BoundForSea

I will say that like many things MSC the quality of both YC and Specialty dining can be inconsistent. I will say personally all of my specialty dining on Mera on a few sailings has always been on point. The only complaint I have was the seafood restaurant was good not great. BC always a great meal and sushi tep and Hola are just fantastic. My several YC sailings in the restaurant have however been moree variable in quality. It has gotten more consistent over time but the selection since 2016 is alot less as well. When it comes to Italian food and Mediterranean dishes 100% always. Other dishes can be hit or miss at times. I would try BC and Hola and Sushi if you like those foods. The sushi on the conveyor belt thing was not good when we had it and the Seashore was brand new in 2021.

You're blessed then. Don't lose him. My phone call was to add the 5 percent discount that the system should have added when i booked online to the reservation which was past final payment date because I just booked it inside of final payment. His answer, no discounts can be added after final payment. We went around and around. Finally I gave up. Emailed MSC and it was added in 24 hours. Now he doesn't even answer emails or phone calls. So it must be like butlers. When you have a good one you scored. I wonder if we can request a change in who we are assigned. If you can ask him next time you speak to him let me know if you would. I'm sure they work off commission and would love new very active clients. Thanks 2 wheels. It's what I figured.

As a Titanium member at Marriott I'm offered complimentary upgrades when they have space. Other cruise lines do the same for their loyal members. It wouldn't kill MSC to put a Diamond in a Deluxe. It costs them nothing. It brings back loyal customers and builds brand loyalty. Like so many things MSC they could give a you know what less. It's unfortunate. Now upgarding into YC no. That waters it down. But for diamonds with alot of points like us this only makes sense. If you're butt hurt that someone got upgraded and you didn't and the cruise line does it then sail more. Same with the hotels then give them more business.

Youve got a 50/50 shot on how this new experience has been and the first guess doesnt count. So having been a customer of MSC for Almost 5 years now and a TA I have to say they the weak point in the line is shore side service. So couple months ago got this email and voicemail introducing me to my new Concierge who will be my personal goto rep like NCL and other lines have. Oh great. She sounded lively and kind. I was looking forward to it. Well she never returned any of my calls or emails. Then she was gone. Fast forward to last week. New gentleman and email and VM and called him. Well he answered but was a JERK. Beyond sounding miserable and like I was a massive annoyance before I even got a question off. Well got answers that were dead wrong on changes and then after that never got a return call despite my emails and messages. Curious if anyone else has had this experience or is this like typical MSC inconsistency in product quality- Like how YC Butlers used to be- roll of the dice great or fail. Ofc once on board as always the quality of the experience is leaps and bounds better than the shore side service. YMMV as they say! Going to a new TA. They can have that joy I used to and have had with the shoreside help.

Got it. Perfect thanks Jamie!! As always appreciate your input and opinions.

@JamieLogicalHi Jamie! Hope you guys are well. Hey I'm resurrecting this thread for a Studio Balcony Question. I'm taking my mom again this winter from NY like last year. I got her a regular balcony as a solo. I'm looking at a Studio Balcony like you did. I have two questions based on your experience which I totally respect. 1 - So Mom has a Balcony. It can be shared. Having said that if you had to do it again would you get a regular interior with a bed or do the Studio Balcony again? I do like the aft Balcony and bathroom. 2- if I do take the Studio Balcony would you say packing in a seperate bag a foldable mattress topper or air mattress topper would make the pull out bed noticably more comfortable? Or would that just be a big PIA for like little relief. Any tips or tricks for the room also appreciated. Feel free to message me directly if you'd like as well. Figured I'd ask here first. -C

Disregard. Not sure what happened but they're back up now. They must have been working on the website. Sorry folks. Problem solved. Appreciate it.

Just checked again and they're not there. Infinity Greece (9 and 10 ni) and Equinox Greece and Ascent Greece all October 2025.

Went to book a Med Sailing for next fall and when the option for cruise only and the all inclusive deal came up, the only option is Cruise Only which is odd because there is no other option to choose? Whats the deal (no pun Intended) with this? Do you have to purchase the drinks and wifi ala carte now?

When we went on Mera my mom and I we were Fantastica and after Jamie was so great to post those pics and knowing my mom isn't as social as I, I decided to purchase the specialty dining package. It was 5 nights I think. It was perfect and was the answer for our situation and maybe yours. The price is outstanding compared to like NCL and Celebrity for 5ni of specialty dining added. Anyway maybe this helps someone.

Perfect! Great idea and thx for the quick reply and info!

Okay pretty simple question. Apparently we forgot to make advance reservations for our party of 3 for our anytime dining on the app when they opened them up. Now only 50 days from departure or so seems only times left for all 10 nights are 8:30 and later. We've only sailed Aqua in the past on X and just showed up to Blu, this is first time in Main Dining. So my question is, if you show up at the typical peak times of 5:30 to 7ish on say a sea day, how long is the wait on average, based on your guys' experiences without the reservation? We will wait I'm just curious on average how long to plan for. Thanks

I really hope MAS continues this success and this raised quality of ship and experience. Paradise was a really rough start (let’s be honest) and transition from the Kevin Sheehan Bahamas Paradise Line, however this is a game changer. If MAS can keep the quality and value from slowly dropping, not raise prices and expand the fleet with equally as great returns we could have a driving force finally in the FL short and medium cruise stage length industry to finally stop the madness in uncontrollable price hikes that the big 5 have been pushing down our throats, along with driving the value of the experience down and down. I hope they are successful and will bring some mitigation to the market prices. NCL and RCL can keep their 3k$ prices for 4 night cruises. No thanks. I’m happy for the line and can’t wait to board her on a 4-5ni. Great review as well!!!

Whoops. LTC. Couldn’t edit it. Quick question, if you did it again would you shell out the 270$ and do the Cabana or would you hang on the ship for the day?

Thanks guys! A couple of us fellow Industry types love this review and are gonna book! “Go home day” Blah! Usually that’s the greatest thing, not so much on the ship! Got it. LTJ. You guys did it right. Good times!

So other than the YC Ocean House what else did they do to the island?

Thank You!! Perfect and great review. We’re going to book it. Sounds good to me. How was the scenery on the ride? Typical woodsy hiking trails kind of thing? Again thx!!

Anyone done the Bike and Brews Juneau excursion with NCL (or another line using the same company)? Looking to get an idea of how long and hilly the ride is and what you thought of it. Considering it but not finding a lot of info out there on it. Thanks in advance!

Hey Yvonne, when you were on did they not let you book the two shows (a rock show and a Cirque style show) shows ahead of time as part of their new policy if pre booking before boarding? I’m Plat and at day 26 went to book online and said unavailable, called and they told me that on Jewel it’s only first come first serve to the shows and you can’t even book them on board? That was your case as well? That was a big w-t-f moment.

Thanks guys for your review. We embark in Seward on the 17th (thx also for the boarding time reply). We’ve been NCL since 2013 and have really enjoyed the brand and have many great experiences and memories. This sailing we are being joined by another couple who haven’t cruised before. I chose NCL in AK (been up there twice, one Bliss one Celebrity) because the brand has been so consistent and dependable over the decades. I’m really nervous now that this experience is going to disappoint. When I saw so many of your one and two stars on so many things like specialty dining and entertainment that have always been staples of quality, I’m really concerned. Le Bistro on Gem was the best Filet I’ve had in my life. Land and sea both, and more or less has always been an amazing dining experience. I'm going to go back and read the entire thread guys. Maybe someone from Miami will read this and there will be some change in the next month. Doubtful but it’s happened before I’ve heard. If you’re in the glass castle in Miami (I drive by almost daily) and reading this, PLEASE get up out of your cube or office and go rattle someone’s cage!!!! Thanks for the great thread. I’m beginning to think that the neighbors grass isn’t really much greener, I just think we’re in a slow decline of a drought, in that the entire industry is enjoying record profits and the overall quality and experience is being cut, well because it can. It’s sad. You’re dad, he’s probably not wrong in giving up on cruising. Thanks again!!

Trying to do some planning. Anyone who has sailed on Jewel out of Seward so far this season, what time have they started calling for boarding and what time did they start allowing people in to check in? TY!

That answers it then. It’s changed over the years and was looking for the latest policy, in that case we will either book it or not bid at all. Thanks for the policy updates.

Can someone share the current policy for a YC Guest who would like to invite a Non YC Guest into the YC? I ask in the event one of the two reservations we have get upgraded. I’ve heard that on Port Days guests are allowed to visit YC guests on an invitation basis, and on Sea Days not. There used to be a guest pass available for a day, is this one in the same? if anyone has the latest info from Meraviglia specifically, I’d appreciate it. This info will dictate how and if we attempt an upgrade bid. It’s not at all to game the system, just putting that out there for those who may believe that’s the intention.

Bacardi Light Rum (or equivalent), Finlandia Vodka (or equivalent), Bombay Sapphire Gin, Peach Schnapps, Blue Curaçao, Sweet/Sour Mix, and Grenadine. oh and introduced 5 more new friends met today on board to the Mr WW today in the hot tub in Spice, so as always Ms. Logical, you’re spreading the good vibes, even across the Atlantic!! 😂 😎

Day 1: Well, I guess it’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere!! (Noon here) Here ya go, the infamous Mr. Worldwide! “DALE!” 😎