Is That All There Is ?

[FLCruiser97]

23 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Folks, this IS all there is !  Have the time to reflect on past cruises. Cruising does not get any better than the service and accommodations than the Yacht Club on MSC Seashore. We wish to thank the many loyal posters to this MSC Cruise Critic site for their postings that compelled us to book the Yacht Club. 

   Having sailed on RCCL in the Coastal Kitchen OS, NCL The Haven H6 Penthouse with large balcony, Celebrity Retreat in Edge Villa, RS, and Penthouse and now the Yacht Club OS and RS we do not want to go back to those other cruise lines. They were the best at the time we did them, but they are outclassed by MSC YC.

WOW. That's a mighty good endorsement Mr. Morpheus.

[morpheusofthesea]

Where we grew up these were called snow plows. It just finished raining here at Ocean Cay at 10am and the rain plow was put into immediate action. No drama arriving this morning at 7 am to dock at Ocean Cay.

[morpheusofthesea]

It's a beautiful day at Ocean Cay. We were escorted off the ship and were walked over to the Ocean House trolley through a gauntlet of staff clapping hands and music (no YC staff, they were all over at OH waiting to greet the trolley). We did not avail ourselves of the menu or the amenities offered, nor took the trolley to OH. Instead DW just wanted to check out the shops.Did learn two things at the shops. One, that DW was recognized by shop staff (just what I needed to hear. Doesn't anyone else ever make a purchase on Ocean Cay?) And second, that the shops are waiting (supply chain issue) for the number #1 item everyone is clamoring for, footwear for the rocks.

   I recall a poster wanted to know if the menu was the same onboard at One Pool today as at OH. Since we did not go to OH, I took photos of everything offered at One Pool. Perhaps someone would be kind enough to report on the menu at OH today ?

[morpheusofthesea]

We got a letter stuck on our door this afternoon detailing the procedure for B2B guests, with a couple of cards.

[morpheusofthesea]

This is our first time having breakfast the morning of debarkation. It’s 9am and they are still calling group numbers to get off. We are requested to wait in TSL. Our butler Annalise collected our old key cards and returned in moments with our new cards and wristbands. From our seats in TSL we noticed new guests arriving and unloading luggage with one porter in attendance. White tent tops are up and manned at 9:10am with porter as well .

[morpheusofthesea]

At 9:54am CD Dave (from Mexico) had called for all guests to get off. We are still waiting. Of course chairs are more comfortable than in terminal with much better fare in TDL. This CD Dave instituted a couple of nice changes. He introduces the shows in the Madison Theater with as little banter and the show starts sooner. He also made the Captain and staff introduction to one time in the atrium instead of taking up 20 minutes before both Madison Theater presentations.

[pappahbuttz]

Thanks for all the great info & photos, especially the back to back info, as I am going on my first B2B cruise in November 22 on the Seashore YC. (141 days away, but who's counting lol).

[morpheusofthesea]

27 minutes ago, pappahbuttz said:

Thanks for all the great info & photos, especially the back to back info, as I am going on my first B2B cruise in November 22 on the Seashore YC. (141 days away, but who's counting lol).

Yes, this was our first B2B in suite cruising. Was not a mistake with MSC Yacht Club. At 10:30 there were 14 B2B in the YC in the TSL, when we were escorted to the elevators and taken down to deck 6 and used our new key cards to get off. When we got to the deck 6 gangway there were another approximately 100 other B2Bers lined up and being held back waiting for us to be rushed in front of them to get off first (even before those in wheelchairs). Next we all waited in a long line in the terminal with a couple of butlers in front and 2 butlers behind the 14th YCer to keep the other B2Bers from rushing and butting ahead of us. This was a longer than expected wait. Then we were escorted down to the luggage claim area (empty) and went through facial recognition with about 6 working machines followed by another long wait to get clearance to reboard the ship as we all stood again in one long line. By 11:10 we were allowed to board, no security check, only ship key card scan and back on the ship.

[pappahbuttz]

This will be my third Yacht Club cruise and 1st B2B and can't wait. It's nice to get an idea on how it exactly goes. It is quicker and easier that I thought and I did not realise how many people do B2B cruises! I am fortunate to have the same cabin for both so no hassle moving cabins. Do you get a 2nd welcome bottle of prosecco like the first day?

 

[morpheusofthesea]

56 minutes ago, pappahbuttz said:

Do you get a 2nd welcome bottle of prosecco like the first day?

This is what we got on the first cruise , including a plate of macaroons. Just checked with butler and she will be getting us the same for this cruise.

The' back to back pass' pictured above was not needed. I used the back of one to take notes of the process. We were not asked for our passports. Yesterday the head concierge, Eva, (introduced to us by Mr. Balla as his #2 in charge) took a copy of our passports and photos at the concierge desk on deck 16. Did not get our old key cards back. Might want to get them back to use to keep in power switch.

[pappahbuttz]

Thanks again! That is so awesome, and I am getting more and more excited for this cruise!

[morpheusofthesea]

Noticed this same barge last week along side the Seashore. Possibly refueling. Reminded us of the time our ship Pacquet's Ocean Pearl was refueling in Tsingtao, China. Somehow during the refueling there was a fire and the fire was put out using seawater. We were all on tour at the time. When we got back to the ship we were instructed to pack our bags. The 'cruise' was over. We were transferred to a new hotel, the Hia Tian, in Tsingtao. Recall the smell of freshly varnished wood permeating the rooms. All of us got a rare tour of the famous brewery, with 'all one could drink free,' at the end of the tour. Only problem was one had to drink fast of the many pre-filled plastics glasses of beer as possible to get back on the waiting buses for the next stop. DW was yelling at me to hurry up. Funny the memories one can still recall 30 years later.

 

Edited June 18, 2022 by morpheusofthesea

[morpheusofthesea]

1 hour ago, pappahbuttz said:

Thanks again! That is so awesome, and I am getting more and more excited for this cruise!

Also found out today that being a B2B passenger, one need not do a second muster drill. Watching the 4pm video on room TV, dialing #881 on room phone acknowledging one viewed the muster instructions, then proceed to muster station to have cruise card scanned. DW insisted we do it anyway, though she did not mind NOT watching the video this time, dialed #881 at 3:30, earlier than suppose to, and showed up earlier at muster station 4pm waiting for the 'pink' capped muster station attendant to scan our cards. Otherwise, if done when one is supposed to, one will never get an empty elevator back to deck 16 YC from deck 7. This same time of day is when the only open food venue is deck 16, the buffet and no one takes the stairs carrying over filled plates of food, only these elevators.

[RudiRatlos]

4 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Did not get our old key cards back. Might want to get them back to use to keep in power switch.

That may not the be the best idea.

Did you ever notice a small light outside your cabin, slightly hidden above the cabin door? It's coupled with the power switch to indicate if someone is "home", so the butler or steward knows when to make up the room.

[morpheusofthesea]

1 hour ago, RudiRatlos said:

That may not the be the best idea.

Did you ever notice a small light outside your cabin, slightly hidden above the cabin door? It's coupled with the power switch to indicate if someone is "home", so the butler or steward knows when to make up the room.

There are 4 colors of lights. No card in power switch is green, reflecting either the occupant is out or vacant cabin. Blue is 'Do Not Disturb', Red is 'Make up Room' and Orange is 'card in power switch' occupant is in and lights are on(for which we leave an old card in the slot).

[morpheusofthesea]

20 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

There are 4 colors of lights. No card in power switch is green, reflecting either the occupant is out or vacant cabin. Blue is 'Do Not Disturb', Red is 'Make up Room' and Orange is 'card in power switch' occupant is in and lights are on(for which we leave an old card in the slot).

So when we leave for breakfast both the red and orange lights are lite up.

[RudiRatlos]

Okay, seems they improved it on the new ships.

To be honest, I don't remember exactly what is was like on meraviglia. May be the same as you described butI forgot about it. Older ships just have one simple light.

[morpheusofthesea]

There are 176 YC cruisers this cruise.

[morpheusofthesea]

Just thought I would post comparing Dress Codes between MSC and Celebrity.

 

"Everyday life

For everyday life on board, casual wear is recommended. We also recommend you bring a pullover or shawl to help with the changes in temperature between the air-conditioned interior of the ship and the deck areas

Informal evenings

For informal evenings, we recommend summery dresses for women and a lightweight jacket for men

Gala evenings

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.

Theme parties

We organize various daytime and evening Theme Parties on board. You may wish to bring 60s and 70s floral gear for the Flower Glory Party, white clothing for the White Party, and something green, white and red for the our MSC Little Italy entertainment"

   

"Public nudity is not permitted. Guests must be appropriately attired, including while on stateroom balconies if visible to others onboard, other vessels, or the shore. Topless sunbathing is not permitted except on select itineraries and for those itineraries, only in specifically designated areas. For more details on our Dress Code, please contact Guest Relations.

   Note: T-shirts, swimsuits, robes, bare feet, tank tops, baseball caps and pool wear are not allowed in the main restaurant or specialty restaurant at any time. Shorts and flip-flops are not allowed in the evening hours. The dress code will be enforced at all restaurants. And guests are asked to follow the Smart Casual or Evening Chic dress code in the Celebrity Theater for all evening performances. The daily program, delivered to your stateroom and available at the Guest Relations Desk, will be your guide to the correct attire each evening."

[morpheusofthesea]

We turned our clocks back one hour last night. This might present a problem for those making their own plans for excursions and getting back to the ship on time ???

[morpheusofthesea]

I must be prescient. Those that printed today's Daily Program must have felt the need this cruise to highlight as I felt the need to post the same moments ago.

[morpheusofthesea]

Saw this as well this morning on our walk on deck 8. Of course this is outside the Yacht Club. Did not see this on last cruise. Also saw a soggy cigar butt end  discarded on this same deck. All was cleaned up by this posting...but still.

  Noticed that waitress in Brooklyn Cafe was setting all tables with freshly cleaned (disinfected?) QR Code plastic advertisement placards.

[morpheusofthesea]

Beautiful, overcast day with nice breeze. Had my pergola roof toweled for shade for the week. Tipped YC attendant $20. He did a most professional job.

[morpheusofthesea]

Do not anticipate ever finding this posted on MSC's Explora Journeys cruise ships.

[morpheusofthesea]

Ship etiquette #1