Dave85

1 hour ago, John&LaLa said:

 

Back in the day, the D+ coupon book included 3-5 match play coupons. That was our incentive to get to D+. 😁

 

They quit that promotion before we made it. 😥

Ah man I used to love those match plays!  *sigh* Memories...

I gotta chuckle at all the talk of alcohol in this thread.  I drink, but my favorite part of the DL by far is the espresso machine. The wonderful D concierge on Mariner in December finally showed me how to make a proper Americano... apparently I was doing it wrong for years!

1 hour ago, kcbookworm said:

Could you please tell me more about the disembarkation in Cuba?  What was the holdup?  What time did you setup your tour to begin?  We do not want to book with RC and don't want to be late for our tour!

 

Can’t tell you for sure what the holdup was or whether that level of delay is common, but our tour guide indicated that it’s often slow and people are often late. We tried to leave the ship at 9 for a 10:00 tour, and weren’t out of the terminal until 11:00. Fortunately it was a private tour for just our party, so the (FerTours) guide didn’t mind waiting. She was great.

Thanks for the review!

Just to add some info on the Breakaway: A fun, lively ship with good nightlife, but the standard balconies are TINY (the actual balcony itself, not the room). This also goes for standard mini-suites. Way below industry standard size. I was on Breakaway twice and sprung for an extra large balcony (B6) the second time and didn’t regret it. 

Overall a a little more crowded and less wow factor than the Oasis Class, but still a lot of fun. 

Did this cruise last month. Majesty is dated but in good shape. Layout is choppy and inefficient compared to newer ships, but Majesty felt less crowded, which was nice. Food was subpar compared to other RC cruises.

Visa can be easily purchased through RC at check in and billed to your on board account. Disembarkation in Cuba was HORRIBLE - took us 2 hours ship to street... Allow plenty of time. We used FerTours (private tour) and had an excellent experience. Overall no regrets taking that cruise and I would do the whole thing over again.

Was in a bungalow last month on Cococay and really enjoyed it.  Interesting to hear that they're still on the planner for July... I was looking for a bungalow for my December Symphony cruise and I don't see them there anymore.  Anyone know what the deal is?

To answer OP's question, I didn't notice anyone exceeding the 6 person limit.  The bungalow next door had some visitors for a little while, but they left before too long.

Really enjoying your review.  Thanks for taking the time!

Thank you for the report!  Looking forward to Majesty and Havana over here, and my private tour.   Thanks for confirming that they are the way to go.

Sorry if I'm missing something obvious, but which cruise is the "snowbird migration?" lol

Thanks for the review! Hopefully they can get those elevators fixed soon... that is annoying.

Thoroughly enjoying the show on Periscope... just need to make sure I catch the hilarious late night scopes before you delete them in the morning :')

Thanks for the review! Thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

I've sailed Voyager class a few times since and don't consider them as having one.

 

 

 

It's now just a place where there's music, and lights, just like any other dance floor or lounge venue anywhere else. No atmosphere.

 

 

 

Fine if you're determined to go somewhere to dance, but not an enjoyable place to hang out as it was.

Sorry to hear that. That’s really an oversight, especially with Mariner being placed on these short 3/4 night cruises and intended to appeal to a younger crowd...

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It makes NO sense to have a single purpose area of that size on a ship.

 

It gets used 6 hours per day? And the other 18 hours is wasted space.

You definitely don’t need a single use venue that ONLY serves as a nightclub. However, there are ways to do it that achieves something better than a space where it feels like a total afterthought. I haven’t yet been on a Voyager or Freedom Class ship since they removed the original dance clubs (maybe later this year for both), but I’m having a hard time picturing the VCLs on those ships sufficing for that purpose... I defer to those who have actually sailed with it though.

I don’t mean to just pick on RC. NCL made this mistake on the Escape, which uses the Skyline Lounge; nice casino bar, but a dreadful venue for a club. Looks like they corrected their error on Bliss. Ultimately, I think the Bliss/Harmony/Symphony approach will be the one that sticks with a dual use model where some thought was given to the space serving as a club. I look forward to trying out the concept on those ships in the years to come.

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In my experience crowding is more a function of time of year than anything else. I've sailed the same ship at different times of year and found it more or less crowded, generally depending on whether school is out and how many 3rd and 4th berths are full. I'm looking at Indy for later this year and generally able to cruise when school is in session, so we'll see.

Thank you for the great review! I knew basically nothing about MSC beforehand and have really enjoyed reading it! :cool:

Ate at Bayamo earlier this month and it was well worth the cost. Quality was excellent and everything was prepared perfectly. I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Thanks. I will finish up with Quest, White Party and final thoughts tonight. Appreciate everyone’s patience on this one, but I’m committed to wrapping it up.

Thanks for another great review Rick! I realize I was a little late to the party but was on Escape, then had to Christmas shop... hey, better late than never! Can’t wait for the next one...

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Brookie848,

 

 

 

We were on the Epic 12/9-12/16. When we arrived at Grand Cayman, the Cruise Director advised that we were not tendering in Georgetown, but rather, at Spott's Bay Pier, located east of Georgetown.

 

 

 

Spott's Pier is a small Pier that can only accommodate 2 tender boats at a time (1 on each side). There was a Carnival Ship also tendering, so each cruise line only had one side of the small pier to utilize.

 

 

 

We were told that high winds and rough seas caused the change of venue.

 

 

 

We ended up taking a cab to Georgetown.

 

 

 

FYI

 

 

 

Vinegarjoe

Yes, Escape tendered into Spotts as well on 12/12. Worked out fine! OP thanks for the review! I had a great time as well.

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I think that even with paying just the gratuities, it’s a great freebie to choose! We certainly get our money’s worth! Would I pay $89/day + 20% gratuities for it? No, but just paying the gratuities makes it a real bargain.

 

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Totally agree. I broke even by the end of day 3 on the Escape last week... it was a 7-night cruise. :D

Really gladI booked Bliss as soon as her first scheduled dropped. There isn't ANYTHING as cheap as I paid for my 8 day cruise in a studio next Fall. Looks like solo traveling is getting even more expensive, I guess it is time to find a husband.

LOL I guess that's one solution... :')

I actually just did one last week solo-ish (with a friend but in separate rooms) on Escape, and the prices got almost impossibly cheap within a month or so of sailing... $399+ taxes and fees for a single in a sail away inside, $599+ taxes and fees for a sail away balcony. Almost couldn't believe it, and we were pinching ourselves for not waiting. Definitely some deals to be had close in during low season if you're flexible.

No coincidence that neither NCL nor any other line has replicated that odd bathroom layout LOL. NCL has a split layout in Studio cabins (with a normal enclosed toilet compartment), but that’s just for one person. Love that video though, made me lol.

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Thanks for another great review Chris, and safe trip home. Looking forward to your final thoughts and grades... Looks like yet another rave review for the Escape! I look forward to experiencing her for myself in December.

Bon voyage Chris!!! Hope you're having a blast on your first night.

Apparently, they had some hurricane damages but not too significant, unlike Barbuda, et. al.

 

http://www.thestkittsnevisobserver.com/breaking-news/fw-nevis-premier-reports-minimal-damage-from-hurricane-irma/

Good, glad to hear that.

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