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Alternatively, instead of buying a bottle for the cabin, if you have a drink package it would be very easy for each of you to pick up the beverage of your choice from any bar and bring it back to the cabin to have on the balcony before turning in for the night.

My money is on Celebrity will neither forewarn you nor send you a generic CYA letter! They have never done so in the past so I cannot see them starting now. If you have not made final payment yet you have the choice of either cancelling or continuing on with your cruise knowing the restriction of Retreat Sundeck access.

I was on the ship last month. It was not working. I’ve sailed SM many, many times since the addition of the Retreat Sundeck and I can say it’s not working 98% of the time. I believe it only worked during one of my sailings and you had to get someone from Guest Relations to operate it. So unfortunately your MIL will not be able to use the Retreat Sundeck. And be prepared….the elevator to the outdoor movie area on Deck 11 rarely works.

I believe Taylan was previously employed by Celebrity (Guest Relations capacity, I believe).

@GreygooserThanks for posting. I'll be following along as I'm sailing Meraviglia Yacht Club from Brooklyn in September. I'm a very seasoned cruiser (probably close to 200 cruises during my lifetime) but I've never sailed MSC and I'm very anxiously awaiting my sailing. I'm grateful for any and all info you can post. Have fun!

Not to get personal but inquiring minds what to know: How old is she? Does she work? Does she have a "shoreside" life? Obviously, you don't have to answer any of these questions but as much as I enjoy cruising (and I'm retired) I would never want to spend approximately 7 months per year cruising. I would miss my friends, my family, my pets, my activities, and the simpler pleasures of life, etc. etc.

@NCMtnBoysThanks so much for the information. Not really what I would consider true "handicapped" seating if you have to walk down a few stairs......but......it is what it is. I wonder how they accommodate wheelchair and scooter users?

You can usually get Aqua Panna at any bar. Although when I was onboard last month I did notice that the bar team gave you "Rain" water even if you had the premium package unless you specifically asked for Aqua Panna. The only place onboard where I saw Evian bottles was in our suite -- it was stocked with big bottles of Evian.

Congratulations on your wedding! Enjoy your day. I'll be following along on your post as I'm sailing in September in the YC on the Meraviglia. First time on MSC although I'm an experienced cruiser.

Hi, We're new to MSC. Is there a Handicapped Seating Section in both The Broadway Theatre and the Carousel Lounge on Meraviglia? One member of our party uses a rollator and cannot descend or ascend stairs. Also, I've read that there is reserved seating in The Broadway Theater for Yacht Club passengers. Is this reserved seating area handicapped accessible? Thanks in advance.

@chemmo While I cannot vouch for the condition of the PH, I will say that quite recently I was aboard Infinity in a RS and the furnishings were in good shape. The couch, chairs, bed, etc. were perfectly fine. And, quite frankly, I was thrilled to be aboard a "non-revolutionized" Celebrity ship. I so much prefer the "old style" to the "new". Actually, in my opinion, the entire ship seemed to be in excellent shape (other than your normal wear and tear which doesn't concern me at all). Luminae team was top notch - probably one of the best I've encountered in a long, long time. Of course, by the time you sail next year I'm quite sure the team will be different....but I would not worry about a thing regarding Luminae supplying off-menu items. I cannot speak to Tuscan as we only ate there once and ordered items on the menu. So glad to see you putting your toes back in the water re cruising. I'm sure it will be a different experience without your dear husband.....but I'm quite sure you will be very happy onboard. Sorry.....I know that my post didn't quite answer your question but I thought I'd at least give you my opinion re the RS. If the RS was in good shape I'm confident that the PH will also be in good shape.

I will be trying MSC Meraviglia Yacht Club in September (when I booked the cruise, the price was too good to pass up - 2 "Sky Suite similar" suites on MSC was $8000 LESS than 2 Sky Suites on Equinox in September....plus we would need to add the price of airfare if we decided on Equinox!....so it was a no-brainer for me to give MSC YC a try even though I'm a die hard Celebrity fan). The one thing that does concern me is that smoking is allowed in the casino. Since I spend a bit of time each evening (and occasionally in the afternoon) in the casino my question to you is: Did the smoke in the casino overpower you? I have COPD and I'm really concerned that it will be a "smoke-fest" in the casino. Thanks!

I was on Summit April 26. They had canned water (brand was Rain Water) for those with the Classic Beverage Package. If you had the Premium Beverage Package you could get bottled water (brand was Aqua Panna). I do believe the Aqua Panna water was in "short supply" in most bar venues. The only place I saw Evian water was in out suite. The suite had many large bottles of Evian but I only saw Aqua Panna (both large and small bottles) in bar areas along with the canned water. To me, the canned water does not taste good at all.....whether it be ice cold or warm! Regarding your question about bringing a case of water onboard with you. I have not seen anyone doing that lately......but it does not hurt to try. Worst case scenario is that the water will not be delivered to your cabin (so you'll be out a couple of bucks!)

Even if your suite upgrade bid comes through, chances are that your current cabin will not go back into inventory but rather will be awarded to someone else who put in a bid for it. I would say your best bet would be to have your travel agent book an oceanview room and waitlist them for a verandah cabin. However, chances are that at this late date a verandah cabin will not clear and then they will be in the oceanview room. For what it's worth......oceanview rooms are not that bad. It's better than not going on the cruise at all!!!

Classic beverage package gets you canned water (Brand is called Rain). Premium beverage package gets you bottled water (Brand is Aqua Panna).

Off topic but on the subject of muster drills, how and when does the crew "practice" getting disabled individuals to their muster station. I've been on cruises where there seems to be lots of wheelchairs, scooters, walkers, etc. In the days when we did "real muster drills" I've seen the "crew hallway monitors" allow wheelchair users use of the elevator to get to their muster station (which, in a real emergency is a no-no). I've never seen crew members carrying wheelchair bound folks down the stairs to the muster location. So....how do they ensure that the disabled/mobility challenged are able to get to their muster station?

@JamieLogical I'm very much looking forward to following your posts. I've followed all your "Live From" postings on Celebrity board. I am a long time Celebrity cruiser who will be taking her first MSC cruise in September (Meraviglia from NY). I cannot wait to hear your take on MSC. Have fun!

I’ve already heard from her regarding my April 26 sailing, Just a thought…..I’ve never sailed a charter but perhaps the Shoreside Concierge doesn’t reach out to Charter cruisers???

Constellation was scheduled to arrive at 12 noon and is scheduled to depart at 5 pm

@morpheusofthesea Just to clarify one point. Celebrity's "non suite Zeniths" do not have access to any of the Retreat facilities (i.e., Retreat Sun Deck, Retreat Lounge, Luminae). All Retreat facilities are reserved solely for suite occupants. I know this for a fact as I am Zenith on Celebrity (but always book suites so the issue is a "non-issue" for me!) I will be sailing MSC from NYC in September. It's my first experience with MSC Yacht Club and I'm very much looking forward to it. I also immensely enjoy all your "observations from the poop deck" no matter which line you are sailing. Enjoy!!

Actually, it’s nothing new. It’s something “old”. Celebrity did this years ago (trays of drink of the day plus a “beer/water cart” being circulated around the pool). But I have not seen this in years. And I started sailing Celebrity the first year they started with the Horizon and have taken 90+ Celebrity cruises…so I’ve “been around” awhile!

I’m very interested in reading your comparison. The Retreat pricing on Celebrity is getting a bit too high for me. My next 2 Celebrity cruises are in RS (March and April) but I have no other Celebrity cruises booked due to the outrageous Retreat pricing. I do, however, have an MSC Yacht Club suite booked for a September sailing from NYC. I haven’t sailed HAL in years so I’m very interested in your experience. Thanks for posting. @goldsmip115on another subject…would you happen to know what ship Gede (from Luminae) is currently working on? I know he’s one of your favorites and he’s also one of mine. Thanks.

Hi, Would anyone happen to know any of the names of the Luminae team (i.e., Maitre'd or Waitstaff) on Constellation. Also, I'm interested in the names of the Retreat (i.e., Michael's Club) concierges. Thanks in advance for any information provided.

I don’t know Conrad but Connie is excellent. I hope she’s still onboard when we sail in April. I would love to see her again.

I also did the MSC status match and matched to Diamond status as I’m Zenith with Celebrity. The Diamond status did give me a slight discount on the price - nothing earth shattering but it was more than the Celebrity discount for Zenith bookings as Celebrity doesn’t offer any discounts based on Captains Club level. I’m looking forward to my MSC sailing.