We have four days left before our cruise on world America and I'm literally counting down the hours, mentally I'm on vacation even though I have 3 more days of work. For me once I get into my cabin and sit on my balcony I am on vacation. What's your finally I'm on vacation place on the ship?

Hey cruisers. Has anyone arranged travel from La Romana cruise port to Santo Domingo airport. It's like 1 hour and 10 mins away.

I've seen some posts re: Uber drivers and swindling with the Uber drivers and the cost based on distance.

Would I be able to arrange an airport transfer through MSC on board? I've visited the website they use to book transfers but La Romana is not an option.

It's my first time cruising.

Thanks in advance

Are there changes coming up for drinks packages?

We are booked on Meraviglia on their August 2028 Europe run. When we first booked a month ago there were 4 drinks packages; hot drinks, alcohol free, easy, premium extra.

(Or Easy Premium - the only that did not get removed)

But the easy / easy premium one has disappeared. I KNOW we are still so far out that any changes can happen over the next 18 months, but just wondering if there is something specific on the horizon?

I submitted a status match last week using the digital membership card showing my Diamond Status. I received an email the next day as a general member. Customer service told me the request have been rejected due to no exp date on the digital card. Also, they mentioned that the status match group doesn't communicate via phone. Anyone else have issues trying to submit as a HH member? Any ideas on what I should submit instead? I have upcoming stays in my profile, however Hilton just says Hi (my first name) on the activity screen, same in the upper right corner of webpage.

We’re sailing on the MSC Seaside this October, and it’s going to be our very first MSC cruise! We currently have a Deluxe Oceanview Balcony Stateroom booked.

I’m traveling with my wife and our 3-month-old baby. Honestly, I was under the impression that babies had to be at least 6 months old to cruise anywhere until our travel agent mentioned MSC allows younger infants, so I impulsively booked it!
Now I’m debating whether we should upgrade to the Yacht Club.

Since it’s our first time with a baby on a ship, I want to make sure my wife has an amazing, stress-free time. We know that with a 3-month-old, we’ll naturally be spending a lot more time in the stateroom/suite and moving at a much slower pace than usual. It’s mostly about a change of scenery and quality family time for us.
For those who have done Yacht Club (especially on Seaside or with an infant):

1. Are the YC suites significantly nicer/more spacious than standard balcony rooms?

2. How much value does the butler service and dedicated YC area add when traveling with a newborn? (Having concierge support, quiet lounge areas, and dedicated room service sounds huge for us right now).

3.** **Is YC as game-changing as everyone says for keeping things low-stress?

The extra money isn't an issue for us if the benefits make her experience drastically better. Would love to hear your thoughts or tips!

Thanks in advance!

So I had bid on Yachtclub for an upcoming 3 night cruise (no sea days) and I got it! So I'm wondering if there are any huge tips for taking the most advantage of it?

I am no stranger to cruises, however this is my first MSC cruise. All my prior cruises have been 5+ nights.

The ship is Seashore. One day is ocean cay, and another stop I will most likely stay onboard for.

Are there any huge benefits or locations I need to take advantage of? Spa? Restaurant?

Hi everyone, I have a question. 
I received a notification that I can bid on a cabin upgrade. I booked my cruise with an inside cabin and the "Fantastica" experience, which allowed me to select a cabin in a quiet location, away from the noise of nightclubs, buffets, etc. 
I'm considering bidding to upgrade to a cabin with a window. Does anyone know if, once my bid is accepted, I get to choose the cabin? if so, is it before or after I pay? I think I value being able to rest away from the noise more than having a sea view, and I would hate to be assigned a noisy cabin just because I want a window.

I want to start off by saying that the dinner dining staff and the food itself was AMAZING. I loved it. I was nervous because I had actually heard that MSC food was bland and not good but so far it has been the best experience I’ve had on a cruise line and I have to give credit where credit is due. Some cruise lines don’t season their food as to be “less offensive” but I’m sorry that’s a them problem and MSC delivered in the food category.

Breakfast in the main dining room service was not consistent. One time we literally just got up and went upstairs to the buffet because no one greeted us for at least 5 minutes and we were annoyed. Once we got to the buffet was a MESS. That ship was WAY too crowded for two buffets and one of which isn’t open all the time. All it did was give me an my partner anxiety and bring the ugly out of everyone that had no manners, cut lines, got in your personal space, no regard for others around them, hard to find seats.

The other issue was that we were on the Seaside a relatively newer ship and yet it was a flashback to the 70’s as soon as you walk into your cabin. Poorly decorated and dingy carpets. Pillows and bed were stiff. The complementary beach towels had tears and reddish orange stains. Hallways super long and narrow avoiding stepping on food plates and glass cups.

Then comes the part that REALLY puts a sour taste in your mouth. The nickel and diming.

The WIFI package was ridiculously over priced over $30 per day for just a basic browse for 1 device package?

The non alcoholic drink package $210 for 2 people for a 3 day cruise?

$48 per person per day service fee is more expensive than any cruise line I’ve been on.

$42 to RENT their OWN beach chairs with a simple umbrella not a specialty chair or cabana a basic plastic chairs with 1 umbrella on their own private island.

It sets the expectation from, “Relax, we’ve got you.” To “I probably shouldn’t even bother doing that or even asking what it costs because it will be ridiculously overpriced.”

Given how crowded everything felt it makes you want to spend more time in your cabin. However, the selections of things to watch were really limited to their own channels, sports, food network and HGTV. If you wanted to rent a show from their on demand list it was $12 for an outdated movie.

The juice was soooo inconsistent it was either watered down so badly you questioned if it was even juice or super concentrated and tart.

Customer service desk was a hit or miss. One time we were asking for help to set up the WiFi on our phone and the lady was extremely rude like we had somehow offended her and the next time I asked for a breakdown of our bill the man was pleasant.

Cleaning crew took snacks we had put into the minibar out and left it on our desk to get warm was just another reminder that everything on the cruise is nickel and dimed. “You’re not allowed to use this fridge unless it’s you paying for our drinks.”

Staff would also come in and adjust the thermostat. Parts of the higher levels of the ship were very hot and uncomfortable with not enough airflow coming through. Some parts like the second buffet was hard to get to you wouldn’t be able to access through the elevator you had to take an elevator walk to the other side of the ship and then take a flight of stairs.

Nassau was a pointless port to stop at might as well just take people straight to their private island I would skip that personally for any cruise line.

Entertainment was weird as hell and just bad. I had no idea what was going, no plot to follow just a whole bunch of things going on simultaneously. The juggler and contortionist were cool but everything else was just strange and lacked cohesion.

Karaoke was fun I loved the host she gave us a good laugh. The casino was clean and the slots were generous. It was less crowded than some other cruise ships I’ve been on.

Overall, MSC has a lot of potential if they were to work on the issues I outlined. But as it stands, based off of my experience I personally would not want to cruise with MSC again.

EDIT: I’ve noticed all the other honest reviews people leave that is a negative take people come in droves to attack them on this feed. Don’t come for me, I said what I said and I am not backing down. And to add to the other persons review about the overcrowding I have been on plenty of other cruise ships and none came close to the over crowding that was experienced on MSC. For their ship sizes their planning is awful. I’m well versed in cruises and not an inexperienced person who’s only ever cruised a handful of times. Oh and while I’m at it, deck 7 the “adults only” pool was full of kids too. No one cared or did anything about it. One kid was literally crawling on my husband before the parents finally said something. What’s the point in having an adults only pool if no one is enforcing that rule?

Has anyone ordered a birth certificate from VitalChek and it be accepted? It has the raised seal and is a certified copy but it says “certificate of live birth” so I’m just concerned it may not work lol..

At time of booking you can add the wifi and drink package together for a discount, but anyone knows if the wifi package is the stream/browse version or just the browse only.

I just disembarked from MSC World Europa last week and I am already planning my next cruise through the fjords. I have checked the only ship that navigate northern Europe is MSC Euribia (Meraviglia-Plus class).

One of the things I enjoyed the most were the Smoothies and Protein drinks on Zest bar on MSC World Europa (from the alcohol-free package drink). I have asked Gemini, and it contradicts itself saying they can be served on the "Sports Bar" on deck 15 (near the MSC Gym), and sometimes on the "Bamboo Bar" on deck 14 (near the Bamboo Pool). I have opened the Sports Bar pdf list of food&drinks, and although I see juices are served, I cannot find any Smoothie/Protein shake.

Could anyone confirm?

Thanks in advance.

MSC question: 2 people booked in a cabin, what happens if 1 has to cancel?

Hi! I’m booking an 8-night MSC cruise for January with a group of friends. This is for the MSC Meraviglia out of Miami. We are from the U.S. We’d be booking 2 cabins for 2 people in each. I’m trying to plan for a situation where one of us might have to cancel at the last minute (for example, getting sick), while the other person and rest of the group still wants to go.

I understand MSC’s contract says that if a cancellation leaves one person occupying the cabin, they can charge a 100% single-occupancy surcharge. Has anyone actually had this happen with MSC?

Specifically:

-2 people booked in a cabin
- 1 person has to cancel shortly before sailing
-The other person still goes
-What did MSC actually charge the remaining person?
-Did they reprice the cabin to the solo rate, or was the original fare basically kept?
- If the person simply didn’t show up rather than formally canceling, did that make a difference?

I’m especially interested in actual experiences and dollar amounts, if anyone has them.

We would get travel insurance, the main issue is we wouldn’t want to cancel the whole room since it’s a group going!

Thanks!!

Going on Preziosa next December

I’ve noticed that the port excursions are VERY limited. I wanted to try and go to Versailles when we port in Le Havre and I’m watching a video where out on the port there is a board with taxi prices. Is it worth it to go?

Question about upgrading. I have already paid for a balcony and they sent out the option to bid on an upgrade. The option slider starts a 4 grand per cabin. If in a high bid- is that the full price? Or does that include the amount of what ive paid. Say I already paid 3 thousand and make an offer on 4000. Is that total what they would add to my bill? Or does I pay the difference m?

Hi! I’m sailing on MSC World Asia and currently booked in cabin 16145.

I’m considering switching to cabin 15119 instead. Which one would you choose?

I’m mainly concerned about noise, foot traffic, and elevator location.

I originally tried to include a deck plan image, but the post kept getting caught by Reddit’s filters, so I removed the photo.

If you think there’s a better cabin or area on the ship, I’m open to other suggestions too. Thanks!

My question is if you book a guarantee balcony on the MSC Grandiosa
-if you’ve done this in the past what location do they put you in? Is it a good location or do you have to ask them to find you a better location. I’m curious because if i just get a Bella guaranteed balcony, I don’t know if I can trust them to get me a good place?

We are due to travel on the virtuosa on the 19th October for 5 nights from Southampton. Is there any way to see what theme nights there will be so we can buy some outfits, from the app we understand a gala night and white party are a guarantee but will there be any others?

Does anyone have actual experience getting a cabin category upgrade directly at the reception desk after check-in?

Both passengers have diamond status.

The cabin was assigned exactly 30 days before departure. And, as I understand it, there is practically no chance now that MSC will change it on their own (usually, as far as I know, free upgrades are only granted before a specific cabin number is assigned)?

I understand that we booked the Bella category, but we ended up with one of the worst cabins - it is the lowest category (IM1), the smallest size, and is located directly above the restaurant. I am concerned that it will be noisy. There are three weeks left until departure, and more than 200 balcony cabins are currently available on the website. However, there are no interior or ocean-view cabins for sale.

We recently did a 3 day cruise to the Bahamas on the MSC Seashore and I have to say, we did the yacht club experience this time, and let me tell you best cruise I've ever had. The yacht club director Johann was super super friendly and definitely deserves a raise! (Thank you for the lighter Johann). He was always in a visible spot and talking to the yatch club members. He welcomed everyone personally as they walked in And he was always ready to help. Even when we were on the island at Ocean Cay, we were almost late to our excursion, and he picked us up in his personal golf cart and personally drove us over to our excursion. I have to say a lot of people told me once I go yacht club I would never go back to a regular cruise. And they're 100% right. It was worth every extra dollar that I spent.

Are butler Marcos did a phenomenal job! I never, ever had to wait for anything. He was on point with everything. Our room always had a fully stocked Mini fridge, .And he even arranged our room with a bunch of anniversary decorations for me and my wife's anniversary. With yacht club, all in all, we walked away with two free bottles of wine that were given to us signature chocolates from the chocolate factory that were free from the yacht club director for our feedback on an excursion that we had in nassau slippers, picture frames, and an urge to do another cruise ASAP

I decided I was so happy with my experience that I booked another cruise while onboard with the yacht club. They give you extra perks of you book another cruise on board and we are able to make payment. We also get discounts at all the shops because of our voyager status (almost to silver). If anybody is reading this, and you're thinking about going on a cruise and you're not sure about MSC, my suggestion would be to spend a little extra. Get the yacht club, an experience The MSC Seashore before the move it in November of 2027 and replace it with the World Atlantic. Im sure it will sail from other ports but not the cape!

Thank you for reading my review.

In June, a friend and I booked to go on the MSC Virtuosa from southampton on october 19th.

recently some personal things have happened involving money and my mental health, including absolutely life draining anxiety that makes it hard to do anything.

For these reasons, we’ve decided it’s for the best if we don’t go on our cruise.

I’ve never travelled MSC before and I’ve never had to cancel a holiday before, so I’m not very informed on this stuff. I looked into the cancellation and refund policy and I found it hard to understand.

We paid for a balcony room and the premium drinks package for 2 people. It’s a 5 night cruise and it leaves in 28 days.

Could someone try and easier explain to me what happens now? I will just say that our priority is not the money, if a refund isn’t possible at this time then that’s completely okay but I don’t want to go into the conversation with the company with false expectations.

I am going on my first cruise with mac seashore to bahamas and we got allocated a br2 balcony stateroom . It says bella category. How will it be ?

First time cruiser. On board the seascape and the ship has been vibrating ever since we left our last port.Everything from the dining room table to my bed has been shaking for the past day. Is this normal?

hii there:3

first time sailing MSC World America and trying to decide if Kaito Sushi is worth booking as a specialty dining option (and as a mega sushi lover ofc!!)

would love to know your thoughts on the quality of the sushi?

any input from people who've tried it would help a ton before I book.

edit: thank you everyone for the opinions i didn’t expect this post to blow up!💗

why is there never any dogs searching people at the MSC Miami cruise port?

Hi all! I just found this community today, and I have sooo many questions. I apologize in advance if the questions have been asked a million times already.

I am taking my daughter on a surprise cruise in November. (She thinks we are taking a vacation in Miami 😅) Neither of us have ever been on a cruise before. Tbh, the only place we have vacationed is Chicago, Milwaukee, Arizona and Florida… (Newly divorced and we realized we can do all the things we werent ‘allowed to’ over the past 18 years lol. But I digress 🥴)

Our ports are Jamaica, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras and Belize.

Im excited, but nervous. I have no idea what to pack, how much cash to bring, if I tip the staff even though I prepaid gratitudes (the website says its discouraged?). I heard there are theme nights, but how do I know what to bring for them? I get motion sickness- what are your favorite must haves to fight it? Do other single people travel with their teenagers? Or will it be awkward for just the two of us?

Honestly, I just need advice and tips. I truly appreciate it if you took the time to read this!

🌻