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Lovetocruise2002

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Posts posted by Lovetocruise2002

  1. A great review! We are also on this sailing in the YC. Everything you’ve said...spot on!

     

     

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    Thanks for following! Maybe we'll run into each other at breakfast tomorrow. It will be our first breakfast at the top Sail restaurant as we have slept through all the rest lol.

     

    I’m undercover on here. lol. I am Mindybrite but I haven’t scoped but definitely will on this cruise. I may need some pointers you were really outstanding !

     

    You need pointers? Go see Twangster! Lol. Or I will happily share his knowledge. You know where to find me...rcperiscopers group [emoji6]

     

     

     

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  2. I want to thank you for taking the time Sabrina for your blogs and scopes. You did such a great job that I booked the royal suite on September 22. ( don’t tell Matt ).

    I have never strayed so I am a little

    nervous! Have a safe trip home and am looking forward to your Mariner scopes. I’m going on the 24 so I look forward to your input!

     

    Oh no! What will Matt say?! Lol. It's ok, John said it's ok to try different lines. Who are you on Periscope? I want to make sure I follow you to your scopes. I'll be back in the classroom and in post cruise depression by time you sail. You will love it!

     

     

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  3. Thanks for the Deck 19 sundeck scope! Seems like a nice and quiet space. I assume it’s adult-only? I did, by the way,wait list for YC and the Aurea far aft cabins with wraparound balconies. We’ll see after final pmt day what becomes available.

     

     

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    Good question....I'm assuming so...but cannot confirm

     

     

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  4. thanks for taking all the time to describe the cruise. Interesting that you say you would probably take RCCL over MSC, I am thinking the deciding vote was the entertainment. I was on Oasis in March, first time in a long time and was quite disappointed, but it was regular cabin, non suite. I felt it was main stream, food choices limited , all buffets closed at 9 pm or so, service in general uncaring. I was on YC last November on Divina and look forward to my Fall cruise in YC again

     

     

    Several factors play into it when I would sway towards RCL..if I was with my kids, they would likely prefer the entertainment on RCL over MSC. Cabins also play a role. There is not much cabin variety in YC. Also, while Seaside is a great ship (not a boat), I cannot help but miss venues like the Aqua Theatre and Central Park. But like I said, value wise, this is the clear winner. And given the right situation in the future, I would most definitely not write off a future cruise on MSC again. But if you are one that prefers service over all else, then MSC YC is the place to be.

     

     

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  5. Thanks again for doing review...We are sailing in regular balcony this September with "bella" so much of what you reviewed won't really apply to us (this time!), but still nice to hear about how the people behind the glass doors live! (our cruise is so inexpensive it will be the cheapest cruise we have ever taken...so I don't feel bad about not getting all the perks...but we are black elite and got basic drink package).

     

     

     

    I still can't believe they put "x food might may or may not be served fully cooked". ("can I please have that pork not fully cooked!")

     

     

     

    What time is your flight?

     

     

     

    We haven't booked our flights yet, and trying to decide timing...we always carry off our bags (only each bring a small roller bag and a backpack), and we usually book early flights and are first off the ship. (we made 9:00 flight last year sailing with Celebrity...but we don't check bags and have pre-check...and were still almost an hour early to gate)

     

     

     

    Safe travels home!

     

    Flight is at 12pm. Thanks for following! I tried to scope as many YC areas as I could [emoji4]

     

    Thanks a million Sabrina for the fantastic job you have done with your blog and scopes and we agree the YC experience is second to none and much more affordable. I agree with you that with kids RCL is better than MSC. Enjoy your last day and safe travels home and i will look for your blog in 3 weeks. GREAT JOB !!!!!!!

     

     

    Thanks riclop!! Thank you for following. I'll be sailing Mariner of the Seas next on August 13, but you will have to look for me over on the message boards at Royal Caribbean Blog. That's my home blogging base [emoji6]same Periscope handle though.

     

    Both times for us we left YC around 8:00 or so and it was about 35 to 40 minutes to being in our car in the parking garage. Pretty smooth getting to the bags, but then some waiting in line for customs.

     

     

     

    John

     

    Thanks John! I really need to move to Florida when I retire! I would love to just be able to hop in the car and drive home.

     

    Thank you for the review have really enjoyed reading your comments. We are looking forward to our first cruise on MSC this fall. We have usually cruised carnival and wonder if you could comment on the difference if you have cruised Carnival that is. We will not be in the YC so just the general overview of the regular parts of the ship. Thank you so much.

     

    I have only cruise Carnival once in my whole life, in 2003, I cannot remember much from that cruise other than I never want to cruise Carnival again lol. However, there is a really good blog by Deb Shinder, she is a long time Carnival cruiser. Google "going places with deb" and you will find a really good blog about the Seaside vs Carnival .

     

    Have enjoyed your review and especially the scopes. This will be very helpful to those wondering what YC is all about. Enjoy the last night and safe travels home.

     

    Thank you for following along.

     

    We walked off close to 1015 and it was empty at baggage areas but customs was crazy.

     

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    Oh that's right! They had to drag you off! [emoji12]

     

     

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  6. Answers within your quote:

     

    I loved your post. So much good information. Looks like you had a great time. We cruise in October and your post has intensified our excitement. I do have a few questions. Could you share the route that you took for the walking tour in San Juan.

     

     

     

     

    There was not a set route. We did have a map which I can post after I get home tomorrow. I already deleted it off my phone. Basically, it was recommended by good friends over at Royal Caribbean Blog that we head to El Morro through the city and then walk along the water in the way back to the ship. There is also a tourism agency there where you can pick up maps and get info.

     

    I did see the pictures for the white party and it seemed there were quite a few people enjoying themselves. Do you know what time the party started?

     

     

     

     

    White party started at 10:30pm.

     

    Did you get a chance to see or go to the Gatsby party? Wondering if there were a lot of individuals that "dressed" for the theme. My daughter in law really wants to dress up for this.

     

     

     

     

    No, we did not go the Gatsby party. Couldn't even tell you what night it was on lol.

     

    For whatever reason I can't see the scope of the Aurea sundeck. Do you happen to have pictures that you can share. Would really like to see what that looks like. Could you also tell me where we would find the sundeck?

     

     

     

    Sorry, I only did the scope and I did not take pics. You can probably google and find pics online. Both sundeck are on deck 19.

     

    Thank you so much.

     

     

     

     

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  7. Here is a hint. To get the yc baggage area just walk past all the different colored baggae areas. You will make a right at the end and the hallway goes towards immigration. The yc baggage area is on your left and is the last area before you hit customs. Get ready for the line here.

     

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    We're actually debating if we should just carry all our bags off. We don't have that many bags....is there a huge line at the YC baggage area?

     

     

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  8. "We have had no bad meals, however, I still prefer the food in Coastal Kitchen. I thought that CK was consistently better in presentation and flavours. This would not stop me from booking YC again though."

    Yes! I agree with you.

     

    "If you are looking for where you money goes the furthest, then the answer is clearly here in YC. If you are looking at the overall package, then MSC still might still need to improve a few things to match other lines. We have had zero regrets with this sailing and we have had the most wonderful time. I certainly would not write off the YC in the future. I personally think that if you come on board looking for RCL or Celebrity etc., then you will be disappointed because MSC is not. But if you come on board with an open mind, then you will enjoy your experience. It is an excellent alternative if you are looking for something different."

    My mom and I were just talking about this today. We would go with MSC again for being pampered in the YC but still prefer Royal/Celebrity. :D

     

    Thanks for sharing your experience!

     

    Thanks for following Bellemiche!!

     

     

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  9. I just retired from teaching last month, so we are excited to be cruising this year in mid-Sept when most kids will be back in school--a first for us. Were the kids misbehaving in YC, or just in the public areas outside YC? There were a few kids in YC on Divina last July when we cruised, but they were all well behaved for the most part. It always blows me away how many parents just let their kids run free on a cruise--even elementary aged kids--and the behavior seems to get increasingly worse as the week goes on. You know it's hard for teachers not to say something when we see kids making "bad choices." It's in our DNA! The fact that YC was quiet with no kids running around, jumping in the pool, etc. was one of the big selling points for us when we decided to book our upcoming cruise. If you've seen kids running wild in YC this week, that would be disappointing to hear.

     

    Right on with the "it's in our DNA" comment. I had to try so hard to not say anything throughout the week. The things I saw were within YC as well. It was not quiet at times. Running...check, jumping in pools...check, splashing other guests...check, the list goes on but let's just leave it at that. We still had a great time!

     

     

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  10. 26 pages, 500+ posts and 30+ Periscopes....the only thing you forgot was taking some "me" time. This was the best shared vacation ever! I hope hubby forgives you. GREAT JOB!!!

     

    Thank you for following Skid!! I have once again, throughly enjoyed documenting it. I've had a lot of me time. No worries. And Hubby knows this is all part of the package. 16 years married and 21 years together, he knows what to expect [emoji12]

     

    My family and I agree with all your conclusions. The only one we differ with is coastal kitchen but food is subjective.

     

    How were the kids in yc? The first week it was really quiet. The second week there were a few large family groups with young kids running around and being kids. But there was nothing appalling that happened.

     

    Please share your disembarkation experience. We had a butler escort us to the gangway and then we were left to figure out everything ourselves. I am wondering if they do escort you to yc luggage area and then to customs.

     

    Royal has this down for their suite guests. They escort you to suites luggage area and there is a short customs line for suite guests.

     

    Have a great day and that last meal onboard is a reality check.

     

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    I will not go into specific details because I don't want this to turn into a huge debate, but it was more than just kids running around being kids. I just spoke to the YC concierge before I read this post about disembarkation. From what she told me, it sounds like we will just be escorted to the gangway and we're on our own from there. And yes, RCL has this process down so well. I will definitely report back tomorrow about it.

     

    RCCL has stated in the past that they are against the "ship within a ship" concept BUT there is always a possibility of them changing direction. Celebrity never had the concept until Edge (Celebrity won't call it "ship within a ship", though) and now Celebrity is revamping their existing fleet to incorporate "ship within a ship" concepts such as dedicated suite restaurant, lounge, sundeck, etc. I don't know if all will include exclusive pool/whirlpool but anything is possible.

     

    They are putting a pool on the suites sundeck with Spectrum...time will tell....

     

     

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  11. Some final thoughts as I sit here by the pool, trying to soak up the last day.

     

    This ship is beautiful! If you like mirrors, chrome, and glass, then this is your ship. If you prefer the more rustic or vintage look, then maybe not. The ship is clean. Very clean. There are constantly people wiping and cleaning all over the ship.

     

    There is greater mix of cultures on this ship compare to RCL and DCL ships that we have sailed in the past. The ship sailed full this week. There were tons of children on board, both in the YC and outside of it. Typical of summer sailings. Kids are kids, I get that, I am a teacher and a parent, however, I was appalled by some of the behaviours that I witnessed this week. In talking to other passengers, I was not the only one who shared this thinking.

     

    The service here in the YC cannot be matched by any other line. Both in the lounge and up on Deck 19, there are constantly butlers and servers coming around to check on you, not just for drink orders but to get you food, cutlery, you name it and they will get it. Plates and cups disappear as soon as you push it aside. I did not grow up like this, so part of me felt terrible to be waited on like this.

     

    Food is very subjective. We have had no bad meals, however, I still prefer the food in Coastal Kitchen. I thought that CK was consistently better in presentation and flavours. This would not stop me from booking YC again though. Arthur is by far, the best and most entertaining waiter that I have come across on any cruise!

     

    The "ship within a ship" concept of the YC is genius. You really could just stay here the whole time if you wanted to. RCL needs to step it up to compete with this on a Suites level.

     

    I did not love the shows. They were entertaining but repetitive. I think I would still give RCL the edge on this one, especially the OA class ships.

     

    If you are looking for where you money goes the furthest, then the answer is clearly here in YC. If you are looking at the overall package, then MSC still might still need to improve a few things to match other lines. We have had zero regrets with this sailing and we have had the most wonderful time. I certainly would not write off the YC in the future. I personally think that if you come on board looking for RCL or Celebrity etc., then you will be disappointed because MSC is not. But if you come on board with an open mind, then you will enjoy your experience. It is an excellent alternative if you are looking for something different.

     

     

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  12. Thanks for the Arthur pic. It is not the same Maitr D from the Divina last fall.

     

    In answer to some questions about the shows, the shows need to be universally understood due to the variety of languages passengers understand. Therefore there is seldom a comedian on MSC

     

     

    Pepe is the Maitre D in the pic. And also on this sailing. He is wonderful!

     

     

     

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  13. Just go and see if a cabin is available with the future cruise desk :)

     

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    Lol! I don't think my parents (who are watching my kids) would be too happy with that!

     

    We liked the oasis class lziplines better even though it is way shorter. The oasis ones are faster and "higher" than seaside. Higher meaning height from zipline to the deck underneath you. The seaside one is a nice ride across the pool deck but that walk up is pretty long.

     

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    Yes, hubby's exact words were, "it was anti-climatic."

     

    My son and i really wanted to do it. But the slide with tubes is still fun! Did you ride the double raft with your husband? That slide with the tubes and the brown slide were our favorites. They were way more fun than the zipline.

     

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    We did ride the double raft. That was the one that reminded me of the Aqua Duck on DCL. Hubby tried the other ones in his own. He also said the brown slide was surprisingly good.

     

     

     

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  14. Hubby's thoughts on how the zip line compares to OA class....he thought once was enough and that this zipline here on the Seaside was slightly better than OA class only because it goes further. He did mention though that he encounter the rudest staff member so far at the zipline. All other crew member, both within YC and outside YC, have been awesome!

     

     

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