Georgia_Peaches

3 hours ago, Itchy&Scratchy said:

Because next time I am not choosing MSC YC - I am choosing a different line, where even traveling in steerage class is wonderful.

Couldn't agree more!  We find the steerage class on Celebrity to be pretty exceptional!  I didn't know I would think this because we used to book suites...when they were 'affordable'.  Then I got a 'free' cruise for 2 in a balcony room via Blue Chip as viola!  DH and I were so impressed with the over all Celebrity product and learned that the suite product just isn't necessary.  Additionally, one can still find a pretty good deal on a balcony cabin on both S and M class ships.  I would not book a regular anything on MSC for the very reasons you expressed.

54 minutes ago, JamieLogical said:

 

Many other cruise lines, especially on older ships, have bars in the theater and roaming bar servers.

Not to mention drink holders built into the armrest of the seats and in some cases, little cocktail tables between the seats...usually on the floor part of the stage.  

56 minutes ago, MonsterJoe said:

I definitely drink my package worth on a cruise, if not more, and it's never crossed my mind to want a drink during a show

I personally enjoy a glass of wine while I watch the show and it really has nothing to do with trying to maximize my drinks package.  I am not in the habit of ordering from a theater server though...seems like a hassle.  To your point about leaving glassware behind, I find that theaters that allow drinks during the show often have a stand set up to deposit used glassware on the way out.  I'm sure some people leave their glasses behind, which is totally rude...

@morpheusofthesea I'm quite impressed with how you and DW utilize various venues on the ship throughout your stay.  I have come to realize that DH and I are missing a lot by not venturing out and about much during the day.  I will endeavor  to change this practice in November! 

Appreciate the the videos depicting what we have been missing.  I'm thinking that part of the problem is that we just aren't booking long enough stays...I've posed this to Mr. Peaches last night over dinner and pointed out that both @Best Cat Mom and @DaKahuna seem to have cracked the code with their b2b plans.  He expressed concern that I could freely reference people by the CC screen names and relay to him their cruising style and preferences.  Guess which one of us is retired...😂

17 minutes ago, DaKahuna said:

@MonsterJoe @no1talks   So MSC does not do like Celebrity and force you to gamble about 50% before letting you convert to cash?  There have been reports on the Celebrity Board that you need to bet at least 50% of what you charge or they will lock your account preventing further transfers.  

 

Not sure.  On Celebrity there is an option to 'Use Promo' or 'Charge Room'. I always charge the room for my play.    The 'Charge Room' feature goes to one's shipboard account and the 'Use Promo' draws from any accumulated free play or Celebrity promo that isn't from outside OBC (like from a TA). 

When using Promo play, one has to play 50% before cashing out.  If one wins a sum that they wish to cash out before reaching the 50% threshold, the cash out ticket will only reflect the winning amount and the unused 50% portion the promo will revert back.  

Since OBC is attached to the shipboard account and not the player's promo account, I can't see how they could make you play 50% of the OBC before cashing out. The casino machine has no way of knowing how much obc is attached to a shipboard account.

Maybe those who have reported having to play 50% were confusing Promo Play with OBC?...For as much as I've gambled on Celebrity ships, that's never happened to me.

16 minutes ago, no1talks said:

On the slot machines, one has the option to use OBC for credits in the machine.

 

Once loaded from your account, the credits can be gambled or cashed-out as a regular voucher.

 

We don't convert all our OBC to cash-out vouchers all at once, but do a bit here and a bit there.

I'm definitely checking this out on the first night.  I think one of the reasons this has slipped by me is I don't carry a lot of cash to the casino and often end up charging to the room and paying anything I owe from the casino at GS before I disembark...but I'm changing that strategy and just sticking with cash.  It's too easy to "charge the room".

20 minutes ago, MonsterJoe said:

Put credits on a slot machine from your room card - it will automatically use OBC first if they're there, then immediately cash out.  Bring it to the teller and get your cash. Some ships have little kiosks where you can cash out (up to a certain amount in the hundreds) and you don't even have to talk to anyone.  

I use this method extensively throughout the cruise to get money for tips, or to have some walking cash in the ports.

OMG...how did I not know this!!!  Thanks for the tip and for once again validating my time spent on CC 😊.

On 9/17/2024 at 8:29 PM, OnTopOfTheSeas said:

Every show I attended was the same.  The crew would scan cards to make sure everyone had a reservation but once the show started, it was a free-for-all.  Passengers just kept walking in, talking at full volume as they tried to find seats for their parties, standing in the aisles blocking the view of those seated and this went on for the entire show.  There were also kids sitting in the aisles and as kids do, they were not sitting quietly, enjoying the show.  Then there were the cellphones...they were on everywhere with people holding them up high in front of them recording and taking pictures.  

We experienced a similar situation on Meraviglia as well but we sailed out of Port Canaveral. I was amazed at the behavior. The show was a medley of song and dance from 80’s to now and the theater was mayhem. We were escorted to the YC section by our butler so no scanning for our reservation BUT they did insist I turn over my drink at the door bc they are not allowed in the theater. Too bad MSC aren’t as concerned with theater decorum as they are drinks at the show.
 

Now we opt for smaller, cocktail permitted venues. 

11 hours ago, no1talks said:

Hold on, GP; don't you cash out your TA's OBC in the casino? I couldn't wait for a check, since I use the cash for tip envelopes.

No, I haven’t done that!  What’s the process?

On 9/17/2024 at 2:20 PM, SirWolf said:

YC Experience is still a good product and we will probably be loyal to MSC .. but there is nothing wrong with feeling better (as in saving money) while making a reservation.

Completely agree!  But knowing that MSC will likely not be looking to discount their rooms any time soon, finding a good TA who will offer a nice refundable OBC is, IMO the next best thing.  It feels like a discount, albeit after the fact...but still nice to get that check in the mail...and use it to make the next cruise deposit 😊. 

1 hour ago, chrisgp999 said:

While this is an interesting discussion it is also totally irrelevant.

Sorry, not understanding how it's irrelevant.  While what you have said is true, so is the notion that booking early saves money.  It just does.  Confused.

3 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

I've seen the Move Up price bids and they are not really a significant savings.

To further illustrate this, I recently looked to see if there were any Owner's Suites available for our Seascape sailing in November as   there weren't any available when I initially booked.  There was one room so I guess someone had to cancel.  I contemplated upgrading but decided to look at what the move up opening bid was before making my decision.  Opening bid was $7225 per person.  I could have simply upgraded the room for just over $6k outright by just calling my TA.  Still not wrapping my head around this math.

2 hours ago, Best Cat Mom said:

BCD was only too happy to teach Kassandra how to make it. It is one shot of espresso, one shot of Baileys, one shot of Kahlua, and one shot of coconut rum, shaken and poured over ice in a high ball glass.

Please let them know that Georgia Peaches will be on board in November and would like this concoction as well!

I noticed the evening dress is "elegant"  is that the same as "gala" just a different word?  Or is that just another way to say dressy but not formal?  I don't remember seeing that before.

32 minutes ago, chrisgp999 said:

If your room is constantly hot, have your butler check if one the occupants of nearby cabins have a penchant for leaving their balcony doors open.  AC serves several cabins and will turn off if the sliding balcony doors are open.  Had this problem with our very first MSC cruise.

Yes, we were aware that our neighbor was, in fact sleeping with their balcony door open.  I was frustrated enough to peek around the divider...and low and behold...an open door!  I reported this to guest services (the concierge and our Butler) but the open door continued but for one night.  I'm sure it puts the staff between a rock and a hard place as they strive to make all the guests happy.   I suggested that a notice on the door with the A/C info would be helpful as many people are not aware of how the a/c units work. 

From that point forward, we only booked inside cabins in the YC because I figured that nobody on either side of me would have a balcony door to keep open.  Rooms were so much cooler! 

But for our 20th anniversary cruise this November, DH wants to step out on the balcony and have a dance with me under the moonlight...so romantic.  But this Peach isn't going to be happy if we have a repeat of our previous a/c capers!

@Scottdalfonso and @chisoxfan once you have hung around here for a bit you will soon grow to love and appreciate @morpheusofthesea for his whit, charm, unique observations and yes, even his eccentricities. I have learned much from Morph and can only be so lucky as to meet him and his DW in person some day!

@Best Cat Mom your stateroom 

 looks lovely. I hesitate to ask but how’s the a/c in the room?  Our room on Seashore was HOT and regardless of my pestering, it never seemed to get corrected. 

duplicate post. 

4 minutes ago, DaKahuna said:

 

 This was our plan.  I am thinking Teppanyaki on Day 2 and Butcher's Cut on Day 6 but the boss has the final say.  Otherwise, if we do dinner, I was thinking day 3 and day 5. 

 

Can the Diamond meal be used at lunch?

I've seen video of the improvements but plan to experience first hand in November.  As far as I can tell, there is an extensive deck area to accommodate lunch tables where once they were perched on grass.  Sand fleas were a bother so hoping this is no longer the case.  As for the beach, I expect that it will still be quite rocky so recommend water shoes if you plan to get wet.  Also, I believe there is a proper bathroom now instead of the porta-potty trailer.

Two loungers, 2 chairs, small table on Edge MCSS in June.

2 minutes ago, Essiesmom said:

I wish they would send those to Diamonds instead of the macarons and bubbly.  I do get them on Carnival.  EM

I'm guessing those beautiful chocolate cover strawberries were a gift from our very own @morpheusofthesea.

1 hour ago, PTC DAWG said:

It’s really not that big of a deal..

Especially since they don't verify your check in time...We have found the check in process to be so streamlined that there's virtually no wait at all...although, we did wait to get on the ship on Reflection...Retreat, at that!

4 minutes ago, Kordy said:

Would this work, or would they ask for an upcharge if we order 2 appetizers + 2 entrées per person? 

We did just this in June on Edge.  In fact, I believe we tried 3 apps, at our server's suggestion, and entrée each as well as 2 for the table....again, at our server's suggestion.  The portions are nice sized but not so large that you feel like you're wasting food. 

1 hour ago, Itchy&Scratchy said:

I wouldn't call MSC "very budget friendly" in the US. 

Prices have certainly increased over our first MSC cruise back in 2022...like everything else, I guess.  Still, MSC is more 'budget friendly' than my typical go-to of Celebrity, who has priced me out of their market.  Hoping I don't get there with MSC too!

22 minutes ago, ExArkie said:

The Luminae dish tasted like baked chicken with Moroccan spices added. 

Which is likely EXACTLY what it was.  I find that often the descriptions on the Luminae menu do not always reflect what is presented.