Two Wheels Only

With aft-facing, balcony depth varies by deck. There are also differences in balcony width and bed location (near balcony vs. near closet). Depending on what is important to you will give different suggestions.

The BA Plus ships (Escape, Joy, Bliss, Encore) have a larger standard side balcony than the equivalent on the BA ships (Breakaway, Getaway). The OP is sailing Getaway so the standard balcony is less deep. Having an angled balcony on a BA ship makes more of a difference since the standard balcony is so shallow... ...An angled balcony on a BA ship is much smaller than an angled balcony on a BA Plus ship.

Deck 9 seems to be fine as far as view from the balcony (9271).

If the song isn't in your head already.....

Yes...(T&C) 1.5 Length of Membership MSC Voyagers Club Membership is subject to a minimum of one cruise every three years. If the last cruise disembarkation date is over 3 years (36 months) or no cruise has been completed in 3 years after the enrolment date, membership to the MSC Voyagers Club program will expire.... ...If membership to the MSC Voyagers Club expires, all points earned are lost. For example: If a Diamond MSC Voyagers Club member with a points score of 12,000 does not sail for 3 years since their last disembarkation date, the 12,000 points will be lost. In order to start collecting points again, it will be necessary to subscribe to the MSC Voyagers Club again. FAQ Is there a limit on how many times I can request a Status Match? You may only apply for a Status Match one time.

The entrance to the inside stateroom will be around the corner instead of directly outside of the balcony stateroom door.

Is it aft or aft-facing?

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/114-disabled-cruise-travel/ You'll probably get better answers in the above section.

For Bliss, all actual suites are Haven staterooms. The Club Balcony "Suites" aren't actual suites and do not have a butler. Your B1 doesn't have a butler, either. Perhaps your friends had access to the VIBE Beach Club which has an exclusive sundeck.

No butler for B1. You friends may not have stayed in the Haven enclave but if they had an aft-facing suite (H-something), they would have had a butler and access to the Haven areas (opposite end of the ship).

With MSC, things generally aren't set in stone. Some lines (like NCL) are strict with ages but MSC is more likely to look the other way for something like a couple of months.

Yes, for a fee. There are 2 types (Oceanview and Beachfront). Loungers and umbrellas are no charge.

On Escape, port side/forward-facing on deck 19 is open to everyone...unless things have changed.

You can have those things on NCL if you are willing to pay more.

The Yacht Club shuttles go directly to Ocean House and directly back to the ship (close to it). They generally only stop on the way back if a YC guest requests that the shuttle stop (at the Smiling Fish, for example). Very rarely are guests picked up in-between. I don't know where you were waiting nor where you were going so I can't fully explain why you were not allowed on. For the most part, something as simple as towel color or ship card can tell if someone is a Yacht Club guest. The only female that I have seen drive a shuttle was a Yacht Club staff member so she may have not recognized you. If a shuttle is allocated for Yacht Club and you aren't staying in Yacht Club, the situation was handled correctly. You might have wandered into the Aurea area before reaching the Yacht Club area if you were outside. I don't know which deck that you were on. However, if you were in an area which you were not allowed to be, the guest and staff member did the right thing. As long as neither was rude, I don't see this as an issue.

On the US site, the drop down menus for all 3 experiences aren't expanding to show what's included. Previously, under "Relaxation & Wellbeing", it showed included spa access. The words and arrow are still there but no other explanation/expansion. When it comes to MSC, I generally lean towards incompetence instead of nefarious for things that seem wrong. I'm more inclined to believe that someone on the IT side messed up instead of MSC removing something as integral as Aurea Spa access from the Aurea experience. But I agree. With MSC, you never know...

I'm thinking that it never really left. It seems to have been a website update to add the "upon reservation" part.

What happened and how do you feel that it should have been handled?

That's the best option. Also, bring a map and point to where you want to be.

That should be 18030, 18032, 18034, 18036, 18038, 18040. ....stupid phone...😠

I prefer the ones beyond the bump out because you can get a better view along the sides of the ship. I don't mind the walk to the lounge/restaurant so if choosing between deck 16 (16028, 16030, 16032, 16034) and deck 18 (16030, 16032, 16034, 16036, 16038, 16040), I would take the one that is the most forward of the group. I would avoid the ones that are at the most rear that border the wall to the Jungle Pool area.

To add, there will be an announcement for Aurea and priority guests along with wheelchair assist guests after Yacht Club boarding begins.

Are you booking a Deluxe suite or a Deluxe Grand suite? Also, the restaurant and lounge are forward, not aft. The ship docks with the starboard side facing Ocean Cay most of the time.

One inconsiderate Yacht Club guest ≠ Top Sail Lounge sinking to a new low. There was a problem. You brought it to the right person's attention (thank you, btw). The problem was addressed and (we guess) it didn't happen again and (we hope) it won't happen in the future.

Escape and Encore are the same class so some things are the same in size and some things are very different in size and location. The Haven 2BR stateroom will be the same in size but the balcony on deck 17 on Encore will be larger than the equivalent on Escape. As you've noted, the Encore Haven sundeck is over 3x larger than the Escape Haven sundeck and the Encore Haven sundeck has 2 hot tubs vs. 1 for Escape. The Encore courtyard has 1 hot tub while the Escspe courtyard has 2. The Haven pool is slightly different between the two with Encore having an ankle depth area that Escape doesn't have. Encore has the go karts that Escape doesn't have. Whether that is or isn't a positive is up to you. I don't think that VIBE would be needed on Encore but might be something to consider on Escape. Encore's VIBE is larger than Escape's and has more hot tubs so even though the "need" may be less, it's the better option. Escape has the much better hull art if you plan on taking photos but otherwise, I would suggest Encore Haven over Escape Haven for guests who plan to use the sundeck. January weather can be unpredictable at times so having the Horizon Lounge is also a plus. Epic doesn't have a retractable roof so that could be a factor in bad weather. Although Epic's Haven is considered by many to be the best, I wouldn't recommend it for January.