amurray88

Hi All,

I've read a range of posts about how to get to La Rochelle from the port. Alot are saying there is a free shuttle but others say there isn't.

Can anyone clarify please?

Thanks!

Hi All,

I've read a range of posts about how to get to La Rochelle from the port. Alot are saying there is a free shuttle but others say there isn't.

Can anyone clarify please?

Thanks!

7 minutes ago, FamilyCruiserUK said:

I have seen it on other cruise lines. We went on MSC world Europa in April and our daughter was just port taxes, so i think about £100 and ou Royal cruise on Allure in October 2025 dau is £99. 

 

Not really looked on P&O as its usually outside of school Holidays so no good for us. 

Im looking for next summer and seems to be so expensive for a 2yr old.

We've been lucky, done Azura in Jan and didnt pay for him, and doing MSC this summer and not paying for him. It's just a bit of a sickener when all of a sudden you the have to pay £900 or something for him 🤣

I remember a few years ago a 3rd or 4th passenger would either be free or maybe £49 or £99 each on most cruiselines. There seems to be very little sight of this now - is it a thing of the past?

I was tempted with the non-alc package, does anyone know if it includes coffee?

It doesn't say coffee in the list, but also has energy drinks twice so wasn't sure if this was an oversight?

16 hours ago, BrownEyedGirl50 said:

No I do not. I am sailing Friends and Family-not sure if that makes a difference. 

You definitely need them to be booked on. They must be accounted for in terms of passenger numbers

4 hours ago, Momto3girlsintheCarolinas said:

I am in shock. We are sailing MSC in 2 weeks, and we just received a free upgrade from an inside to a balcony on a Bella experience.  As @maclover said, I was mildly hopeful but aware that the odds were low.  The ship must not be full so why not upgrade guests and impress them?  There is no additional cost to the company.

 

I wonder if it is random or they select passengers based on data.  We're new to MSC, but our status match transfer says we are frequent cruisers.  This upgrade certainly is "points in the column" for cruising MSC again.  My husband is a data manager, so I have to believe there's a process here in decision-making.  

 

....or maybe we just got lucky.  Whatever.  We're excited.

Our first cruise with MSC, we had done status match but just to low classic level and got free upgrade to balcony. 👌

2 minutes ago, showingdiva said:

 

Just from the point of view of visual effects, my favourite is Arkymea.  Have seen it twice and Ajedrez once.     Apologies, I'm teetotal, but the included mocktail the last twice I have been in the Carousel Lounge was Aloha - grapefruit juice, tiki mix, sweet and sour mix, rose syrup, tonic water.   It's lovely.

I'm not massively into alcohol... I normally bring a beer if it's allowed, if not then I'm happy to drink water to be fair. Glad you've enjoyed the shows - arkymea was the one that stood out to me too. Got my wee boy who will be 12 months at time of cruise and just a bit worried it'll be loud.

Was on P&O in Jan and their entertainment sent him to sleep which was great 🤣 

Does anyone have any recommendations for what show is best? I had a quick look on YT and not sure we'll book to be honest. 

It looks a little like the entertainment we had on Seaview a few years ago but maybe just moved to paid for now?

1 hour ago, notley-cruise said:

Yeah, juice is breakfast only fleetwide, unless you have a drinks package which covers it.

Bring yourself a good drinks bottle. 👌

36 minutes ago, Stokie33 said:

From memory you normally have a choice of 2 alcoholic cocktails and one non alcoholic one, 

 

its’s normally one drink per person,

 

I think the last time we did this there was one gin based and one vodka based cocktail, the staff are amazing and will say what’s in them.

Thank you!

Hi all,

What cocktails can you choose from that are included in your ticket for the Carousel shows? It's in our app just now for show & cocktail and it mentions a choice.

Thanks!

16 hours ago, heatherb1958 said:

 

Really ? Never ever seen that , for what reason do you know ? 

Well the solution to that problem is a collapsible bucket , babies just want to splash , doesn't matter if they are fully submerged or not. A bucket full of water and some toys they are happy. 

 

100% Heather ☺️ we'll find a quiet spot and pop it up. He loves the water and splashing about 💦

4 minutes ago, heatherb1958 said:

 

Have you considered taking a small blow up baby paddling/splash pool . You could check with the pool deck attendants where best to place it on the deck for emptying,  there are plenty of grids/ washaways . 

I have seen that tip for others with little ones .

It also comes in handy in the cabin for giving baby a bath when you only have a shower available . 

Good thinking Heather. The beauty of going from Southampton is we're not really restricted with luggage. The purpose of the thread was really because I thought the baby splash zones were like the grid/washaways you mention where the water doesn't hang around. Judging by the responses I presume I'm wrong 🫣.

Great thinking, thanks

2 minutes ago, Até said:

Myself and a couple others that noticed were appalled.  Normally I would have pointed it out to the pool attendant but he also knew who the perpetrators were and wouldn't (didn't) intervene.

 

Unfortunately I've seen it before and it's one reason I rarely use any ship's pools or hot tubs.  Sorry, but it's a ridiculously inconsiderate thing to contemplate. 

I think your feelings are misplaced. We have been on one cruise with a baby, where he was allowed in the same pool as everyone else and no-one.... No-one had an issue with it.

I didn't say I was doing it - I was simply asking.

4 minutes ago, GPPhilly said:

If you are stopping in Rotterdam, I would definitely take the day trip to Amsterdam.  In Bilbao, we did the Guggenheim and walked to the old town area.  

Perfect. No Amsterdam.... La Rochelle, le havre, Bilbao and la Coruna. Looking forward to some new places. 

And not to forget, Southampton which I've never been to either!

3 hours ago, GPPhilly said:

We just did the 11 night RT from Southampton.  We loved the ports, Bilbao was a #1 one for several of our group.  I personally loved our day trip to Amsterdam but Bilbao was great.  La Rochelle was very nice we did Green Venice but I would not say it was a must do.  

That's invaluable thank you!

Anything we should definitely do?

Thanks!

2 hours ago, heatherb1958 said:

 

Well done, good  choice. We love L'Atelier bar on the lower level of the Galleria for the cocktails and people watching.

We love the mezzanine level/outside pub for watching the parties on the Galleria though depending on time of year/weather yours could be on the pool deck,  White night for an example. 

 

The cabins are lovely unless you went for an Ocean view on deck 8 midships, too small with a baby, just big enough for 2 ! 

 

We like MSC as they still do traditional dining at set times . You'll know that from Seaside . 

Virtuosa is big but we never had a problem getting seats anywhere .

Have a fab cruise .

 

Thank you lots ☺️ it's an inside cabin we've got but it'll do for us hopefully! We're used to a tight squeeze 

Just now, Homosassa said:

This is an assumption and perhaps a reflection of a personal philosophy.

 

There is another well know cliche about what happens when one assumes....

😅 I'm reasonably certain that my point stands - you can call it an assumption, but it is true.

1 minute ago, MsTabbyKats said:

You're asking people on a forum to condone your decision to break a rule, which could effect 4000 other people.

If you don't want to hear the answers, then don't ask the question.

 

 

Ok. 

I've not made any decision.

Also incredible how other people view rules - whilst they themselves break rules in life. 

I was asking a question - that. was. all.

1 hour ago, heatherb1958 said:

 End of 2022 into the New year of 2023, we were on Iona for end of 2023 into 2024. 

Nice!

Well, we're booked up for Virtuosa now so onwards and upwards!

Cool, thanks for all your replies 😅 unreal

Up until recently I always booked through other countries, mostly booked in USA and live in UK. Normally put my address as the travel agents office and never been asked a question about it.

10 minutes ago, Two Wheels Only said:

 

Keep that same energy when someone puts their bare hands on food in the buffet then puts the food back.

 

If the health of guests is less important than putting a diapered child in a pool where diapers are prohibited, go for it. 🙄

I think you have me down as some sort of bad cruiser. I've been on 15-20 cruises and never had an issue. My question was relating to if what is said on the website is played out on reality. 👌

12 hours ago, Two Wheels Only said:

 

Diapers in a water area where diapers aren't allowed does jeopardize the health of other guests. 

 

 

This seems like you are asking about how strongly it is enforced. That can vary from one cruise to the next so it is impossible to predict. 

 

 

The line is a "no, not allowed" unless specified.

Certain P&O ships do allow in certain areas. MSC does not. 

 

 

A dress code isn't usually a health issue. The fecal matter in swim areas is a health issue. 

 

 

If enough people report it (photos help), it has a better chance of being enforced. 

I think we'll need to agree to disagree on this one 👍.

I was asking how rules are enforced - at the end of the day, if there is a rule and it's not enforced at all then it's not worth the paper it's written on surely? If the speed limit is 30mph and for a minute you go 31mph it doesn't mean all of a sudden that you're an awful rule breaker. You just know that within reason what you've done, although not within the rules, is accepted.