morpheusofthesea

I have found the same great service from our independent travel agent and whenever we call into whatever 800 number is listed on MSC page. We always have our Voyager number ready to dial in when prompted. I do not know for a fact, but I surmise that the more seasoned agents are routed the Voyager Club members from all the complaints I read here. I recall a story from a vice president of a cruise line, who went on to be president of Seabourn, that their frequent cruisers were tagged for special treatment when they called into the cruise line.

We have done that several times, Side by side, one week here one week there. Now into our 45 wedding anniversary it would be B2B.

Sure, it will take longer to check in at the port. But who should care holding up the line? Me, me, me, It's all about me. Then I'll have something to write home about. The long time it took at embarkation.

"We have met the enemy and they is us." Pogo (Walt Kelly)

A couple of postings jogged another memory of one of our summer sailings with all the interlopers crashing the Yacht Club. The official YCers were having trouble finding a lounge chair on the One Pool Deck and one pool attendant took it upon himself to begin checking by asking cabin numbers. He caught one group of 7 and asked them to leave. One of the group tried to bribe him with cash to stay. I felt bad for the pool attendant losing out on some easy cash. I went over to him and gave him $20 bucks for his effort to clear the venue of interlopers. After another 20 minutes my DW comes over to me to retrieve her cabin card (she doesn't wear the wrist band). She says "the pool attendant thinks I'm an interloper and wants some proof I'm not." I gave her her card and another $5 to tip him for keeping up the good work.

It may make sense if one has trip interruption insurance. The fine print indicates one must make every attempt to make it to the port even if one knows the ship has already left. One must call their insurance company from the port in order not to be denied reimbursement. P.S. Unless, of course this cruise is pocket change.

At no time that I know of. That is just my point. NO NON-YC Diamond members gain access to YC venues, whereas RCCL NONSUITE Pinnacles do gain access and Celebrity Non Retreat ZENITHS do gain access. "I live constantly in the fear of not being misunderstood." Oscar Wilde

Cheers !

One does NOT have the problem of suite venues over run by NON-suite guests, Pinnacles RCCL and Zenith Celebrity in the Yacht Club by non YC Diamonds. Though I have to admit that on occasion the YC can be over crowded due to an unbridled list of family and friends of the hotel director. One holiday we had on Seascape 330 guests (131 YC cabins) and an additional 44 guests residing outside the YC with full access to YC venues.

Let us examine the most popular Mexican ports. First State Department Advisories: Level 4: The six states with the “do not travel” advisory, because of kidnappings and other crimes, are the northern border state of Tamaulipas, the central state of Zacatecas and the Pacific coast states of Sinaloa, Colima, Michoacán and Guerrero. Level 3: The seven states for which visitors are advised to “reconsider travel” because of crime are Baja California (Norte), Sonora, Chiapas, Chihuahua, Guanajuato, Jalisco and Morelos. Mazatlan is Sinaloa level 4 Puerto Valiarta is Jalisco level 3 Acapulco is Guerrero level 4 Manzanillo is Colima level 4 The only relatively normal caution is La Paz Baja California Sur Why position a ship with no place safe to travel to ?

Then there are those that come home and wonder why they were treated to little or no service. This may explain a lot. Master of the Equinox, Capt. Tasos Kafetzis (a comedian himself), was introducing his staff (as most captains do every cruise). When introducing his hotel manager he remarked that "this is the man tasked with making sure one gets the service one deserves.... and should one not receive the service one deserves,........ then one is not deserving of the service.".(audience laughs) He finishes "I am glad we are the same page !" I guess not everyone is deserving of good service?

Where would the natives welcome such a ship and what nearby foreign port ? We are talking closed loop 7 day sailings. Maybe MSC is contemplating transforming another island like Ocean Cay?

I tip indiscreetly, tactlessly, undiplomatically just to frost the non-tippers.

Tipping helps. Word gets around.

If you get to the port and it remains open and you get on board...you will have a great time. Safest place to be in a hurricane is on board a ship that can easily out run it. Just to make sure one is not hit with any high anxiety go to the Sports Bar and order a pitcher of beer every 7 minutes until one of your party passes out, then a pitcher of beer every 10 minutes.