Janet&Carl

Hi there, Has anyone caught a taxi from Messina to Taormina ??

Are there a lot of taxi's available. Can you get back easily. How much would it cost.

As there are four of us ship tours are working out very expensive so if its possible I would like to get there DIY.

Thanks

In Australia we couldn't get a number until AFTER our first cruise. Maybe things have changed but we definitely had to wait until our return.

My husband and I are looking at an MSC cruise for next September(2015). We have only cruised with Royal Caribbean in the past. We are new to the different grades etc. Are any drinks supplied without a charge--lemonade, ice tea. We would take the lowest grade as we don't usually get room service or spa treatments. We would only consider if the vouchers are necessary for any drink? The ports in the Mediterranean are the reason we are looking at MSC. :confused:

Are you talking about the new packages the "Bella" "Fantastica" and "Aurea" experiences? I you are then the "Aurea" suite experience includes drinks.

We havent introduced them yet in Australia but they are coming. The latest brochure outlines that the current packages can still be purchased. Page 29. http://www.msccruisesau.com.au/media/ebrochure-2014-2016/index.html. Currently you can purchase an all you can drink package but it must be purchased by everyone in the cabin or purchase vouchers. My husband and I are not heavy drinkers and use the voucher system.

I checked the FAQ on the MSC website and when the new fares come in you will still be able to buy drinks packages .........................

Will be possible to add any additional on-board services to the new cruise experience price?

E.g. if you book a Fantastica balcony cabin , you can also purchase a beverage package, and/or spa package etc.

Yes, passengers can purchase any additional onboard services not included already into their experience prices including drinks packages, shore excursions, spa treatments, anniversary packages, service charges etc

Hot chocolate, Tea and coffee are available all day as well as soft serve ice cream on deck with no charge. Juice is available at breakfast and water from the dispensers in the buffet is available all day.

It may have been waiting for a late flight. When we left NY we were due to leave at around 6pm - we didn't leave until 1am because we were waiting on the Germans arriving. Their flight was late. It didn't interfere with our next port, we made up the time.

This is excellent information. How far is it to walk to the Acropolis from the bus stop ? Do you get a lot closer with cars/cabs ?

Thank you so much Nomad - that is fantastic.

I am now confident that I will be able to visit the site with her. I was worried that I would have to miss out.:D

I really cant say this enough, this is one of the most enjoyable and informative reviews I've ever read on here and I so look forward to your next instalment.

 

Coming across people like you and your partner and your take on life, is one of the reasons I'm so hooked on travelling around this amazing world of ours. I'd have loved to have met you in person but I'm getting to know you through this amazing review.

I am so enjoying your review... have to go out for a bit but looking forward to reading the rest when I get back. It is informative with lots of descriptions. I am glad you chose the photos and didnt just upload every single photo that was available. There is just enough photos and they are of quality not quantity. Well done.

I really enjoyed reading your review - sat here reading it aloud to my DH. We sail early next month and you brought all the things I love about sailing with MSC to life. Let the excitement begin.

Thanks

Cruisetrail is not a fan - I believe only scored it as a 2/5 ;-p

The above poster - although scoring 2/5 has not sailed in Yacht Club - that is evident from his posts - he uses pictures from other sites and doesn't acknowledge the source - yet if:eek: someone uses a picture he has posted previously he goes nuts !!!

I guess we are lucky - we drive to the airport and park long term parking. It is going to cost us $90 (Aus) for one month parking 17th October - 17th November.

thanks for those replies that is really helpful. How strenuous is the walk up to the Acropolis for where you can park the car? How long would it take walking to the top ?

:confused:

Trains in Italy are so easy - the ticket machines have an option for language and you can choose to buy your tickets in English. Look out for the food and drink sellers on the way into Pompeii they will tell you that there is no food and drinks available inside - this is not true. They sell an overpirced and not tasty product. The cafe inside is much nicer.

Make sure you wear comfortable shoes - walking all day on the paving rocks is tough.

That gives me hope! I just tried to book an MSC cruise for 2016 using the FCC I bought on Divina in early May. It wouldn't let me book on the web without having my loyalty number. I still don't have my loyalty number, MSC! :confused: I did just e-mail them a reminder last week, so maybe that will finally speed things up.

My phone call was a lot more successful. I was told my number straight away over the phone and the cards arrived in the post soon after.

Michelle says they can put the minibar on a hand truck and follow her around. Lol

 

Is the room service menu the same as on the rest of the ship?

 

Can you get the same types of food in YC as in the rest of the ship, such as the gelato and specialty coffees? The stuff that is extra not the buffet, etc

 

Does the YC pool area have steps down into the water or ladders?

We sailed YC in 2010 on the Splendida. Gelato was available on pool deck and specialty coffees are available anywhere as well as on Pool deck. Yes there are ladders into the pool.

I don't know if things have changed (some certainly have) back then you could have anything delivered to your room including dinner on your balcony. The Top Sail Lounge had a constant mini buffet of specialty food all day. In addition to the buffet and the restaurant there was a small menu available for each meal that you could choose from. There was also a menu and (smaller) buffet available on pool deck. The service was exceptional, always.

Welcome to the FB and the great MSCFANS page:) Yeah, agree, I believe I saw you around taking photos but I wasn't sure if it was you or not :o It was a great cruise:)

Theres a fans page on FB ??? do you mean Facebook

I went looking and didn't find it

I am in Athens for a day with my elderly mother. Will we be able to get a taxi at the port and have him drive us around. If so, how much will this cost approximately?

We used this taxi service called Katakolon- express and it cost us $80 US for the half day (until 2pm actually, we were supposed to get back at 12) there were four of us but it was the same price 1 - 4 persons.

We expected a small coach but actually got a private taxi.

We booked online before we left and the service was reliable.

Haaaaaaaaaaa yes

don't feed the troll !!! I get it:D

Nope, forward view from the gym is someone else's observation point. Not mine.:)

Maybe you want to reread your post above - you don't say that is its a repeat of someone else's observation point :confused:

I read all of the reviews I can, and realize that cruise dining is very subjective. However, there seems to be a constant trend when reviewers address the food service on the Divina. Using Cruise Critics own critique as to how to read a review, it doesn't look good. I am going anyway, but I am hoping to be pleasantly surprised. Hopefully, MSC is aware of the perception of their food service and realizes that "perception is reality." Also, I have not read one good review of the gym, most commenting that there aren't nearly enough machines, bikes and equipment for over 3800 passengers. Anyone have any positive reports, other than to admonish this American for expecting too much, and of being unaware of the European way of doing things. I don't buy that!!!! my parents were born in Italy, and I have spent a lot of time there and in Europe. I expect what everyone should expect. Acceptable dining options and a gym comparable to 90% of all cruise ships.

Ciao,

Alberto

I'm not a gym goer but have wandered around the ships I have been on at different times of the day. I have never seen a gym full, I have never seen people queuing for equipment - so what is the problem :confused:

I have a picture that shows the view from Magnifica - but I don't have the knowledge of how to add pictures to my posts. I have tried to attach it :)and maybe it will work. With the internet at our fingertips we can all cherry pick to prove our point ;)

Without a doubt - departure from Venice.

This the #1 show.

Unfortunately MSC Fantasia ships are not "sea views friendly". Views forward is a privilege of YC guests and even there it's as limited as views from inside observation lounge.

 

So you'll need to find an acceptable viewing position so that you don't miss the best part of the cruise.

 

Don't stay on your balcony.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Upper deck mid ship will be crowded.

I would be on the aft pool deck (port side) or on a small open area in the aft corner (deck 13 or 12 port side).

 

 

Our departure from Venice.

Views made possible thanks to a beautiful forward observation deck on Costa ship:

 

[YOUTUBE]gKc6DvRwZUE[/YOUTUBE]

 

 

Enjoy your cruise!

As you can see from the video there is no disadvantage to not having "sea views" when leaving Venice the things to see are on the port side - we followed a Costa Ship out when we left on the Magnifica and we could see it in front of us and the best views from the deck above Lido deck. It wasn't too crowded and was absolutely FABULOUS. It is the most magical of journeys and we have put a repeat at the top of our bucket list. This time in a corner suite at the front of the ship so I will let you know the difference, if any when I get back.

Oh, that's wonderful. I thank you, but my bank manager won't.

 

I imagine that the single supplement on the Yacht Club must be pretty horrendous...

As far as I know there is no discount for single - you have to pay for 2 per cabin. We recently had the offer of upgrade to YC if you bought a S3 suite. We are already in a suite so was going to try for it. Unfortunately, my mother could not get a cabin upgrade with single supplement so it made it too expensive for her.

Ephesus was the best day we had on our cruise - I was so impressed with the company we chose - they charged us $40 US per person for four of us. We were collected and returned to the port. We had an airconditioned Mercedes van with a chauffeur and guide. The day was planned by our guide and was fantastic. The above fee included entry fees and a drinks (supplied in the van). What great value and what a fantastic day. Our guide was called Ebru and she was wonderful. Definitely start early and miss the crowds and look out for the "genuine fake watches" if I knew how to add photos of this I would. We used Online Ephesus Tours. You don't pay until you get there.

I wanted a G & T before our butler came to take us to dinner so I emerged from our Suite with ice bucket in hand - was intending to go to the bar and get it filled. I had taken two steps outside the door when our butler appeared and said "no, no, no madam go back to your suite" He followed me within two minutes with ice and sliced lemon. Exceptional service always.