morpheusofthesea

Now this is a photo from the starboard side of the drop off points down below. On the left is general drop off and about 50 ft to the right are the tent tops for YC. By about 3 pm the 'red carpets' are rolled up and the tents removed, gangway stowed away. 'Show time'.

Below is photo of the YC section in the terminal and the refreshment table. Not quite as nice as precovid when we had sofas and cushioned chairs, sandwiches, champagne, chocolates and sometimes even live music. Buffet lunch opens at 12:30 at the one pool deck, no one there before as the attendants are helping with luggage, wheelchairs etc. Counted at least 75 B2B'ers getting back on board. Heard that there are 3200 on board of which 298 in the YC. School is out.

Started this morning by getting in the proper mood. Continuous loop of National Lampoons "Holiday Road". Got to port of Miami about 9:30 and pulled up to white tents. Unloaded DW's 12 suitcases and tipped the porter $50 to make sure our bags did not 'end up in the 'drink'. DW mentioned to the porter she read about those things happening to luggage on occasion. All luggage arrived at 1:30.

We got to OC rather late. (4 th attempt was a charm) May 14th sailing. Everyone got off the ship at the same time so there was an extremely long line waiting for the 12 person trolley to Ocean House. So we opted to hit the shops and mosey back to the ship. We recommend to eat at least once at Ocean House. First time we ate on the veranda, like Bali Hai with the palm swaying and the waves crashing on the rocks a few yards away. The next time the wind was blowing and the temperature dropped, so we were fortunate to get one of the very few tables inside. Really enjoyed the last time on board as well. Service at both was extraordinary. We tipped our waiters $10 each time. (Since they were not our regular waiters in the YC).

Same menu , but I defer to rkacruiser as the expert on most matters. Not really a lobster fan. I'll make a mental note as we leave tomorrow morning for the June 11 sailing. If we are able to dock, we will come back to the ship to eat at the YC pool deck and check.

On the eve of another exciting cruise vacation on board the magnificent MSC Seashore. I am hoping I can fit all DW's suitcases into the car. She has switched out some smaller ones for larger. She has offered to sit on one for the trip to the port. She is 5 foot tall and it just might work with 'head room'. In our case, life has been one of delayed gratification. It is very hard to break away from successful habits, but our time has come. And these posts are my catharsis. This is all there is. This is the best life has to offer. Enjoy, dance, dress up, dance some more and have a ball.

"Is that all there isIs that all there isIf that's all there is, my friendsThen let's keep dancingLet's break out the booze and have a ballIf that's all there is. " Got our 'negatives'... So I'm back to musing about our upcoming cruise on the beautiful Seashore. Heard Peggy Lee's rendition this morning and have had this 'earworm' all day. Been reading social media of several posters not finding the same great time aboard the Seashore that 'most' of us aficionados have come to enjoy. Perhaps it age. The world is always in turmoil. Our regrets were the cruises we cancelled because of world events frightening us. But these are posters who perhaps read our glowing reports of instant service, good food, great entertainment, no lines at any venue are missing their favorite brand of beverage and are having 'meltdowns' about the entire cruise. I fear with "age comes wisdom, but sometimes age comes alone." O. Wilde

Same items on the YC pool deck. Also, we had the option for a couple of hamburgers and fries. No waiting for a table. Quite pleasant.

I happen to fall into this category. We enjoy a large enough cabin with room to dance, a separate bedroom and a quiet large balcony helps me attain a "Blue Mind". The balcony must be at least 100 sq ft and not be bulk head so my ocean view is intact when in an inclined position. Prefer total shade, so rotate from cabin to YC pool deck cabana of Seashore type ship vs Divina RS (bulkhead type). Each of the above ships and cabins fit this criteria without going to a higher category suite, they are the very minimum. "The best laid schemes of mice and men..." No one can prevent cabin neighbors from smoking on their verandas or coughing up a storm in the cabana next door, so an attachable deck chair umbrella is invaluable when one must seek refuge again in ones cabin balcony in the sun.

Thank you for your reply. It was your post a few years ago (2017 ?) that prompted us to book the YC in 2018 and greatly value your opinions ever since. Found the YC 'enclave' more like a refuge, a castle with no real need to wander outside its 'walls'. Several steps above the Haven and just one step above the Retreat. Going to try HAL's N.Amsterdam (Pinnacle suite), Regent Mariner (MS), Regent Grandeur (GS), Explora 1 (GP) and Oceania Sirena (OS) to compare. Our we making any mistakes? P.S. Never acquired a taste for caviar. Only service that funnels to a greater "Blue Mind" experience.

Different strokes for different folks ? Slow running water always has me running in search of a 'head'. What kind of feeling did you get ? Which other cruise lines ? I respect your opinions. Makes us wonder why we are being 'singled out' for such treatment. It obviously does not occur since you and anyone else never witnessed this ?

I guess back in 2016 you thought quite differently about MSC, hence mscdivina2016 is your 'handle'.? P.S. Yes, if what happened to you happened to me I would definitely have a hard time attaining my "Blue Mind" state.

All these beautiful things provided to us in the Yacht Club contribute by relaxing our sensitive natures. I never enjoyed the sea as much 40 years ago traveling on two lowers on the inside. Walking through cluttered hallways of trays filled with soiled plates and half drank glasses. Standing in long lines waiting to see a guest relations purser, never finding an available deck chair unless I 'play the game ' and get up every morning before dawn and 'hog' our own. Never could get to a "Blue Mind" or experience "negative ions" when inundated by these types of things. Now find that being treated with 'kid gloves' is the way to achieve Nirvana.

Yes. Indeed. I am glad you brought this up. It adds to my list. I find that to enhance my "blue mind" lounging out on my shaded balcony over looking the endless ocean listening to the ship cutting its way through the water, I increase my negative ions by eating milk chocolate. " Once they reach our bloodstream, negative ions are believed to produce biochemical reactions that increase levels of the mood chemical serotonin, helping to alleviate depression, relieve stress, and boost our daytime energy." I stock up at the Venchi chocolate kiosk the first evening of my cruise. Thank you for your kind words.

Another subtle difference of the Yacht Club that it allows the “blue mind” to take hold faster and last longer while on board several MSC vessels, is the ambience of the Top Sail Lounge. Wall to wall, ceiling to floor glass windows spanning the bow of the ship and rising two decks with background music during the day featuring vocals by greats like, Ella Fitzgerald. Ever present butlers in crisp, clean livery providing instantaneous service. In the evenings a pianist, violinist or sometimes both, indulges one in an elegant meeting place before being escorted to dinner by one's personal butler, up a Swarovski jeweled lighted staircase into the loft-like YC restaurant above.

In a sequel to the last post. It just dawned on my feeble mind, that traveling in the YC also saves me the cost of buying a Royal Title.

Here is an example of the subtle differences employed in the YC that contributes to a better ‘blue mind’. Butlers dressed as traditional butlers in ‘over the top’ Hollywood style costumes with white gloves. Evoking in YC guests an air of deserving Royal treatment. (and for most of us, receiving Royal treatment). For instance being addressed as’Sir’ Morpheus. I have more. Can you spot any ?

“What is a blue mind? Water in the ocean, rivers, lakes and even baths can make us feel calmer, increase well-being and boost creativity. Blue Mind is the mildly meditative state people fall into when they are near, in, under or on water. Water positively affects the mind and body, and the Blue Mind Theory provides ways people can use water to improve their well-being. Blue Mind is the term used to describe the state of water-associated peace. Some of the ways water can produce physical and mental health benefits include: Bodies of water trigger involuntary attention, which is essential to problem-solving and creativity. Water increases the neurotransmitters dopamine, sometimes called the feel-good hormone; serotonin, also known as the happiness hormone; and oxytocin, described as the cuddle hormone; and decreases cortisol, described as the stress hormone. Water is a source of awe that expands a person’s compassion. The color, sound and feel of water can lower pulse rate and increase feelings of calmness.” Great YC service promotes the “blue mind” better than the competition.

So you are saying "This ship has sailed."

I am quoting myself because in rereading this post we asked ourselves why ? Usually it is bittersweet. But since this pandemic thing that hit us all, the approximately 2 years of ships sidelined, and our ages, we drastically upped our cruise game and have booked cruises 9 months out of 12, instead of 3. We are definitely making up for lost time. Do not want to look back and say we should have cruised more. Do not think anyone could look back and say they cruised too much.

By all means ! Everyones input is much appreciated and gives me more avenues I might have missed these past cruises, to investigate on upcoming cruises.

One need not book suites at the present time to get real attention and service for a low low price. One reason we book suites is to get real attention and service, but we had to pay a real high price. Now all we are getting in addition to a real high price is a bigger cabin with a bigger balcony. So those passengers who still have not been spoiled by cabin and balcony sizes are in for a real treat cruising on the lines that are limiting capacities. These 'lucky' cruisers are experiencing instant gratification that only suite guests are used to expecting. P.S. No, I am not a travel agent.

While on a recent cruise, we attended the first evenings show in the theatre. The cruise director’s welcome speech was quite telling. He said “that our sailing had about 1000 passengers out of about 6000 guest capacity. This meant we could now save 6 deck chairs around the pool deck instead of just 2. Why not? All now have the benefit and feel of cruising on the largest ‘yacht’ in the world.” No lines anywhere. Walk up to any venue and be immediately seated. Commandeer 2 deck lounge chairs in the sun and 2 in the shade. Able to socially distance in any venue. Less crowded, even empty elevators with little wait. If guests want to get the ‘feel’ of what it is like to cruise on some of the largest ‘yachts’ in the world, right now is the time. Choose a line that is still limiting passenger capacity

I do not know how to answer this.

Very good to know. Now we can sort of scratch the Mera type off out desire list, like Divina. I love the balconies with glass, instead of bulk head. The Royal red Sophia Loren suite was too small, no storage space for my 'Diva's' 12 suitcases. I am sure that Ms. Loren found this out as well. Could not get wifi when lounging on the bulkheaded balcony and no view when in a reclining position. Similar balcony attributes of the Meraviglia. You are a wealth of information and one of this boards greatest contributors. Thank you.