Morgsmom

They are on the MERA and I, too, saw that every show for every day was sold out for my December cruise. Perhaps I will try to call.... then again, I might have more self-respect than to put myself through that process.... (anyone who has called an MSC rep who knows less than you do will understand )

Diamond does NOT have late disembarkation privileges. In the US you must be out of your cabin by 7:30 or 8:00 and off the ship by 9:30. They will ask you to wait in a "holding pen" in a lounge which is quite boring. In Europe it can vary as they embark and disembark from many ports of call so there is more flexibility. In the US the ship has to go to ZERO count so that they can start the next cruise.

That'd be a hard pass. With two teens your best bet is to book two adjoining cabins.

One of these days you will tell us WHAT DW puts in those 12 suitcases? It is sorted - shoes in one, trousers in the other... or 1 per day so all outfits for the day in that case. Many of us (ok, maybe just me) are curious 😊 PS - totally agree on no shorts in Dining Room at dinner.

oh, yes, forgot about this lounge. they make the SMOKED drinks there - delicious. It's super quiet during the day (never went at night). While we enjoyed the Champagne bar on the Mera we found it's location to be odd - too out in the open for us.

Hi Bertie! Yes, you can order bottles to your room and they will be corked so you can enjoy at will. While you cannot bring on bottles of wine, liquor or soda when you embark I have found they MSC is much less concerned when you return after a port of call. So you could buy yourself some Diet Cokes while in port and bring them back on - it's highly doubtful they would be confiscated. I know that in Cozumel some guests bring back Mexican Coke (as it is make with real sugar and is quite a delicacy) or Corona and they do not get stopped by security. So if you can make it until your first port, then bring a little shopping bag with you and get some supplies there 🙂

It sounds like it is is cruise (MSC) OBC, therefore likely NOT refundable. OBC bought or gifted by a travel agent sometimes is.

its printed on your cruise card as well as the table number

You cannot book before hand. You can pre-purchase a dining package (heavily discounted) but you will arrange for day/time once onboard. It's very very very easily and there will be, oh, 100000 specialty dining servers in the buffet on embarkation day to help you 🙃

So a couple of things here, as Fantastica you presumably CHOSE early dining. That, unfortunately is 5:15 or 5:30. Second, there is a time listed in the daily planner where the Maitre D' is IN THE DINING room precisely to review dining assignments. This is usually from about 2:30 - 3:30 or so. It is NEVER 15-30 minutes before dining because that window of opportunity has sailed (pardon the pun). At that time you can see where your assigned table is located, how large it is, how many at the table, etc and then you can request to change based on whatever your desire is. I agree that as ships become more full the opportunity for a 2 top is dwindling, so you must be flexible with either time or location (lousy table with no view right near kitchen ddoor but it seats 2). Getting an oceanview two top at 7pm facing the sunset (etc etc) is not going to magically happen. The problem is that you were told the wrong thing about when to request a change. As others have said it is usually solved the 2nd night, so you can go to the buffet or specialty dining the first night (which is ALWAYS empty and you will be doted on).

You must reserve onboard. I can't tell you the price but I'd suspect in the $40-$50 range plus gratuity.

Sent an email 🙂 Donna

I live in Orlando and this is 100% the case. Families LEAVING MCO with tired, cranky kids wearing oversized Disney hats and carrying bag after bag of souvenirs... oh my! It's not for the faint of heart.

@Georgia_Peaches I'm sure that I'm not the only one with mouth agape at the $850 OBC... wow.

Drop off your luggage, circle around, park, walk back. Easy peasy.

not necessarily true on the Meraviglia. There are "paid for" shows which include the signature cocktail (where Cirque used to be). Also, do not assume that you will get a table for 1. When you board the ship there will be a time to meet the maitre d' to check on your seating arrangement (usually around 3pm). You can find out then if you are assigned to a singles table (which is getting more common again now that passenger counts are up) or if you are by yourself. I'd guess 80% that you are assigned to a table with others BUT THIS IS YOUR chance to change to a "1 ONLY" table. You might have to be flexible with your dining times but they will do what they can to make you happy. (Ditto with breakfast and lunch in the main dining room. The default is to share a table because it is infinitely more efficient, but if you do not just say "1 not to share" or "1 only" and that will get you a small table by yourself ... and your book...) Cheers!

I would think 9:30 would be pushing it. They have to be at zero count before they can start boarding again (which includes those on a back to back).

It "depends" - if you booked a promo that included the drink package and wifi you cannot do anything if your YC bid is accepted. If you ADDED a drink package in full to your sailing you *might* be able to cancel it if your bid gets accepted. You should be able to cancel the Specialty Dining package at any time up to 72 hours before sailing.

Good morning again. The app is quirky, at best, and you will find MSC's technology to be poor. If you check in online you an see your dining request (keep in mind that late dining can be 8:30 or 8:45 pm). I have never seen "complimentary" dining listed but that is just referring to the MDR (main dining room). If for some reason it is showing ANYTIME dining, then you lucked out as that is reserved for Aurea (or Yacht Club). That means you can go whenever you want.

MSC does NOT have any kind of tracking of your spending or obc easily available to guests. It is not on the TV nor are there self serve kiosks. You have to go to Guest Svcs to get a print out.

They hadn't as of last month. Because of the low pax counts it wasn't needed. All cars could fit in the parking structure.

Yes, you can check in without a cabin assignment.

I guess it depends on a few things - 1) the price they are offering to pre-book. For example it used to be $39 (when the experience was $65), thus a good deal. 2) If you like the choices in the experience, 3) what it would cost to order what you want if you go a la carte. If you are not going to order 3 courses plus a side you might be slightly better off going a la carte, but if there a pre-booking offer -- without the sparking wine - you will save money.

Ah, that makes sense. Since it is in Feb your CLEANEST bet is to cancel the first and rebook the YIN as a new booking with no drinks/wifi (because you don't need). If you try to upgrade they will charge the $750 difference.

An MSC Cruise Certificate is not the same as the MyVegas ones.