Is That All There Is ?

[morpheusofthesea]

Noticed something a little different tonight. Went to the early, 7 pm show in the Madison Theatre, "Paris", combination singing dancing and different acrobatic acts than last month. We wear masks in the crowded venues like the Madison Theatre. Kevin escorted us to the reserved YC section which is only for YC guests until 5 minutes before show time when anyone can be seated there. Well, sure enough , some etiquette challenged individual sat behind us and began coughing without covering his cough or used a masked so we got up and left the Theatre. Now we are having second thoughts about the benefits of an all YC cruise ship like Explora 1. Went to the Cabaret Rouge for the show "Women in Art". Two new vocalists and 2 new female dancers. Excellent show. Then we went back to the Madison Theatre for a second shot at the 9pm show. We had no escort and no reservation. The host scanned DW's card and let us both pass. Sat in our same two seats in the YC reserved section. But this time was different. This is only a guess as to why it was different. The Madison Theatre holds 1000 guests per show and there are only 2 shows tonight and there are 3200 passengers on board. At the 9 pm late show we noticed there were several butlers present and Head butler Larysa, making sure that the YC section was left available the entire show for any late arriving YC guests. We were able to enjoy the entire performance due to a more 'genteel' surrounding.

[kernow]

Is your butler Kevin the same Kevin who was on Virtuosa last summer? He was not our butler but did escort us onto the ship last year, if so not at all surprised that he is very good.

[morpheusofthesea]

2 hours ago, kernow said:

Is your butler Kevin the same Kevin who was on Virtuosa last summer? He was not our butler but did escort us onto the ship last year, if so not at all surprised that he is very good.

Yes. He and Head butler Larysa came from Virtuosa.

[morpheusofthesea]

Don't feel many on this thread need this human interest story. But I caught this from our balcony cabin. Time and place ....does it really matter?

[morpheusofthesea]

Having our pergola/cabana 'roofed'.

[morpheusofthesea]

5 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Don't feel many on this thread need this human interest story. But I caught this from our balcony cabin. Time and place ....does it really matter?

There was an interesting learning moment of what was just about to take place on the pier, when the 'runners' appeared. The ships security officer was ordered by the Captain to retrieve the passports from the passengers cabin. (I assume they open the safety box first before going through all ones belongings). The ship's security officer had their passports in hand and was about to turn them over to the cruise line's port agent (He was the gentleman with the backpack walking up and down the pier), when the passengers on the ship gave forth a cry. The Captain was blowing the ship's horn every 5 minutes, the last was the Captain's and ship 's sigh of relief'.

Edited June 13, 2022 by morpheusofthesea

[alohayall]

The rest of the story after the video was interesting - adds more impact.  The tidbit that the passports are collected for you to be left behind.

 

And what about meds or forms of payment you might have left behind?  Or you just wore swim attire off the ship.  Wow.  You could be left in a predicament that goes even farther than being left in port. As though that wasn’t bad enough.

 

Thanks for keeping us entertained with your adventures.  And the misadventures of others.

[morpheusofthesea]

Well it is our first port of call, San Juan. We docked about 4pm, think ship will clear by 5pm ? Might be a good evening aboard ship tonight with most everyone wanting to get off. No Madison Theatre show tonight. Instead there was a 3pm matinee called "Gravity".  All aboard at 12:15 am, we depart 12:45 am. Weather has been windy and very nice. Jackets are needed more indoors. All clear to disembark at 4:35pm. (that was quick).

Edited June 13, 2022 by morpheusofthesea

[morpheusofthesea]

4 minutes ago, alohayall said:

You could be left in a predicament that goes even farther than being left in port. As though that wasn’t bad enough.

Yes. I recall that at the concierge station on one ship there was a tv screen promoting the ship's excursions. One of the best selling points of purchasing a ship's excursion is the guarantee that the ship will not leave without you.

[morpheusofthesea]

This evening we are docked in San Juan next to Symphony of the Seas. Both ships have short piers. S of S has 4 gangways at low incline. Seashore has one gangway at a steeper incline. This made getting off the ship more crowded. Families with strollers had to be accommodated somewhere else? Walked around the ship after dinner and the ship was empty in every venue. Counted 3 guests at the atrium bar, 1 in the sports bar, 1 in the Brooklyn Cafe, specialty dining was open but only Butcher's Cut had a couple of tables occupied outside, no one seated inside. Chatted with one crew member, out on deck, looking out over the railing. Since ship is short staffed, there is no relief help to cover position so no shore leave.

[morpheusofthesea]

At 7:30 there was a very nice YC party and buffet at the One Pool Deck. Full moon over San Juan and our pool party.  Pictured here are Head butler Larysa and Maitre d' Ercan, and other guests. Very nice interaction between very genial staff and YC guests. Close attention to every detail by Mr. Balla. The only place hopping on the entire ship was this YC deck party. "This joint is jumpin !"

 

Edited June 14, 2022 by morpheusofthesea

[morpheusofthesea]

This morning 7 am docking St.Thomas. Steel drum band signals back to cruising once again. Ship empties out. Everyones having a great time. Not hearing any complaints. Of course my hearing is very selective nowadays. 'Let the good times roll.'

[morpheusofthesea]

Went to the show in Cabaret Rouge for "Starry,Starry Night" featuring some of the works of Vincent Van Gogh. Costumes are the same as last month but entirely new choreography. Madison Theatre presentation tonight was "Coast to Coast".

Edited June 15, 2022 by morpheusofthesea

[morpheusofthesea]

Brooklyn Cafe tonight Jazz Quartet.

[morpheusofthesea]

The MSC cruise line answer to the bane, scourge, distress of seat saving in theatre, decks or buffets is to not antagonize guests with bad habits by enforcing any infractions of this bad behavior. Better to stay out of the fray. Instead create new areas in the ship exclusive to guests willing to pay a premium to have reserved theatre seating, dedicated pool area with ample seating, lounges with the most attentive staff, cabins with larger balconies for more private lounging. A most enjoyable experience, making going back to regular cruising most difficult indeed.

[morpheusofthesea]

MSC is one of the few cruise lines that actually posts what the base pay is for each position. The DSC goes directly to the base pay. Tips, on the other hand, can be distributed throughout the staff and crew, if left to the 'front office' or using non-refundable OBC and designating to whom one wishes it to go to (but no one is 100% sure it goes 100% to the person designated, unless one directly gives cash $$ to that service provider).

[FLCruiser97]

On 6/13/2022 at 4:47 PM, morpheusofthesea said:

Yes. I recall that at the concierge station on one ship there was a tv screen promoting the ship's excursions. One of the best selling points of purchasing a ship's excursion is the guarantee that the ship will not leave without you.

I take great comfort in knowing that the ship will wait if on a ship sanction shore excursion that is late.

[morpheusofthesea]

We have a new replacement butler, Anna. It appears Kevin hurt his arm and is out of commission and out of sight. Anna just informed us that we have to still take another covid test tomorrow at 8:40 am for the second leg of our cruise. She will pick us up at our cabin and escort us to the test somewhere on deck 6.

[morpheusofthesea]

The ship runs specials on board at different times that are announced with a card delivered to ones door. The testing for remaining on board will be from 9 to 12 tomorrow in the Tribeca Restaurant deck 6. Anna will meet us at 8:40 in the TSL of the YC.

[morpheusofthesea]

Presently waiting in our cabin for 10 minutes for results of our covid tests. Heard that there are only 2 cabins available this cruise in YC. Next cruise is supposed to be the same. About 15 B2Bs in the YC. Testing set-up in Tribeca Restaurant, since restaurant is not open for breakfast service. There must be  much 'hard' partying going on that the guests do not wake so no need to open. I guess we passed our tests, NO phone call from results 'is good to go.'

   For DW, the worst part about B2B cruises is the fretting the first week until this moment worrying if one will test positive.

Edited June 16, 2022 by morpheusofthesea

[morpheusofthesea]

Heard that MSC is developing a tracking system like Princess Medallion. I guess soon everyone will still be able to run, but no one will be able to hide. The crew are tested once a week. Any positives are removed from the ship until they test negative.

[morpheusofthesea]

Folks, this IS all there is !  Have the time to reflect on past cruises. Cruising does not get any better than the service and accommodations than the Yacht Club on MSC Seashore. We wish to thank the many loyal posters to this MSC Cruise Critic site for their postings that compelled us to book the Yacht Club. 

   Having sailed on RCCL in the Coastal Kitchen OS, NCL The Haven H6 Penthouse with large balcony, Celebrity Retreat in Edge Villa, RS, and Penthouse and now the Yacht Club OS and RS we do not want to go back to those other cruise lines. They were the best at the time we did them, but they are outclassed by MSC YC.

[morpheusofthesea]

Today's special set up for Mr. Balla's cooking demonstration at noon at the YC One Pool Deck buffet. As much as we wanted to wait about and watch his extravagant exhibition displaying his culinary talents,  I am no sun worshipper and as one can see from the photos I would have to stand behind Mr. Balla and be a part of the show. So we opted for our table in a corner in the air conditioned restaurant.

[morpheusofthesea]

Always something new to learn about YC. At our daily walkabout we stopped by the Venchi Chocolate kiosk and spied a tray of wrapped rice krispie type treats that are not being displayed for sale. Asked attendant where they were bound. Yacht Club. After lunch we moseyed down to the TSL and inquired about when the Venchi Chocolates are to be offered. 8:30 pm til midnight every evening. This is vital information not advertised (I guess the free stuff is never  advertised).

[morpheusofthesea]

Tonight's Cabaret Rouge Monet's Soiree.