NCteacherlovescruising

We will be on the Seaside. We will be driving to the port.

We found the entertainment better on NCL. I would say that is Celebrity’s biggest weakness. However, Celebrity wins hands down for service. I also enjoy the relaxing atmosphere with Celebrity, and fewer kids running around. Many will say the food is better on Celebrity, but I liked it on both. It’s been several years since we’ve sailed with NCL though. I just don’t recall not liking their food.

We enjoy walking so we’ll do that.

Maybe we’ll go to the yacht club until lunch and then move over to the lagoon. Is it walkable or would we want them to drop us off there?

That would be truly annoying!! Please come back to update.

I don’t get the obsession with soft serve I’ve cream on ships. Lol I’ve maybe had it a handful of times between all our cruises. Same! I’m a pepperoni and sausage lover and my husband likes mushrooms, anchovies (gross!!!) and other stuff on his.

I may bring a pair of my Chacos for this. We don’t seek the shade too much at the beach. I like working on my tan. Although after a few hours I may want some. You would think they would move us to the nicer beach across the street and provide the drink service there. I’ve also heard it’s rough water at our beach.

Chacos are just hiking sandals that are waterproof. 🤪

Thanks! I believe your photo was the one I’d seen of the rocky beach across the street. Would a pair of Chacos work on the rocky beach?

I’ll bring flip flops for the pool deck.

Are there chairs over there? Was it crowded?

I’ve been reading about and seeing pictures of the rocky beach for suite guests. Should we bring water shoes to get in the water? Would we be better off going to a different beach there?

It still makes me sick knowing how much we paid for our suite. And we haven’t canceled the NCL cruise yet for the same summer. Both Mediterranean. In the back of my mind I wonder if at some point, before final payment, we’ll change our mind and go with the NCL cruise which is 6k less! That would give us a lot of extra money to explore Italy pre or post cruise. At this time we’re still planning on sticking with Celebrity.

I wish we could travel at those times. Being a teacher we always have to go during peak season. What we paid for our sky suite for June 2024 is substantially higher. And on a much older ship.

We booked the yacht club for next month and a sky suite on the Equinox for June 2024. They will be our first time cruising in a suite with benefits. How would you say the yacht club experience will compare to Celebrity outside of the retreat? We absolutely loved Celebrity!! Our first time we were in Concierge class and last time was Aqua. We typically book verandas and always have a wonderful time. Never felt the need to spend the extra money on suite access. However, we booked the retreat for next summer to celebrate our 30th anniversary and the yacht club pricing for this June was comparable to what we typically spend for a veranda on Celebrity, and I’d read on here not to sail MSC outside of the yacht club. You think sailing in a sky suite will be that much better than the deluxe suite? I’m just excited to be cruising and especially our first suite experience. I’m a lounge by the pool in the sun gal so the thought of having the suite pool on MSC is a major plus! I felt Celebrity’s weakness was entertainment so I’m happy to hear MSC is better in this area. I’m hoping our yacht club experience will be nice. I need to try a slice of this pizza everyone is raving about! I’m happy to hear you loved your yacht club experiences! I think we will too. I’m really not that hard to please. While Celebrity and Royal Caribbean have been our favorite cruises, we always had a blast on Carnival and was pleased with their food and service, and also enjoyed NCL. I think a cruise is what you make of it. I agree with you on Celebrity’s suite pricing being insane! However, they don’t seem to have any trouble selling out.

I assume you can't get this after final payment.

Why not anywhere besides the Caribbean? How do you get the civil servant discount?

We haven't experienced MSC yet, what retreat from the masses do you get with Aurea? Do they have a pool deck, restaurant, and lounge like the YC does? Is the spa busy with so many people having access? What percentage of cabins are YC?

They do like to send out a ton of emails!

I thought this would be the case, just wanted to make sure. I like to arrive early so we will most likely get there between 10-10:30. Thanks!

I’ve read there is a sunshine party, white party, and tropical party on these cruises. What is a Sunshine party? I’m familiar with white parties. But the others two, are these just dress themes for dinner, or an actual party after dinner? Tropical would be easy, but I have no idea what a sunshine party is.

Where do you see times?

I know that’s what I normally get from cruise lines, but I got this email from them: You have been assigned a specific time to board the ship on embarkation day, and a specific time to disembark the ship when you depart on the last day of your cruise. Arriving to and departing from the ship at the assigned times will help us maintain a smooth and organized operation for all guests.

I see you haven’t been back on MSC yet, but looks like you have another one booked. Were you disappointed? What is an YIN? We have a deluxe suite. Everyone says it’s more European. In what ways?

What’s a Bella cabin? Nevermind. I just looked it up.