Russ_MT

11 hours ago, Sheltielover73 said:

how is access on Beyond? I was hoping to mirror my laptop to the TV to play Netflix next week....

We are on Beyond in 2 weeks and I looked into this.   Some claim the Edge class ships have casting built into the cabin TV.   So you can cast directly from Chrome browser.   I hope so.

More in this thread.

Good OP.   I believe iMessage used to work without Internet package.   That was years ago when we were on Escape.   The IT depts on these lines are getting smarter.

1 hour ago, luckyinpa said:

interesting thread. is this why. 3 years ago. i had internet off but id get notifications that someone played my words with friends games. i never understood it, nor cared to. but it was almost like there was some secret internet on my phone. 

NCL might be blocking certain traffic.  Although that seems wrong if you are paying for internet. 

One method to avoid blocking of ports is to use a VPN that creates a "tunnel" to a land based connection that isn't blocked.  It's also more secure for certain things.  Many free VPN apps available.

On NCL we had a large onboard credit that we were able to take out at the casino (for a service charge).   That's what we did as we didn't use the full OBC.

So, is it possible on MSC to cash out OBC from the casino?   We have $200 OBC from MSC for booking online as well as some from our TA.

--Russ

3 hours ago, grandgeezer said:

 we had Glen the second week. All of the butlers we came into contact with were wonderful. The most memorable was Maria, she always stopped to talk to us and see if there was anyway she could help us make our cruise better.

We were on Seaside in October in December 2018 when Maria was an assistant butler.   She would literally RUN down the hall to open our door and give us a hug as we would come back.   Such a friendly warm person.  She must be more "professional" as a butler, but obviously her genuine warmth comes out.   So nice.

We'd see Glen all the time in public areas.   His smile was infectious.  It just made you smile in response.  

Love love love YC and we are booked for next year.

--Russ

We were on NCL Escape in 2017 and had $500 OBC.   We went to a slot machine and were able to take the "cash" out easily using our cabin key card.   It wasn't "cash".  It's a ticket that you can go to the booth for cash.  We didn't even have to play the machine.

I hope this is still true. 

--Russ

8 minutes ago, rattanchair said:

Dear Russ,  Montana? What is in your water? Even joking, there are too many impressionable souls that take you seriously, especially on the CC. They believe everything. Not everyone is as intelligence as the two of you.

Hey, it was worth a try.    

Seriously, it seems MSC has done a good job of getting into the American market.  Between marketing and low fares to get people to try, I think they are filling up ships now.    And with that they also seem to be increasing prices.  It had to happen.

As for YC, we've tried to keep it a secret.  But the word is also out as those cabins are selling faster. 

--Russ

On 10/26/2019 at 5:57 AM, marcoigna said:

The only factors we see are the size of the suite, - obviously –and the complimentary cabana at the One Pool for the duration of the sailings (but not the amenities on a paid cabana every day, sometimes just once or twice during the sailing).  Not to gloat, but I was the guy instrumental for the poolside Cabanas to be complimentary – this started on the 24^th of February, 2018.

 

......

 

As we all know, this will be the first ship to arrive at Ocean Cay – being a soft opening, looking forward to it, and we have booked a YC Ocean Front Cabana as well…

 

Hey Marco,

I remember on that Feb 2018 cruise you got them to include the pool deck cabana.   We totally enjoyed that perk when we were on Seaside and give you all the credit and glory for that one.    

Hey...maybe you could hint that they should include a Ocean Cay cabana for RS.   I can't wait for your report of that stop.  You will be the first.   Sady, they don't have the YC areas done yet.

We booked the RS on Seaside next October and agree that the prices have gone through the roof for that category.   I think we got the very last one at the old pricing before they jacked it 300%.   And we got $800 OBC and prepaid grats.    I'm afraid that will be the last time we can do the RS.

Cheers,

--Russ

On 10/29/2019 at 8:08 PM, deanman02 said:

I love the idea of food trucks!  I can imagine all kinds fun grabbing a snack as I continue my adventure. Can’t wait!

Coco Cay had a place "Snack Shack" that had amazing funnel cakes.    I'm imagining that kind of snacky foods from food trucks. 

I was thinking of things like conch fritters.  That would be a great snack.

 It may not be for everyone, but I'm excited that they have other options.

--Russ

Yacht Club is overpriced and over hyped.  Don't do it.  And it has a weird smell and is crowded and the staff are rude.  No shade, the pool is the size of a postage stamp and I hear people pee in it.  Restaurant food is all weird fish and burned steaks.

 Yea, we've stayed in YC and will never again.  Bad.

Stay with Aurea suites

On 10/23/2019 at 9:53 PM, mightywabbit said:

Hi there, all drinks up to 12 usd or eur are included anywhere on the ship, ie sake in galaxy or water and wine (per glass) is included. No need for any drink upgrades...

 

Enjoy and cheers....

This was our experience.    It's hard to find drinks over $12.   It did include Venci drinks and anything we ordered.    We typically drank Patron margaritas and brand named mixed (eg: Bombay, Grey goose).

We were in a CL on Allure.  Love that deck and the lounge and Coastal Kitchen right there.

Allure has that wonderful shower.   We are in a CL on Symphony next week and they replaced the BIG shower with a tub.  I much prefer the large shower.

15 hours ago, Beamafar said:

It's an outdoor area with seating and that allows for smoking.

This.

It has views forward and side.  Butlers will come out to serve drinks and such.   It's a nice area.

And accessible from the YC lounge.  

Yea, a taxi probably would be easiest.   It's the opposite ends of the terminal island.  Probably just over half a mile.  

We could walk it, but toting luggage and dodging traffic doesn't sound like fun.

A big tip would ease the pain of such a short ride.   

--Russ

We are on Symphony of the Seas and MSC Seaside.   What is the best way to get from RCL terminal when we get off Symphony to the MSC terminal in Miami?

We get off one ship and on another same day.

We sailed Escape Owners suite.  And standard YC on MSC.    

Haven has a dedicated bar and sundeck.  So does MSC.   MSC lounge is full forward  with views. NCL is inside.   NCL butlers will do anything, so will MSC.   MSC butlers are EVERYWHERE.    You can't get your own coffee.  They will bring it to you.   NCL is more on demand. 

Both have private sun decks and pools.   I feel MSC does more to please.   Want a bottle of wine, you got it.  NCL would too I guess.   But MSC seems to prioritize YC.   Special elevators, butlers escort you EVERYWHERE including show and off ship. 

Both ships are similar  YC is vastly less expensive for great service. 

7 hours ago, KarenGretz said:

I'm also on the Seaside Oct 12th! Be sure and sign up for the CC mixer!

Already signed up.   MSC does the best meet and greet.

Are you in YC?

You should post in our roll call thread. 

Yup.  We uploaded photos.  No use.  They take 'em at the port.  Probably a good idea as I could submit any photo and fake the ID.  

We didn’t even request the desert.  We simply mentioned that we enjoyed it.  He took it upon himself to get it for us.   

When are you cruising?  We are on Seaside oct 12. 

Once you are in you are in.  We never showed a card to access the pool or lounge.  In fact everyone on yc gets the drink package so we never showed a card for drinks.   That’s what is nice about yc. You don’t have to ever show a card.  Want a bottle of wine just ask.  Maybe.  Just maybe if you ordered some super expensive drink you might need the card. 

Maybe you won’t get a butler.  But that makes no sense either as someone has to clean your cabin and I doubt they would bring in a steward from outside just for that.  Maybe the mini bar will be empty. 

Post how the upgrade works out. 

We asked for a lounger on our balcony.   Butler looked confused at this request.   Came back after dinner and a lounger was out there.

Food is so subjective.

I've read bad reviews, which I think had much to do with late dinner and a large party.  

We were on Seaside YC Dec 2018 and the food was good.   Not everything.   If you don't like something, just ask for something else.    Others we spoke with found the food very good. 

We mentioned to our waiter that we liked the creme brulee in the seafood specialty restaurant.   The next night he went there and got us some. 

Their pasta is fresh and delish.  Filet mignon was always available and a good fall back.

Room service pizza was really good.  The 7 cheese or whatever they called it was great.  Again, subjective as regional preferences will influence your opinion.

We have this cabin booked for 4 adults.  

Does anyone have photos of the sofa bed made up?   Can 2 normal sized young adults sleep on this comfortably?

It looks like it would be a hard mattress.  Maybe an egg crate to help?

--Russ

On 8/25/2019 at 4:57 PM, taglovestocruise said:

. All this over one turtle that a green peace activist found and shoved a straw up it's nose.  happy cruising

It's not about PLASTIC.  It's about THIS video.  It moved a lot of people to ban straws. 

I'm okay with paper.  I'm not triggered by straws.