Fogfog

Can be interesting if they launch And ships can impact launches We were on a sailing and leaving Port Canaveral and the launch was scrubbed because another ship was out in the atl and in a area that --if something went wrong - it wouldn't be safe. It was quite the controversy.. how those things are scheduled, port schedules, spacex schedules etc Left us all wondering

Will vary by time/ship/sailing/weather Yes the hot tub and pool can be crowded-- you will get some hot tub hogs who will stay in it or a loooong time As far as what to wear--this is from the website https://www.msccruisesusa.com/manage-booking/before-you-go/what-to-wear " Dress Restrictions Specific restrictions may be enforced by onboard staff members including restaurant hostesses and management. At no point is swimwear allowed in any formal dining venue for any meal, including breakfast and lunch. Shorts, flip flops, and tank tops are not allowed for Evening Wear or Gala Night in the Main Dining Rooms, Specialty Restaurants, or MSC Yacht Club.

If -you love the use of a hot tub, certainly having a private one over a public one is great-- ..and a "pool guy" will come clean-fill it for you each day -and if you will be able to make use of the $ difference between YC and Aurea in spa add ons, or save $ you'd not spend otherwise (or would spend it in specialty dining) then Aurea is likely the better fit.

@Sailing12Away yet don't all new launches come with high price tags? The Celebrity Edge class certainly did And people complained about Virgin, the ship, the rooms, the style... Cruising has many styles and as many people who like and dislike those things. We like to see a pair of slack/collared shirt worn at dinner yet others are just as happy in the t shirt and shorts and flip flops they wore at the pool in the MDR. Go figure Cruising used to be newly weds and nearly deads... now its a booming industry and the ships keep coming

The same ones who bragged about stuffing their luggage with the mini bottles of liquor from the mini bar in the room and the cans of chocolate peanuts and chips... hence many policies changed

So interesting to read such varying views The ships design was intentional Haven design with smaller conversational spaces also intentional no large pool- yet rather smaller venues, smaller pools, sundecks etc around the ship tablet-ipad ordering table service for variety I guess for some, Prima and Viva are a 1 and done thing ...or not ever..as they prefer a different style of ship layout. Others will happily sail Prima class again. +

Nice gesture of goodwill on the part of NCL. Both shoreside and shipside will (hopefully) address the deplorable way it was handled initially

you do the hokey pokey and you turn yourself about🕺

The crew staff response was all CYA from what you reported.. and that was just not appropriate. At the very least the crew/staff needs retraining and they need to identify the why re that leak. I wonder others have slipped there as well. Several who followed you here are on the TA in April

Happy Anniversary🥰

Hi @essiesmom MSC logo gear gifts... So as Diamond in YC, a 7day got you a choc ship each leg, and MSC logo gear gift each leg and there was a B2B box of chocolates between each leg plus all of the same Diamond stuff for each leg... and all of the YC perks for each leg

We use a TA too, for OBC and shop $ - yours sounds better

Typically on a week long sailing there is a lobster tail dinner offered in the YC dining room and you can ask the Maitre D up embarkation if that will happen. If not, check if you can get a Tail add-on at Butchers Cut at dinner there one evening. I don't believe there is a lobster night on the short sailings We have seen and heard at great length a group of about 8 created lots of drama in Top SailLounge when they were denied a "special lunch/dinner"----separate from that designated lobster night because a whole case of tails would have to be defrosted and they did not want to pay for the whole case.

Years ago we did a private tour of old Cartagena. We were picked up at the port by van with a guide and driver. Went up to a vantage point to see the old port and could see where they pulled the large chain to block-close the port etc. Learned some history. We did a tour of the gold museum, a tour of the colonial era buildings, etc, the stretches of beaches, and learned about the city. Never had an issue with panhandlers. We'd be dropped off with guide, would tour a particular venue and picked up at end of street by driver. Very seamless. Found the guide through CC here and he was called "the Emerald Guy" and we booked him while enroute. So for those going in April, it is an option.

Unfortunate to see that mall of shops all empty. Given the ships are there. I wonder about the reasons they are not open/stocked. Could be many. When we stopped there years ago there were handcrafts and snacks etc. We bought a few things and had a cold Panama beer before getting on the ship after out canal transit excursion.

If you can't find Luxardo, these are goo too https://www.totalwine.com/accessories-more/food/drink-garnishes/filthy-black-cherries/p/130725233?s=907&igrules=true

Oh, bring the jar. Just put it in a baggie in case it leaks while bringing it on. Put it in carry on. YOLO right? And its your vacation. Cheers🍒

TYVM Who is the Maitre D and the Somm on Seashore? Counting the days

When we did B2B2B2B with some short legs, others were 6-7 we did not get the choc ships on some legs, and if I recall, they kind of rounded up, so 3 MSC gifts over 4 cruises. We did have the specialty dining every leg

Hey there! So related to card games for 2 What do you feel are the best--and then easiest (smallest) to carry for travel--and yet teachable-expandable to 4 etc but mostly played by 2 Phase 10? We used to travel with Uno decks and Phase 10 decks as a fam of 4. When I g00gle things like travel games-- Duet etc and things like Pass the Pigs comes up-- we bought PtP like 20+ years ago and our kids never used it--it went to goodwill. Just thinking about sea days and best options. Regular deck and rummy? Thoughts?

Regarding the Haven Lounge being desolate, can't I use my butler phone and get a snack/bev brought to me there while I read/play cards? Sounds like poor planning if it is missing snacks/coffee bar

Great pics. Enjoying your cruise 😉

True, we can't blame MSC for the pax sailing and their behavior- that can vary for week to week. We sailed a B2B on Celebrity and the one Officer told us to expect a big difference with the 6 day vs the 6 day--and yes he was very correct. Difference in tone, demographics etc. So length of sailing, time of year, port of embarkation all impact who may be sailing. Booze cruise vs longer sailing. Spring break, holidays, summer vs "in school", port intensive vs lots of sea days, does the ship have lots of "attractions" (surf-riders/race cars/arcade), is it a big casino draw etc

For 2025 NCL web site shows Gem sailing out of Miami in Jan and May. Feb-April is not avail at the moment

BTW, of the places you dive, where would you say is the best place if you were an instructor (all levels), to live-work? That's work permit-visa friendly and one can pay the bills in that field? Just curious as I am guessing you have some experience diving various places