NYcruzzer

18 hours ago, Fissues said:

I’m on the 9/7 cruise to Bermuda in YC. 
I would cancel if it was going to the Bahamas. 

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.

7 minutes ago, ontheweb said:

As paid entertainers or as passengers?

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

7 minutes ago, ontheweb said:

How have the first and second place winners fared as entertainers?

Maybe they are preforming on cruise ships ?

On 9/19/2024 at 6:33 PM, kristinp36 said:

I am convinced that NCL has terrible food in the MDR so you'll upgrade and go to specialty dining. 

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

2 hours ago, jimbo5544 said:

We were on the Orchestra when they first came over.  By far, the moat boring entertainment we have ever seen on a ship. 

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. 

1 hour ago, shof515 said:

unfortunately this is a common trend with cruise lines. look at what Norwegian is doing with their entertainment replacing theater shows with wheel of fortune, press your luck 

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.

10 hours ago, PTC DAWG said:

We Southerners have a name for y’all.  🙂
 

I’m sticking to FL ports, I have never had issues like this in my part of the woods.  
 

Be nice and cruise on. 

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. 

1 hour ago, RandomUser123 said:

Unlimited drinks on cruise is always better than internet. Prove me wrong!!!

On land or at Sea....

On 9/6/2024 at 9:42 PM, jimbo5544 said:

That and $7.99 will buy you a happy meal at McDonalds.  I was not comparing lines (a whole different thread), just stating the facts. IT does not work for Carnival. If you want to sail from the tundra during the winter,  go cruise on NCL or RCCL, 2 COLD days going down and 2 COLD days coming back.  They can have it. 

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. 

23 minutes ago, JamieLogical said:

 

You can order them at the same time, but it looks like from that bar menu, most individual shots are over $8, so you would have to pay the difference.

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.

58 minutes ago, PattiPB said:

Thank you for the water shoes tip. I'll pull out the water shoes today! We didn't buy the drink package when I booked, but was then offered  40% discount on it, so I bought the cheapest one. Can I get mixed drinks on that package, but not the fancy frozen ones (without an upcharge)? Is that a fair way to explain the limitations?

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...

4 hours ago, tcruisin77 said:

Yes, we sailed Meraviglia YC and had complimentary tickets to both productions. Made reservations once we embarked (a small table was set up next to YC Concierge on deck 16) and had no problem getting the times and dates we wanted. 

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 !

On 8/3/2024 at 9:01 AM, JamieLogical said:

Ha! Decided to check pricing on my upcoming January sailing with these new rates and it's more expensive for drinks alone than it is for Drinks & Wifi! I suspect MSC is still working out the kinks on this one!

 

 

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

2 hours ago, Até said:

It's only four dollars more for internet on the September 8th sailing. 

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

1 hour ago, JamieLogical said:

 

Yes, you absolutely can just purchase the dining experience directly in any of the restaurants that offer them at the listed price. Also, don't forget that you do get one specialty dining experience included once you are Diamond.

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 ?

3 hours ago, TheBeardedCruiser said:

So how was it?

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

2 hours ago, JamieLogical said:

Thanks, everyone, for the feedback. I will wait and see if something changes in the next 24 hours or so. I have found that even large TA sites are not showing these sailings for US markets.

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.

11 minutes ago, marktwothousand said:

Starting to get a little concerned about my memorial week cruise from Brooklyn next week. Reading lots of posts on other sites that people bring pot. To me, if that’s the first question people ask about this ship, that’s not a good sign.
 

Is the crowd from this port going to be a little rough and tumble? Starting to get the impression I’ve signed up for a 3-day Carnival out of Nola where people bring their luggage on in a reuseable grocery bag…

 

I also saw one video where the reviewer said “a certain demographic of people who made up most of the passengers” were extremely rude at the buffet and hoarding armfuls of fruit to bring back to their room. (He would not get more specific than that)

 

anyone can shed light on what kind of demographic I can expect, will really help to assuage my concerns or at least prepare me for what sounds like it might be a total shipshow… *gulp* 😩

I guess you should have done your research BEFORE booking. To quote a famous line from the Movie "A Bronx Tale" "Now yous can't leave"

43 minutes ago, jimbo5544 said:

....and maybe on tomorrows lunch menu

Ha. Same with the Pigeons in NYC...