go.without.you

I was on Silhouette last week and we wanted to change our 8pm to 6 the first night at Lawn Club. We boarded the ship early at 11am and went straight to Retreat Lounge and the host was able to call and get it changed for us. She called the restaurant directly. We also then asked about special lunches and then booked thru her also.

So I'm back at work with a tan and residual effects of alcohol poisoning. Today was also the day they decided to test the fire system by setting off the alarms. The piper is being paid today. All in all it was a great cruise! The ship, service, food... all of it was amazing. I only wish it could have been longer.

The train is very bumpy. Not a smooth ride at all, but for $72 what the hey. We are returning on the train today but I upgraded us to a roommette.

Luminae dinner That chocolate pill is amazing!!!

Murano lunch

Ok, this live review took a detour because I've been having way too much fun. People were dancing in the glass elevators in the foyer. By "people" I mean me and a bunch of strangers I fell in love with. The officers stood us up in the Retreat lounge (captain emergency?) for whatever reason but I did meet the captain yesterday on the Retreat deck. We had dinner at Murano Friday night. Probably one of the best dinners I have ever had. Monsur from Turkey was our waiter and he's my future ex husband. He brought us a cheese selection that was amazing and when we said we didn't want dessert he brought us a sampler. We did lunch at Murano yesterday and it was the 2nd best lobster I've ever had. The staff and the service all around the ship has been above and beyond. We booked an 8 nt for NYE 2025 on this ship doing the ABC Islands. We were in Nassau today so we hung out at the pool until it got "too peopley" then went to Retreat deck. The common complaint was slow service at the pool bar. Retreat deck service is on point!!! Dinner at Luminae last night was wonderful. This is our last night so tomorrow I will be doing my impersonation of a cat being lowered into a tub full of water. Pics from Murano dinner.

So today was pretty chill. We did breakfast at Luminae then walked around Key West just long enough to say we were there. We were at the pool by 1030. The weather was gorgeous so we hung out there all day so we had quick access to the pool. Tomorrow we will do the Retreat deck because I'm sure it will be packed. Bar service and pool service was very good!! We had burgers from Mast Grill which were very good but the buns fall apart halfway thru. 1st world problems, I know. I got a massage today and she beat me up a little bit but I probably deserved it. Tonight we are meeting the officers in the Retreat Lounge then dining in Murano.

So far everything is amazing!!! I've seen some crew that were here when I sailed Christmas 22 and they remember me. Is that good or bad??? Anywho... Lunch in luminae was wonderful. We had dinner at Lawn Club. Filet mignon and lamb chops were perfect. The service was on point. We went to the show which was an Aretha Franklin thing. Can't remember her name but she was awesome. We crashed the Bucs Fan party and I met Dexter Jackson and he let me wear his MVP ring. The house band was rocking it with music there and the foyer later. I still have Proud Mary stuck in my head. We've seen several Ballers but I have no clue who they are since I don't follow sports. I watched the sunrise over Key West and am now at breakfast. It's good to be a rock star.

Arrived at the terminal at 10:10, one of the 1st ones here. We're chilling in the Retreat Lounge. There are several people wearing t-shirts that say, "Bucs cruise crew" or something like that. I haven't seen anyone that looks like a Baller yet, not that I would recognize them but I figure if I see a really big and tall young man he's one of them.

Well after a long and bumpy train ride we made it to Ft Lauderdale. We're staying at the Fairfield in Las Olas and I would definitely recommend. The hotel is updated and clean and close to all the restaurants. A friend recommend Luigis and we had an amazing al fresco meal there. The calamari and truffle pizza was very good.

What a lovely video! Yellow roses are my favorite, I just listened to the Dolly song last night.

We leave today! I had to come to work for a few hours but then we are headed to the Tampa train station for our journey to the "other side" (of Florida). My dog was NOT happy when I pulled out the luggage last night.

I used hotels.com and was able to get a decent rate at the Fairfield in Los Olas. I kept checking and 2 weeks ago the price dropped by $10. It's not much but I'll take it. They also had a few apartments listed and I trust the ratings so check it out.

So I booked this cruise thru the Blue Chip offer at a steal not knowing it was also a Tampa Bay Bucs fan cruise. I live in the Tampa area but I'm not a sports fan so I didn't even know this was a thing. Hey, we'll roll with it. I had booked this for my friend's birthday but she decided to go to Ghana instead. Hmmm.....Africa or Nassau....can't say I blame her. So anywho, my friend Gwen is taking her place. She and I sailed on the Constellation last Christmas and it was one of the best cruises I've taken out of 32 and counting. The Silhouette is my favorite ship of all time - I love the S class ships the best. Tomorrow we leave for Ft Lauderdale on Amtrak and we're spending the night in Los Olas. Friends of mine recommended a local Italian place named Luigi's and we will dine there then board on Thursday.

Glad to hear as I'm boarding on 4/4 in a SS. I love those corner aft cabins on the S class but couldn't snag one for this trip.

Well this sounds promising for Connie then. I was on her last Christmas and thought she beautiful. The crew made it one of my best cruises ever (out of 32) so I booked this year for NYE. I'm anxious to see what improvements are made.

Yeah, finally another Charla review! I did the Chef's dinner back in 2022 and didn't get the tour or the book so feeling kinda ripped off right now. I want some butts! (that's my new fav saying btw)

Our steward brought us 3 bottles of water every day without us asking for it.

I also canceled the next 2 because I did not want to cruise on a ship that size again. It was too big for my liking and I thought it was laid out weird. The future cruises were on sister ships. Plus they both left from miami and it's a real hassle to get there the day before, a hotel stay plus meals etc adds an extra $500 to the trip.

I did not see it but I wasn't looking for it either.

Well they are about to give us the heave ho and make us walk the plank. This cruise has been amazing! I was worried about being on an older ship when I booked this trip. When I was cruising 20 years ago it was always the better and more senior staff on the newer ships because they would bid on their contracts, but what I've been told the cruise line sends them where needed so that's a win for the passengers. The only complaint I have, other than this cruise was too short (they are all too short) is the captain's club. I did not receive the list of captain club activities for the week. I was discussing this in Michael's last night with another guest and the concierge overhead me and brought over the paper. Of course it was too late at that point and I should have asked him earlier, so that's on me. I'm not going to blame the cabin steward either because he went above and beyond. I left him a note thanking him again for the use of the charger all week along with extra cash. If you get Meggan as your steward, you are in good hands. We considered kidnapping our waiter Royce but then realized it would be an international crime so then we decided against it. Ain't no one got time for that, as the kids say. So I'm giving this cruise a 10 out of 10 and it almost makes up for last month. Almost, but I'm still pissed at MSC. And sorry I didn't post the wine list. Zho (pronounced Joe) was the wine steward and each meal I would tell her what I ordered and she would match me with a wine. She would even give us a "road pop" (in FL talk that's a drink for the road). I asked about the upcharge on drinks and wine and was told it was in effect but we never ordered anything above the package or else we were given the better wine on the sly. We had a Chilean pinot that was amazing, highly recommend.

I signed up for MSC after Genx and another review. They had great experiences. I did not.

One thing about the staff on this ship. They $@#& rock!!! Every single one of them. No matter who we encounter, the captain, the head chef, the maintenance personnel, every single one of them acknowledge us and say hello. This ship is why I love to cruise. The elegance, the fabulous service and great food.

We made it to the show last night which was a Whitney Houston tribute singer. Her mother was an Ikette!!! (If you don't know what that is, don't ask and also we can't be friends). She was amazing and her personality was pure gold. She was supposed to do a 2nd show tonight but it was canceled for some reason. Today we were invited to tour the bridge, which is always impressive. Food continues to be amazing and we've decided to book this ship for NYE next year! I highly recommend the brownie sundae from the MDR.

We spoke to several YC veterans on board and they all said it was the worst experience they'd ever had on MSC, it wasn't just us. And yes we did speak up and the issues were not corrected. Plus I never saw my final bill and they never sent me a survey, so that right there tells me that they knew the cruise sucked and didn't want to hear about it.