IT'S TIME FOR MORE OBSERVATIONS FROM THE POOP DECK

[morpheusofthesea]

Tonight's show was titled "Coast to Coast". The finale was the most spectacular. "Born in the USA" which ends with 5 sparkle guns shooting sparkle like fireworks up from the stage to the ceiling of the theatre. Last month the audience gave it a standing ovation, tonight they just got up and left the theatre (tough crowd). Took in the 8:30 Le Cabaret Rouge show "Starry, Starry Night with Vincent Van Gogh paintings as background to costumes of the singers and dancers. They do a great job. It seemed a little different than last month, making it all the more enjoyable. We finished off the evening by catching 2 different jazz ensembles in the Brooklyn Cafe. Both groups had female pianist/vocalists that do  great performances. The Brooklyn Cafe is a vaccinated only venue, but it was not enforced, as several groups had their children running around like it was their private parlor. We got up and left the venue when a group moved into within 6 feet of us with children. Passed our bedtime anyway.

Edited March 24, 2022 by morpheusofthesea

[GOLDENBONNY]

On 3/17/2022 at 9:07 PM, blueslily said:

I still dont get why some people are so bothered by the thought of testing at the terminal prior to boarding. I certainly dont plan to debate the topic here as people have done it extensively already. Just seeing the negative comments about it just makes me smh. But, complaining has definitely increased recently. It's nearly a hobby for some people. So, I've selected to not read these forums as much. It's kind of sad seeing so much negativity when it comes to something that's a privilege and a choice, not a necessity in order to survive. Hope everyone makes the best of their cruise opportunities. 

Its even funnier to read how people hate MSC but keep booking it again and again. Probably just to be able to complain again lol 

[perakcruiser]

2 hours ago, GOLDENBONNY said:

Its even funnier to read how people hate MSC but keep booking it again and again. Probably just to be able to complain again lol 

Oh, that is not too difficult. Sometimes I say "No, no, no, next time no MSC. Then I select a route to go and MSC is coming around with "I have offer for you that you will not be able to deny". And I say "Oh, yes, that I cannot deny". 

 

And the MSC CEO could quote the most famous airline manager in the world with "If I would get only 1 $ for everyone that shouts loud "I will never travel with MSC again" and then shorly afterwards travels with MSC again, he would be richer than Musk, Gates and Bezos together 😗

[deliver42]

I think you're lumping all the people that say they hate msc together. It's not that way. Most hate the customer service from MSC, not the ships or crews. It gets very frustrating to deal with them. If you book through a TA or direct, and never touch the booking until you're on board, there's no problem.

[dexddd]

15 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Yes, was on the Edge in Retreat and was able to connect with the included wifi the same as now. Never did a Zoom myself, but can report that last month while on board Seashore, our Cruise Director Gene could not make the early show one evening. The assistant CD reported to the audience that he was on a Zoom call watching the birth of his son. One notable difference we are finding between Celebrity and MSC is that the shops are filled with more variety of goods on the Seashore. Celebrity was experiencing supply chain disruption of most everything.

 

 

 

 

 

Yet the second small can of pringles now costs $6.95 in YC.

[morpheusofthesea]

3 hours ago, dexddd said:

Yet the second small can of pringles now costs $6.95 in YC.

Still, when one is paying $964 per person per day what is another $6.95 to put a price on satisfying ones desires ? We have left our $100 per person per day 2 inside lowers in ancient history.

[morpheusofthesea]

Today we are able to sit out on our complimentary pergola in the breezy shade on the port side of the YC pool deck on our way to Ocean Cay. In a few short hours (all the hours on board a cruise ship are short hours), the staff will finish with breakfast service and begin preparing for the  YC Seafood  Extravaganza. All one can eat (as every day) of shrimp, scallops, mussels,  calamari and swordfish. No more lobster at the extravaganza....YC'ers have been eating MSC out of lobster 'house and home'. We arrive at Ocean Cay at 4 pm. In our program there are supposed to be 2 lighthouse shows. Hope the captain docks with our cabin facing the lighthouse.

[morpheusofthesea]

Working on a cruise ship must really be tough way of life. Having been fortunate enough to have cruised every month for a week, except January, since July 2021 and talking to suite class staff on both Celebrity and MSC, they all look forward to leaving. Some are returning to the Beyond or the Seascape and others really do not care. One said 9 months on board is too much for their mental health and another said doing this for 10 years is enough he'd rather drive a motorcycle delivery service back home. I guess waiting on us is not "what dreams are made of."

[morpheusofthesea]

I suppose one really does not need a crystal ball to see the future of cruising, its crystal clear.  Service is going to be very 'spotty'. Prices are going to go up and up and up again in suite venues. Good 'Pollyanna' reports are going to be harder to find on social media. 'Nickel -and -diming'  is going to be nostalgic as inflation forces new 'gotchas' not spelled out in brochures. Those that cannot afford to pay for daily linen changes will be provided a coin laundry to do there own towels and sheets ? Clothes lines over the bathtubs and balconies? Don't worry, cruise lines are probably hiring new cost cutters to find new ways to gouge guests that are enticed by $198 for a week of cruising 'come ons'. The cruise lines could save a ton of money on these new hires, just by taking a vacation to Disney World.

Edited March 24, 2022 by morpheusofthesea

[psmarkle]

7 hours ago, deliver42 said:

I think you're lumping all the people that say they hate msc together. It's not that way. Most hate the customer service from MSC, not the ships or crews. It gets very frustrating to deal with them. If you book through a TA or direct, and never touch the booking until you're on board, there's no problem.

I agree with your point, the customer service shoreside is lacking, but I get spoiled by all the attentiveness on board, IMO!  FWIW, I seem to get more responsive service when I deal/book with the casino dept.  The reps just seem more knowledgeable.

[Paphillyguy]

1 hour ago, psmarkle said:

 I seem to get more responsive service when I deal/book with the casino dept.  The reps just seem more knowledgeable.

It seems that even the casino department landside is not as it once was.  I booked 2 casino certificate cruises in the past 2 months.  The first time I had a great casino agent and they knew exactly how to book the certificate and the paid upgrade to the YC.  15 minutes all done.  The second one booked the next day almost 1 and a half hours and took calling back a few times to try to get someone that knew how to book this.  The final person I basically had to tell them how to do it and they said the needed to verify what I said would work and they came back and said you are absolutely correct.  

[morpheusofthesea]

Our approach to Ocean Cay.

[morpheusofthesea]

I guess this kind of ocean sediment shifting is acceptable. This is MSC's answer to Key West. A cleaner more pristine environment than Key West, too.

[morpheusofthesea]

Seafood Extravaganza at the YC pool deck. Started my photo with desserts. We actually had our lunch in the air conditioned splendor of the YC Restaurant. The chocolate and raspberry tart is actually a nut free brownie. with raspberry garnish just decorating the plate and not a part of the brownie.

[morpheusofthesea]

Our approach to Ocean Cay is on hold ?

[fish_guru]

Seafood extravaganza...⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

 

5 stars.  Best thing I've eaten on the ship all week. The wife had the wine and garlic sauce. I had the peri peri sauce (like a spicy marinara). Both were excellent. Seafood was cooked perfectly. 

[fish_guru]

Yes, approach on hold. Captain said he would try "later". Did not give a time. 

 

My guess is he's waiting for more favorable current and wind conditions. 

 

That channel does not look like it has much wiggle room for a ship this size. 

[morpheusofthesea]

All excursions canceled for tonight.

 

P.S. Had the swordfish loin, tasted like....'chicken of the sea' excellent.

Edited March 24, 2022 by morpheusofthesea
P.S.

[fish_guru]

Most ports have a ship pilot that is transported out to the ship. The pilot is an expert in navigation especially in his/her port. They have an intimate knowledge of the currents, obstacles, etc. and essentially take control of the vessel during arrival and departures.

 

Wondering if there is such a person for Ocean Cay or if this is all MSC personnel?

[morpheusofthesea]

The only thing that comes to everyones mind is NCL Escape repeat? An abundance of caution....

[Paphillyguy]

I was on the NCL Dawn when it ran aground leaving Bermuda several years back.  Luckily for us we returned to Bermuda the next day and got an extra day in Bermuda and we were able to make it back to Boston on time. 

[fish_guru]

Overheard the YC concierge on my way to Top Sail mention that the Captain would be making another attempt to dock at 6pm.

 

🤞

[mscdivina2016]

3 hours ago, fish_guru said:

Most ports have a ship pilot that is transported out to the ship. The pilot is an expert in navigation especially in his/her port. They have an intimate knowledge of the currents, obstacles, etc. and essentially take control of the vessel during arrival and departures.

 

Wondering if there is such a person for Ocean Cay or if this is all MSC personnel?

Have you been there?

 

If not, the ship has a channel into it that's not too wide then they reach the end and must do a 180 then dock. Very tight turn. Amazing job doing it.

There is a tug there.

[fish_guru]

Never been here.  

 

Yes, the channel is narrow. 

 

At dinner now.  The Captain had made his move and is currently pivoting the ship for an attempt. Very cool to watch while sipping wine and waiting for dessert. 

 

Life is good!

[blueslily]

16 hours ago, deliver42 said:

I think you're lumping all the people that say they hate msc together. It's not that way. Most hate the customer service from MSC, not the ships or crews. It gets very frustrating to deal with them. If you book through a TA or direct, and never touch the booking until you're on board, there's no problem.

 

Yep. I rarely need to touch a booking after it's made. Guess I'm a simple booking cruiser.