Questions about a Med cruise

[monkeydawn]

It will be our first trip to Europe and I feel like I could use some guidance. If anyone can help, I'd appreciate it! This trip will take place in May of 2020 (less than four months!!!! )

I am taking a couple of medications (no controlled narcotics or anything that someone would use to get high). Flight and cruise info always says to keep meds in the original containers. This doesnt jibe with my minimalist packing. I usually make up little vitamin/ pill bags and keep copies of my RX with me. Ive never had a problem doing this but Ive never flown internationally. Are my meds more likely to be scrutinized clearing customs from a flight?

I would like to do a lemon grove tour on the Amalfi coast. This will be during the land portion of our trip so we will have a car. Right now my current thinking is we will park in Sorrento for the day and bus around but we can be flexible with that plan if it helps. Does anyone have a lemon grove tour they would recommend? Or are they readily available without prebooking in any of the nearby towns?

We will need a place for lunch in between Pompeii and Herculaneum. We will have a car. Our preference would be a winery but we cant take a very long time for this meal, two hours max driving included. Any recommendations?

If anyone has a guide (and way to contact) that they would recommend for Pompeii, I would appreciate it. We dont need a guide as a part of a larger tour, just for Pompeii. airbnb seems to get high marks for their guides but I think a personal recommendation is always nice too.

Has anyone cruised to Cannes during the film festival as a port stop? I think we want to try celeb spotting/ people watching, where best to do this?

Has anyone gone to Cinque Terres from Genoa on a port day, we would have 12 hours and are OK with this being a very long day. I've had one person warn me off of this plan but I am still curious if anyone has tried it and just how it was. We are also OK with only seeing one or two of the towns.

I'm assuming it is tough to get ice in Italy since it is in other parts of Europe. I was thinking about purchasing a small cooler so that on our longer driving days we could carry some snacks with us and eat one meal on the road. None of the hotels mention having an in room refrigerator. Are there typically ice machines in hotels in Italy?

These next questions have to do with MSC cuiseline. I know this is DIS but I know a fair number of you do MSC in Europe, the DIS boards is how I even found out about MSC! So I am going to throw these out there just in case someone knows.

Can I do 2 10 or 20 "packages" of laundry? Now that they wont let us split a 40 piece package, I am wondering if they will let you do 2 packages at different points in the cruise or are you stuck only being able to get a multi piece package once?

Related, we werent given the laundry package option slips on our Caribbean cruise until the next to the last day, do we just talk with our stewards if we want laundry done sooner or is it not possible until the end of the cruise now?

Does anyone know if the OBC you receive for booking a future cruise can be used towards gratuities? Tying to decide what to prepay and what to leave for the OBC.

Related, does the OBC "belong" to the lead on the reservation or the cabin? My husband is booked as the lead, do we need to make sure to charge as much as we can to his card?

Is gelato still free for Whirlpool Suites (Aurea class)?

Do the Whirlpool suites still get priority tender access?

Any entertainment on the Seaview that you consider a "dont miss"? I expect we will be pretty tired some days and not get to every show, so what do we need to make sure we see?

Is there an Always Available menu on the SV in the Med for Aurea class passengers? If so, what is on it? There arent many non YC menus posted for SV and none that I could find for last year. If I am missing a TR that contains these, please point me towards the TR.

Many thanks for any help that can be provided. Each little bit of info really helps!

 

[Cynth]

I've been to Cannes during the film festival. Our cruise left around 4 or 5 PM. It was quite fascinating, but not good for celebrity watching. Most red carpet appearances are later in the evening.
However we were able to visit the official Festival Shop, next to the palais. We saw the stairs with the red carpet. There were lots of paparazzi in front of the famous hotels.
There are a lot of luxury branded shops, there may have been celebrities inside, but the security guards in front looked quite unfriendly, so we didn't attempt to enter, or even risk more thank a quick peek throught the windows.
Everywhere was crowded and I have never seen so much police in one place before.
I would recommend to download a map of the festival before you go and then just walk around.

 

[Ladybugx87]

I can help with two things:
1 - keep your meds in original container with Rx sticker. There’s a good chance they don’t check them but you don’t want to deal with it if they do.

2- we are doing Cinque Terre from Livorno. Cinque Terre is one of my fave places in the world and I want to share with my daughters. If you don’t mind the long day it’s worth it.

 

[lilsonicfan]

We were on the MSC Seaview but in YC, in May 2019. We met friends who were in Aurea and they did get the free gelato as well, but, I am not sure if this is still an ongoing perk - MSC is known for changing its mind on a constant basis, nothing ever stays the same. It's not super expensive to buy a little cup of gelato so leave that as an option. As an example, we bought the 40 piece laundry package and we were allowed to split it - but then I misread and thought I could send out luggage on Day 5 or something but it was too late. (And yes we just spoke to our room steward about laundry). Be aware they put very sticky tags on all of your clothing items.

I am not sure about the OBC that you get for future cruises ... however, we had OBC from a travel agent (it was a hassle to get this, I had to show proof as it wasn't on there originally, and we waited several days for it to be resolved) but I believe it did apply to gratuities and I don't think there was really any distinction between lead guest or not.

I also am not sure about priority tender access, to be honest in most ports we didn't even see priority YC access for tender or for getting back to the ship. MSC is not that well organized, and Seaview is a massive ship.

Be sure to check out cruisecritic as the MSC forum is pretty robust there. Beamafar is a frequent poster and cruiser on MSC, she has excellent posts.

By the way, we went to Cinque Terre but from the La Spezia port, not Genoa. We took the ferry. It was super easy and if my little guy wasn't seasick we would have gone to see more than just the one town we did see, Riomaggiore. The train system is pretty easy to use, so you could look into that as an option, I do not know how long it takes from Genoa.

 

[monkeydawn]

Thank you all so much! Ive read lots and lots but havent been able to get the answers to these specific questions and I really appreciate the advice. We are doing this trip as a memorial to my grandfather that passed away last summer. One thing he always spoke about with pride was that he was able to bring his mom back to the town she was from in Italy. So we are going there and also visiting the other towns my family and my husbands family comes from in Italy. But I'm starting to feel pressure to get this trip exactly right.

I've been to Cannes during the film festival.

Your advice is perfect. We also leave at 5pm. Ive been told that traffic is a nightmare during the film festival so I dont think Id want to go outside of Cannes and then risk having issues getting back in a timely fashion. I will dl a map when it gets closer.

I can help with two things:
1 - keep your meds in original container with Rx sticker. There’s a good chance they don’t check them but you don’t want to deal with it if they do.

2- we are doing Cinque Terre from Livorno. Cinque Terre is one of my fave places in the world and I want to share with my daughters. If you don’t mind the long day it’s worth it.

Thanks!
1- the birth control isnt that big of an issue as its in a smaller container. The other med is kind of large and I take 8 a day. Id need two of the very large RX bottles. I may just risk this one by doing my usual thing and possibly losing it. There's no way I am bringing all my vitamins in their original bottles, but I am OK risking them.

2- Our other possible CT stop is La Spezia. It is a lot closer to CT but Id also like to do Pisa, and La Spezia is pretty much the only option for that. I'm really hoping someone that has done CT from Genoa sees this and chimes in because Id love to hear if its a big PITA or worth it as long as expectations are managed.

We were on the MSC Seaview but in YC, in May 2019. We met friends who were in Aurea and they did get the free gelato as well, but, I am not sure if this is still an ongoing perk - MSC is known for changing its mind on a constant basis, nothing ever stays the same. It's not super expensive to buy a little cup of gelato so leave that as an option. As an example, we bought the 40 piece laundry package and we were allowed to split it - but then I misread and thought I could send out luggage on Day 5 or something but it was too late. (And yes we just spoke to our room steward about laundry). Be aware they put very sticky tags on all of your clothing items.

I am not sure about the OBC that you get for future cruises ... however, we had OBC from a travel agent (it was a hassle to get this, I had to show proof as it wasn't on there originally, and we waited several days for it to be resolved) but I believe it did apply to gratuities and I don't think there was really any distinction between lead guest or not.

I also am not sure about priority tender access, to be honest in most ports we didn't even see priority YC access for tender or for getting back to the ship. MSC is not that well organized, and Seaview is a massive ship.

Be sure to check out cruisecritic as the MSC forum is pretty robust there. Beamafar is a frequent poster and cruiser on MSC, she has excellent posts.

By the way, we went to Cinque Terre but from the La Spezia port, not Genoa. We took the ferry. It was super easy and if my little guy wasn't seasick we would have gone to see more than just the one town we did see, Riomaggiore. The train system is pretty easy to use, so you could look into that as an option, I do not know how long it takes from Genoa.

The first sailings in the Med for the Seaview this year start on 4/8 so I am hopeful someone(s) will be able to give the most up to date advice before our cruise but it is helpful to know what the policies have been in the recent-ish past. Thanks so much for sharing your experiences!

I expect there will be lots of gelato had this trip, on the ship and off!

I've read that even since splitting the laundry hasnt been allowed by default, those in YC still have success in getting it split. I'm not even going to try for that but I hope its possible to purchase multiple laundry packages. Thanks for the warning about the stickies. Did they put these on the outside of the clothes? If I turn my clothes inside out do you think the stickies would get put on the inside (thats now technically the "outside")?

Ive already printed out my screenshot of my MSC reservation showing my OBC from the future bookings offer. When I was checking something else by calling in to Expedia I asked if they could see any credits and they also saw it. I'm hopeful I wont need my printout but I am at least prepared to fight if I do.

Cannes is our only tender unless something goes sideways. It ultimately doesnt matter since we wont have any excursions booked here but I am curious if we get this perk and will take advantage if we do.

Thanks, CC has been able to answer a lot of my questions via research but this post hasnt gained much traction there. And I will also reach out to the ports of call boards and TA for port of call questions that dont get answered. If anyone has any other resources to check, please let me know!

See above for why we are considering CT from Genoa. Im sorry your little guy got seasick.

 

[wishuponastar1984]

I have visited 35 countries and have done several med cruises and always bring my meds in those daily dose pill boxes. I get 90 day supplies so the bottles are large. I do have a back up extra week just in case of delays but way simpler to pack. Having the original bottle doesn't do diddly squat. There is nothing that really identifies the contents. For instance, if all it took was an RX bottle then drug dealers would be filling RX bottles with anything and everything. The bottle means nothing. I carry a copy of my scripts but more for emergency purposes such as getting ill. I can hand over the list with all the relevant information (doctor's name/number, pharmacy name/number, RX number, drug name, drug strength and drug dose. I have also taken photos of the bottles just to have as a back up on my phone. Don't forget all the OTC vitamins for your list! My routines always seem to be off during vacation so having the daily boxes helps me remember if I took my meds that day.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

These next questions have to do with MSC cuiseline. I know this is DIS but I know a fair number of you do MSC in Europe, the DIS boards is how I even found out about MSC! So I am going to throw these out there just in case someone knows.

Have you checked the MSC forum over on Cruise Critic, also?

 

[monkeydawn]

I have visited 35 countries and have done several med cruises and always bring my meds in those daily dose pill boxes. I get 90 day supplies so the bottles are large. I do have a back up extra week just in case of delays but way simpler to pack. Having the original bottle doesn't do diddly squat. There is nothing that really identifies the contents. For instance, if all it took was an RX bottle then drug dealers would be filling RX bottles with anything and everything. The bottle means nothing. I carry a copy of my scripts but more for emergency purposes such as getting ill. I can hand over the list with all the relevant information (doctor's name/number, pharmacy name/number, RX number, drug name, drug strength and drug dose. I have also taken photos of the bottles just to have as a back up on my phone. Don't forget all the OTC vitamins for your list! My routines always seem to be off during vacation so having the daily boxes helps me remember if I took my meds that day.

Thank you. I have to get my meds in 90 day supplies so I hear you on those large bottles. And I agree that it seems silly to say the pills have to be in their original containers. Even straight from the pharmacy there is nothing to prevent someone from changing out the meds, no seal or anything. But it's still the guideline. Glad to hear its never been an issue for you.

Have you checked the MSC forum over on Cruise Critic, also?

Of course. CC is the reason I have so few questions. My original list was way longer.

But these questions werent getting any answers there so I thought I would try here.

 

[piccolopat]

Unless you mail order your RXs, can you ask your pharmacist to package them in smaller containers just for the trip?

 

[monkeydawn]

Unless you mail order your RXs, can you ask your pharmacist to package them in smaller containers just for the trip?

Thanks for the thought. My insurance will only allow mail order for maintenance drugs. I wish that werent the case for a variety of reasons.

 

[lilsonicfan]

The first sailings in the Med for the Seaview this year start on 4/8 so I am hopeful someone(s) will be able to give the most up to date advice before our cruise but it is helpful to know what the policies have been in the recent-ish past. Thanks so much for sharing your experiences!

I expect there will be lots of gelato had this trip, on the ship and off!

I've read that even since splitting the laundry hasnt been allowed by default, those in YC still have success in getting it split. I'm not even going to try for that but I hope its possible to purchase multiple laundry packages. Thanks for the warning about the stickies. Did they put these on the outside of the clothes? If I turn my clothes inside out do you think the stickies would get put on the inside (thats now technically the "outside")?

Ive already printed out my screenshot of my MSC reservation showing my OBC from the future bookings offer. When I was checking something else by calling in to Expedia I asked if they could see any credits and they also saw it. I'm hopeful I wont need my printout but I am at least prepared to fight if I do.

Cannes is our only tender unless something goes sideways. It ultimately doesnt matter since we wont have any excursions booked here but I am curious if we get this perk and will take advantage if we do.

Ah I see that you want to go to CT from Genoa b/c of Pisa. TBH we considered Pisa too but so many people have said that it's really not worth the trip and is highly overrated etc. I dunno. Frankly the same could be said about Cinque Terre, but we really enjoyed wandering the town we saw, hiking up the hills, taking pics, eating fried seafood in a cone, etc. I am sure it can be done from Genoa fairly easily. Here's a link you've probably seen!

The sticky tags were inside our clothes, often near the hem or neck so I doubt they would apply them to the outside if you turned your clothes inside out. They were VERY sticky though - in some cases I just left them on, sigh.

I hope you won't need to deal with guest services! Bear in mind that MSC is much different than DCL. Where DCL staff often will bend over backward to accommodate, or at least to thoroughly explain if they cannot, with MSC if the answer is No, it's just no - no explanation, often no apology, and certainly not much effort to resolve the situation.

We just walked around Cannes, and it wasn't crowded coming back to the ship so priority tender wouldn't have mattered. But I am pretty sure if they offer it, it's only for YC.

 

[tlprice]

In Pompeii instead of using a tour guide, we had downloaded Rick Steves Audio Europe on my phone ahead of time. He has a great self guided tour. It told us exactly where to go and explained what we were seeing. It took us through all of the highlights and we could do it at our own pace.

 

[monkeydawn]

Ah I see that you want to go to CT from Genoa b/c of Pisa. TBH we considered Pisa too but so many people have said that it's really not worth the trip and is highly overrated etc. I dunno. Frankly the same could be said about Cinque Terre, but we really enjoyed wandering the town we saw, hiking up the hills, taking pics, eating fried seafood in a cone, etc. I am sure it can be done from Genoa fairly easily. Here's a link you've probably seen!

The sticky tags were inside our clothes, often near the hem or neck so I doubt they would apply them to the outside if you turned your clothes inside out. They were VERY sticky though - in some cases I just left them on, sigh.

I hope you won't need to deal with guest services! Bear in mind that MSC is much different than DCL. Where DCL staff often will bend over backward to accommodate, or at least to thoroughly explain if they cannot, with MSC if the answer is No, it's just no - no explanation, often no apology, and certainly not much effort to resolve the situation.

We just walked around Cannes, and it wasn't crowded coming back to the ship so priority tender wouldn't have mattered. But I am pretty sure if they offer it, it's only for YC.

I had not found that article yet about Genoa to CT, thanks!

Great about the sticky tags, glad they dont put them on the outside of clothing.

Priority tender has been a Aurea Suites perk in the past but since things change so often on MSC I was hoping I'd hear if it still was included. I'm glad to hear it isnt really necessary.

In Pompeii instead of using a tour guide, we had downloaded Rick Steves Audio Europe on my phone ahead of time. He has a great self guided tour. It told us exactly where to go and explained what we were seeing. It took us through all of the highlights and we could do it at our own pace.

Thanks for the suggestion. I've read that a couple of people found the RS audio guide for Pompeii to be hard to follow, either something wasnt marked properly/ well or they just got off kilter a little and then couldnt get back on track. The airbnb guides arent that expensive and the groups are small so I am comfortable going with those if I dont get any recommendations here. Plus maybe they can help with fod recommendations for the day if we dont get any.

 

[aggiedog]

We loved Pompeii. It has been one of my favorite locations in Europe. I'd just throw another vote in for a real private guide and not an audio guide. I was amazed at all the little details we were shown, and it was nice to have someone to ask questions to and discuss things. Much better for me than just listening to an audio file. Sadly, I have no idea who our guide was as my friend arranged the tour and it was 7 years ago, so I'm no help there. I guarantee any guide you get will know a good place to eat. There's an abundance of good food there. We spent a week in Amalfi and I came home with a 10lb belly pooch I nicknamed my "pasta baby." LOL

 

[aggiedog]

I can't answer your specific questions, as we did MSC YC and had a generally different itinerary. I will say that Genoa was my least favorite port, so it's not a bad idea to get out and see something else. I did Pisa on a different land tour and actually really liked Lucca better, just the next stop down on the train from Pisa. You can rent bikes from the train station and ride them along the park on top the old city walls. The bikes come with locks and you can stop and go down into the old walled city at several points along the way. It was a really neat way to see the town.

 

[monkeydawn]

We loved Pompeii. It has been one of my favorite locations in Europe. I'd just throw another vote in for a real private guide and not an audio guide.

Thanks!

I came home with a 10lb belly pooch I nicknamed my "pasta baby." LOL

LOL Strangely I usually lose when I cruise so I'm wondering what will happen this time.

I can't answer your specific questions, as we did MSC YC and had a generally different itinerary. I will say that Genoa was my least favorite port, so it's not a bad idea to get out and see something else. I did Pisa on a different land tour and actually really liked Lucca better, just the next stop down on the train from Pisa. You can rent bikes from the train station and ride them along the park on top the old city walls. The bikes come with locks and you can stop and go down into the old walled city at several points along the way. It was a really neat way to see the town.

Thanks for the bike suggestion!

 

[monkeydawn]

I have dropped Pisa from the wish list and decided that CT from La Spezia is the better way for us to tackle this. Thinking we will start in Vernazza, train to Manarola and walk through Riommaggiore if that pathway is open, train if not. We may hit Cornigilia in between Vernazza and Manarola, likely via shuttle bus at least one way. I have to do some more reading on the towns.

For Genoa Ive read about a private walking food tour that someone did that sounded nice. Once I get our plans for the rest of the trip nailed down I will have a better idea of budget but I have a feeling we will want to save our private tour money for other cities. I was able to look up all the places and make my own little route up. That combined with the HOHO I think will be a nice day if we opt to not do the private tour.

 

[MomOTwins]

Thanks for the thought. My insurance will only allow mail order for maintenance drugs. I wish that werent the case for a variety of reasons.

Kind of off topic, but my insurance has the same rule so wanted to express my sympathies. Just got a call from the mail order company yesterday that my meds will be late again. Want to strangle my insurance carrier.

 

[monkeydawn]

Kind of off topic, but my insurance has the same rule so wanted to express my sympathies. Just got a call from the mail order company yesterday that my meds will be late again. Want to strangle my insurance carrier.

Yup. Because I couldnt fill my last refill locally and because the mail order place doesnt seem to work weekends or holidays my RX that was dues to be filled on Christmas didnt get filled until after the New Year. Which meant an extra $152 that I had to pay because it would have been free last year. Luckily I delayed taking the meds for a couple of weeks when starting them so that if a refill fell during a vacation I wouldnt be screwed. So I never ran out of meds but I dont appreciate having to pay because they were backlogged. Sorry for you and anyone else that has to deal with one option only RX fillings. It stinks.

 

[slmoy1016]

Went on my first Med cruise in 2018. I had kept the original bottles with rx labels as well. I actually used a small packing square to the place them in, but carried it on my carry on bag. My family and I had booked excursions through DCL, but we did like going to the Amalfi Coast. There was on port day with Rome, where we picked an excursion that was way too long (8 hours +). We still enjoyed a lot thought, since it was our first time Europe visit. My sister and I did some onboard sea day activity (Stem to Stern was our favorite).