rusky123

Disgraceful behaviour on part of NCL, she has written to them. I have just returned from a Med cruise with MSC, alcohol served in port with no restrictions, so this is a NCL problem only.

My daughter just off a 4 day Barcelona to Rome cruise on Epic, no drinks apart from beer and wine served whilst in Port (overnight in Livorno), no drinks package wine available in the dining rooms, no bottles of the drinks package water. She was already annoyed that she was made to wait for 3 hours outside the terminal in Barcelona in full sun before being able to check-in. NCL are usually great but they had a lot of very annoyed passengers on this cruise.

Pride needs a lot of work. Sailed on her from UK to Rome last year. Our feet sunk into the balcony ‘wooden’ floor the first time we stepped onto it. The door to our balcony was warped and would not shut, the wind howled through it for 2;weeks.  The staff tried to make things better but after 50 + cruises worse ship ever. Only saving grace was Ocean Breeze and fellow passengers

Thank you M&A

21 hours ago, M&A said:

It's 1 mile from the train station to the cruise terminal.  Some people were talking about walking from the station because of the traffic tie ups and a lack of taxis

Is there always a lack of taxis at Dover Priory, we are travelling from Swansea to Dover on the 2nd for the Rome sailing. We are cutting it a little fine time wise and getting worried.

You can buy a test for £12 from most testing websites, all legit for travelling x

Sailing in Europe we had steak, chicken and fish as always available.

I had a bid offer and bid ‘fair’ and got an upgrade to the Royal Suite. Got the news 2 days before we sailed from Barcelona. It was an amazing cabin and the balcony was the best ever. Just go for whatever you feel you can afford, the YC is an amazing experience in itself xxx

Hi pj, there will be plenty of places to get a test done, it is a major cruise terminal. I doubt if you will need testing in September most European ports are dropping the requirements now. Just arrived home from a 10 day holiday on MSC, the testing was non existent for the next cruise. We bought Covid tests for £12 with a medic signing off for our cruise, if still needed you can do the same. Enjoy your cruise x

Hi mnpurple, I sailed week before last and we were Covid tested but I think they dropped the testing now. 
We were in the YC and the service is amazing as always. Our restaurant staff were brilliant as usual and the food was wonderful.

Taormina is amazing and a must see, there will be loads of taxis and minibuses at the port gates offering trips at a third or quarter of the price of the ships prices. I usually go with the port entry taxis since the advent of trip advisor , lol word gets around these days x

Have a wonderful cruise xx

Just back off our Seaview cruise, we had an amazing time despite the weather being awful for the first few days. Like Seaside MSC Seaview needs good weather to really appreciate the ship.

We were a family of 12 staying in 4 cabins in the YC, found out the day before leaving for Barcelona that we had a RS suite, wonderful.

Embarkation was smooth as usual from Barcelona and although we had a covid test 48 hours before another one was done after security, it was quick and easy.

We went to the buffet for a late breakfast a few times and we had our temperatures taken as we entered but the buffet was back to self service. No temperatures taken in the YC buffet on deck 19 which was a served by waiters. I did find the differences between the two buffets strange.

We had to wear masks whilst moving about the ship but that was no problem. Masks to be worn at the tables in the casino, but with so many people without masks standing behind one person sitting it seemed a silly rule.

Service on board really good and a lovely atmosphere as well. Mostly Europeans on board.

It was great to be cruising again and I think MSC has led the way returning to a normal cruising experience.

We are boarding in Barcelona on Friday 22nd April, will let you know 

So difficult to give a ballpark figure when so many nationalities on board. Some countries tip a lot, other nations do not. 
Just go with what you feel appropriate, all tips will be appreciated.

On 3/20/2022 at 10:06 AM, mickey89 said:

I beg to differ, I have worldwide travel insurance with my bank which definitely covers Covid cancellations and repatriation.  The OP lives in Ireland which is totally different to whats available in Canada.

I agree mickey89  my bank card insurance covers Covid and has amazing cover, they have sent us a paper copy of our cruise + covid cover. I live in the UK and cannot imagine the OP has much different.

 I do not know why anyone would travel without appropriate insurance.

You will have to upgrade the internet, the free YC one is limited. You can stay on board at any port, MSC often pick up at different ports.

My 1st YC experience was on Divina, a 3 week transatlantic , I loved it. The YC restaurant is the other end of the ship but we did not mind at all, the walk did us good and the food and service was superb.

The minibar in the YC is free and will be replenished daily, tell your butler what your favourite tipple is and it will be well stocked. 

The theatre entertainment on MSC is not as good as NCL imho, but there is always something to do and somewhere to go.

MSC is now our first choice, but we also do other cruise lines, we just go with the itinerary and dates to suit us.

I cannot comment on the COVID testing in the US, but we have to do a 48 hour test before we embark the Seaview in Barcelona in 3 weeks. We are taking our children and grandchildren, 12 of us in total, I doubt the YC restaurant will be a haven of tranquility ☺️
 

Have a great cruise blueskadoo

We have recently cancelled a NCL cruise and rebooked MSC because of the vaccination policy, we have 4 10 and under grandchildren joining us on this cruise. Here in Wales they are vaccinating the younger ones but only special needs at the moment so no chance of fully vaccinated children by April. Hopefully our European cruise will be OK.

There is a separate tented embarkation area in Civitavecchia. You will get on board quickly, there is a priority line for YC.

Just had our September 17 th cruise on the Seaside out of Rome cancelled, no reason given. We were hoping the Italian government were going to announce an ease of quarantine restrictions next Monday. Torn between rescheduling or cancelling. 

I have just returned from Scarlet Lady, we had a double bed but our headboard was really long and had 3 overhead lamps and looked like it could be suitable for 2 or 3 single beds in a normal configuration. Our neighbours, also in an XL terrace had a configuration of a double and a single, although they wanted 3 singles. I think there are plenty of options within each cabin. Good Luck x

Disembarked yesterday, loads of options for breakfast, I was really surprised and pleased. Most restaurants open and such a chilled atmosphere. I have sailed many cruise lines and this was the best disembarkation ever, we did not have to leave our cabin until 10:30 and just walked off after having a great unrushed brekkie 👍

Nice Richard x

I rarely go into a public pool, prefer my own really clean one without plasters ( band aids) floating about, so pool size does not matter to me. I think they should have another pool or two for those who like a pool though.

Not quite sure about the grey, I will be boarding in two weeks, will probably love it then x

Nice one Periodic, I hope you enjoy x.

I have 2 weeks to go until my 4 night cruise to nowhere on Scarlet Lady, I have booked my restaurants and shows, bags all ready to be packed and so excited you will not believe. I have not been away for 18 months. I usually cruise or go away 5 or 6 times a year. My house walls are closing in.

I am so totally outside the age demographic for this ship but I love cruising and it was a chance not to be missed. I think a lot of ‘slightly ‘ older ones like me have also booked, let’s face it these are not normal times. 
I love the sound of the restaurants I have booked and will write a review as soon as I have tried them.

once again, well done and have a great time xx

I do like the Epic, from the outside the ugliest ship ever, but it has a charm of its own inside. We have booked our 5th cruise on her for hubby’s birthday next April and we are taking all the family as well. For me the only real downside of the Epic is the lack of lifts forward at peak times, we just take the stairs or find somewhere to sit with a drink until the crowds vanish.

I hope you enjoy your cruise on her.