Qvc Chartered Msc Opera 1/7/07 To 1/14/07

[dsuem]

My wife and I have booked a cabin on the Jan.7th QVC Cruise. We are both very excited and would like to communicate with anyone who is going.

 

Thanks

 

James

 

Hi, I am also going on this cruise..is anyone booked to fly out of Las Vegas on the red eye to Miami? Sue

[dsuem]

Hi James,

 

We're staying on the Turandot Deck and have a Ocean View with a Balcony. I think my husband is more excited about the balcony then about anything else. We are also in our early 50's, well at least I am, my husband is mid 50's. I attended a Red Carpet Weekend at QVC not to long ago and the people that attended that were extremely friendly. I am hoping it will be the same type of crowd that attends the cruise. These people came from all over the US just for the weekend and everyone had such a nice time, and what nice gifts we all received. I'm lucky, I live just 25 minutes from QVC.

 

We are also coming in on Saturday. Did you find a hotel yet? We found one that only charges $115 a night. Picks us up at the airport and takes us to the ship the next day and also has a buffet breakfast in the morning, and it's all included in the price. If anyone is interested in the hotel it's the Stirling Suites, in Ft. Lauderdale, but you have to book it thru onlinehotels.com to get that price.

 

Barb

Hi Barb, My husband and I are also going to be on that deck with a balcony...I am very excited!!!!!!!

[dsuem]

Flying out Saturday nite - hope it was not a mistake to just get in on Sunday morning, oh well. I have written to Pat and in her response there was absolutely no hint on the workshops or surprises. I used to be able to look on the QVC website for information on the cruise, but for some reason it no longer exsists. When the cruise is over I have until 7:55 PM to kill - anyone else in that situation?

 

Hi, I too am flying out Sat. night from Las Vegas to Miami...Hope they dont loose my suitcase ha...Sue

[madhouseinc]

I am taking the red eye from Las Vegas, but landing at Ft. Lauderdale - also in a balcony - 10154.

[amusea]

All outside rooms and balcony rooms on the OPERA are the same very small size - 140 Sq. Ft. The only larger rooms are the suites and the handicapped rooms which is the first photo shown of the two cabin photos. Just don't expect a wide room like the first picture unless you are in a handicapped room. The rooms are just big enough for the beds, a desk/vanity and a television cabinet. There is also the entry hall which includes closets and the very compact bathroom. But think small.

Many sites on the internet have photos of the rooms if you are interested. Try Google Images or the MSC cruises website. Click on OPERA and then "accomodations". The ship is quite beautiful but in today's market the rooms are considered undersized.

[madhouseinc]

All outside rooms and balcony rooms on the OPERA are the same very small size - 140 Sq. Ft. The only larger rooms are the suites and the handicapped rooms which is the first photo shown of the two cabin photos. Just don't expect a wide room like the first picture unless you are in a handicapped room. The rooms are just big enough for the beds, a desk/vanity and a television cabinet. There is also the entry hall which includes closets and the very compact bathroom. But think small.

Many sites on the internet have photos of the rooms if you are interested. Try Google Images or the MSC cruises website. Click on OPERA and then "accomodations". The ship is quite beautiful but in today's market the rooms are considered undersized.

 

Have read enough of these threads to knit a blanket - it seems that Opera was built on European standards - most of their staterooms are small and consider the "bedroom" for just sleeping - they would rather be out and about on the ship - but I think they are rethinking that - I heard that the Musica's staterooms are larger by comparison

[Pennacruiser]

Hi Barb, My husband and I are also going to be on that deck with a balcony...I am very excited!!!!!!!

 

Hi Sue, We are in Balcony 10142, not far from madhouseinc.

 

Barb

[madhouseinc]

Might be interesting to perhaps have a table in the dining room with fellow Cruise Critics? Although with a ship full of QVC fans meeting people with the same ah - addiction shall we say - will not be hard. So far I have just asked for second seating but if you fax them a week in advance sometimes they will give you a table.

[dsuem]

Hi Sue, We are in Balcony 10142, not far from madhouseinc.

 

Barb

Hi Barb, My Husband and I are in cabin 10040, also going is my 2 sister in laws and mother in law. They are on same deck but inside cabins..Can

t wait to have my morning coffee on that balcony!!!!!! Sue

[dsuem]

Hi Sue, We are in Balcony 10142, not far from madhouseinc.

 

Barb

Hi Barb, My Husband and I are in cabin 10040, also going is my 2 sister in laws and mother in law. They are on same deck but inside cabins..Can

t wait to have my morning coffee on that balcony!!!!!! Sue

[Pennacruiser]

Sue,

 

I think my husband is going JUST FOR THE BALCONY! My girlfriend is going and is rooming with my son who is mentally challanged. They have an inside cabin right across from us in 10144. I also have another friend going with her husband who also has an inside cabin two down from them in 10152.

 

After booking this cruise I have been looking at other cruises and I have found that this cruise is really expensive. QUESTION! Is it just me or has anyone else found this to be the case? Since I attended the Red Carpet Weekend at QVC I really found the people that attended so personable and fun to be around so it really doesn't matter anyway. I'm sure this cruise will be well worth the money spent.

 

ANOTHER QUESTION! We requested early seating, but can anyone tell me the pros and cons of early seating versus late seating?

 

119 DAYS TO GO!!!!!!

 

Barb

[dsuem]

Sue,

 

I think my husband is going JUST FOR THE BALCONY! My girlfriend is going and is rooming with my son who is mentally challanged. They have an inside cabin right across from us in 10144. I also have another friend going with her husband who also has an inside cabin two down from them in 10152.

 

After booking this cruise I have been looking at other cruises and I have found that this cruise is really expensive. QUESTION! Is it just me or has anyone else found this to be the case? Since I attended the Red Carpet Weekend at QVC I really found the people that attended so personable and fun to be around so it really doesn't matter anyway. I'm sure this cruise will be well worth the money spent.

 

ANOTHER QUESTION! We requested early seating, but can anyone tell me the pros and cons of early seating versus late seating?

 

119 DAYS TO GO!!!!!!

 

Barb

Hi Barb, I have only been on one other cruise, that was in May..We had late dinner seating and was really rushed to get to the shows afterwords. This time I choose the early seating for just that reason. Not only where we late but it was also hard to find seating for the show...Me, high heal shoes and a few drinks makes for an interesting dash across the ship anyways haha...Sue

[dsuem]

Is anyone here a winner of this cruise? Sue

[madhouseinc]

Sue,

 

I think my husband is going JUST FOR THE BALCONY! My girlfriend is going and is rooming with my son who is mentally challanged. They have an inside cabin right across from us in 10144. I also have another friend going with her husband who also has an inside cabin two down from them in 10152.

 

After booking this cruise I have been looking at other cruises and I have found that this cruise is really expensive. QUESTION! Is it just me or has anyone else found this to be the case? Since I attended the Red Carpet Weekend at QVC I really found the people that attended so personable and fun to be around so it really doesn't matter anyway. I'm sure this cruise will be well worth the money spent.

 

ANOTHER QUESTION! We requested early seating, but can anyone tell me the pros and cons of early seating versus late seating?

 

119 DAYS TO GO!!!!!!

 

Barb

 

The cost may seem a bit higher than other cruises - but add it up - 5 cocktail receptions - hmmm - 15 drinks? Those add up to over $100.00. Gratuities - close to $100.00. We are also cruising at the most expensive time of year for the Caribbian.

 

The why I like late dining - It takes me close to an hour to get ready - if I go ashore that means I need to leave whereever I am to get back to the ship. I admit that we are not ashore every day, but you have to make a choice. I also like the idea of tea every day. Cool - short nap in the early PM at sea, go to tea, and then a chance to wander around before I get ready for dinner. I also find that if I am with poeple I really have fun with I find that dinner time goes on and on and enjoy instead of a show, my dinner companions.

[madhouseinc]

Barb - hope this helps - it is from Cruise Diva's website.

You may wish to choose early seating if:

 

You have small children accustomed to an early meal and bedtime.

Your personal routine calls for meals at an earlier hour.

You retire earlier in the evening and are an early "riser."

You don't want to experience that "full" feeling at bedtime.

 

You want to attend the early shows, enjoy the casino and other activities, and take in the midnight buffet.

Late seating may be better if:

 

You are a night owl and don’t mind finishing dinner until after 10:00 pm.

 

Your itinerary is port-intensive and you don’t want to rush to get ready for dinner after a day of touring.

 

You like to indulge in a late afternoon nap.

 

You don’t care about the midnight buffet and like to sleep late in the morning.

 

Your personal habit is to dine late.

 

Some trends to consider before you make up your mind:

 

Families and groups lean toward early seating, particularly when several generations are traveling together and ages vary widely.

 

Older passengers tend to select early seating.

 

Americans are more apt to select early seating than European and South American cruisers who are accustomed to later meal times.

 

Early seating diners are encouraged not to linger too long over dessert and coffee; the dining room has to be readied for late seating.

 

Late seating is viewed by some passengers as more romantic and less rushed.

[Pennacruiser]

Thanks for the info, it was most helpful. I think I'll stick to the early dinner seating. One of the reasons I wanted the early seating is because the coctail parties will be held after the late dinner seating and I didn't want to just be completing my dinner and then going to a cocktail party to have drinks and eat some more. I wanted to have time to digest my dinner before the coctail parties. I just wish we had more time in the day for all that we wanted to do.

 

Thanks for everyones imput, it's great to have all you guys to ask our questions. I know I'll have many more questions over the coming months.

 

Sue, did you win your cruise?

 

Barb

[dsuem]

Hi Barb,

[dsuem]

Hi Barb, YES I DID!!!!!! So very excited!!!! I have never won anything before.....

[dsuem]

wow, was having a hard time getting to page 3 but finally figured it out, mine only showed 2 pages....Barb, YES I DID win this cruise, was in the first 5, am so excited!!!!!!!!! still doesn't seem real...Sue

[Pennacruiser]

wow, was having a hard time getting to page 3 but finally figured it out, mine only showed 2 pages....Barb, YES I DID win this cruise, was in the first 5, am so excited!!!!!!!!! still doesn't seem real...Sue

 

CONGRATULATIONS!!!! What a wonderful thing to win! I got the impression that all the winners would be in a suite, at least that what they had told us when I went to the Red Carpet Weekend at QVC.

 

What about your two sisters-in-law and mother-in-law. Did they also win or did they book the cruise before of after you won.

 

Barb

 

By the way, I couldn't get page 3 either until you posted your replies. All that showed up here was page 2.

[madhouseinc]

Thanks for the info, it was most helpful. I think I'll stick to the early dinner seating. One of the reasons I wanted the early seating is because the coctail parties will be held after the late dinner seating and I didn't want to just be completing my dinner and then going to a cocktail party to have drinks and eat some more. I wanted to have time to digest my dinner before the coctail parties. I just wish we had more time in the day for all that we wanted to do.

 

Thanks for everyones imput, it's great to have all you guys to ask our questions. I know I'll have many more questions over the coming months.

 

Sue, did you win your cruise?

 

Barb

 

Where did you hear that the coctail parties would be after last seating? Could almost make me eat earlier....Although, I do much better if I drink after meals.

[dsuem]

CONGRATULATIONS!!!! What a wonderful thing to win! I got the impression that all the winners would be in a suite, at least that what they had told us when I went to the Red Carpet Weekend at QVC.

 

What about your two sisters-in-law and mother-in-law. Did they also win or did they book the cruise before of after you won.

 

Barb

 

By the way, I couldn't get page 3 either until you posted your replies. All that showed up here was page 2.

 

They told me a balcony suite, then when I called they gave me a cabin with balcony number...No they had to pay for theres. The 1 sister in law and mother in law just got a inside cabin before they where all booked. The other sister in law had gotten hers before that. I really am looking forward to this cruise, My husband just retired so its a nice retirement for us..We are both in our mid 50's. I can't wait to meet everyone, going to be so much fun!!!!!!! Sue

[Pennacruiser]

Where did you hear that the coctail parties would be after last seating? Could almost make me eat earlier....Although, I do much better if I drink after meals.

 

When I booked the cruise, I asked about the coctail parties and the person on the phone told me they were planning on having them after the last dinner seating. If you do plan on changing your dinner times, just confirm with them about the coctail parties, just in case they changed it.

 

Barb

[madhouseinc]

Where did you hear that the coctail parties would be after last seating? Could almost make me eat earlier....Although, I do much better if I drink after meals.

I know you use that name for another reason - but from the start I have taken double takes - my last name is Penna - so looking forward to the cruise! Newly disabled and this is my stab at independance,

[madhouseinc]

Where did you hear that the coctail parties would be after last seating? Could almost make me eat earlier....Although, I do much better if I drink after meals.

I know you use that name for another reason - but from the start I have taken double takes - my last name is Penna - so looking forward to the cruise! Newly disabled and this is my stab at independance,