Cruising_Gals

Interesting, thanks for the input.

Hello all.

This is weird, there isn't a roll call for the Divina for these dates, only before and after.  Am I missing something?

Hello!  My wife and I are going on this cruise, any other G&L joining us?

4 hours ago, jkgourmet said:

Many years ago, I dated the First Officer for Princess.  Over that 1.5 years, 'Pillow talk, of course occurred. 

 

I suspect very strongly that What he explained to me then is still accurate:  Staff members at ALL levels are ordered not to disclose the financial details of their contacts.  Consequences to staff who didn't follow that rule ranged from probation, demotion and possibly not getting another contract.

 

Frankly, I think it's rude to discuss personal financial details with anyone, most especially a stranger.  With VERY rare exceptions, as close as you all think you are to a crew member at best you're an aquatance to them.  Most passengers are regarded as simply nice people.  Some passengers are regarded as a PITA (and yes, they do talk between themselves.)

 

Sorry folks, we're not special.  We're one of 5000+ passengers on a ship for a week for crew to deal with.  And next week, there's another 5000.

Well said. 

This is actually one of the weirder threads I have been on; not wanting to give the corps more money is one thing, but to devote so much time...interesting, I keep coming back.   I never thought about it until you mentioned it, but yes it is rude to talk to people/strangers about finances, I certainly would feel uncomfortable if they asked me.  Why would it be Ok to ask them?  Because they are serving you?  You wouldn't ask a stranger at a party so it may be that you feel they don't qualify for that privacy/respect.  Not saying you actively feel that way but that does not negate the fact that seems to be what you are doing under the guise of being "helpful" to someone you feel needs your help or commiseration, ie, lesser. 

Yes, it sucks they make so little but face it, that's because we want to pay so little and cruise lines want to be competitive, otherwise everyone would only go on the cruises that already include DSC in the total, which more seem to be moving to because of this issue/controversy/bad publicity.

Spirit is a crappy airline but they are increasing their base because people will fly it for the price in spite of that.  I doubt their staff get paid as well, but people want jobs and they will always have staffing.  Crews join the ships because it is the best thing for them at that time, I doubt the ships will lack for staffing.

3 hours ago, frank808 said:

I pay the DSC and tip extra to those who have given great service to me.  Works for me and makes sure those that are behind the scenes get theirs.

Sounds right to me.  Spending too much time obsessing about the cut won't change anything, and if they all get something for giving me service to provide me with a great cruise experience, that's great, and the extra is for personal service.

If anyone is leery about it and decides to cancel the DSC, how does that help the staff that cleans the toilets you use by the pool?  Are you going to track them down and give them a personal tip to ensure they get one to supplement their pay?  Or the staff in the laundry that provide you with fresh towels?  Giving them zero is worse than IF the corporation takes a cut.

1 hour ago, KennyFla said:

Great information.  Thank you

So I will keep the DSC added to my account and tip our cabin steward and waiter extra.  Is it bad etiquette to tip the waiter at the beginning of the cruise?  My wife is gluten free, that will require an extra effort on his /her part.

 

Absolutely, my wife had a stroke and I ask them to cut up her food in advance so it is not an issue when it comes out at the table, I advise them at the start of the trip and tip them accordingly.

6 hours ago, slotmomma3 said:

Is it really Oceanfront, or is is a walk to the water past rows of loungers of other passengers?

Cabanas are structures, doubt they will ever set them up right at the ocean's edge so that other loungers - which are movable - wouldn't be there.  Unusual weather, high tides, etc. you can move loungers and umbrellas, not cabanas.  It would not be cost effective for them to do that with semi-permanent structures on a routine basis. 

I imagine the cabana is to give you a feeling of luxe beach time, you don't have to carry around the umbrella or be too close to other passengers and maybe have a little exclusivity.  I rather carry around the umbrella (my plan) since there are 8 beaches to go to throughout the day, for eating, drinking and snorkeling, and the cabana is a single beach buy.  If I spend an hour or two at the lighthouse then my cabana is just sitting there paid for but empty. 

I may get one one on later trips if I decide to just sit there and relax because I have already seen the island.  My two cents.

On 2/13/2020 at 11:21 PM, neptuno said:

Seaside was designed for warm weather cruising, so there are more outdoor spaces to sit in than on other ships.  This is wonderful in the Caribbean.  When we sailed (twice) the music and dancing was great!  The food in the MDR had been cut back, no longer can you see a seven course menu, but got for it, order three appetizers. The "Easy Package" works OK, but if you are on a freebee account, go for the upgrade.  We were happy with the "Easy", and loved to dance late to latin ritmo.

So glad to hear it!  We get Easy Package with Aurea Suite, should be good enough, we don't drink that much.  Happy to hear about the music and dancing, that's more important, good times with the family.  Thanks for the input.

There will be five of us, I got 2 umbrellas, should I get a third to ensure shade?  How big are they?

On 2/13/2020 at 8:23 PM, camofwilliamsburg said:

Usually bar bills include a percentage tip. They are not included in daily service charges.... it is head waiter, maitre de, waiter, assistant waiter, cabin steward and his assistants  which include the laundry people.  
 

Correct.  This from MSC website:  "Onboard bar purchases will incur a 15% bar service charge, automatically added to your final bill."  Now, if you buy a drinks package onboard, they add the service charge, if you pre-book, the "discount" is not getting charged 15% service charge.  So you get a discounted price, just as with the pre-booking of internet, excursions, internet, etc.  Not sure if this then means the bar staff don't get a tip, that's what it sounds like, otherwise they would just say discounted 15%, right?  Sigh...

34 minutes ago, camofwilliamsburg said:

Bar staff are not included in the daily service charge. Tipping bar staff is customary and added to bills. If you have a package, tip a dollar and they do remember you. If you are trying to figure out what to give people then just leave the automatic ones in place , then you do not need to worry. Its done for you.

Huh, thanks, did not realize bar staff not included.  Usually $1/drink is standard, so I'll go with that, thanks for the info.

3 hours ago, Toofarfromthesea said:

 

Don't believe everything you read on the internet.  There is virtually 0 chance that what you've read is correct.

From https://www.msccruisesusa.com/en-us/Manage-Your-Booking/General-Information.aspx

"During your cruise, you will meet staff throughout the ship who provide you with excellent service... For your convenience, MSC Cruises will automatically add a daily Hotel Service Charge to your shipboard account, based on your chosen itinerary and the number of days for which the services are actually provided...The Hotel Service charge serves to ensure we maintain the highest quality standards of service to our guests. The daily amounts below have been calculated with this in mind and cannot be modified. However, should you wish to remove any of the daily Hotel Service Charge in the unlikely event that you do not receive satisfactory service, you may do so by contacting the Guest Relations Manager onboard.

Tips: MSC Cruises does not recommend tipping individual members of staff."

To me this means they are giving staff the tips, as they talk about staff providing excellent service, and DSC is for number of days services provided.  You can remove them if you feel you didn't receive good services- but you can't modify them like on other lines.  There is a longer statement at the link which confirms to me that it is a pool thing since they talk about staff that support other staff, for instance the steward changes your linens and towels that someone else washed, or the bartender pours drinks supplied by a person that stocks the bar, etc.

So it all depends on whether you feel you want to only tip those you see that you feel directly provided you good service (the traditional meaning of giving tips for service, I agree) or if you feel the entire machine should be "tipped."  For me I rather just leave it at the DSC because it's a pain to individually tip, I just want to enjoy my time and only carry my wristband.  Additionally, many people do not tip at all so I feel this is my way to help the machine get some tips.

Hello anyone.

Jut thought I'd reach out again, see if there are any friends or couples who might want to meet onboard.  We'll be at the M&G.

Nope, did not know, from the posts it seemed like it was something extra done that you couldn't get onboard, thanks for the info.

On 1/10/2020 at 5:19 AM, CruisingFox27 said:

Since Italian night became Mediterranean night, there is far less emphasis on it. I've just reviewed our daily planners from our Seaside sailing and there is no mention of it. Elegant night and White night are listed as are the Country & Western , 70's and Tropical parties. Our Elegant nights were Sunday and Thursday, White was Tuesday. It won't be those evenings and it wasn't the Saturday for us either.

Thanks for the info, did not know they had a C&W night.  That would be nice, hope they have it on our March Seaside sailing.

On 1/18/2020 at 6:45 PM, jdvmd said:

Best value! I had several and they were very good.

Thanks, happy to hear about the OC Island Tea, will make a nice change after 6 days of the same drinks onboard, where I plan on two shots plus a Coco Colada.  Is there an issue with getting the two shots and then the Colada?  Is there a wait time between drinks?

On 1/18/2020 at 7:31 PM, jdvmd said:

I have only seen the Miami Global Entry lane open one time in the seven years.

That's disappointing, I just got approved Monday and planned to use it this trip.  I'm flying to Jamaica in July and wanted it for that flight but decided to get it early to use this trip, bummer.  Maybe I'll get lucky...

Thanks all, good to know.  I wondered as I live in Florida and Caribbean sailings do not really enforce dress codes other than Formal night which is nice because you just go onboard with a roller bag and relax for your vacay.  Relaxed, Island style.  First time on MSC and wondered about the dining and had planned on dressing, glad to know the extra togs won't be wasted.

When we go Med we always dress because of the areas/sites you go to, a lot of churches, museums, etc. 

31 minutes ago, shipgeeks said:

We have found MSC roll calls very inactive, too.  I'm sure the reason is that English-speaking passengers on any MSC cruise are a small minority.  

However, even if no useful information is exchanged ahead of the cruise, the Meet & Greet (separate signup) is still very worthwhile.  

That makes sense except that Seaside is supposed to be an USA specific cruise, I'm expecting there will be more US than Euro but maybe I'm wrong...still disappointed in my roll call, eight pages but they only talk to each other.

9 minutes ago, MJC said:

The umbrellas came in a pouch with a carry strap, so I suppose you could just take it with you to another beach if you wanted to move. The umbrellas have two pieces that you put together and then fit into stands that are already on the beach.

Awesome, thanks for the info!!  

Does Seaside also embark early does anyone know?  They say 1pm but I would like to board ASAP.  I have Aurea I know they get a shorter line, do they embark earlier, too?

Excellent, I am cruising out of Miami on March 28 and the phone rep told me Bacardi Gold was included in my Aurea  Easy package.  Glad to know that is correct.

On 1/25/2020 at 11:39 AM, MJC said:

On our OC day we headed to Paradise Sands beach where none of the cabanas were rented. We saw very few cabanas in use at Sunset Beach as well. The lagoon beach had the most in use. We didn't visit the family cove,  YC, or Bimini. We heard later that the family cove had been closed due to a shark sighting. 

 

Our small group rented umbrellas and made our own little shade enclave, which we were very satisfied with.

Since there are five of us we considered renting a cabana if the rental transferred from beach to beach, which is does not ( I asked), understandably, but that would be a selling point, otherwise not worth the money to me.  We want to get around to the different beaches so it makes no sense to get a cabana if we leave it and then spend 4 or 5 hours somewhere else at another beach or two.  We got the umbrellas, glad to hear about the "shade enclave."  I assume you have to rent umbrellas at the other beaches but at $12 a pop makes more sense.

On 1/6/2020 at 2:22 PM, jkgourmet said:

 

LOL!  I thought I heard they gave away cocktails during the M&G - at 10am??????  Okay, a bloody mary please.  (oh, wait - that's not on the Easy Program. )  🙂

Yay, 10am!  I'm on vacation, not too worried about day drinking, not like it's something you do every day.  Mimosas, maybe? 

This would be my first one, I'm a newbie and haven't cruised much or regularly, hoping to change that.  However, I was disappointed with my roll call Seaside, March 28.  Mostly a couple of families trying to get their kids together to interact, nothing wrong with that, but I asked a few questions and none were answered, no reply at all.  Weird, new posters were welcomed when they joined but my post was ignored.  I posted a question a second time just to see if the first one was missed but no response.  Seemed to be a thread started by a couple of families that were getting together with other past cruisers/friends and if you weren't part of the group...disappointing.  Maybe that's why these roll calls aren't used if they have just become a way for certain groups/friends just to talk to each other and make plans.  I have gotten more useful info skimming through other posts like this one.  Hopefully the M&G will be better, 30 are signed up so far.

What are the other forums?  After reading the above I did a Google search but the first three did not seem useful.

Used the online system, after a week I called them today.  They needed to update our names, otherwise I only got Classic for Marriott Gold, and my DW got Silver for Marriott Platinum.  Updated the spreadsheet.

Luckily unlike some others I connected with someone who helped me quickly and efficiently, completing the process with no fuss.  Bummed about the match, tho, but I am grateful they do this, especially with hotels.