Selion

🍿

We were at Civitavecchia last November, but I don't remember MSC offered a regularly scheduled shuttle/transfer service to Rome. MSC did sell a "Rome on Your Own" excursion, which was basically a bus transfer. We didn't do that, but we used a similar service at Livorno. If they use the same practice, it'd be one set time for departure to Rome and one set time for return to the ship. The cheapest way, as @Essiesmom mentioned, is to take the train. The most convenient way to see Rome with limited time, book a private tour. We used Rome Cabs https://www.romecabs.com/ and for a family of 4 it's not that much more than MSC's Rome excursions with tours.

Haven't been on the Flam Railway yet, but will be on it in 2.5 weeks. We are doing it on our own. The train station is right next to the cruise dock, and I booked the roundtrip train tickets on www.norwaysbest.com. Here's the link to Flam Railways: https://www.norwaysbest.com/the-flam-railway/round-trip-with-the-flam-railway/ Flam City Map: https://www.norwaysbest.com/globalassets/kart/2020_nb_welcome-to-flam_web.pdf Flam Railway Time table: https://www.norwaysbest.com/globalassets/pdf/rutetider/rutetider-2024/flamsbana_timetable_2024.pdf They also have a combo ticket for the train (roundtrip) and fjord cruise to/from Gudvangen. https://www.norwaysbest.com/packages/flam-railway--fjord-cruise-naroyfjord/

So how is this a MSC problem? If you don't want kids, cruise on Virgin or Viking.

I've found Viking to be more accommodating with cruise changes and applying promos in 2024. I recently changed my 2026 ocean cruise to river cruise, and asked them to apply FV424. Done in a jiffy with no fuss given. Compared to my experience of asking to apply a promo, or OBC, or a paid upgrade in 2022, this difference felt like night and day. Guess IPO and bad publicity don't mix well. Or could it be Viking has finally listened to our complaints?

Already posted. I'm blind.

I struggle to find value in Viking's short extensions. Viking wanted $400pp (or was it $600pp?) for a 2-day extension in Athens. We passed on that. Booked our own hotel and transfers, and had a wonderful time in Athens at about half the cost of Viking's extension.

Marketing: Let's go with a larger format for a few extra bucks. We do want them to fork over $200k+ on world cruises with us!

I was hoping for larger buffet areas. No, this is not a dig on the stereotype Americans eating more. US-based cruises have 1 turn-around day, where the entire ship's passengers disembark and a new batch embark. Save for the couple hundred passengers in YC, the rest of the passengers on embarkation day are limited to having their lunch in the buffets, the lido grills, and the pizza & hot dog place on deck 7. Those areas combined cannot handle the lunch rush on a busy turn-around day.

How large is it?

Promo JA4 LIMITED-TIME OFFER FREE International Airfare | Special Fares Ask for offer JA4 • Expires April 14, 2024 Discover the allure of Europe’s rivers Medieval cathedrals, renowned museums and dramatic châteaux surrounded by stunning vineyards—history and culture intertwine on a voyage along Europe’s iconic rivers. From the elegant architecture that lines Vienna’s graceful Ringstrasse to the extraordinary vestiges of the Roman Empire in Southern France, enchanting landmarks await your exploration. Book your June 2024 voyage before April 14 to enjoy FREE international airfare and special fares on an unforgettable voyage into the heart of Europe. CALL 866-730-2765 LEARN MORE FEATURED RIVER VOYAGES Romantic Danube Budapest to Regensburg FREE International Airfare Plus, Special Fares On Select Jun 2024 Departures ASK FOR OFFER: JA4 8 DAYS 5 TOURS $2,299* FROM LEARN MORE PRICE & BUILD Rhine Getaway Basel to Amsterdam FREE International Airfare Plus, Special Fares On Select Jun 2024 Departures ASK FOR OFFER: JA4 8 DAYS 6 TOURS $2,499* FROM LEARN MORE PRICE & BUILD Danube Waltz Budapest to Passau FREE International Airfare Plus, Special Fares On Select Jun 2024 Departures ASK FOR OFFER: JA4 8 DAYS 6 TOURS $2,499* FROM LEARN MORE PRICE & BUILD Lyon & Provence Avignon to Lyon FREE International Airfare Plus, Special Fares On Select Jun 2024 Departures ASK FOR OFFER: JA4 8 DAYS 7 TOURS $2,599* FROM LEARN MORE PRICE & BUILD Châteaux, Rivers & Wine Bordeaux to Bordeaux FREE International Airfare Plus, Special Fares On Select Jun 2024 Departures ASK FOR OFFER: JA4 8 DAYS 7 TOURS $2,599* FROM LEARN MORE PRICE & BUILD

Welcome to CC. There's an entire thread dedicated to Viking promotions.

I've found MSC's meal prep in Europe is generally much better than on cruises from US ports. Last August, Seaside out of Port Canaveral. We had some of the most disappointing food from MSC's MDR. Few months later on World Europa in the Med, MDR food were at least on par of what we had before, if not better. We even ordered a few of the same dishes we had on the Seaside, and WE's MDR knocked them out of the park. Not sure why the discrepancies. Perhaps it was only due to the different kitchen crew; or perhaps the US-based ship kitchen crew just decided to "Forget it! Americans are only into steaks, burgers & fries."

🍿 I'm interested to hear more. Have Windstar booked for March 2025 and Viking for December 2025.

Cool. Thanks! I'll wait until Monday before I start panic calling.