wdowns9

Where do I begin. We arrived on the MSC Divina at 8a. We booked the 7in1 tour which include a visit to a fruit stand, souvenir shop, Cahuita National Park, Coastal Drive, Tortuguero Canals, and Viewpoint of the city. Eduardo and #1 driver Andy were waiting for out outside the port area. We loaded off and headed to Cahuita as the majority of the cruise excursions were headed to the canal. At the fruit stand we sampled fresh bananas, mango, coconut and pineapple. Fresh coffee was also available. There is is nice souvenir stand there also. Before we arrived at the National Park, we stopped at a friend's home and go a tour of their yard learning about the flora/fauna. The park is free, but donations are requested. We walked through the jungle as saw sloths, howler monkeys, and lizards. After exiting the park, it was time for some fresh sorbet before heading to the canals. We arrived at the boat landing and hopped into our boat. There was no shortage of wildlife ranging from howler monkeys, sloths, lizards, caymen and crocodiles. We were on the canal for almost an hour. Next we worked our way back into town to the view point at the Red Snapper. Nice bar/restaurant. We then head back to the port. Total time was over 6hrs. We were treated like family and had a blast. We had a great day with Eduardo and newly promoted presidente driver Andy. Email communication was great, and you pay after the tour. This is a private tour and he does not cram the van. Highly recommend this tour if you are in Limon.

On 1/4/2023 at 1:53 PM, KarimaJ said:

My hubby is Indian and we like the Indian food on NCL. Is there any on the buffets? Or do you need to put in a special request like you did?

We stayed in the Yacht Club so I'm not sure what was available on the buffet or the MDR. One of the reasons we like the YC is the ability to ask for modifications. We were on the Prima and enjoyed eating at the Indian Food Truck.

On 12/14/2022 at 7:23 PM, Seadweller001 said:

Been on the Meraviglia YC for two weeks now and it has been excellent.  The word NO was never uttered and we have never smelled or withessed pot anywhere on the ship.

 

The YC Maitre'd George from Romania is excellent and the food super great.

 

Butchers Cut filet mignon was not as good as the filet in the YC Restaurant.  We will skip the Diamond Comped dinner on the next cruise.

 

We are being treated royally on this ship.

George and Drago were awesome; didnt have a single issue on our Dec18-23 YC. The YC along with the rest of the ship were filled. When I went out of the bubble the service was great and NO was never an answer. Some of the times the bartenders would stop doing something when they saw the YC bracelet. George even help to arrange with the Chef (AJ) to make us a nice Indian curry along with fried mozz nightly.

You got on as we were getting off our 5-day. The ship was packed and only had 6 cabins vacant. There were out some beers in the pub along with food items. When we were on the behind the scenes tour that question was asked. There has been a supply chain delay because they source the majority of their items from Italy. I asked why not have a US supplier and was told that is how they operate. Food is subjective but agree with bland. There were over 1800 kids and they kept cranking out pizza, fries and burgers. We have been on the Mer a couple of times but I'll bypass going on the holidays or when kids are on school break.

Its a trap and those who have traveled already know the game; first time cruisers they think they are getting a deal. Don't fall for it.

We were in the YC right before dry dock last year; I made mention that I like a variety of Indian curries from different regions..Low and behold we had a different one nightly along with our main mean. If you ask they will accomodate. Not sure what it would be like at 100% capacity as we were at less than 50% and the entire ship sailed with less than 2000 people. Looking forward to our return YC experience in Dec on the Mer.

pools closed at 9p and I didnt notice the hot tubs open or occupied after 9p

Resolved: had to call the Casion Dept 844-672-7529, they had to do something on their end to finish the booking then my e-tickets arrived

13 hours ago, Fishfan0073 said:

So this is kinda good news bad news.  Good news less than 20 days to good times, bad news is not sure we will be able to board the ship.  I have completed everything on the Website including: passenger info, picture, and credit card.  When I get to the last step it has my email address in where it says email ticket,  but it is grayed out along with not being able to download our boarding pass.  I know MSC has problems with their website but what is the solution to this problem.  Do I have to call their awful customer service line?  Please Helo

Within 20days, leaving on the 28th and next to each of our name is Edit Info and documents are not available, going to have to call Customer Service Roulette in the morning to check

 foldup backpack/bag

1 hour ago, glentally said:

Thanks for the quick response.  I get more confused on each question and answer since there is no universal answers. 9 (Which Cruise line/Country/Or what day it is).  Flying to Portugal and Norway the next 4 weeks and they don't have restrictions about vaccinations or tests. I'll spend my money where it is appreciated and I am STILL dying to get on that first cruise after more than 2 years!

Ive been on 5 cruises this year using my vax card along with negative test 3 days prior. When they changed the policy to no testing under 6 days I snagged another 5 day because testing wasnt required until I go notice it is and the new date is after Aug29th. When my wife was in the UK she just needed to show her vax card for entry and the US policy was to test 24hrs before heading back to the US then it changed to not required. Testing either at the airports or in town aboard is getting harder to find. Policy is fluid and will change almost everyday.

1 hour ago, AnA4ever said:

I also just realized the Covid testing at Walgreens and CVS is no longer free. Walgreens wants over $180!!! I think I found 1 private test center here in Osceola County but it is still $79 for a Rapid Antigen.  What crap!

Testing is harder to find, unless you use eMed and its $70ea, I'm hoping to have a back-up plan somewhere in Orlando during our travel over from Pensacola. Maybe it will change but I'm not counting on it.

13 minutes ago, AnA4ever said:

 

We are departing on Aug 28th and got the same email. Their rules, not happy but I'll play the game.

My last two trips the capacity was around 50% with most of the OV and Balcony filled compared to inside. My Stewart told me they were keeping capacity at that level because of staffing and keeping repairs at a minimum. Most of the crew were very upbeat considering Oct10th is her final voyage. Looking forward to that trip. Upgrade offer, you never know.

On my May cruise bacon was available the on the 2nd day buffet and never returned. Didnt have any problems getting any in the main dining room. The Bacon Police were in charge of the tongs which didnt go over well with many.

5 hours ago, Lee Cruiser said:

They may be sailing full, but for how long?   How many of those people are people like myself, who had only the first round of vaccine over a year ago and have no plans to get another one.  Cruise lines are looking to move in the opposite direction now that the CDC has gotten out of the way.

 

Jason Liberty said as much yesterday: 

 

“This means that we’re transitioning to the point where everyone will be able to vacation with us while always working with our destination partners to meet their regulations."

 

Same with me, booster is a reccomendation and not a requirement

Thanks for the update, our 1st MSC cruise leaves on Sun and we are staying in the YC. I'm suspect it will be a ghost ship also as its the last voyage before heading to dry dock.

Luckily the technical issues didnt have floating adrift in the middle of the Atlantic. What good is protesting going to do? The situation will work its way out and I'm sure they will get some form of compensation.

4 hours ago, ddlb said:

Wow I figured there would be a lot more people on your cruise. I’m doing the April 3 one the last one before drydock in the yacht club. If you Were you in the YC I would also like to know more about any shortages that you encountered. I bid minimum to upgrade to YC balcony but that’s a lot of money for me!   But we so enjoyed it  in December!   I was kind of wondering if they wouldn’t stock the ship since there wasn’t any cruises following!

Doing the same, YC bound next Sunday thanks to an upgrade. Going into this with an open mind and I'm sure its going to be interesting with drydock as the follow on. 

Called when I saw the change and they corrected it without going through a bunch of hoops; luckily the cabin the cabin was still available. The agent didnt have an explantion why and was understanding.

Then you have to battle with their mystery IT system which goes crazy at times. The system was changing from cabin a that I booked specifically to a Gurantee. Luckily I was continually checking that I noticed this. Luckily each time it was corrected quickly.

Dawn is perfect in size considering the capacity which will be restricted, makes it even better. New - No; Fun - Yes but then again any cruise will work for me 🙂

1 hour ago, D C said:

Correct, stupid KW article had a Jul2021 publication date; next time I'll have to back it up with a 2nd source

 

Key West voters will decide on Nov. 3 whether to change the city’s charter to limit the size of cruise ships that dock at the Southernmost City’s three cruise ship piers and the number of passengers who can come ashore on any given day.

The Key West ballot will include three cruise ship-related questions, following a petition drive by the Key West Committee for Safer Cleaner Ships. 

Ballot questions

Voters will be asked to answer “yes” or “no” to the following:

1. Shall the number of persons disembarking from cruise ships be limited to a total of not more than 1,500 persons per day at any and all public and privately owned or leased property located within the municipal boundary of the City of Key West?
2. Shall cruise ships with the capacity to carry 1,300 or more persons (passengers and crew) be prohibited from disembarking individuals at any and all public or privately owned or leased property located within the municipal boundary of the City of Key West?
3. Shall the City of Key West give preference and priority to cruise ships and cruise lines that have the best environmental record … and best health record?

7 hours ago, Purvis1231 said:

It is funny in this day of radar, sonar, GPS, and pilot boats a cruise ship cannot navigate in a little fog. 

unfortunately the Port of Mobile makes the call not the cruise line. Back in November we came up the Miss on the Breakaway in Pea Soup with horns and full spot lights and it back on time. Living on the Gulf visibility has been 0-.3miles until mid morning. Do not know the conditions but will see when return on Thurs..