ebonybee

1 hour ago, Liviucostin said:

Passengers with a Chinese passport who have not travelled from or through Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, Macau or Taiwan, in the past 30 days, and who are in good health, can access the ship

Nothing is ever 100% effective but I'm wondering how do cruises  verify that a person hasn't traveled in the last 30 days to these countries? I lived and worked in Asia for years and one thing I know is that many, many Hong Kong residents have dual citizenship to either the U.S. or Canada.  I was told that at the first sign of any issues they will board a plane to one of these countries.

I just got off a Carnival Cruise on Sunday and CCL didn't request that folks with a Chinese passport or travelers to/from China in the last "X " days identify themselves until the 4th day of the cruise.  I was conscious of people with signs of cold or coughing from any nationality, but wouldn't you know that the first person to stop and ask me a question was a Mandarin speaking guest.  I was wondering how did she know that I speak Mandarin---we converse in her limited English and me in limited Mandarin.

28 minutes ago, Lovtotravel2 said:

they almost always let you bring bottle water back on board from port, so just pick up a couple bottles each time you in port to cut the cost of the on board bottle water.   I bring an insulated water bottle and just keep filling a the buffet, or slip a bartender a dollar and they will put ice and water in it. 

Thanks for that tip.

2 hours ago, Até said:

At some point it is always offered on Seaside Caribbean sailings, sometimes when a sailing is first listed it won't be added yet.  Online booking searches default to the cheaper rate unless you specifically click on the All In header at the top of the home page or specifically got to the "See All Pricing & Details" section of the sailing.  I always book direct with MSC, if you call in agents may assume you want the cheaper rate but usually ask.  If you're not past final payment you are able to change, if final payment has been made I'd still call and see if they might change it without having to cancel.

I don't recall them asking and we just booked.  I call CS and requested to change and they would not. We will make the best of it.  The package certainly would have been worthwhile for the other passengers traveling with us.

4 hours ago, Até said:

On a typical one week Seaside balcony sailing the Escape to Sea no frills rate is only about $170pp less than the All In rate which includes $100 OBC, Easy drinks package and Standard WiFi (currently costs $99.90).  So the way I look at it is that if you would use the internet package then the Easy package ends up only costing $70pp for the week, calculated as $170 minus $50 OBC (which can be used towards the daily service charges) minus $50 for WiFi.  Making the Easy package cost $10pp/day.  So each person only needs to order two drinks at $6 each to come out ahead per day.  Purchasing the Easy package separately is totally different.

I recently booked and the all in rate wasn’t offered. I stupidly booked directly with MSC.

7 minutes ago, reedprincess said:

"Problem" solved by drink the free all included in your fare tap/ship's water with a reusable water bottle. Pay nothing extra, fill up as needed - heck, bring two or three to keep a couple full all the time, or bring a larger insulated bottle like a Swig Swag I or such to keep topped up, , and have as much water as you want, that's as clean/cleaner sbd safe/safer than bottled water. Plus, no single use plastics.  Win win.  

Thanks a lot and this appears to be a possible solution.  I wasn’t sure of the availability of  ice and water dispensers.

8 minutes ago, Liviucostin said:

If you want to buy a drink package to get bottled water I suggest the non alcoholic package. It's cheaper than easy

Aren’t all pax in the cabinet required to purchased a package?  Spouse wants to buy his beverages a la carte. I don’t want to pay a premium for just water when I don’t consume sodas, juice, or coffee.

This will be my first MSC Cruise although I have completed nearly 50 on other cruise lines.  Medically, I cannot consume any  drinks containing sugar which also excludes fruit juices, alcohol of any type, and only drink plain water—not mineral water.   I also don’t drink coffee because of the dehydrating effect.  Most cruise lines have allowed the pre purchase of a case of water to be delivered to my cabin but not getting assistance through MSC customer service. They are emphasizing purchasing the easy drink package which contains water but who wants to pay 500.00 (cabin cost) to have unfettered access to a basic need.  I drink about 128 ounces daily.   I was told once onboard I can purchase  32oz Pellegrino for $5.00 plus gratuity onboard.  Are there water fountains from which I can fill a water bottle or any other suggestions.

I did a special needs request prior to my recent Freedom cruise and a foam topper was on my bed when I arrived, very comfy mattress and bedding.

I also requested the foam topper through special needs prior to boarding in November and the room steward stated that he would comply....but really recommended that I elect the second duvet.

When I thought about it.....I was all for a washed duvet.

Only if you beg and they have a good explanations. My cabin steward stated that the egg crates could not be cleaned.....therefore they were unsanitary. Instead, he used a a second duvet to provide comfort.

I think the poster has a better chance of reuniting the ring and owners that RCCL?

Left an item on BOS in February. Called RCCL while at the port since I couldn't return to the ship to retrieve the item. It was 7: am and I provided all the details of the location of the item in my stateroom. Item hasn't found it's way home yet.

Just off Freedom today after 8 day cruise...Smoked salmon was definitely on the breakfast buffett---hubby had it at least 4 times. Can't be definitive on lunch because we skipped that meal most days.

How are the beds? Are they still cement hard and low to the floor?

Last sailed on her Feb 16 but will avoid as long as Loyalty Ambassador for that sailing remains. The rudest LA, I've ever met sailing and we have quite a few under our bets. She was so bad that a member of Guest Services witnessed the rudeness and later we were sent a letter providing a discount for a future sailing.

We sailed on Oasis last Christmas and Allure in March and I would totally agree with that comment.

 

We also enjoyed the shows (except Cats) more on Oasis.

I'm always amused to read folks comments on Cats. How did it run so long a Broadway? I knew the storyline but my enjoyment is limited to two songs.

No need for reservations for CATS....there will be plenty of seats.

We were on Jan 2 sailing and the steam chamber in the Rasul chamber wasn't working then. They stated they had put in a work order.

Thanks. I think I'll go for lunch instead of dinner.

If you purchase the tasting menu....order only one for two people. The waitstaff will tell you this also.

The biggest surprise for me was the dessert tray with six desserts.

Karen do you know if they still offer a priority self assist disembarkation? When we were on last April they offered it (I think for Platinum and above). Everyone met in the dining room.

 

Thanks

Just off on 7 Jan. Priority self assist was offered to all. Escorted priority was given to platinum and above with meet up in Minstrel Dining Room. The over zealous Loyalty Ambassador made sure that only certain tiers entered the dining room. Suites and Pinnacle were escorted by Concierge. By the way, Priority self assist was called at 7:30 am. We were escorted off about 10 minutes later.

Love the luggage valet program. Disappointed that Tampa doesn't have it.

I've never paid more than$15.00 for two for a taxi trip between airport and Port Everglades.

Thanks OP for this information. Just off Oasis with another cruise within days but seriously considering another cruise line.

Just returned....Anything goes.

Same menu all the time lunch or dinner. It's ala carte so you can order say a quesadilla for about 5.00.

Salsa and chips no cost with an order.

Dessert is a tray of about six different desserts.....too much.

I've heard rumors that CK might be adding more variety to their menu sometime next year. Can anyone confirm or add more to the rumor mill?

I was told by the wait staff that they will go to daily menus....but they didn't say when.

Just off of Oasis on Saturday and booked CK for every night by sending email to concierge before boarding.

Any suite including JS could book for dinner and probably breakfast it was never crowded. Wine was available and complimentary from lunch to dinner....although I only had one glass of a White Zinfandel once. We also took guest twice without any problems.

I have utilized BLU on Equinox and hands down BLU wins. CK is too repetitive changing menus only once. Lunch and dinner menus on CK are very much the same, while BLU changes their menus every night.

What I liked a lot about CK is the suite lounge being adjoining....you could have appetizers and drinks in the lounge and then move over for dinner. A few times we met folks at the lounge and then decided to have dinner together.

CK was great in delivering your food HOT HOT due to the location of the kitchen and that's a winner for me. Food was also nicely seasoned.