Beamafar

The unavailability of listed wines seems to be a common complaint on US sailings. My preference is Oberon when in the region (on MSC ships. Cicogna elsewhere). The more I cruise, the more I’m inclined to express my displeasure if listed items aren’t available. We’re fairly low maintenance, but expect to at least get what we should.

You, too! Enjoying your report. Looking forward to reading more. It’s exactly the info that most future sailors are looking for.

❤️ (I wish there was a ‘heart’ emoji along with the ‘Like’, ‘Haha’ and ‘Thank you’ ones).

MSC has upped their game for the US market.

I believe it’s 20 minutes.

You and ‘Lionel Hardcastle’ 🤣

That one isn’t one of my creations lol but my single serving version isn’t far off.

It was on Az that I first came across it. I make it more spicy, though (for him - I don’t eat it). I poach the eggs separately as I find the whites run through the sauce when you try to drop them into the ‘well’ that you make in the sauce. This how it should look when you cook it as a one-pot dish (Apologies to the OP for being slightly off-topic. Enjoying the ‘Journey’).

We have never adhered to the assigned boarding time - it’s never checked.

Unusual looking shakshuka (I make it for DH now and again). The eggs should be poached in the spicy tomato sauce.

It was an off-menu offer (see previous posting).

This is what I was referring to This is the one for the T-bone steak

We did Armonia (down to Cuba); it was one of our stand-out cruises. (Another was on one of our Magnifica sailings in the Med). It’s the way of cruising - you can have an amazing time on the same ship (or even cruise) that others have a nightmare on.

I’m with you on the Veuve, Ivi. I was disappointed to see it downgraded to Möet, then downgraded, again, to Mercier. Can’t understand how the same company can produce enough of that to satisfy Explora requirements, but can’t meet the demand for M&C. Not familiar with Mercier, but I’ve found Monopoli and Jacquard quite palatable.

Do they intend to re-instate Moët as and when the supply situation improves?

Crazy thing is that they wanted you to turn up so you could be denied boarding (and risk the health of embarking passengers) 🙄

We got $100 OBC each for a booking made on Feb 29th as part of a promotion.

You’re welcome. As an FYI, the (included) minibar will be stocked with mixers, soft drinks, water and juices, plus a toblerone and Pringles (the snacks won’t be replenished but the drinks will).

I haven’t sailed in YC since they made the change, but it’s my understanding that they have a list of options (including a red and white wine) in the cabin and you just let your butler know what your choice is. Also, it’s not a 70cl bottle; it’s a 35cl one IINM.

It’s in lieu of the mini-bar no longer being stocked daily with miniature spirits.

It’s called a Bucks Fizz here.

There was an upcharge for it, P. It was on the same offer card on the MDR tables as the T-bone steak. Some time later, they dropped the lobster and only offered the steak (€18). I’m sure if I went back through my photos I’d find one of it.

An FCC will issue if the cruise is cancelled, with a new expiry date. That was our experience with a similar situation.

We’ve been sailing MSC since 2011 and couldn’t agree more with that statement.

Pure conjecture - If the FCC has already been applied to the Dubai cruise booking, it might not be possible to have it removed. If that’s the case, you may have to wait it out ‘til the decision to cancel happens. It would then be re-issued (I would think, anyway). Best of luck, Foxy.