JT1962

Getting a different match for the same status is not uncommon with MSC. It seems to be luck of the draw as to which employee is performing the match.

Your status remains as long as you cruise at least once every three years. I believe they extended that during Covid because of the shutdown, so that may be why your status didn’t expire, if it’s been longer than three years since your last MSC cruise. If your wife has taken the same number of cruises that you have, the difference could be due to onboard spending that was charged to your cruise card. If that is the difference, use her cruise card to register onboard charges for your next cruise. You should login to both of your Voyagers Club accounts on the MSC website and compare the points that were earned. If she has taken a cruise that is not listed, you should be able to have that added.

Yes. It depends on what is important to each individual. I have considered Virgin, but each time I price them, the cost for solo has been $ 250 - $ 300 per day. I have been averaging $ 60 - $ 80 per day, including all fees / gratuities, on MSC. As MSC continues to raise their solo supplement, the difference will get smaller, but still not close to the same cost. At this point, I prefer 3-4 cruises on MSC vs one on Virgin.

I’m glad you enjoyed most of it. I was on the Seashore Transatlantic in October / November and will be on her again in February. I agree with your comments regarding the food. It’s not five star, but I always found plenty of options to choose from and everything I had was good. As a solo cruiser, I will continue to cruise with MSC, since the cost has been 40-70% cheaper than other mainstream lines charge for solos. If (when?) the fares get closer to other lines, I will then consider other options.

All of those staying on for the next sailing will receive a notice to meet at a particular location, then be escorted off the ship to a special room in the terminal to clear customs, then allowed back on the ship once it has been completely cleared of passengers.

https://caymannewsservice.com/2023/12/bryan-calls-for-cruise-port-vote-at-next-elections/

Most just get a drink at a nearby bar prior their reservation and take it into the specialty restaurant. A little inconvenient, but an option.

I’m glad you enjoyed most of it. Your experience sounds very similar to my transatlantic cruise on the Seashore recently. The food and entertainment were definitely below the MSC cruises I have taken from the US. It seems they minimize a lot of things on the TA cruises to prepare for the differences between the US cruises compared to the European itineraries.

On 7 MSC cruises in the past two years, I have seen them call by deck on some sailings and have everyone go at once on others. So typical MSC, no consistency, lol. I have learned to just go to my muster station as soon as the video is over and I have dialed the number and gotten confirmation. Someone has always been there to scan my card and I am able to get back up the stairs before most people even leave their cabins to head down the stairs.

Excursions will be cheaper to book prior to boarding. There will be independent vendors at most ports, other than Ocean Cay, that usually offer cheaper options. Restaurant specials seem to be based on how full the ship is. On 7 MSC cruises in the last two years, I have seen similar offers listed by morpheusoftheseas, but also have seen no special offers on dining other than the packages listed online. The two restaurant package that includes Butcher’s Cut & Teppanyaki is a decent value compared to the individual prices purchased separately. Even though the dining packages have a limited menu, I found it to be more than enough food with with options I like. Hola Tacos is also very good and reasonably priced (for a Specialty restaurant).

Glad you enjoyed it. I’ve had good experiences with MSC. I was on the transatlantic on the Seashore in Oct / Nov and had no major issues, but heard many others complain about the food, service, entertainment, etc. It wasn’t perfect, but for the price I paid, I was happy. I love Ocean Cay as well. It is my favorite private island of all those I have visited, including Half Moon Cay, Princess Cays and CocoCay. I like the fact that it has not been overdeveloped with a waterpark and other amenities.

Lido and dining room both affected apparently. “Carnival has changed that and now will serve a limited selection of omelettes in Lido and in the main dining room. Carnival Brand Ambassador John Heald addressed the matter on his Facebook page in response to passenger complaints. "Well, hopefully, you will still be able to enjoy the ham and cheese omelette, which is still available along with a vegetarian. and a plain omelette, a cheese omelette and an egg white omelette as well. Of course, there are so many other great choices for you to enjoy. Thank you so much, breakfast is a wonderful meal and I hope you’re enjoying it on board very soon," he posted.” https://www.thestreet.com/travel/carnival-cruise-line-takes-away-a-popular-dining-choice

I have gotten a paper copy in my room on the last night on Divina, Seascape and Seashore in the last year.

It is substantially cheaper to prepay for a package than pay individual prices onboard. Here are some prices from the photo below - Blouse / T-Shirt - $ 4.90 Shirt - $ 6.90 Skirt / Pants - $ 7.90 Evening Dress - $ 12.90 Suit - $ 14.90 Underwear / Socks (pair) - $ 2.90

Probably to be safe. Buying the package before you cruise is definitely cheaper than paying by the piece once on board.

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.

People either love or hate MSC. I’ve had mostly good experiences with them.

I expected that to be added as well, but I’m glad it wasn’t mentioned. Doubling the passengers on the island would ruin the experience.

https://cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/2023/11/msc-announces-expansion-of-ocean-cay-msc-marine-reserve/ The main items for passengers: “Guest facilities will be enhanced with the introduction of excursion center to support watersport activities and island tours, a sea dive and snorkel center, additional food and beverage outlets and other facilities, the company said. The MSC Foundation’s Marine Conservation Centre will be built as a base for biologists, coral reef experts and students. It will also house interactive pavilions, a lecture hall and coral exhibition tanks and provide MSC Cruises’ passengers visiting the island with educational opportunities about the importance of the marine ecosystem.”

I was last in the Divina in May and never saw anything I would consider dirty. I have noticed a few more dishes left in the hallways outside of rooms for longer than usual on both MSC & Carnival in the past year. I think this is probably due to staffing issues that seems to be an issue everywhere now.

I will board my 7th MSC cruise since Jan 2022 in a week and have been pleasantly surprised by the food. Based on the reviews I read prior to sailing with MSC, I expected it to be terrible. In dozens of meals in the dining room, buffet and specialty restaurants, I have only had one dish I considered inedible and most have been excellent.

For US sailings, they seem to check at your initial port of departure, but don’t always care at the other ports. I have seen people at Cozumel, Costa Maya, Ocho Rios, etc. bring back multiple liquor bottles, soft drinks, etc., with no issues going through security and taking it to their cabin.

I sailed on the Divina 3 times for a total of 43 nights in the last year and had no issues with the beds on the Divina.

That far out, you shouldn’t have any cancellation penalty. I would book the Dec 7 date and then cancel the Sep 28 cruise rather than trust MSC Customer Service to do it correctly. You would have to wait 2-6 weeks to get the deposit on the cancelled cruise back, but that’s better to me than what might happen with MSC moving it (based on prior experience).

I had the same experience and got spoiled. I had my first MSC solo cruise in Jan 2022 and will be boarding my 7th MSC cruise since then soon. All have averaged $ 40 - $ 60 per day, factoring in any OBC. The new rates are mostly twice that now. Still better than other lines, but not the great bargain they were until recently.