elmsliebev

We've just been to Rotterdam with another cruise line. There was a lovely guy from the Tourist Information office in the port building and he suggested we could get the water taxi across to the stop by the Maritime Museum, which is a 10 min walk from the Market hall and the Cube Houses. The water taxi was a 5 min walk from the cruise terminal and took us past what I assume is the original Holland America Line building, next door to the New York Hotel. To a cruise geek like me this was a bonus point! Is it the original terminal building? For info the water taxi was 4.50e pp. It was a quick and fun ride across the water - so much so that we got it back again. As they are a proper taxi service, you are supposed to book the return journey online but we didn't know and just turned up and got on, but I don't know if that's always possible.

We've just been to Rotterdam with another cruise line. There was a lovely guy from the Tourist Information office in the port building and he suggested we could get the water taxi across to the stop by the Maritime Museum, which is a 10 min walk from the Market hall and the Cube Houses. The water taxi was a 5 min walk from the cruise terminal (past the original Holland America line building which to a cruise geek like me was a bonus point!) and was 4.50e pp. It was a quick and fun ride across the water - so much so that we got it back again. As they are a proper taxi service, you are supposed to book the return journey online but we didn't know and just turned up and got on, but I don't know if that's always possible.

we're on then, and the preceding week around Croatia. First time on Azura, following your blog with interest!

I didn't notice, sorry. It was very cold and quite windy for most of the trip. Hopefully the weather will be better mid-April!

The ship was wrm enough for me apart from the Butcher's Cut & Sushi which felt cold, so maybe a wrap or sweater to hand. Cabin aircon worked really well so we could get it to the temperature that we like. Disclaimer: I don't really feel the cold often! I've written another post with some port info but if you have any specific questions, just ask. They were all easy to get around.

We're just back from a week's cruise on Virtuosa, sailing from Southampton and calling at Hamburg, Zeebrugge, Rotterdam and Le Havre. It was our first MSC cruise though we have cruised with other lines eg Cunard, Marella, P&O. A few thoughts: we took the Eavesway coach to and from Blackpool. Excellent service and though it's a long day, it was all very comfortable and stress-free embarkaton and dis-embarkation at Southampton were excellent, very quick. We had been given 4pm as the embarkation time but the coach had us there before 1pm. No problem boarding then. We were told by check-in staff that the ship wasn't full and 1200 passengers were getting on that day. People boarded at each port of call. We didn't get held up in any queues at any of the ports - though we didn't get up early so it may have been busier early on! the ship has real wow factor. Loved the changing ceiling in the atrium and how they time it for when the shows come out. our cabin was excellent - Deck 12 aft balcony cabin. Even on a cold wintry cruise it was good to have fresh air whenever we wanted it. Our steward Raja was ninja-like - we rarely saw him but the cabin was immaculately clean every time we went back in! I asked for some tissues and facecloths and they were provided straightaway and replaced as needed. our cabin was very peaceful but the communal areas get very busy. I think it might be too busy when the ship is full, but in summer I'm guessing most people would be outside more. We coudn't always get a seat where we wanted but did find somewhere eventually. the entertainment is full on and great fun. We saw a couple of shows including one of the Carousel at Sea productions, Arkymea, which was superb. We tried a salsa class, and the musicians around the ship were good too. One place that seemed very crowded was the Virtuosa lounge where most of the activities were held. Again, in summer maybe these would be outside. Food - we pre-purchased 4 speciality restaurants & the Carousel show and enjoyed each one. I think the Sushi and Indochine were favourite but all were good. The main dining room (Minuetto) was absolutely fine and the staff lovely. They found me alcohol-free wine by the glass which was included in our alcohol-free drinks package and took good care of my husband's lactose intolerance (as did the speciality restaurants). The buffet was fine, plenty of choice but it got very busy at breakfast, especially on seadays. Hot savouries at afternoon tea time is something Cunard could learn from! The pizza was good and always available (until 2am apparently!) and the ice cream onboard is divine. as mentioned we had the alcohol-free drinks package which worked very well for us. Most of the cocktails were a bit sweet for me, but the staff happily made me AF Moscow Mules or tonic with fresh lime juice if I asked. Good coffee and great hot chocolate. we used the "MSC for me" app which was useful to see what was on rather than carrying the daily programme around, and also for checking any extras that we'd bought. We would definitely go with MSC again if the price was right, loved the mix of nationalities on board, and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Happy to answer any questions.

Oh gosh, I don't know! I have a vague feeling of seeing some, but I didn't really look. Worth asking when you're there if you can't see it. I can't see why they wouldn't have it - there's a huge range at breakfast in the buffet including a lot of sweet buns, congee & other world foods, pancakes and maple syrup etc.

We ate there on Wednesday, loved it, as we did all the speciality restaurants. We had extra tortilla chips and dips and I had 2 extra chilli con carne Tacos, oh tried the tamales. We didn't have quesadillas or burritos and everything was so tasty.

Hola Tacos didn't charge us for fizzy water though the other speciality restaurants did! Food was great.

We had the alcohol free package and took an AF beer or cocktail into the speciality restaurants without a problem. We did buy fizzy water in them.

Yes, we were told about the metro but decided to go on the water taxi.

€3 at the moment, so interesting.

There are various drinks menus, you should be able to Google them- they look very similarto the ones I Googled before we went. They do add 15% if you don't have the drinks package.

I've put a little post up on the main thread about port arrangements.

Just arrived in Le Havre, so a few quick points on getting to and from the ship at the ports we've stopped at so far. Hamburg- we got the MSC shuttle (€18) which drops and picks up near the Rathaus (City Hall). Limited options on Sundays but apparently there is a free bus as well that comes out to the port. Worth a look when you're on the dockside before getting on the MSC bus? We had a look at the Rathaus, stunning building, then coffee in a Starbucks opposite (currently behind scaffolding) which had free WiFi. Looked in a couple of churches, had a beer (happily for me they had 0% beer on draught) then went to the art gallery. Zeebrugge - we got the coach from just outside the port. There is a free shuttle from the ship to the port gates, then go to your left across the road and there's a kiosk/van settling tickets. It's now €25 pp return. You can go in a sort of waiting room that has free WiFi and the guy comes for you when the coach is ready, every 30 minutes) You are dropped in a coach park about a 15 minute walk through a park to the centre. Rotterdam (our new favourite port!) - there is a tourist information stand in the port building. A really helpful guy told us it is about a 20 minute walk or you can get the water taxi to near the Market Hall and the Cube Houses which we wanted to see. It was snowing a bit and very cold so we opted for the water taxi. You need to turn right when you come out of the port buildings and head for the New York Hotel, the water taxi is just beyond that. The original Holland America line building is there too. It's €4.50 pp for a single journey and I think it's cash only. You are supposed to book online to come back as it is a taxi service. We didn't know that and got to the stop where fortunately someone had booked and there was room for us. It's a fabulous quick way of getting across to the main part of the city! It drops you by the Maritime museum and from there it's a 10 minute walk to the Market Hall, which is a great food spot. The Cube houses are juat beyond the Market Hall. We'll definitely come back to Rotterdam. In Le Havre there doesn't seem to be a free bus but it's a 15 min walk to the start of the centre of town. The tall concrete church is well worth a look. Le Havre is an interesting place. We've had an amazing cruise on our first MSC ship, great food (especially the speciality dining) and great staff. The ship is fun and exuberant but our cabin is peaceful and the steward has been excellent. I'll write a full review when I get home.

There are kids on boards, various ages. All well behaved and enjoying themselves.

Not sure but we were told it isn't full. 1200 embarked at Southampton.

In Hamburg today. Ship is beautiful, very big but we are finding our way around. Went to the Big Apple show last night, which was great fun. Staff are lovely, our balcony cabin is beautiful and very comfortable. I asked for tissues and facecloths, which were provided straightaway. Food is good, though the buffet gets very busy at breakfast.

Back on our travels. We are on MSC Virtuosa from Southampton, just a week to Hamburg, Rotterdam, Bruges and Le Havre. Ship is huge and first impressions very good. We had an excellent journey down from Blackpool with Eavesway coaches, and quickest ever boarding, less than 10 minutes from getting off the coach. The ship isn't full apparently. The buffet was excellent at lunch time and we're very happy with our balcony cabin on deck 12. I'll post occasionally but we don't intend to get the WiFi package, so it will be intermittent. Off to explore now!

I hope you enjoy it when you go. Some feedback would be freat if you get chance.

We go very soon and we haven't booked the bike tour as the weather isn't looking too good for when we are in Zeebrugge. Interesting that it is so much more expensive onboard. Certainly something to remember if we go MC again (this will be our first time with them).

nor me. I've just seen this in the FAQs under "Can I upgrade my drinks package" Yes, this option is available to all our guests. In pre-cruise sales, the upgrades are available only for the guests with the package included in their cruise promotion, furthermore at discounted price. On board, all upgrade options are open for all guests at full price.

many thanks. As long as I get my ice cream I'm happy. Even in March in the North Sea/English Channel!

3rd March. We're also looking at the cruise express option. I'll try and post what we did before you go!

we're on MSC like the above poster and dock in Hamburg on a Sunday when I believe there are no ferries. I think we're going with the MSC shuttle.