Iluvcruising2

Ah ha, we had afternoon tea in the Top Sail lounge again. This is only served from 5pm to 6pm. One butler making our tea.

Having my favourite cucumber sandwich. For some reason, this simple sandwich tasted awesome.

With all that eating, I had to keep active and keep moving around, so as to burn off as many calories as I could. So, no rest for me. Let's keep walking around the ship. Hot tubs continue to be very busy.

And so I decided to make this video about the lift lobby. What about the lift lobby? Well, we use the stairs a lot (instead of the lift) and I often cannot figure out which floor I am on, as I climb up or go down the stairs because the floor signs were not apparent to me. Watch this video to see why.

[YOUTUBE]JRzZg2IENUY[/YOUTUBE]

We continue exploring the ship. Chocolate coated strawberries for sale! This should be from the Caffeteria Italiana.

We did not purchase any shore excursions from the ship for this cruise. However, I took these photos when I walked past the shore excursions desk (which was generally quite crowded). You can see that the prices that MSC charges aren't too bad. In fact, they had packages which made it even more reasonable.

Here is another page of the shore excursions list.

We must have walked past the main dining room. This was the menu for this evening.

A picture of the Solarium pool. Rather busy!

Video of a hot tub. It could get rather cosy in there!

[YOUTUBE]1EmtakPhj88[/YOUTUBE]

And this is back at Deck 15 Yacht Club area. I made a video of walking into the YC area from Deck 15, into the VIP Concierge.

[YOUTUBE]cuLvn5W60RY[/YOUTUBE]

In our usual (greedy) style, we went down to the Top Sail lounge after finishing our drinks at the One Pool. More to eat?

They have a copy of the dinner menu in the Top Sail. Always fun to check out what was available for dinner.

I had some of those veggie sticks, as well as this drink.

After that, based on my photos, we went walking around the ship. Some pictures of the casino, which was obviously not open since we were in port.

Slot machines.

Some table game. I don't gamble, and I don't recognize this table game, though I can read the chinese words. (Big and Small)

This video footage was from another evening (earlier), some footage of the casino (ship was sailing so casino was open) as well as the photo area. (where they display all the photos taken by ship photographers). Looking at how the passengers dressed, I think it was gala evening.

[YOUTUBE]6EVgUQTAQk8[/YOUTUBE]

Back on board the MSC Preziosa after a wonderful day in Malta. So we headed back to our cabin to put down our bags before going to get some food and drink. On our bed, we found this invite. Cool. We have a private cocktail party tomorrow in the Top Sail lounge. Sounds like the Captain will be there. Looking forward to that.

We were hungry and thirsty, so didn't hang around the cabin for long. We went up to the One Pool area. Towels were out.

At the One Pool buffet area, they had sandwiches on request. We didn't get any though.

Some of the food available.

We sat around at the bar area, and ordered some drinks. This was my Cosmopolitan.

Check out this video. The bartender was preparing our drinks. First was the Dirty Banana and then the Sea Breeze Zero and finally the Cosmopolitan. We sure had a lot of fun!

[YOUTUBE]QXW3gNUaN-8[/YOUTUBE]

A view of the Valletta waterfront from the One Pool area.

I am an experienced cruiser but not with Royal Caribbean. We are going on our 1st Royal Caribbean in a few months. I have read that at the main dining room you can not ask for multiple appetizers, entrees or desserts. I have an autistic adult son who likes to try different foods. I don't want him to be embarrassed if they tell him no. Please let me know what you have experienced? Thanks in advance!

In the MDR, we have never had any problems ordering multiple appetizers/entrees/desserts.

Just tell the waiter what you want upfront when you order and they will try to please.

We have been looking at the Oasia - great reviews on TripAdvisor but nothing here and only 1 (older) review on Flyertalk....

 

Any experience? It's not in the marina area but since we'll be embarking on a cruise, I think my husband can live without a view of water & boats for a couple of nights if necessary :p

 

Though we're looking at the other 4 & 5* properties mentioned here and other places around the web....

By Oasia are you referring to this hotel?

http://www.stayfareast.com/en/hotels/oasia-hotel-singapore.aspx

If so, then it should be quite good. The location is near malls (Novena, Square 2, Velocity) and near the Novena MRT station which is just 2 stops from the Orchard MRT station. Plenty to eat in those Malls, so you don't have to worry about being far from food and drink.

If you can get a reasonable price on the Oasia, you won't go far wrong.

I have enjoyed reading your review. Thank you again for providing links in gapearl's Royal Caribbean review for your reviews of the Celebrity Silhouette & the Norwegian Jade. I have read those reviews as well. The research process has been started to figure out which cruise line I would like to try other than Carnival. I love Carnival & I have had nothing but positive experiences with them but would like to try a different cruise line at least once. Again, thank you for your information.

Thanks for your note and for following along my review. Glad that you have found the reviews useful. Just finished attending Sunday church service here. Hope to find some time to continue this review later today. Stay tuned and have a blessed day.

We sailed on the MSC Preziosa and here are some videos of the food in the main buffet areas. Not sure if it is exactly the same as the Musica, but it should be similar.

Buffet breakfast on MSC Preziosa

[YOUTUBE]IIMfGkDDH2w[/YOUTUBE]

Buffet Lunch on MSC Preziosa

[YOUTUBE]XTNNERCn8Go[/YOUTUBE]

Buffet dinner

[YOUTUBE]5K2ZlYP3-yY[/YOUTUBE]

For reference, here is a YC3 on MSC Preziosa Cabin 16008.

Video 1

[YOUTUBE]m4_A7O2N-ro[/YOUTUBE]

Video 2

[YOUTUBE]hzanL6cVCAM[/YOUTUBE]

The YC3 is very convenient, but it does sound like the YC2 is more spacious. Next time, we probably want to try the YC2.

Been working on the pictures/videos of my parent's South America trip (http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2297373) so this review has slowed down a bit. Will work on it some more. Meanwhile, another V Log.

Chinese Lunar New Year is around the corner!

[YOUTUBE]juiwmR1jBKw[/YOUTUBE]

Good that you have started this thread so that more would know.

For our next MSC cruise, we do plan on taking YC2 cabins. :):)

My parents and their tour group went for a boat ride too, and they told me that they got absolutely soaked in this one. Getting into the boat. If you look at the top right of this picture, there seems to be some tram or something. I asked my Father and he had no clue what that was. In fact, he hadn't noticed it at all until I pointed it out to him in this picture. If anybody has any clue, do let me know!

Here is a video of the boat ride.

[YOUTUBE]gTWT4aUUzJI[/YOUTUBE]

Some more stills. Boat, all ready to go.

Picture of another boat. That's how they look like.

Approaching the Falls. Must be very awesome!

Please don't drop your phone Madam!

The Falls from a distance.

The photos bring back memories! I hope your father didn't ruin his camera so close to the mist.

Oh yeah, he was quite worried about that! Fortunately, it was all ok.

After viewing the Argentinian side of the park, my parents would make their way to the Brazil side and view the Falls from the Brazil side the next day. Not sure whether they stayed in a hotel that evening in the Argentinian side or Brazil side, however, they took a coach across. So let me continue the review again from the Brazil side. This was the next morning, after they saw the Devil's Throat.

Here it is - Parque Nacional Do Iguacu, website http://www.cataratasdoiguacu.com.br/

Now this ticket is one for the memories. Check out the date. And also - Cingapura!

The group had to take some type of open-air jeep ride and there was a guide talking about the flora and fauna, before they reached the area to view the falls. This is the video. The scenes of the waterfalls are awesome. Much better from the Brazil side compared to the Argentinian side!

[YOUTUBE]VbgVsCZoxUw[/YOUTUBE]

Here are some more still pictures.

Wow, just wow.

You can get really close.

After viewing all these pictures, I figured that I need to go to check it out for myself! Bucket list!

After viewing the Argentinian side of the park, they would make their way to the Brazil side and view the Falls from the Brazil side the next day. Not sure whether they stayed in a hotel that evening in the Argentinian side or Brazil side, however, they took a coach across. So let me continue the review again from the Brazil side. This was the next morning, after they saw the Devil's Throat.

Here it is - Parque Nacional Do Iguacu, website http://www.cataratasdoiguacu.com.br/

Now this ticket is one for the memories. Check out the date. And also - Cingapura!

The group had to take some type of open-air jeep ride and there was a guide talking about the flora and fauna, before they reached the area to view the falls. This is the video. The scenes of the waterfalls are awesome. Much better from the Brazil side compared to the Argentinian side!

[YOUTUBE]VbgVsCZoxUw[/YOUTUBE]

Here are some more still pictures.

Wow, just wow.

You can get really close.

After viewing all these pictures, I figured that I need to go to check it out for myself! Bucket list!

Not everyday that I get a beautiful wild bird knocking on my window. Managed to capture this footage with my iPhone. Very cool. Hope that the bird is well. Come visit again!

[YOUTUBE]RJMZi5v06mg[/YOUTUBE]

We just returned home yesterday from our second visit to South America, including Iguacu/Iguazu Falls both times.

 

The first trip (December 2013) was a land tour which included 2 nights in a hotel in the town of Foz do Iguacu (Brazil). We had a half day tour in the Brazilian National Park and a half day tour in the Argentinian National Park. We flew into IGU (Brazil) from Rio de Janeiro and out of IGR (Argentina) to Buenos Aires.

 

This latest trip we stayed two nights at the Belmond Hotel das Cataratas in the Brazilian National Park. So we had two half days at the beginning and end of our stay. The whole day in the middle we spent on a tour of the Argentinian National Park. We flew to IGR (Argentina) from Buenos Aires on Aerolineas Argentinas, and out of IGR to Buenos Aires on LAN.

 

After both trips we still prefer the Brazilian side of the falls. There is nothing like those views of the falls. However, in my opinion, anyone visiting the falls should do their utmost to visit both sides, which are quite different.

 

The Belmond Hotel das Cataratas has a much better position than the Sheraton, which we got to visit this last trip – it is much closer to the falls and superb views. Being able to wander the park before the crowds of people arrived, and after they left, was truly magical.

 

There are more walks on the Argentinian side, so if you want to do the 3 main ones which are the best (Garganta del Diablo trail, Circuito Inferior and Circuito Superior) you need more time there than on the Brazilian side. It pays to start first thing in the morning by taking the first train at 8.30am which goes from the entrance of the park to the Devil’s Throat (Circuito Garganta del Diablo). This is the only train which goes all the way to the Devil’s Throat – later in the day you have to change trains at the Cataratas Station. This could save you a lot of time. The trains get very busy and run only every half an hour. Once they are full you miss out and have to wait for the next train.

 

We had two different experiences visiting the falls. The first time we saw very little wildlife, the second time lots of birds and countless coatis. Apparently this was because of the weather – we had rain and less sun the second visit, which brings the birds out. There was much more water flowing over the falls the second visit, which was impressive, but the water was browner.

 

We would do the falls again if we ever have the opportunity to return to South America. We would again want to stay at the Belmond Hotel das Cataratas, but would again also want to visit both sides. This is a lifetime experience which we have been lucky enough to do twice so far and would never tire of doing again.

 

Hope this helps some people looking for info on doing the falls as an add on - absolutely well and truly worth it!

This is very useful, thanks! Iguazu/Iguacu is also on my bucket list. But no immediate plans to go there. Glad my parents did it.

Angus Takashimaya Charcoal grill. I had heard of this restaurant but never tried it until new year of 2016, where the family went there for a New Year's lunch. The place was crowded! This is on the 4th floor of Ngee Ann City, Takashimaya, near Orchard MRT station.

Prices were not exactly cheap, but the cooking was not bad. A treat, once in a while.

[YOUTUBE]rL_3LhjRac4[/YOUTUBE]

This is Meng's Teochew Bak Chor Mee - an outlet in JEM, which is connected to Jurong East MRT station which is on the west side of Singapore on the East-West line. The Jurong East area is developing very fast.

[YOUTUBE]ZaVk8bHPGb8[/YOUTUBE]

Star Vista, a mall right next to Buona Vista MRT station. This is a mall with plenty of eateries. There are a large number of offices in the surrounding area, hence this place gets crowded during work day lunch hours.

[YOUTUBE]V1cQfylIYIM[/YOUTUBE]

V Log 12 Jan. Chinese temples.

[YOUTUBE]zTepY8F0LNE[/YOUTUBE]

V Log 13 Jan - Goodbye Major Tom.

[YOUTUBE]1XcBCLemWlE[/YOUTUBE]

I seem to be eating won ton mee every day! :)

My parents went on a whirldwind trip to S.America.

They flew from Buenos Aires to Iguazu - Cataratas del Iguazú International Airport (which is in Argentina). The flight was via LAN airlines. Here is the video.

[YOUTUBE]kM-7I9v6KWE [/YOUTUBE]

From the airport they visited the Argentinian side and saw the Devil's Throat.

[YOUTUBE]1Tp_fBmUP7M[/YOUTUBE]

The Devil's Throat proper.

[YOUTUBE]GzzQRcAEggI[/YOUTUBE]

All very nice. But nothing was as spectacular as what they would see the next day when they crossed over to the Brazillian side by coach. I will post those videos once I get them sorted out.

Great photos! Looking forward to the next installment.

Thanks for your note! After the Devil's throat (Argentinian side), my parents would cross the border to the Brazil side and view the Falls from there. I am still figuring out their photos and videos. Stay tuned!

After our short walk around Valletta, we decided to head back to the ship. The taxi driver told us we could walk (15 to 20 minutes), so we decided to walk. It was a nice walk, downhill. This video shows you how to walk from Valletta to the cruise port.

[YOUTUBE]OE3yyC-B61Y[/YOUTUBE]

Along the way back, I managed to catch a good picture of this ship - Volstad Surveyor. It is an IMR vessel, deployed in the offshore industry.

In this picture, the MSC Preziosa is docked behind another vessel.

And we head back to the ship after a wonderful day out!

Here is a video I made while in the Valletta waterfront area, while walking back to the MSC Preziosa.

[YOUTUBE]O9y1z8SfMos[/YOUTUBE]

Love your review so far and love your pictures. Keeping my eye out incase I spot us in any of them :D

 

We've just booked another MSC cruise and decided to try Yacht Club. Can you remember if you took a picture of the drinks/wine choices available in the Yacht Club restaurant? I see you had both the house white and red each evening (good plan!) but just wondered if there was a choice.

 

Were all drinks available there or were some available for a fee?

 

Many thanks

 

Laura

Thanks for your note. Most of the complimentary drinks were available in the suite restaurant though they also had a long list of drinks you could purchase for a fee, primarily more expensive wines.

And here is the video footage when they finally got to the point where they could see the Devil's Throat up close and personal. Looks to me like there was plenty of water. The water plumes coming out made everything so misty that ironically you couldn't see the entire waterfall!

[YOUTUBE]GzzQRcAEggI[/YOUTUBE]

Here are some stills. See the water plumes

Whoa. Not a day to go swimming.

Be careful, don't drop anything in.

A map of the park.