Joiseymom

Day 2 We slept in, showered so any MDR breakfast was closed. We did the Top sail buffet. How do you have bacon with no taste? Way too crispy as well. Sorry, I like chewy/soft bacon. Potatoes had no flavor. Omelet was an omelet. Even the lox had no flavor. My iced mocha latte with almond milk was good. But they had no sugar free syrup. SMH We had the YC captains cocktail party at 10:45. Three types of drinks, to early for me. The cruise director, Keri, an American was making the introduction for the Captain, the hotel director, head chef, head of the YC as well. The YC director was going table to table. I asked if they had any sugar free syrup on the ship, he wasn’t sure if course, and said he’d find out for me and if they had, he’d send it down to the buffet. Having issues with our wrist bands. It won’t open our door, but has been working for other things. We sat on the YC pool deck and I read and wrote yesterday’s day 1. Went back to the room, DH was napping. We went to the Market Place buffet. Ok, I’m all for ethnic food, but not when it’s over 90% of the buffet. I don’t care for Indian food. So..had some pasta..a roll (ok they have good bread), Cesar salad, sorry didn’t care for the dressing. Had some barley with mixed roasted veggies and grabbed a burger and hot dog. Pasta with sauce was ok, hot dog was vile. Cheeseburger are all wrapped. Last night no toppings, just cheese, perfect. Opened today’s and had lettuce, onions, tomatoes, pickles…gross.. sorry not sorry I’m not a fan of most toppings. I gave it to dh. Went back to the Topsail lounge and dh grabbed some soft serve on our way there. Got to the lounge, they had mini chocolate chip cookies, these are yummy. Had a mudslide relaxed. We went back to the room and unwound, napped and then got ready for gala night. DH wasn’t looking forward to it, as he didn’t like the menu. He knows I like lobster. He kind of preferred the MDR menu with the French onion soup. We were seated. We have our orders and DH ordered a filet mignon while I ordered the lobster. I asked and received a plain shrimp cocktail. For dessert I ordered the crepes suzette, as I never had that before, DH ordered pistachio ice cream. Unfortyee were seated next to a large party with 4-5 children. The kids refused to sit were not listening to the parents and the toddler was a screaching. I got blasted for posting this the groups FB page. SMFH. In a restaurant setting, if any type kids should not be running around and bumping into chairs of other diners 6 feet away. As a parent, when my toddler or baby started screaming or not listening, it was time for one of us to remove said child and for the other parent to get the food to go and pay the bill. Kids running around a restaurant can get hurt or hurt someone else. Now, I don’t know if this groups culture handles kids differently or what, but it wasn’t pleasant. We also saw them in a store the day before and the kids there were running around and bumping into people. Issues that night with dinner service. I needed to ask for drawn butter, and my waiter didn’t remove my lobster from the shell, which is standard. I tried to wait for him to come back with my butter, but I gave up after about ten minutes. I slowly ate my lovers which was 90% gone by the time he came back. He came back to bring something else and my husband reminded him of the butter. He did apologize, but yeah. Lobster was tasty but better with the butter. Husband got his ice cream, I got my crepes suzette, which were ok. And dh found plastic wrap in his ice cream. We left and went to the pub where a singer was going to be performing. But we did stop at the room first. We saw our butler he asked how things were, we told him and he apologized. I said the kids are not MSCs fault, but he said he would make sure we were not seated near them again. I thanked him and said if they are in the restaurant, we come back later, 😂. Went to the pub, dh got a string box and a ***** of Jaeger, I had a white Russian, a fave of mine. I decided to buffet my drink choices! Next I had a Baily’s Alexander (thanks Jamie!!). The show was supposed to start at 9 but didn’t . At 9:30 trivia started. We got a show at 10 , Russ Clark and he apologized. He was pretty good. We stayed until about 11, went to concierge to ask about room service. YC room service menu has fewer options then regular. I asked if that was accurate and was told yes. They were like we can get you a pizza. I was like but what about the wings, etc, and can we pay The fees for them. We were told no. They said they could get me a burger from the buffet if they were available. I was like, no thanks. We went to the buffet ourselves. Burgers tonight we’re served in a box and had a sauce in them, no fixings. DH ordered me a plain one. They had baked potatoes, but no toppings. Lol, no butter, cheese, sour cream nothing. I grabbed one thinking I just can’t see it. Nope, nothing. DH was my knight and got me butter. The had mixed roasted veggies with onions and zucchini. We got done of those. I added the onions to my burger and veggies to my baked potato. It was a good potato! Went back to the room, and there was a bottle of prosecco on ice with two champagne flutes, a plate of macarons, and chocolate covered strawberries. I put the strawberries in the fridge and we crashed. No alarm set for the morning! Day 3 awaits ..will it get better? Oh, funny story before I forget. I asked about sugar free coffee syrups. In our room was a sealed bottle of sugar free breakfast syrup, LMAO. Yup…I couldn’t stop laughing!!

The MSC app doesn't allow screen shots from my pixel 😞

The delay wasn't expected. If I hadn't been in YC, I could have turned around said screw this and give home. Being in the YC, I was sitting, had access to water, beverages, snacks and a bathroom. I had it easy. I would have never been able to stand waiting for all those hours as others had to do. I also came with an open mind, trying to see what they offer etc. All you read in kibe is well they did this, others say well they did that. 😂 All expected from MSC. I had no expectations on the entertainment. Entitled and rude people and people not controlling their kids is part for the course. Also, never having experienced this size ship! It's like Vegas with no escape to the strip! 😂 I didn't like walking through a smokey casino to get to the Carousel theater.

There was a crew member at the elevators. Told her I can't walk 8 flights. Others were there with canes and strollers. We just waited and got in an empty one.

Day One Sunday May 21 This my honest review. Some might not like my honesty. Drove to the Brooklyn terminal from Central NJ. Hit some traffic by the port. They had police directing traffic, which worked better than if they weren’t there. We got there and we’re dropped off around 10:15ish. We knew to look for the Yacht Club tent. Passed numerous people walking through the pier to get to whomever was picking them up. Many people waiting outside the terminal wait for pickups. Staff directing traffic in the port area. Entitled people dropping off in from if the terminal, where you were not allowed to stop. Made a left past the terminal entrance and saw the YC tent. Pulled over, unloaded the car hugged our son who was driving us. We were directed across the street to the YC staff who would escort us into the terminal. Best fast pass ever! Took about 10 minutes to get through security and check in and the lounge. We got seats and waited. We boarded about two hours later. There were issues with the gangway and people couldn’t get off as quickly as they liked. I was also told they had to search for guests. Not sure which or both? The lounge was running out of seats. The regular areas was a cluster with lines at a stand still. It took hours. I heard ppl who finally got in grabbed food at the buffet but before they finished they were told to leave to get ready for the lifeboat drill. Where they boarded us were stairs, and an escalator in the wrong direct. An ekevattwas around the corner. We got in the ship and we’re escorted to the Top Sail lounge. We got some nibbles and drinks. Our room was ready and our butler escorted us to our room. He went over bunches of items. Asked what newspaper we wanted.Dudnt discuss pillow menu or which bottle of spirits we wanted. I asked about the distilled water and he had that and an extension cord on his list. They were in the room later. Plus the diet cokes we requested. We went to deck 19 for lunch at the grill. I was thrilled, grilled shrimp lamb chops. Slightly diasppointed, they ran out of shrimp, scratching my head over that one. Lamb chops were very good. Had a salad and tried some green veggies and sirloin. Lunch was good. Went back to the room and unpacked. Didn’t think there would be enough hangers, nit it was good. Was very happy to hear we got 4 free pressed items. The drill was interesting. You watched the video that was running in a loop on your tv, them entered a code on the phone when they told you too. Then you went down to your station to have your card scanned. We needed the elevator. Bad knees.. couldn’t do 8 flights down. Took awhile to get an elevator down and then eventually up. Our station was the Broadway theater on deck 6 forward. What was incredibly stupid was after they scanned your card they made you walk into the theater, walk down the steps with no railings, then around and the up the stairs, again without railings, and leave the theater. They could have accomplished this with the stairs. Made no logical sense. This was done after four, as we were late and sailaway started. I sent up to deck 19 to watch us sail under the Verazzano Bridge. I’ve done it bey, but not in such a big ship. It was cool. We eventually changed and went to the YC dining room for dinner. Was very underwhelmed. The dumpling appetizer was just ok. My husband got the duck and chicken not realizing it was pate. I had the veal for dinner, he had the tuna. The veal was ok..very bland, no flavor in the breadcrumbs at all. Husband said the Tina was ok, but also no seasonings. I had the tiramisu for dessert and the serving was huge, I didn’t finish it. He had grandma’s cake and said it was just ok. Expected more from the YC based on everything I’ve heard. We went to deck six, as husband wanted to go to the mini mall to check out the tastings. The done she was going on and it was a cluster, with very rude people. Show was cool as were the performers. Went to the MSC store and the largest t-shirt was a 2x. Got to the Tiny duty free store with lots of people and a group of fourish buying over 20 cartons of cigarettes with their two very rude kids running and screams and they did nothing to stop them. I raised 4 kids, have 2 grands, just not acceptable. We went to see Cool in the Broadway theater and just wow, not in a good way. This is not my first cruise, but is with MSC. I’m platieuth DCL, and I didn’t expect DCL quality, but man, they were not good. The male lead singer didn’t sing well. The 2 female leads were better, but still just ok. The entire group singing together was not good either. Add to that how warm the theater was, and big fail. We are not going to see their other 2 shows. I’ve also been on NCL Encore and loved Choir of Nan and Kinky Boots. We left the theater and we grabbed drinks at the edge bar. We then headed up to deck 7 to the Carousel theater for Houdini. I liked my free drink, red rooster?? The 2 main leads, singers had great voices, the music was very good as were the acrobatics. We then went up to deck 15 to check out the buffet and pool areas.Buffet had their nightly offerings: pizza, at least 4 types plain, pepperoni, white and veggie. They had salads, desserts, little sandwiches, cheese burgers fries, other hot dishes I couldn’t recognize. I tried a cheeseburger, white and plain slice, a few fries and some side with rice and veggies. Cheese burger was well done but mine was not dry, where DHs was. Pizza, better than DCL, but not even close to NY pizza. Wristbands matter, DH went to the bar to get diets cokes and an Angry orchard. Bartender saw the wristband and sent directly to him first. Didn’t have fresh fruit or snacks from concierge in our room. Never offered the pillow menu. We were provided with an extension cord, which would have only worked due to the long cord on DHs CPAP machine. I did purchase an extension cord with USBs, and he used both. They brought a small water bottle that said distilled water. I think they take the gallon container and move it into smaller containers, which makes sense, as not to waste. Will post pics and menus if requested!

There are no plugs by the bed, they are by the desk. I ordered a long cord. If packaged, sealed yes.

There a bunch on the FB Page.

We filled out the form. That charge is insane, even for Europe

What time did they start embarkation and what time do you have to be off?

Was it actually distilled?

There is absolutely no consistency with MSC. It is driving nuts. I just plan on asking my butler.. SMH

It's our first MSC. I will have DH pack an extension cord...we will not worry about the distilled water. I don't mind if we don't get a gallon, it always seems like a waste. We will ask our Butler when we board. Thank you! I appreciate it! Any advice for an MSC newbie?

Sailing the Meraviglia. Initially in a balcony now Yacht club deluxe. Husband uses a CPAP machine. We filled out the form requesting both distilled water and an extension cord. Just received an email stating " We have received your Special Needs form for Booking #x and are placing the appropriate notes into your booking. You should know that we do not keep a supply of distilled water for CPAP machines. In order to have what you need when you need it, we recommend that you bring your own distilled water and a standard extension cord". Ok, can I expect the Yacht Club to provide this for us, or do I need to bring it with us? Thanks!

The time it takes to get things done with MSC eats the commission that's left after a TA gives OBC, which is why TAs don't want to deal with them. I can't blame any TA for not wanting to deal with them.

Do you expect a TA to work for free? Some situations with MSC can take foever, and are very difficult. I would not blame a TA for not doing it, as their time is money.

I get a TA not wanting to deal with MSC. Their customer service is so bad, taht by the time you are done, and give your client obc (which is comes from their commission), you can wind up working for free.

you should be able to upgrade online or the app before you go.

Off the top of my head no. I avoid doing these, as they are too time consuming.

Sailing on the 21st of May, our upgrade came today. Prior to this all that was available to book was Yacht club deluxe, almost 50 of them. After upgrades many categories available including YIN, and YC! still.

* Bookings may only be transferred to a travel agent up until 60 days from creation if the request is made outside of final payment period and the booking is not paid in full. MSC takes a long time and 99.99% of the time, they screw it up.

Any and all info. Any tips/suggestions? Is everything in the mini bar included?

I had a guest do that in my living room. My than husband..his best friend and I just looked at her and like *****.

They were probably assigning GTY cabins.

MSC will make you cancel and rebook if it's a different promotion. Or you can pay for drinks now and wifi separately