MsTabbyKats

11 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

This was new as well in the Market Place buffet. Make your own. Not quite. The liquor was handled by a staff member.

IMG_3889.HEIC 1.65 MB · 9 downloads IMG_3890.HEIC 1.46 MB · 8 downloads

I believe that there was a sangria special on the Meraviglia 2 weeks ago in the buffet.  It wasn't included with the beverage package.

34 minutes ago, KeepCalmBearOn said:

 

This makes me think about, has anyone ever been on a cruise where the adults look like the adults in the ads? The adults in the ads are 'older', but not too old, always dressed to the nines, incredibly hip and popular looking.

 

Yes.  When MSC first came to the USA...we sailed on the Divina (general pop) and the vast majority of passengers were European or South American.  They had style...all day long.  Not fancy...just knew how to dress and how to take care of their bodies.

On 4/27/2024 at 8:54 AM, Essiesmom said:

Not the itinerary I would have preferred, but solos can’t pick and choose.  Sailing Seashore again on June 23, Ocean Cay and Mexico.  Way below the salt this time…Bella OV gty.  Chose OV and Bella was only option offered.  But I love a gty booking, as I don’t care where I am.  Might get upgraded to balcony, but I seldom use a balcony so it doesn’t matter.  I’ll do another Live from when the time comes.  EM

I like that saying "below the salt" (never heard it before).

Based on our "non-use" of many YC perks....our next MSC cruise may be "below the salt" too.

Enjoy your cruise.......

1 hour ago, luv2kroooz said:

The understaffed Lido crew is overworked and that translates to very few smiles from them. I couldn't imagine doing that job over and again for 7 months at a time. For the price we paid, we would sail Venezia again.

Just want to comment on this:

We were on this ship Jan 2024.  DH uses a cane, so in the buffet I become his butler (he sits; I get the food).  More than once, while I was gone, a buffet staff member brought him stuff...coffee, soup etc.

@amurray88Look at the title of your thread.  You asked what could go wrong.  We've told you.

5 minutes ago, amurray88 said:

Cool, thanks for all your replies 😅 unreal

You're asking people on a forum to condone your decision to break a rule, which could effect 4000 other people.

If you don't want to hear the answers, then don't ask the question.

20 minutes ago, rodndonna said:

 

We broke our rule of testing cruises at the lowest grade - standard interior (with drink, wifi etc).  Was just too hard to pass up testing the YC experience for the price point. 😎

 

Thanks Tabby, I read your thread about your experiences with YC (interior and balcony) and that was part of our decision to give it a try with the (last remaining) inside cabin. 

Our initial decision to try YC was the price...cost of NCL balcony (no drinks/no wifi) was just a few dollars less than the YC interior  (DH was recovering from surgery and really needed the butler/pampering)....so it was a no brainer.

The YC (at least in the Meraviglia) has a dedicated elevator; you can go from cabin to YC pool deck in about a minute....no need for a balcony. 

Prepared to be spoiled!

Our first YC sailing was an interior on the Meraviglia.  Loved, loved, loved it.

We just did the Deluxe Balcony and although the cabin was larger with more storage and a great bathroom/shower, if we do YC again, it will be with the interior.  Once your in the YC, nobody cares what you paid....service was wonderful!

Enjoy........

10 minutes ago, marti2282 said:

This is absolutely the way to go — pick up area is sooooooo congested! You would get wet on the 3 minute walk and while waiting for the ferry, but would be our choice if the skies were clear!

It would be my choice if DH didn't have a cane and walk like a snail.  If the skies are clear, I wouldn't mind waiting at the pier.  In bad weather, either way it's uncomfortable and in snow/ice...I can't imagine how the cars would get in there.  This is actually a deciding factor of whether or not to sail MSC again.  

On 4/23/2024 at 2:16 AM, beshears said:

This is interesting to know about NO tablecloths anymore,but no biggie. For those of you who have cruised on the Venezia within the last year, would you mind giving me the pros/cons of YOUR opinion of this ship? I have done several Carnival ships, and this one looks pretty good too, but would like to read more feedback on this ship.

My opinion is  "extremely pro".  We sailed Jan 2024.  I had the bar set really low....based on the great deal and great cabin I had.  What could I expect for "almost nothing"?  As it turned out....it was a perfect cruise.  Entertainment was good, brunch was very good....   Service was better than expected in the buffet (DH uses a cane so I generally am his butler....while I was running around for him, the staff was bringing him food).

The food in general was ok...nothing to write home about, but nobody starved.

Edited to add about the theatre:  As someone else said, get there early.  There was barely an inclination so if you're short, and not in the first row, you won't see much. 

41 minutes ago, Ferry_Watcher said:

Short answer is no.  Generally speaking, all passengers are responsible for their own carry on luggage.  You would receive assistance in getting a carry-on up on to the security screening conveyor belt, but other than that, you will need to take care of your personal items yourself.  Your larger pieces of luggage can of course be left with the porters and delivered to your stateroom.

 

Look into using a shoulder bag, or a backpack type carry-on to use when you are on your scooter.

 

Also, the wheelchair attendants are not allowed to use the wheelchairs to transport luggage, just people.

But you can put your carry on in your lap if in a wheel chair. DH does this all the time.  However, the wheelchairs (in NYC anyway) are inside and upstairs in the terminal.  You'd have to get to that point yourself, without assistance.

I'd also suggest a backpack...so you'll be hands free if you decide to go.

@mscdivina2016Did they offer you a refund/cancellation?  If so, why didn't you accept it?

Several years ago we didn't go on a cruise (bad weather).  No insurance so we lost the fare and we didn't get the points either.  The logic was that if you aren't spending $$$ on the ship, so they aren't getting additional revenue. 

Makes no sense to me....since they're getting the fare.

49 minutes ago, oceans.calling said:

Just off Meraviglia and every day at the YC One Pool buffet we were able to get made to order omelettes. Not a fan of their early restaurant hours for breakfast. 

Yes....but OP is asking about the main buffet, not YC.

7 minutes ago, cellfree said:

Perhaps some day our paths will cross. (I just read another post where you referenced your NYC subways, for some reason I thought you were from Europe.) Next bookings are Carnival in September and MSC November.

Born and raised...and will die....NYC.  For the record, my TA is unable to give much of a discount with Carnival.  But, then again, the price of a Carnival balcony is about 25% the cost of MSC YC.

@dbrown84My husband confirmed, no made to order omelet station on Mera last week.  We were in YC, and I had my omelet up there at 7:30 am.  He sleeps much later than me so his breakfast was in the main buffet (open "almost always") about 11 am...and he had the pre-made ones.

Another point of interest pertaining to buffets; I don't know if you care...but MSC's does not have those cabinets full of desserts/pastries or 8 kinds of ice cream with toppings!  MSC is very frugal with ice cream.   

@ready2cruzagainI hope this was an "Epic Specific" buffet issue and not a fleet wide cutback.

58 minutes ago, cruisebeachgirl703 said:

Do you remember some of the YC personnel on your week? We believe from other posts that Arthur is the Maitre'd. (have not met him yet) YC Director? Head Concierge? Your butler?

Our butlet was Onil, and he was great.  His asst was Vinz...also great! Our cabin number was 16022.

We really didn't spend that much time in the YC...I never learned any of the other names.  But everyone was helpful and friendly. 

6 minutes ago, dbrown84 said:

ahhh, it's the very reason why I asked.  I really like the pasta station at the NCL buffet.

The NCL buffets (all 3 meals) have unlimited options.....never had a bad meal there.  On MSC the buffets are "ok" but with limited choices...there were a few really "not good" things I tried.

However, nobody beats MSC when it comes to pizza.  There was a large bowl of sphagetti by the pizza; I didn't try it so I won't comment.

IMHO...if you're cruising for the buffet, NCL is the way to go. 

36 minutes ago, RandomUser123 said:

I was on Meraviglia last November and they did not have made to order omelets (or eggs benedict) at buffet breakfast. You could only get made to order omelettes or eggs beneditct in MDR for breakfast. They had basic premade omelets at buffet breakfast with nothing on them. Meraviglia for lunch buffet is very good (better than Royal Caribbean from my experience) but weak for breakfast buffet.

Hmmm...I sure there was an omelet station (last week) but I didn't have one, so maybe it was just a vat of pre-made ones.

Meraviglia had made to order omelets (I don't think every day....I could be wrong).  Nothing else that I noticed was made to order.  It in no way compares to the NCL buffet.

20 minutes ago, PTC DAWG said:

I don’t see the OP being entitled to returned port fees myself..

 

I don't either (I didn't think any wheelchairs could go on any tenders.  How does a wheelchair manuveur that little ramp or couple of steps???)....but let's just say her port fee refund is classified under "good will"

1 hour ago, cellfree said:

I have always used the MSC Agent without any problems but have of course read the horror stories! Have not used a TA for years, but would enjoy that 10% discount, just sorry you cannot tell me the excellent person you work with. 

I'd love to give him the business but cruise critic would ban me for life.

I think it was closer to 15%...looking at my records, between the MSC 5% + 5%....it was about 25% off the original price.

Did you ever try the site where agents compete for your business? I believe that's where I found him (he's on vacation this week).

10 minutes ago, carlmm said:

A to the general question. It's kind of fun. Some live music is nice and entertaining.

C By the end of the video it sounds like it turned into a sing along. That gets a big no from my side, I would not appreciate that.

LOL....our subways (NYC) are filled with roving musicians...that sound a lot better.  Seriously, I'd expect a more subdued atmosphere in Butcher's Cut...let's say a violinist would have been nice.  

12 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

We were as well. Looking forward to a higher level of service. If you are traveling in 'gen pop' and enjoy getting up early to chair hog, or stand in line, you'll be fine. But if you have been spoiled by Yacht Club butlers you are in for a shock.

Umm...I didn't witness this myself...but "on the social media" site, it was reported that there was chair hogging in YC on Mera last week.  I'm not sure if the person meant "no loungers available" or just people left stuff on "prime loungers" for hours without being there.

Maybe this is what happens when people from "gen pop" upgrade to YC!