JAGR

11 hours ago, 3some said:

OH

Sorry!  Late to the Party!

I - O!

5 minutes ago, DisneyJen said:

 

Good to know @JAGR!

Here's hoping for an exciting game next week!

 

Same here!  I'm sure it will be. The top three teams in the Big Ten are amazing, even TTUN!

15 hours ago, DisneyJen said:

Greetings all!

 

@DJ's DH and I are considering our 40th anniversary cruise on MSC in YC.

 

Most recently we have been sailing on X in their upper suites.  Pricing and service on X has us looking at other lines.

 

@DJ's DH big questions include if he can get French Onion Soup, Caesar Salad or Shrimp Cocktail for dinner in the YC and Bagels with Lox and Cream Cheese for breakfast.

 

First world problems but the man knows what he likes ... and he foots the bill 🙂

For breakfast, lox and bagels with cream cheese is on the menu in YC.  For the dinner, it would be wise to advise the staff on what you want.  The French Onion Soup, Caesar Salad are only one one day of the seven-day rotation  The Shrimp Cocktail has been on the the always available on our last cruise, but that may change.  Certainly, those three requested dishes would be easy for them to make up for you with a bit of notice.

Good luck against U Mass.  The next week may be a bit more difficult for you!  (I hope, at least! ☺️).  Go Bucks!

2 hours ago, Essiesmom said:

There is discussion of this on the MSC board here.  MSC is currently not sending ships to Israel.  I believe one ship debarked Haifa bound passengers in Limassol , where they boarded Crown Iris (Israeli owned line) for Haifa.  Suggest you do some reading on the MSC board.  
PS.  I see you have already been posting about this on MSC board.  Why the extra post here?  EM

CruiseFamilyHoliday is probably worried about all the "tin hats" on that chat!  What a wonderful turn of phrase to encourage helpful advice from others!  Not!

1 hour ago, markwfpb said:

 

We've stayed in YC three times (Divina) and never had even one 750ml bottle of liquor beyond a cheap sparkling wine. Beer, nuts, toblerone - yes. Will be on Seascape this winter. Do we request ahead of time or onboard?!

 

I suspect that you were on Divina back in '19 or '20.  They still had the three airliner bottles in the fridge back then. The big bottle was introduced after COVID precautions were eased.  We got big bottles starting on our B2B in October of last year.  One bottle per week.

6 minutes ago, ajusaf said:

According to what my choices were it was all listed as 750ml

That may have changed. At one time, they did have one vodka that was larger size.

2 hours ago, ajusaf said:

Thanks. Besides the two free bottles of alcohol that is included on first day I’ll tell the butler to only replenish redbull ginger ale and fancy water😎

Should only be one bottle per cabin.

17 minutes ago, buffet24 said:

Hi there, do you know where I can find the specialty dining menus???  PDF menus in the MSC App is completely broken.. 🤷‍♀️

Some caveats:  This is more information than what you want (more a detail of a lot of available things), and it is limited a bit to Meraviglia (other ships may have one or two extra restaurants). Start at about page 38:  https://www.cruisehabit.com/daily-programs-menus/meraviglia-msc-cruises-msc-meraviglia-bar-restaurant-menus-2021-08-20-000000

13 hours ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

I liked seashore last October. She is a beautiful ship. My favorite spot is on deck 8 in the lounge outside the specialty restaurants. 
 

my only critique would be that I found the ship to be very hot.. including our stateroom. 

My favorite specialty restaurant lounge is on Seaside.  Deck 16, right outside YC entrance!

On 10/5/2023 at 10:42 AM, PTC DAWG said:

 we saw a few couples a day getting a tour with one of the Butlers. 

Ah, but the question is was it a few couples and a butler, or an interloper dressed as a butler, and he was sneaking the interlopers into the YC? 😊😆

12 hours ago, BeeeJay said:

 

Thanks so much for this advice, that makes a lot of sense, and I will follow that plan if my bids aren't accepted!  It does appear now there is much more availability than I was seeing previously so I'm hopeful they will take more of my money! 🙂

YW!  I'm jealous!  I'm a few years away from being able to have the time off to do five weeks in a row!  I'm sure MSC will be willing to take some money from you!

I don't even know if they offer it. We use a commercial service.  We stay the night before in Orlando, so we use Cruise Control Transportation, non-stop from our hotel to the port and then on return from the port to the airport. It is $50/person round trip.

4 hours ago, BeeeJay said:

@Morpheous maybe you know the answer to this question, I am doing multiple B-2-B, and I can see YC availability for all but one leg.  Specifically I have already received upgrade for weeks 1 & 2, I have max bid in on weeks 3 thru 6.  If I search for rooms by week I see YC availability on weeks 3, 5, 6 but week 4 doesn't show any YC rooms at all.  My question is if it is possible to upgrade 1 leg of a 2 week cruise?  My bookings are done 3 two-week cruises, weeks 1-2, 3-4, 5-6.

Not, Morpheus here, but the good thing is you are already YC for the first two weeks.  If your bids don't go through, early in week one approach the concierge desk and ask about getting on a list for upgrades (don't do it on the first night!  Give them time to settle pressing issues on embarkation days!).  They probably won't give them right away, but will put you on the upgrade lists for each subsequent week.  You'll be on the top of the list, ahead of those who are boarding afterwards and are looking to upgrade. We did this on a smaller scale.  In YC on week one of a two week trip.  On day two, went to the concierge and asked about upgrading.  Again, they couldn't guarantee it, but about noon on the next embarkation, it went through (cost was about a total of $540 or so for us for the room upgrade).  Best thing was, we didn't even have to change rooms!

It's not a guarantee, but gives you the best shot if your bids don't work.

20 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

 

On Celebrity we can choose a check-in time when we check in for our cruise, normally 45 days in advance of sailing.  On MSC I noticed that I was assigned a boarding time when I looked at our booking on their web site.  Does not sound like "no difference" to me. 

 

Also, on Celebrity in the Retreat we could show up any time we want to.  Does YC on MSC work the same way (i.e. can I ignore the time on the web site and show up when we are ready)? 

The reference was to "disembarkation," not embarkation.  You can treat the assigned time for check in as a guide.  Specifically, for YC, just show up when you want (as long as it is after 10:00 am on US=based sailings).

Historically, MSC has celebrated Hanukkah on board.  I would assume they would do that from NYC.  As noted in Cruise Critic, "Hanukkah: Ships host nightly menorah lighting, with a large menorah on display in the main atrium; there will also be daily prayer service. The ships' buffets will serve some traditional Hanukkah foods, and special kosher meals can be ordered in advance."

The complete article discussing holidays on cruise ships, see:  https://www.cruisecritic.com/articles/hanukkah-and-christmas-cruises-a-guide-to-onboard-festivities

On 9/28/2023 at 12:11 PM, morpheusofthesea said:

This is the feeling we are getting that the Seascape is becoming a stepchild with Yannis cherry picking  the best MSC has for the Seashore. 

Just hoping that good fortune is still on Seashore in March.  Looks like that may be a chance for us to meet up again with Arthur.

2 hours ago, Fighterone said:

Sorry, Morph, I don't understand what this means. Can you elaborate a bit?

I miss out a lot on jokes in English.

Been scratching my head to the meaning and to that of Jagr's allusion to Columbo. 

I love your posts and all the explanations about the ship.

Sorry for the confusion!  A dated reference, I guess.  "Columbo" isn't the typical detective whodunit TV show. On most detective shows, viewers don't know who committed the crime until the detective pieces the clues together and figures it out. On this show, however, viewers see the crime unfold at the beginning of most episodes, including who the perpetrator is. The mystery and fun for viewers is trying to spot the clues that will lead Lt. Columbo (Peter Falk) to discover the culprit and watching the tricks he uses to get a confession. He employs humble ways and ingenuous demeanor to winkle out even the most well-concealed of crimes.

20 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

May I suggest "The Rockford Files" reruns.

Or better yet, "Columbo!"

44 minutes ago, joyce&bob said:

It's my first time in the Yacht Club. I have two types of shipboard credit.  One says "Shipboard Credit," and the other says "Shipboard Credit/ Non-refundable."  How can I use these two types of credit?  Can I use them for tips?  

You can use any OBC for any room card charges.  The balance will also be applied to the daily service charge.  Accounting is supposed to apply the non-refundable credit first, but may not be consistent about it.

9 hours ago, sverigecruiser said:

 

How many tries to bring a drink to those places? Getting some icecream and needing a drink, really?

I don't know or care! I wasn't talking about that part.  I was simply answering another question in the thread about the difference between specialty and signature facilities!

11 hours ago, tewkewl said:

Where did you get this information. Can you link us the web page? I have never heard that and I have never heard a cruise ship doing this sort of thing. It kind of doesn't make sense to me due to things like economies of scale and the money they can make ripping people off at these restaurants.

Another source (I use drink packages, and then read and research instead of drinking from rum runners or mouthwash bottles) would be a discussion in March on this topic: 

Pay special attention to the wise comments by no greater a source of information than @Beamafar herself:    

11 hours ago, tewkewl said:

Where did you get this information. Can you link us the web page? I have never heard that and I have never heard a cruise ship doing this sort of thing. It kind of doesn't make sense to me due to things like economies of scale and the money they can make ripping people off at these restaurants.

I'm only trying to suggest the difference, which I believe comes from some sort of licensing arrangement.  At any rate, this is is from MSC, and is a guide to all-inclusive packages.  read toward the bottom of page four:

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjqppm27cWBAxUNjYkEHXYCBIsQFnoECA4QAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mscbook.com%2Fpages%2Fsdl%2Fimg%2F%2FALL-INCLUSIVE_GUIDE.pdf&usg=AOvVaw0q3M6vVs7BcmRm5TBKdgzK&opi=89978449

If you don't want to open it, it is: The following exclusions apply: tobacco, souvenir glasses, ice cream menu, retail items, minibar, room service, promotions and signature venues Venchi 1878 establishments or Jean-Philippe Maury venues, MSC Virtuosa Starship Club, regardless of beverage price. The Coffee Emporium and Raj Polo Tea Room onboard MSC World Europa signature venues are included in Easy Plus and Premium Extra packages. Must be of legal age to consume alcohol - see our terms of our guest alcohol policy.

14 minutes ago, BeeeJay said:

understood and thank you for that knowledge, I had no idea!  you may notice in my post I’m doing multiple back-to-backs and expecting at least some leg may not be upgraded to YC.

 

I’ll tip at the end of each of my 6 consecutive weeks aboard.

 

what I really need is a ballpark dollar amount for each week for each position:

Butler:   $75 to $125 The range would cover probably 60% of the tipping

Junior Butler: $40 to $60

cabin attendant (if not YC): $40 to 80, depending on service level

restaurant wait staff: $70 to 100 for the crew, especially if you have the same set all that week.

Sommelier: $20 to 60

Bartender:  $1 or 2 per drink, especially outside of the YC,and $20 or so to any "favorite" or "regular bartender

pool staff:  Varies.  If you ask the attendant to set up towels daily in your desired location, maybe $20-40.  Pool waiter, $1 or 2 per round

 

Thanks so much for the quick responses!!! 

 

If you read the threads, the amounts vary tremendously from guest report to guest report. Above, I just put in what appears to be the "average" amount.  Keep in mind the level of service you receive may vary from week to week.  Also, keep in mind how much service you require.  Daily consults with the sommelier versus only occasional contact would impact the tip amount.  Also, for dining, you will usually have a team with one lead waiter and two or three assistants. The lead waiter will have a gold tie.  I am assuming this would be US-based cruises.  Tipping is less expected overseas.  The offical MSC line is that tipping is not expected.  In reality, the top servers bid for US-based cruises because of the likelihood of tips.

49 minutes ago, dmccadden said:

We like to split our tips. We tip on the first day and once or twice during the rest of the trip. The thought being it may bring the best service possible from the beginning. We tip butler, cabin steward, waiter. We have tipped bartenders and pool staff. 

One minor factor. You mention butler and cabin steward.  Keep in mind that the YC rooms are served by Butler and Junior Butler.  The junior butler distinction is a source of pride to those individuals, as they represent an elite level for the steward position.

17 minutes ago, Essiesmom said:

I read in another thread that Signature restaurants are ‘branded’ venues, perhaps like a franchise of a chain.  I don’t remember the names, other than Venchi.  EM

I believe Signature venues are essentially vendor-owned operations that lease space on board the ships.  In addition to Venchi 1878, it would include Lavazza Coffe shops, Jean Phillippe, and the Crepes & Gelato operations.  Technically, MSC list Hola! as a specialty restaurant, but they seem more relaxed bout honoring drink packages in some cases.