New to MSC, A Few Questions

[pirate4me2]

Hello fellow cruisers!

 

I have 2 cruises (hopefully!) scheduled for next year aboard MSC Meraviglia. I have cruise many times before, but all on Carnival, and it is now time to branch out. The MSC Yacht Club really appealed to us, so my husband and I decided to take the leap! We were actually scheduled to cruise aboard Seaside this year, but that obviously didn't happen. I'm heartbroken! 

 

Anyway, I am back to planning for next year and I have a few questions that I am hoping all you seasoned MSC cruisers can help me out with, if you wouldn't mind. 

 

*First off, ship time vs. local time...I know on Carnival, they stayed on "ship time" in ports of call, which was the time that the ship homeports from. Does MSC do the same, or do they change time to what the ports of call are? If they change, do they make an announcement to let you know to adjust your watch/phone to the correct time? 

 

*How is luggage handled upon embark and debark? My husband and I have always done self-assist, where we carry our own luggage on and off the ship on Carnival....does MSC allow us to do the same? We especially like self-assist on debarkation as we like to hit the road for the trip home ASAP!

 

*The yacht Club has a beverage package included in it, and I see they say that there are "select drinks available at bars outside of the Yacht Club." How do we know what drinks are part of our package, and which we will end up paying for? Also, are there any "must try" drinks on MSC that we should make sure we partake in? 

 

*Dining question: if we do not like any selections on the Yacht Club menu for breakfast/lunch/dinner....are we allowed to try the main dining room, or must we stay with the buffet? Also, we have some onboard credit....are there any specialty dining venues that are a "must try"? 

 

I am sure leading up to the cruise I will have more questions. I posted a while back with other questions and you all were so helpful, I really appreciate it! We are looking forward to branching out next year, I really hope we fall in love with MSC....the ships look amazing and they have some great itineraries. 

[phissy]

Well, there is a lot to unpack in your post.

to start....with Covid, not sure what will be the same on MSC going forward.

with that said, our cruise on Meraviglia as YC passengers was wonderful.

when checking in at port, look for Yacht Club tent. They will take care of everything 

when disembarking, you may do walk off.

as to the times on board, this happens with all cruise lines. Just check your daily planner for ship time. When we cruise to Alaska, we change times 3 times, with reminder in cabin evening before.

if you are thinking of local excursions, they know ships time. But, with Covid,  not sure they will allow excursions outside of their control.

As far as dining choices....

we were told we could not use main dining rooms. We did go to buffet at lunch to have the pizza, which was great. They make fresh mozzarella there, where you can watch.

YC dining room had plenty of variety. Also, remember, there are regular menu items available , not listed on daily menu, you can order at lunch and dinner. Like, steak or hamburger. Up on sun deck, they have late breakfast and light lunch buffet.

Butchers Cut is a very good specialty restaurant for your OBC.

as far as drinks, MSC is constantly changing those packages. Not sure what will be in place at sailing. We are booked on 2 YC cruises next year and will see what they have. We were  always able to get what we wanted to drink in YC. Out of YC, not able to get some drinks without charge.  Just went back to YC lounge and had drinks there.

You will enjoy YC. Hope with vaccine next year, cruising will come back strong.

just saw on your page, you are on Nov 13 cruise. We are also booked on that. Hope to see you onboard.

Edited October 6, 2020 by phissy

[Até]

1 hour ago, pirate4me2 said:

...

*First off, ship time vs. local time...I know on Carnival, they stayed on "ship time" in ports of call, which was the time that the ship homeports from. Does MSC do the same, or do they change time to what the ports of call are? If they change, do they make an announcement to let you know to adjust your watch/phone to the correct time? 

MSC uses the local port's time.  If the next port is in a different time zone they will change to that time zone the night before arrival.  Time changes are clearly announced.

 

*How is luggage handled upon embark and debark? My husband and I have always done self-assist, where we carry our own luggage on and off the ship on Carnival....does MSC allow us to do the same? We especially like self-assist on debarkation as we like to hit the road for the trip home ASAP!

MSC offers express walk off with your luggage.  For embarkation any item you want to bring on must fit through the scanner, about the same size as at airports.

 

*The yacht Club has a beverage package included in it, and I see they say that there are "select drinks available at bars outside of the Yacht Club." How do we know what drinks are part of our package, and which we will end up paying for? Also, are there any "must try" drinks on MSC that we should make sure we partake in? 

Outside of the YC you will have the Premium package, currently with a $12 limit.

 

*Dining question: if we do not like any selections on the Yacht Club menu for breakfast/lunch/dinner....are we allowed to try the main dining room, or must we stay with the buffet? Also, we have some onboard credit....are there any specialty dining venues that are a "must try"? 

For breakfast and lunch you can use the MDR, but for dinner you would have to get special permission because for dinner the MDR is assigned seating and times.  Specialty dining packages are offered cheaper pre-cruise but you can still save some money buying a package on the ship.  Otherwise specialty restaurants are expensive à la carte.  You can also buy the "dining experience" with limited menu choices at an okay price.

 

[pirate4me2]

Well, there is a lot to unpack in your post.
to start....with Covid, not sure what will be the same on MSC going forward.
with that said, our cruise on Meraviglia as YC passengers was wonderful.
when checking in at port, look for Yacht Club tent. They will take care of everything 
when disembarking, you may do walk off.
as to the times on board, this happens with all cruise lines. Just check your daily planner for ship time. When we cruise to Alaska, we change times 3 times, with reminder in cabin evening before.
if you are thinking of local excursions, they know ships time. But, with Covid,  not sure they will allow excursions outside of their control.
As far as dining choices....
we were told we could not use main dining rooms. We did go to buffet at lunch to have the pizza, which was great. They make fresh mozzarella there, where you can watch.
YC dining room had plenty of variety. Also, remember, there are regular menu items available , not listed on daily menu, you can order at lunch and dinner. Like, steak or hamburger. Up on sun deck, they have late breakfast and light lunch buffet.
Butchers Cut is a very good specialty restaurant for your OBC.
as far as drinks, MSC is constantly changing those packages. Not sure what will be in place at sailing. We are booked on 2 YC cruises next year and will see what they have. We were  always able to get what we wanted to drink in YC. Out of YC, not able to get some drinks without charge.  Just went back to YC lounge and had drinks there.
You will enjoy YC. Hope with vaccine next year, cruising will come back strong.
just saw on your page, you are on Nov 13 cruise. We are also booked on that. Hope to see you onboard.

Yes, hope to see you onboard! We booked that sailing for Tortola, we have never been there before.


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[pirate4me2]

 

Thank you for the info!


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[Linda the Book Lover]

We are looking forward to the Meraviglia YC in March. As mentioned the YC Restaurant will try to prepare something more to your liking. On the Seaside I mentioned that I love risotto and I was not a big red meat fan and would prefer to have risotto instead it was never a problem. I found I loved the YC more than the Haven on NCL. We did have tea served one day, with the husbands sitting at the table next to us having a good time teasing us. Our friends loved the buffet on the pool deck. 

 

We needed to disembark early without self assist and our butler escorted us to the door and we went off the ship before the self-assist line. Remember to tell your Butler. 

 

One thing to do is order pizza from room service. It was the best pizza! Sign up on CC for the CC party. I hope you have a great cruise!

  

[pirate4me2]

5 hours ago, Linda the Book Lover said:

We are looking forward to the Meraviglia YC in March. As mentioned the YC Restaurant will try to prepare something more to your liking. On the Seaside I mentioned that I love risotto and I was not a big red meat fan and would prefer to have risotto instead it was never a problem. I found I loved the YC more than the Haven on NCL. We did have tea served one day, with the husbands sitting at the table next to us having a good time teasing us. Our friends loved the buffet on the pool deck. 

 

We needed to disembark early without self assist and our butler escorted us to the door and we went off the ship before the self-assist line. Remember to tell your Butler. 

 

One thing to do is order pizza from room service. It was the best pizza! Sign up on CC for the CC party. I hope you have a great cruise!

  

 

Thanks for the info. I am not a big red meat eater either, but love risotto, so this is great to hear!