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2 hours ago, cruisemom42 said:

I was just on Insignia and spent time in the Upper Hall on a lot of evenings before and/or after the show in the theater. I don't know what you would consider to be "noisy" but there never seemed to be much noise there, other than (as mentioned) the string quartet -- which isn't amplified and thus not very loud at all. Some people talking, going into the shops, that's about it.

 

Quiet enough that I could sit there and read, anyway.

 

 

Thank you.  That seems like it will not be a problem.  I appreciate the insight.  

I am looking at a cabin above the Upper Hall on Insignia.  Will that be loud in the evening?  I don’t want too much noise.

Got it.  Thank you for the information.  My mistake.  If the thread can be deleted that would be wonderful.  I did not intend to create issues.  My apologies.

Thank you for your answer.  I apologize, I meant the Ambassador Referral for OBC.  I certainly understand if it is not possible here and will research other options.  

We just put a deposit down on Regent Mariner for a 2026 cruise.  I am very much looking forward to it and was wondering if it was possible to get a referral from someone?  I thought I saw a thread previously but cannot seem to find it now.  If this is not allowed my apologies and please let me know.

First, my apologies.  I have tried to get the answers from Princess to no avail.

Does Regal Princess have a complimentary adult pool?

If you book a Reserve Collection suite on Regal Princess do they have a private pool or outside area?  What about a lounge for that class of cabin?  Is the dining the same menu/kitchen as other cabins or is it elevated?

Do they have pickleball?  I think they do but I thought I would double check.

Any other thoughts would be welcome.

Thank you!

Great to hear.  I loved the Jade when I last sailed her.  I am looking forward to the transatlantic.

Yes.  I was in Bermuda.  It was very easy to do.  I was on NCL Escape and they were very helpful.

12 hours ago, Nikita4 said:

They have cameras overlooking all doors oft the YC from the concierge or YC office. So they will control the entrance anyway. I don't think that your story with the non YC people in the pool area is true.

On Seascape in October one person was laying on the sun bed next to me.  When the waiter asked if she wanted a drink she asked if she had to be a YC member.   She said she was not one.  The waiter walked off and about 30 minutes later she decided to leave on her own.  

Last week on Meraviglia someone wandered into the pool deck and asked where the slide was.  

So yes, it happens often.  These are only two examples, I have experienced and seen more.

3 hours ago, bajathree said:

Yea...I was just recently watching a You Tube video review of the Brightline saying I wish we had that here in Tampa as a choice to travel to FLL/Miami....I would defiantly use it.

They are going to Tampa it is just going to take a while. They are supposed to be in Orlando this year.  

I am in the Treasure Coast and took the Brightline from Palm Beach to Miami.  It was great.  Definitely the way to go.  

I just talked to the port.  They said $17 per day plus 7% tax.  You pay for the day of arrival and departure.  For a four night cruise I will be paying for five days.  I personally am shocked at the parking price for all the cruise and airport facilities but that is part of the price of admission.  Oh well.  

Use the Brightline Train or Uber.  

I called but no answer.  I will try again tomorrow.  Thanks.

Does anyone have the status match levels downloaded?  It looks like MSC took the off the link to use.

How much is the tax for parking at Port Canaveral per day?  I understand you pay for arrival and departure days but nowhere can I find the tax rate. I will be going on a four night sailing so it will be five days of parking.  

I am curious, does anyone know what brands they use for well drinks?  I am sure they can vary but I was wondering if there was any information on that.

On 11/23/2022 at 7:20 PM, bafinegan said:

wow, not my experience at all.  Course this was last Jan on the Seashore, but drinks were strong and bar service was great.

Same.  I was on Seashore in October and it was packed.  I will be on Mera in January so I will see firsthand if there is a difference.

I heard along the way that if a crew member's name was mentioned, probably a certain number of times, they get an extra day off.  I have no idea if that is true but I have been asked to use crew names on any feedback a couple of times.

On 10/23/2021 at 12:48 PM, racephoto said:

Just so you know, that may very well be your travel agent charging a fee. MSC hasn’t charged me any change fee, and I went from a regular fare to the voyages select 5+15 fare before FP, then got two price drops inside of final payment, the last one being yesterday…..three weeks before sailing. 

Just look at where the credit card charge is from.  If it is charged by MSC then they are charging the fee.

If you book with a travel agent they may not be authorizing upgrade bids for their bookings.  I am not sure if MSC has that policy but there are some lines that operate that way. 

I was on Seashore in YC.  I stopped by to learn about the Aurea dining room.  They had anytime dining and it seemed that having your own table would not be an issue.  They have the same menu as the dining room but they had a separate kitchen.  They were kind enough to allow me to have some french onion soup in their dining room.  Everyone that came in was seated with the party they came with only.  The soup was very good.  Better than what was made when I requested it in the YC dining room.  They have a lovely set up.

On 11/16/2022 at 10:36 AM, graphicguy said:

As @Georgia_Peaches likes to post, here are the financials and reasoning of this booking.

 

I like deals…not necessarily cheap deals (although I have just come off the cheapest 7 day cruise I’ve ever taken a few weeks ago), but good value deals.  Good value for the cruise line.  Good value when compared to other cruise lines’ sailings on the same itinerary, same/similar dates, same/similar cabin and perks.  And finally, a good fare value.

 

I like to sail in the Spring.  It kicks off my Summer in a positive way.  Hurricanes don’t bother me.  Ships can sail around them.  Or, in worst case scenarios, the cruise is canceled.  I have been sailing a long time (first cruise was on the NCL Norway).  I’ve only had once cruise canceled because of a hurricane…and that’s over 30 cruises.  You can view that a couple of different ways.  Either I’m quite lucky, or I’m due.  Either way, I’m not scared.

 

Fresh off the NCL Breakaway to Canada last month, having had a great time, I immediately started looking, again.  I have a problem.  I’m aware of that.  I’m retired.  I’m an empty nester.  I have nothing that restricts me from taking a cruise almost whenever I want.  I’m willing and able to do so.  So, with all that in mind, I search for cruises whenever possible.

 

I’ve only taken 2 MSC cruises.  One out of FL on the Divina 6 years ago (when MSC was just starting to sail out of North America).  The other in the Mediterranean 5 years ago with the (then) GF, my son, my sisters and assorted nieces and nephews.  All were in the Yacht Club.

 

I was status matched at the time to my NCL status (I think Platinum, which changed to Sapphire recently).  MSC matched me to “Black Card” status, their highest ranking.  That has since changed to “Diamond” recently, but still their highest ranking.  Not exactly sure why.  MSC would send me an email every once in a while stating my “status” was going to expire.  But, every time I looked, it never did.  No difference this time.  Even though I haven’t sailed with them in 5 years, my status still shows Diamond, good thorough the end of 12/2023.  OK…if you say so.

 

When I took my last MSC cruises, the YC was relatively cheap compared to NCL’s Haven, Royal’s Star Suites, or Carnival’s Havana Suites.  As word got out about them, prices rose to the point where they were no longer a “deal”.

 

Back on the cruise hunt.

 

If I could have pulled it off with flights, dog sitters, etc, I would have stayed on board the NCL Breakaway from my Canada itinerary for a repo cruise, and still be on her right now, sailing towards New Orleans.  The deal was that good.  C’est la Vie!

 

The new hunt has been on since I dropped off my luggage in my laundry room to wash out the old cruise diddys to await my return to pack it again for a new cruise.  So, found one.

 

Right…right…quit “back storying and pontificating”…just get to the deal…

 

All rates are for a solo…

 

-May 14th-7day cruise out of Orlando on the MSC Seaside in a YC inside cabin.

 

Fare=$1,519+$140 for tips and fees-Gross total $1,659.

 

TA is offering a $125 discount=$1,534

MSC is offering $200 OBC

 

AMEX Platinum…nothing…nada….MSC does not recognize (more like won’t pay for) that AMEX Platinum perks.

 

There’s a little bit of a glitch with one of MSC’s perks. This was booked when MSC was offering a FREE BALCONY UPGRADE.  Look as hard as I could, I saw NO qualifiers on their web site.  My TA says MSC won’t allow the upgrade in the YC.  She’s still working on this with their booking managers.  So, we’ll see where that ends up.

 

There’s a long winded explanation of how much it will cost.

 

The ship’s itinerary is one I’ve done many times before….EXCEPT….Ocean Cay, which is MSC’s marine preserve, which I understand is fantastic.  Plus, we stay docked there overnite, meaning I can hang out there and enjoy it’s evening entertainment of a light house show, food and drink menus, and just wander back to the ship without worrying about it leaving.  Looking forward to that.

 

 

I just got off Seashore with that promo.  The upgrade is from oceanview to balcony.  Since Yacht Club is interior only I was able to get the OBC which was a win but no balcony upgrade.  I think I saw it in the terms and conditions somewhere too.  If you are able to pull it off please let us know or PM me as I would love to hear about it.  Yacht Club interior can still be a great value, especially for a solo.

Oh, and I agree.  While I will always look at price the lowest price does not equal the best value.  I am all about value too.  

On 11/15/2022 at 4:43 PM, shipgeeks said:

We've been pining over that cruise plus the 4-day that follows.  We loved Seaside just before the lockdown (did 7+7 night B2B).

The only thing that's stopping us these days is having to fly.  All our cruises this year have been from Baltimore, which we can get to by road in a few hours.  Now if only they would put Armonia in Baltimore, we'd be aboard multiple times every year.

I live in the DC area too.  MSC will be sailing from New York.  It may not be as convenient but I have taken the train to that port and it has been easy.

Be persistent and decide if the $12 is worth it.  Honestly, it is the principle.

I had a cruise cancelled due to Covid.  I don't remember how long it took but I would not be surprised if it was six months or more.  I was patient though and was not calling as much as I should have.  I did finally get my money back (and it was a lot since it was fare and tax).  Keep your records and keep calling.  Eventually the US team reached out to the Italian team while I was on the phone, their way of elevating the situation, and it was refunded within a couple of weeks.  

18 hours ago, APDMOM said:

Our Itinerary:

Excursions:

Only the lighthouse on Ocean Cay for APDMOM (to take pictures) 🙂 We missed cruising so much that we will mainly spend time on the ship.  This is cruise #37 for us, so we have been to all these ports.  We will walk Ocean Cay to see what it looks like 3 years later and will probably walk around in Cozumel to practice a bit of Spanish.

 

Cabins:

We booked 2 large aft balconies on deck 12 for the 3 of us - hoping they will open the connection on the balconies - will report back. Keep watching this space for pictures.  2 Balconies on Meraviglia were cheaper than 1 balcony on Royal Caribbean, so this was a great option.  Our son recently turned 18, so the 2 cabins will be great for extra space and privacy.

 

Check-in time: 10 AM according to our tickets… hopefully this will be reality.  

 

Pre-Cuise Stay: TownePlace Suites in Titusville for $160

We are glad we booked early because that price kept going up until it was well over $300 last week. We have 2 queen beds, a large bathroom and a nice kitchenette (including dishwasher).

 

 

Hotel prices are insane.  I am glad you locked in your rate early.