Fla Mike

Same with me, I had points taken out in Sept. for our Feb. cruise. I called the Captains Club number and they applied the points immediately after I gave my CC Number.

Hysterical

Totally agree, we were in 9201 on Infinity and the chair scraping was awful. Beautiful view though.

Exactly.

Go Gators!

Funny thing. When I looked at the latest upgrade email, it was early yesterday morning, about 3 AM, (Just couldn't sleep). I went online to see what YC cabins were open, just to see. There were seven YCP's and one YC1. There were tons of Aurea Jr. Suites left, and I mean lots. A few Standard balconies, and nothing else, OV or Insides. Right after I posted yesterday morning, I checked again, ship sold out. A few have posted that they have won bid offers to Jr's.

Congrats!!! On social media for our Nov Seashore cruise, people have been reporting the same, and I have been getting non- stop emails to upgrade our aft wrap Aurea Suite to YC. One couple, as you, went from Bella Interior, to assigned a Balcony, then put a min bid on a YIN and got it. No idea what they paid originally. My minimum bid for a YCP would put me in for less then I paid for a Deluxe Veranda on Celebrity next year...Lovey would shot me if I did, and I'd hate to give up the aft room, but it is tempting.

Great job Walter!

Not agreeing, or disagreeing with him, just adding this video for what it's worth...

Interesting as per Wiki: Costa Atlantica was sold to CSSC Carnival Cruise Shipping in late 2019.[3]On the 12 October, 2023, the ship was renamed Mas Islander, however, the buyer is undisclosed. So, the ship was sold today, (Oct 12, 2023). I would love this, if it comes to pass, Spirit Class ships are my favorite from Carnival, minus the gawd awful dinning room on the Miracle. Will she fit in the Port Of Palm Beach???

This ^^^

To us it is wasted luxury, meaning that at some point the law of diminishing returns kicks in. Again, this is us, and I get it. We've done suites on Royal and Celebrity, (before the Retreat was the Retreat), nice...without a doubt, just not for us. For our Nov. Seashore cruise, back when we booked it, I could have gotten a YIN for a few bucks less then the Aurea Aft Suite (with drinks), no brainer, right? Not for us. We hate inside cabins. We like to sit out on our balcony, aft, preferred. Don't need or want a butler, and the food is wasted on us. If it's a Caribbean cruise, we have been to these ports so many times, we never get off the ship. We have the ship almost to ourselves, works.

Thanks for your honest review, and sadly, about what I expect from our Seashore cruise in November. We are Aurea, but if the spa is packed all week, it kind of negates getting away from it all. We are some of the very few here that won't do YC. Just not for us. Period. This will be our third MSC cruise, but I think there is a reason our next two cruises for 2024 are booked with Celebrity... We have never had a bad cruise with them, and the service, food, and vibe fits us well. Despite all the chatter to the contrary on the Celebrity board. Personally, I'd give Virgin a shot, but Lovey would never go for it, and I doubt that we are their target. (She: Mid 70's ME: late 60's). Yes, I married an older woman 😇. Again, thanks for the review.

Why do I have a Styx song stuck in my head now...

Between this post and the one on the MSC board...yup, to much time on your hands

I would think that over Labor Day the ship would be loaded with kids too! We always try to plan our short cruises a week or two before a holiday, (week before memorial Day or Thanksgiving) knowing the kids will still be in school, and it seems to work out.

Great Photos Bob, Thanks. A lively looking crowd for sure. I will admit Lovely and I really had a great time at the White parties on Divina and Mera. Still a little nervous for our upcoming Seashore in November although the aft facing Aurea "Condo" suite should be nice.

Love the photos on your blog! Glad you had a great time. One question,,, How was the crowd on a three day? Was it Carnivalesque (?), Or was it in between? I would fully expect it to be livelier than a seven day, but just concerned about loud and obnoxious. We have been on two - four day MSC cruises and the people were great, but the last was over a year ago.

I've brought my own both times I have been there, no problem.

Great review, and family photo! Good to hear the food is OK. We will be on our third MSC in Nov, also Aurea, but in one of the aft "condos". Sorry to hear about the other pax though. We do alot of 4 nighter's from FLL and PC and the crowds are usually OK. Wondering if they were US, or Europeans, or South Americans that were pushy? Rudeness seems to be a thing since COVID.

No... it is a photo I found on Google...totally unrelated...sorry

Same lady later in the evening, She decided to take the stairs after she broke the elevator panel. (That was the noise you heard).

Oops, then the Lakers shirt with correctly tilted Yankees cap, (for the women) and the Jimmy's are perfectly acceptable 🙃

And this is gala night 😧... Our last cruise on Mera, I wore a White Dinner Jacket, and Lovey was all dolled up. People were actually pointing at us...We were eating it up. 😇 Yes, shoes do make or break the ensemble... A $15.00 Target cover-up and a $975.00 pair of Jimmy Choo's.

Looking forward to your review!