shipgeeks

I have to take exception to some of the replies. I lived in Australia for 12 years, and had many British friends. Afternoon Tea, for ladies of leisure, was what we think of on a ship: scones, tea, finger sandwiches, etc. Or, at the office, it was a cup of tea and a "bikkie" (dry cookie) that the tea lady wheeled around. High Tea was just an early supper, perhaps something to grab after work, or basic foods to feed the children until the parents were home. Nothing fancy at all. Tea was the evening meal. I know that "high" seems like it should be the ultimate, but in that setting it is not.

I hope MSC does not "Americanize" the entertainment too much. We quite enjoyed the variety-type/Cirque du Soleil-type shows we saw on Seaside. We have stopped going to most production shows on other lines because we just don't care to see "We will we will rock you!" or "I-I-I-I will always love you-u-u-u" one more time.

Exactly. And if, for some reason, an inappropriate element is added, you just give it back or leave it, and start again. It sounds to me like something was lost in translation. Did daughter try again, or just give up eating? Is she an adult who can make her own requests? I'm just not getting the picture here.

The new menus came out one cruise ago on my preferred ship (Enchantment). I have read complaints, but only re "we couldn't order three entrees at one time" and "at day 8 they repeated the day 1 menu". I believe the introduction of the new menus is a work in progress, with refinements to come in the months ahead. As a vegetarian but not a vegan, I'm not worried, but I guess I will find out in March.

We've done four cruises since the lockdown, all in 2022. We loved them all. Honestly, the main difference we've noted is that the pax are so much more "casual", after working from home and such for several years. But in our experience, crew are just as delightful and hard-working, ships are clean, food ranged from good to excellent. We plan to keep cruising as often as we can.

We have sailed only Bella, and plan to continue to do so. No complaints, great cruises.

How would one determine, in advance, whether their card might incur such a fee?

She definitely does Bermuda and Caribbean, as well as 9-nighters to Canada/New England. Alaska, round-trip from Baltimore, would be a winner for me, but longer than most people could do! See Rogueperson's post, above, re Caribbean. That will be our next one; 12 nights is great.

What sorts of itineraries would interest you? We think the RC Baltimore cruises are nice because they never do the same thing twice in a row; there are different lengths and different destinations throughout each month or so.

We've always used credit card for all cruise expenses, and have never been charged a foreign currency fee. I can't guarantee that it wouldn't happen, but our experience (49 cruises) is that it's not a problem.

I don't use the app, and I don't know Freedom, but I frequently read comments about "It's not on the app". Other sources seem to be much more reliable/complete.

We have used SAS as well. It should be noted that the ride should be pre-booked, on their website, and then you call them just before you go into Customs.

And some of us really enjoy that!

I was quoting the article, lol. (Not that internet articles would ever exaggerate in their titles!)

We, too, only choose to do longer cruises, and wish that MSC would offer more that really are longer. We've been able to figure out which are genuinely 14, for example, and which are 7 + 4 + 3, by looking at the itinerary. If there is a Miami or Port Canaveral port day during the cruise, that means the ship will be disembarking and embarking passengers, thus making it a new cruise.

An article on my news page today listed 20 or 30 food items, and practices, that non-Americans think are horrifying. (I don't have the tech know-how to link it.) I would have to agree with some of them: sweet potatoes with marshmallows and brown sugar ranch dressing peanut butter and jelly the huge size of servings walking around with a go-cup of coffee Non-Americans, what would you add to the list? Fellow Americans, are there food items/practices that you find curious when you are abroad?

I believe MSC will have a ship there in the not-too-distant future?

Interesting, and kind of hard to imagine how this would be accomplished. Please keep us posted. I also find it interesting that Brooklyn is a seasonal port. I guess I always assumed it had sailings year-round, like Baltimore (which sometimes has snow and ice on pool deck during departure).

Mary, That's another good point. I've always wondered if the prices are, indeed, lower than at home.

And Vision Class, our favorites.

If your cruise ends at a US port, there are definitely signs saying you are prohibited from taking fresh food off the ship and into the US.

Shows/entertainment: no charge for most. On some ships there is a specialty show with a charge; most are free.

I find the idea of plants/trees on a ship just weird, except maybe a potted plant in a solarium. Likewise the lawn on the top deck of some X ships. When I am at sea, I want to see the sea and sky, not things that grow on land.

At home I no longer have easy access to stores with cosmetics and skincare products, but I always have some good OBC on a cruise. If I want to buy cosmetics onboard, do you think I will get knowledgeable advice from the crew members in the shop? Suitable shade of lipstick for my skintone? Best night cream for my skin? Or are they just trained to ring up the sale?

Does your wife truly like surprises? I don't; I would hate getting something this momentous with little or no notice. I was once told we (family) were going out to dinner. I put my reading glasses in my bag. We were actually going to a live performance of Riverdance, which I love. Prime seats, but I did not have my distance glasses. Very disappointing. As was noted above, planning is a big part of a cruise, especially one with significant ports and activities. I hope you will choose to fill her in way ahead of time, so she can enjoy the planning, learning, and other aspects of pre-cruise time.