My View: Trading the Landscape for the Seascape

APDMOM · March 20, 2023

15 hours ago, blueslily said:

Pricing Question - Was browse internet and the easy package included in your fare OR did you go with the OBC deal? If the browse internet and easy beverage package was not included, do you know the pricing of those for your sailing?

I can help with some of this. We opted for the OBC deal as DH and DS only drink water, juice, and coffee.

I purchased the browse and stream at home for the discounted price - total $100 and a few cents. On the ship it is $26.99 per day. The browse only is $21,99 per day. So, it is better to purchase in advance.

Current prices for the beverage packages on the ship:

Edited March 20, 2023 by APDMOM
Add onboard beverage

blueslily · March 20, 2023

9 minutes ago, APDMOM said:

I can help with some of this. We opted for the OBC deal as DH and DS only drink water, juice, and coffee.

I purchased the browse and stream at home for the discounted price - total $100 and a few cents. On the ship it is $26.99 per day. The browse only is $21,99 per day. So, it is better to purchase in advance.

Current prices for the beverage packages on the ship:

Awesome, thank you so much!

APDMOM · March 20, 2023

Ships Leaving Miami:

Our dinner was so early that our own departure was after dinner - we did leave port a bit later than planned. Some ships sailed out just before dinner, others after:

Carnival Celebration:

There was quite a bit of enthusiasm from that ship crowd 😁

Look at that roller coaster - may need to add this to my ‘ships to cruise’ list (If only MY SHIP would come in 😆😞

Valiant Lady:

A hazy Norwegian Encore:

Ghost ship… Oasis of the Seas:

APDMOM · March 20, 2023

Carnival Celebration Roller Coaster in action:

APDMOM · March 20, 2023

Seascape leaving the Landscape:

View aft from our balcony

View forward from our balcony:

Leaving Miami behind:

A few photogenic buildings:

Could the owner of this yacht send me some “spare change”? LOL!

Sthrncrusr · March 20, 2023

Thanks @APDMOM! Looking forward to it!

APDMOM · March 20, 2023

Show Time: Imaginocean

I can be a bit critical when it gets to music, so it is always hard to share my views on the shows. In my opinion, this show has tremendous potential. I enjoyed it and thought it was worth the time to watch the show. I read many negative reviews about how the singers ‘yell’. Though I agree with this assessment, I believe the singers have good voices but the sound is not well managed. The backtracks are way too loud, forcing the singers to ‘yell’ above the backtracks. I think the whole show was way too loud - and I am hearing impaired…

So, I think MSC needs to invest a bit in improving the sound booth talent because the two main singers were good. One song was a showstopper.

TIP: Be sure to book the shows as soon as you board. Check frequently for new additions so that you can book a seat. We showed up about 30 minutes early with our bookings. Prime seats filled up fast.

Monica was our cruise director on Meraviglia - such a fun lady! Her assistant on our cruise is Juan - They did a great job getting the audience dancing and engaged prior to the show.

A few views of the show - the special effects and dancers were great!

Edited March 20, 2023 by APDMOM
clarify

APDMOM · March 20, 2023

My View: End of Day 1 - Miami

No sunset today, so just a favorite view of a ”clumsy selfie” couple 😎

APDMOM · March 20, 2023

Daily Program: Day 1 - Miami

APDMOM · March 20, 2023

Par for the course … I am one day behind, but having a great time! Coming up later tonight, Many views of Ocean Cay! 🙂

APDMOM · March 21, 2023

My View: Day 2 - Ocean Cay

APDMOM · March 21, 2023

TIP: Bring your hat!

If it rains, bring your hat. If it is cloudy, bring your hat. If you are just going for a “quick walk”, bring your hat. As a Floridian, I should have known better. It was raining - we were just going for a quick walk, not caring if we got wet. The ‘quick walk’ turned into a 2-hour photoshoot of the beautiful cloud, water, trees, etc. Then the sun came with a vengeance and I got my first sunburn in years.

So, bring your hat every time 🤠

No food on the island… Unfortunately, the decision was made not to serve food on the island because of the ‘inclement’ weather. They also only opened one gangway - I guess they did not think thousands of spring-breakers would want to venture out. The result was a LONG line of people trying to get off. It was quite a mess.

The weather also cleared up beautifully - still cloudy and windy most of the day, but ‘hindsight’ they should have served food on the island. Now, we returned prior to lunch so they may have had food trucks serving after all - I don’t know. Only 3 bars were open that we could see. So, I think MSC lost some points with the crowd.

APDMOM · March 21, 2023

Despite the bumps in the road, the day was beautiful. I probably have too many pictures to post - I will try to be selective.

The view from our port side balcony:

Beautiful nature:

Edited March 21, 2023 by APDMOM
spacing

APDMOM · March 21, 2023

TIP: If you get off the ship, you can find shaded space very easily without the need to rent an umbrella. There are plenty of trees that can provide shade for your lounger. There are comfy chairs and free umbrellas on a first come, first serve basis at the beach by the lighthouse (turn left once you enter the port).

Lighthouse bay:

Shaded areas on North Beach (one of our favorite spots, along with Bimini Beach):

View of the Ship from North Beach:

View of the Wedding Pavilion from Bimini Beach:

A couple more ship views:

APDMOM · March 21, 2023

The ‘problem’ with multiple visits to the same island is that you forget to take more pictures. This time, the beautiful canvas had me distracted and I did not even take a proper island picture from the ship. 😬

APDMOM · March 21, 2023

Thermal Area:

When we got back onboard, I decided to go to the thermal area for my first visit. I bought the weekly pass, hoping it would be as nice as Seaside - this is the sister ship of Seaside after all. The verdict is still pending, but so far I like the Seaside area better. The scents on Seaside were very pleasant, while I barely detected the ‘aromatherapy’ on the Seascape on this visit. It was very quiet in the thermal area and I had the hot tub to myself outside.

I will try to get some pictures another day, including some tips.

Pizza lunch on the balcony:

I had ordered a bottle of wine pre-cruise, as I don’t do the drinks package but enjoy a glass of wine on the balcony. No cork screw came with the wine. DH was kind enough to find out how to get the bottle opened.

TIP: If you purchase the bottle of wine foor the cabin, go to any bar to get it opened quickly, for free. You can also call room service but that may take a while. Best option is to go to the bar.

Edited March 21, 2023 by APDMOM
clarify

pcrum · March 21, 2023

On 3/19/2023 at 9:46 PM, APDMOM said:

We stayed in a 3-bedroom older home relatively close to Aventura mall. It was very clean and the neighborhood, though older, felt safe enough. We paid $280 for the night. Everything seemed newly renovated, except the kitchen cabinets. The home is great for an overnight stay. The hostess was very friendly and provided extras like instant oatmeal, bottled water, coffee, etc. I would stay there again if we opt for Miami.

https://abnb.me/tcAhvqJgjyb

Thank you!

pcrum · March 21, 2023

Thanks so much for the review. There are not many non-Yacht Club reviews of MSC out there. For your pizza lunch, did you order from room service?

The photos of Ocean Cay are so pretty. Glad the weather cleared up for you.

APDMOM · March 21, 2023

50 minutes ago, pcrum said:

Thanks so much for the review. There are not many non-Yacht Club reviews of MSC out there. For your pizza lunch, did you order from room service?

The photos of Ocean Cay are so pretty. Glad the weather cleared up for you.

You are welcome!

I did not order the pizza. DH was kind enough to run to the Marketplace to pick up a couple of slices for me. Then he returned the plate after I ate. He is my personal room service 😁. When we got married 23 years ago, we decided we are going to try to out-serve each other. I think her may be winning. He is a keeper. 🙂