ConnieTact

When we returned to the peace and tranquility of Yacht Club we were pleasantly surprised to find this in our room!

We looked around the ship last night and weren’t impressed and both agreed we would only travel on this ship in Yacht Club. The atmosphere ar the aft of the ship was like going to a Butlin’s holiday camp. Some may enjoy this, but the sad sight of young children waiting in the very smoky casino while their parents played didn’t seem right. There were a lot of families with young children outside the lifts on settees and teenagers lounging about on chairs. The Dolce Vita bar had a poor sounding band playing but was packed full so some found it okay. We popped in the Lina Park Arena ant 12.30, and it was nearly empty! It was a shame it couldn’t attract the teenagers who were obviously bored. The people onboard are mostly from the countries we are sailing from so for once we cannot blame the Brits for bawdy behaviour! 😅

Last night after dinner we experienced the good the bad and the ugly onboard the ship outside Yacht Club and we both agree if we sail again on this ship, it will only be in Yacht Club! 😅 The good was more of Elom’s fantastic playing and singing, even a request for one of his own and that was really good. The bad was not having ordinary seats and having to perch on barstools. We can’t get comfortable on them! Call it old age! 😅 The ugly, was drunk interrupting Elon’s performance asking for an Italian song that Elon didn’t know or wanting to grab his microphone to sing karaoke! There were a lot of them and it felt uncomfortable enough for Mr CT to make the bar staff aware of the situation. Eventually the ring leader left and the continued. Elom cooed well with it but it’s a shame there wasn’t somebody senior to step in at earlier stage. As it was Elom’s first day, I hope others positivity helped him feel more welcome.

Last nights dinner was a bit different than expected. The starter I chose was Chicken and duck Terinne and Sommelier William chose a medium strength Merlot because of the strength of the meat taste in the dish. It worked well. Next we both chose stuffed tortelli with asparagus and marscapone and this was matched with a Chardonnay. The pasta dish was heavily salted and I couldn’t eat more than one bite. I apologised and told the waiter I couldn’t eat it as the dish was over salted. MrCT agreed it was too salty but, ate his anyway because he grew up on salty food and could ‘handle it’. I received an apology and chef said he would make some more in a separate pan with no salt added to it and within minutes the new dish arrived. I was warned it may still be salty due to the pasta, and it’s contents. it was still really too salty, and sadly, I had to refuse that dish too. The waiter could not apologise more and offered all kinds of alternatives but I said I’d prefer to move on to our cheese plate. Next the manager came over and asked generally how things were and we said how brilliant the staff were and speed of service too. We reported the pasta was over salted and I couldn’t eat it this way, due to health reasons. He arranged for the Head waited to come over and asked me to choose my next meal choices to ensure they are cooked without salt. I am grateful for this, as I don’t think they could have done more. The only thing is, it has individualised the issue rather than addressed it for all. I heard I was not the only one with the same complaint that service, so I do hope the chef gets the message to not be so heavy with it in the future. The main thing is, it is important to feedback and issue rather than take to social media to complain to an audience! If the correct people do not know, they cannot make things right. I encourage anyone to have a quiet word rather that go away feeling disappointed. As an aside, with all this going on, somehow we never got our dessert profiteroles either! We couldn’t have needed them much, because we only just realised! 😅

Not been yet! Warned no high heels! One of the rules! 😂

We’re IN! 😜

I’ll report back on our rather eventful dinner tonight a bit later but we couldn’t wait to come back to see Elom. He’s taking requests and guidance from very appreciative audience. He’s really good. Now playing Redemption song after an Ed Sheehan and before that a Tom jones number! we’re loving it! 🥰 Well done MSC for finding this talented performer!

Exciting new entertainment in Master of the Sea pub tonight. Last day for the previous entertainer and we love Elon’s style. He had a soulful voice and so far has chosen great songs.

Saw show Eko tonight! Solved issue with people coming in late! We sat in front row! 😂 Fabulous singing throughout the show- we were both impressed. High standard of entertainment.

Thanks for your kind words. I was just saying the same to Mr CT! I must investigate if we can be one of the lucky ones! (We often are!😅).

I rested this afternoon after lunch and MrCT took some snaps of the sailout while I woke myself up! 🥱

We went on an excursion today through MSC with Trumps tours. Our guide, Fausta, was informative and thorough in her work. I would recommend this tour as one can see a lot more than if looking around on your own. It’s reasonably priced, port to port pick ups and not too long so we were back for lunch! I will let the written information and the pictures tell the story.

I’ll certainly add them next time as we forget easily! 😅 I know I had a red wine with my tomato salad and an Italian Chardonnay without oak for my cheese flan dish. Lastly a port wine with the cheeses to finish. I had a particularly good Italian wine at lunchtime today with Asparagus ricotta panna cotta and my main which was Pansoti filled with wild green and ricotta. It was a pasta with a walnut sauce and a crispy parrmesan piece. The wine was Greco Di Tufo, again, an Italian white. In fact, I enjoyed this meal so much I have made a special request to repeat the meal on our last day and MrCT will join in and eat the same!

Last night we saw the magic show which didn’t hold our interest much. The constant flow of late comers and getting up and fine to let them past was wearing. why do they let people in, even half an hour late?

Our cabin is on 15. Dining always had spaces and many free tables. We later both nights around 8.30pm. Service is good, great waiter and sommelier, William has made our mealtimes great! Here was tonight’s offering. Sorry about the upside down cheese photo! Too late to fiddle with! Goodnight! 😴

Yacht Club is definitely not overcrowded! Here is the Top Sail Lounge at 8.25 tonight! I guess most people eating or at shows. Duo Cousins entertaining well.

Some snaps from last night.We enjoyed the guitar playing and song choices of Henning in Masters of the sea pub. There was a silent disco last night. Chocolate store ‘Jean-Philippe Chocolat & cafe’ looked fabulous as always on MSC ships, and smelt out of this world!There were photo opportunities with the stars in the promenade!

So, we decided to have a relaxing day onboard. We have been to Marseille many times before so didn’t feel we missed out. Here is a few snaps from earlier, and our sail out from the port.

Aurea Spa price list.

There is apparently one on Deck 20 midship! Somehow that escaped us when we were exploring, looking for it! We must have gone with end! We’ll try again and report back! 😅

Warming up with snacks and hot drinks now. Beautiful sunset but really cold out there!

Ok! If the MSC information is correct then we can’t find a walking track on this ship! Lots of dead ends at every turn! We asked an outside member of staff and he said no, you can jyst walk around the decks. We even looked in the gym but nothing like that in there!

Extra topping is discouraged by MSC and certainly not expected by staff. I usually have small £5 or €5 notes to hand out to staff on last day and often tip butler more, if they are good. Also we have tipped waiters if especially made an impression and some to sommelier and YC manager- again if they made an impression & went out their way with a request. European cruises are different that US ones and when we book from UK tips are ‘prepaid’. occasionally we may give €1 for a drink outside YC - if delivered promptly or with a smile! We never feel it is expected though. With spa treatments - it is so clearly 15% added, I feel that’s enough. I have to say all staff have been very appreciative if we have given them tips.

We had a late lunch in outside pool grill bar, which was hot and delicious but did take 35 minutes to arrive because a large party got their order in before us. did have to ask twice for my champagne but honestly, I’m grateful to be in the position to be able to have a glass at lunchtime, so I’m not complaining! 🤣