no1talks

Yes, MSC has a buffet (and food trucks) for Bella through Aurea cruisers. You ate lunch in the Yacht Club restaurant, though, yes? Was it to your liking?

That is surprising. So simple and useful a shower feature is absent in so costly a suite.

Does the shower have a leg-shaving step that is the width of the shower? If so, the reviewer is merely referring to it as a bench. Seascape's standard YC suites have showers outfitted with marble structures that could serve as a low bench.

Do you have water shoes? On MSC's island, the private beach area for Yacht Club is a bit stony/rocky. The abundance of chairs and umbrellas is great. The drink service of the the butlers on beach duty is convenient. The food at the Yacht Club beach restaurant is delish. (Eat lunch early to get a good table, though.) Speaking of butlers, be sure to utilize yours. They find a way to make happen nearly anything you reasonably request. For example, if the Yacht Club deck area can spare it, your butler can replace one of your balcony chairs with a deck chaise. Don't let that service go unused. It really adds to the value of a Yacht Club booking.

My comment was a jocular reference to Alabama college football, a.k.a. the Crimson Tide (Crimson Tide & red tide). I don't know if actual red tide is an issue on the Alabama Gulf coast. Folks in Alabama do, however, take their collegiate football very seriously. Places close for game viewing, but probably not beaches. 😄

Unless you are swimming in the Gulf of Mexico, just off the Alabama coast. If so, Tide season is September through November. (Plus preseason/postseason, as applicable.)

Even more than that, I hate estate planning in wet attire.

In addition to the previously mentioned policy for Gala Night, MSC's website FAQs includes the following under the heading of Dress Restrictions: "Specific restrictions may be enforced by onboard staff members including restaurant hostesses and management. At no point is swimwear allowed in any formal dining venue for any meal, including breakfast and lunch. Shorts, flip flops, and tank tops are not allowed for Evening Wear or Gala Night in the Main Dining Rooms, Specialty Restaurants, or MSC Yacht Club. T-shirts are not allowed to be worn for Gala Night. Dress code rules that are posted outside the buffet should be followed." It is quite true MSC often ignores their own stated dress policies. It is also quite true cruisers have been discreetly asked to return to their room and change clothes. Ultimately, the choice to play it safe or not is up to you.

A cap, eh? Maître d' Tony S. doesn't put up with that nonsense. 😉

I'm just a fan of the film and use it for box references. By the by, that's not a bad Champagne, but the presentation is a bit much. Even if you received Mosaïque Signature, instead of what I suspect was Mosaïque Brut, MSC should get a Champagne with deeper pedigree than House Jacquart for use in a boxed presentation. Of course, if that is a boxed set for you to keep, and not just for showiness, then I retract the criticism, mostly. So frequent a pair of cruisers like your wife and yourself would certainly merit a bottle of Jacquart Cuvée Alpha.

Mysterious boxes can end up much, much worse than bubbly in a bucket.

8-6-32 to 8-13-23! 🤯 Ninety-one years is a very long time to be on an MSC ship, especially when there are only a few loyalty tiers to work towards. I would totally understand such a long cruise if it was NCL. 700 frickin' points to make Ambassador!

There is also the best-left-undiscussed "upside down" pineapple hair bow, sometimes seen on cruises. 😵

Mille grazie, maestro.

Understandable, no doubt. However, in our case, we can't pass up a chance to get on a non-YC ship for a test cruise. In fact, we have cancelled an Oceania cruise for a Magnifica booking. Many appealing MSC itineraries are on pre-YC ships in other parts of the world. We think it is better to test the Aurea amenities in the Caribbean, before committing to an overseas flight for a non-YC cruise in a far away place.

I don't know if all four ships will be in Miami for the entirety of 2024, but Magnifica will be there, too.

Don't forget, you can vigorously pick your teeth, at table, after the meal. 😄 (Can spitoons be far behind?? Talk about going 'old school' yikes!) 😉

What, like men's spats? Women's bustles? I think you should maybe dial back your hyperbole when you use the phrase, "total anachronism," regarding an article of clothing readily available both online and in brick-and-mortar stores.

You can always order a fresh supply from Amazon. 😉

No opera fan for me. However, I always cruise with my quizzing glass.

Sir, I'll have you know MSC has a state-of-the-art IT department. Here is a snippet of video.

Well, if someone wanted to be a jerk about the wedding scenario you offered, they could use the same rationale, hypothetically. "I brought a gift worth thousands of dollars to this wedding reception, so I'll dress how I like!" 😬

Better a 'blind' captain than a Captain Bligh.

Be that as it may, I was referring to MSC's internal enforcement of their service animal policy, as presented on their website.