Semi-Live Seaside Review 7/30-8/3 From A Circadian-Challenged Cruiser

[amygutman]

1 hour ago, PompeySailor said:

I can vouch for Amy

Being from the UK they are 100% pickled onions (just small ones)

But not pickled UK style, more pickled  cocktail onions 

 

I have both in my fridge - here you go 

UK Strong pickled onions to the left and Pickled cocktail onions to the right 

cocktail onions use a white vinegar and UK Style use a Pickling vinegar 

 

Proof is in on the manufacturers labels 

 

 

These are most popular in fish and chip shops along with pickled eggs 

The fact that you have not just one but multiple types of these onions is freaking hysterical.

Clearly, I'm an American heathen without any taste in snack-food. I do approve of the jalapenos however...🥰

Warmest Amy

[amygutman]

On 8/2/2023 at 8:08 AM, Seas2mountains said:

Thank you for doing a live review, Amy! I’m enjoying following along with you! 😀

 

Are you using iPhone to take your photos? If so, make sure the volume buttons are facing down when taking a photo if you are trying to capture a landscape shot. 
 

Enjoy your final days! We tend to cruise mostly on NCL but have cruised twice in MSC YC on Seaside and Davina. We do have NCL and MSC YC cruises booked in the future. 
 

How is the entertainment in the YC? Are things a little crazy when you leave the YC? 

@Seas2mountains Great advice regarding the iphone. Will try that on my next cruise. We love NCL And especially the Haven and have 4 more lined up in the coming two years plus one more MSC YC in February. It just takes so much of the stress away.

 

On the last post with final thoughts I summarize the entertainment. It's hit or miss, but super weird, not bad weird necessarily just... for any show that puts pirates and velociraptors together you've got to give kudos to that creative team for the sheer trippiness.

 

Warmest Amy

[PompeySailor]

3 minutes ago, amygutman said:

The fact that you have not just one but multiple types of these onions is freaking hysterical.

Clearly, I'm an American heathen without any taste in snack-food. I do approve of the jalapenos however...🥰

Warmest Amy

My mum used to pickle up around 20 mason jars around July time, so come Christmas time we had some very strong onions.🧅

 

Traditionally you’ll find them on a Ploughman’s lunch with crackers and cheeses 🧀 

 

 

[amygutman]

On 8/2/2023 at 10:08 AM, 8420PR said:

 

 

I'm enjoying your review.  Greetings from Europe 🙂

 

@8420PR Thank you for the kind words. I Will humbly say in all of my travels I have never seen such vocal and photographic support of the lowly pickled onion. I feel like I may just buy a jar of them to keep in my refrigerator so I'm kept in good company with the clearly much cooler Europeans like you, @Daniel A and @PompeySailor

Warmest Amy

[amygutman]

On 8/3/2023 at 2:35 PM, JAGR said:

I thought that as well, but then I saw the post was from Europe, and growing in Ireland, I remember having gooseberries as a dessert and snack.

@JAGR Gooseberries rock. Pickled onions...let's just say that if I thought I was biting into a gooseberry and got a pickled onion instead I would be unhappy. Let's not give MSC any ideas because putting a snacking plate of gooseberries next to a plate of pickled onions could lead to chaos in the YC. Would be highly entertaining however! 

Warmest Amy

[amygutman]

5 minutes ago, PompeySailor said:

My mum used to pickle up around 20 mason jars around July time, so come Christmas time we had some very strong onions.🧅

 

Traditionally you’ll find them on a Ploughman’s lunch with crackers and cheeses 🧀 

 

 

@PompeySailor Ohh dear Lord... are those raisins with pickled onions? @JAGR This is worse than gooseberries next to onions!!!!!!

 

[PompeySailor]

4 minutes ago, amygutman said:

@PompeySailor Ohh dear Lord... are those raisins with pickled onions? @JAGR This is worse than gooseberries next to onions!!!!!!

 

The other ingredients on a Ploughmans can vary considerably (it’s a mish mash)

I do not condone raisins anywhere 🤣

 

Raisins should be outlawed 🚫
 

What you see there is Branston Pickle, another UK offering 

 

Also in my fridge 🤣

Edited August 5, 2023 by PompeySailor

[amygutman]

One final critique that actually caused me to change an upcoming MSC booking. The YC Deluxe Penthouse had NO outlets by the bed or couch. None at all. If you wanted to plug in your devices, you had to use the desk area across the room and / or obtain an extension cord. Inconvenient for us, but if you are someone who needs a CPAP this would be very difficult. 

 

We looked everywhere - honestly, thought there may be some hidden plugs but no luck. Very bad design flaw. On the desk there were 2 plugs (American) for which we used our cruise-compliant multi-six. There was another plug by the near side of the desk (European) for which we were able to use an adaptor. Apologies for no photos of the set-up. 

 

It was frustrating as even though we don't have a lot of electronics (3 lap-tops, 3 cell phones, 1 camera), we spent a lot of time fighting for plug space even with 5 charging slots + USBs. The old "put a hotel card in the room slot to keep the electricity on" did not work as the butler specifically asked us to not do that; he and the room attendant had both been instructed by the YC director to remove any cards in unoccupied rooms (perhaps for energy-saving?).

 

Long story, but we ended up changing our YC Deluxe Penthouse to @morpheusofthesea's favorite Royal Suite on our Feb 2024 Euribia European cruise. The RS has plugs everywhere (at least on the YouTube videos of the Meraviglia RS which has a similar layout) plus kiddo will have his own desk / more private area for the longer cruise. And yes...have to admit that the hot tub on the balcony will be lovely in the cold European winter weather, but that is more of a perk than a reason to book the RS. Still baffled at the lack of at least a second 1/2 bath in such a big space. Was able to parlay a casino credit into a decent discount that our TA used to re-book our original room (the casino credit had to be used for a "new" booking). 

 

So that is the end of my review, and once again, thanks for the kind comments and happy to help out if any questions do arise. Wishing wonderful and safe cruising to the lovely folks we met on board. 

Warmest Amy

[morpheusofthesea]

14 minutes ago, amygutman said:

Long story, but we ended up changing our YC Deluxe Penthouse to @morpheusofthesea's favorite Royal Suite on our Feb 2024 Euribia European cruise

Smart move. (they will also never 'browbeat' a RS/OS guest about leaving an old key card in the power slot all the time). Also the cabin we are in presently was stifling hot when we arrived. The two thermostats were on one red each and nothing in the power slot. The array of windows in the front of the ship makes the cabin extra hot. This cabin definitely needs to have a constant card in the slot.

Edited August 7, 2023 by morpheusofthesea

[amygutman]

28 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Smart move. (they will also never 'browbeat' a RS/OS guest about leaving an old key card in the power slot all the time). Also the cabin we are in presently was stifling hot when we arrived. The two thermostats were on one red each and nothing in the power slot. The array of windows in the front of the ship makes the cabin extra hot. This cabin definitely needs to have a constant card in the slot.

@morpheusofthesea Great to know. I remember how much you like the RS and thought - what the heck. It's kiddo's first trip to Europe (good Lord that sounds bougie), and with the exception of Paris, none of our family have been to the other ports. So, splurging on a trip that already is quite expensive to ensure that everyone is happy and comfortable is worth it to us. Knowing the room will be warmer is actually a bonus to me: I routinely wear long-sleeves in the Florida summer whilst hubby would happily walk around in a speedo in the upstate NY winter. 

 

Curious - which ship are you on right now? You always have great insight into ships, rooms and experiences. 

Warmest Amy

[V8cruiser]

Thanks so much for this!!! Will also have guests on the spectrum, myself included, I have one that looks forward to his peanut butter and jelly sandwich in the main dining EVERY NIGHT. Please tell me this is possible????

[Nikita4]

On 7/29/2023 at 6:33 PM, amygutman said:

ABOUT US, THE "NOT GOING ON MSC AGAIN" CRUISERS

T-Minus 21 hours 30 minutes to our 4 night, 5 day Seaside out of Port Canaveral. Have never tried a Live Review, so will aim for a Semi-Live with a nod of appreciation to @mica178 who is currently on the ship. I'm punch-drunk from night shift and staying awake to switch to "normal human schedule" so will ramble a bit about cruise prep et al. But first...coffee ☕

 

A little about us: I'm a often night-shift working menopausal mom of a 14 yo boy Ronan (in the eye-rolling stage of adolescence) and wife to a Celtic Viking of a husband, Mike. If you've cruised with us we are easily recognizable due to his beard and collection of "Sipowitz" shirts. Kiddo is awesome, loves cruising, hoping for other teens on this sailing. He's autistic but we have found that cruisers more than any other segment of society accept his eccentricities - unfortunately not in cruise teen clubs as of late. Took a bit of prodding to get him excited for today as our last foray into a teen club found this newly-minted 14 yo in a club with 16 and 17 yo girls with pierced belly-rings in full "girl-clique mode". Ladies...you know what I mean. Hell, I'm in my 50's and these roaming girl-packs STILL terrify me.

 

Where was I? Oh...You'll find kiddo on his phone, in the pool, eating mac-and-cheese or any other carbohydrate. Don't judge. He also eats his weight in broccoli so I'll take what I can get. If he splashes in the pool he means no harm, just gets very happy when swimming. If you see him, ask him about animation - he will talk your ear off (and by "talk your ear off", I mean 2 sentences in a row. Small victories indeed). 

 

Any day on a ship is our happy place, preferring NCL's Haven > the Yacht Club. In fact we were of the avowed "nope...never going to cruise again on MSC". Too bougie, and I kept smashing my face into the darned mirrored hallways. Mirrors, and more mirrors interspersed with shiny crystals on mirrored staircases. I spent a lot of time on MSC ships walking in the center of the hallway and gripping staircase handrails for dear life. Butlers whom we have to dodge to avoid being escorted one flight up to the pool deck. Weird entertainment (the stage show with a man in a giant nose costume on the Meraviglia still gives me nightmares). The service is almost TOO much, if that makes sense. Did we love the Seashore and Meraviglia? Sure. Who doesn't love being spoiled? But we generally prefer the Haven. About 6 months ago my TA calls me to remind me I have MSC cruise refund money from Covid cancellations I need to use pronto or lose. Checked what was out of Canaveral and so - MSC we are back again. 4 Nights, 5 Days in a deluxe YC penthouse that with my cruise credit and perks from my TA's company cost only $50 over my credited funds for a total of a bit over 3K. Pricey, but it was last minute-ish. Haven't spent time with kiddo all summer a good excuse for family time before school starts in 2 weeks. 

 

CRUISE PREP

Night shift dragged last night. Friday night ER complaints fall into six main categories: 1) "Hold My Beer And Watch This", 2) People Caught In The Path of the "Hold My Beer" Folks (drunk drivers should be castrated in my personal opinion, but I digress), 3) Gravity Is A ***** (AKA "Fell Out of Bed and Go Boom On Floor", 4) "My Kid Has a Fever But I Didn't Give Him Acetaminophen Because I Wanted You To See Him Have a Fever So Now He's Having A Seizure", 5) "I'm Having The Big One" (oy....yes you are - let's save a life!), and 6) "My 'Insert Vague Complaint' That I've Had For 2 Years But I Haven't Seen A Doctor For, But I Need You To Get Me A STAT MRI Because Google Says So And I Need A Work Note". Stayed late, did my paperwork, walked 5 miles to wake up, and now ready to relax!

 

We have packing down to a science. Literally have packing lists for every occasion and will attach our "5 Night / 6 Day With Hotel And No Flight" checksheet to this post. Why "5 Nights"?. Because even though we live in Orlando, a 45 minute drive to Port Canaveral, we love to go a night before the cruise and hang out at Springhill Marriot for a pre-cruise stay-cation, go to Kennedy Space Center, see manatees, etc. The Marriot has a "Park-N-Cruise" special: hotel + breakfast buffet (which rocks, BTW - photos tomorrow) + cruise parking + shuttle. Different rates depending on the day of the week, but it's usually $300-$350ish. Considering that parking alone is $20-$40 / day depending on the lot, this is money well spent to us. 

TIPS, LETTERS, ETC

We attached our Butler letter, adapted from the template from the wise @Sthrngary on the NCL Boards. Differences between NCL Haven and MSC Yacht Club - the concierge on the YC is stationed at a desk vs the Haven where they roam the ship and go to every room on embarkation (in our experience). Haven: we have a concierge letter as well as butler letter. Both in envelopes with a "pre-tip". MSC: only Butler letter as we only tip the concierge as we go - meaning, if we have to set up a tender, etc. There are many threads with the "pros-and-cons" of this practice, but we find that the letter + pre-tip (<5 day cruises = $50, >5 day cruises = $100) make for a nice sailing. We give the "tip handshake" to the stateroom attendant + assistant as they do most of the heavy lifting. We also pre-tip the restaurant hostess $20 - they really spoil kiddo.  For MSC meals, we leave $2-5 / waiter / meal (all restaurants, not just the YC). Because we don't always sit at the same table in the YC (or specialty restaurants if we are repeat customers), this is most efficient. Same for the bar and the pool deck. I was a horrible waitress at Howard Johnson on overnights and LIVED on crappy tips (if you were Wilkes-Barre PA in the late '90s and left me change in your milkshake slurry debris for my tip, I hated you then, and still hate you now, just sayin'). Life has blessed us with good fortune backed by hard work so we like to spread that good karma.

 

AND WITH THAT...

Shower, shave my night-shift legs (TMI?), kiddo finishing animation class, (plug here: https://eliteanimationacademy.com/ These are the most amazing live and zoom classes for any one interested in drawing, character design and animation. Based in Orlando and have special education programs for children and adults on the Spectrum interested in animation careers. Highly recommend), and then off to the Marriot!!! Suns Out, Funs Out!

Warmest, Amy

Cruise Packing List 6 Day 5 Night Pre-Night Hotel No Flight.docx 22.53 kB · 30 downloads Gutman-Enright Butler Letter_General.docx 21.78 kB · 66 downloads

Your Butler-Letter ist real?
You know your Butler in the YC had to serve 10-12 cabins and can't read Letters from all guests. It's easier to speak with the butler and say what you wan't. And the YC isn't a 6 Star Hotel like in Dubai or so, MSC is a mass-market-cruise-line, and the YC perhaps a 4 star superior product not more.
 

And for the kids club, at MSC ships are a lot of european people with kids and teens, they all speak englisch but also in the mother language like spanish, Italien, french or german. Yes normally there are a lot of teens they like to dress up and to improve to others, but this is normal in this age but perhaps not for a child in the spectrum.

[morpheusofthesea]

5 hours ago, amygutman said:

Curious - which ship are you on right now? You always have great insight into ships, rooms and experiences. 

5 hours ago, amygutman said:

It's kiddo's first trip to Europe (good Lord that sounds bougie)

Warmest Amy

Seascape. Our insight is rather limited to just a few ships leaving from South Florida ports nowadays.

  Try the word ' the Continent'... it's more exotic. "Now ladies and gentlemen, it is the distinct pleasure of the management to present to you the evening star attraction. Here they are, back after their threes year exclusive tour of Europe, Scandinavia, and the subcontinent. Won't you welcome from Calumet City, Illinois the show band of Joliet Jake and Elwood Blues. The Blues Brothers!"

[amygutman]

11 hours ago, V8cruiser said:

Thanks so much for this!!! Will also have guests on the spectrum, myself included, I have one that looks forward to his peanut butter and jelly sandwich in the main dining EVERY NIGHT. Please tell me this is possible????

@V8cruiser 100% possible. There was not a single request that was not honored (or at least attempted to be honored). Even to the point of offering to take our family in the service elevators to shows / trivia as kiddo doesn't do well in crowded spaces. 

 

I think the only difficulty you would have in ordering a special meal is perhaps in the steakhouse as it's unlikely they have easy access to PB&J. But maybe if you called ahead?

 

Having been on Disney, RCL, NCL, Celebrity and MSC, I have to say that MSC and NCL treat these cruisers and families very well. The only difficulty is in the Kids Clubs (for every cruise brand we have sailed with), but by no fault of the staff (who are all very well trained, and most have 4 year education degrees, some specializing in special needs populations). It's honestly the challenges in overcoming the often overwhelming task of meeting new kids who already may have their own social group / family group, who may speak a different language, and may not share the same interest. 

 

Have a wonderful time - can think of no better way to experience a family vacation and see the world!

Warmest Amy

[amygutman]

7 hours ago, Nikita4 said:

Your Butler-Letter ist real?
You know your Butler in the YC had to serve 10-12 cabins and can't read Letters from all guests. It's easier to speak with the butler and say what you wan't. And the YC isn't a 6 Star Hotel like in Dubai or so, MSC is a mass-market-cruise-line, and the YC perhaps a 4 star superior product not more.
 

And for the kids club, at MSC ships are a lot of european people with kids and teens, they all speak englisch but also in the mother language like spanish, Italien, french or german. Yes normally there are a lot of teens they like to dress up and to improve to others, but this is normal in this age but perhaps not for a child in the spectrum.

@Nikita4 Not only is our letter real, it has always been read and responded to within a day. Yes, each butler has a large group of cabins and you will often seen them writing down specifics of you and your family, but this written letter has always been greeted with a positive response. 

 

We cribbed the body of the letter from @Sthrngary on his "Haven 2022" thread over on the NCL Boards and modified it to our family's needs. On NCL, the pre-concierge is way more involved in pre-planning than on MSC, but still a real-time "hey, this is who we are and what we like, and thank you in advance for working so hard to give us a fantastic vacation" is so helpful on any cruise.

 

Agree re: cultural and language differences in the Kids Clubs. Heck, I'm an awkward introvert in my 50s and could not imagine being thrust into a similar situation as a 14 yo, spectrum or not. 

Hope you have a great cruise!

Warmest Amy

[P2l]

14 hours ago, amygutman said:

remove any cards in unoccupied rooms (perhaps for energy-saving?)

Fire risk from unattended charging devices more likely.

[amygutman]

7 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Seascape. Our insight is rather limited to just a few ships leaving from South Florida ports nowadays.

  Try the word ' the Continent'... it's more exotic. "Now ladies and gentlemen, it is the distinct pleasure of the management to present to you the evening star attraction. Here they are, back after their threes year exclusive tour of Europe, Scandinavia, and the subcontinent. Won't you welcome from Calumet City, Illinois the show band of Joliet Jake and Elwood Blues. The Blues Brothers!"

LOVE THIS!!!!!

I hopped onto your Seascape Poop Deck posting. Have to admit i'm disappointed in your current staff's response to the hordes of people interloping into the YC. We were lucky to have the exact opposite experience.

Any funky bud yet?

Warmest Amy

[amygutman]

3 minutes ago, P2l said:

Fire risk from unattended charging devices more likely.

Agree completely. 

Thanks!

[Sthrngary]

7 hours ago, Nikita4 said:

Your Butler-Letter ist real?
You know your Butler in the YC had to serve 10-12 cabins and can't read Letters from all guests. It's easier to speak with the butler and say what you wan't. And the YC isn't a 6 Star Hotel like in Dubai or so, MSC is a mass-market-cruise-line, and the YC perhaps a 4 star superior product not more.

@Nikita4 my online name is Sthrngary and I am the community member that originally wrote the Butler Letter.  I did it because my butlers were hit or miss.  This includes NCL Haven, Celebrity Retreat and yes MSC Yacht Club.  The problem as I have now found out was the number of staterooms each butler had.  It did not allow them to learn the guest needs as they would on a Luxury Brand.  

 

When I handed them the letter, initially they seemed shocked.  They left the suite and came back within 15 minutes with a smile on their faces.  To the butler, I got a thank you and was told their lives would be so much easer if they were not having to have a crystal ball for their new guest needs.  

 

My goal was to gain an improved cruising experience without being "That GUY!!!!!".  The person that is mean, rude or super demanding.  This little letter created instant engagement with the butler who from that point forward, could not do enough for me.  

 

After 40 years of cruising, I have learned one simple rule.  Be nice, be kind, be understanding and be a GREAT communicator.  Almost anything is possible.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

[amygutman]

4 minutes ago, Sthrngary said:

@Nikita4 my online name is Sthrngary and I am the community member that originally wrote the Butler Letter.  I did it because my butlers were hit or miss.  This includes NCL Haven, Celebrity Retreat and yes MSC Yacht Club.  The problem as I have now found out was the number of staterooms each butler had.  It did not allow them to learn the guest needs as they would on a Luxury Brand.  

 

When I handed them the letter, initially they seemed shocked.  They left the suite and came back within 15 minutes with a smile on their faces.  To the butler, I got a thank you and was told their lives would be so much easer if they were not having to have a crystal ball for their new guest needs.  

 

My goal was to gain an improved cruising experience without being "That GUY!!!!!".  The person that is mean, rude or super demanding.  This little letter created instant engagement with the butler who from that point forward, could not do enough for me.  

 

After 40 years of cruising, I have learned one simple rule.  Be nice, be kind, be understanding and be a GREAT communicator.  Almost anything is possible.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

@Sthrngary Your advice has made cruising so much easier and stress free for so many people. Unlike the person in the bar you most recently met claiming to be your dear friend 🫢 I would love to meet with you and buy you a drink plus your favorite almond croissant.

 

Perhaps our paths will cross but know that we appreciate you and I'm sure if the YC cruises headed over to your NCL Haven thread would also appreciate your great advice on the suite-within-a-suite and "Haven-Lite" experiences.

 

Warmest Amy

[Nikita4]

Butler-Letter:
A Butler is a better room steward not more on MSC. When you want really have a real butler you have to cruise with a real luxury brand cruise line, not a mass mark cruise line.

 

When I am a butler i were shocked about a letter like that, for me that is too much. When all guests want things like that, that is not working for the butler on a MSC Ship.

We always have good butlers, otherwise we speak with them and all our YC cruises were good - very good. We speak with the crew and the officers and so it always goes well.

[Sthrngary]

10 minutes ago, Nikita4 said:

Butler-Letter:
A Butler is a better room steward not more on MSC. When you want really have a real butler you have to cruise with a real luxury brand cruise line, not a mass mark cruise line.

 

When I am a butler i were shocked about a letter like that, for me that is too much. When all guests want things like that, that is not working for the butler on a MSC Ship.

We always have good butlers, otherwise we speak with them and all our YC cruises were good - very good. We speak with the crew and the officers and so it always goes well.

@Nikita4 What I love most about CruiseCritic.com is we don't have to agree on a topic.  All I ask is to be taken under consideration.  We all make our own decisions on how to proceed. For me, a butler letter has worked grandly.  Others that have tried it have had mostly positive experiences.  The folks the have had the biggest issues with the concept are the ones that never used it or put it to use.  

 

It is not just a letter, it is a well thought out communication in writing.  If any butler says they can't do something, you just let it go and say thank you anyway.  Since I have had butlers on NCL, Celebrity, MSC, Crystal and other brands; the quality of butlers are in deed much better on luxury brands with Crystal being a GREAT example.  However, the letter got much better results on Mainstream Cruising brands.  Remember, you results will vary based on many factors.  All I care about is an enhanced cruising experience.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

[morpheusofthesea]

1 hour ago, amygutman said:

Any funky bud yet?

Sorry, I'm not as 'hip'. What is funky bud. beer?

[JAGR]

14 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Sorry, I'm not as 'hip'. What is funky bud. beer?

It is that "skunk" you mentioned some passing familiarity with back in the day!  😜

[morpheusofthesea]

3 minutes ago, JAGR said:

It is that "skunk" you mentioned some passing familiarity with back in the day!  😜

I bet the 'old' master got that from the pupil  ?

Edited August 7, 2023 by morpheusofthesea