1kaper

I'm well aware it costs extra. On the last three cruises I booked with them it was still a significant savings. On one I was looking at it was cheaper to book then add it on. It’s the same on all the entry level lines that offer “free drink package”. The question was do you buy extra packages as compared to RC. I don’t have to buy it. And it is much cheaper than RC.

Just don’t complain if boarding takes forever.

I keep reading this but I’ve talked to 4 different travel agents who deal with MSC and all of them had no issues working with MSC. One worked exclusively with MSC. I brought up the issue with customer service and was told they don’t have the issue. From what I’ve read here there may be different levels for TAs dealing with MSX Not quite sure how to describe it or how it works. If that’s true that may be a factor. All I know is not every TA hates working with MSC.

You cannot carry on pop. Not sure about wristbands. I’ll ask my friends who were on in March.

I haven’t done yacht club but they say it is a totally different experience. I think it would be much better than a regular RC experience. I haven’t sailed RC but from what I have read, the service is similar to Carnival. What you will find on MSC is the service is different. More “European”. For example, room Stewards aren’t the same. It is more “behind the scenes”. They aren’t as super chatty. People read it as rude but it’s more the idea of them being in the background. the shows are also different. I book the free drinks and wifi package and haven’t had to buy extra. I do believe there are extra packages for the arcade if you have kids. And there are upgrades restaurants but that is the same on most lines. you can pay to upgrade the drink package but it isn’t necessary.

same overall Company. Yes. but from what I’ve read here they operate separately. Like the casino essentially covers the cost of the drink package when they offer the “drinks on us anywhere”. It’s different customer service.

Looks like I’m not going to find out. my doctor has rescheduled because she thinks I should go ahead and do the cruise. Turns out I’m sailing Sunday!

The thing is, I do believe the casino is separate from Carnival. Now the casino may be trying to entice them back because they aren't booked, but it isn't Carnival itself.

Thanks. There next week so guess it won’t be done then.

I took their van. It was a full house and pretty close quarters but the driver was friendly and gave some info about the area.

I certainly don't say I don't spend much time. I do end up spending quite a bit of time there. I budget $50 a night. But I spend what I win so it's hard to track what I actually spend (I haven't hit huge jackpots). Sometimes my husband is up and he gives me a bit more. Occasionally I'll go over my $50 budget but never by more than another $50. Hmm. I assumed it went on your account. I know that I've looked at my points leaving a machine, then played tables for a bit. When I went back to the machine I checked just to see how many points I got and the number was higher but not by a lot. I didn't realize at that time that tables aren't as good for accruing points. Specifically because I play the lower bet with low buy ins. But I had spend a bunch of time there so thought it would be higher. Maybe it was just a lag in updating machine points though. I only gamble on cruises and I do it because I enjoy it. It's weird. I went to the casino once when I was home but did not enjoy it. It was not nearly as much fun losing money. I guess it's like calories - vacation calories don't count. Vacation money doesn't count.

Just wondering if construction on the cruise port is done yet. Thanks.

You can snorkel for as long as you want. There were two time options for us to return to the ship. I hired a guide for $10 or $20 and she took me out past the breakers, I was a bit nervous to go alone. It was incredible. Sea turtles, sting rays, tons of fish. There is a smaller sheltered area with the artificial reefs with tons of fish. Then you can can go out further past the breaker to see much more. Tons of sea turtles are in the sheltered area and outside. There is food for sale. Not sure if just water is free.

We also really enjoyed our time here. The day we were there the tide was out so it was a long walk out to the water and kind of tough. It wasn't rocky, more like one giant rock that was uneven. It was a clear day for snorkelling and it was amazing. I paid $10 or $20 for a private guide and we went out past the breakers. Incredible snorkelling. The beach is small but it was definitely the highlight of our trip. I got to see my first sea turtle and saw so many other things.

When I looked up the pass it said that food and drinks were available next door at Margaritaville.

I believe that the slot machines are based purely on money in. I suspect with tables that the amount you buy in matters and they likely track average bet. The guy playing $50 a hand is probably getting more credit than I am at $6 a hand even if we play the same amount of time. I also get the inside offers. My husband was getting the balconies but is now down to oceanview. We've never gotten Drinks everywhere but do get DOU in the casino for both in the room

I agree but I also post my positive experiences on another line but those posts slide quickly down the board. Controversial or negative posts definitely get more attention as well.

I play between slots and tables (Blackjack). I did not qualify for DOU the last two cruises I did and have been getting offers.

I would never do the excursion except the one Exuma. Those pigs are there on their own. The copycat versions are pigs that are purchased and kept just to cater to tourists. Their living situation and treatment is questionable.

We were on the Spirit in November of 2022 and we got it with our clamshell rental. They didn't even check anyone getting off.

A group of my friends went on the Seascape in March. Some of them were first time cruisers, some had done cruises before. All of them had nothing but positive things to say about it.

Same. I sometimes ordered my kid's pop along with my drink. (don't worry, I wasn't cheating the system, he had bottomless bubbles, I just didn't have his card with me at the time).

My husband got one before COVID. We hadn't sailed in a few years before that. We booked but COVID ended up cancelling our cruise. He has been getting them consistently since then. We sailed twice in 2022 and I started playing at the casino. I also now consistently get them. I get the worry. Back when cruising was starting up again he had one and I felt pressured to book, scared we wouldn't get another. Eventually they will run out.

Whoops. When I read Buffalo I thought you did the US one. Good question, I have no idea. We just did our Canadian interviews on Friday and were told specifically we had to be flying to the US to access USA pre-clearance at YHZ. We could not just go to pre-clearance that day.

I believe the issue is that they have done the US part of the interview and now need to do that Canadian part of the interview. They had an interview in the US first. OP - I would show up at Pearson and ask to do the Canadian part.