Hearthosesteeldrumsplayin

How are the craps tables? Minimums, odds bets? I know that O only has craps on newer ships, but we will be on Vista, so hoping for craps. Only reason I go to casino is for craps and one of the reasons I like cruising is for casinos (not available in my state!)

Wow! Didn't know this was available! Already have my Regent's and Oceania cruises booked for next couple of years, but will certainly watch for this for future cruises!

We did a side2side on MSC Mera to NCL Sky. We were in Yacht Club on MSC and OS on NCL. Of course, Sky much smaller ship. However, we are sapphire on NCL. Have sailed 2x on MSC (Bellissima and Meraviglia). We enjoy both lines. I can't really comment on the non-YC experience, but on our first sailing on MSC, I remember thinking that I was happy with the Yacht Club, but didn't think I would enjoy being outside of the YC. YC used to be significantly less expensive than Haven, but it is catching up. YC includes drinks and the thermal suite, which you pay extra for on NCL. MSC has announcements in multiple languages (at least on Med cruises), can't remember it that much on our 2023 Caribbean sailing. I do know on both MSC sailings, I was sad to get off the ship!!!

I think the Haven experience will be very beneficial for your family and their needs. You should know that the Haven pool is not like the other pools on board....it is mostly for sunning....only a small space for actual swimming (more like one of those resistance-type pools)....so if your son is truly interested in a pool for swimming, you might need to go to the main ship pool. I hope you have a wonderful and stress-free cruise!

Thanks for pursuing this issue. I have been looking forward to my next Celebrity cruise (and particularly the casino!), as there was no smoking on our 1st cruise. This was one of the reasons I am returning to Celebrity. My personal feeling is that vaping and cigarette smoking put the same bad things into the air I breathe. Vaping doesn't smell as noxious, but the harmful stuff is still there!

Happy Birthday and best of luck in the casino! Win BIG!!!! And have a blast, no matter what!

In my research, it seems like River cruises can NOT be compared to ocean voyages. However, I am game to try. I have contemplated the Mississippi Queen. Viking would seem to be way away from their home turf for that cruise. Memphis had horrific storms this past weekend, so you are lucky that there was power for the Graceland tour, as Millington Naval Air Station (just N of Memphis) is STILL without power today!

Rec'd email today that Reflection switched to Beyond. Very excited to sail on Beyond and would love to meet Cpt Kate. However, switch was evidently "no charge", but prices are actually LOWER than what we booked for. Waiting to hear what shakes out on that!

Don't know if this in any way applies, but when we checked in to our 3 bedroom Dawn cruise, our cabin had been cancelled. This was our original cabin. A couple in our group (we were coming from different locations) tested positive for CoVID, so they cancelled ALL of us. NCL was able to re-instate, but I actually thought "wonder if they had upgraded someone to our cabin and now have to tell them, oops, sorry!" What a let-down that would be! Of course, it would have been heck if we were not able to re-secure the stateroom, too!

I have been comparison shopping for 2024 cruise that includes Rome and Istanbul. NCL Haven cheaper than RSSC (understandably), but to my surprise, Celebrity was actually $10K MORE than RSSC. Looking at 2 staterooms for RSSC, a 2 bedroom HAVEN suite for NCL, and an Edge Villa in the Retreat for X, since there will be 4 of us. (Note that the NCL and X cruise were 1 day longer than RSSC.) It is certainly in your best interest to look around!

Suite prices up all over. I am doing comparison shopping for a cruise that will hit Rome and Istanbul for later 2024. After comparing what is included or adding those components in where I would have to buy them myself, I am finding that NCL's HAVEN is coming up best in terms of price, Regent's Seven Seas is running about $10k more (I have to add in for flight deviations, since we are not in a gateway area and want to fly in early/out late), and X for 2 Sky Suites is about $2K less than Regent's, but the Edge Villa is actually $10K MORE than RSSC. What I am really having to weigh is the itinerary, stateroom and "feel" of the ship. We have done RSSC and found it quite enjoyable, but it doesn't have the bells and whistles of the larger ships and has restricted dining times. Dining was superb, but we like the flexibility we have experienced in HAVEN. This is a graduation present (college, masters) for my son, so want it to be special. I really like the look of the Edge Villa and the X itinerary is the best, but WOW! those prices! (I looked at MSC and RCCL, but they didn't have itinerary during the time I wanted). O seems to have it, but waiting on pricing to finish my comparison. (Full disclosure: 1 additional day with NCL and X over RSSC.) I think there are several things driving the pricing: the pent up demand from Covid lock downs, the fact that many people have more saved for cruising because they didn't spend it over the past couple of years, and the amount of credits on cruise lines because of cancellations. I am really hoping that this will settle out over the next couple of years as DH has restricted time off and does not like crowds, so ship-within-ship concept works best for us.

Does anyone know how these prices compare to the spa on the private island? And, I assume that the Latitudes % off would not apply while on the island in that spa?

I had an issue with my check-in. When putting the credit card that I wanted my ship board charges to go against, I kept getting rejected. I called, but it was the weekend, and technical services is only available M-F. However, I FINALLY figured out what was kicking it.....I was checking the box that indicated the address was the same as booking address. Which is true.....but when it goes into the boxes at check-in it messes up the address by putting a city and state in where it only asks for City (or something similar). I caught that by accident and when i cleaned up the address information, it took the payment it had rejected over multiple days!

We take Liberty wooden puzzles on cruises, too! In fact, the Black Bear is making an appearance on our side-to-side MSC/NCL cruise the first week of May!

We've sailed on the Dawn a few times and I would not hesitate to sail her again! I actually like the smaller ships and I think Dawn is in the best size range for us. Not soooo many people, but big enough to have lots of amenities. Never had a bad experience on her.

I LOVE that towel birthday cake! How cute!

@Sthrngary Thank you for sharing, Gary. I think that we are usually looking for similar cruise experiences, so knew that you would include items I am also concerned about! Karla.

@Sthrngary I am looking at a comparison of O vs. RSSC vs NCL vs X for next year. I know that you are also a compulsive planner like me. Would you mind sharing your spreadsheet that lists the factors you used to determine which cruise line for your European cruise? I have put one together, but feel certain I have missed some critical point. TIA! Karla.

Have sailed lots of Haven cabins on NCL. Sailed on MSC YC. Sailed Celebrity Retreat. Did a TA on Regents. I enjoyed all of them. I appreciate Regents because of the smaller ship size (although we were on one of the larger ones, Splendor), the attention to detail, included biz air for international, and included shorex. I definitely want to sail RSSC again! I sailed under a promotion of 2 category upgrade, and felt the cost was in-line with a Haven suite after adding all the air, shorex, upscale dining, tips, etc. Mind you, we normally dress up for dinner, anyway (not tux, but Dockers and polo shirt; not formal gown, but nice tea-length dress or skirt and nice top). Less preferable aspects were the set dining times (time range, but limited) and the very limited bells/whistles of entertainment and activities (but we both love to read, so not a deal-breaker). Casino was small and almost empty every night, although craps table min. was only $5, which is much better than NCL. (And, as a craps player, MSC misses the mark for me....not sure about Europa.) Haven makes us happy, but the prices have gotten sky-high since return. If we are travelling with others, we usually will look at NCL first, since it has so many options that can please many folks. We will be trying Oceania in February. Just to compare. For a special trip, I would definitely do a cost comparison with a luxury line like RSSC---but the major factor will be what YOU are looking for in a cruise. Europa still an unknown and I am like others in wanting to hear about it from someone who has actually sailed her. I prefer smaller ships, as DH does not like crowds. Although it has been our experience that you can almost always find quiet, secluded places on any size ship (although we haven't tried any of the MASSIVE of the SEAS yet). You can meet interesting people on ANY size ship. No matter what you pick, you will be with the one you love and THAT is what makes it special!

We were on an NCL cruise post-CoVID startup and there was a lady with a small dog that she pushed all over the ship in a stroller. Evidently a "comfort" animal. Think NCL has since discontinued that feature. Think several other lines re-thought "comfort" animals, too.

Yay! New opportunity came out today on the EDGE series reading with quiz.

Not working for me, either. Can't even get past avatar name (not even indicating it is taken!)

We usually roll points over....however, with the pandemic, we ended up losing them all (time limitation). I did roll the next few times. We asked on last night of our last cruise; casino host says they automatically apply to your on board account if over 2,500 points. We had about $40 worth, and told them we wanted to play them. (You can only use for slot machines, and not all of the slot machines.) DH & I sat side by side; I ran through all of mine without any hits....he hit for $500! And, just as an FYI.....you can roll between NCLH branded ships. We had points from RSSC and NCL. I am trying out Oceania next Feb, so may roll my NCL Sky summer cruise points just to see how it goes....you have 18 months before they expire.

Out TA called before our 2020 transatlantic to offer us an upgrade. It was our 1st RSSC cruise, so not sure if that was an anomaly because ship was sailing light at that time because of CoVID? I'd sure be interested in getting that opportunity again!

So happy to follow this S2S with you! We are doing S2S in May, MSC YC to NCL Suite (no Haven on the ship). I am curious about the move between the ships, as I am worried about that. I know that we can hop a cab, but we will have an infant with us and no car seat. I was thinking about walking, but have been unable to find how far it is between terminals. I think that MSC is Terminal J pending their new terminal completion---was that true for you? And did X come in at the RCL terminal or another one? Trying to get a feel for distance, since the new NCL terminal is next door to the RCL terminal at POM. Appreciate any insight. And enjoying your review!