Fogfog

The crew staff response was all CYA from what you reported.. and that was just not appropriate. At the very least the crew/staff needs retraining and they need to identify the why re that leak. I wonder others have slipped there as well. Several who followed you here are on the TA in April

Happy Anniversary🥰

Hi @essiesmom MSC logo gear gifts... So as Diamond in YC, a 7day got you a choc ship each leg, and MSC logo gear gift each leg and there was a B2B box of chocolates between each leg plus all of the same Diamond stuff for each leg... and all of the YC perks for each leg

We use a TA too, for OBC and shop $ - yours sounds better

Typically on a week long sailing there is a lobster tail dinner offered in the YC dining room and you can ask the Maitre D up embarkation if that will happen. If not, check if you can get a Tail add-on at Butchers Cut at dinner there one evening. I don't believe there is a lobster night on the short sailings We have seen and heard at great length a group of about 8 created lots of drama in Top SailLounge when they were denied a "special lunch/dinner"----separate from that designated lobster night because a whole case of tails would have to be defrosted and they did not want to pay for the whole case.

Years ago we did a private tour of old Cartagena. We were picked up at the port by van with a guide and driver. Went up to a vantage point to see the old port and could see where they pulled the large chain to block-close the port etc. Learned some history. We did a tour of the gold museum, a tour of the colonial era buildings, etc, the stretches of beaches, and learned about the city. Never had an issue with panhandlers. We'd be dropped off with guide, would tour a particular venue and picked up at end of street by driver. Very seamless. Found the guide through CC here and he was called "the Emerald Guy" and we booked him while enroute. So for those going in April, it is an option.

Unfortunate to see that mall of shops all empty. Given the ships are there. I wonder about the reasons they are not open/stocked. Could be many. When we stopped there years ago there were handcrafts and snacks etc. We bought a few things and had a cold Panama beer before getting on the ship after out canal transit excursion.

If you can't find Luxardo, these are goo too https://www.totalwine.com/accessories-more/food/drink-garnishes/filthy-black-cherries/p/130725233?s=907&igrules=true

Oh, bring the jar. Just put it in a baggie in case it leaks while bringing it on. Put it in carry on. YOLO right? And its your vacation. Cheers🍒

TYVM Who is the Maitre D and the Somm on Seashore? Counting the days

When we did B2B2B2B with some short legs, others were 6-7 we did not get the choc ships on some legs, and if I recall, they kind of rounded up, so 3 MSC gifts over 4 cruises. We did have the specialty dining every leg

Hey there! So related to card games for 2 What do you feel are the best--and then easiest (smallest) to carry for travel--and yet teachable-expandable to 4 etc but mostly played by 2 Phase 10? We used to travel with Uno decks and Phase 10 decks as a fam of 4. When I g00gle things like travel games-- Duet etc and things like Pass the Pigs comes up-- we bought PtP like 20+ years ago and our kids never used it--it went to goodwill. Just thinking about sea days and best options. Regular deck and rummy? Thoughts?

Regarding the Haven Lounge being desolate, can't I use my butler phone and get a snack/bev brought to me there while I read/play cards? Sounds like poor planning if it is missing snacks/coffee bar

Great pics. Enjoying your cruise 😉

True, we can't blame MSC for the pax sailing and their behavior- that can vary for week to week. We sailed a B2B on Celebrity and the one Officer told us to expect a big difference with the 6 day vs the 6 day--and yes he was very correct. Difference in tone, demographics etc. So length of sailing, time of year, port of embarkation all impact who may be sailing. Booze cruise vs longer sailing. Spring break, holidays, summer vs "in school", port intensive vs lots of sea days, does the ship have lots of "attractions" (surf-riders/race cars/arcade), is it a big casino draw etc

For 2025 NCL web site shows Gem sailing out of Miami in Jan and May. Feb-April is not avail at the moment

BTW, of the places you dive, where would you say is the best place if you were an instructor (all levels), to live-work? That's work permit-visa friendly and one can pay the bills in that field? Just curious as I am guessing you have some experience diving various places

Thank you for your travel log Happy Valentines Day

@cublet Amen We lived in Italy for a bit (Umbria) Yes, we realize it is very regional in cooking, accent in language etc And yes we had the opportunity to travel around the country a bit while living there. And so know exactly where you are coming from. You post made me smile--so true

TY Pete! About a doz years back we were told by Capt/officers that there was going to be a shortage worldwide of pilots. And they hoped more would move into the field. Many were aging out. It is a vital job. It is something we look forward to- watching them embark-debark

We have wondered about this--and actually I hope the whiners and skeptics stay away... It is THEM. MSC offers a different style of sailing and offers an a la carte experience -- and cruisers chose what they where want to spend $: room, experience, bev, specialty dining etc. What is a bit sad is that MSC changes the menus for sailings out of the US instead of keeping the menus that they use in the Mediterranean. Which IMHO loses some of what makes MSC special (the Italian/European flavor) Perhaps too people complain because they want to be living the "suite" life yet only want to pay $300 for a week. Clearly that won't happen. Also-- I think a lot of what is on social media/video etc. is just trolling for clicks.

You could ask the OPs? that each started similar threads Or ask the MODs to combine the threads Not certain why my response was quoted as I am neither OP nor MOD

I am a techno geek for this kind of stuff too Love the whole harbor pilots thing as well

check it out BTW-- its call THEFT

@DaKahuna Thank you for your service, and for your family's service We are grateful Best fog