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Everything posted by kernow
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It would depend to me on how you are looking at the cruise. Is it just an add on to a holiday to see a bit more because it's a good price or is it a big part of the holiday to add a bit of relaxation and pampering (that's how I view YC). Also what time of year is the cruise? If it's in school holidays I wouldn't even consider sailing from the UK outside of YC, that's when you read all the horrific reviews about long queues, bad service and no seats around the ship. BTW not many big ships visit Falmouth (which is near me) so quite a nice itinerary.
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MSC Virtuosa - Tips on avoiding busy areas and crowds?
kernow replied to moto50's topic in MSC Cruises
L'Atelier bar has not been as busy as some of the others on deck 6 when we've been onboard but never been on at full capacity. I would think next week may be a bit quieter as the schools will have gone back. -
Colon, Panama from Miami: opportunity to visit the canal?
kernow replied to Elkins45's topic in MSC Cruises
We stopped at Colon on a Celebrity cruise and took the ferry excursion through the canal. It was excellent, I would recommend it, looks like MSC do the same one. -
Late departure? How does one buy it?
kernow replied to LoganTheCruiser's topic in Royal Caribbean International
I've only ever seen the late departure offered on certain European itineraries, don't know if they do it on US cruises at all. Strangely enough on cruises outside of the US we've never really had any lines and even in US ports don't think we've ever waited hours, perhaps we've been lucky. We usually just sit in a lounge somewhere and wait until the crowds have gone down a bit. -
Look forward to following. We'll be on Virtuosa in May for the third time, love the ship. I'm sure you'll have a great time especially as you are travelling in YC which can be a nice relaxing escape when the ship is very busy.
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MSC Virtuosa - European metropolis tour - 19/27 March
kernow replied to LiquidWu's topic in MSC Cruises
Thanks for your review, I enjoyed it. Looking forward to our cruise in May. -
That's the one we always go for, we pack it up and bring it home as we don't mind getting our drinks from the bar.
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List from last year on Virtuosa, don't know if it has changed recently but imagine something similar.
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I actually think they would make more money if they changed. I quite often like the sound of one of the signature cocktails priced at 1 euro/ pound above the package limit. If I only had to pay the difference I'd try it but as I have to pay the whole price I just stick with something included in the package. I think a lot of people would do the same.
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MSC Virtuosa - European metropolis tour - 19/27 March
kernow replied to LiquidWu's topic in MSC Cruises
I'm enjoying your review so far, we're going on Virtuosa again in May also in YC. This 'cruise' you have booked looks great, we're big F1 fans. I've just been on to the MSC website to read the details and love the look of the packages. We're already booked for a Panama canal cruise in Nov this year but hoping they repeat this next year as DH has a big birthday and the hospitality package sounds amazing. We did the Abu Dhabi GP on a Celebrity cruise a few years ago and it was brilliant. -
MSC booking number is 8 digits, all numbers. You need to go back to the TA and ask for the MSC number and then you will be able to log in to the website and app. Drink packages and other things are available to see and purchase on there, also you will be able to check in. Everything is more expensive to purchase onboard so make sure you get anything you want before(I think pre purchases close 2 days before the cruise). Any menus you find in pounds will be last years prices so may increase slightly this season. If you search 'Virtuosa ' in this forum topic you will find lots of threads, I myself have done live threads for the last 2 years and others have too so there is plenty of info. Things will not have changed much when you go.
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It depends when your cruise is as to the currency onboard. It is currently Euros as the 'home port' is Hamburg at the moment. When the home port switches to Southampton in April the currency will switch to pounds for the summer season. Drink package is always cheapest to buy when you first book, most expensive when you are onboard. Sterling onboard prices have not gone up per drink for at least 18 months, there is speculation they are about to as the packages just went up (although the dearer Easy package will include a better selection of beers) From a pub menu I have from last year draught beers start at £6.50 a pint.
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It depends what you and your 9 year old like. Med at that time of year will be hot and ports busy but you can mix up sightseeing with a couple of beach days for a more relaxed feel. Northern Europe will probably be a bit cooler but you can still find lots of child friendly things to do in all the ports. There will be plenty of different nationalities onboard wherever you go and lots of families with children.
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Advice and suggestions welcomed
kernow replied to lovetocruise/diamond's topic in Royal Caribbean International
We are from the UK not US but did the trip last Nov/Dec. Our trip did not go to plan (caught covid midway through) and ended up spending a lot of extra time in Sydney but we absolutely loved the city and saw lots of things we'd never planned. Can't wait to return. It took me over a week to fully adjust to the time difference so allow yourself plenty of time. My top tip would be to head over to the Australian board on CC where there are lots of very helpful locals who can answer all your questions. -
The Kids clubs are exactly the same as in the Caribbean.
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July/August is European school holidays so there will be lots of kids onboard. Med cruise will be very different to Iceland /Baltic, like comparing Carribean to Alaska, Europe is a big place😁. Although Americans see Med as port intensive to us this side of the pond it's like our Caribbean so all the ports can be beach stops if you want them to be, it's what you make it. When our son was younger we cruised all the Europe itineraries and he always had a great time. Most Southern Europeans cruise in family groups and love children so not usually hostile to them.
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Yes, I think so.
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Testing Positive for Covid Prior to Cruise
kernow replied to datone's topic in Royal Caribbean International
Aren't they still requiring testing for all cruises from Australia? That is where the OP is from. -
As you are from the UK you may want to try Antonio.Paradiso@msccruises.co.uk. Antonio is the managing director of the UK office, we've met him a couple of times on Virtuosa (where he regularly sails incognito) and he always seems very open to genuine problems.