Essiesmom

Many states no longer use a raised seal, sometimes a watermark. EM

I would ask on the MSC board here if anyone has sailed MSC in Japan/Asia and what the passenger demographic is. I suspect Diamond Princess would be mostly American with some Japanese. But I would think guests on Bellissima in Asia would be mostly European with maybe some Asian. The ship is much larger and entertainment mostly musical due to the ethnic mixture. Food is subjective. There are not many perks to suites on Princess. If you were to choose MSC, be sure to do a status match with Royal, or any other ship or hotel chain where you have high status. And there are not many suites outside of Yacht Club, which is highly recommended. EM

It depends on your definition of a lovely beach. My understanding is that beaches in the Mediterranean would not satisfy those who are accustomed to Florida or Caribbean beaches. Too pebbly…. I have also read that Mykonos is an acceptable beach. EM

Just another couple comments about cabin location: on deck 8, you are close to the stairs, up one flight to lido deck with buffet, pools. Down on deck 2 you would not need to wait for an elevator to leave the ship, or coming back. At most, two flights of stairs. Long walk to the MDR, but that just helps to work off all the available food…. EM

Did he have to send the long expired passport in with the renewal, or does it still exist? EM

I would stay where you are, simply because it is a short cruise, and you will not be in your cabin much. You will have a short period to be exploring the ship, sampling all it has to offer. At the end of your cruise, think back on the experience and try to decide how much time you would have spent on that balcony. Depending on your next cruises you may decide you can find the time for a balcony. EM

Since neither have yet sailed for Carnival, I think you will have to wait a bit longer. EM

Military ID(active, retired, dependent), state ID which can be issued instead of a DL. Students can use school IDs if they have a picture. EM

The bag must fit through the same scanner used at airports. It can be longer but width and depth something like 16x24. But I’m sure someone will be along to be more exact. EM

They are totally silicone or rubber except for the metal fastener, just like apple or other smart watch bands. EM

That was mentioned in post #44 by Heidi13. But by far the best libraries at sea are on Cunard. EM

Have you looked on the Ports of Call board for Europe? Also, have you joined the ROLL CALL for your cruise? Folks sailing with you may have suggestions/plans to share. EM

Does your rollator have a seat? Put your carryon on it, get a backpack for the CPAP and purse contents, take a cloth bag to use a purse while on the cruise, one that you can stuff in the backpack or carryon. Or get a crossbody purse. I have a crossbody bag that stuffs in my backpack and comes out after I get on the plane. I can wear it and the backpack together. EM

This is from Seaside in 2019. They had them in the MSC shop on deck 8, but they come with your muster assembly station on them (mine was F) and that shop didn’t have that station, so I had to go to guest services. It’s all rubber except the metal fastener. I found the fastener nearly impossible to close, even with two hands so I had to fasten it loosely to slide over my wrist. Maybe a little Vaseline or lotion would make it work.

If there are any available, they are in the pool. I was assigned one on Diamond P. B2B to Alaska. My TA said it was likely the only inside left available for both weeks. It was HUGE, really a suite. And I loved the bathroom with the bench in the shower. That was in 2010. This year I booked my first ambulatory accessible cabin just for the shower seat, as I can no longer stand in the shower long enough to soap and rinse my short hair without getting dizzy. EM

puerto Vallarta is not a tender port. Suggest you ask on Ports of Call board for Mexican Riviera.

And to go further, if you wish to cruise in a quad balcony cabin on Armonia or her sisters, where the balconies were tacked onto OV cabins when they were lengthened, this is what you get. Good luch accessing the balcony when the bunks are deployed. If there are only three, the bunk is at the foot of the bed:

Just to add to the glossary of bed types available, here is an OV cabin on Divina with two uppers. Only one was in use, you can see the outline of the other in the ceiling: And here is an inside cabin with the unfortunate wall mounted bunks. I don't know why they keep using these when they could just as easily put them in the ceiling, but they do. Even brand new ships. And to add to the mix, this is 8139 on Divina with the sleeper sofa open. Guests sleep lengthwise on it rather than heads against the headboard. Here is another quad OV with both uppers stowed

Years ago I did a B2B cruise without changing cabin. On turnaround day, two large suitcases appeared outside my door. Certainly not mine, just told cabin steward and they went away. EM

Wow, that video should be pinned at the top of the page…. Picture worth a thousand words…. EM

I much prefer the eastern routes, but I’m trying hard to think of things that would interest a four year old. The Med is not known for beaches…at least not the pristine sand you are used to in the Caribbean. Honestly, if I was to take young children to Europe I would focus on Northern Europe. EM

That IS the sofa, after its transformation into bunks. To the OP, it depends on the class of ship, and cabin type. On Fantasia class (Divina) there were insides with bunks in the ceiling, and bunks on the walls. Also OV cabins same. Sofa bed was foldout for two. The newer classes have the bunk sofa, as well as regular foldout couches, and BL balcony cabins with bunks in a niche. So if you can be more specific about ships you are considering we can be of more help. EM

I think you will find most of the guests will be fellow Brits. Few people are going to travel to the UK for a four day cruise, unless they come from the continent. We were a slight exception in 2013, as we arrived in Harwich on Infinity (after 27 days), spent two days in London , then taking a four day cruise on Cunard QE to Bruges and Guernsey. But then we were immediately on a plane to Venice for 12 days on Silhouette. But on our Cunard cruise there were few non-Brits. And most took the opportunity to dress up for dinner, even on the non-formal nights. EM

Unfortunately there is no Johnny Rockets on MSC Meraviglia. And the forward areas above the regular cabins are Yacht Club territory. The OP has also posted on the MSC board. EM

Every Carnival ship has cornhole boards, usually set up by the pool. Not sure if cornhole is a traditional activity in Europe, but you might ask onboard if they have it…agree that finding a place to set it up might be a problem. EM