go.without.you

I caught a Simpsons episode yesterday that had a whale swim out to a cruise ship entitled "Carnevil". The passengers see the whale and say, "Finally....a way off this ship!" Then drop rope to climb onto whale. I laughed out loud.

I've done Thanksgiving several times and it is always a full ship. Living in FL makes it super easy to cruise that week and not have to hit the airport mess. I had heard there were about 200 kids on board but no one could confirm the actual number. I only noticed lots of kids on the last sea day by the pool. There were several events around the pool area which included a parade of the staff and dancers so it attracted a large crowd in general. The parade ended with the Captain telling us the ship was at 90% capacity for the 1st time since cruising returned. I had to yell at a teenager in Luminae 1 night. There was a cart with sweets set up in the corner and the staff would bring whatever you wanted. This kid goes over to the cart and starts picking up treats with his hands ignoring multiple sets of tongs. Then as he is standing over the cart, starts chewing said treats. *****!!! So yes, I have become that old lady that now yells at teens in public. Sorry, not sorry. Other than those 2 instances I didn't really notice the kids.

How far in advance do you make the reservations? I noticed the reservation is non refundable unless your ship doesn't dock.

I like Luminae and if I'm on S class I sometimes order for the MDR. One of the big perks for me is having the same waitstaff for every meal. I love the Retreat deck and was able to find chairs with shade on Silhouette, Edge and Equinox. I sailed Reflection over Thanksgiving, which doesn't have the Retreat deck, and I won't make that mistake again. Mostly because we were sailing at 90% capacity and there were a lot of kids on board. Even the Solarium was very full so I would've enjoyed the serenity of the Retreat Deck and not having to stand in the long line at the Mast Grill for lunch on a port day. I avoid the OVC at all costs because of the guests that act like they've never seen a buffet before. (If you are in front of me and inspect every.single.piece.of.lettuce before putting it on your plate, I will go John Wick on you)

Really no food? I know I know, it's like taking sand to the beach. What about candy bars (I like to give to the crew) or Kind bars I like to snack on while on an excursion?

Yup! I did corporate travel for about 10 years until being laid off in the recession of '09. Plus they were replacing us with a website. I wouldn't go back to it. Low pay + very little vacation time means you couldn't even take the "cheap" trips that were few and far between.

I'm following since I booked a SS on Ascent mid December.

I'm Elite Plus and I use the free laundry every cruise. It's less I have to pack so I think it's a wonderful perk.

I'm also a big planner - I have all my excursions and special dinners already booked for my November and December cruises. I WAS a travel agent and I HATED doing other peoples vacations and only lasted about a year. This was the late 80s before the internet and in a small town where no one went any farther than Ocean City, MD (which was more expensive than a cruise but you couldn't tell them that). The worst was doing all the work, sitting on the phone for hours, getting prices for multiple hotels, etc and then they say "Oh yeah....I booked it with my aunt/cousin/niece/friend.....who is also a travel agent." UGH!

For those of us that prefer Android same thing as Airtags called "Tile". I bought mine from Amazon - 2 for about $50.

What is "Bella experience"?

Following since I booked my 1st MSC cruise on Seashore for November in YC. I usually do the Retreat on Celebrity but thought I would check this out. Also, when in YC you can check in anytime just like the Retreat? Asking because my check in is listed for 3pm and I usually board around 1130.

I've looked at bookings where Aqua was same price as Concierge and others where it was $300 more. It breaks down to supply and demand for each sailing.

I have my 1st MSC booked for November. What are the chocolate bars and are they worth the price?

What happened to this review? Where is the rest?

I can't find the menus for the specialty restaurants, can anyone help me?

I had the corner suite on the Thanksgiving cruise a few months ago. LOVED the cabin. I will not do another ship without a Retreat deck again but Michael's club was updated and very pretty.

Following along since I was on Silhouette for Christmas and am looking into an MSC for November. And the globe dress (that I bought after briefly meeting you at the martini bar) is awesome. I wash it in the sink then clip it to a chair on the balcony and it's good as new. All of my wardrobe should be that material. If you happen to meet Robin in Luminae he's wonderful and Leo was the Retreat bartender. Tell them Susie that gave them socks for Christmas said hello!

Good to know! I just hit Elite Plus. I want to do a Thanksgiving cruise this year but not liking the options on Celebrity. I did it last year on a ship without a Retreat deck and I won't make that mistake again. Way too peopley.

I've sailed Celebrity Retreat several times but was wondering how MSC's Yacht Club compares. Does anyone have any reviews for me?

At least you were able to redeem the certificate. It kept telling me "invalid credit card" every time I tried to pay - no matter what card I used.

I did this in March and the coupon for the free glasses did not work. Someone on here said they stopped doing the free glasses in 2020 and the person running the class should have known that.

I was on Reflection for Thanksgiving and that was the 1st time we didn't change the clocks. I sail Silhouette next week and on the daily planner I did see something about the time change. It's so stupid, I wish we could stop doing it forever.

LOVE the shirt!

I was able to get back the Behind the Scenes and the excursion I wanted - at the lower price. If something shows sold out just keep checking back.