Coastmonkey1

Thank you all for the comments and just to update you. We just had our bid accepted now for our first cruise (64 days out). So now booked in to Duplex Suite for our 2 cruises.

Thanks all for your replies. I have just gotten confirmation this afternoon that the bid on our 2nd cruise has been successful 77 days out. Still waiting to hear the status of the upgrade for our first cruise 70 days out. Hopefully we get the same response fingers crossed.

We are booked in Yacht Club on MSC World Europa first week in July on B2B cruises. We have a Yacht Club balcony booked for both cruises, we received our upgrade bid email last week and we have put in a bid slightly over the minimum for the Duplex Balcony with whirlpool. We have done a few cruises in Yacht Club usually just in a balcony cabin and have never availed of the bid upgrade option before but wanted to give it a go this time. 

I just have a few questions that I would like some assistance with:

1.  How likely is it we will get the bid upgrade by just bidding slightly over the minimum (£40)?

2. When do we find out if the bid has been successful?

We are quite happy with the cabin we have booked just wanted to try the bid upgrade to see how it works. I would be grateful for anyone who has done the bid upgrade thing to see how it worked for you, if your bid was successful and how far in advance you got notification that it was accepted or declined.

Thank You in advance.

Hi All, Just wondering can you add on days to the cruise. Our cruise on the Grandiosa next year is from Barcelona to Barcelona but we where looking at seeing if we can add on a further 3 days at the end from Barcelona over to Naples therefore making it a 10 night cruise instead of 7. I asked my TA but she didn't think it was possible. I have emailed MSC and waiting on a reply. I didn't think it would be a problem as most ports are available for embarkation and disembarkation. Has anyone done it or know if it can be done? TY

Thank you for the replies. Was just looking at some youtube videos and can see children in the Top 19 areas so should be fine. But I'm sure we will be spending most of our time in the waterpark anyway with our little one. Any idea if the Grandiosa will have the same set up as the Seaside/Seaview with a bar in the Top 19 Area? We upgraded our drinks package from Easy to Premium does anyone know what ice cream is included? 

I have been looking at both the MSC ireland and UK sites deck plans and the UK site says its an Aurea Cabin and the Irish site says its a Fantastica Cabin. So hopefully Uk site is more up to date.

Hi all, I have a quick question. We have just booked the Grandiosa for summer 2020 on the Aurea Package. But going by the deck plans we seem to have been allocated a Fantastica Balcony Cabin it still says B3 Balcony and Aurea Experience but its showing up as being in the Fantastica area. Its Cabin 13053. Is this normal? Are the cabins the same or will we be missing out on any extras from the Cabin? Im very happy with the location just wondering should I be looking to have it changed to a cabin in the Aurea "Area". Also we are travelling with our 5 yr old will she be able to access the Top 19 Deck with us? Any advice will be appreciated

Thank you all for the positive feedback

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Just back off our first MSC Cruise on the Fantasia. We cruised many times before with Princess and wanted to try something different.Apart from the great deal we got we had heard MSC was very child friendly and with a nearly 3 year old which would be her first cruise we thought we wouldgive it a go. We had read many mixed reviews on here before we went so we were going with an open mind. The holiday didn’t start well as we had planned to fly into Barcelona the night before we were to join the ship but Ryanair had different ideas so ended up flying very early morning the day we joined. We arrived at the terminal about 1015 they took our bags and we had to wait until 1130 until the boarding started. We had been status matched to Black so where the first to board after the Yacht Club.

The Ship was beautiful and immaculately clean. We were toldour cruise cards would be in the cabin but not until after 2pm. We decided togo to the cabin and see if we could leave our hand luggage there until the roomwas ready. When we got there the room was ready and our cards on the bed forus. We had a Balcony cabin on deck 9 which was a great size with a sofa bedwhich our daughter loved and very clean. We went down and registered our CC onone of the machines which was so easy and then went for lunch in the buffet.

We read on here a lot about the food being bad, not enoughor cold. All I can say is that people who complain about the food on MSC mustbe really fussy. I enjoy my food and never went hungry. Portion size can besmall but if you have an appetiser, main course and dessert you will be morethan satisfied. We were on first sitting at 18:15 and had a lovely table forthe 3 of us. It was an 11 night cruise and there was never any repetition ofthe menu. We never experienced any cold food and overall couldn’t complainabout the food at all. There was always something we could choose.

Our daughter is only 2 months shy of being 3 butunfortunately this meant she couldn’t go to the kids club without one of usbeing present. We didn’t mind that as we were on a family holiday. She stillcould partake in the activities like children’s disco and the pizza making andwhen the mini club was open could go in there as long as one of us accompaniedher. Otherwise she loved the pool and dancing to the music on deck and in thelounges. What we found great was that we could still enjoy a drink in theevening and she could dance in the lounges close to where we were sitting andit didn’t seem to bother anyone a really big plus for us. We even took her to afew of the shows in the evening which we all really enjoyed. We hired astroller on board which was free and saved us having to bring one with us.

Overall the entertainment was very good aboard, the showswhere really good and there was always live music in the bars and lounges everyevening. We had the All Inclusive drinks package which was fantastic and hadeverything included we wanted. The wine by the glass was a beautiful Sicilianred which we really enjoyed. The only thing I found a bit frustrating was thelack of bar servers in the lounges it took ages sometimes to get someone totake our order. It wasn’t the servers fault as an extra 1 or 2 servers perlounge would of solved that especially during busy times. Overall we couldn’tfault any of the staff as on the most part they were very friendly. The onlytime I was disappointed with the customer service was at the reception desk. Wehad bought the internet package and I went to ask how to log on. I got a veryrude and abrupt gentleman who basically looked and spoke to me as if I was stupid,I watched him with others as well and he was just so unprofessional and obviouslydid not want to be there. On the internet package it was awful. The only timewe could get any kind of service on it was at about 0600 in the morning afterthat forget about it. We used 3G most of the time as we were nearly alwaysclose to land.

There were a lot of different nationalities on board themajority being French, German, Italian and British. We found this great it madea change from mainly US and our daughter can now say hello in quite a fewlanguages. Because of this the announcements where in 5 or 6 differentlanguages this didn’t bother us at all there were not that many. It did seem tobother a few of the English speakers who in the future should stick to P&Oor Cunard if they are that bothered.

The biggest disappointment we had was for the last 2 days ofour cruise when new occupants came into the cabin next door. They werecontinually smoking on the balcony and my wife even witnessed one of themthrowing a cigarette overboard. We complained to the desk and I have to say thegirl I spoke to was very efficient and sent security straight away but by thistime they had stopped and there was nothing security could do without catchingthem in the act .She told me if they smoked again to call the desk straightaway, I did but could never get through and when I did they had finished. Theyknew it was us who complained and we felt very intimidated when we saw them. Itcontinued for the next 2 days and we couldn’t use our balcony for the rest ofthe cruise because of the smell. I really feel strongly about smoking onbalconies as we were on the Star Princess in 2006 when she had a massive fireon the balcony caused by someone throwing a cigarette overboard which blew backon board and caused a fire. Check out youtube Star Princess fire. It wasterrifying. I don’t understand why the cabin stewards don’t report people whenthey obviously find evidence on the balconies. I know this might be a bit pettyof me but when you have experienced first hand a fire of that magnitude it justmakes me mad why people can’t use the designated smoking areas on board withoutpotentially putting the lives of everyone on board at risk. Ok rant over

We also bought the photo package the one with 100 photos. Atthe end of the cruise when we were choosing the photos we only had 86, we askedone of the photo staff if we could have a few extra prints of the ones weespecially liked she said no problem just tell them at the desk. Went to thedesk and showed them the ones I wanted copied. Was told would be an extracharge for extra prints. Explained wasn’t extra just copies to bring total upto 100. No give or take so we left with 86. All in all it is a great packageeven with the 86 it worked out at just over £1 per photo. I will get it againon the next one I just think the staff should all be on the one page when itcomes to explaining the packages.

Apart from that we thoroughly enjoyed our time on board theMSC Fantasia. We will definitely cruise with MSC again we are currently lookingat booking our next. We think we will book the Aurea package next time as wereally want to have the anytime dining as the 18:15 seating was a little rushedfor us and the late seating will be too late for our little one. Plus with thedrinks package and the massages included it works well for us going by what wespent on this cruise. I hope this review helps any first time MSC cruiser. Wehad read so many mixed reviews on here but can happily say we were definitelynot disappointed. It was a little disorganised at times and there were a fewlines at peak times but this it to be expected. We were on holidays to have agood time and relax if we had to wait we had to wait we had nowhere to be in ahurry. If you want something that iswell organised and runs like clockwork join the army. This is a holiday go withthe flow and you will have a brilliant time. It is what you make it and we hada fantastic time. I would 100% recommend MSC Cruises to anyone.

Hi Bea, thank you for that I see it now. Couldn't find it for looking[emoji23] but apart from that all looks good. Really looking forward now to getting onboard.

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Received my e-tickets. We have been Status matched to Black. Does this be displayed on the luggage tag anywhere as it only mentions on the first page that my wife and I are Black Members and nowhere else on the documentation.

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Thank you all for the replies I have emailed my TA this morning so hopefully will get something back today. Thanks again

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We leave now in two weeks so expecting our tickets to be emailed any day now. Apart from the ticket and luggage tags what else do we receive with the tickets? Is there info on how many theme nights/formal nights etc. Any other forms we have to fill in. It's an 11 night cruise. First MSC cruise so curious.

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Thank you Bea for that. I was just interested to see if the amount differed from the 7 night cruise. Thank you

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Hi All just a quick question as we are sailing in less than 4 weeks now. I know for a weeks cruise the preauthorisation is €250 but what about an 11 night cruise? Is it the same? Would be grateful for any feedback. Tks

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Thank you Bea, some mixed reviews. We have been to Rome many times but just wanting to get photos with our daughter at the main sights and this tour was a lot cheaper than that offered by the ship. Still unsure [emoji52]

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Also posted on Ports forum

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Just wondering has anyone done this tour? We are thinking of booking it for our cruise call in Civitavecchia on the 9th of October onboard MSC Fantasia. It will be for my wife and I and our 3 yr old. Just wanting to know how good it is and are we guaranteed getting back to Civi ontime. Any advice will be appreciated. Thank You.

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Just wondering has anyone done this tour? We are thinking of booking it for our cruise call in Civitavecchia on the 9th of October onboard MSC Fantasia. It will be for my wife and I and our 3 yr old. Just wanting to know how good it is and are we guaranteed getting back to Civi ontime. Any advice will be appreciated. Thank You.

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I had my cruise fully paid when I realised I was entitled to the 5% through the Status Match programme. I contacted my TA who got in touch with MSC and the 5% discount was approved in less than 24 hours. I'm just waiting on the paperwork to get done now and have asked that the refund be applied as OBC as the cruise is already paid off.

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Just spoke with TA no problem with the online check in. Even went in and did it just to be sure all worked fine.

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Yeah that's them very easy to deal with we have never had any problems.

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I might get a chance to contact them later. I booked through Vision Cruise some very good deals with them plus as you say the Euro sterling rate is great at the moment. Really looking forward to our cruise now 11 nights on Fantasia on the 1st of October out of Barcelona [emoji568][emoji924]

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Thank you Bea

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Hi Bea, thank you for that. We are looking at the Cruise Streamer plus gives you 3000mb plus video as our little one is crazy about Dora the Explorer. It just doesn't say how many devices but if yours was 2 I'm sure this must be similar. As long as we can have 2 would be great.

On another note Bea I think your the person to ask. We are from Ireland but booked through a UK TA and was told that because we had an Irish address we might not be able to check in online! Is this right would you know?

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