NewWestwardbound

Many many thanks for this - very helpful. Just got to persuade my wife that an autumn cruise, and on MSC in Yacht Club - is a good idea. We have cruised with Celebrity previously from Southampton, but I am finding the Celebrity pricing a little (!) challenging this year (especially in The Retreat) and the itineraries a bit “samey”. 

I am looking for advice please on selecting a Deluxe Suite Cabin (Balciny) on MSC Virtuosa. 
 

The cruise I am interested in has cabins available on Decks 14, 15 and 16. There are no forward facing cabins available.

Which deck would you choose and why? And if you favour post or starboard or a particular cabin please let me know.

Looking forward to your thoughts. Many thanks!

21 hours ago, Devon born and bred said:

I follow these threads with interest and was wondering, with all the problems/issues and negativity, why cruise with P&O.

Perceived value for money.

Celebrity Elite matched to MSC Gold. 

I am sure these points have been considered previously, but if not, is a "fly-cruise"  with P&O defined as a package holiday under the relevant legislation? If so, what does this mean for liability for compensation for delay?

1 hour ago, carlanthony24 said:

In a battle with Auto Care they agreed for the fuel injector to be replaced but not the coolant hose they don't class it as a component. My form says as its not been damaged by corrosion or frost then it should be covered. The garage are fighting with them since they just do not want to pay out. If not I will have to pay and try to claim back in form of using the ombudsman.

Worth reading the small print to see if hoses are classed as consumables, and if so whether consumables are covered. 

BBC quoting P&O as saying that a 

I am in Silhouette at the moment, heading towards Vigo, Spain. Not mid-Atlantic, but I have been impressed with the internet and Wi-Fi coverage so far since sailing out of Southampton on Saturday evening 

Personal view, ymmv. 
 

I would pay more a little than $100 pp to “”Move Up” to an Acqua Class cabin given the benefits (especially Blu restaurant).

I would probably not pay $600 pp to “Move Up” to Suite class. But this would depend on what I had paid for my original cabin. And whether this was a “special occasion” cruise etc. But if I did choose to bid on a suite it would be on a Sunset Sky Suite because of the size of balcony and better views (avoiding the window washing equipment). 

Hope this helps. 

Understood. I know Cruse Critic follows the Trio Adviser x/5 model, but I sometimes think a y/10 or % score would give reviewers more latitude. Wouldn’t be as quick or easy though I guess. 

Really good detailed review. Just a personal opinion, but. for me, given the overall content of your review  4 out of 5 might seem a generous mark. 

From the FAQs on Parking4cruises website:

Our Service

This was posted two hours ago on the other thread on Move Up (lower down the page):

55 minutes ago, Naptonboy said:

As of this morning that has reduced to 7, I wonder if the reduction is the first run of "move up's".

Could be. Has there been an increase in the number of non-suite cabins available (released as a result of the “flow down” from successful Move Up bids?

Complicating factor in your case is needing two successful bids. Always a risk of only one success as it is virtually impossible to synchronise the total value of your bids exactly. Even if your friends have booked an equivalent cabin as you at the same price you will not know the value to Celebrity of any other Move Ups as a result of the flow down of yours. 

46 minutes ago, jh1809 said:

I haven't seen a photographer on a cruise since before Covid.

Not P&O, but there were photographers on Celebrity Silhouette last year sailing out of Southampton. 

On 5/22/2023 at 4:01 PM, charlie7 said:

captain has cancelled villafranche due to not wanting people in close contact in tenders

Any more information on the rationale for this?

On 5/4/2023 at 8:56 AM, mrgabriel said:

Plenty of Clinique currently - the makeup store is fully stocked as it was pre-pandemic. 

Did you happen to notice which brands of perfumes/aftershave the make up store stocked? Many thanks. 

16 minutes ago, HWC_Mom said:

Has anyone ever been successful with these bids?  I just bid today to go from Sky Suite to a Royal...what are our chances of this upgrade?  It was half price for the bids and it's my 50th birthday cruise, the husband is on his way to Singapore so I'm spending money spoiling us!!!  🤣😂

Yes. We were successful last summer with the same Move Up as you (Sky Suite to Royal Suite). 

UK changes from GMT to BST tonight. 

4 hours ago, pink845 said:

Years ago, we were able to touch the stones but I think that is not the case now.  A barrier fence or something up now, I read. 

No touching the stones anymore I'm afraid. But there are now better facilities including car parking (hidden from view of the stones) and - I think - a better but still small visitor centre. I love Stonehenge, but still remember my first sight of it from the main road feeling slightly underwhelmed. YMMV. 

19 hours ago, travl2day said:

Thanks so much! Is Duke's Hotel within walking distance to Bath City Center?

I agree with Cruisen Elf (I live in Bath). Dukes is on Great Pulteney Street, one of the most prestigious addresses in Bath, absolutely beautiful. It is centrally located and within easy walking distance of all the main sites. Other hotels you might want to look at include The Queensbury Hotel (which has Bath’s only Michelin Star restaurant, The Olive Tree) and The Gainsborough Bath Spa. 

No.

We did the Sorrento and Pompeii excursion from Naples on Celebrity Silhouette last summer. Met in the theatre at 9.00 for a 9.30 departure, back on board by 6.30. Included a trip to a local farm, a town visit with free time for lunch; a scenic coastal drive, and long guided tour of Pompeii. 
Absolutely fantastic, probably the 2nd best Celebrity excursion we have ever done, 

3 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

 

 I agree with that statement.  Fortunately, I have not found that to be the case when we have sailed in Aqua or Suites on S-class ships.  We've only done one Edge sailing and that was in a suite and I do not even remember any issues or anything extraordinary about the sommelier from that cruise.  

 

I am hopeful that we will have a good sommelier in Luminae on our upcoming Millennium cruise.  

 

 

Likewise. No issues in Luminae or specialist restaurants on Silhouette. 

I agree. I really enjoy talking with the sommeliers and with only one exception I have found them enthusiastic and helpful. They are not all experts but just having someone to discuss wine choice with is a real bonus for me.