sofsolnanny

Hi all, even more confused about the coffee!! I plan to buy a coffee card on my Emerald trip in April .I understand the speciality coffee's....but if I want tea or regular coffee do you have to give your card over to be punched--stamped ? Don't know how it works.

Hi all and thank you for all of your replies. My niece decided this morning not to book the excursion , main reason that she would not feel safe with baby on her lap. Think they are going to see how much private hire is to the Cascais ( beach) area costs, and meet up with the rest of us there----providing its not raining!.

Thanks for your reply 1025cruise.Princess also want 38 dollars for baby fare!.

Hello all,

looking to book an excursion to Sintra and Cascais with Emerald Princess when she docks in Lisbon. My niece wants to book but is not sure of seating arrangements for her daughter who is 13 months old. Do the tour buses provide child seats or would they expect child to sit on your lap.

Thanks in advance.

Thank you for your reply CruisenOne.

Hi ,

is there any smoking inside on the Royal....as in cigar bar.

Thanks

Hurray--another great review from Stef. I have been looking forward to yours and Tanya's adventures.........you cheer me up :):).

Thanks for posting

Many thanks all.:)

Hi both,

the Severn has deployed to the Caribbean for 9 months,all the crew are working very hard in beautiful surroundings!lol. When I skyped my son saturday evening the Azura was docked next to his ship--I could see Azura all lit up and looking fabulous,as you say Barnetbybob would loved to have been on that ship and met up with my boy.

Hi Stef,

still looking in to your posts. I have not posted much on CC lately as going through a pretty bad period of my life right now, but still enjoying your fantastic review and fab photographs. Looking forward to your next cruise and review. x

Hi all,

can anyone on Azura in Bridgetown give a big wave to the boys on the Royal Navy ship HMS Severn which is berthed next to Azura in Bridgetown tonight. My son has been skyping me on board the Severn and moving the camera to show me the Azura,all lit up and looking fantastic. . Hope all on board are having a fabulous time. Cheers.

ssn.

Sailed on Magnifica 8/10/14 Southampton round trip.

Took Euro for my onboard account,thought I read somewhere that 300 Euro was needed to set up the account ,so thats what I handed over. Good job I did as my bill came to 290 Euro.lol. Did have credit card with me just in case.Staff quick in setting up account and just as quick to pay it.

Di

Hi Stef,

back from my cruise on the lovely Magnifica and so relieved to see you have just got to Scotland........phew!! did not want to miss Dublin :D.

Had a fab holiday and will write a review when I have more time -so busy catching up with work .

Your review is outstanding,so much detail-I dont know how you do it.

I visited Edinbrough a few years ago and did not get to see half the things you have. I especially would like to visit Marys Kings Close after seeing it on a program called Most Haunted with Evette Fielding--scary!!.

Keep up the good work Stef,really enjoying.

Di

Jim,horrified to read that you had a bad fall--cant believe there were no warning signs :mad:. Hope that you are feeling better and can enjoy the rest of your cruise.

I will certainly be looking out for that piece of marble,as I have elderly parents with me on this trip,and would hate anything like that to happen.

Di

Great pictures as usual Stef--really helpful.

Off in the morning to Southampton where we will stay overnight and board the Magnifica on wednesday.........YAY :):):).

Will catch up with your blog when I return.

Cheers.

Di

To anyone on the 8th oct sailing --have a good one :):).

Lol,lol. Very weird.

Di

strange lighting

Di,

 

I had already told MSC I was Coeliac, but that doesn't really matter. I went straight to the MDR and told them. In fact although new guests were not allowed lunch on the first day in the MDR, they told me to eat there if I wished. Best lunch of the cruise, whilst others faught at the buffet. We were not alone. Guests who were mid cruise could use the MDR that day.

Thanks for the advice earn,hopefully they will let us into MDR too.

Cheers.

Di

I have tried a Mojito once (not on MSC) and had the same reaction. I love mint. I love lime. But the two together tasted like when you drink orange juice right after brushing your teeth, which for me is an extremely unpleasant taste. Not sure why people love them, I will never order another one.

I love Mojito -best I've tasted are royal caribbean's.......so far. Let you know what I think of MSC's :).

I see on the list they make Rasberry Daiquiri-cant wait to try!

Thanks again Stef.

Di

Stef,

 

Really enjoying your review, and it is keeping my recent Magnifica short cruise alive and kicking! I was not too keen on the decor of some parts of this ship. I loved every inch of Preziosa. She was the most beautiful ship we have ever sailed on. My husband and boys felt the same. We also liked Poesia, but Magnifica was just too much for me in places. I hated the pink centrum!

 

As for food, I have Coeliac and need to eat gluten free. Cruises are the most wonderful holidays for me as I never need to worry about having nothing I can eat. MSC are very good at accommodating for this, and that makes me feel sure that they will try very hard to make sure your dad has what he needs Di. They don't recommend I eat at the buffet, so in 3 days we ate 1 breakfast and 1 lunch there. We both felt there was plenty of choice, but the food was generally Luke warm at best. One day the sausages were stone cold. This has never been our experience on MSC ships before. MDR was very good.

 

Can't wait for your port reviews, especially of Scotland!

 

Thank you for all the time you have and will spend, making this entertaining, informative and exciting.

Thanks for the reply earn. When you boarded did you go straight to the Maitre D to discuss your problem with the food, or did you wait until dinner.

Regards.

Di

Food pics....great :D.

The food pics are interesting to me as my dad had throat cancer 3 years ago and still has some problems with swallowing. I see a few soft options on the menu that should be fine for him,maybe we can ask for extra sauce/gravy for some of the food.

Is MSC like other cruise lines where if you dont like the dish you have ordered ,you can choose something else, maybe have a starter for main course.

Bit disappointed with the cheese plate Stef------where is the Dolcelatte!!!!

Di

Gosh Jim-you are a lucky fellow :).

Very interested in this blog as I will be getting on the Magnifica as you get off. First time on MSC.

Love your little observations ;).

Di

One of the neat experiences of this cruise was the amount of time spent on rivers. I've never been on an actual river cruise, but now definitely got tempted to try it.

 

 

I loved the colors.

 

 

and the orange glow even intesified as the sun slowly sunk further and further.

 

 

this really isn't photoshop...amazing color, isn't it?

 

I liked the way the glow reflected from this other cruise ship, which sailed out of Hamburg that day as well. I wish I knew which one it was.

 

Sigh, lazily enjoying sunsets on a cruise....life is good!

 

 

That evening there was no show. We thought that was weird...but oh well. They had these three ladies playing in the Centrum though.

 

They were really good! Well known classics. Nothing modern, but soooo relaxing and enjoyable...I really don't remember why we didn't stay to listen for longer...but I guess we were just pooped and stuffed after just having eaten all 6 courses for dinner! Which brings me to the last part of this day. The dinner at l'Edera restaurant.

 

 

stay tuned!

 

Stef

Stunning pics!

Di

Hi Stef,

loving the daily specials. Reading through I am saying to myself-oh that sounds good,ah I'll have one of those , ooh I'll definitly go to that bar! my husband wants to know who I am talking to.lol.

Cheers.

Di

Thanks for your reply janny444.There are a few reviews now trickling in for the Magnifica(Stef's being the exception :D).It is interesting to read the different opinions of the ship.It seems like marmite-you either love it or hate it.

Never sailed MSC,so like yourself we are going with an open mind.

Seriously concerned about those lumpy pillows :(:(:(.

Regards.

Di

Thanks, I believe that it is about 20 euros each way.

Thank you.

Di