PammyMouse

I also did Dawn last year for 7 days. I agree with others that Los Lobos was the best food, but we also did Teppanyaki, La Cucina, and Le Bistro and had good meals. The Cellars was a great spot to relax with a glass of wine and a book. PM

I had no issues running in the morning (7am) on the Mera track - there are separate walk and run paths. It is better than a treadmill to me, but if the ship is rocking I find it difficult to do much more than power walk. PM

I figured that it was probably due to my inexperience and lack of assertiveness. I agree with your assessment, too. I'm never going to find a "perfect" cruise line, and I am willing to stay flexible.

Background - I’ve been a loyal NCL cruiser, the last with NCL Dawn in the Baltics this past summer. We’ve sailed in Suites or Jewel-Class mini-Havens for the last three family cruises. I also did a suite solo on Princess in January 2022. I prefer suites if we can manage it due to preferred boarding, priority, space, etc. I booked Meravigia because of the very attractive solo rates in the YC. I had wanted to try this line to see if it would work for our family. We are only three, DH, DD (10), and myself. What also appealed was the European feel, since I lived abroad for 16 years in Germany and France. Flew out Jan 21 from ORD, stayed at a MCO airport hotel - Courtyard by Marriot. Booked transfers through a private company. No real issues with my flight, hotel, or my transfers. Transfer company was running a little late but I heard there were issues disembarking Mera before us, so it wasn’t their fault. I chose the transfer company (Cruise Control) because of the hotel pick up – they were communicative and friendly. Boarding was fairly smooth. I found the YC tent, went up to YC check-in and then sat in the holding area for a bit. There were a few false starts on the boarding, but I was in the YC Top Sail Lounge before lunch. The cabin wasn’t ready but I got a nice lunch, then went back to the lounge until it was ready. My luggage arrived quickly (earlier than NCL). One thing I thought is that MSC should update the website with the current services for YC. I had expected some Prosecco in the room, not the case. I did get some fruit and wine on the third day. Chocolate covered strawberries on the elegant night. There was nice chocolate each day before bed. On departure they gave us some macaroons. I liked the food\and the variety. Maybe because I’m not really a meat eater – I don’t totally avoid it, but large portions aren’t for me, so this is mostly a pescatarian’s/vegetarian’s view. There were a few misses, some dumplings were dry on the first day, but all tasted pretty good. I liked that the menus for lunch and dinner changed each day. Some items appeared again, but it was good to have the variety. They do get a little funny about your habits – I decided for no coffee one evening and they brought it after I was gone, also I do like French rose, but after I had it a couple of times, and wanted something else, so it got a little weird. Entertainment – I went to all but one of the evening shows in the main theatre. I also went to the paid show “Rock Circus” and wasn’t terribly impressed. I thought the best main theatre performance was the last one, “Journeys”, and the main theatre had the best performers. The crew show was fun. Cabin – I Had a deluxe suite, basically a large balcony cabin. It was comfortable, the climate control good. Hanging space was a bit limited, but enough for me. If I were to share it with my family, storage might be tight, but we could use the drawers for DD. There are drawers by the beds and desk/mini-bar area. I don’t know if they will bring extra hangers, but I filled all of mine – and I travel carry-on only. Other venues – I liked the promenade area, especially the pub downstairs (my main source of IPA), the tables just outside of the pub looked down on the main shopping/restaurant area, and they did a few spontaneous show things a la Royal Caribbean. I also had good service in the Champagne bar, which was mostly quiet in the evenings. From what I observed, the main pool deck seemed a little overrun. I’m not sure I would want to spend much time there. I liked the jogging track area and the gym was usually quiet when I went in the afternoon to use the treadmill, even on a particularly rainy afternoon in Cozumel. Some of my issues were my own fault – the wine by the glass at dinner for example. I wish they had a list of what was on offer by the glass, but I could have been more proactive and asked what reds or whites they had. Ports – Nassau: I did a private walking tour, at first fun, then felt like a sales pitch. Ocean Cay: walked around a lot, had lunch at Ocean House, did the light house climb which was nice. They were cleaning up Ocean House when I came back and wanted a drink, so I headed back out to a bar by the marina. That was a nice find, sitting by the water sipping Coronas. 😊 Belize City: I did a ship tour to Alta Ha. It was 2 hours driving back and forth and a bit of walking around. It was nice to see but terribly muggy and hot. It was also 10:30-2:30 which meant I was starving – no lunch. I raided the snacks in the lounge when I got back. Cozumel: I did the biking and taco tour. We made it through 2 stops and it was called because of the rain that was pouring down. Even though it was cut short, that was my favorite tour, the food was good and the guide gregarious. I've had a few weeks to mull it over, but I would go again. I thought the food was good. I don’t expect gourmet food, but I had some nice dishes that I rarely get anymore (I was naughty and had foie gras). It was good to think about it a bit, as I had to put some prejudices aside, especially since the last cruise I had NCL’s Premium Plus package which meant Brunello and Veuve on repeat. The YC was very relaxing, loved the pool area, the excellent coffee in the YC. One thing which I didn't totally get though, the lounge sometimes had bowls of raisins as a snack. I like them, but that seems like an odd choice, and well, too many raisins are not a good thing. I have one question if anyone can answer – what was the brand of the magnifying mirror in the YC bathroom? It was one of the best ones I’ve used. I’m getting to that point in my life where I need it! 😄 Have a great weekend and Happy Cruising, PM

Just browse, but I was able to make a WhatsApp call last week on Mera. PM

No worries, and every cruise line has their own way of doing things (I'm also a bit of a worry-wort and dig into everything I can to understand the processes). There is an MSC app, on my iPhone it is MSC for Me. I can see my current cruise and embarkation time in my profile. The cruise ticket was available for me after I completed Web Check In (see attached), I have been getting updated(?) copies from my travel agent. The boarding pass is also available on the same page. Today they are all consistent at 12:00, butt that took a bit. I'm not sure I can change my Orlando-Port transportation, but I will e-mail the company. Cheers, PM

It is strange. The first time I got my cruise ticket (the long version) it said 10:30, so did the MSC for Me. Recently the cruise ticket says 12:00 and the boarding pass I get online still says 10:30. MSC for me app says 12:00. Can't seem to check it now, but a few days ago this was the case. At any rate, I can sit around with a book, or watch the embarkation show if I am told to wait. PM

Is it the same for YC? I ask because I started with a 10:30 time and now it changed to 12:00. I have already booked my transport from Orlando-Port. I'm happy to wait somewhere with a book though, rather than try and change it. Thanks, PM

Hi, Mine were on my "Ticket" which appears at the end of the Web Check-in (one has to keep clicking "Next" at the bottom of the interface). They should be e-mailed to you but it seems my TA gets them and forwards them to me, so if you don't get them, your TA may if you used one. PM

Good news! I am in 16007, which is further away but I was concerned about noise. PM

I take a trip a year since my husband hunts and goes black-diamond skiing without me. This year I took my first Solo cruise at his suggestion and have another in Jan 23. It is great! Not too much thinking about where to eat, comfy bed and balcony, and I can do as much or as little as I like. PM

This looks good but dangerous...

Try laundry sheets! I started using them at home since they were more eco-friendly and they would be great for longer trips, since they are solids and very compact. I use Earth Breeze but there are others out there. I've done quite a few long (3+ weeks) trips where a lot of bag schlepping is required and having just a carry on and personal item is much easier. PM

Princess has washing machines on a lot of their ships. I did a little over two weeks with a 21" and a personal item. PM 🙂

Nice review, thanks! I am curious about the typical hours of the YC pool and sun deck. Is it possible to use a hot tub in the evening? PM

Thanks! I'm following - I'm a first time MSC and YC solo in January. PM

I have two (lace up) pair. They are comfortable, good support, and fine for my wide forefoot. My canvas ones develop a funny squeak, but the suede don't seem to have that. I still like their look, though. PM

Hi, I am new to MSC and did the status match using my NCL Status. That gave me Gold status. I usually use a travel agent. Will the agent be able apply the 5% reduction for past passengers? I see it on the MSC Website, but not when I check with an agent's website. I will get them on the phone to set up everything anyhow. Thanks for any help, PM

Dawn had the L'Occitane in the suites as well. While returning to my cabin one day I saw the stewards had huge bottles of the products on the carts for refills. We were in a two-bedroom and I actually thought the body lotion was really nice. Contractually speaking, putting something other than the specified brand of product in the bottles would be very bad for NCL. L'Occitane would not want its brand degraded. PM

It was quiet most of the time, though we had only 1300-1400 on our cruise. It may pick up during tasting events. They have the wine menu on iPads, which I assume are kept current.

We were regulars at The Cellars on Dawn. Castello Banfi Brunello was our go to. And Veuve of course.

More stylish comfort shoe options, and prices on brands like Mephisto, Paul Green are usually better in the home country (France, Austria). My husband loves the large number of waterproof shoes. PM

I'm about to travel and sail for 7 days with: Keens - Whisper Running shoes Dressy low-heeled sandals for evening We'll see if I end up buying more 🙂. I like European shoes. PM

Following along, we're on the June 13 Dawn out of Amsterdam. My mother-in-law is using that Hilton Garden Inn on the way back! PM

We used FCC to book a cruise but will have some largish (like 2k) amount left over. Cruising again isn't really an option due to lack of vacation days. NCL's site says we can use this for shore excursions. Do we call NCL to do this or use our TA? We haven't finalized the cruise just yet, but we are just 75 days out. Or has anyone had this remainder refunded? We have been cancelled 3 times before this. I have really tried in good faith to use this, but it is not working out. Thanks, PM