KKB

If I recall correctly, there was a cart of books on Eclass--perhaps set out in Eden? Can anyone confirm on the Ascent or Beyond? Thanks

We find the MDR food & service very good on Eclass so I would agree.

Other than Chef's Table & Le Voyage, it was always Luminae for dinner. Cannot compare to M-class as we have only sailed Retreat on Beyond. We never found Luminae to be too crowded to get in & did not notice noise. Perhaps not so sensitive--I cannot recall noise in a dining room to ever be an issue on any ship.

@graphicguy @Sugar Magnolia @debenson0723 Thanks for this entertaining live TR!! Regarding your observation of children... Sadly I have read numerous reviews on various lines of sailings from NYC & similar issues! I'm not saying it's NYC people in any way shape or form...but much like MSC cruise "culture", it seems there is an NYC "cruise" culture....We didn't experience it on our RCCL NYE cruise from NYC a few years ago, so who knows. I admit...it has me a bit gun shy to book cruises from NYC (that and it is a more complicated jaunt from airport to port than FLL...it's just SOOOO easy there!)

We liked the Encore, but prefer Getaway or Breakaway. Now, ship felt short staffed. I was worried NCL was cutting costs but it seems to have been a one off. We also prefer Syd Normans to the Cavern Club (more our music than Beatles). Not a deal breaker just a preference. It DOES have Choir of Men that we LOVED. Show up early...they pre-game.😎 Do be sure to have an early specialty dinner at either Onda, Cagney's, Los Lobos or Ocean Blue. They have dining out on the deck, first come first serve. We just arrive when they open to be sure to get a spot. It's particularly great during sailaway (embarkation or port day). Waterfront (deck 8 where those restaurants are...as well as bars & open seating) is a fav aspect of NCL for us. Have a great time! Alaska is MAJESTIC. We have enjoyed every cruise we have been on. I even had a good time on MSC, especially Europe where I got to see many places I had never seen & I had crew members that knew me & took very good care of me (tho we find that on most ships). We are more "glass half full" people, so certainly helps. It is rare when we say, "Nope, don't need to do that again!"

You need to try this (we got it in the Local on Prima) DH drinks beer & blended drinks...he LOVED this.

Caribbean was certainly mostly American. Admittedly UK/Norway cruise was mostly European. But having sailed Norway, UK (2x), Portugal & Spain, N. Europe & Med (Italy & Greece) in the last 18 mos., I can safely say that the passengers on Princess & NCL were not like this--and the Europeans we encountered in all these ports were LOVELY. (even the subdued Norweigans). I only dealt with similar behavior boarding my TAP Portugal flight in Lisbon (we found locals in Lisbon to be perfectly lovely so who knows...) So I really have not observed it within these countries either. So again--MSC is the common denominator. (and reviews run a similar thread of rudenss)

Having sailed 45+ times in the last 20 years (half of those in the last 2 years since retiring), I have experienced many cruise passengers across numerous lines & itineraries. Yes, there are the occasional rude passengers everywhere. But this was next level. On the Caribbean cruise in Feb, I though, huh, this is wild--surely this behavior is a one off. Then in Europe in May--EXACT SAME STUFF. Pushing other's children aside, ramming people's backs with buffet trays, ignoring safety precautions repeated by crew on tenders, rushing elevators when they opened (ignoring those there waiting before & those getting off), etc. I saw these things OVER & OVER and frankly was stunned how often & how much rudeness I observed. I have never seen such rudeness to this extent. Anywhere. To see it in 2 different areas of the world suggested to me it is a bit of an MSC "culture"--why? Who knows. BUT if you read reviews, you will see this as well. (I read them...but the price point was too good to pass up...Guess I should realize "you get what you pay for!!")

Didn't experience it this at all last Easter on the Beyond

Nailed it

THIS. I tried MSC for 12 days in Caribbean Feb. 2023 (not YC) & was entirely unimpressed. (even with a week free & a dirt cheap rate for the 5 day...and drink packages & internet very reasonable). Already had them booked for 20 days in UK & Norway (again...dirt cheap, not YC) & pretty much decided not interested in trying them again. We enjoyed Retreat in Celebrity but we are out & about on the ship enjoying shows & activities (which are subpar on MSC, imo), so that experience is even more important to us. (that and the lack of common courtesy by other passengers on both sailings on MSC--THAT was the biggest turn off for me. Was bizarre that I experienced that in 2 entirely different locales.)

Well, a good chunk of that is due to the holiday week

We have sailed most mainstream lines (not Holland yet) & sail them all (well, except MSC--probably never again--and DCL. MIL paid for that one!) We see what is available on Celebrity, Princess, NCL & Carnival for our dates & itinerary desires. (RCCL too high w/o AI; Carnival is still tossing us $100 cruises via the casino). Celebrity is our FAV...especially Eclass. So we watch for deals on them & may book just because we like to sail them!

We always check flights thru the cruiseline, but generally don't find them cheaper. Though we did a TA & UK cruise in April...just needed one way from London to Omaha. $2Kpp--WHAT??!! It was CHEAPER to book a ROUND TRIP ticket from London to Omaha (only $1200pp). So we did, expecting to just eat that return flight (still cheaper!) (our friends. booked flights via Princess a bit later for about $800--we were kicking ourselves) LUCKILY the "return" flight go changed so much that we could cancel & get our money back!! Just had that thousand dollars hit our credit card this week--nice!

Was SUPER disappointed Kirkwall was cancelled in May for another sad port--love Kirkwall! We were told Princess would no longer be going to Kirkwall...CLEARLY not true. Something is clearly wonky with some port issues in UK w/ Princess... Weymouth, the town near Portland, was LOVELY & really enjoyed it. Next time will do castle & WWII museum in Portland.

Yep! (just did it 2 weeks ago)

We nearly always book as soon as we book the cruise, or as soon as they open the dates we are looking for. We always fly in at least a day before domestic cruises & 2 days before international. We nearly always fly SWA domestically so changes are easy to make at any time if prices drop. And if they change the flight, then I can choose another one that day (which might be more expensive!) at no charge. Other airlines have better cancellation policies than they used to--you COULD cancel if you find a much better deal & rebook, tho that would leave you a credit that you must use w/in 1 year of booking, typically. I like things booked; I have certainly saved us a few $ booking, tho rarely it is a big difference. I try to book refundable hotels (so generally direct) so I can change those as well.

@js10 Thanks for your thoughts. BIL & SIL just sailed the Sun the week before you & really enjoyed it (tho I have yet to hear all the details!) We sailed the Regal for 28 days in April (16+12) & thought the food was the best we had experienced in any MDR, any line. We actually were looking forward to the "repeat" menu the 2nd leg as we saw several things we wanted to try...then to our dismay it was a NEW "UK" menu! Never expected 28 different menus, it was quite a surprise!

You CAN apply CruiseNext as a payment (NOT CruiseFirst, at least by terms & conditions). Of course, these have to be purchased onboard BUT they are transferrable. I have purchased several from others on a social media site that has a couple groups just for Buying/Selling CN certificates. It's nice because they don't allow anyone to profit--they sell for $125 for $250 only (group rules). I was nervous but I vetted those who I bought from. Checked out their profile (had they been on for years? Do they post other things?) & if others have purchased & made note of a good transacation.

Same, finally popped up today. I got it on my Everyday Blue. Perfect--final payment due in Sept for Dec cruise. We used it last year, maybe about the same time. Not on my Plat or DH's Gold.

Free cruises have been there before--they were several million points & are very specific dates, so be prepared for that. But no promises that they will be back again. No rhyme or reason to timing. Yes, you could cancel & rebook & yes, your travel agent would lose the booking if you did so since these go thru CAS. (and yes, you can also use a CruiseNext or CruiseFirst voucher)

When I was on Breakaway last summer, it dropped considerably after a day or two! (like half price)

Look into private ones (just Google whale watching tours in each port); usually considerably less than ship tours (tho maybe not with $50 off). We RARELY do excursions, but we have done whale watching in Maui (about $75pp) & Icy Strait Point in AK (about $150pp)--truly 2 of the very best experiences in our lives. If you can swing one thing, that is what I would recommend.

Uh...those who say the ship coffee is fine...NOPE, NOPE, it's NOT. I am no coffee snob--I buy Aldi brand grounds to use in my reusable K-cup each day at home. I like Starbucks, but limit it to traveling mostly. But ship coffee (ANY SHIP, ANY LINE) is AWFUL, imo. And I doll mine up with Stevia & creamer...still undrinkable to me. Thank goodness we get a drink package on Princess & Celebrity where goood coffee is included. NCL I used our shareholders $100 OBC to cover the cost of my daily Grande Flat white. (but I can see if you don't drink that $108/wk could have value if you drink the teas & such).

In AM, yes, rarely at other times.