kernow

Was it the MSC duck? I would have loved that, I actually bought one in the shop.

Thanks everyone, I'll give it a week or so and email if it's not there.

We had a JS on Anthem in Oct and a YC balcony on Virtuosa in May. Rooms were a similar size apart from no split bathroom on Virtuosa. There are a few full size suites in YC too if you want more space but YC is more about the whole experience rather than just the room.

We've booked a cruise on Grandiosa for May 2023. Booked on the phone directly with MSC, I asked the rep if this qualified for the 50 pp obc and she said yes but it will take a couple of days to show. Just wondered where I will be able to see it on my booking. Thanks.

We love RCL and we now also love MSC. We've done 4 MSC, 2 Fantastica balcony and 2 YC with another YC booked (the trouble with YC is that it is so good you don't want to go back). We've also done GS and OS on RCL and YC beats them hands down (and is usually cheaper). YC aside, the MSC ships are beautiful and very stylish. Entertainment is different and much more basic (shows) but still enjoyable. The new ships have a couple of Cirque style shows which are excellent but cost extra (£9). We think MDR and buffet food outside of YC is on a par with RCL but is probably more European hence the comments here from US guests. They do not have all the free snack type places like Cafe Promenade, Park cafe etc. The announcements don't bother us, we were told by the YC director in May that if there are 100 native speakers of any language then they have announcements in the language. We've always found the service all over the ship good but it is not the over the top, in your face type of service found in the US, it's more discreet. If you are friendly to the staff and ask politely they are helpful. I think if you go expecting it to be like RCL you may be disappointed but go with an open mind and you will probably enjoy it.

Hard to pick but my top 2 are Splendour of the Seas Santos to Barcelona TA, our first time to South America, mostly Brazilian passengers onboard who were great fun and less than 100 English speaking guests so we were treated like Royalty with lots of special events for us. We stopped in Rio which was amazing, and crossed the Equator. My other favourite is Celebrity Constellation Rome to Abu Dhabi through the Suez canal. We visited Petra and best of all the cruise ended in Abu Dhabi on F1 grand prix weekend so we were able to go to quali and race days which as F1 fans was fab for us.

We did the Fjords for the first time in May (on MSC Virtuosa) and it was absolutely beautiful. Gerainger and Flam are lovely and the long sail in/out to both are spectacular. I think Jewel would actually be better than Anthem because there are so many more places to see outside if the weather is poor and you don't want to stand on deck. Which ports do you like the look of? We're thinking of going again next year (a couple of different ports) and will stick with MSC because we thought the layout of the ship was perfect for the scenery.

We did a similar cruise in May. The seas were fairly calm, we had one night when it was a bit rougher when we came out into the North Sea between Fjords but nothing too bad. Of course the weather can vary from week to week so another time there could be more movement. Personally I thought it was one of the most beautiful cruises we've ever done so I think it would be worth doing even if it were a bit rougher.

I haven't had to call RCL recently but last time I used the D+ number I was on hold for a while. I just leave the phone on speaker and carry on doing other things until someone answers. My longest wait (not RCL) has been nearly 2 hours.

Have you tried the web chat, they respond to that quickly. BTW, I know it doesn't help but it's not just RCL, I requested a call back from MSC on Wednesday afternoon and have still not had it yet!

Not sure how it works in the US but in the UK I don't think the insurance would cover you if your mum is already in a hospice when you purchase it. I'm certainly not unsympathetic as I was in a similar situation when we cruised in May (we had insurance). My mum also had heart failure and was becoming weaker, we went on the cruise,(she didn't want us to cancel) and she was still here when we got back. Sadly she died a couple of weeks later.

I'm genuinely interested as to why you always post this answer on these threads. I read your live threads and you seem like a reasonable person. Have you personally used this email and had a bad experience? I've used it on a couple of occasions over the years when I've had a genuine problem and no one else (the 'UK' office in Guatemala) can help. Of course Michael Bayley doesn't personally reply but as already mentioned I've had a reply from someone in the executive office who has always been able to resolve the issue.

The Michael Bayley email does work for Europeans, I used it a few months ago and got a prompt (and helpful) reply.

I don't know if they will be able to help you but just googled and this is the details of the Barcelona office. RCL Cruises LTD.,Provença 392, 5ª planta,08025, BarcelonaSpainPhone: 34 938 002 976E-mail: infocliente.es@rccl.comWeb: www.royalcaribbean.es Good luck, we are flying to Sydney in Nov for a cruise and have had nightmares that this may happen to us.

Harrods have shops in the terminals at Heathrow so I think you got one!

Did they ask your preference when you booked? As I mentioned if you don't get it ask at the dining room as soon as you board and they will try to move you.

Haven't been on Preziosa so can't say anything specific to the ship. Dining times depend on experience booked, Aurea gets anytime dining, Bella and Fantastica get allocated a sitting. Go and check table when you board and if you don't like it ask straight away if you can change (also applies to sitting). They will try to accomodate you. Haven't been to Cherbourg but the other ports are docked not tender, Everyone has to have the same drinks package (kids obviously no alcohol). Re your other thread about differences to P and O, one big difference on this itinerary is that people will embark at probably every port so a variety of nationalities. We did a similar cruise on Magnifica and the main embarkation port was classed as Hamburg so they treat that as day one. If they do sit you with anyone else they will be English speaking.

No, only YC can get room service drinks. Just go to the nearest bar and bring the drinks back with you.

MSC has a much more international feel although a bit less so if your sailing is out of Southampton. Entertainment tends to be more visual again because of different languages spoken onboard. Announcements can be in multiple languages. It would help to know where you are sailing from as they seem to adapt the ships depending on home port. Personally we much prefer MSC, P and O is a bit too British for us.

The whole point of all these unadvertised things is that they are completely ad hoc depending on the YC director or other YC staff at the time. Part of the wow factor of YC is being surprised by the unexpected little touches that don't seem happen on every cruise or every ship. I see that you mentioned that lobster is no longer served, if you are talking about in the YC restaurant, they had it one night for dinner on Virtuosa last month.

Yes, I think that will cover you. If you are going on Virtuosa they were nowhere near as thorough in checking it at the terminal this year as they were last year (when website did state amounts). This time they just glanced at it to make sure it said covid. Worse case scenario, you can always purchase an extra policy there and then at the terminal if they reject it, some people were made to do that last year!

Definitely, they do seem to have some supply problems at the moment but when we were on Virtuosa a few weeks ago they did have quite a few of these.They had all 3 roses and my favourite was the Italian one which is the cheapest.

I know I'm in a minority but much prefer any other class over Oasis so quite pleased it's unlikely.

I think this is still current. Scroll down for wines. Other Bars Drinks Menu Oct 21.pdf

No, on MSC if you buy something over the package limit you pay full price plus 15%. If you'll regularly want more expensive drinks it's better to upgrade the package before you cruise.