Fogfog

@graphicguy

@RocketMan275

TYVM

Yes those things make sense in being  great pax ourselves as much as anything.

We sincerely appreciate those that serve in the hospitality industry.

Peeves me when people post things about how to manipulate the workers (take pics of nametags so they will work "harder' for hero cards etc)

Trying to get @Sthrngary s thread back on track 😉

On 4/3/2024 at 7:50 AM, hallux said:

The US isn't the only power system in the world, we Americans need to get over ourselves and stop thinking we're the only ones that matter.  Do you expect them to swap the outlets out when they move the ship to do Mediterranean and European sailings?  Europeans could make the same "shockingly thoughtless" exclamation if the outlets by the night table were US 110 while the ship is sailing in Europe.  Those outlets were not placed for passenger's convenience, they were placed for the decor.  If you look at the fixtures around the ship and the tools used by the crew (vacuums and such) you'll find that many are 220v devices.

But the ship was designed and built in Europe and is flagged in the Bahamas.

Now 

however with a little forethought-- ship builders could have adaptable plugs like they have in Thailand for example -- that fit BOTH 110 and 220 and plugs of many shapes.

Or to have one 110/ and one 220 of each on either side of the bed and a USB...

We also carry adapters that we use in Brazil that we can use on ships

Imagine that-- shipbuilders putting in some thought that the ships sail out of BOTH the US and EU each year.

Then THAT would be hospitable of a cruise line instead of telling people to "get over" it.

4 hours ago, jabcruiser said:

I had just read an article this am about MSC and how it might be a good choice for US cruisers.  I had never considered them.  However, I decided to look at CC boards to get other cruisers opinions.  Oops.  Now I know.  NEVER EVER BOOK A CRUISE ON MSC.  Thank you for letting me know about this sleazy outfit.  Now I will continue on with my search for a new cruise to book.  Probably thru HAL.

Jane

Wrong and wrong again

MSC is a great line... but you do you.

This visa fiasco is not MSCs fault.. 

@graphicguy

And we couldn't get you on the Prima TA.

boo.

So if we can go back to the OPs theme, what are your top take aways/hints/best ways to enjoy Haven and also be a great Haven guest ?

Cruise ship stuck in Spain to finally leave after 69 passengers removed (msn.com)

The article notes that those questioned have not explained as of yet where the visas where arranged. Time will tell as reporting doesn't included all the information

Re luggage tags for Haven

When should we expect those IF they are still being mailed? Color?

At embarkation: Is there a Haven drop off for luggage If we have to pre-print them ourselves. 

4 hours ago, complawyer said:

ncl offers NO reciprocity to any other lines, or even oceania or regent

TY

Interesting as all three are under the NCLH

RCCL and Celebrity still have cross loyalty and Celebrity and Azamara used to cross loyalty until Azamara was sold off

Which was why I wondered

TY for responding

Always love your quotes, humor and POV.

Don't know what you did for your "day job" - yet am going to guess you and the Mrs. make great dinner companions and are fun conversationalists.

Was about to ask this and found this old thread. Has this changed? 

We have a Regent number. 

And an NCL number. 

Do we need to combine them or link them in some way or has NCL got these lines and loyalty siloed?

Curious, Are NCLs, Oceania and Regent loyalty programs all separate? Is there reciprocity like Celebrity and RCCL share?

1 hour ago, Mark_T said:

The wine list is always available on request, but due to the location of Le Muse, I suspect they do not generally offer it during service as it can take some time to retrieve specific bottles. I always made requests at breakfast which gave them plenty of time.

Then one would think that Mehmet would offer it when he gets a request for something other than the old standbys. 

The in keeping with the theme of the thread- best somm we had was Bogdon on Merav...

He wine paired our meals every night (we had that ultra prem package which no longer exists)

And he would be sure to bring up bottles to be waiting for us, and would open things accordingly.

Told us that he would then share with staff after service to teach them more about wines wich we thought was fantastic.

After our B2B he printed out the full list of what we had been served which was so helpful.

1 hour ago, Mark_T said:

We had some OBC to burn so we did order a few bottles from the wine list and they did have pretty much everything we ordered, I think that particular bottle was our 2nd choice on that day.

 

The included wines were actually decent as well, only miss was one of the two Pinot Grigio offerings, it was too sweet, I don't recall the name, but the Germain Pinot Grigio was the better choice.

DH was happy enough with the Oberon. 

I primarily drink whites and found what was on offer: not chilled, and some too sweet. 

They had only a sweet rose-- which I don't drink. 

Two other parties were able to get a dry minerally rose in Le Muse and when I politely asked for that as a choice, I was told they didn't have any.

I know that wasn't true and it came from somewhere on the ship (maybe Butchers Cut) Know that those two parties dealt with Pepe on it.

DH was going to go to Butchers cut to get me a glass of wine. and Pepe was so busy I just wasn't going to add to the burdeon. 

We never saw a wine list- and were never offered the opportunity to buy off another list. Certainly would have done that.

This was our 8th YC sailing and we felt Le Muse was by far the poorest experience

@morpheusofthesea

TYVM

We know all too well that ship, officers, kitchen all make the journey experience vary

The tone and tenor can -- execution of food, service and cleanliness, upkeep of a ship.

Best

fog

On 3/25/2024 at 5:13 AM, Mark_T said:

Divina does not have a Sommelier in the YC restaurant, but I would suggest you ask to be seated in Glenn's section and he will take good care of you along with his assistant, Susmeta...

 

 

 Didn't see any of that wine in Divinia Le Muse March 3-10.

Couldn't get a dry rose 😞

Giorgio Vietello was a fab YC D on Merv in both 2020 and in 2022, yet I think he's on another MSC ship, not certain

Pepe is YC Dir on Divinia, is  excellent

Simone in concierge on Divinia is excellent as was another lovely lady whose name escapes me at the moment

Rudy (I think I have name right)--the man who is Head Butler on Divinia is excellent. 

Melania, YC Dir on Seashore is excellent.

The Maitre D and Asst Maitre D on Seashore are both excellent. 

All of the above are personable, visible, approachable and BUSY. They are attentive to their YC guests.

3 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

This morning I logged on my social media accounts and up pooped (should be popped) Regent Seven Seas. I immediately 'left group'. There is absolutely nothing of any interest for me on Regent. After I finished, I turned to DW (who was making breakfast) and told her I just left Regent. She said she did the same last night.

Says a lot-- 

So sorry that after having such a lovely cabin-- that the ship, service or lack thereof and entertainment or lack thereof makes this a one and done thing.

Your thread has been very helpful. Regent's marketing is quite powerful (lux brand and al lux experience on the ship etc).

Can you compare MSC YC, vs Haven vs Retreat? We "left" X once we found YC.  We have a long sailing in Haven coming up and pre-cruise we have liked the concierge contact. Have not liked having to add in bev package and that the daily fee leaves out our butler. Yes we tip cash to all the folks who make our sailing excellent, we just don't like NCLs policy to leave the butlers out.

There are interesting itineraries  on X from time to time yet we don't think the Retreat will be as good as YC.

And some sailings really need a smaller ship (water access) and in that market, we dont know which way to go-- as we wonder if they are all like Regent in real life experience.

Thoughts?

Lots of wild rumors (hotels etc) that according to the 2 YC directors we spoke to in the last month- neither could be confirmed beyond the dedging. 

OC is not an amusement park like other lines and doesn't fit the brand and OC Marine Foundation mission

We hope things go well for you

Having sailed MSC YC 8 times in a few years--we can say we are hooked

Re food-- MSC leans into Euro - Ital and less salt, smaller portions etc

That said--we just did a YC on Seashore and a YC on Divinia..in the last month. Dishes on Seashore like Asparagus Pannacotta were Amazing and a huge miss on Divinia.

Embarkation lunch which we have had 8 times--varies by kitchen/supervising chef even with the same menu. Yet its been executed differently. 

Have done  6 Mera sailings (B2B)

then, Merav B2B2B2B, then Seashore and Divinia

We were a bit surprised to see the variation from the kitchen. 

That said, we will be interested to hear what you think.

We absolutely avoid sailing during spring break-with families-kids

36 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

I bet I can top that (and lived to tell this tale). When I was around 5 years old, I was visiting my grandparents when I fell and skinned my arm in the yard. I ran to my grandfather who was close by and he examined the wound. He called over his dog to lick my wound saying to me that dogs have a natural antibiotic in their saliva. He said he learned this from his grandmother a native born American Indian.

My late grandfather said the same...Vividly recall him telling me if I ever had a wound and needed to address it (I may have been 4-5 yrs old--we were walking thee shoreline) He said, a dog should lick it for same reasons.. 

I am not a microbiologist - yet trust that "peck of dirt" thing 🥰

10 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Great idea. DW says she has seen these , but after using it one still has to put it away in ones pocket. DW is a natural bacteriologist. She uses a Clorox wipe and carries a zip lock baggy as a temporary trash receptacle in her purse. (She did not see me when I did that video touching the door opener). (Also she doesn't read my posts as she gets too upset with my musings).

My dear late mom said every child "eats a peck of dirt"...

We drank out of hoses, shared sandwiches with friends and lived to tell the tale

Men in ball caps indoors 🙄 makes such a statement about them. 

Sadly basic manners and decorum are lost on many

Hand washer here. I dont like the idea of just using the sanitizer which feels like its laminating the dirt to hands. blech

Helpful link

https://www.msccruisesusa.com/manage-booking/before-you-go/what-to-wear

44 minutes ago, KeepCalmBearOn said:

 

Cruising is capitalism so MSC gets to decide how to maximize resources and you are free to stop using MSC if it bothers you.

😆

Meraviglia - 6x

Divinia - 1x

Seashore 1x

Only sail YC so only look at sailings on ships with YC

Sounds like Phishing