young_ens

We looked at MSC, are considering them sometime in the future. What's your review of their food? I've heard some say it's ok, others love or hate....

WOW! I looked at the "course" and holy $##@, what a joke. Apparently it's called a "ride" the 90 seconds is what they call a drop over the edge of the ship? Unclear what this is... We got off the Carnival Venezia this summer and that ship has an actual ropes course and it's free. Kids has a blast for hours every day, heck even I did. The way RCI is going, I don't think I'll be going back. At least not anytime soon.

I saw a few problems but it was mostly/all from people just turning off their brains when on-board. So many times I'd be in line watching ahead and folks seem bewildered with the buffet: "what do I do?". "Do I like this?" "Hun, what do you think this chicken-looking thing might be? (Sign says Masala Chicken....). Other big problem is people piling up plates like they're building the Empire State building. Get a reasonable plate (less food, faster loading) and move on. If you liked something a lot, go back for seconds (hint, they don't run out of food). I lost count how many times I saw heaping abandoned plates on tables (actually witnessed a family sit with three plates, kid takes 1 bite and says "this ain't no good" and they all left). What a waste..... As for popping in: who cares? Again, lots of food. I'll ask to sneak in and grab a milk/salad. A few times I just went around salad builders because they were the ones holding up the main buffet line. Also, line is too long at 1 buffet section, check other side of that section or go to the other section.

Thought I should add a final entry for anyone who searches this topic. Just got back from our cruise and about a week out we decided to reserve a spot at Pier 81 (North Lobster),. Total cost was 285 for 10 days and spot guaranteed through SpotHero. Took us 10 minutes to walk to Pier 88 with a large suitacase and 2 carry-ons. Car was still there when we got off, no damage and I kept my car keys. Can't guarantee anyone else to have the same experience but also can't see why not..... Pier has security guard and seems to have a gate for overnight. I'll also say when we sailed away, there were about 30 spots still at the port. Had I been able to reserve at MCT, I would have gone there, so a fail by the operator I think....

Have. He said "should be OK". Not super inspiring!

Cruising out of NYC in a few weeks now and have been planning on parking at the pier all along. For whatever reason, they are no longer taking reservations after the 20th of July. My questions to the seasoned folks: Should I expect to get there and have the lot be full/be turned away? Is there a sweet spot time-wise to get there to be sure I have a spot at a secure facility? What is a good (safe) second option folks use? TIA!

@steveknj current plan is a sleep over outside Springfield Massachusetts, then leave around 6-7 am to the pier. Seems to be a 3 hr drive. Seems fine on paper, will be an adventure for sure!

@steveknj Thanks. We will be driving down to the cruise port (from Nova Scotia, think Maine direction). As a local I'm guessing (NJ=Jersey?), any driving advice for a NY noob?

@steveknj We'll be on too. Sniped a room on Monday (someone cancelled I guess), first cruise since 2019. Been a while and we last minute decision to go, ports are OK. Mainly looking forward to getting away and Guy's.