Hearthosesteeldrumsplayin

So, I just checked when I booked my culinary arts kitchen for my Jan 2025 cruise on Grandeur.....made the booking in July (6 months prior).  They weren't available at first, but kept checking on website and then they appeared.  Not sure if 6 months is the trigger???  Available before shorex.  I was also able to use OBC to book.

So sorry to hear that you had issues!  Glad to hear that you have (mostly) recovered!

Enjoyed your postings on Grandeur!  We are doing the Panama Canal on her in January, so really appreciated your coverage!

Now, get back to 100% so you can post on your next cruise!

18 hours ago, Lastdance said:

To those of you who really enjoy MSC Yacht Club, are you mostly cruising in the Caribbean?  For me, Europe is my destination, so how do those experiences compare with Celebrity?  I have been doing my research, but need more information about the experience, ships etc.  For me, on Celebrity, there is a huge difference between Europe and the Caribbean.

~Thanks in advance!

Our first MSC cruise was on the Belissima (new at that time), Med cruise.  We enjoyed our experience with the staff, ship and stateroom (mind you, we were in the largest--private hot tub on our deck).  Announcements in several languages, not so much.  Casino without craps table, I had no use for.  We are not pool people, so can't comment on that.  Quartet playing in the YC lounge was very nice.  The shows were different than we were used to on X or NCL or Royal; different, not bad.  I will say, that had I not been in YC, I don't think I would sail MSC.  I'm not wild about the constant embarkation/disembarkation going on.  However, for the price point, especially with the increase in Retreat prices, I wouldn't exclude YC from consideration.  But, for my next cruise (AUS/NZ), I am looking at Regent's, O, and X.  While Regent's is higher (but not that much higher!), for a once-in-a-lifetime cruise, I think it would be worth it.

Did a TA on Regent after the Pandemic and enjoyed every minute.  Food was great, loved our stateroom (PH), enjoyed the smaller ship size.  Booked another cruise on RSSC.

Our first O cruise was in Feb on the VISTA.  Had a wonderful cruise, food was great, loved our stateroom (PH), enjoyed the ship size.  Booked another cruise on O.

I like Regent for the included business class flights, shorex and drinks.  I like O for the more reasonable price point.  I am happy on either!  It just depends on what is important for the part of the world I plan to sail in, along with family preferences.  (I want a craps table in the casino, so can only sail on certain O ships.)

Assess what is most important to you.  You'll find good food and good people on either line.  As far as I am concerned, if I am on an upscale line its a WIN/WIN; but hey, you'll also find me in The Retreat (Celebrity), the Yacht Club (MSC), and the Haven (NCL).  Each line has its own uniqueness and quirks, so I like to shake it up a bit.  If I'm staying in the Caribbean, I can go mass market ship-within-a-ship, no problem.  If I am planning far-afield cruises, then I tend to get pickier and want a better experience.

We are on Grandeur in January, so I think I'll try the crispy escargot, just for grins!  Thanks for allowing us along on your trip!  Have a great one!

Sailing on Beyond over the July4th week.  Our cruise is almost sold out, too!  (or maybe we are on same sailing?)  But, I have noticed that even on the larger ships, you can often find quiet places to sit and read.  Fingers crossed for all of us!  Happy sailing!

If you are booking independently prior to your provided night, you should be able to use your Bonvoy account.  If we arrive prior to 1 night, then we usually book on our own, since it is much cheaper than going through the cruise line.  Just a thought....

Our first experience with cooking classes was on Splendor.  A TA, so many sea days.  We also did it on our Oceania cruise in Feb.  Both were very fun.  Certainly, don't plan lunch/dinner afterwards; you will be stuffed!  I have already signed up for our Jan 2025 Splendor cooking classes.  They are usually on sea days.  I don't remember ever seeing one for embarkation day, but I am new to both lines.  I'm a novice cook, so learning anything is a bonus for me!  Getting to cook something that comes out so wonderful, and then eat it is just great!  And on Splendor, there was wine flowing freely, as it was paired with each segment of the class!

One of the reasons I wasn't so hot on MSC Yacht Club was cruising every 3 years to maintain status.  (Of course, we hit the highest status by doing the status match program, which was a boon!  It did not make the current MSC loyalists too happy, though.)  Sigh.  I guess the times, they are a'changin'!

Does anyone know how to see how many points you have?  We have done a couple of cruises, and I haven't used my casino points for freeplay at the end.  I was planning to use them on my next cruise in January, as they used to carryover for 18 months.  Now I'm thinking I may be SOL, especially if I don't qualify as Pearl.  (But maybe I do....how would I know?  They no longer give you card to play at the tables, you use your ship card.)  I have received free rooms in the past, but I think I was only Jade at that time....

So sorry this happened to you.  I would be disappointed, too!  However, let me provide something that happened to us on an NCL cruise.....I'm sure whoever got our suite was over the top!  We had a 3 bedroom suite booked soon after CoVID pauses reopened.  We were meeting up with our long-time friends who live in a different state for this cruise.  One couple tested + for CoVID just before the cruise.  They cancelled (of course, this was AFTER payment was made, so they had to claim insurance).  However, NCL CANCELLED the entire stateroom!  We showed up to board and were told we didn't have our room!  (I'm sure someone else had received the move-up bid!)  After much jockeying, we were given our stateroom back.  I thought at that time, "I bet someone is REALLY dissapointed!"  Just one scenario....

We were on the VISTA in Feb.  Casino pit boss offered us drinks multiple times (at craps table).  I only ordered ice water once.  No drink package.  Just gave a tip.

GOARMY, sounds like we might be on the same sailing in January 2025!  We are looking forward to Grandeur!  We did a TA on Splendor around the same time you were crossing on Explorer a few years ago.  Regent's was great, but prices mean we have to save up for it.  But, with the increases for the Haven and Retreat, we are almost to Regent's prices on the big ships.  And just like this post, I have learned much from your posts, so THANK YOU!

Darn, that means we will likely miss her!!

Also following!  We are slated for Panama Canal on Grandeur next January!  I can hardly wait!  Our first Regent's cruise was a TA on Splendor.....one of the best cruises EVER for us!  I am now eyeing Explorer for AUS/NZ in 2026.

Wow!  Such lovely pictures!  Sounds like you are having a wonderful, relaxing time!  We are on Grandeur for the Panama Canal crossing next January and this thread is really getting me excited!  Thank you for sharing!

Had to laugh at Oceangoer2's comments regarding ship to ship to ship.  That was my thought, too!  So happy that you can do that!  We board our 1st O cruise in less than 3 weeks!!!!   So excited to see VISTA in person!  I have also booked a Rome-Istanbul trip in 2025....maybe just before Jim_Iain's cruise?

Checking prices and finding that we can do O (and even get close to Regent sometimes--when you factor in air!) for the price of Haven or Retreat.  So why not branch out?

So hubby runs every morning and I usually walk.  We both read, but that is usually in stateroom.  Ever since a Regent's cruise where puzzles were put out in the common areas for anyone to work, we have brought a wooden Liberty puzzle to complete during the cruise (also in stateroom).  My other hobby is craps, but the cruise line provides that....;)

We will be doing the Panama Canal on Grandeur next year.  I hope that we have enrichment activities about the Canal, as that is my main interest in this cruise!  (And maybe some noise abatement, as my hubby has hearing issues, so talks loudly.  I wouldn't want to disturb our neighbors!)

I submitted my form request to O on Jan 5.  Received an email same day that it was "received".  I booked through a TA.  I don't see it anywhere on my on-line reservation.  However, I asked TA and she sent me updated confirmation that shows the credit as $50 per person as a "Gift".  Our cruise departs 11 March, so just over the 60 days out mark when I submitted.

Interesting.....I went out to cruise plum and they don't even have O listed.  Nor RSSC.

What is the onboard booking discount?  I am looking at a 2025 cruise, which has a 5% discount if booked by 31 Dec.  I am on Vista in February.  Just wondering if the discount would be better or the current promo.  TIA!

On 11/2/2023 at 7:56 AM, Sthrngary said:

@BSR Oceania seems to be getting a lot of new guests from NCL/Haven and Celebrity/Retreat. Both you and I included.  I promise to make comparisons because as with trying any new brand, you only know what you get, after you got it. So far, the pre-cruise communication for me is a lot better on Oceania. I got a call, a booklet with information and luggage takes. All very professional. More to come. 

Gary I hope that you, your lovely bride, and your friends have a FABULOUS trip!  We are trying out our first O cruise in February after Haven, Retreat, and Yacht Club.  (We did Regent's Seven Seas at tail of Covid, loved it, but hard to swing those prices.)  Fingers crossed it is worthwhile for all.  My usual mantra for cruising is the trip is what you make it.  Things will go wrong, but hopefully not so wrong that it can't be laughed about later.  And if it is a bust, then lesson learned.

Maybe your bride will hit the jackpot again....or is there any gambling even available?

Hi, Gary!  So sorry to hear that you are "disinclined to acquiess" (okay I don't know how the heck to spell this and spell check is not helping!)  to stand up comedy.  Many years ago we saw "Defending the Caveman", which was truly a hoot, and while not specifically your situation, it certainly resonates with the differences between planners and non-planners.  (BTW I don't find the new version of "Defending the Caveman", while still the same script, not nearly as hilarious as the original.  However, the ideas presented still ring true!)

I hope that you have a wonderful cruise!  February will be our 1st O cruise.  Then to X for the Retreat (in a Sky Suite, which evidently no longer has butlers, even though X has not told us that!)  Then to Regent's for a Panama Canal transit.  I'd like to slip another Haven cruise in there somewhere, as I have Cruise Next certificates to use!  We were originally planning a Rome cruise in 2023, but will have to push that WAY out for now.  Saving up those flight points to get bus class.😉

I appreciated your cruise comparison spreadsheet and have used it several times now!  If I can just get the economy to play along, it would be helpful!

How are the craps tables?  Minimums, odds bets?  I know that O only has craps on newer ships, but we will be on Vista, so hoping for craps.  Only reason I go to casino is for craps and one of the reasons I like cruising is for casinos (not available in my state!)