LIVE from 9/13 Bellissima and 9/21 Seaview - 7nt Med cruises - Yacht Club

[WonderMan3]

1 hour ago, mnocket said:

It does make me wonder whether MSC's foray into the Caribbean is actually targeting American cruisers or Europeans cruising that area. I would agree that if they are targeting Americans, they have room for improvement, but maybe we aren't their primary target - even in the Caribbean? 

 

MSC has been doing a major push to American cruisers through land-based casinos across the US. That’s how we wound up traveling with them. They wouldn’t be doing that if their focus was Europeans in the Caribbean. 

[Von & John]

Glad to hear the new butler is "picking up the ball & running with it..."

Many challenges can be forgiven/overcome. 

However, the inability to provide basic respect to another person is not one of them...

Edited September 23, 2019 by Von & John

[WonderMan3]

So today we had an early rise for our stop in Genoa, waking at 5:45am as we had to meet our guide at 8am and we wanted time to eat breakfast. We wanted to eat at the YC Grill but they did not open until 8am. So we ate at YC dining room instead. We got there around 7 (it opened at 6:30) and it was very quiet, only about two other couples dining. This was a surprise as a number of people were disembarking today in Genoa so we assumed the restaurant would be busy. I ordered eggs Benedict with bacon and hash browns. Mike ordered a ham omelette with bacon. As on Bellissima my eggs Benedict had a flavorless hollandaise which basically ruins the dish. The bacon looked nice and crispy but was actually chewy. The hash browns were okay. Mike thought his omelette was fine but also did not like the bacon. Again, another disappointing breakfast at YC dining room. I had hoped that Seaview’s breakfast might be better but it’s more of the same. This is why we prefer the grill as the food there seems a bit fresher. Service was fine though; no issues there. The staff in Seaview seems friendlier and more on top of things than Bellissima. Unfortunately we will be stuck with the dining room again tomorrow morning as we have another early rise at 5:45. 

[tcmagnum]

53 minutes ago, WonderMan3 said:

 

That was something we considered and it’s possible. I would never accuse anyone of that though unless there was clear behavior in that direction.

I really hope that isn't the case. But I'm glad the ship responded to your concerns and that the new butler is performing very well.  

[CruisingFox27]

1 hour ago, pinkpanther52 said:

 

Also regarding the Dutch couple THEY would have probably thought it very rude if the had been in the restaurant first and you had sat next to them. They would be there to dine not make friends. Heck I would have found it weird if the whole restaurant was empty and someone sat next to me.

 

Agreed, we'd have considered it very odd and a little rude if a couple sat right next to us in an empty restaurant. 

[Host Jazzbeau]

I love Eggs Benedict but the sauce can be problematic—unless it’s delivered quickly it gets gelatinous and OTOH if it’s good it packs on the pounds!  So I generally order poached eggs on toast—the results are more predictable and the calories are definitely fewer!

[Host Jazzbeau]

I do find it perplexing to be told that as an American I expect too much friendliness—but at the same time that I will be thought a boor unless I say “Bon jour!” Immediately on entering a French shop. 

[mnocket]

3 hours ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

 

European cruise lines that don't target Americans in the Caribbean wouldn't be building a large terminal in Miami.  They could avoid some US regulations by basing on e.g. a French island and only visiting US ports as day stops [Ponant does this].

True, but it is easier and cheaper to fly to Fla to board the ship than to some Caribbean island.  Who knows?  I was just wondering.

[mnocket]

3 hours ago, ipeeinthepool said:

 

If Americans aren't the primary target for several large ships leaving for the Caribbean from Miami, then MSC needs a new business plan.

Why couldn't their business plan be to cater to Europeans who wish to cruise the Caribbean?  After all, when Celebrity sails from  Rome  (Civitavecchia) they don't start catering to Europeans rather than N. Americans.  A European line sailing in Europe is different than an "American" line sailing in Europe.  Why shouldn't an European line sailing from Miami be different than an "American" line sailing from Miami?

[mnocket]

2 hours ago, WonderMan3 said:

 

MSC has been doing a major push to American cruisers through land-based casinos across the US. That’s how we wound up traveling with them. They wouldn’t be doing that if their focus was Europeans in the Caribbean. 

That's a good point.

[ipeeinthepool]

5 minutes ago, mnocket said:

 Why shouldn't an European line sailing from Miami be different than an "American" line sailing from Miami?

 

If everyone in the crowd is expecting to buy chocolate ice cream and you show up with vanilla, don't be surprised if your business fails.

 

Because the bulk of passengers will be American with typical American expectations.  Wonderman's reaction to all of the issues has been great,  the typical American passenger won't be as tolerant.

[Selion]

2 hours ago, WonderMan3 said:

Again, another disappointing breakfast at YC dining room.

 

Same with YC on Seaside.  Nothing to get overly excited about.  However, on Seaside they offered steak & eggs.  Steaks were cooked to temperature and were highlights in the YC breakfast.  Do you have that option in the Mediterranean cruises?

[Zephyr173]

Yes, the omelette looks dry. Have you considered asking for it to be runny (baveuse in French). You are in YC. Ask and you shall receive. 

 

Clearly Mike and yourself enjoy eating. Ask for what you want.  You have paid for it.

 

The steak is dry? You’re in Europe. Talk to the M’d and ask him to forego the USA recommendation to not eat raw meat.  The M’d will oblige.

[gimletgal]

30 minutes ago, ipeeinthepool said:

 

If everyone in the crowd is expecting to buy chocolate ice cream and you show up with vanilla, don't be surprised if your business fails.

 

Because the bulk of passengers will be American with typical American expectations.  Wonderman's reaction to all of the issues has been great,  the typical American passenger won't be as tolerant.

My experience sailing Divina and Seaside out of Miami (since 2016) has been that the "bulk of passengers" have been European - not American.  

[wmwmarmstrong]

 

I feel MSC has tried to cater to Americans even if has been slow going.

 

Shoot when they first came to Miami they charged for still water in the dining room. Americans had a fit and they changed like many things after as well.

[mackfam]

I hope that poor Butler service is not a trend on the Seaview. CC member Beamafar has a thread on her experiences on the Seaview and she also had some issues with their butler, who I think was called Harry. 

 

I’m not demanding but do expect friendly interactions with staff.

[glittergal1]

5 hours ago, mackfam said:

I hope that poor Butler service is not a trend on the Seaview. CC member Beamafar has a thread on her experiences on the Seaview and she also had some issues with their butler, who I think was called Harry. 

 

I’m not demanding but do expect friendly interactions with staff.

 

I just think the standard of butlers in general has lowered considerably over the years, training at the butler institute just isn't what it use to be. I mean take our butler at home Jeeves,  he now refuses to iron my husbands Y fronts and sort the recycling into the correct bins.  We are  even thinking of requesting a different butler. 

[WonderMan3]

Sorry to have fallen behind in updates again. We’ve just had some very long tour days with very early wake ups and evenings being busy on the ship that I have had no time to write down my thoughts of yesterday or today yet. Have a couple days coming up soon where we are staying on board so I will catch up then.

[ipeeinthepool]

4 minutes ago, WonderMan3 said:

Sorry to have fallen behind in updates again. We’ve just had some very long tour days with very early wake ups and evenings being busy on the ship that I have had no time to write down my thoughts of yesterday or today yet. Have a couple days coming up soon where we are staying on board so I will catch up then.

 

Glad you're keeping so busy you don't have time to write.  Enjoy your cruise.

[rattanchair]

Dear Wonder,  Empathizing with you along the way.. Reminded of a quote from Winston Churchill  " Well, dinner would have been splendid... if the wine had been as cold as the soup, the beef as rare as the service, the brandy as old as the fish, and the waitress as willing as the Duchess." Stiff upper lip and all that.

[Von & John]

1 hour ago, WonderMan3 said:

Sorry to have fallen behind in updates again. We’ve just had some very long tour days with very early wake ups and evenings being busy on the ship that I have had no time to write down my thoughts of yesterday or today yet. Have a couple days coming up soon where we are staying on board so I will catch up then.

 

Being too busy to post is excellent news...

Hopefully it means you are out enjoying your cruise to the fullest!

[Cruising89143]

Well we were booked on Celebrity out of Barcelona early next year but decided to take the plunge and try MSC. We booked the Grandiosa. It came down to the Grandiosa and Seaview but the Grandiosa itinerary was better. The YC price was too good to pass up compared to a suite on X and on a pre revolution Infinity at that. Look forward to the rest of your review.

[voyager1964]

Very informative review!

May I ask, why did not you use room service for early breakfast?

 

Thanks

[WonderMan3]

2 hours ago, voyager1964 said:

Very informative review!

May I ask, why did not you use room service for early breakfast?

 

Thanks

 

The menu is limited on hot items. No eggs, bacon and hash browns which are all the things we like.

[WonderMan3]

Heads up for anyone on the Seaview sailing after mine. They have changed the port of Ajaccio, Corsica to the port of Toulon, France. It will apparently be a tender port.