08/09/2023
First Time ever rating my last cruise out of NYC on MSC Meraviglia.
Parking for the week was $320 compared to RCCL cost of $220 in Bayonne. Drop off bags first before parking.
Our check in time was 11am we were able to check in at 10am. Hour wait in terminal, on ship by 11am. Had lunch on deck 15 at Marketplace Buffet. Food was good but very crowded, suggestion good to back of buffet for less crowds.
After lunch 2 of 3 bags were at our cabin 14022 and we met our cabin steward Fexis. Help us with AC. All cabins have Sign and sail cards attivate Lights and AC. He gave us a card to leave on at all time. Best AC on any cruise, very cold. AC will not work if balcony door is open.
We had 5:30 MDR Panorama, food was OK, some items are on the Menu every night a new chef special every night. Waiter service is like service at local diner. Not just high end service I have had on Past cruises.
Went to bed early that night room was turned down for us. Cabin Stewart still comes in twice a day. No towel animals.
Day at sea, Buffet for breakfast and after breakfast, all chairs were taken at 8am. Something has to be done by MSC. I here that RCCL is trying to do something. We did the 3 Specialty Dinning for $72. Sign up Hola, Butcher's Cut, and Kaito Teppanyaki. You have a special menu at each restaurant for this, could be different than regular menu. We didn't get the drink package but would get the drink package includes special coffee, water and sodas. These add up quickly. No daily limit on drinks unlike Carnival 15 drink limit.
Port Caraveral. Did nothing here. Just a port call to solve the Jones Act and restock ship, over 60 truckload of supplies we're unloaded.
Nassau did a Beach excursion Blue Lagoon Beach, 7 hour trip 5 hours at the beach. Very crowded and low water levels. Very crowded return, over a mile walk back to ship. No help if you need help to get on ship. Booked a show that night since we got back so late. Some show you have a one drink added to tickets.
Ocean Cay. Next port MSC private island. Best private island, ship docked here. Our room looked out over the island. Nice view. We booked a excursion off the island to a private cay about 1 mile off the island. You able to swim and see stingrays. Best part of the trip. Lighthouse light show was canceled due to rainstorm. We went to Butcher's Cut for dinner special 3 chorce dinner, best steak ever.
2 days at sea. Still have deck chair hogs, found 2 chairs in adult only section. Has lunch in Japanese steakhouse, our last of Specialty Dinning. Lots to due on the ship. Shopping has no tee shirts and hats like other cruise lines.
Sunday leaving ship. Out of room by 730am. Everyone have a number and leave the ship by that number. Off ship and left parking lot by 11am.
I rate this cruise 7 out of 10. Pricing is a 10
Ports is 7
Cabin 9 small
Food 7
Excursions 6
Shopping 7
Parking 9
Shows. Did none
Casino. Slots and table games
Pricing is 50% cheaper than NCL and RCCL.
Looking for a cheap cruise from NYC this is the one.
