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On 5/18/2024 at 10:34 AM, Crazy planning mom said:

Neither of us have tattoos or are partiers

After sailing 2x on VV, and in our 60s,  I love to hear the images non-VV sailors have of VV.  Don't worry, they will still let you board w/o tattoos.  If you want, though, you can get the fake tattoos on a paper slip that we used as kids to up your ship-cred with the rest of the wildlings. 

My husband and I are in our 60s and, after our first cruise on VV, we were hooked!  The music in the public areas is good and has actually introduced me to some new bands to listen to.  I guarantee, you will not feel out of place.  In fact, I was a bit disappointed, since I wanted to be the cool granny on the ship,  but easily half the other guests were my age or older.  

My spouse and I, both 60+ and definitely not party animals, were on the Scarlet Lady last month. I can assure you you will not be overwhelmed with a party atmosphere. Unless you want to be, of course. 

4 hours ago, CineGraphic said:

Bimini: It's the very first stop the tram makes, where people can also rent golf carts.

            We've never bothered to stop & take a look, as it doesn't look like much is opened.

There isn't. At least as of last month when we were there. About 3 or 4 stores and nothing particularly interesting.

I just wanted to let all the church-ladies here know that I never did ask to have my children boarded early with my spouse and I... because the MSC people checking us in beat me to it!  They looked at our record and asked where the rest of our party was.   We waved the "kids" over and we were all checked in together.  Evidently it made it easier for the staff to check us in as a group, rather than individual cabins.  

It was a courtesy particularly appreciated by my spouse, who spend part of the night before performing CPR on a patient (a father of three young adults just like us).  He managed to bring the man back to life just as the doctor was about to call it.  Spouse was still tired and sore (CPR is physically exhausting for the person performing it) and appreciated not having to stand in line, but would have done so if our kids had to. 

It worked well for our party of 5.  We could text each other where we were on the ship to meet up.  I have an older phone, so some of the features did not work for me.  

I just signed up for one.  I figured if I don't like it, it's just two nights out of my life. 

17 hours ago, syracr said:

Original poster here.

Just back from Meraviglia.

I will answer my own question for those asking in the future.

 

they have a decent selection in the buffest at dinner time, but it is definitely NOT what is being serve din the MDR.

Thank you for sharing that.  My spouse and I cruise enough that we sometimes prefer the casual buffet over the formality and length of time needed for the MDR.   However, this time out we are traveling with our adult children (all 20-somethings) and they are all looking forward to the MDR (whoda thunk?)

All of those who are offended at the question can unclutch your pearls now.  I only asked because I was part of a family group that was unexpectedly offered this courtesy on another cruise line when we had five cabins and wondered if MSC's service was as good. 

I had no intention of marching up to the desk in full Karen mode and demanding the courtesy.  As I said in my original post, I was torn between utilizing the option and leaving my kids to stand in line, or asking if they can be included.  I am going to ask upon boarding, but if the answer is "no" (worst case scenario), I would rather just wait with my kids.  This is the only opportunity to see them this winter, as we are all in different cities, so my spouse and I are using our annual vacation funds to treat them (hence, the simple Bella class that some appear to sniff at.)

This will be our first MSC cruise, and we're taking our adult children along with us, so three cabins. 

Because he has comperable status with a hotel brand,  my husband was granted Diamond status with MSC.  Yeah!  We will certainly take advantage of the express boarding.   However,  I am wondering if our children in separate, but linked, cabins can ride our coattails to the early boarding.   It appears a bit churlish to say "Ta ta!" while they wait in the long "steerage" line and we skip ahead! 

Have any Diamond members traveled with others on linked reservations and been able to parlay that status to include others traveling with them, but in separate cabins?

Yes, and I was surprised and confused.  Same thing, "Pay up or you will be cancelled!"  

I typically like to wait until a few days before the stated due date (ours was Nov 1), in the event something makes us need to cancel.     Actually, it appears to me that their due date was what was off, because it did state that final was due 90 days before sail date, while Nov 1 is abut 75 days out.  As we were paying for our adult children and three cabins,  we decided to just make the final payment when it was demanded and limit any complications.  

Thank you for the advice.  It did seem a bit odd to me that they couldn't link reservations booked by the same person.  I'll give them another call. 

Husband and I are treating our adult children to a cruise on MSC.  Of course, with 5 of us traveling we are looking to minimize the cost, so are booking 3 cabins in Bella class. 

When I called to see if our reservations can be linked,  I was told there is no way to do so.  The reservation agent even advised that if she booked it, it still would be three individual reservations and there would still be no way to link them. 

As our kids are adults, I'm not too worried about getting cabins near each other.  But, I understand that the dining time is assigned per cabin.  Needless to say, we would like to eat our dinner together.  Does anyone know how to navigate this issue? 

Spouse and I are not big drinkers.  But after dinner on our cruise two weeks ago, we carried our cups of coffee to the Crows Nest and enjoyed the view and atmosphere.  No one ever bothered us.

just got off the Zaandam Saturday and there were 4 masks in our cabin. 

Happy anniversary!  We flew into BOS this morning and are looking over the harbor from our hotel room at the NCL Pearl right now. Tomorrow we get to watch the Zaandam sail in before breakfast, then we'll walk down to board. Looking forward to a nice, relaxing week at sea.

5 hours ago, Travelexpert35 said:

Here in the Maritimes, we just finished having a heatwave like Boston had. It’s been a bit rainy yesterday and today. Temps should be in the 70’s now and at night in 60’s. Looks like it will be sunny for awhile now. We had a unusually hot and humid July. Hope this helps…

3 hours ago, Crazy For Cats said:

We sailed Boston round trip earlier this summer.  I was always comfortable in shorts and T-shirt while DH thought it cold at times.  Today should be the last day of this heatwave and should be comfortable this weekend.  

Thank you, both, for sharing your experiences.  Sounds like a couple of cardigans should do the trick.   And, maybe a small umbrella, just in case!  

14 hours ago, JesseLivermore said:

couple of hours left! So i'll only be out $1/pp even for a non refundable fare? Wow!

 

Are other lines doing this too?  Kids were a little bored on HAL AK cruise. (I loved it! )

Wife missed America's Test Kitchen, but they said they'll bring it back??

I've done this on NCL before.  I haven't been following NCL lately, so I don't know the last time they have had this deal.

9 minutes ago, CruiserBruce said:

Google search weather for your ports..."Weather Halifax, August" for example. You can also check Accuweather, which will give you forecasts out about 2 weeks.

Thank you, CruiserBruce.  Been there, done that.  What I am looking for is personal experience, though. 

So many well traveled cruisers here, I am sure many of you have my answer.  We are sailing to Canada out of Boston this week, and I am in the midst of packing.  I wonder if those who have taken this cruise before can advise me on how cool the evenings get.  I do plan to pack a cardigan or two,  but I wonder if I should prepare for cooler evenings on board as we reach the Maritime Provinces. 

I thank you in advance for sharing your experiences.

I've worked at airlines and elsewhere in travel for over 20 years, and I encourage anyone who thinks they might have need of a wheelchair to not be embarrassed to ask. Travel is exhausting,  and at the end of a trip you just may wear out a little bit faster than usual.  Even on your outbound flight, as the stress of preparing for your trip and going through the security checks can wear anyone out.  I guarantee, absolutely no one is judging. 

And, if you get to the ticket counter and feel fit as a fiddle, and energized from your trip,  just tell them  you won't need it.  It will bother absolutely nobody to skip it.  

And, yes, please find a way to say "thank you" to the hard-working kids who do this all day.  

I've made it a policy to only eat half of what I am served on a cruise.  Otherwise, I would have to be rolled off the gangplank at the end of the cruise (and, I carry a few extra lbs already!).  Half of what I am served always seems to be enough. I get to taste and enjoy everything, but don't get overfilled. 

On my last cruise (a river cruise on Avalon),  the waiter kept asking if there was anything wrong with my meal,  and I explained twice that it was lovely but I only eat half to avoid overeating.   On the third night, the head chef came to my table, concerned that I didn't like the meals.  I explained again,  and he laughed with me, saying it was probably a good policy. 

Between that policy and touring (for which we mostly walk), I'm probably one of the few people who actually lose a pound or two on a cruise. 

The title of this thread reminded me to retrieve my lanyards from their hiding place.  Then I read that lanyards might be déclassé. 😮

Fortunately, I haven't been fashionable in my life,  and have become doubly unfashionable since I became eligible for senior discounts, so I don't care what anyone else thinks about them.  I pulled out both a standard lanyard and retractable one for both of us, and placed them in our carry on bags for later this week!  

Thank you grammi,  for the reminder.  

5 hours ago, Mary229 said:

We have been extra generous to the MDR staff.  The dining rooms have had so few diners these days I worry that lack of tips may drive employees away from the cruise lines.  I have experienced this locally and it is a problem. 

I have a dietary restriction, so like to eat in the MDR every night with the same staff, who can get to know my needs.  Therefore, I tip especially well to our server to make up for the inconvenience.  

I also like to add an extra tip for the cabin steward.  I like to keep my cabin tidy for my own comfort, but it just doesn't sit right with me to not say thank you directly to the people who clean up after you.  

I've been checking the availability on the Zaandam for the 13 Aug sailing,  and everything above the inside cabins is sold out.  I'm in an ocean view room, and was considering bumping up to a verandah if one was available, but I guess not.