JAGR

4 minutes ago, Essiesmom said:

And those of us who were military and/or lived in Europe…. EM

Sorry!  Poor word choice next to docs! Meant veterans! 🫢

And just came back from Ireland and the UK last month, so you are right (as usual!), of course.  Thanks!

40 minutes ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

Lol. I did a double take as well but I think the  1400 was a reference to the time, not number of people. 

Forgot she's an ER doc.  Only docs and vets use the 24-Hour clock!

4 hours ago, amygutman said:

around 1400 more persons came to eat at the YC pool buffet but we felt we had a billion dollar yacht just to ourselves for most of the morning!

Warmest Amy

1400!  Hope you meant it just felt like that!  That's an awful lot of interlopers!🤭

17 minutes ago, Two Wheels Only said:

Part of their job would be remembering the people that have been asked. If the staff can't remember, the  interlopers who have been removed could easily return. Just "looking familiar" without remembering who should/shouldn't be there would be pointless.

Agreed.  I think it is easy to do for them as a staff group.  We have found YC staff members to have really good memories!  As one of many examples, we were on Meraviglia last October.  Our Junior Butler said hello to us by name on the first day, and then said, "You were on Seaside in room 16xxx in March 2019, weren't you?  It was Back to Back.  I was your Junior Butler then."  He was exactly right.  Better memory than mine!

13 hours ago, jules815 said:

Trying to figure out the same thing. Haven't been on board a cruise ship since 2021, but they were able to get us a copy of the dinner menus on boarding day. We've never gone to any specialty restaurants on MSC, but our next trip I think we're going to.

For you and @xcell:  If you are in YC, the maî·tre d' or assistant will have copies of the menus for the week.  It's much simpler now that they have the same menus week after week.  If you are not in YC, you can check with the host or hostess at the restaurant.

18 minutes ago, Brighton Line said:

2 for $20 with 3 110 Plugs 2 USB and 1 USB-C and 10% coupon. I use these on all cruises including MSC. No surge protection and you are not allowed to bring anything with surge protection on board. 

Multiple 220V (European) plugs in the room, at the desk, and lower on the wall are used for the vacuum by your steward.  

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B3LZ5896/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Good price!  I would just add a warning for anyone looking at this item is that it is not a transformer.  It simply allows you to plug into the 220v outlet and stays at 220v.  Important to know that you should check any devices you are using to see on that they can operate on 115-120 and 210-220 volts.  You ca n usually see it on the device, or at least on the UL tag near the plug itself.  Especially check any curling iron or other hair appliances.  DD fried her curling iron on the first night of her cruise!

2 hours ago, KennyFla said:

Do you do a bag drop before you park?   Can you do that in Port Canaveral?

We saw a couple of folks do that, but when they use Terminal 10, there is convenient parking just across the street.  The drop-off area is crowded, and the line moves slowly.

14 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Sorry, I'm not as 'hip'. What is funky bud. beer?

It is that "skunk" you mentioned some passing familiarity with back in the day!  😜

2 minutes ago, Bgwest said:

Hear, hear………I’m holding my hand up (electronically) to support of this idea. 

Agreed!  And with two YC Directors on this week, they could play good cop/bad cop! Or perhaps be the best detective duo ever!

20 hours ago, LImom said:

I get where you are coming from, however when I was on the Meraviglia my assigned boarding was 2:30 even though I boarded earlier bc I was in YC. I guess I will have to respectively disagree, but I wouldn't want the OP to miss the ship so im glad he is looking for another flight to eliminate any issues.

 

Maybe this would be better if it were moved to the east coast departures board.

I would wager that if you were assigned a 2:30 check-in time, your sailing was scheduled for 5:00 or later that day.  The OP reported their sailing time was 3:00.  I stand by statement that 1:00 pm is the time they must be there.  It is moot now that they have rescheduled, of course.

10 minutes ago, LImom said:

Does your flight arrive in LGA at 11am? If so then you should have no problem getting to the pier onetime. It has been reported that boarding time assigned by MSC isnt really followed. LGA is a short distance to the pier so even with traffic you should be there  well before 3pm

 

 

If 3:00 is departure time, the latest check-in time is 1:00.  That is when check-in counters close.

45 minutes ago, Yes_Dear said:

We have a 11:00 a.m. flight into LaGuardia, our boarding time is 1:00 p.m. Is two hours enough time? What is the latest we cam board for 3:00 p.m. cruise departure?

Usual limit is two hours prior to departure.  You are really taking a chance.

41 minutes ago, amygutman said:

Nope... actual pickled onions. @Daniel A says these are a "European Thing" so I will say this is a more cultural offering than tasty!

Aw, well! Wishful thinking!

2 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Do not know how one with 'just' gold or diamond can get priority without some assistance (like a YC butler) in getting down to the gangway. Everyone would be lined up crowding the hallways.

Very valid points about the logistics, however the OP is correct in that the list of Gold perks does indeed, show that they have priority disembarkation at ports where tenders are used.  I haven't done it, but I assume that Gold members would go to the auditorium and ask for some sort of priority.  

1 hour ago, morpheusofthesea said:

 So popular that MSC for next year will be positioning 3 ships sailing from Miami; Divina, Seaside, and Seascape.

Alas, the beautiful Seaside is only in Miami on November and December of next year.  She was our first MSC YC sailing, and so is our sentimental favorite!

51 minutes ago, Essiesmom said:

I think maybe the pickled onions.  EM

I thought that as well, but then I saw the post was from Europe, and growing in Ireland, I remember having gooseberries as a dessert and snack.

3 hours ago, alyssamma said:

I've sailed carnival a few times and never seen dogs on them.

 

Your claim is carnival has a full time staff to "sniff out" WEED (SKUNK)???

Maybe not full-time, but Carnival did announce the move to use drug-detecting dogs in June:

https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/carnival-cruise-line-to-introduce-drug-sniffing-dogs-security-officers-and-curfew/

20 minutes ago, 8420PR said:

 

 

I'm enjoying your review.  Greetings from Europe 🙂

 

Gooseberries?

On 6/19/2023 at 9:10 PM, Jeal said:

kelleherdl - many, many thanks for the info. I appreciate it. If you think of anything else a first timer on MSC needs to know please let me know. We are excited to try MSC. 

One thing I would add is that you may have to remind the port workers during check-in that you are in Aurea class so you can get to the proper priority line.  They are contractors, and there have been reports of Aurea and Diamond guests being led to the normal check-in lines.  Just simply ask if you are in the correct priority line.

4 hours ago, Aquar10scribe said:

As I am writing this, you are already onboard so I hope you are having a magnificent time.  We thoroughly enjoyed our week on the Seaside.  We were a group of 7.  My husband and I were in the YC and our kids and grandkids were in Aurea balcony staterooms.  It was our first experience with MSC and we walked away with very positive impressions. The YC was very nice, we really enjoy Seabourn and Windstar and this experience made us feel similarly.  The staff was friendly and accommodating.  Even in areas outside of the YC, we felt well cared for and had myriad options for food, drink and entertainment.  

 

Please circle back with your experience notes, I can't wait to hear all about it.

She is doing a live report this week.

12 hours ago, amygutman said:

DAY ONE PART ONE

So much music everywhere today!!!!  It’s such a treat having the different performers in the YC specifically. Pianist, singers, saxophonist. Such a nice relaxing touch.

 

We have Arnold as our butler - A human smiling dynamo. Such a warm and happy guy. Brought us literally two tumblers of straight vodka plus our suite bottle “so you can take the bottle home and not have to run to the bar every five minutes”.

Arnold Casto Jr. is the greatest!  He was a Lounge Butler when we were on a B2B, and he was fantastic!  He definitely knows drinks, so you will be well taken care of.  We are so glad he got promoted!  BTW, if you have any phone or internet issues, Arnold is your go-to guy.  Even the concierges reach out to him if a guest is having technical problems!

1 hour ago, mscdivina2016 said:

Add me to the ongoing complainers list.

 I have decided to try a 42 night Oceania. What will I gain by it versus MSC?

 I have a so called travel concierge. Seems more like a travel agent to me. Already have had 3 issues prior to sailing.

 

Hopefully, your experience will be much better than your worst downgrade experience with MSC.  Stockjock said MSC almost gave him a heart attack.  In your case, it's almost like they gave you an enema and a complimentary colonoscopy!

2 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

She “who “ must be . We both are thinking ahead of our typing. I find sudoku helps me.

Clumsy fingers on a small keyboard, combined with a a typo that passes spell check! 🫢

2 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

"What is it called when you can't see your own faults?

It's a condition called anosognosia. This loosely means “lack of awareness or insight” in Greek. Anosognosia is a lack of ability to perceive the realities of one's own condition. It's a person's inability to accept that they have a condition that matches up with their symptoms or a formal diagnosis."

I shall return a quote you once made. "Oh would some power the giftie give us, to see ourselves as others see us " Robert Burns

In honesty, I so see many of my faults.  This one I was referencing is a a tendency to easily spot typographical or wording errors by others, but not often my own. It is a disorder shared by both you and I, sir.  We are both wont to publicly reprimand each other for these mistakes, so I sincerely hope it is not the neurological condition of anosognosia.  Let's hope for our sakes it is less severe.  Perhaps, the behavior could more appropriately referred to as "projection" and the person who exhibits it may be called a "projector" or "blamer". This can be a defense mechanism that allows the person to avoid facing their own faults by projecting them onto others. It can be frustrating to deal with someone who behaves in this way, but it's important to remember that their behavior is not a reflection of your own faults.

For my part, as a sign of peace, I resolve going forward to avoid calling out any errors I may think I have spotted in your works.  It will avoid detracting from your work product, which I find overall to be replete with keen insights.  After all, it appears we are both more beholding to sufficient comments and criticisms we may receive from our "she how must be obeyed" beloveds. 

2 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

I'm still that "wild and crazy guy". But you turned into a real fuddy duddy.

You don't know me, sir.  I'd like to hear your DW's opinion of you being somewhat relaxed, let alone wild.  She must keep a tighter rein on you. I don't know if the Festrunks thought that craziness involved repeated inspection of gates and inner staircases in vigilant search for trespassers.  They didn't strike me as guardians of the sanctum.