NJsharon

Sorry that happened. I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself though. I have battled the board of ed to get what she needed for her special needs. If I can do that, I can do anything! Watch me roar! I am going in positive & looking forward to it. Again, a cruise is what you make of it!

Never been on MSC cruise, just booking one for June. People have always said, a cruise is what you make of it. I would ask for a new dish if you don't like the pasta dish (which looks dry & nasty to me) & I am sure they would have obliged. I went to Hell's Kitchen at Foxwoods Casino this past week & had horrible scallop dish served to me (well not horrible, but scallops were cut uneven, so sear was completely uneven - almost crispy to barely done on the same scallop). I simple alerted the server & got a replacement that was delicious. As for cleanliness. We arrived into our cabin with our twin girls, then around 2yrs old & into everything & found an old eaten chicken wing on the floor. Called front desk & they sent someont to clean the cabin again. Had a great cruise. Did not stop us from sailing on NCL again.

Question on the different experiences too. If we are booked with say an oceanview bella. Can we later try to upgrade to an oceanview aurea? I was told, for the sailing I am looking at, the Aurea is sold out. Is that possible?

Good to know about parking. We're in Hunterdon county NJ, so not a super long drive. I may drive & park in the terminal or may get my husband to drop us off. How was the parking cost at the terminal? I am reading your review & making notes, it is great! I am typing questions & notes as I am going through your review, so this is going to seem long! Really appreciate the review though. Being first time with MSC, same itinerary, it helps a lot. I will pay it forward & write a review when I return too! So, I guess a silly question, but all the walls are metal then & the magnets stuck to them no problem? Never thought about the magnetic hooks = genius! Did your ship stop at Miami, and that is where you took the excursion? Ours will stop at Port Canaveral, Nassau & private island. Okay, nevermind, just read it was a substitute port... so once it was announced, you were able to book your excursion pretty easily? Kind of hope we stop at Miami instead of Port Canaveral as there is more to do! I have to laugh about the McDonalds. I remember one year we went to Nassau & my daughter just wanted McDonalds. lol Kids. lol My daughter did do honors Spanish & is great, so kind of hope we stop there so she can test it out! The loudness my 19yr old daughter (18yrs old now) will hate. It is so funny but she loves fireworks, but won't watch them live as she hates the sound. I guess ear plus for her! So really appreciate the heads up there! The spa, is that only available with the package you chose or if we did the Bella could we pay to go in? Main promenade light displays look beautiful! So cool about the cell phone lights with the Virgin ship! lol I really want to take a Virgin cruise one day, just expensive... one day! The comment about the 17yr old son. My daughter is 18yrs old & must be the age. She tells me I am allowed 1 photo a day when we are going somewhere. So nice of her to grace me with that. Sheesh. Shhhh sometimes I get away with saying the previous photo I took didn't take. lol Is there anything to stop other passengers from hanging in that lounge space on the Aurea deck? Or just for passengers with that level. I know my daughter likes to read, journal or sketch, so finding quiet places will be great. I have never hid or found a cruising duck. I know it was a thing a while ago when I was cruising. Nice to know it is still going! I may have to do that! My daughter & I like to look for geocaches, that is fun too. May try on land & see if that is overseas too. Nassau, is it still crazy when you get off the ship with people bugging you for hair brading, taxi rides etc? I haven't been to the straw market for years & avoided it. It was so crowded, did not like the people bugging you to buy at their stall, and worry about pickpockets. Is it any better then? Snow picture is funny. We are in Flemington, so yep! My daughters (have twin girls, but just taking one on the cruise, other one does not want to go!!!) have been going on cruises since they were tiny too! I am so happy they've had those experiences & at least Emily (who will come with me) knows how lucky she is to have experienced all that! The sleeping photo is funny, I have a few of my girls like that. It is kind of nice to see that & that they are just a kid. lol My daughter & I absolutely love arts & crafts. Sad to see the paper mosaic though, as that looks so very basic for us. I do scrapbooking, cardmaking, diamond dots. Daughter does painting, sketching, paper crafting. Did they have any other craft sessions you remember? Their mascot is a little lame, I have to say. lol Hash browns is a huge favorite of my daughter (dunkin has browns are her favorite) so she will enjoy those. lol Did they have a crepe station by chance? My daughter also loves watermelon, so she is going to be happy! Did they have bingo, quiz nights, anything else like that? Thank you so much!!!!!

Thanks for that info. Yes I like to play slots, but I hate the smoking. Surprised they still allow it in there. 😞 I may have to jut tough it out. lol

Thanks so much for the great information, that cleared a lot up! The bracelets sound great to have. I know they have them on many cruiselines, and seems like it would make it much easier. You can use the bracelet to play & pay at slots too? Yes I am a slot player. lol Both myself & my daughter like to dress up a bit for formal night, but I know she would hate to be out of place, so have to think about that. Shame it is disappearing. Thank you!

That sounds fun, but looking online it is at least $46 for uber one way (without tip), then $33 admission each. Still a maybe though, as it looks like a great zoo! Thanks.

I will be doing a comp cruise though, so that perk doesn't help me too much. 😞

Serious question, is there a weight limit do you know (I am 220lbs), and did anyone fall off?! Like, I can ride a bike, but never been on a segway & looks intimidating. My balance isn't the best & so scared of falling off. But it looks like fun! I did manage to do kayaking with my daughter once, was very scared, but once I was out on the water I was fine.

I was going to ask this same question. We will be leaving from NY & first stop is Port Canaveral/Orlando. Is there anything to do, slightly less active within a short drive? Disney is too rushed, not interested in KSC, will do beaches on other ports so really don't want that, definitely no helicopter tours (afraid of heights!). Anything nature themed, possibly kayaking, some tour bus etc? I will be traveling with my 19yr old daughter.

I haven't seen any posts on this for a while. Is it still operating? It looks like it from the website, but nothing on here. Are most people trying to sell to get out of it, if so why are you selling? What is the rough cost for a studio or 2 bedroom for a year? The studio looks like a typical balcony, which is fine for 2 weeks, but any longer I think it would feel too small. 2 bedroom has a big sitting area too & a mini kitchen? That looks better. People on the threads here are talking about having to get off the ship for a long time, is that still the case? We are not ready to retire yet, just poking around. But we have toyed with the idea of residing on a cruise ship, being able to travel around the world, and live like a cruise ship with cleaning, meals etc. Do they still do entertainment like shows or people playing music around the ship? Do they do any other activities like bingo, game shows, craft activities, quiz nights? Or simply living with food, drinks, pool, and stopping at ports? Our other thought is to do a 55+ plus community where they have a clubhouse, pool & activities. But weighing the alternatives. Thanks!

Okay, looked at the links, which were very helpful, just left me with a few more questions! Have you ever received a free cruise through another casino on MSC? Thinking a lot of these experiences might be different then for me, as that is what I will be doing. Not sure the Yacht is an option. For the dining package, do you know the rough cost for the 1 or 2 specialty meals? I can't book it yet as I will be completing our booking this week, so no reservation number. I will probably do the non-alcoholic beverage package as I rarely drink. What is the cut off for the kids drink package, do you know? My daughter will be 19 then, so thinking it is 12 & under or 16 or under? Oh & I am Gold on NCL (7 more points for Platinum!), but that is 68 reward points, so don't think it translates well (if the points count the same), as I would be the base level with MSC. Thank you so much!

Thanks, that helps a lot! Appreciate it!

Thank you for the time to answer my questions & the links. I appreciate it! Going to check out the links now. Yacht Club sounds interesting though. Thanks!

Well I am cruise lover, but normally NCL (can see the others in my signature). I am going to be booking my first MSC cruise this week & have so many questions. I did search this forum, but couldn't find all the answers. Sorry. A lot of questions, sorry. Just answer 1 or 2 if you can. Thanks. Meraviglia out of NY for 7 nights, do they have dining package for maybe 3 nights, or generally how are the restaurants (maybe the hibachi place) priced? Is it easy to get reservations? Do they do a soda package with unlimited sodas/soft drinks, do you know the rough cost of that? Theater shows, do they do any Broadway style shows or moreso things like acrobats, comedians etc What is the Yacht Club that everyone keeps talking about?! Is that a cabin class or a package you can buy? It looked like 3 levels of the formal type dining room? Do you get assigned to one or can choose any? Do they all serve the same food? Do they do formal nights, or is that a thing of the past? It has been several years since I cruised thanks to Covid! Casino, is it non-smoking throughout? Do you use your room key to play at the slots or need cash? Can you use your room key to charge things around the ship? Probably will do lowest level of oceanview. Is there a better deck/location, any areas to avoid as they are noisy (we don't stay up late)? Is there a library on board? Silly question but do they have board games to borrow? Do they do bingo on the ship, any good prizes? Any game shows with prizes? Buffet, does it have the same food every day or they do specials? Is there quieter times, or always generally busy? Do they do any craft activities on board, any examples & is that a pay thing or free? I went to the MSC website & then looked at the Meraviglia ship, watching the video. I have to say the site is not very user friendly for me to find out information about the ship. Still can't wait to cruise, just would like to know a bit more about MSC or the ship. Thank you!