Splendida aurea suite

[Matysgirl]

i got a free cruise from a casino and we are going with the Splendida.. because the cost to upgrade is so cheap (and my son is only $359 to add) we are going to upgrade. I can do an aurea balcony for $1160 or aurea suite for $1960. My son is 13 and I'm thinking the extra room might be nice. My husband doesn't care which I book. I'm thinking since hubby and I aren't tiny the tub would be nice! I'm looking at 12253 (corner before aft) if it possibly has a bigger balcony? Doesn't look it on deck plans. Also, the balcony is the same price no matter the catergory I chose. Any tips? The only diff between the 2 is the bigger room, correct? Thanks!!!

[Skier52]

i got a free cruise from a casino and we are going with the Splendida.. because the cost to upgrade is so cheap (and my son is only $359 to add) we are going to upgrade. I can do an aurea balcony for $1160 or aurea suite for $1960. My son is 13 and I'm thinking the extra room might be nice. My husband doesn't care which I book. I'm thinking since hubby and I aren't tiny the tub would be nice! I'm looking at 12253 (corner before aft) if it possibly has a bigger balcony? Doesn't look it on deck plans. Also, the balcony is the same price no matter the catergory I chose. Any tips? The only diff between the 2 is the bigger room, correct? Thanks!!!

If it were me I would have 12253, I've had 12206 and 12231 both of which are the same as 12253, the balconies are 50% bigger than the standard balcony and they are unaffected by the deck 14 overhang.

 

here is a picture of the cabin I had

the room is 50% bigger than the standard room

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pete

[Matysgirl]

Thanks Pete!! My options are 12253 and 12231. Can you help me with the aurea experience? Im usually a RCL cruiser but a free cruise (plus my upgrade) to Italy I couldn't say no!!

 

If it were me I would have 12253, I've had 12206 and 12231 both of which are the same as 12253, the balconies are 50% bigger than the standard balcony and they are unaffected by the deck 14 overhang.

 

here is a picture of the cabin I had

the room is 50% bigger than the standard room

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pete

[Skier52]

Thanks Pete!! My options are 12253 and 12231. Can you help me with the aurea experience? Im usually a RCL cruiser but a free cruise (plus my upgrade) to Italy I couldn't say no!!

 

Here is a link to the experiences comparison table ( press the "compare experiences" button )

 

https://www.msccruises.co.uk/en-gb/Cruise-Deals/Our-Fares.aspx#fares-by-experience

 

 

The big privileges are IMHO

 

1) All inclusive drinks package ( the basic Allegrissimo not the premium )

 

2) Free access to the exclusive sun deck (not the YC one deck)

 

3) Priority boarding

 

4) "My Time" (which is not free style dining) Dining

 

5) Wellbeing package including: one massage of your choice from the Spa menu, tanning booth, Spa welcome cocktail, private wellness consultation, access to Thermal Area throughout cruise (for adults only)

 

 

Hope this helps

[Matysgirl]

Yes thank you so much!!!! I'm excited!!

 

Here is a link to the experiences comparison table ( press the "compare experiences" button )

 

https://www.msccruises.co.uk/en-gb/Cruise-Deals/Our-Fares.aspx#fares-by-experience

 

 

The big privileges are IMHO

 

1) All inclusive drinks package ( the basic Allegrissimo not the premium )

 

2) Free access to the exclusive sun deck (not the YC one deck)

 

3) Priority boarding

 

4) "My Time" (which is not free style dining) Dining

 

5) Wellbeing package including: one massage of your choice from the Spa menu, tanning booth, Spa welcome cocktail, private wellness consultation, access to Thermal Area throughout cruise (for adults only)

 

 

Hope this helps

[Matysgirl]

Oh does it matter if I do 12231 or 12253? They are the same right?

 

 

Here is a link to the experiences comparison table ( press the "compare experiences" button )

 

https://www.msccruises.co.uk/en-gb/Cruise-Deals/Our-Fares.aspx#fares-by-experience

 

 

The big privileges are IMHO

 

1) All inclusive drinks package ( the basic Allegrissimo not the premium )

 

2) Free access to the exclusive sun deck (not the YC one deck)

 

3) Priority boarding

 

4) "My Time" (which is not free style dining) Dining

 

5) Wellbeing package including: one massage of your choice from the Spa menu, tanning booth, Spa welcome cocktail, private wellness consultation, access to Thermal Area throughout cruise (for adults only)

 

 

Hope this helps

[Skier52]

Oh does it matter if I do 12231 or 12253? They are the same right?

Yes they are

[siennamom]

Pete,

Can you help me to understand the Aurea "My time" dining? We can choose our preferred dining time, but will be expected to return at the same time each night?

Thanks!

[tactic]

We did Aurea on splendida at Christmas. Just turn up to dining and they seat you straight away, not the same table every night - we found it easy and good, no waiting. The spa treatment we had a Balinese hot stone massage each and they were fab!. You can also use the thermal area in the spa whenever you want. Any questions just ask

[Skier52]

Pete,

Can you help me to understand the Aurea "My time" dining? We can choose our preferred dining time, but will be expected to return at the same time each night?

Thanks!

They like you to book a set time for the whole cruise ( any time you like during the official dinner times), this will give you the same table and waiting staff.

you can vary it on any day by talking to the Aurea dining manager and arranging a time for any given evening.

 

Alternatively you can just show up and they will try and give a table there and then but you may have to wait a few minutes

 

Pete

[siennamom]

Thanks for you help!

[siennamom]

Another Aurea question....... Can one person (me!) use both massages?

[Skier52]

Another Aurea question....... Can one person (me!) use both massages?

I really don't know. off the record I would have been able to give my wife my massages (B2B cruises) because of a mammoth cock-up by MSC on the booking front, so I was allowed to make some choices others couldn't as a sort of compensation/ But I tried my first ever massage (or 4 actually).and so liked it I didn't let my wife have the other three,

 

I recommend the HOT STONE , but be fair let your travel companion try a massage ; I'm sure they'll love it.

 

Pete

[Beamafar]

Another Aurea question....... Can one person (me!) use both massages?

 

Yes, no problem. Just let them know at the spa reception.

[Aulanis]

Here is a link to the experiences comparison table ( press the "compare experiences" button )

 

https://www.msccruises.co.uk/en-gb/Cruise-Deals/Our-Fares.aspx#fares-by-experience

 

Just to say as the OP is from Ct even though the cruise is in Italy? the Experiences may

be the US ones? perhaps these links result might be the same for Aurea but Fantastica is different.

 

 

https://www.msccruisesusa.com/en-us/Cruise-Deals/Our-Fares.aspx

 

https://www.msccruisesusa.com/en-us/compare-experiences.aspx

[siennamom]

My travel companion is giving me his massage. He wants to keep me happy!

 

Now a question about the drink package with the Aurea rooms.

What if I need bottles of water for all 4 people in the cabin? Can I get all 4 bottles or do we each need to order our own?

[Skier52]

My travel companion is giving me his massage. He wants to keep me happy!

 

Now a question about the drink package with the Aurea rooms.

What if I need bottles of water for all 4 people in the cabin? Can I get all 4 bottles or do we each need to order our own?

Officially they must order their own but I've never had problems ordering 2 at a time, but then they expect 2 guests per cabin. I wouldn't be surprised if they baulk at 4 at a time.

 

I think a way round it is get to know an individual bar tender and show him there are 4 of you in the cabin then get him to be your main man for 4 bottles at a time. It may not work but I suspect it will. particularly if you show a bit of gratitude early on . I suggest a small gift (not cash**), a Toblerone or something of that ilk but not alcohol; ; risk of offending on religious grounds

 

Pete

 

** cash if you want but there are problems with that method unless it is done extremely discreetly.

[siennamom]

Great advice!

[Matysgirl]

What's in the thermal spa? And will I have issues with my son getting stuff off the drink package or am I going to have to order everything for him? There are 3 of us

[Beamafar]

What's in the thermal spa? And will I have issues with my son getting stuff off the drink package or am I going to have to order everything for him? There are 3 of us

 

Steam room, sauna room and relaxation room. Sorry I can't answer re your son and the drinks package - I've never cruised with children.