lucy n

Hi all, we’re sailing on the Divina from Naples on the 23rd May and our first port of call is Civitavecchia. Having sailed out of there before I’m aware it’s a distance from the port over to Rome. We’re thinking of booking the MSC coach transfer from the port into Rome and back again-does anyone know if this is a single pick up and drop off, or do they run it like a shuttle service similar to the set they have in port of Marseille? We’ve got a 6yr old and 9yr old who will be keen to see some of the sights but I doubt will manage a whole day in the centre of Rome so I want to plan travel options in advance ( plus avoid the absolutely extortionate taxi fares!) thanks!

I know it seems like a really funny request right?! I am all about having a view and looking out on to the ocean. . . my husband has a real thing with heights and says that looking down directly into the water gives him the heebie jeebies 🙈 He also seems to think our children will throw themselves off like lemmings (they won’t). We sailed on the Splendida in 2022 and had a deck 10 or 11 cabin that looked straight down which he found absolutely awful. On the Seascape last year we were on deck 11 toward the back of the ship and overlooked the Aurea verandas on deck 9 so this was perfect for my husband as he felt safe! I really felt for those who had booked the more expensive veranda cabins though because they are so overlooked by everyone upstairs in the cheaper fantastical balconies! This trip is going to be (hopefully) on the Divina so there’s only certain cabins that overlook the promenade sections-most of the balcony cabins jut out and will directly overlook the ocean regardless of the deck level it seems. The agent has called to confirm the cabin isn’t available unless there’s an accessible need to that is now all sorted-back to the deck maps I go!

Thank you-currently waiting to hear back from the agent after I’ve queried it! Would want to avoid a move if possible as will be sailing with young kids so I’ve asked them to double check if there are other options for family rooms. Really glad I checked the deck plan

Hi all, Would appreciate some advice from more seasoned passengers! We’ve sailed with MSC a couple of times previously and never had an issue booking the specific cabins we want. This time we’re booking a sailing not totally last minute but with less than 6 months to go. Contacted our agent this morning for a quote and with specifics on where we want cabin-essentially we’re not too fussed about the deck but more that we wanted a balcony cabin that overlooks a promenade or lifeboat section rather than directly looking onto the ocean. The agent has sent us through a quote and when I’ve looked on the deck map although the cabin is in exactly the right section it looks to be an accessible cabin. Has anyone had experience of booking an accessible cabin when they don’t need one-is this allowed? I wouldn’t want to take away a cabin from someone who needs it but I wonder if MSC would move us if someone wanted to book that cabin who needed it later on than us. I wouldn’t have a problem with this at all but would be great to get everyone’s thoughts thank you!

Due to be at Ocean Cay on Monday and wondering what activities are there for kids? Is there a particular beach geared towards families and do they have any water toys or floats etc? Thanks for any info!

@tonyfall1 did you book via a TA? We found when we booked with MSC last year that we couldn't check in online, but that all the docs came to us via the TA. This year we booked with the same TA but the docs came to us from MSC once we'd done online check in. . . . There is no method in the madness! However I understand MSC are notorious for this kind of thing

We'll be at Ocean Cay a week tomorrow-first time in the Caribbean and coming from the UK (where it's currently 4 degrees C) so we're very excited! I saw on the MSC website that you can hire a beach umbrella for the day and was wondering how necessary this is? Are there many shady spots around the beaches at all or is it pretty crucial to have an umbrella? Will the staff come and put it up on any of the beaches for you? We're travelling with 2 small kids so wanted to be prepared!

We're sailing from Miami a week today and have booked a couple of excursions-San Gervaiso Mayan ruins plus beach break in Cozumel, and then the Cayman Turtle Centre in Grand Cayman. I'm interested to know what time the excursions usually depart from the ship? If anyone has info that would be really appreciated! Haven't booked anything yet for Ochos Rios in Jamaica so knowing the start times of the excursions may influence this. . . . not keen on a situation whereby we're having to get up at 6am 3 days on the trot!!

@TrustyJ I don’t think they do send it out in advance. . . .we certainly never had anything prior to our cruise on the Splendida but had taken a couple of dressy outfits with us. Unfortunately didn’t have anything for the themed nights though!

Wondered if the Caribbean itinerary would be similar to the trip we took on the Splendida to the med last spring I.e a white night plus one other formal night and then a few themed nights? I’m starting to work out what we need to pack! Definitely packing my reusable thermos cup this time for late night trips to the hot drinks station 😂

@Two Wheels Only thank you for this! I had wondered about the bus journey and in fact hadn’t even thought about food being included so I need to check that out on the excursion details. Good to hear it’s worth doing and the tip to wear swimmers (I too would have inevitably overpacked!!)

Kids are desperate to visit the Turtle Centre when we dock in George Town-taxis look top dollar so wondering if it’s better to just book the excursion? has anyone visited there or done the excursion? thank you!

We’re on the 12th Feb sailing on the Seascape and our flight back home on the 19th isn’t until 5 so thought we’d book an excursion with an airport transfer to make best use of the day. Travelling with a 5 and 8 year old so ideally would have booked on to the shorter Everglades excursion but it’s already sold out! Wondering if anyone has done the Ocean Drive and Lincoln Rd Art Deco walking tour? It’s labelled as being easy and 3.5hrs total so assuming it would be ok for kids. The only other one that would fit I think is the tour of Miami with the Dolphin mall which I’m not mad keen on as it’s just another opportunity for the kids to try and separate me from money 😆 any advice would be much appreciated!

We’ve been given an hour check in for the Splendida next week and I wondered how strict MSC are with this if you arrive late? Our slot is 10-11am, but we will have arrived in Rome very late the night before so I think we were aiming to get to the ship early afternoon…..if we’re late will they still let us on?! Doesn’t depart Civitavecchia until 7pm from what I can see

I’m sailing on the MSC Splendida next week for the first time-embark at Civitavecchia then on to Genoa. Will report back!