Stem to Stern

No sofa. Only firm, upright chair and coffee table on long wall opposite desk. Chrome is all scratched up already. We lounge in Top Sail rather than our suite.

Good morning. ☀️🌞😃 We enjoyed our day yesterday. We went to the MSC Voyagers Club Diamond reception at 4:30 in Loft Cafe on Deck 8. We do not require a butler escort everywhere. That’s just us. The interior corridors of the ship are not that unbearably crowded. Plenty of venues of all varieties for 6,000ish people to spread out. But they do congregate in masses sometimes in certain places like pool areas or when certain activities or performances are happening like along all the stair banisters and railings in the main atrium. At the Diamond soirée live music inhibited conversation with our friends we first met at the theater show and had dinner with on Day 1. They are also staying in a YIN Yacht Club Interior. I won’t shout over live music. The officers and cruise director Pedro were lined up inside the Loft Cafe to greet incoming Diamond members. DH noted the they all stood there without any interaction with passengers except for a few passengers who went up to them to chat. The Captain arrived and took a place in line at the entrance along with the other officers. Same team from this morning’s soirée. A duo of dance instructors performed a brief number. Then all of the officers paraded to the stage area at the opposite end of the bar. The Captain gave a very brief speech and the end. Passengers mostly left and crew cleared all of the tables of drink ware and munchie plates. Italian night and we decided to eat early. Found a large gathering in Top Sail. Everyone who wants to eat as soon as the YC Restaurant was there having their pre-dinner drinks. We took a small table with three chairs along the window overlooking the Top Sail outdoor space. It was still daylight and we ordered espresso martinis. DH went to munchie bar for a couple items for us. Shortly after our drinks arrived another couple we met on Day 1 at a roll call self-organized Cruise Critic Welcome Cocktail approached us. We decided to have dinner together. We made our way upstairs and were seated along the window on the starboard size. Limited pics when dining with others. I ordered Beef Carpaccio to start and Osso Bucco. DH ordered the Eggplant Parm entree to start and Osso Bucco. He and I shared a Lasagna Bolonese. The other couple shared the Asparagus Risotto. Since she discovered risotto they order it if on menu and enjoy it. She started with BC and then LB. He skipped starter and had OB. He never had it before and was not overly impressed. He cooks for them and enjoys the theraputic decompression cooking and baking brings after a long day of work. We discussed his year of recipe collection, replication, and tweaking to get them just perfect. It was nice conversation, but DH and I discussed the meal privately after we left. We agree with him. Not overly impressed. And it is Italian Night on MSC. I had grandma’s chocolate cake. DH tiramisu. Not much to say there other than same cool presentation of tiramisu as previously posted. We went to Cocktail Bar on Deck 8 to meet our friends. They have a large menu of craft cocktails. The first one I ordered they did not have the coconut syrup. So second choice was The Rickshaw with Japanese whiskey and six other ingredients. It was good. Went to bed early. Coffee time. Our Butler escorted us up to 20 and gave us the run down of today’s activities. She is wonderful!!! YC Tropical deck party at 8:30. Will get more questions answered later….

Day 4 - San Juan 10-5 Seascape in upper right. Divina and 2 NCL.

Prime seating in YC Restaurant. I worked up an appetite socializing. DH skipped breakfast and worked up an appetite on the treadmill. We decided on indoor dining for lunch with the wind tunnel happening up on Deck 20. Besides the MSC for Me app says they have Seafood Spaghetti. Well, as it turns out the app does not show the correct lunch menu for today. So, we reselected from the “updated” paper menu. Our waiter confirmed the dinner menu on the app is correct - Italian Night. I am trying to move away from paper and become more app -centric on the cruise, but this did not instill confidence in the app. Another food porn alert. DH’s Caesar. My cannelloni bean, potato, and spinach soup and Kendall Jackson Sauvignon blanc. Yum! Today it was me who detected the cool air in YCR. The soup warmed me up. DH’s double order of penne. He always has an appetite for pasta, but I doubt he would try for a triple order next time. He filled up on bread, too. Bacon cheeseburger with extra onion rings. You are seeing correctly. The plate has TWO onion rings. You normally get one. Wilkin & Sons Condiments from Essex. Burger slathered with all 20 grams of English wholegrain mustard. Bun. I am guessing the patty was a quarter pounder. Pretty thin. Coffee ice cream sundae with coffee sauce, whipped cream, and micro puffed wheat cereal sprinkles. Yum! DH just had coffee.

What day is it? Oh, right. Monday. Day 3. I guess I must be having a great time if I have already lost track of the calendar. Then, the ship pushes the clock ahead an hour which did not help matters. Current situation…. The 7-day and 7-night continuous cocktail party at sea continues. It is a busy social schedule, in between long chats with fellow passengers and attending soirées like this, but someone has to do it. Food and beverage porn alert. Munchies were already laid out when we arrived. Here come the bevies! One butler carried. The other introduced the choices. I went with the Aperol Spritz. DH chose non-alcoholic fruit punch. It was too strong, so he ordered ginger ale to dilute it. Met the Master of the Vessel and shook hands. A different Captain from the one who emailed us pre-cruise. Captain Francesco Iacono. I lurrrve his bracelets. The Butlers. Next up….

Don’t quote me, but I think 10% off plus on board credit (how much I do not know) and $199 per person deposit.

We sailed on Summit post-Revolution, but in Aqua. The spaces that were “revolutionized” were done so very acceptably from an aesthetics perspective. Curious to see what comfort level is provided in The Retreat Lounge on Summit. I’m 6’2” and all legs. So I notice when seating is not deep enough. I often find myself removing the toss pillow to create more seat depth. I have to do this when dining at the Al fresco buffet in YC. But in Top Sail and YC Restaurant, the seating is more than adequate.

So far, for the last two nights, the live music has continued in Top Sail.

Definitely. I forgot to mention how uninviting we found the furnishings and overall comfort level of the redesigned Retreat Lounge on Equinox. The whole layout is just a miss. Top Sail Lounge is at least triple the square footage of The Retreat Lounge on Equinox. I am eager to compare and enjoy the more-spacious former Michael’s Club on Summit. Thanks for sticking with me.

Quick check-in before the Captain’s Cocktail in Top Sail Lounge: Had coffee in Top Sail while chatting with a fellow passenger. She sails YC mostly because Royal Caribbean suites are much more expensive. Do you notice all the brown and boomerang themed decor in here? But I love the large, oversized chairs and loveseats that fit three people. To compare with what has been reported in The Retreat and what I will discover on board Summit next week, the approx 130 Yacht Club suites are tended to by 12 Butlers and 12 Junior Butlers. Loveliest crew members in YC. We will meet the entire army at the Cocktail at 11:00 ship time which is actually 10:00 Florida time. I guess at that hour it will be a Bloody Mary for me. But not like that spicy one I started out with at lunch yesterday. But DH ordered his spicy, so when I later said I would have one too mine came spicy. I really had to sip it. Cheers!😎

Let’s talk about last night. Dress was “Rock/Casual” and I apologize. I am awful at ussies. And the white specks in the photo may possible have been debris on my camera lens. However, after positive feedback from my new cruise buddy, I am posting it.😬 Night 2 in YC Restaurant was an improvement over last night. DH and I agreed. What was up with the breaded veal chop on Day 1 dinner? At least say it’s breaded on the menu!! Odd, weird, and quirky will be common adjectives that come to mind with MSC. Check out the butter server…. And the butter…. Menu Crab cake starter dressed with onion, green apple, and mustard. Avoided the mustard and it was great. Next DH devoured the vegetable soup. No pic. Hot, flavorful, and warmed him up. (Cold air blowing on him when seated for dinner was bothersome even though he had his cashmere on. This prompted his last-minute second starter addition.)😆 Prime rib for both and lobster ravioli for the table. Delish!😊 We shared tiramisu. Yum! DH’s is better.❤️ Resembled a Christmas tree to me. I was stuffed. We were not interested in last night”s comedian especially after Day 1’s lackluster opening night Imaginocean song and dance extravaganza. Bad name, bad lighting, decent aerialists, cool LED stage backdrop. I obtained the pics from DH. YC reserved seating was a plus.

Late night update: Having a blast meeting new friends. Such diversity on board.🤩 This is a different experience. I was texting my new cruise buddy yesterday. She reminded me that “Experiences are what travel is all about.” Experiences definitely make our lives richer. Day 2 of 12 in the books and my heart is fuller. On that note…. Speaking of snacks….😂😂😂 DH came back for a nap early yesterday afternoon to discover these lovelies. He let me have them all and I devoured them. Soft and moist sweet goodness. Meanwhile he nursed a ginger ale. All soft drinks are bottled or canned. All water is in plastic or glass bottles. Was never a fan of Celebrity’s canned water circa 2021. Later in the afternoon our junior butler was distributing these during nightly turndown. Is there a surplus of fruit on board? Seeing eight of these bowls on a trolley outside our suite gave me quite a chuckle. Carmen Miranda, eat your heart out!!!😀 Have I mentioned how much I lurrrve dates? DH also loves real potato chips with pre-dinner cocktails in Top Sail Lounge. He said they were better than the Pringles in the suite. Will be curious to see what munchies are in The Retreat Lounge next week. Spoiler alert: Day 2 dinner in YC Restaurant did take a turn for the better. More pics coming in a catch-up post.

No. Mauricio.

Let’s talk about last night…. View of deserted One Pool prior to sail away taken from one of the four tables in front of Al fresco buffet and coffee bar. We followed Carnival Horizon and Independence OTS. Taken from Deck 20 overlooking Top 19 private area for Aurea Experience guests. MSC Signature Martini - Grey Goose, amaretto, and something else. Sweet like a Southern Comfort Manhattan. The glass was cool. Egg sandwich and something else from munchie bar on Top Sail Lounge. Then to 7:00 show with sea inspired singing, dancing, and acrobatics. DH has most of the pics. Do Re Mi - MSC mascot with cruise director and activities team introducing show. Menu Menu Veal chop Leak and clam risotto for the table Pistachio and coconut dessert DH went to bed. I joined new friends in Top Sail for guitar player.

I will see what I can dig up on future cruises. No smoke seen or sniffed in the casino. I watch for the black ashtrays when I am walking around outside. If I spot them I double back in the opposite direction of them.

Thanks for the warning.🤣 At least you are not required to dig it out of a package. On board Seascape in the Yacht Club currently. YC Restaurant serves butter on round white mini saucer with silver lid over it. Remove the lid and viola a round package of butter that requires the foil lid to be pealed back before digging in. We were not bothered by it. As usual your pics and text are riveting.👍👍

Today’s daily left on bed last night. These took a few more seconds to load. More people awake and using WiFi?

I went back to suite to freshen up before 9:00am. Room was freshened up too. Bed is perpendicular to the ship. Art is sea life inspired. Headboard and ottoman (under desk) are upholstered in matching gray, thin, satiny, wipeable, polypropylene-like material. Carpet and chair are gray. We found room for all of our belongings. My odd-shaped case does not go under bed and sits between closet and desk. More suite pics available is there is a request. I will cheerfully oblige.😃 This was on the tv.😎

The crew is getting ready to put the shine back on the X on Lady Summit. DH is getting way better shots with his Nikon. These are iPhone. Yikes! This takes a bit of courage. Paint roller and bucket ready.

I will find out.

Good morning! Thank you very much for reading. Sorry if the current content is Seascape heavy. I will try and provide more comparative content now and later for those that seem to be curious. We are just super excited to be back on any ship. We recognize several key items for us that we can easily find on Celebrity that do not exist here or we have not yet discovered them. The equivalent of a Cafe Al Bacio would be one. Our first lunch and dinner in the MSC Yacht Club Restaurant were fine. Dessert has been the best course for me so far, but I love dessert….🤣🤣🤣 If my memory serves me right, our most recent experiences in Luminae in October 2021 on board Equinox exceeded yesterday’s dining experiences. I realize that may seem like a lifetime ago to some.😉 There is an army of staff in the YC Restaurant and waiter Mark is doing great. Of course, we never experienced a shortage of waitstaff in Luminae either. Luminae is a much more beautiful and luxurious dining environment on M- and S-class ships compared to here. Enjoy your day!😃

Ok it looks like that was a success. Woke up before 4 to check CruiseMapper app to find friends also en route. I will try a pic or two or nine.🤣 Well, well, well. There is our lady backing in now. Seascape is indeed larger and taller.🤣 We slept through sail in. I walked the two flights of stairs up to Deck 20 to find two pool butlers unsecuring and unstacking the padded loungers. I staked out my choice of cabanas shortly before 7. There was really no need to. There are more than enough padded loungers for all of us. This spot should provide shade and serenity for the morning.✌️☺️ Breakfast is ready, but no coffee until 7. Really?!?🤨 DH and I met up for coffee and YC breakfast buffet. We made loose plans to check out the new port area in Nassau for an hour or two at some point before 3:30 all aboard. After breakfast I returned to my cabana to find very polite and gracious pool butler Ellan had prepared my serenity space with towels. Upon my return he asked if he should bring additional towels. Lovely. More to come….

Good morning from Nassau and Day 2 in the Yacht Club on board MSC Seascape.⛅️ I have a bit of catching up to do. We have the Browse internet and no issues until we go up to Deck 20. Connectivity and reconnecting depends on where you are located on the One Pool Deck. I think I may have found my spot.❓❓❓ So let’s see if this goes….

Menu Right side of menu Back side of orchid arrangement. I was enamored with it perhaps as a diversion to my starter. I was not a fan of the consistency of the puree ala garbanzo bean with octopus. Main of beef was fine. Close up My dessert trio was incredible. Canola, tiramisu, and panna cotta. DH has cheesecake with chocolate sauce. He like it.

Check-in and embarkation lunch photo dump