Mike C

31 minutes ago, PAULLUO said:

 So the charging method is like shopping at the mall, except he is pre-authorizing double what you actually spent, and if the credit card has cash back rewards, it can also apply?

The charge is listed as an entertainment charge

3 hours ago, wolft927 said:

$75 per night per person? 

Not per person, but per night.  For eleven nights it was about $ 870.

This last time the Concierge told us that the room was vacant, but the person who had booked it was a no-show.  He said there was a possibility the couple might meet the ship at our first port, Port Canaveral.  If that was the case we would be moved back to YC interior.  I waited until we left PC to completely unpack.

4 hours ago, wolft927 said:

So Have Sailed NCL a lot lately and giving MSC YC a Try in September on the Seascape. Is the upgrade advantage program similar to NCL? Also, we have a YC interior and was wondering anyone that has had success lately? I know on NCL see a lot of success from say interior to balcony, but Haven Upgrade bids are very very scarce. 

We will try to go from YC interior to YC balcony, but honestly if we do not win not a big deal. Thanks for the help everyone. 

We have been able to upgrade from YC interior to YC Deluxe Balcony once on board for our last two cruises on the Meraviglia.  Stop at the Concierge desk first thing and tell them you are interested.  They will probably tell you to check back after sailaway. Both times the upgrade cost approx. $ 75 per night.

1 hour ago, Cruzinforpeace*** said:

Sailing the Meraviglia on 2/4 and see that storage/drawer space is tight.  Any hints or storage item purchases recommended for maximizing space?

Leave your open suitcase under the bed.  You can pull it out like another drawer to store your bulkier items such as your winter coats

We just got checked in. They are asking for paper copies of the boarding passes

1 hour ago, CruisingFox27 said:

As an alternative, assuming you're referring to having dinner in a speciality, you could book for lunch. 

Or, if you look at the dinner menus and nothing of note appeals, have the concierge book the speciality restaurant. 

I like the idea of waiting to see the YC dinner menu before booking the Diamond dinner.  We did have a great meal in Ocean Cay last time.  Mussels were excellent

One of the Diamond perks is a free specialty dinner.  You can book it with the Concierge once on board.

I would plan on having the rest of the dinners in the YC restaurant.

once you hit warmer weather, lunch will be served at the grill on the pool deck which is very good.

22 hours ago, Haljo1935 said:

No, ship time changes as you cross time zones. If your time is moving forward or backward, you will be notified the evening before.

Always best to note what ship time is at each port before you get off (as well as back on board time) so you will calculate your back on board time correctly.

Safe travels - enjoy your cruise!

In November on the Venezia, we stayed on ship time when we went to San Juan which was one hour ahead of ship time due to daylight savings time.  We almost missed our excursion we booked with Flavors of San Juan due to the time difference 

40 minutes ago, Royals Carol said:

Does the pool at Amber Cove have a slopping entrance into the pool? Or just steps?

Thanks! Carol 

There is an area of the pool that gently slopes down

15 hours ago, caribe123 said:

We will look into Iguana Mama Tours. Is that you book outside of Carnival?

Yes, check out their website.  They have a few different tours.

On 10/15/2023 at 2:37 PM, caribe123 said:

Looking forward to cruising Italian Style!  We have been to Grand Turk, San Juan and St Thomas. Any suggestions for St Marten and the DR

Whenever someone asks for a suggestion for the DR, I recommend Iguana Mama tours.  We did the City Tour a few years ago and really enjoyed it.

2 hours ago, caribe123 said:

 

We are driving down that morning. We are 1.5 - 2 hours north depending on traffic

2 hours ago, caribe123 said:

28 Days To Go!!

Anybody Excited Yet??

 

We booked flights yesterday

Are you flying in early or the same day?

22 hours ago, RMLincoln said:

Thanks. I appreciate the heads-up.
We’ll try for a sit down breakfast and a late departure. If the room steward allows us to leave our last minute totes on the room, or we’ll take the to breakfast. Have to learn how it all works on NCL.  I’m sure it’ll all be fine. We won’t be in a hurry, taking a cab to Grand Central, train north to where we’re leaving our car at our grandkids house, staying the night in a hotel so no hurries, no worries!  Thanks for the info. 

Just a heads-up, it might not be that easy to get a taxi near the cruise terminal, especially for a short trip to GCT. There is a taxi stand across the street, but the city doesn’t staff it. It’s chaotic. Someone will be screening the people looking for a cab, trying to find the airport fares.  There will be a few fake “Uber” drivers looking to grab fares, telling you that their car is a down the block.  If you take your time coming off the ship, it might be worth it to try and grab a cab outside the second floor of the terminal where the taxis are dropping off customers.  Last time, we tried for a cab to GCT and then called an Uber.  The driver told us he prefers to pick up on the second floor, since it’s less congested.  Good luck, and have a great cruise.

You can check with the Concierge once you are in the YC to see if there is the possibility of an upgrade.  We were able to do it in January from YCI to YC Deluxe for about $75 a night.

2 hours ago, josephine678 said:

Ahh the pier just opened up parking reservations for my cruise. NY Cruise says 12pm?? Just to confirm you can arrive earlier?

I just made my reservation for Sept 20.  Arrival time is 8 AM

My last experience with the cab stand across the street wasn’t pleasant. A couple of “gentlemen” were acting as cab dispatchers screening people based on their destination. They were refusing people who were looking for short rides, such as Grand Central.  Other drivers were haggling with fares as they loaded their luggage into their cabs.

We wound up getting an Uber XL.  The driver recommended that next time we should go to the 2 nd deck on the pier side and call for the Uber there.

15 hours ago, caribe123 said:

Are you concerned about reports of poor security and the ship being hot 🥵 

 

Weare not overly concerned as things tend to get exaggerated. Also thinks will be worked out in next 3 months I’m sure

As far as the ship having spots that are warm, or reports of the casino being smoky, those things will not change. As far as the reports of fights on the last cruise, those are not security issues, those are cruiser issues.

56 minutes ago, caribe123 said:

Thanks a lot Mike. Are you all cruising anytime soon?

We’re booked on NCL in May, the Glory in October and then the Venezia

1 hour ago, caribe123 said:

Thanks for the advice. What was the price back then? What all did you see?

I don't remember the price, but it less expensive than going through Carnival.  I saw the tour on a ParoDeeJay video. If you search Youtube for the ParoDeeJay channel and then search for Amber Cove, you should find it.

We went up the mountain to the botanical garden, saw the statue of Jesus, visited a Rum factory, cigar shop, city center, fort, and had an authentic Dominican lunch.

We were the only people signed up that day, so it was like a private tour. You do need to walk outside the port area to meet the tour.  On the way back, there is a cab waiting that will drive you back into the port for a few dollars.

Mike

In the DR, if you’ve never been there before, I would strongly recommend the City Tour through Iguana Mama.  We did an excellent five hour tour a few years ago.

Mike

16 hours ago, McFins said:

On day 1 when you first board where can you change dining reservations on the Prima?  I know I saw it mentioned a bunch of times but cannot find it now.  Thanks so much for your help

 

 

 

 

 

I’m on the Prima now.  On embarkation day the dining desk was in the theatre, deck 6

41 minutes ago, Beamafar said:

I’ll be just as irritated 😤 if we experience similar next week.  We paid almost $1000 to upgrade to PE. 

Please let us know how it goes.

Mike

15 hours ago, mscdivina2016 said:

We arrived at 11 am  and due to a screw up at checkin we did not get onboard till 12:16.

YC did not save our check in so it was an issue. Had to wait for a rep to come and check in.

Our room on deck 15 smells like sewage.and has not been fixed yet despite asking twice.

Bar service on topsail is slow .  Snacks are lousy. Have not met.butler.yet, have not even got.outlr luggage yet at 5:19.

 

Not a good start 

 

Is the YC sold out?

Parking in Brooklyn is in an open lot directly across from the cruise terminal.  It is an industrial area, so a little tricky to find. I believe the new rates are $45 per day.

What day of the week are you cruising?  There will definitely be more traffic in the city if you’re leaving on a weekday.