OBSERVATIONS FROM THE POOP DECK SEASCAPE

[CarolnLarry]

If you see Ramchandra on your cruise tell him Larry, Jamie, Paul, Haley and Dylan think he is the best butler with MSC.  We were fortunate to have him as a junior butler on one cruise and butler on the next.  Always enjoy your trips and hoping you have a GREAT cruise.

[morpheusofthesea]

3 hours ago, Best Cat Mom said:

I'm guessing this is because they prefer the Caribbean.

Actually it because they prefer tippers and it is the only part of the world where tipping is acceptable.

[Best Cat Mom]

14 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Actually it because they prefer tippers and it is the only part of the world where tipping is acceptable.

I was trying to be subtle LOL. They have also told us that they prefer the friendlier guests from America. One crew member said that the Europeans make him feel like a servant and not at all appreciated. 😞

[morpheusofthesea]

26 minutes ago, Best Cat Mom said:

I was trying to be subtle LOL. They have also told us that they prefer the friendlier guests from America. One crew member said that the Europeans make him feel like a servant and not at all appreciated. 😞

We are all simpaticos here. (meaning sociable, pleasant, agreeable, amicable, gracious, companionable, hospitable, convivial, kindly, and sympathetic).

[BirdTravels]

Do you think that the terminal will be completed on time? Both the new RCCL and NCL terminals were [significantly] late. 

[Best Cat Mom]

45 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

We are all simpaticos here. (meaning sociable, pleasant, agreeable, amicable, gracious, companionable, hospitable, convivial, kindly, and sympathetic).

Indeed we are, sir! And that is always my intent. If it came across otherwise, you have my sincere apologies. Tone is so difficult in text.

[morpheusofthesea]

8 hours ago, Best Cat Mom said:

Indeed we are, sir! And that is always my intent. If it came across otherwise, you have my sincere apologies. Tone is so difficult in text.

Just the opposite....you are tooooo nice !

You needn't 'tiptoe through the tulips' here. "The phrase "tiptoe through the tulips" means to be very careful or to move slowly and quietly. In Victorian times, tulips were seen as a symbol of love and passion. Unlike roses, tulips don't have thorns, and even after they're cut, they still keep growing, which is why they're often linked with everlasting life."

Edited April 20 by morpheusofthesea

[travelwide]

5 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Just the opposite....you are tooooo nice !

You needn't 'tiptoe through the tulips' here. "The phrase "tiptoe through the tulips" means to be very careful or to move slowly and quietly. In Victorian times, tulips were seen as a symbol of love and passion. Unlike roses, tulips don't have thorns, and even after they're cut, they still keep growing, which is why they're often linked with everlasting life."

 

You are a man of great and varied knowledge! Get on that ship already, we want to hear the stories.

[Best Cat Mom]

5 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

You needn't 'tiptoe through the tulips' here.

As a native NYer, I try to quash my tendencies to be my true self. However, I will attempt to fulfill your wishes. Notice that I did not "like" your post. Good start? 😁

[no1talks]

5 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

"In Victorian times, tulips were seen as a symbol of love and passion."

 

Not to take away from Victorian sensibilities, Morpheus,  I think the Greeks of antiquity had the right of it when it comes to understanding love.

 

They defined seven types of love, from the juvenile to the sublime, which I will leave for interested readers to investigate. (Some scholars say the ancient Greeks recognized eight types, adding mania.)

 

Accordingly, both the tulip and the rose can shine in their respective significations of love, neither being superior to the other.

Edited April 20 by no1talks

[morpheusofthesea]

3 hours ago, Best Cat Mom said:

As a native NYer, I try to quash my tendencies to be my true self. However, I will attempt to fulfill your wishes. Notice that I did not "like" your post. Good start? 😁

You are still too nice...even when you try your best not to be.

[Best Cat Mom]

Ggggrr...

 

I will try my best going forward, I promise!!

[morpheusofthesea]

3 hours ago, no1talks said:

 

Not to take away from Victorian sensibilities, Morpheus,  I think the Greeks of antiquity had the right of it when it comes to understanding love.

 

They defined seven types of love, from the juvenile to the sublime, which I will leave for interested readers to investigate. (Some scholars say the ancient Greeks recognized eight types, adding mania.)

 

Accordingly, both the tulip and the rose can shine in their respective significations of love, neither being superior to the other.

I think you will find, if you ever find yourself regressed, is a past life as Cyrano de Bergerac.

[Best Cat Mom]

7 minutes ago, Best Cat Mom said:

I will try my best going forward

Correction -- I will try my worst!!

[morpheusofthesea]

Well, we are finally on the ship and unpacked. Some observations of note. We were escorted onto the ship by our butler in small groups of 8-10 in the Yacht Club to fit easily in the elevator. I quickly noticed that our butler's card had the elevator over ride function. I have since tried ours and it does not work on the elevators. Our cards were scanned in the terminal and not when we boarded the ship which was also a first. Our butler stop our elevator on deck 7 casino to see if we could check-in at our muster station before getting to our cabin to drop off our carry on luggage. No the pink ball cap muster station scanners do not come on duty til 11:30am. We first went to the cabin and discussed what we would like with our butler. Went to lunch in the YC Restaurant and was happy to see Ercan as maitre d'. He looks like Nicholas Cage, the actor with dyed black hair.His assistant hostess is Anna from Nicaragua and sommelier is Christian.

   We have two Yacht Club Directors this cruise again.  Larysa from Ukraine who has been a favorite head butler is now acting assistant YC director with Moustafa. Larysa will be leaving the end of this week to take over as YC Director on Fantasia. Taking her place as new head butler in the YC is long time favorite head concierge Eva. (Last time we heard Eva was leaving to get married, building a house and starting a new business.) Things are fluid at MSC. 

  Went to muster station after lunch and it was a breeze and everyone can use the elevators. Best muster of any cruise line.

[no1talks]

26 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

"I think you will find, if you ever find yourself regressed, is a past life as Cyrano de Bergerac."

 

You flatter me, kind sir. However in mindfulness of your observation, I must admit to owning a genuine rapier.

 

(For ren faires, not dueling.)

[morpheusofthesea]

32 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

I think you will find, if you ever find yourself regressed, is a past life as Cyrano de Bergerac.

I was thinking mostly of Cyrano's repartee. In this life we see you opted more to keep the wit and add a touch of Greek god to your features.

[no1talks]

10 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

I was thinking mostly of Cyrano's repartee. In this life we see you opted more to keep the wit and add a touch of Greek god to your features.

 

Modesty forbids me any affirmation as such.

 

Even though ol' Cyrano would have had the upper hand at crossing swords, I have bested him in one significant way.

 

He didn't even make it to middle age, the poor fellow.

 

[morpheusofthesea]

Here is a photo of the last time we had two YC directors on a one week cruise. I will try to get a photo of Mustafa with Larysa.

[morpheusofthesea]

Our lunch time was also marked with a surprise when a past waiter came out from the kitchen. Everyone here remarks how we should say hello to this one or that because of all the fond memories at meal times they experienced. We love this waiter because he gets us in and out of the YC restaurant in record time to get to the early show. We asked him if it would be possible to be our waiter once again for this cruise. He was unsure as Ercan is his new boss and Ercan rules the YC restaurant. So I asked where his station was located in the restaurant and he pointed out a pole along the railing. I got up out of my chair for him to escort me over as DW said "Go check it out." (We all have a boss). In the process Ercan came over to ask what was up. I explained how we love this waiter from our prior cruise and Ercan switched him over to our table. (The feeling is akin to having ones cake and be able to eat it too).

   Had the cob salad and an order of pakora, which was different than last time here. This signals a new YC Chef that we are unfamiliar. Will keep you all posted.

[Best Cat Mom]

1 hour ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Went to lunch in the YC Restaurant and was happy to see Ercan as maitre d'. ... His assistant hostess is Anna from Nicaragua and sommelier is Christian.

We had the pleasure of the Ercan/Anna team on Seaside in September 2023. He was great at accommodating my GF needs. I hope he is still on board for our 14 September cruise later this year. If you can find out, I'd really appreciate it!

 

Wait, let me rephrase...

 

"Find out if he is still on board 14 September."

 

😁

[kelleherdl]

2 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

I was thinking mostly of Cyrano's repartee. In this life we see you opted more to keep the wit and add a touch of Greek god to your features.

Okay, this whole Cyrano think just hit me with a little Deja vu.  Two nights ago I was thinking about how I came to be a reasonably accomplished public speaker 😀. (I was rehearsing my Mass readings for my son’s upcoming wedding.) Cyrano’s soliloquy was one of my grade school attempts at thespian immortality.  Of course, my recollection was that I was outstanding. I also was just at The American Adventure at Disney World yesterday and Mark Twain’s humility almost matched mine.

Edited April 20 by kelleherdl

[morpheusofthesea]

37 minutes ago, kelleherdl said:

with a little Deja vu.  Two nights ago I was thinking about how I came to be

This cruise community is psychically connected. “There are more things in heaven and earth …Prof. 

Edited April 20 by morpheusofthesea

[no1talks]

33 minutes ago, kelleherdl said:

Cyrano’s soliloquy was one of my grade school attempts at thespian immortality.

''Tis a rock!... a peak!... a cape!  A cape, forsooth! 'Tis a peninsula!"

[no1talks]

8 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

"This cruise community is psychically connected."

Either that or psychotically affected. 🤪

Edited April 20 by no1talks