dav1041

We got a phone message in our stateroom the day of our our reservation, confirming, and reminding us that long pants for men was required.  All the men had long pants when we went, so not sure just how picky they were.  

Meant to add covid-19 testing tips.   My family of 4 used onpoint teleservice, $15 virtual appointment per person, you provide your own test, we used the free ihealth antigen rapid tests, verification within 15 min, uploaded verification to verifly.   Verifly confirmed and approved everything.  Check in on cruise was a breeze if your verifly is completed.  

On Baja California cruise now, first stop Puerto Vallarta.  Took a cab to Hotel Melia ($5/person per trip) and tried to get a resort daypass.  They turned us down (they obviously don't need any extra business), so don't waste your time there.   Walked to Marriott Beach Resort, got a daypass to the beach and pool area, 1200 peso per person, included a beach towel and 400 peso credit at the restaurant/bar.  Had pool chairs, umbrella, beach access and very attentive staff.  Pool is awesome and beach is nice.  

We had A02 (1030-1100) check-in, I believe it goes diamond/platinum, A01, A02, etc.... 2 weeks before your cruise you are able to check-in, do it at midnight the first day available to get the earliest possible check in time.  The check process takes 30-45 minutes depending on how many are in your booking.  We walked onto the boat as soon as we were done checking in. No wait whatsoever.  

Just ate there last night, the Menu posted by cruisingguy is what we had.  The oysters and filet are fantastic!!!

Just now, thecruisers6 said:

Isn’t that Carnival package affectionately known as the ‘detox’ package. 

Only 15 beverages allowed in 24 hours 🙄

Haha... Some detox.  I never hit the limit or came close, if I did I wouldn't have been able to get out of bed the next day.  

13 minutes ago, Beamafar said:

 

As I've said, the only drinks that won't be included in the Premium package will be those on the Connoisseurs' Selection page of the menus - very straightforward and not complicated at all.

Great, thank you! I can definitely live without the Connoisseurs stuff so I think the premium will treat me perfect.   I was mainly frustrated with the difference between the mealtime, classic, deluxe, easy, premium, premium +, and trying to figure out which one would be the best selection for the experience I was looking for, but it does look like the premium is the way to go.  

19 minutes ago, Até said:

I thought Drinks On Us package was pretty well the established package for US bookings on Seaside by April, 2018. The corresponding Classic and Deluxe were some of the best package values I've ever sailed with. 

We booked Seaside on 04/19/18 and at the time I didn't pay much attention to the drink packages they were offering because we booked Aurea.  I had always planned on upgrading from classic to deluxe (because deluxe seemed to be just like the all-inclusive on Carnival), but they happened to change everything before I got a chance.   

4 minutes ago, Até said:

Hmm, do you know the date of that menu?  From your recent Armonia sailing?  I don't drink rum very often so haven't noticed it was taken off the Super Premium list, where I'm going by memory that it was on my last sailings.  Kind of like the Hendricks Gin and Macallan which seems to move around depending on who/where you ask.  Too many menu changes and inconsistencies between ships and even between the bars on the same ship....

 

I'm sure that played a role in MSC US dropping the drink package description listings showing the specific liquor brands and moving to dollar/euro amounts.

Yes... Way to confusing.  One of the things I enjoyed most about the Carnival all-inclusive drink package was that I could go to any bar on the ship and order any drink and know that it was included.   

20 minutes ago, Até said:

Interesting, I don't remember MSC US offering Mealtime drinks on any sailings from Miami.  Was it on Armonia?  Anyway, Bea is correct and you should have the 534 Classic package and it would cost $15pp/day to go to Premium.  I liked the 534 well enough to keep it on a couple sailings, there was a lot of debate whether the new increased drink prices were going to affect what was included.  So far MSC has been honoring those cocktail, wine and beer choices pretty well, the European 431 Classic package suffered more though.  The US booked packages had more definitive liquor description, not based directly on price.  I attached the US list of included beverages for the 534 Classic so you can see what was, and still is, included.  You won't get Zacapa Rum with any package but Premium Plus.

2018 Drink Package Comparison Guide with Drinks On Us (Version2).pdf 233.19 kB · 1 download

We booked the Seaside... Not sure what the deal was with the mealtime drinks.  Thanks for the guide, it looks like MSC has tried to simplify their drink packages some but it's still too confusing for me.  I look forward to the cruise to see what MSC has to offer, but at this point, IMO anyway, you can't beat the all or nothing drink package that Carnival offers.   

Great, this is exactly what I was looking for (534 to 669) so I know what to tell them on the phone.  Thanks again for all your help!!

Awesome!!  Thank you so much.  

Sorry, should have mentioned we booked in May 2018 for a sailing in July 2019 out of Miami, FL.   

I'm confused as to what drink package we got as well.   When we booked they were offering a deal where everyone got a free meal time drink package no matter what experience you booked.   But I assumed since we got the Aurea package it didn't matter.   I just want some of the premium whisky and rum like Maker's Mark, Jack Daniels, and Zacapa or Pyrat Rum.  

Yes, we booked about a year ago.  This is what it shows, I'm assuming it's the classic.   I just want to upgrade to the premium for the premium liquors (not interested in the mini-bar stuff).  Can I pre-order this or is it something I have to do after we get onto the ship.   

Thanks for your help!!

Hey slei, what did you have to do to upgrade from 534 to 536.  I have the Aurea Best Deal, just want to upgrade from classic to deluxe.   

Thanks