gmhohio

I've stayed at the Pullman near the Miami Airport. Have stayed there either three or four times in the past. They have a free shuttle from the Airport and will also shuttle you to nearby places (although they are walkable). Right around the corner is a strip center with a Cuban Restaurant, Starbucks, Publix along with a few other places to grab a few things. In the parking lot is a Burger King, which is good if you're not wanting a full meal. Across the street from the Strip Center is a Walgreen's and of course across the street from Walgreen's is a CVS. Both the Walgreen's and the CVS are good for those last minute things you may have forgotten to pack, such as sunscreen or other assorted sundries.

The concierge at the Pullman can also arrange for transportation to the Port on your day of embarkation. I think the cost is either $10 or $11 per person.

The Pullman is one of the hotels NCL uses in Miami for pre or post cruise stays and they have their own shuttle which will pick up NCL passengers the day of embarkation. I've booked the Pullman both ways and have saved money either booking through Trivago or the hotel's website.

Good Luck with your selection.

The MSC website is a travesty. From personal experience, the best way to get the drink packages for you and your family would be to phone your TA or PCC and speak to them. Trying to do things via the MSC website will be a continual source of frustration.

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I found an Alaska cruise next Sept on NCL with a gay group by Aquafest. We've never been with Aquafest only Arno.

Can anyone give us info on what it's like? How big a group, demographics, is Aquafest competent etc etc.

TIA

Hi samnbill,

I did an Aquafest Group cruise to Alaska about seven years ago. There were about 30 or so in the group. It was mostly male and the guys were mostly in their 30's and 40's. Everyone in the group was really nice and inclusive. I'm still in touch with some of the folks from that cruise.

Since then I've done several other Aquafest Cruises and Events. The Aquafest people always do a great job to make sure that everyone is included (as much as the person wants to be) and does a great job in taking care of the silly little issues which may arise on the ship.

Hope you give them a try and have a great time!

Hi LGBT Cruise Critic Fam,

 

I was wondering if people on here who have sailed MSC could enlighten me on the experience on the ship, with a primary focus on LGBT. I'm considering a cruise on the Seaside next year. My questions:

 

1. How did MSC treat you if you were solo LGBT?

2. Does MSC hold or set aside a spot on the ship for the Friends of Dorothy / LGBT gatherings? If yes, is it posted in the daily or do you hunt for it?

3. Regardless of LGBT, how was your experience on MSC (include what ship you sailed on and how long ago)?

4. If you went solo, did MSC do anything to help you meet others (non-LGBT singles gathering)?

 

Thanks in advance for your help and feedback. MSC had a shaky start when she first started in the North American market. I'm just wondering if it has improved and how they are towards our community.

 

Thanks again! :)

Hi Jake,

I did my third MSC cruise this past February on the Divina.

There was a LGBT gathering on the ship, I think the first sea day. Unfortunately I was the only passenger to attend. I had a nice conversation with a gay member of the ship's entertainment staff. There was only one gathering that week. The stars member was very nice and would go out of his way to say hello throughout the week. There may have been a single's gathering, but I did not attend.

I felt very comfortable cruising as a solo throughout the week.

One thing to note, wait staff and bar staff do not fawn over passengers the way they do on US cruise ships. As long as you treat staff with the same respect you would like, you will be treated with the utmost respect.

The food in the main dining room was just OK. There was nothing serve which was horrible, but nothing had me oohing or ahhing. I did eat in once in Eataly and once in the Galaxy restaurant and I must say that both of these dinners were superb.

Overall, I had a good experience on the Divina, and I'm planning on another MSC cruise in the future.

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Almost got a heart attack. I tried to pull up our booking but only received an error message about missing mandatory info. Called msc the agent said everything was good. We are paid in full and have already received our edocs for our cruise in april. When I typed in my user name and password the booking came up but couldn't get to it by entering my booking number and first and last name.

Cruising Mom77, not to fret! As long as your PCC can find your record and you have your edocs you are fine.

The MSC website is atrocious and was a constant source of frustration throughout my pre-cruise process.

Relax and enjoy getting ready for your well deserved vacation.

Hi Idlewis45,

You may wany to try a longer period between booking and cruising. I booked into a balcony as a solo in September for a mid-February cruise and had no problems.

I also found that the MSC website functions poorly and was a source of frustration throughout the entire process.

I would try calling and booking your cruise and subsequently any extras through one of the MSC PCCs. You will probably have more luck.

Good luck and enjoy your cruise!

Looking for opinions from those who have sailed MSC as well as the larger ships of NCL (Epic, Getaway, and Escape). How is the nightlife on MSC? Does it compare to NCL? This would be a 21st birthday celebration with a group of friends all around the same age, so nightlife is important. Second, how does the food on MSC compare to NCL?

 

Thanks

Hi Sissaaaaaa,

There are a number of differences between the two lines. I am Platinum on NCL and have taken two cruises with MSC and am taking a third with MSC in three months. I would agree with most of the previous posters, that as 21 year olds, you may prefer NCL over MSC.

While on NCL, you will notice that the crowd is mostly American or Canadian and of varying ages, The last time I was on MSC, the crowd was predominantly 40-50 and came from Europe, Latin America and the US. A majority of the folks on the ship were Spanish speaking.

MSC shows each evening are more of a themed variety show. The shows include singers, dancers and acrobats. So one night you may have a theme of Pirates with various types of acts, and the next night the same types of acts, but with Michael Jackson theme. One thing that MSC does, is that they also have trained opera singer on their ships and do an Opera Matinee during their cruises.

NCL shows are more themed based, so one night you may have a comedian, while the next night you may have singing and dancing of Broadway tunes and then the next night you may have a Cirque de Soleil type of show.

I just got off the Gem a couple of weeks ago and I was really impressed at how good the food in the main dining rooms had become. (It was hard to get into the specialty restaurants as most passengers had the dining had made reservations prior to boarding the ship.) My one criticism with NCL food is that their desserts tend to be somewhat bland.

I was last on the Divina in May of 2014 and food was just OK. There were no dishes I would specifically recommend. I will give MSC credit for the food in Eataly, one of their specialty restaurants, the food was superb.

One major difference between NCL and MSC are their drink packages. I usually purchase the Unlimited Beverage Package (UBP). NCL limits the value of the drink to 15.00. If the drink you choose is more than 15.00, you will end up paying the difference between the price and the 15.00 plus a gratuity as well. The UBP does not include anything other than drinks. Things in your cabin's mini bar are not included in the UBP. Oh, and bottled water is NOT included in the UBP, bottled water is a different package.

On MSC if you choose their All Inclusive Premium Beverage Package, MSC does not put a price limit on the cost of the drink or the brand (top shelf) of liquor used. For example, when I was last on the Divina, the cost of a Johnny Walker Blue shot was $22.00, which was included. When I asked for a double, the bartenders or waitresses did not bat an eye and brought me my $44.00 drink. This packet also includes coffee drinks, juices, bottled water, soda pop, ice cream, gelato, etc. Also included in the package are pastries from their Italian Bakery along with the items in your mini bar.

Hopefully the head to head comparison for these few items may help you in your decision making process.

Regards,

I also love the word Brits use for erasers. Nothing like the look on a little old lady's face when a 9 year old British child proclaims his excitement about lovely Mickey Mouse erasers at a drug store in Orlando!

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I was on the Divina about two years ago. Most of the parties played Latin music, including their White Party. The Silver Bar also hosted later parties. The music would also be Latin, but later on they would switch to better known dance music.

As Essiesmon also mentioned, the shows are really good. If you like opera, they do a specific matinee show, which was incredible....and I don't normally appreciate opera.

Oh, one other thing about MSC, their More for Less Premium All Inclusive Package, the higher cost one, includes all drinks with no limits. In 2014 their most expensive drink was Johnnie Walker Blue at 22.00 a shot. This package also included this drink. I ordered a couple of doubles and I definitely made my daily quota of drink costs. I figured quality was even better than quantity in this scenario.

The package also included Coffee Drinks, Ice Cream/Gelato, Pastries from their bakery and the things in your minibar.

I thoroughly enjoyed myself on the Divina in 2014, enough to sail again on her in 2017.

Hope some of this helps in your decision making process. Best of luck!

How I miss cruising with you guys!

I was on the Divina about two years ago in an inside cabin. One major difference I noticed, in addition to what has already been mentioned, was the drink package. I bought the Allegreissimo package for drinks. The Package included all brands with no drink price limits like NCL has. I was able to try liquors and liqueurs I would have never tried, if I were to have paid for them separately.

The package also included items my minibar, coffee drinks, pastries from the pastry shop, gelatos and the Room Service fees.

In 2017, it appears they are calling the package the "MORE-FOR-LESS PREMIUM ADULT ALL-INCLUSIVE UNLIMITED DRINKS".

Is anyone else going on this cruise?

Hi Mark,

Just saw your post from December and wanted to say 'Hi'. I'll be on this cruise as well. I'm part of a group of roughly 400 LGBT people (and friends) on this cruise. I'm really looking forward to some of the unusual ports on this itinerary.

You may want to give Aquafest a try. The group usually runs around 400 to 500 people on a regular voyage of a ship. Most customers are in their 40's and 50's, some younger, some older. There are lots of activities to join in if you wish. The folks who run Aquafest are very pleasant people who strive for everyone's inclusion.

If interested, try Googling Aquafest Cruises.

Anyone book a pre or post cruise hotel through NCL for February?

Just wondering what the prices are?

 

Robert

I have stayed at the Sofitel by the Airport three times. The first time was booked through NCL. The last two times I have booked on my own, which was at a substantial savings. The hotel has a free shuttle from the Airport and will also give you a ride and pick you up from one of the area restaurants, although the walk is only two blocks or so to these restaurants and coffee house. There are also a CVS and a Walgreens on the corner for those last minute pre-cruise purchases.

The hotel concierge can also arrange for transportation to the port the day of the cruise. I think the cost was either $10 or $11 per person.

Food at the hotel can be a bit expensive, but you do have a good number of other food choices nearby the hotel.

Hope this info helps!

Time is getting close for your cruise! Have a wonderful time!

To be honest Sensations, I didn't go to any. I was with a 400 strong LGBT group on this cruise. We had our own parties in other venues with our own entertainers and our own DJ.

Please pardon the short intrusion.

I was on the Independence a couple of weeks ago. The Champagne Bar is a great choice as to where to gather and is by far the best bar to visit. Tanya, Giovanna and Sydney are all a lot of fun and make some great drinks!

While you are there, try the Chocolate Cheesecake Martini, it is an incredibly delicious drink.

It was so good to meet you as well Matt! Hope everything went well on your first day back to work. We will definitely keep in contact. Cody doesn't do CC, but I will pass on your message.

You are so right. One week from right now I'll be in the air, which is great as the current temp is 31 degrees in Columbus. (I think my word of the day is "Brrrrrrrr".) The suitcases are out and the shorts and Tshirts are laundered and out.

Enjoy your dinner next Saturday night, we'll all get to see each other Sunday evening or perhaps earlier at the AF check-in.

Matt, Is Wilton Manors far from Rock Bar and the host hotel? Is it Uber-able?

Sorry we will miss you Darrell. I've got nothing better to do on Saturday night and don't want to stay out too late, so why not? Besides, once the early bird specials are over, what else is there to do? :rolleyes:

At last year's pre-cruise party, Miss Conception did a mini show which was hysterical. Hopefully she will again have a little mini show at the pre-cruise party! It looks like the drink prices are pretty similar to what we will see on board so what the heck!

Gregg that email also said starting at 7. That's pretty early. I won't be able to get there before 9 or so. I have dinner plans with my straight group.

You are right Matt, 7PM is rather early for a bar gathering. Perhaps the A Team is thinking everyone may be running out for a Florida specialty, Early Bird Seating Specials! ;)

Last year Miss Conception did a mini-show at the pre-cruise gathering in Houston. Maybe she is doing another mini-show in FLL?

AF sent out an email last evening. They said there will be an unhosted gathering but didn't named a place. They said they would announce the place a couple weeks prior to the cruise.

I know what you mean Matt. The past few AF cruises have had less and less pre-cruise conversation on the boards. I kind of wonder if people like us are relics of an earlier era and all the other folks are communicating through online phone apps.

Shhhh. It's still very quiet in here :)

Why are we being vewy vewy quiet? Are we hunting wabbit? :rolleyes: