DeRon

Thank you

Can you direct me to the link of the video that you all are referencing?  

On 12/6/2021 at 2:36 PM, Fogfog said:

Good to know what to expect

We have sailings early 2022 in MSC YC and are looking fwd to being back

The mask thing walking past tables etc is pure theater however we will play along to make others afraid of the latest "scari-ant" --- 

We haven't had to wear masks for anything in months and months-- Guess I will have to pack some of the paper ones to take with us.

I may buy some with LGB on them

I agree.  We are booked on Celebrity due to them not requiring masks.  But by February sail date + omicron…????  Who knows what they may change  🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️

This is a crazy question, but my wife asked me to ask 😂 

In the Sky Suites (where the foot of the bed faces the balcony), can the TV pull out and angle toward the bed so you can watch TV from bed?  We watch movies sometimes and it looks like there’s no way to see the TV unless you are sitting on the couch.  
 

Any Sky Suite cruisers know this??

I’ve read horror stories about the Seashores embarkation.  Do they still meet yacht club guests separately, take them to the lounge, etc. for emabarkation, or is it different during for Covid reasons?

On 11/27/2021 at 4:56 PM, lynnber said:

Just got off the ship this morning. The theme nights were a secret before the cruise, so I wasn't actually ready. One night was white night, one was 'elegant', one was, um, something along the lines of Gatsby (?) and the final one was tropical night. There might have been others, and a lot of people dressed elegant on Thursday (Thanksgiving), even though the program said 'casual'. 

I see that you went on the Seashore and recently the Celebrity Edge.  I’m not trying to highjack this thread, I tried to message you directly but that feature was turned of.
 

I would love to have your comparison and opinions as we are trying to decide which one we want to go on between these two.  The biggest negative to us on MSC is the mask requirement.  We would be staying in the Retreat or the Yacht Club on each. we love MSCs private island. 

Everyone has been very helpful!  Thank you for your responses.  We are now considering going, even with the mask mandate 😂😂

2 hours ago, styles27 said:

This was our exact experience on Divina 11/14th 

To be honest when we booked DH wasn’t thrilled about the mask wearing rule (he works from home so he has never had to go to work and wear a mask for 8-12 hrs like some of us did) and we’re vaccinated plus booster 10/25/21) 

I talked him into going and even he said it wasn’t as bad as he thought it would be. In fact he said it didn’t bother him at all to put it on to walk to different areas of the ship because once seated it comes off.

Outside on deck not necessary to wear it. 

 

Just booked another cruise departing 1/8th on Seashore because we felt so comfortable with MSC’s Covid protocols and we want to take advantage of the low passenger count while we can because we all know once the mask policy drops the ships will be much fuller. 

Did they say how many people were on your cruise?  I wonder what % they are booking?

It just seems if everyone is vaccinated, and tested, and the ship is amazing at cleaning protocols, that a mask wouldn’t be necessary.  And if you take it off when sitting down at a bar, eating, or in a show, or on the pool deck.  To me it seems like false a security.  
 

I not trying to pick a fight with anyone or debate the subject. I understand flying with a mask because you are in close proximity with people in a confined area.  If MSC really believe in masks, why allow people to take them off in some venues?  
 

I don’t know. It just seems inconsistent and overdo to me.
 

No need for anyone to tell me that if I don’t like the rule, I can sail with another cruise line or stay home.  I am clear on my options. Just thinking it through. 

So you only wear masks walking around?  Once seated, you take it off?  Is this true for the shows too?

What about in yacht club area around the pool?  Is this only an indoor requirement?

We loved our cruise on MSC (yacht club).  But this was pre Covid. If everyone on the ship is vaccinated and tested, why do they require masks??  This is forcing us to look to different lines that do not require this.
 

Am I right?  They require masks on a Caribbean cruise?   Sounds so hot. Thoughts? 

11 hours ago, Hlitner said:

The easiest way to deal with MSC is to book through a decent cruise agency.  And if you carefully choose your cruise agency you will be rewarded with a very generous On Board Credit!  In a sense the cruise agency is paying you not to be on hold :).

 

Hank

Any suggestions?  I don’t have a travel agent. 

19 hours ago, Dr. Cocktail said:

The Seaside's spa area is truly a trainwreck in comparison.

What makes it a train wreck?

Thank you!

I have a few questions for those who have sailed on the Seaside Yacht Club:

• Are drinks free throughout the ship, or just inside the yacht club area?
• is there any shade or umbrellas available around the yacht club pool?  I never see any in the videos we watched.
• Do the rooms have hair-dryers and make-up mirrors?
• Is MSc’s private island going to be ready by February?

Thanks!

2 hours ago, floridalover5623 said:

Although you do have some interesting points, I can't say I fully agree with all of you con's.

It sounds like you're fairly critical when it comes to a mass market cruise line but then again we're easy to please & have never sailed a luxury cruise ship either. 

No worries... no two people agree 100%.  And that was just my opinion. But I was mainly comparing vs other mass cruise lines.  We love cruises!  That’s why we’ve been on 13. And we had a blast on this cruise. 

And really reviews by nature are critical. 😎 👍

4 hours ago, caribill said:

 

If they did allow online booking, chances are it still would have been sold out unless you were among the very first to actually book the cruise.

 

I bet you’re right. 

12 hours ago, spyro1952 said:

Regarding Sanctuary, do you mean 11:15 am embarkation day or the first actual cruise day (Princess Cay)?  

Been on Regal many times and your review is spot on.  It is what it is.

11:15 on embarkation day.  And everyone is right on... I think the B2B people got it all. 

Even though we had a fun cruise, we won't be sailing on the Regal/Royal class anymore.  This saddens me because I was hoping that everything was so much better on these ships that the other class.  To us, there were very little differences.  Even the main atrium area I thought was going to be huge and more grandiose.  But it wasn't.

Hey guys.  No cabana (they were sold out immediately too).  I just tipped an attendant heavily to make something happen in the Sanctuary!  There were angry cruisers griping out the attendants when sold out, so I took another approach and got some help. 

I will say that the tipping was probably not 100% necessary, as they refused it many times when I offered it.  What they appreciated was someone talking and reasoning with them politely and using courtesy instead of demanding to speak with the manager, etc.  Honey is better than vinegar in negotiation.  The people and attendants were great!  It was my choice to tip.

So why was I making that a "Con"? Because I didn't think at 11:15 AM they would be sold out.  The Sanctuary was the main reason I sailed on this ship!  I have no idea why they will not let people reserve the Sanctuary online.  

Also, I did have to come back later that day (around 5:00) to see if they had any cancellations etc.  It's not like they just were lying or something.

Just returned last week from our Eastern Caribbean voyage on the Regal.  We were in a Club Class mini-suite on the Baja deck. 

What we liked:

• Nice mini suite layout. Very functional. Plenty of storage. 
• Food was good, not great. Very good at times. But good enough. 
• Dining room service was better than the specialty restaurants. We ate at both, and the waiter was doing everything for every table.  Needed help. 
• Lots of fun! Entertainment was great, and something is always going on until late. 
• Embarkation was a snap with the medallions
• Disembarkation was a snap (Club Class). Off the ship and in a taxi by 7:30
• Bed was comfy with nice sheets, pillows, etc. 

Could have been better:

• Not luxury. If you are looking for luxury, up the money and go on another line.
• At times crowded. Horizon Court was way too busy, no seats, etc
• Pool chairs hard to come by for even 2
• We paid the $$ and got the Sanctuary for the week.  Best move ever. However, we were in the line to reserve 1st day at 11:15.  They sold out!!!  What the?!?!  I had to tip a girl VERY nicely to get the weekly rental.  So we paid around $650-700 for the Sanctuary. Blah!
• Theater not grandiose and not as pretty as older ships. In fact, not pretty at all in our opinion. Crowded and cramped. 
• Speciality dining was pretty good, not excellent. 
• This is little, but our bath towels and pool towels are thin and small.  And they were stingy on the towels for the bathroom. 
• Showers had no water pressure. Worst ever that we’ve had on any cruise. 
• Did not enjoy Princess Cays. Way too crowded, no chairs available etc. and they use those clam shell chairs. No umbrellas.  So if you’re on the 2nd or 14th row, you cannot see the water.
• They have a serious elevator issue.  Slow, small, and crowded.  Worst we’ve ever had on a cruise. They had a lot of elevators, but it always seemed like 3-4 weren’t moving for some reason.  When you have this many people, you need to be able to move them quickly!

Ha!  I do now. Thanks!

Are nice jeans acceptable these days on the non formal nights?  Or is it slacks only?

1 hour ago, Mim Lloyd said:

I've just got back too and can confirm what Pepperwood said.  The beach staff will drag your beds and umbrella to a spot for you for a tip - we gave him $5 and it was well worth it.  We got to the beach at 10.30am and it was very crowded and our beds had to be dragged quite a way along to find space for them.  It's a lovely beach but was far too crowded on the day we went.

How many ships were in port on that day?

Thank you!  Very helpful