Useful information about MSC Cruises. Last hours on the ship

Before you go on a cruise, you should know that this is an interesting type of vacation, but what about a cruise ship? this is not only, in fact, a sea voyage, but also a combination different types rest and various types activities. The sea traveler will find comfortable cabins, a luxurious interior of the ship, helpful staff, theatrical shows, sports competitions, swimming in the pool, new friends, walking tours, a casino and much, much more. And before such a large-scale adventure, it is necessary to obtain all the available information about the trip in order to take full advantage of it and make your vacation an incredibly enjoyable event.

A sea traveler should know how to book a cruise or a combined vacation, how to board a ship, what documents are needed for travel, what a drill is, what individual excursions are and how to order them. It would be a good idea to get information about life on board, about the infrastructure available on the ship, about children's payment cards, about shore excursions and about the rules of sea travel. A tourist who contacts the company to book a cruise is advised to find out as many details as possible about what awaits him on a sea voyage and dispel all myths about this type of vacation. The tourist has to find out that

• the routes of modern airliners are designed in such a way as to avoid getting caught in a storm;
• travel by sea is accessible to everyone, moreover, it is a very economical holiday; the audience on the ship is very diverse and very democratic;
• there is so much entertainment on the ship that everyone will find something to their liking;
• the prices in the shops on board are not exorbitant, but they are just right for shopping, because this is Duty free;
• There will be enough space on the ship for everyone and it will not be cramped, a cruise ship? is this a whole?floating city?;
• there will be no language barrier, there are staff on the ship who speak Russian and are always ready to help;
• There is a special service on duty on the ship that will help resolve all issues.

Modern ships are built in such a way that the ship is held in a stable position, and are equipped with special propellers that stabilize the pitch. If the ship is tilting, the propellers help to quickly level out, so that the roll on the liner is not felt. And those tourists who are especially susceptible to seasickness are given free motion sickness tablets if necessary.

Duty-free shops located on board the ship offer a huge selection of goods: from soap and towels to exquisite items from famous couturiers. If a tourist has forgotten any of his things at home, he can buy everything on the ship.

When traveling on a liner, tourists are not at all cut off from the world. Newspapers are delivered to the ship, there is satellite communication and Internet services.

No need to worry about how to look after your children while on a cruise. There is plenty of entertainment on board for children of all ages, as well as professional educators ready to keep your child occupied and entertained.

If it is preferable for a passenger to travel with compatriots, then you can go on a cruise as part of a Russian-speaking group. Such groups are formed constantly, in addition, the group is accompanied by a guide who will help resolve any situation.

When planning a sea cruise, you should know:

• visitors and mourners are not allowed on the ship for security reasons;
• children traveling with their parents must be at least 6 months old;
• Don’t be afraid of not knowing foreign languages; every ship has Russian-speaking staff;
• Traveling with animals is strictly prohibited;
• in the shops on board the ship you can buy souvenirs with the company’s symbols;
• children travel for free, which can be considered as a significant discount on a summer vacation;
• the passenger should inquire about the permissible weight of luggage, since excess weight is paid additionally;
• the ship has special cabins for disabled passengers and all the infrastructure for comfortable travel;
• You can celebrate an important event or anniversary on board the ship; for this purpose, special offers are provided for those celebrating.

Before starting your trip, you need to check that you have all the documents. The tourist should have:

cruise ticket, which is often in electronic form; a valid passport, visas required along the route; insurance policy, if necessary, medical documents and vaccination certificate (for some countries); luggage tags? they are issued with a package of documents; air tickets or electronic tickets; vouchers for booked hotels where you plan to stay, confirmation of payment for excursions, transfers; information leaflet about a special non-cash account on board the ship; a guide to help you navigate the ship; MSC Club card, if available;

for children under 14 years of age? birth certificate, from 14 years old? All-Russian passport.

• The cruise ticket contains information about the name of the ship, the date and end of the trip, the cabin number, as well as a description of the route;
• Without a visa, the passenger will not be able to disembark in the country where it is required; with a Schengen visa, you can visit many European countries;
• Children of any age and even newborns need to have an international passport, or they can be included in the parent’s international passport;
• For minor children to travel with one of their parents, a document certified by a notary will be required on the consent of the other parent to such a trip;
• The notarized consent of the parent absent on the trip must contain: the name of the child and accompanying person, cruise route, ports of call and dates, name of the ship;
• To travel to Morocco, Egypt, Gibraltar, children under 15 years of age now also need an international passport, or they must be included in the parent’s international passport;
• What package of documents should be collected for a specific trip? need to be clarified when choosing and booking a cruise;
• It is recommended to make a copy of the first pages of the Russian passport and international passport;
• In the absence of any document, the passenger is not allowed to board the ship, and the money spent is not reimbursed.

The cruise company takes care of the comfortable stay of tourists on the ship. Therefore, according to international standards, a clean air policy is maintained on board the ship. and concerns about the health of passengers. According to the rules adopted by the company, there are special places on the ship for smoking, equipped with ashtrays, air vents and fire-fighting equipment. Due to the risk of fire, smoking is not allowed in the cabin or on the cabin balcony. Purchase and use tobacco products Persons under 18 years of age are not permitted on board the ship. Smoking is prohibited while the ship is being refueled, and smoking is not permitted during a general drill. If smoking outside a special area, the passenger will have to pay a fine.

Places where smoking is prohibited:

• in corridors, near elevators, in public toilets;
• in buffets, bars and restaurants, wherever food is served;
• on playgrounds, near playrooms and in areas designated for children's leisure;
• near life-saving stations and lifeboats where passengers gather during an alarm;
• at places of disembarkation or embarkation;
• in nightclubs, theaters and entertainment venues;
• in the first aid station and on the sports deck.

Smoking is allowed:

• in specially equipped cigar rooms;
• in a casino;
• in several bars marked with special signs;
• on decks, also marked with signs, in places equipped with ashtrays;
• in a special area with permission signs near the outdoor swimming pool.

The sale of alcoholic beverages to minors is not permitted during the cruise. While entering a US port, alcoholic beverages are not sold to persons under 21 years of age. Staff may refuse to sell alcoholic beverages to a passenger if it is obvious that this could jeopardize the safety of the passenger or others. All alcohol purchased on board or ashore during the excursion is stored in a safe and delivered to the passenger's cabin only at the end of the cruise.

Tipping on board MSC Cruises ships

Are tourists served by a highly professional team of staff throughout their entire trip? head waiters, stewards, maids, children's animators, whose task? provide the ship's guests with Better conditions for relax.

But tips for staff on board are not required. Instead, since 2006, a service fee has been charged; it is added to the passenger's final bill at the end of the trip and is payable. A service fee is added to the salary of the personnel who ensure a pleasant stay on board the ship; it is aimed at improving the skills of the personnel in serving passengers.

The size of the service fee is fixed and unchanged, and also depends on the route and duration of the trip. If a passenger has comments about the service, or he intends not to pay the service fee due to poor quality service, he can tell the manager at the information desk about this. Children under 14 years of age are exempt from paying a service fee; for children 14-18 years of age, a service fee is charged at 50% of the adult rate.

The service fee is calculated as follows:

• on cruises in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe? up to 8 nights? 7 euros per day, from 8 nights? 6 euros per day;
• cruises to North America and the Caribbean? $12 a day, per minor? $6 per day;
• cruises to South America? $9 a day, per minor? $4.5 per day; cruises to South Africa? $6 per day.

On cruises in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe, as well as on cruises with a European port of departure, payments on board the ship are made in euros. For cruises with ports of entry in Europe, with routes in North America, South Africa and South America, payments on board are made in US dollars.

In restaurants, service fees are added to the cost of food and drinks and amount to 15% of the order amount. This amount appears on the final bill at the end of the trip, so tipping at the bar is not necessary.

Payment system on board

To pay for all services and purchases, the passenger uses a magnetic card issued upon registration. All the tourist’s expenses will be recorded on this card, and after each purchase he will receive receipts for signature. On the check, the passenger writes his last name and his cabin number. It is mandatory to keep receipts as documentary evidence of expenses. In case of a controversial situation, this will help avoid disagreements with the cruise company. The onboard account is secured by the traveler's cash deposit or credit card and is replenished as necessary.

The card is valid for all payments except casinos.

On the last day of the cruise, the onboard bill due for payment is brought to the passenger's cabin. The passenger is advised to check their account and if they have any questions, contact the employee at the information desk. At the end of the cruise, the amount spent will be debited from the passenger's credit card, and any unspent cash deposit will be returned to the passenger.

• Purchases made after the final invoice has been presented must be paid to the manager at the information desk;
• Club members with MSC club cards receive points for time spent on board and for money spent in the ship's stores, and enjoy special discounts and privileges;
• If a passenger carries cash in excess of 10,000 euros, this amount must be declared;
• On cruises in Europe, the euro is used on board the ship; on cruises in North and South America, the dollar is used;
• There is a special debit card for children. They can use it to pay or make purchases. The same card can be used as a key to the cabin. Teen Cards will make your child feel like an adult and independent. There are cards with a nominal value of 30 and 50 euros. A card worth 30 euros gets a bonus of 5 euros, a card worth 50? bonus 10 euros.

Please remember that funds remaining on the card after the end of the cruise will not be returned. To receive a card, upon registration you need to take a form to fill out and later, after filling it out, give it to the manager at the information desk.

Modern airliners are very reliable, but passengers must know what to do in case of emergency. In their cabin, passengers can watch a video on how to behave in a dangerous situation.

• You cannot smoke, eat or drink, or use elevators;
• Children must always wear a bracelet on their wrist that indicates the number of the rescue station, especially if they attend a children's club. After the alarm sounds, staff will escort children to the boats;
• Tourists who ignore the drills may be required to take additional safety classes;
• The ship's crew will help disabled people get to the rescue station.

A drill is carried out on the first day of the cruise. An alarm signal - seven short and one long beep - is given after the preliminary announcement of the event. Having heard the signal, the passenger must rush to the cabin, dress warmly, and take out the life jacket located in the locker. There is an instruction on the cabin door, after studying which the passenger receives important information: the number of his rescue station and how to get to it. After leaving the cabin, you must move in the direction indicated by the luminescent arrows. Passengers approach their lifeboat station and wait for the lifeboats to be lowered overboard. At the same time, a roll call of passengers is carried out. Next, children and women, disabled people, and men are boarded into the boats.

Each boat is designed for 150 seats, equipped with a sufficient amount of food, water and medications, and remains afloat when flooded with water or overloaded. The required number of boats on board provides space for each passenger. The ship has the latest satellite equipment for communication with rescue stations on shore, the entire crew undergoes special training and regularly participates in evacuation exercises, and the safety of passengers on the ship is strictly regulated by the International Maritime Organization. The construction of liners is carried out in accordance with the latest scientific and technical developments. Today, a sea cruise is considered a safe form of recreation.

The most basic thing to take on a cruise? these are documents and money. For documents, cards and cash, a handbag securely attached to your belt is very useful. When traveling, you will definitely need a camera and a video camera to capture the best moments of what you see. You can bring binoculars; they will be useful for watching dolphins or rare birds. A laptop will not be superfluous, eBook, player. We must take care not to forget charging device and enough batteries for electronics.

If you are planning excursions, you will need comfortable shoes and sports-style clothing: shorts, T-shirts, and a comfortable backpack. To play sports you will need sneakers and a tracksuit; you may not be allowed into the gym in flip-flops. A swimsuit will come in handy as there are several swimming pools on the ship. To visit the casino you will need evening attire. In addition, evening attire is required for the captain's party and the final gala dinner, which are required on the cruise. Evening suits can also be rented on board. If you plan to visit religious sites, it is better to have clothes that cover your arms and legs. It is recommended to take a light windbreaker, shawl or pullover with you in case of cool evenings.

Be sure to stock up on sunscreen and sunscreen. For procedures in the SPA salon, bathrobes are useful. If necessary, you need to take a traveling first aid kit with medications. There is a medical center on the ship, and anti-seasickness pills are provided free of charge. But it is better to have your own set of medications. You can take an adhesive plaster, ointment for bruises, a bactericidal drug, tablets in case of stomach upset.

Useful little things include an alarm clock, a hairdryer, and a notebook with a pen. You can take with you an electronic dictionary-translator or a printed dictionary, a phrase book, guides to the cities you plan to visit, maps of cities with marked attractions, and traffic patterns in cities.

Services included in the cruise price:

• accommodation in a cabin according to the category chosen by the passenger. Each cabin is equipped with air conditioning, bathroom, safe and TV;
• daily three meals a day, afternoon tea, night buffet with snacks, breakfast delivered to the room;
• entertainment activities? competitions, discos, ping-pong, volleyball competitions, masquerade ball, treasure hunt;
• use of the water park, swimming pool and sun loungers;
• gym, relaxation room;
• courts for tennis, shuffleboard, squash, mini-golf course, basketball courts, jogging track;
• equipped children's playground, playrooms and children's pools, daily entertainment for children and teenagers - children's discos (on certain ships), competitions, team games, competitions;
• caring supervision and organization of leisure time in a mini-club for children 3-6 years old;
• supervision, organization of events in the club for children 7-12 years old;
• open-air cinema, library;
• captain's welcome party and final gala dinner.

Children under 18 years old, when staying with their parents in the same cabin, travel for free (only flights, insurance and service fees are paid). Services for an additional fee:

• service fee, medical assistance, shops on board the ship;
• transfers and flights, unless they were paid for along with the cruise;
• travel cancellation insurance;
• personalized room service 24 hours a day;
• 4D cinema, casino, game consoles, racing and golf simulators;
• SPA services? solarium, massages, facial and body treatments, fitness, yoga, acupuncture;
• alternative themed restaurants, alcohol and non-alcoholic drinks;
• delivery of fresh newspapers, photographer services, use of laundry and ironing rooms;
• bowling alley;
• group and individual excursions to the coast;
• wireless Internet service, telephone, mail, fax.

Typically, tourists going on a cruise and rushing to board do not have time to inspect, at least for informational purposes, the city where the port of departure is located. The same thing is observed at the end of the cruise: as soon as passengers disembark, they begin to rush to the airport. But if a tourist finds himself in a particular city, why not stay there, explore it in more detail, get acquainted with the masterpieces of architecture and art, or just sunbathe on the beach.

In this case, you must book a combined tour. A few days at the port of departure will allow you to take walks around the city, attend excursions, take photographs, swim in the sea and slowly proceed to the place of boarding the ship. A few days at the port of arrival will allow you to take a break from the constant change of cities and impressions, feel the earth under your feet again, and get acquainted with the city and its attractions. Thus, within one tour you can get much more impressions and see as many cities and countries as possible.

A sea cruise goes well with a beach holiday, city hiking, hotel stays with SPA treatments, and eco-tourism. You can arrange an idle beach “doing nothing?”, or you can walk the streets of small towns with a camera or settle for a few days on a farm, enjoying nature. Such a varied, eventful holiday will be remembered for a long time, it is a truly luxurious holiday.

• Hotels and pre- and post-cruise excursions must be booked in advance at the same time as your cruise booking.
• A combined holiday combines several types of holiday: cruise + wellness, cruise + beach holiday, cruise + environmental holiday. The tourist can only choose the most suitable combination.
• When going on a cruise, it is important not to forget at home documentary evidence of hotel reservations at the ports of departure and arrival, reminders about booked excursions, and to take with you things not only for the sea voyage, but also those that will be useful for a vacation on land.

Before boarding the plane, special labels must be placed on your luggage; it is better to do this at home. On the labels in Latin letters, the passenger indicates his first name, last name, name of the ship, date, port of departure and cabin number. Luggage is handed over to porters, who will deliver it to your cabin shortly after the ship departs. When returning from a cruise, everything happens in the reverse order: the passenger places the packed luggage outside the cabin door and receives it upon disembarking.

Registration for the cruise begins 3 hours before departure; it is better to be in your cabin an hour before departure. It is possible to check in your luggage much earlier before check-in, usually from 8 am. When check-in begins, the passenger goes to the check-in counter and presents the employee with their passport and cruise ticket. If instead of a cruise ticket a tourist has a paid voucher for a cruise, then you must first go to the information desk and exchange the voucher for a cruise ticket there.

At the check-in counter, the passenger's documents will be checked and a magnetic card will be issued to him. The passenger will use this card throughout the cruise as a magnetic key to the cabin, it will be possible to enter the ship, as well as to pay for all purchases and services on board (laundry, dry cleaning, hair salon, shops on board). In order to use your magnetic card to pay for services, you will need to deposit cash into a deposit account or register your credit card. After receiving the card, registration is completed and you can board.

It is necessary to go to the head waiter and reserve a table, and also inform the shifts on which the passenger will be eating, since lunch and dinner are served in two shifts. If the passenger does not show up for boarding, the company will cancel the cruise and may place another passenger in an unoccupied cabin. Cruise fees are non-refundable. However, if a tourist is late, he can report that he will catch up with his ship at the next port. Often, when contacting the company’s office, employees help resolve a difficult situation and purchase tickets, for example, so that a lagging passenger can continue their journey.

Excursions and sightseeing make any vacation unforgettable. Excursions will allow you to gain new knowledge and impressions and expand your horizons. Experienced guides will take tourists to the most unforgettable corners, talk about local customs, and share information on history and ethnography. In addition, the tourist is provided with a special insurance policy for the duration of the excursion, and he will be spared the difficulties associated with sightseeing: finding transport, buying tickets. The tourist is picked up directly from the liner, taken on an excursion, and then back to the ship.

• The cost of an individual excursion includes: transportation, tickets for sightseeing, a guide, drinks and snacks (if provided for in the program).
• Children under 14 years old can take advantage of a 30% discount on excursions.
• All shore excursions are paid separately and are not included in the cruise price.
• Excursions accompanied by a guide who speaks Russian must be booked when booking your cruise. Excursion conducted on foreign language, can be ordered directly on the ship.
• Individual excursions accompanied by a guide who speaks Russian can be booked 30 days before the start of the cruise.
• Duration of the excursion? from 4 to 9 hours.
• When ordering an individual excursion, the tourist receives a memo containing information about the ordered excursion.

The company provides a huge selection of individual excursions, varying in cost and duration. In Europe, these are sightseeing and special excursions to Olympia, Tangier, Ibiza, Marseille, Barcelona, ​​La Valletta, Casablanca.

When traveling around the Mediterranean, you can book an excursion, for example, to Pompeii (Naples): a guide will take you through the ancient streets, once destroyed by Vesuvius, and show you well-preserved houses? the house of Menander, the luxurious house of the Perfumer.

The excursion to Istanbul lasts 9 hours and includes a visit to the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. Lunch at the restaurant is also included in the price.

Excursions to Northern Europe allow you to take walks in Copenhagen, Oslo, and Stockholm. On a cruise along the Persian Gulf you can visit Muscat, Fujairah, Dubai, see ancient mosques and oriental bazaars.

The time has passed when sea ​​cruises served only peace and relaxation. Today it is believed: the more dynamic the vacation on the ship, the better. This review contains 18 mind-blowing entertainments that await vacationers on board tourist ships.

1. Wind tunnel

American-Norwegian company Royal Caribbean International is engaged in the construction of top-class ships. The ships are literally “stuffed” the latest technologies not only in the field of technical support, but also in the entertainment field. On several cruise ships, developers have installed incredible attractions for outdoor enthusiasts.

Wind tunnel RipCord, located on the ship Quantum of the Seas, allows you to experience the indescribable sensations of free falling at a speed of 160 km/h.

2. Observation cabin

The observation cabin on the mechanical arm of The North Star allows vacationers to rise to a height of up to 100 meters above sea level. The capsule functions both while the liner is moving and when it is in port. There is a wonderful 360 degree view from the top.

3. Children's entertainment gym

The multi-purpose SeaPlex space on Anthem Of The Seas is designed for children's circus classes, roller skating, and a race track.

4. Artificial wave for surfing

Surfing on board a ship is now possible on Anthem Of The Seas. An artificial wave will allow you to fully enjoy boarding.

5. 65-meter water slide

AquaDunk is a huge water slide on board the Disney Magic cruise ship. Its height is 3 floors and its length is 65 meters.

6. Zipline

Thrill seekers head to Zipline, now available on Oasis of the Seas. Descent on a steel cable through 9 decks will provide daredevils with a decent dose of adrenaline.

7. Bionic bar

The future is already here. On board the Quantum of the Seas, robots mix cocktails at the bar.

8. Brewery

Well, if tourists want to take a break from the dizzying descents, they can always go to a beer hall, where they serve a drink brewed right on the ship in their own brewery.

9. Planetarium

Now you can look at the stars not only from the deck, but also in the planetarium located right on the ship. Never before have the stars been so close.

10. Climbing wall

The world's largest cruise ship, Harmony of the Seas, which set off on its first cruise just a couple of days ago, invites vacationers to try their hand at a climbing wall.

11. Ice bar

The idea of ​​creating an ice bar was inspired by the snow hotels of Scandinavia. Oddly enough, after the hot sun, tourists are happy to put on warm clothes and go to the ice-cold bar for a glass or two of a strong cocktail.

12. Water park

You can feel like a child by visiting a water park on one of the cruise ships. 5 multi-level slides, 2 swimming pools, 4 Jacuzzis - and all this on the deck of one ship.

13. Mini golf courses

Evening performances in aqua theaters leave spectators in awe as performers dive into deep pools from a height of 10 meters.

16. Suspended bikes

The Skyride, or suspended bike, allows vacationers to walk above the deck rather than on it. This way you can travel a distance of up to 250 meters.

Just the other day I left the port. On it you can find most of the entertainment described above.

Travel half the world, sunbathe to your heart's content, hit the jackpot at the casino and pamper yourself in a modern SPA - but even a whole vacation is not enough for this, you say.

And you will be wrong.

Why sea cruises have become an ideal vacation format and what can be done in 10 days on board a ship, says Kirill Nikushkin, a specialist in individual tours for the DAN company and a lover of resorts on the high seas.

— What kind of voyage is this in your profile as a professional cruiser? How is this trip fundamentally different from previous ones?

On my last sailing, I calculated that I had been on a cruise 23 times already.

On 17 trips, I accompanied Russian-speaking groups of tourists on board a cruise ship.

Despite the fact that I spent a lot of time on board, the desire to go on a sea voyage did not diminish at all.

This year I had to choose between a beach holiday and a cruise; I chose the latter and set sail for the 23rd time as a passenger.

The geography of cruise travel is a whole world, and these are more than just words. Each route is a unique journey, seasoned with vivid impressions and new discoveries.

— How did you get acquainted with cruises?

My first acquaintance with sea cruises happened 5 years ago, when I came to work at the DAN company and the general director Karina Vladimirovna Berdichevskaya “infected” me with a passion for traveling the sea.

For a long time I loved sea cruises “from a distance”, I studied the details and intricacies of travel design. In the process, I managed to debunk my own fears and myths about what it was like to travel on a cruise ship.

Our first meeting took place in 2013, when I went on a voyage from Kiel to St. Petersburg on the MSC Musica liner.

The emotions from the trip simply went through the roof, I was “hooked” and was ready to go swimming at any minute.

The chance came in the summer of 2014. I was invited to accompany Russian-speaking groups on a 3-month navigation from St. Petersburg along the Baltic Sea and the Norwegian fjords.

For 3 months at sea, the cruise liners became my home (during this time I visited the MSC Poesia and MSC Orchestra ships).

These are real floating palaces, where life is in full swing and there is always something to do.

It’s difficult for me to give preference to one destination - for cruise travel and the whole world is not enough! In general, I would recommend going on a tour to countries where it is difficult to go as part of a standard tour.

One of these destinations opened in the winter of 2017 - the MSC Fantasia liner set sail for the waters of the Persian Gulf and visited the lands of Qatar and Bahrain, previously inaccessible to our travelers.

— How do you fight seasickness?

The most common questions I get asked are about how it feels when you are not on land for a long time and how to survive seasickness.

I'll start in order:

Few people are used to being at sea for a long time, without the feeling of solid soil under their feet.

However, the feeling of discomfort lasts the first day, after which, unnoticed by yourself, you begin to move around the ship as if you had spent your whole life on the liner.

After my first cruise, I felt a slight sway for a couple of days, comparable to the sensation after a long train ride.

The most important thing that worries novice “cruisers” is the rocking on board and seasickness. During my numerous voyages, I have never met anyone with symptoms of seasickness or heard any complaints, even from crew members.

On the subject of pitching.

Indeed, sometimes a slight sway is felt on board, but all liners are equipped with modern stabilizers that minimize unpleasant sensations for passengers on board.

You can get rid of them in many ways:

• drink a highly carbonated drink in small sips
• eat an apple
• drink 100 ml of any alcoholic drink

Sea motion is not a reason to refuse a cruise trip!

— What to do on board the ship?

Contrary to popular belief that cruises are for older people, there is plenty to do on board even if you're under 30.

Each ship has a theater (in the evenings, performances and entertainment shows featuring famous acrobats, actors and gymnasts are shown here) and admission is absolutely free for each passenger.

Those who do not like the theater can enjoy bars with live music, a "la carte restaurants, shops, casinos, Formula 1 simulators, a 4D cinema, bowling alley, disco and entertainment programs with many competitions.

Not every all-inclusive hotel can boast such a wide range of entertainment.

— What can families with children do on board?

Families with children are especially held in high esteem by cruise companies - the youngest guests on the ship will be busy in the mini-club, honing their drawing skills, modeling from plasticine or playing with animators. A nice bonus for parents is that a child’s seat on a cruise is paid at a reduced price, and on some routes it may even be free.

Also, don’t forget about the pools and slides on the ship. Babysitting services are available on board (service for an additional fee). There are slot machines that also operate for an additional fee.

Adults are entertained by the animation team throughout the day until late in the evening, various games, competitions (karaoke star, culinary competitions, etc.)

Every day on board a cruise ship is different.

Once per cruise there is a captain's evening, where you can take a photo with the captain of the liner and chat with the commander of the ship's crew or accept an invitation from an officer to dance.

Every day after dinner there are theme parties for adults - Italian evening, Brazilian carnival, 70s, 80s disco, Greek party, etc. Choose what you like and go have fun.

For those who like to spend time with benefit and pleasure in boutiques, take note! As soon as the liner leaves the port, it turns into a giant Duty-free zone, where special promotions and discounts in stores are available for passengers of the liner.

Buying perfume cheaper than at the airport is a minimum task (I compared it - it really is!).

— If you go sailing, which cabin is better to choose?

On the question of cabins, I’ll start with the main thing.

There are no cabins on board a cruise ship that are located below the waterline; even crew members do not live in these.

I've lived in all types of cabins. My favorite is the balcony cabin. You can go out onto the balcony when the liner docks and watch the whole process, you can have breakfast on the balcony or just breathe in the fresh sea breeze - such moments will never be forgotten.

Cabins on board are of the following types:

No window or interior cabins

For those who like to save money, a cabin without a window is ideal - it has the lowest price in the booking system.

Most Europeans prefer these types of cabins, because on a cruise ship it is not customary to spend a lot of time in the cabin.

The only disadvantage of a cabin without a window is the lack of natural light, plus in the morning it is difficult to understand where you are.

Cabin with window

A cabin with a window is located at the side of the cruise ship. The area of ​​the cabin with window varies from 18 to 20 square meters. Usually it has a square panoramic window, a round porthole, and less often - two round portholes.

In both cases, windows and portholes do not open for safety reasons. The cabin with a window has a TV, hairdryer, safe, climate control, telephone, bathroom with shower, 2 separate beds (can be connected), bedside tables, wardrobes, dressing table.

Cabin with balcony

It has a TV, hairdryer, safe, climate control, telephone, bathroom with shower, two separate beds or one large bed, bedside tables, wardrobes, dressing table, reception area with a sofa, some cabins have a full bathroom.

— Where can you eat tasty and quickly on board?

On board you can always eat in two places: a buffet (open 20 hours out of 24 possible) and an a la carte restaurant (a la carte).

The main difference between these restaurants is that in a menu restaurant you can only read about the dish.

At a buffet, you can choose a dish not only based on text, but also on visual impressions.

I feel most comfortable eating in a restaurant from the menu. It most often serves dishes that are not served in the buffet area and there is no atmosphere of bustle and constant running around for dishes.

For those who adhere to a special diet or have dietary restrictions, you can create a special menu. You should inform your manager about this when booking your cruise.

If you are going on a cruise trip with a large group and want to sit together at the same table in an a la carte restaurant, notify the manager in advance.

— What about drinks?

The cruise price includes: water, tea, coffee and cream in the buffet area. If you want to drink something from the bar near the pool or the minibar in your cabin, be prepared to pay extra for it.

A cup of cappuccino - 2 euros. a glass of beer will cost 4 euros, a cocktail 7 euros. A mandatory 15% tax will be added to any onboard purchases made at bars and restaurants.

To avoid unnecessary overpayments, it’s better to take a package of drinks (if you’re going to have fun, then to the fullest).

A package that gives the opportunity to consume drinks in any quantity (with the exception of extra-class drinks) costs the passenger 26 euros per day.

Based on practice, this amount fully pays for itself, even if the passenger does not drink alcohol, but prefers only soft drinks.

In addition to all-inclusive packages, there are packages for: coffee, wine, water, beer and juices. It is better to take care of purchasing a package in advance (when booking a cruise or 1 week before departure) to save money and avoid the +15% surcharge.

— Is it necessary to purchase excursions and which ones should you pay attention to?

Booking excursions is not necessary, but highly recommended.

Otherwise, you will miss a lot of interesting things.

If you plan to take part in excursions while sailing, then pay attention to cruises as part of a Russian group - excursions here are guaranteed to be conducted in Russian.

To join Russian groups, excursions will have to be purchased in advance - when booking a cruise, since groups are formed before the start of the trip.

As a rule, these excursions are by bus and include a small walking part. Such excursions are limited in time and do not require availability large quantity free time.

If tourists travel on a cruise without a Russian group, then it is possible to take part in excursions in any other foreign language - English, German, French, Italian, Spanish.

— Are there always Russian groups on board and what to do if they are not?

Main languages ​​on board cruise ships: English, German, French, Italian, Spanish.

Cruises with Russian groups are regularly found on the route Western Mediterranean, Persian Gulf, Northern Europe, and the Caribbean.

For cruises with Russian groups the following bonuses are provided:

Services of a Russian-speaking escort on board who translates the day's program

The menu in the restaurant is in Russian,

Important announcements on the information board in Russian,

Information meetings and stories along the route

Promptly solving problems of passengers on board

Accompanying on excursions or conducting excursions with translation.

For those who are afraid or have problems with the language - this is it!

Also, each department has Russian-speaking staff, waiters, animators, and cabin stewards.

— How are things going with the cost of Internet and Wi-Fi?

If during a cruise voyage you need to check your email or post a photo on Instagram, you will need the Internet.

You can use either a desktop computer or Wi-Fi.

On board the ship there are various packages for using the Internet:

• minimum package (for checking social networks) costs from 12 euros per day
• a full connection will cost from 44 euros per day.

Internet packages can be purchased on board or in advance when booking your cruise.

— When to book cruises and are there any special offers and discounts for travelers?

Cruise travel is the only product that can and should be booked 2 years before departure.

The earlier you book and purchase your cruise, the more you can save. Thus, by using the early booking service, a traveler saves up to 60% (checked personally).

4-5 times a year, cruise companies launch promotions where the cost of a cruise reaches 100 euros.

Throughout the year, there are special rates and offers for both age groups (for young people from 18 to 29 years old, for guests over 65 years old), for families with children (for connecting cabins or additional cabins for children).

For those who plan to celebrate a significant event on board a cruise ship, pleasant bonuses and gifts are provided - a free cabin upgrade, a photo shoot, communication with the captain or a free dinner at a themed restaurant.

I would say to everyone who is just starting to get involved in this wonderful type of recreation - be sure to try it! Discover new countries and destinations!

MSC has now announced the sale of a world cruise for 2019, and bookings are in full swing for new ships that will sail in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean.

All cruises include meals at the main à la carte restaurants for breakfast, lunch and dinner (drinks are an additional cost), as well as meals at the buffet restaurant.

Following the wishes of its guests, MSC Cruises provides flexible opening hours for its buffet restaurants: open 20 hours a day!

Restaurant opening hours depend on the ship's route; detailed information can always be found in the daily program.

Breakfast

Breakfast takes place at main restaurants and on buffet. You can also order a continental breakfast from the cabin service menu and have breakfast in your own cabin on any day of the cruise, except the day of disembarkation. This service is free for guests with MSC Yacht Club, Aurea, Wellness and Fantastica facilities. For guests with Bella capabilities, this service is paid – 3.5 €. To order breakfast in your cabin, you must fill out an order form and hang it on the door handle of your cabin.

Dinner

Lunch takes place at main restaurants and on buffet. The restaurants also offer an “express lunch” service, that is, lunch in 30 minutes. Available for breakfast and dinner in main restaurants children's menu, including a menu for children from 6 to 12 years old. The buffet has various themed corners - pizzeria, grill, take-away, health corner, Mediterranean salumeria, meat corner, etc. Buffet opening hours are indicated in the daily program. In addition, the buffet serves midday and midnight snacks.

Dinner

As an alternative to the main restaurant, you can dine at a buffet or in a pizzeria without fixed meal and table changes.

A la carte dinner is served in the main restaurants. Depending on the type of cabin, guests have different options for visiting the main restaurants for dinner.

Restaurant visiting system "MSC YACHT CLUB"

MSC Yacht Club guests have a separate restaurant with free visiting hours, an exquisite menu for the most discerning travelers. At the MSC Yacht Club restaurant, a wide selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks is included in the price.

Liners: MSC Fantasia, MSC Splendida, MSC Divina, MSC Preziosa, MSC Meraviglia, MSC Bellissima, MSC Grandiosa, MSC Virtuosa, MSC Seaside, MSC Seaview, MSC Seashore
To whom is it provided: for guests staying in suites MSC Yacht Club
Short description: separate restaurant, free visiting time, drinks included

“MY CHOICE” restaurant visiting system

Passengers of the Aurea and Wellness cabins are not tied to a specific dinner time - free choice, every day it is possible to book a table for a convenient time. For guests staying in Aurea cabins, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are included (according to the tariff conditions).

Liners: all MSC Cruises ships
To whom is it provided: Aurea, Wellness
Short description: dinner in the main restaurant at a time convenient for the guest

Note: on board the MSC Armonia, MSC Sinfonia, MSC Opera, guests staying in cabins with balconies Fantastica also visit the restaurant using the “My Choice” system.

Restaurant visiting system “CLASSIC”

Dinner usually takes place in two shifts, for example at 18:30 and 20:30 (on the MSC Meraviglia there are three shifts). When booking your cruise, you must indicate which shift you prefer. This will allow you to take into account your wishes, although it does not guarantee its fulfillment (first of all, the company will try to take into account the wishes of passengers with Fantastica capabilities).

Liners: all MSC Cruises ships
To whom is it provided: guests staying in cabins Bella, Fantastica
Short description: dinner in 2 shifts; restaurant, table and shift 1st/2nd are assigned

Additional gastronomic benefits of MSC Yacht Club

All MSC Yacht Club guests enjoy a 24-hour cabin service menu. We will offer our guests a selection of snacks throughout the day in the Top Sail Lounge and The One Pool. The MSC Yacht Club's own restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. In addition, traditional English tea is served in the Top Sail Lounge only for MSC Yacht Club guests.

Drinks in the MSC Yacht Club restaurant and bars, as well as in the cabin minibar, are included in the price.

Starting from the Summer 2017 season, MSC Yacht Club guests also drinks included in all bars liner 24 hours a day!

Sea cruises are one of the safest types of vacation. However, you may not even be aware of some of the dangers that await you on a cruise.

1. Shipwreck

The most common phobia, because everyone still hears about the shipwreck of the Italian Costa Concordia. In fact, this shipwreck is unique in recent history. We do not now take into account Asian or African ferries, which do not comply with any safety or passenger loading standards. With the largest cruise companies carrying tens of millions of passengers per year, only one shipwreck with 32 deaths was recorded. At the same time, more than 4,200 passengers and crew members of the Costa Concordia were successfully evacuated. Of course, you wouldn’t want to find yourself on board a ship that crashes, but with such a volume of traffic, it’s unlikely that this will happen to you.

How to protect yourself?

Don't skip safety drills. You are unlikely to be able to prevent a shipwreck, but at least you will know how to save yourself in an emergency. Where is the evacuation point, how to put on a life jacket and other important information is given during the exercise on the day of landing.

The Costa Concordia liner crashed on the night of January 14, 2012. There were about 4.2 thousand people on board, including more than 100 Russian tourists. 32 people died. None of the Russians were hurt

2. Fire

But this is a more real nuisance, especially since fires often occur due to the fault of passengers. Fire in closed space a cruise ship, and even at sea, when there is nowhere to wait for help - it’s very scary.

How to protect yourself?

Do not neglect fire safety rules. Do not bring on board or turn on prohibited heating electrical appliances, such as irons and kettles; the voltage of the aircraft's on-board network is not designed for such loads. Do not smoke in the cabins, do not throw unextinguished cigarette butts overboard, a strong sea wind will immediately throw them back to the lower deck, where towels and other flammable items may lie. Just look at the photos below to understand the consequences.

4. Accidents involving children

No matter how reliable the airliner’s infrastructure may seem, if you are traveling with small children, you must not forget about their safety. Unfortunately, there are several known cases of unattended children drowning in the swimming pools of cruise ships. Despite the fact that swimming pools are usually always crowded, and it is unclear how this can even happen with so many people, it does happen.

In May 2015, a 10-year-old girl drowned in the pool aboard Norwegian Gem. It is also known that on February 3, 2014, a 4-year-old child died on board the Norwegian Breakaway. The liner staff found two children, ages 4 and 6, unconscious in the adult pool. Help was immediately provided and the 6-year-old child was taken to the hospital, but the 4-year-old boy could not be revived and died on board. Similar stories happen on ships of other cruise lines. Only the Disney cruise company, aimed at families with children, has special observers in the pool area.

5. Rape by staff

Yes, yes, this happens. This outrageous incident occurred on Holland America's Nieuw Amsterdam on February 14, 2014, while the ship was underway. 28-year-old Indonesian janitor Ketut Pujayasa sneaked into the cabin of a 31-year-old US citizen, beat her and raped her. After this, the attacker tried to throw the woman off the balcony. Reportedly, the cleaner came to her room while she was not there, opened the door with his master key, went to the balcony and waited there. When she returned, he came in from the balcony and attacked her. The attacker hit the American woman on the head with a laptop and strangled her with a telephone wire, and then raped her. The victim managed to escape because another passenger knocked on the door of her cabin. The man tried to escape the crime scene by climbing from balcony to balcony. The American suffered serious injuries. The cruise ship made a stop in Honduras, from where the victim was taken by helicopter to a Florida clinic

Pujayase was charged with attempted murder and aggravated sexual assault. He was also fired from Holland America, where he had worked since 2012. The company told reporters that they carefully checked the Indonesian before hiring him, but did not find any criminal episodes in his biography.

6. Falling overboard

22-year-old Oasis of the Seas passenger Frank Jade was washed away by a giant wave while walking on the open deck. Due to the fact that everything happened early in the morning, none of the passengers and staff noticed it. After some time, he was spotted by passengers on another ship, the Disney Magic, which was following the same course, and was safely rescued. About 20 people end up stranded on cruise ships every year, some of them deliberately.

Frame from dramatic video to rescue Frank, who was taken off board the Disney Magic.

7. Ship collision

Despite the most modern systems navigation and collision avoidance, accidents still happen. This usually happens in ports during maneuvers or strong winds.

The cruise ship Celestyal Crystal, en route from Greece to Istanbul, collided with the tanker Pimlico on June 27, 2015. Both vessels received significant damage. There are no casualties among the people. The collision occurred due to the fault of both ships; the ship traffic control center in the strait warned both ships about the danger of a collision.

In September 2013, the ferry Superfast II was blown off its moorings in the port of Bari due to strong winds, causing a collision with the cruise ship Mein Schiff 2 of the cruise operator TUI Cruises. No people were hurt.

8. Dangers on the shore

Nine people died in a plane crash in Alaska in June 2015 during a shore excursion of the HAL Westerdam. The reason was bad weather conditions. A seaplane carrying airline passengers who had bought an excursion crashed into a rock.

We hope that with this article we have not discouraged you from going on a cruise. After all, no fewer dangers await us on land. As they say, “Forewarned is forearmed!”