chefchick

Just booked a January, 2018 Seaside cruise for my husband and myself. Originally, was considering an Aurea balcony on deck 9, but one yacht club deluxe suite YC1 became available so I snatched it up! We have never cruised with MSC before, but are experienced cruisers, most recently with Seabourn, so we are used to many of the perks associated with the YC, but I am excited about the Seaside with it's many innovations. Would appreciate any insight Into these following questions:

1- the suite we booked does say it will sleep 5. Although at this point the YC is sold out, what are the chances that we will be moved to a suite for 2, perhaps in a less desirable location? I like where are at(deck 16) and would hate to be moved to suite at the front or even worse an inside as the side balcony is a big plus for us.

2- the F1 simulator and the 4D movies sound like a lot of fun but I don't see a lot of reviews that include info on them. Anyone have experience with these on other ships? Are they for ever available? Over run with children? What about the water slides or zip line...do you suspect it will be a zoo everyday...even in January?

3- YC restaurant does have anytime dining, correct? I have read where the MD asks for a preference, but how set in stone is that if we are enjoying a show or cocktail and might be early or late for our set time?

4- for those who have utilized the YC before, what is you best hint or tip that you have learned that maybe a newbie wouldn't know about?

Thank you in advance for your insight.

So, did you get your original cabin back after update?

I realize all parts of the ship need to be maintained, but how often does something like this happen? I also have a week spa pass for the 28th of October and I would be VERY dissapointed if I didn't get to use it, ecspecially if I didn't find out until I boarded. To those of you who cruise NCL regularly, do you know how long the spa is out of commission while it's being maintained?

To the OP, I hope everything works out for you and your future wife.

Thank you for the replys so far. I have found the post with the experience grid and can do the math, so to speak, for myself. My real question is in regards to the "extended balcony" staterooms on seaside....does MSC (or any other line for that matter) have a similar layout on other ships where I can read real world reviews?

Considering booking our first MSC cruise to Carribean on Seaside in January. YC is sold out, so we are looking at balcony aurea experience ones still available. I know the ship not completed yet, but what are everyone's opinion on the deck 9 extended balconies? There are a few available right above the spa area (looks like where they would have outdoor massage canopies)? The extra space looks awesome (almost twice the size of regular balcony) but would we just end up feeling exposed and lose all sense of privacy? Would you book one?

Also, we were fortunate enough to receive a black card status match. The "experience" levels are frankly very confusing...if we were to book fantastica experience and have a black card what would we give up vs aurea?

Thank you in advance for any insight.

Kelly

How many cruises are required for Silver? Crystal has a weird system. Loyalty levels go by number. Level 1 and jump by 5 all the way to 70!

 

 

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Please do not quote me on this, but I think points are obtained by number of days sailed on Seabourn. It takes 20-69 points to make Silver status, which is only the second tier level. Hope that helps.

Crystals loyalty goes by levels. Each cruise is an increased level. So who knows what we will be!!

 

 

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Agnesd- I am a lowly silver with Seabourn but I requested a status match just today via msc.com and received my reply with in hours. I am now Black status! Pleasantly surprised! Hopefully you will also get good news soon.

What is your favorite venue for embarkation? I tried Taste on the Epic and maybe I ordered wrong but everything was so salty...is the pub any better? Too crowded? Opinions?

I've only cruise with Norwegian once (but will again in October)! I was solo and dressed for dinner every night and did not feel out of place. Yes, you will see the whole spectrum of casual to dressy, but it's your vacation so dress as you'd like! Bon Voyage!

I have sailed windstar a few times but never as a solo. They are great ships with great itineraries and above average food. People onboard are generally very friendly so if you can meet people fairly easily I'm sure you will have an excellent time. There is not a lot of nightly entertainment and no "solo activities" that I know of, but the smaller footprint makes for easier interaction between guests.

Hope that helps a little?

The solos on my recent NCL cruise were from all age groups, many nationalities, and different sexual orientations.. and we all partied together irrespective of any of it! You can choose to dine with a group or on your own... I ate alone 3 nights out of 7 and this was by choice because the group plans didn't fit in with what I wanted to do... I just met them at the bar later. I've been very self-conscious about vacationing alone in the past and seriously wish I'd tried cruising sooner. I believe I made the best choice with choosing NCL and hope to cruise with them again next year. I hope you have as great a time as I did. :)

This was my experience on NCL as well. Lots of different nationalities, age ranges and sexual orientation (of course, we didn't go around the room and introduce ourselves and give our sexual orientation...but statistics and my gay-dar could read the room 😎 ). Anyway, I'd say any lady - young, old, gay, straight, would have a great time and feel safe on a cruise. Use your common sense, go to the solo meet ups on the first night at least to meet some people for dinner companions if you'd like and enjoy being able to do things on your schedule..it's very liberating. One other tip - join the roll call for your cruise here on CC. I met some great people that way as well. In addition to those at the solo meet ups, I had a larger pool of folks to hang with.

The trip involves a catamaran that has a set of steps off the front of the boat. There is no dock they pull in to shore, and drop you off in about a foot of water. As far as Handicap accessible, if a persons uses a scooter or wheelchair this would not be the trip for you. But able to climb a few stairs, and able to walk up the beach, it would be doable in my opinion.

 

The Description says guest must be able to swim if there are rough seas. My mother in law (in her mid-60s) does not swim and we nearly did not do this trip due to the description. After reading reviews here and on another Trip forum, i talked her in to it. It is now her (and my) favorite beach.

 

 

I also don't swim, but JVD is one of my favorite places and would love to do this. What are the odds in November that the water would be rough enough that they wouldn't pull up to the beach? I'm going solo, and this would be on my birthday so the thought of being left on the catermaran would be horrible. I read that workers on the rebel yell will assist those who need it....should I worry?

Just back from Encore. Yes to the clothesline and yes the $50 stuff a bag is a pretty decent deal/alternative. In regards to MDR food and TK Grill. We enjoyed every entree we had in the dining room, especially the TK designed ones (and I consider myself a fairly picky eater). I was disappointed in the Colonnade. It is severely understaffed and the food there is not as good as I remember from previous Seabourn experiences (we never ate there at dinner time though). TK Grill was a highlight. The food and service was very good...so much so that I asked very nicely on the way out if we could secure another reservation for the following week and had no problem doing so.

Currently onboard Encore in the Med. I was actually surprised how "casual" the majority of the passengers were dressed most nights. Even on the 2 formal nights I saw maybe 3-4 men in tuxedos and most in dark suit and tie (although there was also khakis and Hawaiian shirts and tee shirts and a scarf). No one was in jeans but even the ladies didn't dress up as much as I am used to on Seabourn. We have such a casual life at home that "dressing for dinner" is part of the whole cruise experience.

Currently onboard Encore. Meals in the MDR every night have been excellent. The TK pork tenderloin was a stand out dish. Had dinner one night in the grill and it was outstanding from start to finish IMO. So much so, that we booked again for another go this week

I think the more choices the better.

San Basilio went bye bye along with the triplets.

Well. That's unfortunate. I picked my hotel in Dorsoduro because of its easy walkability from San Basillo (oh well, not sure why I assumed we would dock there). Plan B, now in effect...take the Blu Line to Zattere stop and walk a little farther.

Hopefully finding the blu line stop at the port and dealing with luggage won't be too difficult. Ahh, life is an adventure!

Does anyone know which terminal in Venice Encore docks at? San Basillo or the main/large terminal? When I booked my hotel many months ago I assumed it would be the smaller terminal and found a convenient place, but now I'm not sure. I know in the past with the "smaller" vessels they usually docked at San Basillo, but perhaps someone here has the current answer? I tried searching for this info on my Seabourn documents and online but can't seem to get an answer.

I thought I would try here before calling Seattle. I can't really change hotels at this late date (we leave next week) but I like to know ahead of time so I can get my bearings before leaving the ship. Thank you in advance for any help.

Thank you Tilly and Roxburgh for some good news :D We haven't been on Seabourn in a few years and we have only traveled on the Triplets so are excited to try out the newest ship in the fleet. Will it be different? of course. Will it not seem as "special"? Probably, but the days of the triplets are gone.

I've been around CC long enough to know that one man's opinion will not damper my vacation, but with all the not so great reviews of the Encore I was getting worried.

We board on the 10th, so there's no turning back now...please tell me some more positives because there must be some.

Please excuse me if this has been asked before...

We will be onboard the Encore in just 2 weeks and are very excited to try her out. For those of you who have sailed her, what is your favorite venue for pre dinner cocktails and why? On the triplets (we haven't sailed the O class yet) our favorite was always the club, right at the bar, getting to know the bartender and watching them work their magic. Since the Encore does not have that option, what have your experiences been? I hear TK Grill has an excellent bar but is that reserved for that evening's diners only?

Would love to hear your opinions.

When it comes to lularoe, you are either in or out....there is no in between.

I'm sure they are very comfortable, but printed leggings should only be worn by 10 year old girls. Just my opinion. YMMV.

While I was working outside the home (recently retired) I did use RTR unlimited. I enjoyed it very much. I never used it for a cruise, but I did use it for a conference where we had a black tie event as well as a a beach themed cocktail event. If you could see my profile pic, that is the Jill Stuart gown I wore one night. It's a great service.

We will be taking a private tour of the Amalfi coast this June and expect to be in Ravello around lunchtime after visiting the gardens. Can anyone recommend a restaurant (preferably with a water view)? I tried to get a reservation at Villa Maria, but they want a credit card to reserve with online and I am hoping to avoid that in case of a change in plans.

I love being bored...so,,how much was the uber from the airport and how easy was it to find at MIA? (Trying to research for a future trip). Thanks.

Thank you for taking the time to post your review. As someone who has a voyage upcoming in June on Encore I was beginning to feel I made a huge mistake booking her for our 25th Wedding Anniversary (if you are to believe everything you read on Cruise Critic) 😜

I'm not expecting perfection, but it's comforting to hear someone is having a wonderful time on board! We are boarding with an open mind and anticipation of a lovely cruise.