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agnesd

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Posts posted by agnesd

    Status Match

    in MSC Cruises

    Posted

    Want an opinion. I called MSC and the loyalty program we have is not on their list. We have 105 days with Crystal Cruises. It's a luxury line equivalent to Regent and Silver Seas. They said they would add them to their list but it might take some time. You know what that means! Do you think we should just go ahead and apply for status match or wait until they add the line? Don't want to screw this up! You know how easy it is to do that!!

     

     

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    Scenic Cabin Sizes

    in River Cruising

    Posted

    On another note, I wanted to add a fact for your due diligence. Tauck has 90 passengers compared to 120 on the same size ship used by Viking. This means larger public rooms. Didn't mean to hijack your request.

     

     

     

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    Hair Dryer

    in MSC Cruises

    Posted

    This may seem silly but it means I might have to pack a hairdryer. The hair dryers are connected to the desk in cabin 15006. The stool is too low for me to sit and dry my hair and standing is out because I am taller than the cord. Would the balcony chair fit in front of the dresser on a temp basis? Hate dragging things if I don't have to.

     

     

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    Divina 8/5/17 Sailing Yacht Club review

    in MSC Cruises

    Posted

    Yes there is a hairdryer. Oddly enough, it was not in the bathroom but in the drawer of the desk (as you look at the room photo I posted, it is on the right side just past the bed.)

     

     

     

    It is attached to the drawer so I had to sit on the provided stool and dry my hair. It did a good enough job for me NOT to pack a dryer if I go again. But I do have shorter hair (thick but short).

     

     

     

    Hope this helps.

     

     

     

    I know this is an odd question but how long is the cord? I am tall and have bad knees. The stool would be a nightmare. Would I be able to stand and dry my hair?

     

     

     

     

     

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    Embarkation time on MSC

    in MSC Cruises

    Posted

    In the Us we usually arrive at embarkation site about 10:30. We feel we may as well wait there than in a hotel. We were stymied only once in Miami when they would not open the doors until 12 noon and we had to stand outside for 1 1/2 hrs. Don't know if it is still that way?

     

     

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    Just back from Divina August 5, 2017 Sailing - Review

    in MSC Cruises

    Posted

    Part 3

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Cigar Bar

     

    I was excited about the Cigar Bar. Unfortunately, they don't actually sell cigars in there and it was more of a place for cigarette smokers to go smoke than for cigar smokers to congregate. So I didn't spend any time there. Love the idea though.

     

     

     

    Organization

     

    Many times, on a cruise, things don't feel terribly-organized. From getting onto the ship to getting off the ship things can get frantic. None of this was the case with MSC. They are extremely-organized getting people on/off the ship. Never once waited in a long line at any of the ports. Made it pleasant compared to other ports I've been to with other cruise lines.

     

     

     

    Also liked they had music playing at the port and offered water/wet towels. A nice touch for sure.

     

     

     

    Prices for Various Items

     

    Normally, when you have to buy drinks or other things on a ship, the prices tend to be, well, a bit much. I have to say, drinks, gelato, desserts, etc. that you pay extra for are extremely reasonably-priced. I was surprised at this and very happy. We did Fantastica and got 12 drink voucers each. That was more than enough for the drinks we needed. Well-worth the slight increase in price for the cabin.

     

     

     

    I checked some of the prices on the items they sell in their shops--they also price match--and their prices were usually dead on with Internet prices. I found that interesting.

     

     

     

    Kids Club

     

    We have 2 sons (14 qnd 11). The 14 year old is, well, anti-social (not in a rude way). We traveled with my wife's family and they have 2 adopted sons (16 and 7). The 16 year old loved the teen club. Met some girls, enjoyed the parties they had, etc. He brought our older son to one of the parties. Apparently, a cute girl asked my son to dance and he, well, left. Ugh, gotta teach him a few things.

     

     

     

    Our younger son (11) enjoyed the kids he met. I think his club is too wide a range of age (7-11) so he didn't spend as much time in the actual club once he made friends. But they both still enjoyed themselves.

     

     

     

    People

     

    We met some great people (Jenn and Ed and some other people I can't remember the names). We're talking with some of them to get them to come along in June when we sail on the Seaside.

     

     

     

    Some people complained about the mixed group of people (from other countries) but I absolutely love that. I love experiencing other people from other cultures. It's refreshing. Other than what I mentioned about people butting in line and standing in the middle of walk areas, the people on the ship were awesome. Even the kids were all polite and not snotty like I've seen. Our younger son met a few kids and we spoke with them. Very respectful kids.

     

     

     

    Complaints

     

    My complaints are extremely-minor. I mentioned some of the items in the buffet tend to run out quickly and are harder to get.

     

     

     

    My biggest complaint is, on the first night, they only had 2 people working the customer service desk on the ship. It's the busiest time there (besides the last night) and I waited an hour to get something taken care of. They can have something like 8 or 12 people manning this area, they need to have more people there on busy times like that.

     

     

     

    They have a kiosk for adding a credit card to your cabin. I wish they'd advertise this a bit heavier because it's the only way to add a card to your cabin. One of the things we waited to see CS for the first day was this but they can't do it, they sent me to the kiosk.

     

     

     

    Would be nice if they'd just include the drink vouchers when you check in rather than having you go to the casino to pick them up later.

     

     

     

    Other than that, my major complaint is the HORRIBLE customer service from MSC US. They really need to get this worked out along with the technology issues they continue to have. If I would have had time, I would have canceled this cruise and gone with another line. I know others have done that as well.

     

     

     

    Conclusion

     

    Other than the problems with MSC US, we absolutely loved the whole cruise. In fact, the captain and crew made it so enjoyable we booked Seaside for June 16 next year. So, as others have said, once you get past the BS with MSC US, the cruise itself is awesome. We are now fans of MSC.

     

     

     

    Thanks to the Captain and crew of Divina for making this a much better trip than I thought it would be. They made 8 customers for MSC (my wife's family also loved it). Now, if MSC US is listening...GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER!!!

     

     

     

    If anyone has other questions, fire away!

     

     

     

    To avoid dealing with the website go through a reputable travel agent who will deal with them. I have done his and have not had one problem

     

     

    Sent from my iPad using Forums

    Divina B1 vs B2 vs B3?

    in MSC Cruises

    Posted

    My wife and I had cabin 15004 last year; very nice cabin, great location only a few steps from the YC main desk and lounge. Best cruise we ever had and we normally cruise 2-3 times a year. The YC dining room is fantastic.

     

     

    Sent from my iPhone using Forums

     

     

     

    Was it your first MSC. How was the restaurant?

     

     

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    Divina B1 vs B2 vs B3?

    in MSC Cruises

    Posted

    If you are are trying to decide on particular cabins, I have a listing of every cabin onboard with the square footage of the cabin overall (plus broken down into bathroom and living space) and the balcony. Let me know if you need that info on certain ones.

     

    Overall, I think B2 is a safe bet though some forward have steel balcony siding versus plexiglass.

     

    Bret

     

     

     

    How about 15006? Please and thanks?

     

     

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