davenew

On 5/6/2020 at 5:48 PM, retiredgram said:

So how are we going to eat and drink??

The same as muslims who wear Burkas. Lift out of the way when placing food in mouth.

Nowt wrong wi black puddin 😜

Hi there,

just booked on Explorer OTS for Med in September, this is after a 5 year sabbatical on P&O, and a lot has changed in that time.

Do RCI still have formal nights on a 14 nighter.

Also, without starting a war, do people remove obligatory tipping at Guest Services and reward your personal servers and cabin crew?

This seems to be the norm on P&O and MSC

Many thanks

On 3/21/2019 at 8:30 PM, Stoffel1982 said:

Hi there

 

We will be sailing with the MSC Meraviglia in a few weeks. The ship looks absolutely stunning and I can't wait to explore and experience it myself!

 

Overall, the reviews are great, but some are negative. I read that some people even cancel a cruise (whatever cruiseline...) based on opinions of others. That's kind of sad, no? Everyone likes something different. What I do not appreciate is that someone totally defames a ship. A lady wrote that she didn't like anything about the ships: the decor, the food, service, etc. Some people do not like all the glitter and glamour. I hate it when they discourage a cruiseline when they don't even know what they're talking about.

 

What is your opinion on this matter?

Can I just say that the ships are all modern  and cannot fault them. However, on our 31st Jan sailing on Meraviglia, I contacted food poisoning from my first meal in the restaurant. Not sure what caused it, but it could only have been bouibase soup, or paella, as that was the only food I ate. Ruined the whole vacation, and MSC would not refund my drinks package although I could only drink water. Customer Services were adsolutely no help whatsoever. 

On 2/20/2019 at 3:51 PM, cruiser man 60 said:

Sorry to hear of your experiences, sounds a nightmare. if you had the classic drinks package there should have been no extra costs as alcoholic drinks included wether or not you had signed for them.

did they remove any spurious charges?

There were no extra costs as you put it, but I dont like the practice of “loading” your account with drinks I havent had.

Just getting over myworst cruise ever. I contracted food poioning on the secondevening (Marseilles) and spent the next 36 hours in the cabin. After the bout of extreme S&D, I did not eat again during the 7 day cruise. We both then contacted the boat cough, sore throat and cold, to which considerable numbers seemed to suffer. 

We also had the classic drinks package (purchased pre cruise). It was during onboard negotiations re this, as we were only purchasing water, that I was informed by Guest Services, that we had “spent” more than we thought.

The system of ordering on board has now gone electronic, with a handwritten signature - no receipts given!!

I then ask for copies of all my receipts. Shock horror!! - I find that my water bills had been loaded with drinks that we had not purchased.

The response from GS was negative, virtually calling me a liar. I was also told, that as I had “purchased” packages pre cruise, they had no powers to negotiate.

not a pleasant experience this time, and it will probably be our last, despite being status matched to Black.

Punters beware!!

We received one from the Meriviglia captain two days ago - we are Gold 

On 1/8/2019 at 3:05 AM, sptrout said:

In the YC anyway we had both. I agree that liquid soap is not for me either.

No, luckilly, we had taken our own

Have you tried the MSC website, its all on there

I have used Genoa airport a lot, and, from the airport there is a minimum charge of €24 to the city - even if you stay at the hotel just outside the airport 🤮

On 12/30/2018 at 1:44 PM, Skier52 said:

When flying out of Genoa make use of the MSC lounge in the airport

It is on the first floor of departures.

It is exclusively for MSC guests and is free. It has comfortable seating and an out-door verandah.

 

Taxi prices are set by the city council and should be displayed in the taxi. There is a charge per case, added to the fare.

It cost me 35 Euros (including a tip for the driver) for a taxi from the airport to the cruises terminal recently. That was for two passengers and 2 cases. This was before the bridge collapsed, so prices may be a little different now. 

Make sure you tell the driver you want to go to the Yacht Club tent.  

 

 if you can get a guided walking tour of the old part of town you will have a good time as there are fascinating facts and lots of things they point out that the average tourist will fail to notice.

 There is also a reasonable aquarium if the weather is inclement.

 

Hope this is useful to you.

 

Pete

 

Thank you 😜

Going on the Meriviglia Jan/Feb.

can anyone tell me please, if the water slide is a freeby or is it pay as you go?

many thanks

On 11/21/2018 at 11:00 AM, ziggyuk said:

If this is true (still no offers in online account) it will be a shame for anyone who had an imminent sailing who were forced to buy the new packages between 11th November and now.

I booked cruise on 10th and have booked classic package  after with no problems.

According to the link in the following, it matches to 'Gold':

 

 

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=56584465&postcount=12

 

 

 

Here's a link to the MSC page with the list of benefits for the different tiers:

 

 

 

https://www.msccruises.ie/en-ie/MSC-Voyagers-Club/Voyagers-Club.aspx

Thats correct, we received that

Sent from my iPad using Forums

There will be 2 formal nights on a 7 night cruise.

 

We were on Poesia last week on an East Med itinerary and very few dressed up for formal nights; in fact, it was hard to believe that the second night was an 'Elegant' one (we had no sea days). It will really depend on the demographic onboard for your cruise as to just how formal people will dress.

Thanks for your reply.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

We haven't done this exact cruise, but we have sailed MSC in the Med. We found it very dressy on the formal nights- there was a huge mix of nationalities on board and lots wore traditional formal dress. Lots of sparkly long dresses and ballgowns too. I wore a nice maxi dress and felt like I could have dressed up a lot more!

 

Again not been on this specific cruise but on ours we had 2 formal nights and one wasn't a sea day.

I was thinking more of a DJ rather than a sparkly dress [emoji12].

Guess the dj has got to be taken then .

Thanks for your reply

Sent from my iPad using Forums

We will be taking our first MSC cruise, departing Southampton 8 Oct, to northern Europe for 7 nights, and was wondering how many “conform” on black tie night(s).

Has anyone done this cruise who can advise, and how many they have on this cruise as there is only one sea day, and it is the last night.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

the best hotel in genoa is the Melia hotel and it's not the most expensive

in addition to the savoia i would suggest the Bristol being on the main street ( via XX Settembre)

a further hotel in the city centre is the best western city hotel

or the NH Marina which is located next to the maritime museum and the acquarius

I agree. I stayed in Genoa frequently on business and always tried for the NH Marina. So handy for walking around. Taxi is €24 from the airport, and so easy for the port.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

I've yet to see an answer to this question on the forum. La Zolla is the house brand wine on Med sailings which is included in the Classic package, but, I agree with Dave, it's most likely a Californian on US sailings.

Probably 2 buck Bob [emoji16]

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Sorry but it says nowhere Lincolnshire... is the clue hidden in the avatar (flag) ?

That is the flag for the county of Lincolnshire - England

Sent from my iPad using Forums

The OP's location is Lincolnshire! I try to find out where the person is from before answering questions as MSC operates different policies for different countries. Then I can give the answer that's relevant to them.

Thanks for being so observant, and giving correct information [emoji106]

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Thanks all for your info - appreciated

Sent from my iPad using Forums

We are sailing 8 October, first time with MSC.

We have completed web check in and paid final balance.

When, and where, can we expect to find our e-tickets and luggage labels please.

Asking because the MSC web site does not seem as user friendly as P&O, RCI etc.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Hi. When I travel I always try to be aware how I am presenting myself. I don’t want to be seen as an “ugly american”. DH & I and doing an 8 day cruise around the British Isles, with stops in Dublin, Gurnsey, Edinburgh and Milford Haven, Wales. I would appreciate any tips on proper good manners. Thanks in advance :D

As a brit, who has spent a lot of time working in the US, and studied American behaviour, my main advise is to treat people, as you would expect to be treated. My main observation was the lack of use of the words Please and Thank You, when addressing any one that was serving them. In other words, just be polite to people, and not abrupt.

Sent from my iPad using Forums