Essiesmom

The rub is that MSC does not give out duplicate/extra key cards so you can switch people around. The workaround on this ship is to get bracelets ($10 each) and the people switching can trade bracelets in order to open the cabin doors. EM

If you are sailing solo, there is nothing wrong with an upper/lower cabin. More space, ask your steward for a chair. I did, and got a blue velvet reject from one of the MDRs. EM

Had two deck 9 forward Aurea cabins on Seaside and the balcony had two loungers and two chairs. E

On Seashore it is the Manhattan Restaurant, which is in the same place as the Skyline. EM

I think you are SOL unless you are sending it to a US port. Shipping would not be very fast. EM

Dollars, pounds, and euros will be fine. EM

Most cruise lines do not offer programs for children under 3, though it’s under 2 on Carnival. They do have times when you can accompany your child and use the kids facilities. Ask on the Royal Caribbean board about the Royal Babies and Tots programs. There is a board here for Family Cruising, under Special Interest Cruising. Folks there might have some advice. EM

Also try cruisetimetables.com. EM

Calling at Colon instead of doing a partial transit is new to Carnival. And on the partial transits they never offered excursions. But all cruise lines offer the same excursion from the same vendors so maybe someone else will be along with some info. EM

There is some confusion here…the MDR is open seating for breakfast and lunch, and you can ask for a two top. Your dinner assignment depends on the ‘experience’ you booked. If you booked Bella, you will have fixed, assigned dining. If Fantastica, you can request early or late, but might not get it. But Aurea has any time dining, open seating. It may be in a separate part of the MDR, or a separate dining room. If you are unhappy with your dining assignment, there will be a time and place after boarding to speak with MDR staff about a change. EM

MSC Seascape from Miami in the Yacht Club. EM

But they are also common stops on cruises that do not visit the canal. And people tend to not visit this board unless they have a question about the canal. I think the stops in Nicaragua are often cancelled…. EM

We have a member boarding today, doing a live thread. Perhaps you could ask on her thread, to find out for you. Look for the ‘Live & Solo from the Magnifica’ thread. EM

Disney Dream and Fantasy are 130 k, Wish and Treasure 144k. EM

Thank you for reporting back. EM

You might also ask on the Gulf Coast Departures board. EM

The four Vista ships of HAL are the same size as Disney Magic/Wonder. Koningsdam is larger, but not that much …100,000 as compared to 83,000. EM

Those that hate it do so because it is a European line that has not totally bought into the US mass market way of doing things. Meals are different, often smaller portions. Not a lot of satellite fast food options…it’s either MDR, buffet, or specialty restaurant. YC has its own restaurant. Caveat: I have sailed MSC six times with a seventh booked soon, all from the US, none in YC. I would love to sail her in Europe but I’m rapidly becoming a very old lady and dread the flights. The experience in Europe will not be watered down. The majority of the guests will not have English as their first language. The ship probably will board and debark guests at several of your ports. I could go on, but would just be repeating second or third hand what I have read here. EM

It’s been so long since I read the book that I downloaded the kindle edition from Amazon for $.98. I keep checking the app to see if I have a cabin assigned. I was doing foolish things last night… I find I can do a 5 night on Valiant Lady, get off and get on Magnifica for 3 nights. The inconvenience of flights is the problem. It’s fun to play…. EM

I think there will be plenty of space. I was in a 9th deck Aurea cabin on Seaside and noticed there was enough space for my upright suitcase between the night stand and the closet. Bed was in queen configuration, there was at least three feet between the night stand and the end of the couch on the other side. EM

I bet they used a gel cling…. EM

I’m thinking that the OP is of an ethnic/cultural background where rice is a staple of their diet. They plan to stay and tour in Alaska, I imagine independently, not on a group tour. And may plan to prepare some of their own meals. Sometimes after a trip, you just want some comfort food…or hope to save money. EM

Where is that endless thread that was resurrected last year? EM

Will/would they stop there to let you off? EM

In the future, if you aim your phone/flashlight toward the mirror it doubles the light. EM