no1talks

As cruisers know, there are cruise lines without drink packages. The drinks are included and the fares reflect it. The high cost of climbing aboard keeps the yahoos out. Now, if what you really want to see is an affordable cruise line without drink packages, well, I think there is almost zero chance of that ever happening. As someone with an extensive work history in the hospitality business, I know for a fact there is no such thing as an objectively great cocktail. A particular cocktail, made by a particular bartender, using particular components, may taste great to a particular individual. Plenty of other consumers will just look at that one drink quizzically. Loads of people will much more enjoy three assorted drinks of debatable quality because people love choices: Drink one thing now, a different thing later, and yet a different thing after that. MSC knows this. Additionally, a crystal-laden staircase doesn't pay for itself. So, something has to give and bar service is a great place to squeeze money out of the overall revenue.

Thanks in no small part to the auxiliary thrusters. 🤣

Aaaand this is why kids cruise free on MSC.

That is quite the collection. We have a good many board games, but far fewer than your multitude. I'd probably be more of a board game collector, were it not for my affinity towards TTRPGs.

Wait, Oceania ships have game rooms? I know about the libraries and card rooms, but I had not heard about game rooms. (Of course, if card rooms ARE the game rooms, I apologize for my misunderstanding.) All ships, or just some? Many different games? Board games in good shape? Thank you, in advance, for any information you can share about Oceania game rooms.

Wait, has there historically been controversy regarding this observation? Since I started following this MSC board, I've thought the only explanation for the call center performance is lowest-cost outsourcing. Clearly, MSC trims expenses where they can, so as to be extravagant in other areas. Why would a call center be an exception? We are of the same mind on this one, FM.

There is a silver lining. For those with the Prestige Package, the morning delays allow for another Mimosa before leaving the ship. 🥂

You are being cattivo, dexd³.

First change? All bookings for deck cabanas are being switched out for the little-know, but very private, Cabana Alta®

Yet another reason clowns should choose a designated driver . . .

Like LHT28's DH, you, too, were likely served cognac that was on the shelf too long. Many people think the alcohol content keeps liquor "fresh" indefinitely. The alcohol in liquor keeps pathogens from taking up residence, but the taste and aroma can and will deteriorate. Six months, out to a couple years is about it for an opened bottle, depending on the spirit. The wheels come off the bus even faster with liqueurs. Be more careful with those.

Nikita4's use of "ist" is actually an "is," not an "isn't." 😃 Ist das nicht so, @Nikita4 ?

Since the significant tightening of point rewards in the casino will free up some cash, mayhaps I will continue the Morpheus agency's bounty program, to thwart YC interlopers. It would be in my best interests, really. My wife has already made it clear she will have words with anyone she finds to be lacking YC bona fides. She takes very seriously MSC's top bullet point, promoting YC on their website: Dedicated, private area of the ship accessible only to MSC Yacht Club guests She is six feet of Teutonic temerity when her dander is up and if a crew member walks-out the intruder before the missus finds out, the tip/bounty will be money well spent. Plus, I will have earned a Morpheus' Yacht Club Detective Agency decoder pin. B E S U R E T O B O O K I N Y A C H T C L U B

Of course, there may be YCers on the cruise, like @morpheusofthesea, who tip the YC staff to discover the trespassers. 🕵️‍♂️

No, no. He is not a yahoo. He is a connoisseur. Please note: He holds the best "elixir" in reserve, the contents of a discrete pocket flask.

I'm right here, Morpheus. To wit . . . ya·hoo1 /yäˈho͞o/ noun INFORMAL a rude, noisy, or violent person.

Presumably, a commensurate increase for pre-paid is in the cards, too. 🙄

If I had been asked a few months ago, whether a future booking on our March '23 cruise will be a slam dunk, I'd have said, "Definitely." Thanks to reports of yahoos making their way to MSC, as well as quality issues, I'm now doing research for a '24 switch to Oceania. If what I'm reading on CC holds true on Seascape this March, the future cruise rep will need to have a really good deal on the table to persuade me from giving Oceania a whirl.

For some reason, I'm reminded of the bit in Rocky Horror Picture Show, where in the servants (Riff-Raff and Magenta) argue with the master (Frank-n-Furter) over receiving their due... Magenta: I ask for nothing! Frank: And you shall receive it, IN ABUNDANCE! Come to think of it, this may encapsulate the future of cruise freebies, in general. 😆

Maybe less, Morpheus. I don't think the list of amenities associated with a "big suite" in YC officially includes such largess. Unless an amenities change is being rolled out, you were lavished with extra alcohol.

If only there had been a courtroom artist on hand, to sketch the miscreants. 👨‍🎨

In your experience, which sale during the year is usually O's best sale? We are thinking about giving O a whirl in '24 and knowing the best time to buy would be very helpful. Thank you very much, indeed.

For the sake of the ladies, I most sincerely hope nobody's cookie was crumbling. 👨‍⚕️