Hearthosesteeldrumsplayin

So sorry to hear that you had issues! Glad to hear that you have (mostly) recovered! Enjoyed your postings on Grandeur! We are doing the Panama Canal on her in January, so really appreciated your coverage! Now, get back to 100% so you can post on your next cruise!

Our first MSC cruise was on the Belissima (new at that time), Med cruise. We enjoyed our experience with the staff, ship and stateroom (mind you, we were in the largest--private hot tub on our deck). Announcements in several languages, not so much. Casino without craps table, I had no use for. We are not pool people, so can't comment on that. Quartet playing in the YC lounge was very nice. The shows were different than we were used to on X or NCL or Royal; different, not bad. I will say, that had I not been in YC, I don't think I would sail MSC. I'm not wild about the constant embarkation/disembarkation going on. However, for the price point, especially with the increase in Retreat prices, I wouldn't exclude YC from consideration. But, for my next cruise (AUS/NZ), I am looking at Regent's, O, and X. While Regent's is higher (but not that much higher!), for a once-in-a-lifetime cruise, I think it would be worth it.

Did a TA on Regent after the Pandemic and enjoyed every minute. Food was great, loved our stateroom (PH), enjoyed the smaller ship size. Booked another cruise on RSSC. Our first O cruise was in Feb on the VISTA. Had a wonderful cruise, food was great, loved our stateroom (PH), enjoyed the ship size. Booked another cruise on O. I like Regent for the included business class flights, shorex and drinks. I like O for the more reasonable price point. I am happy on either! It just depends on what is important for the part of the world I plan to sail in, along with family preferences. (I want a craps table in the casino, so can only sail on certain O ships.) Assess what is most important to you. You'll find good food and good people on either line. As far as I am concerned, if I am on an upscale line its a WIN/WIN; but hey, you'll also find me in The Retreat (Celebrity), the Yacht Club (MSC), and the Haven (NCL). Each line has its own uniqueness and quirks, so I like to shake it up a bit. If I'm staying in the Caribbean, I can go mass market ship-within-a-ship, no problem. If I am planning far-afield cruises, then I tend to get pickier and want a better experience.

We are on Grandeur in January, so I think I'll try the crispy escargot, just for grins! Thanks for allowing us along on your trip! Have a great one!

Sailing on Beyond over the July4th week. Our cruise is almost sold out, too! (or maybe we are on same sailing?) But, I have noticed that even on the larger ships, you can often find quiet places to sit and read. Fingers crossed for all of us! Happy sailing!

If you are booking independently prior to your provided night, you should be able to use your Bonvoy account. If we arrive prior to 1 night, then we usually book on our own, since it is much cheaper than going through the cruise line. Just a thought....

Our first experience with cooking classes was on Splendor. A TA, so many sea days. We also did it on our Oceania cruise in Feb. Both were very fun. Certainly, don't plan lunch/dinner afterwards; you will be stuffed! I have already signed up for our Jan 2025 Splendor cooking classes. They are usually on sea days. I don't remember ever seeing one for embarkation day, but I am new to both lines. I'm a novice cook, so learning anything is a bonus for me! Getting to cook something that comes out so wonderful, and then eat it is just great! And on Splendor, there was wine flowing freely, as it was paired with each segment of the class!

One of the reasons I wasn't so hot on MSC Yacht Club was cruising every 3 years to maintain status. (Of course, we hit the highest status by doing the status match program, which was a boon! It did not make the current MSC loyalists too happy, though.) Sigh. I guess the times, they are a'changin'!

Does anyone know how to see how many points you have? We have done a couple of cruises, and I haven't used my casino points for freeplay at the end. I was planning to use them on my next cruise in January, as they used to carryover for 18 months. Now I'm thinking I may be SOL, especially if I don't qualify as Pearl. (But maybe I do....how would I know? They no longer give you card to play at the tables, you use your ship card.) I have received free rooms in the past, but I think I was only Jade at that time....

So sorry this happened to you. I would be disappointed, too! However, let me provide something that happened to us on an NCL cruise.....I'm sure whoever got our suite was over the top! We had a 3 bedroom suite booked soon after CoVID pauses reopened. We were meeting up with our long-time friends who live in a different state for this cruise. One couple tested + for CoVID just before the cruise. They cancelled (of course, this was AFTER payment was made, so they had to claim insurance). However, NCL CANCELLED the entire stateroom! We showed up to board and were told we didn't have our room! (I'm sure someone else had received the move-up bid!) After much jockeying, we were given our stateroom back. I thought at that time, "I bet someone is REALLY dissapointed!" Just one scenario....

We were on the VISTA in Feb. Casino pit boss offered us drinks multiple times (at craps table). I only ordered ice water once. No drink package. Just gave a tip.

GOARMY, sounds like we might be on the same sailing in January 2025! We are looking forward to Grandeur! We did a TA on Splendor around the same time you were crossing on Explorer a few years ago. Regent's was great, but prices mean we have to save up for it. But, with the increases for the Haven and Retreat, we are almost to Regent's prices on the big ships. And just like this post, I have learned much from your posts, so THANK YOU!

Darn, that means we will likely miss her!!

Also following! We are slated for Panama Canal on Grandeur next January! I can hardly wait! Our first Regent's cruise was a TA on Splendor.....one of the best cruises EVER for us! I am now eyeing Explorer for AUS/NZ in 2026.

Wow! Such lovely pictures! Sounds like you are having a wonderful, relaxing time! We are on Grandeur for the Panama Canal crossing next January and this thread is really getting me excited! Thank you for sharing!