lakelorain

I've had success by booking the airfare based on the second cruise.  If I put in the first one, it doesn't work.  Just use the second cruise and change the date you want to fly to the port.  Hope it works for you.

We do a trans-Atlantic every year.  Ship sizes from Radiance Class to Oasis Class.

We love them.  There is a lot to do on the ship.

Advantage of a larger ship is you can eat at a variety of places at no extra cost.  

There will be extra activities scheduled to keep you busy while at sea so you won't be bored.  However, I'd suggest you bring a reader or some books for when you want to get away from the everybody else.  9 sea days in a row is a lot.

The size of the Oasis Class allows the ship to carry a large number of people at one time yet not seem crowded.  Different activities are going on in different parts of the ship at the same time so the crowds are spread out.

Only place we found crowded is trivia in the Schooner Bar.  

There will be a lot of high level C&A people but a large area will be set aside for them during cocktail hour so it won't be a problem for anyone.

If you like the tranquility of the sea, you will enjoy a trans-Atlantic.  If you are always itching to get off at ports, you may not like it.

Haven't been on Seaside yet(have one booked) but loved Divina, fantastica experience.  We normally cruise RC(32 cruise) and Celebrity (5 cruises).  However, MSC has won us over and we will be doing a lot of cruises on MSC in the future.  

It is different from the usual US cruises since MSC attracts a more international clientele.  We find that fun as we were able to learn more about different cultures.

The ships are gorgeous and spotless.  In general, the food is comparable to other cruise lines but far superior if you like Italian food.  The buffet is open late so it's easy to get a snack at night if you desire.

We found the cabins to be as good or better than other ships and the staff was efficient and friendly.  Also found the officers very visible and always willing to stop and talk for awhile.  

Many of the negative reviews are because of MSC isn't an American line.  If you like the European aspect of it, you will enjoy MSC.  If you want a truly American experience, you may not be happy.

I was on there that day. There were also restrooms on another floor with multiple stalls.  No wait.

We often switch people in cabins.  Just go to Guest Services and have them switched.  You will have to wait until they have the current cruise up and running on their computers which could be anytime between 1 and 5pm. 

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on Adventure.  It was very helpful to me as I have 2 cruises booked on her in a few months. Glad to hear you enjoyed your cruise.

Hope you have a wonderful 2019.

We have done several cruises out of Copenhagen and always take the RC bus to the airport.  We walk right on and it leaves within 5 minutes.  Never a problem.  

46 minutes ago, Bee Guy said:

 Is the one in 2019 on the serenade?     If so it is now twice the price that we booked for today.  Two extra days, but still....

Unbelievable isn't it.  It pays to book early.

32 minutes ago, leen42 said:

Is it pretty typical for this Itinerary to book up so quickly?

If you are talking about the trans-Atlantic that goes to Iceland/Greenland, the price will almost double in a very short time.  I did this cruise this year and have it booked for 2019.  Base price went up about $1000 from 2018 to 2019 for a balcony.  Cruises sold out quickly.

We were emailed a Black Card to print out and carry in 2016. It was in a letter along with a list of some of the benefits.

20 hours ago, Merion_Mom said:

 

Here is my wild guess:

 

Five night cruises require offsetting nine night cruises.  Week-long cruises roll on smoothly, one after the other.

 

Nine night cruises are a harder sell to the family crowd because of work schedules.

 

Seven night cruises sell well.

 

RC will rake in the big bucks in the summer of 2020.

 

 

I agree.  These 7 night cruises will attract their target audience, young families with some excess cash.

They offer them at lunch in the MDR.  Also see them at night on some of the longer cruises.

Yes.  Once you order it, the waiters will have it waiting for you every night.

Right off the aft elevators next to the Viking Crown Lounge.  It's the left door as you exit the elevator.

When we were on in August, the Concierge let us in.  Just showed our Set Sail Pass.

I checked with my TA and it is less expensive for me to buy the wifi package as they would reprice my cabin at the current rate.

Toni

You look very happy.  Nice to be out of the cold for a few weeks.  Looking forward to your review.  

Have a great time!

Haven't seen any in Central Park.  However, have seen swarms of bees on poles of mini golf courses on several smaller ships.  Crew said it happens often.  Also know people who had swarms on their balcony.  These were honeybees.  Crew takes care of them immediately. 

I have bee allergies and was not concerned as the bees had no interest in people.

Thanks for taking the time out from your vacation to take all these pictures and to share them with us.  Hope you are having a wonderful time.

Toni

Serenade has more windows so you can view the beautiful scenery from almost anywhere in the ship.  You will want to enjoy the scenery while the ship is moving.  If you get a balcony cabin you can also view it on the Explorer.  I'd go with Serenade if both itineraries are fine with you.  It's more a cold weather ship than Explorer.  

None on the Serenade TA either.  None on any of my 4 cruises this year.

We were on Anthem at the end of July.  No problem getting a seat in the Diamond Lounge.  No overflow was needed.  

Go to the North Star as soon as it opens on boarding day around 1.  You should be able to walk right on.  We've done it twice.

I've seen men getting pedicures on several ships.  Go for it.

Never get a response from end of cruise survey but always get one from mid-cruise survey.  If the ship doesn't hand out a mid-cruise survey, I write a note and leave it at guest services.  My comments are both good and bad when appropriate.  Have seen them take immediate action on some of them.