kelleherdl

I haven’t the faintest idea how to spot an EJ ‘paid influencer.’ I see all sorts of folks in all sorts of dress, some chatty, some quiet (like me), some very happy to be on board, some old, some young. Do they wear signs or special pins so you know who you are talking to. I’ll be honest I’ve not seen one interaction where someone has been berated for expressing an opinion. I’m totally convinced that no one even knows I’ve been posting. I will remain blissfully unaware, and just continue to thoroughly enjoy this cruise.

we had no problem ordering our preferred cocktail

On for a little over a day now. We love the Emporium Marketplace. It is NOT a self-serve buffet. It IS a self-order buffet. How many times have you ordered through a waiter an omelet and not gotten exactly what you wanted. You wanted certain veggies and cheese and cooked well done. Sometimes it takes 3 breakfasts to get it right. Perfect this morning. No middle man included to mis-communicate. If a host sees you with a plate they immediately assist you back to the table. At lunch, wines were pre-corked around the room, easy-peezy service. Sushi bar is prepared right in front of you. We are eating Fil Rouge this evening. Report tomorrow. Only complaint so far, and not really a complaint is checkin on the ship was a little haphazard. I think Explora thought ‘no lines’ was improvement. Quite the opposite for us, as we do like at least a modicum of a queue. Safety drill was totally painless. Bartenders at Lobby Bar are outstanding mixologists. They really know their stuff. Several trained by the liquor company reps on speciality cocktails. Today I had a superb Jameson-based ginger cocktail. a comment tomorrow on EJ entertainment strategy

I’m really enjoying reading about some of the ‘little’ things that you are noting EJ has done. I’m not ignoring the reported shortfalls which need to be addressed, just impressed with the sorts of things that I will get to experience within the week.

Ok. The ‘Professor’ is back as topics have become informative and entertaining again. 😀. On holiday we are generally less anxious and/or depressed (well once we actually sail). Anxiety and depression are linked to Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). SPD is sometimes called sensory overload, in which sensory input to the brain is so intense that the brain may not respond with appropriate motor and behavioral responses. SPD in its more severe manifestation is postulated to be related to severe medical conditions like Irritable Bowel Syndrome, which is a pain perception disorder. So yes, those of us who enjoy cruise vacations may be less anxious and depressed at sea. Thus, our sensory inputs to our brains, like tastes and smells, may be better able to be processed as pleasurable experiences. Now, vestibular sensory input, as in motion sickness, that’s a whole other kettle of fish. 😀 just puttin’ this out there 😀

You will have no trouble registering your new credit card once on the ship.

I’ve observed a love fest for Heike from Azamara. It seems to me that a lot of the complaints we’ve heard about customer service would have been her responsibility, or am I mistaken? Again not knowing how the MSC Hotel Director is different from the equivalent role on EJ.

I’m still disappointed our original Rome to Venice to Athens on Explora II disappeared, but our alternate Rome to Barcelona to Barcelona on Explora II is still pretty much intact. I’m having my TA explore that rebooking as an Extended Journey.

We’ve done right before dry dock and one first cruise after. I will take the last cruise before dry dock every time over first one after dry dock.😀.

One caveat on the parking situation at Port Canaveral Terminal 10. Right now only MSC uses Terminal 10. In the winter season NCL also sails a big ship out of Terminal 10. We have seen the lot get ‘fuller.’ We’ve never been turned away yet, but we always arrive earlier rather than later. I don’t know exactly when NCL sailings begin, but it’s sometime in November. They sail on Saturdays.

Unlike Port Miami or Port Everglades there is very little traffic congestion at Port Canaveral, particularly since MSC only sails Sunday and Thursday. Parking shuttles are really a problem at disembark. For embarkation boarding is spread out over 5 hours, disembarking is compressed into two hours. Personally, we always park at Terminal 10. Port Canaveral changed the parking pay method. You now pay as you enter. This eliminated the line to pay at exiting.

The booking website is clearly being updated. Earlier this morning Med cruises could not be selected as a choice on the USA website. Med cruises are now there as a choice, however, the cruises themselves are still not there. As with all things MSC IT a little patience is warranted.

Port Canaveral on-port parking at Terminal 10 is $17/calendar day flat rate, no additional charges. A 7-NIGHT cruise is an 8-DAY cruise.

Bayonne does not show any cruise ships on Sept 25, specifically Explora I is not there.

Explora 1 is using Manhattan Cruise Terminal for this first season in New York. I just checked the ship schedule. We are arriving on Sept 25, Explora 1 is overnighting, and departing Sept 26.

Separate Aurea bag drop might be tricky. We sail YC so I know how that works at the tent. There is a YC roster that is checked off at the tent. The porters know about YC and they have separate gold bag tags they put on YC bags and the bags go on a separate bag cage. To my knowledge there are no Aurea bag tags, other than the ones printed by the guests. This is my experience at Miami, Port Canaveral, and Kiel. Those are the only MSC ports I’ve embarked from.

The only thing that keeps me thinking about returning to Holland America is the complimentary laundry service as we are 4-Star Mariners. But most of the time we sailed Neptune Suites and got it anyway. It would be nice if the loyalty program, when it is implemented, includes a laundry benefit.

Email from my TA was similar to what Tapi said he received. Dennis

Scratch that. Just got the TA email.

My Explora II cruise in October 2024 is still there.

MSC must have done a promotional deal with M&C. On Explora they have private labeled Imperial Brut as the ‘house’ champagne. Also Moët was prominently used to christen Explora I. Maybe we will see more house pours of Moët in YC in the future.

What was included in you original Fantastica booking? I.e. premium beverage package, thermal spa access, two-device WiFi per person? Things you might have had to add to your Fantastica experience. They really should be included in any cost comparison. It’s tough to put a price to the multitude of non-monetized benefits to the Yacht Club, so just consider them a lagniappe. Good luck on your bid!

Did folks note the digital kiosks in the checkin area? Can we say that MSC plans on upping their IT support for online booking management? That clearly remains to be seen if it can happen in just one year. I do like the YC Lounge. Unfortunately, the renderings don’t include the god awful dockside equipment and transportation mess on the pier necessary for a cruise terminal. The final terminal and pier area will not be as striking as the renderings.

You will very likely get further updates on you checkin time to be earlier. Based on my experience I would not plan on showing up later than 1:30. By then you will likely be walking right through terminal security and checkin. Do not arrive later, there is second wave of passengers arriving later. There is a ‘Goldilocks’ time for checkin, and it’s generally 12:30 to 1:30. Your checkin time will not be checked beyond the initial surge of guests.

In general, you are ‘bidding’ to upgrade at the current, close to sailing, price of that YC suite. I have found that doing an early booking on the suite you realistically think you will enjoy the most is the best way to go. If you ‘add up’ the cost all the YC inclusives you are not paying much more than an Aurea suite and paying extra for all the inclusives. Yes, you are paying a non-refundable deposit on an early booking, but that will easily be covered by the inevitable YC price increases over time. On popular itineraries the YC is sailing at ~100% occupied. There will not be much inventory for upgrades. I know there have been anecdotal postings where some have gotten great deals for YC upgrades. I’m afraid that is the exception. I view bidding for a YC upgrade to be a ‘second chance’ at what you really should have booked originally; and I have done that when we had unexpected changes in our traveling family.