Two Wheels Only

Same with an occasional daily special.

1 minute ago, astera said:

 

Which restaurant/s are the ones (near) impossible to get a table at once the ship sales and you don't have a prior reservation?

Teppanyaki is limited. If your group is small (2), they might be able to squeeze you in somewhere. Otherwise, make a reservation if you really want it. 

12 minutes ago, astera said:

Do I need to look into what restaurants are available on my ship (Escape) and make some reservations in advance or is it relatively easy to get a table at certain times (like right when a restaurant opens)?

Need to? No.

Highly recommended to make reservations? Yes. 

13 minutes ago, astera said:

Do some restaurants get so busy with reservations that if you don't book ahead or right after boarding then you'll never get in?

Yes. 

11 minutes ago, amurray88 said:

I think your feelings are misplaced. We have been on one cruise with a baby, where he was allowed in the same pool as everyone else and no-one.... No-one had an issue with it.

Ships that allow diapers have a different sanitization setup than ships that don't allow diapers. It isn't simply a rule that cruise lines can go any way that they want with. 

If you are on a ship that allows diapers in that area, go right ahead. 

If you are on a ship that doesn't allow diapers in that area, don't put the diapers in that area. 

I would eliminate Divina since the Yacht Club restaurant isn't within the Yacht Club enclave.

Seashore/Seascape are practically twins with very minor differences between the two Yacht Clubs.

Seaside Yacht Club is close to the EVO ships (Seashore/Seascape) but is a bit smaller. It does have fewer people in the Yacht Club, though. The Seaside Yacht Club pool does not have a shallow side while the EVO ships do. 

Meraviglia Yacht Club was very nice but I prefer the Sea*** ships. There's more shade on the Meraviglia sundeck thanks to the partial coverage from the glass panels. There's also no shallow end of the pool.

Food/beverage service is great for all but a shorter walking distance for the Sea**** ships. There are also more cabanas/pergolas on the Sea**** ships. They can either be rented or first come/first serve depending on ship. Meraviglia only has 3 cabanas but 2 of them are reserved for the Royal Suites. The 3rd one  can be reserved.

Getting to the sundeck is easy. There is a dedicated elevator (inside of the Yacht Club) that will take you to the lounge, restaurant, or sundeck if your stateroom is on a different deck.

After being on all of the classes that you've listed (other than Divina), I put the EVO ships tied for first, Seaside class third, and Meraviglia class fourth. I haven't sailed on a Meraviglia Plus ship since they aren't in Florida. I prefer the TSL/restaurant setup on the Sea****  ships over Meraviglia. It's brighter/more open on the newer ships.

I'm booked on World America for next year but I don't know if you plan to sail before or after it arrives. That could also be an option for you.

1 hour ago, amurray88 said:

I think you have me down as some sort of bad cruiser.

I've made no such claim. 

1 hour ago, amurray88 said:

I've been on 15-20 cruises and never had an issue.

Your post was related to a health and safety issue. If a cruise ship is inspected and gets a poor grade (like Seaside did), I wouldn't expect MSC's response to be "...well, ...nobody has gotten sick in the past 15-20 cruises...". I'd expect MSC's response to be to correct the issue ASAP. 

It's one thing to not know the rule (many don't).

It's one thing to not know why the rule is in place (many don't).

It's a completely different thing to know the rule, know why the rule is in place, know the potential health risk of breaking the rule and figuring "...well...nobody has gotten sick in the past 15-20 cruises...so I'll do it anyway..."

1 hour ago, rikitikitavii said:

Just remember, if there is an “accident”, it ruins everyone’s vacation until the pool can be reopened!

Not only that, the pool cannot be reopened while the ship is in port. The ship would need to be something like 12 miles out before new water from the ocean can be added, inspected, etc. 

1 hour ago, amurray88 said:

My question was relating to if what is said on the website is played out on reality.

The reality is that people shouldn't do it. 

What you seem to be asking is that if someone does it, are they likely to get away with it. 

To that question, the answer depends on who is working that day, how many guests complain, etc. 

With a great amount of certainty, if there is an "accident" and the pool is closed for an extended period of time, none of the cruisers who were inconvenienced will think that it's "no big deal". None of the cruisers who get sick from fecal bacteria will think that it's "no big deal". 

It is impossible to have a germ-free, virus-free, bacteria-free cruise. However, that doesn't give guests a free pass to break rules that are in place for the safety of guests. 

26 minutes ago, amurray88 said:

I was asking how rules are enforced - at the end of the day, if there is a rule and it's not enforced at all then it's not worth the paper it's written on surely

Keep that same energy when someone puts their bare hands on food in the buffet then puts the food back.

If the health of guests is less important than putting a diapered child in a pool where diapers are prohibited, go for it. 🙄

19 minutes ago, amurray88 said:

I have no intention of jeopardising anyone's health.

Diapers in a water area where diapers aren't allowed does jeopardize the health of other guests. 

20 minutes ago, amurray88 said:

There is also a line between what is strictly written and what is widely accepted.

This seems like you are asking about how strongly it is enforced. That can vary from one cruise to the next so it is impossible to predict. 

21 minutes ago, amurray88 said:

I was just wondering where that line was.

The line is a "no, not allowed" unless specified.

Certain P&O ships do allow in certain areas. MSC does not. 

22 minutes ago, amurray88 said:

On P&O they stipulate dress code and yet let people away with not strictly following it to the letter.

A dress code isn't usually a health issue. The fecal matter in swim areas is a health issue. 

24 minutes ago, amurray88 said:

On MSC they stipulate only smoking in designated areas and yet did not enforce it.

If enough people report it (photos help), it has a better chance of being enforced. 

Even in the splash area, diapers/nappies aren't allowed.

Very few ships (some Disney, RCCL, for ex.) have designed areas where babies in diapers are allowed.

Do people break the rules and jeopardize the health of other guests? Yes.

10 minutes ago, JUSRN said:

Is that correct?

I thought you had to be in yacht club to utilize the yacht club deck, pool, bar and buffet.

If the OP is a Yacht Club guest, the OP gets access to both areas.

If the OP is an Aurea guest, the OP does not get access to the Yacht Club areas.

You can go from Yacht Club sundeck to Aurea sundeck or from Aurea sundeck to Yacht Club sundeck. Your wristband/card will unlock the locked doors. 

4 minutes ago, krazy4kruisin said:

Do you tip with cash?

You can. It's easiest that way.

4 minutes ago, krazy4kruisin said:

Do you travel with cash or get it onboard or use the onboard account?

Travel with cash is easiest but the other 2 will work. 

5 minutes ago, krazy4kruisin said:

I do not like the idea of traveling with a large amount of cash in our pockets...

You can use your onboard account for the tips for the butler by going to the customer service desk or to the concierge's desk. You can ask for a receipt and hand it to the butler to show your appreciation. Whether or not the butler will actually get that amount is between the butler and NCL. 

28 minutes ago, ColeThornton said:

 

There were no more after the first one due to a contract dispute with the shipbuilders.

The dispute was related to the changes that, in part, turned Epic into the hideous monstrosity that it is today.

I didn't want to get into how ugly the ship is (inside and out) because certain forum members get irrationally upset whenever anyone does. 😉

Epic isn't the best representation of NCL. It's the only ship like it for a reason. As many as 3 were planned but after the first one....no more. 

My experience with the concierge service was great. He was able to get the specific stateroom that I wanted when the online system was acting up. I've been able to contact him at other times to apply better discounts and to check prices. 

No complaints from me. 

Are you sure that it was a concierge or was it a typical phone rep?

4 hours ago, KayEmPee said:

I'm going to sound very anal about this but legally speaking they make a big thing of READ EVERYTHING and  READ THESE REGULATIONS  so I read it.   And found a discrepancy.

If looking at it that way, abide by the lower weight limit. In that way, you cannot be out of compliance. 

However, as many have pointed out, NCL doesn't actually weight anything and even if they did, what proof would NCL have that their scales are (or have been recently) properly and accurately calibrated? 20 kilos,  22.7 kilos, or 23 kilos isn't worth thinking about. 

4 hours ago, KayEmPee said:

It's not the amount - it's the principle of being asked to verify in T&C that I'm going to bring a lesser amount that they have previously advised me in the FAQs. 

FAQs and the answers given don't hold the same weight (pun) as terms & conditions. Follow what you sign/agree to and you'll be fine. 

33 minutes ago, david_sobe said:

So they will build an owners suite on deck 15 nowhere near the Haven?

No, what is being added is a set of standard balcony staterooms on the port side on deck 15. The OP is correct that they can be booked now and the numbers are lower towards the front (15108, 15110, etc.).

11 hours ago, YVRteacher said:

Oh no! This is not good news.

 

Well, maybe it’s good news for rich people who book the Haven.

I don't see it as good news for Haven guests. It's probably more of a feeling of indifference. 

2 hours ago, hinote88 said:

Looking to put 2 on that couch if they will fit. 

I don't think that will happen.

If it can't be 2+3+1 for whatever reason, the mattress in the Pullman bed (in the ceiling of the smaller bedroom) can be removed and placed on the floor in the living room. It's not ideal but the steward will make it a "bed" in the evening and put it away in the morning.

20 hours ago, hinote88 said:

We're hoping that the sofa in the living room can sleep 2 but not optimistic that it was changed in the recent dry dock.

How many are staying in the suite?

Are you trying for 2 in master bedroom, 2 in second bedroom, and 2 in living room?

24 minutes ago, dacf said:

What is it like on NCL?  Are you waiting to be seated 10 min, 20 min or 30? or do you need to make reservations each night?

The wait depends on how busy it is, how many people are waiting before you, and if you have a reservation or not. It needed, head to the nearest bar until your table is ready. 

Sometimes, there is no wait at all. 

You can make reservations months in advance just to make sure that you have a spot. 

2 minutes ago, FamilyCruiserUK said:

So over all, OASIS beats WE, if we look at same kinda class of ship. However some parts of WE are much better

Thanks for the review.

I have World America booked for 2025 so a lot  of the World Europa info will carry over. Some things will be different, obviously.

Since so many things have changed (improved?) from the first Oasis class ship to the last, it will be interesting to see how MSC changes (improves?) from the first World Class ship to the last.

17 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

Carnival provides a bit more rationale behind drug prohibition:

 

Carnival recognizes that some states in the U.S. have legalized the use of recreational and/or medical marijuana. However, cruise lines are required to follow U.S. federal law, which strictly prohibits possession and use of marijuana and other illegal substances. Consequently, marijuana, including marijuana for medical purposes is not allowed on board. Under U.S. federal law, all cruise terminals in the U.S. are federal facilities and, along with our ships, are drug-free zones. Customs and law enforcement authorities in U.S. homeports and foreign destinations are present and have the right to conduct routine and random inspections with the assistance of narcotics-sniffing dogs.

MSC also has...

"Marijuana possession or use, including medical marijuana, is strictly prohibited on board, on shore excursions and at private destinations."

It depends on when you book. If you book early when both are available, you can get a livable price.

1 hour ago, PATRLR said:

I don't think I'd ever seen/heard the Pitbull ad but I'd definitely seen the Queen ad.  I must not be part of the demographic the Pitbull ad was targeting.  

The Pitbull commercial is from when Escape first went into service.