Warm-Water Diver

Sound good will take your advice and hopefully they won't bill me

Well if I order 2 extra apps and I have 3 meals this coming cruise, that's a total of $90 extra! I don't think that's a small charge for something that used to be free

Have a cruise coming up this May. Long time NCL cruiser and I'm not happy about NCL changing the rules on the Latitude, FAS and Specialty Dining packages to only allow 1 appetizer, 1 soup/salad, 1 entree, 1 dessert. I'm already paying for food at the "free" restaurants within the cruise fare. In the past I was OK buying the Specialty Dining packages but I am truly an appetizer guy. I enjoyed ordering several appetizers with my meal but now it just seems like they are trying to cut down on costs and limiting the amount of food that is provided per meal. I usually don't order salads or dessert at all and I'm totally fine with the 1 entree rule but limiting me to 1 appetizer really irritates me. I'm wondering if anyone has had any luck ordering more than 1 appetizer with the FAS and SDP while the waiter/waitress agrees to waive the additional charges?

Booked on a 4 day Breakaway sailing this May. We normally like to attend the later seating (2nd seating) of broadway and comedy shows. It seems that show starting times range widely from 7pm all the way to 10:30 (for some adult comedy shows). That said what would be the best dining time to give us the greatest flexibility for 2nd seating without having to miss shows. I'm thinking 6:30pm is the sweet spot?

1st time MSC cruiser here as well. Booked inside guarantee and received inside on deck 14. Is there a way to ask for a complimentary upgrade to balcony prior to cruise?

I am just over 30 days out to my first MSC cruise and I have to say I'm completely disgusted with MSC's website. Many days I can't even get to "view your cruise" (from Manage my booking). Website just sits and spins and occasionally displays the "request failed with status code 500" Is it just me or does MSC need to hire some competent web developers?

Since it sounds like there won't be any decadent offerings like Filet Mignon or Lobster served in the MDR, I'm leaning towards purchasing the 2 meal package for Butcher's Cut and Kaito Teppenyaki. Is it true that using my package at Kaito for Teppenyaki requires an additional $10 per person? I don't understand why they show the price on MSC for the 2 package meal and state it is only for Butcher's Cut and Kaito Teppenyaki, yet after you purchase that package, they will charge you an additional $10pp when you try to redeem the meal onboard and eat there? That makes 0 sense to me?

Since it sounds like there won't be any decadent offerings like Filet Mignon or Lobster served in the MDR, I'm leaning towards purchasing the 2 meal package for Butcher's Cut and Kaito Teppenyaki. Is it true that using my package at Kaito for Teppenyaki requires an additional $10 per person?

Also I've seen some posts that there is a "formal" night where Surf and Turf (steak and lobster) is served in the MDR. Can anyone confirm if that is offered on a 4 day Bahama cruise on the Seashore? If so I'm considering booking the 2 meal package and opting for the MDR surf/turf for the last night..

Wow extra charge for MDR?? That is crazy! Any links to the "experience" menu please? Is that on the MSC site?

Booked our first MSC 4 day cruise coming up on the Seashore this November. We usually sail NCL and purchase the Specialty Dining package but NCL has recently restricted the package too 1x1x1 meaning only 1 appetizer, 1 entree and 1 dessert. Anything additional including appetizers is not covered and out of pocket. I enjoy several appetizers and usually forgo the dessert but that's not really allowed so we stopped booking them. Few questions: 1) Seems MSC is restricted in that they choose the restaurants that you can visit (2 meal package shows Steak restaurant and Japanese hibachi) vs. NCL which allows you to pick "any" specialty venue on the ship? 2) Does MSC restrict specialty restaurants to the same 1x1x1 app, entree, dessert? If so I'm wondering if that is still worth the price of $35-$42 per meal? 3) Have not tried the free MDR so considering doing just that but have no experience on taste/quality/quantity?

Thanks for all that info Jamielogical! Forgot to say that I had them match my NCL status to MSC Gold. Doesn't look like I'll get much perks for that but glad they at least did the match. We booked an inside "BELLA" experience so I believe that is the bottom tier. We did opt for the Easy Plus drink package and looking forward to using that. I didn't book any dining packages yet and the website doesn't appear to be giving me the option to buy one at this point; maybe we are still too far out from cruise date (November 16th)? I did see that you can't customize the pics of the restaurants with the packages which I thought was a bit odd and restrictive. Website also says dining time has not been chosen; not sure if I have a say on that or not as the website doesn't give me any details on that either? I watched some YOUTUBE videos regarding the shows and it appears that will be one of the big differences from NCL, but I won't let that ruin my cruise as long as the MDR/buffet food is comparable and I get my free cocktails!

Many many cruises under NCL but we just booked a 4 night aboard the MSC Seashore sailing in November '23 because NCL's has reduced service and cut entertainment while raising costs to the point that it's just not a viable cruise choice for us anymore. I've tried to read as much as possible about MSC but there's still a lot I just don't know. Wondering what the major differences are between NCL and MSC. Any must have tips or advice would be greatly appreciated.

That's why I'm so against the new 111 policy. They restricted the amount of apps etc. while at the same reducing portions to "mini size" under the "sail and sustain" label. 😆The app portions were just ridiculously small at all our specialty restaurant visits onboard our Jan 22 Encore sailing.

This exactly. The "PAY" specialty restaurants are supposed to be a higher level food/dining-experience, else why even bother to "PAY" extra for it?