KINGBOBOFTHENORTH

My reviews from our MSC Seashore sailing in April: 70's Party: http://www.orlandoentertainmentnews.com/?p=15977 White Night Party: http://www.orlandoentertainmentnews.com/?p=16000

Correct. I've NEVER had anyone at the cruise terminal ask to see our embarkation time. Just get there when you get there.

When MSC first began sailing in the American market, Reception desk crew members tended to be unsmiling and did not go out of their way to meet your requests. It was a feeling of indifference. Room stewards did tend to be invisible. It's hard to remember exactly because our first couple MSC cruises were in 2010 and 2015. Knowing they're competing with American cruise lines, they've up'd their game. Everyone is much friendlier and they're trying to meet your requirements. As for room stewards, our last couple were very friendly and wanting to chit chat whenever we were coming and going through the hallways. Heck, they worked on other cruise lines prior to MSC so they know their role and how to make extra gratuities. I prefer to pick my own cabin. I study the deck plans and always pick a cabin that has other cabins above and below me. If you let the cruise line pick your cabin, you could end up above or below the theater, pool deck, disco or music lounges, all-night buffet, etc. No matter the soundproofing, you will hear those things if you're just one floor away. MSC changed their pricing scheme last year and their lead prices are called Bella which are Guarantee cabins. For about $40pp more on a 7nt cruise, I'd rather decide where I'll be staying.

Nearly every cruise line charges 2X for single cruisers. I know some NCL ships have some inside cabins for singles that they charge somewhere between 1X and 2X for. Two single cruisers on our last MSC cruise said they chose MSC because they were not charged 2X. Not sure if that's true or not but if they don't charge double for singles, that would be huge.

MSC is definitely an international experience with announcements in 5-6 languages. I love it. The meal choices, especially at the buffet, are more varied as well. They've come along way in trying to become more Americanized for cruises that depart here. Crew is much friendlier than they originally were when they first entered the U.S. market. Keep in mind that the Bella category (the cheapest) no longer lets you pick your cabin up front; MSC will assign it prior to your sailing. If you want to actually pick your cabin at the time of booking, you'll need to go above Bella but it's usually not much more. Once you pick it, stick with it. It's when you contact MSC U.S. reservations that things can get messed up. So before yo select your cabin, study the deck plans so you know what is above and below you that might create noise. We've done 8 cruises now with MSC and really like them.

This is the first time I've had MSC cruise dates shifted. Fortunately I had not booked airline reservations yet.

Yes, you can disembark on Friday if you want to and I don't recall needing any advance permission. Just get off and go. And if you want to get off Friday night and head to the airport for a Friday night/early in the morning Saturday flight, please be aware that there are taxis outside the cruise terminal at all hours.

The ships get pretty far out to sea by the time they pass Melbourne.

Sounds like a great way to spend the day. I'm not familiar with the No. 9 bus though but I looked it up (Space Coast Area Transit) and looks like you've got a good plan.

I booked for Labor Day weekend. We'll see how they do and I'll report back.

I think only the last of the Red Sea cruises gets the 3 extra nights. The other cruises appear to be just shifted to 3 days earlier but still 7-nights. Perhaps the prior Saturday departure and return dates are no longer viable for Jeddah port. Is Saturday a holy day in Saudi Arabia?

Mine is slightly different since the cruise remains a 7-nt cruise, just departing earlier with the port changes. It reads: June 23, 2022 Dear Valued Guest: Thank you for choosing MSC Cruises for your upcoming cruise vacation in the Red Sea. We are contacting you with an important update concerning your cruise on MSC Splendida which is scheduled to sail from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on 4/1/2023. Due to necessary operational changes, the itinerary for your cruise has been amended to sail 3 days earlier than your original departure date. Additionally, the call to Al Wajh, Saudi Arabia has been replaced with a call to Cairo (Sokhna port). It then gives the revised itinerary in a timetable format and options to reschedule or cancel.

Received an email from MSC today as well. Was originally a 7-nt cruise departing from Jeddah on Saturday April 1st and now leaving 3 days earlier on Wednesday, March 29th but still 7-nts. As with others, Al Wajh, Saudi Arabia has been replaced with Sokhna, Egypt for Cairo. Since this means Cairo excursions, I'm good with this change!