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

[ConnieTact]

Leisurely breakfast then stopped for another or of tea before being helped by our fabulous butler Ivis with our bags. 
Easily got taxi as most people had disembarked or left for excursions.

Now sitting at station waiting for our train. It’s due in 20 minutes. 

[ConnieTact]

…..and we’re home! So here’s the missing report in our fabulous last night onboard Euribia.

The final evening onboard Euribia was really enjoyable. We saw the theatre show, Luminicity in the well guarded yacht club section. There were less late comers, so whether they were turned away for a later show or if they were being directed to seats behind us, I don’t know! Happily, it meant a more enjoyable, uninterrupted, experience. 

The show really is top level. Again, not a topic I am familiar with, it was based around computer gaming. Maybe this would help engage a younger audience but I thoroughly enjoyed it too!

The lights were fantastic and the choreography interesting as the dancers were impersonating characters in various games. I don’t know who was behind the show but it really had a wow factor and such quality shows place MSC at a much higher level than they used to be. If they continue to invest in this kind of entertainment, I think they’ll be winning the game! I mentioned before that NCL is cutting back on their entertainment budget but, it appears MSC will soon take their place in the performance leaderboard!

 

 

 

[ConnieTact]

We went for our last dinner in the yacht club restaurant and said our thank yous and goodbyes. The restaurant is well run and the staff seem happy. 

One waiter stood out for us and gave us personal and friendly attention whenever he spotted us. He was Onet from Philippines, and had strong previous training working for a world renowned chef in Saudi. MSC are fortunate to have him and he would be extremely suitable for the role of head waiter, so I hope he will be given the chance in the near future.

Food was excellent. I enjoyed the way the sea bass was cooked.

[mtlchris]

On 12/3/2023 at 5:44 PM, ConnieTact said:

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. 

First-world problem for sure, but I don't like it. Took me 20-30 minutes of queuing to get back on board in both Le Havre (I certainly didn't see the YC flags there) and Southampton (I did see and was recognized by a butler who greeted me after security, but no escort was offered, maybe focusing on embarking passengers ?).

[ConnieTact]

After dinner we saw a set by Roberto and then again, later to finish our evening enjoying his last set. Roberto has an amazing ‘Chris Rea type’ voice and he’s an asset to the company. He sang some Bryan Adam’s at MrCTs request. We have enjoyed him in three different MSC ships now over the years and hope this continues.

 

[ConnieTact]

39 minutes ago, mtlchris said:

First-world problem for sure, but I don't like it. Took me 20-30 minutes of queuing to get back on board in both Le Havre (I certainly didn't see the YC flags there) and Southampton (I did see and was recognized by a butler who greeted me after security, but no escort was offered, maybe focusing on embarking passengers ?).

There was actually YC escort at the security line in Le Havre. No tent or anything but just one of the butlers holding a YC key card up! I noticed him and asked for escort and he obliged and took us to the front of the queue.Mr CT did say to me afterwards you did well to notice him because he hasn’t either.

I was looking out for it because I was told by our butler to expect it only in France. Southampton and Hamburg and Zeebrugge do not allow the butlers to offer escort through their securities. They do have a good resource with the security at Le Havre so this is why it is present there.

i told him, I learned something because unlike other countries, this special service is not offered for transiting guests only those who are embarking for the first time.

 

Edited December 8, 2023 by ConnieTact

[ConnieTact]

Next we gave out the remaining ducks I had brought along. Instead of hiding them I staged it so that children would find them either by placing them beside them or nodding to their parents and placing them down so they could discover them. Everyone seemed pleased and we witnessed some delighted squeals of excitement and little ones immediately adopting their ducks and playing with them. It was heartwarming and I will continue to do this as I get a kick out of it myself!

[ConnieTact]

We went to the late Big Band Disco show and we were blown away by the party. The band and the choice of music was hip and groovy! 😂

 

We joined in with the dancing and thoroughly enjoyed it. We even scored a table and two chairs as people were leaving as it was late.

Again, this venue is being used very well by the ship. Another thing I like about MSC is they listen, and change what isn’t working.

The same lounge on Virtuosa is only used for paid for speciality shows and not exploited to its full potential like this. 

[ConnieTact]

Eventually, we went back to the suite for our last nights sleep. In fact it was our third cabin in as many nights! We had experience some noise in the night in our original room and assumed it was to do with the ship while moving. When we still had it and the ship was docked, we reported it. Immediately, we were offered the room next door. We could still hear the noise, although a little less loud, so the last night we were moved five cabins away and it was silent! I would encourage anyone to speak up if there’s an issue as the fast response to make things right, was excellent.

[ConnieTact]

Looking back on my week on Euribia, we really enjoyed it. This was a bargain cruise that was booked at the last minute and I am so glad we went. I hope you have enjoyed the report as much as I have writing it.

I do really enjoy a large and new ship and Euribia fits the bill. Our next cruise lined up is on the larger World Europa. Look out for another report coming soon! 
I really recommend a Christmas market cruise. It was very cold but with the right clothes this was fine. We were particularly fortunate to have snow at the market as this really added to the seasonal atmosphere. We truly felt we were walking in a winter wonderland!
The ship seems to be adding more and more Christmas decorations as the moth progresses. We feel fortunate to have been so well looked after on the ship and we certainly felt merry on more than one occasion! 

Thanks MSC Euribia you really made it a December to remember! 
Now, I have somebody who needs me to make up for being away! 😻🐾

[ConnieTact]

23 hours ago, snoozecrooze said:

Hi @ConnieTact, ever since returning from the Virtuosa, I've been doing some mental comparisons with your experience on the Euribia (beautiful photos, by the way, thank you sharing them!). And I've been wondering if you think Le Grill is an adequate replacement for Butcher's Cut? Do the "attendance" and menu feel comparable? And hopefully Helios gets more visits than Robbie ever did on the Virtuosa for us!

 

Also, the Carousel Lounge on the Euribia has the all-new design that looks packed to the gills every time they have a show there but the lounge on the Virtuosa was also criminally underused, so I'm wondering on your thoughts - which do you prefer, now that you've experienced both? Thanks 🙂

I like them both! We’ve been on Virtuosa five times so it was refreshing to have a few changes. There is no doubt the Carousel on Euribia get extremely busy so getting there early is a much if you want to sit down. We only went along a couple of times but depending on the type of music played, I enjoyed it. I loved the Big Band disco party! There’s a lot on offer onboard with this addition because if not your thing, there are still parties in the atrium and other music offerings around the ship.

As I don’t eat much meat, I do struggle with Butchers Cut and Le Grill offering with the package. It worked out well for me to choose three side dishes as my main.

Virtuosa charged me for this but Euribia didn’t. We always go at lunchtime and it’s always quiet in these Venus on both ships.

Thanks for your kind words re the photos. Happy cruise planning! 

[ConnieTact]

23 hours ago, derekthesailor said:

Sadly the upgrade fairy has not arrived for tomorrows sailing so steerage again 😪.

I totally agree that the menu seems to have been downgraded. I expect soon Diamond members will lose the included meal as well. 

Will they allow 2 or 3 starters instead of an entree. ?

 

I had three sides but don’t think they’d stretch to three starters. 
Enjoy every minute! Let us know how you get along. I don’t think diamond be will be going anywhere soon. I think they’ll add more levels with even more treats! 
Have a great Christmas cruise!

[Preziosa]

Thank you for letting us follow you on your Christmas Cruise. We Will Be back en Euribia for Easter, it Will be Our third Cruise on Euribia in the yachtclub. Merry Christmas.

[ConnieTact]

5 minutes ago, Preziosa said:

Thank you for letting us follow you on your Christmas Cruise. We Will Be back en Euribia for Easter, it Will be Our third Cruise on Euribia in the yachtclub. Merry Christmas.

That’s sounds great! You obviously love it in there as much as we did. Happy Christmas to you too! 

[Best Cat Mom]

1 hour ago, ConnieTact said:

One waiter stood out for us and gave us personal and friendly attention whenever he spotted us. He was Onet from Philippines, and had strong previous training working for a world renowned chef in Saudi. MSC are fortunate to have him and he would be extremely suitable for the role of head waiter, so I hope he will be given the chance in the near future.

Do you mean Onel? We had him as our server on Divina in January and we heard that he is currently on Euribia. He was excellent! So glad that you got to spend the week with him. 🙂

[ConnieTact]

12 minutes ago, Best Cat Mom said:

Do you mean Onel? We had him as our server on Divina in January and we heard that he is currently on Euribia. He was excellent! So glad that you got to spend the week with him. 🙂

I do yes! He is a star. It’s workers like him that make the experience so good. Glad you enjoyed his service too. 

[Fissues]

https://apple.news/AKH9-JDjDQQ-gJSHVIpfjRA

[ConnieTact]

1 hour ago, Fissues said:

https://apple.news/AKH9-JDjDQQ-gJSHVIpfjRA

Yeah! But my report is better! 😅😂❤️ Happy new year!