mackfam

I am considering an 11 night Northern Europe/Baltic cruise on the Poesia in 2024. Obviously this will be in gen pop as no YC on this ship (this is already causing anxiety!) I’m wondering if anyone has sailed on her recently and if so, what the experience was like. Prior to trying MSC last year (only been in YC so far), our preference was for the smaller, older Celebrity or Royal ships.

Thank you for an informative review. Was the YC full on your sailing and how busy was the Top Sail lounge and pool deck? Also wondering how things seemed outside the YC enclave as far as general behavior went and how crowded venues were?

On the subject of disgruntled employees, we talked a member of the entertainment team on our most recent cruise. She had worked for MSC for a number of years and said pre pandemic they were great to work for. She had only been with the current ship for a few weeks but said the management was now terrible, they were supposed to get a 20% pay increase and were only getting 6%, management doesn’t listen to the staff and only Italians get promoted. She said she used to love her job but now her and most of the entertainment team just do what they are required to do and that’s it. No way of knowing how much of this is true of course.

I was able to reserve a cabana on the Meraviglia last week on port days for Port Canaveral and Nassau. As we weren’t arriving in either port until 1pm I thought it was still worth it. I believe the cost was $35 per day. I asked at the concierge desk as soon as we boarded and the sea days were already booked.

I would post this on the Northern Europe and Baltic Sea Ports of Call board. There are some very helpful people there who have lots of good advice.

Thanks, I think the day before in all likelihood would be fine, but after DH saying “ I guess we’ve been on enough cruises it doesn’t matter if we miss one” I'm going to err on the side of caution and come two days early. Our main concern is flight delays or cancellations messing things up, which seem to be a common occurrence in our neck of the woods for the last 12 months or so.

Sailing out of Southampton on Sept 2nd. We are coming from Canada and will be arriving at Heathrow at 9pm. I’m thinking of booking a hotel at the airport then getting the 8:15am National Express coach to Southampton the next day. My big dilemma is should we fly in 2 days before and also have a night in Southampton just to be on the safe side or just the day before. I’m not sure if National Express has been affected by the random strikes like the trains have (or even if these strikes are still ongoing).

Our first MSC cruise was on the Seaview in May 2022 in YC round trip from Barcelona. Our ports were Marseille, Genoa, Naples, Messina, Malta, While we have cruised on almost all the mainstream lines, we had favored Celebrity for several years pre pandemic. I had wanted to try YC for a while and our Seaview cruise was rescheduled from 2020. The vibe was definitely different from Celebrity outside the YC enclave, but we loved the cruise. It was awesome to get back on the ship after a busy day of sightseeing and retreat to the peaceful YC pool deck or lounge away from the crowds in the rest of the ship. I find in Europe we cruise more for the itinerary than the ship and other than going to the shows we didn’t stray too far from the YC areas. In fact on our last day, which was a sea day, we went exploring and discovered areas of the ship we hadn’t seen before! English speakers were definitely in the minority, but we met an American couple who were traveling with their grandson (graduation trip) when we boarded, and we ended up eating dinner with them every night in the YC restaurant which was fun as we compared notes about our activities each day. We just completed our 3rd MSC cruise last week in YC with 12 family members. Had a fantastic time, love the YC product. Having said that, we have a cruise to Norway booked for September on the Virtuosa in gen pop which is giving me anxiety! I just couldn’t justify paying the price for YC on that cruise so hoping the itinerary makes up for roughing it! DH doesn’t want to do anything but YC now but has begrudgingly agreed to try just a balcony on Virtuosa (we sail in inside cabins in YC but they were sold out for Norway and the YC1 were 3x price of a regular balcony). We have two more YC cruises booked for November and January to get “our fix”! For the cost savings alone you can’t go wrong with the YC over the Retreat in the Med. Having your own pool deck and everything in one area is awesome and you will really appreciate the YC level of service after a long day of sightseeing.

The first cruise that DH and I took with our 4 kids back in 2005, we were unaware of the DSC, and it came as a shock to have an extra $420 added onto our bill at the end of the cruise. At that time we did not understand the concept and asked for it to be removed for 2 of our kids. Now we realize the benefit to the crew and have never removed it since that first time. I would prefer it be included in the cruise price, and for many years chose to sail on Celebrity with their drinks and tips included fares (until their prices skyrocketed) but at least we are aware of the extra costs going in now. We don’t begrudge paying the DSC but we rarely give extra tips unless someone goes above and beyond. As far as tipping on land goes, I 100% agree with this The daughter of a good friend works at one of the more popular high end restaurants in our city and regularly makes $800 or more in tips on a weekend night on top of her wage. She has just bought a house in a market where many double income couples can not do the same. I don’t understand the compulsion to give someone who is just doing their job, and nothing more, a 15-20% gift. Pretty soon we’ll be seeing tip options at the supermarket checkout.

They do list the times for the YC venues (but also all the other venues) on the back page. Maybe this is different from the regular dailies as the front page with the YC logo and back page are one piece and they insert a loose ‘daily planner’ page in the middle

Currently in the YC. Other than having the Yacht Club logo on the upper right corner of the front page, there is no difference that I’ve noticed, as most activities take place in the main part of the ship.

We board on Sunday and we’re looking for some options for Nassau. The ship’s excursions that were of interest are sold out and a couple in our group would like to go snorkeling. I’m wondering if there are any tour operators offering independent excursions when you get off the ship?

We have a port stop in Nassau next Tuesday from 1-9pm. DH and I have been to Nassau many times and typically just go to the beach if we get off the ship at all. DS and his girlfriend just told me they would like to go snorkeling but the cruise line excursions of interest are now sold out. I’m wondering if it’s possible to book something when you get off the ship ( they don’t have their own snorkel gear). I’ve seen a few tours advertised on trip advisor but the prices were ridiculous.

Awesome, thanks!

Does anyone know if it’s possible for YC guests to get snorkeling gear to use other than through purchasing an excursion or the rental? These options online show as sold out for our upcoming cruise and our son and his girlfriend have just expressed an interest in this.

Interested to hear how embarkation was. Was it very busy getting to the port?

Yes, I have it with the original booking details that I will take with me just in case.

Thanks, fingers crossed this happens.

When I’ve cruised on other cruise lines any OBC that I was given by the travel agent didn’t show up until I was on board and then there was usually a card in the stateroom indicating the amount. My upcoming cruise on the Meraviglia is the first MSC cruise that I’ve used a TA for, and that I’ve had outside OBC for. There was no OBC from MSC at the time I booked. When my e-ticket arrived there is a page that says ‘ on board credit voucher’ and lists an amount which is $100 less than promised by the TA. It also says this page must be printed and presented at check in. Is this customary with MSC? Also should I contact my TA about the discrepancy in the amount or is it likely to show up on board? The TA has always come through with what has been promised previously but I’ve never experienced this situation before.

They give you a key card as well as the wrist band. The wrist band was hit and miss for us, sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn’t. Not sure about getting an extra key card for your kids room.

100% agree with this ^^.

Still trying to get the discount added as OBC to my son’s reservation. TA is not being very helpful, says she was told it can’t be done as the cabin category is sold out.

Concerned to hear about all your negative experiences especially as you are in YC. We board on June 4th and our previous experience in the YC on the Meraviglia last November was excellent. Of course the ship was only half full at that time. We’ve also convinced friends who are loyal Celebrity cruisers to join us in YC this November. Hope we’re not all going to be disappointed. 🙁

Yes, with my first MSC cruise I was able to get it applied after booking and a new invoice was issued with the reflected discount. I also was able to do this on an upcoming family cruise for one of my sons. However I am currently having trouble getting the discount as OBC for another son who was slow getting his status match done and w cruise next week.

Yes