NYcruzzer

You can also take a look at MSC out of Brooklyn cruise terminal. Quite often you can get a cabin in their Yacht Club (think NCL Haven) for a similar price. MSC yacht club includes premium drink package, internet package Ship within the ship including private restaurant, pool and lounge areas. If you are planning on adding drink and internet packages to a Royal cruise your price point will be about the same.

The projected track of Hurricane Milton was no secret. Too bad they didn't switch this sailing to a Canada/NE cruise. Calmer seas and a better itinerary to be sure.

I agree Bahamas is a crappy substitute for Bermuda. However, It being the peak of hurricane season you may end up in Bahamas or Canada NE anyway.

As paid entertainers. I was making a joke. Ha Ha

Maybe they are preforming on cruise ships ?

NCL's specialty dining has gone downhill as well. NCL's cutbacks are on full display both in food and entertainment.

Orchestra was first in NYC more than 15 years ago. I can only speak from my recent experience on MSC Meraviglia. The Production shows were all excellent. High energy. Great music and dancing numbers. Over the last few years MSC has been "Americanizing" their product to tailor to American's taste in food and entertainment. I am a big Carnival fan. Big production shows aren't a deal breaker for me. I am just as happy going to Comedy shows and the Piano Bar.

Fortunately MSC is bucking this trend. On my recent 7 night cruise on MSC Meraviglia there was 3 full scale production shows. Two magician/illusionist and 2 comedy shows in the main showroom. All very good I might add.

I respectfully disagree. There are plenty of documented accounts of rude behavior on cruises that originated south of the Mason Dixon Line..Rude behavior knows no boundaries.

On land or at Sea....

Don't forget MSC Meraviglia sails year-round from Brooklyn cruise terminal . So there's a 3rd choice for Tundra sailings during the Winter. Between the 3 plenty of cabins to fill. Carnival smart to send Venezia south for the Winter.

You may be right. Previously I've read on other sites that folks on Easy package were able to order a shot of a "Well" selection of Rum and it was included in the Easy package. Off the subject a bit. Just returned from 9/1 cruise on Meraviglia. Had the included Easy Plus package Some of my drinks did seem a little watered down. A few times I ordered a Malibu and Pineapple. Tasted like straight pineapple juice. I got smart and started ordering an extra shot of Malibu on the side..Problem solved.

Virgin frozen drinks like Pina Coladas are offered on the EASY Package. You could order a Virgin drink and a shot of rum on the side. Or as others said you could just pay the difference. Have a great cruise.

We were on the same sailing as you. In YC as well. This was our first time in YC. We had a great cruise. We are booked (non YC) for 1/12 11 night cruise..I'm thinking it will be much harder to win a YC upgrade bid on that cruise. The outright YC fare is a bit rich for my blood..I know, first world problems...

Great. Thanks for the detailed response.

Sailing on Meraviglia this Sunday. Can any recent YC let me know if the Carousel at Sea productions were complimentary ?

Sucess ! Cruising 9/1 on Meraviglia. Last Monday we bid $600.00 PP to go from an Obstructed view balcony to a YC interior. Friday we upped our bid to $650.00 PP. This morning we got the congratulations e-mail that our bid for an inside YC was accepted. Now the best part. When we checked our new cabin number they actually assigned us to a YC balcony ! Initial "all in" fare $1750.00 with drink package and wi-fi Plus $1300.00 for upgrade. Total price $1525.00 PP for a YC balcony. Just about 50% savings. Woo Whooo very excited !

On my upcoming 1/12 cruise there isn't an option that includes internet. I'm sure this will change later..Marketing dept. in Beta testing mode !

As they said in the Movie Office Space "They fixed the Glitch" See Post #3

On the 9/1 sailing the drink package/wi-fi option comes with a $50.00 OBC. I'm thinking MSC marketing gurus are tinkering with ways to make the "Drinks and Wi-Fi" option more appealing. On my 9/1 sailing I can't see anyone going for the "Drinks package" without Wi-Fi to save $18 bucks. What MSC should experiment with is an option that includes cruise and Wi-Fi ONLY instead of Drink package only..

On my upcoming 9/1 cruise they now have these 3 options. This cruise the price spread is minimal. I'd imagine at some point the spread will be larger between option #2 and #3

Excellent. Thanks for the info.

I'm not happy with the new Dining packages. I asked this before but want to make sure. If I DO NOT purchase the dining package, can I still order the $59.00 Dining Experience at Butchers Cut ?

I assume OK. Otherwise I'm pretty sure he/she would have been back on C.C. with a scathing report...

I priced out the 1/23/25 cruise yesterday. Plenty of cabins available. I suspect either a website issue or they are updated pricing on a bunch o salings.