showingdiva

White - sun - lobster red - peel - white I'd be in YC in a flash if I thought I could justify it. But I can't. So, a lovely Fantastica corner balcony it is.

The Virtuosa cruise that is returning to Southampton tomorrow have had fabulous weather in the Fjords, Flam and Haugesund in particular. Although before they left Southampton,they were told the itinerary was changing, and instead of a day at sea followed by the Shetlands, they went to Zeebrugge and then a day at sea.

Me. Would never use the butler / concierge etc. Hate where YC is positioned (high deck, forward). Don't drink alcohol. Don't need a separate deck to sunbathe, being very pale and Scottish 👻

Go for it and enjoy !

If I'm honest, and having done three Virtuosa cruises, plus one on almost identical sister Euribia (and three more booked over the next three summers), I struggle to understand some of the reviews of her. I "defected" from P&O but still cruise with Cunard too. Cruising on anything in July, there's going to be a lot of kids - all four nations' schools will have broken up by then. The food has a Mediterranean aspect to it, although over the last few summers she has been based out of Southampton, there have been "British" additions. Put it this way, I've never gone hungry. The Market Place buffet needs avoided at peak times 8-9am and 12-1pm. A lot of cruise lines have put an emphasis on paid for specialty restaurants. MSC is no different. Hola! tacos at £18 a head all you can eat is great. Plenty deck space (even more if you are in Yacht Club). One of the main problems I see is that people are expecting champagne at lemonade prices. The ship is beautiful and very clean and the crew work hard (twice a day room servicing if that's important to you).

I haven't yet been on a ex-UK MSC cruise with a free shuttle bus. Zeebrugge is an exception because the port don't allow anyone walking across it, so there is a bus to the port gate. Expect to pay somewhere in the region of 10-15 return for a shuttle bus trip from the ship. Tickets will be in your cabin the night before. You just fill in how many people from the cabin require the bus and they add the cost to your ship account.

MSC Virtuosa (including Yacht Club) out of Southampton, summer '24, '25 and '26. MSC Preziosa out of Southampton winter '24 / 25 on loop of Hamburg / Rotterdam / Bruges / Le Havre

For what it's worth, I worked a couple of days on board Vista last year. Absolutely delightful ship in all ways, engaging crew, happy passengers and beautiful ship. Probably in my top 3 of all time favourite high end, boutique ships (and I've worked on lots, including the vast majority of the Oceania fleet).

As much as I love Virtuosa, I can think of so many reasons I would never have booked that particular 2-nighter. It was a UK bank holiday. It was a weekend. The ship is actively marketed as a family ship. It had been advertised by both MSC direct and multiple travel agents at a heavily discounted price for some considerable time. These short cruises on all cruise lines have always been carnage. The whole idea of the dining bedlam is to entice passengers into the quieter, paid for specialty restaurants (which are all very good). MSC are by no means the only ones to do this. I do hope you give them another chance on a longer 7 night + cruise.

Good news. I've worked in the NHS for 25 years, and I understand the frustrations. I hope you have a great cruise.

You are absolutely correct. However, if - heaven forbid - it did develop into something else into such a small child, on a cruise ship, away from the UK, if it were me I would be wanting reassurance and all avenues covered before I walk up the air bridge.

Would you not be better getting her seen before you depart, either by a GP or a pharmacist? Then, if it was felt warranted, you would be given a few days prophylactic antibiotics. The other issue being if you did have to see a doctor on board, your insurance company may not consider reimbursing the cost if you knowingly boarded when you daughter was unwell.

Me too, please. Trying to justify that QA has no solo cabins and the 15% deposit.

Not trying to take this off topic, but Ambassador's Ambition is going to be an Edinburgh Festival event space for a few days in Leith from 7th August. Disembarking / embarking "normal" cruise passengers at either end of the visit. Rivals to P&O. Anything in reality. Depends what matters most to a potential passenger ... destination, size of ship, embarkation port, cost, etc, etc ...

As long as they're qualified 🤭

It sounds like you would really prefer a table for 2. If you go to your allocated restaurant (which will be on your cruise card on embarkation), speak to the restaurant manager / maitre d', they will do everything they can to find you one. It may not necessarily be the time you originally chose. Do, though, bear in mind that the tables for 2 are positioned very close together. Explain you would prefer somewhere quiet if at all possible. I am sure they will do the best they can. I've never been coerced into buying drinks for a table on rotation, not even on the QM2. However, if you do find yourself on a larger table, then it would only be good manners to let the restaurant know if you aren't arriving, for whatever reason. Do try Hola! if you get the chance on Virtuosa (tables for 2 are available).

I'd put good money on Arbeania. There has to be a sponsorship deal out there somewhere with some supermarket / vegetable packer. A hull with artwork like the AIDA smiley ships. On topic though, aren't P&O and Cunard two of the few left cruising out of Southampton who do allow spirits to be brought on board?

Yes, you can have your Southern Comfort and coke and your wife a Diet Coke, but you will need both cruise cards to order them. Ordering two soft drinks on one card is generally accepted. Doubles, I don't know (I'm teetotal). As for bringing soft drink on board. In this case, cruising out of the UK. MSC make it very clear in their T&Cs that bringing any form of drink on board is prohibited. Their argument is that if you have a drink package, why would you want or need to attempt to bring any on board? The other issue is that would you want to risk it in your suitcase, especially if it ends up being loaded at the bottom of a huge cage onto the ship. Taking it on as hand luggage is much more noticeable. The more you attempt to take on board, the more attention you're going to draw to yourself. You can have two cans of Coke, Diet Coke, Coke Zero, Fanta or Sprite on each card from any venue, round the clock. Your worst case scenario - they confiscate what you're trying to bring on board, you get the walk of shame to reception to be notified and they give you it back at the end of the cruise. If that's the risk you want to take ......

Me too. Still do. Every year.

Yes it does. It comes under the "wide range of hot drinks". Hot chocolate also included - but not the Jean Philippe ones in the chocolate shop. Energy drinks are indeed listed twice .. whoever typed it must have been having palpitations on all the caffeine 🤣

If the Starship Club is classed as a "signature venue", then the alcohol free package wouldn't work. If it's "a bar" then it would. I suspect it's the former. *The Alcoholic Free Package can be used in our bars, self-service buffet, main restaurant and on private islands, but not in the specialty restaurants and signature venues.

I believe this only applies to US based ships currently. Certainly doesn't apply to Virtuosa / Euribia.

You will not automatically be seated at a table for 2 because that is how many of you there are. You may be on a 4, 6 or 8. If just the two of you dining is important to you for whatever reason, you will need to speak to the Maitre d' / restaurant manager, who will likely do their best to try to accommodate you if you aren't already on a table for just the two of you. Your initial table number and restaurant name, as Essiesmom has said above, will be on your cruise card at embarkation.

The soft serve ice cream / toppings in the Atmosphere Bar on the pool deck is included in the adult non-alcoholic drink package ex-UK.

5. Arcadia's prom deck