Essiesmom

It’s called the James Bond pier because it was used as a background for scenes in Dr. No. EM

It can be any time. The first time I was only notified of the upgrade, never had an original assignment. EM

There is an app. It is MSC for Me. How much you can order depends on where you are sailing (from). If you are sailing from the US you can order as many apps and desserts as you want, but only one entree/main. Second entree is $5, although there are reports of some. Not being charged. This does not apply in the YC, I believe. If you are sailing in Europe they say they are not being limited to one entree. I believe you can book excursions in the app. EM

Go to the websites of every cruise line that you have even a slight interest in sailing, and sign up for their emails for special deals. If you already know when and where you want to sail, try poking around in cruisetimetables.com. Plug in some places you want to visit using the tab ‘cruises to’, then choose when you want to go. It will tell you who calls there and their itineraries. It is purely informative, not a travel agency. Once you have narrowed it down to a few, go to the boards here for those cruise lines and ask questions there ( presuming you have some). Go to the websites of the lines for the ships you have listed, and try a dummy booking, going all the way until you have to pay to see what you might pay. Then call your recommended TA, and maybe a few others you have found online ( we can’t recommend any on CC) to see what they can offer you to book with them. EM

Barcelona…

You treat Rome just like any other port day. EM

Legend is sister to Pride, which you sailed in Europe. There is only one available pier in Ocho Rios, since Magic damaged the main pier. If two ships are scheduled, one will dock at the James Bond dock, and the other goes to Montego Bay or Falmouth. EM

I have never sailed RCL, or have I sailed any line with a child. But I believe the kids programs are free, although there might be an activity or two that have a fee. It’s the after hours care that costs. They will have boosters/highchairs, but you need to bring the kids utensils. There is a board here for Family Cruising, under Special Interest cruising. You might also ask your questions on the RCL board. EM

The heads of the beds will be under the window and the bunk will be in the ceiling. EM

That yummy yacht is the M.Y. Faith. She is available for charter, 12 guests in 7 cabins, crew of 31. Costs a bit more than the MSC YC: $1,736,000/week plus expenses. EM

HAL 3 Star, Cunard x3, platinum on Princess. Couple short visits to Japan plus changing planes enroute from Shanghai. EM

Because MSC is a family owned company, no stockholders to appease. Likely they didn’t suffer any debt because of Covid…being sister company of MSC cargo, probably the largest cargo company…likely any funds to sustain came out of the cargo coffers. EM

Princess, Cunard, HAL in April 2025. EM

Why not split the large bed into twins and you and hubby sleep on the sofa bed?

The keys available at the cabin also prevents people from heading right to their cabins when they are not ready. Sometimes you can go to your cabin and drop off carryons, but the key card won’t be there until the cabin is ready. EM

OP is having problem on iPad, not laptop. EM

Bermuda. EM

I don’t think Carnival does the bidding for upgrades. They occasionally post an upgrade offer on your checkin page. EM

It’s rare for a hurricane or tropical storm affects the fr south and west of the Caribbean. EM

Monday sees Silver Nova heading to the Caribbean

It’s a wake up call for those who insist on traveling with a family member with dementia. EM

Zeroing the ship is a US thing, not done in Europe. Look for the threads from those sailing Euribia and World Europa as they might have posted menus. EM

Note the last sentence in the instructions for bidding.

It’s probably going to happen while you are off touring, you won’t even know it is happening. EM

The advantage is that embarkation is faster because the group is smaller. EM