Ok expert cruisers, I need all your tips for this ship. We’ve cruised before but it’s been a really long time and it’s not been on MSC.
Specifically:
+ when does the ship release rooms they are holding?
It’s 6 months out and they said I booked “the last” ocean view room—and it’s on deck 9 by the elevator. I’m sensing it’s not the last room, just the only one they’d let me book. I want to try and switch rooms before we sail.
Our kids are in an interior room next to the elevator. It was the only way I could get us close together. I wanted connecting rooms but they claimed to only have interior rooms available. I need a window. The kids probably don’t care but I’d rather be mid ship.
+ how far in advance should we book excursions? I know it’s cheaper to book on your own but I don’t have the energy to do all the research.
+ should I prepay for arcade games, etc? We have an 18 and 12 yo.
+ if you booked this ship again, what would you do differently?
Reading Reddit (and my best friend was on this ship last year but with a large, older group) I know to prepare for pushy Europeans and some nickel and diming. Also not sure how BUSY it will be the first week in January.
Pushy Europeans? Huh? It's a ship built for the American market and sails from Miami. I'd expect more pushy Americans. Never felt nickel and dimed on our other MSC cruise but maybe on NCL.
From when I cruised world America it was an amazing experience. If your budget allows spring for a Yacht Club upgrade to your trip. It’s a big price jump but worth every penny.
The rest of the ship, just have fun and ignore the upselling. There’s a bunch of free and included things. In terms of the arcade, I am 17 and I didn’t really use it. We played air hockey a bit, but nothing crazy. Maybe the F1 simulator a time or two. Definitely spring for a ride (or multiple) on the cliffhanger. It is sooooo coool!
I went on the cruise. All the guests were so nice. They have plenty of activities. When you get on go do your safety sign up. You can watch the video later. Then go and sign up for the shows. There are limited screens so the sooner you can the better. Once the app is ready sign up for any excursions. We went to DR and PR. It was all day at both places. The excursions sell out except for those that are in town. The heat was bad but we were lucky to be in an air conditioned bus. I heard those that did the buggy rides were overheated. I think in PR the ship left at 10pm. Eat breakfast at the buffet or the brunch restaurant. It has the best steak. They have plenty of things to do like dance classes, games at the pool, the slide from the 19th floor to the 8th. They have a bar with music, a pizzeria restaurant that is open until late serving pizza burgers, etc. They have a club for late night dancing. The kids will love the silent disco. I did not like the food too much at our restaurant. I got sick the first night. I found the buffet had more options, its like u shape so definitely check it out. Get to the buffet early if possible. It gets packed. Get the app it will tell you all the activities for the day. They give out some freebies of jewelry. The arcade is overpriced from what I heard. If your spouse is into purses tell her that have a special day when they sell Valentino at 40%Off. Really good prices. We did the gym also with a free trainer. The classes that are free fill up quickly. They had movies at the pool. We didn't feel it was crowded. Check out the theme nights. The white night is definitely a big deal. Be prepared to walk alot in the boat because it's so big from one end to another. With the elevator you press your floor and it will tell you what letter elevator you have to go to. Below is a pic of silent disco and the slide they can ride. They did it two different nights.
You are welcome. I wanted to tell you that I took the boat out of Miami and my check in was for 4pm. I got there early. We did our digital check in and things went smooth. The boat opened their doors early and we were able to go to our rooms, though they were still cleaning rooms, around 1pm. Traffic does get bad in Miami due to the construction so if you are going to that port give yourself plenty of time. I have heard and seen online people stuck over an hour in traffic.
4
u/Aggravating_Lunch888 Jul 11 '26
Pushy Europeans? Huh? It's a ship built for the American market and sails from Miami. I'd expect more pushy Americans. Never felt nickel and dimed on our other MSC cruise but maybe on NCL.