pirate4me2

Is it time to go yet??? Mom informed me that she wants to head out at 4 am on Saturday. 😵 I think she has lost her mind! It's a 8.5 to 9 hr drive to PC from where we are, there is no reason to head out that dang early. I told her if we do, she's driving the first 5 hours....I will NOT be human if I have to get up at 3:15. She is plum cray cray.

Welcome aboard!

I agree with the socializing takes effort and energy....I am very much an introvert, and I always say that on my cruises I will be more social, and DH just laughs. It's hard!! And I love those salads on Serenity!!! Yum. I can't wait to sail MG in a few weeks and have a few!

Thank you! She is an absolute mess, and has the most personality of any dog I have ever owned. We love her to pieces! I think on the page it says our YC drink price is up to $16....I will have to double check. I can always do recon while onboard and find out too!

You’ve got it down to an art! I’m jealous 😂 I was suprised at how the prices stacked up when I compared. I figure if I like MSC, it’ll be a great way to toss in a sailing on a different line here and there to keep things fresh. Agreed…I was a bit bummed with the benefits listed, but oh well. I will live! Thank you. I plan to venture out into “gen-pop” as I’ve seen others refer to it to get a taste of the “real” MSC, as well as the YC. And I can compare the entertainment, deck parties, etc for others that are curious. You move up as normal from what I was told, no need to start from zero.

I would prefer some light instrumental/classical music in the steakhouse. Not the put you to sleep kind, but the kind you hear in an upscale restaurant. And trust me, I am not the kind of person who would normally like that music, but on a cruise in the steakhouse (or even Rudi's now) I enjoy it!

Thank you for the tips, they are much appreciated! Smoked cocktails? I am intrigued! Are they included in the YC drink package?

Enjoy your upcoming cruise on Celebration! 🙂 The full live review is started on the MSC boards, I’m hoping the internet onboard will allow me to do an update every day. It has been more challenging to find out stuff about MSC, I think because they are really just starting to get big over here in the States maybe? That’s part of what’s driving me to do this.

HAHAHA too funny, your wife sounds like how I would probably be! If we like YC and MSC, Divina is on my radar to book. She has some nice looking itineraries that visit some islands we have never been to.

I will report back as to how things go! The attire is my biggest worry, as like you, I try and pack light and not fancy....I have to dress up for work every day, I want to be relaxed on vacation! We shall see how it goes. 🙂

I am so excited now, we have a deck 15 excel aft suite on MG booked for next September. Sounds like we picked right!

That sticky bun looks yummy!!

Welcome aboard!

Hey there! Our TA that we used back in 2000 helped with the status match, we didn't do it ourselves. All she needed from us was a printout from Carnival showing our names and VIFP status. I think if you go on the MSC website tho they have a place you can apply for it yourself, their loyalty program is called the Voyagers Club.

Thank you so much for this tip! I will go do that now for sure....I can just see me running into a mirrored wall. 😂 And thanks for the live review, I am following along!

I can't wait to experience Ocean Cay next week! It looks amazing, I can't wait to hear your thoughts on it.

If you have any questions you think of that you'd like me to do recon on while I am onboard, just ask! I will try and do my best to find out answers. I am the same way, being a planner I like to know what to pack for and expect.

One other change from Carnival, this 7 night cruise only has 1 elegant night. I found this chart showing the dress “code”, theme parties, and entertainment for the ship (Seaside) I am sailing. I can’t wait to see how the deck parties and entertainment compare to Carnival!

Eeeek, it’s time to start packing…and I pulled out my normal suitcase I use for Carnival, which is a carry-on size. I have FINALLY after 11 years of cruising gotten it down to where I can pack into a carry-on and a backpack….but not for MSC apparently. ☹ I realized as I was packing that the reason I can pack into a carry-on with Carnival is thanks to my Platinum status, and the free laundry perk that comes with it. I won’t have that with MSC, and maybe I am just a cheap-o, but I refuse to pay the price that they want for laundry. So, I hauled out my old faithful friend that hasn’t traveled in a while and was quite dusty….the big old teal full-size suitcase. But, it's probably good I pulled out Old Faithful….I am feeling a bit anxious over MSC’s evening dress code. We are in Yacht Club, and it sounds like I need to make sure I have “nicer” attire for their dining room, even on non-gala night. So instead of wearing shorts, flip flops and a T-shirt to dinner (yes, I am that person!) I had to pack 4 outfits just for dinner. AND I realized that all my “dressy” shoes are technically just fancy flip flops. Argh. Guess I need to go buy a nice, neutral pair of dress shoes. Hubby will be THRILLED that his shoe-obsessed wife has a reason to go to the shoe store. BAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

Eeeek, it’s time to start packing….and I realized something that has made my heart fonder of my dear old Carnival. See, this “jumping ship” is a good thing, it’s doing what I had hoped! Anyway….I am packing for MSC, and I pulled out my normal suitcase I use for Carnival, which is a carry-on size. I have FINALLY after 11 years of cruising gotten it down to where I can pack into a carry-on and a backpack….but not for MSC apparently. ☹ I realized as I was packing that the reason I can pack into a carry-on with Carnival is thanks to my Platinum status, and that free laundry perk. I won’t have that with MSC, and maybe I am just a cheap-o, but I refuse to pay the price that they want for laundry. So, I hauled out my old faithful friend that hasn’t traveled in a while and was quite dusty….the big old teal full-size suitcase. Fun fact: the last luggage tag that was on her (I never take them out of the holder until I am putting the new one in for the next cruise) was from our Vista B2B in 2017! That was the cruise where I turned Platinum, and I wasn’t sure how the free laundry perk would work, so I packed like I am now packing for MSC. It's probably good I pulled out Old Faithful….I am feeling a bit anxious over MSC’s evening dress code. We are in Yacht Club, and it sounds like I need to make sure I have “nicer” attire for their dining room, even on non-gala night. So instead of wearing shorts, flip flops and a T-shirt to dinner (yes, I am that person!) I had to pack 4 outfits just for dinner. AND I realized that all my “dressy” shoes are technically just fancy flip flops. Argh. Guess I need to go buy a nice, neutral pair of dress shoes. I am feeling a bit fonder of dear old Carnival again, where my flip flops are basically the only pair of shoes I pack!

Welcome aboard! I love Texas!!!

Have a wonderful cruise!! That’s my birthday! 😂 I’ve heard great things about Disney, I hope you enjoy it!

I keep hearing about this pizza, i Absolutely can’t wait to try it!! I told mom to realize that about our fellow passengers, and we are going in with an open mind. 🙂 😂 it’s a good problem to have! I can’t wait to see Ocean Cay! Thanks for following along!

@Moz I think a big part of it for me has been change....I do not like change, I am afraid of the unknown. I am getting over that though!

I am not sure. I was pretty psyched to learn about it! I am going to try and be as fair as possible, I am not really comparing apples to apples and I realize that. But the general entertainment, food, fellow passengers, private islands....that is what I will be comparing. 🙂 Thanks for following along!