Muushka

5 hours ago, gfkcruiser said:

We are trying HAL for the first time on a 14 day British sailing around d Scotland.   Was enticed by the $1 deposit and it is going where I want to go.  Did the early booking with all included.  Will miss the complimentary laundry I have on Celebrity.   
As for Celebrity, after experiencing IV in both hot weather and cold windy weather, will not do it again.  Loved the Retreat on the Beyond that we got as a Move Up bid, but it is double what I am paying for my SV on the Ascent.  Disappointed that, as of now, only building ships with IV.  

After experiencing the laundry package on HAL, I would gladly pay for it on X (and I too get lots of free laundry with Elite + and I am as frugal as they come!), if it was like it is on HAL.  Clean and pressed on hangers or wrapped up nicely in a basket.  When we got it it was $7.50 a day for unlimited laundry for the cabin (not per person).  Our clothes never looked so good!

I also loved the Music Walk entertainment.  it was wonderful.  We plan on doing another HAL one of these days.  If only for the laundry.😉

Wow, you went thru a lot of trouble for those of us who will happily use your expertise!

Thank you 🙂

I am in the camp of not wasting money no matter what I am doing.  Be it in a grocery store or a restaurant or on vacation or cruising.  Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the finer things (we usually cruise in a suite on X or the rare RCI, Yachtclub on MSC.  But we have done several DCL cruises and no way would we pay suite prices on that cruise line). 

When we do cruise X in a suite, nowadays means waiting until I find a suite at a decent price otherwise no.  I have a feeling this will be our last suite on X due to the rise in price.

I have a close relative who has the attitude that she only lives once.  "It's my vacation, I'm going to splurge!".  Or "I am eating out, I will splurge!"  I should probably say that she had the attitude because today she cannot afford anything other than the absolutely necessities, no splurges.

So for those who are in the "bring my own test" camp, if you test positive will you inform the cruise line?

Our experience in September 2023:

5 days into the 11 night cruise my husband had the chills and started feeling bad.

He went to the ship's doc and sure enough, COVID positive.  He was charged $150 and given some Dayquil and cough drops.  l felt fine.  They said for him to quarantine for 5 days and then be verbally checked (in other words, not another test to confirm negative).  I could stay in the cabin with him.  That evening I started feeling bad.  I did not go to the doc because I knew I had COVID and why should I pay $150 for a little bottle of dayquil and some cough drops.  I isolated with him the entire time.  I felt like it was the worse flu I've ever had (caught the flu twice, diagnosed of course), my husband wasn't as sick as I was. 

Once we emerged on day 6, I stopped by Guest Services to question the $150 charge.  They apologized and removed it.  I mentioned that I was sick with it and wondered if there was any sort of refund for covid when catching it on board.  I was told they would be calling us.  Which they did. 

The person who called said we would receive a $1400 refund for the loss of 5 days for my husband.  I told them that I also had covid and quarantined the entire time and they could check my folio and room service in case there was any doubt.  I also explained why I didn't seek medical treatment.  Thankfully, Celebrity was kind enough to believe me and we received a $2800 refund.

My feelings about what the OP posted are that Celebrity should offer the covid test for a minimal charge, to be refunded if positive.  I was going to say free, but they would be doing covid tests all day long if it was free.  Seeing how easily we both caught this virus, I believe that people should not be going out in public if they are covid positive.

3 hours ago, Moby Jones said:

Achieving Zenith status requires 3,000 Captains Club points. Not 3,000 posts on a Cruise Critic thread. 😉 🙂 

Thanks for that giggle!  This thread almost gave me a headache!

45 minutes ago, Lastdance said:

A PH1 on Oceania is more like a Sky Suite on Celebrity.  I booked the new Vista in a PH1; it does have a special area for Concierge and above on this new ship, but I haven't cruised yet, so cannot share more information.  I have always heard the food is excellent in most of the venues.  We got at excellent price on a TA from Miami to Portugal.  We are also adding time in Algarve!  We've been to Portugal before, but never the southern part with all the beautiful cliffs and caves.  I paid $350 per day.

That is what we stayed in, a PH1.  I actually thought it was a bit nicer than a SS on X.  I loved the decor and colors,  We were on the Riviera.  I think you're right, that area I described was for concierge and above.  The cookies were the worst we have ever had at sea!  We did enjoy the dining but it is the same for all pax.  We liked Luminae and YC just a little bit more.  But O had a great buffet area.  And nice, calm pax.  Not to be confused with MSC outside the YC.

Enjoy that TA!  I hope you enjoy your PH suite.

12 hours ago, kr00t0n said:

I've not experienced MSC myself, but going from people's posts I get the feeling that the experience between the YC and normal passengers is far closer to the class segregation that people often complain about, whereas the general experience on Celebrity is roughly the same for non-Retreat guests as Retreat guests.

As in, you NEED to be in YC for MSC to be good, but Celebrity it good both in and out of The Retreat.

Truer words never spoken.  Our first YC experience was right after covid and the ship was only at 25% occupancy so there wasn't a big difference between YC and non-YC areas on the ship. 

The second one was over NYE a year ago.  You couldn't pay me enough $$ to leave the YC area!

6 hours ago, CruisinShips said:

Finding this thread to be very interesting.  I am wondering though why there aren't more mentions of Oceania as an alternative.  It seems to be a go-to line for many people I know who prefer the more upscale experience akin to Silversea or Regent.

 

We have done suites on all 3 lines, X, MSC and Oceania,  While Oceania had an area for suites that had coffees and juices and snacks, it wasn't that nice, an interior space.  And I don't recall any other suite only areas.  The cabin was very nice (PH if I remember correctly, but nowhere near as nice as a PH on X).  There was no special dining venue for suites. 

For us, it does not compare to YC or X Retreat.  But the price was much better (well this was Dec 2021, it may be higher now).  It is the same reason why to us, suites on cruise lines that don't offer what YC and X offer, we don't bother with.  Why pay all of that extra $$ for just a larger cabin (thinking about HAL and Princess and others).

We have had a few Thanksgiving dinners on X.  I like traditional (US) Thanksgiving food. 

The gravy, the stuffing, the vegetables served with the meal were all disappointing to us.  Even the pumpkin pie was not that good.

If we ever cruise for this holiday again, I will hold no expectations whatsoever!

Thanks OP, for giving me a glimpse of one of my Bucket List items.  Wonderful report.

Beautiful picture!  We will also be on her for the first time next year.  Can't wait!

8 minutes ago, George C said:

Totally agree celebrity should have a piano bar on all ships , we used to sail Hal but food was just so so and don’t dare try to compare suite perks since hal really doesn’t have any worth talking about . If you want better entertainment I would go to rccl .

You are right about the suite perks, practically non-existent.

But the Music Walk is all I can think about when we consider booking another cruise.  I loved it.

That and the laundry.   HAL has the best laundry package at sea!

1 hour ago, sunviking90 said:

I just received this email from Celebrity. I’m guessing they don’t proof read these before sending out?

You had me at your.

On 2/14/2023 at 8:52 AM, carlmm said:

There is much more live music in various venues all around the ship on MSC than on Celebrity and HAL. Also, life continues much later in the evening.

The mix of guests on average is more international and the whole style is a bit more Southern European. Well, MSC is an Italian cruise line. Eg. room stewards do not want to be your buddy, rather they do their job in the background. 

This has not been our experience.  HAL had a wonderful musical venues. 

Hands down the best we ever experienced on a cruise (MSC, X, DCL, RCI, beat them all).

Although we can't take advantage of your alert, I always appreciate the heads-up!

8 minutes ago, styles27 said:

@Muushkayour husband is very lucky the scopolamine patch doesn’t give him any adverse reactions.
I used them a few times years ago without any problems.
Back then the patch lasted 2 days. 
The last prescription I got it said they lasted 3 days.

I guess it’s stronger now or the pharmacist gave me a different brand. Not sure. 

So I put it on and after 3 days I changed it and then by day 6 I started experiencing pins and needles on the left side of my face, mouth and neck. My lips were so numb I couldn’t speak right. I thought I was having a stroke. It was very scary. 
 

The doctor on board told me it was most likely from the patch as my BP and vitals were normal and that was the only medication I was on.  
He removed the patch and put me on a saline IV to help flush it out of my system but it took over 24hrs before the pins and needles feeling disappeared completely. 
 

It scared me enough that I never used it again, especially after the doctor told me he sees this reaction often. 
 

If anyone has these symptoms when using it remove it immediately and see the doctor.  
 

 

Yes, that's why I gave that "depends on the person" disclaimer.  I think if anyone is fearful that they may have an adverse reaction to the patch, perhaps try it on dry land, and not experiment on a cruise.  Yep, it does last 3 days.  A godsend to my husband!  Sorry not for you.

On 1/26/2023 at 1:09 PM, sockmonkeygirl said:

My Dr left the practice, and they won't give me a prescription without being seen...but the are booking appointments out into May.  Cruise is in April.  Is there another way to get a prescription before going?  

I would probably find a new practice. If yours does not have any appointments for 4 months, well, I think that is unacceptable.  From my husband's experience, we have learned a couple of things about the patches.  One is that the cruise line may not even prescribe them while on board.  From experience we know that Celebrity did not when he forgot his at home.  The other thing he has learned is that he must have a patch on at least 4 hours prior to waves.  Otherwise he will get sick. 

Another option is to find an Asian grocery store.  Scopolamine is OTC in Asia. 

On 1/26/2023 at 3:08 PM, quattrohead said:

Large modern cruise ships really do not move around much, they are big enough to bridge multiple waves.

Last 3 cruises I have been on, Divina, Freedom and Meraviglia have all been very smooth.

Even when Divina was being pounded by 50 knot side winds, she was still maintaining 22 knots and had more of a determined slight shudder rather than the pitching and swaying of olde.

 

Also, I don't know if anyone else has noticed this....I have to stay away from coffee before and during a cruise otherwise I do feel sick if it is rough.

If you suffer from motion sickness, they do move around!  Plus you never know what you will encounter for weather/waves.  Our first cruise on DCL had 35 ft waves.  In March.

On 1/26/2023 at 7:52 PM, basketballdad said:

patches make many people sicker than going without.

Depends on the person.  In my husband's case he drinks (not alcohol, he doesn't partake) a little more due to the patch making you thirsty but otherwise he has never gotten sick (after 30+ cruises).

If not for the patch, that first DCL cruise would have been our last.

16 hours ago, mahdnc said:

On another note, Celebrity is not offering any cruises that happen to be in the path of the total solar eclipse on Apr 8 2024.  On that day, Holland America and Princess will have ships in Mazatlan, Mexico.  Assuming that it stays clear, the passengers will be treated to quite the spectacle.  If you are not going to be on a ship, be sure to block out time for it to see on land.  The narrow path of totality will cross the USA cities of Dallas, San Antonio, Paducah KY, Indianapolis, Dayton, Cleveland, Buffalo, and Rochester.

 

 

My wife and I took our first cruise on Carnival's Jubilee which happen to be at the right place (Mazatlan) at the right time (Jul 11 1991) to see the longest total solar eclipse of the century (we would have gone even if it wasn't the longest).  Unforgettable sight. 

 

Aug 21 2017 Total Solar Eclipse, Paducah KY

 

 

Jul 11 1991 Total Solar Eclipse, Carnival Jubilee, off the coast of Mazatlan

Umbraphiles unite!  I give you the "Post of the month" award!

We traveled to SC to see the Great American Solar Eclipse in 2017 and planned to see the one coming in 2024.  We even have family in Rochester to share the experience with.  Imagine our disappointment realizing that the cruise we booked on X (Caribbean) will take place during the eclipse. 

But the way we look at it, we saw it once and it was more than amazing.  We are grateful for that!

As one who enjoys watching TV while on a cruise (like admitting you don't like little puppies to some),

I am very disappointed that the lineup on Meraviglia is the same as Divina.  I can assume, like Divina, they also do not have free on demand movies.  Ugh.  At least on Meraviglia there will be a TV larger than the postage stamp one on Divina.  Although it still won't be worth watching!

But we loved the YC experience, so we will make do!

Thank you for your fair and balanced report!  My favorite kind.  A pleasure to read.

We are hoping to cruise on this ship, YC, for NYE.  Fingers crossed!

Hi PinkSandGirl,

I like your writing style and look forward to this cruise with you.  No, I won't be on it.😉

I am intrigued with your reasons for wanting to cruise on Beyond and look forward to your impressions.  Like you, the infinite verandah had no appeal to us and we love S class ships.  But we decided to give E class a try, on the Beyond, also in a SS.  In 2024.  Long time from now!

As somewhat of a Celebrity loyalist, I must confess.  After cruising on Nieuw Statendam for a Christmas/NY 2 week cruise, I loved that cruise.  Why?  I loved the music.  Pretty much any type of music was available in the evening.  Live, quality music.  I loved the TV.  Yes, I watch TV on a cruise.  A huge TV on the wall opposite the bed.  With lots of good programming.  In addition, I LOVED the laundry.  I think it was $7 a day, unlimited.  Coming back pressed on hangers or in  a nice basket.  We are Elite + on X and get all kinds of free laundry.  I would rather pay the $7 a day! 

While these things may not seem like much, it is enough that I think of that cruise often.   Yes, I missed the Happy Hour and the great breakfasts (well, I do it for the view, not the food) at Tuscan Grill.  I missed the beauty of X ships.  And the status.  We love to cruise in suites (lowly SS).  On NS we cruised in a Vista Suite.  They offered nothing in perks for cruising in a suite other than more cruising credit points.  MEH.  I think even their upper end suites don't offer very much. 

So in conclusion, if we can swing a suite, X it is.  If we are saving a little $$, I look forward to HAL. 

27 minutes ago, Jazzbo said:

If you are sailing with an Always Included fare, coffee at Cafe al Bacio is included.

Yep.  But I thought they were discussing the perks of the cruise line's loyalty programs.

4 hours ago, 39august said:

Given your preferences for the larger RCI ships, you should probably try Edge class. That also skews to a slightly younger demographic.  Snacks in your cabin depends on class of cabin. Concierge and Aqua classes get daily canapes. I surely would NOT book a cabin just for this, however. You can get food to take to your cabin all over the ship!  There is no dedicated Captain's Club lounge, however, Cafe Al Bacio will blow away the coffee machines in the lounges on RCI. 

I hope the OP realizes that Elite will not get your free coffee at Cafe Al Bacio.

We just graduated to Elite + and are very excited that it will finally be free!

We have done a few RCI cruises, 2 Freedom and 2 Oasis.  Way too busy for my idea of a relaxing cruise.

11 hours ago, blueskadoo said:

Following! We agree about the poor tv choices. I Know you go on cruises to do other stuff, but we enjoy a show as we wind down for the evening. We’ve gone so far as to consider packing a DVD player and some dvds to fill in the gap. I’m not sure if they would let you hook it up, but would love to know if anyone else has had any luck before we drag it on. 

Good idea!  Does anyone know if the wifi included with YC is able to handle streaming Netflix or whatever?  We have a Roku stick that carries all of our streaming services including YouTube TV (live).  It is great for vacations. 

Does anyone know if the TVs on Meraviglia can handle these devices?

7 hours ago, emmas gran said:

Hi if you thought the room small do not do a YC interior they are smaller.  As for the tv we rarely watch I bring an Ipad  and use Netflix or whatever we are also able to read news in the daily newspaper provided.

We both appreciated that newspaper. 

4 hours ago, miataman19 said:

Yes, the cabins in Divina YC are smaller (older ship) than Meraviglia. Meraviglia YC1 cabins are a good size. My last 3 MSC sailings were in Meraviglia YC and I love that ship. Will be doing a solo B2B on Divina in a YC1 leaving today. Only time I look at a TV in my cabin is to check my folio or the ships position.

Well that's good news that the cabins are larger on M.  I also saw a picture and the TVs are larger too.

Good luck checking your folio on Divina.  I had to stop off at concierge frequently to check ours.  No, that is not on the TV in Divina. Apparently it isn't a smart TV. 

Now that's an understatement!  And on the last 2 nights of our cruise the reception went out on that little tiny TV, just when I found a movie on TCM that I wanted to watch!

Thanks all for the info and hopefully just a few more answers.

No, we won't be going on NCL.  But we will be going on Celebrity.  Can't wait to try The Retreat

Just one more complaint (sorry!).  On other cruise lines they have movies playing daily, some 3 times a day at different venues.  Either a dedicated theater or MUTS (outdoors).  And in addition they have movies in the cabin that are on demand.  Start and pause to watch later.  On our 10 night MSC cruise, I think that they only showed 1 movie (in the big theater), and then 1 MUTS.  A total of 2 movies over a 10 night period.  Honestly I may have missed 1 or 2, but not intentionally.  I really wanted to enjoy a good movie. 

But YC was a very pleasant experience.  I look forward to doing another MSC cruise, but they have to improve the TV/movie options.  Unless I can use that Roku!