OBSERVATIONS FROM THE POOP DECK SEASCAPE JUNE 2023

[Two Wheels Only]

3 hours ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

Additionally, it is my understanding that wristbands can be purchased by non YC passengers to use on board as well so I'm not sure that the wristband alone is enough of a tell for who should/shouldn't be in YC.

 

Some wristbands say "Yacht Club" and some say "MSC". However, even when staying in the Yacht Club, I've received wristbands that just had "MSC" on them. It's the same with the slippers. It can be either way even if you are in the Yacht Club. 

[Bgwest]

1 hour ago, Two Wheels Only said:

 

Some wristbands say "Yacht Club" and some say "MSC". However, even when staying in the Yacht Club, I've received wristbands that just had "MSC" on them. It's the same with the slippers. It can be either way even if you are in the Yacht Club. 

If in YC, seems like it might be prudent to reject a wristband that doesn’t say “YC”. 

[Mycykfamilytime]

6 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Sorry for the confusion y'all. This Arthur is the maitre d' on Seascape and will be still on board the SEASCAPE in September.

I probably read it wrong! Thanks for the updates! 

[jcathers1]

We will be on the Seascape next Sunday, so reading your review intently. Excited to see how the YC compares to Seaside and Seashore!

[morpheusofthesea]

9 minutes ago, jcathers1 said:

We will be on the Seascape next Sunday, so reading your review intently. Excited to see how the YC compares to Seaside and Seashore!

Please do not read anything I say too intently. Everything  is 'tongue in cheek'. We find the "Sea"ships all the same. Would take any of them out of our nearest port repeatedly. ONLY Yacht Club though. 

[momofmab]

11 hours ago, NCteacherlovescruising said:

Oops!  Typo. It’s the 25th, not 15th, on the Seaside. 

 Exciting!  I hope you'll come back and let us know what you thought!  We're also cruising YC for the first time in December (on Seascape).  I've learned a lot from your awesome questions!

[morpheusofthesea]

Skipped the Chora Theatre show again last night in favor of Le Cabaret Rouge. Samulous took the night off and we had this blond female vocalist belt out more popular songs, followed by the same lame 'magic' tricks we saw the night before. The band played without their keyboardist (earache?) and we stayed til 9:30 and went to the Loft Cafe to catch more of the jazz quartet with Bruno, but the saxophonist was up and stayed until he took a break and went back to the cabin. It was past our bedtime.

  Last evening was Gala and witnessed many more dressed up guests this cruise than prior cruises.

Edited June 13, 2023 by morpheusofthesea

[morpheusofthesea]

Even though the Venchi kiosk is making 3 types of chocolate ships, we got 2 bars of the dark chocolate as gifts instead of a chocolate ship this cruise. To be expected by all as Loyalty Programs are being reexamined across the world.

   Just to add to why the diminished perks. From an analytics consultancy " Using Data analytics, financial modeling and consumer surveys to analyze the effectiveness of Loyalty Programs. The relationship between customer behavior and profitability found some distortions in the Loyalty Program. The way customers were using the program meant the highest spending and longest term customers weren't always getting rewarded proportionately for their value at the same time other customers that were earning rewards passively without spending enough to make it profitable for the business."

    This data analysis indicates that loyalty programs are rewarding the least profitable guests.. (me included).

[morpheusofthesea]

Announcements are being made in three languages this cruise. English, Spanish and Italian.

   The elevators are working as designed though 40 seconds can be 3 minutes  and an empty elevator will eventually come and whisk one nonstop to desired deck. We recommend one use their key card for all three elevator banks as the two at the stern are becoming ever more popular and crowded. It is ever so nice a treat having an express elevator only for two.

   We finished docking at Taino Bay and the Captain has made a surprise visit to the breakfast buffet on the One Pool Deck greeting guests. Nice gesture but he also combined it with an unexpected inspection of the kitchen here as well.

 

[GPPhilly]

 

On 6/11/2023 at 4:48 PM, morpheusofthesea said:

That is the third thing I did when we got on board. First we dropped off our carryons at our ready cabin. Next, we went to lunch at 12:30.I ordered and excused myself to run up to the pool deck to pick out a pergola. Thank goodness no other B2Ber had it occupied. I asked a familiar face if the pool attendant, (I hesitate to give his name as no good deeder goes unpunished). Indeed he was still on board. I explained to the familiar face that I wanted this pergola and for the pool attendant to save it for me for the weeks cruise. I tipped the familiar face $10 to make sure he would deliver my message. I ran back for lunch in the YC restaurant. My meal was waiting for me when I got back.

I'm assuming this is one of the non reserved ones.  You talk about interlopers and rude guests from previous previous sailings.  I think it is kind of rude that you hog one of the very limited pergola's for yourself for the entire sailing.  There is limited shade on the cruise and there should be an opportunity  for someone to use it instead of it being saved for one person. 

[morpheusofthesea]

34 minutes ago, GPPhilly said:

 

I'm assuming this is one of the non reserved ones.  You talk about interlopers and rude guests from previous previous sailings.  I think it is kind of rude that you hog one of the very limited pergola's for yourself for the entire sailing.  There is limited shade on the cruise and there should be an opportunity  for someone to use it instead of it being saved for one person. 

 OF course you are assuming wrong. It is one of the main reasons we book this ship versus the other ships in the same fleet. The ability to pay a higher priced cabin which INCLUDES a reserved pergola on the exclusive suite pool deck. We sailed this past Spring Break March 2023 on the HAL Nieuw Amsterdam in their one Pinnacle Suite which did not include a pergola,  BUT there were 14 pergolas available to be reserved for $399 for the entire week by those that only book Neptune Suites and higher. We opted to book their Pinnacle Suite ONLY if we were guaranteed a $399 pergola. At this time in our lives we do not wish to look back (when it is too late) and say we should have done it this way in the first place.

   But other than this you are entirely correct. It would be extremely rude of us to expect to covet any prime spot and deprive anyone of such enjoyment which is why we love this ship. Now that these pergolas are vinyl roofed and canvas curtained we find we hardly use the grand balcony that comes with the RS/ OS cabins. But we will continue to book these cabins exclusively because they are the only cabins with enough space to handle DW's 12 suitcases of necessities (I just wish she would leave the kitchen sink home).

Edited June 13, 2023 by morpheusofthesea

[Two Wheels Only]

31 minutes ago, GPPhilly said:

I'm assuming this is one of the non reserved ones.  You talk about interlopers and rude guests from previous previous sailings.  I think it is kind of rude that you hog one of the very limited pergola's for yourself for the entire sailing.  There is limited shade on the cruise and there should be an opportunity  for someone to use it instead of it being saved for one person. 

 

The OP's stateroom includes a pergola on the sundeck. The OP can choose WHICH pergola that he wants. Some guests who can choose a pergola will pick one on the opposite side of their balcony. Some will choose a pergola near the bar. Some will choose a pergola that is near the hot tub, etc. 

 

The OP is not being rude at all by selecting a pergola for the week.

 

Some people prefer the "first come, first serve" pergolas for the non-RS/OS Yacht Club guests. Some people prefer the "pay to rent" pergolas that used to be for the non-RS/OS Yacht Club guests. Either way, the Royal Suite gets a cabana/pergola on the ship.

[KittyCruz]

22 hours ago, no1talks said:

 

If only there was a way to escort the interlopers out of YC to the tune of Chopin's funeral march.

 I am going to add this to my list of proposed, but never acted on 'Performance Pieces'   working title, 'Chopin doesn't want you here either, the dance of the interloppers'

[morpheusofthesea]

 

For many years we have sailed on many different ships searching for the cheapest inside category on well reported cruise ships. Our joy was finding a cruise for under $100/pp/pd. We seldom had any problems and of those we encountered we made jokes about them. Like imagining the Repeaters party held in an elevator with a bottle of Cold Duck and two straws. That was Regent Sea. We just believe that now with our 'upping' our game to suites and paying these much higher prices, no one should be experiencing any problem. At $100/pp/pd we never expected to have anything included. Today everyone expects all -inclusive at every level. In those days if we wanted something we paid for it and tipped extra as well.

Now to list the problems we encounter booking the lower level of cabin. Wants versus needs..

#1- This is age related, we need a walk-in shower only found in some suites

#2- Ports no longer important, been there done that. Cabin comfort with large balcony to accommodate a cushioned deck lounger chair.

#3- Service. No waiting in any line (personal escorts on and off ship). No two hour meals. Reserved seating everywhere.

#4- Enjoy a cabin with separate bedroom and more wardrobe space to store cloths to dress for meals (no longer looking for ‘camping trip’ type cruise ships)

#5- Enjoy “ship within a ship” concept with elevator over ride key card for suite guests

#6- Separate suite restaurant with dedicated chef upgraded cuisine not located 10 decks away from cabin and open for lunch port days

#7- All inclusive drink, water, and wifi .

#8- Ability to reserve cabana/pergola on sun deck

This is the difference.

Edited June 13, 2023 by morpheusofthesea

[KittyCruz]

9 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Wants versus needs..

#1- This is age related, we need a walk-in shower only found in some suites

#2- Ports no longer important, been there done that. Cabin comfort with large balcony to accommodate a cushioned deck lounger chair.

#3- Service. No waiting in any line (personal escorts on and off ship). No two hour meals. Reserved seating everywhere.

#4- Enjoy a cabin with separate bedroom and more wardrobe space to store cloths to dress for meals (no longer looking for ‘camping trip’ type cruise ships)

#5- Enjoy “ship within a ship” concept with elevator over ride key card for suite guests

#6- Separate suite restaurant with dedicated chef upgraded cuisine not located 10 decks away from cabin and open for lunch port days

#7- All inclusive drink, water, and wifi .

#8- Ability to reserve cabana/pergola on sun deck

This is the difference.

I concur!  we do not have nearly as many voyages under our belt, but when we started cruising we listed out our wants vs needs and it really does help.  

[morpheusofthesea]

In port and still cannot upload a 57 second video of our One Pool breakfast buffet.. Tried getting on Youtube to watch my favorite reruns of Groucho's "Bet Your Life" which I save for cruises. As soon as my $60 upgrade for the week of streaming for 2 devices was pressed..voila ! 

[morpheusofthesea]

I  found this interesting as well. There must be all facets of 'special' people that are being catered to like on land. I think these in the casino are called "whales". Noticed these signs on two tables. PRIVATE. So not everyone wants to play or lounge or 'rub elbows'. Many of us want exclusivity.

[no1talks]

43 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

"Noticed these signs on two tables. PRIVATE."

 

Maybe the suave secret agent and criminal mastermind want to play chemin de fer without rubbing elbows with Bob from Poughkeepsie.

 

[morpheusofthesea]

1 hour ago, no1talks said:

 

Maybe the suave secret agent and criminal mastermind want to play chemin de fer without rubbing elbows with Bob from Poughkeepsie.

 

Indubitably !

[GPPhilly]

4 hours ago, GPPhilly said:

 

I'm assuming this is one of the non reserved ones.  You talk about interlopers and rude guests from previous previous sailings.  I think it is kind of rude that you hog one of the very limited pergola's for yourself for the entire sailing.  There is limited shade on the cruise and there should be an opportunity  for someone to use it instead of it being saved for one person. 

I apologize then by all means that is absolutely in your right.  I hadn't had my coffee yet. 

[GPPhilly]

3 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

I  found this interesting as well. There must be all facets of 'special' people that are being catered to like on land. I think these in the casino are called "whales". Noticed these signs on two tables. PRIVATE. So not everyone wants to play or lounge or 'rub elbows'. Many of us want exclusivity.

On a Seashore cruise last year, there was reserved blackjack table and the guy that was there was actually very mean to the dealers.  He would yell at them if he was losing and then demand that they be removed and switched with another dealer.   The casino seemed to allow it because he was a big better.  There was one point that they finally had to tell him he needed to stop or they would have to ask him to take a break.   I was playing at the table right next to him at the time.  

[morpheusofthesea]

4 minutes ago, GPPhilly said:

I apologize then by all means that is absolutely in your right.  I hadn't had my coffee yet. 

Quite alright. I started out this thread not stating what Yacht Club cabin, so it would be confusing and I did not want to be pretentious. Trying to include more outside the YC to gain interest.

[morpheusofthesea]

13 minutes ago, GPPhilly said:

there was reserved blackjack table and the guy that was there was actually very mean to the dealers

Have learned that money doesn't change one. Money makes one more of what they already are. Better that no one else played at the same table as he might just throw his drink in ones face for pulling 'his' card.

[Two Wheels Only]

43 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

I started out this thread not stating what Yacht Club cabin, so it would be confusing and I did not want to be pretentious.

 

The photo in post #42 gave it away. 🤪

[morpheusofthesea]

Well with most the ship on tour, others outside the YC, do try to take advantage of less staff that are given time off for the afternoon. At lunch today, a group of six non YCers got as far as the restaurant. Again how are they getting in? This morning a group of 4 seated themselves at breakfast while the hostess was seating other YC guests. She came back and noticed the interlopers and asked for their cabin numbers. Of course they did not reside in the YC and they were asked to leave. So early in the morning there is no one to escort them out. Where they went is anyones' guess. Maybe the breakfast buffet at the One Pool Deck? 

  Again at lunch a group of 6 with backpacks and cameras came into the YC restaurant throwing out some malarkey about being affiliated with MSC and wanted to have lunch in the dining room. Again asked to leave, but took their sweet time photographing the restaurant, TSL below and everyone eating.

   Just now DW went to register her credit card (it is quiet and not rushed on a port day) and there was a gentleman demanding a tour of the Yacht Club since he is now residing outside the YC and is contemplating staying on board and booking a cabin in the YC for next week.

The concierge politely told him sorry there are no available cabins in the YC next week. (don't really know if this is true with all the upgrade invitations every week, but this must happen quite often for such a great response).