some_body

Trying to decide if this is worth the upgrade.  From what I can tell, since this is an older ship it has been sort of fit in best it can.   My observations - 

• Thermal Area - appears limited (again, older ship so completely understandable)
• Exclusive solarium - top deck 16 is reserved and it does look nice enough, but is that area a significantly better experience than any other deck? I've also seen that the nicer loungers are an upgrade fee on top of the Aurea fee.  This is the best video I could find https://youtu.be/I79nBuZtCQM?si=HayH3nEB5ZJnE_fe

Has anyone experienced this recently and can comment?

I am on such a tight budget, my home internet only has enough data for me to post a few times every couple years.   😀

Looking to get a June cruise and when comparing the itinerary for Seashore and Magnifica, I noticed they are both scheduled for June 25 (Seashore arrives the day before).  Is this even possible?

https://www.cruisetimetables.com/oceancaybahamasschedule-25jun2024.html

No vouchers.   They just scanned my keycard.

I was on my first MSC cruise in early august on the Divina and also matched to Diamond.   My wife was able to use the 1 hour spa, because we were in the same cabin.  

As a recent first time cruiser on MSC and status matched into Black, I'll share my 0.02 currency of your choice.  This was Port Canaveral on the Divina, for reference.

We enjoyed the priority embarkation, and complementary specialty restaurant.   The rest really didn't thrill me on way or the other.  

The suggestion I would make, is somehow tailor an ala cart system.   I don't need or want a lot of perks, but would definitely enjoy a handful of specific ones.  Heck, I'd probably give up all the perks for an increase on the 5% cruise discount, but I'd still want priority boarding.

Quick update from OP on my own experience on the Divina in early Aug 2022  -

• There was a carry on drop off area.  I did not use it, as the purpose of my carry on was for valuables.  I figure if they are going to get lost, I'll do it myself so I have no one to blame.
• The key cards were issued in the terminal.
• Cabins were available by 1-ish.

Ended up packing lighter than I ever have for a cruise.  Gave a carry on size suitcase to the porter and carried a small backpack on with me.  Same backpack I use in ports. 

Just got off the Davina on Sunday.   Wore shorts the whole time including Butcher's Cut and Black Crab.  Saw two items enforced (1) a guy wearing flip flops into dining room.   (2) bare feet in buffet.

Trying to work the balance between how much to carry on vs and checked bags.   Any estimates on when you get access to cabins?  Just to drop off/put stuff in safe.   This is on the Divina if process varies by ship.

Side note  -I've seen mixed reports that keycards on in the cabin and you pick them up there.   Any truth on this on way or the other?

Thanks

44 minutes ago, Two Wheels Only said:

Card registration online is more trouble than it is worth and rarely works. You're better off waiting until you are on the ship. There's no reason to rush on embarkation day so don't waste your time waiting on a long line like others. 

I can register my card the second day?   That would be cool.

Going through online checkin, and keep getting an error that I have an "unmanaged card".    Can't seem to get past it.

Anyone else seen this?

I’m think more along third time’s the charm.   Lost bookings on both the breeze and magic for early January when they had their schedules altered.   Now on the conquest, and very optimistic.  

2 hours ago, biomedbob said:

Sounds like Alpha Gal.  My wife and I both have it.  Carnival worked with us on choices!

Actually it’s closer to the opposite.  Red meat is fine.  Things with feathers are bad.   But I can appreciate Alpha Gal.  

While not peanuts, my personal experience with food allergies is generally positive, and mine is an oddball allergy to a couple specific meat proteins.   Generally, I can simply ask staff about ingredients, and they are surprisingly knowledgeable, or are willing to ask the kitchen.  It's amazing what sneaks into stuff through broth/stock.   When I can't get a clear answer, my fallback is to simply ask if the food is vegetarian.  Unfortunately this won't work for nuts.

I get that shipyards are delayed.  But what is the point of moving the Breeze to Canaveral?   It seem that this just irritates two groups-those booked on the Breeze that got cancelled and those booked on the Radiance that got replaced.   

To us, it's always worth it.  And they add up fast.  I'm not taking into consideration specialty coffees, bottled water, etc.  Just think about how your day goes. As others have already said, this is a vacation and having a drink in hand is part of it.

Sea day, total of 8 - 10

• Breakfast - a mimosa or two
• Mid morning - something fun
• Lunch - beer
• Afternoon by the pool - a couple somethings cold
• Dinner - glass of wine
• Evening until turning in - one a hour until we stop (2-4)

Port Day, total of 5 - 8

• Breakfast - a mimosa 
• Back on the ship - something cold
• Dinner - glass of wine, probably 2
• Evening until turning in - one a hour until we stop (2-4)

23 hours ago, kwokpot said:

. . . Sweet Tea in the South.

While it can be assumed sweet, we still just call it “tea” down here.  😀  

I'll share my actual plan for Grand Turk in Jan 2021 - 

Never been there, but are traveling with another couple that has this as their favorite.   They say, "Come on! We'll take you to all the great spots! - Jack's Shack first!"    I'm not sure what I signed up for. . .  .

13 minutes ago, Butterbean1000 said:

I know of two ports with bridges issues, Tampa and Jacksonville.   Are there others?  I know Charleston has an issue with large ships, But I think that's due to depth of the port.

 

Baltimore has a bridge as well.

Im not going to claim to be an expert on CCL operations, but I doubt they would keep a ship operational simply because it is paid for.   A ship is an asset, and could just as easily be sold to raise cash, avoid future operating expenses, etc.   

 Cruise is not finalized yet, but it’s down to either the Seaside or the Meraviglia in January 2021.  (Assuming we’re ultimately on MSC, there’s other pans in the fire)
 

Is the ship a big variable in all this too?

Thanks for the feedback.   

FWIW, and for the benefit of anyone else reading this, the info posted by SirWolf is exactly the reason I had questions.   It's not presented clearly - for example the description Bella makes no mention of room service.  

Can someone confirm or correct my understanding of the bella versus fantistica packages?  I've searched the forum a bit and while the terms are used all the time, I still have a couple loose ends.

Cabin location - preferred  cabins locations are based on the package. Unlike my past cruises (other lines), where cabin location is defined by category, MSC chooses to wrap this up in the experience.

Dining time - your chance of getting your preferred time (early or late) is improved by the higher tier package.  As a side note - MSC does not seem to have a couple fixed dining time?  Rather, it looks like the seating is staggered throughout the evening, so there is a steady flow of people in and out of the dining room.

Room service - NO room service for bella?  Other than continental breakfast in fantastica, there is a charge? (I have seen the menu)

Thanks.

If you are where I think you are on the web site

https://pevvesseltraffic.broward.org/webx/

Then click on "query" toward the top right of the page and enter ship name and a range of dates.

44 minutes ago, chamima said:

 

 

 

 

And, as I said in my very first post - what happens to the people who have paid $14 to upgrade?

 

Also  curious what happens to the price of drinks with this across the board increase.

Not sure about everyone, but I am leaving on a cruise next week and the prices have not changed.  Still $55 / $69.   Perhaps for paid in full bookings there is no change?

Order orange juice with room service breakfast.   Add cheap bubbly.  Problem solved.