cublet

Hello, I'm sure most of the complainers are either American or used (exclusively) to American cruise lines. MSC is, sort of, Italian (too complicated to go into). There are several things that are different but are raised time and time again on this forum - proof, if any was needed, that not many read these pages before they post. On my last Virtuosa cruise I sat next, or close to, an American complaining there was no 'Lobster night' or 'Filet Mignon' night - neither are 'big' in Italy. There is also no dishwater masquerading as 'coffee' or something called 'half and half' to disguise the vile liquid further. As most milk is 'foamed' in Italy before it is put in coffee, I don't know how 'half and half' would fare when subjected to a steam wand. Don't get me started on 'wash cloths' either - they must be important to many as three threads on their availability were running here concurrently a couple of months ago. Don't ask for a 'Pepperoni' or 'Hawaiian' pizza unless you want to be laughed/snarled at as they are not 'Italian'. A 'positive' for me, is when I ask either for Champagne or Prosecco on MSC that's what I get; on Royal or Celebrity I am initially served some sparkling swill that I reject, quite forcefully, every time. On the subject of 'manners', I think that few of the complainers will have visited Italy itself either. If they had, they would have discovered the Italians (and Spanish) to not embellish their speech with 'please' or 'thank you' as much as we Brits and Americans always do - it is not 'ignorance', it's just the way the language is - one 'bene' (or 'vale') might be all you get. Regards, Cublet

Hello, The ban is wider than just alcohol: - 11.7 In order to ensure safety and security standards, it is strictly forbidden to bring food and beverage onboard the Vessels. In compliance with this/her regulation and in order to guarantee the above standards, during embarkation a careful check control will be carried out through all passengers luggage. The items that are allowed are: personal hygiene products, cleansing products, lotions, fluid medications for therapeutic use, baby gear and baby food items, dietary items prescribed by a physician. Any local or “typical“ food item purchased during the cruise in any port of call will be collected and returned at the end of the cruise. Regards, Cublet

Hello, You would only be charged for one. However that isn't the best way to do it, though a bit late for now - but remember in future. Today, 04/02/24, the cost of purchasing the Premium Plus DP post booking is £704 for the 11night 12th April Euribia sailing. If I was to book the same sailing today AND select the 'with drinks' option price that would only cost an extra £580 over the 'cruise only' price - and that includes gratuities of approx £114 for this cruise bringing the DP price down to £466. Regards, Cublet

Hello, The general code for 2024 & 2025 10% discount is PARK2024. The code is valid until May 2024. Regards, Cublet

Hello, A minor point but we have a difference in terminology. Here a 'Tasting Menu' is a meal of a dozen or so courses each so miniscule that together they would probably only fill an egg cup. What the Diamond deal is at Butcher's Cut is the 'Dining Experience' see #3 above. What you must do is book as soon as you get on board - and that's where the difficulty may arise. Once upon a time you could book at, say, Butcher's Cut for Butcher's Cut, but not for me on the last two occasions. A 'central booking desk for specialty dining' was set-up next to Guest Relations on one cruise, another time it was set up outside the Indochine Restaurant on Deck 6. I would advise you to ask directions from Guest Relations ASAP. Regards, Cublet

Hello, Yes I *DO* know that, I am only posting for any non American prospective PAX on this site that don't know that. Regards, Cublet

Hello, We've only got two days! Regards, Cublet

Hello, But a bargain if filled to the brim with the drink ordered. Regards, Cublet

Hello, Yes, but the change of cards + Transit pass are usually dispensed circa 0800. I suggest you try to make contact with whoever is dealing with the B2Bers beforehand to see what is possible. From experience, as a viewer, you will not be popular if you do ashore with the departees without having 'changed-over'. Regards, Cublet

Hello, None of my paperwork issued at the time of booking shows my €50.00 OBC, but it does appear on line on 'My Cruise > Booking details'. Regards, Cublet

Hello, I think that was fulfilling a promise made a couple of years ago that the RC Group would go 'plastic free'. Regards, Cublet

Hello, I have a full suite of major UK banks' and insurance companies' ties. Whoever I was meeting on any particular day, I always wore the tie of a rival. Regards, Cublet

Hello, Looks where? Regards, Cublet

Hello, You need to see the LA on your first leg and tell the story. Your card for the second leg will, more likely than not, already be printed so don't be alarmed if it shows your Elite status. The LA will have asked you to visit the office some time on change-over day, probably just after 9.30. 9.30 is roughly the time when the ship's on-board computers switch over from 'previous' cruise to 'current' cruise and print a new card. Your steward will be blissfully unaware of this and will have left paperwork for your Elite status - don't worry - the LA will give you new E+ paperwork and off you go. It doesn't matter if this happens before or after the disembarking/embarking exercise. Regards, Cublet

Hello, I lived in Australia for a year and went back countless times thereafter. In all that time I only ever heard Foster's ordered twice - and that was the same guy on one night. If LB reminds me next year, I'll tell a funny true story about Toohey's beer! Regards, Cublet

Hello, Very many years ago, X did an 'Extensive Wine and Food cruise' along the French and Spanish coasts. We were allowed to bring on board, and drink, wine bought at the ports of call without paying corkage. I have not seen that repeated. On Independence at Le Havre (France) I brought on board a chef's blow torch and canister of gas and no-one batted an eyelid. One of life's mysteries?! Regards, Cublet

Hello, So has (Lord) Ian Botham with a selection of Reds in Costco! Regards, Cublet PS: So too Gary Barlow but the least said about that the better.

Hello, Since the loss of Portofino's there is no specialty restaurant I would pay extra for. Regards, Cublet

Hello, In these times it is dangerous to say anything with any certainty. But my experience as recently as October is: Sorbet is not available from self serve machines on deck; it's not, or very rarely, to be found in the WJ but *might* be found in the backrooms if requested; it is available in the MDR but you need to be careful that the waiter serves what you ordered. Regards, Cublet

Hello, I would be interested to know what bottle of 'pop' was given to you as the reward for being the top cruiser. A bottle of Lindauer (from NZ) would have been more than acceptable! Regards, Cublet

Hello, And I think selling their on-line TA was a mistake. Regards, Cublet

Hello, Given the old rust-bucket being sent over in 2025 and the poor - and repetitive - itineraries, I don't think that MSC need to try too hard. Regards, Cublet

Hello, Last night's 'Cruising with Susan Calman' and Jane McDonald touring the Canaries merged into one in my mind (under the influence of a bottle of Crémant d'Alsace - also available in MSC's Champagne Bar). But whichever, or both, was sponsored by MSC Cruises according to a footnote on the screen. Regards, Cublet

Hello, I think it means whoever comes last will be given a contract as ship's resident band for a season (or until everyone has forgotten about them - hopefully). Regards, Cublet

Hello, No, it's the marketing team that come up with the ideas that are then signed-off by a shadowy department called 'Revenue'. No only that but they also have to sign-off the spiel so as to leave ambiguities or inconsistencies that may be to the advantage of X in the event of a dispute. I got this on Silhouette when I pointed-out a contradiction in the NextCruise T&Cs - shoreside sales agreed with me yet said that 'Revenue agreed with me but still wanted the wording kept as is'. Regards, Cublet