Happychappie

Thats great thanks. We have a "GRAND SUITE AUREA WITH TERRACE" type room so hopefully that allows us the more peaceful environment you mention? We did the status match thing too and are Diamond on RC so not sure if Aurea of status match has any upsides or not? Being new to MSC we are just looking forward to trying something new (although the back of World Europa looks just like an Oasis class ship!!)

Hi Tierun, Thats very helpful. If you walked off the ship at 8.15am can you let me know what time you docked and then got clearance for passengers to disembark? Im trying to understand how long this process takes with MSC. I think the food thing is very subjective as we all like different things. However certainly on RC the food standard now to what it was has dropped hugely over the last 10 years in my opinion which is why we do more and more 3 night or UDP with them. The restaurants still look lovely, its just staffing levels and general standards have changed. However im getting older now at 49 and maybe just not "down with the kids" anymore who perhaps want a quicker, informal style!! I actually think the WJ is more consistent that MDR now and I never thought I would say that!!! It would be nice to try MSC and my expectations will be different as MSC price point is very different (in a good way) so splurging on dining packages will be easier! Thanks

Hi All, Im looking for tips from seasoned MSC cruisers re disembarking. We have done about 25 cruises with RC and wanted to try MSC just for a change as their European itineraries appeal as they have some different ports. With RC other than Rome/Barcelona they dont offer the boarding at multiple stops option so their docking time at the end of the cruise is pretty much constant ie 5am-6am and then usually clearing customs for departure an hour later. We are looking at Marseille as a port to board and disembark and the arrival time at the end of our cruise is showing at 7am currently. As this isnt really the end of the cruise though and is just another stopping point I wanted to check how long after docking MSC usually allows you to depart. I need to factor in maybe an hour or so in case there is a late arrival too. I have an option of an 11.40am flight home from Marseille airport which is circa 25km away and want to ensure if there is enough time to do this. Do MSC allow you to take your own luggage off so you can clear the ship a little more quickly too? Finally, and this is a slightly contentious question re the onboard food. I read lots of complaints about the MSC food compared to other lines. Lots of RC passengers rave about how great RC food is compared to MSC even though I dont think RC food is anything special at all in the main dining room. We tend to do a full speciality dining package for that reason. If you can offer any of your thoughts on the food it would be appreciated as it may just be that americans have a different expectation on food styles and it has nothing to do with quality. Is it worth paying the extra for speciality dining on MSC and if so does it feel quite upscale? I have a very open mind on the topic but many passengers are so loyal to their preferred line they cant see good in any others. I on the other hand hope all cruise lines are great and not just the one im used too!! Many thanks

We are from the UK and tested positive just over 2 weeks before flying to NY for a cruise with RC. We just paid for PCR tests that were by independent clinics and then 10 days later paid for a certificate of recovery again from an independent clinic as RC will accept these (unless rules have changed) We used it for our flight to the US at the time too and it was absolutely fine. You just need to make sure you have that 1 days window as you cant get a certificate before day 10. Then if you test positive at the port it doesnt matter as the certificate coverts you for this for 180 days

Guys, Would love to hear anybody's thoughts on how to make the most of a Star Class Experience. Our background is that I am travelling with my wife, 8 year old daughter and 73 yr old (very active/able) mother. We are all Diamond members who love cruising but our usual set up is a balcony/JS. However having a rush of blood to the head I have booked Symphony next year in a Star Loft Suite. I have always fancied going big one year and this is it!!!! We always have the drinks package, speciality dining and an internet package so a number of the perks are what we would be used to anyway. However I would love any expert travellers in this respects opinion on how to really enjoy the benefits of travelling Star Class. If honest, im not in to big public statements so having a Genie to show people im travelling star class when walking in to the theatre doesnt float my boat particularly but I would love to have as much of the trip taken care of for my Wife and Mum so they dont have to think about anything or plan it. Hopefully our Genie can do all this without being a servant to us. So please do share all of your favourite ideas, tips and experiences to help us understand what our Genie can and cants for us are. Many thanks

Thanks. I did that for a previous cruise and found that so much of what was happening on our cruise didnt get added to the app until we were ont he ship and sometimes only on the day itself. Hopefully that will be the case for the 70s disco as I have never been on an RCI cruise without a 70s party!!

Was it the full on event like pre-covid ie the Royal Promenade packed with the crew up dancing and throwing out flashing rings etc to the crowd? Im hoping so as its such a great night and I really missed it on a couple of cruises recently (albeit it was no surprise they werent doing them then!!). Thanks

Hi Guys, I just wanted to see if there is anybody who has sailed on Wonder of the Seas recently can confirm if they are holding the big 70s Disco on the Royal Promenade again? Its a highlight of our cruises and we know from experience sailing through the pandemic that this has in some cases not happened and others been in a very different form. When we sailed on Liberty from Galveston it didnt happen but on Anthem from NY they held a great party in 270. Im hoping that now the 70s parties have got back to normal on the Oasis class ships but anybody who has been on in the last couple of months please do let me know and I need to know just how big to go on the costume and wig!!!!! Many thanks