ConnieTact

Got a rather disappointing answer from my server in Champagne bar- I would need to pay in full for any upgraded drinks plus service charge of 15%. He said he did not know of any plans for this to change either. So, for now- it’s black label for me! Just when I thought I may get a Moët for €6! 😅🥂Cheers anyway!

Okay I’ll have to ask if I buy a more expensive champagne do I just pay the difference! 🥂I’m so dedicated- it’s a hard job - but someone’s got to do it!! 😂

Now returning to the ship and there is a lot of coughing on the coach. It’s been a worthwhile trip and good value as booked pre cruise. Ghent is a pretty place and apparently has a huge music festival with free stages of entertainment in July. Not so great for locals as it gets too packed! True to topic- in comparison to YC experience of excursions- I really think the way the access to the coaches and organisation was top notch for everyone. Yes, I know I said I loved being escorted onto the coach by the butler in my last live review but we found the alternate very accessible too. I have no complaints!

Some window shopping!

Visited cathedral & now stopped off for a pizza in our free time!

More of Ghent- they seem to spell it Gent here! Made it confusing visiting the toilet! 😅😂

Thus really is live reporting- on a walking tour of Gent!

I’ll look into this later. I’d like to know too!

Next was the Cruise Next talk and that was interesting and well done. I never get fed up investigating cruise opportunities and have two further cruises with MSC booked (in YC) so we resisted booking more.

We went to Diamond Voyagers party this morning were there was music, a dance by instructors, and a short presentation a toast from the officers. We spoke to the Belgian host Loes. She was charming and her English was worthy of he being a English host too. I learned that there is around the same amount of English & German speakers around 3,000 in total. Another thousand are Dutch & Belgian and remaining guests are from Spain and US. We asked about the forthcoming French port and threat of a strike that day. She said they are awaiting news from MSC and they should know more by the end of today. Last week the port of Le Harve was missed and replaced by a port stop in Amsterdam. Another time they had an extra night in Rotterdam. The worst people affected were the 400 guests due to get on in France. Somehow MSC managed to find coaches to transport people from Le Harve and Paris all the way to Amsterdam! I can’t imaging that was easy in a country experiencing a transport strike! I later heard from another guest, that unfortunately, one of those coaches didn’t make it to Amsterdam in time, so guests then had to fly to Southampton! The ship was already going to be late arriving at 12 noon in Southampton, so it was decided to wait no longer to leave Amsterdam.

Notes from yesterday’s sea day! Decided upon buffet again for breakfast. It was after 9am and it was almost at capacity and very crowded. We walked right along the length of it to the back but still no free table. I decided to enlist the help of a manager and they looked too but eventually asked if we would mind sharing. We didn’t, so the manager made it possible for us to share with a young woman who was using the table as a computer desk- it looked like she was doing her homework! I asked the manager was the shop full and he said no we are at 4,500 at present. Later there were no seats available in the Robot bar and the shops seemed very busy too! There was a lot of choice of activities on offer in the morning and this was good as previously people had complained there wasn’t enough.

Good morning from Belgium- we’ve arrived after a smooth sailing and sea day. Hopefully some more inspiring pictures later!

Oh wow! Just at Masters of the Sea and the musician Dario, played a song of my favourite singer song writer, Paolo Nutini, and did it justice too! I loved it!! Thanks MSC! Beatles and Paolo in one night- this is a heavenly cruise and Mother’s Day for me too! ❤️

Also great drinks service by staff in Carousel lounge! It felt like YC service! 😻

At Beatles show now. I wish they did the first half last! Seemed to get slower and less danceable as the show went on! 😅 Glad I danced for the first half! fir the dancers and people with children….seats at far back are great as they have space for dancing without disturbing others!

Sea day again tomorrow so I’ll post again on Tuesday!

Sorry about crumby plate! Photos going downhill- to much champagne?!?! 😅😂

The view from the other side of the table! While we are waiting for dessert! 😂

Stay tied for desserts! 😂 This really is live reporting!

Frt wa fed, pork with apple sauce amazing- served on piping hot plates and kept hot to the end. I appreciate MSC dedication to making UK guests feel at home with a roaster on a Sunday!

Here’s our table! Almost next to the window!

Or start practicing firming your hand grip before you board!! A daily workout should suffice! 😂

Okay! Time for a story! This is why I didn’t get to the staff Talent Show yesterday! Previously, I have read about people getting lost on these larger MSC ships and I came across this first hand yesterday as I was leaving my cabin to go to the lifts ready for the show. A very distressed woman was panicking and clearly lost and upset. I reassured her I would help her and not to worry. I took her to the map on the wall and I pointed out she was on the wrong side of the ship and also the wrong end even though she had got in a set of lifts she mistakenly thought were the right ones. I offered to walk her to her room but she told me she was unwell with emphysema and couldn’t walk that far. She panicked more now and said she had no phone to call her sister with whom she was travelling. I told her to come in my room, sit comfortably while I phoned the cabin from my cabin phone. She did this and eventually we got through to another friend who I arranged to come and collect her. I’m telling the tale because it may help others who come across similar dilemmas. It’s hard to think straight when panicking. Always handy to have your room number and any friends numbers with you. This can save the day! or perhaps to take a photo of the deck plan and the floor you are on.

Oh Please MSC! Please change the water bottles- I cannot open them for toffee! 😅 most people struggle- it’s not just me- honestly! has anyone else had this issue? I have to remember to ask servers to undo them!