Ocean Cay~ The Final Countdown

[reedprincess]

19 minutes ago, rkacruiser said:

 

Good information and I appreciate learning it.  

 

Given that this port call is on the last night of my cruise, I am trying to justify why I should have my final YC dinner ashore in the YC Restaurant rather than on board the Meraviglia.  Can the menu, service, and experience be as good on Ocean Car---which is what I expect aboard the ship---as on the ship?

According to the dailies so far for Ocean Cay, you won't be having your dinner ashore in the YC Ocean House Restaurant, as it's only open for lunch. 

It appears, so far, that only the food trucks and the pay Restaurant are ooen after lunch hours.  Ocean House shows 12-2:30 Seekers Buffet 12-3:30.   

So, decision has been made for you - dinner on the ship, or food truck, or pay.  

[rkacruiser]

1 minute ago, reedprincess said:

According to the dailies so far for Ocean Cay, you won't be having your dinner ashore in the YC Ocean House Restaurant, as it's only open for lunch. 

It appears, so far, that only the food trucks and the pay Restaurant are ooen after lunch hours.  Ocean House shows 12-2:30 Seekers Buffet 12-3:30.   

So, decision has been made for you - dinner on the ship, or food truck, or pay.  

 

My last night's dinner at a food truck?  👎  NO!  

 

I appreciate your post.  

[js]

Oh, I didn't think of it that way, having our last dinner on the Island and not in the YC restaurant.
I can't see they will have some YC waiters on the Island and others back on the ship.  People will wan to say goodbye,

give extra tips, etc.  I will have my last dinner back on the ship and can't see how it would stay open with

some waiters not on for the last night.

 

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

12 hours ago, rkacruiser said:

 

Good information and I appreciate learning it.  

 

Given that this port call is on the last night of my cruise, I am trying to justify why I should have my final YC dinner ashore in the YC Restaurant rather than on board the Meraviglia.  Can the menu, service, and experience be as good on Ocean Car---which is what I expect aboard the ship---as on the ship?

 

The Yacht Club is currently not offering dinner ashore in Ocean Cay, so you don't have to choose.  I actually hope that changes in the future.  It would be magical to sit in that lovely building and watch the sunset.

Edited December 10, 2019 by Happy Cruiser 6143

[CUontheC]

I just realized that OC is on our last day too.  I was thinking about either booking the champagne evening cruise (heard it was really nice) or the sunset beach picnic.  But now being on the last night I may not do either.  We stop at Nassau the day prior.  I wish they could switch and put OC first then Nassau.  I don't even get off the ship at Nassau any more.  

 

But from what I am seeing I am excited to visit OC.   I also booked a less expensive cabana even though we are in YC.  The $200 price difference seems a little high for basically the same thing except food delivery and some snorkel equipment.  Just wish you could know what area your cabana will be in.  Looking forward to more info as more cruisers stop there. 

[Shippy]

27 minutes ago, CUontheC said:

I just realized that OC is on our last day too.  I was thinking about either booking the champagne evening cruise (heard it was really nice) or the sunset beach picnic.  But now being on the last night I may not do either.  We stop at Nassau the day prior.  I wish they could switch and put OC first then Nassau.  I don't even get off the ship at Nassau any more.  

 

But from what I am seeing I am excited to visit OC.   I also booked a less expensive cabana even though we are in YC.  The $200 price difference seems a little high for basically the same thing except food delivery and some snorkel equipment.  Just wish you could know what area your cabana will be in.  Looking forward to more info as more cruisers stop there. 

   NOT THAT I WILL GET A REPLY....

but I emailed the excursion department for MSC as I could not get a direct phone number for them.

One of my questions was about the different locations of the cabanas. On other cruise lines, you get to see a diagram and pick out the cabana you want. We held a YC beach front with absolutely no info on it. Do you just walk up to the first available one ? Do they assign you one when you get onboard?

 Also, I asked how many YC cabanas and how many non YC cabanas. On most cruise line islands, there is a VERY LIMITED amount of these.

I would recommend anyone even thinking about it....hold one.  You can cancel later if you change your mind & get a refund. The fact that they let people like myself, who have not even approached their final payment due date, hold them is of concern.

Also, with the price gap so large, you will have YC people book the non YC cabanas, yet that cannot be done in reverse.

 

[CUontheC]

3 hours ago, Shippy said:

   NOT THAT I WILL GET A REPLY....

but I emailed the excursion department for MSC as I could not get a direct phone number for them.

One of my questions was about the different locations of the cabanas. On other cruise lines, you get to see a diagram and pick out the cabana you want. We held a YC beach front with absolutely no info on it. Do you just walk up to the first available one ? Do they assign you one when you get onboard?

 Also, I asked how many YC cabanas and how many non YC cabanas. On most cruise line islands, there is a VERY LIMITED amount of these.

I would recommend anyone even thinking about it....hold one.  You can cancel later if you change your mind & get a refund. The fact that they let people like myself, who have not even approached their final payment due date, hold them is of concern.

Also, with the price gap so large, you will have YC people book the non YC cabanas, yet that cannot be done in reverse.

 

 

I hope they respond as it would be nice to know where you cabana is at.  Especially since there are so many beaches.  And yes there is a large price gap between YC and regular that is why I am YC and booking a regular cabana.  You would think they would let anyone willing to pay the higher amount book a YC cabana.  Maybe things will change as we go.  

[tymike]

Hi all...

I am cruising in October and am hoping to reserve a cabana.  I can't seem to do it online.  Is calling MSC the only way to make the reservation?

Thanks!

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

1 hour ago, CUontheC said:

 

I hope they respond as it would be nice to know where you cabana is at.  Especially since there are so many beaches.  And yes there is a large price gap between YC and regular that is why I am YC and booking a regular cabana.  You would think they would let anyone willing to pay the higher amount book a YC cabana.  Maybe things will change as we go.  

 

That wouldn't work as the Yacht Club area on Ocean Cay is restricted access just like the YC on the ship.  No locked doors, but there were staff checking wristbands at the bridge.

 

But I agree, one should get to choose the cabana location when booking.

[cyndepet]

6 hours ago, CUontheC said:

I just realized that OC is on our last day too.  I was thinking about either booking the champagne evening cruise (heard it was really nice) or the sunset beach picnic.  But now being on the last night I may not do either.  We stop at Nassau the day prior.  I wish they could switch and put OC first then Nassau.  I don't even get off the ship at Nassau any more.  

 

But from what I am seeing I am excited to visit OC.   I also booked a less expensive cabana even though we are in YC.  The $200 price difference seems a little high for basically the same thing except food delivery and some snorkel equipment.  Just wish you could know what area your cabana will be in.  Looking forward to more info as more cruisers stop there. 

I actually cancelled our beach front cabana today for our March sailing. After I saw them and what was included, it just didn’t seem as cool as I thought it would. We’ll survive with an umbrella:-). 

[CUontheC]

8 hours ago, cyndepet said:

I actually cancelled our beach front cabana today for our March sailing. After I saw them and what was included, it just didn’t seem as cool as I thought it would. We’ll survive with an umbrella:-). 

I totally get it.

[CUontheC]

11 hours ago, tymike said:

Hi all...

I am cruising in October and am hoping to reserve a cabana.  I can't seem to do it online.  Is calling MSC the only way to make the reservation?

Thanks!

The cabanas were on my sailing online under excursions.  However, my friend who is also sailing in October does not have them listed on her sailing.  She actually has only 2 excursions listed.  If you have a travel agent I would call and ask them. Otherwise I would call directly to MSC.

[lovemycruisetoo]

2 hours ago, CUontheC said:

The cabanas were on my sailing online under excursions.  However, my friend who is also sailing in October does not have them listed on her sailing.  She actually has only 2 excursions listed.  If you have a travel agent I would call and ask them. Otherwise I would call directly to MSC.

Hey M, Tymike is on the same cruise with us in YC in October.  😉😉 B

[Rob-Bob]

This seems like it should be a very straight forward question but I can not find this information anywhere.  Maybe someone visiting OC can answer some or all of the following:

 

1. $249 - OCEAN CAY BEACH CABANA (max. 6 pax) - ALL DAY RENTAL

2. $349 - DELUXE OCEAN CAY BEACH CABANA (max 6 pax) - ALL DAY RENTAL

3. $399 - OCEAN VIEW YACHT CLUB CABANA (max 6 pax) - ALL DAY RENTAL (YC GUESTS EXCLUSIVE)

4. $449 - BEACHFRONT YACHT CLUB CABANA (max 6 pax) - ALL DAY RENTAL (YC GUESTS EXCLUSIVE)

 

The above info are the options on OC for cabanas.  Can someone provide the cabana numbers and beach location for each of the categories?  I looked at some videos and the highest cabana number that I saw was 29.  Does anyone know how many there are in total?  Also is there any difference in the cabana structure/size for any of the classes or is it only location and number of rafts/snorkel gear etc.?

 

For guests who have visited how did you get a cabana number - was it simply assigned to you by MSC and when and how did you learn which one you were assigned to?  The whole cabana issue seems unaddressed anywhere. 

 

1  Beach name, starting number, ending number

2 Beach name, starting number, ending number

3 Beach name, starting number, ending number

4 Beach name, starting number, ending number

 

Anyone????

[CUontheC]

7 hours ago, lovemycruisetoo said:

Hey M, Tymike is on the same cruise with us in YC in October.  😉😉 B

 

B,

 

Oh how cool!!

 

Did you find out why you only had two excursions listed for the October sailing?

 

Mary

[lovemycruisetoo]

2 minutes ago, CUontheC said:

 

B,

 

Oh how cool!!

 

Did you find out why you only had two excursions listed for the October sailing?

 

Mary

Nope, not sure why either. Guess they’ll show up soon. Barb

[CUontheC]

1 minute ago, lovemycruisetoo said:

Nope, not sure why either. Guess they’ll show up soon. Barb

 Just odd because mine have been on their for months.

[AeroXWD]

@Rob-Bob I'm afraid I can't be of much assistance, but judging by this picture I took at YC beach, it looks like cabana nr 1 is a beach front YC cabana. 

[tymike]

1 hour ago, CUontheC said:

 

B,

 

Oh how cool!!

 

Did you find out why you only had two excursions listed for the October sailing?

 

Mary

Hi!  Looking forward to meeting the 'group' in October!!

Is there a chance the excursions aren't showing up due to a portion of my fare being part of a casino promotion?  

It is odd that there are only two available on the website!  I meant to call today but the day got away from me!

[darlenefitz]

I was wondering if anyone knew for sure if our drink package on the cruise is included for drinks on ocean cay. I getting conflicting answers.

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

4 minutes ago, darlenefitz said:

I was wondering if anyone knew for sure if our drink package on the cruise is included for drinks on ocean cay. I getting conflicting answers.

 

Yes, it is.

[lovemycruisetoo]

42 minutes ago, tymike said:

Hi!  Looking forward to meeting the 'group' in October!!

Is there a chance the excursions aren't showing up due to a portion of my fare being part of a casino promotion?  

It is odd that there are only two available on the website!  I meant to call today but the day got away from me!

I don’t thinks so but it’s possibly because it’s still 10 months away. I still don’t have any European excursions available on Meraviglia for September and was told because it was part of the Grand Voyages 2020-2021 sailings and they haven’t been secured yet and this from my PCC. 

[tymike]

I just spoke with someone at MSC regarding reserving cabanas.  He stated that they can only be booked six months in advance.  Does that match or fly in the face of  anyone else's experience with booking a cabana?

[BoundForSea]

Okay folks were here!  Heres the first views from the balcony. Ill say when you first see it, knowing what it looked like before, it is really amazing! 

[BoundForSea]

Here are the cabanas from afar, more to follow today! 

 

We rented an umbrella for 13$ (15 if done on shore) in the YC area. I agree, for 13$ is that really necessary for YC? So be it. 

 

Dinner will be in YC Rest on board. Lunch in YC Rest on shore. The electricity isnt finished yet to the restaurant for lighting at night which is only reason why its not ready for dinner. All waiters on board will be on shore for Lunch and eventually for Dinner in the YC. 

 

Towels are provided for YC Guests. All other guests must bring them along. 

 

This evening there is a lighthouse light show at around 7, then later there is a Dance party on shore at 8, then another Lighthouse show after the dance party and all aboard is at 930 with an early 10p departure (advertised as 1155p). 

 

By mid week all YC Cabanas were sold out folks, they all acommodate 6. Prices were $3XX for Ocean View and $4XX for Beach Front. I dont recall the exact amounts. 

 

Heres some YC area zooms. More to follow in a little bit guys as we head out.