morpheusofthesea

It happens especially to us old folks. Just walking down the street in Cozumel a young guy outside a shop stops us with a big smile and hello and says "You don't recognize me ? I'm your waiter on the ship. I got the afternoon off to help my family ,come in take a look around." Another time the salesperson locked the door once we were inside. Come to think about it the Rug shop in Istanbul locked the whole bus load of us in as well. Must be standard worldwide operating procedure ?

MSC is cutting themselves short is the right answer. Being a family run operation backed by the world's largest container shipping company, they have no shareholders to answer to other themselves. Now is the best time in cruising history to take advantage of the lowest prices in this cruise war to the top. MSC is the top in container, it is the top in European cruises and it wants to become the top in the world cruise industry. They are taking advantage of the situation in the over leveraged state of their cruise competitors. NCL even asked MSC to take them over. MSC refused the offer insisting instead to keep building newer ships. Only word of advice is to book as far in advance as possible to lock in these low prices. World events could change things, and not for the better.

That only happens in 'Fantasy Land'.

We were on the Seascape a few months ago and the concierge in the YC was 'aghast' that a guest was able to get the Royal Suite for $5000 total. The staff are upset because it took them years to get to the highest positions within the MSC organization, those within the Yacht Club. For their services to be 'discounted', as management is currently doing, is an affront to their hard earned efforts. I recall early on a YC director boasting that the Owners Suite was now commanding $14,000 for one week. They took pride in this. The same suites are commanding double this on other supposedly luxury cruise lines. We are testing these 'others' out and so far only Explora Journeys comes the closest to Yacht Club treatment (as one would expect from a sister organization).

Yes.

Will report as we are booked on Explora as well.

I can dream, can't I ?

Interesting analysis. The "good times" written were NOT on the part of us passengers. They were the good times of the staff and officers of these cruise ships. We were just a necessary inconvenience that had to be put up with every week. We were privy to some behind the scenes information. Even our closest friend who worked as a pianist succumbed to the Princess mystic. He left Orient Lines for Princess because he heard from friends that the staff were treated better than passengers. "The Love Boat" was true for all those on board, except the passengers.

Oh, I'll have plenty of time. I did just that for another fellow ultracrepidarian and the maitre d looked at me as if I was describing an ET. As much as we 'think' of ourselves as the end all be all of mankind, these new found 'friends' forget us the moment we get off the ship. I have found that even a frequent cruiser like myself has to wave some $$ to refresh their memories (and even then I think they feigned recognition).

I learned from Winston Churchill that a report "should be like a woman's skirt, long enough to cover the subject, yet short enough to create interest."

That really can be a Godsend when the terminal is operated by someone other than the cruise line. Like the port authority that operates like a bank. The doors to an air conditioned terminal will not open until 10 am and early arrivals from airports and area hotels have to stand around in hot summer temperatures. (DW passed out and fire rescue had to come). How cruise lines take care of passengers before, during and after are all important to our well being and enjoyment. I remember Princess dumped a bus load of us off at the curb in Australia to fend for ourselves with luggage and no porters in sight 30 years ago and we never forgot that. The treatment we hope to receive at the new MSC terminal in Miami might just be a sought after treat just like the Captain's cocktail party. If the processing of each one of us becomes a more enjoyable procedure, some of us might linger longer to absorb a 2nd or 3rd glass of Champagne before being escorted to our cabins.

Your point is well taken and am sure that whatever MSC does for its YC guests it will be first class. About the cushions...am reminded of my DW's principal telling the teachers "Your students will probably never remember what you taught them, but they will always remember how you 'treated' them." I do not remember how soft or firm the cushions were, only that we were the only ones that got cushions in the terminal.

Preparing for another glorious week aboard the MSC Seascape out of Port Miami, to wipe away any vestige memory of our recent Regent Grandeur stint. Something must be said about antics occurring in hotels and cruise ships by low class vacationers. Disgusting adulterations to complimentary and especially to the mini bar products. Stealing product and replacing products with 'whatever' and covering up the theft to unawares future occupants. The only way to stop this theft and its consequences is to raise prices and/or just make everything in the cabin provided as complimentary or just remove 'for charge' items altogether. In the meantime traveling only in suites like the Yacht Club will be the only 'safe' way to travel as everything is complimentary and no need to 'steal' and replace. This probably has been going on for years, but now it is a 'thing' to document and show how it is done on social media. Ones first impression of a cruise is ones arrival and treatment at the terminal. Really, Really, looking forward to MSC's new terminal at the Port of Miami in April 2025. The Yacht Club area use to be a separate big room with MSC terminal staff to serve drinks, Champagne, etc to the guests seated on cushioned sofas and sometimes we even had entertainment. Of course this all starts with ones arrival at the terminal at the Port of Miami with a separate entrance and drop off with a 'special' terminal porter to tag ones luggage. (No carry on over 25" allowed into terminal as it will not fit through security x-ray and one will be stopped at the door entering the terminal and asked to step back and find a porter to check it). Regent Seven Seas check in is completely egalitarian. No separate lines, everyone crowded in front of terminal. A separate small self service table with hot water and coffee and for those that want some chips or soda Regent has two vending machines, so bring small bills.