Markanddonna

I would also not consider anything less than seven days. Some people want to wet their toes with a short cruise, which is often very different from "typical" cruises. You might be joining a booze cruise of loud, obnoxious locals who stay in their friend and large family group.

While I also believe that my time will come when my time will come...I also get to decide what places are important enough for me to risk it. Jamaica isn't one.

We were assigned at a table for ten on a Celebrity TA last April/May. Only six of us showed up the first night. Two of the single ladies bolted after that. The other couple and us are rather outgoing, and we invited others to join us. Within two days we had a full table of ten, and everyone showed up almost every night. The chemistry was great and everyone shared their plans and experiences. The maitre'd and our waiters were very accommodating. Those who joined us were often the only ones at their former tables. 

We had an apartment in west Jerusalem last November. You have to experience Shabbat to see why that is a good idea. Even the McDonalds had some restricted hours. Keep in mind that store owners often close down a few hours before Shabbat begins, not at sundown. We were the last people served at 1:30 PM at a restaurant on Shabbat. The owners need to clean up and maybe stop at a store for their own preparations before everything closes down.

We leave our passports in a safe only on ships (unless it is mandatory to carry them, which is rare. I don't trust hotel safes since I've heard some horror stories. 

I would cancel.  If peace breaks out by then, you can rebook. I would hesitate through the first half of 2024. I was there independently last December (even to the fence borders of Lebanon and Syria- what was I thinking!!!???) . Even in more peaceful times, Israel has tensions that aren't seen elsewhere. 

Ever since I began cruising on MSC, the website has been awful. You often hear "Wait until the weekend is over. On Monday, the problem should be fixed."  I suspect that is written on a plaque above each MSC agent's desk. 

For your Italian heritage, the choice of Rome is sort of a no- brainer even though Barcelona is closer to the port. It really isn't hard to get to from the port, and I agree with others to look on the Italy board for suggested companies to hire with a larger group. There are so many popular areas around Rome.  I would do my homework, choose a hotel, and pounce on the reservation when you get your dates.

1 hour ago, hankandteri said:

Wow! Just wow! MSC overall (entire fleet, not just Divina) is already quite a bit lower than the other mass market lines, so for one of their ships to drop an entire point in a year is quite the accomplishment. 
 

 

I have been on about 8 MSC cruises. I was on the Divina around 2018 and thought it was a great ship.  After a horrible B2B on the DIvina in 2023, I believe it is fully deserving of at LEAST a full point drop. The crew was so unhappy, the ship was WAY oversold to primarily central and south American passengers, and there were fights onboard. Probably the rudest, most angry passengers I have ever witnessed. The food was blah. I couldn't give it zero stars, so it had to be given a one star. I believe it would have been a five star back in 2018.

Since the vast majority of passengers are not in the Yacht Club, a prospective passenger has to keep that in mind. I have heard that even the YC has gone downhill. To be honest, I think our cruise was the absolute worst sailing the Divina has ever experienced. People were traumatized. 

I did a nerdy analysis of the MSC Divina and their ratings in the last year have dropped a full point. 

I was on two different cruises, one last November that ended in Haifa. Why don't you take a day trip to Masada and the Dead Sea at the port of Ashdod? We took the train to Jerusalem from Haifa- not recommended as you have great difficulty with luggage. It is more of a commuter train. Find shared vehicles instead.

We stayed at Shamai Suites in Jerusalem, which was a good, walkable location with lots around. We took a taxi to the top of the Mount of Olives, walked down into the Kidron Valley, and then to the old city of Jerusalem for a short walk. 

Hopefully, the war will be a distant memory when you travel. BTW, don't think too harshly of the ship's decision not to let you off early. Israel, as you can see from the news, has many security concerns. We were stopped on route to the Tel Aviv airport near the Palestinian areas and the Israeli police were very assertive. After examining our passports, we got through. We were also in the Golan Heights at a kibbutz and traveled close to the borders. I shudder now thinking of the difference a year makes!  There were times when our driver would not stop because of potential snippers from Lebanon and Syria.

If anyone is thinking of taking a cruise or visiting Israel in October 2023, I would say you will be forced to cancel. You also don't want to be a burden to Israel. Wouldn't Hamas or Hezbollah love an American held hostage!  Pray for the peace in Jerusalem and all of Israel.

In the end, it worked out great. I had three flights and was given all the boarding passes at the first gate. I was one of the few fortunate ones to have all three middle seats free so I could stretch out on the red-eye flight. I had a free seat into me on another flight.

If I was traveling with someone else, I would have ponied up for the fare when I could select my seats.

I consider this just another travel experience and I would do it again to save a few hundred, but only if flying alone.

The Alliance seems to be quirky. I have to get my seat at the airport for the leg to BOS but Air France issued my seat and boarding passes for the other two legs. The Delta app isn't showing my boarding passes at all. Ugh.  So, printing out passes is the way to go for these flights.

46 minutes ago, waterbug123 said:

Agree with FlyerTalker.  It sounds like you booked Delta's "basic economy" which is very restrictive.  Not much you can do except wait until you get to the airport to check your bags.  At that point you can get your seat assignments and boarding passes.  However....it's also possible that that your 2nd and/or 3rd legs are on a European Sky Team partner, and for basic economy, you might have to wait to get those seat assignments at the subsequent airports where you connect. 

That's what it sounds like. Hopefully, since there are seats available, I should be okay. Lesson learned...after about 100 flights under my belt.

I am traveling solo so booked Delta Economy to Europe which stipulates I can't get my seat assignment until check in. I have three legs to this trip and have to get the seat assignment at the gate and also don't seem to be able to check in for the 2nd and 3rd leg. Advice?

Our bank does notary services for free.

I didn't notice personal care items not available- that will be the most expensive sunscreen you ever bought, if needed, though. It is true that most lines do not sell OTC meds anymore. Some are in the medical center in a machine or behind the counter.

I've been on seven MSC cruises. It is just a very different cruise line, and the passenger composition very much depends on the embarkation port. We decided not to cruise out of Miami (too many rude, loud, and sometimes violent passengers (fights at the pool- security called-  from central and South America) but found the crowd out of PC were just all quite happy and polite. 

You just can't compare it to a more refined line like Celebrity, for instance. If I am with my family, MSC is fine (but not out of Miami!).  Have traveled in both inside to balcony on MSC. The crew and cabins are just fine, and the ships are lovely. The food is fine but not exceptional unless you go to the steakhouse.

We are looking at a transatlantic that will dry dock immediately after we dock in Europe. What are some issues that affect passengers?  Here's what I thought of:

* I suspect that some work is done while the ship is sailing during those 15 days.  I recall on one TA where new carpeting was installed and the fumes were very bad.

* Some supplies will not be in stock (food items at the buffet/restaurants, at the stores, etc.)

* I know some features are shabby and dated (I can live with that.)

* Most crew members are at the end of their contract.

Anything else?

We are looking at a TA that is the final sailing before their drydock. I know the cruise line won't tell you about the plans, but has it been your experience that lots of work is started on the drydock renovation on the TA?  I recall all the carpeting being replaced on one and how the corridors smelled of heavy chemicals. Do you think it is more typical than not to start the renovations early?

The answer is so variable. On our first transatlantic, we rarely used the balcony because of "sea spray."  The constant mist from the ocean sometimes combines with the ship booking it across the ocean, making sitting on some balconies not a pleasant experience. The worst was in the front on a very large balcony that was a deck below the bridge. While sailing, it was extremely windy, but of course, quite nice when docked. The secret is to search reviews to find balcony experiences.

I find that the folks on this site have been my best teachers and advisors. I also ask questions on sites like Rick Steves and Trip Advisor forums.

My experience is that the majority know less than I do about the general ins and outs of cruise travel. When I ask a pointed question, I hear, "I book many of my clients at..."  They are dodging the reality that they have little experience in travel. 

Most travel agents only wish they had as much travel experience as some of you cruise critics!

The only time it is problematic is when people give advice like, "the experience outside a suite/YC, Haven, etc is so inferior. I would never book outside of these more elite experiences." That gets quite obnoxious. 

16 hours ago, Cruise till you drop said:

 

 I don’t think this is a forever problem as they will get out of debt at some point.  However I worry that some of the changes will be forever and only serve the cruise line profitability long after debts are paid

This is exactly what will happen because we will become like that frog who became desensitized while the pot was heating. The items and services that have been taken away will be added for additional fees.

We won't ever know the break even point. Instead, we will just be used to less service and lower quality food and details.