Questions about Cirque du Soleil shows on Meraviglia

[sptrout]

Sorry, but another question (although a series of questions really just one: timing). How is the timing between dinner (at the main dining rooms, YC in our case), and the main theater shows? In other words, are the Cirque shows about the same time as the main theater shows, which would likely preempt seeing the main theater shows? I assume that based on the comments here and other places, even if the Cirque shows are the same time as the main theater that it is worth seeing them and dumping the standard theater shows?

[hamrag]

1 hour ago, sptrout said:

Sorry, but another question (although a series of questions really just one: timing). How is the timing between dinner (at the main dining rooms, YC in our case), and the main theater shows? In other words, are the Cirque shows about the same time as the main theater shows, which would likely preempt seeing the main theater shows? I assume that based on the comments here and other places, even if the Cirque shows are the same time as the main theater that it is worth seeing them and dumping the standard theater shows?

 

Firstly, in YC you choose dining time to suit your schedule. The theatre shows run 3 times nightly, so it is simple to see both Cirque and the standard theatre shows. All times are listed, so you can easily work it out.

[Skier52]

5 hours ago, CruisingFox27 said:

 

Was this for the main theatre or the Cirque show theatre, or both?

this was for us the Cirque theatre, our butler suggested he do this service for us,  as we didn't ask to be helped in the same way at the main theatre

 

Pete

[Skier52]

3 hours ago, hamrag said:

 

Indeed, that was the service we received also. The question, which my response was to, was 'are the table locations (Cirque de Soleil) reserved first come first served'. Always best to understand context, before replying as there is a risk of confusion!

When we went it was on a first come first served basis, the final allocation of tables was done by the waiting staff in the dining area of the theatre.

 

pete

[sptrout]

2 hours ago, hamrag said:

 

Firstly, in YC you choose dining time to suit your schedule. The theatre shows run 3 times nightly, so it is simple to see both Cirque and the standard theatre shows. All times are listed, so you can easily work it out.

Thanks hamrag. Sounds like two busy evenings. 

[hamrag]

11 hours ago, sptrout said:

Thanks hamrag. Sounds like two busy evenings. 

 

Indeed, but you can relax in the top sail lounge before and after! As an alert, the 'cocktails' served at Cirque are awful and you are not allowed to take your own preference in with you....another reason to swiftly return to the YC.

[Charlemagn]

We are back from the cruise! 

 

1. We booked the Viaggio show with cocktail before cruise, and confirmed the date and time while on board. 

2. The show was great. The seats were assigned when you confirm the date. 

 

BTW, the cruise itself is not as good as the Northern Europe cruise of MSC Magnifica we took in 2017, though this ship is newer and bigger (the latter I suspect is the main problem). 

[Itchy&Scratchy]

we just booked Meraviglia for April 2020, with a free perk of "OBS CIRQUE DU SOLEIL AT SEA VIAGGIO - DINNER AND SHOW." However, I have just looked at our invoice and found out that the free perk was only for the first 2 people, leaving our 9 yo child out. 

Do I now need to purchase the show/dinner ticket for our child? He wouldn't really need a dinner, but I would have like for him to see the show with us, but I don't want to pay $30 for it.

Any thoughts?

[phissy]

On 1/19/2019 at 11:19 AM, hamrag said:

 

Indeed, but you can relax in the top sail lounge before and after! As an alert, the 'cocktails' served at Cirque are awful and you are not allowed to take your own preference in with you....another reason to swiftly return to the YC.

To enjoy the YC Top Sail Lounge before and after will require a lot of walking. (which may or may not be a good thing)

On meraviglia , YC is located forward on ship. Cirque theatre is aft. Being aft lends itself to a more stable performance stage. Broadway theatre is forward, deck 6. You cannot Bring food or drink into either theatre. 

As Hamrag mentioned, Cirque cocktails are awful but, you can choose non alcoholic drink which is less offensive IMHO.

Dinner is served about an hour or  so before performance. They have musical performers during dinner.

 Usually at end of dinner, during dessert, doors are opened again and “drink and show” guests are escorted in and to their pre assigned seats. They are on a lower level than dinner people. All seats are good and performance is done “in the round”. Performers all around the circular stage.

 

[phissy]

On 1/6/2019 at 8:12 PM, sptrout said:

I was wondering about that. Are the table locations reserved first come first served (best to not so good...)? And I guess prebooking is really only for saving some money.

If you are in the YC, then concierge will make your final reservations as to which show and what day. He got us great seats for both shows.  

Pre booking save you the 15% on board service charge. 

Once you are onboard, you can see schedule for the week and also show schedule for the other theatre.

The show we enjoyed the most was LaPaz in the theatre. Latin/ Flamenco style performances. 

Also, short version of LaBoeme was interesting.

[sptrout]

3 hours ago, phissy said:

If you are in the YC, then concierge will make your final reservations as to which show and what day. He got us great seats for both shows.  

Pre booking save you the 15% on board service charge. 

Once you are onboard, you can see schedule for the week and also show schedule for the other theatre.

The show we enjoyed the most was LaPaz in the theatre. Latin/ Flamenco style performances. 

Also, short version of LaBoeme was interesting.

Thanks Phissy! We are in the YC so we will be using our butler for this, never gave our butlers in the past much to do anyway LOL. Sounds like pre-booking is the thing to do also.

[phissy]

The question of priority and the YC with the different venues.

we found that the “reserved” area of main theatre is not a great location. Just arrive slightly early and select your own seats.

with the Cirque shows, we had pre paid for both shows, one with dinner and one with drinks.

in YC, concierge made final reservations for us. Evening of dinner, we were told to meet at concierge desk at 6pm. They escorted us to Cirque theatre and then walked us to head of the line. Now, that was very embarrassing. She told everyone we had priority and were to go first.

when we were seated, we had a great table for 2 right next to aft windows. Beautiful sunset. Were Told it was the VIP table. (Not sure I believe this but thanked them)

one note...YC drinks package does not transfer to Cirque dinner. You must buy wine or cocktails etc. however,  we were offered our usual bottled water , still or “en gas”..so just had our wine after show back in the YC Lounge.

For drink  and show , we preferred to just wait in line. Concierge booked it for us day before and we had assigned seats. We had front row seats, 109 and 110.  6 Seats in our row were vacant, so I do believe these are for Priorty Guests.

YC priority would be for ports. We had no lines so, did not use those lanes.

hope this helps

[lovemycruisetoo]

4 hours ago, phissy said:

phissy, how did you like the YC deluxe suite in front of ship? Any issues? Thanks

 

Edited March 24, 2019 by lovemycruisetoo
Error

[phissy]

We had a forward Deluxe Suite 15004 on Meraviglia. Found room itself very comfortable and bathroom had  large shower. Closet and storage good for 2 people. 

2 big drawbacks noticed after 1 night.

- motion at sea is dramatic and noise from wind whistling from balcony doors went all night.

-balcony had limited views. From balcony rail down is metal as are both sides to top. Glass covering upper half was tinted dark and very dirty, visibility was not good. 

This is why pics from these rooms are so dark.  Could not see well out of balcony.  Balconies on both sides of ship are clear glass from railing down and open up on top. Views are amazingly better .  Balconies have glass cleaned each week. Forward glass needs a machine that they use when weather permits.

On Western Med cruise, port side of ship has city view of ports. Both sides can view  in Malta port.

Hope this helps.

[Beamafar]

We had a front-facing cabin on Splendida once - never again!  We experienced the same issues as you, Phissy, plus there was a storm at sea during the early part of the cruise, which made it even worse.  One of the only times I've been seasick onboard a cruise ship (and we've experienced very rough seas on a number of occasions).

 

(Off-topic ... apologies, OP)

Edited March 25, 2019 by Beamafar

[tinamarie1968]

On 1/17/2019 at 7:21 PM, phissy said:

Wondering how the free dinner and show given as a perk for some booking last year....how is the day and time scheduled. The fine print says it should be booked after boarding. If I try to book online, I am charged full amount.  Who do I contact for booking this promo?   Thanks in advance.

 

I received the free dinner and show as a perk. To find out what time I was scheduled, I called MSC. Hope this helps.

[hamrag]

Sorry, just realised old thread so erased comment!

Edited January 20, 2020 by hamrag

[Beamafar]

4 minutes ago, hamrag said:

Sorry, just realised old thread so erased comment!

 

Hi G ... you're right, I haven't been posting recently.  Bit peeved with MSC at the moment due to them not honouring (in full) the offer made by their captain on our Meraviglia sailing.

[hamrag]

23 minutes ago, Beamafar said:

 

Hi G ... you're right, I haven't been posting recently.  Bit peeved with MSC at the moment due to them not honouring (in full) the offer made by their captain on our Meraviglia sailing.

I have kept up-to-date on the appropriate thread and they have treated you most shabbily, a 23 night cruise booked clearly as such should not be deemed as separate 10 then 13 night cruises. What others may think in relation to whether the 20% future discount gesture was poor/fair/OTTgenerous is not the point....and you do have a letter from the Captain....

 

TBH, if it were me I would not let it rest but then perhaps in the UK our booking conditions etc. may be different than Ireland!

[GOLDENBONNY]

On 1/6/2019 at 3:09 PM, hamrag said:

 

You will need to rebook the shows, once onboard. The on-line booking only takes care of payment as the time and date booked does not follow through....silly, but true!

I had date and time booked from office. 

[Micheb5]

On 3/21/2019 at 2:00 PM, Itchy&Scratchy said:

we just booked Meraviglia for April 2020, with a free perk of "OBS CIRQUE DU SOLEIL AT SEA VIAGGIO - DINNER AND SHOW." However, I have just looked at our invoice and found out that the free perk was only for the first 2 people, leaving our 9 yo child out. 

Do I now need to purchase the show/dinner ticket for our child? He wouldn't really need a dinner, but I would have like for him to see the show with us, but I don't want to pay $30 for it.

Any thoughts?

I also have a child cruising with us. Mine doesn't specify a number of guests. Just says dinner and show.

[Itchy&Scratchy]

1 hour ago, Micheb5 said:

I also have a child cruising with us. Mine doesn't specify a number of guests. Just says dinner and show.

check your invoice... I thought the dinner and a show were included for all the people in the stateroom, but the invoice clearly states it isn't so.

 

This is what my invoice says for both me and DH:

 

CAB − Cabin Fares (per PASSENGER) $xxx.29

PCH − Gov't Fees & Taxes $154.00

INCL − 735PTW19−CIRQUE DU SOLEIL AT SEA VIAGGIO − DINNER AND SHOW − 04/05/20 $0.00

INCL − EXP1−BELLA: classic cruise experience − 04/05/20 $0.00

 

and this is what it shows for the kiddo:

CAB − Cabin Fares (per PASSENGER) $xxx.55

PCH − Gov't Fees & Taxes $154.00

INCL − EXP1−BELLA: classic cruise experience − 04/05/20 $0.00

[Micheb5]

Thanks, I would rather know before I go. I didn't book directly with them. I don't know what my invoice says, may have to call them.

[Micheb5]

5 hours ago, Itchy&Scratchy said:

check your invoice... I thought the dinner and a show were included for all the people in the stateroom, but the invoice clearly states it isn't so.

 

This is what my invoice says for both me and DH:

 

CAB − Cabin Fares (per PASSENGER) $xxx.29

PCH − Gov't Fees & Taxes $154.00

INCL − 735PTW19−CIRQUE DU SOLEIL AT SEA VIAGGIO − DINNER AND SHOW − 04/05/20 $0.00

INCL − EXP1−BELLA: classic cruise experience − 04/05/20 $0.00

 

and this is what it shows for the kiddo:

CAB − Cabin Fares (per PASSENGER) $xxx.55

PCH − Gov't Fees & Taxes $154.00

INCL − EXP1−BELLA: classic cruise experience − 04/05/20 $0.00

Thanks Itchy & scratchy for the info. I checked my edocs that I just downloaded. No Cirque for my daughter, just like you said.  We went on MSC site to book 1 more ticket and it wants us to pre-select the date/time and meal.  Obviously we are not comfortable pre-seletcting her experience and taking the chance that we can match ours up later. I guess we will call in and see if they can book the time for all of us. We have others travelling with us,  and would want to have the same show and time. I will let you know what I  find out. If you figure it out before we do, please let me know!

[Itchy&Scratchy]

11 hours ago, Micheb5 said:

Thanks Itchy & scratchy for the info. I checked my edocs that I just downloaded. No Cirque for my daughter, just like you said.  We went on MSC site to book 1 more ticket and it wants us to pre-select the date/time and meal.  Obviously we are not comfortable pre-seletcting her experience and taking the chance that we can match ours up later. I guess we will call in and see if they can book the time for all of us. We have others travelling with us,  and would want to have the same show and time. I will let you know what I  find out. If you figure it out before we do, please let me know!

I am very tempted to just get the Drink and Show for DS, because I know for a fact that he will NOT eat whatever food is offered (he is 9 and not adventurous when it comes to food). However, I am not sure they would let him sit with us while we are having dinner.

Other people reported switching their promo Dinner and Show to Drink and Show once onboard, but they were in YC class and had their butler do it for them. I don't want to stand in line for customer service for an hour for that...