allyfrizzle

3 hours ago, Beardface said:

All aboard pushed from 3:30 to 6:30.  Taxis apparently has word of our clearance before we did because they were lined up for blocks as the first people got off.

 

It reeks of retribution for last week.

I just got home from the Meraviglia that was denied access to Jamaica and Grand Cayman. I hope moving forward that you're able to make other stops. 

I'm sure it's been covered but we are getting refunded 100%. I was able to step on land at Cozumel yesterday and besides being a little chilly, it was lovely. Still not the cruise I planned at all. But it's free. 

1 minute ago, CruisingMom77 said:

Fingers crossed for you that you make it Cozumel and then to Ocean Cay. 

I just spoke to a server, she said we're cleared to go to Cozumel tomorrow!!! Ugh I need land. 

Update: We've been offered $200 refundable credit per state room and the captain just announced a 30% refund of the cost of this cruise and 20% discount on a future cruise. Very thick Italian accent but I'm pretty sure that's what he said. Will update as I know more. 

I couldn't understand if he said we're cleared to stop at Cozumel or not. Ugh. 

We just got notice that we were denied because one of the staff has regular influenza A. They're in quarantine but the officials at Jamaica won't clear us for this reason. The captain has decided that we will leave now. I hope this doesn't prevent us from getting clearance at our next three stops 😕

I'm honestly not sure. We're now 3.5 hrs past due for getting off the ship. No reason is being given except it's out of MSC's hands. 

I've never experienced this before. The MSC Mera is currently being denied access in Jamaica. I believe that we were supposed to be allowed to enter Jamaica starting around 9 o'clock. It's now 1140, and there's no sign of them letting us get off of the ship. Cruise director Jean keeps updated us that we haven't cleared security yet.  I mostly just feel bad for people who booked excursions. Has this happened to anybody else on MSC or in Ochos Rios? 

4 minutes ago, creativegenius said:

 

And now you can. $300 pre-cruise Bar Tab where they will add $50 if you do it in advance, or $100 more for a limited time.

We all know that's not a drink package. It's a pool of money where your $9+ drinks will come from. It's not the same. Even MSC offered a 12-drink package for those who wanted to save a little on a la carte bevs but don't need unlimited.

35 minutes ago, Two Wheels Only said:

 

 

...the deepest balconies here are the M6s (about 1/4 covered, 3/4 exposed), above those are the B6s (about 1/2 covered, 1/2 exposed) , and above those are standard balconies (the 3 people in the middle).

 

These balconies are towards the front of Escape and the largest/deepest non- Haven balconies on Escape are the M6s.

Awesome photo. Thanks!

11 minutes ago, resstation said:

Plain and simple. If you don't or won't cruise without a drink package, they are not your cruise line and THEY are not looking for YOU either. It is not a bad thing. They are a small, 1 ship (so far) line. They will fill their ship. As far as being "disappointed" with this or that - my goodness. If it's not one thing its another. Totally surprised some of you are cruising AT ALL. 🤦‍♀️🤣

I assure you that their marketing is aimed 100% at people like me. DINKs who love to dance, drink, eat, get tattoos, see live shows, etc. 

Just now, JamieLogical said:

 

Didn't I sail on the Escape with you last April? I think my sister and I sat next to you at Teppanyaki...

Hahha, I was definitely on that cruise (and knew you were going) but I don't remember the specific people at Teopenyaki. That's so funny. 

5 hours ago, LincolnLog said:

I’m a little disappointed by this too. I was okay with the “$5-6“ beer price we originally saw. But I’m not okay with paying up to $11 for a Lagunitas. 

The fact they aren't doing a drink package is B-A-N-A-N-A-S. I'm not paying bar prices on a cruise I'm already paying more for. Include package options (doesn't even have to be unlimited, but a la carte is crazy)

23 hours ago, bigblue1952 said:

We were able to do this on the Seaside in November.  It cost $100.00 to upgrade to unlimited wifi.

 

Thank you. I called MSC customer service. I seemed to have a timid/unknowledgeable agent and she told me that she couldn't do it for me. She also said she doubts I can do it aboard the ship. So I guess I'll just try on the first night.

Bump

Hello,

I'll be setting sail next week (!!!!). My fare included a limited wi-fi package, but I am interested in upgrading to the unlimited package. Is there a way to do this using my freebie as a "credit" toward the cost, or  will I just have to outright purchase the unlimited package?

Thanks in advance.

Oh and the District Brew House is a beautiful hangout spot with great views of the water. And usually 18+.

Don't miss the waterfall feature on Spice h20 deck (right side once you walk in). Adult only, great place to cool off before hanging out on a beach chair and soaking up the sun.

As for any NCL cruise, bring an 80s band shirt bc they usually do 80s night, and bring white or neon-reactive clothes for the white party on deck.

1 hour ago, TSUmom said:

We will be sailing in April and I was wondering the same thing...Thank you

I went in early April last year and was freezing my butt off on deck as we sailed away. But everyone said YOU HAVE TO BE ON DECK to see the badass metal bridge and then the Statue of Liberty. Worth it.

It warmed up by the middle of day two. But I kinda hated it not just being WARM. Losing a couple days to cloudy/cold weather there and back at the same price I'd pay to leave Miami with beautiful weather is not something I'd do again.

I loved Food Republic. They had these incredible lamb chops... mm... I still dream of them. Ocean Blue is nice, but... FR is just more fun.

6 hours ago, Homosassa said:

Your post gives me the "idea" that your only experience with "Italian" food comes from such outstanding restaurants as Olive Garden and Pizza Hut.

 

As someone who learned the regional recipes from my straight off the boat relatives from Naples, most of the recipes do not contain garlic.

 

Another hint: tomato based sauce does not contain oregano, including any used on pizza (basil - maybe).

 

And I am not surprised that pepperoni was in limited use on pizza. It is a Naples based cruise line serving the food of the region.   

 

It used to be that many cruise lines did serve the food of their culture. Examples are Celebrity (Chandris) Greek, Princess (Sitmar) Italian, HAL Dutch.  It is only within the last twenty years that this tradition has seems to have disappeared .

 

MSC is a welcome change from this homogenization and gives  a traveler a chance to broaden his horizons .

I agree with this. I sailed the Divina in 2014 and was enamored by the different food from Carnival. I dream about the pizza and other Mediterranean food they stocked the buffet with. I can't wait for my next sailing at the end of February. 

When I last went on NCL, I was so bored by the ship even though I'd never been on it. They are all so similar, same experience, same food, same everything. I'm looking forward to a change. That said, I will bring my own bottle of sirarcha to spice things up.

On 1/8/2020 at 5:21 PM, mikelan6 said:

We saw Viaggio on the December 29th sailing. We were given awful $18 seats on wooden chairs in the back. No one in my group enjoyed the show. 

Did they not enjoy it because of the seating arrangement, or was it not a good show? Curious.

3 minutes ago, CarrieAP said:

 

Disappeared for our 4/12 cruise as well. Had it in my cart but wanted to check with my husband 1st, then next day gone. 

Bummer. I'll keep an eye on it. Their website is complete *****. It might come back. 

I have a sailing on 2/23 Meraviglia and the option to prebook Cirque du Soliel has disappeared.

I was concerned about my incoming flight landing at 2:30 and having to be on the ship by 4pm (New York City and construction at LaGuardia was a nightmare).

The first rep said that I cannot change my flight without paying $200.

The second rep (I called the following day) was sympathetic and changed my landing time up to 11:45am with no fee.

So, you might have some luck.

My husband and I had such a relaxing, beautiful day at Pristine Bay beach resort. The excursion was only about $40 a person and included bus ride there and back plus access to the gorgeous infinity pool and beach access. No drinks or food was included but it was all very reasonably priced. The views and the serenity of the infinity pool were just breathtaking. Better yet, it wasn't a very busy excursion. Two boats were in Roatan that day and I'd say less than 40 came to this resort. It's like a hidden secret.