christa920

16 minutes ago, L1211 said:

Agree, I’m guessing they would have replaced if I had asked… 

Most definitely.  It's hit or miss what they take away.  Maybe they thought you didn't care for sweets.  Who knows.  I know when we meet our butler, we tell them what we would like for the week, ice in the buckets, and what soda/beer in the fridge, and to take the rest of it out.Never had a problem. If you set the expectation at the beginning they are pretty good at following through all week.

2 hours ago, L1211 said:

Right??? It was a lovely plate of small, assorted flavors/colors and I didn’t get to enjoy even one!

I would have told the butler.  Has happened to me in the past so if I want to keep something for later I put it in the mini fridge 

2 hours ago, Greygooser said:

Not to hijack the thread on a tangent, but I am having my first MSC cruise this June. I am Silver on NCL, and will be gold later this summer. Does anyone know if can I match now, then match again after my NCL cruise?

You can only match one time. 

1 hour ago, NorthernCouple said:

I completely agree with you. I think that I will have to find happiness where it presents itself.

 

That being said - I think MSC has a real opportunity to capture a specific and profitable market. Based on the OP's experience, I feel like they are failing.

 

So...close

This will be our 5th cruise on MSC.  Our 4th on Mera. We honestly haven’t had any bad experiences!!! But again, we don’t look for problems! We always keep an open mind and go with the flow. We have become friends with a few of the crew we have gotten to know.  Our butler and assistant have always called us by our name.  We let them know ahead of time what we would like during the week. Some people want more, some people want less.  They aren’t mind readers. Also, as far as the liquor selection, we have never had an issue on Mera!  Rudolph knew I loved this sparkling rose and he was able to get as many bottles to bring to YC.  I guess it’s all what you make of it and how you treat people.  

4 hours ago, NorthernCouple said:

No argument there, but it still should be MSC's aspiration for YC.

• Do I expect 'anytime you want it caviar'?
  • No. Should it be offered once in 7 days - yes.
• Do I expect a small boat (<1000 passenger) experience?
  • No, but you should feel like the staff in the YC know you and remember what you like. Once a day, a drink you have previously said was 'great' should show up without asking.
• Should every staff member know your name?
  • No, but your 'butler' absolutely should.
• Do I expect the 'butler' to serve a 5 course meal to you in your cabin?
  • No, but your 'butler' should fulfill all the jobs that MSC has designated such as unpacking, pressing, bringing drinks...without your asking.

 

I really think that there is an opportunity for MSC here. Our MSC trip with 2 adults and 2 kids in a YC Duplex Suite costs the same as a Seabourn entry level room for 2 adults.

 

It sounds like they are having an HR issue. Hopefully, this will improve with time. MSC is definitely behind on technology and experience though. I also worry about some logistical failures that L1211 mentions. These really shouldn't be happening at this point. They know exactly how many people will be on each sailing. They should be able to statistically predict how much Chardonnay and limes they need to have in the YC.

If those are your expectations you will be disappointed. MSC is amazing, but don’t think it will be anything like Seabourn. JMHO

26 minutes ago, L1211 said:

Wine tonight at dinner- ONLY a Robert mondovi PS cab- would not drink that at home, won’t drink on vacation.  My husband has had a nice Malbec each evening. Last night a lovely Shiraz. Called over the sommelier and asked bout this wines.  He literally says “no, this is what we have.”  My husband says “not really acceptable.”  Then the sommelier says “we can get it from downstairs if you demand”. What????  You’d get a cocktail without question.  Crappy!!!  They brought up a bottle. Geeze
 

on a better not, tonight’s Chardonnay is Kendal Jackson and I’m excited!!

And the mozzarella bar!!

21 minutes ago, L1211 said:

Wine tonight at dinner- ONLY a Robert mondovi PS cab- would not drink that at home, won’t drink on vacation.  My husband has had a nice Malbec each evening. Last night a lovely Shiraz. Called over the sommelier and asked bout this wines.  He literally says “no, this is what we have.”  My husband says “not really acceptable.”  Then the sommelier says “we can get it from downstairs if you demand”. What????  You’d get a cocktail without question.  Crappy!!!  They brought up a bottle. Geeze
 

on a better not, tonight’s Chardonnay is Kendal Jackson and I’m excited!!

I’m so surprised to hear this! Is Rudolph the sommelier?

On 7/20/2022 at 3:48 PM, morpheusofthesea said:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/yes-its-summer-but-you-still-cant-wear-those-shorts-in-these-restaurants/2016/07/21/57f5ceb2-37f3-11e6-a254-2b336e293a3c_story.html

Elegant Night

Just now, christa920 said:

On 7/18/2022 at 6:40 PM, morpheusofthesea said:

"Snobbism", I prefer the less pejorative 'elitism'. We prefer traveling in suite venues away from classless bumpkins, that wear shorts to the dining room. Stopped 20 years ago eating at tables with others, as others have bad table manners, stopped eating at self service buffets for the same reason. Prefer a luxury cabin to 'hole up in' away from the 'maddening crowd'. More than once we have had to leave venues where others sit down and start coughing not covering their mouths. Do like the shows of the mega lines. Miss the Home Lines Atlantic, Royal Viking, Stella Solaris, Marco Polo, Orient Lines, but those were the port intensive cruises, so no need for entertainment. Would take intensive tours, get back to ship, shower, have dinner and collapse in bed. Looking now for service, time together, alone.

Expand  

I was on the Atlantic/Home Lines NY to Bermuda in 1987 or so.  Fabulous cruise line!!

On 7/18/2022 at 6:40 PM, morpheusofthesea said:

"Snobbism", I prefer the less pejorative 'elitism'. We prefer traveling in suite venues away from classless bumpkins, that wear shorts to the dining room. Stopped 20 years ago eating at tables with others, as others have bad table manners, stopped eating at self service buffets for the same reason. Prefer a luxury cabin to 'hole up in' away from the 'maddening crowd'. More than once we have had to leave venues where others sit down and start coughing not covering their mouths. Do like the shows of the mega lines. Miss the Home Lines Atlantic, Royal Viking, Stella Solaris, Marco Polo, Orient Lines, but those were the port intensive cruises, so no need for entertainment. Would take intensive tours, get back to ship, shower, have dinner and collapse in bed. Looking now for service, time together, alone.

6 hours ago, alyssamma said:

I just got off the 10/2 sailing and didn't see anyone being hounded to buy dining packages or upgrade drink packages.

 

Not saying it wasn't happening, just no one in our group of 7 saw it...

We were on Sept 25 sailing...never saw that either.  Even with specialty dining and spa. They would stand with info signs but never hounded us.

1 hour ago, CampNCruise74 said:

Speaking of this topic.  Everyone BE VERY OBSERVANT if you status matched.  MSC actually downgraded me from gold to silver in the last 3 weeks!.  I only found it when I was looking to see how many points I received from my cruise just 3 weeks ago (as a gold member!).  It seems that whoever put in my recent points blew away my status match points as well, despite me doing my status match  ALMOST FOUR YEARS AGO!   I would make sure to save all emails, and ask for explicit point totals from them whenever you can so that you have those things in writing.  I haven't contacted them yet about fixing, but if there is a problem I will document it here for all to know about.  

Same thing happened to my husband!  He is still trying to get it straightened out.  He should be silver like me.  It looks like they created a new voyagers number and he's now classic.  We spoke with the gal on the Meri last week while booking another cruise, she said that they are aware of the problem.  I can only say be patient with the back end people and hope they sort it out.  Eventually..

4 hours ago, cdel71 said:

 

I'm looking forward to it all!   Like most of you, I haven't cruised in over 2 years due to this pandemic, so just getting back on board is going to feel great, and being in the YC is just a bonus.

It's crazy!! It seems like an eternity!!  I'm so freaking excited!!!lol

1. Ahhh...have a great time.  We are 9/25.  Can't wait to try YC.

I'm looking forward to some Limoncello!

23 hours ago, travelwide said:

Whoa there partner...telling people to shut up and move on is crossing the line. Perhaps ignoring their posts if you don't like what they say would work better.

 

Not everyone is a Kate cheerleader.

 

LOLOL...but this thread is about Capt Kate!!!  Hysterical!