KittyCruz

On 12/9/2023 at 1:09 PM, MsTabbyKats said:

@KittyCruzExactly how dressed up were people for dinner?  

@MsTabbyKats  with the exception of gala night I would say the bulk were dressed 'smart casual' for dinner.  

3 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Just to belabor the point once again. There are quite a few 'requests' of cruise lines made of passengers that are not followed and seldom enforced. Attire is one of them. Most these low cost mega lines are attracting a "wider audience" who look at cruises like a camping trip, roughing it, bivouacking. They throw their soiled everything out the cabin door into the hallway (Instead of calling room service to pick it up) and hang their wash out to dry on the balcony. As one pays more for suite class one 'sometimes' finds a more respectable clientele that respects others and themselves. Will see in a couple of weeks how Explora 1 compares to Yacht Club and will report.

Oh my... I will clip our swim suits to the back of the chairs in the  evening but I've never to that degree

We returned from a week at sea and after a week to settle back into the 9-5 routine I wanted to provide some thoughts about our recent cruise.

1. Interlopers - interesting enough I walked behind a family that had managed to break through and were attempting dinner in the YC restaurant only to be turned away because they showed up an hour early to dine.  (I caught this because we might have also showed up early, but we had the option of going downstairs to have a pre-dinner cocktail, the interlopers were shown the door) We also saw people try unsuccessfully to access the doors to YC and we like most others just ignored them.  

2. The pool area was not packed, and this was pretty great!  We only had 270 on this cruise.  Smokers tended to stay in the correct areas, and one felt they had ample space to lay out, read, talk, relax, etc... we tended to stay towards the bow so service wasn't great, but I didn't have a problem getting up to grab myself a beverage, besides when I did, they would always ask where I was and bring it out.

3. Food -In general food was excellent and I wanted, asked for and received shrimp cocktail each evening as my appetizer, one lunch the choices were for lack of better words, frou frou so we chose that day to order a pizza.  If I wanted to have gone up a pants size, I would have ordered at least one of everything on Italian night, the lasagna was a thing of beauty- the pasta melted in your mouth.   Sadly, there was no seafood buffet but one day for lunch the buffet had scallops          (I might have eaten what in the states would equate to $100 worth of scallops) on that same day the dining room had shrimp, but it was a sunny sea day, and I needed my vitamin d.  Service wise things were good, we had a decent head waiter/jr waiter there were a few hiccups in order that were odd but we just went with it.  Dinner shined, breakfast was always a little odd and lunch was slow so we usually just did the buffet.  I learned a YC perk which was to go downstairs pre breakfast and order a cappuccino - this gave me the caffeine needed to be able to order breakfast like a real human being.  

4. Dress - the first day there were some casual outfits in the YC restaurant, but after that it really only seemed like one table that didn't get the memo for dinner.  We enjoyed dressing up and seeing everyone else's attempts.   Although next time I'm tempted to channel my inner dude and come to breakfast in my pjs, robe and YC slippers with sunglasses

5.Service - with the exception of high tea, which we did not get good service at, service was across the board excellent.  Our Butler/Jr. Butler knocked it out of the park. (I worried a bit because we are not high maintenance but did want to be treated like YC folks) I used the tip from @morpheusoftheseaand had a list for our butler. We got a few bits that showed up throughout the trip bowl of fruit, chocolates and we would get a small glass box of treats each night.  This of course led us to the Chocolatier and why we are still enjoying fine Italian chocolates.  In the TPL and pretty much everywhere on the ship, we experienced great service.  In gen pop for Gala Night I hit the champagne bar the staff were filling it so there was a moment of which fine champagne do you get and trying to find it, and I stopped them to say the processco would do nicely and they obliged. 

6. Entertainment - we didn't do much entertainment outside of TSL -shows either didn't interest us or were too late for our lifestyle.  

7. Tips - we tipped extra (butler, jr. butler, waiter, jr waiter, bartenders, tpl wait staff, outside YC bar tenders, excursions) I had a great vacation that was made possible by a slew of people who kept smiles on their faces and calm composure 24/7.

I will get around to posting a real review, uploading photos and of course adding to the unofficial, official room directory kept by @Two Wheels Only for suite 19010

On 12/1/2023 at 7:18 PM, blueslily said:

Do you know if we can use the Fun Pass to pay for rides on thr Robotron? Thanks

Yes, in the Games Arcade it listed the price and that you could use.  While we had a fun pass we did not attempt robotron fun.  

3 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

It is 8:00 am and we are home. Up at 5:30 am and ship was already docked. 210 YC guests this next cruise. Chances of an upgrade to YC are better if people know and try. Only one “down liner” this cruise. Cleared real quick this morning. Facial recognition and out the door, except for 2 CBP agents randomly stopping passengers after FR and asking for passports.

We opened up the curtains to our room and saw the ship!  After 20 minutes of check in and queue we're two of those 270

8 hours ago, momofmab said:

 KittyCruz - have you heard about another itinerary change for the December 2nd cruise (my apologies if that's not the sailing you're on).  Some European travelers on the FB page received an email. It's hard to know whether it's legit or not because MSC takes so long to update their website.

@momofmab we spent the day traveling to Miami, so out of the loop except for @morpheusofthesea notes that we can't wear our flip flops to dinner (thank God overalls weren't on that list but I say give it time) we sail tomorrow so I guess we'll find out. Nothing in our app or in email about our sailing 

15 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Rich Shrimp Cocktail is on tomorrow’s menu. So perhaps one can have a standing order. This is one of the reasons we requested to have the same table every evening with the same waiter of the maitre d (I also added we like to tip extra). In order to be accommodated one has to be ‘flexible’ in one’s dining times. 

Thank you!  I will do our best (tip of the green) to ensure we have the same waiter each night.  our last RC cruise our head waiter did quite well in the tip arena when on day 3 he started bringing extra shrimp cocktails or other shrimp appetizers "just in case"   

We will be on the Seascape next week, wondering what the Shrimp (cocktail and otherwise) situation is like for dining in YC.

On 11/12/2023 at 3:28 PM, gmbhardy said:

This just in - the snack buffet has returned on the Seascape.

 excellent news, thanks for the update!

We set sail next week and to quote the pointer sisters, I'm so excited

Anyone who has been on recently know when the Gala Night is on the Seascape for YC?

We're sailing November 25-Dec 2

Thanks in advance

13 hours ago, Two Wheels Only said:

 

The ones listed on post #18 are the ones that I don't have. 

 

I haven't posted the list with the links to pics/videos. It's still a work in progress....

I will say while we are not 'make videos' people, so long as we make our cruise later this month I plan on taking photos of our suite and will share for future YC'ers.  

1 minute ago, Two Wheels Only said:

Apologies, I didn't realize those were hyper links, seriously today's been a Monday.

1 minute ago, Two Wheels Only said:

Hehe, I have that video linked on my list. 

 

I could probably guess the ones that I'm missing but I want people to be able to click on their particular stateroom and see it when the list is done. I'll be on Seashore again in a couple of weeks but I doubt that I'll be able to sneak in a few shots. I will bring my list just in case...😉

Also I found this you tube review on room 19015 which shows a walk in closet

What I really want to know is did they bring all those Pringles or did their butler stock them up?!?!??!!

@Two Wheels Only

Thanks for posting, ours is on that list.  I could not remember since we booked this last year but recalled for what we were looking at (balcony in YC) there were two options one slightly wider or one more narrow, with a walk in closet. 

I do love a walk in closet and it looks like my husband chose well.

On 10/16/2023 at 8:16 PM, Stem to Stern said:

Are there onion rings available in the Yacht Club?  

I think these would be a nice addition to this diet.

I am being good pre-cruise so I can indulge in all things naughty when I get on board.

By the way our baby looks just like your kitty.  So handsome.

Thanks, he is momma's handsome 25# brut of a cat.  

On 10/24/2023 at 5:17 PM, TwoAdriftAtSea said:

I can say that the shrimp cocktail is no longer listed on the menu as a Classis always available choice, and upon request was told its only available certain days in the YC Restaurant for whatever reasons. At least on the Seascape when I inquired as I do enjoy a shrimp cocktail when at sea.. As with all things MSC, YMMV.

Thank you for confirming... I had noticed on menus posted recently that it was no longer there. I am not pleased to hear because I do like a good shrimp cocktail or 4 as my dinner while at sea.  

On 6/19/2023 at 8:10 PM, Jeal said:

kelleherdl - many, many thanks for the info. I appreciate it. If you think of anything else a first timer on MSC needs to know please let me know. We are excited to try MSC. 

We had an aurea suite right before covid broke out and it was our first time with MSC.  We did the priority boarding and it literally was 25 minutes to ship. 

We upgraded to the drinks package (above easy) and while we did not break free we preferred being able to order whatever we wanted.

My Time Dining is the best!!! absolutely hands down it is great because you can choose when you want to eat, that flexibility was a value add for us, we were on vacation and so if we caught a show, we ate either very early or later depending on our mood.

Room service was fund, we did breakfast a couple of times in the room instead of getting dressed and heading to the buffet with the masses.

If Aurea still includes the thermal spa, take advantage.  

Its a beautiful ship and the stroll on the main level, with LED display is awesome it can get loud if there are events going on in the same area, but that area and the champagne bar and below are some great places for hanging out/people watching. 

The chocolate shop is an extra charge, but worth it imo for small treats or souvenirs for friends/family

If you want to do the water slides, go the first day and get the form filled out/signed and turned in you get a wristband and it makes the wait a little less.  

We found the food to be very good and the waitstaff in MDR excellent.  Our head waiter was the best we had ever had.  

With the exception of cirque du soliel we didn't do any other shows or dance parties, we usually hung out and listened to a quartet or the piano player.

Pool wise we loved that there was a private solarium area for Aurea so there were chairs, hot tub and pool that were not overrun with small children or overfull with crowds. 

Happy Sailings!

Mozzarella sticks add a little something to the shrimp cocktail and wine diet I had planned for our upcoming YC cruise, thanks for the tip!

43 minutes ago, Essiesmom said:

Definitely warm enough in Mexico and Belize.  Whether it is warm enough at Ocean Cay may depend on where you are coming from.  If you are from the frozen north, you will be fine.  EM

So true!  

We're Texans so hoping to experience normal summer weather on our November jaunt

2 hours ago, Fighterone said:

Sorry, Morph, I don't understand what this means. Can you elaborate a bit?

I miss out a lot on jokes in English.

Been scratching my head to the meaning and to that of Jagr's allusion to Columbo. 

I love your posts and all the explanations about the ship.

Both were television shows procedural detective shows (70s and for Columbo there were also specials up through 2003

Rockford Files (he greased a lot of palms to get information)

Jim Rockford is an ex-con and private detective. He was falsely convicted of a crime he didn't commit, but that doesn't stop him from using his ex-con buddies to help him solve crimes. Nothing comes easy for Rockford, but he works hard and usually gets shot at or beat up at least once per episode.

Columbo

On most detective shows, viewers don't know who committed the crime until the detective pieces the clues together and figures it out. On this show, however, viewers see the crime unfold at the beginning of most episodes, including who the perpetrator is. The mystery and fun for viewers is trying to spot the clues that will lead Lt. Columbo (Peter Falk) to discover the culprit and watching the tricks he uses to get a confession.

On 9/19/2023 at 9:30 AM, morpheusofthesea said:

Not really. From what I understand ones butler can butt one to the front of the waterslide ride too.

Oh Morpheus you are speaking my language!

I had already plotted on having our butler fetch the forms for the waterslide and turn them in for us, but this takes the cake.

On 9/23/2023 at 8:16 AM, First time cruiser 77 said:

Hi guys I've booked my first cruise with msc seascape. I've booked the Aurea experience. It's says on it that I get access to thermal area but I'm bit confused does that mean I get free access to saunas, steam baths, emotional showers, Whirlpool baths, ice or snow room, calidarium, salt room, relaxation area or do I have to pay for this thermal spa pass I see on things to purchase?

Please help Don't want pay for things that i might already b able to use for free with Aurea experience ..

I added pic of email I got what says I get in Aurea experience.. says on it access to thermal area. Thanks guys hope someone can help  me

 

We did the Aurea experience and yes the thermal spa is included it was one of the reasons we tried that experience and really enjoyed/loved it!   Bring your robe, key, shoes - they have locker room for your stuff so you just have to walk around with a key bracelet. 

the salt room on the meraviglia filled up fast, but other rooms/saunas were as crowded.  I believe the Seascape some of this might have be sea facing (on the meraviglia it was all hidden) but we won't know till November.

Enjoying and following along we are sailing yc late November

We had one on the Meraviglia  #12007

We used and enjoyed it (some small issues with getting it to work and it was uber windy) however when it came time to cruise again we looked at our priorities and decided we'd rather upgrade to YC

17 hours ago, Saving Up To Be Eccentric said:

mvh: When there are tendering situations, or are at private islands, it's worth taking a good look at the cruise line excursions. 

Our preference is cruise line excursions is really the guarentee that they can't leave us if the excursion is late getting back to the ship (I understand this might not be everyones cup of tea, but it is our preference)

That being said really just wondering when if anyone knows if and when additional excursions might be added.