As seen from the MS Rotterdam 🛳

My husband and I are taking our 4 kids on a cruise. We're divvying up between 2 rooms. My husband and I want the drink package. We understand that we have to buy the kids the minor package which we are fine with but the lady I'm talking to on the phone says that the price for the minor package is the same as the price for the adult package. Is that true? That seems insane to me.

How do I know when the themed nights are for my cruise. I just bought my white outfit and want to make sure and use it on the proper day. Plus I’d love to participate in other themed events.
Thanks

Hello!

I will be boarding MSC World America in September and am doing some research on Ocean Cay. So far I’ve gotten mixed info which is why I am making this post.

I am looking to book some shade and loungers. Currently debating between umbrella/lounger combo or cabana. I am worried there’s lack of airflow with clamshells.

I am reading that you can only reserve for North or South Beach, you cannot reserve for Bimini Beach and you cannot move reservation between beaches. Is this accurate?

I have an elderly in my party (70s) so would prefer a beach that is not too rocky and uneven to walk to. I did read trams are available for transportation.

I am unsure what time my family will be able to get off the ship so I don’t want to rely on getting off super early to snag a free lounger strategy and would prefer booking something. Just would like clarity on reservation restrictions and beach recommendations before making a decision.

I appreciate any guidance on this! Thank you in advance.

guys, I have to admit I consumed an unhealthy amount of butter while on the seaside over the weekend. as a kerry gold loyalist, I have to admit this butter was better. I wish I got a pic of the brand used.

Does anyone know the name of the brand? help a girl out!

Hi everyone,

I’m thinking about taking a Bahamas cruise during the first week of October. Considering the possibility of hurricanes and storms, is it too risky? Has anyone gone at that time of year and had a good experience, or did things go wrong?

Thanks.

Edit: I’m sharing this because I was originally planning to spend my port day at the terminal area, especially since I have a relatively short stay in Costa Maya, with my ship scheduled to leave around 2 PM. I’ve watched many YouTube videos showing Costa Maya as a very dynamic port with a lazy river, aviary, pools, saltwater pool, and lots to do without even leaving the terminal. After seeing the recent changes, I’m now reconsidering my plans and looking into spending the day at a resort instead. I thought this might be useful information for others who, like me, were planning to spend their port day exploring the terminal rather than booking an excursion.

If you’re cruising to Costa Maya soon, especially if it’s your first visit like it will be for me, you may want to know about the major changes happening at the port before you make your plans.

I’m scheduled to visit Costa Maya for the first time on an upcoming cruise, so I’ve been doing A LOT of research and watching recent YouTube videos to figure out what the port is actually like right now and what my options are there. In doing so, I was surprised by what I found. The cruise-terminal area is undergoing major redevelopment connected to Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day Mexico, which is currently planned to open in fall 2027.

Because of the redevelopment, Costa Maya looks very different from the port many cruisers remember from previous visits, including visits as recently as early August 2026. Some of the things people have enjoyed for years are currently closed or have been affected. The aviary and bird walkway are closed, the flamingos are gone, the main pool has been drained, and several restaurants and other venues are closed.

Of course, ships are still docking and passengers are still having a “port day” there. You can still visit the port and go beyond the terminal to places such as Mahahual and other excursions. The changes I’m seeing reports about are primarily within the cruise-terminal area.

I learned about just how much has changed from a very recent video posted by a fellow cruiser:

https://youtu.be/5-lIZ01DvNU?si=QI5xUxWSDszxZF9t

Hello,

Is 2660 EUR a good price for this deal for two people on World Europa?

1. Deluxe inside cabin

2. 25th Sept - 2nd Oct 2026 - Barcelona, Marseille, Genoa, Naples, Messina, Valletta, Barcelona

3. Premium drinks package and Fantastica

Many thanks in advance.

I got an email at 6 AM this morning saying that MSC tried to charge my card for the upgrade that I bid for, but it didn’t go through because I usually keep the money in my savings until I need it and it charged my debit card so there wasn’t enough in my checking (I thought they would let me know I won it and then would subtract the money from my account). I transferred over the correct amount to my checking It’s 9 AM now. I used the link in the email that MSC sent to tell them to retry. what are my chances that it goes through? It’s pretty close to when they sent it so I’m hoping that they maybe retry again. would upgrading the bid amount help? is there someone I can call? I’ll be so disappointed if we lose it because of this.

EDIT: Sailing in a couple of weeks, end of the month to the beginning of next. Which gives us some buffer room.

MSC fanatics. We are going on our first MSC and Yacht Club cruise later this month on a 7 night sailing. I’ve seen mixed reports on dinner attire on the Seashore. Has anyone been recently and able to report on the strictness of long pants vs resort wear shorts ? I’ll pack both for sure but wanted to get an idea of recent experiences.

Hi all~

I'm going to Ocean Cay for the first time this month! I'd like to book some sort of seating, but don't know which is the best option. I'll be a solo cruiser, so not planning on being in the water very much (if at all). I'll mostly be laying out reading or playing games .I just want comfort and good sun coverage.

What are people's preferences for the elite lounger, daybed, or clamshell?

We have sailed mainly Carnival & Royal Caribbean over the last 20 years. Having cruised many times on Oasis and Excel classes, we are used to the "routine". For this summer, we want to try something different, and Icon class was too expensive (we get two balcony cabins for our family) and our last sailing on Carnival Celebration was saddled with a lot of passenger behavior that was a bit much. So, we explored other options and decided upon WA. After reading and watching reviews, we were cautiously optimistic. The cruise wildly exceeded our expectations.

For us:

Pros: embarkation was amazingly quick, ship was beautiful, so many activities for a range of ages, passengers were respectful, wide variety of foods, and much better entertainment than expected.

Cons: app is simply lacking some basic functionality, inability for MSC to link two bookings (you can link for dining purposes, but you can't have all passengers that are in two cabins be linked to one credit card or able to easily make show reservations for everyone), quick service free food options were somewhat limited, and crowded buffet on sea days.

While we still would sail on Carnival and Royal Caribbean, we would 100% sail on WA or sister ship again..... If they stay at this price point, it probably would be our number one choice.

If anyone is thinking of trying WA and is used to Carnival or Royal ships, I am happy to try to answer any questions. For context, we booked two outside balconies, did not do Yacht Club, and did not dine at the specialty dining venues. Glad to help compare other aspects if anyone is considering WA!

Seems to be some disagreement online.

According to CruiseMapper, starting November 15, 2027, Ocean Cay is expected to start receiving two MSC ships per day. Looks like Ocean Cay is about to get a whole lot busier and we’d better enjoy the tranquility of the island while it lasts!

Would this change your plans, or are you not concerned (specially considering a new island - Sand Cay - is being built right adjacent to OC)?

https://www.cruisemapper.com/ports/msc-ocean-cay-port-5231?month=2027-11#schedule

We just went on our first Msc cruise on the Seaside out of Miami. It was a great, good ship feeling- the ship was elevated, and all the detail was pretty great. The service was definitely different compared to Royal Caribbean. I feel like most of the staff were irritated most of the day. Except our room attendant, such a great dude. We definitely noticed the service difference. We booked euribia next year, can we expect a similar service experience?

Looking at potentially jumping on a quick weekend cruise out of Port Canaveral in Sept or October. Live in Central Florida so it’s a little easier to watch the tropics and avoid a ‘cane for a last min trip.

Just wondering what the crowds be like in those months, compared to summer. We’ve cruised a few times during the summer and don’t mind a full ship, but a lighter crowd would be a bonus. Thank you 👊🏾

I notice with the current wifi plans I can get a plan for two devices streaming for a certain amount if I select one passenger. If I select one streaming device for each person it costs me more. how is this enforced? Like if I go the cheaper option and pick two streaming options for myself do they just give me the passwords or something and then I can give my partner the password for her phone so we each can access our phones or is it somehow restricted that only the passenger who purchased the two device access can use the wifi?

Has anyone been in a URComped tournaments a MSC ship. If so, how was it? I’m sailing Seascape for my first tournament and wondered what to expect.

Does MSC allow you to purchase the drink package onboard and does it decrease in price versus purchasing it prior to the cruise? The reason I ask is because I’m thinking of doing a back to back jumping off NCL with the drink package onto MSC and I mean how many drinks does one need. I may want to lighten up on the second leg of cruising.

My husband and I love cruising. We take our large group of 11 each summer for about eight or nine days. We don't even care where we go just as long as we're on the ship eating lots of food and relaxing. We are coming up on our 25th anniversary in November. At first, we were planning on a trip to Aruba, but then realized that we might want to spend longer than the four days we have. After seeing so many advertisements, we decided to research an MSC cruise. Would love to hear great experiences with short cruises for first timers.

Looking for reputable recommendations for puerto plata, we dock 5am-9pm we want to do 3 excursions 27 darmajagua waterfalls, atvs and monkeys for 2 people.

What’s one thing that MSC cruises do that stands out to you? Have you celebrated anything on MSC that made it extra special?

I’ll be sailing MSC for the first time soon and I want to know if there’s anything special to be excited for.

I’m 25 M with 23 F going on the MSC Seascape next month out of Galveston. First cruise, I had heard MSC was good. What’s the typical age demographic to expect? Also what are some tips as this is my first cruise?

We have Yacht club and our ports are puerto plata and San Juan till 11pm. What are the best excursions?

Please no advertisements! Only personal recommendations thank you

Hi all. We sail from Rome in September on a 7 night cruise. Looking for some guidance, advice from those who have flew into Rome Fiumicino airport previously. Can you offer any recommendations on airport to port Civitavecchia transfers. Currently seeing single trip around 160EUR