JAGR

I'm curious about how the package worked at Teppanyaki. I've never seen a Dining Experience menu for it, but now that they are offering it as a package option, what is included? I'm assuming it means you probably only get their lower-priced Geisha selection. Any insight you can offer would be appreciated.

Hi, Shirley: I think it all comes down to personal preference. Since we have pretty much switched the bulk of our business to MSC, we have always done YC, and wouldn't go back. Again, it is based on our preferences. My DW is a sun worshiper, but a late riser. For her, having her chaise or cabana already prepared and reserved for is a priceless perk. With a bout of cancer I went through a few years ago, being able to meet with the maitre d' and chef and plan meals for our week or two on board to meet my dietary needs is my priceless perk. We both appreciate the attentive and caring service, the actual follow-up on promises, and the honest request to do anything to help. I enjoy being on the ship early and staying a bit late to maximize my downtime. The premium drinks are nice, but the Plus package is not all that important for me. DW, on the other hand, requires the better wines available through YC and she loves the attention by the sommelier. In a class other than YC, I think we would survive. You won't starve, you'll have plenty of drink options (and plenty of places to eat and drink). It's just not something we need or have to do at this stage of our lives. I know that I would never bid for an upgrade. To my mind, I made a decision to buy a package or product at what I thought was a reasonable price. I wouldn't want to second guess myself, or have buyer's remorse.

Sorry, I assumed the shower when you said bathroom. There wasn't a dispenser by the sink on Seashore that I can remember, and we've sailed her three times. There is a tube of body wash by Med, along with the lotion, conditioner, and shampoo, though.

Odd. There was shampoo and soap on 14019.

They don't make you wait outside. They take you through security and the check-in process. There is a secluded holding area with light refreshments, and when the ship is cleared for boarding, the butlers will escort you onto the ship. There is liquid soap and shampoo in the shower. They also give you small tubes of shampoo, conditioner, and lotion, as well as bars of soap.

Thanks for that update, James! Nice to see that MSC is trying to be more proactive on filling in requests before sailing! That should really help clear up confusion and mistakes on the first day and night. Hope they do that when we sail on Meraviglia. I think we got our liquor on Tuesday both weeks.

Nice that they are giving you two papers. We had trouble just getting one delivered on some days.

I'm assuming you are sailing from Florida (Cape Canaveral or Miami). Just show up at the YC tent anytime you want after 10 or so. They have not asked to see embarkation time documentation, and it is quite likely you will be given updates before your sailing with different times. We were originally given a check-in time of 1:00, then changed to 2:00, and finally told 11:00 on our final ticketing.

You can tell you butler not to refill. There is no alcohol miniatures in the fridge anymore (only alcohol is beer in the fridge). Your butler will give you one bottle of alcohol (700 to 750L size) or one bottle of wine per room. It is from a limited menu.

I'm sure they were smart about the risk of breakage, and carefully wrapped the miniatures in YC-embroidered towels and robes! ☺️

I assume the phrase sounds more muted up there in the back!😉

There will be a Service Charge of $12.50 per person per night. There would also be a 15% service charge on any purchases (drinks, chocolates, etc.). Formally, MSC does not encourage tipping individuals, but it is often done on US-based cruises (since tipping is common here as opposed to Europe).

Thanks! Enjoy your sailing, and the show!

We don't sail her until late October, but I noticed on reviewing our booking that MSC has an offer under "Specialty Restaurants" for Cocktail and Show (either Houdini or Rock and Roll) for $12/person. This will be our first time on Meraviglia. We are in YC, and I was curious if I should buy the tickets, or if it would be covered as a YC perk. I know it is new, but if you had experience when Cirque du Soleil was around if you had to pay for the drink and show then. TIA

For the most part, you can add anything up to two days before sailing. You are wise to wait until you are certain. I don't know from experience, but I understand there may be a penalty fee if you cancel within the last two days before sailing.

Well, at least it won't be, "Ciao, Ciao.....For now!"

We are recently off of the currently newest current ship, MSC Seashore, and the lineup was as I described earlier. There may have been a second news channel. I just relied on internet access and saved movies on my iPad.

You may have some luck in the Sports Bar, but not likely. You will get your fill of European football, but that's about it. In room tv is very limited: CNN, HGTV, Food Network, Discovery, Classic Movies, Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, ESPN Caribbean, and ESPN 2 International.

A shame! In YC, they will take any item and make it the way you want. Are you saying your wife does not eat meat, seafood, or vegetables?

Wow! Stellar and MSC site in the same sentence! Not once but twice! Well played, indeed! 😄

Happy sailing! If you are in 19004 again, make sure to use the secret staircase to the One Pool deck.

For the chargeable dining (non-Diamond meal) you will incur the 15% service charge. For the Diamond meal, I think you use your conscience! The diamond meal technically includes service charge (since it is $0 for the bill), unless you order drinks or order off menu, and the15% service charge would be applied. Additional "tipping" is discretionary. I think of it like MSC's guidance on not tipping individual employees. It's a stated policy, and largely ignored by many passenger's on Cruises from US ports. We have only sailed YC, and we have always tipped service employees we regularly use (Butler, Jr. Butler, Dining room staff, concierges, bar waiters, and the pool guards/attendants). On a "free" meal, I would treat it like a Groupon. Figure what the full amount would be for the two meals if purchased at regular price ($60/person or so), and tip based on that artificial amount. Tipping is not required, but is appreciated.

The five capacity is only for Owner's Suite as far as I know, and is a new room type on Seashore and Seascape. As I said earlier, RS can go up to four for capacity.

It is a bit odd for Owner's Suite. Listed capacity is five people. Royal Suite capacity is listed at four, so that would not show up. They may have decided that Owner's Suite should only be four and not five, which is why it wouldn't show. BTW, our comment on "plenty of OSs and RSs available is odd. After all, there are only two of each on the ship.

Found that the email on the certificate was wrong and bounced back. What I did was go through a mock booking of what I wanted (one-week YC1, with what was then a 5% VC discount), manually calculated the additional 30% off, and then called the reservation line. I was lucky, and got someone who normally does the casino discounts, so she walked me through it and I go the booking I wanted. If you go that route, you may have to ask to be transferred to someone who can handle the paperwork, but it will be worth it. Just keep in mind it's not a full 30% off. It works out close to it, but it is 30% off of the already 5% discounted rate, and does not include a small fee that is listed as a charge beyond port fees and taxes. Still, it was close to a 26% discount.