Tom-n-Cheryl

I actually just picked up a travel router, though I have not set it up yet - I'll have to do a little more research before our Mardi Gras sailing next month. Up to this point, I've just used my phone as a hotspot, and then log into that with my laptop (or Cheryl my log on as well... and perhaps even her computer). Using this method, we can get by with a "1 device" package. And... I won't even get into the benefits of VPN's here. 🙂 Tom

Still trying to get my lay of the land (new to MSC). I was looking for menus for the specialty restaurants (and sports bar), but mostly came up empty, though admittedly it was a cursory search! Can anyone post, or provide links to, any of the menus? Room service might be of interest too. Anything we shouldn't miss - even simple stuff? For example, on the Oasis this might include their Park Café Roast Beef Sandwich - on the Mardi Gras a Big Chicken Sandwich or a Muffuletta at Emeril's, etc... THANKS, Tom

Not sure why, but today it's working (mostly) OK for me. Ton

Thanks - Since they retooled things beginning with the Winter of '21, I wonder what, if anything, might have changed from that list. I sincerely hope that an Easy Plus vodka would include a mixer! 🙂 Tom

USA site THANKS

Well - I have my answer, not that I particularly like it! I had figured that my issues were pretty common, thus my asking here - turns out it's specific to short sailings. Regarding beverages -- I'm told that because it's a 3-night sailing, they don't offer beverage packages. HOWEVER, since it was a promo/booking offer, I was able to get the Easy Plus package. Having said that, normally (apparently) one could upgrade to the Premium package ahead of time, but since this is again a short sailing, they don't extend to option to upgrade prior to sailing. She said I "should" be able to (not holding my breath) once onboard should I desire, but even then she didn't know what that cost might be (I'm guessing $20/pp/day - based on what others have reported). Regarding specialty dining... she tells me that since it's a short sailing THEY DON"T EXTEND THE OPTION OF PRE-BOOKING DINING. She seemed pretty sure of that. I asked "why is that?" and was told it's MSC policy. I ventured to tell her I've sailed many other lines and had never encountered a situation where I could not pre-book specialty dining. So, what... it will be a race to see who grabs what date/times first? Being our first MSC sailing, and not in a suite, I'm thinking that plenty of people will be able to board prior to us. We should be able to get status matched to their Gold level --- does that help with boarding times at all? Back to the drinks, I had mentioned to her that my desire to upgrade was because I didn't want to drink Smirnoff (I read a couple of posts on here indicating that it was their "well" brand. She directed me to a list (HERE) comparing what alcohol is included in what package (the second chart, not the first). Turns out that there are ample vodka selections which, although not our preferred Grey Goose, will certainly suffice. I then asked if the drink was over the $9 limit, would I pay the difference or be charged in full - as I had already learned on here yesterday, you'd be paying in full. So, then I asked what an Absolut and Club Soda would run. She didn't know, but said if Absolut was on that list, it would be covered under the plan. Perhaps it's just me, but I'm not fully banking on that! Tom

Misery loves company! With the limited time prior to April sailings, I can't imagine that they're holding off. How long have you noticed this? Tom

Thanks for trying though! I was hoping that someone else might be in the "same boat" ! Tom

Yes - using either method (when it works, lol) gets me to the same place. 😞 In all cases, it's been with either my laptop or desktop. Tom

Thanks Yep, we almost always book suites - but I thought we might want to first try the "regular" experience on MSC. If it goes (mainly) well and we like it, you can bet we'll be back - and then do the "movin' on up" routine! We'll make a point not to compare apples to oranges, and will just mentally put ourselves back in the standard balcony we had over Christmas on the Liberty. Because, with Carnival, about the only additional thing you get when booking a suite is more elbow room, the cruise experience otherwise is pretty much identical. Having said that, our 4 Carnival sailings coming up this year are all in suites (3 of those being Excel, which is a bump up). Tom

Frankly, I don't even know yet what specialty options there are (sad, I know!). But, we usually only dine in specialty restaurants - so we'll probably skip the package and book ahead of time ... assuming I'm ever given that option, lol. Tom

As far as my booking, it's April '23 - and nothing showing yet (for Beverage or Specialty Restaurants). Tom

Thanks - that's helpful ! Obviously, more research to do 🙂 I did see something on the one ship tour video I watched yesterday where it looked like the steakhouse was à la carte? Or, can you pre-book at a cover charge (or is that the package approach)? Tom

We're planners, and desire to pick specific dates/times for our specialty dining. Waiting until after one boards typically results in fewer options. Correct 🙂

Oh.. I "GET IT"... after entering your zipcode you have to select GET IT in order to populate the fields in question, you can't directly enter into those fields. Odd, but it worked! Still... Beverages and Specialty Restaurants ? Thanks, Tom

My first 36+ hours within the MSC ecosystem has been a bit challenging - owing to their glitchy website. I have our first cruise with MSC booked on the Seaside for 4/27/23. As of this morning I can (again) get into my booking online via the account I set up on the MSC website. However, I'm still having some issues. Can someone tell me if the following is normal? > I can see options for adding spa, internet, and shore excursions - but clicking on Beverages or Specialty Restaurants returns no results. I'd like to see about upgrading my Easy Plus beverage pkg as well as see what dining options I might have. > When I go to the (Loyalty) Status Match page, I can fill everything out except my City and State. I can't type into that field, and there's not a pull down feature (which works) for State. I can't proceed without having these required fields filled out. I sent an email to MSC about this - fully explaining my situation as well as providing them with the required documentation and screenshots. They replied within a couple of hours (NICE!), but were of zero help (NOT NICE), it was a simple for letter reply... probably not even reading what I sent to them: Dear Guest, Thank you for contacting MSC Cruises regarding Status Match.We did not receive a completed application for your status match.Please note that we only accept requests completed via our website – the form can be found at the link below.Please click on the provided link to complete and upload your information.Please provide a card or online proof showing your full name and loyalty status with the cruise line.https://www.msccruisesusa.com/manage-booking/msc-voyagers-club status-matchPlease remember:• To enclose proof of eligibility making certain the attachment meets file type and size;• To submit one request per person – each status match request submission should contain its own email address;• To clear your internet browser’s cache.Sincerely,MSC Voyagers Club Team

Now I'm at home (was ready to log in w/booking number if needed, but can't even get that far). What a bunch of BOZOS (I validated it yesterday...)

Oh boy - already dealing with them as the state/city fields in their web form for status loyalty match are not working (multiple computers, multiple browsers). Let the games begin ! Tom

*eek* Is that just with the Easy Plus, or do they do that with the Premium as well? On Celebrity, with the basic package, you pay for the whole thing if it's over a certain amount. If you have the premium beverage package, you only pay the difference. Tom

Interested to find out about that as well. Tom

For some reason, since my booking last night, all that I see online (options/add-ons wise) are shore excursions, internet, spa... that's about it. Both the Beverages and Specialty Restaurants tabs return no results. Is this just part of the MSC website glitch? Tom

Lot's of gamblers do just that - lol Tom

At least for those gamblers that they're giving away more than they're getting. If someone is putting $100-500 "at risk", I don't think that a free cruise makes much sense. For someone putting a few thousand on the line - that's a different matter. It's not one size fits all. Tom

OK - so, yes, I can log in with my booking number. I'm still getting the same error when I try to log on to the account I set up yesterday (I was able to access then, and again early this morning). I'll try again when I get home and see if it's this computer --- cookies screwing things up perhaps. THANKS Tom

In my case, yes. Though last night, after booking, there were no beverage nor specialty dining options which came up... only internet and shore excursions (for the most part). Tom