SydneyD'Augstralia

On Gem (and Pearl) , there is no difference.

Hi Kids!

Thanks to the post on the main page, I've just booked this trip.

I snagged an aft penthouse for about the same price I paid for a seven day..... nice and thanks to the OP.

From L.A originally, but living in Costa Rica for the last nine years.

My friend Sara will be joining me.

Let the planning begin!

Laurie:cool::cool:

Gelato is no charge in YC. At the regular gelato stand by the pool, it's just 2.00, so no big deal, really.

Thank goodness, no.

This information is now two years old.

Why call it "politics"?:confused:

Seaborn news?:confused:

50+ NCL cruises, almost all in suite/haven, tried MSC Yacht Club and found it far superior. Better food, service, accommodations, with an elegant and worldly passenger mix. Half the price.:D

Monster ships in Alaska is a very bad idea.

There is really not much to do in Limon, if you don't take a tour.

There is a tented area with souvenirs for sale. Also, those charming little wood items that "Costa Rica is famous for exporting" are made in China.

Limon is not indicative of Costa Rica. It is a dirty port town.

LOL, not sure you want to go there but I would say the middle/working class :rolleyes:

Nope. With the popularity of upsells, everyone can bring their poorly behaved families along....

I know the Haven has the reputation (and it IS a reputation) of out-of-control children at certain times of the year.

 

Also, there are posts here that complain that the Haven people get early dibs on the Vibe passes. That, to me, is just crazy. You pay so much for a Haven and still have to pay more for Vibe passes. :confused:

 

So we booked MSC's Yacht Club.

Is there a chance we will have children there also?

Yes. I don't have a problem/or a worry about that.

Out of control. Maybe. Although there doesn't seem to be many reviews complaining of that.

 

MSC Yacht Club. It's more reasonably priced also.

 

I'll let you know how it is when we get back.:)

I was in YC on Divina a couple of months ago. There was only one little girl, about five, that was uncontained. Her parents (Americans) allowed her to run the halls, tapdance in the Top Sail for hours, scream murder if she didn't get her way and generally behave unacceptably. They were next to my cabin and I saw them in the hall...noted that they were my neighbors and very sincerely told then to let me know of the screaming and jumping from my cabin was bothering them ;). The quiet increased notably....

Another factor is that most of the YC cabins only sleep two, so families of six aren't cramming themselves into one room.

In actuality, the Courtyard was to be an elegant adult area, not a family camp.

Shouldn't this be titled NCLH news?

As NCL is not, nor will it ever be Regent?

SydneyD'Augstralia,

 

How was your pre-cruise experience on MSC. That is what has me the most frightened. The MSC board is filled with horror stories about their website. People have their bookings horribly messed up. Not just little things, but thousands of dollars in overcharges on their credit cards, passport information compromised....etc. Never being able to get through to them by phone, or else waits of over an hour. One poster was thrilled he only waited 45 minutes! Anything like this happen to you?

My precruise was no better or worse than NCL. Perfectly adequate. No major errors or long waits.Got the room I booked. Representatives were courteous. Documents and tags arrived well in advance. Their website is not the most advanced, but sure beats Pullmantur's! :p

You have sailed over 50 times on NCL, all in suites or a haven and you can't think of a good thing to say about them?and you haven't had a memorable meal on NCL in years? Why would you have sailed wth them so often? Doesn't add up

As for you, Mr. McFailedSleuth, I never said anything bad about NCL. If you read carefully without your knee jerking into your face, you'd see it was a just a comparison and MSC won this round. I still like NCL and will continue to sail with them and eat their food. Not memorable doesn't mean inedible. They suit my needs and when they don't, I cruise with another line. Simple.

Many thanks to the more gracious posters. :D

I'm just back from a week in YC on Divina. Having sailed 50 plus times on NCL in Haven or suites, I can tell you that MSC wins without a doubt.

Compared one week Caribbean on Escape and Divina, Divina was 2400. per person compared to Escape at 4500. per.

The ship was the cleanest I've ever seen and not a spot of rust. The suite was large, well appointed and beautifully decorated in an understated European style, not Vegas garish as NCL. White glove service was impeccable and intuitive, I've had to chase down NCL butlers or not see them for days.

The private pool deck and Top Sail Lounge were an oasis on an otherwise loud and crowded ship. Tips for the butler and concierge are included but they blew me away, so I left additional.

The passenger mix was a bit more sophisticated (no upsells on MSC), many Europeans. The food was excellent and the dedicated restaurant phenomenal. I haven't had a memorable meal on NCL in years....

The major drawback is Miami, terrible terminal and port employees.....

So, I would highly recommend MSC over NCL. They win in every single point.

Sorry, double post

The prices don't appear to be any better than NCL or RCCL.

Actually, they are much better.

I have 50 plus cruises with NCL, all but two in suite or haven. My last two,on Getaway and Jewel were abominable as far as service, activities and food.

I have Divina Yacht Club booked for next week, and the price was about half of the Escape haven fare. Everyone I have spoken to was blown away by the level of service. And gratuities for the butler and concierge are included in the all inclusive rate. So, we shall see.....;)

I plan to do a comparison review on return.

And you took away from your vacation and used internet time to ask people on CC about this instead of your cabin steward?:confused:

I have done this several times.

I live in Costa Rica, so a Panama Canal cruise from L.A. allows me to stock up on what I need and I carry it off the ship in Puntarenas. One of my employees takes it to my home, about 45 minutes away. :D

It is inappropriate and rude to talk about this issue at the meet and greet. Even if an officer gives you his card, it is also not within his purview to discuss your dissatisfaction with the price.

Your expectation is unrealistic.

Anyone have current information on Jewel concierge?

Thanks.

:D Another upvote for MSC YC. Everything about it blows the Haven away. The cabins are beautiful, large and tastefully decorated, the service is impeccable, the food is exquisite.

Doing Haven after YC is a let down.

I love in Costa Rica and it's much less expensive and a shorter flight than to Florida or Texas.

Win!

For the record, and for those who may have port stops in Costa Rica, camouflage fabrics and clothing that is "militaristic" is also not allowed here.

Costa Rica has no army, and is very antimilitary. No toy guns, tanks, soldiers.....

The smoking issue is far more pronounced on these boards that it is onboard.

117 pages of comments from the same posters over and over is not indicative of real life situations.

The PR is tough, tasteless and gristly. You will be missing nothing if you forgo it.