shipgeeks

Thanks for the news. We've never found Baltimore disembarkation to be time-consuming, but every bit helps. I tried to access the article, but it said For subscribers only. I declined subscribing.

I have to agree. A coat is longer than a jacket. So you Brits get a point for logic. Re Tea: I know the difference, but I find myself correcting other Americans who don't. I just bought a new crossword book, which has been giving me a bit more trouble than usual. I finally realized it is British, with not only words I don't know, but tv programs, rivers, and more that are beyond my usual field of knowledge.

There was a question here recently re what Americans mean by "sportscoat". This is it. Not to be confused with a zippered jacket, especially one that matches one's athletic pants with stripes down the side!

I realize that one of the benefits of doing traditional (not anytime) dining in MDR is having the same waitstaff each night. The first night, they have always asked if we have any food allergies. I feel comfortable that we will be taken care of after that. (In my case, shellfish.)

Nunagoras, I think Empress is the ship that did the Cuba cruises. She is older, and smaller yet, than Enchantment. After sailing on her, we thought Grandeur and Enchantment were big! Lest you think that we only like smaller ships, I might mention that our other favorite ship in recent years was MSC Seaside. We sailed Bella, presumably with a full ship, and loved it. I think what she has in common with RC's Vision Class ships is the connection with the outside - sea and sky. I just cannot imagine choosing a ship with a promenade down the middle, and so few chances to connect with the ocean. IMO, a promenade is the thing that circles a ship, on the outside, so walkers and sitters can enjoy the view (and the little flying fish). Enchantment will be repositioning to Alaska in 2023, followed by trans-Pacific and then a long stay in Australia. Baltimore will be getting Vision of the Seas, and continuing the protocol of mostly longer cruises.

Except for their poor crew members. We still don't know what most of them look like.

Nunagoras, Thank you for your interesting comments about the incident. One thing I would like to remark on is the fact that the older RC ships such as Enchantment (which we much prefer to the big theme park ships) typically do longer cruises, rather than shorter ones. Most of her cruises are 8, 9, or 12 nights, with the exception of some 5-night Bermuda cruises during that season. We regulars appreciate that, and the ship has a high repeat rate, usually sails full, and has many B2Bs aboard at any time. We think she is in great shape. Not as many food venues, but good quality in MDR, WJ, etc., probably similar to that of the megaships.

That would be in the English Breakfast area, right? Sauteed mushrooms, baked beans, grilled tomatoes, sausages.....

We have been to both. We thought Ocean Cay was the loveliest paradise we've ever seen. A few weeks ago we went to Coco Cay. We arrived, we did the circuit, we went back to the ship. Loud music everywhere (all different), a closed-in feeling, no sense of paradise at all. A great disappointment.

Solved for you; more work for ship crew.

We've sailed on Enchantment twice this year. There are two of us. We choose second seating, traditional dining. Both times, we've been assigned to an 8-top round table. One time, we had one additional diner. The other time, we had two. Neither time did we feel like any other tables were too close. Are you comfortable booking traditional dining? At least then you would know that your table will be consistent every night, including the proximity of other tables. The only crowding I've read about pertained to 2-tops, so with four of you, you won't have that issue. I assume that if you are booked as two twosomes, you have linked your reservations so you will be seated together.

I believe you are on the Sept. 22 cruise with us. I read elsewhere that checkin will open for us on August 8. I never do it very far ahead, regardless; just enough to give myself time to do it without pressure.

At the risk of sounding like another "Well on RC they...." One of the touches I've enjoyed at RC production shows is the cast info on the side screens, before the show starts. "Jennifer, dancer, Akron, Ohio", "Paul, singer, Manchester, UK", with photos. I think this would be especially interesting on MSC, as I suspect the cast come from far and wide, and especially because the tenor who sang Pinkerton in "Butterfly" was outstanding. I would love to learn more about all those excellent performers.

At home, we never seem to have bacon, lettuce, and good tomatoes at the same time. A while ago, there was a mention of saving buffet bacon from breakfast, to make a BLT at lunchtime. Have you ever done this? What was your process? Or....should I just make myself a Breakfast BLT? Bacon, toast: check. Lettuce, tomatoes: maybe, at the Continental breakfast area. Mayo: maybe, in a jumbo dispenser, next to the jumbo ketchup dispenser for scrambled eggs (I don't get that, but that's another subject for discussion). Thoughts?

LOL, I thought the same thing as I wrote it. But truly, it is not campy-Elvira looking. I wish I could do a picture. Its main beauty is in the complex stitching and fit, with "ribbons" of the fabric sewn on in many flattering directions. The only downside is that now I have to wear black shoes with it! When I wear a black dress, I love wearing nice shoes of other colors - grey and silver, or red, mostly.

Same at Baltimore.

Tap water (in your cabin) is fine. We pack a wide-mouth water bottle for each cruise, and just fill it in the cabin and/or buffet (from a glass, not directly from the dispenser).

And there are some with cream cheese icing, and some without. Oh my, I just can't wait for my next MSC cruise.....

You have reminded me of a TA cruise on which we were seated at a large table. One night one of the diners remarked on the deliciousness of the mushrooms. Would we all like some? Of course! A large bowl of them appeared. Then the same with asparagus. And then, every night, our table was blessed with a large bowl of sauteed mushrooms and a large bowl of asparagus. Thank you, Oscar!

Latte-tudes also has desserts, small sandwiches, etc., which are free of charge, with or without coffee purchases. I'm not sure how late they are open, though.

One of our favorite sights occurred before our ship even left the dock. We sailed late afternoon. As we stood on the top deck, hoping for views in all directions, the lights of New York City began to come on. Times Square, and so many other areas. It was magical.

I remember being able to do so, successfully, years ago, but not so much now. I'm not sure why. Less access to the dark forward deck (below the Bridge)? More light from balconies (no such thing in our early cruising days)? Being older now means we are less likely to be out and about at late/early hours? I might have to make an effort to try again during our September cruise. I do love the sky, day or night.

Baltimore is strict about times. We arrive at 12:45. Our chosen time is 12:30-1. We are directed to the 12:30 line. A 1pm line forms separately. Last winter, as we stood in line, a woman with a 2:30 time tried to join the line. She was told she had to wait in the warming hut, or elsewhere, until her time. Inside the terminal, speed of processing might depend on the day of the week. We learned that many of the terminal employees have fulltime jobs during the week, so can only work there on weekends. On our Thursday departures, they were short, and things took a little longer than otherwise. If sailing to Bermuda, the Bermuda authorization will be checked. If someone did not have that, there could be a holdup for them.

If in doubt, just get a glass(es) of ice water from the drinks area in WJ or elsewhere. Or cabin tap.

We used half of our leftover OBC for extra grats for a special crew member, and half for the welfare fund for the onboard Ukrainian crew members.