Pat

We buy what we are happy with from the beginning.  We are perfectly comfortable in a YIN,  would we like a balcony, sure who wouldn't,  but our budget allows us to go on more cruises in a YIN and that's what works for us. We would, however,  bid on a YC balcony, if the minimum bid were reasonable.   As of now,  we've only gotten minimum bids that are the same as if we initially bought a yc balony outright.  So for now we are happy in the YCI and happy to be able to go more often. 

18 hours ago, eagletwo said:

 

In Oct of 2022, we sailed on the Meraviglia out of Port Canaveral. We had booked a Fantasica Balcony and put in a bid for a YC Deluxe Balcony using the on-line bidding system. Two days before departure, we received an email that our bid had been accepted. We ended up getting the YC Deluxe Balcony for the price of a YC interior cabin. Great deal!

I would argue though that it would have made for better customer relations if msc had upgraded an YC interior(at a REASONABLE bid) to the YC balcony and put you in the YIN.  Particularly since it gets reported here alot when these upgrades happen.  We book YIN cabins,  well in advance,  and have NEVER received a reasonable minimum bid to a YC balcony.  Just a thought that this would have made 2 sets of guests very happy. 

1 hour ago, mickey89 said:

Don't bother, the roof covering is flimsy cloth and offers little UV protection and becomes hotter than the normal sun loungers.  Seen many people throwing towels on top to improve the shade.

On our cruise they gave each Balcony cabin a 2 free cabana days with little takers..... 

Thanks!  Good to know before I waste the money.   I wish they had some loungers that were all shade, not all of us are sun worshippers but enjoy sitting outside. 

On 8/31/2024 at 9:55 AM, kjbesq69 said:

This should answer your question -

 

 

Perfect!  Thank you. 

What about on the Meraviglia?  Are there extra ones you can rent for the day?  Seems like there are only a few? We need a little more shade than the normal lounge chairs due to having had skin Ca in the past.  TiA

I did a search but couldn't find anything.   Is the Butchers Cut lunch menu the same as dinner menu?  Do you absolutely have to have reservations there for lunch?  TIA,  Pat

14 hours ago, Laurab23 said:

We usually stay at the Fairfield in East Greenbush.

 

Laura

Thank you Laura.  Exactly the information I was looking for.   I'm assuming you've been satisfied with your stays there?

9 minutes ago, princeton123211 said:

When was last time? $200 is extremely reasonable for Brooklyn or really anywhere in NYC. 

I'm sorry for my confusing question.   I'm looking for a hotel near the bus terminal just outside of Albany.. In April we paid about $125 for the HI Express.  

Leaving from Albany on the Yankee Trails Cruise Express to the Brooklyn NY port. We'll need a hotel stay the night prior. Preferably close to the bus terminal.   Last time we did this the HI Express was reasonably priced,  now it's close to $200/ night.   Any other hotels in the area that are clean and safe that might be a little less expensive?  TIA.

It seems like it is almost impossible to avoid a "spring break" now.  The states are all doing their breaks at different times.  It used to be okay to sail in March because the Elementary, middle and high schools were on break in February and April and the colleges were on break in April........now it doesn't seem to matter what week I pick in March or April,  some schools are on break.    

If you book onboard and get the additional on board credit and immediately have your booking transferred to your usual travel agency,  would you expect to get the OBC that your travel agency offers also?

Just now, JamieLogical said:

 

Which sailing is it?

March 24

Just now, Até said:

MSC is constantly fiddling with prices and shown inventory, especially as sail date nears.  Call in and see if a phone agent can spot some open cabins or check back in a day. 

I have noticed that,  that's why I keep checking.  Do TA's sometimes hold a group of cabins for 24 hours after a rate reduction then release them the next day?

1 minute ago, JamieLogical said:

Are you searching as a solo cruiser? Often MSC will cut off bookings for solos.

No, as two seniors.  As an aside,  I was never given an opportunity to bid on an upgrade

and I was hoping to snag one of the YC cabins at the new rate.  

I wonder if anyone might be able to satisfy my curiousity.   I periodically check to see how many open cabins there are on my sailing on MSC Merigvalia.  Last night there were multiple balcony and YC cabins available,  This morning I looked and the prices had gone down by around $300 in each category,  but there are NO open cabins on the whole ship.  Can anyone tell me why or how this might have happened in less than 12 hours?  Just curious.  

For me this time,  the minimum bid for me for a YCI to a YCD is $980 and the amount to upgrade is $1000 when there are 30% of the YCD cabins left 3 weeks before the cruise.  This seems weird to me.

The last two times we've sailed from MCT there were a bunch of porters right after you were checked into the parking lot by the "puppy".  You could drop your bags and passengers right there, one person could go park the car and come back to go a floor down to check in.  Easy Peasy.   

Thanks to all you experienced NYC drivers.  I appreciate the info,  I believe we will stay in Stamford and leave there early enough in the morning to get the BCT in plenty of time.  As always I appreciate all the good information.

We will be crusing from BCT on MSC in April.   We will be traveling from NH to NY by car.   We have frequently gone out of MCT on NCL and are familiar with that route.  We are older and do not enjoy rush hours or heavy traffic.    We need to spend one night somewhere outside the city and drive in the next morning for embarkation at BCT.  For those of you that know,  what do you think would be our best travel/hotel options for reaching BCT mid morning.    If you had a choice and lots of time, would you go down through Connecticut,  stop around Stamford and spend the night and drive down Hutchinson River Parkway  in the morning (a Saturday morning)  or would it be nicer for us to make our way to Yonkers, spend the night and drive down Rt. 9 in the morning?  When we are going to MCT we usually stay in Stamford.  Way back when someone posted a great route guide to the MCT with step by step instructions.  Anything like that out there for the BCT?  TIA (sorry to be so long worded...........)    Pat

There is only one pier for cruise ships to dock at BCT.  The exact address is 72 Bowne St. Brooklyn

10 minutes ago, Morgsmom said:

We have OFTEN experienced issues with trying to get even "listed" glasses of wine due to "supply shortages."  Unfortunately the default is to pour "down" not "up" meaning they will offer an inferior substitute even though the ships are chock full of better wines.  It's frustrating at best.  (There's a somm on one the ships who wanted to have a "taste off" with me insisting that I couldn't blind read the difference between a $4 bottle and $40 bottle.  I declined knowing that I'd smoke him 🙂 )

Well we're not experts by any means,  but we know what we like.  For instance,  I see Oberon is available for $15 in Butchers Cut, but I don't see it listed in YC.  We like Oberon and would be very happy with that,  the ones listed in YC I'm just not familiar with and appear to be all Italian wines.  I'm happy to try new ones, but want the taste that I enjoy.   I am also disappointed that we can't just pay the difference in price for a more expensive by the glass wine,  it doesn't make any sense to me.  If MSC wants to be more present in the US market,  I believe they will have to make a few changes to their drink packages.  Included or not,  its the perception of value that will be important to people, particularly those booking the YC.

 We are wine drinkers and I'm a bit concerned about the reports of very limited supply of wines.  There are a couple of wines, by the glass and under the $15 that are on the Butchers Cut menu.  Does anyone know if YC bartenders have access to these wines?    I suspect not,  but I hope yes!  TIA

5 minutes ago, styles27 said:

Honestly that YC Director doesn’t sound qualified to handle his duties of managing the YC. 
 

Imagine getting on a flight and sitting in first class when you’ve paid for coach and refusing to move. Pretty sure you’d be escorted off that flight. 
 

I’m so tired of the leniency given to people who break the rules. 
We’re so afraid of offending someone even when they are in the wrong. That’s disgusting and unacceptable.  That director should be reported. 

I absolutely have to agree with you,  and your analogy is right on.  My guess is that everyone legitimately in the YC would have clapped for the YC Director doing his duty,  I know I would have quick with a thank you!

I can't understand why the YC Director would have had to bribe the young men to leave,  I'm sure MSC has security.  The only incentive needed, I would think, is "leave or security will be called".  I understand not wanting to offend, however,  it's not the YC Director that's being offensive, it's the one in violation of the rules.  Again, (sorry to bring up the Haven again, but,) in the Haven, the staff would be well aware of who belonged and who didn't. 

I am new to MSC and new to the YC,  but have sailed NCL Haven many times.  Aren't the doors to the YC only accessed with your key card?  How are the non YC paying guests getting in?  I'm not opposed to others using the YC as long as they are paying for the extra amenities.......like are they getting free drinks because they are in the YC, are they not showing their card?  I know it sounds extreme, but if the issue doesn't get taken care of you can go on up the chain...........I would think the Captain wouldn't appreciate having to deal with this issue, but he CAN put the rude offenders off the ship.