cruiseguyinorl

I am not familiar with that excursion but yes, Orient Beach is on Orient Bay. It's my go to place in St. Maarten.

Bret

Please book YC on Divina no HAL ship worth extra $3000.00 . HAl is nice old fashion cruise line but be ready to go to sleep by 10 pm ,be ready to Noro , be ready to come back to same port because someone just died on HAL ship . happens to us twice :rolleyes: + always can see HAL ship in port and ambulance parked by it).

Thanks, GOLDENBONNEY. I needed that! ROTFL :D

Bret

Yes, boarding is still early. Anywhere between 11:30 and Noon depending on CBP clearance.

No, you can't bring food, water, soda or alcohol. Now that is the official answer. Many people on here have said they have gotten it on with no issue. Feel free to try....just be aware they can confiscate it.

Hope this helps!

Bret

Thank you all so much for your help!

I was able to convince my family to book the cruise :)

 

First time on MSC, only doing a 2-nighter to try it out.

You're welcome! I'm guessing you'll be on the May 17th sailing? So am I. I did also purchase the Classic drink package for $88 so it truly can be an all-inclusive weekend getaway.

If he's still onboard, make sure you go visit George the bartender from Jamaica. He's usually in the Golden Jazz Bar after 4pm. Ask him about a "Steel Bottom"....it's a drink he turned me onto in Jamaica.

Bret

So, as far as I can tell, in answering your question. I1 does not mean I gty.

True, it doesn't mean strictly an Inside gty. If at time of cabin assignment inside cabins are available, they will be given. If they are sold out, then yes, an upgraded cabins are assigned where available. I too have known numerous folks to get upgraded to a balcony. However, I also have seen inside cabins assigned. It's a cheap way to gamble on a balcony! :)

Bret

riclop is correct that it can be either a cabin assignment or gty. If you are only seeing gty's when trying to book, that means all cabins in I1 are sold out.

Bret

Not sure that it is any quicker as they still slide your passport through the machine either way. And there is not a separate check-in line unless you are booked in a suite.

Bret

Some of you may not have heard of another Jazz cruise which I have been on numerous times. It's called JazzFest at Sea and this year in October sails out of Miami with the Allan Vaché Jazz Sextet, Harry Allen's Quintet and Bria Skonberg's Quintet.

It is not a charter (private jazz performances every night and days at sea) so you get more of that intimate jazz club feel which I prefer. Just thought I would throw that out there for other jazz lovers.

Bret

Would you have the same square footage for YC1 on the Fantasia?

Unfortunately not...I only have the listing for Divina cabins.

Bret

If anyone is interested, I have the square footage of all cabins (listed individually by cabin) for all categories on the Divina. Okay, to be honest it is listed in square meters but I can convert it. It is also broken down by square footage of the bathroom and cabin area.

Just FYI for cabins mentioned, 15033 and 15032 are the same. 233.90 sq ft for the cabin (room and bathroom combined) plus a balcony of 61.35 sq ft.

Remember I only have total square feet not dimensions. Also, Pete, don't know if it's camera angle/distortion (or maybe balcony dividers are off) but 15027 and 15033 are exactly the same.

Let me know if any others are needed.

Bret

As someone who has been on the MSC Divina three times since she got to the States, I can assure you that she is well worth many times the $199 price point. Gorgeous clean ship, good food, outstanding entertainment and increasing service satisfaction.

I personally believe, as someone stated, that it was a marketing move for brand recognition. Guess we will see if that works out for them in the end. I'm confident it will.

Bret

His answer to me was:

I'll let you interpret those how you wish. Hope this helps.

Bret

@ROBERT544

Terminal doors typically open at 11 with check-in starting then as well. Boarding, however, usually starts somewhere between 11:30 and noon. Ship has to get a zero count (meaning all passengers accounted for being off the ship), cleared by CBP and then folks doing a back to back cruise (if any) cleared and let back on. Then comes Yacht Club folks and finally it is open for general boarding.

Hope this helps!

Bret

I've sent a message to the Cruise Director and asked for you. We'll see if he responds.

Bret

@ZoeyVictoria

Terminal doors typically open at 11 with check-in starting then as well. Boarding, however, usually starts somewhere between 11:30 and noon. Ship has to get a zero count (meaning all passengers accounted for being off the ship), cleared by CBP and then folks doing a back to back cruise (if any) cleared and let back on. Then comes Yacht Club folks and finally it is open for general boarding.

Hope this helps!

Bret

It will be located right at the entrance to the terminal. You can't miss it. A white tent set up with butlers waiting for you. And yes, you can be dropped off practically in front of it. Depends on other traffic unloading of course.

Hope this helps.

Bret

It's ok cb at sea, you don't have to know anything about getting it together. I would just like to hear from everyone on who they would like to see onboard, when is a good time to go and how long a cruise does everyone want. Keep in mind that the least expensive time to travel is September through January excluding holidays. Let me know...would love to hear from everyone.

Bret

I'll be the first to admit I know very little about shag and Beach Music. I am a TA that has put together large music cruises such as JazzFest at Sea for the past six years. (No, we are not part of Jazz Cruises LLC that has received some bad press on here.) Our cruise has always been focused on traditional, classic jazz and swing. We, for some time now, have wanted to branch out to other musical areas. Obviously, we know the themed cruising side and you (specifically you cb at sea) know the music side.

So why don't we get together either through this forum or privately and put together an unforgettable cruise! I am totally open on bands you would like us to hire, itineraries and cruise lines. (Believe me though, some are way more accommodating than others.)

I look forward to hearing from anyone that has input. Let's do this!

Bret