hamrag

Uncharacteristically, for a Scot, Malt whisky is not a drink of preference for me but your point is well made nevertheless! 🙂 Thanks.

Absolutely, although TBH it's about getting used to the new time zone, but yes they are a marvellous people. Thanks.

Go at 10.30.....I know you already know this....it's more for the benefit of those who don't! I recall pitching up for YC on the Preziosa Feb 2019 in Barbados. This, as JAGR knows, is part of the Caribbean Antilles cruise, and main boarding was Martinique Saturday and Guadeloupe Sunday. Barbados, fortnightly on a Tuesday, seems only to be available to Brits. So, the package sold to the masses in GB is a charter flight on boarding day arriving late afternoon and boarding early evening. We booked our flights independently, flying out a few days pre-cruise, and pitched up to the ship in Barbados at 10.30am....no, one, and I mean no one not even YC are prepared for us believing all will be on the charter flight!! We announce it's YC for us, a call is made and within 15 minutes we're onboard but they were definitely unprepared and bemused. By the time we got our lunch of large prawn and steak freshly cooked on the grill we were on our way. Fabulous it was, and about 8 hours later the (delayed) charter flight boarders arrived whilst we were sat at dinner in the YC restaurant! We loved it. So much so, we are scheduled to repeat this cruise late November. 😊

MSC, or any other cruiseline for that matter, is not school!

Thank you for the honest review. We wouldn't now choose Azamara over the many better options at a similar price point, with the exception being for a unique itinerary. They still have some that few other cruiselines offer, so that is a big plus for us and we are considering two such future cruises with them.

So, only $300 extra??

Same for us, as UK cruisers with MSC, in the Med and also the Caribbean Antilles.

My DW is generally a 'shady', and I am generally a 'sunny' and on 54 cruises across 15 cruiselines our preferences in that regard have always been met! When shade is required, it can easily be found in the open areas...no matter the ship! 😉

You reported that you received a voucher for £50 OBC....they clearly assessed compensation, and concluded that was sufficient! 😉 Why would you say they didn't provide compensation?

Cannot speak for USA bookings, but in the UK the price structure remains what it was at booking date. So, in essence, the price drop you now see would not be available to you in the UK. Rather you would need to pay the price that you said was outside of your budget.

It's the same in Europe, itineraries are the same old same old.... We've done them all, and repeated many over the last 5 years and not sure we can continue. We prefer new itineraries, so will be looking elsewhere I'd figure.

Nooooooo, please, don't give him any more oxygen!!

The forward facing ones.

TBH, if you would do it if 245 then what is another 245 to savour the experience? Then you'd know for sure if you wanted to repeat it on a longer cruise in the future! Treat yourself, you deserve to do so and the inside would be perfectly adequate for a single person. 😉

I knew that, but totally overlooked it as all ours have been Europe and the Antilles from Barbados! Thanks.

OK, it's definitely not worth it at that rate IMHO.

How long is the cruise?

Yes, the YC embarking area generally opens at 10.30am. Also, at the far end of the cruise you can stay onboard YC until a couple of hours before sailaway with all facilities available..

Yes, it is the Premium Extra package and good throughout the ship...including non-YC areas. You have a separate enclave i.e. a ship within a ship, with its own pool deck with padded luxury loungers, its own spacious lounge with full bar service, its own (much better than MDR) dining room. With all of this you have bags more space. If your bid is successful, then go into the booking and cancel your paid wifi. The YC inside is certainly smallish, but the rest of the YC enclave is your balcony! The Deluxe Suite is much larger than a normal balcony cabin. Honestly, you ought to jump at this offer.

Whilst I'd agree with some of what you posted, for us this particular change is positive! We choose the best available bottle of our chosen drink, and take it back home (luggage weight allowing) or give it to the butler along with our additional gratuities. With regard to drinks on the balcony, you don't require to go near the lounge....simply call them, and they will deliver to the cabin. OK, it may take 5 or 10 minutes longer to arrive but you're on vacation! 😉

Absolutely brilliant, thanks for raising a hearty laugh! 🤣 🤣

We are not at all surprised, kudos to MSC. Her Majesty was held in grand esteem worldwide, probably more so than any other world leader in the past century.

No cellfree is correct, it will be full price plus gratuity!

I know you booked this cruise last minute, but are you aware that MSC will match your best other cruiseline status enabling you to avail yourselves of other perks?

Enjoy the cruise, hopefully you will return in the future for a longer cruise.