tbmrt

We did an ATV Tour w/Terry in Samana and I'll never, ever forget it...One of our best experiences on cruises.

We also liked Belize and Roatan. Also Samana, Guadaloupe, Dominica and St. Maarten.

Nassau and San Juan for us!

We met a delightful couple on one of our cruise excursions in the islands. The hubby was about 40...girlfriend in late 20's. My husband and I were 68 and 61 at the time.

We really hit it off that day and decided to go an another excursion together that was rather adventuresome. The 40 year old tells my husband that he'll help us if it would be too physically difficult for us to navigate the underground swimming hole, walk on slippery rocks, rough boat ride, etc.

The next day my husband was actually the "helper".....

1. The guy couldn't swim well so my husband had to help him out of the underground swim hole. (DH, now age 70, was a lifeguard in his younger days and still works out every other day.)

2. The girlfriend who originally told us that she didn't drink much, drank too many painkiller drinks that day and then couldn't pick herself up enough to enter the small boat. Her husband wasn't strong enough to lift her, so my DH came to the rescue!

Thanks so much for your wonderful photos and information! It makes me want to book the Poesia now!

Barbara

Love his books...especially while on a cruise!

Barbara

There is no self-service facility but the MSC laundry package is extremely good value. I paid $25 for 20 items laundered and pressed. This included suit separates but I was disappointed that they did not press my boxers. Other things came back pressed perfectly.

 

That is my observation.

 

Tim.

Thanks Tim....I laughed when I read this....Reminded me so much of the days when my mom pressed by dad's...She actually taught me to iron, starting with the boxers!!!

Barbara

Does MSC have any special laundry in a bag offers onboard? (Do clothes come back pressed nicely?)

OR

Any self service washer/dryers?

Thank you.

Barbara

We were in Cancun for a week and decided to take our friends via a local bus, just a few short miles to the flea market. Figured they'd like the ambience of a Mexican city.

We had to walk about 2 blocks to the flea market from the bus stop and the friends complained about the streets being broken down, Cancun being so run down, people looking like criminals nearby, etc.

We get to the first store in the flea market and the storeclerk follows a friend of mine, awaiting the opportunity to approach him to try to sell him something he looked a bit interested in.

My friend says, "Does this guy think I'm a thief...he's following me, etc."...I told him that wasn't the case, but he didn't believe me.

Ten minutes into the flea market, my friends went back to the bus stop.....That night they told me they shopped at the local mall....Same stuff, higher prices! So much for exporing a "foreign" city.

Same friend told me, "a beach is a beach"...no need to visit beaches other than those where we live in Florida!!

Hubby is into working out with weights and machines. Would like to know if there is a decent selection on the Divina.

Also, any zumba classes for me?

Thanks

Barbara

I read the following about the Top 18 Solarium info that MSC will begin in the summer on certain ships. I would love to take advantage of this plan if I knew that it truly would be "adults only".

Besides the mister to cool off with I think there is a whirlpool in the Solarium area..... Is this correct? No regular pool on Deck 18 except Yacht Club Pool?

Does anyone have the proposed US rates for the Top 18 plan?

Thanks.

Barbara

On the top decks of MSC Splendida, MSC Fantasia, MSC Divina and MSC Preziosa - that will be christened in Genoa, Italy, on 23 March 2013 - MSC travellers will soon be able to soak up the sun in style at the new Top 18 Exclusive Solarium, an adult-only sanctuary of serenity boasting premium deck space and stunning sea views. With its own dedicated spa service, bar menu andcomplimentary delicious fruit skewers, Top 18 is the perfect place to relax, unwind, and watch the waves go by.

Designed exclusively for MSC Cruises’ Fantasia class ships, Top 18 Exclusive Solarium will be available from the beginning of the 2013 summer season.

Greeted at a private entrance on deck 18 by dedicated staff, Top 18 guests are provided with a refreshing chilled towel and escorted to their own personal sunbed, where they can while away the day in perfect peace and harmony. For those who prefer relaxing in the shade, or for sun worshippers taking a break from tanning, a selection of beautiful, wide-brimmed cocoons is also available.

Perfect for couples looking for a romantic hideaway, for groups of friends, and for mums and dads searching for some quiet time, every detail of the Top 18 experience has been designed to turn relaxation into an art form, from sunrise to sunset.

For those who believe that a day of relaxation is not complete without a massage, there’s no need to interrupt precious tanning time for a trip to the MSC Aurea Spa. With a specially tailored menu of express spa treatments available in the solarium itself, guests can benefit from an intense wellbeing treatment while they sunbathe: exclusive reflexology and facial relax treatments can be enjoyed directly from personal sunbeds, while various head, neck and shoulder massages are available from the solarium’s private massage chair. Lasting up to 20 minutes, these express treatments are the perfect way to instantly de-stress and re-energize body and mind.

The area’s water mister is the perfect way to cool off sun-drenched skin when temperatures soar, the solarium’s Tiki bar menu offers an extensive range of delicious and nutritious drinks and coolers to keep healthy and hydrated, and, with complimentary fresh fruit skewers served four times a day, it’s clear that MSC has thought of everything to keep Top 18 guests feeling and looking great during a relaxing day at sea.

What’s more, entry to this exclusive world of relaxation and wellbeing couldn’t be simpler, with great value daily and cruise-long access passesavailable at the ships’ reception areas or directly at the entrance to the solarium.

Loved your posts...what an adventure!

Barbara

Loved your posts...what an adventure!

Barbara

Also, does the charge pertain to the whole solarium ADULTS ONLY? area or to a certain section only with water misters, etc.

Thanks

Great live review, as added bonus, we have both yacht and regular reviews!

 

 

 

Do they start charging for the use of Solarium (as mentioned in an earlier thread, use of solarium at daily or weekly charge from summer 2013)?

Sawubona / Goeie More / Good Morning from beautiful South Africa - I have had a shower in the lounge and feel quite ready to tackle the next and final leg of my travels to Sao Paulo.

 

 

 

So until later....adieus.

Look forward to your reviews!

Barbara

I'm excited about trying out a cruise on MSC!

Barbara

Hi Pete ...thanks again, but see below...>I thought 12040 was back more:

****************************/deckplan.php?schiff=Divina

Barbara

This is where your cabin 12040 will be

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pete

12040 is going to be quiet, it's a fair distance from the lift in that respect. In fact 12056 is closer but not close enough to be bothered by noise. As there are not many cabins beyond either there shouldn't be many people walking past.

With regard to distance from the stern there is little to choose when you consider the ship is 1100ft long and the cabins are probaly only 40ft apart.

 

As for deck 13, cabins 13012 - 13042 (starboard side) and 13011 - 13039 (port side would be quiet as they are below the spa (which is quiet) and far enough away from the voids near the front of the ship and from the lifts.

 

If it were me I would choose 12040 as there will be less people walking past than 12056 and they are likely to be cheaper than any cabin on deck 13 but still the same size.

 

The other thing about deck 13 is if you were in any of the cabins i mentioned you could see into the bridge from your balcony if you were interested. Just checked 12040 has a glass not a steel balcony so that is OK

 

 

 

Any more info you require just keep asking

 

 

 

Pete

Thanks so much Pete...I took your advice and booked 12040.

Love my Cruise Critic friends! I've been using CC for years and don't know how I'd cruise without the invormation I received. I do my own reviews after cruises and answer any questions that I can to "give back"!

Barbara

Would 12040 be too noisy due to elevator? Like the location, but wondering about too much noise.

Also considering 12056, but thinking it might be too long of a walk to rear ship activities.

I take it that Deck 13 isn't a good choice due to "busy" 14th Deck above.

Appreciate your advice!

Barbara

We will be on the Liberty soon for the first time.

A few things I missed and would appreciate your help.

-Do they really remove the towels if you're gone 1/2 hour? Hate to have that happen if I go back to my room for something?

-What night is formal night?

-Most fun bar?

Thanks!

Thanks so much for posting all your pics...You should have been a photographer!

(maybe you are??)

Barbara

What is this about? Different than standard Latitudes Party I take it? Does a silver member get invited to one or both?

Thank you

I posted a question (nicely answered, thanks) early in this thread and we have been checking every bed and room we stay in since then for pesky bedbugs and tell-tale signs of their presence. We just returned from a 10 night west coast trip combined with a nephew's wedding celebration and I was diligent to check for bed bug signs each and every place we stayed. Never saw any signs, but here is the "kicker":

We were in the San Francisco airport early last Sunday morning getting ready for our flight back home and still pulling our suitcases prior to the security check. We had just checked in and printed our boarding passes in a very busy part of the terminal when DH looks down and sees a bug crawling on the hem of his jeans. He pointed it out to me and asks, "Is this a bed bug?" It was all plump and a reddish brown oval bug, exactly like the pictures I had seen online. DH squashes it with his shoe and lots of red blood is in it. YUCHH!:eek: So now we are faced with over ten hours of flights and layovers before returning home to Florida, wondering all the time if we have picked up "hitch-hikers" on our clothes and luggage. What a gross feeling! Fortuneately we had had no bites or other prior sightings, but this was a gross feeling!!! We had no choice but to catch our flights, get our car out of the airport parking garage after a very long day and drive home. BUT before we ever went into our house (and I pardon the visual this might create..:o) DH and I both stripped butt naked and placed all our clothing in the trunk of the car parked in our driveway - not the garage. The we ran into the house with not even a purse or wallet - nothing - and immeditaely both took hot showers with loads of soap and shampoo and then went to sleep in our bed not bringing anything from the car back inside. After a good night's sleep we took plastic garbage bags out to the car along with a folding table. It took all day to go through every item in our suitcases, visually inspecting every fold and crevice. We thoroughly inspected and vaccuumed out the car as well. Shoes, purses etc. were placed in a large cloth bag and after inspection placed in the hot dryer for at least 20 minutes - just to be on the safe side.All clothing was brought into the laundry room in a garbage bag one load at a time and washed in the hottest water possible as directed and then dryed in the dryer at least 20 minutes (a known deterent for bed bugs). In all our inspections we never found a single bug or egg (reports say they look like a small grain of rice) on anything. So we came to the conclusion that DH must have picked up his "hitchhiking bedbug" from someone passing him in the airport. We are NOT sorry we took all the precautions however!!

I have checked out bedbug info online thoroughly and always examine the bedding when we arrive at our accommodation. I was satisfied that our bed on NCL last year was fine. As we were waiting to depart the ship I noticed a what I was pretty sure was a bedbug on the outside of our friends' lightish blue luggage. They also had read all the "what to do if you see a bedbug procedures" and did the same things as you did when they got home and didn't have a problem.

That being said, I wouldn't stop going on NCL because of this...As other posters wrote, bedbugs can travel easily and can be encountered in the best hotels, etc.

Yucky!

Barbara

With so many recent threads on hull balconies, especially on the Epic, I thought I would dig a bit deeper into which rooms fall into the category and what specifically their attributes are. In general, these rooms are at the front of the ship and have an increased metal superstructure around the balconies in order to block the "elements" (excess wind, etc.) that you get with being up front. In all cases these rooms do not have glass beneath the railing, but the rest of the features differ in some cases (size of balcony, etc.). Hopefully this is of use to those planning a trip on the fabulous Norwegian Epic.

 

Deck 8

 

Deck 8 has 16 "hull" rooms, 8 on each side of the ship. These rooms are all the same. No glass under the railing, and a standard sized balcony. Included are: 8004, 8005, 8006, 8007, 8008, 8009, 8010, 8011, 8012, 8013, 8014, 8015, 8016, 8017, 8018, and 8019

 

Deck 9

 

Deck 9 has 10 "hull" rooms. ALL of these rooms have large balconies (double the size of standard balconies). This would make them more attractive. None of the rooms have glass under the railing. However, 9000, 9001, 9004 and 9005 have a much wider opening (less obstruction) than 9008, 9009, 9012, 9013, 9016 and 9017, the other hull balconies on deck 9. The wider openings and larger balcony of those 4 rooms might make them attractive to some even without the glass and full-sized opening

 

Deck 10

 

Deck 10 has 10 (appropriately so) "hull" balconies in the exact configuration as deck 9. They all have larger balconies. 10001, 10002, 10004, and 10005 have larger openings. 10008, 10009, 10012, 10013, 10014 and 10015 have smaller openings.

 

Deck 11

 

Deck 11 is just like decks 9 and 10. All the balconies are double the size of regular balconies, and four of the rooms are less obstructed than the others. The less obstructed rooms at 10000, 11001, 11004 and 11005. The more obstructed rooms are 11008, 11009, 11012, 11013, 10014 and 10015

Deck 12

 

Deck 12 is just like decks 9, 10 and 11. All the balconies are large. The less obstructed rooms are 12000, 12001, 12004 and 12005. The more obstructed rooms are 12008, 12009, 12012, 12013, 12014 and 12015

 

Deck 13

 

There are no "hull" balconies on deck 13 as best as I can tell from the deck plans. I believe the windows behind the bridge are for officer's quarters. There are no pax rooms shown on the deck plans in this area.

 

Deck 14

 

Deck 14 has 7 "hull" balconies (yes, I know this is an odd number). The port and starboard side layouts are slightly different, as you can see in the pictures below. All 7 of these rooms have STANDARD sized balconies and none of the rooms have larger openings. Other than the rooms on deck 8, these are probably the least attractive "hull" balconies on the ship since they are simply regular balconies with a blocked view. These rooms include 14000, 14001, 04002, 14003, 14004, 14005 and 14009

 

Here are a couple of images showing these rooms. You can see that the standard balconies right next to the "hull" balconies may not be very attractive either since the metal encroaches a bit on the edge of their balconies.

 

here is a link to deck plans so you can see where these rooms are, how they connect, and how many people they can hold. This is the "draggable" deck plan so you can align the decks.

 

http://www.cruisedeckplans.com/DP/Main/dragit2.php?ship=Norwegian%20Epic

 

Here are the pictures. The first number is the room on the starboard (shown) side. The second number is the corresponding room on the port (not shown) side.

 

 

 

In this image you can see how the deck 14 rooms are different

 

 

I hope this helps. Comments and corrections are welcome

Thanks so much....I've filed this away for possible future reference.

Barbara

Is traffic as bad on I4 as I remember in the mornings?

We will be heading to the Radisson at the Port. Live in Land O'Lakes, so directions say take I75S and then I-4E to SR-417 to 528.

We were thinking of getting at the hotel early and heading to Cocoa Beach for the day, but are wondering if we'd be better off waiting til after rush hour due to heavy traffic on I4E???

Thanks

Barbara