Heartgrove

Could it be that the Norwegian government may be implementing pollution restrictions on a gradual basis? The MSC Euribia is a sistership to the MSC Virtuosa but is a "cleaner" ship burning LNG on its sailings. That could possibly be interpreted as "port congestion."

We did the MSC Rome on Your Own this past October while aboard the MSC Splendida. This was just bus transportation from Civiitavecchia to Rome and return as we had been to Rome twice before. The dropoff/pickup point was by Circus Maximus which is also where the Hop-On Hop-Off bus has a stop. It is only about 1 km from the Colosseum. Very convenient for the end of the day before the bus ride back to the ship there is a small bar/bistro at the intersection of Via del Circo Massimo and Via S. de Gregorio. Last chance for the use of the facilities as well.

I have never sailed with a Guarantee but I read somewhere (may have been another cruise line though) that if you go into your docs it may show the Stateroom number on the baggage tag. Worth a try.

Just sailed from Civitavecchia on May 3 and is currently moored in Palma Mallorca. Yes, it is back in service.

We have enjoyed sailing on both ships twice and would choose the itinerary first with regards to these two ships. The Nieuw Statendam (NSDM) has 286 more cabins for approximately 560+ more passengers than the Nieuw Amsterdam (NADM). Where we noticed the diffeence was at a port that required tendering in that we stood in line longer than what we were accustomed to waiting. No other issues with regards to capacity though. You do mention that there will be 8 of you traveling. I haven't counted them exactly but I believe that the Nieuw Statendam has more connecting rooms to choose from than the Nieuw Amsterdam if that is important to you. - Jack

Looking at the stack it appears the mains for propulsion weren't running. It seems like only exhaust for one generator.

We did an 18-day Circle Cruise to Hawaii in 2018 on the Eurodam over Thanksgiving. Really no increase in children but quite a few 4* and 5* passengers. The downside was we were in Lahaina on Thanksgiving and just about everything was closed for the day. We took the local bus to Kahului and the Queen Ka'ahumanu Center shopping center where only the Starbucks was open.

If you walk to the ferry terminal near the cruise ship pier, there is a european version of a convenience store. They sell a day pass for the bus and tram system. The 1 and 3 tram routes will take you to the Kadriorg Palace. It is well worth visiting

Thank you Eva!

Thank you Sandi, thank you Rich, thank you Debbie, thank you Vanessa, thank you Ann, and thank you Dixie for all your work. And thank you everyone for being here! A rainy day today and the same predicted for Sunday. Lily's mom ☺️ (my younger daughter) called to see if they could borrow my Outback Saturday. They bought an easy chair from Habitat for Humanity and need to bring it home. I love having them nearby. Just what father's are for! We will be calling at Kirkwall this September on our MSC cruise. Looking forward to it. Stay Safe, and Have a Great Weekend! - Jack

During COVID we changed cruises three times for the Sunshine, changed again and finally cruised on the Legend in January paying the $50pp change fee. We were also booked on the Legend for the August Greenland cruise but decided after the January cruise that we didn't want eight sea days at the start (longer than most Transatlantics!) followed by the first two ports with no excursions available on the Legend. Paid $50pp to instead cruise on the Venezia in November.

Why isn't anything put on the tour company for the OP missing the tour? It was a small group and the tour company knew that the ship would not be cleared until 8:00. Did they attempt to communicate with the OP when he didn't show for the tour? When he received their email did he respond back with what MSC told him?

Spring Break on a 4-night cruise? Either ship will be a "party ship" for those cruises although the MSC Seashore will probably be able to absorb the crowd better. A YC Interior on the Seashore (YC is not available on MSC Magnifica) would separate you better from the crowd.

MSC use to allow that on their website but eliminated the ability just over a year ago. We have two connecting rooms on a cruise aboard the MSC Preziosa in September. They are two seperate reservations but are linked electronically in the booking. DSIL is traveling with us so I have the one room and DW has the other. We are both Gold working our way to Diamond status as that way we will each receive Voyager Club points.

I'll be curious as to how MSC fills the MSC Meriviglia sea days for activities.

Yes, contact MSC with your booking number to get the discount. It is 5% for Loyalty and an additional 5% from that amount, not a straight 10%. Also tax and port fees are not discounted so would be added after the discount amount. Also for the points accrued from onboard spending, only the passenger paying the bill receives those points.

I believe it is the coral reef around the island that prevents having a channel dredged and a pier erected. The ships equipped with dynamic positioning use that system instead of anchoring to get closer to the island.

Last year on our MSC YC cruise, we mentioned to the concierge the night before we disembarked in Genoa that we were taking the train to Venice. He arranged to have our butler provide a lunch snack for us similar to an excursion lunch sack. It was very thoughtful of them.

Thank you Sandi, thank you Debbie, thank you Vanessa, thank you Ann, and thank you Dixie for all your work. And thank you everyone for being here! Stay Safe! - Jack

They may not give you the Status Match until you have a confirmed booking. But once they do, you will receive the 5% discount by contacting MSC. Also if you book as you say you are going to do, it is in the 6 to 9 month period for which MSC will give you an additional 5% off the didcounted fare. It is not a 10% discount but -5% plus an additional -5%.

Thank you Sandi, thank you Debbie, thank you Vanessa, thank you Ann, and thank you Dixie for all your work. And thank you everyone for being here! @Mr. Boston Our condolences to you and the family. Stay Safe! - Jack

Thank you Sandi, thank you Debbie, thank you Vanessa, thank you Ann, and thank you Dixie for all your work. And thank you everyone for being here! Stay Safe! - Jack

If you do a search on the CC forum for soot on aft cabin decks you will find quite a few threads. I can personally recall being on the Nieuw Statendam in 2019 when the Engineering Dpartment needed to run the emergency generator on Deck 11. The soot was so bad that the captain later came on the PA/Tannoy to appologize to those onboard.

We were on the Oosterdam last November for the WB Transatlantic. We had sailed with Captain Kevin Biernaert when he was the Staff Captain on the Nieuw Statendam. As previously stated, he is VERY proud to be in command of the Oosterdam. And that translates to a very, very good crew. It was one of the best we have had on HAL! Just prior to the Transatlantic, we had sailed on the MSC Splendida in Yacht Club sailing in the Tyrrhenian and Ionian Seas. It is only six years younger than the Oosterdam (2002 vs. 2008) but made a nicer impression if you are looking for appealing but not over the top finish. It convinced us to sail in 2023 and 2024 aboard a sister ship. That said, the Oosterdam does feel like comfortable shoe in very good condition and I would not stop to think about sailing on her again.

I am curious about the orange striping. Did you apply it? Just what I am looking for. - Jack