Tracey/Thom

Sounds perfectly reasonable to me!

I should've been more specific! I want to go from USA to UK on the QM2, but couldn't seem to find a repositioning cruise. Seems like they don't do that, just the one way transatlantic, back and forth all year. Looks fine, but now I"m considering using another cruise line to take that journey as it looks like it'll be cheaper (repositioning) rather than a one-way transatlantic. Got some great ideas already, thanks everyone for your input.

Thank you, so very helpful!

Yes, I've figured that out. Anybody know of a website that has the repositioning dates for the major cruiselines?

Can't seem to find a website to find repositioning cruises that cross the Atlantic!

We hope to take a USA-UK QM2 next year. Is there a repositioning cruise, or do we just have to get a one way transatlantic? Thanks!

In My Booking, there is no Minors Package for sale. The website is still a pain to deal with!

Has anyone used the Alcohol Free package on MSC? I"m travelling with a 16 year old in July, 2024 and considering it. But I'd like some details on what it entails - I read the list on the MSC website (it's still not a great website and I love MSC!). Protein cocktails - like what? Energy drinks - for example? Hot drinks and ice cream - isn't that already included? (We're Fantastica experience) And what's the limit on the non alchol cocktails, is it still $9 each? Thanks for your help

We sailed MSC Divina to the Caribbean prior to Covid, and just returned from a HAL Niew Amsterdam cruise to Alaska. If itineraries are the same, I'd go with MSC. Divina was the most incredibly elegant, beautiful ship we've ever sailed on. The clientele were varied (not just majority Americans), Germans, Australian, Brits, Italians (which we absolutely loved. The entertainment on Divina was Vegas quality. Opera, professional dancing, far surpassed anything we experienced on the HAL ship. The food on both cruises was very good, but MSC Divina had a bit more of an international flair. The dancing/evening choices were better on MSC Divina. We found HAL to be more suitable for people older than us (those who've been retired for a few years). While we 're not clubbers, the Divina had a lot more lively things to do. Both were full of hardworking, gracious, friendly staff who earn every dime they work for. We preferred our Alaska itinerary over the Caribbean, but there's really no comparison, apples and oranges. Go with MSC!

I think it's the best stateroom on the ship. We sailed to Alaska this year, bucket list trip, and bucket list stateroom. On the 7th deck, aft (not a Pinnacle, suite) I think it was 7149, but I could be wrong. CONS: It was a bit of a walk all the way to the back of the ship from the front theatre. Also, in Alaska, they opened up the bow, so more people could get up close and personal with the glaciers. Having recently recovered from leg surgery, it was a long walk! PROS: So many pros! It was fast to get to the dining rooms below. The elevators were far enough away that you couldn't hear them ding all night. Far away from the stairs, so less traffic, less noise outside your door. We asked for twice a day cleanings, and because we so close to the fancy suites, those staff people seemed to be much better, faster and professional than a lot of others we've had (not that we have any complaints, whatsoever. Cruise staff work all day and all night and deserve their gratuities and any extra cash they get!) Our aft balcony made our room seem so much bigger, just because of the light, and the ability to sit somewhere other than on the bed. Our sofa opened out into a bed, but with only 2 of us, we didn't use it. We turned it and placed it directly in front of the balcony so we could see glaciers and ocean when it got a bit too windy/cold to sit out. The rest of the time it was a catch all. The room was plenty big. Just being able to sit and watch the wake over the ship is one big PRO. Balconies are great, but the view over the aft, is the absolute best view of any balcony, on any ship. Quiet, peaceful, we would absolutely recommend an aft balcony, worth the extra money! The balcony dividers were high, and went all the way to the floor. At no time could we see any other balcony passengers. One would have to literally lean over the railing and twist one's body to see into the balcony next door. We could hear them when they were on the balcony if they were talking loudly, but for the most part, we found everyone to be respectful of privacy and act accordingly. Sea spray was a bit of a problem on windy days, but we just wiped down the 2 recliners and table with a towel. Holland America supplied 2 blankets (we even purchased one for $35) which we used every day on our balcony, it was so cozy and comfortable. Their bathrobes were also plush and cosy. We usually purchase just an interior cabin when we cruise because we spend so little time in the room. However, when you have an aft balcony, we actually found ourselves wanting to spend more time there because it's so peaceful and relaxing watching the wake. We had no problems with vibration, indeed, no problems with anything at all. Don't know where you're going, but if you're going to Alaska, an aft balcony is most definitely the way to go to enjoy every single moment of your cruise. We got an upgrade to a regular balcony when we cruised to the Caribbean, and decided that we preferred the activities on the ship to sitting on that balcony. The wake made all the difference for us, and glaciers of course. We hope to return to Alaska, and will be booking an aft balcony again. Otherwise, we're not spending the money on a balcony for the many Caribbean cruise itineraries. (Unless of course, we get an upgrade!) Have a great cruise, enjoy the aft view!

Blows Cunard QM2 out of the water?? That's high praise indeed, I wouldn't have thought that MSC Divina (the only MSC we've been on) could do that - but that's why I asked the question. Love the discussions on the boards, even if the comments are sometimes diametrically opposed!LOL

Will do. I love doing reviews after the cruise, helps me to relive it and keep the joy going a bit longer!

No rational comparison? LOL We're booked and going on the QM2 in 2023. Just wondering how it compared (perhaps irrationally!) to the other gorgeous ship we went on. I think I've got my answer. Thanks to all.

Thanks so much for all the input!

You're welcome! And we were glad for that delay! (Although if you traverse that route regularly, I'm sure it would get annoying!)

We're booked (bucket list!) on the 8 day transatlantic QM2 in May 2023. Was wondering, if you've been on the MSC Divina, how does it compare? That has been the grandest, most elegant ship we've ever been on, thus far. If you've been on QM2 and Divina, would love to hear your thoughts!

Update: Well, we're back and had a marvelous cruise. 45 minutes was not long enough! We ran like crazy people through the terminals - from the domestic terminal to the international terminal. Arrived sweating and panting - and mercifully the departure had been delayed so WE MADE IT TO VANCOUVER! And our luggage arrived too - probably because the Seattle-Vancouver flight was delayed. We had 2 nights in Vancouver, so we figured our luggage would arrive before our cruise, but who wants to be without your suitcases in a new town for even a few hours? Thanks, all!

That's great news! We hope to sail an 8 night next May, and though we're fully vaccinated, we don't want to handle the stress of travelling great distances to board a ship and testing positive just before we're supposed to board.

Never heard of them, but I'll check them out!

Thanks so much!

We're looking at the QM2 Transatlantic UK-USA in May 2023. As I have no formal attire whatsoever, it'll take a while to find 3 outfits! I don't want to search out a black/white formal dress, only to discover it's supposed to be red/gold. (I've been reading all the topics!). Does anyone know, or want to hazard an informed guess, what the theme/schedule is likely to be for 5/23? Finding a tuxedo will be easy in comparison! Thanks in advance.

We just got off the Nieuw Amsterdam to Alaska on May 15th. There was teatime, with cloths and napkins, it was lovely. Our cabin had 2 robes, 2 plastic wrapped blankets (for the balcony). We requested our cabin be cleaned twice daily, and animal towels. There were most definitely not many passengers (don't know the ratio), compared to previous cruises, pre Covid. The service was fine, and everything was uncrowded. The staff were obviously working fast and furious - they are worth every penny of the gratuities and some. We wore masks in public areas but most passengers didn't. Never a wait for an elevator. The season had only just opened up in Alaska, so the land tour part was very short staffed, and it showed. The cruise was fantastic. Ignore the negative Nancys and go enjoy your cruise!

Dress code for the dining room was casual smart. Even on Dress Up Night, I only saw a couple of sequinned dresses and jacket/tie. In Alaska, most of us (myself included) were concerned about staying warm so the suitcase was already full of layers, thermals and sweaters. No room for fancy clothes! I will say the inside of the ship was always warm. I could wear a long sleeved shirt with nothing over it and feel fine. Of course, a sweater/jacket was necessary to step out onto deck. Even in the buffet, there weren't too many people in shorts and Tshirts. Well shorts, maybe, but the buffet is too close to the exterior, so most had long sleeved shirts on! I expected Holland America to be a lot more dressed up (it was our first HAL cruise), compared to the other cruise lines we've taken. Perhaps it was more casual (as opposed to formal) because it was Alaska,in May, I don't know. The clientele was "older" (over 60). No students in bikinis and ripped cut offs (like all our Caribbean cruises!). No baseball hats in the dining room. There were no children at all (that we saw), perhaps because in May, school was still in session. Hope that helps! Enjoy your cruise!

I imagine that by August 2023 (over a year away), they'll have sorted out their staffing issues. We were there just a couple of weeks after they opened the McKinley Resort for business, having been closed for 2 years because of Covid. I was mad, disappointed, really, at the time because our cruise was so top knotch in every way that we expected the same for the 2 nights on our land tour. Now that we're home, and back to work (staff shortages all over the place here!), I've got some perspective that they did the best they could, but it was an impossible situation. The straw that broke the camel's back on that first day was when we went for a walk (to find other resources, and there were none!) and came back to find our room magnetic keys "suddenly" didn't work. LOL We took lots of "deep breaths". The next morning, someone slipped a $25 voucher under our door. We used it for lunch - and begrudgingly felt it wasn't enough given that this trip cost thousands, and it was a bucket list trip. But, again, perspective is everything. We decided not to go the route of many guests/passengers and holler and have a hissy fit at people who were obviously trying their best to make things right. There was no one on the boards to ask, because we were one of the "firsts" to get there after Covid. I think by the time your cruise comes along, there'll be time, and also, plenty of CC folks on this board to ask about how it's going. Holland America has a good brand, I think they'll fix it.

Then you definitely need to get yourself to Alaska! We've cruised the Caribbean (6 times!) and Alaska (a bucket list trip) was absolutely spectacular! Land is always visible on the inside passage. We chose a small ship (2,100 passengers) that could get there, some of the bigger ships don't go there. But once you're out of the passage, all you see is the Pacific ocean. It's so serene, in fact I was annoyed that there was another cruise ship on "my" horizon, ruining my perfect wake view from the aft for a while! LOL. There was only one day, one morning really, where it was a little bumpy for me, no-one else seemed to have a problem though. We cruised in early Spring (May 8-15), so it was still cold and crisp. A bigger ship is better at handling rough waters, though I wouldn't describe our experience as rough at all. Hope that helps!