Rotterdam

18 hours ago, rkacruiser said:

 

I am unsure as to what you mean by this post in response to Roz.  Do you disagree that the balance between quality of life for residents of a port and tourism is unimportant?  

 

Mentioning the issue of medical care confuses me.  What's your point?  

I believe the residents of the port have priority as to whether a ship can dock in their town or not.

As far as the Medical Care statement,  the other poster stated it's not fair for a vacation / holiday to be probative due to the cost.  Vacations are a personal choice NOT A NECESSITY. To suggest someone is being denied a holiday is quite dramatic & ridiculous.

No one should be denied medical care no matter their economic situation.

A vacation is totally different.

Options are available to visit key west & other destinations but surely the comment:

 I just dont want to see travel become what it use to be, something only the wealthy can  afford to experience.

6 hours ago, uktog said:

Trouble with all of this is spin doctors can’t accept nice they have to embellish some brands to what they are not 

Great way of stating the marketing of these lines.  Thanks uktog🤗

It's too bad that SILVERSEA didnt remain a separate entity.  I was looking forward to sailing on their ships.  Now that RCCL has taken over I suspect the  usual cost  & staff cuts will take place.  The overall  quality of the product is the primary loser.

I only sailed RCCL once & that was enough. I like the Azamara product & itineraries. The size of the ship is nice, service, food are very good.

I enjoy MSC product but as far as luxury unless you book in YACHT CLUB you are on a ship w thousands of other passengers.  I found the service, food in my midship balcony cabins quite nice & a good value.  I'd rather spend the $$$ for  a YACHT CLUB accomodation on a Silversea cabin or a land vacation.

SEABOURN is a good example of consolidation...the product was never the same after CARNIVORE  bought the line.

As far as Celebrity being billed as a luxury ...I think not.

Unfortunately the Corporate bean counters have turned most of the industry into a business that slogan should be:

If you cant dazzle them w your brilliance ....baffle them w your B.S.

11 hours ago, Aquahound said:

Its an awfully big stretch to relate a moratorium on cruise ships to discrimination. Sorry, but your post is full of misguided emotion. 

WELL SAID Aquahound🤗

13 hours ago, Roz said:

@rkacruiser, I've visited Dayton many times, and really enjoyed the Air Force Museum.  Didn't make my annual trip to Dayton in 2020 due to Covid.  

 

I agree there needs to be a balance between tourism and quality of life for residents.  I just don't want to see travel become what it used to be, something only the well off could afford to experience.

This isn't medical care we are talking about.  How people spend their discretionary income is a personal choice.

5 minutes ago, FlaMariner said:

+1 (me too)

 

Key West talks about welcoming all kinds & being all about diversity but looks like my kind is not welcome....It's a nice clean way to discriminate against us lower income folk.....and they can hide behind the environment excuse and the horrors of a t shirt shop.  Sad.

Sorry but this is total garbage. Just because someone cant have something they want doesnt mean there is discrimination.  

I just looked up a popular travel site & found several hotels at $200 a nite for the first weekend of February 2021(fri-sun). And during low season it is less expensive.

It's all about choice..I don't wear $200+

Sneakers, alligator shirts or t shirts, nor have hundreds of cable channels.  I've travelled all over the world on QE2, Panama Canal, all over the carib, climbed the Great wall & been all over Europe & South America several times. I've stated in Four Seasons & Ritz Carlton Hotels and camped in a tent on St John's USVI &  travelled to Key West several times since 1978.

I applaud Key West actions & they are welcoming to all..its their town, they make their own rules...if you really want to go you'll get there & hopefully respect their town..just as anyone wants.

Good for Key West residents in blocking these mega ships.  The environmental impact alone is reason to stop the shops.

I've been to KW several times over the years but never on a cruise. I've always taken a February holiday of 10 to 14 days in a hot climate( NYC resident here). In the carib we would fly to san Juan then island hop to St Croix. st thomas, st maarten etc. Staying in small hotels on the beach for 3-4 days on each island. We loved having fresh caught fish grilled for us at the hotels. small beach bars where we could live in bathing suits all week.  Then everything got bigger & better and basically washed away the local flavor.

Living in NYC my neighborhood became hip. exclusive shops took over the mom & pop stores, unique & individual art galleries along with food stores and basic living needs like dry cleaners & hardware stores and small local restaurants.

Now the exclusive stores have closed and the only ones left are Christofle, LVMH etc....no customers & many empty stores. Not only were the stores lost but also the QUALITY IN TGE REDIDENTS LIFE.

People get brainwashed & Disney-ized. Even being on most of the mega ships is no different than a corporate floating mall w no relation to being at sea.

Stay strong key west

Any bar, anywhere, anytime.🍸🍷🥂

Just as a boost.... why don't we post positive experiences we've all had while planning & being onboard. Whether sailing solo, with friends or w a partner(s) it will be fun to hear who we met and what ensued.🍸🍷🥂

BON VOYAGE🚢

17 minutes ago, iancal said:

Could it really be that those big corporations simply responded to the market demand for the product.  Those cruise ships are not filled by people who dislike them.

 

We sometimes see posts from older cruisers like ourselves bemoaning the state of mass market cruise lines and yearning for days of old.    

 

In in fact they could have both but they either cannot pay or unwilling to pay what they did years ago in today’s money.  They made the decision to select price over days of old.  Same for airlines.  Fly first class or. business and book something other than a mass market cruise line.  

 

You cannot have both so pick one.

I agree with you...

A couple of years ago only 6% of the population had taken a cruise. W the opening up of the Asian markets these monster ships will be booked solid. Along w price points that make cruising affordable to all.

I / we do prefer qualty over quantity.  

But one thing we do believe is, even  if you put lipstick on a pig...its still a pig.

4 minutes ago, Speedbird01 said:

That was the sort of answer i hoped for, thank you. What's the cocktail hour? is it a thing or something you like to do.?

I live in NYC & we always have drinks before dinner. When I'm on a cruise I'll have drink before dinner in a lounge or on the MERAVIGLIA cruise, since it was mostly in warm weather I'd go to the buffet order a drink & pick hordoerves from the buffet selection.  Sometimes fruit,  cheese, guacamole & chips...just something to hold me til dinner. Delish🍢🍤🍤🍷🍷🍸🍸

8 minutes ago, Speedbird01 said:

Err, pardon my ignorance, but no i have no idea what that is all about.

Surely room service is not only available to certain passengers if available at all?

I can get Status Match to Gold according to the rep.

There are different categories of staterooms..BELLA, FANTASTICA, AURORA,  YACHT CLUB.

I was in a FANTASTICA CABIN.

LOOK AT YOUR BOOKING INFO. it will list all perks associated w your booked cabin.

44 minutes ago, Speedbird01 said:

As the title suggests, first timer on MSC so a few questions if I may be so bold?

1/ Just about to book on Magnifica, sailing from Southampton June 2021, has this ship had a re-fit recently?

2/ Drinks package included with my purchase, what level will it be? I'm guessing that it will be the 'basic' one as it's included with draught beer? Any ideas?

3/ Are the specific smoking places on board or is it smoky free for all?

4/ Room service, cost, selection and availability

5/ This is the most subjective one to answer, how does the buffet food compare to Royal Caribbean ships as we tend not to use the dining rooms.

Thank you for your time and responses.

Hi Speedbird,

I can answer to #'s 4&5.

I sailed MERAVIGLIA in October 2019 o  a 13 day cruise. I was in a BALCONY CABIN w included room service.

In certain categories room service is included. The breakfast menu covers everything from tea, coffee, fruit, croissant, toast, eggs & bacon.  I put the order card on the door each nite w desired delivery time. EVERY DAY my order was delivered on time, hot & correct. There was no charge but I did too the waiter each day.

As far as th he food in the buffet I thought it was very good for any meal for anyone's taste.

I'm not a big fan of buffets but I only ate 1 dinner in the diningroom w lunches in buffet or ashore.  Usually I'd have cocktail hour @4 and enjoy pizza, guacamole & chips, cheeses etc.

Dinner was 8:30 or so.  The variety was vast. Ethnic, every nationality imaginable, a grill w burgers etc.  THE PIZZA WAS GREAT and they would make special orders as requested. Even a simple variation of pastas, salads, roasts, vegetables etc was available & changed daily. Late nite I would sneak down for a snack. They did have every dessert imaginable but I loved the gelato on Deck 6 so each evening that was my choice.

I sailed on RCCL & didnt like it at all...from the ship to food was mediocre at best.  MSC does a great job all round & I prefer the Italian flair. After 4 cruises w MSC I've always been happy w the product.

The ship itself was spotless & constantly being cleaned. There was a small outside aft  deck area I found & I enjoyed many a meal outside.

Enjoy your cruise

9 hours ago, iancal said:

Yes...like the airlines, cruises are now much more affordable.  The average working person can afford both.   Mass market pricing means large ships with many optional spend possibilities.

 

I believe that this actually bothers those who like to feel that they are part of cafe society and traveling in a rarefied environment.  It is aspirational for some but the reality is it is possible to be on one of those ships for as little as a few hundred dollars.  It could be that some of those folks would not be willing to pay yesteryears prices in todays money.

 

Smaller, more traditional style ships are still cruising but far fewer people can afford them and/or are willing to pay the upcharge.   

Iancal,

I understand your point.  I have been fortunate  enough to have sailed on ships since the 1970's. Yes back then it was more of a luxury vacation. But even today the cruise lines operate on a class system w different levels of perks based on cabin category. Previously it didnt matter if you sailed in an inside cabin or the top suites..it was all first class.

As far as the airlines are concerned, when jet blue started it had a great product w reasonable fares & good service.  Now it's just another cattle car and I fly w other carriers now.

I'm not an elitist but I believe in quality. I now sail in midship balcony cabins...for the balcony  and make the voyage my own. Probably not corporate marketing version of the ideal targeted customer but at least I still get to sea.

17 hours ago, Mickb said:

We are lucky enough to have several ships ‘resting’ in 2 of our local bays at the moment. By far the 2 prettiest are Zaandam and Volendam, Nieuw Statendam actually looks surprising good despite the extra decks above the bridge. The Emerald Princess, the Azura and the Ventura ( sisterships for different operators) have to be some of the uglier ships afloat. QM2 is in a class of its own - a true Atlantic liner.  Queen Victoria and Arcadia at least look like ships!

MICKB...QM2 was actually built as a dual purpose ship...the hull is stronger than most modern cruise ships to handle the ATLANTIC OCEAN & yet the draft is less to enable her into smaller ports that older ships cannot enter...this was the downfall of the NORWAY,  ex FRANCE and QE2 ( along w sky rocketing fuel costs).

I would pick a trip on QE2 OR FRANCE over QM2. I enjoyed my 3 cruises on QM2 but certainly couldn't compare w her predecessors.🚢

Someone mentioned a benchmark for the shops attractiveness. I appreciate the old liners from the early 1900's to the early 1970's.

They were innovative, some ships of state, spectacular design, service & food. ROTTERDAM V, FRANCE, QE2, ITALIAN LINE were my favorite examples. The officers were the best & very real.

Now the ships are built for cruises not as OCEAN LINERS. The shallow draft & large build out of upper decks do not provide the beat of sailing. Inside the new ships are just floating malls /amusement parks. Staff & quality have been cut. Thousands of passengers as if its BLACK FRIDAY AT MALL OF AMERICA.

And most importantly there is little or no connection to the sea...no full promenade deck, fewer aft pools.

I did sail on a MSC mega ship last year...I only ate in the dining room once out of 13 days, enjoyed breakfast delivered to the cabin, read on my balcony & swam in the aft pool while everyone was eating dinner & going to evening entertainment. 

It was a repo cruise so I didnt have to fly from NYC to Miami for the season.

Now I cruise as transportation mostly.

The big corporations have once again turned something special into a mundane product...just like they did with the airlines.

It's funny but after doing the Panama Canal both East to West (QE2) and West to East (Azamara) and both cruises taken in January & February.

They are longer cruises which were quite relaxing and the weather being quite hot( it's a good substitute for a Carib or Mexican Riviera cruise) and going all the way through the canal is always exciting(my Great Uncle was an Engineer on the original Canal Build).

Theres so much else to see in the world so it'll be awhile b4 I return. 

But if you have the 2 weeks or so it's a better trip instead of the 7 day partial transit.

Having sailed both lines I find the Azamara a better quality product.  I would take the lowest level cabin on Azamara over the top suite on HAL.

AZAMARA is smaller ships, fewer passengers,  professional service & more of a casual experience( no I'm not talking board shorts & tank tops).

The food was very nicely presented w all options from buffet to specialty restaurants. We always book a midship balcony cabin & were perfectly happy.

FOR years I sailed on HAL but for the last 10 years or so we gave it up as the shops got larger it was just like a floating mall w fewer & fewer crew. Now HAL is just another CARNIVORE CORP BRANCH.

On 11/23/2020 at 8:47 AM, Britboys said:

Fantastic photo recently posted by Fred on one of their social media accounts 

Thanks for this picture...I knew one of the ships had additional cabins added...I never saw the design change.  I believe the Rotterdam is the one w additional cabins & the aft pool was replaced w a small shallow splash pool.

I dont like ships w/o aft pools.🏊‍♂️

17 hours ago, AtlantaCruiser72 said:

That’s because Adam Tihany was the interior designer of several areas on the Solstice Class including the Dining Room.

Thanks...I didnt know the designer was the same.  I dont understand that the cruise lines dont produce ships of state or distinctive ships anymore. I find it hard to believe they even used a competitor's designer to create one of the most important rooms on a ship.

I picked ROTTERDAM  as my online name here as ROTTERDAM V is one of my all time favorite ships. For the last 10-15 years the ships are basically a blur of non descriptive Las Vegas razzle dazzle.

Same ship, different day..

Tho just another Carnivore ship..it looks like a Celebrity ship..especially the MDR🙄😝🤪

PS..Slopp Joe's was doing quite well back in th 1980's without  cruise tourist & be more authentic w/o them.

16 hours ago, Aquahound said:

 

Without cruise ship tourists?  Absolutely.  

 

The first time I was in Key west was back bbn in 1978...I have been several times since..only driving down & staying in hotels.  I was surprised ships stopped there....and now thes ed mega ships.

.it ruins the experience.

Funny thing is that these mega ship corporations try to mimic  the island/ key west feel onboard their ships.  It's like going to Disney world & then say no need to go tty o Europe to see the Eiffel Tower.

I saw on this morning news that Meryl Streep & Steven Soderbergh filmed a movie aboard the QM2.

I just saw a short clip...looks good as QM2 comes off beautifully (as does Ms. Streep as always).

I believe its streaming on HBO.

Its a great trip...but even in January & February its soooooo very HOT.  I cNt imagine what July would be like. We spent alot of time outside & took breaks to hydrate. I did QE2 as part of the world cruise(NYC to LA) & on Azamara ( San Diego to Miami). 

As long as your good w the heat & humidity...its a great trip.