A taste of MSC for those X cruisers wondering how bad can it be? (Long!)

I'm not sure about balconies, but smoking was certainly permitted on deck.

i have to say i had another page open looking at possible MSC options - but the smoking thing might be a deal breaker - did you mean everywhere or specific smoking areas??

We'd be interested to know about MSC and smoking as well

We'd be interested to know about MSC and smoking as well

Smoking is allowed aft around the South Beach pool. It never bothered me walking through .......... Not allowed just anywhere .....

thanks for the info

i have to say i had another page open looking at possible MSC options - but the smoking thing might be a deal breaker - did you mean everywhere or specific smoking areas??

i have to say i had another page open looking at possible MSC options - but the smoking thing might be a deal breaker - did you mean everywhere or specific smoking areas??

We'd be interested to know about MSC and smoking as well

Hi Bt and Ff,

Ship-wide smoking was not as bad as I was expecting. The only inside smoking was a small area of the casino, and various outdoor locations. Similar to NCL, HAL, and Princess. Of course Celebrity, Azamara and Oceania have very limited smoking zones, which we prefer, but this is one area that all lines seem to be moving in the right direction.

Enjoy!

Kel:D

It's allowed only in a specific smoking area.

thanks - no problem with specific areas - but not everywhere.

Hi Bt and Ff,

 

Ship-wide smoking was not as bad as I was expecting. The only inside smoking was a small area of the casino, and various outdoor locations. Similar to NCL, HAL, and Princess. Of course Celebrity, Azamara and Oceania have very limited smoking zones, which we prefer, but this is one area that all lines seem to be moving in the right direction.

 

Enjoy!

Kel:D

thanks - it's funny when you get used to smoke free almost places - it's hard to go back.

We have looked at MSC and have one booked in YC. Also have Celebrity Edge booked in an S2 with Retreat Privileges. There is quite a price delta as others have mentioned is attractive.

I have a question for those who have done both lines/Suites on Celebrity and YC on MSC...

If money were no object, what line would you choose for the higher cabin category experience?

(I hope I am not hijacking this thread with this question, this thread seems filled with people who can share their opinion without offending Celebrity cruisers by asking about a competing line)

If I'm off base please jjust let me have it and I'll post a new topic thread.

Thx!

If money were no object, what line would you choose for the higher cabin category experience?

 

do you literally mean JUST cabin- as in exact same dining/service/ spread of ports and times/ as celebrity.....but different/better cabins...?

Hi c kitty,

 

There were several additional perks, many we never used as the Yacht Club provided such a unique and all-inclusive experience. Since it was a seven day cruise, I don't remember any laundry deals. We had so much OBC ($200 each), we picked up a few things from the gift shop, but most we just converted to cash in the casino by using it for a couple pulls on a slot machine, and then hitting the cash out button.

 

I do remember getting a free meal in an alternative restaurant, two large all chocolate ship models*, sparkling wine/fruit basket in the cabin, cheap wifi, free ice cream...,

 

https://www.msccruisesusa.com/en-us/MSC-Voyagers-Club/Voyagers-Club.aspx

 

*these looked cool (like a foot long), but we never ate one or even packed them for the journey home. Just left them in the refrigerator. They were enclosed in a plastic box with a bow around the middle. MSC is really into chocolate and it can be found all around the ship.

 

All the perks would probably come into play if we had booked a regular cabin.

 

Enjoy!

Kel:D

Thanks for your answer! I'm looking at a few MSC cruises where we could have yacht club accommodations for a fraction of what we pay on Celebrity. I think we're going to have to give it a shot one day. :)

What is the msc matching status for Celebrity elite plus called and what are the perks ? Thx

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In your "plus category for MCS you said "C) The main dining room was open for breakfast and lunch every day, so there was no need to fight for a table in the buffet."

I am sailing on my first Celebrity Cruise in October. I have sailed 15 other cruises on NCL, RCCL, Carnival and Princess and they all offered sit down meals in the MDR for Breakfast and Dinner every day. Are you saying that Celebrity does not off this? That would be hugely disappointing.

We have looked at MSC and have one booked in YC. Also have Celebrity Edge booked in an S2 with Retreat Privileges. There is quite a price delta as others have mentioned is attractive.

 

I have a question for those who have done both lines/Suites on Celebrity and YC on MSC...

 

If money were no object, what line would you choose for the higher cabin category experience?

 

(I hope I am not hijacking this thread with this question, this thread seems filled with people who can share their opinion without offending Celebrity cruisers by asking about a competing line)

 

If I'm off base please jjust let me have it and I'll post a new topic thread.

 

Thx!

On our last MSC cruise, there were only 2% English speakers.

What is the msc matching status for Celebrity elite plus called and what are the perks ? Thx

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Celebrity Elite and above status is matches to MSC'S Black, which is their highest level. You can check their website to see the Black Card benefits. I am using my table and providing links can be difficult.

In your "plus category for MCS you said "C) The main dining room was open for breakfast and lunch every day, so there was no need to fight for a table in the buffet."

I am sailing on my first Celebrity Cruise in October. I have sailed 15 other cruises on NCL, RCCL, Carnival and Princess and they all offered sit down meals in the MDR for Breakfast and Dinner every day. Are you saying that Celebrity does not off this? That would be hugely disappointing.

The difference is lunch.

In my experience, the Celebrity MDR doesn't usually open for lunch on a port day, unless the ship is arriving late or leaving early. The assumption is that most people will be ashore. They do have alternative venues that are open though. On the MSC Poesia, It's buffet or MDR. there is no other choice.

For breakfast and lunch in the MDR, MSC offer a combination of buffet and waiter service, the best of both worlds.

 

I have a question for those who have done both lines/Suites on Celebrity and YC on MSC...

 

If money were no object, what line would you choose for the higher cabin category experience?

 

If money were no object, I would choose a penthouse on an M class ship every time. Can't beat those accommodations. Although that's not really a fair comparison to a Yacht Club suite which is much smaller.

If money were no object, I would choose a penthouse on an M class ship every time. Can't beat those accommodations. Although that's not really a fair comparison to a Yacht Club suite which is much smaller.

I have learned some good information here about the service and overall ship environment on MSC vs Celebrity. We've done several different suites on Celebrity only one not yet is a PH. We are very big fans of NCL's Haven experience and are anxious to learn how The Retreat impresses its guests when Edge sails.

Your review has me wanting to take a second MSC cruise. Food was definitely lacking from X, but drinks were cheaper for non-Aurea, and as an Aurea cabin I found the drinks far more inclusive than the Classic package. Service was about on par, but some of that is me believing Celebrity service has dropped. I liked all the bars on MSC and the fast drink service, but the evening entertainment (after the main show and dinner) was always dancing - not to my taste.

If money is no object, then choose Celebrity any day. Celebrity 5* is a class above MSC 4*. Fabulous shows and gourmet food. Lots of entertainment. And everything is in English.

On our last MSC cruise, there were only 2% English speakers.

Are you sure you’re referring to X :confused:?

Are you sure you’re referring to X :confused:?

And the live belly dancing, while serving you Baklava?

The adults only Solarium with the Thallaso therapy pool?

The complimentary trial massages?

The passengers vs officers (in full uniform) pool volleyball (a trademark of X)? The mini golf and basketball contests? The adult game show? The love and marriage game show? The trivia?

The Chinese New year celebration? The Christmas celebration?

The complimentary liquer tasting? The champagne art auctions? The 5 for $40 sale of ladies bags, hats and watches?

The lobster and jumbo prawns, steak and prime rib on formal night?

The free galley tour with sparkling wine and complimentary sampling of the specialty dining menu?

The charismatic cruise director and assistant director? The effervescent entertainment girls? The dance parties? The silent disco?

The enrichment program? The guest speakers? The dance classes, fitness classes, ports of call seminars?

The excellent service by waiters and bartenders. If you have the the alcoholic beverage package, the bartenders at the MDR keep on checking every 10 minutes if you need another free cocktail.

At all the other bars, (except the overcrowded Martini bar) the service is almost immediate.

Need I go on???

The difference is lunch.

For breakfast and lunch in the MDR, MSC offer a combination of buffet and waiter service, the best of both worlds.

The MSC buffet on the pool deck includes free water and ice. While there is a charge for water at dinnertime in the MDR.

Do the breakfast and lunch buffets with waiter service in the MDR include free water?

Of course, haven't you seen the shows Elyria and Elysium?

And the live belly dancing, while serving you Baklava?

The adults only Solarium with the Thallaso therapy pool?

The complimentary trial massages?

The passengers vs officers (in full uniform) pool volleyball (a trademark of X)? The mini golf and basketball contests? The adult game show? The love and marriage game show? The trivia?

The Chinese New year celebration? The Christmas celebration?

The complimentary liquer tasting? The champagne art auctions? The 5 for $40 sale of ladies bags, hats and watches?

The lobster and jumbo prawns, steak and prime rib on formal night?

The free galley tour with sparkling wine and complimentary sampling of the specialty dining menu?

The charismatic cruise director and assistant director? The effervescent entertainment girls? The dance parties? The silent disco?

The enrichment program? The guest speakers? The dance classes, fitness classes, ports of call seminars?

The excellent service by waiters and bartenders. If you have the the alcoholic beverage package, the bartenders at the MDR keep on checking every 10 minutes if you need another free cocktail.

At all the other bars, (except the overcrowded Martini bar) the service is almost immediate.

Need I go on???

Thank you for this listing...

Quite often, IMO, many passengers are looking for an 'in your face' announcement or presentation for many activities when they do appear in the daily or TV....

Admittedly, I have missed a few of the items you listed, sorry I did as I know they would be fun.

Thank you again for reminding me that there is a bevy of 'no additional charge' activities to be experienced aboard X, were I to choose to take advantage of them or not.

Then again, each of us need to select vacations based on our own experiences and desires and nothing less. Which I can appreciate and encourage.

No need to be caught up in a cycle of disappointments for vacation!

bon voyage

The MSC buffet on the pool deck includes free water and ice. While there is a charge for water at dinnertime in the MDR.

Do the breakfast and lunch buffets with waiter service in the MDR include free water?

To be clearer, is that only bottled water you reference?

As that is a chargeable beverage on X as well, unless one has one of the beverage packages.

bon voyage

Of course, haven't you seen the shows Elyria and Elysium?

And the live belly dancing, while serving you Baklava?

The adults only Solarium with the Thallaso therapy pool?

The complimentary trial massages?

The passengers vs officers (in full uniform) pool volleyball (a trademark of X)? The mini golf and basketball contests? The adult game show? The love and marriage game show? The trivia?

The Chinese New year celebration? The Christmas celebration?

The complimentary liquer tasting? The champagne art auctions? The 5 for $40 sale of ladies bags, hats and watches?

The lobster and jumbo prawns, steak and prime rib on formal night?

The free galley tour with sparkling wine and complimentary sampling of the specialty dining menu?

The charismatic cruise director and assistant director? The effervescent entertainment girls? The dance parties? The silent disco?

The enrichment program? The guest speakers? The dance classes, fitness classes, ports of call seminars?

The excellent service by waiters and bartenders. If you have the the alcoholic beverage package, the bartenders at the MDR keep on checking every 10 minutes if you need another free cocktail.

At all the other bars, (except the overcrowded Martini bar) the service is almost immediate.

Need I go on???

Bravo

Have missed a couple of those-- yet totally agree.

During our Baltics sailing the enrichment speakers were fabulous! Especially enjoyed the one about St Petersburg and the construction of the city...how fwd thinking etc

Am looking at MSC for a TA and the ship seems HUGE...

Considering YC.

Any thoughts on comparing a suite on X vs MSC YC? I supposed the best way to compare will be AFTER the renovations to the X ships.

One space we enjoy is the sky lounge/constellation lounge. Enjoyed it during sail away, sea days etc. Unhappy when they close it for private events.

I hear with the renovations that it is disappearing altogether for the "ship within a ship" space -- perhaps like YC?