tuxala

3 minutes ago, JAGR said:

Wasn't sure if the OP was sailing soon in the Med or was asking about after the transatlantic sailing in the fall. 

December 2022. Meraviglia out of Port Canaveral. Caribbean & Bahamas.

I have similar questions. We have reservations for a Christmas cruise this year (2022), and know little about MSC as we have only cruised NCL Haven. From the MSC website, "For Gala evenings, the dress code is more formal. We suggest a tuxedo, dinner jacket, or dark suit and tie for men and a dressy outfit, formal gown, or cocktail dress for women."

I assume Christmas dinner would be a Gala evening. Would this be the same in the Yacht Club (Meraviglia)? We are Florida folk - a gala evening means closed-toe shoes. And we don't own any clothing like this, and wouldn't wear it if we did.

I'm thinking maybe we should cancel. Any thoughts?

Thanks,

TD

On 4/21/2022 at 12:23 PM, complawyer said:

personally, i find the only outrageous prices are on the prima.

Too true. We wanted a Christmas week (2022) cruise out of Port Canaveral. Prima. Our first house cost about the same price as Prima Haven at Christmas. For grins I checked MSC because of the ability to status match. So - Christmas week on Meraviglia, Yacht Club suite - and we're booked. Over $4500 saved. We've been to all the ports, don't plan to get off the ship. (Except maybe Costa Maya - Maya Chan.) It will be interesting to compare the comparables . . .

TD

On 4/8/2022 at 11:58 AM, The Traveling Man said:

are able to join us in New York on the 24th

Yes we will be there. Our house sitters arrive tomorrow and we fly to Newark on Saturday. We did sign up for the M&G on the book of the face. Looking forward to meeting folks.

td

8 hours ago, The Traveling Man said:

La Cucina also ranks very high.  In fact, the best steak I've ever had at sea was not in Cagney's but in La Cucina. 

The spaghetti carbonara in La Cucina is the best I've had outside of Italy. It is on the menu as an appetizer, but you can get in an entree as well. Cagney's  -- meh.

7 hours ago, The Traveling Man said:

If you haven't yet checked out the CC roll call for this cruise, please do. 

Hiya.

I have been following the sign-up process on CC and it seems to be a bit convoluted. I think my spouse has worked it out via the Book of the Face. So we'll be there.

😎

td

33 minutes ago, bluesea777 said:

Unfortunately it's the 3rd person that is bailing out which means if the insurance kicks in, it'll pay her fare that is the low 3rd person rate (like $100).

Yup - you're right. Honestly, the cost isn't that much of a factor. Our 3rd person has offered to pay her share, but her mother is seriously ill and this issue is insignificant in comparison. So we'll just have extra room. Thanks to everyone who provided sound advice.

td

1 hour ago, styles27 said:

Is your TA on Escape by any chance?

No. Might be a close relative???

td

1 hour ago, Babr said:

Don’t cancel. Only the person with a family illness will be covered.

Thanks, Babr. We purchased Standard insurance - and will work directly with the company. Our TA doesn't seem to know what is going on.

And the cruise is completely paid for . . .

td

2 hours ago, GeezerCouple said:

This is one of the reasons to buy travel insurance,

We did. Can't contact our TA until tomorrow. I was just hoping someone might have prior knowledge of such an event.

And per ChiefMateJRK's sage advice (?), next cruise we will plan ahead for the death of a relative.

td

Help. We have a TA scheduled (and paid for) at the end of this month (April 24, 2022) - and our 3rd person just had a mother/medical crisis. It is impossible for her to leave the country. And we are in a Haven 2BR.

All three of us purchased insurance.

We don't think we can pay the whole bill.

Any (and all) advice/recommendations greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

td

On 3/24/2022 at 11:24 AM, kaybeebee said:

I, too, would like to know if the ihealth protored test is acceptable for NCL. 

If this has been posted, I missed it. Apologies in advance. This is from an email I received from NCL for our April TA.

td

Vaccinated guests:

• At time of check-in, all guests will be required to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 antigen or PCR test result administered by a verified third party or via medically supervised home test within two days prior to embarkation date for cruises originating in a U.S. port and three days prior for voyages departing from a non-U.S. port. While you can use any certified facility to take this test, to facilitate, Norwegian has partnered with Inspired Diagnostics lab to ensure that guests have access to a quick, efficient, and easy way to access the required FDA-approved proctored in-home antigen test prior to embarkation from the comfort of their own home.

Inspired Diagnostics is a subsidiary of Inspire Health Alliance, a leader in best-in-class health services. Testing at home is safe, simple, and convenient. Purchasing in-home testing kits is simple.

a. Sign up on the testing site https://inspirediagnostics.com/ncl/

b. Receive the test kit(s) by UPS

c. Schedule an on-line proctoring consultation

d. Receive certified results via email

• For vaccinated guests who are unable to provide proof of a negative result at the time of embarkation, antigen testing will be available at the terminal at the guest’s expense (cost may vary depending on the port and the vendor).

7 hours ago, KurtMo said:

Get the Silverado Cabernet Sauvignion with dinner if you like red wines. 

Silverado is really good.  Oberon Cabernet Sauvignon is much  better - especially the 2017.

td

6 hours ago, Yesimapirate said:

I would strongly suggest something like the Kennedy Space Center.   They have some new attractions and irs convenient to the port.

KSC is definitely a better idea - and we have Disney Annual Passports. (We live in Orlando . . .) 

40 minutes ago, julig22 said:

I wouldn't fire them but I might not allow them to send any of their pay back home. Unfortunately that could affect their families, who might not have any more responsibility for this mess than the employee onboard.

If we assume there are Russian crew members, shouldn't we assume there are also Ukrainian crew members?

1 hour ago, FLcruisergrl said:

We’re in N. Florida, so Port Canaveral 100% of the time. It’s an easy drive down I-95 or US1 and the port is organized and easy to navigate.

We live in Orlando so Port Canaveral is also our choice. With apologies to Miamians. Miamiites. Those who live in Miami - there is a driving code there completely unlike anywhere else that I know of. And I have lived and driven in Boston, San Francisco, and New Orleans.  Just say'in. . .

Visited Rome in May 2015, We had purchased very early admission at 0600. Included a very nice breakfast before starting the tour .We were the only ones in the Sistene Chapel. Next to the safety glass barrier to the Pieta. THAT is why I wanted to visit the Vatican. We completed our tour in about two hours, but were allowed to stay longer if we wanted - we didn't. It was packed by then, the line to get in was several blocks long.

Attached is picture we took of the Sphere Within Sphere in the Vatican Gardens. Breakfast was served under the large "umbrellas" in the right corner. Notice: No crowds

Tux

56 minutes ago, victory2020 said:

have to set up account to read..........

Sorry about that. The quote is pretty much the whole story.

Story from the New York Times:

"The European Union is set to advise member states that they should reintroduce travel restrictions for visitors from the United States, three E.U. officials said on Sunday, as coronavirus infections and hospitalizations have surged in the U.S. in recent weeks.

Starting Monday, the officials said, the United States will be removed from a “safe list” of countries whose residents can travel to the 27-nation bloc without additional restrictions, such as quarantine and testing requirements. The suggested restrictions, made by the European Council, will not be mandatory for member countries, and it will remain up to those countries to decide whether or not to impose them."

https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/08/29/world/covid-delta-variant-vaccine?type=styln-live-updates&label=coronavirus updates&index=0#the-eu-is-set-to-reimpose-travel-restrictions-on-us-visitors

Crud . . .

19 hours ago, SkierRobUMN said:

We are doing a 2br suite. 

Great. We are, too. And I'm pretty sure all of the Haven 2-br's are on Decks 16 and 17. We have sailed on both of those decks, but prefer Deck 16 because there are no stairs to climb to get to the Restaurant/Lounge/Pool. And the food in the Restaurant is better than any of the specialties.

On 7/26/2021 at 7:35 AM, SkierRobUMN said:

We are going on the Epic in January (first time in Haven). If the other ships havens aren’t as good, I feel like it would be a huge let down if Epic is our first Haven. 

At the risk of an out-of-bounds board question, which cabin?

On 7/24/2021 at 11:38 AM, ClevelandCruisin said:

This has been discussed over and over, some people just love the Epic for some reason. Enjoy your cruise!

Why do we love Epic? Because the Epic Haven is far and away better than any other Haven.

1 hour ago, kitty-sail said:

The Epic to me is just too weird to be considered as a comparison.

Epic may be "weird" for some, but the Epic Haven is far and away better than any of the post-Epic ships.

Bigger lounge. Bigger restaurant. Bigger pool and pool area. Much bigger sundeck. And bigger is better here.

Breakaway (+) distant seconds.

On 6/21/2021 at 9:30 PM, ClevelandCruisin said:

I always get the filet at cagneys! Ocean Blue is okay. Worth it to try once. 

Agreed. Ocean Blue is okay. Worth it to try once.

Best seafood -- Haven Restaurant.

Sea Bass and Tuna Poke