OBSERVATIONS FROM THE POOP DECK SEASCAPE

[no1talks]

1 hour ago, cruisebeachgirl703 said:

"Any idea why this is operating procedure of YC staff?"

 

Cruise staff not confronting passengers who are doing what they shouldn't is not just an MSC Yacht Club issue.

 

I read all the active cruise line boards on CC and there are many reports of staff/management turning a blind eye and not enforcing their own policies.

 

If this is because cruise lines want to minimize social media video posts of verbal confrontations during enforcement, things won't improve.

 

[cruisebeachgirl703]

33 minutes ago, no1talks said:

 

Cruise staff not confronting passengers who are doing what they shouldn't is not just an MSC Yacht Club issue.

 

I read all the active cruise line boards on CC and there are many reports of staff/management turning a blind eye and not enforcing their own policies.

 

If this is because cruise lines want to minimize social media video posts of verbal confrontations during enforcement, things won't improve.

 

I support cruise staff being kept safe. Cruise lines have security officers which if utilized would be taken much more seriously. I hope MSC figures it out.

[no1talks]

11 minutes ago, cruisebeachgirl703 said:

"Cruise lines have security officers which if utilized would be taken much more seriously."

 

You might be surprised to find out how small the security teams are on many cruise ships. There are too few to have them ready to respond to every belligerent passenger called out for rule breaking. So, ships just let violations slide to avoid escalation.

 

Carnival is a notable exception. When videos of passengers brawling with each other became regular viewing, security was increased.

[morpheusofthesea]

1 hour ago, cruisebeachgirl703 said:

I support cruise staff being kept safe. Cruise lines have security officers which if utilized would be taken much more seriously. I hope MSC figures it out.

Funny you mention security officers. We have seen two such gentlemen walking the ship that are 7 feet tall hulks. Just looking at these imposing gentlemen is enough to make a drunk think twice about foolishness.

Edited April 24 by morpheusofthesea

[morpheusofthesea]

14 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Funny you mention security officers. We have seen two such gentlemen walking the ship that are 7 feet tall hulks. Just looking at these imposing gentlemen is enough to make a drunk think twice about foolishness.

I think this was a genius move on MSC's part to hire these giants that can take the place of a 'boatload' of 'Keystone  cops'.

[morpheusofthesea]

2 hours ago, cruisebeachgirl703 said:

YC guests (who are not part of the scheme) lose in this situation. MSC loses (food, beverage) in this situation. Seems unfortunate.

Yes, one might think this. But we mostly tend to overlook this as a temporary anomaly when in actuality it is common place and is not hurting their race to the top of the cruise industry. YC still rules.

[Best Cat Mom]

4 hours ago, cruisebeachgirl703 said:

Any idea why this is operating procedure of YC staff?

To reuse the words of a wise person -- because they are tooooooooo nice. 😁

[morpheusofthesea]

Here is some more rumor and gossip. Explora Journeys is actively recruiting here on board, directly contacting individuals with offers. Waiters being offered $2000 more, butlers appears offering less (maybe because they do so little on Explora for the Residences compared to what our butlers do for us in Yacht Clubs).

[no1talks]

35 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

(maybe because they do so little on Explora for the Residences compared to what our butlers do for us in Yacht Clubs).

 

Ah, but that is just your "butler mileage" my dear Morpheus. Others may need their Explora butler more.

 

In an alternate reality, wherein the missus and I are already retired, living in Florida, and not dissuaded by the ship's blasé color palette, we would be in a Residence suite and our butler would be more busy than in YC.

 

Unlike the priciest YC suites, the Apontes had the good sense to put guest bathrooms in some of the Residence categories. That means we would be entertaining fellow passengers in our suite for at least pre-dinner drinks and hors d'oeuvres if not in-room dinner service.

Edited April 24 by no1talks

[morpheusofthesea]

16 minutes ago, no1talks said:

 

Ah, but that is just your "butler mileage" my dear Morpheus. Others may need their Explora butler more

 

In an alternate reality, wherein the missus and I are already retired, living in Florida, and not dissuaded by the ship's blasé color palette, we would be in a Residence suite and our butler would be more busy than in YC.

 

Unlike the priciest YC suites, the Apontes had the good sense to put guest bathrooms in some of the Residence categories. That means we would be entertaining fellow passengers in our suite for at least pre-dinner drinks and hors d'oeuvres if not in-room dinner service.

This is the "stuff that dreams are made of."

[no1talks]

17 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

This is the "stuff that dreams are made of."

 

In my case, I wouldn't put it that way regarding Explora Journeys.

 

It really would require an alternate reality for me to be on one of those ships, assuming the overly subdued color palette becomes a fleet-wide phenomenon.

 

When the time comes for us to "cruise bigger" it will likely be in a Queens Grill suite on a Cunard ship, assuming Cunard continues to HQ one ship in North America.

[morpheusofthesea]

7 hours ago, Best Cat Mom said:

To reuse the words of a wise person -- because they are tooooooooo nice. 😁

You are toooo nice. "With age comes wisdom. In my case age came alone." to paraphrase Oscar Wilde

[rbelshaw]

7 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Funny you mention security officers. We have seen two such gentlemen walking the ship that are 7 feet tall hulks.

I was told over cigars and many drinks on the Seashore that at the time MSC acquired the Achille Lauro, the memory of the PLO hijacking of that ship was still very fresh. Sr. Aponte instructed his minions to take any steps necessary  to insure that such an incident could not re-occur under his family's stewardship.

 

I was also told that evening that for every security officer you see on an MSC ship, there are three that you don't.

 

[morpheusofthesea]

1 hour ago, rbelshaw said:

I was told over cigars and many drinks on the Seashore that at the time MSC acquired the Achille Lauro, the memory of the PLO hijacking of that ship was still very fresh. Sr. Aponte instructed his minions to take any steps necessary  to insure that such an incident could not re-occur under his family's stewardship.

 

I was also told that evening that for every security officer you see on an MSC ship, there are three that you don't.

 

We heard a similar story from MSC’s Captain Massa at a Cruise Critic meet and greet on the Seaside some years ago.That Captain Achille Lauro’s flagship of the same name that was attacked, instituted the toughest security so that it would never happen again hiring Israeli Mossad trained personnel. When MSC acquired Captain Lauro’s company the Apontes kept the security in place to this day.

[morpheusofthesea]

Our consensus of last nights entertainment in Le Cabaret Rouge was mediocre at its best. The same repeat songs and acts. We left for the raffle of $150 extra OBC which was held in the Atrium by the Captain and the Future Cruise Consultant for all those that booked a future cruise. This raffle was fairly well attended as there were 4 decks of guests at the railings which indicated many of us on board took advantage of booking future cruises. I forwarded our future cruise info to our travel agent to confirm all the discounts were applied and she needed confirmation of the one year from date to move this cruise and not just 90 days as the main MSC booking department had NO notice of this booking on board policy. They said to her their policy is only still 90 days. This is just another example of MSC's one hand not knowing what the other hand is doing. This just highlights the importance of having a travel agent fight it out for you and 'get everything in writing'. After the raffle we decided to see if our seats were still available back at Le Cabaret Rouge for the continuous entertainment ....and they were just as we left them,,,unoccupied.

P.S. This repeating of mediocre entertainment on board makes it really hard to justify a B2B cruise. Another reason we just book one week at a time.

Edited April 25 by morpheusofthesea
p.s.

[morpheusofthesea]

Here are the terms and conditions in writing for MSC's booking department.

"The Future Cruises Program (also hereinafter referred to as “FCP”) is available exclusively to guests while sailing on a MSC Cruise. As we value
our relationships with our travel partners, your Future Cruise booking will be attributed to the travel partner associated with your current
cruise booking, or to the MSC Cruises Contact Centre if the current booking was made directly through MSC Cruises. The confirmation of the
booking and the onboard accommodation is subject to availability at the time of the booking. The Future Cruise Program applies only to
bookings 3 nights or longer and requires the payment of an initial deposit to be paid on board according to the applicable Booking Terms and
Conditions.
Please note that the present FCP terms and conditions apply to new Future Cruise Bookings made on or after March 1st, 2023.
Unless otherwise specifically indicated or modified herein, the MSC Booking Terms and Conditions apply in full.
In case of conflict between the general MSC Booking Terms and Conditions and this document, the specific provisions of the latter shall
prevail: www.msccruisesusa.com/-/media/US/Documents/booking-terms-and-conditions-231208
SHIPBOARD CREDIT
The Future Cruise Program offers up to €/$/£ 200 Shipboard Credit per stateroom. The amount you are eligible for will be determined by the
stateroom category for that booking as well as the length of the voyage and ship’s currency, according to destination, and it will be applied to
your future cruise you reserve while onboard. Please note that all single occupancy guests paying less than the double of the amount of the
cruise fare will be eligible for half of the shipboard credit.
FUTURE CRUISE BOOKING FLEXIBILITY*
For all bookings whose balance have not been paid yet, you will be allowed to move a cruise date within the term of 1 year from the
departure date of the cruise package originally chosen, subject to the following conditions:
• if the fare of the new cruise package is higher than the original one, then the price difference shall be paid by the passenger;
• if the fare of the new cruise package is lower than the original one, the new fare shall apply.
• the shipboard credit received as part of your Future Cruise Booking will be adjusted to reflect the stateroom category and length of
the new cruise package. If the expected date of departure of the new cruise package falls within 30 days of departure, the shipboard
credit received as part of your Future Cruise Booking may not be granted;
• in the event that the booking of the new cruise package requires a higher deposit requirement, guests will be required to pay the
difference.
• offers, promotions or discounts applied to the original cruise package may not be applicable.
* Please note that this flexibility program does not apply to “Bella” Experience
BEST PRICE GUARANTEE*
The Best Price Guarantee benefit is available exclusively for bookings made through the Future Cruise Program and it gives you the
advantage of having a better price applicable up to 90 days before your sail date. The “Best Price Guarantee” may be used only once per
booking.
In order for a price match option to be applied the following requirements must be met:
• the price must be on publicly advertised fares by MSC Cruises available to the general public to the exclusion of group rates, charters
or other Travel Agent promotions not offered by MSC Cruises based on retail pricing only.
• The lower fare must be bookable in the same market where the original booking was made.
• Evidence of the price must be submitted to MSC Cruises and must be available for booking at the time of the request.
• The price may be matched in the form of a upgrade or Shipboard Credit.
• Pricing claims that cannot be independently verified by MSC Cruises shall not be accepted.
* Please note that the Best Price Guarantee benefit does not apply to “Bella” Experience
DEPOSIT & FURTHER PAYMENTS
The balance of the full deposit must be paid 90 days before your sail date. Payments on your Future Cruise Booking beyond the deposit
required on board shall be due in accordance with the MSC Cruises payment schedule applicable in your country of residence and/or the
same country of the original booking belong. Visit your Future Cruise Team onboard and/or visit the MSC Cruises website in your country of
residence for more details and full terms and conditions.
DOUBLE MSC VOYAGERS CLUB POINTS
All MSC Voyagers Club members who book a cruise on board will double their MSC Voyagers Club points on that cruise. According to the MSC
Voyagers Club Terms and Conditions, points will be awarded at the end of the cruise they book on board and will only be earned on
"experiences" purchased. The Company reserves the right to apply restrictions on certain promotions. Onboard and pre-cruise charges are
excluded.

[KittyCruz]

On 4/18/2024 at 7:35 AM, morpheusofthesea said:

"The only way to stop this theft and its consequences is to raise prices and/or just make everything in the cabin provided as complimentary or just remove 'for charge' items altogether.  In the meantime traveling only in suites like the Yacht Club will be the only 'safe' way to travel as everything is complimentary and no need to 'steal' and replace."

Except for that second Toblerone, I can already see the YouTube video hacks now.

I jest of course.

 

Happy Sailings!  looking forward to hearing about your trip.

 

Our next sailing is NCL to Alaska and the conversations between myself and my husband have been while we prefer MSC, NCL has upped their website game.

[morpheusofthesea]

The Yacht Club Restaurant has become more lenient, more accommodating under the auspices of YC Director Mustafa and Maitre D' Ercan. We were supposed to set our clocks ahead one hour but there was hardly anyone present in the restaurant for breakfast at 7:30 am, so to those that forgot the restaurant will be open later this morning. Also since there are many more Europeans on this cruise in the YC that it is being kept open longer, but not advertised, because they like to dine later in the evenings. One will not find these types of accommodations on Regent.

[morpheusofthesea]

42 minutes ago, KittyCruz said:

Except for that second Toblerone,

Some have reported complimentary second and thirds of even these items. I am guessing that if one does not take advantage of every amenity offered on a daily basis, like some used to OVERLOAD and CLEAN OUT the mini fridge of the miniatures every day and pack them away in suitcases with towels and robes, then exceptions are made.

  Thanks for your interest.

 

[morpheusofthesea]

Many staff that have contracts ending are not looking forward to their vacations. The number one reason is no income. One will seek temporary employment at their hometown KFC until they receive word of a position opening. Another got word that it would be 6 months and asked for a sooner deployment opportunity and was accommodated at 5 months instead with this 6 month contract on Seascape. Some will hold out for only a position in the Americas.

[morpheusofthesea]

When it comes to checking for interlopers the entire staff are Milquetoasts ("Milquetoast definition: a very timid, unassertive, spineless person, especially one who is easily dominated or intimidated.") Except when in comes to guarding the pergolas of the RS and OS suites. DW just saw our pool attendant ask a couple squatters to vacate an owners suite pergola. This is another reason I tip these guys on a daily basis to towel and prepare our pergola and guard it from poachers.

Edited April 25 by morpheusofthesea

[no1talks]

16 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

"Some will hold out for only a position in the Americas."

 

Cash tips.

[morpheusofthesea]

8 minutes ago, no1talks said:

 

Cash tips.

Cynic. Not for our better looks and personalities ?

[KittyCruz]

50 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Some have reported complimentary second and thirds of even these items. I am guessing that if one does not take advantage of every amenity offered on a daily basis, like some used to OVERLOAD and CLEAN OUT the mini fridge of the miniatures every day and pack them away in suitcases with towels and robes, then exceptions are made.

  Thanks for your interest.

 

When researching our Seascape cruise we found it humorous that folks said the Toblerone was a one and done treat but everything else was replenished as needed,  in fact our butler did a fine job of keeping our room in water and ginger beer. 

I will say I really wanted to take home a set of YC beach towels, but sadly they did not sell them in the gift shop.

[morpheusofthesea]

DW likes to walk about and is often recognized by staff as being a repeater. She just took a jaunt through the Top 19 Aurea section of the sun deck and spoke with their pool attendant exchanging cordialities. It appears he has the same problem with interlopers sneaking in with their room beach towels which is a giveaway, an obvious clue that they do not belong.