Mark_T

Very true, but it does have a certain similarity with how cruise lines like MSC and Fred Olsen came intro being though 🙂

Same reason why the AA (Automobile Association) in the UK rates hotels, it was all part of providing guides and services to drivers. Began in 1912 for the AA and 1926 for Michelin.

We are booked on Millennium for Japan in early April 2025, with some hoped of seeing the cherry blossom, but we know it is mostly a matter of luck on the timing. Worth noting that there is hardly any availability on the Japan cruises out to 2025 due to the cancellations and dramatic over booking during 2023/4, our cruise is down to a few 'Ocean View' or inside cabins now being sold for more than we paid for Concierge...

I do agree on that point, it is a request we have made in the past and it usually results in the mini-bar stock ending up in a plastic bin bag under the bed, but I'm happy with that.

Sounds like you probably had the 'Drink & More' upgrade on your package. Even back then the mini-bar was not otherwise included.

Take a look at the current cruise in the app, you can see all the planned entertainment there... The current 7 day cruise features 3 shows from the ships singers and dancers, a comedian, and 3 evenings with high quality singers, at least one will be a tribute act usually, Ashlie Amber performing Whitney Houston songs in this case. Can also be a magic act on most cruises.

Have to agree on that one, many things to push back against, but that one really isn't the one to fight over as it was always very specifically excluded for the Sky Suite. It is an example where a number of the Butlers were willing to break the rules for the guests benefit, but with the change the rule breaking will have ended. Can't claim they are included in the Premium Drinks package as that explicitly states it excludes the mini-bar...

So follow both statements and take 3 🙂

In theory yes, but it doesn't seem to be rigidly enforced.

This is from our cruise in June...

Yes, it changed to two, and yes it reverted back to one... In the usual manner the website and cruise contract are still playing catch-up depending upon where you look...

Perhaps we've been lucky, but having done several smaller group cruises now including the Mekong, Yangtze and Rhine, and also Regent Navigator (490), we've not found a problem. I certainly understand the concern, we've just never encountered a problem that couldn't be handled comfortably as even on these very small ships there is still space to separate from any less congenial guests and group dynamics tend to moderate problem behaviour anyway.

Do be careful with that approach as MSC did make changes to the T&Cs to allow them to levy a surcharge in that circumstance over and above the loss of the other fare... They do not always use that right, but it is there in the contract. They tend to block single sales when they are sure they will fill the ship anyway, and wanting single occupancy isn't a protected class so annoying as it may be, it is not actionable discrimination. There are solid economic reasons behind this issue, and they do seem to have a lot of cruises that offer solo options so they are not the worst offenders, try Celebrity where according to a recent post there were single supplements raising a solo booking to 450% of the price for double occupancy...

Start by using AirTags if you have an Apple phone or one of the Android Tile equivalents if not. Even if your luggage doesn't go missing it is very reassuring to be able to watch it moving around and eventually getting to the aircraft, and again when you land being able to see it is still with you removes any lingering anxiety. If it does not missing it can be invaluable in working out where it is and what is the best decision in terms of getting reunited again. On an Alaskan itinerary it may not be practical to get reunited during the cruise, so I'd certainly suggest cross-packing as well so if one bags goes missing everyone still has some stuff in the remaining bag(s).

Thanks for the link, I'll go and read it. A positive attitude does carry people a long way when exploring something new for sure. (It is Iain btw, Scottish Gaelic version of Ian)

Iain speaking French is a definite bonus, but everything I've read suggests they handle the two languages well onboard, but it will certainly help with any non-English speaking guest conversations. Having sailed on MSC recently with 5 languages in use for announcements was interesting, but actually not as much of a distraction as I thought it might be.

I guess not everyone wants to roll the dice with a large expenditure, especially if they have not cruised for 4 years... I do understand why some are happy to try it and see if the changes have altered anything they care about, but I think we also have to accept that there will be others not willing to risk the expense when it isn't something they are doing multiple times a year...

This is the best answer... Even then you may struggle to get 6pm on specific nights, so try to be a little flexible and I'm sure you will have a great time. If you can't get the exactly time you want on a day that you have something special planned it is always worth checking again with the Maître d' of that venue after the first day as a lot of people move their reservations around once onboard, so a vacancy may open up...

That does seem far too low for sure, out insurance (UK based) covers a little over $12m in medical per person. There are rules in most jurisdictions that cover how liabilities are shared between multiple insurers for the same risk, just be careful to declare to the 2nd insurer that you already have cover, as there are also anti-fraud protections in some countries that seek to avoid people claiming for the same loss from multiple insurers and you wouldn't want to find that your 2nd policy had got cancelled because of those checks.

You can't make advance reservations ( nor can you with a package on some others lines, Celebrity for example) so just make that a priority once you are onboard.

If you win the YC bid, you'll get upgraded to the Premium Extra package.

Having seen how much paper is involved I doubt we would ask for one at all in future, but I can understand it being limited to one per cabin. We were expecting the simple summary sheets we've had on other lines, not the whole newspaper printed out which we received on Divina.

Probably doesn't make sense to get a drink package until they know if they have won the YC bid ...

Agreed, Charla has a lot to answer for 🙂 ... we have our 2nd MSC YC cruise booked for Feb '24, but still reviewing other options.

Excellent! ... been looking forward to this one. Will drop by the Ponant forum as well of course. We've been experimenting with MSC Yacht Club, and considering returning to Regent, so looking for ward to hearing more about Ponant.