The Colonel_Cruises

Yes.

Thank you very much.  We are exited about our first cruise with MSC!

12 hours ago, numnums said:

On my last ship on the apex in Dec, 2022. I noticed an extremely small selection of drinks available. I have to say it was quite disappointing, as I was expecting some more frozen drinks or the like, preferably without any alcohol. Another unrelated reason was that the bar was overcapacity and I had to flag down waiters or stare at them intensely. I mostly got coffee at Al’s and evians on my premium, with some alcohol at night or during shows.

 

Now I’m not going to ramble about how some service was questionable, but I just want to know if anyone else knows if this is normal? When I went to the spa cafe, I was looking forward to some smoothies but I really didn’t want to have some ingredients included, or I really just wanted one or 3 mixed flavored such as mangoes, strawberries or bananas. The juice selection was quite underwhelming too. Am I missing some shop or part of the ship that offers more variety, or select buffet timings?
 

Are there any othe cruise lines that can offer frozen fruit drinks? Mango lassies, milkshakes? Or do you guys have any suggestions or anything I should ask or look out for. And I love fruity cocktails, but I really didn’t see anything appealing to me on the menu except trying this extremely sweet syrupy mock tail.

 

My next sailing on the ascent is arriving soon, so I think I might just get the zero proof for some variety. Any suggestions, favorite drinks? I might have a go again if I have a better idea what to look for.

I feel your Apex concerns.  Any issue we had on the 2022 translant from Ft Lauderdale to Amsterdam, I just highlighted the issue to the staff and it was resolved for the rest of the cruise.  Literally, they remembered the issue and made an effort to overcome every time they saw us.

Brilliant detective work and recording.  Thanks for sharing!

16 minutes ago, mahdnc said:

4 hours ago, njsmom said:

They're wonderful. How do you know they'll be on board all summer? I love duos like this. 

They said last night they have been aboard 6 weeks and were looking forward to Alaska. Assuming a 6 month contract that takes them though the season.

8 minutes ago, njsmom said:

Which lobster tail was better? Luminae or MDR?

Not MDR. Way overcooked and small. We are booked in Portland Maine for Lobster Fest in August. Look forward to a real seafood treat this summer!

New topic, Anyone boarding the Millennium this summer is in for a treat via onboard entertainment. 

Duo Rio is a delightful couple who sing in Rendezvous and the Sunset. YouTube channel here for a sneak peak https://youtube.com/@duorio7691.

VVO the two aerialists also phenomenal. Their 45 minute performance last night was just awesome. 

51 minutes ago, Fly and Sail said:

Tonight is Lobster night. The entire tail cut up is about the size of four international postage stamps. Surf & Turf wkth Filet Mignon it is.

 

Dessert is the highlight. Baked Alaska and a strip of Poached Pear.

Good description. In the MDR we ordered the lobstah and NY strip. Made it more of a meal than the tail alone.  Baked Alaska was pleasantly delicious.

34 minutes ago, Fly and Sail said:

These?

 

 

Haha. Trays in hallway are dead giveaway. 

2 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

Three guesses.    The protocol for Covid Infection by crew is 5 days in isolation.  I think this has been the protocol for the past year.   They usually don't explain, just disappear for 5 days then come back.  Sometimes they are assigned to different area.

 

My favorite Barista on Summit in Septembre disappeared for 5 days and then was back and told me he had tested positive and had to isolate for 5 days.

 

Good info. Saw two more yellow dots today as we toured floors to get our steps in today. Kudos and thanks to those folks for isolating themselves.

39 minutes ago, Fly and Sail said:

 

I don't like a combination of many (bad) signs including a missing cabin steward for 2+ days.

Interesting our cabin steward disappeared on day 3 for 5 days. Said he was feeling much better. From what I do not know.

1 hour ago, RTShaker said:

The med team came, went ashore again, returned and it appears the passenger is now on the way to shore. We are underway.

Scuttlebutt is the first run was for their bags. Second for patient transport.

5 minutes ago, DaKahuna said:

@The Colonel_Cruises Not quite 8 pounds but we did well in our purchases. 
 

I just hope there is some left over for me after the ‘gifts’ get passed out 🙂 

Splendid assortment!

23 minutes ago, Fly and Sail said:

 

I didn't want to say the word, but my cabin selection might pay off after all for a prime pier runner view. Make sure you wave with both arms and yell for the video quality! 😂

I'll be the one with 6 pounds of coffee yelling and waving. 

Hopefully medical was alerted about the case on the bus. He is still dry heaving on the home stretch.

14 minutes ago, Fly and Sail said:

 

Hmm that might be tight, although the ships dock-off time is supposed to be 18:30h? But yes, excursions booked through X are guaranteed that they wait. This port doesn't seem to be problematic anyway. We're the only ship here and its a long pier, probably don't even need a tugboat.

Google prediction for arrival is 1808. If we are late, I at least want to be on a YouTube dock runner video.🏃‍♂️.

2 minutes ago, Fly and Sail said:

 

My first ride on the (German) Navy training ship in the North Sea was a similar adventure, even without any prior alcohol consumption. It suddenly dawned on me that I had joined the wrong service branch. Though I think 80% of our class were spewing their guts out.

Hahaha. I became acquainted with that phenomena after being launched from the back of an LST in a AAV during sea state 2. One guy blew chunks and the rest of the crew under hatches spontaneously reciprocated. I was on the hatch and had fresh air so escaped the trauma below. 

Ok, I guess CC is not for war stories so... How bout that Gelato!

In other unrelated news Group 11 bus is 72 minutes from the Pier. Never tested that all aboard policy so this will be a first 🤣.

53 minutes ago, Fly and Sail said:

 

Take a video when someone blows up the full bag and then smashes it with one hand. I saw a little shower next to the gangway just in case. 💥

Reminds me of early PT with Marines who over indulged the night before. Good times 😂.  

He stayed on the bus on our last stop. He's sleeping or passed out. His wife definitely a saint helping him get through it. Glad he is ok.

High adventure on the Millennium!

26 minutes ago, hcat said:

very interesting!

and nice photos. 

Now dealing with passenger heat event and barfing on bus. A thrill a minute! 

Coffee farm and processing facility very educational. 

38 minutes ago, DaKahuna said:

i do not think we’ll be buying that much. We bought an 8-oz bag In Cartagena.  Plan to get 4 to 5 pounds here.  Taking back coffee instead of alcohol.  Coffee lighter by far.  🙂 

 

sitting in the Theater waiting for Group 2 to be called. 
 

We are Group 11. Save some beans for us!

10 minutes ago, mahdnc said:

we have coffee bean mules on board?

My goal is 20 lbs between Colombia, CR and Guatamala. Half for my personal stash and the other for gifts. 

4 minutes ago, DaKahuna said:

Our son gave us a shopping list.  Something tells me there will be about 6-8 pounds added to my backpack as our luggage was already full! 
 

 

Nice. I suspect we will not be the only ones with heavier bags at disembarkation. 

2 minutes ago, DaKahuna said:

For those that are interested - ordering a second lobster in Luminae was not a problem at all.  There were a couple of folks who did it and our waitress offered both my wife and I a second one but we declined, I was not even able to finish all my filet. 

 

As @Fly and Sail said, we are approaching Costa Rica with an anticipated 0800 arrival time.  We have our one and only, so far, shore excursion planned so there will be off ship pictures for only the second time since the cruise started.  

 

 

This is a 7 hour and 45 minute tour so do not expect to hear from me until tonight.

 

Wife and I also on this tour.  My son works at the Starbucks HQ and is waiting for photos as the HQ folks know this farm.  My hope is to load up on take away beans 🙂 

10 hours ago, Fly and Sail said:

I think there was a recent thread where people overall agreed that photographers should not be in the restaurants anymore. It disturbs the environment and pictures with half finished plates look just ghastly.

 

Photo packages are pretty expensive. I’d love to have some destination pictures not chewed up veal loin. 

With the reconfiguration of the MDR, it's hard enough to move around those tables for 6 they call 3 tables for two. Adding photographers to the mix trying to get the shot of a single couple does not reinforce any success.

18 minutes ago, mahdnc said:

 

Thank you.  The free shuttle takes you to the port gate? Or further?

Bus sign says Interport shuttle.