ppcox

Marseilles it’s self is an obvious choice as it’s a port city, but if you’re planning to go to Provence that’s different. You could just have a couple of hours in Gibraltar ( kids might enjoy the cheeky Rock apes, that will steal cameras etc) and Cadiz is a lovely walled walking city. I’d skip Majorca it’s a mainly a beach destination although Palma is beautiful to walk around and admire. Rome needs a few days at the end of the cruise if that’s possible.

Yes the crew are amazing in the Vibe on the Viva and they will now everyone in there by name and who has a cabana. We had a great time and were so well looked after.

I meant the Panama Canal cruise is our favourite cruise of the 15 cruises we have taken.

I had a lobster towel animal once.

Our transit Miami to LA on the Encore is our favourite cruise of all we have taken (15) A perfect mix of interesting ports and scenery combined with a fantastic ship. We had Vibe passes and the view as we passed through the locks was epic. Slightly off topic but yes we had a holding pattern in the lake too.

That’s our experience too.

I think the itinerary is first for us. Our next cruise is on the Sky because we want to cruise in the Far East. Our previous cruises have been on the newer ships both Viva and Prima and most of the breakaway class ships but also Spirit and Jade. if both types were on similar itineraries than absolutely the newer ships. For the more choice in dining and entertainment and for the improved cabin/ bathroom design. Our favourite cruise so far is a Panama Canal transit Miami to LA on the Encore.

Yes you are right and my husband was Ok standing. He went every time it was on. I’m limited to the amount of standing I can do without pain. Especially after a busy day.

Cruised on Prima and Viva and both had Syd’s pour house. Couldn’t get a seat but enjoyed the performances of Rumours.

We were in Italy recently and have been to France and Spain many times. We cruised the Eastern Med last summer on the Viva. Toilets 50cents or €1 charge or free with an attendant to tip.,You often need actual cash for those public toilets. Toilets in restaurants and bars are free if you make a small purchase just as a bottle of water or a coffee. I think Italian law requires the toilets are available to all customers. We used our chip and pin card and Apple Pay everywhere. We still like to have some Euros for tips/toilets and just in case we want to buy something where cash is the only way to pay. Music at the European ports just doesn’t seem such a thing as the Caribbean. I read the question and honestly couldn’t remember if there was any music. There’s hot towels and cold water and that’s it. I can’t remember any welcome back fan fare like we’ve had in the Caribbean. No adaptor needed as explained. Headphones that’s a personal preference if you don’t use them for anything than those ones like the HOHO buses use are a good suggestion. I use headphones on the flight to drone out to the noise and to listen to music, movies and Audiobooks so have a Bluetooth pair. They are obviously more expensive.

It might be the food is at the correct temperature going into the Bain-Marie’s but isn’t holding its heat. The food is cooling down too quickly maybe the equipment isn’t working properly.

Wouldn’t have thought so but if there is two platinum or above in the cabin you get 2 bags of laundry.I just write on the bag clearly that’s its platinum. Also mention it to the room steward too. Also on the behind the scenes tour that is what the laundry supervisor emphasised black marker clearly written on the bag. Never been charged.

We enjoyed both the behind the scenes and the wine tasting. I guess it depends on who’s running the wine tasting. We had some cheese, crackers and breadsticks to enjoy with the wine. There were 4-5 experienced wine waiters from specialty restaurants and we learned a few things.(Viva) We bought a bottle of wine at Cagney’s when we usually have wine by glass that’s included in our package because we both enjoyed it so much at the tasting. From that point of view it was a good marketing tool. the behind the scenes was very interesting. The laundry was so automated and the guy in charge there was so proud of the operation it would be hard not to be impressed. Cruise next desk also gave us our pins.

I’m not sure. I think it was $29 per day. It may be worth a search online to be sure. Sorry

There isn’t a Thermal suite like you get on the newer ships. With lots of loungers, great views, steam, sauna,infrareds saunas, hydro pools with an access charge. There was a men’s and women’s sauna and a steam room.

No everyone is safely back aboard an observation tongue in cheek - they were the only passengers that got to Gambia. 🤣

There is a form on MSC website to complete and they will calculate your equivalent status. We were credited 4000 points and Gold before we sailed. You need 10,000 for the top level. Gold gave us some discounts which I don’t remember in detail but there was a free hour in the spa and priority tendering.

Just saw this from NCL "Despite the series of unfortunate events outside of our control, we will be reimbursing these eight guests for their travel costs from Banjur, Gambia to Dakar, Senegal," a cruise line spokesperson said. "We remain in communication with the guests and are providing additional information as it becomes available."

I may be wrong but I think she said theirs was the only credit card accepted on the island. In general credit cards are only accepted in large hotels and debit cards are useless as ATMs do not accept foreign cards. Euro is the preferrred currency to exchange.

Might be better to ask this on the roll call for your cruise or in the relevant port section. You will have more chance of someone in the same situation seeing the post. Hope you get some valuable advice.

You can get loyalty matched on MSC. They matched our platinum status without issue.

We’ve been on many private excursions but always with a back to ship guarantee. That means the tour operator pays to get you to the next port if you miss the ship. In reality we are always back with plenty of time to spare. No way I would take a tour without that guarantee, especially in an island not so familiar with cruise ships.

Surprised they did probably just being polite as it was a tip. But they have to take them to a bank and get the $ exchanged into their € Euros. Whenever I see a question about US$ being used in Europe. I just imagine trying to buy something in the US using my currency £ I think people would laugh at me.

You can’t walk outside on the deck where the lifeboats are but there quieter spots in Deck 8.

The sprinklers went off last night in the theatre on the Viva. I have an upcoming cruise and wonder if anyone has any experience as to what might happen.