First Cruise with MSC - a few questions

We are going on a short cruise at Easter on Magnifica from Hamburg to Southampton and have a few questions .

We have cruised on numerous occasions with Princess and P & O but would be interested to hear how MSC differs from these 2 cruise lines.

1. Will there be a formal night on a 2 night cruise.

If there is one, presumably if you are not dining in one of the dining rooms or speciality restaurants you do not require the formal attire.

2 The departure time is 9.00pm. What time will we be able to board . Sometimes the cruise lines suggest a

a time for check in based on your deck, but usually do not enforce this . Does this happen with MSC .

3 When disembarking on Princess we usually have an early walk off time taking our bags with us rather than picking them up in the arrival hall. Can this be done with MSC at Southampton

4 We will be arriving by train in to Hamburg. Does anyone know how far it is from the main railway station to

the cruise terminal used by MSC. There appear to be be 3 different terminals.

5 Any other comments on what we can expect, together with comparisons with Princess and P & O , from those

who have also cruised on these lines, would be appreciated .

Thanks

We are going on a short cruise at Easter on Magnifica from Hamburg to Southampton and have a few questions .

We have cruised on numerous occasions with Princess and P & O but would be interested to hear how MSC differs from these 2 cruise lines.

 

1. Will there be a formal night on a 2 night cruise.

If there is one, presumably if you are not dining in one of the dining rooms or speciality restaurants you do not require the formal attire.

2 The departure time is 9.00pm. What time will we be able to board . Sometimes the cruise lines suggest a

a time for check in based on your deck, but usually do not enforce this . Does this happen with MSC .

3 When disembarking on Princess we usually have an early walk off time taking our bags with us rather than picking them up in the arrival hall. Can this be done with MSC at Southampton

4 We will be arriving by train in to Hamburg. Does anyone know how far it is from the main railway station to

the cruise terminal used by MSC. There appear to be be 3 different terminals.

5 Any other comments on what we can expect, together with comparisons with Princess and P & O , from those

who have also cruised on these lines, would be appreciated .

 

Thanks

As you are doing a small sector of a longer cruise, (MSC tend to treat circular routes like bus routes with embarkation /disembarkations at most of the ports of call), it will be the luck of the draw if you get a formal night.

But saying this, the dress code is advisory only and provided you are not wearing shorts in the MDR you will be able to dine there.

MSC are much more relaxed about their dress code.

The major difference will be English will be a minority language amongst guests and the few announcements will be in 5 or 6 languages.

If you have a loyalty membership in P&O or Princess, chose the one with the highest level of rewards/perks and do a "Status Match" with MSC and you may get to their top level (Black) immediately. This would give you some nice benefits whilst on board including priority boarding.

Can I suggest you have a look at this thread

https://boards.cruisecritic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=2505973

Pete

Does anyone know how far it is from the main railway station to

the cruise terminal used by MSC. There appear to be be 3 different terminals.

MSC use the terminal furthest away from the City itself at SteinWerder, it took Twenty minutes by Taxi from St Pauli Landungsbrucken, as the crow flies it is around half a mile! there were no water taxis that we saw that could take you the shorter distance. Looking at the Hamburg map I would guess it will also take 20 to 30 minutes depending on time of day, we were there on a Sunday.

Pete

Many thanks for the information, particularly that of Status Match.

We have got the Black level and have secured a discount on our booking.

We will look forward to the other benefits on board.

From another Peter

Pete

 

Many thanks for the information, particularly that of Status Match.

 

We have got the Black level and have secured a discount on our booking.

 

We will look forward to the other benefits on board.

 

 

 

From another Peter

you should get:-

1) a bottle of sparkling wine and chocolate strawberries on arrival in your cabin

2) a complimentary dinner for two (the second person must share a cabin with the claimant) a specialty diner

3) free voyagers club gift

4) toweling bathrobe and slippers

5) late cabin check out if you want, (up to 2 hrs from the time of docking)

You will NOT get a chocolate ship

You may get a gold lapel pin as this is your first cruise after attaining BLACK status

Pete

you should get:-

 

1) a bottle of sparkling wine and chocolate strawberries on arrival in your cabin

 

2) a complimentary dinner for two (the second person must share a cabin with the claimant) a specialty diner

 

3) free voyagers club gift

 

4) toweling bathrobe and slippers

 

5) late cabin check out if you want, (up to 2 hrs from the time of docking)

 

 

You will NOT get a chocolate ship

 

 

You may get a gold lapel pin as this is your first cruise after attaining BLACK status

 

 

 

Pete

Can I take the bottle of sparkling wine to the MDR to consume with my dinner?

Thanks.

Can I take the bottle of sparkling wine to the MDR to consume with my dinner?

Thanks.

I was allowed to take my two bottles to a specialty diner on Meraviglia, but it was arranged by the concierge in the YC.

Not sure how you can arrange it in the MDR

Maybe it can be arranged through the Maître 'D or, the head waiter of your section of the MDR or, guest services.

Or maybe you can just brazen it out and just walk in with it and dare them to make a fuss about it.

Pete

you should get:-

 

You will NOT get a chocolate ship

 

Pete

Why wouldn't they receive the chocolate ship? it's listed as one of the perks for those with Black status.

We took our two bottles of prosecco to the MDR and shared them. Nothing was said. EM

Can I take the bottle of sparkling wine to the MDR to consume with my dinner?

Thanks.

Yes, there is no problem with doing this. I've done it on occasion and even got the waiter once to give the occupants at the other table for 2 next to us a glass each from it.

Why wouldn't they receive the chocolate ship? it's listed as one of the perks for those with Black status.

Not for a 2-night cruise as per the T&Cs of the Voyagers Club:

MSC Voyagers Club chocolate ship [black], a complimentar y chocolate ship gift will be crafted on board and delivered during the MSCVoyagers Club Black party. Not available on cruises with less than 4 nights.

http://www.msccruises.ie/en-ie/Assets/19275_01_VOYAGERS_CLUB_Terms_conditions_IRLANDA.pdf

Why wouldn't they receive the chocolate ship? it's listed as one of the perks for those with Black status.

Only for cruises of 4 nights or more

from the voyagers club T&Cs

MSC Voyagers Club chocolate ship [black], a complimentary chocolate ship gift will be crafted on board and delivered during the MSC Voyagers Club Black party.

 

Not available on cruises with less than 4 nights

Pete

Not for a 2-night cruise as per the T&Cs of the Voyagers Club:

 

 

 

 

http://www.msccruises.ie/en-ie/Assets/19275_01_VOYAGERS_CLUB_Terms_conditions_IRLANDA.pdf

Makes sense. Thanks. I lost track of the cruise length when hoping in and out of the thread.

One further query re embarkation.

We have received an email that states that you only get your cruise card in your room rather than at check in as is normal on the other cruise lines. Is the room not locked when you arrive ?

It then says your picture will be taken at security, but if you do not have your cruise card at that time how is it linked in to it.

It then says you need to activate your card for onboard purchases (quoting an Onboard Payment services paragraph - although it does not say where this paragraph can be found). Is this normal on most MSC ships.

Can anybody please give any advice or comments on these points.

Thanks

Yes, your cruisecards will be left in the cabin for you. The photos are uploaded to the system against your cabin number and name. Photos aren't attached to the cruisecards.

There are several card activation machines around the ship - there are at least 2 at the Guest Services area.

One further query re embarkation.

 

We have received an email that states that you only get your cruise card in your room rather than at check in as is normal on the other cruise lines. Is the room not locked when you arrive ?

 

It then says your picture will be taken at security, but if you do not have your cruise card at that time how is it linked in to it.

 

It then says you need to activate your card for onboard purchases (quoting an Onboard Payment services paragraph - although it does not say where this paragraph can be found). Is this normal on most MSC ships.

 

Can anybody please give any advice or comments on these points.

 

 

Thanks

We will be on our first MSC cruise next year from Southampton and all of this seems strange to us too. On all other cruiselines we have sailed with it has been usual to embark the ship using your cruisecard. This way they know you are onboard the ship. So what do you provide at security on an MSC ship? and when is your photo taken?

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Your paperwork is processed in the terminal and is also shown at security. The photos are taken either at the ship's entrance, or directly inside the ship.

Also, as an FYI, if your cabin isn't ready when you board, you can still order drinks without your cruisecard; just give your cabin number to the waiter and he/she will add it to your shipboard account (if you don't have a drinks package). All your information is in the system and your photographs will have been uploaded by the time you reach a bar/lounge.

There is a facility, well at least on the UK site to upload a photo which they can use for all future cruises.

I've done it and the photo they got at security when they scanned my card was the one I uploaded.

Pete

In Miami you have your picture taken and receive your cruise card at check in.