carlmm

Just to be clear: MSC does match the status from other lines, hotels and others to an approbriate Status with them. You get the benefits according to the MSC club status not the ones you might get at another line

Even with open seating they seat people together roughly arriving at the same time thus the differences in serving should usually be small. Nevertheless, having sailed many times solo on Cunard (and other) ships, I would recommend fixed dining. As you write, sharing a table with the same group of people is a great way to get to know people beyond the usual "Where are you from? What is your name? Is this your first time? What other ships have you sailed?" routine of open seating with new people all the time. One has this at breakfast and lunch anyway. At the fixed shared dinner table usually one also finds people to share other aspects of the cruise like pre- oder after- dinner drinks, dancing or excursions, if one likes to do so. Persönlich bevorzuge ich die späte Sitzung, die einen entspannteren Tagesablauf erlaubt, aber das hängt natürlich vom individuellen Lebensrhythmus ab. Viel Spaß 😉

Or don't pin the YC only threads. It appears to be part of the prevailing Yacht club snobism on this forum.

No, you cannot. Compared to American cruise lines, drink prices are low.

In how far is this MSC's fault?

As if the authorities wouldn't have had the passenger manifest days before. Arriving on or wanting to embark ships from "distant foreign ports" this kind of very lengthy immigration prodecure has happend to me multiple times in US ports, especially Florida. Is it really that difficult for the authorities in charge to schedule an adequate number of officers?

Thank you, everybody!

In summary, both, food trucks and buffet, offer junk food only - is that correct? Or are there any other options?

If MSC cancels, one does get a refund.

Thank you! Yet I guess I pass. A buffet area is not my idea of an evening bar/lounge.

Is the impessei8n correct o e gets from reading the daily progranms: Yacht Club passengers are allowed to stay up until 1 am, when the top sail lounges closed. All other have go to bed by midnight as that is when the other bars close?

Indeed.

To wait and check on board is certainly wise. Still, if you tell us ship and sailing date, somebody might provide at least more precise experience from the resp. previous season.

Seating times vary by ship, season and region. They may even have several early and several late times. Eg. on one Summer med cruise there were late options from 21.30 to 22.15.

Could you maybe post some daily programmes, please? In general, how long in the night is there live music, and how long are bars busy? Any deck parties at night?

So, how is the overall ambiance? Are enough people dressing up, such that one does not feel out of place in the public areas even as single?

May I ask to which adress you sent your feedback?

You know you are not entitled to. You know you want to induce somebody to grant seven people something all the other guests waiting in line would like to have, too. One out of eight, really? Why do you think it is okay to put somebody in the uncomfortable situation of having either to act against the rules or to deny a customer a request?

My experience, based on a recent QE cruise in Britannia compared to the last QV pre-covid cruise: Much less variety in regards to kinds of fish and meat. Niecer kinds and cuts were served very seldom, eg only once in 14 days lobster, only once a few tiny scallops. Basically no real choice in meats, as out of 5 or 6 entrees at least two were vegan/vegetarian, one pasta, one chicken and one fish. One night the only meat was pork,. Cunard, really? The diminishing quality was for the most part due to lower qualtiy ingredients, but also maybe due to cheaper ways of preperation, eg. the consommes used to taste excellent like made from scratch, not so this time. The portion size of the entrees varied a lot and were rather unpredictable. Sometimes they were very small like two tiny little slices of duck.

The simple answer is, they are not allowed.

If you really wait until the last minute, you will probably be out of luck. You might get a taxi, very expensive snd just transportation. You will not get unto the Alhambra as tickets usually sell out in advance. Yet, you prefer a ships excursion anyway and that might be bookable until a das or two before.

Thank you everybody for all the information.

Well, today is November 10th. Any news about this singles promotion?

It is good that your ask: I have not sailed with Princess but with Celebrity and they and Cunard are worlds apart. The sports coat will do well on non-formal nights, on formal nights the tux will be right. In my experience the standard on non-formal Cunard nights is higher than on elegant/gala Celebrity nights. The only theme that is followed by a majority is black and white - it is very easy to so, of course. Do not bring costumes.

Indeed MSC discourages extra tipping. At least on European cruises it is basically not done.