blueslily

On 12/10/2023 at 9:14 AM, morpheusofthesea said:

Just to belabor the point once again. There are quite a few 'requests' of cruise lines made of passengers that are not followed and seldom enforced. Attire is one of them. Most these low cost mega lines are attracting a "wider audience" who look at cruises like a camping trip, roughing it, bivouacking. They throw their soiled everything out the cabin door into the hallway (Instead of calling room service to pick it up) and hang their wash out to dry on the balcony. As one pays more for suite class one 'sometimes' finds a more respectable clientele that respects others and themselves. Will see in a couple of weeks how Explora 1 compares to Yacht Club and will report.

Sorry, but that just looks bad. With all that stuff outside the cabin door, is that due to bad service? Do people not know how to ask staff to pick up what they want to get rid of? That is just, literally, trashy. 

16 hours ago, jmsnyc said:

@morpheusofthesea

 

So there is a 2 meal package for $99 per person to buy in advance for Butcher Block and Teppanaki .  I am in a solo cabin and so is my friend separately, so we each buy separate or will they auto charge for two?  But it looks similar to deal that you posted on board ?

You only have to purchase for just you. And, the tasting menus are online to view in advance of the cruise so you can decide. 

Quiet Evening Space

I'm sitting on Deck 8 outside the Sports Bar. There is a section with brown chairs and tan cushions.  Im just watching the ocean. Quiet space. This is up by the Infinity hot tubs. This eating area is on both sides of the ship. On one side of the ship, this seating area is for smokers so it's not so quiet. If you want Quiet, go to the Sports Bar side of the ship. There are doors in the Sports Bar to go outside. This side with the chairs is very quiet for relaxing and ocean watching at night. I don't recall it being quiet like this during the day. At night, yes. 

For indoor options, one person in my party says she spends time in thr Uptown Lounge for reading. She says there is light music playing in the background, but it's peaceful. 

Tip: You can find peaceful areas, day and night, even when the ship is sailing full. 

Elevators - Funny, but not Funny

So, here's something I have not read here much. Man, those elevator doors close FAST. When your elevator arrives, get inside fast, or it will leave you there chatting with your cruise mates. I guess MSC read  your complaints and sped up the elevators, lol. So, that's my funny, but not funny comment. The elevator doors won't wait for you to be taking your sweet time to get in. Jump aboard that train fast or wait for the next one, lol. 

1 hour ago, mvh said:

This sounds very encouraging. I am sailing in a few weeks and I am sure it will be sold out as well. I expect it to be crowded, but what cruise isn't? I too know how to avoid the masses as much as possible. It also doesn't bother me when I can't. I'm half full as well.

Two weeks is a Christmas sailing, I'm not really sure that this sailing is maxed out. I think there will be more people on your sailing although this one is said to be full. There is not a huge kids presence on this sailing. I expect that there will be more on your sailing for the holiday. I'm guessing that your sailing will feel a but fuller since max capacity can be higher and with more children on board. 

But yes, make good choices about timing and locations and have a great holiday cruise. 

10 minutes ago, Lanierain said:

For embarkation- did you go at your assigned time or did you go early? Thanks! 

My time was 11:30. We went earlier. 

1 hour ago, debnjoe1438 said:

So could you go to your cabin right away and get your key card? Was your embarkation time checked at the termial? Thanks

No. Cabins were available at 2pm.

No. Embarkation times, in the area that I was in, was not checked. I can't speak for everywhere else. 

Is the Ship Crowded? 

Supposedly, our sailing is sold out. I say supposedly because I would expect worse crowds if that was indeed true. Yes, there are people everywhere, but I've also been standing in places looking to my left and right and seeing no crowds.

My friend was the first to say, "Wow, I expected this ship to be more crowded. It's not that bad." I went to Guest Services to ask the number. I was told "it's full". I asked how many people are on this sailing.  He said 5,400. I'm not sure I believe that number. 🤔   But, ok. 

This also goes back to people choosing less crowded spaces or to spread out. On our first Sea Day, the  pool deck was busy. But, when we walked up a set of stairs or went around to another area away from thr Marina Pool, there was plenty open chairs and space to breathe and relax. 

I already commented on crowds in the buffet area. People can choose not to be part of the crowds there based on the time they go and where they go in the big buffet area. 

Our experience is that we don't feel overwhelmed by crowds on this cruise. 

Edit: Yes, of course there is a crowd when shows and major events end and everyone exits. Like after last night's show. But, we figure out how to maneuver the crowds. Last night, we exited down by the stage. (Really sounds like I'm a glass halfway full person, doesn't it, lol. Yes, I like to be more on thr positive side.)

Getting on and off the Ship at Ports 

We do not have excursions booked. So, we are exploring on our own at our pace since we have someone with some medical challenges and they wanted flexibility each day. 

So we start and end days in ports as we choose. No problems getting on and off the ship in a timely fashion. No long lines. I think there have been 2 - 3 doors open to return to the ship. Two scanners usually working. I've seen one, but then he opened a second. Scan card, looks at you, then you're back on. Again, no major hassle either way. This is our experience. It might depend on the times we are getting on and off the ship. 

The Elevators

I was quite nervous about thr elevators given so many complaints on here. But, man, it is much better than "horrible". Some folks simply had to learn how to use them. Plus, of course, the first day on thr ship is busy and can be stressful. People are sailing on this ship from all over thr world. Some are really tired from traveling. So, they may be tired and frustration tolerance is lower. Some just needed to get some rest and food and then things got a little smoother, lol. 

One other major observation is, just like the buffet, some people don't know how to maximize the option of multiple elevator banks. If I come to an elevator area that is full of folks, I simply walk over to the elevators that are just on  side of thr ship. Walking 25 feet, usually gives me access to less busy elevators. 

I have only had one long wait for elevators. Usually, I don't wait long. Today, I have been the only person on elevators 3 times. Yes, I can alsp get into a full elevators. But, I'm a full shop, so I understand that situation. That does not lead to a complaint. 

Also, we booked cabins on the 14 deck. Two decks up to buffet. So, we walk it. For most other stuff, we can walk down OR ride to 8 and then walk to stuff on 8, 7, or 6. Then take one ride back up to 14. It hasn't been a problem. After shows or big events, yes, there is a crowd of course. So. We just go to a elevators in a different location. Folks with scooters or some mobility challenges can get elevators. We have one with mobility challenges in our group. We are functioning fine with elevator use when necessary. 

Overall, MY experience is that the elevators are NOT horrible.

Tip: Go on the other side of the elevator banks if the space is busy when you arrive. 

Thermal Suite in Aurea Spa - Week Pass

With our Aurea cabin reservation, we have unlimited access to the Thermal Suite. We went on a tour of the Aurea Spa the first afternoon. It's nice. I give it a B. Only the two of us in the Aurea room have used it. The Fantastica cabin can buy a pass for the week or by the day. Pre-cruise it was $130 for the week in the cruise planner. Shoot, I don't know how much it sails for on thr ship. I think $220, but I will check that. I can add some prices later if i have time to check for accuracy. 

The two of us in the Aurea Balcony with the week pass have used it twice so far. Enjoyed it. We use the indoor and outdoor areas. Outside is deck space to relax and a hot tub. There is also a side outside with cabanas that we can rent and a hot tub for that section. We did not choose to pay more money, so we just use the side with loungers and the hot tub. We have been out there twice when the ship was leaving port. The glass on the ship is higher in some areas. So, for the two times we watched the ship leave a port while we were in the spa area, we stood on top of the hot tub platform and saw a great sail away. The inside areas of the thermal suite are nice. Has not been overly crowded yet. I know when to go and when NOT to go. 

That's all for now. 

Embarkation

We spent some time in the Orlando area prior to the cruise. Drove down to Miami early the morning of the cruise. I chose to drive the toll road for the ease of traffic. Easy peasy. When we got to Miami, the GPS took us on a detour due to traffic on 95 and 395. I wasn't a fan of local driving due to the lights but it took us right to the ship without thr tunnel. On first try, although I was fully concentrating, we missed terminal C at first. We were right there. We took the ABC lanes as directed, but when we got right to the terminal, we could not find the entrance for C, we I had driven up to far to turn left into the entrance. So, I think we circled around NCL terminal and then got back on track for C. We parked in Garage C, second level right near an elevator. I think we parked around 10:30/10:40. My goal is usually 9:45 which is the time I love for ease of parking in Miami. So, I can take my time at the car making sure I have everything and so forth.

We walked across to Terminal C. Dropped bags with a porter that was right there.  MSC had sent us a text to say which Terminal and Entrance. We are on Deck 14, so we used the East. We asked a couple staff where is the East entrance and were directed to where it was located.  The bathroom was right there, which was helpful on the outside of the terminal since I didn't know what the line might be like inside the terminal and getting on the ship.  Maybe a line of like 10 people were in front of us on the outside of the East entrance. Inside were more people, but not horrible.  Aurea did have a priority check in section right there. We checked in there. Hardly any lines. I'm guessing it was close to 11am. I'm not sure. I usually track the time. But, we were moving so fast. 

We basically kept walking most of the time. It is indeed an older terminal. Not impressive for a first time cruiser or someone that has been inside any of the new terminals either. The outside and inside both were old and not very exciting of a welcome to your cruise. I am looking forward to MSC 's new terminal.

Security lines moved easily. Also, we did not have to toss our bottled water that we had. Not encouraging that, just sharing that was our experience. 

We walked on the ship, no waiting in the terminal for a number to be called. There was a little congestion at the entrance since people just stop when they enter. 

Here is something I thought was different from what I had recently read on here. Our room/key cards were not given at check in. They were at our cabins. Maybe I totally missed it, but I thought recent cruisers said they got their cards at check in. 

We were at the buffet by 11:15 for lunch, lol. It was not open yet, so we walked up one set of stairs to go outside to take in the view. Then back down to buffet at 11:25 to be one of the first 5 to enter. Good selection. No lines, lol. I walked my group to an area near the back to sit because I knew people would just cram in the center section.  I'm not sure why people don't choose to spread out. It just takes a minute to walk back some. Well, we did and had a good first meal and buffet dining experience. No major complaints about that first lunch. 

There was the option of carry on bag drop, but we opted not to use it. 

I think that's all about that experience. I will add more about Day 1. Man, did not realize that my posts are so long. Hahhaha. 

Hello All,

I am on this sailing with a friend who has only said once with me on Royal and his young adult daughter, who has never cruised. I have sailed MSC before. I read tons of posts on here and posted many questions to prepare for this cruise. So, I want to say thanks by sharing a brief review. I can't do a live and will most likely not be on my phone during most if the sailing so I won't be helpful with answering questions during the sailing but, sharing my experience so far and observations may be helpful to someone else. 

We are NOT sailing in YC which I know some people want to hear about that experience. There are so many YC reviews on here and some folks wanted to hear about the non-YC experience. 

We have 1 room in Aurea, balcony cabin 14095. I'm in that cabin with my friend as a treat to myself. I'm usually a frugal traveler and I usually cruise solo in balcony cabins. The other cabin is Fantastica which has my friend's daughter. Her cabin is also on the 14 deck, but the opposite side of the ship so we can have access to views from both sides of the ship. I am thr planner. I linked our reservations. I booked the Aureas balcony with the added drink package and Internet. Did not add that for the second cabin since she does need either. She uses the ship's WIFI to use the app to see everything that's going on and uses the text feature to stay in contact with us. I'm actually not an alcohol drinker, but I've used thr package to get mocktails and lots of bottled water. My friend does drink alcohol so my cabinmate is getting good use of their package. 

I am writing today sitting in a very quiet section at Taino Bay in Puerto Plata, DR. No one is over here. Ocean view seats overlooking the bay and the ship. Very peaceful. 

I will be writing a quick review of what I can remember so far. Hahaha. Overall, I will just say that each person's experience is just that, their experience. Choices we all make can help us have a good time or a not so good time.

So far, this cruise is a B+ for me. I don't have many complaints. I SMH wonder with all those bad reviews, were they on the same ship that I'm on right now, lol. But again, we are all different and cruise different.

Overall, food is good in buffet and MDR. We have done one specialty restaurant so far, Butcher's Cut, and we all thought it was good. The buffet experience is impacted by what time you go. And, honestly, if you know how to use a buffet. I've seen so many people who seem to not know how to maneuver a buffet. So, they will probably be on here posting negative comments about crowds and lines. I SMH when I see people standing in long lines. It's really not necessary. But, again, this is about my experience. 

We are all eating in the Aegean MDR. Yes, even the one person who has Fantastica since their booking was linked to my cabin. I'm the cruise planner and prior guest on MSC. Making this happen was very easy.

On to next section so this won't be so long. Plus, wifi might drop aagain. Sorry for the typos. I'm trying to get this posted quickly. I am checking for spelling errors, but I am doing this fairly quickly. I want to go get in the lazy river, lol. 

2 hours ago, capriccio said:

The map from the Port Miami website (https://www.miamidade.gov/portmiami/parking-information.asp) shows Garage C immediately west (left) of Surface Lot C which is directly across from Terminal C.

 

 

Thank you!

21 minutes ago, blueslily said:

Anyone know which Terminal Seascape will be using on Saturday, Dec 9? 

Ok. I found out which Terminal. It's Terminal C. Which Parking Garage is best for Terminal C and MSC Seascape? Thanks

Anyone know which Terminal Seascape will be using on Saturday, Dec 9? 

53 minutes ago, JT1962 said:

It is substantially cheaper to prepay for a package than pay individual prices onboard. Here are some prices from the photo below  -

 

Blouse / T-Shirt - $ 4.90

 

Shirt - $ 6.90

 

Skirt / Pants - $ 7.90

 

Evening Dress - $ 12.90

 

Suit - $ 14.90

 

Underwear / Socks (pair) - $ 2.90

 

 

 

Thank you. Wow, looks expensive. 

On 12/4/2023 at 4:27 AM, Steeler Nation At Sea said:

Speaking to the ability to cancel for a refund once onboard, yes, I just did it in October. It was pretty painless. I initiated the request at Guest Services and later that same day, the refund appeared in my onboard account. At the end of the cruise, I was able to use the SETTLE function at the larger SeaPass card machines to withdraw the excess credit as cash.

Wonderful. I'm guessing that you made this request on Day 1 before you used it all all so that you got a full refund? Or, did you request it later during the cruise and you got a partial refund? Thanks!

9 hours ago, JT1962 said:

Probably to be safe. Buying the package before you cruise is definitely cheaper than paying by the piece once on board.

Is it significantly cheaper? Happen to know any onboard rates? We have someone in our party that is concerned about laundry. Thanks 

We cruise Saturday and I received the same error last night. I got concerned. But, when I read the description, it says that the embarkation form is included in the Ticket file which is the option right beside it. That worked fine. I entered my email address for the ticket. It was mailed to me in seconds. I printed that packet. 

Have a great cruise! 

Just now, vacationlover_mn said:

Hi!  My Oasis cruise leaves Sunday, and people reported yesterday that they received emails saying that their Blue Lagoon excursions were being cancelled (we’re at Nassau Monday).  The letter someone posted said that all excursions were cancelled until at least Dec 15.

Thank you. I called Blue Lagoon directly after mo responses. She told me that they do not have a definite reopening date yet and to call back later during the month. We sail on another line this Saturday. So, that opportunity is a no, but I also sail in February on Celebrity. Hopefully that will be an opportunity to go again.

Thank you for your reply. Have a great cruise. 

11 hours ago, KittyCruz said:

Yes, in the Games Arcade it listed the price and that you could use.  While we had a fun pass we did not attempt robotron fun.  

Thank you!

How was check in? Which forms did you have to show? I have everything printed out. Just wondering if anything changed since my last MSC sailing which was on Seashore. 

I have my cruise ticket ready to go. Will have the health questionnaire. We will complete that in a couple days since the cruise departs Saturday. Passports - check. Did they ask to see anything else? Im traveling with a couple people in tow that are new to cruising so I want them to have all their stuff ready to help speed up the process. 

Thanks 😊 

5 minutes ago, Jorhammer said:

YW! Right now, this is one of our top 2 vacations ever and we are in day 3 of 14. We are sailing YC and have loved the shows, food, workers are great. Zero complaints so far. Met good people.

Wow, that's amazing. So, you are doing a back to back on Seascape? We will join Saturday. Wow! Enjoy

1 hour ago, Jorhammer said:

They are adding them as we sail this week. We had wreaths show up on our doors last night.

Woohoo! Thanks so much.

How's your cruise coming along?