LSauls7537

14 hours ago, LSauls7537 said:

GREAT suggestions.  I intend to use them, never thought about being robbed, my brain just went to being scammed in a port.  I am going to reduce my credit limit on a card and only use that one in port, brilliant thinking.  Such a great group of thinkers!

For where I'm cruising, it's the Med and  Israel Grand Adventure on the Island from 11-23 to 12-21.  Yep, will be hitting both Spain and Italy, ending up in Ft.Lauderdale,  so this morning will hit Amazon for a cc protector.  Thanks to this group, also went to AARP and bought some Princess gift cards, so I'll need to carry less cash. (saved a few $ also).  I'm feeling a lot more comfortable now about being gone for 28 days and solo.  Skynight, your suggestions are spot on. Steelers 36 as well (what would I expect from a fellow Pennsylvanian?)

Keep posting if anyone has tips on how/what to pack for december temps.  (I already have clothes for the transatlantic, that was easy)  

GREAT suggestions.  I intend to use them, never thought about being robbed, my brain just went to being scammed in a port.  I am going to reduce my credit limit on a card and only use that one in port, brilliant thinking.  Such a great group of thinkers!

It's been awhile since I cruised.  On a 28 day cruise, how much should I allow for incidentals?  Porters, bus drivers, extra tip at a bar etc?  All my shipboard tips are already paid.  I know if I'm in port and buy something, I will need cash for that (don't use CC for safety issues), I just don't have a clue about other things.  Thanks for your help and suggestions.

On 8/20/2023 at 11:15 PM, atakkat said:

How much of a headache is it to apply the gift cards? Carnival was easy, Royal was a pain and extremely difficult. 

Just did on line last week, easy.  Put in the info and you print out the gift card

extra clothes and clothespins, soap pods.  If you are into a craft, knitting etc, bring along, a journal to keep track...accurately, your cruise/confinement.  Extra cash.  If you haven't done it, call your credit card company and tell them you're going on a cruise and may be out longer than anticipated (so they don't freeze your account for possible fraud).  Notify your pharmacy/Dr. that you're going to be on a cruise and may need an emergency drug supply.  (This won't help with controlled drugs however as Rx must be picked up in person).

channel 6 just announced that on Tuesday there will be a new policy in place regarding the corona virus.  Anyone with a medical condition or older people are being advised not to travel by cruise.  Wow, this will be interesting to see how this all plays out.  Such a shamne

Channel 6 just announced those with medical conditions or older people should not get onto cruise ships.

My daughter returned today from the Breakaway.  All were hand sanitized before boarding the ship.  Lots of cleaning everyday, all the time, lots of crew helping to remind cruisers to wash and sanitize.  A new health form prior to embarkation relating to where you have traveled in the past 30 days.  Other than that, typical cruise, no masks, no panics, lots of fun!

I KNOW I can't ask for names, agencies, or even hints.  I'm asking for those really seasoned cruisers; what were your thoughts when choosing either to book thru an agent, internet or brick and mortar store or direct thru the cruise line.  Just want your thought process and if you've been happy with your choice.  We're "older", don't require airfare for the most part, are independent and don't like dealing with trivial things.  We like to cruise, never had a bad one, so not hard to please and we don't complain.  Many years ago we had an agent that would book us on a cruise and THEN call us.  She knew our budget, what we liked.  She's now retired and I truly miss her.

I don't have another cruise booked.  I went to the MSC home page, the voyager page, the search function, etc.  I know the answer must be simple, but this senior just can't find it.   Thanks group!

16 hours ago, Preziosa said:

When did you have the Meet and mingle party...

Meet and Mingle was 10 AM on Sunday, a sea day.

These comments are from 11-23-12-1 cruise in the yacht club, cabin 18043.

We had chocolate martinis and did not pay extra, had gelato in the Venchi and Miami Beach bar, no charge.  I paid for Camus wine because I wanted to see for myself it was good....ah, it was, but, I'll skip the $14.95 charge.  The You Tube video does far more than I could do with my point and click camera, so no pics.  I'm just going to make comments, they may be applicable to you, or not, these are my opinions only and no comparisons with other lines.

From 3:35 to 4:45, on Sunday, ALL the bars had a choice of 6 drinks....FREE.  Mimosa, a fruity something, martini, champagne and 2 others I don't remember.

ALL the pools have a lifeguard on duty during pool hours.

To have less people around you at the pool, slip on back to the Jungle area, hot tubs, lots of shade, drinks and a pool.  It IS true, pools are over 5 ft. deep.  Never crowed, no lines, no chair hogs.

In the YC, no lines ever, no waiting, food available all the time, nice pool (cold to me, but I'm from Florida).  Loads of places to sit and read, talk, play games, drink or just watch the water and your cares pass you by.

Non hosted Sat night service.

MSC had it nailed for the cruise critic meet and mingle.  Lots of free drinks, plates of snacks from shrimp, to tuna toasts, petit sweets.  ALL of the senior officers were there and answered questions.  The Captain gave a great speech...why does this surprise me?  Because 1 hr after there was a Captains cocktail for all YC guests and only 3-4 of the officers were there.  They definitely made the point that Cruise Critic, their comments are taken seriously.  The HUGE cake was a white cake with whipped cream frosting.  Yum

In the YC you were given a wristband, only thing you needed on the ship.  Only used your room card in the cabin to keep the lights on and when you got off or on the ship.

DEBARKATION....started with carry your own stuff off at 6:30...that's right!  Those in the YC met at the lounge and we were escorted on our private elevator, downstairs to get off and taken to a line only for those in YC and off the ship.  We left the lounge at 7:10 and were picking up our luggage at 7:25 (yes, we're slow walkers).  A porter took our bags, to an immigration line with 2 people in front of us.  Outside and into a cab in under 5 minutes.  Can you believe there was NO crowded streets or people milling all over.  Unreal, best we have EVER had (57 cruises)

Loved our cabin, it was behind a bank of elevators and only 2 cabins there, no noise ever.

Very FEW announcements what a pleasure.  You can get your info via MSC app., in your cabin, in the printed material.

Cruisers were from all over the globe, most spoke some English; communicating was not an issue.

I know some have posted it was slow getting on the ship, but this isn't MSC fault.  If you stay in a hotel they want you out EARLY so they can start picking up more guests at the airport that were staying in the hotel the night before, or did the drive and cruise package.  Then at the port, you can't get inside the terminal until the previous ship is cleared!  So, they stand I line outside at 10:00 and ***** cause' they can't get in...also makes for a nightmare of cruisers arriving and leaving.  We sat outside watching people come to the terminal at 2:00...NO lines, NO traffic.  Yes, you can check in early, but can't board the ship till the previous cruise is cleared.  In our case, we had a cruiser who refused to leave, so ship could not be cleared, terminal could not open, those on B2B couldn't get back on either.  (That's how we got our info, the couple we met told us they kept putting out calls for some people to come to Guest Services, but this one guy refused.  They had to do a search and find for him).  Again, now MSC problem, just an idiot!.

Will we sail again with them?  YES.  Did they exceed our expectations?  Yes.  (I don't mention food or entertainment because that is too close to our hearts)  My Mom made the best potato salad in the world, so no other restaurant, ship or friend could make it as well.    Oh, I did really appreciate the OJ and grapefruit juice in the YC were fresh squeezed, that was a real treat.

Book and enjoy!

Linda

Thanks for taking the time to do this review.  Well written!  We'll be on her the end of November, thanks to your review, I can't stand the wait.

I know for the Caribbean, you can go eastern, western, Bahamas, but what about Bermuda.

I'm going on the sunshine with a group of 50 people I want to hide little ducks around the ship that they have to find for a prize.Can you tell me good places to hide them where the crew will leave them alone so the group can find them

Promanade deck 5, loads of places to hide the ducks. Lots of events on that deck. Hide in the windows behind the curtains, on a seat in the Alchemy bar.

My only concern would be what would other people do with your ducks if they found them?

We usually bring "Francos Lemon Lime Bar Mix" It is in a foil pouch and all you add is tequila and limes. Unless you don't like it sweet and sour, then skip the limes. Your bartender will usually provide limes on request. If you can't get them, then try another bar. If all else fails, ask for the Bar Mgr.....:) Or order them from RS......good luck with that though.

You can order this on line and it is WORTH it. Trust those of us that love our margaritas!

This is the BEST review I've ever read and the pics are just fantastic. Thank you for sharing; we'll be sailing the end of Nov in the YC. THANKS again

I have seen all the amazing posts about the MSC status match but just wondered what evidence you supplied when applying for the match.

 

On the form it says you need a copy of your membership card for the other loyalty scheme. We are RCCL crown and anchor members but can’t recall ever having a membership card or if ever did it’s been lost a long time ago! Does anyone know if they accept anything else as evidence to prove your membership level?

 

Many thanks

our friends scanned a copy of their RCCL key card from their last cruise, it has DIAMOND or whatever your status is. They completed the MSC application and uploaded the scan of their card and sent to MSC, it was accepted.

We sent a screen shot of CCL status page showing our Platinum status. Acepted

The Yacht Club restaurant is great. There are fixed menus for breakfast and lunch and then the dinner menu changes nightly. You can see sample menus here: http://crew-center.com/cruise-ship-menus

The bread, btw, is divine! They make it fresh daily. I don't usually eat bread, but this is great and there are many different types made in small pieces and there is also a cheese cart that is awesome.

 

I suppose you could have dinner in your cabin, but not sure why you would want to unless you are sick. The cabins are about the size of a junior suite on Princess.

 

If you like to take tea in the afternoon, let your butler know and he will arrange it in the lounge. MSC does a great job on tea with fresh scones and pastries and beautiful finger sandwiches.

 

Everything is free for Yacht Club members within the Yacht Club, including your mini bar.

 

The Yacht Club dining room brings in food from the specialty restaurants which is included for free so we never bothered going to any of the specialty restaurants. There is a snack buffet that is changed about every 3 hours in the lounge and a buffet by the Yacht Club pool.

 

The shows onboard are great and only about 45 minutes long. They change every night and are some of the best shows at sea with a real quality cast. The casino is non-smoking.

 

We tipped our butler $140 for a 1 week cruise. You may wish to tip more or less depending on how much service you receive. For example, if he brings you a lot of room service, you might tip him more based on that.

This group rocks! You are all so full of knowledge, thank you! Becoming happier with my choice.

Linda

OK, thanks for help from a lot of you, we're booked in 18043 on 11-24. I've spent a lot of time reading the threads, but can't find any info on the menu from the YC restaurant, or any of the specialty restaurants. Also, what is the expected gratuity to your Butler (I know it's not included in the regular gratuities)

Is the cabin large enough to have dinner? On NCL we had a dining room in cabin, but doesn't look like one on MSC from the pics I could find.

Any hints from anyone about anything related to YC will be appreciated. It appears this may be our last cruise, so I want it to be special. Thanks all!

Lots of availability in both Seaside and Divina Yacht club. In fact, the only dates in November to Mid-December that the YC was sold out was Thanksgiving. I found all of these right off the MSC website..

 

SEaside November 3 has both YC interior ($1,729) and YC Deluxe Suite Balcony ($2,359)

 

Seaside November 10 YC Deluxe Suite Balcony ($2,359)

 

Seaside November 17 Sold Out (probably due to US Thanksgiving)

 

Seaside November 24 YC Deluxe Balcony Suite ($1,939)

 

Seaside December 1 YC Interior ($1,729) and Deluxe Balcony Suite ($2,359)

 

Seaside December 8 YC sold out

 

Seaside December 15 YC Interior ($1,729) YC Deluxe Suite Balcony $2,359

 

Note: MSC Divina has nearly ALL YC dates available November to Mid-December

 

MSC Website is terrible to navigate. I am using google chrome and it's working fine today. Don't even attempt with a cell phone lol. Once you get on the site, the place where you book should look like this snapshot below. I highly suggest you find a MSC travel agent (not all travel agents in the US sell MSC product). A travel agent should give you 5-15% in OBC or price reduction and you can get MSC to toss in another 5-10% depending on your status. Again, I can't suggest a travel agent highly enough. There is an agent who posts on the MSC board (Bret, but I forget his screen name off the top of my head). He is very knowledgeable on MSC and you will want someone knowledgeable because MSC has lots of little quirks and quibbles.

 

I'm not a travel agent, just trying to help :)

THANKS all, I took your advice and used a TA, booked for 11-24, yacht club. Only other time we cruised MSC was on the Melody....boy does THAT age us, now need to join the loyal club and find out about this line. Again, thanks all

I am currently tracking 4 sailings on seaside and there is yc availability on all 4. What week are you looking at?

 

 

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any sailing in November would work

Linda

November 2018 to the second week in Dec. 2018

I can't seem to find pricing for the Yacht Club. Am I looking in the wrong places? Looking for November or December.

"Getting old is a destination, best taken in small doses"

Linda

Going on the Sun through the Panama Canal in March, anything you can add about the actual trip?

 

 

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Be in the port side going thru the canal. Listen to the historian, ours wasn't the greatest, but I know they have others that have been positively commented about. Read all of the tours carefully and decide what is important to YOU to see and do. Much depends on your age and interest.