Steeler Nation At Sea

Enjoying your review.  You were very brave in Amsterdam!  They were among the worst last summer with people missing flights due to long security lines.  My hotel recommended going 3 to 4 hours early, which wouldn't have worked for your layover had you been through there last year.

I love Rome.  If you have no specific plans for lunch can recommend Sora Margherita in the Jewish Quarter.  It's wonderful and fairly close to where you're staying.  Enjoy the rest of your trip!

Play around with it and see what doesn't get kicked back.

Try ian.patterson@msccruises.com or ipatterson@msccruises.com or pattersoni.........

4 hours ago, wayne_trisha said:

It's been "free" at sea for years now. I think the gratuities on it are now about $350. Going to be interesting if they ever get rid of it.

Not to mention the fares immediately more than doubled when they implemented AI pricing before the added grats!  I was a loyal NCL cruiser at the time.  I've only cruised them twice since.  Haven't yet sailed MSC, but, have 2 booked. I was very happy to get drinks and Wi-Fi included without paying a huge premium for it.

1 hour ago, RD64 said:

And which cruise lines - aside from NCL with their studios - have made an active effort of courting the solo cruiser? Carnival? NCL? Princess?

Stopping them from booking at all?  None.  MSC stands alone in that at the present moment.  

17 hours ago, CruizinSusan70 said:

Both of the World Class ships each have 22 solo cabins available for sale for each and every sailing.  Of course, when they sell out, you're out of luck.

I'm not clear on what point you're trying to make.  On other lines with solo cabins, I can book those solo cabins OR I can choose to book any other cabin at 200% pp fare (or sometimes less).  Currently, solos are reporting that MSC is declining to book them at 200% pp fare in any cabin. 

I sail solo most of the time in regular cabins and have paid 200% fare, if need be.   If MSC thinks it's ok to deny solos booking outside of 22 solo cabins on limited ships, that's just really bad business.

On 4/23/2023 at 8:21 AM, Ctlolo1 said:

I think as a side effect of not handling the sale appropriately so they wouldn't let me reserve as a solo so that's why I mentioned that also.

It isn't just you.  Others are reporting the same thing all regions in MSC so FB group.

18 minutes ago, IsanTom said:

It's called supply and demand. When demand for a certain cruise is good then the single supplement could go up. When  demand is lower then the single supplement would go down. When I cruise

MSC as a single, I normally pay a 20% supplement. It's a very good price. I never cruise if they advertise children FREE on any cruise line because demand goes up!

This isn't a case of supply and demand.  They are literally refusing to book a solo into a double occupancy available cabin at full fare with 100% supplement. Ludicrous.  And possibly discriminatory?

4 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Just a tip on Specialty Restaurant packages. One might want to wait to purchase specialty restaurant packages until one reads the 'limited' menu one is confined to. Also in the Daily Planner on our cruise Day 3, "special lunch discount of 20% for a la carte menu at Butcher's Cut, Ocean Cay, Kaito Sushi and Kaito Teppanyaki. Day 4 Food Tasting Tour tasting all specialty restaurants, complimentary, accompanied with a glass of sparkling wine. (All in attendance entered in a drawing for 20% off on their a la carte reservation including a bottle of wine.) Also Day 4 Sushi "all you can eat" $33 +15% service charge lunch and dinner. Day 5 Ocean Cay "Surf and Surf" , choice of appetizer, main course of broiled lobster tail with shrimps and dessert, $60 +15% service charge. Or 20% off dinner from a la carte Ocean Cay menu + 15% service charge. Day 6, "Amigo Night Special Deal", a special dinner discount of 30% for a la carte menu in ALL Specialty Restaurants +15 % service charge. Day 7, repeat of "All you can eat" sushi (same as above). Also, "Brunch in Butcher's Cut" $12 (no mention of service charge).

This is helpful.  Is there a BC a la carte lunch menu or brunch menu posted somewhere convenient on MSC website?

7 hours ago, ready2cruzagain said:

I posted the original question over 4 years ago and glad we did not do the spa on the Divina. Going on the Divina again next January and no way would I pay for it.  Now the Seaside, Seashore and the Meraviglia are a different story. We love those spas.

Just bought my Seashore pass for an October sailing and I'm pretty excited about the thermal suite after watching a few YouTube videos!  I thought the pass was well priced, too, at a little more than $10 day, well below the competition.

On 3/30/2023 at 10:26 AM, JamieLogical said:

 

Up until a couple of weeks ago, the Specialty Restaurants link at the top for both of my sailings just so "No Items Found". Finally, the specialty dining packages and Carousel shows showed up. I feel like that may have had something to do specifically with the Meraviglia.

 

This has been my frustration with my first 2 MSC bookings for later this year. I'm sailing Sinfonia and Seashore so it's definitely not just the Meraviglia.

The crazy thing is, that in modeling some bookings, I occasionally will get options to add the dining package in during the booking process itself.  It seems to be available like that under some promos and not others.  But, on my bookings, I never got an option to add and nothing at all shows under Specialty Dining, despite the fact that they advertise with book early and save type wording.  I sure do hope I get offers and don't wind up paying full price once on board.  I don't have any pre-paid laundry options either like I've heard about despite my cruises being 11 and 25 days!

I would give the pre-cruise experience so far a 2 of 5 because I feel like I'm in a black hole as far as information on the onboard experience. Thank goodness for the boards here.  Enjoy your cruise and thank you for posting live!

On 4/9/2023 at 11:21 AM, DaKahuna said:

 

Have them make you a rum old fashioned and see how you like that.  

 

 

I make the Royal version with sugar free coconut syrup at home now.  Love it!

Can't help OP as have never really liked Hawaiian Punch or anything trying to taste or look like it.  🍹

Medicinal purposes......😂

On 2/28/2023 at 11:23 PM, Steeler Nation At Sea said:

 

I read this as a new discount benefit as opposed to applying any vouchers toward the cost of the bottle. We'll see how it plays out, I guess.

Reading the full T&C, it mentions a voucher may be used to obtain the discount.  

17 minutes ago, Ourusualbeach said:

Only the unlimited dining package gets the 40% off wine

Point #5 under the new March 10th Benefits T&C says a Diamond and above drink voucher may be used as a discount coupon for bottles valued at 40% off under $100 or 20% off over $100.  

Which also means I have to retract another post I made about this being a discount unrelated to the drink vouchers....

5 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

Yeah,,, but it has never really been two per cabin. It has been 2 per person and 4 for a double occupancy cabin. There was zero ability for the rent-a-cops to associate bottles with cabins. 

This may still be true between bottles in checked bags with the trip to the naughty room versus those in a carry-on.

5 hours ago, Paula B said:

We have only cruised once with RC but, with the line we were going on before they had a wine only pkgs. we could buy. We didn't like a lot of the more expensive wines and liked our local winery so we could check our 2 bottles in and bring extra bottles and just got charged a $25 corking fee for each one at check-in. So I guess the question is do they have a wine pkg of approx 4-6 bottles and are you charged for bringing your wine to the dining room?

I have never seen this on Royal in the past 10 years, though I would welcome it.  I have bought it on another line, along with buckets of beer bottles which worked out to be a savings.

9 hours ago, little britain said:

So how many drinks vouchers do you have to trade to get the wine discount? 
 

a tempting discount on your favorite bottle of wine — 20% off bottles over $100 and 40% off bottles under $100. The discounted wine benefit will take effect starting March 10, 2023.

I read this as a new discount benefit as opposed to applying any vouchers toward the cost of the bottle. We'll see how it plays out, I guess.

It's done all the time.  Solos have to add the phantom 2nd guest to get a guarantee offer, so add away.  Enjoy your cruise.

3 minutes ago, Husky1987 said:

The lamb, salmon, snapper, and chicken mains were all set out buffet-style and not ordered through the waiter (first time we experienced that in SB).

Wonder is doing the same according to reviews. Actually, maybe started there? 

9 minutes ago, Ozark_Kid said:

I think I would try it.  I usually don't take the Salmon offered on various menus because I like trying something new.

I didn't think I would like Lamb chops but when they offered grilled Lamb chops at the Samba Grill on Allure I learned that that I need to try lame again.  

Well prepared lamb is sublime.  

I'm glad you're willing to try the snapper.  That's one of the benefits of cruising.  Don't like it, you won't starve.  You're a mere 5 minutes away from a Sorrento's slice.

2 minutes ago, PompeySailor said:

Seeing it two years ago for me , that’s good enough 👍🏻

as I have never seen it and we eat at SB quite a lot 

Yeah, lamb chops are quite a bit more costly than a lamb shoulder that they are using in the tagine today. And people say its all just nickel and diming.  (Sarcasm intended)

11 minutes ago, PompeySailor said:

@reallyitsmema

Orville is just not getting it and Reg MP likes to discuss 

 

I wish I had a video to back up my photo evidence .

 

agree that linked menu is so so different from the App

 

$10for lamb, anyone paid for it yet and is this new from 9 days ago

That's an old menu.  I remember seeing it at least 2 years ago with upcharge lambchops.  Sadly I have no proof!  Lol.

Edit:  should have read on to @reallyitsmema's post!

2 hours ago, poocher said:

Thank you all for your posts.  I don’t think Mediterranean is our (read MY) cup of tea but perhaps breakfast/lunch.

The beauty is that it is complimentary and not as chaotic as MDR.  Can always wander off to the 'jammer if it doesn't satisfy.  I'm a big fan of the appetizers!  Like getting mezze on a Greek island.  🏝 

2 hours ago, orville99 said:

Sorry, but no way those pictures are from Harmony Solarium Bistro complimentary mains.

Well, you're wrong.  The Solarium Bistro dinner mains are cooked to order and have always been very nice, the recent review not withstanding. And as to looking like chef's table?  You must never have been as it isn't even close.  The glassware alone gives that away.

On 12/4/2022 at 8:29 AM, PWP-001 said:

 

I'm leaving on Harmony today. 

 

To prepare,

ALL ON MY OWN... WITHOUT ANYONE SPOON-FEEDING ME,

I did my own research because I didn't want to be lazy.

 

Specifically answering your question:  Harmony of the Seas May 2022 was good on YouTube.

 

I viewed many YouTube reviews looked at some reviews on this board.  

 

It wasn't hard to do and allowed me to decern for myself what I liked and didn't like.

 

Here's to being a self-starter and taking initiative!

Silly me.  Always thought the point of these boards was for knowledge sharing, which you apparently benefited from when doing your own research.  Sorry that you can't seem to go full circle and share your knowledge with others, yet took the time to respond anyway.

Happy sailing.