GA Dave

9 minutes ago, GPPhilly said:

I read so much on here, I might have missed something but something last week on my Northern Europe cruise on the Euribia one thing we were told is that when getting a drink outside of the YC if it was over the maximum drink allowance you would have to pay the full cost not just the difference.  I swear I read at some point at least in the USA it was just the difference.  Was I wrong?  It never happened but I didn't know if it was a new policy or I was just misremembering something.  

The policy was changed in April 2023 to just paying the difference. Prior to that, you had to pay the full cost.

Just now, wolft927 said:

 my question would be during an overnight stay can you come and go throughout the night onto the island?

 

No. They usually have an all-aboard time of 11:00 or 11:30 PM and reopen the island around 8:00 AM. The employees who live on the island need to have time to clean, sleep, etc.

On 4/29/2024 at 6:15 AM, rrraydon said:

Magnifica last month we just watched the video, made the call and went to the MS and had our card scanned. No problem.

I am sailing Magnifica this weekend. Was it still the "go to your cabin at a specific time to watch the video, dial 881, and then everyone going to their muster stations at the same time to be scanned", or was it do it at any time before sailing like Seascape?

I have done several cruises that stayed at Ocean Cay until 4:00 PM or later the second day. During each, the regular buffet and food trucks were open for lunch, they were holding excursions such as jet skiing, snorkeling, etc., and Ocean House at the Yacht Club Beach had a different menu for lunch on day 2 vs day 1.

Just now, Heartgrove said:

 

Thanks for the Head Up! It looks like 7-night sailing beginning 10/04/2025 from LA. That also raises the question of a possible Grand Voyage to arrive at LA. Ho about Japan Transpacific to LA?

I would absolutely be down for that. I have been wanting to sail on Meraviglia's sister ships for a while now and that would be a great way to sail on Bellissima.

Not sure if y'all have seen this. Not sure if my old heart could take this! 😄   MSC Cruises Reveals Jaw Dropping Cliffhanger Ride

13 hours ago, Moparfiend said:

MUSTER DRILL - new format, go at any time after boarding to have card scanned, watch video in room at any time, dial 881 from cabin phone and done.

 

Room - Every drawer is soft close, spotless, smells great, that diffuser is a nice touch. Shower had great pressure and plenty of room in (Deluxe Grand suite). Closet and two wardrobes give plenty of space.

 

Sofa is comfy, deck is a good size and they brought a lounger after asking.

 

 

This is very good news. The Cruise Director on Seashore told me two weeks ago that they were coming out with a new process to get rid of the cluster that is/was the current muster on my many cruises since the pandemic. This must be it. Thanks for something to look forward to.

17 hours ago, Heartgrove said:

The website shows an 11-night cruise that circles Japan on Oct. 2 - Oct. 13, 2024. Nothing is shown for 2025 but given past history there should be a similar cruise in 2025.

As an FYI: On Facebook, someone had shared a link a while back that showed the Bellissima on the berthing schedule for the Port of Los Angeles/Long Beach in late 2025.

11 minutes ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

Is Seascape the sister ship of Seashore?  If so, we did not notice any crowding issues in any of the YC venues you mentioned. And we sailed at nearly full capacity. In fact, we were often among the few in the TSL in the evening during live music and had the dance floor to ourselves.  On the last night, the waitstaff from the restaurant joined DH and me on the dance floor.  It was a lot of fun!  My only complaint for any of the Sea class ships is the lack of shade on the pool deck.

 

Glad you are enjoying your cruise!

That is my biggest complaint on Seaside vs Meraviglia. The total lack of shade on the sundeck is a big issue they need to fix. I know some people complained about the glass panels when I sailed on Meraviglia, but I was always able to find some loungers in full sun on that ship, but also found many with shade as well. The only thing you can do on Seaside is sit at the eating tables in the areas behind the One Bar, but those are NOT comfortable for laying out and reading, listening to music, etc.

I tried to hook up to a TV on Meraviglia and there are HDMI ports, but they are disabled. Not sure if there is a way around that.

7 hours ago, JamieLogical said:

 

That's interesting. The health questionnaire was required for cruising long before COVID was ever a thing. I remember being scared to fill one out on my very first cruise back in 2018, because I had had a bit of a sniffle the week before.

Hi Jaime. They have not asked for my health form at check in for the last three cruises on Seaside out of Canaveral. I gave it to them with my Embarkation Form as I always do, but they just took it and put it in a plastic file tray behind the desk are. They never looked at it. I think they are so over it all after how crazy the check in was for cruises back in 2021 and 2022, with Covid tests, temperature checks, full page questionnaires, etc.

I can say that back in late 2021/early 2022, when the ships were sailing at 10-20% capacity and we had maybe 20-30 people in Yacht Club, I was able to get permission from the Concierge to escort a few people through the YC facilities as a kind of "show and tell". They always said it was fine as long as they did not use any of the services, i.e., drinks, food, and we were out in 20-30 minutes. I think they were allowing it as they were desperate to get the ships, and particularly YC, sold out again.

Recent cruises the ships have been so full I have not even asked. But I also have seen two instances in the last nine months of people getting escorted out, once on Meraviglia and once on Seaside.

On 9/19/2023 at 8:47 AM, Essiesmom said:

I think if guests are caught loaning out wristbands, the bands should be confiscated.  And no reissue if they claim they were ‘lost’.  Perhaps they should install facial recognition for entry into YC.  EM

I just saw an article today that Universal Orlando is going to be doing that in their new Epic Universe park to cut down on the people cheating their Express system. I would happily smile my way into Yacht Club every time if it would eliminate the interlopers.

On 9/6/2023 at 1:24 PM, CruisingWalter said:

I do hope they keep the natural charm of the island.  Beyond the dredging to get the channel ready for World America we did hear some folks talking on the Seaside in May that the Y/C area is going to get some upgraded facilities and possibly turning that into a sandy beach, vs. the rocky shore.  Personally I love the rocky shores and the natural feel of the island. It was so fun to have the overnight and then on day 2 discover the rock sculpture garden. I think that was one of my favorite finds on the island. 

 

Another big tip if you have not been yet, skip lunch on the island and walk back to the ship. The lines were very long for the island food hall (I understand they are building a second one soon) and the food was kinda boring and uninspiring. It literally took us 5 minutes to walk from the island food hall back to the ship. A few minutes later we were in the Marketplace Buffet where the food was much more fresh than what we saw on the island. After lunch we just went back out to our spots on the island. Unlike CocoCay and Castaway Cay, the ship is right there alongside island instead of being out at the end of a long pier, so it's really convenient to go back to the ship for lunch. 

Personally I love lunch on the island. Of course, I am usually in Yacht Club. I order the cheeseburger and also the Lobster Roll without the bun, then put the lobster on the burger. YUM!!

I just watched it sail away on time out of Canaveral. Everything looked normal, but they do keep a reduced speed in the channel.

51 minutes ago, andychris said:

New to MSC and the yacht club. Can you please tell me what is included in the yacht club fare? 

Thank You!

3 hours ago, Lupush said:

I've seen some horror stories over the Seascape muster drill.  Not going until March, but this is stressing me out.

No, this is a horror. Hope and pray we never go back to this.

20 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Don't really know for sure, but those with mobility issues and need an elevator should wait for the muster drill the following day and use the elevators.

Actually, if you are disabled, the crew in front of the elevators can activate one for you. I have seen many people in wheelchairs, scooters, and knee walkers allowed to use the elevators during muster on MSC ships.

That is going to be one long walk from the garage to the far end (ocean end) of the terminal if there are three ships in there at once. Hope they put in moving walkways like the airports!!

I am looking forward to the expanded Ocean House facility for YC. The last several months they have been having to put people out on the side and front lawns for lunch and, even with umbrellas, it gets toasty out there. I always go over at least 30 minutes before lunch starts and stake out a table on the shaded veranda.

I have won bids up to Yacht Club five times as a solo. Definitely worth it even though they double my bid.

My neighbor's entire family has Covid right now. They got it when they went to the Open House for our local primary school. It is really spreading through our schools right now.

24 minutes ago, pirate4me2 said:

I have that cabin next September with my husband, let me know how it is being so far forward please! 
 

That burger was SO GOOD!!! 

I will. I have been in the forward-facing balcony Deluxe Suites on Meraviglia many times and never had an issue. I just wish the Seaside-class ships had those as well. I love being able to see where we are going. It made for an amazing approach into NY harbor when I went on the reposition cruise!  

On 8/21/2023 at 4:54 PM, pirate4me2 said:

Mom and I were saying today that the lobster roll “innerds” would be so delicious on a salad! 

What I do is order a lobster roll without the roll and a cheeseburger and I put the lobster meat on the burger. So yumalicious!!

Edit: Just made it to the bottom of page 3 and saw you did the "lobster burger" combo! It is truly amazing. Glad you enjoyed it.

On 8/21/2023 at 3:52 PM, pirate4me2 said:

After our late-ish night last night, I slept in until 9. What a treat that was! Even though our cabin (18028) is under the pool deck, I never heard any noise from above. I gotta say, I love our cabin location…1 deck down to concierge and Top Sail Lounge, same deck as the YC restaurant, 1 deck up to the pool deck. It’s also close to the stairs and elevators…just a perfect location! Added

bonus: check out our balcony view. I think this will be PERFECT for tonight, if I don’t feel like venturing out into the island again! 
 

I will be in 18004 next week. I sailed in 16022 in June and had 16023 last month. Looking forward to being on deck 18 for a change. Hope you enjoy the rest of your cruise!