MSC Meraviglia First Ever Cruise!

[Jskeleton69]

Jeez I don't even know where to start. My work is paying to take our corporate office on the Dec 15 4 day cruise. My best friend is flying down to be my +1 and we are the type of neurodivetgent, anxiety ridden, have to know every single possible thing that can happen and have multiple scenarios for how deal with different situations 😅 (usually one of us has traveled to a place we visit so we rely on the other to be the "tour guide" this time not the case 😬). We've both watched so many youtube videos (some kinda scare me) and have tried to read as many articles about the ship as possible but were both still questioning/need clarification on some things as well as trying to figure out our budget for things... we have the fantastica expierence, a balcony, easy + drink package, browse for 2 devices, prepaid gratuities and 10 chocolate covered strawberries that work purchased for us. 

1) Cruise card- so if I've read correctly we'll each have our own to attach our debit cards to and we use that for paying for anything extra we want whether it's specialty food, suvienors or gambling in the casino?

      A) I'm an avid gambler so will the money come off my debit card immediately or do I settle it at the end of the cruise (trying to have an idea of what to budget)

 

2) We're debating between splurging on the shipwreck or just going our own pace for snorkeling.. I like the idea of $30 for all day snorkel gear but best friend really wants the $62 2 hour shipwreck tour. Which would you do?

 

3) I seen one video that was recent that said the umbrellas at ocean cay were free but on the msc manage booking page there's a cube that says "test" and when you click on it it says $12 for an umbrella.... so which is it?

 

4) I'm an avid iced coffee drinker and have start my morning with coffee to be able to deal with humanity 😂 either a Starbucks vanilla sweet cream cold brew or a hazelnut iced coffee for McDonald's is my go to. Can I find anything similar anywhere on the ship? Looks like the buffet is just hot coffee. The chocolatier place maybe? What kind of cost would I be looking at?

 

5) Was I seeing things or is there a zip line on the cruise? Swear when we were looking at reviews a couple months someone mentioned there was one but now I can't find anything about it. If they do, I'm assuming it's not included, so any idea on cost?

 

6) I read Ocean Cay has 8 beaches. Which is the best beach? We like to do our own thing together with minimal interaction with others, but at the same time we like to watch drama unfold from afar 🤪 plus we're foodies so I'd like to still be close to the buffet on the island. 

     A) I seen one person on youtube mention they have free lockers on the island but no one else. So are they still there?

 

7) We're excited for the drink package. We think we'll mostly drink cocktails. I know with easy + it's a $9 max. So is there a place with more options then others? And any you gotta try recommendations?

 

😎 What's the typical dinner menu like? I saw they have like a standard section of nugs and burgers but also that the menu changes. I'm adventurous but sometimes skeptical of things I've never had. I know it's free so I should just try things but I also have occasional stomach issues with new things (don't want to try something that will end up putting me in the cabin for the rest of the night). 

      A) We're avoiding specialty dining since it's our first time ever and we want to budget for other things like excursions and souvenirs. IF we do change our minds we were thinking the Hola! Tapas place. I'm trying to find a more recent menu with usd pricing so we could potentially budget for it but all I've found is one that's in euros and it was like 2 or 3 years old. What can we expect for current menu dishes and prices?

 

9) I know we have prepaid gratuities and the msc web page says don't worry about tipping. But what about the room steward I feel like we should still tip them separately?

 

10) I am that person who nighttime snacks and I'm so excited for the buffet so..

     A) how late is the buffet open?

     B) can I take any food back to my room for my midnight snacking?

 

11) I saw our package has free delivery for room service, but I can find anything about their breakfast menu or cost (all i found was a dinner/lunch/pizza menu). I'm thinking maybe one morning ordering breakfast in the room.

 

12) Towels- how often are they refreshed in your the room? Daily or only at the end? Or can I call for more? We plan to spend a lot of time on the beach and by the pools and I know the msc website says don't worry about bringing towels from home.... or are there separate towels by the pool and on Ocean Cay?

 

13) I'm ordering some magnets that can hold 100lbs for holding our purses/robes, and some that hold 35lbs for decorating our door because we read cabin doors/walls are metal.       

       A) Is door decorating allowed? I haven't come across any reviews or videos showing any. 

 

14) What deck/side is the smoking section? I know you can smoke in the casino but most ships I've read have an outdoor area on one side of the ship usually on a specific deck. 

 

15) I live 45-55mins from the Port and our embarktion time is 10am. I know the port can get backed up with traffic at times (my mom's dropping us off) so how early should we plan on leaving to the port (I saw some recent videos on YouTube about the cluster f that happened in October because they had finished their dry dock and had to do their inspection with the coast guard and there were like 4-5 hour waits.

 

16) As I said before I'm an avid gambler. I seen a couple youtube videos they have a few older games that I enjoy (dragon link and mighty cash) but I'm wondering do they have any of the new recently released games (my latest obsession has been Ultimate Fire Link Power 4)

    A) I see they have a bar in the middle of the casino do you have to go up to the bar to get drinks or do they have waitresses walking around.

         Aa) I know drinks are free in the casino but what "level" of drinks do they serve just standard beer wine and liquor or could I get something fancy like a mudslide? 

 

Anything else I should know or be prepared for?

 

If you made it this far.. thanks!! you're helping me ease my mind on doing something new!! 

[Jskeleton69]

Aww crude I also forgot..

17) Theme parties/nights- I've read cruises have these but I can't find anything listed on the msc for me app or in my manage booking area. What themes should we expect so we know what clothes to pack?

[ready2cruzagain]

 

I am not going to even begin to answer all those questions but I can answer a few. Since you are in Fantastica class and not in the YC these are the answers for that. 

 

1. I would suggest not using your debit card but using a credit card. Cruise lines put a hold on your debit/credit card and depending on your bank, even though you don't use all of the money that is held, it can stay on your debit/credit card for weeks. I have read many of nightmares about people using debit cards on cruises. You can also take cash and apply it towards your bill. 

 

2. That is just a preference of your choice. I have never done the shipwreck at OC or any excursions but that is because we love the beach. We do snorkel at OC on our own though, the rocks by the lighthouse you will see fish.

 

3. OC has some free umbrellas at the Lighthouse beach but they go fast. If you plan on going to one of the other beach such as Sunset Beach or Bimini Beach, you will need to rent an umbrella as there is not a lot of shade.  

 

4. I have never had a problem finding a coffee drink with our Easy Plus package. Expresso, Cappucino, and caffe latte are included in your package. Not sure about the prices at the specialty place.

 

5. No zip line on the Meraviglia

 

6. No free lockers on OC as I seem to remember they have always been pay for. I have never needed a locker though. There is really no need for one IMO. No need to take money since you use your cruise card. I guess if you were to take expensive camera equipment or something you might have the need for a locker. 

 

Here is a map of OC to help you better with the beaches. https://www.mscoceancay.com/en-us/map-of-the-island

 

7. For new MDR menus click the following link and go to post #18 and you will see menus for the 7 day.  https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2892595-dining-menus-in-main-restaurant/  

 

Here is a current menu for hola tacos 

 

 

 

 

  

That is all I have time for right now. Hopefully someone else will answer the rest.

Edited November 17, 2022 by ready2cruzagain

[mawvkysc]

The drinks at the chocolate place will cost extra. The regular bars have the coffee drinks covered by the drink package. They have espresso machines. Not sure about the iced situation though. 

 

Congratulations on an awesome “free “ trip. (I know you worked for it. )

 

Ropes  course not zip line. 

Edited November 17, 2022 by mawvkysc

[perakcruiser]

8 hours ago, Jskeleton69 said:

either a Starbucks vanilla sweet cream cold brew or a hazelnut iced coffee for McDonald's is my go to. Can I find anything similar anywhere on the ship?

Yes and it is included in your drinks package. All speciality and iced coffees are only available in ONE coffee bar. As far as I remember it is the Infinity bar. You also can go to the chocolatier place and pay a hell of money for the same thing, but in my opinion this would be the most stupid way to spend money on board 🙂 

Edited November 17, 2022 by perakcruiser

[shipgeeks]

Cabin towels will be replaced as often as you need more.  It is typical to put used towels on the bathroom floor if you want them replaced, or put back on towel rack if you don't.  Pool and Ocean Cay towels are separate, probably a different color.

On the island, as well as the buffet, there are food trucks with burgers, brownies, etc.