Three Tips for Your Next Cruise with MSC!
Written By: Travel Advisor, Jenny Alonso-Fontela
Cruising has always been my favorite form of travel. It allows you to explore multiple destinations with the comfort of only having to unpack once. I also love the all-inclusive amenities cruises offer and the endless ocean views. I have cruised countless times with both Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean. After booking a cruise on MSC World America, I was not sure what to expect with MSC and how it would compare to the other cruise lines. Once I sailed on this ship, I can say my experience was a very positive one. Here are three tips I believe will not only inform you of the way MSC does cruising, but will allow you to have an enjoyable experience on your next MSC cruise.
1. Know the experience you are booking!
MSC has three experiences: Bella, Fantastica, and Aurea. You'll notice the Bella Experience rooms to be extremely competitive when it comes to pricing. However, you have to be aware with this experience you cannot choose your stateroom and any changes to your booking will result in a fee. In addition, you can book a triple or quadruple occupancy room and MSC can split you into two rooms on the same deck and same side of the ship. This may work for a group of adults but not for a family that wants to stay together. The Fantastica Experience allows you to choose your stateroom and its location and gives you one free cruise change. Both the Bella and Fantastica experiences allow you to choose either early or late dining. Early dining can be any time between 5:30 and 7:30 PM while late dining can be any time between 7:30 and 9:45 PM. Unfortunately, you are not assigned an actual time within your timeframe until you board the ship. In most cases, MSC does not allow you to change the time when you board. If this is not a risk you are willing to take, I recommend you book an Aurea Experience stateroom. The Aurea Experience is the pricier one but definitely the one with the most benefits.
2. If possible, always choose the Aurea Experience.
The Aurea Experience allows you to choose your own stateroom and location and make one free cruise change. In addition, you are able to dine any time you choose. Having any time dining gives you flexibility and peace of mind because you do not have to plan your evenings around dinner. The Aurea Experience also gives you access to the Top Exclusive Solarium. This is a quiet area on the top deck of the ship that has lounge chairs and, in some cases, a whirlpool and a bar. MSC World America has a wonderful Top Exclusive Solarium with a large whirlpool facing the ocean and a full-service bar. It is less noisy and less crowded than the main pool areas but not so hidden that you feel secluded. My favorite benefit of the Aurea Experience is the free access to the thermal area at the Aurea Spa. The thermal area on MSC World America has various saunas and steam rooms, heated and cold plunge pools, heated beds, a snow room, a salt relaxation area, and a pool with a waterfall! Although you have free access to the thermal spa area, you still have to make reservations on sea days. MSC requires appointments for days at sea because they want to keep the spa quiet and relaxing and avoid overcrowding. You can, however, go in freely at any time you choose on port days.
3. Book everything as soon as you board the ship.
Boarding day can be a bit stressful, especially when you have a long list of things you need to do on your cruise. However, I highly recommend taking care of all reservations as soon as you board the ship. MSC allows you to go to your stateroom and drop off personal items and pick up your cruise cards, even though your room is not ready until later in the day. After picking up your cruise cards, I suggest going to the touchscreen kiosks found around the ship to book your shows. You can also do this on the MSC for Me app but I found it easier to do on the kiosks than I did on the app. You will also have to reserve specialty dining. Even if you pre-purchased a package before boarding the ship, you cannot make reservations for specialty dining until you are physically on the ship and connected to the ship's Wi-Fi. As soon as you book your shows, head over to any of the specialty dining locations and book your dinners for the rest of the week. If you have an Aurea Experience stateroom, or if you purchased a weekly pass to the Thermal Suite area, I suggest you go to the spa and book your appointments for the days at sea to ensure you have access to the spa every day of your cruise. Lastly, MSC has a wristband you can purchase to use instead of the cruise card (or in addition to). The wristband can be purchased at the Photo Gallery. This will serve as your room key and payment method around the ship. A few things to keep in mind about the wristband: you will still need your cruise card to get on and off the ship on port days; if you lose it, you'll have to go to guest services and report it missing. At that point, they will also deactivate your cruise card and give you a new one. If you want a new wristband, you'll have to purchase it again. The line at the Photo Gallery for the wristband is extremely long on boarding day and I waited almost an hour to get wristbands for everyone in my stateroom. If you have more than one adult traveling with you, I suggest one of you makes the line for the wristband while the other reserves dining and shows. Divide and conquer is the way to go on boarding day!
When it comes to cruising, having clear and realistic expectations on how each cruise line operates can make a huge difference in someone's experience. Knowing what to expect up front can help reduce surprises and allows us to plan more effectively. If you are ready to give MSC a try, I would love to help you plan your next cruise!
Contact Jenny today at JennyFontela@BeOurGuestTravelCompany.com