kad56

48 minutes ago, Illbcruzn4life said:

we told somebody in the terminal that we were B2B and showed them the pass and they escorted us around the controlled chaos. 

Nice. I might be able to get in a full port day after all 🙂

19 minutes ago, Essiesmom said:

Did you book the cruise as two legs, or one long cruise?  If you booked as one and your cruise card is good for the whole cruise, you can just walk off with the first self debark group, and when you return just go through security and use your transit pass/continuing cruiser card to bypass checkin.  EM

I booked it as one cruise and I assumed it work the way you're describing it. But I read somewhere that if the ship leaves the US (which this one will), I'll have to clear customs in Miami on turnaround day. It's the customs line that worries me.

How about Miami? My itinerary says that I'll be in Miami from 7-5 on the changeover day, but I assume debarcation with take much longer, and that'll really cut into my time in port. And I'm all about the ports so the extra lines on the B2B day are disappointing.

... sailing on princess to Alaska from Vancouncer so I posted here.

I pack light and I've always walked on board with all my luggage. I need to drop it off this time since it'll be way too heavy. How that does work? Who do I give it to at the port? In Fort Lauderdale, it's always seemed like there are so many random people in the port, I've never felt comfortable handing my luggage over....

@reedprincess Thank you! You're the cruiser I've been looking for!!! How are the crowds on the ship? Are there delays with embarcation and debarcation at ports like I heard? Are any of the ports particularly challenging? I've docked in Antigua, Fort-De-France, and St. Lucia on other cruises, and I think Fort-De-France is the easiest to navigate, and Antigua and St. Lucia aren't bad, though I prefer walkable place like FDF.

I would use points to get there, so the flights are less of a concern. I'd really love to hear about the onboard experience and the ports.

4 minutes ago, Anastas617 said:

It was, but due to unrest following 10/07 La Goulette was cancelled and replaced with Palma de Mallorca. Marseille port was isolated, though not really far from the city just not somewhere you walk from. Genoa, Palermo and Naples were right at the cities (I took a ship excursion to Pompeii from Naples, so not sure if you can walk right off into the city like at Genoa and Palermo).

It sounds like a really nice itinerary. I have my eye on it. Did you enjoy the ports?

I assume this is the itinerary on the Grandiosa that includes La Goulette, Tunisia. How were the ports? Looking at the itinerary, it seems like the ships docks pretty close to town in alll of the ports. Were any of the a long distance from the port?

42 minutes ago, Fissues said:

I’m doing this cruise. Flights are tough from the states. Something to consider. 

True. I'm looking at tickets simultaneously, and I'll only book it if I can find decent tickets. At this point the options are acceptable for the dates I'm considering. I guess my biggest worry is long delays in getting off the ship at port (I heard on another cruise that it took ~2hrs to disembark at a port stop for other cruisers). I really am interested in the trip for the itinerary, so slow really slow disembarkaction would really affect the trip.

1 hour ago, 8420PR said:

- There will be crowds by the pool and at parties and events, but it in my experience it is always possible to find a quiet area (often with live music - e.g. the sky lounge).

 

Meh... this doesn't seem like a huge issue to me personally. I'll be out exploring the ports.

Thanks for your feeback. I'm booked on my first MSC cruise going out of the US in a month, and this one is really tempting if I my first one goes well.

I'm thinking of booking one the cruises that go all over the southern Caribbean. The Virtuosa is sailing it this year. I'm curious if anyone has had any experience with this trip. The itineraries look absolutely amazing, but I've hear the food sucks (on you tube) and that the crowds are terrible (word of mouth). I also think MSC has a made a lot of changes in recent years, so the negative feedback I've heard may not be relevant anymore. FWIW, I'm American, I sail more for the itinerary than the ship, I don't drink (so I don't care about long lines at the bar), and I like quiet sea days and reading.

If you want a beach day, I'd recommend taking the ferry to klein bonaine. You can walk to the ferry from the ship, no amenities so you'll need your own blanket and (maybe?) source of shade. Best beach in Bonaire by a a factor of 1000. 

Thank you! I found them via your profile. I noticed you've answered a bunch of my questions. Thank you!!!

When was the buffet open at ocean cay?

4 hours ago, rakesh said:

d)
So what are the options for them sightseeing Anchorage late Tues evening (does Anchorage have the midnight sun, yet?) or Wed morning?- no options  from Princess per the app or per the toll free number?

At that time I would walk along the Tony Knowles coastal trail. It should still be light, there are some good views and and you're likely to see moose. I biked it once and it's the largest concentration of moose I've ever seen.

Has anyone noticed if theres any sort of schedule or timeframe for the Papantla flyers in the port area? I'll need to leave quickly after embarkation for a tour, and I'm wondering if I'll have a chance to see them when I get back. I've noticed in other port that the musicians that greet ships tend to be gone by the end of the day (not the same thing.... but also entertainment).

Which production shows were the best? I don't always go, and I like know what the highlights are so I can pick and choose.

I'm reading different things. Some people report that Bimini is open to everyone, others that staff block entrance to the entire smaller island at the bridge. What's been your experience? My ship (the Magnifica) doesn't have a YC, so I'm wondering if that makes a difference.

That's what I needed. Thank you.

I've read there's a shuttle that sometimes runs and sometimes doesn't. I'm going to the main strip in Mahahual, and prefer not to take a taxi since I'll be solo. I'll be there early July.

So I know that MSCs tech isn't great. Just booked my first cruise, and whenever I try to access my booking online with either my booking number or login it just buffers forever (ship icon and grayed out screen) or I get some weird tech error message. I don't want to contact their tech support because based on what I've read here, that would take a lot of work, and the issue might never get resolved... so, how do I check in for my cruise? Is there workaround online? Do I call them? Do I just show up at the ship on boarding day?

Thank you! That's what I'm looking for.

Just booked my first MSC cruise on the Magnifica after status matching to diamond. How do I max out my benefits? It sounds like there is just one specialty Asian restaurant on board. What does the tasting menu look lovely me? Where do make a reservation? At the restaurant or guest services? How do I block time in the thermal spa? Any other experiences I should book ahead of time?

Frogg Toggs are a great option for a rainjacket rain pant combo. I would spend 100s at REI unless you know you'll need rain gear at home.

+1 on the comment that weather can be unpredictable. First time I went to glacier bay (land trip), I landed, prepared, wearing warm clothes, and it was 90 degrees outside. A few days later I took the small boat to the glacier and needed layers, and I would have spent more time outside if had a warmer jacket on top of my layers. Another year I went camping off grid above the artic circle. The first half of the trip was hot. Like regular summer camping in the lower 48, and I never zipped my sleeping bag. Then the weather turned, and it was like camping in the fall in the lower 48. 50s-60s overcast and drizzly. I added layers and bundled up. There are averages to give a sense of overall temperature, but you can never predict what the weather will be on a specific day. Think about what clothing you'd need on a drizzly day in 50s that would let you stay comfortable outside for several hours straight, and pack enough layers. You might have a nice warm day, or not. I've been to a Alaska a bunch, but it's still super special to me, and I'd rather overpack to give me the ability to stand outside and look at the views for extended periods of time. I don't want to be going inside all the time and missing out because I wanted to pack light.