ConnieTact

Last nite’s notes!- Earlier we were not hungry enough to eat at our early dining time so decided to pack and then go to the buffet instead. It’s great to have that choice. We like the fact you can choose exactly what you want and in just the right portion size. We went at 8pm and it was not too busy as both sides were still open. There is a slightly different offering, for example on a fruit plate in the main restaurant you could not have. Whole tangerine or fresh ripe plums or kiwi fruit. I had two different types of fish and MrCT had rice and beef in red wine sauce. All were fine. The drinks service and table clearance was slow, but we had prepared for that and taken drinks from champagne bar to drink in there. Sometimes we like the more casual feel of the buffet, and it certainly made for a quicker meal. Great for families, and also for people who want to eat by themselves rather than share a table. It’s good to have the chance of a change of venue and dining style.

Live update! On the last stretch coming into Southampton soon!

Have been resting in our room this afternoon as MrCT kept to his promise of whatever is mine is yours! I now feel a little under the weather too! 😅 The joy of a cruise is everything is done for you and an ideal convalescent home at sea! 😂 My surprise was- room service delivering me a surprise ’token’ of bubbles and a delicious plate of treats! Guest service team sent this declaring I was a special guest! 😍 I have to say, the service I received from them was every bit as friendly and efficient as at the YC concierge desk! Niamh one of the team, went out of her way to help me with my queries yesterday. Hopefully, we will be seeing her as a YC concierge one day soon?!

We had a wonderful evening with @LiquidWu last night- great conversation, laughter & dancing. Thanks for coming to introduce yourself! We started in Champagne bar, next the Italia show, then enjoyed Dario in the pub. Lastly, a sneaky pizza for Mr CT from the buffet. Just got there before closing! It was White nite but I forgot in my rush to get to early dining so I was in black! 😅 No slippers this time though!

I’m about to lose my internet- so goodbye for now! Next stop- Zebrugge…..again! 😂

Great sail out today! Port of Rotterdam did us proud. Ship is sounding fab! We saw from our Bella balcony - bonus!

My mistake! It was the Sky Lounge! Yes, we walked through Horizon after a couple of laps around the walking track.

I somehow missed that on a Grandiosa. There’s a man sitting in horizon bar with his silent disco headphones on! Two days later! Now that’s quite a party! He’s not dancing though! 😂

A reminder to the afternoon tea service in YC!

How does Horizon bar compare with YC afternoon tea service? No comparison! YC is the 5 star experience and this is more like a stop in a bust airport lounge! Our table not wiped down and stained from last customer. I asked for cake and the server looked at me shocked to think I wasn’t going up to get my own! 😅 I just asked for another tea but table still stained and not wiped again! The bar is very crowded and not many seats available. We have all the announcements on- yet another drill-I’m not sure we suffered that in YC! Nothing like the treat we would get in YC so I admit I am missing that element right now.

Okay! I have managed to track down an answer! Hot off the press - here it is! I spoke to Guest Services and was told I could not speak directly to Bar manager on the phone, but as I had my question prepared they called them for me. They asked if there will be any change to the present requirement, to pay for the whole drink with tax, if it was outside the package the guest had. The answer is no! Even after the ship comes back to U.K. from Germany, it will keep the present policy of you need to pay the full price of the more expensive drink. As previously stated there will be a change to the packages on offer though. Yes, it is disappointing but as Hamrag said, it doesn’t make financial sense for MSC. Obviously, we do not pay service charges, have kettles in our rooms and other wonderful U.K. perks so I remain happy with the present offering. Even if I did fancy trying that Moet and Chandon number! For now though, it’s tea and cake in the Horizon bar! 😂

Staying on the ship as all aboard is 4.30 and it just after 2 now. MrCT wants to take it easy (with the hope he’ll revive again tonight!) do for now it’s just us Robbie the Robot & a German YouTube vlogger behind us streaming his wisdom! 😊

Lunch in Minuetto - I tried red snapper for first time. Tasty but overly salted and pumpkin soup the same - too salty. I would prefer black pepper instead and healthier too. I do sometimes get swollen ankles on cruises and I’m convinced it’s the extra salt. I use sparingly at home preferring herbs or peppers to flavour food. I think I missed YC food today and the service too. We had to wait ages for a change of dish for Mr CT and I had finished my dish before his arrived. White jacket managers nowhere to be seen in our area. Nor did they thank us or say goodbye- what a surly lot they are! 😜

Again, loving the balcony more for the view as it’s too cold to stay out there for long. Here is the view today. My CT sleeping off last night so we’ll get up for lunch soon! Depending on how he feels we may stay on ship or venture out for a while. We’ve been to Rotterdam before so I don’t feel we are missing out as it’s very overcast and cold today.

I looked out our balcony last night and we think it was a wind farm lit up so beautifully making a red horizon! We would see that on a YC1 so we liked our Bella balcony all over again!

When we returned to the cabin last night we had the letter from captain regarding the changes. We return to Zebrugge tomorrow! Here’s our new itinerary.

Did I forget to mention- I was dancing in my slippers last night- rocking that comfy look eh?! 😅😂 I met some great people last night and we had great conversations and lots of laughs. It even revived Mr CT or was that the wine?! 😜

There was carnival party last night and we also stayed until the end of Dario’s sets I’m the pub. He had us up and dancing to so many favourite tunes!

Mr CT not up to restaurant last night so we got a quick bite to eat in the buffet. No champagne offer there though just Prosecco from plastic wine glass. Oh maybe I missed YC restaurant last night! As we could go there any time but with Bella a strict time to eat.

I did just that last night. Asked about more expensive champagne but faced with the full price plus 15% service charge I decided to stick with the Black Label!

So in effect, as we already have the premium plus package and other perks in U.K. such as no gratuities, we are not offered the same ‘pay the difference’ deal? That makes sense really, I like what we have.I think we like to know what we are going to be paying and are comfortable with that.

Last nights silent disco was great fun! I had to go solo as Mr CT not feeling great so rested.all very fun though, great tunes, fab dancing and lots of people singing, loudly, out of tune and to complete the chaos different songs all at once! I loved it!

Just had announcement from captain. Looks like we aren’t going to Le Harve or alternative of Amsterdam due to winds. We can’t do extra day in Rotterdam as Prima will be using same dock so we’ll be returning to Zebrugge! Hopefully all can get transport to and from their destinations with not too much hassle. As long as there is champagne flowing- I guess we’ll stay happy! Cruising! So much better than working! 😂 🥂Cheers!

I checked with barman but he hadn’t heard of this happening- if I get the chance to speak to anyone ‘higher’ I’ll let you know.

Please! Tell me it isn’t true!! 🤪 no champagne on premium package?! That’s awful! 😅