sverigecruiser

1 hour ago, Heidi13 said:

 

If you read the original post the question is a small cabin on a premium/luxury ship, or a premium cabin (suite) on Cunard. With Cunard, the more expensive cabins are generally larger.

The question is small ship basic cabin or big ship premium cabin. The premium cabin might be bigger but the question was not about cabin size.

I think that most people book the premium cabins for the other perks, for example better food, and not to get a bigger cabin. I know I do.

On 10/27/2023 at 6:02 PM, Heidi13 said:

 

However, I will ask, "Why would you want a large cabin on a cruise ship". Are you planning to spend most of the time in your cabin?

 

Wasn't the question big or small ship, not large or small cabin?

A more expensive cabin on a big ship doesn't necessary mean that the cabin is much bigger. I'm thinking Yacht Club or Haven compared to "standard balcony", the size of the cabin is almost the same.

9 hours ago, shipgeeks said:

I would say it is following local custom.  In US restaurants we get tap water.  In European restaurants we don't; if we want water we have to purchase a bottle.

In Sweden you get tap water in restaurants without paying for it. 

30 minutes ago, Honolulu Blue said:

The other is, as I and some others have mentioned here is also known as the "brochure price".  This was more applicable in the days when cruise lines and the TAs that loved them actually had brochures that they sent out or gave out to people who were interested in cruises.  THAT rate is strictly pie-in-the-sky

The "brochure price" is what I have to pay if I shall book in Sweden. Maybe it's possible to book for another price but the normal price is the brochure rate.  

On 10/24/2023 at 12:16 PM, Honolulu Blue said:

It's hard for me to imagine anyone actually being foolish enough to pay full retail for any cruise (I certainly have not), but I'm sure it's happened to someone, somewhere, sometime.

If I shall book a cruise in Sweden I always have to pay the full retail. I'm sure there are exceptions but I have never seen it.

7 hours ago, frantic36 said:

 

 

This will no longer be possible as Barcelona has changed port locations from the end of this month. You will now have a 30 minute shuttle bus ride.

 

https://www.euronews.com/travel/2023/10/13/cruise-passengers-in-barcelona-will-no-longer-be-able-to-stop-in-the-city-centre#:~:text=The giant vessels will no,ride from the city centre.

 

 

That's bad news! I still prefer Barcelona.

14 hours ago, davide2002 said:

In terms of making things as simplifiedas possible, is Rome and Barcelona equal for getting to ports etc?

In Barcelona it's possible to walk to port since it's located in the middle of town! 

We think that Barcelona is the best town to embark in.

You can keep the slippers but not the robe.

On 9/26/2023 at 6:58 PM, peder said:

I know there was a bar, but are you talking about self-service beer/wine/soda dispensers?

They have it at "Pizza & Burgers" on World Europa.

13 hours ago, JAGR said:

I believe Signature venues are essentially vendor-owned operations that lease space on board the ships.  In addition to Venchi 1878, it would include Lavazza Coffe shops, Jean Phillippe, and the Crepes & Gelato operations. 

How many tries to bring a drink to those places? Getting some icecream and needing a drink, really?

On 9/17/2023 at 7:17 PM, jsn55 said:

 Experienced travellers know the score, but others are taken in, and end up paying too much for inadequate accommodations.

Then the others need to do some research so that they know what they are booking!

4 hours ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

Did you happen to get to the thermal suite?  If so, what are your thoughts?

 

I think that the waterfall they had was too loud. It was heared very loud also in rooms which should be quiet.

11 hours ago, JonoBhoy said:

On a recent Celebrity Cruise they didn't open the bars until sail away and we plan on staying onboard on a couple of ports on our upcoming Seaview sailing from Palma. Can anyone confirm that MSC keep their bars (specifically YC) open whilst in port? Thanks

My experience on the Mediterranean is that many bars are closed during the day but the YC bar is open.

On 8/29/2023 at 6:45 PM, sydney dog said:

OK so my question is HOW do you avoid them at dinner?  it seems that they just come to your table and it is almost easier to just comply with the pic than dissuade them from taking it. 

I look at them and shake my head before they get to the table.

9 hours ago, CruisingFox27 said:

 the YC excursions benefit is a bit of a myth I'm afraid. 

But they do mention it in their brochure.

On 9/1/2023 at 5:12 PM, sjhanksaz said:

our dining was changed to the late option.  I said we can't do that medically for some things my wife deals with after eating.  

I'm sorry for you but under those circumstances you shouldn't book an experience without anytime dining. It's not fair to expect early dining when booking the experience you booked.

9 hours ago, indstate3333 said:

I understand what you are saying.  I think a majority of passengers want to be the first ones on the ship.  I am not sure how MSC determines who gets which time.  I know other lines have an online check-in process.  Whoever checks in first gets to pick their time.  There are only so many slots for 10, 1030, 11, etc….

They can do what other cruiselines do, ask. Lots of people wants to board early but a few don't so they could then pick a late time.

Since they normally don't enforce the time it's not a problem but if they did...

2 hours ago, indstate3333 said:

MSC and other cruise lines have embarkation times for a reason…if every passenger would arrive closer to their scheduled time…there would be less congestion.  

If MSC respected their customers and let them pick a time the customers may try to respect MSC too and arrive closer to the time.

(I understand that not everyone can get the time they want but they could still ask.)

13 hours ago, Best Cat Mom said:

Is it on a plate? Ours was in a bowl which did not let it spread out so far. Looks almost like breakfast oatmeal in your image -- well, except for the oyster. 🙂

A plate. We have always been served risotto on a plate on MSC.

15 hours ago, donaldsc said:

 

Just my opinion but I look at this as basically wasting 1/ 2 of every day you are on the cruise.   However if it works for you I guess that it works for you.

 

DON

For me it's wasting time every time I leave the ship! I don't cruise for the ports, if I did it should be much cheaper to just book a trip to the portcities!

I have been on two Mediterranean cruises with the  same itinerary, Barcelona-Marseilles-Genova-Naples-Messina-Valetta-Barcelona, and we are planning to book a third cruise with the same itinerary just because we love the ship! We plan to stay on the ship in Marseilles, Genova and Naples so that we can maximise our time on the ship! Messina and Valetta are worth to leave the ship for, we think. 

On 6/4/2023 at 1:09 AM, Best Cat Mom said:

We loved their risotto

We love their risotto too but the oysterrisotto really doesn't look nice!

It was delicious but the look of it...

9 hours ago, Shippy said:

....looks like it is back....

It has never left but how many dies now?

Does it cost less than $1000? If yes I agree, it's a steal.

We normally try to be back on the ship in time for lunch, but sometimes it's a late lunch around 2. We never leave the ship again after lunch.

We don't care about the money, so it has nothing to do with that we already has paid for the food on the ship, but we love to be on the ship! Otherwise we shouldn't book a cruise!

2 hours ago, Ehg said:

Fair enough! 😝

Agree!