kelleherdl

I just can’t get over the pretentiousness of cruise passengers who object to what EJ calls its crew members. Just like, I can’t believe Disney World still persists in calling its employees Cast Members. The height of silliness on their part. 😀 You can trust those of us who have sailed EJ; it’s perfectly acceptable to ask your favorite ‘bartender’ where he’s from. 😀

I need to check this out. My recollection was that MSC was assiduously avoiding selling any Yacht Club logo items. I’d love to change the towels on my home pool loungers to the YC Blue.

If the OP’s concern is related to any issue with visiting the food order stations and/or carrying food to your table, or any other concern I can assure you the Hosts will help you anyway they can. The Hosts in the Emporium for breakfast and lunch are the same who will be serving you in the evening in the menu restaurants. They will come to know you early in your journey. I personally have not needed help in the Emporium and haven’t specifically asked, but I am certain the Hosts there will be happy to help you as much as you desire.

They are so used to the corporate cruise lines and their inertia/lawyer-centric decision making. Were it not for the fortitude of the Aponte family to restart as soon as possible after COVID we might still not be cruising (joking of course). To think that MSC/EJ would not forge ahead with a well considered corporate strategy is a difficult concept for some. Explora 1 has been sailing for one year. E2 sails next week. Within 5 years there will be three more ships in the fleet. Let’s see then if there is still lack of itinerary diversification. We’ve sailed twice already. We have two more cruises in the next 6 months. All were/are two weeks or longer with unique itineraries. I have no doubt that we will be taking our bucket list cruise of the South Pacific on an EJ ship in the coming years.

Another positive for Port Canaveral! The tent is always up and staffed prior to terminal door opening! No reason for YC guests to fend for themselves. The porter leads know how to handle the YC guests’ luggage. Always identify yourself as a YC guest; whether to traffic direction, porters or terminal staff.

It’s an extended journey on EJ2 of three unique itineraries all somewhat centered on Barcelona. So much for the comments several months ago about not being able to construct a ‘longer cruise’ in EJ with the modified itineraries.

No problem at all storing away clothes from two large and three small suitcases for a 16 day cruise. The hanging space was adequate for both of us. I only took two blazers, really only needed one though. We are packing over the next few weeks for 23 days. We will pack for ~10 days and plan on using the self-service laundry. There is nice drawer storage as well. There are shelves in the armoire by the balcony door and some in the dressing area in addition to the admittedly limited drawer space. Shoes fit well on the floor and shelf in the men’s hanger area in the dressing area. An 8-day should be a piece of cake.

Yes! MSC should release its 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 ….. sailings immediately, 😀

6022 is right above the Crema smoking area.

My recollection is that Explora 1 did have the European obnoxious ‘spa’ music at the Helios pool at least, my preferred sunbathing area. Unfortunately, I haven’t lost all my hearing. I may actually bring my earbuds on a Med cruise next month.

We sailed Preziosa in Europe for two weeks last year. We had previously sailed Preziosa for two weeks three years ago in the Caribbean. We also sailed Divina several times and personally enjoy the YC difference on the Fantasia-class ships. But we understand that some who prefer the Seaside and Meraviglia - class ships prefer the more contained and more expansive YC experience. That said, we found that our overall experience on the Fantasia ships was just as appealing as the larger/newer ships. I find the Pool One area and bar/grill is far more friendly and personal on the Fantasia-class. I strongly suggest you speak with the YC Director. Most of them have also directed or were managers in YC’s on the larger ships. I know them to be very receptive to comments on your feelings about the ‘difference’ in the YC experience. I’m sure they will do what they can to make the rest of your cruise as pleasant as you expected.

Time will be saved for the checkin if you either print the cruise ticket (the one with the QR/barcodes) OR save your MSC for ME app QR code. (Save that QR code to your cell phone wallet or photos). These are your ‘tickets’ to board the ship following in terminal checkin. You will save the time needed for the checkin agent to have your ‘ticket’ printed. If you follow all the FAST TRACK checkin instructions, print or save the QR code to your phone, and are sailing with passports your checkin at the terminal takes less than a minute per passenger, even if you need a new photo taken.

We were actually given a complimentary upgrade to the starboard side Royal Suite on the Divina, NOT the Sophia Loren Suite on port side. That particular RS was in desperate need of a dry dock and we actually considered asking to be moved back to our regular suite. But it was such a nice gesture from the YC Director we didn’t want to offend. 😀

Correct, only Military USA/Canada or Voyagers Club. the huge benefit is multiple bookings under one Military Discount. You can save big time with group travel, particularly if booking multiple YC Deluxe Balconies 😀. You can’t do that with Voyager Club Discounts

JamieLogical is correct. When you scan your cruise card at the kiosk you will be presented with the list of persons in that cabin to be included on the credit card you are registering. You select the names then continue with the process. If you do it this way each person in the cabin not selected must then register a credit card. BTW, this is also the way you can block children from charging. Don’t select their names when registering your credit card for that cabin. or you can choose to stand in line at Guest Services the night before disembarkation. 😟. Clearly not the preferred solution in my mind. if you do not want to register a credit card, or do not have one, you may ‘deposit’ cash on your ship account. There are specific kiosks that will accept cash, like an ATM. Or you can stand in line at Guest Services. ☹️

We’re doing 14 days in February/March, San Juan to San Juan, no stops in the Bahamas. 😀

And sometimes these discounts can be stacked, but you may need a wired-in travel advisor to go to bat with their business development manager. I added a ‘new’ booking on the front end of an existing booking. My TA went back and forth and got me the promotion on at the time as well as a less publicized loyal Yacht Club guest promotion. Amounted to a ~45% discount.

Just got our check-in email for Sept 23 Explora 2 cruise from Tarragona. Completed the check-in and got the e-ticket/luggage tag email. So that looks pretty solid for the 16 Sept initial sailing.

As proper Southerner as well I found the grits surprisingly satisfactory. But aren’t grits more of an individual taste than wine? 😀

Nothing in my opinion. It’s my favorite. Honestly it’s the soaking Helios pool. It sloshes back and forth underway. Impossible to use really in any sea state other than calm. Supposedly they installed some sort of baffles. Otherwise it’s my favorite Sunning area and bar.

My understanding is that the 16 Sept cruise is now the ‘shakedown’ cruise with press and the like. The formal ‘inaugural cruise’ is 23 Sept as its sailing from Tarragona during their local festival. I guess it really doesn’t make that much difference. We are boarding in Tarragona for 3 legs.

Sorry, can’t help on that. I think the original build time for both garages was 18 months. That was 8 months ago I think. But those of us who sail from 10 often have seen things pretty quickly once they got above ground level.

Yep, it’s plus and minuses. We’re keeping our 23 day Med grand cruise on EJ 2 this September (18 novel ports for us), also keeping our World America and Virtuosa cruises. Different objectives and selection of ports. Overall we may be tapering off our cruises in the next couple of years as we run out of itineraries that interest us. I agree the evening entertainment on EJ seems to still be wanting.

If you are not OFF the ship by 9:30 (assuming normal ship arrival) you are delaying ship clearance by CBP to process the back-to-backs and embark new guests. As Morpheusofthesea mentioned this is the most frustrating time on turnaround day for ship crew, shore staff, and CPB.

We were hugely lucky on our Seashore visit to Grand Cayman last month. We were the only ship in port so we had all the Grand Cayman tenders working for us. Yes, it takes longer to fill those tenders going ashore, but getting back to the ship was very easy.