Rob-Bob

7 minutes ago, BoundForSea said:

Id like to but the DW told me to finally sit and relax! Perhaps one of my shipmates on this sailing will. I asked for maps from the ship and none exist yet. 

I completely understand.  Much appreciated for what you have shared so far.  Have a great day and a great conclusion to your week on the ship.

It looks like maybe the deluxe beach cabanas are along Bimini Beach and the regular beach cabanas are on the North Beach?

Maybe all of the cabanas (all 4 classes) are after you cross over the bridge to the YC.

Thanks for the cabana info Boundforsea!  If it is not too much trouble if you can get the rest of the cabana locations and numbers it would be most appreciated.  Great info on the YC cabanas. 

This seems like it should be a very straight forward question but I can not find this information anywhere.  Maybe someone visiting OC can answer some or all of the following:

1. $249 - OCEAN CAY BEACH CABANA (max. 6 pax) - ALL DAY RENTAL

2. $349 - DELUXE OCEAN CAY BEACH CABANA (max 6 pax) - ALL DAY RENTAL

3. $399 - OCEAN VIEW YACHT CLUB CABANA (max 6 pax) - ALL DAY RENTAL (YC GUESTS EXCLUSIVE)

4. $449 - BEACHFRONT YACHT CLUB CABANA (max 6 pax) - ALL DAY RENTAL (YC GUESTS EXCLUSIVE)

The above info are the options on OC for cabanas.  Can someone provide the cabana numbers and beach location for each of the categories?  I looked at some videos and the highest cabana number that I saw was 29.  Does anyone know how many there are in total?  Also is there any difference in the cabana structure/size for any of the classes or is it only location and number of rafts/snorkel gear etc.?

For guests who have visited how did you get a cabana number - was it simply assigned to you by MSC and when and how did you learn which one you were assigned to?  The whole cabana issue seems unaddressed anywhere. 

1  Beach name, starting number, ending number

2 Beach name, starting number, ending number

3 Beach name, starting number, ending number

4 Beach name, starting number, ending number

Anyone????

Without taking to much time away from cruise activities is what I was trying to say.

I love your report/review so far and am following.  We will be on the Meraviglia in March and looking forward to it.  It looks like you are a fun group that is trying to get everything you can out of your cruise.  Keep having fun and keep sharing as much as you can without taking too much away from what you are doing.

I am interested to know the cabana locations and how the location is assigned.  I see the location of the yacht club (Ocean View and beachfront) but I can't tell where the deluxe ocean cay and ocean cay cabanas are located (which beach).  For those who have been to OC and had a cabana did they just assign one to you or were you ever offered a choice of cabana?

Per *****: Current position of MSC Divina: Under way from Costa Maya to Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve

• Departure was 1 d 14 hrs 5 min ago. (at 18:00 h local time)
• Arrival will be in 55 min. (at 09:00 h local time)
• Traveled distance since Costa Maya: 610.40 nm (1,130.46 km)
• Remaining distance to Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve: 9.21 nm (17.05 km)

Looks like they are really going there.  Not to much excitement on the boards.  I am pumped.

15 minutes ago, mafig said:

I've known this for years.  I thought all experienced CC members knew it.

 

I use a card that doesn't charge a foreign transaction fee.  

I would consider myself an experienced CC member and I did not know this.  I have booked and paid for 3 MSC cruises and I have not been charged a foreign transaction fee.  I never would have thought to anticipate that or look into how to avoid it.

Hi Pete,

What would you pick if you could choose room 13250 or 13245 on Meraviglia.  13245 deck looks kind of small and I know that 13250 is huge.  I have never been in an aft cabin but would like a nice balcony.  Also any idea on whether the balcony on 13245 would mostly be sunny (any overhang) and if it can be viewed from above?

Thanks so much.

It amazes me that there are so many posts about OC not being different or unique and people should not book a cruise just for this destination when it could be missed like any port could be.

I booked the Seaside in December 2016 for sailing in March 2018 for two reasons:  A brand new ship that looked fantastic and the private Island, OC that looked cool and unique.  Unique because you are docked at the island (no tendering) and you are there a full day (not 8 hours).  With the chance to come and go, not fend off aggressive vendors, be able to easily get on and off the ship it is truly a unique stop.  I was excited and off course the opening of OC was delayed.  I went on the cruise and had a fantastic time.  The ship was as advertised.  Here was my review if interested   https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2527695-short-review-seaside-32418/?do=findComment&comment=54482098.

I have been to a few ports with long hour stays including overnight (Bermuda, Hawaii) and the extra time at these stops makes it truly a relaxing, different feel and experience then the typical 7-8 hour stops.  Generally not enough time to really see what you want without feeling rushed.

OC is a unique, different stop than 98% of the places that cruise ships stop at.  To have a problem with a cruise passenger's disappointment that they missed this port or found out as they are boarding the ship that the stop has been canceled is really unfair in my opinion.  I have been to most ports in the Caribbean and I really don't care to go to most ports again.  I have again booked a MSC cruise in March 2020 in hopes that I will get to OC.  My wife wants to cancel telling me it will never be open but I am stubborn and recognize the unique opportunity.   I am an experienced cruiser and realize things happen.  I was on a cruise out of San Juan that was chased by Hurricane Georges.  I sailed through a hurricane in the gulf.  This is not stopping me from booking a cruise with OC as a key component to the itinerary.  If OC is not open by January 1 I will explore other ships leaving the same day from Miami or Ft Lauderdale since my airfare is booked.

Everyone looks for different reason to book.  Go easy on those who are disappointed in missing this island for reasons that are not at least weather related. 

2 minutes ago, Rob-Bob said:

I will believe it is open when the first passenger is walking the island.  Almost 3 years late at this point.

Sorry maybe it is only two years.  I forget if the original date was December 2016 or 2017.

1 hour ago, sidari said:

MSC held a Webinar last night midnight UK time,  a friend who is a US travel Agent posted info from it that the island should be open in about a week. 

I will believe it is open when the first passenger is walking the island.  Almost 3 years late at this point.

4 hours ago, citizenfrank said:

Just returned to read this thread...

Is anyone really shocked? When do things like this ever open on time? Particularly in the leisure industry! 

Yes it's a shame and I'm not undermining anyones disappointment but it's why you wait if this element is critical.

Be 2020 when this is fully up, running and operational to an acceptable and enjoyable level.

See you then!

I booked in 2016 expecting to stop at OC in March 2018.  When are you allowed to be shocked.  This is getting ridiculous.

P.S. we did the same Epic cruise that you did in the Mediterranean.  Same itinerary, same ship (curved walls in room).

Thanks for the photos Motegi.  Based on the photos I am not convinced it is worth the money.  I have one booked for our March 2020 cruise.  Seems a little tight.  I will wait to see if there are other things added (shower, hammock etc.).  I booked one on a NCL cruise a few years ago and theirs were way more elaborate with more bells and whistles.

Pictures of the finished products will surely help.  Renderings showed no loungers.

Jealous.  You will have a fantastic cruise.  Beautiful ship, great shows, great food.  I really look forward to hearing about OC and hopefully see pictures.  If you could post some photos of the cabanas on OC I would greatly appreciate it.

Enjoy.

Has anyone seen any updated photos?  Does anyone have any updated information on the cabanas?  I am wondering how the cabanas are coming along and if there is a definite location and actual photos.

3 hours ago, Nashna said:

This is what is should look like completed...

There does not appear to be any loungers.  Might be tight for a party of 6. 

15 hours ago, JohninDC said:

It is a 30-40+ minute drive from the FLL area to POM. Any hotel offering this will just bundle the cost into an inflated room rate.  You are better off finding a hotel that meets your needs and budget and then arrange your own transportation.

 

www.sunny.org has lots of FLL area hotel and tourist info.  Shared shuttles between the FLL area and POM is about $15 per person, or you can use UberX or Lyft for about $35+ for the car.

Thanks John,

Probably good advice.  If it is 40 minutes I was thinking a hotel 20 minutes from each.  This may be asking too much and might be built in to the price but sometimes someone knows of a gem and it doesn't hurt to ask.

I have stumbled across some too good to be true situations in the past and you never know.

Does anyone know if there is a hotel that offers a free shuttle from FLL and also to the Port of Miami?

Flying in to FFL, spending one night and then cruising out of POM.

Is there such a place?

I have 24 drink coupons left from cruises from 2 years ago.  Can I use those on an upcoming cruise?  I do not think they give them out any longer but was unsure if they still accepted them.  Cruising on Seaside from US in November.

5 minutes ago, Skier52 said:

Both these cabins are the large angled balcony style which sacrifice field of view for balcony size. 13250 will suffer more from the deck 14 overhang shadow than 12125 as well as the supporting struts for deck 14.

As for the panoramic lift overlooking the balcony I have no information on that issue.

 

So you have to balance the amount of sunlight on the balcony against privacy.

 

 

Pete

 

 

         

Thanks Pete.  I am weighing the better sun filled balcony vs. the privacy.  I wish someone that has been in 12125 would offer their experience.  I am booked in 13250 right now for a March 2020 cruise but 12125 is available for the date and I probably could switch over if I wanted to.  I would hate to switch if the windows of the lift looked right onto the balcony.

I am not too worried about the field of view issue.  I have been in one before and the field of view still seemed pretty good.  Boy those big balconies are nice.  The one we had on the Divina you could fit 10 people on it if you wanted to.

Pete, What is you opinion of room 12125 on Meraviglia?  I see it is right next to the panpramic lift.  Do you think people riding the lift will have a view onto the balcony?  How would you rate this room compared to 13250?

Thank so much.

Great review.  I enjoyed reading it and it brought back the memories.  We cruised on the Seaside in March 2018.  We have been on 18 (?) cruises and we found the Seaside to be one of the most beautiful of all.  We enjoyed our cruise on her as well and are booked on the Meraviglia in March 2020.  I hope Ocean Cay is open by then!

Thanks again for posting the review.