MSC Virtuosa Mini Cruise

[FirstTimeCruiser1978]

Hi, first time cruiser here and I've got a few questions re a 2 Night Mini Cruise from Southampton to Cherborg on MSC Virtuosa. We are booked in a deluxe balcony cabin with premium drinks package;

 

Embarkation Day - once on the ship can we use our premium drinks package and get food or is there a time when the package kicks in?  We are a party of 8 and have 2 different times even though we all booked as a group.

 

Food - Is there food available 24/7 from various establishments or are we just Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner? Ie is it like all inclusive with snacks available?

 

Disbark Day - we are only taking on hand luggage and need to leave the ship fairly prompt due to catching a flight in the afternoon. With hand luggage does this normally speed us up?

 

Dress Code - been told there are no special events so presume its just normal dress code for a night out

 

Any other tips for first time cruisers?

 

Thanks to everyone for their help 🙂

[notley-cruise]

1 hour ago, FirstTimeCruiser1978 said:

Embarkation Day - once on the ship can we use our premium drinks package and get food or is there a time when the package kicks in?  We are a party of 8 and have 2 different times even though we all booked as a group.

 

Food - Is there food available 24/7 from various establishments or are we just Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner? Ie is it like all inclusive with snacks available?

 

Disbark Day - we are only taking on hand luggage and need to leave the ship fairly prompt due to catching a flight in the afternoon. With hand luggage does this normally speed us up?

 

Dress Code - been told there are no special events so presume its just normal dress code for a night out

 

Any other tips for first time cruisers?

 

Thanks to everyone for their help 🙂

 

Soon as you have your cruise card you are good to use the drinks package.  NB MSC doesn't seem to strictly enforce embarkation times.

Bufffet is open twenty hours a day. For restaurants check the daily program, breakfast and lunch are typically two hour time slots, dinner a little longer.

Disembarkation times are allocated by class and loyalty status.  There's a self disembark option for those with no checked baggage.

Enjoy the ship, explore the available bars and entertainment venues.  Plan for a longer future cruise and bid on a Yacht Club upgrade...

 

Edited April 29 by notley-cruise

[cublet]

Hello,

 

You can use the drinks package as soon as you are on board. You CANNOT use it on departure day. The Buffet will be open when you arrive - it is usually open most of the day (0630 onwards under a number of headings). The Buffet's 'coffee stations' are open 24 hours, whether they put out light nibbles at night I've never been to find out. Snacks and pastries are available around the ship from the various bars and lounges throughout the day eg Carousel Lounge, Atmosphere Bar, Sky Lounge and Infinity Bar. A daily paper will tell you what's open and when. You have to walk through the Casino to get to the Carousel lounge.

 

You cannot use your drinks package for stuff in your mini bar or Jean-Philipe venues or the 'Starship' Bar - though this may be changed through lack of interest.

 

See the maître d'hôtel in either Minuetto or Blue Danube on arrival to re-arrange dining sittings.

 

'Self Assist' is towards the beginning of the departure process, after which it's done by grade of cabin, loyalty status and deck number.

 

There are only two levels of dress - Casual and 'Chic'.

 

Two nights aren't enough to get the most out of this - there are benefits to booking a cruise on board if you decide you like it. When looking forwards at Guest Services on deck 5, the Next Cruise office is on the left.

 

Regards,

 

Cublet

 

 

[notley-cruise]

7 minutes ago, cublet said:

 You CANNOT use it on departure day.

That's never been our experience with MSC. 

Ordered espresso coffees with breakfast, tomato juices, cans of pepsi & bottled water 'to go' on departure day; no issues.

Edited April 29 by notley-cruise

[cublet]

Hello,

 

From the T&Cs:

 

Availability of Drink packages and prices may vary per sailing. Packages are sold on a per cruise basis and not a per day or any other basis. Pricing applies to each day of the cruise, except for disembarkation day.

 

Regards,

 

Cublet

[FirstTimeCruiser1978]

Thanks for the replies - they are so helpful

 

Do you know if wi-fi is available free or do we have to pay?

[notley-cruise]

WiFI is only included in Yacht Club experience, for lower tiers it's a chargeable extra, cheaper if purchased prior to boarding.

 

But it's the English Channel, you're never going to be far from land for long.  Do you have free EU roaming from your UK mobile airtime provider ?

[cublet]

Hello,

 

You have to pay for WiFi but you can be assured you will receive umpteen fliers trying to persuade to buy a mini package. But you will probably be within range of a land transmitter for most of the daylight hours.

 

If you do want to purchase on board then head for 'The Hub' on deck 6 at the Photo Gallery on the port side.

 

Re alternative food venue: The Champagne Bar, deck starboard side, from 5.30pm has offers including oysters and other seafood delicacies (on longer cruises anyway) along with Champagne pairings (Lanson Black Label included in P+ package).

 

A word of warning: The drinks' T&Cs currently say you only have to pay the excess cost on any drink you buy over over the level included in your package. However on Euribia earlier this month they were charging the whole whack. Whether the website T&Cs are out of date(*) or the ship was 'going native' I don't know but check before you order.

 

Regards,

 

Cublet

(*): The current Bar Manager on Virtuosa is ex Royal Caribbean who are past masters in not keeping their website up to date.

Edited April 30 by cublet
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