mnpurple

I'm sure i've seen some before, but since we leave on Friday, anyone care to share a few of their requests? Last time I only asked for coffee in the mornings. This time I'm upping my game and asking for Bailey's along with my coffee. I think I was OK with the pillows on the last ship, but it's always hard to know what you'll get.

A rule of thumb I generally use is to keep my expectations fairly low and then I am more pleasantly surprised if things are better than that. I know some of the basics that come with YC and will make a few small requests. I will say that we always had too much food being delivered in the Haven and I felt bad for wasting it. We also tried giving the Butler "the letter" and it worked for a few things and not for others. I just felt a little awkward about it. I did a status match and should be Gold, but that was never reflected in my account, so I don't get those perks, but YC far exceeds that anyway and we'll be on for 11 days! Only one week to go!!!

@claireruth If it is above 60, just go! You don't go in the water, although my kids did jump in afterward. It was June, so fairly warm, but we are from MN, so they would do it at lower temps! There is a person at a table just outside the port and they have tours listed, but we made our own. The person will take the money and get the taxi driver. It's very easy. We did four hours and didn't do any arrangements ahead of time. Both drivers spoke English very well. I think it was a great option and the ship didn't have any excursions that took you to the Blue Grotto.

I am wondering the same thing! I think the person doing the review has some pull, just meets the right people or something. I have never been on the Celebrity Board, but I think she must be a very regular contributor. I'm glad she is having a great time, but I'm not expecting the same treatment, although some would be nice.

@hiccups If you look at the other review someone is doing on her Celebrity experience vs MSC, she seems to be getting star treatment. Butler is bringing things before she makes a request. Our experience on Seaview was good, but I asked for a few things and they said they couldn't do it (one was a larger towel that they had in the spa). I was told I had to call every morning for my coffee. Not a big deal, but I hate making calls and would have just liked to have a time set up daily. We actually weren't escorted most places and I didn't mind that. However, when we go on the Divina, I think I'd like to have someone show us the restaurant the first night. Of course on and off the ship priority is something I appreciate the ease of. We'll make the best and love the YC space. I will possibly venture into the buffet, but likely won't get anything unless there is a different type of yummy pizza!

It is so interesting to see the different experiences people have, even in YC. I will also find it interesting to see how MSC YC experiences are different from our Med trip to the Caribbean sailing next week. We were also in the Haven on Getaway last March. My family and I really enjoyed YC so much more. I'm just happy to sail and experience new places too!

We were in Malta recently and just hired a couple taxis for our group who helped us tour the area (18-24 year olds in our group). We went to Blue Grotto, which I highly recommend with teens. We took awhile for lunch, so didn't have much time for Mdina, but we did see it briefly. You can customize where you want to go and it was not too expensive.

I'm glad we were directed to your review from the MSC Board. My husband and I will be in Divina YC in about a week. I hope we get Kevin for our Butler because he sounds grreat! And I also made note of Ashish at the One Pool bar to try some rum punch! It seems that Divina YC is more attentive than when we were on Seaview this past spring. I loved the Swarovski staircases, they are really beautiful when the sun is shining on them. Can I ask what your room number is? It looks a bit more spacious than what I'm expecting.

This is selling me more and more on an interior. We'll see how our cruise goes next week before I decide if I should book another. Sometime I try not saying we have sailed in YC because so many think it's "snobby", but truth be told, we started in the Haven because medical reasons and just the ease of everything and felt the same about YC, especially with Covid. We have truly enjoyed those experiences and it made our lives easier. I guess I shouldn't feel the need to explain and it is a splurge, but one we decided is worth it for us.

Get the Foccaccia in Genoa! You won't regret it!

My daughters were in an interior on Seaview and said it was tight, but adequate. Someone had mentioned that if you like more shower space, there is access to the spa. So if you use the thermal spa anyway, just bring a few toiletries and use that shower. We used the spa several times anyway because it was a great perk! Just the fact that there is such a large pool/deck area steps away from your room also helps. Enjoy your trip!

Different ship, but when we were on Seaview in the Med, the laundry was approx 50 euro for 40 pieces. My daughters chose that, which is why I'm not exact. We will be on Divina in a few weeks (Caribbean) and our add on is similar. 40 pieces for $50, 20 for $38 or 10 for $28. Enjoy your cruise! My daughters and I did a road trip in Iceland and LOVED it, so beautiful there.

Thanks for such a thorough and detailed blog. Your timing is perfect for us! My husband and I leave on the 1/27 sailing. When I booked, it sounded exciting, but when I started further research, I kind of wondered what we were getting into. We've been to Ocho Rios, but it was 30 years ago for our honeymoon. We ended up booking mostly ship excursions (except in Costa Rica we went based on another recommendation for a private tour) because we just weren't sure about the ports, which is something we don't normally do. We're trying a rum tasting in Jamaica because the falls are maybe more intense than I am able to do anymore. I appreciated your comments about the HOHO in Cartagena. Initially I had read a review about a couple that hired a cab for a tour and we were going to do that, but I got nervous and booked a food tasting excursion. I may reconsider and go back to my initial thought. Do you feel it was fairly easy to get a cab at the port and work through language barriers as we don't speak Spanish. Same as you, we heard Panama Canal was a LONG day, but we also figured we might not get the chance again. We'll just need to be prepared for a full day! I also loved your comments on Ocean Cay! One of the reasons I also booked this itinerary is because we want a nice, peaceful and relaxing beach. I don't want a theme park. I'm surprised so many people just have no idea what they are heading into. Any thoughts on the ship/experience itself? We'll be in YC, so can avoid crowds. I have seen many, many people that love Divina and I'm sure we will as well.

@shipgeeks We just need to remember the nice people and try not to let the rest get us down!

I'm glad to hear this group is an improvement for you! I was wondering if what you saw on the first day was the "normal first day excitement" and hoped that was all. After two cruises, the last one I took my kids (18-25) on they said they needed to remember not to have too much fun on the first day so they felt better on the second day! It is disheartening to hear how some people feel entitled to treat staff and other guests poorly. I just don't understand it. I wasn't raised that way and certainly raised my kids to be respectful. When my kids were younger, I'd always tell them to hold the door open for people. The number of times that grown adults just walked through and didn't even acknowledge them always surprised me. I guess too many times people are just in their own worlds. I also think after Covid some people need to re-learn basic people skills again.

What time did you show up to embark? I've heard of a few immigration issues when ships return from Columbia, so kind of planning for potential delay. We'll be in YC, so hopefully not too chaotic, but we might not want to get there too early.

Only 2 1/2 weeks I'll be in Divina YC!!! Getting very excited. I can't compare to Oceania though. I was on Seaview and can see by room tours on-line that the rooms on Divina are smaller. I don't think that will be too big of a deal, however I liked the shower size on Seaview. I keep learning more about things to look for while on board. I don't recall hearing about any pool deck activities on our last sailing and didn't hear about a seafood extravaganza either. I'm not sure if things are done differently in the Med versus Caribbean, we'll soon find out! Loved our YC experience though (far better than Haven IMO).

One nice things versus other lines, you can have drinks delivered to your room. We would also do an order in the lounge and usually one of the Butlers will "insist" on carrying it back to your room for you. I enjoyed having a glass of wine while getting ready for dinner, or something after returning from an excursion.

Thanks for sharing all of the information. I'm sorry you're running into such inconsiderate people on the ship, but glad that isn't ruining anything for you. There was a pretty rowdy group on one of our last cruises and we'd just have to try to avoid them. When we go in a few weeks, it will be our first cruise over 7 days, so hoping 10 days won't be too much time on a ship. @ABC XYZ I see you're on the next sailing. If you feel like it, can you ask about the 1/27 cruise and numbers they are expecting? No big deal if you don't.

Do you have an excursion planned for Cartagena? I haven't quite decided what to do when there. I read where a couple hired a taxi for a few hours and am considering that route for a tour/lunch.

When we were on Seaview in the Med, we never noticed a seafood extravaganza, but it was very port heavy. We'll be on Divina soon, so hoping to catch it. Is it generally on a sea day or a port day?

Did you look by the gym for the smoothies? I don't know for sure, but seem to recall from videos that was the location.

Looking forward to following along. We are on 1/27 for a 10-day. Regarding the hotels, we got in on a black Friday deal for Riviera Hotel in South Beach for the day we disembark. Hoping it's a good place, but it's only one night.

On Seaview the thermal spa is all co-ed. The locker rooms were just showers, restrooms and changing area with no separate sauna or steam area.

I can share a little about my families experience on the Seaview. We were in the Med and I think things are slightly different in ways than cruises leaving the US. I'll be able to compare more in Feb after our next cruise. I also can't really give any comparison to non-YC areas. Our cruise was very port-heavy and by the time we were back on board, my DH and I didn't leave the YC area much. Our kids did though and enjoyed the club areas, etc. (they are 18-26). We have also been in NCL Haven twice, so I had that for comparison. We really enjoyed the YC more and the perks of wi-fi, drink package (and no swiping cards with every drink), and use of the thermal spa. I knew YC spaces would be larger, but there is really not much of a comparison, especially in the bar/lounge area. There is so much space! They have nice snacks at most times that range from savory to sweet (and chocolates from Venchi). I think we did confuse the bartender at times with drink requests, so we tried to stick to more common things. There are two restaurant options because they have the more formal restaurant and the pool buffet set up for breakfast and lunch. I think there is dinner, but we didn't ever go. There is plenty of outdoor seating and there are two hot tubs (never made it into those either!) The menus were different each day in the main restaurant. I loved having cappuccino and pastries delivered to the room in the morning. I also indulged in having drinks and wine delivered, which isn't something they will do in the Haven. If we wanted to bring things back from the lounge, they usually insisted on carrying them for you (yes, a bit over the top, but why not enjoy it when you can!) I think if you can splurge every once in awhile, the pampering is worth it and really does make a trip more relaxing. I try to find deals on some things to balance it out. If you don't think some of things being mentioned matter much to you, maybe try a lower priced experience. I've seen plenty of review and videos on YouTube with more and more people loving it. Just make sure you know what you get for the experience and go in open-minded with a plan to enjoy the cruise no matter what. Feel free to let me know if you have any other questions.