Any advise for best/most important things to do once boarded.

[mcoler181]

From what I have read this is what I plan to do once we are on board our first MSC cruise.

 

1. Check what time our dinner reservation is and if we want to try and change it head to the main dining room and speak to them.

2. Go and make and speciality restaurant reservations. As we are doing a 2 week b2b will we need to wait until the following week to make them for the second week?

3. Register a credit card for room charges. (I'm sure I have read you go to a machine and register your card, or have I made that up?)

4. Have a little wander and get a drink. 

 

Anything else of any importance I should plan on doing as soon as we are on?

[Essiesmom]

When you board, you will be given a single page welcome paper.  On the back side are instructions about dining.  The sheet I am posting is from Seaside August 13.  Directions may be slightly different on Seascape.  
  I doubt you can make reservations for the second week during the first week unless you booked them as a single cruise, since I think they will be scanning your card(s) when making the res.  But ask when making the original res.  You will get a group of papers in your cabin the afternoon or evening of the last day of the first cruise.  If you don’t get it, corner your steward and ask for it.  
Also including pictures of the card activation kiosk.  You can do it any time during the first few days.  On my. 3 day cruise, they were still reminding people to register during debarkation.  
 

 

 

 

 

[mcoler181]

Thanks, that's really helpful.

[shipgeeks]

Muster drill should be taken care of within a few hours of boarding.  There will be instructions in your cabin.

[mcoler181]

Yeah I've heard it is different on MSC, does everyone do it together or can you do it at your leisure (obviously in a certain timeframe though)  

[Essiesmom]

You watch the video in your cabin.  Then dial the number that is supposed to be announced/displayed at the end.  I never saw it, but someone told me what it was.  Then you go to the muster station on your cabin door and on your card.  They scan your card and you’re done.  EM

[Preziosa]

Don t forget to Go to the buffet for lunch. That s Very importen.

[mcoler181]

3 minutes ago, Preziosa said:

Don t forget to Go to the buffet for lunch. That s Very importen.

Certainly wont 👍

[Cruiseforever11]

Unpack! get those suitcases out of the way, do all the things above and relax, chill and enjoy your cruise! 😊

Edited September 4, 2023 by Cruiseforever11

[RandomUser123]

Eat lunch and if you have the drink package make that first drink count. For me it’s an old fashion!!!

[Two Wheels Only]

There's no need to rush and register your card. MSC will make announcements days after embarkation to remind people to register.

 

I do it at night when there are no lines.

[JamieLogical]

Getting on the ship's wifi would be a priority for me, as you can access the daily activities, menus, and make show reservations through the app once connected.

[mcoler181]

40 minutes ago, JamieLogical said:

Getting on the ship's wifi would be a priority for me, as you can access the daily activities, menus, and make show reservations through the app once connected.

I'm sure the wife and kids will be on that as soon as we step on 😂

[psmarkle]

For my crew, this is usually the one day we go to the dining room for lunch so we avoid the lines at the buffet while everyone is waiting for the all clear that rooms are ready. Much more relaxed this way. (Disclaimer: on MSC, we've only sailed YC, so there are no crowds, but when we sail Royal, this is what we do).

[JAGR]

11 minutes ago, psmarkle said:

For my crew, this is usually the one day we go to the dining room for lunch so we avoid the lines at the buffet while everyone is waiting for the all clear that rooms are ready. Much more relaxed this way. (Disclaimer: on MSC, we've only sailed YC, so there are no crowds, but when we sail Royal, this is what we do).

A good time to get the traditional hamachi and avocado starter!  However, this is only an option in YC, at least on US-based cruises, where the dining rooms are not open for lunch on departure day.  Probably different in Europe with passengers on and off at each port.

Edited September 5, 2023 by JAGR

[mizLORInj]

We always walk each deck bow to stern (except cabin decks).  

[mcoler181]

2 hours ago, psmarkle said:

For my crew, this is usually the one day we go to the dining room for lunch so we avoid the lines at the buffet while everyone is waiting for the all clear that rooms are ready. Much more relaxed this way. (Disclaimer: on MSC, we've only sailed YC, so there are no crowds, but when we sail Royal, this is what we do).

Yeah we aren't YC so this wont be an option unfortunately.

 

Thinking about it, its a bit  crazy with the limited food options as it is that they only have the buffet open for what is it on Seascape 5-6k people. 

[mcoler181]

Just thinking, do they serve food in the sports bar on embarkation day?

 

What time is the buffet actually open on embarkation day?

[JamieLogical]

2 minutes ago, mcoler181 said:

Yeah we aren't YC so this wont be an option unfortunately.

 

Thinking about it, its a bit  crazy with the limited food options as it is that they only have the buffet open for what is it on Seascape 5-6k people. 

 

I don't know what ship you are sailing on, but on the Meraviglia at least, Hola! is open for lunch on embarkation day.

[mcoler181]

We are on Seascape

[sandinmyshoes]

How much does Hola! cost for lunch vs dinner?  

 

[Essiesmom]

1 hour ago, mcoler181 said:

Just thinking, do they serve food in the sports bar on embarkation day?

 

What time is the buffet actually open on embarkation day?

This is from Seaside, so ignore the Biscayne Bay buffet.  Seascape only has the Marketplace buffet, and it is on deck 16 aft.  EM

[mcoler181]

2 minutes ago, Essiesmom said:

This is from Seaside, so ignore the Biscayne Bay buffet.  Seascape only has the Marketplace buffet, and it is on deck 16 aft.  EM

Probably best to go as soon as it opens.

[JamieLogical]

43 minutes ago, sandinmyshoes said:

How much does Hola! cost for lunch vs dinner?  

 

 

It's the same pricing/meun for both lunch and dinner. Super cheap! I could eat my fill there for about $7.

 

[sandinmyshoes]

You seem to know your stuff around Meraviglia.  Do you remember if there is a pay pizza place with fresh, made to order pizzas away from the buffet?  Our other MSC cruise on Divina had this but I can't find anything about what it was called or if this ship has it.  (Your various posts have been very helpful!)

Edited September 5, 2023 by sandinmyshoes