cublet

Hello, Not quite every - The Champagne Bar has no coffee machine but I did spot a jar of Nescafe instant coffee. Regards, Cublet

Hello, Closest will be the coffee station(s) in the buffet on deck 15 (24hr). First 'freshly brewed' will be the Infinity Bar on deck 5 that opens at 6.00. Regards, Cublet

Hello, They could always keep it in Southampton for longer. Regards, Cublet

Hello, You have to pay for WiFi but you can be assured you will receive umpteen fliers trying to persuade to buy a mini package. But you will probably be within range of a land transmitter for most of the daylight hours. If you do want to purchase on board then head for 'The Hub' on deck 6 at the Photo Gallery on the port side. Re alternative food venue: The Champagne Bar, deck starboard side, from 5.30pm has offers including oysters and other seafood delicacies (on longer cruises anyway) along with Champagne pairings (Lanson Black Label included in P+ package). A word of warning: The drinks' T&Cs currently say you only have to pay the excess cost on any drink you buy over over the level included in your package. However on Euribia earlier this month they were charging the whole whack. Whether the website T&Cs are out of date(*) or the ship was 'going native' I don't know but check before you order. Regards, Cublet (*): The current Bar Manager on Virtuosa is ex Royal Caribbean who are past masters in not keeping their website up to date.

Hello, Having said that, you should go to the Jean Philipe cafe if only to marvel at the (probably new) 'vintage' coffee machine. It must take an awful lot of polishing. Regards, Cublet

Hello, From the T&Cs: Availability of Drink packages and prices may vary per sailing. Packages are sold on a per cruise basis and not a per day or any other basis. Pricing applies to each day of the cruise, except for disembarkation day. Regards, Cublet

Hello, You can use the drinks package as soon as you are on board. You CANNOT use it on departure day. The Buffet will be open when you arrive - it is usually open most of the day (0630 onwards under a number of headings). The Buffet's 'coffee stations' are open 24 hours, whether they put out light nibbles at night I've never been to find out. Snacks and pastries are available around the ship from the various bars and lounges throughout the day eg Carousel Lounge, Atmosphere Bar, Sky Lounge and Infinity Bar. A daily paper will tell you what's open and when. You have to walk through the Casino to get to the Carousel lounge. You cannot use your drinks package for stuff in your mini bar or Jean-Philipe venues or the 'Starship' Bar - though this may be changed through lack of interest. See the maître d'hôtel in either Minuetto or Blue Danube on arrival to re-arrange dining sittings. 'Self Assist' is towards the beginning of the departure process, after which it's done by grade of cabin, loyalty status and deck number. There are only two levels of dress - Casual and 'Chic'. Two nights aren't enough to get the most out of this - there are benefits to booking a cruise on board if you decide you like it. When looking forwards at Guest Services on deck 5, the Next Cruise office is on the left. Regards, Cublet

Hello, No packages are included in 'Signature Venues', in this case Jeane-Philipe Crepes, Gelato, Chocolat and Cafe. Regards, Cublet

Hello, The biggest I have ever sat at was 12 on Independence. Regards, Cublet

Hello, Whilst insurance is required, I have not experienced being asked to show it at check-in since Covid. Regards, Cublet

Hello, For Crown Vic and any other Brits of a certain age, Berni Inns comes to mind as a reasonable comparison. Regards, Cublet

Hello, You need the tag holders for the Carnival owned brands. Regards, Cublet

Hello, Fresh (within 4 hours) from Euribia and they did have a made to order omelette and poached egg station every day at breakfast in the buffet. It was at the stern across the beam of the ship - and I think few people made it that far apart from staff/crew (and me). Not 'Eggs Benedict' though. Regards, Cublet

Hello, This is the best general review of MSC (after my own of course and that of JamieLogical). My own views are posted elsewhere if anyone is prepared to look. I don't know how many MSC cruises I've done but I have a further six booked including one departing today.so this note is only brief. MSC is, to my mind, on a par with Royal, Celebrity and Cunard. If I had to change just one thing about MSC it would be to replace the cafeteria type serving lines in the buffet with 'island' type sections as on Royal. And that's it. Regards, Cublet

Hello, All my Anthem ex UK sailings last year had the Suite/Concierge buffet/drinks time as 17:00 - 20:00. Regards, Cublet