ConnieTact

Extra topping is discouraged by MSC and certainly not expected by staff. I usually have small £5 or €5 notes to hand out to staff on last day and often tip butler more, if they are good. Also we have tipped waiters if especially made an impression and some to sommelier and YC manager- again if they made an impression & went out their way with a request. European cruises are different that US ones and when we book from UK tips are ‘prepaid’. occasionally we may give €1 for a drink outside YC - if delivered promptly or with a smile! We never feel it is expected though. With spa treatments - it is so clearly 15% added, I feel that’s enough. I have to say all staff have been very appreciative if we have given them tips.

We had a late lunch in outside pool grill bar, which was hot and delicious but did take 35 minutes to arrive because a large party got their order in before us. did have to ask twice for my champagne but honestly, I’m grateful to be in the position to be able to have a glass at lunchtime, so I’m not complaining! 🤣

The hair and nail salon is well equipped and comfortable. Best of all is that the nail technician I had, Philisile, was the best I have met on a MSC cruise! To be honest., the heavy sales pitches alongside unwanted opinions of workers telling you what I need to buy to improve whatever condition they can summon up, has left me wary of going to a MSC spa again for a treatment. I even felt a bit apprehensive about what I was getting myself into this morning! Philisile restored my confidence and instead, we enjoyed a comfortable conversation about our family lives and work. At the end, when she mentioned the free skin analysis available on sea days, she laughed along with me when I declared, “I’d rather live in ignorance! I don’t wanna know!” 😂 She’s a star and an asset to MSC spa team and I wish her well. I hope one day she is in a position to train others. Her style is the best and should be sought after, as I now look forward to my next appointments. Later I will print the price list for salon treatments. It’s always best to book in advance as it’s cheaper and tips are included. Also, don’t forget, if you’re in YC you have 10% discount on onboard prices.

Our butler, Laksmi, is fabulous! She is so responsive and does everything she can to help. She delivered our breakfast pastries and cereal on the dot of 9.30 and has just brought our newspaper. She’s checked with us when it suits us to have our morning room clean and will escort me to my appointment in the spa. This is always worthwhile, and a great perk of YC, as it means you don’t have to queue when you get there to check in. I’m having a manicure and pedicure. we discovered there ate not as many English channels available on this ship as on our recent sailings on Virtuosa on October and Euribia in December. Laksmi said this could be because this ship is sailing Europe it may be why. We’ve settled with CNBC which has got some good interviews on it.

The Grand Suite Aurea also looks good. I saw there is a different restaurant for Aurea too and that looked good. You can also put an upgrade offer in for a YC inside, less space but all the perks and extra spaces within YC. It is great to go to the general ship activities and then afterwards, walk through the doors of YC to a more serene environment. There are only seven inside cabins in YC and this time we have one of them! It is certainly small compared to a balcony but we are not in it for long so, for us, it’s absolutely worth it. We have stayed in Duplex suites, balcony suites and interiors and are happy in them all! PS I did mention macaroons but I think they normally come once but it’s always worth another try if they don’t appear tonight! We had them on our bar snack plates and on Petit Four dish last night.

Yes! There is one on every MSC ship I believe. We will be checking that out today so I’ll post some pictures and let you know what it’s like.

We told the butler what we wanted and she delivered! All this back at the cabin- even the shirts ironed in just a few hours!

Dinner was great and made even more good by having expert advice, from wine expert William, on wine pairing on our personal choices. It pushed me to try wines I wouldn’t normally and that’s what the experience of having a sommelier is about. We don’t pretend to know a lot about wine and, his guidance and advice was appreciated as was the explanations of his choices.

Wow! I never expected Bethzienna to sing one of her favourite (& my absolute favourite) Italian/Scottish musicians Paolo Nutini’s song, 10/10! I am SO impressed! Great taste! (Well, I admit I am in Paolo’s fan club!😂). If you’ve not heard him- check his varied music out- he’s a fab singer and songwriter. IMG_5531.mov

Met our wonderful butler tonight. She was thorough with offering to unpack cases, which drinks we wanted, took some of our allocated laundry for pressing and asked about treat preferences and ice. Then she escorted us to the rear of the ship to the Panama Lounge for the fully booked show and got us in. The show is good and the singer has a powerful voice which did justice to the rock songs she was singing.

We are just enjoying drinks and pre dinner snacks to the fabulous sounds of talented singer, Giulia Nicolini.

Next we watched the sail out from different places front of ship in Yacht Club- the best views! I loved sailing out of Barcelona.

We looked in the various venues, restaurants and bars. A great variety. Although the ship is full, it didn’t feel crowded anywhere. Masters of the Sea The Gin Project.Stairs join the two bars.Juice bar.Promenade with moving ceiling mirrors- they make an interesting effect. Below is the Raj Polo Teahouse. The Elixir Mixology bar. Chefs Garden Kitchen. Hola! Tacos & Cantina Butchers Cut TV Studio bar. World Theatre.

After the drill in the afternoon we looked around the ship. Honestly, when I saw the spiral slide and the view it made me say “Wow!” Similar to how I felt when I first saw some venues!

We plumped for the YC restaurant for a light lunch today. I loved my starter and cheese plate with my special request of no blue cheeses. The service was attentive, friendly and exemplary.

Grill bar on deck below has friendly staff and good food offering. Having a relax before lunch.

YC pool bar is relaxing and good venue!

We were warmly welcomed at each stage of check in, at the tent outside, the little waiting room (love the chocolate nuts!) and then onboard in the Top Sail Lounge. It was probably the warmest welcome we have received. We were settled onboard within minutes! All was explained about the Yacht Club experience and the other dining option at another restaurant onboard called La Brasserie. I took a photo of the menu but didn’t book for tonight. The outside area out of the Top Sail lounge is sunny and warm and we’re loving this different area. Service has been excellent so far!

Boarding was a breeze! Here are the shots of the ship that I intended to take the first time. 😅

I’m glad know it’s not just me then ! 😅

Well what a saga! We went to cruise terminal, just 10am and I thought ship looked great so reached for my iPhone for a shot! It wasn’t there! 😱 So we searched on ‘find my phone’ and it indicated it was back at the hotel! We asked taxi to turn around but when we got to the hotel we searched bags, played a sound on iPhone…and, you guessed it- it was in large suitcase! 😅😂 On the way to terminal again- Take two! 😂 Moral of story - don't swap handbags around!

Good morning Barcelona! We have a huge balcony but it’s too cold out there to enjoy it! would be great in the summer. We have been here on the past and used it for breakfast out there. This time we were told breakfast was included! Not bad for the £65 rate I paid!

Thanks so much! I’m really excited this morning! I hope to get there nice and early but MrCT didn’t sleep well last night so is making up for it now!

Backdrop is a massive screen of football! Spanish love their football!

Great meal… really fabulous- I loved every mouthful!