havanadaydreaming

We did trivia a couple days. There were all types of trivia. We played Bingo. There were the typical pool party events but we really relaxed in the Yacht Club. There were wine tastings and dance classes. We loved exploring the ship.

I'm looking forward to the trivia contests next month. I keep waiting for a cruiseline to have Jimmy Buffett trivia contest but so far no dice.

we booked first msc cruise a couple months ago. I've only sailed CCL and NCL, I'm really looking forward to a unique experience.

we bolted from the guarantee room after dealing with Voyagers Club rep. she said we would have partially obstructed view. we went Fantastica with unlimited premium beverages upgrade (will give coupons to our adult kids across hall). I highly recommend calling the VC.

I've heard great word of mouth from msc cruisers when in South Florida. I've read the Divina is spotless.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Forums mobile app

the match amount showed up within an hour or so. we contacted VC directly to finalize booking. they were delightful.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Forums mobile app

I booked Aug cruise. itinerary, ship and cost made it the best option.

last year we took a shuttle van from FLL to Miami port for NCL cruise, two others inside raved about the Divina.

I think boorish, selfish 'Murica types might prefer other options but most of us open minded and patient folk will very likely enjoy MSC.

but...their website sucks. ha!

Sent from my SM-G920V using Forums mobile app

I'm fairly new to cruising but my wife has been on almost all lines past 3+ decades.

booked our first msc cruise this Aug, she's always talking about old time set dinner times, dress codes, etc.

I love CCL and NCL, for much different reasons. I think MSC will join the club above for its own uniqueness. I'm pretty low key and chill...it's hard not to have fun in the Caribbean in my book.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Forums mobile app

must be redeemed within 30 days of new booking.

pfffffft.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Forums mobile app

We just booked B2 fantastica with unlimited premium drink package upgrade. 12th deck. We are travelling with adult kids, whom we will give fantastica drink coupons to. I am addicted to balcony, can't cruise without it.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Forums mobile app

I have to admit I found the MSC website clunky, but I got a little better with it with a little more exposure. the app is meh, at best.

the MSC website is firewalled at my office. sweet. NCL and CCL are not and they're much easier to navigate. I would vastly prefer to book my own cruises, if possible. I must admit that Jess in the Voyager's Club area was the best person to deal with ever. My wife and I both spoke to her individually and both of us would hire her in a new York minute for our own businesses. She made the entire booking experience a pure delight.

I've enjoyed every FLL area hotel we've booked. usually go with one of the big travel websites and book the best bang for the buck, 3.5+ star.

last trip we stayed at Hollywood Margaritaville Resort which was tremendous. tons of fun, worth the extra cash.

thanks for the heads up.

we went with Fantastica B2 balcony on 12th deck with unlimited premium beverage package. We are travelling with adult son and his girlfriend, we'll give them the 12 drink coupons we get from Fantastica program.

i was pleasantly surprised with the Match program.

My wife is Black and I'm Gold, but I've only been cruising for 4 years. the Voyager's Clubs people are AMAZING!!!

quick update - I called and contacted the Voyager's Club and reached a very helpful person. We were unable to enroll in the VC loyalty match before booking cruise with agent, the MSC app wouldn't accept a screenshot from my cel documenting other loyalty levels.

I informed her that we were very interested in premium unlimited bev pkg and she floated the option at upgrading B1 room to level that included unlim prem bevs...along with several other features and benefits. Not sure what the final result is, yet, but I think we're going higher on the ship with B2 cabin. She asked me to fax her the documentation and she'd put together the best proposal. YAY!

final details to follow, but life seems good.

thanks, Bea. I appreciate the assist.

I anticipated the unlim bev plan being mandatory for both, otherwise there's too much room for guest manipulation.

I forgot to mention the MSC website is firewalled here at the office and the mobile app isn't as detailed as website, so I'm flying blind until late afternoon on certain details.

My wife and I found it a little challenging to book cruise on MSC this past weekend as opposed to some of the competitors. We even would up dialing the MSC # for assistance. I could use some advice from those who have sailed with them previously before I finalize entire payment tonight.

*the final cost that we were quoted verbally was a couple hundred dollars more per cabin than we could get on the MSC site. That confused me, since we were quoted a military discount for my son's cabin and a Loyalty Match discount for ours. Why would internal rep rate be higher than website rack rate?

*any tips on the beverage plan? do both occupants of cabin have to get the "unlimited" premium beverage plan, or can we choose a coupon package for her and unlim for me? (not sure I can offset unlim cost for both of us, but I can certainly make it worthwhile for myself)

*also, I've read not to prepay beverage plan until after embarkation. select the package onboard. thoughts?

I'm calling the Loyalty Match program rep today to enroll, so we are afforded perks and discounts for August cruise. that's an impressive option and I have to hand it to MSC for offering it. it's part of the reason we are sailing with the company for the first time. I hope they wow us!

I thought the food on Escape was fantastic. I also liked the entertainment reservation system, so i was guaranteed to see everything i wanted.

I,too, like the Carnival product. We just aug MSC cruise, mainly to itinerary and cost. But we had a fellow cruiser rave about MSC last fall. That word of mouth didnt hurt!

Sent from my SM-G920V using Forums mobile app