CruisnDeb

26 minutes ago, HenGypsy said:

For us the $50 credit was not applied until we asked for it 2 days after the excursion. True, it wasn't a problem to get the credit+discount once we asked.

Were these excursions booked onboard or online before the cruise?

5 minutes ago, debenson0723 said:

When was the last time you tried this? It was not working on the Joy in June of this year. It looks like the iphone loophole has been closed.

I did it in February on the Encore. 

13 minutes ago, lumpkin8 said:

And I forgot this question:

 

5)  My boarding pass has this printed on it, in green: FAST TRACK 

     Does anyone know what this means?

 

It just means you have completed all the online check-in items and you are ready to go.  No special line or boarding.

8 hours ago, debenson0723 said:

Same poster, exact same question. And the answers are the same. Pay $10 for the app texting (not sure how well that works), use the phone in your cabin or even just say 'hey, meet you in X at X time'. 

7 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

The “recent post” is from the same OP. He obviously didn’t like the answers on the other thread. 

lol. Wish I had noticed that before—my answer would have been dripping with sarcasm.

Recent post asking pretty much the same question. You will find answers here:  

iPhones are able to use iMessage with the free ship wifi without using your minutes.  Our family all have iPhones and we were able to text each other on the ship as well as others who weren't.  Just make sure you logout so you aren't using up your minutes.

@Stockjock had a couple of posts about this very issue and some things he had to go through to get it resolved.  Sometimes it's an issue with a middle name or initial--all information must be exactly the same, so if you have a middle name on the reservation, there must be a middle name on the voyager account.  Look for his posts, they were very detailed.

@steviem1 when I cruised on the Pride of America, I got our car rentals on all the islands through Discount Hawaii Car Rentals.  The biggest benefit for DHCR is you don't pay until you pick your car up (or at least that was the policy back when we rented)--so if you miss a port or change your mind, you won't be out any money.  Prices were reasonable and we really enjoyed the freedom of going where we wanted to go and take side trips on a whim.

I was curious, so I did a quick look at your Maui date and it looks like a large van (up to 15 passengers) will run around $540 for the day.  The large van is the only size that will fit your group.  If you rent 2 compact SUV's (up to 5 passengers) it runs under $100 for each vehicle.  If you have 2 people willing to drive, I think 2 SUV's will be much friendlier to your wallets.

17 hours ago, jkbec101 said:

Rotating menu in the Haven Restaurant.

This needs to happen in the MDR too.  I almost don't want to take another NCL cruise because the menu is the same on EVERY ship.

8 hours ago, momof3cruisers said:

That’s very helpful! Thanks for the screenshot. Looks like a car rental may be the best choice.

You're welcome. 

Also, I asked on another social media site about MSC offering shuttle transportation to the airports after the cruise (I need transportation to SFB) and was told it's been offered in the past to MCO only.  When I was on Meraviglia in June, they did offer a discounted rate of $25 per person to the local airports--I believe it was around $43 if you purchased it before that.  You would need to go to the excursions desk once onboard to ask--this transportation option was NOT listed in my excursions online before the cruise.

@momof3cruisers I am currently booked on the Seashore and the only post-cruise excursion I see is the Kennedy Space Center.  It is listed at $112 per person and under additional notes it states that it is only available to book if your flight is after 6:30 pm.

15 hours ago, promgirl said:

Does anyone know which of the 7 dinner menus are used for a 4 night Bahamas itinerary, specifically Seashore in the next few months?

Don't know if you're looking for something more recent, but here is a review from for a 4 night sailing on Seashore from March.  It's a full review that includes a lot of information including the menus.  

11 minutes ago, GPPhilly said:

 

I just booked a European cruise by combining 2 certificates(1 mine 1 my partners) and the only thing we have to pay for were the 2 extra nights since the certificates are capped at 10 nights.  We were extremely happy with the room and extra fee.  

@GPPhilly I didn't know about the combining of offers until recently.  Can you tell me what offers you both had, and what you got by combining them?  I'm very curious.

@expectthebest I'm sailing on the Joy next year and was wondering what mojito you favored?  How was the jalapeno cucumber one?  I love a spicy margarita so I'm kind of curious about this mojito.

When they email the certificate to you, they include this link to FAQs and upgrade fees that is very helpful. 
 

https://mcusercontent.com/3a0eebe09961d63bca8688ab8/files/ce94de62-1f6a-bd34-a6d2-ef8233dbc630/Ceritificate_FAQ_and_Upgrade_Fees_USA.02.pdf

9 minutes ago, Até said:

They fall under Worldwide up to 10 nights.   What I don't see is "Over 10 nights". 

If you want a longer sailing, there will be an up charge. 

1 hour ago, Até said:

I don't use the casino but am interested to know.  Points are not cumulative but only good for the current sailing, correct?  I always thought the points chart above was showing points required for the sailing type you were currently on.  Showing the level of points you need to accumulate on that length/area sailing for each corresponding level of reward certificate.  Then whatever reward you've earned can be used on any sailing.   But on that next sailing you need to meet the corresponding length/area level of play points requirements in the same chart to get your next certificate reward level that can be used on any next sailing.

 

There's no selection of the length/area you want, it's the length/area you are currently sailing.  And you must meet the chart's requirements to get the corresponding reward that's good for your next sailing anywhere. 

 

I don't remember it possible to be on a 10 night sailing and to only play for 5000 points but ask for a certificate for an inside cabin based on the desire to use the points for a four night US sailing.  It seems some are suggesting you can pre select or post select the certificate length/area type you desire and play to those length/area requirements regardless of your current sailing.  That doesn't make sense.

 

Is my understanding of the program incorrect? 

Points are earned on the current sailing and reset for the next one. 
 

The points on the matrix/chart are points you need to accumulate for the certificate you are trying to earn—they have nothing to do with the accommodations you are currently sailing in. 

I’ve earned 2 certificates and never had to select which one I wanted. The customer service rep will be able to inform you of all the offers you have when you call in to use it. 

7 hours ago, dbrown84 said:

well, I can only speak for the Seashore three days ago, and you didn't have to tell them which one you wanted.  

I didn’t have to request a specific one either for the Seascape in October or the Meraviglia last month.
 

When I booked my cruise using the October certificate, when I called the casino booking number the CSR was able to tell me all my options. I had earned 10,000+ points but my certificate only stated OV cabin but I was actually eligible for others so make sure you ask. 

2 hours ago, Pizaz said:

If you didn’t get the Free Cruise Certificate before you got off the ship you are very likely out of luck unfortunately.  Typically the final night of the cruise you want to inform Casino Manager you are done playing and get your cruise cert based on your points accumulated.

I've never received a physical certificate from MSC--always comes in an email a few weeks later.

2 hours ago, gaston1 said:

can anyone help me , i won a cruise while playing the casino, THEY said They would contact me it  has been 6 months, dead silence. how do you contact? i sent many emails  no response. thank you in advance

Did you fill out the informational form from the casino?  Usually once you've earned a certain amount of points, someone from the casino will hunt you down and ask you to fill it out so you can receive your certificate by email.

What email address are you using?  The one for the casino representatives is msccasino@msccruisesusa.com.  You can also call them at 1-844-MSC-PLAY (1-844-672-7529).

8 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

I will definitely let them know how I feel about this in our post cruise feedback as well as any opportunity I get on board.  It was the largest write up section in my post cruise feedback about our Divina cruise.

It was definitely the largest written section of my post cruise survey for the Meraviglia yesterday. 

11 hours ago, squigglydownunder said:

 

That seems like such an odd decision, especially because I can tell you it wasn't busy. There would be just one or two people smoking. It was just that that was enough for the whole area to smell.

I just came off of the Meraviglia this past Sunday where they had a small section for smokers. The smoke drifted over to the table game side and was very unpleasant for me. What was weird is the nonsmoking slots close to the smoking area was fine.  I spend a lot of time at the tables so if I have the same experience on the Seashore, then that will be the decision maker. YMMV

4 hours ago, squigglydownunder said:

 

I was surprised that they didn't glass off the smoking section because it permeates the area.

 

We could smell it directly above the casino on deck 8 near the Brooklyn Cafe too.

Main casino used to be non-smoking up until a couple of weeks ago.  They had a smoking section located right off the sports bar--it was an enclosed area with slot machines in it.  Seascape used to be the same way.  I'm really disappointed they both went back to allowing smoking in the main casino.  I have Seashore booked in October, but it may be my last MSC cruise.  I'll either book Celebrity or the newer NCL ships that have the enclosed area for smokers.

3 minutes ago, TheBeardedCruiser said:

Question for those of you who try to leave early: Why?

I'm not trying to be confrontational!! I actually appreciate it! As someone who stays on the ship until the rush is over, I can then casually stroll off the ship with little to no line. Is it to get back home to save your vacation days? I've always wondered why people rush off at disembarkation. Thanks!

For us it's because of our flight time--otherwise I prefer to wait until most have already left.

Just now, Sand and Seas said:

😲

My DH will be very disappointed with a skimpy Reuben!

And I love the Chicken salad sandwich.    I would rather they save wasted food by listening to me when I say 'no fries'.

I will be too.  Whenever cruising NCL, I love having the reuben on embarkation day and at least 2 more times for lunch during the cruise.