Steeler Nation At Sea

11 hours ago, RFerrington said:

I can confirm that Ben & Jerry’s is gone from Freedom.  It is now a generic ice cream store front.  I cannot tell whether it is actually open for business but my guess is that it has not yet reopened.  The cows are gone from aloft.

Weird that the app still lists a B&J with times.

Those talking about locking your cards should make sure you have the ability to get around any verification code sent by text when you try to access to remove the lock temporarily.  This can be a real pain ITA if your card provider won't also email the code as alternative.  I spent 5 months out of the country last year and 3 this year and ran into numerous access issues while using an E-Sim and not my network phone number on mobile devices, especially.  Some non-card websites blocked access completely, even on laptop, from the countries to which I traveled. 

25 minutes ago, blueslily said:

 

Wonderful. I'm guessing that you made this request on Day 1 before you used it all all so that you got a full refund? Or, did you request it later during the cruise and you got a partial refund? Thanks!

 

 

I used it once on the first day of a 25 night cruise on which I became ill with a bad chest cold that hung on and eventually turned into a sinus infection.  I didn't feel up to spending time in the damp environment.  I actually only made my request for a refund on about day 20. I have the one spa visit included with my Voyager status, so, I'm sure they took that into consideration when fully refunding the cost.

Just sailed Sinfonia in October with a S2S on Seashore, Fantastica inside then Fantastica balcony.  These were my first MSC cruises.  I found the service to be mostly equal with the exception of a disinterested and unfriendly senior staff on Sinfonia and disembarkation issues for all of us going to to Seashore. I also, oddly,  witnessed more than once, the bar staff bickering loudly with each other. 

Sinfonia has the edge on the buffet and MDR in terms of food quality, perhaps because its more easily controlled with fewer passengers? Buffet layout was also far better than Seashore.  Main theater was good, entertainment in the rest of the lounges was fine, but, always scheduled at the exact same times so when one was on break, you couldn't find music at another.

But, Sinfonia was tired, really tired.  Peeling desktop in my cabin and chipped and cracked tile in my bathroom, carpet seams that were so frayed that they just sort of flapped around creating tripping hazards, places at the stretch points where the flooring actually felt like it flexed when you stepped on it, and more broken than fully functional deck chairs.  The rear elevator into the middle of the dining room making the MDR a pass through was so strange.  It just wasn't an attractive ship at all with the water feature in the 2 deck atrium even looking like it needed a good scrubbing to make it white again. To summarize, it would have to be on fire sale with a busy and interesting itinerary for me to consider booking her again. 😢

8 minutes ago, JT1962 said:

They offered laundry a special on my transatlantic on the Divina in May, but nothing was offered on my October transatlantic on the Seashore in October. I’m not sure if this is another permanent cutback or unique to the October sailing.

Was also on the same  Seashore TA and with a 25 day itinerary, had hoped for one or two specials.  My cabin sink was just too small to do my trousers and skirts.  

Not that I saw and I was just on an 11 day Sinfonia and 25 day Seashore in October. 

You can purchase laundry packages pre-cruise though in the plan my cruise section on the website.

14 hours ago, lcpagejr said:

You are correct. However, in typical MSC confusion...would be nice if they would clarify that those who provided CC to not prior to cruise could disregard! 

I know.  I went to the machine, too, thinking there was still something that I needed to do on my first sailing with them in October.

7 hours ago, lcpagejr said:

"Card Activation Kiosks - a wonderful service. No need to stand in the long Guest Services line to make a deposit, to get the balance back, or to register your credit card. We've used it several times and were pleasantly surprised by the ease of use. Now, you gotta wait when you touch your cruise card to the reader plate until you hear a ding and then proceed to use the services"

 

The activation for credit cards may be for non US passengers?? All my past cruises on MSC, including the Thanksgiving Cruise, it told me my card was already registered  when I placed my room key card on the Kiosk. I did provide my credit card information during pre-cruise registration

Not for just non US.  Anyone can link a credit card that they haven't pre-registered.

Speaking to the ability to cancel for a refund once onboard, yes, I just did it in October. It was pretty painless. I initiated the request at Guest Services and later that same day, the refund appeared in my onboard account. At the end of the cruise, I was able to use the SETTLE function at the larger SeaPass card machines to withdraw the excess credit as cash.

9 hours ago, Billybob323 said:

Its been a few years since I've been on RCCL, but we just booked on Wonder in January. I was looking at the drink package (non alcoholic) and it now says tea and coffee. Does that mean you can no longer get free iced tea or hot coffee with your meals? Iced tea was always free in the DR with meals.

The tea and coffee referenced in the drink package descriptions are the specialty versions which have a charge, with the exception of Starbucks kiosks.  Those are not included. 

There is still basic free tea and coffee available.

Sorry you have to miss.  You must be so disappointed.  Since you know in advance, I would notify them.  I recall reading a recent thread about getting port taxes refunded when you have to miss.  Don't  know if that's true or not, and I, for one, never expected that it would be.  

On 11/24/2023 at 7:32 AM, Another_Critic said:

Not directly related to C&A tier status, but note that points (140, 210, 280, 350, 420, 490, 560, 630, 700, etc.) for crystal blocks ARE recognized during the current cruise.

I reached 140 on Jewel, but, got a block from Voyager, my next cruise.  Royal is nothing but inconsistencies. 😆

Just off a 25 day TA last Thursday that included a Med cruise itinerary, plus the TA.  I can tell you that the planner varied widely between those two segments and I'm sure it's completely different once again for the Port Canaveral itineraries.

I almost always save my planners, but, tossed them this time as there was so little listed for the majority of my cruise.  Do you have specific questions?

On 11/20/2023 at 9:28 AM, JamieLogical said:

I am not sure about the Seashore, but on the Meraviglia, there is a separate venue from the main theater called the "Carousel Lounge" and some of the shows in that venue are an additional charge. I don't know whether the Seashore has something like that. I will say, the additional charge for the Carousel Lounge shows on the Meraviglia is reasonable and warranted. It includes drinks and the price you pay varies depending on when/how you book. If you have a specialty dining package, it is $5 per person (though there is no dining involved, I think this is just an incentive for people to get a dining package). If you book online before sailing, it is $12 per person. If you book onboard with no dining package, it is $18 per person.

And @cflips7

There is no charge for Cabaret Rouge entertainment on Seashore and no paid shows at this time.  It is a continuous, and repetitive every evening, cycle of performances from about 7 to 11. 

3 hours ago, craigtompkins said:

Thank you! I definitely didn't see that last week.   In the past we had gone to the restaurant on embarkation day and were turned away saying they could not change it, so we didn't try this time.  I'll keep an eye open for this on our Spring Break cruise if needed.

Always try.  I changed tables 2x on last cruise and changed times on the one prior.

On the other hand, I was due to board an MSC ship on Oct. 11th going to Israel and nothing about the change in itinerary after the Hamas terroristic attacks on Oct. 7th was communicated pre-cruise. I obviously knew that I wasn't going to Haifa any longer, but, was never informed of the actual detailed itinerary changes until checking in at the terminal. 🤷🏼‍♀️

Glad you're happy with the emails that you've received 😊 

On Seashore currently.  It would surprise me greatly if you couldn't smell the smoke in the balcony you're describing. The deck 8 smoking area aft of the hump is wider and is quite full of smokers and at all hours. 

You may be eligible for a higher status match through other loyalty programs you're using.   They match more than other cruiselines.

Currently on Seashore and I am not Diamond or YC, am in Fantastica balcony, but, I did purchase a length of sailing thermal suite pass.  My steward supplied the robe when I mentioned the spa pass.

Boarded Seashore last Sunday for 25 nights.   The open dining room for lunch and breakfast has been what they are calling "Alternative Buffet".  It's a less hectic buffet of starters, cold items, etc., and finally, desserts.   You can order a hot main dish from a very small menu.

Some samples attached.  Will be interesting to see if they keep the concept on US departures.  

Note that today is the first port day (Barcelona) that the dining room will not be open for lunch, according to the daily.  It's been open for every other port day. 

QR_A_MD_BREAKFAST_DAYX_EN_1698126202.pdf QR_A_MD_LUNCH_DAY2_EN_1698575839.pdf

On 10/23/2023 at 3:41 PM, mvh said:

 

I'm under 90 days out with Fantastica experience and I cannot book Specialty dining, so I don't think it a timing issue.. Is it really that hard to create a website that works. I mean this is so ridiculous, half the time I can't even log in without getting an error. I have never seen anything like it, extremally frustrating. I have to believe they have lost customers just from their inferior website.

Recent experience with Fantastica booking on Seashore.  Never saw dining packages listed at all until about 3 weeks from sail date in early October for a 22nd sailing.    They were terribly high prices in the end and it's much less to book on board.  For example the duo was $85 and is €70 onboard, so far.  I also expect to see that discounted further in the coming days as the restaurants don't appear to be very full.

Disembarked on Sunday, the 22nd.  Had the survey yesterday (23rd).

5 hours ago, rrzeurope said:

now I just need to know about the Sinfonia .. MSC has not announced anything 😞 it is getting a bit late for getting travel arrangements changed ...

I'm boarding Sinfonia tomorrow and we have been scheduled for Bodrum instead of Haifa.  I reviewed a copy of the notice given to those that embarked today, but, had no word from MSC directly.

7 hours ago, perakcruiser said:

With MSC usually everything is much much more expensive on board than beforehand. The offers in the planners are mostly shop items that cannot be bought in advance. 

This is why I am especially upset that NO specialty dining packages have ever been offered on my booking for my upcoming cruise.  I suspect I'll be paying a premium and not getting the benefit of the extra Voyager points on the pre-cruise spend.  😡