OBSERVATIONS FROM THE POOP DECK JULY 16-23, 2023 SEASCAPE

[jules815]

1 hour ago, morpheusofthesea said:

I checked my account balance today and only found the $70 internet upgrade charged to the account. So far so good. Reminds me of the story of a little boy who encountered Walt Disney at his theme park one day. I do not recall the little boy's question, but the Walt Disney answer still resonates with me to this day. "You got to believe".

Pretty sure we'll want to upgrade to the streaming package for our upcoming cruise as well. I know you probably mentioned it in your other post about Internet, but is that $70 upgrade for 2 devices? (So $140 for the week for my husband and I?)

[P2l]

35 minutes ago, Two Wheels Only said:

I'll be trying my first Duplex Suite on World America so I don't dislike the Duplex Suites at all. I specifically chose the Duplex on World America because I wasn't happy with the balcony on the Royal Suite or the balcony on the Owner's Suite...

...I thought that the extra bathroom would be a plus.

Interesting - when I booked this suite on the World Europa I was a bit concerned that the balcony might be too windy. Will be interested to hear how you find it (assuming you are travelling before next Summer).

The extra bathroom was a huge deal for me, sharing with three ladies! I'm honestly surprised even the owners suite only has 1.

[Two Wheels Only]

3 minutes ago, P2l said:

Interesting - when I booked this suite on the World Europa I was a bit concerned that the balcony might be too windy. Will be interested to hear how you find it (assuming you are travelling before next Summer).

 

On World Europa/America, there are 2 options for the Duplex Suite. The ones without the hot tub are on the side of the ship. Those don't have the potential wind problem of the front-facing Duplexes. With the front facing Duplexes, the lower balcony should provide protection from the wind. I figure whether windy or not, I'll be ok on one of the balconies if not both. 

 

7 minutes ago, P2l said:

The extra bathroom was a huge deal for me, sharing with three ladies! I'm honestly surprised even the owners suite only has 1.

 

That's an issue with MSC that I don't struggle with in the Haven on NCL. Getting 2 bathrooms or even (gasp) 2 bedrooms is easy in the Haven depending on the ship. All Havens built in the last decade have plenty of options for families of 4. The Royal Suite and Owner's Suite really should have 2 bathrooms. With the World Class ships, there are 2 configurations for the Royal Suite and 2 configurations for the Owner's Suite. If MSC is willing to make them different, there should be at least one of them with a 2nd bathroom. 

[morpheusofthesea]

1 hour ago, jules815 said:

Pretty sure we'll want to upgrade to the streaming package for our upcoming cruise as well. I know you probably mentioned it in your other post about Internet, but is that $70 upgrade for 2 devices? (So $140 for the week for my husband and I?)

yes

[Bgwest]

5 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

I was stopped by a staff employee at Ocean House that asked me if I was a Yacht Club guest because I was not wearing my wrist band. I showed him my key card and thanked him for asking. He said many are sneaking into the YC area. If we want the exclusivity to be maintained we must not get all 'bent out of shape' when questioned.

Excellent! Should we be "carded" at any point, we will, like you, express our thanks to the staffer who is checking for legitimate YC. 

Should any YCer even think about become "bent out of shape", I truly hope they will reconsider and express their thanks.🤙

[morpheusofthesea]

Returning to the ship on deck 4 we tried to summon an elevator only to get this reply on the keyboard. A staff member directing traffic to the gangway suggested we try the port side bank of elevators. We got the same response. Only this time we were fortunate to be in the crew area where the gangway on deck 4 is located and a white jump suited technician came over to help. He pressed deck 16 and got the same response, then took out and scanned his crew identification and still got the same response. His advice to us, go up a few flights and try again. 

Edited July 17, 2023 by morpheusofthesea

[morpheusofthesea]

This 22 second video took 4 minutes to upload at 4:30 pm all aboard. It shows the Yacht Club  surf and beach with all the pebbles still.

[P2l]

12 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Returning to the ship on deck 4 we tried to summon an elevator only to get this reply on the keyboard.

This is because MSC is aware that you cruised recently and thus have not yet climbed the requisite number of steps in order to resume cruise-level calorie intake.

[morpheusofthesea]

28 minutes ago, P2l said:

This is because MSC is aware that you cruised recently and thus have not yet climbed the requisite number of steps in order to resume cruise-level calorie intake.

Waiting for these elevator one 'sees' a lot of why they are so slow. Every time while waiting a couple would approach and press the key pad for just 2 flights of stairs. Even we would not take an elevator up for two flights of stairs. 

[Jeal]

Just curious - why do you sail on MSC and in YC? It seems as if it is pure frustration for you. We sailed on the Seaside in an Aurea balcony a couple of weeks ago and had none of the problems that you are experiencing. 

[morpheusofthesea]

1 hour ago, Jeal said:

Just curious - why do you sail on MSC and in YC? It seems as if it is pure frustration for you. We sailed on the Seaside in an Aurea balcony a couple of weeks ago and had none of the problems that you are experiencing. 

Glad you asked. When the Seaside entered service I read an account posted on CC of sewage backups and one gentleman said he would have had a better time had he spent the week in his garage. We booked a week in the YC on the Seaside and had a great time. I loved the key card over ride of the elevators. 

  Same with all the sea ships. Love them all. It’s the guests that we encounter that never cease to amaze me. Hopefully the Seascape will survive the passenger abuses just long enough until the new World America comes on line. The infinity bridge on the port side is closed indefinitely because some dope damaged the glass floor. I just asked a butler when the elevators will be fixed for override. He thought never. So your question is relevant. How much can we tolerate?Still love being treated like Royalty. So as long as we are subjected to such special treatment we will continue to be abused by those outside the YC.

[Jeal]

Thank you for explaining - try Aurea - I realize it’s not YC but everyone we encountered was very nice and very respectful. We were on deck 9 - a very convenient location. We did go up to 19 a couple of times but found it very hot so we didn’t stay. Our very favorite spot on Ocean Cay was Bimini Beach - one of the most beautiful beaches we have been to in the Bahamas. It is a shame that the YC beach is not nearly as nice. And, the pushing to get on the YC shuttle described by another poster is inexcusable. Elevators are rarely an issue for us on any cruise ship because we almost always use the stairs.
We are going to on the Seaside again in September. We truly enjoyed the more international vibe. It was a surprisingly wonderful change from Celebrity and especially Princess (where some of the food was inedible). 

Edited July 17, 2023 by Jeal

[no1talks]

1 hour ago, morpheusofthesea said:

"I just asked a butler when the elevators will be fixed for override. He thought never."

I really hope they get the elevator-YC relationship figured out soon.

Otherwise, summoning an elevator is going to get very weird.


 

[morpheusofthesea]

1 hour ago, Jeal said:

Thank you for explaining - try Aurea - I realize it’s not YC but everyone we encountered was very nice and very respectful. We were on deck 9 - a very convenient location. We did go up to 19 a couple of times but found it very hot so we didn’t stay. Our very favorite spot on Ocean Cay was Bimini Beach - one of the most beautiful beaches we have been to in the Bahamas. It is a shame that the YC beach is not nearly as nice. And, the pushing to get on the YC shuttle described by another poster is inexcusable. Elevators are rarely an issue for us on any cruise ship because we almost always use the stairs.
We are going to on the Seaside again in September. We truly enjoyed the more international vibe. It was a surprisingly wonderful change from Celebrity and especially Princess (where some of the food was inedible). 

Here is our list for those that might have missed it, that Yacht Club has all of them.

Never sailed on a MSC ship in a cabin outside the Yacht Club. But we can list now all the things to look out for when booking any cruise ship.

#1 E muster drill is better

#2 Two cabin cleanings per day

#3 No % charge for gambling unless using cash

#4 No extra charge for can sodas vs fountain drinks

#5 Reserved seating in the theatre for all shows

#6 Complimentary bottled water

#7 Reserved or ability to reserve pergola/cabanas on pool deck

#8 'Cushioned' pool lounges

#9 Escorts on and off ship avoiding long lines

#10 First to use tenders off the ship at ports that tender

#11 Dedicated restaurant that is so good one need not book Specialty Restaurants

#12 Service that does not involve 2 hours to complete a meal

#13 An attentive butler not hard to find when needed

#14 Cabins ready upon embarkation/ key cards in hand at checkin

#15 Dedicated restaurant OPEN port days

#16 Dedicated buffet to only suite guests

#17 Dedicated pool and sun deck only for suite guests with ample lounges

# 18 All the advantages of a mega ship with the exclusivity of a gated community

#19 walk-in shower not low profile tub/shower combo

#20 No non-suite paying Pinnacle/Zenith/Diamond passengers taking up prime real estate in the Yacht Club

#21 Elevator over-ride key cards for suite guests

#22 Pristine out island with NO bugs crawling all over cabanas

#23 short distance between cabin and restaurant decks

#24 At least a 100 sq ft balcony accommodating a cushioned lounge chair

 

 

[jules815]

Morpheus, asking since I know you're on board.  Is the One Pool bar and buffet open while the ship is docked at Ocean Cay? 

[lcpagejr]

8 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Here is our list for those that might have missed it, that Yacht Club has all of them.

Never sailed on a MSC ship in a cabin outside the Yacht Club. But we can list now all the things to look out for when booking any cruise ship.

#1 E muster drill is better

#2 Two cabin cleanings per day

#3 No % charge for gambling unless using cash

#4 No extra charge for can sodas vs fountain drinks

#5 Reserved seating in the theatre for all shows

#6 Complimentary bottled water

#7 Reserved or ability to reserve pergola/cabanas on pool deck

#8 'Cushioned' pool lounges

#9 Escorts on and off ship avoiding long lines

#10 First to use tenders off the ship at ports that tender

#11 Dedicated restaurant that is so good one need not book Specialty Restaurants

#12 Service that does not involve 2 hours to complete a meal

#13 An attentive butler not hard to find when needed

#14 Cabins ready upon embarkation/ key cards in hand at checkin

#15 Dedicated restaurant OPEN port days

#16 Dedicated buffet to only suite guests

#17 Dedicated pool and sun deck only for suite guests with ample lounges

# 18 All the advantages of a mega ship with the exclusivity of a gated community

#19 walk-in shower not low profile tub/shower combo

#20 No non-suite paying Pinnacle/Zenith/Diamond passengers taking up prime real estate in the Yacht Club

#21 Elevator over-ride key cards for suite guests

#22 Pristine out island with NO bugs crawling all over cabanas

#23 short distance between cabin and restaurant decks

#24 At least a 100 sq ft balcony accommodating a cushioned lounge chair

 

 

You are so right Morph...I was chuckling when Jeal politely recommended you try Aurea. I guess he/she doesn't understand your open candor. Like you I would NEVER EVER sail MSC outside Yacht Club!  Enjoying your daily recaps!!

[morpheusofthesea]

1 minute ago, morpheusofthesea said:

everyone we encountered was very nice and very respectful.

Everyone in the Yacht Club is very nice and very respectful as well. It really is the creme de la creme of international society. I am complaining about the circus outside the YC.

 

1 hour ago, Jeal said:

Our very favorite spot on Ocean Cay was Bimini Beach -

Yes. You are correct about this aspect. We are not beach people and do not sit in the sun. DW tolerates our going to Ocean House so I can report back the changes. We had a lovely lunch on the veranda some years ago and figure the next time we have lunch there again it will be a different menu and will be this December on Explora 1. We take the first trolley over to Ocean House and the next one back to the ship. Never experienced any fighting over trolley. If any fighting is occurring it may be due to the absence of the presence of either or both the head butler and/or the YC Director at Ocean House.

[morpheusofthesea]

7 minutes ago, jules815 said:

Morpheus, asking since I know you're on board.  Is the One Pool bar and buffet open while the ship is docked at Ocean Cay? 

Yes. We generally have lunch either at the buffet at the One Pool Deck or use our Diamond complimentary lunch at Hola Tacos. Today we had room service and ate on our veranda delivered by our butler, pizza and a turkey club sandwich.

[awatt]

21 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Here is our list for those that might have missed it, that Yacht Club has all of them.

Never sailed on a MSC ship in a cabin outside the Yacht Club. But we can list now all the things to look out for when booking any cruise ship.

#1 E muster drill is better

#2 Two cabin cleanings per day

#3 No % charge for gambling unless using cash

#4 No extra charge for can sodas vs fountain drinks

#5 Reserved seating in the theatre for all shows

#6 Complimentary bottled water

#7 Reserved or ability to reserve pergola/cabanas on pool deck

#8 'Cushioned' pool lounges

#9 Escorts on and off ship avoiding long lines

#10 First to use tenders off the ship at ports that tender

#11 Dedicated restaurant that is so good one need not book Specialty Restaurants

#12 Service that does not involve 2 hours to complete a meal

#13 An attentive butler not hard to find when needed

#14 Cabins ready upon embarkation/ key cards in hand at checkin

#15 Dedicated restaurant OPEN port days

#16 Dedicated buffet to only suite guests

#17 Dedicated pool and sun deck only for suite guests with ample lounges

# 18 All the advantages of a mega ship with the exclusivity of a gated community

#19 walk-in shower not low profile tub/shower combo

#20 No non-suite paying Pinnacle/Zenith/Diamond passengers taking up prime real estate in the Yacht Club

#21 Elevator over-ride key cards for suite guests

#22 Pristine out island with NO bugs crawling all over cabanas

#23 short distance between cabin and restaurant decks

#24 At least a 100 sq ft balcony accommodating a cushioned lounge chair

 

 

Can you explain #22 please? Ewwww

[morpheusofthesea]

30 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Elevators are rarely an issue for us on any cruise ship because we almost always use the stairs

Enjoy it while you can. We were like you just a short time ago. Prided ourselves with our agility. At the YC tent there was a manifest with all the YC guest names, cabin, and ages. Out of curiosity DW and I wondered if we were the oldest YC travelers. Thankfully we were not. BUT, there were only a dozen of us over 71. Over 70 is not the new 50, and elevator overrides are an ever important perk for the aged. To find out tonight that our seasoned butler feels the abuse the "circus" continually inflicts on the ship's elevators, it is a feature that will be lost along with Diamond chocolate ships, gelato, crepes, and multiple bottles of spirits.

[morpheusofthesea]

27 minutes ago, awatt said:

Can you explain #22 please? Ewwww

Sure. We booked those bungalow type cabanas on RCCL private island, crawling with ants and all sorts of insects. Wrote in my diary that if ever decide to return bring a can of "Raid".

Edited July 18, 2023 by morpheusofthesea

[morpheusofthesea]

2 hours ago, Jeal said:

We did go up to 19 a couple of times but found it very hot so we didn’t stay. 

We had our pergola toweled on the One Pool Deck this morning in anticipation of using it this day in Ocean Cay. We sat for about 20 minutes and had to retreat to our air conditioned cabin it was so stifling hot with no breeze. Figure it will be better tomorrow being a sea day with the ship cutting through the ocean and will have to tie down the corners of our privacy sun curtains. Today was a great day to have a large suite.

[morpheusofthesea]

2 hours ago, no1talks said:

I really hope they get the elevator-YC relationship figured out soon.

Otherwise, summoning an elevator is going to get very weird.


 

When's the last time you had a vacation?

Edited July 18, 2023 by morpheusofthesea
or even a day off?

[Jeal]

morpheusoftheseas - one of the best discussions I’ve ever had on these boards. We are both over 70 and we still walk 2 miles every morning so the stairs aren’t a problem for us - yet! Over 70 is definitely not the new 50. Some people call these the Golden Years, we call them the Tarnished Years. Have a great cruise! 

[morpheusofthesea]

Today is sea day heading to Jamaica. We were told to set our watches back an hour. Woke up this morning and iphone and laptop did not adjust. Thought we were going to be late for breakfast. Called concierge desk to confirm time. 6am. Time to get ready and report. Breakfast at 7am.

  Went to the early show in Chora Theatre, 7:30 pm, comedian. Comedians are hit or miss like everything else. This guy was a miss. Left after 5 minutes and made our way to Le Cabaret Rouge. MC opened at 8 pm with a James Brown song and turned show over to a contortionist that we usually see on the Chora Theatre stage woven in with song and dance routines. Songstress Bella from Australian sang about 6 more popular songs than those she did last month, followed by a juggler, before we decided to call it a night. Went back to cabin and watched reruns of Groucho's "You Bet Your Life" on YouTube.