Dr. Cocktail

I have been one of their biggest boosters on these boards and I’m still hopeful as most of the problems we’ve heard about are “software” and not hardware related! They are getting and will get lots of flack from early passengers and the travel agent community on behalf of their clients for not delivering on what the advance pr and website promises. Complimentary shuttle services to city centres need to be worked on and the stated “Emporium Marketplace is an effortless all-day dining restaurant… allowing guests total flexibility in what they choose to eat, and when” has to become a reality! That was a HUGE selling point! I’m not in the hospitality business but there are more than enough seats in the restaurants to comfortably accommodate everyone. They need to figure out their organization - they have VERY experienced F and B personnel and they can make changes based on what they are seeing. Large groups of travel agents and influencers arriving at the dining rooms at once on these initial sailings did not help. As time passes, the generally earlier dining North Americans will be balanced out by the later arriving Europeans. The apparently packed together Med Yacht Club could easily lose the lounge areas to space out the tables. Again - all fixable but all requiring some Tincture of Time!

I’m sticking with my answer in post #13!

It's unbelievable.... my December 2024 cruise was changed, we rebooked the new dates (they weren't even aware that this had happened at the US call center!) and now that's cancelled one week later!

Of course, never having joined FB, my curiosity is totally piqued!!!

Strangely enough, I don't feel the need to light a sympathy candle!

Who do you think you are? Me?!?! There must be a Golden Patience Award with your name on it!!!

As a Retreat alternative, might I suggest Explora Journeys? This is MSC’s entry into the ultra-luxury market. About 64 000 grt and ~ 900 passengers at full capacity but they expect to initially sail with about 700. Four (!) pools and associated bars, four complimentary dining rooms + “buffet” (more of a food hall concept - fresh oysters, filets, sashimi - no problem) and complimentary house “sparkling wine” is Moët and Chandon (France, not California!) All inclusive except for shore excursions. NO SHOW LOUNGE !!! No horrible click track shows! All entertainment is come and go as you please with acts lasting for hours (with breaks) in the assorted lounges. They have admitted that their target market is the “Working Wealthy”, ages 50 to 65. I have three booked….

It's only week 3! It could well and truly be a train wreck but it needs a bit of time to sort itself out. Granted, the suite bathrooms should have been more "blingy" and the "between hours" dining has not been fully considered but the latter can easily be changed. With the prices they're charging, it should be "perfect" from day one but that's really not a reasonable expectation. Sailing on any new class of ship in the first 3 or 4 months involves a certain amount of risk. There are plenty of lousy (well actually, well written!) reviews of Seabourn, Silversea and Regent on cruisecritic. I had lots of problems on my sailing on Splendor this past year. I'll make up my own mind on board but Explora is the only one one of the luxury lines that can offer 4 pools and 5 main restaurants. Not having a show lounge and those dreaded entertainments is a HUGE pull for me. I'll let you know in a few months!

Many thanks!

Would you mind posting the discount that you've been offered (obviously with all the details whited out!) I may have burned myself by acting too quickly .... I got nothing approaching a 30% future credit.

My pleasure!

Ps - if you could post when the offer comes through, it would be much appreciated!!!

I have a few Explora cruises booked and always keep an eye on what the price is doing. In the past week, I noticed that my fall sailing in 2024 no longer existed! The new itineraries actually worked in my favour and the changes were generously and effortlessly altered. Have you checked the website to see what's there? I'm hoping that what you are referring to is what happened and that you can find something else.

Status Matching has been an MSC "thing" for years .... they've been generous in extending loyalty benefits matching those of other competing carriers. Their top tier level offers complimentary specialty dining and little "special" items but the program most importantly offers a 5 or 10% discount on your next booking.

Actually click on Ocean Penthouses, not "Select"

🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️ I agree .... they haven't made it easy.

Without totally monopolizing the board today, have your agent call Explora re the booking date. Magic can happen as long as the booking was made in calendar 2023.

Go onto the website as if you're making a booking. Select a sailing and then click on the "Book" button. Then you will see a list of the 4 major categories available. Click on "Ocean Penthouses" which is underlined. The shown page will then slide in from the top of the page!

Success!!! This is a direct screenshot from the Explora website:

You are owed free laundry and pressing as per the website!!! See my next post!!!

Thanks so much for taking time out of your vacation to post! The vast majority of the cabins on board, according to the deck plans, are shower only with no tub. Most of our suites are equipped with spacious walk-in showers and there is also the option to book a suite with a bathtub if that is your preference. If you wish to book a suite with a bathtub, please let your preferred Travel Advisor or our Explora Journeys Ambassador know when you make your booking. The website is still showing free laundry for Penthouses and above and Butlers for Ocean Residences and above.... 🤷‍♂️ Our Ocean Residences offer larger spaces starting from 70 sqm. Additional benefits are: In-Suite Dining exclusive menu, including specialities from our onboard culinary venues; in-suite full bar setup with a selection of premium spirits, wines and soft drinks; in-suite welcome bottle of premium champagne; 24-hour butler services; Unlimited complimentary laundry, dry-cleaning and ironing services; personal welcome by a butler and priority embarkation upon arrival; roundtrip airport transfers included (available up to a distance of 50 miles / 80 km from / to port; airport security fast-track included (where available); VIP lounge at embarkation (where available).

We posted at the same time!

My bad .... she's on vacation from August 21st until October 30th ....

Heike Berdos, General Manager, EXPLORA I. Formerly Hotel Director with Azamara Cruises where she spent 15 years as part of the starter team to launch the new brand. Prior to this, Heike worked for MSC Cruises as Shore Excursions Manager and held various guest service positions with Celebrity Cruises over 23 years culminating to her appointment as Hotel Director. Heike was born in Germany and raised in Algeria, Canada and Germany.

Yup!