Considering MSC, need help

[MISTER 67]

You get what you pay for.. This was the worst cruise I have ever taken and wouldn't recommend to anyone I know... I just got off the Divina this morning ....and Go back to Royal or Norwegian... you wont be sorry!!!!!

 

We were on the same cruise and we loved it, was our 49th cruise but first with MSC and could find nothing wrong.

Edited September 3, 2016 by MISTER 67

[Skier52]

I am going on my first MSC cruise in December. Splendida. I booked Bella I think in room 8205. I looked and it didn't appear to be obstructed but what about the tender below. I am really looking forward to this cruise. Hope I made the right decision

Thanks

 

I would put my house n the fact you'll see the top of the tender directly in front of your balcony.

 

Based on these two pictures

 

 

 

Pete

[MISTER 67]

I am going on my first MSC cruise in December. Splendida. I booked Bella I think in room 8205. I looked and it didn't appear to be obstructed but what about the tender below. I am really looking forward to this cruise. Hope I made the right decision

Thanks

 

Just back today from our first cruise with MSC and 49th overall, we loved it.

Don't believe the bad reviews.

[All-ready2cruise]

Just back today from our first cruise with MSC and 49th overall, we loved it.

Don't believe the bad reviews.

 

So glad to hear you enjoyed your cruise. My glass is half full too.

 

Cheers,

[Skier52]

-Room Attendant.. Like Casper the ghost Never saw him hardly.. Ice is a commodity LOL

-Staff.. Rude

-1,000 Kids..

 

 

 

 

 

I am very knowledgeable and was willing to try a new cruise line since my husband retired and we are going to be sailing a lot.. We had 3 cabins and all of us were unhappy and in 1 cabin this was their 3rd time on the ship and last.. MSC did not tell me when I asked them if it was obstructed and I ASKED! As far as rude staff one of the waitresses asked if we were done eating at the buffet this morning and we said no and she yelled Jesus Christ!!! Glad the other waiters heard her and also the Maitre D came over and told me I should have punched her because they can't lol... Enjoy your MSC cruises.. I will skip them and go back to Princess..P.S A few people from cruise critic was on this sailing and you should have herd their review in person...

 

It's sweeping generalisations such as your statement,

 

"-Staff..Rude"

 

when the truth is one waitess was out if order, that gives a false impression. That doesn't count in my book as a statement that the Staff are rude, 1 out of 1388 isn't representative of the whole crew.

[deliver42]

I was on the Divina last May, and couldn't be happier.I couldn't find a rude crew member if I tried. Buffets are crowded on all ships, and when you sail when kids are off school, then it gets more crowded. As far as what people wear, it's none of your business.

[Nygirl26]

It's sweeping generalisations such as your statement,

 

"-Staff..Rude"

 

when the truth is one waitess was out if order, that gives a false impression. That doesn't count in my book as a statement that the Staff are rude, 1 out of 1388 isn't representative of the whole crew.

 

More than one staff member was rude.. I gave my opinion of the boat.. I am glad you enjoy MSC, have a wonderful time on all your booked cruises.. I wrote what I didn't like about the cruise and right away you tried to cut me down.. Maybe the reason you like it so much is that your like all the travelers on this line.. I like to travel and be treated nicely on my cruises, so I will very happily go back to Princess and Celebrity and enjoy my husbands retirement money on the lines that appreciate your business.. Wishing you a lot of wonderful sailings :)

[bostonfred]

We too are experienced cruisers and are considering MSC. This bickering does not help us. Every line has defenders no matter what and some people are not happy unless they are unhappy. What we need is objective info. We are confused with multiple balcony prices and different perks with them. We always pick mid ship balcony, unobstructed view, cabins above and below. This would seem to come with more benefits than standard balcony. Yacht club concept is new to us also. We cetainly don't require a butler and don't want to sit down in a fancy restaurant for all meals. Like quick, casual and unstructured for warm weather cruises. Want to enjoy whole ship, multiple bars etc, restaurants etc..will we be happy on MSC Seaside if we book. We have cruised 25 times and have fever been unhappy !:)

[Skier52]

We too are experienced cruisers and are considering MSC. This bickering does not help us. Every line has defenders no matter what and some people are not happy unless they are unhappy. What we need is objective info. We are confused with multiple balcony prices and different perks with them. We always pick mid ship balcony, unobstructed view, cabins above and below. This would seem to come with more benefits than standard balcony. Yacht club concept is new to us also. We cetainly don't require a butler and don't want to sit down in a fancy restaurant for all meals. Like quick, casual and unstructured for warm weather cruises. Want to enjoy whole ship, multiple bars etc, restaurants etc..will we be happy on MSC Seaside if we book. We have cruised 25 times and have fever been unhappy !:)

 

If you want midships with cabins above and below you are probably looking at decks 9 to 12, most of the balcony cabins are "fantastica experience". This is to my way of thinking the standard cabin with standard service levels.

There are a few "bella experience" cabins but these are smaller in size and come with the old basic service level with some features removed so as to give a budget level of service.

 

 

The perks for Fantastica are few in number but may include some drinks vouchers , depending on which region you are booking in

 

Your preference for a midships cabin precludes the "Aurea "experience as all those cabins are in the forward part of the ship.

 

The YC is a self contained area for about 0.5% of the passenger but occupies about 5 % of the available guest space. It is designed to give you luxury in a peaceful environment. For butler read cabin steward plus ( they provide extra services on request). There is no restraint on leaving the YC and enjoying other parts of the ship, it's just that non YC passengers are not allowed access.

The dedicated restaurant is purely so as to give a superior level of service in a hassle free manner with the added advantage of being able to dine at a time of your choosing.

Again the YC is in the forward part of the ship.

 

Hope this makes things a little less confusing

 

Pete

[bostonfred]

Thanks, skier 52:)

[MNcruisingcouple]

Thanks for all the opinions.

I agree that what I was looking for was objective and specific information, not generalities.

I understand that MSC isn't going to be comparable to Celebrity or Princess. But was wondering if it was comparable to Norwegian?

Also we never cruise over a school holiday, so children shouldn't be an issue.

I was really looking for information on the different experience levels and their value compared with the all inclusive option that is available on the Divina. I've seen the list comparing the experiences but was hoping for some input from cruisers. There just seems to be so many more options than I'm used to.

[Skier52]

Thanks for all the opinions.

I agree that what I was looking for was objective and specific information, not generalities.

I understand that MSC isn't going to be comparable to Celebrity or Princess. But was wondering if it was comparable to Norwegian?

Also we never cruise over a school holiday, so children shouldn't be an issue.

I was really looking for information on the different experience levels and their value compared with the all inclusive option that is available on the Divina. I've seen the list comparing the experiences but was hoping for some input from cruisers. There just seems to be so many more options than I'm used to.

 

There are basically 4 types of cabin, inside, OV ,balcony and suite

 

there are basically 3 levels of experience (I' not going to include the new Wellness experience here as I have no knowledge of it and it is aimed at fitness conscious guests), they are Bella, Fantastica and Aurea.

 

Not all cabins come with all experiences.

 

The combinations are:-

 

inside with bella or fantastica

 

OV with bella or fantastica

 

balcony with bella, fantastica or aurea

 

suite with aurea

 

and of course there is the Yacht Club. (YC)

 

The bella experience is a basic no frills service level . it does not include free room service and gives only a choice of early or late dining.

 

The fantstica is a standard service level and includes free room service but except for breakfast the items ordered come at a cost. In some regions a basic drinks package , usually vouchers are included with this experience.

On Lirica class ships there is the dining option of my time dining. This is not quite freedom dining as they prefer you to chose a time to dine and have that time on most evenings. it can be changed on a daily basis, should you need to, by making arrangements with the head waiter.

 

The Aurea experience comes with the basic all inclusive package, currently £20 pppd, and that cost should be factored in to comparisons between cabins.

also included is a bali massage, currently around £60, Other perks include priority boarding, special toiletries MED brand, access to an exclusive sundeck (other guests may pay for the use, currently €10 - 30 depending on the type of sun bed used)

Of course there is My time dining and all inclusive drinks

 

The YC is an exclusive club in a dedicated area for YC guests only, with a whole host of privileges, in a luxury environment and of course there is the AI drinks (in the YC area only, though this may change to all areas of the ship from 2017)

 

I have experienced Fantastica, Aurea and the YC

 

when comparing prices I have in the past, on one occasion, found a YC cabin to be cheaper than a balcony plus the AI package ,and the same for an Aurea balcony cabin being cheaper than a balcony plus Ai package.

 

So it is wise to compare like with like when planning.

 

The basic AI package at £20 pppd is IMHO great value for money even for light drinkers and those who don't like alcohol as it includes soft drinks, coffees and icecream.

my preferred experience is the YC on the large ships then the aurea experience with fantastica as a last choice. I wouldn't go bella because of the positions of the cabins and the basic budget service level

Edited September 5, 2016 by Skier52

[MNcruisingcouple]

Thanks skier52, that is very much what I was looking for!

 

How do we find it on which sailings the fantastica comes with drink vouchers?? Just wondering, if we had those vouchers, would we need the AI? But maybe for the ice cream and coffee, it would be worth it!

 

Now if someone could address how the overall experience on ship compares to Norwegian or Royal.

[Skier52]

Thanks skier52, that is very much what I was looking for!

 

How do we find it on which sailings the fantastica comes with drink vouchers?? Just wondering, if we had those vouchers, would we need the AI? But maybe for the ice cream and coffee, it would be worth it!

I believe the vouchers are on certain promotions, but can't be sure of that. I think the vouchers are for either 12 or 14 drinks per person in a cabin, not enough IMHO for a cruise but you can buy more if required. As I said above I always have the AI package because I believe it to be excellent value

 

Now if someone could address how the overall experience on ship compares to Norwegian or Royal.

 

I've been on both NCL and RCI, but only in suites which all had good perks, so I don't think any comparison by me would be representative,

 

 

Pete

Edited September 5, 2016 by Skier52

[Shippy]

Yes, it is more expensive but by far the best value at sea.

No crowds...large dedicated lounge that is open all the time for complementary drinks & snacks.

Dedicated restaurant with unbelievable service. And one of the things I like the best...your own pool area. Never crowded. Pool, hot tub, bar , small buffet and upgraded lounge chairs.

No crowds, very few children if any.

We wind up staying in the yacht club area most of the time but venture out for the shows & casino.

You do not even have to fight the crowds at the port ! A butler meets you outside & you give your luggage to him not a porter. You are escorted to a private waiting room then escorted to your cabin. You will feel like royalty.

Youtube.com Divina yacht club !

[Stuartcruisers]

We were on the 8/27 cruise and found to be excellent. We normally do Celebrity and this MSC cruise was much better. the service, cabin attendant, and all the crew we met were outstanding. No problem getting ice from room service or attendant. The shows were much better than Celebrity, night after night. We booked the Divinia for May 2017.

[MNcruisingcouple]

We were on the 8/27 cruise and found to be excellent. We normally do Celebrity and this MSC cruise was much better. the service, cabin attendant, and all the crew we met were outstanding. No problem getting ice from room service or attendant. The shows were much better than Celebrity, night after night. We booked the Divinia for May 2017.

 

What ship were you on and what stateroom/experience did you have?. Thanks for the help!

[MNcruisingcouple]

Is it true that MSC runs all it's transactions through a bank in France thus incurring foreign currency fees for us in the US?

If so, is there a way to avoid those fees?

[Homosassa]

We used a credit card (Discover) that has no foreign transaction fees.

 

FYI, I did a review of our MSC cruise in which I tried to define what would make some cruisers very unhappy or happy with the MSC experience. For those of you looking for some facts (and opinion), I have attached a link.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2343166

[Homosassa]

We used a credit card (Discover) that has no foreign transaction fees.

 

FYI, I did a review of our MSC cruise in which I tried to define what would make some cruisers very unhappy or happy with the MSC experience. For those of you looking for some facts (and opinion), I have attached a link.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2343166

[MNcruisingcouple]

We used a credit card (Discover) that has no foreign transaction fees.

 

FYI, I did a review of our MSC cruise in which I tried to define what would make some cruisers very unhappy or happy with the MSC experience. For those of you looking for some facts (and opinion), I have attached a link.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2343166

 

Thanks for posting the link to your review. It was helpful and balanced.

[riclop]

Is it true that MSC runs all it's transactions through a bank in France thus incurring foreign currency fees for us in the US?

If so, is there a way to avoid those fees?

 

That is not true , it also depends on the credit card you use.

[MNcruisingcouple]

That is not true , it also depends on the credit card you use.

 

Ok so even if the "bank in France" part isn't true, will I have foreign transaction fees? Which cards don't have them?

[deliver42]

Pete, that was an excellent breakdown for the OP.

[baz48]

Ok so even if the "bank in France" part isn't true, will I have foreign transaction fees? Which cards don't have them?

 

 

Our Capital One Visa charge was from MSC Cruises USA for $400 (USD) deposit. No mention of foreign currency.