Essiesmom

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

Vista is quite a bit larger than Disney Magic. Vista 130,000 Disney Magic 83,000. EM

If it is in a sealed package, okay. You could bring the rice cooker and while they will confiscate it on boarding, you would get it back at the end of the cruise and use it for your land portion. Unless you like a specific kind of rice, you could also buy that in Anchorage. EM

Edited to say this applies if you are US citizens. EM

If it a closed loop cruise from a US port you can use an official birth certificate and government issued photo ID. The toddler does not need the ID. Passports are preferred but not required. I would just enter the child as a 1-17. If the website balks when you try to enter the info for the child, you might need to call. EM

Only two ships, and the HAL ship is small. EM

Welcome to Cruise Critic. There is beach, Margaritaville with a lovely free form pool. Shopping area. You can check it out here on th Ports of Call board for Caribbean islands. EM

Possibly not. Sometimes you think you are linked but you are not, and vice versa. Last cruise I went to activate at the kiosk and it told me I was already linked. EM

It sounds like you need to try the Yacht Club on MSC. Visit the MSC board here for advice. EM

Try cruisetimetables.com and Vancouver as your departure port. And of course, choose when you wish to sail. Remember that if a ship does a one way from Vancouver to Whittier or Seward, you can always book the return trip as a B2B. There are quite a few choices. Suggest you also use cruisedeckplans.com to research the size of the ship. The ports are pretty standard across all of the cruise. EM

I think you need to be proactive, checking the website multiple times a day. I do t think your PVP has a beeper to tell him when a cabin pops up. Nor do I think the computers have an interface matching waitlists with cabins. If one pops up on the website, chances are someone like you will see it first and snap it up. EM

And I believe that on US flagged vessels, not all employees have to be US citizens. A specified percentage do, and could be legal residents or here with work visas. EM

She continually refused the offer, took nothing. But got charged anyway. EM

Yes. Only MDR difference between Bella/Fantastica and Aurea is time and location. EM

I’m in. I just booked my first Vista class, September 29 on Vista. Need to check out the ship. OV cabin for me. Looking at Venezia in Jan. EM

Seashore is currently sailing from Port Canaveral. I was on her in December and will be again in June. She is a beautiful ship. Yes, the MDR food might not be up to Celebrity expectations, but I was on Summit in June 2023 and was very disappointed in the food, both MDR and evening buffet. For my money, I’ll sail MSC. EM