Morgsmom

If it is a closed loop cruise you do NOT need a passport. Good luck with SIX kids 🤔

Just to confirm, there is NO coffee maker (Nespresso) in the YIN on the Mera? insert frowny face

For 2 other cabins, who booked Bella, for whom it is their first MSC cruise to jump on the coattails seems bit of a stretch, IMO

No noise really from the Champagne Bar on the Mera.

Depends on ship & sailing. We were on the Meraviglia last March and it was a ghost town - about 800 pax. Last month less than 2000 on the Divina though no one will give you the "real" number. The 3 nighters have the highest occupancy, followed by the 7 nighters, then the 4.

Welcome to the world of MSC horrible IT!!!!

MSC is a for profit enterprise. They weigh all of these decisions. In the end issuing some OBC to a few passengers is more profitable. Cruiselines (especially MSC) are not in the hospitality industry, they are in the profit game. Same with any restaurant shoreside. Walk-in party of 20? Sure, we'll take you. Do we have "enough" staff? Maybe not, but we are not going to turn away the revenue. With food/produce/etc being at inflationary highs I'd do the same thing. Does it stink? Sure does. But it's a mass market ship trying to squeeze out dollars after two plus years of losing.

Any notice of why it had been cancelled? We were looking at the same date & sailing previously.

While true, some bartenders make much better cappucinos than others 😉

Yes, they have it for both kids and adults on the last sea day of 7 night cruises. My husband LOVES it and has won twice 😉 No, you cannot cook since it is in the theater but it is great fun nevertheless for those who participate.

In fact, neither Patricia, nor John (her sweet husband) are butlers - they are YC assistants or stewards or something. (Well at least as of 18 September) They WANT to be full fledged butlers and hope to get picked up for another contract again. We met Patricia last March on the MERA and she remembered us 6 months later on a different ship --- that's amazing and wonderful. Please tell her that "Maam Donna and Sir George" say hello and wish them safe travels home.

Oh, Rodwin and Patricia are the best 🙂 Enjoy their impeccable service.

Rodwin is FABULOUS! We had a 7am wakeup call with cappucinos every day. Delivered with smile.

Thank you! Those are hardly "signature drinks" 🙂

So that you, theoretically, can't leave a hairdryer or curling iron plugged in and running, potentially causing a fire....

Just want to chime in having done Bella, Fantastica, Aurea and YC I can honestly say that no one knows which "category" of services you have in the first 3. Only Yacht Club is different. Of Bella and Fantastica the only difference is room service breakfast, choosing your dining time (but you can switch once onboard) and picking your cabin. That's pretty much it. Aurea adds some experiences, but nothing that different... I'd think about trying MSC.

Not the best place for these questions, however - GF should be noted pre-boarding using the special dietary request form. Tea bags vary by country of origin of sailing as well as venue (YC has different teas - loose leaf and bagged than the main dining room and buffet) Yes, there is sweet & low and Equal, but no stevia. There are no tea kettles in balcony cabins. The YC will have nespresso machines.

Yes, if you overnight and they leave at noon you CAN go back on the island in the morning at 7'ish. All aboard is 11:30. Bar service will be open but there is no food.

so interesting; I have found significantly cheaper fares on the Italian website but cannot book as the default country of residence is Italy. Is there a workaround?

Did you buy UP to the premium extra? In any case, the premium package (one lower) includes frozen cocktails - the only difference would be the spirits. Mini bar is NOT included.

Yes. Carry them back and then you exchange them before leaving Ocean Cay. There is an attendant who will take and swap with you.

Normally teens are now allowed in clubs, however they have their own teen activities. MSC has a strict 21 & up drinking policy unlike some other lines that allow 18 year olds to drink at sea. Not sure if these teens are closer to 16 or 19 - that might make a difference.

Do you mean embarking in each of these countries? or using different MSC websites?

#1 - how can an opinion be wrong? #2 - wow, you have really strong opinions about what can be worn in the MDR but now you say you don't go there? Why would you weigh in on how someone wearing a wife beater, cut off shorts and baseball cap not impact your dining if you are not in the dining room? (curious minds want to know..) #3 - Yes, meals in the MDR are "coursed" (brought out course by course), so, yes, you will wait for your dessert after the other plates are removed. Is this wrong? I think cake is GROSS; does that make my opinion about cake wrong?

To #1: MDR is CLOSED for embarkation lunch #2: The Buffet 😞