From Yacht Club back to Bella! Is there any going back?! Live review MSC Virtuosa 17-24th March.

[ConnieTact]

Good morning from Belgium- we’ve arrived after a smooth sailing and sea day. Hopefully some more inspiring pictures later! 
 

[ConnieTact]

Notes from yesterday’s sea day!
Decided upon buffet again for breakfast. It was after 9am and it was almost at capacity and very crowded. We walked right along the length of it to the back but still no free table. I decided to enlist the help of a manager and they looked too but eventually asked if we would mind sharing. We didn’t, so the manager made it possible for us to share with a young woman who was using the table as a computer desk- it looked like she was doing her homework! 

 

I asked the manager was the shop full and he said no we are at 4,500 at present. 

 

Later there were no seats available in the Robot bar and the shops seemed very busy too! 

There was a lot of choice of activities on offer in the morning and this was good as previously people had complained there wasn’t enough. 

[ConnieTact]

We went to Diamond Voyagers party this morning were there was music, a dance by instructors, and a short presentation a toast from the officers.

We spoke to the Belgian host Loes. She was charming and her English was worthy of he being a English host too.

I learned that there is around the same amount of English & German speakers around 3,000 in total. Another thousand are Dutch & Belgian and remaining guests are from Spain and US.

 

We asked about the forthcoming French port and threat of a strike that day. She said they are awaiting news from MSC and they should know more by the end of today. Last week the port of Le Harve was missed and replaced by a port stop in Amsterdam. Another time they had an extra night in Rotterdam.

The worst people affected were the 400 guests due to get on in France. Somehow MSC managed to find coaches to transport people from Le Harve and Paris all the way to Amsterdam!  I can’t imaging that was easy in a country experiencing a transport strike!

I later heard from another guest, that unfortunately, one of those coaches didn’t make it to Amsterdam in time, so guests then had to fly to Southampton! The ship was already going to be late arriving at 12 noon in Southampton, so it was decided to wait no longer to leave Amsterdam. 

[ConnieTact]

Next was the Cruise Next talk and that was interesting and well done. I never get fed up investigating cruise opportunities and have two further cruises with MSC booked (in YC) so we resisted booking more. 

[Beamafar]

Hi CT.  Apparently MSC has introduced a new policy in the last couple of days whereby, if you purchase a drink outside of your package, you only pay the difference plus service charge.

A) Have you come across this on Virtuosa (there are reports on the forum from people on both Seascape and World Europa that they’ve encountered this)?
B) Do you know what the service charge is onboard?   I read recently that it has increased from 15 to 18% on US sailings, but remains the same elsewhere.  However, a poster on WE mentioned 18 cent on a €1 extra charge for a drink but wasn’t sure, exactly. 

[ConnieTact]

18 minutes ago, Beamafar said:

Hi CT.  Apparently MSC has introduced a new policy in the last couple of days whereby, if you purchase a drink outside of your package, you only pay the difference plus service charge.

A) Have you come across this on Virtuosa (there are reports on the forum from people on both Seascape and World Europa that they’ve encountered this)?
B) Do you know what the service charge is onboard?   I read recently that it has increased from 15 to 18% on US sailings, but remains the same elsewhere.  However, a poster on WE mentioned 18 cent on a €1 extra charge for a drink but wasn’t sure, exactly. 

I’ll look into this later. I’d like to know too! 

[Beamafar]

Just now, ConnieTact said:

I’ll look into this later. I’d like to know too! 

Thanks a mil. 👍

[ConnieTact]

Thus really is live reporting- on a walking tour of Gent! 

[ConnieTact]

More of Ghent- they seem to spell it Gent here! Made it confusing visiting the toilet! 😅😂

 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 21, 2023 by ConnieTact
Upside down photos!

[heatherb1958]

Love the toilet comment 😆 🤣.  

Looking forward to you finding out about the new policy on the drinks 😎 

Have a great day in Ghent .

[insidecabin]

Caught up.

A few notes

 

Those water bottles are tough to open they do have others that are ok try fizzy think so.e of those were easier.

 

Loved our dining window seat but we were 7:45pm always dark.

 

We were 3,500, 4,500 will be getting busier, think about those over Easter when they will pack the ship with kids.

 

I understand the beverage lackage/price  changes are being delayed till the change to homeport Southampton and return to £ with no service charge.

 

I liked the party band a lot more than the one on in Oct. worth checking their schedule in Virtuosa lounge and Galleria parties.

If you don't need  to see them the chairs outside masters are a good listening spot.

The 30 min set before 7pm show was a good listen in that dead period.

 

like Dario, there is another performer same format(guitar/sing) a lady I think Italian enjoyed her sets, I think she may have moved to YC for some of them.

 

 

[ConnieTact]

Visited cathedral & now stopped off for a pizza in our free time! 

[ConnieTact]

Some window shopping!

[ConnieTact]

Now returning to the ship and there is a lot of coughing on the coach. It’s been a worthwhile trip and good value as booked pre cruise.

Ghent is a pretty place and apparently has a huge music festival with free stages of entertainment in July. Not so great for locals as it gets too packed!

True to topic- in comparison to YC experience of excursions- I really think the way the access to the coaches and organisation was top notch for everyone. 
Yes, I know I said I loved being escorted onto the coach by the butler in my last live review but we found the alternate very accessible too. I have no complaints! 

[kernow]

Finally caught up and looks like you are having a great time. It's nice to know that the ship is still enjoyable even without YC. 

I'm another one who is also interested if they have changed the drink package and now we will only pay the difference for a more expensive drink, back on again in May.

[ConnieTact]

5 minutes ago, kernow said:

Finally caught up and looks like you are having a great time. It's nice to know that the ship is still enjoyable even without YC. 

I'm another one who is also interested if they have changed the drink package and now we will only pay the difference for a more expensive drink, back on again in May.

Okay I’ll have to ask if I buy a more expensive champagne do I just pay the difference!

🥂I’m so dedicated- it’s a hard job - but someone’s got to do it!! 😂

[CruisingFox27]

Your dedication is appreciated 😁

 

It will be interesting to see if it is the case, as looking at the Champagne menu posted a few pages back, you're on the old winter menu. So your Black Label was 13E and included. The summer menu will have that at 14E and excluded, unless you pay the extra, if the limit is still 13E for PE 🙄

[Cruiseforever11]

Hi Connie glad to see you both looking well! I have been following your post in the background and glad your having a fab time! I am on board again in April for the 7th time then back on again May 2024 so really they should have a room permanently for me! 😂 like you got the yc bug all my other 3 cruises I have booked are in yc but our April one is in Aurea but there is a group of us travelling. I just wanted to ask when you checked in did they check your check in time when you arrived? The reason I ask is we are a group of 6 and each couple got a different check in time even though we are group all linked up etc. 10, 3 & 5. They don't normally check but just thought I'd ask. Anyway enjoy the rest of your cruise! 😊

[ConnieTact]

3 hours ago, kernow said:

Finally caught up and looks like you are having a great time. It's nice to know that the ship is still enjoyable even without YC. 

I'm another one who is also interested if they have changed the drink package and now we will only pay the difference for a more expensive drink, back on again in May.

Got a rather disappointing answer from my server in Champagne bar- I would need to pay in full for any upgraded drinks plus service charge of 15%. He said he did not know of any plans for this to change either. 
So, for now- it’s black label for me! Just when I thought I may get a Moët for €6! 😅🥂Cheers anyway!

[ConnieTact]

2 hours ago, CruisingFox27 said:

Your dedication is appreciated 😁

 

It will be interesting to see if it is the case, as looking at the Champagne menu posted a few pages back, you're on the old winter menu. So your Black Label was 13E and included. The summer menu will have that at 14E and excluded, unless you pay the extra, if the limit is still 13E for PE 🙄

Please! Tell me it isn’t true!! 🤪 no champagne on premium package?! That’s awful! 😅

[Beamafar]

Thanks for checking it out, CT.  Perhaps they’ll wait til the onboard currency is changed to £

[kernow]

Thanks for the info, hopefully for the summer sailings from Southampton things will change with the limit upping to £14 and we'll be able to just pay the difference for anything more expensive.

[ConnieTact]

7 minutes ago, kernow said:

Thanks for the info, hopefully for the summer sailings from Southampton things will change with the limit upping to £14 and we'll be able to just pay the difference for anything more expensive.

I checked with barman but he hadn’t heard of this happening- if I get the chance to speak to anyone ‘higher’ I’ll let you know. 

[ConnieTact]

Just had announcement from captain. Looks like we aren’t going to Le Harve or alternative of Amsterdam due to winds. 

We can’t do extra day in Rotterdam as Prima will be using same dock so we’ll be returning to Zebrugge! 

Hopefully all can get transport to and from their destinations with not too much hassle. As long as there is champagne flowing- I guess we’ll stay happy! Cruising! So much better than working! 😂 🥂Cheers! 

[Watchworksuk]

CT

where are you? Relaxing I hope after the bad news 🤞🙂