jules815

6 hours ago, Morgsmom said:

50 count packs of masks on Amazon are under $5.  I'd just take a box onboard.

This is exactly what we did. Even though we're really good about wearing them, you'd be surprised how easy it is to walk out of your stateroom without one. Happened to us all the time. Seeing our butler or steward in the hallway wearing one would trigger us and we'd run back.

On 10/27/2021 at 11:36 PM, phissy said:

Thanks Bret.

I think many of us are getting nervous as our cruise dates get closer. 
.

We are going to try and limit  our activities 2 weeks before cruise. 
Restrict contact with those we do not know and wearing masks everywhere. 
After so much planning , anticipation and waiting, it would be a shame to test positive right before the cruise.
 

That's exactly what we did. Great feeling when you get your negative result and are clear to go.  

We sailed on Meraviglia last week, and wanted to update on the testing facility at MIA.

It's a separate building located just outside of doors 10 and 11 in the lower level baggage claim area. Very easy to find. We had to walk a little way indoors with all of our luggage, but wasn't a big deal. No appointment necessary. We were in and out in under 30 minutes, each with an envelope with our test results. Before we got to our hotel, we both had an email with our results. As of now, the facility is still open 24 hours. I think the bulk of their business is for international travelers requiring a test.

Pricey, yes. I think we paid $78 per test, but we were prepared for that. We got into our taxi with what we needed and started our vacation.  

2 hours ago, cruisin from florida said:

Recently, folks have popped on to share their disappointment with their cruise changes. For anyone who hasn't already booked, please keep the following in mind:

1) Ports are likely to change.

2) Excursion rules are likely to change.

3) Covid vaccination and testing requirements are likely to change.

4) Covid protocols on the ship are likely to change.

5) Something else is likely to change.

 

Given all of the above, please make note of the rules as they exist regarding cancellations, refunds, etc., when you book. Because those are going to change too, but if you know what they were when you booked you should be able to follow those rules when something changes.

 

If you are happy to just get on a ship and go with the flow, there are deals to be had and fun times ahead. If you like to plan on going to specific ports, and not having things change between booking time and cruise time, this may not be the time for you to book. This isn't a criticism. Some people really like to have fixed plans and are not comfortable with unexpected changes. And that's fine. Stick around here and read the boards so you can tell when things start to settle down.

 

😁

 

 

Great post! We just returned from a cruise last week on MSC Meraviglia. Our itinerary had changed a number of times before our sail date, and then we were notified when we boarded about another change. We were actually fine with it. We got to overnight at Ocean Cay, their new private island, which we hadn't been to yet.

Our ship was sailing at about 20% capacity (it was great), and I'd say almost all of us were die hard cruisers who didn't care where the ship went.

5 hours ago, ddlb said:

Meraviglia!  Ok!

We were on Meraviglia last week in the YC. You are in for a treat! 

I booked another cruise last week while we were on board Meraviglia. My daughter was already booked as a solo cruiser on Seashore in the YC for end of April 2022. I found out about a promotion (no supplement for solo) and decided to book a room for myself and join her. I finally received my booking email today, and noticed the promo is "Free Balcony Upgrade." Not that I wouldn't love to be upgraded into a YC balcony, but I doubt that's what the promo means. I'm not at any risk of being moved to a balcony cabin outside of the YC, am I? 

1 hour ago, phissy said:

Jules, so happy to hear you had a great cruise.

Was wondering how it all went and happy  you were able to go. 
Sounds like it was what you both were hoping for.

We are also going ahead with ours and everything seems to be falling into place.

Thanks for the info on internet . That was one thing I was debating on upgrading. Sounds like it will be just fine for what we need to do.

Now we have the hard part….waiting. 🛳🏝

Pat

It was even better than we imagined. Everything went flawlessly, from flights, the COVID testing at MIA (pricey, yes, but convenient and out in 15 minutes with our printed results), our 2 nights at the InterContinental Hotel in Miami, and boarding in the YC. My husband and I were the 3rd and 4th guests to board the ship at 10, and our room was ready. Meraviglia is a stunning ship, we loved it!

On 10/19/2021 at 4:43 PM, SirWolf said:

RE: Internet.

Internet access is included in YC for 2 devices.. to be precise 2 devices per person.. *smile*

Speed is surprisingly faster via SatelliteInternet@Sea compared to cruises pre-pandemic in Europe.

Login was easy.. connected to WiFi and registered on mscwifi.com.

Agree internet was surprisingly fast. I'm glad we decided to give it a try first without upgrading. I was able to anything on social media, and did several FaceTime audio and video calls from different areas of the YC, and it was flawless.

On 10/17/2021 at 7:32 PM, SirWolf said:

We are currently on MSC Meraviglia,

7-day Caribbean, 10-16-2021 , Miami.

Our first cruise since pre-pandemic Baltic Cruise in 09-2019 (MSC Meraviglia).

 

Arrival by car at Port of Miami at 12:45pm

..dropped DW and luggage off at YC tent Terminal C

..drove car to Parking Garage G (for MSC passengers)

..took shuttle bus back to Terminal C (was the only passenger on shuttle bus)

..DW had luggage tagged

..pre-check documents (Boarding Passes, Passports, Health Declaration Forms, PCR Test Result Sheets)

..escorted to YC check-in (only couple in waiting area)

..escorted through port security onto ship directly to stateroom

..Arrival at Port 12:45pm

..in Stateroom 1:10pm

..registered credit card at concierge desk on way to YC restaurant for lunch

..back to stateroom , luggage was delivered

..4:15pm Safety Video (TV channel 4) and confirming via phone

..4:25pm walking staircase down to Assembly Station A (Broadway Theater) to get cruise card scanned

..6:00pm Dinner in YC restaurant

..9:00pm Show “Born to Rock” in Broadway Theater (for vaccinated passengers)

 

MSC Meraviglia has capacity of 4,500+ passengers.. only 1,066 passengers on this cruise. YC occupancy is less than 50%.

 

Itinerary has changed

from: Ocean Cay -> Bahamas -> Jamaica -> Ocean Cay

to: Jamaica -> Bahamas -> 2 days Ocean Cay

 

Today is sea day, sailing from Miami to Jamaica.

..only handful of passengers in Galleria

..only few passengers in shops

..Yacht Club feels like private yacht at times..Lol

 

Covid safety measurements:

Temperature check daily at breakfast.

Mask required indoors (except in restaurant and lounge).

Crew is wearing mask.

Mandatory sanitizing of hands in Galleria shops.

Limited seating in Broadway Theater (social distancing).

 

Impression so far after being 24 hours on the ship.. 10 out of 10

Service in YC is over-the-top superb..

YC Crew is very attentive..

Food in YC restaurant is very good..

 

It feels good to be back at sea..

My husband and I were also on this cruise in the YC. Agree, it was a wonderful cruise and so happy we decided to keep our booking. Our only regret is not making it a B2B.

16 hours ago, cdel71 said:

Embarkation for YC was small room limited drinks but they were very helpful to provide you whatever they had in the room.  It was such a short wait (5 - 10 mins) that I only had time to grab a water.   
 

Oh FYI - Do Not record going from the gangway into security area.   I got scolded for using my GoPro.   I had no idea it was a security violation or issue.   No signs or my butler didn’t say anything.  Strange encounter.   Deleted the 5 second footage and we were on our way.   

Interesting. Thanks for the heads up. I was going to be doing some Snaps for our adult daughters who wish they were cruising with us. I'll be sure not to do the gangway.

On 10/10/2021 at 8:19 PM, alyssamma said:

Cove balconies on Carnival...

Yes! Those are nice and low to the water. We were in one on Carnival Dream during Hurricane Sandy and they closed our balcony off when it started getting really rough. 

3 minutes ago, miataman19 said:

OK, I'm jealous. We just got off the Oct 2nd sailing and our embarkation took 25 minutes..lol. We also upgraded to the Premium Plus package and we took advantage with better Champagne, Bookers Bourbon that the Top Sail bartender snagged from the Irish Pub and numerous wines the were not on any list. The Sommelier would suggest them every night. At lunch he would whisper in my ear that he had a Surprise for me at diner. He kept coming up with Italian wines I've never heard of and, WOW, every one was awesome. Tell him Patrick from Disney told you about the Italian Merlot and Pinto Grigio wines and the after diner dessert wines.   

Great to hear! We also plan on upgrading to the Premium Plus package. This will be our second time sailing with MSC in YC. Our first was January 2019 on Seaside. This cruise was actually supposed to be on Seaside, but somewhere a long the way with cancellations and re-bookings, our itinerary and then ship changed. We were actually a little disappointed that we weren't going on Seaside again, but now really looking forward to Meraviglia. Excited to be sailing on a new ship. 

We're boarding on the 16th, also in YC. Can't wait!

Have a great week.  Cheers!

Thanks for the review. Sailing next week on Mera in YC and can't wait.

15 hours ago, LeeW said:

Just make sure the testing facility hours fit your arrival at the airport.  One time hours at FLL worked for us, another didn't.  Note several sites at MIA that charge different fees and have different hours.  The one Celebrity uses (our next cruise) isn't open when our flight arrives there.

The website says testing site is open 24 hours with no appointment necessary.

Just got yet another e-ticket from MSC for our cruise sailing next week.  The one we got a few days ago (our second or third) had an updated boarding time. The one I got today has the same (most current) boarding time. Nothing else appears to have changed, but I'd hate to have missed it.

Anyone else getting duplicates? 

2 hours ago, MonsterJoe said:

She took the non-drowsy dramamine, the regular dramamine, and the pressure bracelets.

She's open to using whatever works, but we didn't know it was going to be an issue, so didn't bring an arsenal.

Is there a common consensus about what works the absolute best? Or is more of a subjective experience?

I take Bonine. If the Dramamine and a bracelet didn't work, maybe she should try the patch. I've never used one, but I've seen plenty of cruisers wearing them.

1 hour ago, zekekelso said:

If someone is prone to seasickness, picking a particular part of the ship will help a little. But you’ll get much more relief from one of the many drugs out there. Personally, I’m a huge fan of meclizine. 

I always take it starting the day before we cruise, then at bedtime every day. I don't even know if I need it. Legend has it that I got very seasick once on our way to Mackanac Island when I was a young child.

6 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

Unless you test positive.

Always that chance, yeah. Basically living like hermits right now. Empty nesters.

1 hour ago, ONECRUISER said:

Yeah seen it posted on MIA Website that they have at least 2 Test areas. Even Medium size Airports have seen this over last 15 Months, most inside but more these Mobile Vans last few Months

https://news.miami-airport.com/covid-19-testing-available-daily-at-mia-starting-may-21/

1 hour ago, twangster said:

 

For the same reason some people are eager to pay $99 for the limited testing that is starting to be offered at the cruise terminal.  Some people don't want to put any effort or research into it and are willing to shell out for the convenience of not having to think about until they can walk past a sign on the way to the ship.

 

I've done a number of free tests at local pharmacies.  Just did one a few hours ago.  But for some people that is too much effort to research and figure it out.

Done the research, completely aware of testing in hotel room. Just did a free test at Walgreens a week ago, so yeah, know about those too. Haven't traveled since January 2019. Willing to pay for the convenience of grabbing our suitcases at MIA, getting tested right there in baggage claim, and getting into the Uber to hotel knowing we're good to go and enjoy our time in Miami. 

Just now, sabres431 said:

Or Friday or Saturday....not Wednesday or before

Correct. We figured easy enough to test at the airport when we arrive on Thursday, then once we have our negative results (fingers crossed), we'll be able to enjoy our time in Miami pre-cruise worry free.

Just now, sabres431 said:

They specifically say "taken no more than 2 days before boarding day."  So you can also take the test Day 1 and day 0(except kids, they specifically say NOT to get the test the day of boarding).

Sailing on a Saturday, testing on Thursday.

Is RC accepting testing done at MIA airport? There's no appointment necessary testing, open 24 hours, located in the baggage claim area.

Has anyone used it?

6 hours ago, MonsterJoe said:

Sky Lounge, Champagne Bar, and Bamboo all had Bar seating last week.  All of the bars at Ocean Cay had bar seating.

Champagne Bar had some good chatty bartenders.  We enjoyed it there, but most of it is for cost.

Sitting at the Sky Lounge Bar and closing it down was some of the best fun we had all week - The staff there was all amazing and great fun and happy to chat with you.

Say hi to them from Rebecca and Derek if you go. 🙂

Thanks for the info!