amurray88

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.

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. 👌

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.

Thank you - this is kind of what I meant by rules v acceptance. If on a website there is a rule of no babies in pools, then you see the captain and crew coming out with their babies and putting them into the pools then it kind of tells you that although it's written on a website, it's next to worthless.

I'm fine with that to be fair - it doesn't influence how much I'd buy on board or anything, just like to know how the land lies

👌 I have no intention of jeopardising anyone's health. There is also a line between what is strictly written and what is widely accepted. I was just wondering where that line was. On P&O they stipulate dress code and yet let people away with not strictly following it to the letter. On MSC they stipulate only smoking in designated areas and yet did not enforce it.

I wasn't trying to be rude all I was saying is: 1. The rule is no smoking on balcony's and yet so many people on our last cruise did it. 2. The rule is no hogging sun beds with towels. I know the rule regarding nappies in large pool areas but the rules aren't all that clear in terms of the baby aqua park for example which isn't a pool. I was asking for an experience perspective, who has experienced it and what were the unwritten rules of what was acceptable.

I appreciate all responses .. I do, but there's no point in copying and pasting T&C's. I realise they are the T&C's but they're not accurate either, there is a designated splash area for babies so their T&C's and ship designs don't agree. Thank you for your response and time but if anyone has any experience then it would be great

Hi all Sorry for another Q. How are MSC for babies being in splash zones/splash areas? P&O were absolutely fine with a 6 month old in pools 😱 couldn't believe it. I know MSC are stricter, just wasn't sure how strict. Thanks!

Just seen this apologies! On P&O you get a pager and the babies sleep in cots that are separated by curtains in the normal creche area 🙂 if your baby wakes up they page you.

I agree - a ship with lots of people doesn't make it crowded. A ship with alot of people and no facilities and poor layout make it crowded. I was on Symphony of the Seas, significantly larger than Virtuosa and had an incredible time. Didn't feel crowded at all.

We shall soon find out!.... pressed the book button.

I think you're right - it probably depends on who is on and what mood you catch them in too. I think for our cruise the only embarkation port is Southampton (will be a shock to be on MSC and have a welcome/goodbye night!)

Fair enough 😅 here was me thinking that was a very small amount!

I didn't take it that way don't worry ☺️. I'm a cheapskate, let's be honest about it 🤣

I wouldn't be trying to "hide" it or anything. Just a case that I quite like crafty beers which are hard to get onboard most of the time. I like MSC but last time we got a free upgrade from inside to balcony (winner winner) but then realised how many people smoke on their balconies and when we mentioned it at customer service were told there's nothing they can do (which I understand) but why have the rule and not enforce it. I'm not talking about bringing a brewery with me, I'm talking like a can or 2 but if it's a no then it's a no 🙂

That's ok 👌I'd do without if needed. I know MSC aren't strict with some policies so didn't know how strict they were with this. I presume you've had it taken off you or seen others? Thanks!

I know the automatic response will be "No!" or "don't be cheap". I'm just wondering, how strict are MSC with what you can bring on? I normally bring on a bottle of wine, a bottle of coke and maybe 2 cans of beer for my cabin. We embark in Southampton. Does anyone have experience of it and how strict they are? For context, was on P&O in Jan and on embarkation, security was done portside only so it was port staff and as long as it wasn't dangerous they didn't seem to care (went on and off multiple times over that day with a bottle of this or that)...no search onboard having been through the port security.

Or do you mean New Year 2022 into 2023?

Were you still onboard on 4th Jan 2024?

We did Azura in January that required a 4 and a half hour train to London, an overnight then a 4 hour flight 🤪 we're used to the no pain no gain approach... although we were able to take loads of luggage which was great. This time we would be substituting a flight for a LONG drive to Southampton. We have family in Cardiff so would probably try and kill 2 birds with 1 stone. Interesting comparison you make... for me, it's going to take something very very special to beat Symphony. I don't really want it to beat Symphony, I just want to know that it'll fit our needs. Azura in January was nothing special but it was perfect for us. He was among 4 or 5 other babies onboard and that was it for under 18's. We realise during July it's going to be a different ballgame. Just saw horrific pictures of queues and I think that would kill us!

and eh.... no pizzeria???

Done a wee bit of research and found that Virtuosa compared to Seaside... holds an extra 2200 passengers, in 1 less deck, with less jacuzzi's, 14 fewer lifts and no minigolf? Without joking, I am struggling to see what the Virtuosa has in its favour?

Not quite the same as the upgrade you'd get but we got a free inside to balcony upgrade last time with MSC - Couldn't believe it!