windlicht

On 2/27/2024 at 8:25 AM, brucevr6 said:

hey were working on the website issues

You are right, customer service is usually very helpful.  However, there are always website issues.  I think it's kinda sad that they are unable to establish a well-functioning, user-friendly website. Just why??? I don't always want to call someone but maybe look and browse and think a bit.

At the moment, I can log in with my booking number, however, this does not allow me to look at cruise details or check in or so. I spent 500 dollars yesterday purchasing things on the website, and I did get a "confirmation email" - I guess we can call it that, telling me what I bought.  However, no attachment with receipt and no updated cruise info.

So, yes, I suppose I will have to call again to ask for those things.

This trouble is unnecessary.

OK thank you for listening to my rant 😉

20 hours ago, justsayinisall said:

Wondering if I should get the Theral Spa pass or the Vibe Beach Club pass?

I asked pretty much the same question (only my TA cruise will be in February). I got one answer only.  The person said that the weather will be unpredictable and that it would be better to get a thermal pass instead. Not sure, if there's consensus on that since I only got one answer 🙂

6 minutes ago, www3traveler said:

Maybe-- looks like you have 6 Sea Days from the Azores to Miami.  Which  is about have your cruise.  You could still have some really rough weather from the Azores to Miami.  Me, I do not think I would spend the money-- use it for excursions or maybe the Spa.

OK, thank you!

Hi,  I am considering a cruise pass for Vibe Beach Club for my Feb 2025 TA cruise.  It will be cold in Northern Europe, of course, but I assume that I would be able to enjoy and utilize this pass abundantly later on in the cruise?  Am I correct?  Or would this not be the case?

On 12/8/2023 at 11:31 AM, Essiesmom said:

 

They offer food at the Wine Cellar and Cocktail Bar?

2 hours ago, Hlitner said:

Having access to that sundeck (or the Yacht Club's sundeck) can be a very good thing on a nice sea day.  It can get very crowded on deck (except in the YC or Aurea).  DW and I do enjoy spending lots of time in deck loungers which is one reason (among several) why we appreciate the Yacht Club.  The big downside to the Yacht Club is the lack of shade on their expansive sundeck.  In fact, shade is at a premium on a hot sea day...in any Experience.  Even though we are in the Yacht Club, DW and I have been known to sit in loungers  near the main pool (outside the YC) on port days when it is not difficult to get a lounger in the shade and the ship is relatively empty (most are ashore).

 

Hank

Where were you staying again? The Yacht Club? 😉

On 11/1/2023 at 10:58 AM, kimala said:

Im going to be on the very next week starting Nov 26th. Was also hoping to see some dailys, etc for that ship but..I will bring them all home and see if I can download them here.

Oh yes please!  I would really like to see them

OMG, please do you have the daily programs?

Hi, all!

If anyone had daily programs from the MSC Seashore and is willing to share them, I would be forever grateful! TIA! ~ Maike

On 11/19/2023 at 8:25 PM, blueslily said:

 

I can't afford YC although some folks keep saying that it cost less compared to other lines. It's still more than I csn spend on a cruise." 

Most people cannot afford YC.  Sure, if you live a life in which you seriously consider the merits of the Haven versus the YC or whatever, then money is not an issue.  At all. YC is more affordable, just by looking at concierge level stateroom with other cruise lines. I guess, it's affordable enough to give what everyone apparently refers to as "gen pop" the opportunity to book it for a special occasion.

It's still a lot of money.

So, I embrace all of us riffraff staying in a normal stateroom and worrying about the minute differences between Bella and Fantastica. To me, btw, Aurea is way too expensive, too.

7 hours ago, Hlitner said:

We would advise the OP that there are multiple choices for food/snacks of which the lido buffet is just one option.  There are other places such as the sports bar, gelato counters (this does have a small fee) pizza place, room service, etc.  Some options do involve a small cost, but that is your choice.

 

As to the Yacht Club (the only way we cruise on MSC) it is pricey and not for everyone...especially those on a tight budget.  Most of us in the YC, also enjoy plenty of time out and about the rest of the ship.  For those not in the YC, it is simply a small part of the ship for which you do not have access (other than on a tour).  

 

As to the other "Experiences,"  folks should carefully evaluate the various perks (that come for an extra price) and decide what works best for them and their own budget.  With the exception of the Yacht Club's own lounge, all the entertainment venues, on the ship, are open to everyone.  The entertainers that do work in the YC's lounge do also perform elsewhere on the ship where they can be enjoyed by all.

 

Hank

Thank you for your eloquent explanation, Hank!

May I add that the Aurea-specific sundeck and dining room are also not open to everyone?

On 11/19/2023 at 1:17 PM, Homosassa said:

Don't be scared off by those who will get on here and tell you to only cruise Yacht Club and reveal their natures with terms with pejorative  connotations such as "General Population," GenPop," and "interlopers.

 

Like Shipgeeks, we have sailed many different lines and enjoy MSC because of the Italian culture (food and entertainment) and diverse international passenger make up. 

 

And before the Bella experience became a guarantee cabin only  choice, we sailed Bella in an interior cabin with an assigned (traditional) dining time. It suited us as well as our cruises on Viking Ocean and Oceania because in many ways there were similarities in the on board experience

That's a good point.  I have done YC one time - I had a wonderful balcony cabin, and yes, if I didn't have better things to do with my money, I would do it again!  It's a completely different cruising experience. Other than that, Bella works just fine for me.  The only reason I care about the difference between Bella and Fantastica Inside cabins is because I get more Voyager points with a Fantastica cabin.. so if the "upgrade" is less than 100 bucks and you care about advancing levels, it's worth a consideration.

I have never done an Aurea experience because it's cheaper to pay for the thermal suite pass.  However, if I wanted that exclusive sundeck and anytime dining, it may be worth it.  OK, anytime dining will never be worth several hundreds of dollars to me lol

I travel solo most of the time, so nowadays, it's usually an inside cabin, I don't care where.

I love MSC.

ah you're making me nostalgic. My very first cruise was on the Sun and I have nothing but fond memories. She wasn't the youngest then.  I daresay they're retiring her? Although it looks like she was refurbished in 2021, I would think they'd dry to get another decade out of her.

I just watched a walkthrough video and it seems like in the back of the cabaret theater (deck 7), there are comfy seating areas with tables. This venue has shows in the evening but nothing in the daytime.

On 2/2/2019 at 4:52 PM, Butterbean1000 said:

We always start off with the Funship Special.  It's the drink that lets us know we are on our cruise.  I can't have more than two because they are so sweet.  We usually ask for a rum floater to go with it.  After that, my favorite drink is a dirty martini with blue cheese olives at Alchemy Bar.

Hmmm Dirty Martini with blue cheese olives .... yummy!

I agree with everyone else here.  My teenage son usually goes a couple of times to meet people, and then they start hanging out elsewhere.  We've never traveled with Carnival before - this summer will be our first Carnival cruise - but that's my experience from NCL and MSC.

29 minutes ago, kodesthemoose said:

Glad it's sorted, but I'm concerned that you say the deposit isn't returned if you cancel / yet you seem to be posting from the US.  The deposit is refundable if you cancel within a certain timeframe. 

You're right.  Jeez, I sure got some judgy responses here.  I am sorry I posted this.  It clearly had no purpose since people got hung up on details instead of telling me whether they had experienced random cancellations....

I guess I would get my deposit back up until day 90. My apologies to everyone for the multiple mistakes I have made, which clearly offended.  Thank you for taking the time to not answer my question. OK, rant over.

Great.  They fixed it.  Not sure what happened.  I now had three different bookings lol. 

Ah sorry.  Yes, the DEPOSIT.  If you cancel, it's not returned so it might as well a booking fee lol.

As for the courtesy hold... No, I booked the cruise and got my documents. And then it was mysteriously cancelled. Time to call.

As I was just posting my question about the current or upcoming Seaside shows, I received an email from MSC that my booking was cancelled per my request.

What??? I mean:  WHAT???? 

I did not cancel my booking.  I just made it two days ago. And of course, it's too late to call.

Has anyone else ever had this experience?

I would just rebook and demand my booking fee to be refunded but I am afraid they are going to do the same again.

Thoughts?

Maike

Hi, everyone!

Two years ago, I took a Caribbean cruise on the Divina over the 4th of July week.

Last year, I took the exact same cruise on the Seaside (but, yay, in the (in)famous Yacht Club!)

This year, I am going to go slumming again (lol, don't worry, I don't mean it) in a regular cabin on the Seaside... same week.

Here's my question:

I was wondering, if anyone of you knows whether the shows will be the same as last year on the Seaside or a new selection?

Thanks in advance!

Maike

Yes, albeit the tiny shower space and bathroom, there is indeed a large rainshower. We stayed in an inside. While we know it is tiny, it's do-able for us, given the great pricing. Can't be beat.

That’s exactly what I was thinking! The YC is lovely. And really so peaceful. There are a few snobs lol (present company excluded) and some who always have to sound/be important... and that’s okay. It’s the perfect place, everyone is pampered, regardless of self worth or other status.

You can tell... I am weird, I an different, I am definitely not wealthy - this vacation took some serious saving on my part - and I fit in just as well ad abyone else.

I didn’t socialize much. Only Frank pulled me out of my cocoon lol.

Truly, a lovely experience... but if you cannot afford the YC, I think it would have been lovely elsewhere on board, as well... just probably a little busier.

OP, how are you enjoying your waitstaff? We found the food just good, but the service wonderful. Arthur made us laugh, and steered us to the best dishes. Our embarkation last month was a little more hectic than I expected, but we still were onboard in 45 minutes and plied with drinks and snacks which distracted us, lol. We had an inside cabin, so no need of a lounger. We loved the pool area with so much seating. We never asked for gelato, but if I had and they gave it to me - I’d have never left the YC except for the shows! Interestingly, I brought a crepe from the Miami Beach pool area (don’t miss these!) back into the Top Sail Lounge and a butler saw it and asked what it was and where I got it! He wasn’t aware of what was offered in that part of the ship at all.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

The waitstaff is fine. I had a waiter in the MDR of the Divina last summer who was significantly better than my waiter in the YC. I clearly don’t have the famous Arthur. :-D

I did discuss this with another passenger and I assume that HE said something to the Maitre d‘ because all of the sudden the service improved noticeably.

The butlers are incredible without exception.

I admit I rarely leave the YC. It’s so relaxing and everything is right there.

You would not be happy with the YC inside room because it has a very small shower.

I don’t mind if showers are small. Is there still a rain showerhead?

Can you tell us what the gym's locker rooms look like? Is there a free sauna and steamroom in the men's locker room? Thanks ;)

Well, I am a girl so I am not too sure about the men’s locker room. I expect it’s like the girls‘ locker room. There are plenty pf lockerd in various sizes and you open/close them with your card or bracelet.

If you purchase a thermal pass (or if it’s included in your experience), you may use the thermal area of the spa at your leisure. Opening hours are 9-9.

There are no unisex saunas. So you share it with the girls who would probably prefer to have you wearing swimming trunks ;-)

So, the thermal area has two dry saunas in which the temperatures differ a bit. You also have two steam rooms with different lighting. There’s a whirlpool tub, a snow room (wonderful after that sauna!), a salt relaxation room, a Kneipp room (alternating cold and hot showers). You have different types of showers including breeze and storm and rain.

There are also regular showers in the locker rooms.