Kizzabel

On Splendida last month in the med there were 2 menus. One aimed at younger kids and one at older. Starters included soups, mini pizza and was always 2 or 3 options and there were 2 options for mains (one always being a burger) but there were some other options always available including minute steak, pasta etc.

My daughter particularly enjoyed a saffron risotto one night from the kids starters and was thrilled with the steak.

Her portion of steak was often bigger than ours!

We had Segafredo last month on a med sailing. Great coffee, big thumbs up from me although I can't claim to be a coffee snob.

Wish I'd known this 2 weeks ago. I did wonder while on board but never asked.

Another big thumbs up for the hot stone massage. It was wonderful. There's maybe 10 to choose from including Balinese, sports & hot stone.

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Which particular Grand Suite was available? Some will sleep 5 and a couple will not. Some have 2br and most do not. The Grand Suites are......an ongoing issue. :o

Just read that thread!! No Grand Suites were available for our needs. MSC UK / Ireland said no 5 pax availability for June 30 / July 14 or 28! But with the whirlpool we suite we can be accommodated.

Excited to have found your video!

We (3 adults & 2 kids) are booking tomorrow for July 2018. We've decided on an Aurea suite with whirlpool.

I'd have rathered a grand suite in Aurea but it won't allow the occupancy even though it looks like there would be ample beds but a call to MSC confirmed it's not possible.

I think the whirlpool swung it anyway.

Still debating forward or rear cabin but either way we're beyond excited.

This will be our 1st cruise on that side of the world - just came back from an Aurea week on Splendida and had our 1st cruise on Fantasia last April, both western Med. We loved MSC, great set up for the kid, MDR food was fab and met some wonderful staff.

Looking forward to seeing more info over the coming months.

Aer lingus fly to Marseille but possibly only during the summer. It's worth a look though.

That is wonderful! Thanks so much. I've got a formal dress lined up and a nice cocktail dress so I should be fine. Need to figure out a white outfit and get packing :)

My birthday falls in the middle of our cruise so I think breakfast in cabin would be a nice start that day. I'll have a look for a spa listing. Thanks again

Hello,

We are off on our 2nd MSC cruise next month and I had a couple of questions that maybe you lovely lot could help me with please?

We have an Aurea balcony booked and I remember reading somewhere that room service is included - does that mean say if we decided to order in breakfast that it would be FOC or are you billed per item?

Also does anyone know what treatments we will be offered a choice from for our free Aurea treatment?

Is there anywhere we can find out the nightly themes for our cruise?

Thank you kindly for reading my questions :)

Hi all

I have posted on the roll call forum but I don't see anyone else for our dates!

I would love to hear some expert tips and advice - this will be our 1st cruise!!

Ports of call are:

Deparing: Barcelona

Ajaccio

Naples (Been before but only city centre)

La Spezia

Genoa

Cannes

Palma de Mallorca

Disembarking Barcelona (Been a few years back - would love to explore properly so we will probably add a day here before flying home to Ireland)

I would specifically love to hear about the kids club - both of our kids will be Junior club eligible - aged 7 and 10 at time of cruise.

And I had one final question if possible. What drinks are included with the allegrissimo package please?

Thanks in advance :D

And a big huge thanks for all that typing :D:D:D

Yep, a "hold" is placed on debit cards & even after the due sum has been paid it takes up to two weeks for the hold to be released, which can screw you up with not being able to withdraw that money until the hold is released. Applies to credit cards too, but most folk have a credit limit way over their spend so it tends not to be a problem.

 

But cash is problematic too, because ship's currency is euros.

If you pay in any other currency (I'm guessing you're from North America) you'll be heavily stung by ship's exchange rates. All ships, including US ships, give very poor exchange rates.

The exchange rate you get from US banks will be better, and the exchange rates from ATMs (and usually some exchange bureaux) in the euro ports even better than that (use debit card, not credit card in ATMs or you'll be charged interest).

But you then have to do the maths to figure how many euros you'll need - a shortfall means getting more at short notice or topping up with dollars at that poor exchange rate, having too may euros left-over means a double dose of poor exchange rates to turn the excess back to dollars.

 

A credit card resolves all these problems & gives you the best exchange rates of all. You can always take out a credit card just for the cruise, & destroy it when it's done that job. Pay the CC bill when it's due & you'll not have to pay any interest.

 

By the same token, don't use ship's exchange bureau for your shore spending money - you'll get a much better rate from other sources.

 

And if you do use a credit or debit card to pay your on-board account, MSC will ask if you want them to convert from euros to the currency of your card, "for your convenience" :rolleyes: Decline their kind offer, allow your card to be charged in euros because your card issuer will exchange at wholesale exchange rates.

 

JB :)

 

Edited to add.

What a silly-billy.:rolleyes:

Just noticed you're from Ireland.

Hence no currency exchange woes. :)

Hence I wasted my time wearing out my typing finger :D

Sorry JB I should have mentioned - I'm in Ireland so no big deal for me to bring cash as we won't have to mess about with changing currency. Thankfully!!

With no credit card, what would you do in an emergency? Does your health insurance include coverage outside your home country? Do get a credit card and, if you're hoping to travel regularly, consider one with trip protection elements (e.g., United Airlines Explorer Visa).

 

I have my debit card for emergencies - we can do a cash deposit. I will be adding single trip insurance which has a cruise connection cover etc etc. I am in Ireland so the card mentioned isn't an option

 

Sorry for the reality check. But, there is much to do over the next few months - In particular arranging for any excursions or independent touring involving antiquities with the best arrangements going to folks who pre-purchase tix.

 

I have visited Palma, Barcelona and Naple previously so I don't find any of this daunting!! I need to look at the full excursions list that MSC offer and see what works for us. Longer walking trips are out as my husband while mobile, suffers with back pain after walking long distances. Don't worry I will fully do all of my research :)

 

Don't know what ports you'll visit. But, Rick Steves' Med Ports Guide will provide a good overview. If your cruise ends at Civitavecchia, consider a few extra days in Rome.

 

Unfortunately no stop at Civitavecchia but we think we might stay an extra day in Barcelona to explore properly, its been 7 years since we lasted visited

 

If you have a good travel agent, s/he should be able to answer many of your questions. Take with a grain of salt what you read here on CC.

Thanks. I have an amazing travel agent but I love to do as much of the planning as possible. I'm a seasoned DLP visitor so I love all the details and planning.

Thanks so much for your advice :)

Welcome to Cruise Critic. We have not sailed with MSC. You can read all about the Fantastica package at the MSC website here:

 

http://www.msccruises.com/en-gl/Cruise-Deals/Our-Fares.aspx

 

I would also suggest going to the MSC forum at Cruise Critic to ask about it:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=80

 

You will need to have a credit card when you check in as all of your on board expenses will be linked up with this card when you check-in. These will be expenditures like cocktails, soda, bingo, excursions, souvenirs anything that you purchase aboard the ship.

 

You can have cash when you check in but, this means traveling around with a large sum of money. Another alternative is to use a debit card but, I am never comfortable with this as a form of payment while on holiday.

 

You will have plenty of time to get a credit card before your trip, it's much easier to use that when you check in at the cruise pier.

 

Here is a link to the MSC Fantasia Roll Call forum. Look for the date of your cruise and join the roll call. Here you will meet other Cruise Critic passengers like yourself that are booked on this cruise.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=970

 

Jonathan

Thanks Jonathan. There is no roll call for my dates yet!

Thanks for your advice. It was more so the drinks package drinks list than the fantastica package I wanted to enquire about. I have looked at the fantastica inclusions :)

As regards a CC I think I will give it a miss. I can just do a cash deposit which will suit us better. Agreed with the debit card, we see too many people having money held for an age on debit cards!

Thanks again for your help. I will try the MSC forum.

Hi all

I am a complete and total newbie and am looking for your expertise!

We are 1st time cruisers (myself, husband and kids aged 7 and 10) and have booked a Western Med cruise for April 2016 on the MSC Fantasia out of Barcelona. I have so many questions, chances are I will drive you guys nuts!

Any info on what to expect will be gratefully received!

We have a fantasica package in a balcony cabin and I'm keen to find out how dining works?

Where do the additional charges come in? We have the later dining time chosen.

What can the kids expect - both would be in the Junior kids club age ranges?

We also have the allegrissimo drinks package - is there anywhere we can find info on whats included?

Also we don't have a credit card - is this a big issue? We have prepaid gratuities.

Thanks in advance!