Michael Scott

On 4/4/2023 at 7:39 AM, Morgsmom said:

Did YOU choose this cabin, or did you book Bella get assigned it?  In the first case you can see on the deckplans that it's an adjoining cabin, and the balcony is angled. So two strikes.  If you booked Bella and were assigned it, then you get what you paid for and shouldn't hold the cruise line at fault.  Give 'em another try.

Hi, no I chose it (Fantastica). How does being an adjoining cabin affect it? Are those balconies smaller? 

Worst balcony ever- probably 40 Sq ft in an aft cabin on 14th deck (room 14215). We could not even turn our chairs to face the boat's wake, instead we sat at 45 degree angles. Balcony was about 12 x 3 plus some inches...had to remove the small table just to get to the further seat.

Meals inconsistent, a couple good ones but mostly meh; desserts small and ordinary; lido/buffet deck offerings were mediocre.

Entertainment was equally ordinary, from shows to individual performers around the ship and there weren't enough of them. 

IMO, this line offers nothing over Carnival or Royal and the balcony is a deal-breaker for me.

Thank you,

Michael

Thank you all. 

Michael

15 minutes ago, styles27 said:

It’s unfortunate for sure.  
Sadly our last MSC cruise a few weeks ago was a similar experience. 
 

Their pricing is so much less than the rest that we saw a change in the passengers this time from our first 2 MSC cruises. 
 

I do think cruising during New Years was part of the problem, so hopefully you won’t have that experience. 
 

Divina has a designated cigar lounge. (Not sure what ship you’re going on)

 

Hope you have a positive experience!
 

 

Thank you. 

1 hour ago, styles27 said:

So what is making you jump 

ship from Carnival to MSC?

 

I know we gave up on Carnival about 10 years ago because of the rise of  “over indulgers” who couldn’t handle their alcohol. 
 

So I’m interested in hearing what’s finally made you leave! 
 

 

 

Well, we haven't completely left, just seeing what else is available. But...what you said played a role in it.

1 hour ago, CTP said:

Thanks for asking this I was wondering the same thing. 

 

Will be our first MSC cruise March 16 on Meraviglia - very excited  I'm so used to the RCCL system I'm stumbling a little figuring things out with MSC but I'm getting there.  I figured out how to log in last night and saw my cabin allocation and details YIPPY, excursions available etc! 

 

Very excited to try something new especially after our last 2 experiences with RCCL ... I think it's time to move on

 

CTP, I feel the same way about Carnival...might be time to move on so I thought I would try MSC. Funny, I am also stumbling a little with MSC but I suppose I did with Carnival 10 years ago, too.

Michael Scott

Scranton, PA

25 minutes ago, DCGuy64 said:

Is Jan coming along? 😉

I'll see your smirk 😏 and raise you one...😏😏

Long time Carnival sailor looking to try something new so I booked an MSC cruise in March. I'm having trouble finding "the rules" so I thought I would ask. Am I allowed to bring ant liquor/beer on board an MSC ship? What about returning to the ship from a port, can I bring any liquor/beer on board then?

Last thing, is there a cigar smoking area on board a MSC (Mervaglia, actually) ship?

Thank you,

Michael Scott

Scranton, PA

Hi, anybody have experience with Jacksonville? I think I remember seeing a private lot on the way into the cruise terminal.

Thank you,

Michael

So...what is the final answer here- one cruiser says you have to add 15% gratuity to a bottle and another says no.

Michael

Is there a public bus running up to Nachi?

I want to buy a pint of rum and a pint of bourbon or scotch and sneak it onboard in GC. Do they sell pints in the stores outside the pier area? I have done this several times in Nassau with no problem but not in GC.

Michael

If you are cruising from the east coast during the summer, and your ship stays on east coast time, you should be an hour ahead of Coz time (they do not adjust for daylight savings anymore). For some ships with later hours a few of the beach clubs will adjust to stay open later - check their web sites (Nachi, Mr. Sanchos, etc.).

I was too lazy to think about that, JohninDC. We're coming from Tampa so the 11 AM arrival time stated by Carnival would be EST, therefore 10 AM Cozumel/CST time. That would give me an extra hour and that would be perfect. Even leaving Nachi at 5 PM would be 6 PM EST with an 8 PM departure and that would be enough time to get back. :cool:

I recall that they stay open - or extend your time - for ships that arrive later. Sine it is summer, it will be light longer, so enjoy.

 

That's what she said...

<snicker>:D

I'm sold on Nachi and will be in Coz on Carnival Paradise in August. My question is to whether we will have enough time to enjoy the resort- the stated times for the Cozumel stop are: arriving at 11 AM and departing at 8 PM.

I would imagine that with disembarkation, the stroll to the taxi stand and the taxi ride itself that we could be at NC by 12:30 PM, leaving us 4.5 hours there. Seems like enough. Any thoughts?

Thank you

Michael

Get:

 

1. a la carte speciality coffee (usually 1-2 per day per person)

2. hubs likes a wine at dinner

3. Usually do one night speciality restaurant

4. some internet

5. private excursions (we have found most private excursion companies cater to the cruise ships and never have had a bit of trouble getting back to port on time)

 

Skip:

 

1. photos

2. casino

3. spa (although, may try the Thermal (spa) Beds on our upcoming cruise)

4. drink packages (just don't drink enough to justify it)

5. usually never do any onboard shopping (or port shopping either for that matter)

This is close to my list although I don't use internet and didn't find the one time we went to the specialty restaurant to be worth the upcharge. We do buy the wine package and have a bottle with dinner every night.

We've had balconies and loved them but an OV room is just fine too and it puts $$ in the pocket.

There is not free breakfast at Courtyard Westshore as I posted above. My apologies.

Michael

The Marriott Courtyard on Cypress Ave has a cruise package- stay a night and leave the car up to 14 nights plus the shuttle to/from the port is included. The cost in August was about 139- tax included.

Place has a beautiful pool and free breakfast. It's about a mile+ south of Raymond James Stadium.

Courtyard Tampa Westshore/Airport or something like that.

Michael

Try this: http://airportexpresspickup.com/

Ask for the owner, Wayne, and ask what he can do for you. I have used them many times to/from Jax airport to St. Aug and never had a problem.

Michael

We rented from Nathan last year and 4 adults had a good time driving around and seeing the island.

The seat belts, at least on the cart we had, were rusted and not functional, making it dangerous for the 2 people sitting in the back and facing opposite of the direction being traveled. I would NOT want to have kids back there and worried constantly about the 2 adults.

Now u are scaring me.....

 

while my kids are 11 and 13 i hope it will be safe! Anyone with kids have opinions on how it was?

I agree with Jan, don't be scared but be a little vigilant. Again, we had great fun on that cart all day long and would do it again.

Your memory of the steep cliff is accurate. There is a fence (post and rail IIRC) there but you can walk around the end of it and the drop off the cliff is significant. I went to the fence, took the requisite picture and went back to the lighthouse.

Michael

The golf carts aren't set up that way. The two people in the front face forward while the two in the back must face backward, they don't have the option of facing forward.

It is dangerous as they aren't belted in- a good jolt from a pothole could jounce someone out. Just sayin'.

Again, we all had a great time and I hope you do too.

Michael

This is the email I was successful with: nathanandlinda@tciway.tc

We rented from Nathan's in February and it was fun. We drove all over the place, drank beer, negotiated with donkeys on and off the road, were chased by dogs up to the lighthouse (they turned out to be friendly) and got into some cool places and beaches. It was worth the money.

Good story, at one point we pulled into a gas station and went in to get a beer- I asked the guy inside if it was OK to drive the cart and drink beer at the same time. He looked mystified and said, "Sure, can't you do this where you come from?" I said no and he said, "That's just wrong, man." Funny stuff.

The person who posted above about somebody eventually getting hurt or killed on one of these things sounded a somber note but one that should be heeded. If you have someone or two riding in the back seats facing the opposite way, they are in some obvious danger just from their position.

Couple that with the fact that the "seat belts", at least on our cart, were rusted and not functional and one had even been ripped off. The cart, with 4 people abourd, struggles up hills but can get going pretty good downhill, putting everyone at risk, especially unbelted passengers on the the back- be they rambunctious kids, drinking adults or unsteady anybodies.

It was fun, we split the 80- four ways so it was cheap, too. But, the caveat is that it is somewhat dangerous. Be forewarned and be careful.

After reading all the posts, I still can't decide if it's worth spending the 80- for a Nathan golf cart! :confused:

Seems like pluses and minuses are balancing each other out.

Michael