JamieLogical's Live from the MSC Meraviglia 4/9 (semi-B2B)

ESCARGO · April 3, 2023

7 hours ago, JamieLogical said:

This weekend we got the whole house cleaned and took care of some other chores and errands, so we are a bit closer to being ready for the cruise. I still haven't started any packing. I probably won't do laundry until Wednesday or Thursday and then I will start my packing after that. We have social commitments for the next three nights.

Only 7 days to go!

Love the new color hair! I didn't realize your cruise leaves on Easter Sunday. 🐰 What a great way for sailaway! I'm doing laundry tomorrow and then doing errands for the next few days. I can't believe it is getting so close.

Ted

Ottawa_Cruiser · April 3, 2023

Love the hair!!

Buckeyefrank100 · April 3, 2023

On 3/30/2023 at 10:26 AM, JamieLogical said:

Okay, I promised a post about my pre-cruise experience(s) with MSC, so here goes!

First, a little history. Way back in early 2019, my husband and I decided we would try to book an MSC cruise. The first thing I did was try to get a status match for Voyager's Club. At that time I believe I was Silver with NCL. I was EXTREMELY frustrated and disappointed that my status matched to Classic (lowest level) and I had exactly ONE whole point with MSC. Not sure what the tiers were back then, but right now it takes 2200 points to go from Classic to the next level, Silver, so you can see how I would be disappointed that my (at that time) 5 sailings-worth of points on NCL had matched to one point on MSC.

I tried to argue with them. I tried to withdraw my status match application, since you allegedly only get one lifetime match and it seemed like a shame to waste it on one whole point. But they said there was nothing they could do, so that was the start of my battles with MSC customer service.

Next up, the actual booking itself. I had nothing but problems. We were trying to book the Seascape for September (this was now March 2019). When I booked, I was supposed to have two discounts applied: 5% for my Classic status and 10% for a promo code I had received by participating in the Bellissima pre-launch activities online. I initially did the booking myself and all went fine. I got a booking confirmation that showed both discounts applied and the correct total. However, later that same night, out of the blue, I got another booking confirmation and that one did not have my 10% promo discount, so the total price was much higher.

I spent over a month going back and forth with customer service on the phone multiple times and responding to several email chains and eventually just got fed up and canceled the booking. We were pretty determined never to sail MSC after that whole experience.

Fast forward to this past October. I met @ESCARGO on my NCL Breakaway sailing and learned that the Meraviglia was going to soon be homeporting in NYC. He had had great experiences on the Meraviglia before and told me all about them. We had a fantastic time together with the other solo cruisers we met on that cruise. So, when he told me he had booked the first sailing on the Meraviglia out of NYC in April, I looked into pricing and the prospect of joining him.

I decided to try to re-submit my status match application. By this time I was Platinum with NCL and I figured the worst that could happen was that they would reject it. But, it got approved and I was matched to Gold with 4300 points. A significant improvement over my one point from before. MSC was definitely looking better in my book.

Next up, I booked the 4/22 solo sailing out of NYC and it was only $1007 total with drinks and wifi in a Fantastica Balcony. Hard to beat that pricing! My husband and I started looking at the 4/9 repositioning sailing and pulled the trigger on the Balcony Suite with the hot tub on the balcony. The first cruise I ever took with my husband, we had docked next to an MSC ship (might even have been the Meraviglia?) and my husband saw the hot tubs on some of the balconies and got pretty obsessed with booking a room like that someday. During the COVID shut-down, we learned to not take anything for granted and decided to do some of our "bucket list" stuff sooner than later, like our Alaska cruise in September, our Panama Canal cruise in December, and now this cruise with a hot tub on our balcony.

So far, I have to saw the whole process of status match and booking has been much better than it was back in 2019. Fortunately, we haven't had to deal with customer service much at all. I did call them earlier this week to cancel our Sept. 24 sailing and that went smoothly. We decided we wanted to switch to a different room on that sailing and since pricing was similar to what we already had, we thought it would just be way easier to cancel and rebook rather than try to go through customer service to switch rooms. Way too much potential for something to get messed up.

Let's talk a little about the website. Booking through the website wasn't too bad at all. It's a little slow and clunky, but so are most cruise line websites. After booking, managing your cruise is definitely NOT a great experience. It's hard to switch between multiple cruises, because of how slow everything is and right away I was having to do that, since I booked two cruises at pretty much the same time.

The web check-in was buggy and I had a very hard time getting my security photo uploaded, because photos from my phone were too large. The file size limit is prohibitively tiny. I also had a horrible time getting it to accept my credit card for my onboard payment method. It worked for one of my two sailings, but not the other? It was so weird.

There is no way to pre-pay your daily service charge online, which is annoying. I really like to have everything pre-paid so I don't have to worry about it onboard. And I am terrified to call customer service about anything, for fear of them touching my booking and messing something up. So I guess I will just pay that with my onboard balance at the end of the cruise(s).

I find it DEEPLY annoying that there are no times listed for excursions. Duration is listed, but not the actual times. I don't feel comfortable booking any of the excursions online because I don't know if they are going to leave at something crazy like 7:00am, run through lunch, run into dinner time, etc. We are planning to meet up with a friend for lunch in Aruba and I am afraid to sign up for any excursions there online, because I don't know if they will interfere with lunch time.

The Beverages link at the top was a bit confusing at first, as it was showing the full price of packages even though we have the Easy Plus package included. It did eventually give us an option for just an upgrade to the Premium.

Up until a couple of weeks ago, the Specialty Restaurants link at the top for both of my sailings just so "No Items Found". Finally, the specialty dining packages and Carousel shows showed up. I feel like that may have had something to do specifically with the Meraviglia.

Also, like NCL, but unlike Celebrity, it does not seem that you can pre-purchase anything with your onboard credit. We have $200 of OBC for our first sailing and I have $100 of OBC for my solo sailing. I guess that will all just get applied to our DSC.

I downloaded the app and that leaves a LOT to be desired. You can't log in with your website username/password. You have to log in with your booking number instead, which means having to look that up. Despite what it says, you don't seem to be able to manage your check-in through the app at all. Even once Specialty Dining was showing up (like the website it did not show up until recently), there doesn't seem to be a way to actually make reservations.

I am hoping that, like some of the other cruise lines, the app becomes much more useful once actually onboard.

Be careful you know what you're getting with the dining packages. There are generally limited options for selection on the packages unless you want to pay even more for higher level food.

Also be prepared for walkways closed causing traffic issues, long lines at the buffet / bars and out of stock items. Hopefully you don't have the issues we did.

On a positive note, the app on the ship wasn't bad at all actually.

JamieLogical · April 3, 2023

35 minutes ago, Buckeyefrank100 said:

Be careful you know what you're getting with the dining packages. There are generally limited options for selection on the packages unless you want to pay even more for higher level food.

Also be prepared for walkways closed causing traffic issues, long lines at the buffet / bars and out of stock items. Hopefully you don't have the issues we did.

On a positive note, the app on the ship wasn't bad at all actually.

I understand how the dining packages work. I have seen the separate menus for them with the limited items. As I understand it, if we do want any of the a la carte menus, we only pay 50% of the price for those with the package.

noshoobie · April 4, 2023

I'm looking forward to reading about your onboard experience! We will be 1st timers to MSC's Meraviglia in May.

Edited April 4, 2023 by noshoobie

JamieLogical · April 4, 2023

Not a lot of updates yet. Pre-cruise prep is scheduled to go into overdrive tomorrow, when we are done with all of our social obligations for the week. I did get tip/casino cash out from the bank yesterday and finished typing up the instructions for our pet-sitter. I am planning to print out all of our cruise documents, hotel confirmation, etc. this afternoon. Tomorrow the packing begins!

Jaime0528 · April 4, 2023

On 3/28/2023 at 3:25 PM, JamieLogical said:

We are flying Frontier down to Orlando on 4/8. It is our first (and probably last) time flying Frontier. We initially booked it because it was a direct flight. Direct flights are rare from our home airport of Rochester, NY. Almost every destination requires a layover for us unless it is a major hub we are flying into. Frontier was one of two airlines in Rochester that flies some direct flights to airports in Florida, because we have a lot of snowbirds here. It also appeared to be pretty cheap, but we learned quickly that looks can be deceiving. By the time we paid extra to select our seats and bring bags (carry-ons aren't even included), we paid as much or more as we would have for a Delta flight. But it did still have the advantage of being direct. The reason I say this will likely be our last Frontier flight is that the airline announced it is leaving the Rochester market in May.

As far as Frontier, we have flown a few times from Providence, which is probably similar to Rochester as it’s a regional airport that’s close to us and has reasonable flights. But like you, frontier is leaving in April!! I bought the discount den which saved us a lot of money but our cruise is in July, so we have to go out of Boston, no big deal but it was only $168 pp round trip compared to $300 from any airline out of PVD. This will probably be our last time on frontier as well.

I can warn you that it is no frills, you barely get a tray table!! The first time we flew I got on and was like, where’s the rest of the seat?! I compare them to folding chairs! One trick I have been lucky with in the past is not paying for seating assignments. If I did buy seats this time it would have been another $60 pp round trip. I find that if I check in as soon as I can, like 24 hours immediately, I get 4 seats together. The last flights we did in August we had the middle and aisle seats going across a row, so no window seats. So hopefully it will work again for us this July. Looking forward to hearing all about your journey and especially Ocean Cay Marine Reserve!!!

KKB · April 4, 2023

@JamieLogical I will be very curious of your opinion of MSC.

I'm still undecided...I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it.

Some issues seem to have been situational. Trying a different MSC ship in Europe May so I will withhold full judgement until after that trip!

GA Dave · April 4, 2023

3 hours ago, JamieLogical said:

Not a lot of updates yet. Pre-cruise prep is scheduled to go into overdrive tomorrow, when we are done with all of our social obligations for the week. I did get tip/casino cash out from the bank yesterday and finished typing up the instructions for our pet-sitter. I am planning to print out all of our cruise documents, hotel confirmation, etc. this afternoon. Tomorrow the packing begins!

Hi Jamie! I am getting into overdrive for the reposition cruise as well! Most of my pre-packing tasks are already complete and I am having a hard time focusing on work this week! 😄. My plans include picking up my rental car Friday afternoon right after dropping off my dog at his vacation spot, then going wheels up early Saturday morning so I can actually be in Cape Canaveral by noon and spend the afternoon doing the town. Dinner will be at Grills at Port Canaveral.

Hope to see you around the ship! Just look for the bearded guy with the rabbit ears on for our Easter sailaway!!

CruizinSusan70 · April 5, 2023

3 hours ago, KKB said:

@JamieLogical I will be very curious of your opinion of MSC.

I'm still undecided...I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it.

Some issues seem to have been situational. Trying a different MSC ship in Europe May so I will withhold full judgement until after that trip!

MSC in Europe is totally different that MSC in the states. In Europe be prepared for announcements to be in multiple languages with English possibly last. The food also has a European twist to it, skewed towards pasta and fish.

KKB · April 5, 2023

1 hour ago, CruizinSusan70 said:

MSC in Europe is totally different that MSC in the states. In Europe be prepared for announcements to be in multiple languages with English possibly last. The food also has a European twist to it, skewed towards pasta and fish.

I’m ALL about seafood when cruising!

And MSC pizza has ruined all other pizza for me…

CruizinSusan70 · April 5, 2023

2 hours ago, KKB said:

I’m ALL about seafood when cruising!

And MSC pizza has ruined all other pizza for me…

Still like Alfredo's on Princess.

KKB · April 5, 2023

6 hours ago, CruizinSusan70 said:

Still like Alfredo's on Princess.

It was OK on Discovery...I liked the topping choices.

I find the poolside pizza on other ships hit & miss...either really good or not so much. Comes out undercooked way too often.

JamieLogical · April 5, 2023

14 hours ago, GA Dave said:

Hi Jamie! I am getting into overdrive for the reposition cruise as well! Most of my pre-packing tasks are already complete and I am having a hard time focusing on work this week! 😄. My plans include picking up my rental car Friday afternoon right after dropping off my dog at his vacation spot, then going wheels up early Saturday morning so I can actually be in Cape Canaveral by noon and spend the afternoon doing the town. Dinner will be at Grills at Port Canaveral.

Hope to see you around the ship! Just look for the bearded guy with the rabbit ears on for our Easter sailaway!!

I hear you on having a hard time focusing on work! Saturday, we are staying the night in Orlando near the airport, so hopefully we can find something decent to eat near there.

CruizinSusan70 · April 5, 2023

4 hours ago, KKB said:

It was OK on Discovery...I liked the topping choices.

I find the poolside pizza on other ships hit & miss...either really good or not so much. Comes out undercooked way too often.

Totally agree. We were on the Discovery for 14 days last April and loved Alfredo's and did not like the Lido slice place at all.

JamieLogical · April 6, 2023

Finally started some packing last night! I got everything packed that isn't clothes and isn't an item I will need access to between now and Saturday (like my comb). Tonight I plan to do all of my laundry and paint my toenails (that is an onerous and time consuming task). I will also likely bundle my husband's clothing for him, because he has not yet mastered the bundle on his own. He got all of his clothes set out for me last night, so that shouldn't be too bad.

If anyone doesn't know about the magic of bundle packing, here's a link:

Edited April 6, 2023 by JamieLogical

cruiseguyinorl · April 6, 2023

On 3/30/2023 at 10:26 AM, JamieLogical said:

There is no way to pre-pay your daily service charge online, which is annoying. I really like to have everything pre-paid so I don't have to worry about it onboard. And I am terrified to call customer service about anything, for fear of them touching my booking and messing something up. So I guess I will just pay that with my onboard balance at the end of the cruise(s).

I was able to do this for this sailing with no problem. Directly from one of their pre-cruise emails. It is buried in the section where you can buy Onboard Credit and it is labeled as Hotel Service Charge. Probably too late to add it at this point though.

Bret

Fissues · April 6, 2023

Hmmmm. Bundle Packing.
Who knew?? Thanks!!!

JamieLogical · April 7, 2023

3 hours ago, cruiseguyinorl said:

I was able to do this for this sailing with no problem. Directly from one of their pre-cruise emails. It is buried in the section where you can buy Onboard Credit and it is labeled as Hotel Service Charge. Probably too late to add it at this point though.

Bret

I don't see where to buy OBC either. Just see excursions, beverages, spa, specialty dining, and "internet, photo, and laundry", which doesn't list anything about OBC or the service charge.

JamieLogical · April 7, 2023

3 hours ago, Fissues said:

Hmmmm. Bundle Packing.
Who knew?? Thanks!!!

It has changed my life!

Edited April 7, 2023 by JamieLogical

JamieLogical · April 7, 2023

Last night was non-stop cruise prep. I did all of my laundry. I bundled my husband's clothes. Man, he brought a lot this time! The bundle almost didn't fit inside the suitcase! It was a close thing. Not sure how he is going to have room to bring back any bottles of rum he decides to purchase... Might have to sacrifice some Tommy Bahama shirts!

I spent 1.5 torturous hours dealing with my toenails. They don't look amazing, but I don't think they will make anyone vomit if I wear open-toed shoes, so that's a win.

Today, I found out I have a pre-screening call for a potential new job on Monday, so I will be doing that from the ship docked in Nassau. That should be interesting!

Tonight I get to pack my bundle and work on cleaning the house so it doesn't get to be too much of a disaster while I am gone. Tomorrow we fly to Orlando!

Ottawa_Cruiser · April 7, 2023

That bundle packing is incredible! Wow. I’m definitely going to try that. Safe travel tomorrow!

JamieLogical · April 7, 2023

2 hours ago, Ottawa_Cruiser said:

That bundle packing is incredible! Wow. I’m definitely going to try that. Safe travel tomorrow!

The major downside is that you can't live out of your suitcase and just pull out what you want when you want it. It means that if I am staying overnight somewhere the night before a cruise, I have to put my clothes for that next day in my backpack and leave them out of my bundle. It also means I have to complete unpack as soon as my luggage shows up to my room. Can't procrastinate and just pull out what I need for dinner or the pool or whatever.

catgirl411 · April 7, 2023

7 minutes ago, JamieLogical said:

The major downside is that you can't live out of your suitcase and just pull out what you want when you want it. It means that if I am staying overnight somewhere the night before a cruise, I have to put my clothes for that next day in my backpack and leave them out of my bundle. It also means I have to complete unpack as soon as my luggage shows up to my room. Can't procrastinate and just pull out what I need for dinner or the pool or whatever.

I saw a video where the guy suggested you do a second smaller bundle on top of the other one for the overnight stuff.

JamieLogical · April 8, 2023

Well, I managed to JUST squeeze my bundle into my carry-on sized roller bag with the extension extended. Not sure it will actually meet the carry-on dimension requirements with the extension, but I am checking the bag on our Frontier flight down to Orlando anyway, because a checked bag only cost $55, but a carry-on would have cost $65. I did weigh it to make sure it was under Frontier's 40 pound limit. I'll worry about my Delta flight on the way home later. Worst case, I just pay to check it.

Here is everything that went into the bundle:

6 pairs of wide-legged pants: