helenb

The soda package is a steal compared to the nonalcoholic package. The mocktails are good (we didn't try the smoothies). The only reason to go to the full non-alcoholic package is if you really need coffee included.

I don't drink at all, and my husband drinks 1-2 alcoholic drinks a day on vacation. We get the soda package as well. My husband will bring 1-2 bottles of wine onboard to have a glass before dinner (or carry it to the dining room to have with dinner). But he keeps the small bottles of alcohol from the Elite minibar. Then he will order a virgin mocktail (which is included with the soda package) and add in alcohol from the mini bottles. So other than the soda package, we never need to purchase drinks onboard. I agree with others that being Elite makes it obvious that Plus isn't for us. Between me not drinking alcohol and the discounted wifi, Plus just doesn't work out without some kind of TA promotion. The laundry is really nice. Every 3-4 days I send out our socks, underwear, t-shirts, etc. It's nice to have clean things rather than a growing pile of stinky clothes! It also helps me pack less on a longer trip. For example, we are going around the British Isles on Regal next month and will be away for nearly 3 weeks. But I'm only packing 1 week's worth of underwear/socks/etc. because we'll be able to get things laundered. The tender priority is helpful too. We have a lot of tender ports on this same British Isles cruise, and when planning our time ashore, I know that we'll be able to get ashore relatively quickly.

I was wondering about that too... but reading carefully, looks like it was a P&O cruise. One thing I love about Princess is that they're really good at entertainment. There are always a lot of different activities and entertainers and shows. We quite enjoy sea days, although I do understand the 'stir crazy' feeling of wanting to get off after a week or so.

You can get there early and the people at the YC tent will take care of you. YC are the first people on board, once boarding begins.

Unfortunately, I cannot give you any information as to Christmas on MSC, as I have not experienced that myself. I have done Christmas cruises on Princess. It was nice, but for us, it did not feel like Christmas at home... almost as if we missed the holiday. But I think that comes down to personal preference. My favorite is to do a cruise over New Year's... you get Christmas at home, then enjoy the holiday decorations onboard, as well as the multiple NYE parties.

There was something in the FAQ on the site stating that as countries were added, they would be given sufficient time to adapt. The question is, what is sufficient time. 6 months is very reasonable. 2 months, maybe not? Regardless, TounchstoneFeste's suggestion is very reasonable. I check all of my travel arrangements again a couple of weeks before I travel, and this is something else that should be added to that list.

Oh trust me, we will be at the YC restaurant for lunch, probably right when it opens! And then probably at gelato for dessert.... 😉 But that is a great tip!

Yes, we have experienced that when driving or cruising in Europe before. I wasn't certain if the stop in Africa would make a difference or not.

Thanks for the info! We're fine if we have to go through customs when disembarking in Marseilles, but I agree, it would be nice not to have to do so!

Thank you, everyone for your responses. I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one confused, because that might mean that there have been no announcements/official statements... *fingers crossed*. I'm guessing that this might be like the Real ID rollout in the US that keeps being pushed forward and pushed forward and pushed forward...

Yep, that looks consistent with the information I found... what's bothering me is the vagueness of 'later in 2024' to roll out to other countries. Ah well, our trip is in 2 months. Perhaps I should just take it for granted that they can't announce and then begin enforcement in such a short time period? 😉

Okay, after some online investigation... ETIAS is for the EU. I am talking about the ETA (which seems to be a similar thing) for people entering the UK.

Perhaps it's the same thing? It's called the ETA on this website. https://www.etauk.uk/requirements/us-citizens This site also discusses it, but just says 'in 2024' without specific dates. https://uk-eta.com/eta-eligibility/uk-eta-for-american-citizens-everything-travellers-need-to-know/ If it has been pushed to 2025, that would be very helpful! 😉

I keep hearing that Americans will have to register via the ETA when entering the UK in 2024, but I cannot find a start date. Is this already in effect? We are cruising out of Southampton in June, so I'm trying to figure out if we need to apply.

Thanks, Alserod! Actually, we will be on Seaside which is a bit disappointing, since we have sailed her twice before and were hoping for a new ship. But hers is the one whose itinerary fits our dates. I appreciate the info about Barcelona. We have been there before, but it has been a long time. it will be weird to see the Sagrada Famila (nearly) complete when we are there in 2025!