JAGR

10 hours ago, Saving Up To Be Eccentric said:

Warning: don't try this logic near the shoe-affinity afflicted.

Too True!  My DW is nicknamed "Imelda!"

2 minutes ago, Nunagoras said:

Have a nice day!...

You as well!😄

3 hours ago, Nunagoras said:

TBHH:

Sorry.  I know what TBH is, but am unfamiliar with the extra H.  Does it mean 'To Be Hugely Honest'?

5 hours ago, Brighton Line said:

Tell your friends to tell the waiter they would like to see the Maître d' for calcification. The story may change at that point.

To @mosiegirl:  While your friends are doing that with the Maître d', you may want them to check on dining.  With four 'main' dining rooms, one of them has to be open for breakfast.  it's almost always the Green Wave, but could also include the other three: Cala Jondal, Aegean, or Skyline.  They may not have lunch on port days, but I can't believe they are closed for breakfast.

11 minutes ago, psmarkle said:

For my crew, this is usually the one day we go to the dining room for lunch so we avoid the lines at the buffet while everyone is waiting for the all clear that rooms are ready. Much more relaxed this way. (Disclaimer: on MSC, we've only sailed YC, so there are no crowds, but when we sail Royal, this is what we do).

A good time to get the traditional hamachi and avocado starter!  However, this is only an option in YC, at least on US-based cruises, where the dining rooms are not open for lunch on departure day.  Probably different in Europe with passengers on and off at each port.

That is on Elegant night, where MSC recommends dress up if you like, but that casual is accepted.  While they are not consistent about enforcement on all ships and all sailings, shorts and sleeveless shirts for men are not allowed, as are open-toed shoes.  Long pants and a polo shirt and you would be fine. 

2 hours ago, Mycykfamilytime said:

Lovely, short and sweet Captain’s reception with Cruise Director Mathias Mcing and the senior officers.   Fun ice breaker with the ship’s dance instructors and beautiful live piano by a gentlemen from Ukraine.   Slava Ukraini 🇺🇦

Nice that the kitchen staff were recognized!  Haven't seen that done on any of our MSC YC sailings.  Very nice touch!

 

 

On 9/2/2023 at 5:04 PM, morpheusofthesea said:

The 'quip' is that Champaign comes from the tap (Illinois), not from France. Since there happens to not be more than one way to spell a word with some people.

I see Mark Twain!  "I have no respect for a man who can spell a word only one way!"  Or Andrew Jackson: "It is a damn poor mind indeed which can't think of at least two ways to spell a word."

18 hours ago, wikoffclan said:

I"m hoping you might know the answer to the OP's original question. Will my wristband from a previous Seaside sailing work for my Seaside sailing coming up Sept. 10th? I did buy it (for $5) the first time. I don't recall them asking for it back. Just curious. Thanks, Ann

They are RFID-based, and have to be reprogrammed.  They would only be jewelry until the are reset, and I suspect that they would notice then that it was an old one. That would be a problem in addition to the Muster Station.

17 hours ago, Anubi said:

New to MSC, what is the wristband for?

The usage that Ate provides is correct.  I would add that it is limited to the newer "smart ships", which would be Meraviglia and Seaside classes and newer.  Also, note that they are complimentary for Aurea and Yacht Club experience.  You would have to pay for the use of them in the Bella and Fantastica experiences.   You can get by easily with you card only, so there isn't a real reason to rent them if you don't want to pay.

On 9/1/2023 at 9:09 AM, morpheusofthesea said:

 P.S. I find sudoku helps.

 

 

 

Along with a glass of "Champaign," no doubt!😉

1 hour ago, Bgwest said:

I’ve heard it called a gateway drug. 
 

Could this be true?

 

 

 

If you were a fan of "Reefer Madness" (either from the 1936 film version or the 2005 updated "Reefer Madness: The Movie Musical"), then you were led to believe that marijuana was not a gateway drug.  It was the ultimate killer drug!

56 minutes ago, Super Curly said:

Thank you for the clarification. We will be on the Splendida next May and I assume if something like this exists on our sailing we will be informed ahead of time. Is that true?

Splendida is a Fantasia class ship.  There is only the main theater (The Strand).

1 hour ago, indstate3333 said:

MSC and other cruise lines have embarkation times for a reason…if every passenger would arrive closer to their scheduled time…there would be less congestion.  

MSC does things quite a bit differently.  Assigned embarkation times are a moving target with them, at best.  They typically have everyone at a later time, and as the sailing gets closer, they often change people's times.  As an example, we were in Yacht Club on Meraviglia in October.  We were originally assigned 3:00 p.m., then 2:00, then 1:00.  Finally, teh week of our sailing, we were assigned 10:30 a.m.

9 minutes ago, Two Wheels Only said:

 

You mean "...better than Seaside...", right? 😎

 

Yes, indeed! 😞 I'm out of coffee this morning! Thanks for the catch! Happy you beat Morpheus to the punch! 🤭

17 minutes ago, TinaM67 said:

 

We have been on Seaside and there was very little shade on the YC pool deck.  On the Seashore deck plan, it looks like there is an expanded area.  Is there more shade there?

We've been on both ships, and yes, there is significantly more shade areas on Seashore.  Assuming you are a non-smoker, the area forward of the buffet/bar area on the port side is covered, but seating is dedicated to tables and chairs.  Smokers are accommodated on the starboard side. Probably about eight four tops.  There are quite a few open cabanas as well, and while not really offering roof cover, there are ways to get away from the direct sun on the loungers in the cabanas.  It's not perfect, but it better than Seashore by quite a bit.

4 hours ago, lindyf said:

Hope this is just a small issue and can be fixed quickly. Be cruise Sept. 3 as well. 

Hopefully, they'll have sorted out your "special" air vents for your cabin!☺️

12 hours ago, no1talks said:

I think the authoritative reply to this question would be someone with recent Aurea experience on an older ship without Yacht Club.

In those cases, it would be an easy matter to arrange a priority luggage drop-off area, since there is no YC using the perq.

If no YC, that would be easy.  The hard part is how they do it if there is a YC.

1 hour ago, Frenchy34 said:

Well I’ve asked where this priority bag drop off is via email and nobody knows ! 
Does priority boarding mean you can turn up anytime and get on the boat straight away ?

Not exactly.  When you enter and go past security, make sure you tell personnel that you an Aurea experience passenger so that you get in a priority lane (you'll see signs for Aurea/Diamond to know you are in the right line).  Once you are checked in, you will be assigned to a priority boarding. You'll be on right after those that are back-to-back and those that are in Yacht Club.

12 hours ago, GOLDENBONNY said:

interesting I saw it on web site I booked my cruise:

 amenities in each cabin (including bathrobe and slippers), pillow menu, access to Thermal Area (for adults only), 40% discount on a dedicated Spa Prepaid Package, 10% discount on all Spa treatments purchased on board, qualified multilingual personnel, priority boarding & luggage drop off, MSC Voyagers Club points

 

I don't know if its' something new or just a mistake ? and it's actually says it on MSC USA site now

You are correct, I think.  It must be new.  I just did a mock booking to match our March YC sailing, and it does say "priority boarding and luggage drop-off. I'm curious how they would do that, unless they are setting up an "Aurea" tent?  I can just see the complaints coming in from Diamond guests in Fantastica or Bella rooms!

27 minutes ago, pirate4me2 said:

That may be her name, the person I asked had a very heavy accent so I may have misheard. I’ll try and confirm tonight! 

No worries!  She looks like Fabiana, who was on Seashore a year ago or so.  BTW, really enjoy your posts and your writing style!  Hope to see you at a YC bar in the near future, although I admit I wouldn't be drinking the Fireball!  Maybe tequila, if DW is not sitting at the bar!😉

15 hours ago, Essiesmom said:

Armonia had a separate dining room for Aurea.  EM

I don't think that's right, unless they changed.  La Pergola was reserved for Aurea and Fantastica Suite guests, at least when she sailed out of Florida.

14 hours ago, shipgeeks said:

I'm curious whether the young lady in the photo above, on the stairs, happens to be Ashley, from South Africa.  There is a certain resemblance.....great smile.

The Ashley that we met on Seaside was, at that time, the liaison for the English-speaking passengers. We met her at a social event, and had lots of happy moments with her throughout the cruise.  It would be nice to know she is still around.

I think it was Fabiana, the Hostess/Asst. Dining Room Manager.

4 hours ago, Frenchy34 said:

Where is priority bag drop off please ?

The only category that has priority bag drop off is Yacht Club.  Aurea has priority for check in and boarding only on embarkation, I believe.

9 minutes ago, funNsun4me said:

That's my fear in pulling the trigger.  My first cruise on the Seaside the island was not ready. Was lucky enough to to visit on our next 2 cruises and it is our fav stop so really don't want to book and be disappointed.  Actually it is the only good stop on the sailing from Brooklyn, but the no flying hassle makes us lean to sailing from there.  I guess I got some thinking to do...🤔

Agreed.  We missed it twice before COVID.  As I recall, the original date was December 2017 (overly ambitious!).  Then in September 2016, they announced that the date was being moved to October 2018.  Then in November 2017, they announced a new date of November, 2018.  Then., they switched to December 5, 2019 (first time they used a specific date!).

8 hours ago, Encapsulated said:

What is Butcher's cut tasting menu like. Will be going on Euribia next year... how is Yacht Club steak compared to BC?

 

Should I use the Diamond benefit on something else instead if steak is similar?

On the first point, you kind of answered it yourself when you posted the Dining Experience menu.  That is the "tasting menu" you mention.  Personally, I like the YC filet (always available) to the Butcher's Cut, but I think the side choices at BC make it worth trying (maybe for a sea day lunch?).  Using the Diamond meal somewhere else is a good option if there is something that strikes your fancy (fish, or sushi/sashimi, perhaps).