Beamafar

I’ve always thought so. No need to have to keep checking your account onboard or watch your spending. Once you’re comfortable with the overall cost and it suits your budget, it’s great. During the day Mr B has his cappuccinos and Americanos, I have the bottled juices and water; that’s before any wine and beer at meals, then drinks in the bars in the evenings. I reckon we get more than our money’s worth. Also, despite the fact that the package prices are increasing, they’re still cheaper than on other lines.

Thanks, A - appreciate it. It did feel just a little naughty 😁

I’m so glad that MSC didn’t try to create a balcony-like area the way Celebrity did. The cabin is nice and roomy as a result.

No sign of our Diamond “gift” yet.

To follow up on the drinks package situation while we were delayed in Jeddah; MSC gave a non-refundable OBC of €40 to everyone with PremXtra; €20 for EasyPlus and €10 for Easy. How they came to those figures, I’ve no idea.

Totally agree on the Aurea fares - those who like the extra space that the suites offer and are happy to pay for it, fair enough. Personally, they just don’t appeal. I’ve plenty of space at home; I don’t feel the need to rent a large space on vacation.

Great to hear they have Kerrygold in Chile. Unlike Guinness, it travels really well (though we’re not too happy that so much of it - Kerrygold, that is - gets shipped abroad. Less for us at home. 😂. As for Guinness - they can ship as much of that as they like. 🤣🤣)

Hope you have a fab cruise, Foxy.

I haven’t sussed out the champagne situation yet. I’ll see what they say in Fizz next time I’m there and report back.

Hi BC. Les Dunes is for Aurea suite guests and Bubbles has an area for us lesser mortals with Aurea Experience booked. Hope you like your Infinity cabin. We absolutely love it and would book it on every ship if we could (when not booked in YC).

Thanks for following. We’re doing Musica in October; it’s a great class of ship. I can confirm that the service charge is 15%, though I have read, for US sailings, that has been/will be increased to 18%. Can’t fathom why MSC would want to complicate matters. Oh, wait …..

Cheers, phissy - appreciate you following along - as I do with everyone who does. Makes it worthwhile (otherwise I’m really just talking to myself 😆).

Much appreciated.

It’s buttergate time again, folks.

I don’t believe it - Lur…pak (wish I could use the expletive that comes to mind).

We’re at the very civilised timed Diamond event. The captain, hotel director, as well as the cruise director, are all in attendance.

Interesting (about the airport - Mr B hasn’t ever had a complaint. Maybe it’s cos he’s usually having one at 5 in the morning. 🤣 If the hopstore doesn’t serve the very best pint, there really is something wrong!!! We get passes every year to visit. Reckon it’s best to leave it to the tourists. 😆😆😆 The first Mr B worked for Irish Distillers (seeing a pattern here, anyone 😳) and they used to arrange fantastic weekends away to distilleries - including Bushmills, Middleton and, the smallest distillery in Scotland (can’t remember the name). Dem were the days.

Just a thought - it would be handy if MSC could put a couple of USB chargers in their lounges (only cos I never charged my phone last night. 😂😂)

🤣🤣🤣🤣

Had no problem having alcohol yesterday. Didn’t you see our stocked mini-bar - several beers and 2 bottles of Prosecco?

The waiter here has informed me that there will be other liquor items added to Premium Extra when the ship begins its Med season. Hopefully we will see early confirmation of this. I, personally, will follow the subject with interest for our Musica sailing in October.

Drumroll, please …… paid a total of €1.15 for my Skyfall (which I’m beginning to take a liking to 😁)

So, Diamond ‘party’ at 5.15pm. We know the cruise director from another sailing so we will go just to say hi. From what we were told by our room steward ( you may remember the dearth of robes early on due to Diamond and Aurea numbers) it may be a very well-attended event.

Oh - another thing. We’ve heard several complaints from other guests about Butchers Cut. So we weren’t the only ones unimpressed with the venue.

A couple of things to report (before my battery dies). La Dolce Vita, the main lounge in the Galleria, is really small. Seems they didn’t learn anything from Mera class. Don’t know if this photo quite captures it The area outside, with tables on either side of the Galleria, is very popular and tables are always occupied. Can’t see the attraction, myself All of the wine bottles on display in the windows of one of the MDRs (the Hexagon?) were removed while we were in that … place, Jeddah.