kernow

MSC seem to have gone to the haphazard way now too. We were on Virtuosa a couple of weeks ago and were never checked once, others reported random checks.

Was this in YC? Surprised they would let him stay dealing with customers..

We love RC too(there entertainment is still the best IMHO) and sail them often but YC is something else and a real treat.

Yes it's the premium extra package outside of YC, pretty much every drink we wanted was included all around the ship. The videos are correct, YC is amazing and the staff onboard Virtuosa at the moment are excellent.

I was quite nervous about the testing but in reality it was very easy and once onboard everything feels pretty much like normal cruising pre covid. I'm not sure if I mentioned it anywhere but they do still serve you in the buffet which I really liked. I've been reading posts over on the RCL board (our next cruise) and it seems they have gone back to self serve.

No tests in the terminal to board and no temperature checks in YC but I did see people saying that they sometimes had them going into the buffet. We had to do a 'fit to fly' antigen test within the 48 hours before boarding. We ordered home tests from Lloyd's Pharmacy and uploaded the results to get a certificate which you have to show at check in. It tells you what is needed on the MSC website under Health and Safety. Masks are no longer compulsory either in the terminal or onboard for passengers but the staff are still wearing them.

You will get the full YC experience which is amazing. The YC balconies are situated within the YC so there is no way that they could deny you access, your room card opens the doors into the whole YC area. Last year we bid for a YC upgrade, we were in the same position as you with our booking still showing the original experience but the room in YC, no problems once onboard. Beware though, once you have experienced it you won't want to go back, this year we booked and paid full price for YC and it was worth every penny.

Both DH and I received 2 survey emails yesterday for last weeks cruise. Checked my Voyager club account and points have been added (very quick I thought), but they are listed as being for a cruise departing Funchal on 11th May, our cruise left Southampton on 13th May😁.

I think you can pick which one you want as you book it onboard. We just pre paid for the show (Arkymea) but saw others say that even if they paid for one in particular they were allowed to swap onboard.

I've just been looking through our photos from last week and noticed we took this one at the tourist office in Gerainger, thought it might be helpful to anyone visiting soon. The prices are in Norwegian Krone, we didn't book any of these but a couple we met onboard did the Panoramic bus tour and said it was very good and much cheaper than one being offered on the ship. This office was directly to the right as you exit the ship.

I didn't see or hear anything about quarantine cabins this year, certainly not 9 as I walked the length to meet someone in one of the aft cabins there, heard of people staying on 8 too. I would think they must have a much smaller number somewhere.

Best drinks on the ship IMHO, they also make the cocktails on the Butcher's Cut menu there and they are different again (can you tell I drank way too many cocktails😀).

Yes those Signature cocktails are current, they are the only ones over the Premium limit because of the more expensive spirits they use. I didn't ask but heard people say that some bartenders will make them for you with less expensive brands so that they are covered by the package. I've attached the L'Atelier menu, all the cocktails there were really good and included, as are all the other more common cocktails all around the ship. QR_AC_ATELIER-BAR-ART_OTHER_DAYX_EN_1652720658.pdf

Think you are looking at old (last year) menus, barely anything above £13 this year. If you like cocktails the best ones on the ship are in L'Atelier bar and cost £11. I can find menu if you want it.

RCL also has a free bag of laundry for Diamond plus and Pinnacle, great on a longer cruise.

We were on for 7 nights last week and only saw one. Although it was excellent I probably wouldn't bother for a 3 night cruise, too many other things to see onboard especially if it's your first time on the ship. The main theatre shows were also very good, singing/dancing type shows mainly. The planner above is for a port day I think, they have more going on on sea days although always more at night. The other thing that was excellent were the 'street parties' usually at 10.30 most nights.

No minature bottles anymore. Excellent (strong) cocktails from the other bars though, both YC and around the ship, our favourites were from L'Atelier bar which is on the way to Carousel lounge 😀

Yes, our drink was rubbish last week but the show was good. Next time I'd take my drink of choice in with me.

Even if you have the package you pay for shows in the Carousel lounge. They are Cirque du Soleil style shows. Not sure which ship you are on but we went on Virtuosa and the show was very good. It is cheaper to pre purchase rather than pay onboard. There are also the usual shows in the main theatre which are free.

No testing onboard, last year they did one midway through the cruise but not this time. I did see some people say they had temperature checked on entering the buffet but we didn't. I assume those who are testing positive are feeling unwell and request a test. Didn't hear of anyone positive onboard but have seen on FB people say they are positive since they got home.

We had 2 negative antigen tests yesterday so I think I can finally start this.😀 We will be driving to Southampton tomorrow morning to board Virtuosa. We had originally booked Magnifica for a week in Feb but when omicron hit and some of those cruises were cancelled we decided to move the booking to this one on Virtuosa. We'd been on this ship last June and loved it and we've never done the Fjords before so very excited. After our upgrade to YC last year we've booked it again, originally a YIN but our bid was accepted and we now have a balcony. Our ports are Haugesund, Hellesylt/Geiranger, Flaam and Stavanger plus 2 days at sea. We've booked the train independently for Flaam but will play the rest by ear. Finishing off the packing today as we didn't want to do it before the tests and tempt fate. Also double checking that all the paperwork is printed off, am I the only one who finds all the pre cruise stuff so stressful now? Then it's counting down the hours until tomorrow.