Fogfog

@skeeter195 So how did it go and how did it compare MSC to NCL? YC vs Haven?

I hear you Don't bring me a "Kim Crawford".. etal.. that's for certain... And I don't drink flimsy, weak or barefoot sweet stuff. I want to know what's up with F&B if their sourcing can't deliver

Appreciate what you are saying about the wines Back in 2020 MSC had not only a premium bev package - which YC had included, they had a Prem plus type of package which meant you could have anything on the ship...no limit (any bottle/wine pairing etc). And you could buy up and get that on top of your YC package. They have since stopped allowing that upgrade...idk if that package even exists anymore. Back then, in 2020, the somm wine paired our dinners for our B2B in YC with some amazing choices. He came to the dining room to ask us about our choices each evening and brought things with him...It was fabulous. Fast fwd to 2022 for our B2Bsss..and MSC's YC bev package and they limited wines- they are a bit of a disappointment to say the least. It is the "hole" in their YC. Also, there were things in the bar (like Johnnie Walker Blue, Macallens, some great French champagnes and some nice grappas etc) that all disappeared. We were told that some of it was due to availability. I am reading on other threads for other cruise lines that pax are complaining about wine choices... IDK if its a cost cutting thing, or other factors.

@PistolPete13 Know you have been busy with your sailing, review, vid/pics etc. Would love to know more about your pics of the ships leaving NY harbor Best fog

SO people did NOT pay attention to the video they had to watch!🤪 They will be the ones we have to climb over while they are on the floor freaking out

Check terms and conditions. Tour guides are responsible to get everyone back and forth to the ship

Doesn't look like a vax is an option... I didn't realize that Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands were "hot spots. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/dengue/public/index.html

TYVM our whole family had the YF vax years ago and it had read it "expired" - for a certain asian nation where a family member lives. So that person had to get another vax (as we had spent time in a YF hot zone for two weeks). We were concerned they would be denied entry at the border. Just went to the CDC and WHO vax websites.. turns out the second vax was never necessary and it is not advised. " Booster Doses In 2014, the WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization concluded that a single primary dose of YF vaccine provides sustained immunity and lifelong protection against YF disease and that revaccination (a booster dose) is not needed. In 2016, the IHR were officially amended to specify that a completed International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP or “yellow card”) is valid for the lifetime of the vaccinee, and countries cannot require proof of revaccination against YF as a condition of entry, even if the last vaccination was >10 years prior. ACIP also has stated that a single dose of YF vaccine provides long-lasting protection and is adequate for most travelers. ACIP guidelines do differ slightly from those of WHO, however, by specifying that additional doses of YF vaccine are recommended for the following groups of travelers: people who were pregnant when they received their initial dose of vaccine (administer 1 additional dose before they are next at risk for YF); people who received a hematopoietic stem cell transplant after receiving a dose of YF vaccine (revaccinate before they are next at risk for YF as long as they are sufficiently immunocompetent); people infected with HIV when they received their last dose of YF vaccine (administer a dose every 10 years if they continue to be at risk for YF). Consider administering a booster dose to travelers who received their last dose of YF vaccine ≥10 years previously if they will be going to higher-risk settings based on activities, duration of travel, location, and season. This consideration applies to travelers planning prolonged stays in endemic areas, those traveling to endemic areas (e.g., rural West Africa) during peak transmission season, or travelers visiting areas with ongoing outbreaks. Although booster doses of YF vaccine are not recommended for most travelers, and despite the 2016 changes to the IHR, clinicians and travelers should nonetheless review the entry requirements for destination countries. For more information on country-specific recommendations and requirements, see Sec. 2, Ch. 5, Yellow Fever Vaccine & Malaria Prevention Information, by Country."

Interesting. I didn't know this was a "thing" ... .have had a a valid passport since about age 20 Only available in a few states https://www.us-passport-service-guide.com/enhanced-drivers-license.html

So if Galveston has facial recognition...why is this backed up? Does it divide US citizens vs other?

6 sailings in YC on Merav YC and only walk in showers in our experience. Have your TA or MSC agent confirm when you book

This is all helpful. We have OBC from the TA and $250 from stockholder. I gather instead of prepaying to upgrade bev, wifi etc, we will have to do it onboard the first day to make use of the OBC I can upgrade the FAS bev to the Pre + or whatever they are calling it - correct? - on embarkation day with OBC?

Yellow Fever vax is worth having. It expires after like 10 years. Some nations will not allow entry if you dont have current vax and have traveled (even transit) through a Yellow Fever zone

Immigration could go faster with tech. There are the face scanners which already exist..and they know who is on the ship. And global entry- which many of us have. We've been on ships where the ports divide US vs other, or EU vs other lines. Really this could go better... Maybe if everyone just climbed over the walls and walked through ? 🙃

Can i use it for Haven butler grats- which are not included in the DSC?

ok...so what are "may not be used toward onboard service charges " and what are not? That would seem to eliminate everything.. bar tabs al la carte upgraded bev packages bought/paid on board specialty dining bought on board grats charged on board during sailing wifi upgrades bought on board butler grats (not included in grats and "voluntarily paid on board) aren't all things then "onboard service charges" ? What can the stockholders OBC be used for (we dont shop)

Yes

Can someone please direct me to where it says I can't use my stockholder OBC for gratuities? DSC? Would that also be Haven butler grats

We'd like to know as well, sail seashore at the end of Feb (Divina in March) which ship? Please and TY

sadly too - second hand smoke is an issue

And the original post asked about the Haven. So there should be smoking area elsewhere for those not in Haven, right?

TYVM I thought from your signature that it was a year ago, and then wasn't certain if you had sailed twice

Thanks Did you sail in 2023 or this year?

Thanks I figured that..though someone told me I was completely wrong🤪

TYVM for your thoughts. We haven't booked with them yet. The dining sounds great. Who would you say is their main demographic? The rooms look tight online? How as bath/closet? TYIA