rikitikitavii

13 hours ago, Best Cat Mom said:

They missed it, though the pandemic was a contributing factor.

 

If you've been to Italy, you know that dates are very approximate there. I love MSC's products, so I'll deal with it! 🙂

Ocean Cay opened before the pandemic,  we visited in December of 2019. The extent of industrial debris was greater than expected.

1 hour ago, ellie1145 said:

We are due to sail on Seascape on June 15th and the reviews on here are pretty horrendous. 
 

We have sailed on Virtuosa out of Southampton twice and we were agreeably surprised. We’ve just got off Anthem of the Seas Norway cruise and felt the buffet was very poor and Virtuosa buffet was excellent especially the beautiful desserts. 

 

But the reviews make Seascape sound like the ship from hell! 
 

I know more people post about the negatives than the positives but it’s a little worrying.

 

 

 

 

We were on Seascape in August, the two main negatives:

The buffet can get crazy busy.

The elevators, which are touch screen operated. Input is needed for each passenger, which most people did not know.

6 hours ago, kad56 said:

Just booked my first MSC cruise on the Magnifica after status matching to diamond. How do I max out my benefits? It sounds like there is just one specialty Asian restaurant on board. What does the tasting menu look lovely me? Where do make a reservation? At the restaurant or guest services? How do I block time in the thermal spa? Any other experiences I should book ahead of time?

We were on Magnifica in April, you make reservations onboard, at the restaurant. We ate there twice, diamond dinner and a La carte. Prices are real reasonable and food was very good (imo)! Neither night was busy.

5 hours ago, Alphen said:

The 3 latest Holland America Line vessels named Rotterdam, are in Rotterdam port today, May 4^th 2024. Currently the MS Rotterdam VII and the Fred Olsen’s Borealis (former MS Rotterdam VI) are moored on the Rotterdam cruise terminal, only a stone throw away from the SS Rotterdam V, now a hotel in Rotterdam.

 

 

 

 

Rotterdam VII and Borealis moored together, visible on the webcam.

 

With some work, someone would probably be able to get all 3 of the ships in one photo shot!

We sailed Rotterdam V back in 1997 on an Alaska cruise, our one and only HAL cruise, so far. We are booked on the Nieuw Statendam for the April 2025 Transatlantic, from Ft. Lauderdale to Rotterdam!

14 hours ago, amurray88 said:

I appreciate all responses .. I do, but there's no point in copying and pasting T&C's. I realise they are the T&C's but they're not accurate either, there is a designated splash area for babies so their T&C's and ship designs don't agree.

 

Thank you for your response and time but if anyone has any experience then it would be great 

Just remember, if there is an “accident”, it ruins everyone’s vacation until the pool can be reopened!

On 4/19/2024 at 4:17 PM, jamon said:

So if I am reading these terms and conditions correctly, Diamond members ARE entitled to a complimentary specialty restaurant tasting meal on 3 or 4 day cruises. Is that what cruisers have experienced in the past???

Currently on Magnifica, which has only one specialty restaurant. We did get the complimentary meal.

Currently on Magnifica, first non YC cruise since 2019. Would do it again, but the main dining non Aurea, is very crowded. Lunch in the buffet is square pizza, that was not very good, but late in the buffet they had the round very good pizza. Full sailing but doesn’t seem like it!

We are Diamond, finally got our Prosecco delivered to the room on day two, dinner tonight in specialty restaurant!

Agree with rest of review!!

15 minutes ago, TrinaLC said:

For us, no. There are some lovely shady spots under the palms.  
 

You are already pampered to the max for “free” by the butlers/waiters on duty, circulating with drinks and taking requests.   By contrast, when not in a YC environment, the pampering that is included with cabanas is a true value add. There is very little value add to a cabana in the YC area. 
 

Maybe pamper with a message, or as someone suggested a jet ski or other excursion. 
 

I was going to suggest a massage also!!

2 hours ago, irishjim said:

 Nuiuw Amesterdam x1  Koningsdam X3  Zaandam x3  Princendam x5

Ryndam x4 Veendam x4 Zuiderdam x1 Rotterdam x3  Statendam x2

Bolero x1 Flamenco x1 Carosel x2

We sailed Rotterdam in May of 1997 out of Vancouver, have not sailed HAL since.

We are booked on Nieuw Statendam next April for the transatlantic from Ft. Lauderdale to Rotterdam. So looking forward to it!!

We live in South Florida and have taken enough cruises that I quit counting a long time ago, on 2 nights up to 12 nights.

50 minutes ago, Beamafar said:

The quality of produce brought onboard is also superior in Europe than on US sailings.  

I’ve only been to Europe twice, but the food overall, on shore and on cruises, is so much better than in the U. S.!

6 hours ago, Never Again MSC 2024 said:

yes absolutely, because I have never had an experience this bad as this MSC Seascape Cruise 3-29-24 to 4-6-24

 

i said the cabins were basically not cleaned which means not cleaned well as in compared to most other cruise lines I experienced

We have been on 7 MSC cruises and never had that experience. In fact, my wife and I are not messy people and tell the room steward to skip our room for the day, if he looks busy. We don’t need fresh towels daily, we hang them up to dry. We also make up the bed, just like at home. Maybe your expectations were geared more to one of the luxury cruise lines!!

20 hours ago, Moparfiend said:

 

 

Reserved Pergola in YC One Pool area
 

 

Just a note: Chair (pergola) hogs are alive and well in the Yacht Club!!!

On 3/15/2024 at 1:30 PM, mcoler181 said:

The wife has just hit Diamond status, we are sailing in YC for the first time on Virtuosa in June, is it worth skipping a YC dinner for one of the speciality restaurants. We are only doing 5 nights and as we haven't done YC before not sure whether to miss one of the dinners or not. 

We were on Meraviglia in October on an 11 night cruise in YC. We ate at the steakhouse one night, and the filet mignon was delicious, a thicker cut than those served in YC. We also checked the  menu in YC to make sure we weren’t missing one of our favorite dishes!

Not sure about casino.

Welcome party lasts about 30 minutes.

High tea was one day only, ask butler which day.

Holss Tacos is cheap, don’t use for free dinner.

On 3/7/2024 at 8:14 AM, mook1525 said:

Hello fellow cruisers!

 

I am on 6/16/2024 cruise - non YC 🙂

 

This will be my first ever MSC cruise after many cruises on Royal and Carnival!

 

i am excited!!!!!!

 

I did some research but still need some help with several questions… please please help.

 

1. I purchased Easy Plus package and it says premium coffees are included such as latter and cappuccino.. question is WHERE can I get these coffees? Which bars have espresso machines? I heard that Jean Phillip cafe charges you even if you have easy plus package.. is that true??

 

2. what do YOU think is the least crowded bar? I guess it depends on the time but please share your experience 

 

3. how does Doremi junior club works? My son is 10 years old. Can he check in and out himself anytime he wants? Do I need to register him on first day?

 

4. Currently MSC for me App shows 4 broadway theater shows - Journey, Live from, Future of Magic, comedy show Daran Howard and says reservations are necessary for these shows. Again - How do I make reservations? Can I make reservations prior to get on board?

 

5. when and How I can I make reservations for Houdini show and Rock circus show? I don’t anywhere in the App.  
do you think kids will enjoys these two carousel lounge shows?

 

6. Is there a lobster night on MSC Meraviglia like they do on Royal and Carnival?  If so,How many can you order?

 

7. I see we need to link credit card to our account once onboard - any advantage doing this as soon as possible? Should I do it the first thing on board?

 

8. I will be driving to the port and parking fee is $315 yikes!!😱  - Is parking lot big enough? Will I find a spot without any issues? What time do you suggest I get there? Around 10am?

 

 

Many many thanks in advance!! 
 

 

 

5. The two Carousel shows were a waste of money, and the included drinks not very good.

We were on Mera back in October.

3 minutes ago, bob10173 said:

Thanks, no other replies. Is that good or bad??

We were on Sinfonia in April 2019, had a great time.The shows were good, we enjoyed the food and had great staff. Especially enjoyed the Irish Pub, which served a limited food menu.

We were on a port intensive 12 night cruise with only 2 sea days. Would definitely book the ship again. I prefer smaller ships.

6 hours ago, MisterBill99 said:

Meraviglia had to skip Ocean Cay today due to high winds (so what else is new). I was checking their path in VesselFinder after initially reading that there were wind issues to see whether it actually got to dock. The tracking that it shows is fascinating, and weird. You can see on the first image that after circling the area near Ocean Cay, it headed back north pretty much up to Boca Raton, before heading to the next stop in Nassau. Any idea why they would do that rather than just traveling slowly and maybe even getting passengers to Nassau earlier than the 11am time they usually get there (I see it says they'll be there at 10:30, but that is probably typical and later than other ships that are there get in by 9am). You'd think they'd want to do something nice for passengers, even though MSC tours wouldn't start early but presumably many people booked all-inclusives for the day and could get an extra couple of hours.

 

I also attached a close-up showing the circling they did near Ocean Cay. Either they were practicing maneuvers, or they kept trying to get a good angle. Or they were just killing time, but once again, I don't understand why they didn't just stay in one place.

 

Can anyone explain why they did this? And please, none of the "the captain was wonderful for not putting the passengers in harm's way by trying to dock" dribble I see on social media fan-groups.

 

 

 

 

g

Not sure, but probably got into the Gulf Stream to save fuel, thus traveling north.

3 hours ago, camerond said:

Hi all,

Going on World Europa in a few weeks and we have 2 cabins booked (one for each adult and child sharing with one of them).

Looking at the drinks packages, we wouldn't get value if we booked it for both cabins. But... do you think if just one cabin got a drinks package (the one that has the solo adult, no kid), can that person get 2 drinks at a time at a bar? 

So what you are asking is…Can I buy one drink package and have 2 people use the single drink package??

Sounds like the cruise line “wouldn’t get value” with you on board.

Seaside x 2, Sinfonia, Divina, Meraviglia x 2, Seascape.

20 hours ago, Bill k he said:

Cruising on my own for my 60th. Going on the 19th on magnifica. Looking to meet people upfront any ideas?

See if there is a Facebook group!

2 hours ago, karmamule said:

 

Uh oh, we'll be in 16027 soon. I'll have to remember to bring some ear plugs just in case. Thanks for mentioning this!

You should be ok with 16027, we had interior, just below kitchen!

On 12/30/2023 at 6:48 PM, Bgwest said:

That's why God made 👇

 

We were on Seascape Yacht Club Interior, 16019. The kitchen cleanup would start at 1:00am, ear plugs would not help us. Finally, after 3 nights, ( and complaining every day) we were given a general population cabin to sleep in!

On 1/27/2024 at 2:08 PM, Até said:

For better context you should visit the DOT Cruise Incident Report website.  No reports of sexual assault in Q4 2023, on MSC.  One in Q3 2023, compare that to other cruise lines.

 

https://www.transportation.gov/mission/safety/cruise-line-incident-reports

And the winner is……..!!

1 hour ago, bob brown said:

I was on the Seashore a couple of weeks ago, (not Yacht Club), and I noticed a sign by the dual piano's down in the Times Square lounge that said:  For use in performances only", so I guess in the Yacht Club only, passenger's are permitted to play?

I’ve seen a similar sign on the piano in Yacht Club.

On 1/23/2024 at 9:14 AM, morpheusofthesea said:

Here is hoping that the changes to OC this April - May will address the constant dropping new beach sand and it washing away within days.

We live in South Florida, beach replenishment is a continuous (and expensive) ongoing project. Due to its location, wave action will eventually remove any sand unless some type of barrier is created.