alohayall

Missing an actual cruise is so much worse than my just testing positive. I am truly fortunate so far that it is basically just a case of viral bronchitis. Just happens the virus is Covid. Best wishes that theirs doesn’t spiral into anything bad and you get to make up the cruise.

I am trying to Not come up with reasons to cruise more. And, really, I am a very content mainstream cruiser. (With the caveat that Disney pricing bumps it out of the pricing of Royal and Carnival). Having done MSC once, during return to cruising, I am not sure I know what it would be like with the crowds. I did 3 cruises last fall and was probably very spoiled by having big ships with low passenger counts - somewhat a private cruise experience. I liked it and somewhat dread having thousands onboard. Not inviting YC cruisers to the tasting does seem a bit odd. Sure, they have their own dining, but is there a YC discount in Specialty? Or truly just not likely to opt out of YC dinners? Have all these tasting lunches involved Q&A time? I wonder if anyone brings up telephone customer support or IT?

Lifeboat occupancy can affect cabin availability, too.

The plan is you arrive at your designated PAT and then test. Once cleared, you move to the next step - check-in.

I cannot imagine an area like YC with children. I sailed NCL last fall with only adults and it was so different without them around. The adults seemed more relaxed. I called it the Chitty Chitty Bang Band Toymaker’s cruise. That’s how I think if Concierge areas - but obviously not in YC. Are they typically well behaved? (Children on my Disney cruises are, in general.).

I am easily entertained by those who are enjoying themselves (when they are not snarky). I extrapolate what I like and can use for the future. And I am not a YC cruiser - I don’t like the hovering help. At dinner, I just want glasses to not go empty. And a look over to see that I am not trying to flag down the waiter. But, truly, happy cruisers help me think of good things I have had on vacations. Just mention Hawaii or a cruise to Alaska and a smile comes over my face as I think of places I have been.

I had my complimentary Diamond meal at Butcher’s Cut and paid for lunch at Teppanyaki restaurant. Butcher’s Cut $39 meal, my selections: assorted breads, appetizer (Caesar salad), entree (filet mignon + sauces) and side (Brussel sprouts), with dessert (peanut butter chocolate chip cookie with vanilla ice cream). The entire meal was excellent. Too much food for me, but I left with to-go boxed filet and the cookie part of dessert. I expect to order the same meal next cruise. I would also consider $39 a decent price for the meal. Really well prepared steak. For Teppanyaki, lunch was about $59 + gratuities. Waygu beef, lobster, soup, salad, fried rice, sushi / sashimi, green tea ice cream (or maybe ginger). I prefer my local Teppanyaki restaurant for flavor (especially soup and salad - you can get used to a certain familiar taste combination). Only 3 of us in the restaurant and the other two were friends who were non-interactive, even with the chef. It was like being a third wheel. Okay dining solo if you are at a table by yourself, but not so great at the hibachi. But it was not worth the high price tag. I have enjoyed Benihana in Aruba and Waikiki for lower prices and comparable food.

Why can’t they get the simplest info straight when you call? It baffles me.

July 30. Back to Seashore, just as promised. I’ll be sitting at home, enjoying yet another virtual cruise. I tested positive for COVID yesterday, after a week of coughing (it has presented as a mild case of bronchitis). Hoping any traces will be gone before my Oct 1 sail date on Seashore. Ironically, I think I must have been exposed while at a transfusion center - getting immune-boosting plasma derivatives!

Found this from March 2022, by freestyletravelers. (Google search: MSC drink menus)

After reading reviews (a lot of people not so happy with the Wish), I booked a cruise for January. 🥳. Might not make sense, but nothing of what they didn’t like would bother me. And things that look very promising. (My cabin is on the pool deck / buffet / quick service dining - so just walk down the hall and out to fun.) My sister already booked a 4-night, but I am doing a 3-night - thanks to price (total budget, not per-night). This is not my first 3-night, so I know to expect the unpack - repack feeling. But I will get a night in each of the MDRs and no Pirate Menu dinner (not my favorite). The new menus look more promising than the rest of the fleet. After years of sailing on the new and future cruises, these new menus will probably seem ho-hum, too. Plotting a day or two at WDW after the cruise for EPCOT’s Festival of the Arts.

And, yes, it is frustrating and venting should help. No flames for your feelings.

Bummer to miss the tour, but I would not expect them to do anything. And that goes for any cruise line.

They already have the reduced-price GTY rates out to entice people. it probably is a matter of school timing. I think the first week of November is a big week for school holidays. It is still hurricane season. And the water is starting to cool out in the Atlantic. We were there the first week of September - despite warm air temps, the water was on the cold side. They still could offer the IGT, OGT and VGT rates, which could be a bit cheaper. I’ve had emails for 25% or more off December cruises already.

Wine and beer (buy 5 beers, get a 6th free). I think they will save your wine for the next night in the dining room. Others mention taking the bottle back to the room to enjoy on the balcony. Oh, yes, alcohol on board; they just want you to pay for every glass/ no unlimited drinks. Daily specials on cocktails (drink of the day).

I did an internet search for Royal Caribbean coffee package - selected the blog.

I found some info at the RC Blog page. Check it out for better details. But here are takeaways, the general gist - The Coffee punch card gets you 15 espresso drinks (not Starbucks). About $37. Can be shared. The coffee package allows unlimited coffees. Purchase per person. A non-alcohol drinks package at $39+ pp/d will include waters, sodas, juices.

I thought / think the same thing. It seems ideal for a toddler.

(Seashore, December 2021). At dinner, the buffet would have a Caesar salad station (with protein available), a carved meat w/au jus or gravy, potato or starch and a green veggie or two. Burgers, hot dogs, fries. Other side: rice, pasta dishes (about 5-6). Assorted pre-made sandwiches, salads, breads. Desserts, fruits. PIZZA. I think lunch and breakfast had a whole lot more, making a big serving area. Pizza was also every late night. They would make pizza by request; you were not limited by what was already made. Each night I was able to have their marinara on whole wheat - which I discovered on Day 1. I ate most of my dinners in the buffet after reading MDR menus. What I ordered in the MDR was decent food, just not always what I wanted to eat. I had the 3-course dining experience at Butcher’s cut steak house. (Complimentary with Status Match program; my top level Disney status = MSC too level Diamond. This was done before cruising. Status Match into MSC Voyager’s Club, VC, loyalty program can also save you 5% in cruise fare on select sail dates). At the time I sailed, purchase of the Butcher’s cut meal was ~ $39 + 15% gratuity. It was an excellent meal. More than I could eat in one sitting. So they boxed up my leftovers. (Mini fridge in room kept the steak fresh and I ate it for breakfast.) I decided to dine at the teppanyaki restaurant for lunch on a Sea Day. There were 3 guests, which takes away part of the fun experience. The food was good quality; I chose the top level selection at perhaps $59. But I get more enjoyment at my local teppanyaki with a filet dinner at < $20. I won’t be repeating that venue. Marinara pizza on the buffet Caesar Salad at Butcher’s Cut. Shaved Parmesan and Parmesan crisps. Cheese and bacon roll. As excellent as my filet was, the salad is what I look forward to repeating. Buffet on Ocean Cay. The kiwi was one serving. Not everything was great. But it was enough. Lunch only, for a few hours. There are also some food trucks, complimentary and for-fee items (I think mostly seafood for $) There’s Coke in every photo. I just purchased it as I wanted plus some bottled water for night (pills). I did not spend as much as a drinks package would have cost.

3 years old, 13, 30… I wonder about that at a lot of ages. A change of routine can be rough on a lot of us. Three year olds have the less complicated reaction to exhaustion - they can cry or fall asleep without the guilt. But yes, a factor to take into consideration. Keeping bedtimes and as much normal routine certainly can help.

I can see it go either way - only mentioned on the YC edition or the entire ship’s version. I think you mentioned perhaps 250 in attendance, and perhaps 300 in YC (this is based on a memory of what I read previously) - unless nearly everyone in YC were there, some of those people were probably not from YC. I plan on doing my usual perusal of the daily planner to schedule my activities, adding an especially close look for a Food Sampling Tour. So happy a paper version of the schedule still exists. As I don’t expect champagne (from Champagne 😏), but Prosecco or California brut, I overlook any misspelling of the word. I am also a victim of auto-correct, so I have learned to read through and let my mind catch the meaning being conveyed. As Diamond, not in YC, I receive a bottle of Prosecco. Is this ship-wide, or is it actually Champagne in YC? (As an Italian line, it really should be Prosecco). Do we have another virtual cruise to enjoy coming soon?

Do they also settle your account at the end of the first 7 days? Very interesting. I have seen these portions listed as both individual legs and 14-nighters. But not until I started looking at MSC. (Indeed, I have not shopped all cruise lines). Thanks for the info.

Was this posted in the YC edition of the daily planner - or was it posted where everyone on board could see it?

@Nashna No attempt to be snarky here. Read it as if I am a curious poster. We’re you hoping to try the new Europa line? And are saddened about the price? Would you consider cruising the lines that offer similar elevated experiences for a lower starting price (you mentioned Azamara, Viking…) I understand the desire for some of the services offered with Concierge-level accommodations, principally not standing a long time in lines. Secondly, it would be nice to have better food than is sometimes found in MDRs (quality ingredients, more than exotic dishes.) For a conversation, I would love to know if the services you appreciate will be offered to the entry-level rooms on the new line. If it is to get your desired services, does it matter if you are meeting your needs or is it to have something better than others? Is it time to get off the boat that serves the masses and go with a smaller, more upscale carrier.? Or would expect to end up in lengthy lines again if you didn’t book a higher priced room? Viking cruises look like a lovely experience.

If you have one booking number, assume you have a 14-night cruise. However, we know not to assume, so I say give it a try to get your perks on the second half, too. A nice, non-demanding request might just get that hour of relaxation. Not trying to break rules - but your long cruise will have been booked by others as two separate cruises, with double perks.