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Everything posted by travelberlin
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More hotel appointments confirmed by Explora
travelberlin replied to uktog's topic in Explora Journeys
Excellent! Thanks for posting. Ivi -
My changing opinion on sailing Explora...
travelberlin replied to Nashna's topic in Explora Journeys
Looking at Explora, I see all their prices are per person not per suite. Have that change overtime? Ivi -
Explora I Introduction Pushed Back to July 2023
travelberlin replied to dolphin1313's topic in Explora Journeys
Is Heike? One more reason to cruise with Explora… Ivi -
Thanks I will have a look. Is this on their webpage? Ivi
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I am very glad to see how Explora is developing. We are Diamond members with MSC, but we do not like very much that the company is making larger and larger ships. In a couple of months we will be cruising on the MSC Fantasia in Yacht Club, which for that category of ships is lovely. However, we do not want to go on the larger MSC ships not even on Yacht Club. Since we like the Italian Way of Cruising, Explora is definitely a good option for us. I wonder if there will be any kind of reciprocity/benefits for Diamond members with MSC in the Explora Cruise Line 🧐. Ivi
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MSC takes very serious the issue of Gluten sensitivity. My husband had the diagnose of having Gluten allergies before a cruise with MSC. We have informed the cruise line and he was served from a completely separated menu and with one person bringing his food to the table. They did everything to avoid contamination. It was a lot of effort from MSC because in case of a real allergy it can be life threatening. Fortunately a couple of months later another diagnosis for my husband found out that he did not have any gluten allergy. Unfortunately nowadays doctors are diagnosing this condition everywhere and it is not always the reason for the symptoms. In your case you said, you are not really sensitive to Gluten but prefer not to eat food containing gluten. Maybe you could find out at the beginning of your cruise if that food is going to be available, for example because other guests do really need to eat gluten-free. In that case it might not be too much extra work for the cooks to prepare one more gluten free food for you. If there are no other guests with the condition, you might want to reconsider, for the sake of the crew involved in the cooking and serving the gluten free food, if you could not renounce to your preference for the time of your cruise. The crew at MSC ships work a lot and anything we could do to relieve them from additional work is a good action. We try to relieve them from additional work for example requesting, that no turn down service in the evening shall be done in our cabin. It is nice to have everything fresh made when you return to your cabin, but we do not really need it. Just my humble opinion. Ivi
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I wish you a good recovery. Do you have the insure against COVID from MSC? Ivi
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I was thinking exactly the same. That download speed is impressive… Ivi
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Has anyone upgraded to Yacht Club while already onboard?
travelberlin replied to Stockjock's topic in MSC Cruises
Thanks for posting this. I am glad that MSC takes into account that their prices in Yacht Club can’t be discounted without limits. This is fair to all passengers who pay full prices. Ivi -
Has anyone upgraded to Yacht Club while already onboard?
travelberlin replied to Stockjock's topic in MSC Cruises
Thanks for posting your experience. In your case, you were already in yacht club. Even though it was an inside cabin. The upgrade was not from a fantastica or bella or aurea experience to the yacht club but from one cabin to the other inside already of the yacht club. My friends experience was from a balcony fantastica to a yacht club cabin including the experience. They paid the full price. Ivi -
Phil, is this Joao, Joao Junior who left to work for the now bankrupt Crystal? Is he back on Azamara? Ivi
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Has anyone upgraded to Yacht Club while already onboard?
travelberlin replied to Stockjock's topic in MSC Cruises
Friends of us have done it. Full prices. Do not expect to become cheaper fares on Yacht Club. It would not be fair for the ones who book in advance. Yacht Club is known by its better product than normal MSC experience. It might be worth it for you to book that experience in advance. Ivi -
Will MSC get more US style entertainment in North America?
travelberlin replied to J0Y0US's topic in MSC Cruises
To the OP, the entertainment from MSC is one of the best on a cruise ship. Spectacular performances in the theater (cirque of soleil type of performance included). And most important the Italian core with Opera performers (I love that). To a certain point it is for me like a seal of quality for an Italian cruise line. There is a basic quality and users from MSC cruises all over the world like to see the consistency in the type of entertainment offered Having said that, MSC offers regional type of entertainment. I have been on Ships sailing from Brasil who had Brasilian performers. Bosanova, Samba, etc. Ships from Argentinian had performers from Argentina, like tango, Malambo, etc. On several cruises in Spain and Portugal, there were flamenco dancers, fado singers, etc. I imagine that on the US sailings, US type of entertainment is also included (what would that be? Country music? Comedians? Magicians?). Even though MSC sails from US ports, I hope it will not loose the internationality nor the Italian way of cruising. Many South Americans for example sail with MSC from US ports, because MSC is friendly towards the Spanish or Portuguese speaking guests. Sailing from US ports is from my point of view not only to attract US guests but also to offer guests from every where, the possibility to sail from USA without the limitation of having to be fluent in English. Besides that, there are plenty of Royal Caribbean or Carnival Ships, which serve the US market for those guests who prefer not to have the internationally type of public that MSC has. Ivi -
Smart casual is the best way to go. We have dressed more elegant during Christmas holidays but not really formal dresses. For the New years eve, white is the dress code for us, and on Azamara ships it is often also the white night. Ivi
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Which ports would you be visiting during your cruise? We have enjoyed Norway very much. The Fiords are fantastic. All Norwegian ports have their charm. One port I like is Alesund. Another one is Molde. And of course Bergen. Ivi
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The port of Amalfi has been canceled for the May 6, 2023, cruise
travelberlin replied to tyler6597's topic in Azamara
Porto Venere is one of my favorite Italian Ports. Easy to do things on your own. I would prefer to visit Cinque Terre during a longer stay, but it is also one of the shore excursions usually offered from Porto Venere. Ivi -
We will also sail from Santos. Good to know that there is a test station within the terminal building. I hope that we find a place the day before but unfortunately it is Sunday. I will check with the places you have mentioned. Ivi
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The antigen test is very simple. Each time I had to take one, it was done immediately on site and there is no need of a laboratory. Results in 15 minutes. I will try to find out a place like a pharmacy or a test station for that. PCR is a different story. PCR has to be analyzed in Laboratory. Ivi
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I think internet is free in Yacht Club. Is this correct ? Ivi
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This seems expensive to me. And a rapid antigen test which usually takes 15 minutes would take 3 hours? I am also looking for places for the antigen test before my cruise either for Sao Paulo or Santos. Ivi
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Azamara journey will dock in Venice on May 17, and May 18, 2023.
travelberlin replied to tyler6597's topic in Azamara
It is indeed quite far. Chioggia appears to be a lovely place but it is just not easy to access from Venice or from the Venice Airport. Due to this port of embarkation being difficult for us to access we have decided against our cruise with Azamara departing from Chioggia 😔. We continue searching… Ivi -
Azamara journey will dock in Venice on May 17, and May 18, 2023.
travelberlin replied to tyler6597's topic in Azamara
Thanks I am looking at the one departing on April 22nd. Ivi -
Azamara journey will dock in Venice on May 17, and May 18, 2023.
travelberlin replied to tyler6597's topic in Azamara
When in April is your cruise? Are you departing from Venice? Ivi