JonoBhoy

This is really encouraging to hear. My wife and I very recently booked onboard Onward next year (Adriatic Adventure), it will be our first time on Azamara, and first time on a smaller ship in general. I only came across this chat board after booking, and skimming though some of the headline threads did leave me a little concerned. This will be only our sixth cruise, mostly on Celebrity with a couple in MSCs Yacht Club. The reality is we have enjoyed every cruise we've been on regardless of any minor cons, so, as always, I take the comments on this board with a pinch of salt (which the Celebrity food could do with!) as I suspect most of what I've read will simply dissolve based on all the wonderful experiences I suspect out upcoming cruise will offer. The reason for us trying something new is two fold; One, our last cruise was on Edge (Caribbean) in the Retreat in Jan 23 (we booked in Jan 22 before the cost of everything went haywire), it was great (not without fault) but the cost of booking that product for a comparable itinerary now is +60-80% on what we paid previously...which when placed side by side with the product simply doesn't represent value for money. Two, the Med itineraries on offer from the bigger ships simply don't excite us (been there, done that) whereas the ports of call and experiences outlined from Azamara are streets ahead. I very much look forward to our first experience with Azamara, and all being well I suspect we may have a new line to consider when booking future cruises, but the reality is we will likely chop and change between lines/ships based on what we want to get out of a trip, but my hope is Azamara can be added to the mix for us going forward... 🙂

On a recent Celebrity Cruise they didn't open the bars until sail away and we plan on staying onboard on a couple of ports on our upcoming Seaview sailing from Palma. Can anyone confirm that MSC keep their bars (specifically YC) open whilst in port? Thanks

I agree. I thoroughly enjoy reading though them. I suppose the overarching point is, regardless of the list of complains I see out there I always look forward to and (to date) enjoy my cruise.

Okay Rich. Okay

There has been a lot of complaining on here in recent months about perceived standards slipping across the MSC products and genuine experiences from customers. What perplexes me is the rational some folk give for their views and how far and deep their search is prepared to go to find something not to their liking. Everyone is of course entitled to their views and indeed places like this give a platform for all manner of topics. What I find strangest of all is some of the things people are basing their views on. People seem to treat cruise lines (not just MSC) as their own personal product, rather than like a chain of hotels or a resort which they gravitate to. Unless I am mistaken I don't see Hilton/Marriot/Hyatt... boards where people complain about (for instance); a change of wine choices the resturent hold, the size of beef tenderloin on offer at dinner, the lack of free ice cream at a bar, not being allowed to order two main courses at the MDR every night... Unless these people are shareholders then I just don't get the level of investment people have for a particular cruise line, and this works both ways. Some feel the need vent their disappointment like its one of their children whilst others defend any criticism like its a personal attack. Now I have only sailed MSC once (YC in 2019), and have an upcoming cruise in September on Seaview (in YC) upon which to hang my own views. But what I refuse to read into before I go on it is the "MSC has gone down the pan" brigade purely based on some of the criticism I see out there, as I simply don't think what I have seen will impact my enjoyment to any great degree. I will of course, come back with my tail between my legs if the trip is a mess, but regardless of what is presented to us, we'll make the most of it and have a blast. From there we'll make an informed decision on where and on what we want to sail (or fly to) next... END OF LINE

Perhaps from the school of "fake news"?! 🤣

We sailed in Retreat on Celebrity in January, out of Fort Lauderdale. We were fortunate enough to have booked it pre-world-meltdown. Although the price we booked it at was what I would call expensive, we re-priced it (out of interest) a few months before sailing and our expensive cruise was now astronomical (+~40%). However, Celebrity pricing for this and next year (especially for their Retreat product) has gone wild (+60/70% on what we paid for out last sailing). It's not an option anymore for us, unless it comes back down significantly. over the course. What this has done is brought us back to MSC's table. We have only sailed MSC once, in YC back in 2019 and had a great time. We have just booked up on Seaview in YC for September. I look forward to making a comparison to the product we have just experienced on Celebrity, with eyes wide open and taking into consideration the significant cost difference when doing that evaluation. MSC may not be for everyone, and I don't expect everything to be quite as high end as what was experienced on Celebrity. It's obviously all relative, but for us we think MSC does provide a good value proposition versus the cost of going Celebrity (at least for now). One downside of MSC I do seem to come across is their lack of niche/appealing itineraries, which is where we may look at other lines for specific trips.

Looking amazing. We are aboard on 2nd Jan after a 5 year Celebrity hiatus. Like you, we have an affinity with the Solstice class ships (Reflection/Solstice, however I am looking forward to what Edge has to offer. Hoping we enjoy it as much as you did 🙂

Some of the condescending responses are quite something. The OP (like many) are paying a premium price for a premium product with their hard-earned green. When that falls way below the expected standard you are entitled to let someone know. Moreover, when your complaints have no one listening to them let alone addressing them, you can understand the frustration. Some people on here take criticism of Celebrity as a personal attack.

What do you mean by this? I am intrigued, what's a 'room charge'? We are on Edge sailing from Fort Lauderdale around Caribbean on 2nd Jan

Is anyone able to tell me how much an Apple Watch Series 8 (41mm + Cellular) costs onboard in the iLounge? Just trying to compare prices versus buying one as a Christmas give on-shore before we leave. Thanks in advance

I am on Edge in January. Never heard of this, hat is Starlink??

It's amazing. I've never had it anywhere other than Glasgow, Scotland. But anyone who can make a margarita and has a chilli to hand should be able to cover it off.

Try a Matahari https://www.heraldscotland.com/life_style/13092377.diy-cocktails-making-spicy-scottish-matahari/

Thanks Den. Wife and I are in a SS on Edge (first on an E-Class ship) in January and throughly looking forward to it. Your review has re-affirmed my decision to try an E ship in a suite. Looking forward to your follow-up on Retreat, Luminae and SS.