MsTabbyKats

37 minutes ago, Morgsmom said:

@MsTabbyKats   Others have reported moving their non refundable YC booking deposit to a new cruise (using their one free cruise move) but NOT in a YC cabin.  Then cancelling that far enough out to not have any penalty and get a refund.  Seems worth a try other than just losing the $398

Thanks....great advice.  But I already used my "one free move" option so it's highly unlikely I can go that route. 

TA is on vacation now; will see if there are any options upon her return.

1 hour ago, wolft927 said:

We are sailing MSC for the First time in September, we typically do Haven with NCL, but for $3200 all in for a YC interior it was a no brainer to give it a try. Your right they do go fast, we booked over a year out. We were going to try and sneak a Interior YC cruise during the summer but they are all sold out. 

Yes....it's the same great service, cabin size/cost doesn't affect anything.

I never should have waved those pompoms and let the secret out!

Just a note:  My husband didn't share my disappointment.  His main complaint was "itinerary"....3 sea days in a row with "too cool and windy" for the YC pool deck was boring.  That he couldn't get freshly grilled fish bothered me more than it did him.

@cellfreeIf I were to go in YC again, it would be in an interior cabin.  Although the balcony deluxe was deluxe...the interior was adequate.  We travel lite...so even the lack of storage space would be ok for us.

This time the butler brought more snacks....maybe because we had more space and a table. 

Another thought....the Brookly cruise terminal vs Manhattan.  Getting off the ship was easy thanks to the butler....but there was chaos at "the uber waiting area"...I guess due to the drizzle.  It would be awful in winter.  Our wait for the car was about 10 minutes.

Without the butler, the line to get off was loooooong.

@StockjockWe didn't eat at Hola (or any of the specialty restaurants).  However, they had guacamole in the main buffet.  Too bad I didn't have my camera ready....the look on my husband's face when he tasted it (remember....we live in Spanish Harlem...we know what guac is supposed to taste like) was hysterical.  But not as funny as when he tasted the buffet hummus (we're Middle Eastern...we know our hummus)!

Entertainment:

Our first MSC cruise  was on the Divina in 2015.  The entertainment was fabulous.  Because of the international passengers....there were lots of singing/dancing shows.  In addition...there was a famous Italian opera singer who gave an afternoon performance.

This is no longer the case.  Now it's "your run of the mill Americans"...so there are comedians and magicians...much less "musical productions".  Again...personal preference, just not my preference.

I used to say it was the best entertainment at sea...but they're catering to a different audience.

17 minutes ago, If_this_is_tuesday said:

Are you going back to a line you used before or try something new?

I'll write more later on...about food, about entertainment.

We were on CCL a few months ago (in Jan) and my expectations were "not much".  Turns out...that cruise was much better than expected.  The entertainment was very much improved over prior CCL cruises and DH love the "steak and eggs" for brunch. 

I'm trying to find "one great thing" about this cruise.  On the first YC sailing, I couldn't say enuf great things....perfect.  This one was ok...but ok isn't good enuf for cheerleading!

Presently we have the same itinerary booked for Jan 2025.  My feeing right now (subject to change of course) is that I'll absorb the non-refundable deposit and do the same itineray I did on Carnival instead.

8 minutes ago, Two Wheels Only said:

 

You might have just gotten a bad staff member. I've had custom fresh pizza delivered to the sundeck on multiple cruises and on multiple ships.

 

MSC's inconsistency (even for Yacht Club) can rub people the wrong way. Someone sailing your ship 2 weeks after you might have no problem getting pizza delivered to the sundeck.

I am aware of this.  The bottom line...we paid a lot for this cruise.  We don't really care for YC dining room meals (our issue...other people love it).  We don't drink (DH had one red wine a day and I had 3 wine spritzers for 11 days).  We ended up eating most meals in the main buffet (again...our thing...due to our eating schedules and preferences).  So, if I can't get what I really care about....is it worth paying so much for a beautiful cabin with a wonderful shower.....and great butler service?  I don't think so...which is why I'm (probably) hanging up the pompoms.

Last April, I had the best cruise of my life....Merviglia YC!

But, "You Can't Go Home Again".

We just got off the ship this morning, YC again;  I was expecting the 11 days to be spectacular.  They were good, very good.  We had a nice time.  But, based on my prior YC experience, I set the bar too high.  Somethings specific to YC, somethings for the entire ship....and somethings that probably only affected me.

Last year it was an interior YC cabin; this year balcony deluxe.  The cabin was wonderful, the service great.  Our butler and asst butler did great jobs....down to escorting us off the ship!

The disappointment starts with "no pizza delivery to pool deck".  That was the highlight of my cruise last year....having customized pizza delivery.  Now...it's only in your cabin.  Last year, at the pool deck lunch buffet...raw fish was layed out....and then freshly grilled for you.  Like the poolside pizza....probably not important at all for most people.  Very important for us.

I'll be back later with more comments....the laundry is calling right now

1 hour ago, JamieLogical said:

Yes, but it is just a covered walkway and can get a bit crowded. I was there waiting for an Uber in the pouring rain and managed not to get too wet. As you walk out of the terminal and across the crosswalk, there will be no shelter, but there should be shelter as you wait.

Thanks....

Is the "Uber waiting area" covered?  Disembarking tomorrow....and the weatherman says it's gonna rain!

Just now, morpheusofthesea said:

It could be the chef 

Shhh....we've been eating with the masses at the buffet.  Fine dining isn't for us.  I'll be writing my thoughts later this week.  

On 4/10/2024 at 7:23 AM, dexddd said:

October.

 

Shift towards seafood which not our thing.  Go to filets were super tough.  Also note YC Director non existent but later reports he was out and about.

 

Good news is Arthur should be there.

I'm in the Mera yc right now.  Maybe it's me...but disappointed with food, as compared to a year ago.

No more customized pizza delivery to pool deck...no more freshly grilled fish at lunch buffet.  I has pizza in the main buffet...and it just wasn't "the best pizza ever".

I don't want to hijack this thread....will write my own thread when I get home.

12 hours ago, Av8tor said:

Ben & David thing???  My old grey matter is drawing a blank....🤔

Mine too....

Anyone care to give us "old folks" the details, or point us in the right direction 

@Georgia_PeachesDH gets up all night long (transparency...so d I).  We bring tea lights.   They're battery operated....and about 2 dozen for less than $10 on Amazon or temu.

Just my 2 cents...

We are currently on the Mera...2nd time in yacht club, third time on the ship.

Anyway...yesterday was a port day and we missed our YC poolside buffet due to an excursion.  We went to the main buffet.... besides the pizza we both had absolutely delicious quinoa and chicken.

As far as quality of food....MSC is a great value.  (Not to get into a debate...but the chicken/quinoa tasted much better than the YC dining room food...to both of us.)

I'm on the Meraviglia right now.  The comedian was joking about all the kids on  board last week, and what a zoo it was....1600 under 18!

10 minutes ago, merryjewelhound said:

Thank you for your thoughts MsTabbyKats.

You said you were in contact with your TA.  If anyone should have "serviced you", it should have been the TA.  That's what they're getting paid for.

1 hour ago, merryjewelhound said:

They did mention that cruise but nothing about it being free. I had concerns about paying for a hotel room for 3 days and it seemed to be from another city. The problems we have run into and hopefully insurance may cover???? is that we were too late to cancel our hotel in Venice and have been charged for 1 night of it. We were in the port so we paid taxi, transportation to get there, the hotel and then the next day back to Rome. Each fee is not much but I have now exceeded the price of the $500 4 day experimental cruise to see if I liked MSC. I just wasn't confident in MSC to help me.

They are giving you the fare back and a FCC credit of 50%...yes, only $250 but you paid only $500.

Traveling is always riskly...things go wrong.  That's what insurance if for.

I don't know what else you expected MSC to do?  

19 minutes ago, nferr said:

 

I lived on115'th St between 1'st Ave and Pleasent Ave. when i was an infant back in the early 1950's. Used to be Little Italy back then. 

Yes. .... home of the famous Rao's.  Some of the homes there still look like Italian villas with marble in the gardens. We used to go up there a lot. 

On 4/2/2024 at 7:59 AM, morpheusofthesea said:

Might as well "live rich than die rich" Dr. Samuel Johnson

That's gonna be my new motto!

Thanks for all the info.  We'll stick to YC....and supplement with pizza!  Never heard anyone complain about MSC pizza...

7 minutes ago, Stockjock said:

I've never lived in NYC, but I've spent months there doing sales training and managerial training for a big Wall Street firm.  While undeniably there's a lot of great food in NYC, I've never found the kind of authentic Mexican food that you can find every few blocks here in San Diego, often within walking distance.  I think I have at least 6-8 very good Mexican restaurants within 1 to 1.5 miles.

I'm sure they blow San Diego out of the water for most of the ethnic foods that you've mentioned, but great authentic Mexican?  I'm sure you can find it, as you can find anything in NYC, but it's different for 

In general...our "not for tourists" Mexican restaurants have servers that don't speak English, don't serve tacos etc...and spice it up...generally about 116th Street.   I won't say more....

1 hour ago, Selion said:

They have always said "no" on teppanyaki to me.  Sushi and the Kaito restaurant, yes.  No teppanyaki for me.

Oy...I really don't like sushi...  😞

On the Mera...the restaurant is named Kaito Teppanyaki.  If it's "no"...I'm just as happy with unlimited pizza for 11 days.

38 minutes ago, Tierun said:

Yes you can do Hola, and Kaito sushi or teppanyaki.

Thanks!

See reply above....I can take the subway anywhere and in just minutes have authentic cuisine.  However, I think we'll give Teppanyaki a try.  I have never done one of those...might be an interesting experience (and I can always get pizza)!