no1talks

Here is something I don't think you've experienced in NCL's Haven...

The Yacht Club dining room (Le Muse) on Divina is nearly all the way aft on Deck 15. Yacht Club proper is situated nearly all the way forward, on decks 15 and up. Accordingly, you'll have a bit of a jaunt to take for your YC meals. Some folks like the "meal walk" and other YCers prefer the layout on newer ships, with the YC dining room included in the Yacht Club enclave.

1 hour ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Finally docked at 1:30. All aboard at 7:30. Only  food trucks will be open for dining.

In a similar situation, we'd likely remain on the ship. I hope the ship's YC amenities are to remain available, seeing as a half-hearted Ocean Cay scenario isn't a fair trade.

1 hour ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Well it's 10 am last day and the captain has made 3 attempts to enter the narrows into Ocean Cay. Will keep us informed.

MSC should have devised a more reliable approach. Cruisers on Carnival and HAL must also roll the dice for their Half Moon Cay, because it is tendered. But, supposedly, a deep-water dock is to be constructed soon.

Once that is built, I think that will leave only MSC at the mercy of winds/chop, among the various lines' private islands.

On 5/18/2022 at 6:57 PM, rkacruiser said:

"You had a drink package?  I never buy these things.  For me, there is no value in them."

A drink package is indispensable for me.

One of the best things a cruise affords a passenger is the chance to try unfamiliar dishes at no extra cost. "Well, I've never had osso buco... Oh, why the hell not! Bring it on."

In the same spirit (pun intended) one can try unfamiliar adult beverages under the auspices of the ever-so-handy drink package. I try new cocktails and wines often and I've no compunction about drinking just ⅓ to ½ of a trial beverage, since there's no further cost incurred than the package price.

We've done the math. If we paid full fare for all our drinks, we would be paying a fair bit more than the cost of his-and-hers packages. Plus, we would be inclined to consume more of the individual drinks.

Our wallet (and our livers) are glad we get the package.

44 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Just spent the last hour looking with binoculars over the railing of our balcony for someone overboard. Captain made announcement if all could be on lookout. Stopped in water for about an hour 4 to 5 pm. Terrible if true....Just one announcement asking for two people report to guest services or call.

And on the heels of a woman going overboard from Celebrity Solstice during the early morning of the 17th... 

I was going to offer a witticism to you and @JAGR regarding the possibility we three will be on the same sailing of Seascape in March. It seems in poor jest, now, given your tragic news.

Nonetheless, our cruise is scheduled for March 12th-19th.

36 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

"We went to the concierge station to ask for tip envelopes."

Say, do you have a picture of MSC's tip envelops? I've been bringing my own from home.

40 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

"...we are booked for December..."

We shall be "Seascaping" in March. I very much look forward to your cruise comments for that ship.

39 minutes ago, hamrag said:

"...there is a limited spirits & champagne menu from which you select one bottle of your choice per cruise..."

Since YC covered drinks all over the ship, we didn't want to bother with a full bottle of liquor. Instead, we made a souvenir of ours and collected signatures like a HS yearbook.

1 hour ago, KINGBOBOFTHENORTH said:

Guess I got to call them and try to snag that extra 5%. It's not a lot but if I'm entitled, I want it.

Good Luck! Let us know how it goes. 👍

Meh.

We have '23 booked and '24 planned. We were really hoping to score a 5%+15% for '24, since we'll have airfare to Europe as an added expense. When the time comes to pick a European cruise, maybe we go with another Euro-centric company if MSC isn't such a deal.

But, if we're talking about cruising out of the U.S., we'll tolerate some lost value with MSC, because my European wife likes the European vibe. If MSC gets too Americanized, or if the Yacht Club gets too pricey, Silversea's rates on their U.S. port-to-port selections aren't much more expensive than YC. Too bad Silversea seems to offer the P2P price on only a few cruises.

22 minutes ago, baelor said:

Off-white?  I am so confused.   We must differ in our definitions of tuxedos/dinner jackets.

What styles of black jacket do you prefer?

True, depending on different factors, words/phrases under the category of men's formal wear can have overlapping meanings. For off-white dinner jacket, I'm referring to this...


For black jacket or "regular" tuxedos, I'll have on hand one traditional style and one fashion-forward style. As an example from our most recent cruise, my wife had me buy this one for the modern looking outfit...

(That's not me, of course. We didn't get a picture of me on the one evening I wore it.)

Here's my more traditional tuxedo...


I change things up by bringing extra ties, vests, and pocket silks. 

Cheers!

1 hour ago, NMsunset said:

If you are wearing a tux on any of my Caribbean cruises, I will assume you are working and ask for you for a cocktail😎

Wow! A guy spends the day at work and all Hell breaks loose on the topic. I suppose somebody will say something akin to, "This is nothing. You should have seen the duvet cover-hospital corners brouhaha of '15." 🏨

As for me, I bring three tuxedos to Caribbean cruises. (Two styles black jacket, one off-white.) I'm dressed in one and ready to roll, every evening at 6 PM. I don't need the words "gala," "formal," or "elegant" for permission to do so. 

If someone were to ask me to take their drink order, mischief would undoubtedly ensue. 😉

4 hours ago, alyssamma said:

So by that logic when you go to a good restaurant in town you are going on vacation?

Depending on one's day to day life, an evening at a particularly nice restaurant can be as much a respite as a vacation, albeit all too brief.

5 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Going to dinner at any day on a cruise ship is for me like going for dinner at a good restaurant in town

42 minutes ago, perakcruiser said:

And the phrase "dress code" does also not exist,

I admit I'm not a native speaker of German, but I'm pretty sure Kleiderordnung means the exact same thing as dress code.

I've not looked at MSC's websites for other parts of the world. Aren't they in other languages, to elimate missinderstanding of English phrases?

8 hours ago, NCTribeFan said:

Can't believe I missed the omelets after all that circling of the buffet stations!

 

Looks like Divina will be in Miami by next January.  Of course, that's all still subject to change!  I may book her if my DD wants to go.

 

Yes, I've often had servers who seem to assume that I must be waiting for someone to join me.  They should ask, though, not assume.

 

Actually, the first night at the Shine Bar (where I had to teach the bartenders how to make a Dark & Stormy), a guy selling dining packages walked up and the first thing he said was "why are you alone?"  My response was "what?"  He repeated it.  Uh, because I'm sailing solo!  And he again said "but why are you alone?"  BECAUSE I WANT TO BE!  Maybe some of these folks are just from highly patriarchal societies where they just don't see women out by themselves.  But if they're going to be working with people from different cultures, they should be made aware that this is not all THAT uncommon these days.  I'm not sure whether I actually saw anyone else on the entire ship that appeared to be solo, ,though.

 

Does MSC send out emails for feedback after their cruises?  I can't remember whether I got them in the past or not.  There were several things I wanted to share with them.

1) I'm a bit appalled cruise bartenders didn't know the Dark & Stormy. They're mixing drinks on a cruise ship. Rum cocktails should be in their wheelhouse. Furthermore, Moscow Mule variations are listed on various drink menus and if one knows that drink, one should know the Dark & Stormy.

2) Did they have actual ginger beer for the Dark & Stormy, or was it sad ginger ale? I know several menus' drinks mention ginger beer, but I did not see a proper ginger beer, such as Gosings, listed on any bar's menu.
3) A customer comments e-mail promptly arrived in my inbox shortly after our cruise on Mera, which was a few months ago.

3 hours ago, neptuno said:

One would hope that those who choose to ignore the dress code and wear shorts to dinner,  would politely choose to dine in the buffet, out of respect for the guests in the main dining room.

I respectfully disagree. Let people be casual if they want. Not everyone can "act natural" while dressed up for a meal. One can study a room of dinners and immediately spot those who are ill at ease in mandatory finery. far be it from me, to condemn them to the buffet or deck grill. 

"He that is without a crooked Half-Windsor among you, let him first cast the first penny loafer."

If anyone would be expected to hold ill will for extra-casual passengers in the MDR, that person would be me. I tux up every evening in time for before-dinner cocktails and I dress for sea days, too. Here's a lunch pic...

(The higher the hair, the closer to God. 😉)

On 4/19/2022 at 7:11 AM, Morgsmom said:

Do any of our TA friends out there (or anyone with an MSC "in") have a sense if the 5+10 or 5+15% Voyagers sailings will be coming back?  

 

I really hope MSC brings the program back to the website.

A Scandinavian cruise of some sort is under consideration for '24 and it would be nice to get a deal.

12 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

You should consider auditioning for Dos Equis's "Most Interesting Man in the World" (younger version of course).

Narrator: "On a cruise, he brings more tuxedos than other men bring collared shirts. The minibar in any cabin he occupies suddenly contains chocolate covered peanuts. Ships' captains hope for an invitation to his table. He is the most interesting man on Ocean Cay."

Me: "I don't always drink champagne. But when I do, I prefer Nicolas Feuillatte...   because it's included."

"Stay in Yacht Club, my friends."

4 hours ago, JAGR said:

"Buttergate"

Buttergate!?

Well, as they say down South, "Butter my butt and call me a biscuit!" I'm sorry to have not been around for that. I imargarine tempers were whipped up and it was hard to stick to polite conversation.
😉 

54 minutes ago, westcoasttech said:

are there possibilities for shade in the area without having to stretch to a cabana?

Free shade in YC area was available during a cruise with YC half-ish full. (Note the cabana in the background.) Butlers will rearrange things as shade changes, if you like.

1 hour ago, rkacruiser said:

Some YC guests enjoy an evening or more in one of the specialty restaurants.  Why?

If I may add to the esteemed RKA's comments, YCers can ask ahead of time for the preparation of pretty much any meal for which the ingredients are on board. We had a lovely paella which was not on the menu that cruise, but does appear on the menu from time to time.

I'd bet that much of what is available at the specialty restaurants can be replicated pretty closely in YC. Obviously, there's no Teppanyaki cooking station in YC, but if you see something on a specialty menu you'd like to try, ask the YC maître d' a day or two in advance if their kitchen can cover it.

3 hours ago, jcathers1 said:

Any tips/hints? We've sailed with MSC a few times, but never since OC was opened. 

Here's a tip for those who like atypical cocktails while on the lash in the OC.

Ask before Ocean Cay day if the ingredients for your favorite beach libation can be ported to the YC watering hole.

Let us suppose, against all probability, you like to drink Hanky Pankys on the beach. Well, they'll certainly have several gins to choose from and I'd be surprised if the requisite sweet vermouth isn't brought to OC. However, I'll bet all the marbles that Fernet-Branca is left on the ship. Without that stuff, there will be no hanky panky. (At least not the cocktail kind.)

So, check the afternoon before OC on odd cocktail ingredient availability. This also goes for a preferred brand of liquor in a regular cocktail. Do you like sea breezes made with Chopin vodka? Ask to make sure they bring it along.
 

1 hour ago, jcathers1 said:

 ...or general to inside cabins.

Any small cruise cabin is helped by bringing strong magnetic hooks.

Hang stuff from the metal walls to save on the limited "closet space." and flat surface area.

38 minutes ago, Oxo said:

Sorry. I didn't look up who was posting. Do you really wear a tux or suit every night?

If you do, you deserve a drink. Next time I see you onboard, I will ensure that I buy you one.

Stay Safe and Happy Cruising! 

No worries about the ID.

I do indeed tux-up every evening, 6 PM sharp. I get spiffy for the sea days, too, Generally wearing a navy blazer with white or khaki dress pants. I'll change things up with a waistcoat instead of a blazer.

I do not, however, begrudge others their casual attire. I don't dress up to be snooty about it.

My outlook is: If I've gone to the trouble of going out to the middle of the ocean, I might as well dress better than an evening at Olive Garden.

If you are going to be on Seascape in March of next year, there may be an opportunity for that drink.

Cheers!