Fogfog

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

We have sailed 6 times in YC in the US and have always been told that extra gratuities are discouraged-- and never have been told YC butler was excluded at MSC in the onboard grats program Mind you, in the US the daily grats are charged on the ship and yes, we leave them in place to cover general service. That said, our last day/night, we track down and always give out envelopes with hand written personal notes of thanks and with cash for servers, bar, pool attendant butler, steward etc ..about a dozen folks who made the sailings special.

Well there ya go! A fine day at sea is better than shoveling snow any day...as retired navy I am certain you agree. My DH is happy with decent red table wine. I drink more whites and they are harder to pin down as they can be flimsy, sugary ...

True I recall when all of this was being passed--and size of vessels etc restricted, number of vessels etc. We had been planning on trying to sail that region--then started looking at expeditions and the $$$$ for expedition style is shocking... Next thing you know the restrictions roll in Maybe due to that.

I'm wondering whats up as well.. Is there a mechanical issue they aren't discussing.. Lots of conflicting information here. Any updates beyond her?

MSC does have other wines that are not on the daily YC wine offerings-- and you can buy a better bottle We just found in '22 that the daily offerings weren't always as nice as they could have been - very grocery store-esq if you know what I mean. As opposed to feeling curated for meal pairing. Hoping they have some nicer options when we board YC in a few weeks

If the crew suspects the bev package is being shared based on consumption, they will deny service. See terms/conditions.

Thanks I'll take a look There was someone who took pix of pax on sail away--the ship and they'd be waving at the photog-- knowing where they were.. sailing of of NY. Don't know if those were drones, or big lenses, it could have been as far back as 2015 that I am thinking of..since 2020 seems a lifetime ago (ha) Wondering if anyone does that anymore Best fog Edited to add-- just love these-- the ships, the cherry blossoms--the skyline

IKR When we sailed NCL Sun to take our adult "kids" to Cuba several years ago, DH orders 2 fingers neat of one of the scotches. NCL refused to give him a scotch neat. Every time, they'd bring it over ice and he'd have to fish out the ice cubes. We don't know if it was because it was short sailing so they thought folk were on a booze cruise mentality, or just an NCL thing.. yet if you are a scotch "neat" person, or even some other things served that way.. NCL wouldn't do it. Now back to our regular programming. Sorry @DaKahuna cheers

@skeeter195 So how did it go and how did it compare MSC to NCL? YC vs Haven?

I hear you Don't bring me a "Kim Crawford".. etal.. that's for certain... And I don't drink flimsy, weak or barefoot sweet stuff. I want to know what's up with F&B if their sourcing can't deliver

Appreciate what you are saying about the wines Back in 2020 MSC had not only a premium bev package - which YC had included, they had a Prem plus type of package which meant you could have anything on the ship...no limit (any bottle/wine pairing etc). And you could buy up and get that on top of your YC package. They have since stopped allowing that upgrade...idk if that package even exists anymore. Back then, in 2020, the somm wine paired our dinners for our B2B in YC with some amazing choices. He came to the dining room to ask us about our choices each evening and brought things with him...It was fabulous. Fast fwd to 2022 for our B2Bsss..and MSC's YC bev package and they limited wines- they are a bit of a disappointment to say the least. It is the "hole" in their YC. Also, there were things in the bar (like Johnnie Walker Blue, Macallens, some great French champagnes and some nice grappas etc) that all disappeared. We were told that some of it was due to availability. I am reading on other threads for other cruise lines that pax are complaining about wine choices... IDK if its a cost cutting thing, or other factors.

@PistolPete13 Know you have been busy with your sailing, review, vid/pics etc. Would love to know more about your pics of the ships leaving NY harbor Best fog

SO people did NOT pay attention to the video they had to watch!🤪 They will be the ones we have to climb over while they are on the floor freaking out

Check terms and conditions. Tour guides are responsible to get everyone back and forth to the ship

Doesn't look like a vax is an option... I didn't realize that Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands were "hot spots. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/dengue/public/index.html

TYVM our whole family had the YF vax years ago and it had read it "expired" - for a certain asian nation where a family member lives. So that person had to get another vax (as we had spent time in a YF hot zone for two weeks). We were concerned they would be denied entry at the border. Just went to the CDC and WHO vax websites.. turns out the second vax was never necessary and it is not advised. " Booster Doses In 2014, the WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization concluded that a single primary dose of YF vaccine provides sustained immunity and lifelong protection against YF disease and that revaccination (a booster dose) is not needed. In 2016, the IHR were officially amended to specify that a completed International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP or “yellow card”) is valid for the lifetime of the vaccinee, and countries cannot require proof of revaccination against YF as a condition of entry, even if the last vaccination was >10 years prior. ACIP also has stated that a single dose of YF vaccine provides long-lasting protection and is adequate for most travelers. ACIP guidelines do differ slightly from those of WHO, however, by specifying that additional doses of YF vaccine are recommended for the following groups of travelers: people who were pregnant when they received their initial dose of vaccine (administer 1 additional dose before they are next at risk for YF); people who received a hematopoietic stem cell transplant after receiving a dose of YF vaccine (revaccinate before they are next at risk for YF as long as they are sufficiently immunocompetent); people infected with HIV when they received their last dose of YF vaccine (administer a dose every 10 years if they continue to be at risk for YF). Consider administering a booster dose to travelers who received their last dose of YF vaccine ≥10 years previously if they will be going to higher-risk settings based on activities, duration of travel, location, and season. This consideration applies to travelers planning prolonged stays in endemic areas, those traveling to endemic areas (e.g., rural West Africa) during peak transmission season, or travelers visiting areas with ongoing outbreaks. Although booster doses of YF vaccine are not recommended for most travelers, and despite the 2016 changes to the IHR, clinicians and travelers should nonetheless review the entry requirements for destination countries. For more information on country-specific recommendations and requirements, see Sec. 2, Ch. 5, Yellow Fever Vaccine & Malaria Prevention Information, by Country."

Interesting. I didn't know this was a "thing" ... .have had a a valid passport since about age 20 Only available in a few states https://www.us-passport-service-guide.com/enhanced-drivers-license.html

So if Galveston has facial recognition...why is this backed up? Does it divide US citizens vs other?

6 sailings in YC on Merav YC and only walk in showers in our experience. Have your TA or MSC agent confirm when you book