fabnfortysomething

Hi we will be sailing with grandaughters aged 3 and almost 2 in June some cruiselines allow swim diapers-how does MSC stand on this

if you head to the Florida ports of call on this forum you may get more info there last year a friend arrnaged shared shuttle transportation from Orlando area hotel to Port Canaveral-I cant remember the company but there are several private companies that offer this service either as on a seat by seat basis on a bus or a completely private transportation in a limo if you can cancel MSC transport you may find this a better option and at least you will be able to plan!

I discovered Cunard policy re mobility scooters only allowed in accessible cabins ahead of our back to back transatlantic on Qm2 2022 I enquired about hiring mobility scoooter with scootaround and was informed they couldnt supply unless to a diabled cabin -in the end we bought a rollator and took it with us QM2 does have a disproportionate number of diabled cruisers on transatlantic compared to other itineraries and cruise lines However a major criticism of Cunard is their special assistance form which tends to get lost in transit we got a telling off this year when our names werent on the list of needing assistance despite me sending back form several months earlier after a written compalint to Cunard they ackowledged there were issues with existing system and say a new system will be in place in future

hi the organiser booked directly through Flam railroad company same as NCL but without added mark up costs

another thing to consider when booking Flam rail at the waterfall stop only the middle coaches will be directly outside platform-other ends of train will be in the tunnel and you will have to make your way along to get off platform-check this before you book/board

had to laugh at your description of the toddler looking bootfaced I have 2 grandaughters aged 3 and 1 eldest would break into a grin from an early age as soon as you pointed a camera at her junior looks bootfaced in most-we reckon its the weight of her chubby cheeks that make smiling difficult! we are treating them and their parents to a 5 day cruise next year[MSC who status match] so going to be rnteresting!]

to me one of the joys of a back to back is not having to disembark and enjoying empty ship sitting in atrium and watching first passengers embark its a real pain when port requires zero count and you have to hang around until allowed back on board

my husband isnt a full time wheelchair user but has walking difficulties even with wheelchair assistance airports are so stressful we have decided to just go cruise from home ports from now on we did QM2 back to back southampton to new york last year and loved it-we were in standard balcony cabin

sailed QM2 August 2022 with drinks package and never had to sign-just hand over card Sailed Queen Victoria last month with drinks package and again never had to sign

this was also offered on our Queen Victoria 7 night cruise they also had an embarkation day special where for $40 more you got a 100 minute massage

not ftt for purpose is the expression 6 used as a retired IT guy for the online system trail in that the contact us link doesnt get to correct department-in our case to flights assistance the actual experience of wheelchair assistance is actually much better than with NCL where you dont see a wheelchair until you have checked in Cunard obviously agree as they are changing way to book via manage my booking they say all passengers will be notified so lets see hope to bump into you on a future cruise

yes their systems are definitely "not fit for purpose" lets hope this new system works better not good being made to feel like naughty children when you know you are in the right!

Friday-disembarkation-BOO Time to go home There was no note on disembarkation info as to what time to leave stateroom and we didn’t fancy the scrum at breakfast so decided to hang out in our room till we were kicked out Our disembarkation time was 9.30 and we had instructions to meet 15 minutes before in Connexions room deck 1. Our previous Cunard trip last year 6 tested positive for Covid on morning of disembarkation. Our instructions were to stay in cabin util rest of guests were off ship then we would be escorted off separately It was a bit surreal to get knock on door and confronted by 3 ships employees in Hazmat suits 1 to push wheelchair and the other 2 with sanitising backpacks to spray in our wake! 8.50 the steward knocked on our door obviously wanting to get started on cleaning We headed downstairs and could see Connexions room next to exit of ship .Very convenient apart from the fact that queues of people waiting to scan their cards to get off were blocking the entrance-QV staff should have thought that one through and picked a room on other side There were several wheelchair bound people trapped and eventually an officer cleared a way for us all to get to that room We recognised the staff in there as same ones as at beginning of voyage so obviously Port of Southampton staff This time 6 name was on the list and we were directed to wait -we found a relatively quiet corner where he could put on his headphones and create a bit of isolation. Several people were complaining that they had been told to go to card room on deck 3 instead so had missed their earlier disembarkation time There were a lot of people needing assistance so patience required His name was called at 9.50 and we were escorted off ship and right to car park directly opposite the ship We were on the road by 10.15 An update on the mess up with wheelchair assistance 6 sent a complaint via the contact us link on Cunard website We got a response that it had turned up in the flights assistance department[no wonder didn’t get a response about sending form!] They forwarded to customer services and we got a reply It seems this is not an isolated incidence and apparently in future there will be a new aspect on Manage my Booking to completed these forms directly!

Thursday at sea I had intended to do the 10am art class but woke up at 10.10 6 had already gone We were crossing the Bay of Biscay and unlike a few days previously it was calm seas and sun shining. I found 6 out by the Lido pool and he looked puzzled when I said had missed art class as it was now only 9.40 My iphone and watch had reset itself to Paris time! Getting my art kit I headed to the class Packing up my watch said 12 noon so only 30 minutes to my massage so headed up to Lido to grab a bite to eat They were still setting up as was only 11.05 -my watch had reset to Paris time again! I found 6 by Pavilion pool and when we confirmed was actually lunch time headed back to Lido buffet We were approached by Seeven our attentive wine waiter from Britannia restaurant who now knew to provide our usual drinks within a few minutes of sitting down! It would have been rude to refuse a drink so we didn’t. I had my 3rd and final massage then went to the 2pm art class to finish off work had started that morning Time to return to cabin to shower change and pack in record time so could leave cases outside door whilst we went for our final restaurant meal We found a harpist playing in lobby deck 1 and stayed to listen In fact 6 found it so soothing he has taken to listening to harp music at home along with other soothing music when he needs to calm his “strokey brain” I headed to bed 9.30 after calling at Golden Lion to say goodbye to K and C who would be getting a coach back to Manchester in the morning. 6 stayed out a bit later and experienced the silent disco where people in headphones were belting out HIHO Silver Lining with no apparent backing!

I would recommend this ship as mentioned our cruising history is mostly with NCL but this is our 2nd Cunard and have booked Queen Anne for 2024 next cruise though is May next year with MSC for frst time they have staus matched us and we are doing 5 day cruise out of Southampton and treating Dughter Son in law and Grandaughters to it

Tuesday Lisbon Today 6 is 62 year old I asked him how old he feels and he replied 75 That’s an improvement on yesterday when he said 100! We sat outside Chart room which was busier than yesterday K and C came past and said they had been out on deck but it was cold. We had lunch up at Lido buffet overlooking port Wet and windy with lots of umbrellas and raincoats on show Lisbon is very reminiscent of San Francisco with hills and trolleys and of course the bridge spanning the River Tagus Today the bridge was obscured for a lot of the time with rain clouds Plenty of tuk tuks driving around but looked a very cold day to be doing that! I spent an hour in the Thermal suite which was busier than yesterday when I was the only one there 6 managed to get online for his monthly support group for stroke survivors and was entertaining the group with tales of our cruise so far[especially the rough seas] We joined K and C for afternoon tea at 3pm-first time we have done it and was fun We tried not to eat too much as restaurant 5.45 We had requested our usual table and the waiter remembered it was his birthday As we exited River Tagus to the Atlantic the seas were a bit choppy but I managed to take part in online fan performance class in our cabin The rest of the evening was spent in the Queens room where the Watson duo were playing On deck 2 was a lot more stable On Qm2 last year we spent a lot more time in Golden Lion pub but found it too noisy with sports screens on most of the time so we visited a lot more of available bars such as Commodore club and Chart room

did you take advabtage of status match or would it not make much difference as you are in Yacht club?

Monday We woke to find we were docked in Lisbon with a great view of the city from our balcony. It was a warm sunny day 20 degree C We had an overnight stay here and had planned to meet up with a friend who lives in Lisbon that evening However 6 was having what he calls a fuzzy day which is also a side effect of his stroke and he recognises the signs to take it easy Doubled with the fact his arthritis was acting up we decided to stay on ship. NCL Dawn was docked alongside and obviously disembarkation day as lots of taxis lined up to ferry passengers onwards 6 went to find a spot to relax on quiet ship as most people had gone ashore I headed for Thermal suite and was only person in there Afterwards I found 6 and we went up to pool deck where a few people were enjoying pool in the sunshine We found the adjacent Winter Gardens bar with covered roof and had a quiet drink before heading to Lido buffet for lunch I had another massage booked for 12.30 which was again very enjoyable Afterwards I went for my complimentary scalp and hair consultation No hard sell but recommended scalp exfoliation/pre shampoo Will give a go but will find something cheaper when get home! I found 6 resting up on the balcony after having had his weekly injection that keeps his inflammatory arthritis at bay We spent rest of afternoon watching activity on dock below We had our usual restaurant table and were all done by 6.45 so headed to Chart room to people watch I decided to head to theatre to watch the 8pm show-land of make believe -leaving 6 in bar as he doesn’t do shows! It was a lively 45 minute fun production to be repeated at 10 I collected 6 from the chart room and we headed up to the Commodore lounge where were joined by K and C for rest of the night

Sunday Today should have been Vigo but instead another sea day and so art class at 10am 6 was heading to breakfast and turned on tv to check navigation channel and it said 7.30am instead of 8.30-he said he would check as there had been no notification of time change-in fact it was indeed 8.30 The seas were a lot calmer just gentle rocking of ship People in hot tubs although not brave enough for pools! After art class I found 6 outside chart room and we listened to the Captains daily noon announcement He confirmed better weather forecast and gave interesting history of Galicia coast we were sailing by I had fish and chips in Golden Lion then headed 1.15 to Royal Court theatre for a presentation on new ship Queen Anne which is still being furbished We have booked her for next August to Sweden and Norway I then turned up for my facial rejuvenation consultation with Dr Jorge H took an imaging camera of my face which shows areas of sun damage etc and said that my skin care regime is working as not too much to worry about-thank you Temple spa However he recommended a thermal treatment which would last up to 3 years at cost of $3000 No thanks! Anyway if I were to consider it the last place I would have it done is on a cruise ship where unable to get follow up! There was a hair show in the atrium where 4 hairdressers from spa were giving 4 women a makeover and giving advice on correct way to shampoo and condition We were invited to attend for a free scalp and hair consultation in spa 3.15 there was a crafts meet up where can chat to other guests whilst knitting,sewing or whatever crafts you have brought along A few people turned up expecting supplies to be provided and were disappointed Cunard are missing a trick as selling mini cross stitch kits etc could be extra income for them as with the art supplies 6 had checked back my emails and confirmed I had returned the special needs form back in February but no confirmation of receipt After dinner I went to Pursers office to check whether definitely on list for disembarkation There was a harpist playing so sat and listened for a while Unfortunately had to move on after an elderly man was talking absolute bilge to his companion It was distracting enough for me but even worse for 6 As a result of his stroke he is unable to filter out conversations and hears all sounds in a room at the same intensity This can be helped slightly buy use of earplugs and sitting with back to wall but wasn’t helping here We moved up to Commodore lounge to listen to the Watson Duo with a more mellow song set Unfortunately we found another idiot sitting alongside him also talking rot at top of his voice so decided to call it a night.

number of the Beast

we really enjoy both I prefer the smaller ships to the giants such as Escape where it can get too crowded in places Cunard definitely is more elegant to be honest the smart evening attire requested by Cunard is what we would wear on an evening on NCL even though it is billed as casual the gala nights are fun to bring out the best clothes possibly due to itinerary the 2 Cunard cruises we have done havent had many children on board and definitely an older/infirm clientele[so we fit in!] not the adventure playgrounds to be found on NCL but they do have kids clubs

yes i got the reference 6 /Ian laughed

lol have you read the description of why I call him 6? we have been married 37 years-he says he would have got less for murder[i hope hes joking!]

We have cruised twice on NCL this year and did a walking difficulties review just returned from Cunard on Queen Victoria and above is link to my review there are many reviews on these boards but not so common on Cunard and I've earned a great review badge!

Saturday at sea The clocks had gone forward an hour which caught people unawares. I turned up to art class at 10am but several people turned up an hour late The class was repeated at 2pm each sea day so had a second chance The classes themselves are free but if you don’t bring your art equipment you can purchase for $35 This is good value as you get watercolours brushes pencil eraser and sharpener as well as pad of watercolour paper. The ship was rocking and rolling and when the captains announcement came that we would be skipping Vigo the next day for safety reasons it was no great surprise. I found 6 11.30 at corner of chart room and went up to Lido for a light lunch-not many people around probably being sick in their cabins Those up and about were staggering around I had visited the spa the previous day and signed up for embarkation day special of 100 minutes full body massage and mini facial Also included voyage long access to thermal suite for $189[normally $149 on its own] As an incentive to book a series of 3 massages I got complimentary massage oil and cooling gel it was suggested to use morning and night to enhance effects of massage. I then spent 40 minutes in thermal suite watching the water in pool slosh around in response to the rough sea conditions I had tried to avoid the complimentary facial rejuvenation consultation ie botox sell but was reminded on leaving spa-oh well could be a laugh so rebooked for 2pm next day Tonight was first gala night-black and white so returned to cabin to shower 6 returned after remaking acquaintance with Gino who was bar waiter at Golden Lion on QM2 He is now working on board Queen Victoria in Chart Room and on board with his fiancée who he met on QM2 It’s nice to see the efforts people make to get dressed up on Gala nights especially as still experiencing rough seas We got a table for 2 in quiet area next to window so could watch the show that was the waves crashing up and down! After dinner we went to chart room and waiting for football to finish on screens in Golden Lion The Watson duo were due on 815 but football running late We spent rest of evening in there and paired up for quiz with K and C for the quiz[we came nowhere near winning!