Nunagoras

If a set number of individuals interested on same shore excursion is available, they will to create a single language bus. If not they'll to join individuals in groups of 2 languages with 2 guides. Italian, German, French and English are usually among them. Narration will to be hit or miss.

Not a drinker myself, but remember to see JW Blue on the old "Connoisseurs" super premium liquors page on the general bar menu of my last MSC cruises before the pandemic. Outside of any packages even then.

Oh, no worries!... 🙂 Yeah, the question seems basic, to an extent... Hence my conclusion you were here for first time!... Cheers for your more than 10 years presence here!... Here in Europe it is the same thing. Some big TA's will sell cruise cabins with little to incomplete or incorrect info. Most of the times they give outdated info (for example reference to drinks packages that have been replaced). Sometimes incorrect info. A few times no info at all. There is a website here that use to put YC inside cabins joined with all the other insides instead of joined to the suite ones. That makes those not familiar with the product to think they'd to be such an Aurea room or something else. Obviously the short-name "YIN" doesn't mislead anyone else familiar with it, it's an YC inside, at proper price!... Have a nice Sunday!...

Welcome to the MSC boards! As the others said, yes, they have the highest drinks package level available at the moment for YC guests which will give you drinks up to $15. On drinks higher than that you'll need to pay full price for said drinks, not just the difference plus service charge like on other lines. Most of the drinks will be covered though, once above that is only for super premium wines, champagne and spirits.

Pretty much everyone has said it all before me, thanks, let me to give my 2 cents: If you're used to such an RCI Oasis class vessel, which is my possible comparison cruise wise: Bear in mind that I compare only European sailings in both lines. Breakfast and Lunch buffets - Same quality in both lines. Oasis has a little edge because space available give us more options. Dinner buffet - Same quality, but Oasis has a clear edge because by default MSC buffets are seen as a "last opportunity" to eat if you fail your allocated MDR time slot, so generally less options. Things might to be different on the US sailings, but here in Europe MSC dinner buffets are really that poor. MDR breakfast, lunch and dinner - Same quality, but MSC has a clear edge here. Smaller portions than on Oasis, generally better, more refined food presentation, less entertainment from the crew, less pressure to purchase specialties or a la carte paid items, a quieter ambiance; all of them command for a more familiar and relaxed meal. Service can to be a bit slower on MSC, but by default an holiday meal in Europe is set to be a family social event. They may have that settled down on US sailings (If I happen to make another Oasis cruise, I'll perhaps to have all my dinners from the buffet, because it is where the edge is really). All in all: both lines will follow here the 4* (mainstream) European hotel standards in land. Tastes are subjective, effective sense of quality is as objective as it can be. I'd go with both lines with no doubt. For me MSC desserts are far better than RCI ones because MSC desserts are less sweat than RCI, making sugar to be the linking element among other ingredients rather the star of the dish, but that is personal. RCI has clearly better buffets and secondary eating venues, but that is on an Oasis class that really has no competitor to date. On smaller ships the difference wouldn't be that big, if any, and that, as a fair comparison would make MSC an, even if slightly, superior product. Hope to have helped a bit in such an honest analytic way.

The recent MSC's opening of the "Junior" cabins, especially insides, to single occupancy at a very affordable rate wouldn't to be just occasional... Sadly most "junior" cabins are also Bella experience, so... No frills cruising for solos!...

Yes, that's it. At very least such a 5% discount on your booking is certain for Voyagers Club members, even if status matched. Pick your highest level on another cruise line and send them the proof of it (a photo of your most recent cruise card suffixes). In certain sailings you might even have some better promos, depending from where you are and from where a cruise departs. I'm receiving some nice deals in my email invoice for Barcelona cruises, (Barcelona is just a 1 and a half hour flight from Lisbon). It's a "last minute" 5+5% or even better. Nice if you have the chance!... And if you're given top membership or near it, a specialty meal will to be one of the perks.

By the way, like on a "legacy" airline with tickets ranging from "discount" to "executive" classes: Just my advice: Unless you're very last minute, try to avoid the Bella category. It's just like a "no frills" low cost airline ticket. You have a right to go, a cabin chosen by them, a slot on the MDR chosen by them, etc. usually among the leftovers on close sailing's selling day... So, now: At a slightly higher rate they are offering Fantastica category which is just your typical mainstream cruise ticket with fixed at your choice cabin and MDR dinner slot. In most places they are offering a basic drinks package and possibly an internet package with that deal. Then there is Aurea. It used to be a great value for the buck due to the inclusions. Not anymore, unless a special promo gives some of those inclusions back at an affordable price tag, IMHO. Yeah: Priority boarding, anytime dining and a dedicated exclusive bar and sundeck plus a few discounts here and there plus the larger better placed cabins might to be interesting... But it is somewhat overpriced right now for the real benefits. And then there is the so acclaimed Yacht club. It is a ship inside the ship concept with a premium suite level service, exclusive dedicated areas, exclusive dedicated restaurant, etc. While there are some nice deals on that, prices have escalated lately, to a point of being clearly overpriced for the value, IMHO, unless being outside the crowds is really that important for you. Though, in some sailings it is quite possible to find some nice deals on Yacht Club insides that are unique on the whole industry and which nobody can really beat. Search carefully and book if one appears to you!... Hope to have helped a bit!...

Both @wcook and @Morgsmom have said most of it, many thanks! Let me just to add: If the ship is really the destination for you; go for the Seashore. Not that the Divina is a bad ship. Actually I prefer the older MSC ships than the newer ones, with the Fantasia class where the Divina belongs being my favorite, but for an active middle-aged, perhaps in search for some activity on a ship as a destination, the newer ones will offer you more amenities and perhaps an, even if slightly, more vibrant vibe. The Divina is great, but it is classier than the Seashore. Perhaps better fit for a relaxed cruise with no extra fun on the mix and perhaps that would be better appreciated from an older crowd or from the ones in search for very port intensive cruises or even for those in search of a little weekend getaway. Bear in mind that the alcoholic drinks packages also contain most non alcoholic items. From bottled water to specialty coffees or sodas there is a long range of options. A few $ here, plus a few $ there adds to the count. Bear also in mind that the basic internet package won't permit you to stream audio or video by default. You'll need the higher one. Are there any things you should do? If you are in that mood, why not to take a few moments to a photo on those atrium Swarovski stairs around the atrium? All ships Fantasia class and above have them. Those are the little moments that actually will endure on our memories for the eternity!... The MSC's atrium areas use to be extremely beautiful!... On Fantasia class they used to have classical music playing there mostly all day, live at evening. So relaxing doing those photos there!... On Seaside class where the Seashore belongs, it seems that it is more on the likes of a rock band of sorts, but hey!... That may provide a wonderful and colorful photo moment as well!...

Have a good anniversary, then, Bea!... Let us to enjoy those wonderful moments while we can on this so complex as it can be for the next times to come on our Europe!...

X has become a "sort of" all inclusive line, inflating the prices, but, at least for certain European sailings they're selling some cabins some 45 days or less from sailing day at a very interesting rate sometimes without the AI part, lately and not so lately. Pay attention to a detail though. At 45 days onward from sailing, here in Europe, companies could not register new guests whom need special needs for embarkation, like wheelchair users, so, possibly some of those cabins will to be accessible cabins sold out for the general public. They're larger, but not everyone fully enjoys them.

Thanks! But they'll to be the same excursions. "Free" excursions on a luxury line will likely to follow the same line the basic "city tours" on the mega ships will do on the same buses. Maybe 15-20 individuals instead of 25-30+... But by the most part, same excursion with no differentiation. Living near the port and having some contacts whom run as guides here give an idea of some "secrets" one usually doesn't usually care about!... Me thinks that for a true luxury line there should be a larger benefit than less people inside the bus, like @eroller has stated, but sadly there isn't. Post Covid issues, well; those are elsewhere, sadly. Time will make for the adjustment. Have a nice day!...

Many thanks @eroller for the wonderful review! It gives me a clear idea of what a true luxury, 6 star cruising experience wold to be like, and of what particularly Regent is about. As per shore excursions I understand your point with which I fully agree, but, at least here in Europe shore excursions will come from same providers on the whole industry, once those are the providers authorized by port authorities to run on their ports. Hit or miss? All of them will be, included or paid apart on your basic fare. Understand they should have a product distinction between mass market and otherwise, but sadly they most likely don't. Have lived myself some 50 years on the way forward for Lisbon's main cruise terminal, I watch the buses running for the port everyday a cruise ship is in town. Same buses with same guides no matter if it is for an MSC or Regent ship.

Thanks to the remarks. True luxury ships are usually on the 500-800 pax. Explora will have 920 (or more with the kids) on a larger than Viking ship, based on similar platform from same shipyard. Surely the experience may be more inclusive... Surely some true luxury lines accept kids... But, something is failing here on me. I'd prefer to wait till the cruises are sailing to see what really the product will to be like...

Have your answers in blue and have a nice day and a nice sailing!...

Crystal Cruises has been purchased by another venture, retaining their name and at least most of their assets. They may start to accept new bookings soon for the loyalists enjoyment. Considering that all Explora ships are being made from the same prototype used by Viking, I'd think both lines would be targeted on more or less the same cruising class: Premium or Mid Luxury. By the designs I'm watching online, Explora might to be a single notch above Viking here and there, but never at a full luxury cruise line. I started to know Explora as the non English markets Viking! Why? Because Viking only sells to the English speaking markets, while Explora sells globally! Explora will accept kids as well and that might to be their main distinctive against Viking. Maybe they'll add something else on the mix. Named Captain came from Regent, but that doesn't tell anything else special. Times will tell.

Food allergies can to be noted after reservation itself by writing the special needs form, by email to special needs department, but, of course, you'll need to get confirmation at first day in the ship. I have a crustacean/shellfish allergy that has always well catered by the ships crews no matter the line. As for bartenders it is worth for you to advise them of your allergies before asking for a drink. For example: I'm sensitive to caffeine, so, they'll replace said element on the drink with either way decaffeinated coffee or any other thing they find usable to make me said drinks.

He, he!... You made my day guys!... Thanks all for the CC's most hilarious thread in many times!... So; now to what matters: Different lines for different people, me thinks, even though on most sailings, price comparing, Explora is running at a competitive level to YC, at least at base line price. Do note though that the prices you see on Explora's website are the catalogue base prices for baseline suites. On top of that there will be incentives. I believe if you're a repeat MSC cruiser, they'll give an incentive according to your voyagers club status, and they may to do others. Nobody pays catalogue prices these days elsewhere. As far as things go; I don't believe Explora as being a competitor for the likes of Oceania/Viking (even though their ships will use the exact same prototype Viking is using on its full fleet) or even less another English speaking full luxury line on the likes of Seabourn/Silversea/Regent, and obviously not another Hapag-Lloyd; it is the opposite: 1000 Passengers would command for mid luxury in theory, but they're likely to create a niche market line from mid to full luxury to please all those non English speaking international upper middle class well traveled individuals out there. By starting at just a little bit higher than current YC, they might to be "cannibalizing" the older product to a little extent... But YC has some 10+ ships where it is available and growing, compared to a 1-6 Explora ships in some 5 years to come. It is a calculated risk. If Explora succeeds, they'll just rise their prices. If not, they'll just to use Explora vessels elsewhere on their so long maritime industry ventures. Finally; snobbery?... TBHH: They're elsewhere. In most cases they aren't exactly snobs per se, they're most likely "entitled" individuals, if I make me understandable... And to be the most frank possible: There are far more of them on baseline MSC Bella inside cabins than really on Explora's most expensive suites. Believe me!...

Many thanks to your wonderful remark on the older ships. TBHH; there are very few reviews of them. My memory sticks to a few ones on those Cuba cruises back in the day when they were in season... So; now, Enchantment from the OP photos seems quite dated. Yeah, they were taking care of some areas, but, standards seem not to be the same as the Freedom and above classes of which most of the reviews are from. And TBHH, I don't really know what those ships usually do; quite surprised with the longer cruises!... I'm more prevalent on the MSC boards once that is my cruise line of choice lately, but I usually come to the RCCL boards, mostly in search of the Oasis class ships reviews to remember my then wonderful Allure cruise back in the day!... And sometimes to wander on some curiosities!... Today I wanted to see what an older RCCL ship would look like. From my market analyst point of view; it seems a lesser standards than on the other ones, if nothing is failing on me!... Have a nice day!...

Wow! Simply wow!... First of it all congrats to the nice review. It seems pretty clear for me that there are 2 RCCL's. One for at least such a Freedom and above class ships, the other for the older ones. Tonnes of reviews from the big newer ships. Less so for those older ones like Enchantment is. The newer ones resemble far more than just a 4* mainstream hotel in land. If it wasn't for the number of guests and the space per guest, I'd say they'd resemble a nice 5* one. So now; ships like Enchantment are sadly falling down to such a 3* European tourism industry standards... Not that it is bad, but nice to know! I believe those ships more adequate to those 3-5 night getaways than for an 8 nights full cruise, but that is just IMHO. So now on that incident on the store: Wow!... I don't know what the US law says about this, but let me to give an idea for what would to be the fate of said guy, if the crime was committed here in Portugal, or during a cruise with Lisbon as home port. First of it all he would to be held like he was from the moment he was found to the moment the ship docks and has clearance to debark. Then he would to be sent to our investigation police to be sent to a court room and then charged with at least two crimes: Stalking against that girl and aggravated robbery (assuming the sum of the stolen watch and the damage on the store values surpassed some $5,000). Possibly a 3rd crime of disobedience to the ships authorities if that was the case. Such a crime cocktail good enough for some 20 years jail time here in theory, and never a suspended penalty!... At least he should be certainly subject to preventive detention... Sadly sometimes, there are those ones whom doesn't measure the consequences of their acts together. Hope that at least RCCL puts him on the black list, so he may to learn something from that adventure by being blocked from cruising again.

As per all the sources I can find, including the Portuguese version of MSC's website, she will to be a Meraviglia plus ship, so mostly similar to Grandiosa and Virtuosa, but as above said, LNG powered and with a few other "behind the scenes" upgrades from her sisters. The different deck plans might to have something to do with the new cabin category scheme. The PT website seems to reflect the older one without the sub-categories around each experience. Also; the public areas are not identified yet, so, I believe that while labeled as Mera+, they'll probably to add some new venues replacing others in some areas.

She's a 10 or 11 years old ship. Naturally she may be sort of showing her age at a certain extent, but I believe that in general she may be in a good shape, at least for the missions she is now running with those 3-5 nights cruises basically to the private island. Some missing light points and some sofas in need of a replace are expected on such a ship, but nothing really to write home about.

As others have said, it is like using an ATM on land. Pro tip: Instead of doing it right when you enter the ship, await till most have done that. By the time the shows are done the kiosks will to be fully free for you to add your card with no lines whatsoever. You have till mid day at second day of the cruise to do so!

This exactly! I'd to prefer a quiet beach time opportunity type of island like the MSC one. Sadly trees will need to grow up and some bugs will need to be clean and that requires time. Give them some 10 years...