wcook

In terms of plain food, MSC (at least the buffet, I can’t speak for the MDR) is pretty good. No problem with simple pasta, cheese pizza. Burgers are fine, hot dogs are chicken dogs (boo), fries are excellent. My only concern would be pepperoni pizza. Maybe they have it, but I usually see “salami” pizza where the salami tastes exactly like American pepperoni, but looks different. I know little things like that can bother some kids. Anyway, it’s a big buffet selection, should be good for picky kids.

Based on the way things are headed, take the non-stop!

Question to those who don’t have a phone surgically attached: Do you carry around a camera? Or do you not take a zillion pictures per cruise. Genuinely curious, not trying to be argumentative.

Assuming Skagway is on somebody’s must-do bucket list, what is your gut feeling about booking a 2023 cruise now? - Don’t worry about it. While nothing is ever 100% guaranteed, they will almost certainly have this sorted out by next year - Who the hell knows. Don’t book until everything is secured

Special events during the Festivus period - The airing of grievances - The feats of strength - The Festivus poles

One night in Bangkok makes a hard man humble Not much between despair and ecstasy One night in Bangkok and the tough guys tumble Can't be too careful with your company I can feel the devil walking next to me

Chip and pin will be universally adapted in the US right about the time the rest of the world has abandoned it and gone fully contactless.

Yep, it’s cold in Norway. You might even say it’s “Frozen.” But you can’t worry about what other people do or don’t pack, post etc. You have to, um, what’s that phrase that means to give something up, to stip thinking or worrying about it?

They can hold on for a while, but at least when it come to cruising the technology will be harder and harder to ignore. Already today I can browse the daily planner on my phone, mark items I’m interested in, have a reminder pop up a few minutes before the event, bring up a ship plan showing me where I am, where the even is and how to get between the two. Can’t wait to see what technology brings tomorrow.

Probably best to spend a little less than $49k on the car so you’ll have money left over for tolls.

Parts of the Philippines get a pretty serious warning from the US state department. Of course, these parts aren't Manila or where cruise ship Exercise increased caution to the Philippines due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory. Do Not Travel to: The Sulu Archipelago, including the southern Sulu Sea, due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, andkidnapping. Marawi City in Mindanao due to terrorism and civil unrest.

Given the number of random shootings here in the US, there’s not a foreign port I worry about. And to be honest, I’m not really scared in the US either. We live in an era of super low crime rates. Unfortunately, we also live in an era of ubiquitous sensationalist media.

If I spent $50,000 on a cruise I would want things to be perfect. Antarctic cruises are always going to have issues. If I’m you, I’d get my deposit back.

Note: MSC has plenty of Americanized food if that’s what somebody is looking for.

Isn’t asking here “doing homework”? Besides, this is meant as a social board. A way to interact with people.

Me? I love being able to text and chat with friends and family. Take a quick picture of a tasty beverage or snack I’ve just gotten and send it off to see who wants to join me.

Actually, I was a fairly normal kid. Then I discovered alcohol and it’s been all downhill since 🙂

Usually on MSC if you get a drinks/WiFi included package it’s the middle tier drink package and the low tier WiFi. You can pay to upgrade ahead of time, but as mentioned you pay full price + 15% for any drink above the package cutoff.

Who hoo - free dinner!

Yes.

Just our family (lots of nieces, nephews, cousins, etc.) but the requirement for teens is they present themselves for dinner. On time. No whining. If they’ve booked a shoe excursion, they have to take it. Other than that, they are responsible for themselves. If they want to skip sleep, or sleep the trip away that’s on them. Obviously not all teens are the same. “Teen” doesn’t necessary mean the day they turn 13. Some will need more supervision. But - again this is just our family - cruises are a great opportunity to give kids more freedom and let them grow. Soon they will be off at college and have to fully manage their time. It’s interesting watching the choices they make. Some stick with the family and follow the adult schedules. Some get involved in the ship activities. And some just disappear, magically appearing at dinner and then disappearing again. Note: there are of course rules - no going in anyone’s room for any reason, never accept a beverage from anyone but crew, etc. But that’s different from time management.

Obviously somebody never flew People Express.

Generic foreign currency exchange tip: Don't stress. I’ve seen people jump through all sorts of hoops to avoid a 3% fee. On a $600 exchange. On a $10,000 vacation. That said, here’s one “scam” that seems to be growing: The ATM machine* or credit card reader offers to charge your card in US dollars rather than the local currency. Don’t do it. It will undoubtedly use some god awful exchange rate. Just get charged in the foreign currency and let your bank do the exchange. It may not be the best possible rate, but it will be much better that what the ATM will use. * redundant, I know. Don’t get me stared on needing a PIN number to use one.

This thread will end. Eventually. But as long as Cruise Critic exists, this topic will never die.

Keep in mind when you get a package you have to order off the package menu. Or get something off the regular menu and pay 50% of the menu price. The package menu does generally include the kinds of thing most people want, but if you like to be adventurous probably don’t get the package. You should be able to find pictures of the menus with a simple search.