OBSERVATIONS FROM THE POOP DECK SEASCAPE

[morpheusofthesea]

Preparing for another glorious week aboard the MSC Seascape out of Port Miami, to wipe away any vestige memory of our recent Regent Grandeur stint.   

   Something must be said about antics occurring in hotels and cruise ships by low class vacationers. Disgusting adulterations to complimentary and especially to the mini bar products. Stealing product and replacing products with 'whatever' and covering up the theft to unawares future occupants.  The only way to stop this theft and its consequences is to raise prices and/or just make everything in the cabin provided as complimentary or just remove 'for charge' items altogether.  In the meantime traveling only in suites like the Yacht Club will be the only 'safe' way to travel as everything is complimentary and no need to 'steal' and replace. This probably has been going on for years, but now it is a 'thing' to document and show how it is done on social media.

   Ones first impression of a cruise is ones arrival and treatment at the terminal. Really, Really, looking forward to MSC's new terminal at the Port of Miami in April 2025. The Yacht Club area use to be a separate big room with MSC terminal staff to serve drinks, Champagne, etc to the guests seated on cushioned sofas and sometimes we even had entertainment. Of course this all starts with ones arrival at the terminal at the Port of Miami with a separate entrance and drop off with a 'special' terminal porter to tag ones luggage. (No carry on over 25" allowed into terminal as it will not fit through security x-ray and one will be stopped at the door entering the terminal and asked to step back and find a porter to check it). Regent Seven Seas check in is completely egalitarian. No separate lines, everyone crowded in front of terminal. A separate small self service table with hot water and coffee and for those that want some chips or soda Regent has two vending machines, so bring small bills.

Edited April 18 by morpheusofthesea

[JAGR]

45 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

The Yacht Club area use to be a separate big room with MSC terminal staff to serve drinks, Champagne, etc to the guests seated on cushioned sofas and sometimes we even had entertainment.

I do miss the old YC waiting area, but I am hoping they will actually invest in comfortable and ergonomic seating. Those old sofas and stools were a bit too firm and low for comfort.  Have a great trip!

[morpheusofthesea]

22 minutes ago, JAGR said:

I do miss the old YC waiting area, but I am hoping they will actually invest in comfortable and ergonomic seating. Those old sofas and stools were a bit too firm and low for comfort.  Have a great trip!

Your point is well taken and am sure that whatever MSC does for its YC guests it will be first class. About the cushions...am reminded of my DW's principal telling the teachers "Your students will probably never remember what you taught them, but they will always remember how you 'treated' them."  I do not remember how soft or firm the cushions were, only that we were the only ones that got cushions in the terminal.

[mafig]

Cannot wait to read more.😍

[Bgwest]

He’s back!!!😃😃😃

[Two Wheels Only]

8 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Really, Really, looking forward to MSC's new terminal at the Port of Miami in April 2025. The Yacht Club area use to be a separate big room with MSC terminal staff to serve drinks, Champagne, etc to the guests seated on cushioned sofas and sometimes we even had entertainment.

 

I also miss the old Yacht Club area in Miami BUT on my last sailing out of Miami, it was so quick to arrive, check-in, and board, it didn't really matter to us. 

[morpheusofthesea]

1 hour ago, Two Wheels Only said:

it was so quick to arrive, check-in, and board, it didn't really matter to us. 

That really can be a Godsend when the terminal is operated by someone other than the cruise line. Like the port authority that operates like a bank. The doors to an air conditioned terminal will not open until 10 am and early arrivals from airports and area hotels have to stand around in hot summer temperatures. (DW passed out and fire rescue had to come). How cruise lines take care of passengers before, during  and after are all important to our well being and enjoyment. I remember Princess dumped a bus load of us off at the curb in Australia to fend for ourselves with luggage and no porters in sight 30 years ago and we never forgot that. The treatment we hope to receive at the new MSC terminal in Miami might just be a sought after treat just like the Captain's cocktail party. If the processing of each one of us becomes a more enjoyable procedure, some of us might linger longer to absorb a 2nd or 3rd glass of Champagne before being escorted to our cabins.

Edited April 18 by morpheusofthesea

[At Sea At Peace]

9 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Preparing for another glorious week aboard the MSC Seascape out of Port Miami, to wipe away any vestige memory of our recent Regent Grandeur stint.   

 

MOTS - Though lengthy 😉, enjoy following (most of the time).  🤔  Will follow.  Enjoy your cruise.  If you find the time and recall, please give our best to the YC waiter 'killa' and especially assistant 'tristan' and tell them 'table 31 - no bread, protein only' says hello (they were GREAT for 2-weeks on our recent B2B).

[morpheusofthesea]

6 minutes ago, At Sea At Peace said:

Though lengthy 😉

I learned from Winston Churchill that a report "should be like a woman's skirt, long enough to cover the subject, yet short enough to create interest."

[morpheusofthesea]

16 minutes ago, At Sea At Peace said:

If you find the time and recall, please give our best to....

Oh, I'll have plenty of time. I did just that for another fellow ultracrepidarian and the maitre d looked at me as if I was describing an ET. As much as we 'think' of ourselves as the end all be all of mankind, these new found 'friends' forget us the moment we get off the ship. I have found that even a frequent cruiser like myself has to wave some $$ to refresh their memories (and even then I think they feigned recognition).

Edited April 18 by morpheusofthesea

[travelwide]

Welcome back....Will be following.

[no1talks]

10 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

"The only way to stop this theft and its consequences is to raise prices and/or just make everything in the cabin provided as complimentary or just remove 'for charge' items altogether.  In the meantime traveling only in suites like the Yacht Club will be the only 'safe' way to travel as everything is complimentary and no need to 'steal' and replace."

The cruise lines want consumables in the rooms because it's a good place for an impulse buy, just like the stuff retailers put in proximity to checkout areas. My guess: Cruise lines will tighten things using practices the hotels have been using for years.

 

13 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

"In the meantime traveling only in suites like the Yacht Club will be the only 'safe' way to travel as everything is complimentary and no need to 'steal' and replace."

It's only a matter of time before the included minibar in YC goes away. If MSC can yank the included drink package and spa massages from poor, bereft Aurea, they'll pull the included minibar from YC someday. Look for it as soon as the minibar upkeep and inventory become too much of a time sink for the stretched YC staff. Remember: The number of new ships' YC cabin is a-growin'.
 

13 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

"Really, Really, looking forward to MSC's new terminal at the Port of Miami in April 2025."

The first VIP lounge at the new terminal is going to Explora, I'd wager. I don't think we can absolutely count on a lounge for YC as well, or even that an Explora lounge will be shared with YC. 

 

[no1talks]

4 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

"I remember Princess dumped a bus load of us off at the curb in Australia to fend for ourselves with luggage and no porters in sight 30 years ago and we never forgot that."

30 years ago, I was a newlywed dad and not close to being able to get on a cruise ship. Nowadays, I study the history of cruising to be a better-educated passenger.

Please correct me if my interpretation of cruising history is off the mark because, afterall, I wasn't on the ships.

I don't think shoddy treatment should have been a shock on a Princess cruise 30 years ago. The brand had a huge expansion in the 80s. Owners P&O rebadged some of their own ships over to Princess to accommodate the growth. P&O acquired another cruise line and rebadged more ships to Princess. Then the 90s started.

Recession. Oil spikes. American cruise market maybe not so hot. Now, Princess ships are getting transferred to P&O. No sooner does the century turn than P&O spins-off Princess into a standalone and Carnival grabs it just a few years into the millenium.

Again, those who were cruising and following the industry closely back then can point out my errors, but I think your Australian experience was simply a case of a cruise line that was losing its way after a decade of Laissez les bons temps rouler.

[no1talks]

5 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

"If the processing of each one of us becomes a more enjoyable procedure, some of us might linger longer to absorb a 2nd or 3rd glass of Champagne before being escorted to our cabins."

As I recall, MSC is building the place to park three big, honkin' ships at once. In round numbers, that's up to 6k on and 6k off each of those ships. While a relaxing, no-rush space would be sweet, I don't foresee MSC doing much to encourage any lingering.

[no1talks]

4 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

"As much as we 'think' of ourselves as the end all be all of mankind, these new found 'friends' forget us the moment we get off the ship. I have found that even a frequent cruiser like myself has to wave some $$ to refresh their memories (and even then I think they feigned recognition)."

Having spent quite a few years in the hospitality food and beverage sector, I can state for a fact the majority of HFB service professionals are not as enamored with us as we may be with them.

There are, of course, exceptions that extend beyond the workplace. They are rare.

Edited April 19 by no1talks

[morpheusofthesea]

6 hours ago, no1talks said:

I think your Australian experience was simply a case of a cruise line that was losing its way after a decade of Laissez les bons temps rouler.

Interesting analysis. The "good times" written were NOT on the part of us passengers. They were the good times of the staff and officers of these cruise ships. We were just a necessary inconvenience that had to be put up with every week. We were privy to some behind the scenes information. Even our closest friend who worked as a pianist succumbed to the Princess mystic. He left Orient Lines for Princess because he heard from friends that the staff were treated better than passengers. "The Love Boat" was true for all those on board, except the passengers. 

[morpheusofthesea]

6 hours ago, no1talks said:

I don't foresee MSC doing much to encourage any lingering

I can dream, can't I ?

[morpheusofthesea]

7 hours ago, no1talks said:

The first VIP lounge at the new terminal is going to Explora, I'd wager. I don't think we can absolutely count on a lounge for YC as well, or even that an Explora lounge will be shared with YC. 

 

Will report as we are booked on Explora as well.

[no1talks]

1 hour ago, morpheusofthesea said:

"'The Love Boat' was true for all those on board, except the passengers."

 

Thank you, Morpheus, for adding color to my analytical musings.

[Fogfog]

That large lounge for YC in Miami was nice

 

Though in March, we dropped the bags, were whisked inside into the AC, checked  in (very small room) and the YC Dirc and some butlers were moving small groups onto the ship very quickly. We were in the YC lounge and drink in hand right about 11! Lovely food and beverages in the lounge. So very civilized. 

 

On the crew shenanigans.. we hear that's pretty common. 

 

We are trying another line shortly (because we couldn't get into YC and on a ship we wanted for a TA). And the differences are startling. I wont bore you here with it all (not nearly "inclusive"---- except to say there will be no YC type of check in with special porters/tags/YC Dir greeting and wristbands. 

 

Have a great sailing. Look fwd to reading.  

Best, FOG

[At Sea At Peace]

19 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Oh, I'll have plenty of time. I did just that for another fellow ultracrepidarian and the maitre d looked at me as if I was describing an ET. As much as we 'think' of ourselves as the end all be all of mankind, these new found 'friends' forget us the moment we get off the ship. I have found that even a frequent cruiser like myself has to wave some $$ to refresh their memories (and even then I think they feigned recognition).

 

Oh, I'm quite sure they will remember.  They were 'the most enjoyable part of our entire B2B @ dinner each evening.'  We had a very interactive time with them, especially funny with assistant Tristan, who I made so nervous pouring the wine he would get it all over the place and I threatened to buy a $2.99 rain poncho for dinner the next night.  😉  

 

Another hint is we were known as the 'strawberry people' that put such in our champagne or prosecco, and after Tristan 'got it' we got the following at each seating on the table before we arrived.  We also shared, and others thought it was a nice touch.

 

Thanks if you can.  Enjoying the follow.

 

[Fogfog]

14 hours ago, no1talks said:

Having spent quite a few years in the hospitality food and beverage sector, I can state for a fact the majority of HFB service professionals are not as enamored with us as we may be with them.

There are, of course, exceptions that extend beyond the workplace. They are rare.

I believe it.

 

On recent B2B we were discussing how the YC Dir and others often have the ability to make you think you are the center of the universe, and then do the same for the guy in the next chair. It is quite a gift to make everyone's vacay special. Requires a lot of stamina

 

OTOH when we boarded the Seashore, going into Lunch at Embarkation and Asst M'D knew us from Meraviglia--  and so did a few others in the YC crew/staff.

We did remember the Asst M'D.

One of the Butlers said he knew us from the Meraviglia. 

We had done 4BtoBs so had gotten to know a lot of the YC folks and we spread the ca$h to a lot of people when we left that sailing.

That said we weren't certain that the waitstaff/waitress that claimed to know us really did. Even if she was playing us--she did a great job of making certain we were happy. 

We always do handwritten notes in envelopes with ca$h because we are treated so well without having to ask. 

 

 

 

[morpheusofthesea]

10 minutes ago, Fogfog said:

That said we weren't certain that the waitstaff/waitress that claimed to know us really did.

It happens especially to us old folks. Just walking down the street in Cozumel a young guy outside a shop stops us with a big smile and hello and says "You don't recognize me ? I'm your waiter on the ship. I got the afternoon off to help my family ,come in take a look around."

  Another time the salesperson locked the door once we were inside.

 Come to think about it the Rug shop in Istanbul locked the whole bus load of us in as well. Must be standard worldwide operating procedure ?

Edited April 19 by morpheusofthesea

[Fogfog]

Rug shops in Morocco too. ha.

 

We figured even if we didn't know the woman, she certainly hustled to make sure we were happy. So she earned her tip. 

 

I am amazed that the YC staff knows names and preferences so quickly. I do wonder if the smart ships and wristbands help them at point of service.

 

We have had more than 1 bartender from ship to ship that seemed to know when to expect us whether before or after dinner and would have 2 fingers of Macallan neat for DH.

 

We had a bartender he'd find us on deck and bring us fabulous icy drinks of melon/basil and ? while we were enjoying a sea day (another line)

 

Great crew are a treasure. 

 

Sail well 😉

 

[Best Cat Mom]

So excited to see you beginning another thread, and this time you're back on Seascape. We're on her in September for a B2B. Many of the YC crew with us on Divina are beginning their holidays in the next few weeks and are not sure where they may be come September. Several said that Seascape might be their next contract. I'm guessing this is because they prefer the Caribbean.

 

(Now back to finishing my so-called Live thread. Only 4 days behind now.)

 

Buon viaggio!