Orchestra Review Jan 10th-17th

[Shocker]

thanks for the information One question, what time did they allow you to board the ship in Fort Lauderdale?

[UFQ202]

thanks for the information One question, what time did they allow you to board the ship in Fort Lauderdale?

 

 

We were already on board because of the TA party from the night before. I did see people coming on as early as 11am. The MSC ship is next to Princess cruise terminal so make sure you go to the correct one. When we sailed in Dec out of Galveston on Carnival we had a couple get up to the check-in area only to learn they needed to be next door on RCCL. I sure do hope they were able to find their luggage without much trouble.:eek:

[babygirl722]

thanks for the information One question, what time did they allow you to board the ship in Fort Lauderdale?

 

 

I read someone else's post who mentioned that they arrived at 10:45AM and were on board and escorted to their room within 15 minutes! I'm hoping for the same experience.

[parisienneatheart]

babygirl,

 

was there a cruise that finished up on the 10th of jan? i am thinking that they boarded early on the 10th b/c travel agents were allowed on the day before which means there was no cruise coming in. i am going on march 28th and would love to get on early too, but if there is a cruise when you or I go, it may be later to board. i dont want to arrive at 1030 and wait until 1 or 2 if that is the case. let me know if you find out.

[babygirl722]

babygirl,

 

was there a cruise that finished up on the 10th of jan? i am thinking that they boarded early on the 10th b/c travel agents were allowed on the day before which means there was no cruise coming in. i am going on march 28th and would love to get on early too, but if there is a cruise when you or I go, it may be later to board. i dont want to arrive at 1030 and wait until 1 or 2 if that is the case. let me know if you find out.

 

No, there was JAM cruise from 1/5- 1/9 (no reviews) then 1/9 -1/10 was a VIP night. The next cruise was the 1/10-1/17. Some people stayed on and some were able to board early.

[cruiser willy]

Can you report back as to whether the ship has any laundry rooms for self-serve use?

Also, I have not read anything about optional soda stickers or alcohol packages.

Most cruise lines offer stickers which affix to your boarding pass/room key card, usually purchased the first day on board for between $20 and $50 entitling the bearer to unlimited soft drinks. Many lines also offer alcoholic beverage plans, usually for beer and wine consumption.

Thanks for any info.

[cruiser willy]

I failed to read the many posts about the lack of laundry rooms on board.

[AmoMondo]

Can you report back as to whether the ship has any laundry rooms for self-serve use?

Also, I have not read anything about optional soda stickers or alcohol packages.

Most cruise lines offer stickers which affix to your boarding pass/room key card, usually purchased the first day on board for between $20 and $50 entitling the bearer to unlimited soft drinks. Many lines also offer alcoholic beverage plans, usually for beer and wine consumption.

Thanks for any info.

No self service laundry rooms. they don't do a sticker sytem but do do drink packages (wine, beer, cocktails, soft drinks) They are books of vouchers, there are quite a few of the threads here on the orchestra where posters have listed details of all the current drinks packages available to pre order before you go. You will also get info at embarkation and the opportunity to buy onboard. normally available for purchase at any of the bars

[monicajay]

I read someone else's post who mentioned that they arrived at 10:45AM and were on board and escorted to their room within 15 minutes! I'm hoping for the same experience.

 

Just remember, no complaining after if they don't let you on that early. I have never been able to board before noon at the earliest on any of the cruises I've been on.

[nononsense42]

Enjoy this beautiful ship. Sorry this didn't work like I thought it would. Your answers to the questions are in the quote area.

What part of Kansas are you from?

Hi, What cataegory cabin were you in? I saw an earlier post that said they did not have robes. Thanks.

[babygirl722]

Just remember, no complaining after if they don't let you on that early. I have never been able to board before noon at the earliest on any of the cruises I've been on.

 

No, promise, no complaining from me! I may arrive a little bit later but I'm not sure yet. We're flying in from NYC late the night before, so if it's a beautiful day, we may just stay poolside at the hotel for the better part of the day and head over early afternoon. We're not in big rush to board as we'll be on her for a B2B.

[UFQ202]

We were in the balcony suite and had two robes. Also the JAM cruise I did hear from the staff that they had unlimited alcohol and they couldn't get them off the ship on the 9th. Most of the guest were passed out drunk. They left a real mess. :eek:

[3dogmom]

:D Not sure if it just my ignorance, but I must confess I had to 'google' lox, I'm not at all familiar with the term. I can tell you they do have smoked salmon (raw)..not sure if it is prepared in the same way though????

 

Yup, raw salmon:) Thanks so much, this is my favorite cruise food!

[TNGALOHA]

Hi, What cataegory cabin were you in? I saw an earlier post that said they did not have robes. Thanks.

 

 

We were in a cat. 8 Balcony and we had 2 robes in our cabin.

[babygirl722]

Robes, salmon, chocolate, room service, beautiful weather, coffee on the balcony...what else could a girl want???

[Lard Greystoke]

My brother gives out teddybears and had two suitcases full of the things. The staff loved it.

 

Very happy to hear that your brother took care of the staff, so many people forget they're human beings as well. I recommend that everyone take at least one moment per cruise to spare a few words for a staff member. They work like dogs, they're a long way from home and we ought to appreciate them and also what we've been given.

[VA_CRUISERS]

Amen. I always enjoy talking to the crew, learning about their home and their family. This will be our kid's first cruise & I'm looking forward to introducing them to the crew and their cultures (hopefully their work ethic will rub off).

[Hope we love it]

:(This was our second cruise. We might go on another cruise, but it will not be a MCS Cruise. The food was OK, but the service was bad. The people we were with made our trip fun. What I heard from others this ship has a lot of work to do if they are going to make it in America. Very inexperienced. The bar service was awful!!! To many things to mention, but everyone in our group had problems everyday. The room was good and worked very well for us. I must say the ship was clean. The ship had too many people on it to handle them all in the public areas. Our group expected it to be better and experienced a lot of problems. The day on the private Island, I thought the food should be included with cost of the cruise. Not the drinks, just the food, like I heard other cruise lines do.

 

I would never take children on this cruise, never!!! The children looked bored. Sorry, but this is how we feel.

 

We are all glad to be home and normally don't feel this way after a vacation. Maybe a cruise is not for us. I hope everyone had or has a better time on this cruise line than we did. I don't like to complain but felt I had to put my two cents in and really feel bad writing this, but felt I had too.

[lovetexas]

What private island? Cayo is not owned by MSC. Alot of people seem confused by this---

 

It is a regular port stop. At Cozumel did they include the food?

 

 

 

Babygirl-- add to your list--- sun, sand, and a margarita!! YES

 

I did not know about robes until now-- cool-- Of course I will have to fight my dd for one GGRRRR.......

 

 

My dd (9) always stays with us. Never does the kids stuff.. she had rather swim and shop with us. We go on vacation to be a family - not to hire a babysitter! So, i do not think she will be bored.

[lovetexas]

Okay- just noticed the 2 new reviews talk about how easy getting on the ship is now!!

 

Sounds great.........

 

 

Last RCL cruise- we waited for 3 hours in the lounge to disembark???

[monicajay]

The day on the private Island, I thought the food should be included with cost of the cruise. Not the drinks, just the food, like I heard other cruise lines do.

 

In fact when NCL stops there they charge you a fee to tender to the beach and call it an excursion:confused:. They will take you to the port of Samana for free. So I was actually thrilled to find out we don't have to pay. I do not think this is a private island.

[9876]

In all fairness MSC's website does give the impression that Cayo is a private island. See the quote below"

 

" Or explore Western Caribbean destinations such as Cozumel, Grand Cayman and our private Island experience, Cayo Levantado.

Our exclusive island features pristine beaches, turquoise waters and natural rainforest vegetation. Samana Bay surrounding the island is a destination for thousands of humpback whales that migrate to the warmer waters each winter to give birth. This makes Cayo Levantado ideal for whale watching from mid-January to mid-March. "

 

The link is http://www.msccruisesusa.com/destinations/caribbean-cruises.htm It takes a lot of research to realize the island is not truly 'private'

[fishthegreat]

Even if you have to pay, if the place is nice and clean I'll be happy.

 

:confused::confused:

[jaybee]

I've absolutely loved reading these reviews. Thanks so much. It's such a good feeling, after reading so much negative stuff about the Orchestra, the rude crew members, the endless lines, etc.

Thanks for taking the time to share your experience. Jean

[ccsrn]

I was in a inside cabin on deck 10 and we did not have robes or washclothes. But still had a great time!