Starry Eyes

Thanks for the feedback. I had hoped lines for those with reservations might have resolved by 7:30; evidently not. If they first use the same tables for early traditional dining (the re-vamped system), they cannot open MTD at 6 pm as early traditional diners are still in those seats. I wish they’d go back to the original MTD system (MTD opening before traditional dining) but I see no sign of that.

Well, if ships are a bit less full when kids are back in school, that might help, but on the other hand I would guess dinners in Windjammer might appeal (on average) more to families with kids than fall travelers….so don’t hold your breath😁

It is good that you found out about the issue in plenty if time to make a new decision. You’ll need to call to change dining. You can use the main number or the C&A number.

We had the UDP on Harmony. We posed for photos at Chops the first night and the photographer tried to sell us the prints later during diner. We declined and the declined to be photographed in specialty restaurants the remaining nights. We only claim our free D pictures each cruise.

IIRC the most recent one was an electronic survey reached by QR scan

Oh, if I had MTD I personally would also like two lines (and transparency). My guess was about how the people at the podiums (who have input about the lines) might feel…not that they’d share their feelings with guests (they should not)….and of course my guess could be totally wrong.

I know aside from VIPs and transfers it is supposed to be based on departure survey, but, like the OP, I have not seen much correlation between survey answers and tag numbers. OTOH I recall a lot of similar tags on my vicinity (which would make luggage sorting much easier). Of course tags if one is really in a rush, self disembarkation is fastest.

Hmmm, two lines makes the situation transparent whereas one doesn’t know who has reservations if there is a single line. I can imagine resins the staff might not like transparency. I can imagine complaints from some people with reservations if they wait a significant amount of time for a table while watching people from the no-reservations-line taken to seats. Likewise people in the no reservations line may complain that either (a) they did not know reservations were available or (b) that the spirit of MTD implies reservations should not be needed.

I doubt higher C&A status would have helped if the also were MTD guests😁. I think the personnel at that email addy only plan the seating arrangements for traditional dining.

I’ve used that email for table size and location requests for traditional dining but never for MTD. Let us know if it works for MTD, too.

You are using a trick to get a secret preview of your cabin number. Eventually your cabin number will show in the app. Those who don’t know the trick have to wait until then, but the trick let you know sooner. Granted, you cannot do anything with the information, but the suspense is over for you.

Oh well, you’ll have to wait. They did not assign mine until 6 days before the cruise, but yours could come anytime. Personally, I’d just delete that set sail pass from Apple Wallet. Try it again every week or so (certainly try right away if you ever happen to a muster station location appear on your set sail pass or app)

Sounds good to me. I understand and identify with your point of view😊. Some ports enforce the rules, some don’t. Have a great cruise either way.

Unsupervised self testing basically becomes the honor system. The cruiseline will not know who took the test or when it was taken. Though I have not tried it, I strongly suspect if one just waves the the swab in the air /swabs nothing (rather than properly swabbing one’s nostrils), one will get what appears to be a negative test including the control line. I’m not encouraging such behavior, just pointing out that anybody who wants to cheat can cheat.

Variety is the spice of life!

Per that link, “Guests may only use status match comparison one time, even if they belong to multiple loyalty programs.” So, if we status match, we get one cruise at the high status, then if we take a second MSC cruise we back at the bottom (our earned status)?

WooHoo. Good catch. The cruise obsession pays off again. Now, after going to the trouble of scoring early times, repeat after me: I will not let it bother me if the people staffing the port pay no attention to arrival times, allowing people with late check in times to just line up, too. Been there, watched frustrated people.

I can’t imagine how anybody could be confused, LOL. It was nice to test today for Sunday cruise, though not having to test at all will be nicer still.

Add your set sail pass to your Apple wallet or scan the bar code if an Android user. Numbers should appear under the bar code. The numbers to the right of the dash represent the cabin you will be assigned. If your cabin has not yet been determined, gty will appear after the dash (keep checking back for the assignment; it will show up sometime) Check in starts at midnight (some people report their’s was delayed a little bit, so do not get discouraged at 12:01). I believe it is ship time zone.

Thanks for sharing your experiences on your recent cruise. I have a few follow up questions if you are willing. Do you know what time did MTD opened on you Adventure cruise? What time(s) were your reservations? How long were the reservation/no reservation lines at your reserved times?

I understand, but you work with the tools you have on the bigger cruiseline. You seem to have a good attitude, so you’ll be fine. Since your party anticipates a table alone, the waitstaff will allow you to set your own pace through dinner, so you can move quickly if you have a tight timing for a show or slowly if you want a leisurely dinner. As poocher mentioned, you could consider the UDP, though if you are on Adventure as I seem to recall, I’m not sure you’ll find enough specialty restaurants to make it worthwhile. It is worth a look; maybe the menus and price will be right for you.

You do not gain (or lose, for that matter) extra C&A points from a successful RoyalUp bid. You receive the points based on the cabin you booked not the upgraded cabin for bidding. On the other hand, if you upgrade to a suite that comes with perks such as free wifi and suite lounge access, you do get those perks.

“Slots” as in seating capacity. Only so many people can be assigned to early TD and so many to late TD. Once all the tables are filled in early and late, no more people assigned to MTD can switch to TD; they will remain assigned to MTD (or eat in other venues) even if they have tots with early bedtimes or brittle diabetics who eat on rigid schedules or whatever

Yours was just one of many such threads since the restart. There were even some before the shutdown, as the new system started on some ships long ago. Many of us are startled or disbelieving when we first learn of the changes in MTD starting time. Some, like you, discover it before the cruise, and can learn about the new system and make the best selection for their families from the available options before the cruise. It is worse for those who learn about the change on board after all the traditional dining slots are filled.

Thanks for that feedback. If the same situation ever happens again, I won’t even waste everyone’s time by calling. That adds a new caveat to the summary: in the North American market, gty assignment changes are routinely allowed if a new cabin in the exact same category is available for booking for your size party.