LIVE MSC Meraviglia May 19-26… and (hopefully) reopening of Ocean Cay

[GA Dave]

5 minutes ago, Notch8 said:

Tomorrow is Ocean Cay.

 

We brought our own snorkeling gear and a sun shelter.  WOW, was THAT a good idea; umbrella rentals are $29!!

 

I got the idea to bring a sun shelter (beach tent) last time I was here; there was a family that had one and I realized what a great idea it was.  We’ll see tomorrow…

 

(FWIW:  the sun shelter was $35 at Wal-Mart.  Pays for itself in two uses.)

I bought one for my cruise in February for my granddaughters to use. They loved being able to sit in there and eat their lunch from the food truck in the shade.  Beach tent

[Av8tor]

On 5/21/2024 at 7:09 AM, Notch8 said:

OK… at the excursion desk they had a display of an UPDATED map of Ocean Cay.  They didn’t have printed copies though…. but they did have printed copies of the old map.

 

I took a photo of what appears to be the updated map; compare to the old map.

 

Looks like many of the food trucks are gone.  Let’s hope “Seakers Food Court” is larger than it was before.

 

(First one is what I believe is the NEW map; second one the OLD map.)

 

Looks like they added more bars around the island too!

[Notch8]

We have arrived at Ocean Cay!!

[michelle028]

Gorgeous pics of Ocean Cay! Can't wait to see more 🙂

 

Tell us what is your favourite beach on the island and why!

[umpisoccer]

Can't wait to hear about all the improvements MSC to the island.

[LorraineP]

Curious if you would be able to see light show from your balcony. We will be on the starboard side in October in the YC. 

[GA Dave]

2 hours ago, LorraineP said:

Curious if you would be able to see light show from your balcony. We will be on the starboard side in October in the YC. 

You will be able to see it. If you are on a Seaside-class ship, the best place to watch it is from the outdoor area of the Top Sail Lounge. On Meraviglia, you're better off on your balcony.

 

[Notch8]

OK…. Well…

 

First of all, there’s still a lot of construction going on.  Looks like they’re expanding the facilities for the staff that lives on the island.

 

There are some new paths and a couple of bars/food trucks moved around.

 

As far as the rest of the facility, it looks like nothing more was done than general maintenance.  Not sure if the pathway shades were there in July, but they seemed new.

 

No meaningful improvements to Seakers that I noticed.  Still only two buffet lines.  And you still have to stand in the entire line for anything other than a hamburger or hot dog.  In my view, NOTHING of value to the passengers.

 

Beaches were still nice!  We spent most of our time at Bimini Beach and used snorkel gear we brought.  (Near the rocks is best.)

 

Despite there being little change, it’s nice that it’s being maintained to a world-class standard.  Other than the worst-in-class buffet, it’s a terrific private island.

[LorraineP]

1 hour ago, GA Dave said:

You will be able to see it. If you are on a Seaside-class ship, the best place to watch it is from the outdoor area of the Top Sail Lounge. On Meraviglia, you're better off on your balcony.

 

Thank you. Balcony it is. 

[Notch8]

8 minutes ago, LorraineP said:

Thank you. Balcony it is. 

Here’s a photo from my deck 9 balcony cabin, starboard side.  You get a clear view of the lighthouse.

[LorraineP]

8 minutes ago, Notch8 said:

Here’s a photo from my deck 9 balcony cabin, starboard side.  You get a clear view of the lighthouse.

I should have a great view with my cabin being up front. Looking forward to seeing the light show from my balcony with maybe a glass of wine. 

[Notch8]

1 minute ago, LorraineP said:

I should have a great view with my cabin being up front. Looking forward to seeing the light show from my balcony with maybe a glass of wine. 

One caution:  some of the balconies are inset.  (Look at a deck plan and you’ll see what I mean.). I don’t think the view from those will be sufficient to see the lighthouse.

[LorraineP]

13 minutes ago, Notch8 said:

One caution:  some of the balconies are inset.  (Look at a deck plan and you’ll see what I mean.). I don’t think the view from those will be sufficient to see the lighthouse.

Think we should be fine. Starboard side. 

[Notch8]

30 minutes ago, LorraineP said:

Think we should be fine. Starboard side. 

OOOH YEAH!

[Notch8]

I just learned of another (good) change since July… bar service is now available in the dining room at dinner!

 

In July, you could get wine but no cocktails.

 

Nicely done, MSC!

[michelle028]

18 hours ago, Notch8 said:

OK…. Well…

 

First of all, there’s still a lot of construction going on.  Looks like they’re expanding the facilities for the staff that lives on the island.

 

There are some new paths and a couple of bars/food trucks moved around.

 

As far as the rest of the facility, it looks like nothing more was done than general maintenance.  Not sure if the pathway shades were there in July, but they seemed new.

 

No meaningful improvements to Seakers that I noticed.  Still only two buffet lines.  And you still have to stand in the entire line for anything other than a hamburger or hot dog.  In my view, NOTHING of value to the passengers.

 

Beaches were still nice!  We spent most of our time at Bimini Beach and used snorkel gear we brought.  (Near the rocks is best.)

 

Despite there being little change, it’s nice that it’s being maintained to a world-class standard.  Other than the worst-in-class buffet, it’s a terrific private island.

Thanks for  posting the pics and your review! Besides burgers/hotdogs what other food did you have at the buffet?

 

Did you have to pay for food at the food trucks? 

[Essiesmom]

58 minutes ago, michelle028 said:

Thanks for  posting the pics and your review! Besides burgers/hotdogs what other food did you have at the buffet?

 

Did you have to pay for food at the food trucks? 

The food truck eats are free, except the seafood truck.  EM

[Notch8]

3 hours ago, michelle028 said:

Thanks for  posting the pics and your review! Besides burgers/hotdogs what other food did you have at the buffet?

 

Did you have to pay for food at the food trucks? 

So at the beginning of the buffet line, there are various salads (bean salad, pasta salad, Greek salad, etc.). Then there are breads.  Then desserts.  Then hot sides (corn, red beans and rice, etc.). Then a couple of entrees (jerk chicken, bbq ribs) and finally the pre-made cheeseburgers and hot dogs.  (Cheeseburgers have some sauce of some sort along with onions, lettuce, and tomato.  If you want something different on your burger, be prepared to wait.)

 

Food trucks are free except for lobster rolls; you have to pay for those.

 

Jim

[Notch8]

Today is a sea day, so MSC scheduled some events such as the “returning cruisers” party.  They introduced the officers, but other than that there wasn’t any interaction.  Surprisingly, it was held in the theater - you know, the one where you can’t bring in drinks for shows - yet they were handing out flutes of sparkling wine or fruit punch to the guests.

 

Brunch this morning (vs. separate breakfast and lunch.). We were fortunate to have our evening waiter as our server; he got me the fresh pressed orange juice.  Table next to us (different server) was told they had to go to the bar on deck 15 to get.  🙄

 

The Atlantic is smooth as glass today as we head north so we’re spending the day exploring the ship and relaxing.  Maybe later we’ll take a slide down the water slides.

 

Jim

[luckyinpa]

ive never been on the island but the 2 lines for buffet sound horrible.  im spoiled by coco cay. at least 4 or 5 'food islands' and never waited behind more than 3 or 4 people on any trip ive been there.

 

im assuming YC is much better on the island

[Notch8]

30 minutes ago, luckyinpa said:

ive never been on the island but the 2 lines for buffet sound horrible.  im spoiled by coco cay. at least 4 or 5 'food islands' and never waited behind more than 3 or 4 people on any trip ive been there.

 

im assuming YC is much better on the island

For the difference in price?  It better be!

[Cruzinforpeace***]

Could you please tell me if they have a passenger talent show on your sailing? We did in February but I was too exhausted and lazy to sing.  Thinking I might dust off some of my old show-tunes for our July cruise.  If not, I’ll hit the Karaoke.

[Notch8]

26 minutes ago, Cruzinforpeace*** said:

Could you please tell me if they have a passenger talent show on your sailing? We did in February but I was too exhausted and lazy to sing.  Thinking I might dust off some of my old show-tunes for our July cruise.  If not, I’ll hit the Karaoke.

I didn’t see anything about a passenger talent show.  There is a “Crew Staff Variety Show” tomorrow (Saturday).

[Cruzinforpeace***]

7 minutes ago, Notch8 said:

I didn’t see anything about a passenger talent show.  There is a “Crew Staff Variety Show” tomorrow (Saturday).

Yes we had that too.  I think the passenger talent show was on our last sea day or next to last day.  It was during the afternoon.

[morpheusofthesea]

11 hours ago, luckyinpa said:

 

im assuming YC is much better on the island

Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Perhaps the renovations helped alleviate the situation? There is a line waiting to eat at Ocean House as well. This is due to MSC policy of filling the Yacht Club before every sailing with upgrades. 131 cabins  X 2 = 262 guests. On holidays we had 330 official guests, plus 44 friends and family of officers and the hotel director, plus casino club (on one cruise we had one casino gentleman with 10 in his entourage). Before renovation I counted enough seating in and around Ocean House to be 168. 

  Another problem is the distance from the ship. MOST YCers cannot walk the distance. There are not enough trolleys to accommodate the number of YCers. It does tend to rain at times when ships visit Ocean Cay. Getting back to the ship can be a long wait and when it rains the guests run to the interior of Ocean House and are packed into this small confined space like sardines.