graphicguy

Nope. Not sure how it works, but I've heard some TAs don't work with AMEX (Platinum) to offer the perk. But, mine does. I know booking through NCL direct, they don't offer the AMEX perk, either.

Cool! Looking seriously at the 9/10 sailing!

Nope. I use my AMEX to pay for the cruise. I book through a TA!

We agree! Do you know if MSC offered them a free cruise (in the YC) as a result of their video? That's the impression I got, but it wasn't clear to me. Any person(s), YouTubers or not, that are disruptive to my cruise, I would kindly ask them to stop. If they didn't, I would report them to crew management. However, if they were not "in my face", I have no issues with Vloggers or anyone doing a live pictorial review.

Use it or lose it.

OK...makes sense. According to the YouTubers, they said they were being unobtrusive and led the viewers to believe it was because of their previous negative review. They mentioned MSC wouldn't even let them take pictures with their iPhone. I agree that being in a bunch of YouTubers videos might be a bit unnerving. But, not allowing pictures to be taken with an iPhone? That part bothers me. Although, if I'm taking pics for a live review here on CC, I always as anyone around me who is in the picture if they "mind" that they are in my pic. No one has denied me so far. I'm not a regular watcher of their vids. If it weren't for Tony's La Vida Loca video (who I happen to like), I wouldn't have even known about it. Either way, the optics are bad, if nothing else.

I guess the take away from all this is "the shocking demise of quality across the board" is really none of those things. Changes? For sure. If you don't like the changes, then I can see having to go in a different direction. Like @JamieLogical, I've looked a lot at other cruise lines and just can not find a fare, an itinerary, a ship or a date that suits me as well as my last few NCL cruises provided me. Does that mean I won't find one? As much as I shop, I'm betting somewhere down the line I'll find something that grabs me. But, as of right now (actually for 2024), NCL will get my booking (maybe 2 of them). I've only sailed MSC twice. Both cruises were fine. But, their fares are now similar to everyone else's. And, given similar fares (within a few hundred dollars) I'd prefer NCL. That doesn't mean I don't like MSC. I just don't like them as well as NCL. There's a cruise YouTuber I follow called La Lido Loco. Nice guy...posts a lot. He put up a video from another YouTubing couple (Ben and David) who have a pretty decent following. I'm not huge fan of theirs, but have caught two of their MSC Cruises. The first one, they excoriated MSC. This was back in 2021. The decided to give MSC another change, this time sailing in the Yacht Club. Their review was positive....UNTIL....MSC apparently caught wind of their first review and demanded they stop filming for the most recent cruise they were on. Apparently, MSC management got pretty belligerent with them. Not clear when, but MSC offered them a free cruise, either as a "sorry" for their first MSC review or this last one in which they posted their feelings about not being allowed to take pictures or videos AT ALL. Point being, if a cruise line is so insensitive they disallow taking pictures or videos on what ends up being a vacation for us, I would have to think long and hard about ever sailing them again. Just think, those of us who do live reviews with pictures here on Cruise Critic would be disallowed to do so based on the Cruise Line's whim. Would they do that to me? I would hope they wouldn't care as I'm not a YouTuber. Then again, I do post a lot here on CC regarding my cruises. As you can tell, this bothers me. Not sure anyone should care what does or doesn't bother me, but seriously???????

Arrive at 11:30-noon. By the time you check in, the initial mad rush will be over and you won’t have to wait to board!

Maybe people view them like ducks…you see them..you keep them!

As another bit of advice (it's free, so you know it's worth)....Always keep your valuables, money, meds with you in a back pack or roll aboard. Never put any of that in checked luggage in case it gets lost (as happened to the OP).

Q is good. Some will criticize it for not being "authentic". Authentic what? I'm not sure as there's TX BBQ and KC BQ, heck...we even have a renowned Cincinnati BBQ where I live (Montgomery Inn). So, I guess it depends on your particular definition. I liked it. And, even though I'm not a Country Music fan, the band was good, too.

I agree. The cruise lines have their pricing and marketing jargon. I didn't think it was that hard to see what a cruise would cost once you figure out the packages you do or don't want (I.E. FAS), taxes, fees, service charges, etc. But, I guess some just can't figure it out. I have found NCL to be at the very least, competitive, and many times the "value" leader when everything is added in. Some look at only one part of the charges instead of looking at the entire out of pocket. Out of pocket is the only thing that matters to me when it comes to pricing.

I did the same. I do faux bookings all the time to compare fares, on all cruise lines. I get calls and emails from all of them. Until, I sent a written email to all of them requesting I be removed from their email list and to be put on their "do not call" list. I'll call them if I need them. Haven't received anything from any of them since.

Outstanding. I was on the Prima last month and found that the food was quite good. Glad to hear you're finding the same.

You want to thank your PCC? Book another cruise with him/her!

Great advice.

BTW..that chocolate lava cake is my fave desert. Now, I need to book a cruise as I really want some. 😉 I see there are sugar free options on one of the menus. I had read somewhere else they didn't have any.

Oooops....missed that post. Sorry!

Loving your review. Bliss is a wonderful ship. Last time I sailed her was with @ChiefMateJRK and his charming wife. Had a grand time. Luggage? That's a shame. So, if they can't find it, I'm hoping it made it onto the ship from the porters on the dock. Maybe elevate the issue with Customer Service?

@Texas Realtor...thanks for your review. I'm enjoying it. I was on the Prima a month ago. Like you, I didn't experience ANY of the issues I had read complaints about. It's a beautiful ship. Like any ship, depending on where your cabin is (e.g. below the gym where you'd hear weights banging), I found it quiet. Cookies are available....they were throughout the ship, or as you did, just ask for them. Syd's is a tough get. But, that shows just how popular those shows are. Rumors seemed to be the toughest seat to get. I passed because I had seen it on another ship. But, worth seeing if you've never seen it before. Crew was friendly and cheerful (although I did have some complaints about medical staff). But, that's another story. Overall, service was great. It's a beautiful ship. I think some cruisers want the more traditional large buffet type dining venue, which Prima does not have. Instead, they push you towards Indulge and some of the other places (which there are plenty of) to dine.

Look in INDULGE. There were cookies on a little kiosk right outside of CoCos. There were many other deserts there, also.

Boy...I am so looking forward to another of your reviews....and a B2B, no less! Great news about your Dad and your new gig. Happy to hear both. And, while it's easy for me to say this now since I retired, I had jobs that paid a lot and were just dreadful. I left those. My only regret looking back is I waited too long to do so.

I like those straps. Thanks for the link!

Also agree. Numerous reasons… -I always know where my luggage is (with me) -I never (well, almost never) pack more than I can fit in a roll aboard and a back pack (one deviation was when I had a large bag with me when I spent a month in Europe and nearly 2 weeks on the NCL Epic). -no crazy baggage handlers to lose or break my luggage

I’m running “0-fer” on my cuts and pastes, ain’t I?