morpheusofthesea

Today is sea day heading to Ocean Cay. Highlight is the sea food extravaganza on pool deck in YC. Butcher's Cut has a steak and egg special for lunch where the CD is 'holding court' for those wishing to say something. Announced that the swab test for B2Bers is mandatory and being conducted now in the Cabaret Rouge. Entertainers are rotated so everyone has a chance to hear them in the different venues throughout the ship. Actually felt many of the entertainers 'sounded' better when in the smaller, more intimate setting, eg. Atrium vs TSL.Will miss one of the best Madison Theatre productions due to technical difficulties, "Coast to Coast".

It is startling the contrast between posters. Perhaps first timers in the YC are struck by the attention. Then we and our service providers become complacent (?) on subsequent sailings. They and we become 'known' quantities ? Sure many of our favorites have not come back and the newbies do not know the extent of their services. But we had a seasoned butler on the first leg of our cruise in June and he was abruptly replaced by another butler who excelled even he. She was not quite sure the extent of her powers as a butler, so we did not expect instant gratification (a yes answer), but she came back with even more 'flourish'. How these butlers manage having 12/13 cabins to attend to and give such great service the entire cruise, begs the question.

Only points that come from quick chats. Specialty restaurants manager, Mustafa, who comes from RCCL, and is going to open the Europa, was excited about the promenade feature that will outdo the promenade of Royal ships. Having expressed our compliments to Mr. Balla on head butler Larysa command of the YC glitch during embarkation, he blamed it on this Terminal E stating it will only be until October when MSC expects their new terminal to be completed.

Found we have to download the MSC for me app every day in order to keep current with all the activities. That takes about 30 minutes each time. Guess we just have to carry the daily program. Only found one family this cruise doing laundry.

Did I mention there are 19 bars on the Seashore ? All open.

This is the closest the Seashore has compared to El Bacio on Celebrity. These pastries are all complimentary. Located inside the Brooklyn Cafe. Of course the YCers have their own complimentary selections all day and night in the TSL Perhaps the Seascape will have a more extensive selection to rival Celebrity?

Arrived about 10 am Puerto Plata DR. Noticed this cart filled with blue towels for guests to take ashore. This is the TSL, Top Sail Lounge gathering point for YCers to be escorted off the ship.

Our butler brought us our paper this morning and asked if we planned on having lunch at Ocean House when we get to Ocean Cay. Told butler not to worry about us, that we planned on having lunch on the ship. With 300 YCers /70 children felt it would be too crowded. Butler mentioned that swimming in the net guarded beach area, rays and baby sharks have gotten in.

A technical glitch tonight’s Madison Theater was changed to Mystic Forest. Highlight was contortion duo. Limited our viewings to just the early show. Caught a group called Fusion Groove in the Uptown Lounge. They are getting better every cruise. Get the impression that these performers are thrown together for this gig only. Brooklyn Cafe is hopping with the addition of a female vocalist. Even have guests dancing adding the drummer from the quartet for a song.

Nothing official.....But MSC plans to place a new EVO ship permanently out of Miami for the Caribbean. Just scuttlebutt.

Learned something today about future bookings while onboard. One should, at the present time when considering a B2B cruise, book them separately with different booking numbers while onboard. Up to $500 each cruise obc, double points, a bottle of liquor (Suites) for each cruise, 2 chocolate ships (Diamond) each cruise. A B2B with one booking number is considered only one cruise.

Tonight is lobster night. The Madison theatre production is "Coast to Coast', one of the not to be missed shows on the Seashore. In February and March it garnered standing ovations from the entire audiences in both seatings (went to both). By May the audiences became complacent and many were walking out before the grand finale to the point that the CD had to make an announcement before the shows that there was a surprise at the end of the show. (Of course, there was no surprise, just a great finale).

Havensight.

See post #14 second photo. Meager.

Most everyone is off the ship this morning. We have this super yacht like feel on the pool deck. Attendants just standing around waiting for a raised arm. One need not even get off ones lounger. We have the advantage of being so many stories up that the this deck captures a beautiful Caribbean breeze. It is just so difficult not to doze off. zzzzzz

The impression we get about these covid test result documentation is that they are not standardized. All the ship checkers are taking photos of are the words "Negative" somewhere on any piece of official 'looking' printout and the date of results. People are coming to the port and standing in line coughing and hacking with these 'negative' pieces of paper and getting on board all the times we have gone.

That was the impression I was given. Now I was only looking for a parking spot and had left DW at the terminal with luggage and porter tip. I was rushing to get back for check-in., having paid $169 pp 48 hrs prior to getting to port. Now the advertised "free" covid test might have caveats attached ? Like is one indigent ? Insurance ? So this information is applicable to those searching for a last minute test before getting on board a ship. That it is available. No dumb question, I thought the same after pulling away.

This afternoon at 3 pm is a Madison Theatre production called "Butterflies" an adaptation of "Madame Butterfly". As of this mornings post below there are still over 700 seats available.

Two of the main restaurants. One is a deck above the other. All the main restaurants have the same menu. Manhattan, we were told was for large groups.

Pulling into St. Thomas this morning.

Where else does one have a 'conga line' around the pool deck to the tune of "Volare".?

Tonight there is another full moon over San Juan out on the pool deck buffet and party. Beautiful, breezy. Photos to follow when we get back to cabin.

As it just happened we ran into Moustafa the specialty restaurant director whose idea it was for the sampling tour of the specialty restaurants. Asked him if he came from Carnival. He came from RCCL.He is opening the new Europa and his Assistant is opening Seascape.

After lunch, fish and chips, we 'scouted out' the Cabaret Rouge for a special presentation of Mr. Shea at 2 pm. Caught him practicing his act at 1:00, an hour before his show. Chatted with the production manager of the Cabaret Rouge. We were hoping to see the singing and dancing of "Women in Art" or Picasso this and Van Gogh's that. Found out their contract ended and won't be back. She mentioned another group is in the planning ??? We wonder what they did with all the costumes?