jame_g

MSC really does need an included 24 hour "restaurant" on its ships that is separate from the buffet and dining rooms. Most other cruise lines have multiple other included dining options including a solid 24 hour place (or a place that only closes for an hour or two during breakfast hours)

Glad to hear you had a blast, we will be on the Meraviglia in a couple weeks. Hope the shortages were just temporary shoreside stocking issues. When we were on Seashore, they did run out of a couple different sodas (Sprite zero or 7 Up Zero and Coke Zero the last couple days of a weeklong cruise, but the still had diet Coke.) Some of the busier bars would occasionally run out of specific liquors late in the evening, but would typically be restocked the next day. Not aware of them actually totally running out of any alcohol ship wide though.

For the OBC, my experience is that you have to have the status because the OBC is associated with the individual and their level, and not the booking in general. When I make my online booking under my Voyager number, I get the OBC next to my name when I book. No OBC listed for my spouse. I have to call MSC later to add my spouse's Voyager Number (we're both gold), then when the booking confirmation is updated, a separate OBC has been added next to his name.

Here the MSC Drink Package Comparison Chart. It will tell you the beers and liquors that are included.

The chart doesn't identify which brand is the brand they use for well drinks, and it could vary by itinerary or ship. Even by bar on the ship from what we saw. But it seemed they generally used one of the lower level brands listed on the chart, although this may not always be the case. So for example, Seagrams 7 was the well whiskey, Smirnoff was the well vodka, Bacardi was the well rum, Gordons was the well gin, and Jose was the well tequila. Again, what you see offered may differ. The bartender wouldn't even tell us what the well brand was, just what our level of drink package qualified for. Which made me think it can change depending on what they have available. (We had Easy Plus initially and then got upgraded to Premium halfway through). Some of the menus on board may list specific drinks included by package, and those seemed to frequently list the brand used for the drink.

There is a chart on the MSC website: Drink Package Comparison

You may have to both pay attention to what's going on and ask. When we got to the port there was an individual directing everyone to the regular line, and she was blocking both the sign and entry for diamond/aurea. We knew we were supposed to have priority boarding so we stopped and asked. Then she moved and pointed us to the priority line. Also, after checking in, they gave us a number and told us to sit with the crowd until we heard our number called, when in fact they were regularly taking small groups of aurea/diamond guests to the ship immediately after being checked in, just off to the side from the priority check-in. We also only found that out because we went over and asked.

We were on the Seashore and started out in one of these cabins (Deck 15). We were supposed to be in the YC, and didn't get moved until halfway through the cruise. It was very convenient to the Deck 16 buffet and pool area, as well as to the Deck 8 adult pool and bar area. We really liked the suite and the views. Big windows, lots of natural light, good views, great bathroom. (Honestly, it's better than many of the suites in the YC, just doesn't get all the YC perks. After being in the aft suite, we almost turned down the move to the YC when we saw that suite.) We really didn't notice significant noise - there is some separation from you and the elevator and even the elevator lobby. Most of the time the elevators did not require a long wait and weren't really crowded. Every now and then you would hit a peak time or a bunch of people moving at one and it could be slow - but honestly, that happened more with the "regular" elevators. (Sometimes they would never come and you'd have to enter your request again. One time I even walked to the next set of elevators. I'm not convinced that the system used on these newer MSC ships actually works any better - where you put in your requested floor to call the elevator, and then it tells you what elevator number to get on.)

The only time I haven't done travel insurance on a cruise is those 1-2 night Cruise to No Where. Which they really don't offer anymore for a few years now. Any other cruise we will get insurance and make sure it has the coverages important to us. I think we bought cruise insurance once on one of our first cruises. After that we've always use a third party like insuremytrip or squaremouth. There are several others. They are generally cheaper than the cruise line and have better coverage. The one thing I always recommend is buying travel insuracne soon after you book so that you get pre-existing condition coverage. If you wait until final payment, it's generally too late. Way too many situations qualify as pre-existing, so it's probably one of the most critical riders to have. You generally need to buy and pay for the insurance within 7-14 days after you book/make first payment for a policy to cover pre-existing conditions.

I've recently had problems with the pop up not accepting my Voyager number when using EDGE, but when I use Chrome it works fine.

You can expect swim wear, gym wear, and even sleep wear in the buffet. (I saw pajamas and robes.) Most buffets are near a pool area. In the YC restaurant, they will ask folks to go back and change if they are wearing beach wear/tank tops at dinner. They allow shorts (maybe not on formal/dress up night), but the expectation is resort casual at dinner and they do enforce it if people stray too far. When it comes to what I wear, I don't dress up, resort casual at most... After all, if I'm on vacation, I'll be damned if I'm going to lug around extra clothing I don't want to wear or dress uncomfortably. I spent years wearing a suit for work (hated every moment) and became an early work at home adopter back in the mid-90's so I could wear shorts and a t-shirt all day. We took a few cruises early on where we did dress up for formal nights (didn't like that). (I'm a tall guy with big feet. Including something just to wear in the evening/for dinner with an extra pair of shoes takes up significant luggage space and will require me to bring an extra suitcase. Not happening, especially for something I won't enjoy and I have always found uncomfortable.)

Our OBC paid for an item from the Duty Free shop and the rest went toward the daily service fee (gratuities). We had already paid for a drink package as part of our booking and we pre-paid our excursion, otherwise it can also be used for excursions, photos, soft drinks, or alcohol purchased on board too.

Thinking of booking a Jan 2024 cruise. Since I just started looking at this, the status match isn't clear to me yet. Will it be worth submitting information for a status match if we will be booking the Jan 2024 cruise soon? Or will the match just be denied since the cruise is after March 2023?

Yes, everyone in a room and on linked reservations must get the same package (minors must get the Minors package) according to the Terms linked below. Terms & Conditions Beverage packages are not transferrable and may not be shared with other guests. Valid for one beverage only per order. Violation of these terms may result in cancellation of a guest's package without eligibility for a refund or credit of any kind. Availability of Drink packages and prices may vary per sailing. Packages are sold on a per cruise basis and not a per day or any other basis. Pricing applies to each day of the cruise, except for disembarkation day. Once activated on board, packages cannot be terminated or refunded. Packages must be booked by all guests occupying the same cabin, and who are traveling together and wishing to dine at the same table. This includes minors, for whom the Minors Package must be booked. Packages are not obligatory for infants under three years of age. The following exclusions apply; tobacco, souvenir glasses, ice cream menu, retail items, minibar, room service, promotions, and signature venues, including Venchi 1878 establishments, Lavazza Coffee Shops, Jean Philippe Chocolate, Coffee, Crepes & Gelato, regardless of beverage price. Must be of legal age to consume alcohol. See the terms of our Guest Alcohol Policy for more information. Beverages and liquors may be substituted based on availability and itinerary. Other conditions & terms may apply.

I think I saw hot chocolate packets in the buffet on our Oct cruise. Not sure if they were there all the time.

It's not always the same right now. We left from one terminal and came back to another in Oct. So the ship and date are important to know. It should be on your final paperwork. Plus there will be signs when you get to the port (not to mention the ship).

Yes, do both you and your wife. When you book, you need to have one Voyager Club number entered to get the discount pricing. However, in order for both of you to get OBC when you're eligible, you both need to have your VC number on the booking. This won't matter for last minute bookings, but for everything booked 9+ months in advance at Silver and above, you would typically both get some OBC.

I was able to get my CC info entered ahead of time for my cruise last Oct once final payment was made. It just didn't keep it for my spouse/the second person in the cabin and I had to re-enter that after I was on board. So far it hasn't let me for my March cruise, but I will try again next week and see if it takes it.

I wouldn't expect a burger at dinner to be a significant issue since they have burgers on the lunch menu every day. For something that may not be quite as easy or less available, you may want to ask them ahead of time. Also, most days there will also be a YC buffet set up outside by the bar and grill area of the YC pool. So that's another option if you don't want to eat in the restaurant each night.

My understanding is that no wine, champagne, or alcohol allowed to be brought on board. They do search at embarkation and confiscate if found. You can buy champagne on board, and MSC has several different drink packages available at time of booking, pre-cruise, and once on board.

When entering address, you don't enter the city or state, just the zip code. Some people have trouble with this piece. If you can't get credit card info to be accepted, you can do it via kiosks on board the ship or via the app once on board. Just double-check that you had it entered/applied to both passengers in a room. You may also need to call to get the Voyager Club Numbers added for all passengers your booking. This can impact OBC.

Right. Totally understand this. After our experience, I would no longer believe them that anything not on my docs will show up on board. That's not true and doesn't happen.

You don't buy them. But they didn't collect them from us when we left. So far, no place I've been that uses wrist bands has re-used them. They always issue new ones.

No, I booked a 2024 cruise online on Dec 27th and the OBC is showing up on the booking confirmation PDF. You have to make sure that your Voyager Number is associated with your booking for both you and the other person on the reservation. That's where I always have the issue. I have to call the day after I book to have them add the booking number for the second person on the reservation. I haven't found a way yet to add it myself online for the second person - I can edit almost everything else but this.