LIVE REPORT Christmas Markets-MSC Euribia 1-8th Dec 2023 -New Ship-YC Balcony suite

[ConnieTact]

Fab Christmas decorations around the market.

[ConnieTact]

Things for sale at the market.

[insidecabin]

These Dec 7n have so much more to offer than the early 2024 7 nights runs Jan-Mar that are more about the cold than the ports.

 

Great pics.

[ConnieTact]

[little britain]

My friend is also on this cruise in her first YC/MSC experience! 

 

OT but how did you get your pics in a 3x3 format ?

[ConnieTact]

25 minutes ago, little britain said:

My friend is also on this cruise in her first YC/MSC experience! 

 

OT but how did you get your pics in a 3x3 format ?

Good question! Usually I use an app but today didn’t have access to that and organised my photos and used a screenshot, then cropped it.

[ConnieTact]

We just got back onboard and well, what an event that turned out to be! 🤪

I know the following may bit be of interest to non yacht club guests-so skip if you like!

We have always enjoyed being escorted to the front of the line at security as this maximises out time onboard. Today, for the first time, I couldn’t see yacht club butlers waiting to welcome us. I had expected this for this port and the next. 
I asked around the staff and eventually a kind MSC manager from check in, took us to the front and we boarded but not without a man loudly complaining that he should get priority as he only had one leg. All embarrassing but we went ahead and got quickly through and onto the ship.

As soon as we were onboard I asked our butler why there was nobody to welcome us through security and his answer surprised us both!

Apparently in Southampton, Hamburg and Zeebrugge Port Security will not allow butlers that side of security so there is no priority for Yacht club guests in those ports!

We really didn’t know that and I don’t think most people booking this cruise would know it either! 
Sometimes we wonder whether to bother getting off at a port and often decide to stay onboard and enjoy the facilities. This would sway our decision as the lines had hundreds if people as they only had one security check point for all those people!

Le Havre port do allow butlers to offer this service.

[ConnieTact]

Good food in YC restaurant although very slow service tonight. There were great views of sailor in the dark and we enjoyed the ‘live show’ unfold.

 

[Cruiznrightalong]

Thank you so much for all your posts! This is getting me even more excited for our embarkation in Hamburg on the 17th!

 

I do have a few questions if you don’t mind (calling customer service has been less than helpful).

 

1. How long after the arrival time on the daily planner are you able to get off the ship to explore the port? 

 

2. We are looking at pre-ordering the Fun Pass. It says the credit can only be associated with one passenger but can be used by the whole family. My family has two cabins, so my questions:

   a) Can both cabins use that same fun pass or does each cabin have to have its own?

   b) How many credits do each of the associated activities use?

 

Thanks so much!
 

I look forward to seeing the rest of your t trip! Have a fabulous time!

[ConnieTact]

30 minutes ago, Cruiznrightalong said:

Thank you so much for all your posts! This is getting me even more excited for our embarkation in Hamburg on the 17th!

 

I do have a few questions if you don’t mind (calling customer service has been less than helpful).

 

1. How long after the arrival time on the daily planner are you able to get off the ship to explore the port? 

 

2. We are looking at pre-ordering the Fun Pass. It says the credit can only be associated with one passenger but can be used by the whole family. My family has two cabins, so my questions:

   a) Can both cabins use that same fun pass or does each cabin have to have its own?

   b) How many credits do each of the associated activities use?

 

Thanks so much!
 

I look forward to seeing the rest of your t trip! Have a fabulous time!

I’ll look into this tomorrow as it’s a sea day. Thanks for your kind comments. 

[insidecabin]

1 hour ago, Cruiznrightalong said:

Thank you so much for all your posts! This is getting me even more excited for our embarkation in Hamburg on the 17th!

 

I do have a few questions if you don’t mind (calling customer service has been less than helpful).

 

1. How long after the arrival time on the daily planner are you able to get off the ship to explore the port? 

 

2. We are looking at pre-ordering the Fun Pass. It says the credit can only be associated with one passenger but can be used by the whole family. My family has two cabins, so my questions:

   a) Can both cabins use that same fun pass or does each cabin have to have its own?

   b) How many credits do each of the associated activities use?

 

Thanks so much!
 

I look forward to seeing the rest of your t trip! Have a fabulous time!

If it not changed since last year on  Virtuosa 

 

The fun pass gets you cash credit roughly double the cost.(bought before the cruise less on the cruise)

 

You then buy the activities for whoever you want, some are card scans on the machines

 

I think mine cost £70 got £140 credit, F1 was something like £8..

I struggled to spend all mine on 12n with 5 sea days. A few F1, 4d and VR then a few of the machines and  pinball.

Bowling will eat a chunk.

 

Multiple people would be easier.

 

Euribia is currently in € 

 

Keep a check on credit left as you just get charged once it runs out.

 

 

 

[Cruiznrightalong]

1 hour ago, insidecabin said:

If it not changed since last year on  Virtuosa 

 

The fun pass gets you cash credit roughly double the cost.(bought before the cruise less on the cruise)

 

You then buy the activities for whoever you want, some are card scans on the machines

 

I think mine cost £70 got £140 credit, F1 was something like £8..

I struggled to spend all mine on 12n with 5 sea days. A few F1, 4d and VR then a few of the machines and  pinball.

Bowling will eat a chunk.

 

Multiple people would be easier.

 

Euribia is currently in € 

 

Keep a check on credit left as you just get charged once it runs out.

 

 

 

Thank you so much! Very helpful!

[ConnieTact]

Another great sleep - beds so comfy. 
breakfast just arrived on time- efficient service. 
a sea day today! The sea is still calm. .

[VTSFAN]

On 11/30/2023 at 4:52 PM, ConnieTact said:

@Stocksy82Who is the Yacht Club director this cruise? 

Murat was director 24th-1st,

[ConnieTact]

2 hours ago, VTSFAN said:

Murat was director 24th-1st,

Yes Murat is still here! 👍

[ConnieTact]

I cannot praise last night’s show in the theatre enough! It was really brilliant from beginning to end. It was advertised as “songbook-Ed Sheeran”. I must admit although I am aware of his music, I don’t have any of it in my collection so, I was a bit apprehensive about what the show would be like and if I’d enjoy it.
Well, the show started on a strong note with the aforementioned singer who I think is the best singer in the team. (I must find out his name!) taking lead vocals.
The show’s sound was good and every song was done justice. The women singers, who previously sounded weak as soloists, when singing as a trio, came across well.
I wonder if Ed knows about the show? If he doesn’t he really should! I can imagine this being a success on the West End or Broadway! 
The brilliant use of the picture wall behind was stunning with the start of the show being on a London Underground station-complete with a train on the screen!

Another scene was an Irish bar, thatreminded me of the ‘Choir of Men’ production on NCL. That scene was excellent and really captured the spirit of a local Galway pub!

Another great aerial performance which gave the show further interest although, for me the singing and dancing would suffice.

This entertainment reaches very high standards and in the climate of NCL getting rid of their special shows, this kind of show would offer a real alternative for show loving cruise bookers!
Well done MSC and the entertainment team for this fabulous show!

[ConnieTact]

Insider scoop! Watch out for 20% off perfumes & cosmetics in the boutique on a Monday (sea day!) on this itinerary.

You don’t have to buy three- just the one…..although at that discount you may want to buy more! 😜 Especially so close to Christmas! 🎁

(don’t tell anyone this spendy girl told you! 🤩)

[ConnieTact]

Lots of interest in the Giant darts. Lots of people enjoying themselves and lots of laughter too! 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

Interesting reading your viewpoints since I'm onboard too. Our cabin is midship so really have not noticed any movement of the ship whatsoever.

 

Since I run a nightclub based website back in Orlando, my perspective on cruises is always based on the ship's nightlife entertainment more than the food or shows. Thus, for anyone interested, here are links to the first two nights on board.

 

Night 1 including the White Party: https://www.orlandoentertainmentnews.com/?p=25466

 

Night 2: https://www.orlandoentertainmentnews.com/?p=25502

 

As one might expect this time of the year, a mostly-older crowd on board but a surprising number of infants/young children too.

[ConnieTact]

5 minutes ago, KINGBOBOFTHENORTH said:

Interesting reading your viewpoints since I'm onboard too. Our cabin is midship so really have not noticed any movement of the ship whatsoever.

 

Since I run a nightclub based website back in Orlando, my perspective on cruises is always based on the ship's nightlife entertainment more than the food or shows. Thus, for anyone interested, here are links to the first two nights on board.

 

Night 1 including the White Party: https://www.orlandoentertainmentnews.com/?p=25466

 

Night 2: https://www.orlandoentertainmentnews.com/?p=25502

 

As one might expect this time of the year, a mostly-older crowd on board but a surprising number of infants/young children too.

We’ve not noticed any movement either- lucky as last week sounded a bit bumpy! 
Glad to see you’re enjoying the parties some good photos- say hello if you see us onboard! 👍

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

1 minute ago, ConnieTact said:

Glad to see you’re enjoying the parties some good photos- say hello if you see us onboard! 👍

Thanks. Probably passed by you at some point, lol. Yes, if I see you, will definitely say hi.

[ConnieTact]

Off to hide our first batch of Christmas ducks for people to find! 

[ConnieTact]

Great Hiding session! We hid a few in lifts, around doorways, on tables and occasionally gave parents a nod to direct their children to one! 

One adult found one, and immediately her husband made my day to thank me on a dedicated Facebook page. We had actually seen them pick it up and her delight! 

All great fun! One little boy asked how many I hid as he wanted to find more! He had found four and was hoping to discover the other 44! 
We sat at a table in the French bar on the Galleria to watch the finds and it was fun to watch that unfold. 

[ConnieTact]

We had a wonderful surprise of our own! When we got back to yacht club we saw these on every suites door! Beautiful! 

[snoozecrooze]

Hi @ConnieTact! What a fun pleasure to see you onboard the Euribia. Love to see you spreading the holiday cheer via duck hiding as well 😄. Really enjoy seeing your recollection from another MSC cruise and hope the rest of your holiday is amazing!