Mark_T

I don't disagree with you, but being pragmatic, this is how most reservation systems would handle things: The flip side of this is that once groups have been allocated a sitting, they are less likely to be moved on request, and further just because they are allocated first, doesn't mean they will all get their preference as too many large groups in the same sitting can be problematic as well.

Typically you can only move a cruise to a later date, not an earlier date, but I suspect there is some latitude on this, especially if the reason is to facilitate an Explora booking...

I called the UK MSC office number and one of the options was to be put through to web support, not much help for you in the US though...

I just phoned MSC web support and they kindly offered to delete my account so I could set it up again and promised that would solve the problem without impacting on our booked cruises. I politely declined their offer due to the two existing reservations and our departure on the first of those in just over a week... I'll roll the dice on that after the next cruise is over if there isn't a fix before then...

Indeed, there will be plenty of time to debate the matter in a more convivial environment 🙂

It certainly isn't as 'frictionless' as the way Celebrity handles it for example, but in one way I think the MSC approach might be considered a little better is that it does help highlight those who would have difficulty getting down the stairs in a real emergency and enables MSC to have a real idea of who may need help in those circumstances. The Celebrity approach makes it just a bit too easy I think...

Check the menus posted earlier, it is shown on there...

Full menu attached, scroll down below the 'Brunch' section for the 'Experience' menu. Butchers-Cut.pdf

Personal choice, but I don't find the 'Experience Menu' pricing expensive, especially when purchased in a package and when compared to the up-charge that Celebrity are asking these days...

If you go again, you'll see there is an 'Experience Menu' option which is usually at a very reasonable price and offers a limited selection from the full menu. There are also package options available which gives you access to that same 'Experience menu' at even lower prices...

They would all get the same points, it is determined by the level you match to, not the level you matched from...

The cabins for solo bookings do seem to be limited, so booking early is a good plan, or waiting until close in when the restrictions are likely to come off. Glad you found the availability you needed though.

Lots of us have the same problem, possibly triggered by also logging into the MSC app, but you are certainly not alone. No easy fix has come to light so far, but there is another thread around here where a couple of people are working through the support options to get a fix...

Great to be close enough to see the activity.

Usually there is a way to pay it from the website, but that vanished a while ago for me, and hasn't yet reappeared.

Probably, depending on which ports the ship has visited on the previous cruise and of course what time it got into port that morning as they have to zero the ship before boarding can begin... We will be boarding Divina in Miami at the end of next week and we will aim to get there around 10:30 or so, but as our cruise visits Colombia there is likely to be a more careful inspection upon her return so I wouldn't suggest an early arrival for those doing the short Ocean Cay cruise after ours.

You can replace it with one from the menu, just not any one from the menu... Seriously, have the debate onboard and see if anything has changed, I can only report what was written on the menu we were given onboard Divina last June... At the price we paid for our 'Duo' meal package it would have been way beyond unreasonable to have expected to get the Tomahawk for 50% off...

I don't recall any other exclusions, but always wise to check once onboard as this things can change...

You don't get it half-price, it is excluded from that part of the dining experience. From memory the T-bone is also excluded....

The website is very unreliable, just phone up and pay, I do not recall ever seeing a payment link in an email and even if I did I would never use it due to the obvious risks associated with that approach... We paid by phone a few weeks ago, it was quick and simple.

That is true for the base Easy package, but the higher packages can be used in the speciality venues, but not in signature venues. (the list of those varies from ship to ship). Hola tends to be open on boarding day. based on many previous reports.

In addition to the video that DaKahuna linked, here is a photo from 15012 on the other side of the ship which gives you an idea of the depth... Perfectly suited for the 2 chairs and the small table provided, but not big enough to have loungers.

We will be there in a couple of weeks, but staying in Brickell rather than South Beach. Hope you have a great cruise.

I'll continue to make sure I'm covered, you can roll the dice each time if you wish 🙂

The problem with that approach is that the ways in which they can avoid any liability beyond a full refund give sufficient latitude that there is a greater probability of them having no liability beyond the refund than there is of them actually having any liability, so it remains best advice to cover your risk by making sure the flights are within a package, or insuring your risk if they are outside a package. So, yes, it is possible to conceive of a situation where the cruise line is sufficiently reckless to leave themselves open to damages, but it is more likely that they will not do that, so protect yourself and don't depend upon it ...