  Every night after that when I sat down they brought my wine.

The wife doesn't like pringles potato chips, she told the butler in the lounge she didn"t like them.  That night there was a hugh restaurant size bag of Lays potato chips in our room.  Good thing we were on a back to back.

One other thing to mention.  I like Titos vodka.  When my butler found out what I liked he had a glass full of Titos vodka in the room each afternoon.

Normally I don't respond to tipping questions as I feel that is each persons choice.

When it comes to the bartenders in the yacht club I have had some great experiences.

I have done four back to back out of Miami, 2 on the Divina and 2 on the Seaside.

When I am ready for my afternoon Titos on the rocks martini I sit at the bar and put down a shiny gold dollar.  The bartender comes up and I tell him what I want and then when I receive it I give him the shiny gold dollar.  He usually smiles and aske what it is, the conversation starts.  I usually asks if he has any children and if he has any I give him the amount of coins and tells him to give them to his kids.

Next day I will sit down with a different shiny gold dollar and order my drinks.  Give him the coin and tell him it is different than . the ones I gave him yesterday.  Plus I ad d a few for the kids.

Never have a problem sitting and enjoying a talk with the bartender if they have time.

Sometimes I will do the same thing in the casino.(1 Coin only and maybe not every drink).

A 2 dollar bill works also, but only a couple of times and they will remember you.

Most of the cruise employees send most of their money home for their families.

He will be assigned to the main dining room instead of the yacht club dining room.

Take the letter you received to the cashiers cage in the casino and they will give you the amount on your letter.  We did this for $75 on the Seaside and they gave us the money to gamble with.  Think of it as freeplay, not OBC.

WE did this same cruise 2 years ago and we rode the train to the other side of the canal.  The train runs along the canal and you can see the locks and other sites along the way.  In Panama city there was a local tour and then a bus ride back to the ship.

Colon is a shipping port and there is not much to see there as we saw a lot of it on our way to the rail station.  A few cruise ships do not go into Gatun lake and turn around due to the timing and cost. 

In response to your question about smaller ship excursions we did not see or hear of any being offered but you might be able to get something privately  in the lake above the locks.  Hope this helps.  Enjoy your cruise.

7 hours ago, MotownVoice said:

Right, or turning down the bed, or cleaning up your stateroom, or bringing you food, or memorizing what you're drinking and keeping it filled ... or .........

Your point?  

In all of our cruises on Norweign, Princess, Holland American and MSC we have never tipped for room service.  Always figured it was included in the cruise fare. If they provide any service like clearing a table, setting up the dishes etc.,  I might give a tip.

Yes you can put door decorations on your door.  Use strong magnets as the steward will occassionally hit the door as they move around.  We have used the CC door sign on our 8 MSC cruises and don't care what NCL does.  Signs, good wishes, birthday/anniversary signs put on our doors as we wish to do.

We have sailed four times in the Yacht Club on the Divina and we loved every cruise.  We then cruised on the Seaside and decided we would always sail on it over the Divina in the Yacht, We have now done four cruises in the YC on the Seaside and like the layout of the YC over the Divina.  You can't go wrong in the YC on either ship.  Your Son will love the YC on the Seaside and the ease of getting anywhere on the ship.

Your OBC will go on the credit side of your shipboard account.  Daily service charges and any other chargeables will be deducted from your account. Think plusses and minuses.  Enjoy your cruise......

1 hour ago, Stockjock said:

I'm taking about cruise ships, container ships, cargo ships, etc.

Without doing a Google search or cheating, what is your best guess as to the total number of ships owned by MSC?

At least 150 and probably a lot more.  Do you know?

Had the same problem on Regent a few years ago and they would not give me a refund for prepaid excursion but my TA got the money refunded for me.  Good luck.

Great service from Elaine got exactly what I wanted.  No reply fromDiego.

Thanks again for the info.

On 2/12/2020 at 8:56 AM, MrMike45 said:

I emailed 2 people.  Elaine was the one who answered on this, but Diego is who I have worked with to make reservations so I believe both are responsive

 

Diego.Perez@msccruisesusa.com

elaine.planas@msccruisesusa.com 

Thanks for the info, will give them a try..

Mr Mike45 can you give me the info on your casino rep as I have been trying to get hold of someone in MSC casino and have gotten no results, Thanks in advance.

Not sure I agree with everything said above.

There were no craps games on the Divina or Seaside for the 8 cruises we did.

I play BJ, Roulette, 3 Card and UTH plus craps when available.

I play for the fun and excitement of the game.  At times I wouldn't give my card as I don't need points to get a stuffed toy or boat, etc.  Casino person(?) told me I was losing the opportunity for cruise discount so I gave them my card.  Believe me they know who is gambling and who is just playing.  After a couple of nights play, we do BTB, casino personnel would approach us and ask some information to give us a discount on a future cruise.  I blew them off as a rip off but lo and behold they were serious.  Both the wife and I have gotten 30% off cruises and $150-300 free play.

Don't lose the document they give you as there is no way you can get the discount without it.  We left our letter in the room last trip with some other documents and even though trying no one in MSC Casino responds.

Enjoy your cruise, eat drink and gamble a bunch.

Just tell the concierge in the YC that you went the previous cruise and they will take care of it for you.  

What number did you use to contact the casino department?  I am trying to get a discount I was promised.

I am surprised everyone on these boards doesn't use the cruise critic door sign

We had a door sign on our last cruises on the Seaside.  Some people commented it helped them find their room.  We used magnet bars so not sure why some could not use magnets on their doors.  

Use your door signs and enjoy your cruise.

Take what you want and enjoy your cruise.  Let MSC weigh and measure if they want to, never saw that either.

11 hours ago, Captain-John said:

Considering getting the 40 piece package - is it cheaper to book online, as with most things, or same price as onboard?

If I remember correctly you save $5 by purchasing in advance

I'll bet if you tell your butler what you need he/she will get it for you.  I have never had a request denied, and enjoy your cruise we love the YC.