CTGirl74

As a former bank teller (I'm now in the back office), tellers feel the same way about chatty customers. I didn't mind it as long as the chatting was while I was processing the transaction; however, I inevitably had the lingerers. Most of the time I could move them on fairly easy just by telling them I need to take the next person and "have a nice day." But there was always someone who needed to tell me everything they'd done that week, talk about their great/horrible family, their health issues, etc. They were very difficult to get moving and I'd have a line of people glaring at us. At that point, I'd move to the next window and tell the next person I can take them. Meanwhile the customer is STILL at my window, chatting away. I always tried to keep in mind that maybe this is the only social interaction they get all week, but it was difficult sometimes.

I've been on only two cruises, both of which were in 2013. I don't remember how much tech was involved; however, I remember having to present paper tickets, getting a paper daily, etc. I'm in my late 40s, if that matters, and I generally embrace new technology. My next cruise will be 2023 and I'm looking forward to all the new tech...as long as it works. I love being able to do pretty much anything I need to do online via email, chat or apps--I prefer it--and not have to stand in line with 20 people waiting to ask a question or resolve a problem, or sit on the phone on hold for 30+ minutes, just to be transferred to another department. I'm thinking the only thing I'd like to remain "old school" is a paper daily calendar so I can see the events side by side in one place without having to scroll or tap/click around a lot. But anything else? Please point me to the digital option. 🙂

Oh, this is good to know! My husband and I are sailing YC next October (NE/Canada) and it will be my husband's first cruise. I'll be sure to say something.

I booked a cruise back in June for October 2023. Having only cruised MSC once, which was back in 2013, I'd forgotten I have a Voyager's Club account. So, when I booked, I wasn't logged into VC. A few weeks later I realized I had a VC account so I logged in and tried to link the cruise. At first I kept getting errors messages. Many tries and several days later, it would tell me it was successul, but still wouldn't show the cruise as being linked. I finally had to email them and they replied quickly. I saw it linked the next day. They also applied a 5% discount for VC. Fast forward to a few weeks ago and I decided to splurge and book a duplex in the Yatcht Club. Again, I'd forgotten to log into VC first so I tried linking the new booking with no luck. It said it was successful, but I couldn't see it. I again had to email them. It took them over a week to reply this time. They told me it was now linking, although I still couldn't see it. I tried linking it myself last night and a miracle happened--it successfully linked on the first try AND I can see it! I was sent another booking confirmation; however, they did not apply the 5% discount so I assume I'll need to contact them to do that. Next step is to cancel that first booking, which I dread because I know I'll need to call them and I've heard all the horror stories here. I really wish their website worked better and was more self-service like other cruise lines, though I admit I've only been on two cruises nine years ago (MSC and NCL), so I don't have much to go by. I can only assume most mainsteam cruise lines allow you to do more online.

We booked one for an October 2023 cruise (NE & Canada), so I'm following this with interest. We were going to book deck 9, but decided on 12 because it seemed like it might be a little more quiet, and also liked the idea of the bridge being directly above us rather than another balcony where we might end up with noisy neighbors above. I mean, side neighbors could be noisy, too, but at least deck 12 eliminates one direction.

The food choices are what I'm worried about the most. Not for myself, but for my husband. This will be his first cruise (October 2023) and he's a very plain vanilla eater--chicken parm or General Tso's chicken are about as wild as he gets. LOL. Looking at the menus people have posted, there's hardly anything on them he will eat unless he wants steak every single night. We're booked in YC so I'm hoping the choices will be better for him. If not, then it's on to the buffet or specialty dining. Now that someone has mentioned the lack of wash cloths...yes! I went on an MSC cruise out of Ft. Lauderdale in 2013 and I now remember there being no wash cloths. I remember thinking it really odd. But with four women in the room, thankfully two of us thought to bring face wipes for makeup removal and another had one of those scrubby puffs. I think I will add a couple wash cloths to my ever-growing list of things to pack!

I'm curious about dining in YC. Do they have smaller tables in the restaurant and is it easier to get a table for two?

I'm following, too. We're booked for October 2023 out of Brooklyn and I'm interested in hearing anyone's experience with that, as well as the ship in general.

I've only been on two cruise, both of which were in 2013, so I can't comment on many of those items. I do remember the printed daily paper, though, and I would miss that. My next cruise is October 2023, so I'll be curious to see what other changes are made by then. My parents went on their one and only cruise (Celebrity to Bermuda) probably 30 years ago. I remember then telling me all about it, and many of the items mentioned were present: the midnight buffets, and endless food in general; the ice sculptures; traditional dining; Captain's dinner; etc. The food was all my mom could talk about. LOL

358! I booked in June. Considering my last cruise was nine years ago, I can wait another 358 days. 🤣

I renewed online using a picture from my cell phone. I had a coworker take my picture against my blank, bland, off-white office wall. Trying to get the system to accept my photo was a real pain in the neck. Even after making absolutely sure I did everything to the letter, I still got a message saying the photo may be rejected. I then said "screw it" and submitted anyway, letting the chips fall where they may. (Spolier alert: it was accepted during review!) I applied 09/21 and just got the passort yesterday. I didn't think that was long at all.

Following this, because I, too, just booked my first YC experience. MSC Meraviglia, NE/Canada, October 2023. A long way off, but something to look forward to! I was booked in the Aurea whirlpool suite, but saw a duplex YC suite available and decided to go for it based on everything I've read on CC forums. It will be only my third cruise ever, with the last one being nine years ago.

My very first cruise was on the MSC Poesia in March 2013. Fort Lauderdale to the Bahamas. It was the first annual Monsters of Rock cruise. My third cruise will be on Meraviglia in October 2023 from Brooklyn, NY, to NE & Canada.

I had gastric bypass surgery nine years ago. I can't speak to what it's like to cruise after a bypass since my surgery was several months after my first two cruises and I haven't been on one since; however, I just wanted to say that you should be back on solid foods within a month after surgery. You'll have lots of time to adjust to your new way of eating before you go on your cruise. By the time you get on the ship, you'll know if eggs bother you or if chicken and turkey are too dry for you, or certain foods were a no-go in the beginning but now they're fine. You'll also know how much sugar you can tolerate in one shot; some can't tolerate any sugar, some just a tiny bit, and others (like me) can tolerate a little more. There are cases where someone has a hard time tolerating most solid foods even years after surgery, but those are few and far between. You'll likely have a very small capactity, though. Meaning, maybe three bites of chicken and a few green beans. I'm going on a cruise October 2023, so at that point it will be just about 10 years since surgery. I still can't eat a full sandwhich or hamburger, but at least I can eat more than a couple bites. My plan is to go for appetizers rather than full meals. Or if I go for a full meal, take the leftovers back to the room. Good luck with your surgery! It was the best thing I ever did for myself.

Thank you! We're sailing on her in October 2023. It will be my husband's very first cruise, so this will be useful for him. I don't he quite comprehends how big and grand these cruise ships really are. 🙂

Thanks so much for the information about the terminal! My biggest concern was parking since the lot looked small on Google Maps. And good to know we'll have a good view of the Statue of Liberty since our cabin is on the starboard side. We've been in CT our whole lives and have never seen her.

Yes. It's the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal. We're sailing MSC Meraveglia out of Brooklyn for the NE & Canada cruise in October 2023. We're in mid-CT so I'm trying to decide if we should drive the two hours and park, or take Uber all the way. Brooklyn terminal looks like an interesting drive, and the parking lot looks small on Google Maps.

Thanks! Yes, it seems as though it's unavailable right now. I logged in and there's no option for laundry. I'll wait. I think I'm just a bit overexcited at the prospect of this cruise. 🙂

Can anyone tell me how much MSC charges for laundry? We'll be on the Meriviglia and we're sailing out of NY in 2023 (11 nights). It talks about laundry on the website; however, I can't find any information at all about the pricing. This is only my third cruise ever and I've never used the laundry before, so I have no idea what the expect. Thanks!

Hi. I just booked a cruise for October 2023 (it's so far away!). New England and Canada from NY. Two questions: Is there an option to make payments for the booking, rather than just the deposit and one large final payment? It doesn't appear so when I log in and go to the payment tab. It looks like the only option is to make the final payment, which is large. I'd love to be able to make payments if I'm able to. I don't mean every month. More like two or three bigger payments. I've been on MSC once (2013, themed cruise) and the cruise was set up for payments due at certain times. My only other cruise was free (NCL). So, no experience with this. 🙂 Any idea when I'd be able to add specialty dining and other things? Do I have to make the final payment first? Some tabs are blank when I click on them. I noticed I can add excusions, photos, and internet now; however, not dining or spa. I also want to add that the MSC US website isn't the greatest. I couldn't find anything about the two items above (among other questions I have), so I'm hoping someone here can help. The website also seems to be kind of wonky with my booking. Sometimes when I log into the Voyagers Club, it shows my booking. Other times it tells me to add the booking and then it just errors out. Thank you!

I got lucky when I was watching YouTube videos about the ship. The person showed a drink package comparison chart, so I paused it and was able to see the URL. Here you go! https://www.msccruisesusa.com/on-board/dining-drinks/drink-comparison-chart

Nevermind...I just found it. 😀

Hi, is anyone able to tell me what beers are included with the Easy Plus package? I'm trying to find a list, but having no luck. Thanks!