cublet

Hello,

I was on after Easter and the (new Melitta) machine had been replaced with the (old) WMF machine.

Regards,

Cublet

14 hours ago, Merion_Mom said:

I think that Anthem still has them.  Did you look up in the library when you were there?

Hello,

Anthem had two earlier this year but I never saw them being used. They were adjacent to a board-games area and the noise wasn't very chess-like.

Regards,

Cublet

Hello,

The last time I saw this asked, it was followed-up with the same query on taking a microwave oven. I hope it was in jest.

Regards,

Cublet

17 hours ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

My thought is someone who is truly loyal to Royal would not be able to answer a question about MSC. 

Hello,

Phyllis Grosskurth writing on Freud said he thought it would not be possible both to be loyal and have a mind of one's own. Sounds pretty familiar even today.

However whilst I still have a mind (and before I turn into a sheep) I intend to keep using it.

Regards,

Cublet

Hello,

So: I am RCI Pinnacle, X Elite Plus (through my own bookings but now matched to Zenith) and Diamond on MSC (again through my own bookings and not status-matched). I’m still in the ‘foot-hills’ of the P&O and Cunard loyalty schemes.

I sailed in the 2000s out of Europe but for the last 10 or 12 years only out of the UK – and never to/from the US so this is from an ex-UK viewpoint.

I have only ever heard announcements in multiple languages on MSC during: (a) boarding day Muster Drill; (b) Upper Tier Welcome Back cocktails – where the CD spoke fluently in five languages to everyone assembled. (And after which all the officers came around all the tables and ‘clinked’ glasses with us PAX.)

Most, if not all, people that board MSC with the mind-set that the Royal/X/NCL way of delivering a cruise experience is the only - and right - way to do it will come away disappointed. If you don’t/didn’t like it then don’t go on a two week holiday staying in a 3*/4* hotel in Italy as that will be a 100% truly authentic Italian ‘experience’ compared to MSC’s (diluted) ‘Italian Flair’ (though I don’t know if they still use that expression). Just board with an open mind and acknowledge the fact that not everywhere is ‘America’.

I have never found the MSC ships crowded – nothing compares with the Royal Promenade during the $10 ‘cruise essentials’ sale that makes a rugby scrum look like a vicarage tea party.

I found specialty dining on MSC, especially Butchers’ Cut, first class. I would put that on a par with X’s Tuscan Grill but slightly below the level of Murano and nothing (now) comes close on Royal since the sad demise of Portofino’s.

MSC’s MDR dinner experience is good - and varied - enough. Royal’s idea of ‘variety’ is 57 different ways of preparing steak.

Where MSC fails miserably is over the buffet experience and the MDR breakfast experience. The former is because of the old department store cafeteria-like self-service lines that should be junked at the earliest opportunity. The latter is because the Maitre D’ back-fills tables where people have upped - and - left and waiters don’t know where to wait whereas Royal/X has a rolling programme of filling fresh tables along the length of the MDR.

What MSC does not do is conflate the top loyalty scheme passengers and top accommodation passengers – there is nowhere us Diamonds can congregate if not sailing in YC (pronounced ‘Jack Club’ on Euribia in April!) unlike on Royal or X. But I am still happy to go back when not in YC.

There, and no mention of ‘half-and-half’ or ‘wash-cloths’.

MSC is different – get over it.

My dear, late, lamented, Grandmother used to say “There’s nothing new in-under the sun”, and I think this is at least the third time I’ve written this, but this time I’m saving it as a document I can copy and paste into CC once the topic is raised again- as it surely will.

Regards,

Cublet

8 hours ago, fpcruiser said:

Friends sailed on a transatlantic in the fall, worst food ever. They all lost weight.

Hello,

The only time I have lost weight on a cruise was on Celebrity Eclipse in Aqua Class and dining in Blu.

Regards,

Cublet

1 hour ago, little britain said:

You simply walk across the street to the old town. No need for shuttle busses in Lisbon! 

Hello,

I agree - generally. However if the port is busy then it’s possible a ship may have to berth at the old terminal next to the bridge and a shuttle, or team of huskies, would be necessary from there.

Regards,

Cublet

13 hours ago, little britain said:

Sadly the 7:45 performance of WWRY was barely a quarter full ( guessing due to some football match ⚽️) so felt sorry for the new cast. They were excellent. 
 

Sorry never to have met you @cublet and @mil76. Perhaps next time. 
 

Hello,

Sorry to have missed you too. We aren’t meeting next year as you cancelled because of school holidays - yes?

I hope you have a safe journey home.

Regards,

Cublet

2 hours ago, little britain said:

That question is still in the survey. Doesn’t seem to stop them! We are in AIG 

Hello,

Doesn’t AIG sponsor a football team?

When asked why I wouldn’t give a ‘Ten’ when I offered a ‘Nine’, I replied I didn’t know what a ‘10’ would look or feel like. Sitting on my lap, cutting my food and feeding me wouldn’t do it.

Regards,

Cublet

47 minutes ago, little britain said:

Definitely Tetleys chez nous! 

 

@cublet
And haven’t seen any flipping Half and Half at all!! But Skimmed available everywhere ✅

Hello.

I haven’t looked this time but have seen Half & Half in a jug at breakfast in the past - I bring Lakeland Milk Stix with me. I’ll look tomorrow.

Regards,

Cublet

14 hours ago, cublet said:

Hello,

 

I’ll check after dinner but my teabags are certainly not Tetley’s. One described itself as “Modern” Earl Grey whatever that means. 
 

Regards,

 

Cublet

Hello,

So my English Breakfast Tea comes from Bigelow of Fairfield in the US and my Modern Earl Grey comes from (wait for this) Starbucks!!

Regards,

Cublet

On 6/18/2024 at 4:15 PM, little britain said:

@fionat

You don’t have to ask as there are kettles in all cabins on Anthem ( and ex UK 🇬🇧 sailings)

The teabags are Tetleys. ✅ 

They don’t do sachets of coffee in the normal cabins - they have some pod coffee maker in JS and up ( I don’t drink coffee so have never taken any notice)! 
 

You can get a carton of skimmed milk from the WJ to keep in your fridge. 

 

I am onboard now. 

Hello,

I’ll check after dinner but my teabags are certainly not Tetley’s. One described itself as “Modern” Earl Grey whatever that means. 
 

Regards,

Cublet

Hello,

Along with my kettle and Lavazza coffee machine, I’ve got sachets from the Copper Cow company of (mixed) condensed milk and sugar. I won’t be trying it but someone to whom I gifted a sample said it would be OK in coffee but disgusting in tea. Other than what I brought with me, I’ve no ‘plain’ milk.

Regards,

Cublet

3 hours ago, TheBeardedCruiser said:

The Meraviglia has the Bamboo Bar, which is next to the indoor Bamboo Pool. The fresh fruit and vegetable drinks are so amazing!

Hello,

I remember now - it was the Bamboo Bar on Euribia.

Did the Bamboo Pool on Meraviglia have plastic chairs etc around the pool area shaped as if made with bamboo wood?

Regards,

Cublet

Hello,

Agreed, but also the Atmosphere Bar too - again on Virtuosa but also in the same place but under different names on Euribia.

Regards,

Cublet

Hello,

Whilst in port, the view from Anthem's Crown Lounge is usually no more than the concrete of the sea or pier wall.

The view from Independence's Crown Lounge is magnificent - sea day or port day.

Regards,

Cublet

31 minutes ago, nelblu said:

I do as the benefits accriued are woth $1k+ starting with the solo supplement and balcony discounts.

 

Ps,  I understand that X does not offer solo discounts, just wondering if they offer balcony discounts and 2X points for solos.

Hello,

Yes, double points for solo in a double, not solo, cabin. So me in a Concierge cabin = 10 points per night.

Sometimes there are/were single special offers (especially during Covid) when double cabins were available to solos at half the couple's rate. But this is more a feature of low booking numbers than of altruism.

Regards,

Cublet

2 hours ago, the penguins said:

Plus the + on the OP's status gives them unlimited speciality teas/coffee/chocolate which on Royal would come out of their 5 drinks a day allowance.

Hello,

Good point, well made.

Regards,

Cublet

1 hour ago, asctony said:

Even when you get 20% off you are paying a premium for any bottle of wine. Celebrity has the highest prices for their beverages & packages.

We would rather have the 4, 5 or 6 drinks during the day like RCI than the 5-7 HH.

You can't get a drink in the MDR during the Celebrity 5-7 HH either.

Why not?

Hello,

Premium on/against what?

A glass of Malbec is $9 - five glasses would cost $45.

The whole bottle costs $39 - less 20% = $31.20 and five glasses would then cost $6.24 each.

$6.24 vs $9 is hardly a premium.

Regards,

Cublet

1 hour ago, JamieLogical said:

 

I would be upset about that since it is printed right there on the menu. The change has been fleet-wide since March 2023. There's really no excuse for any crew to not be aware of it.

Hello,

They were aware of it and changed it in March 2023 - but they changed it back to charging the whole whack in March 2024. The bar and waiting staff were embarrassed but only following orders.

Regards,

Cublet

6 hours ago, dvpaintboy said:

Liked our Rccl perk of 5 drinks per day, but 2 hour happy hour is not a terrible option for sure. My question looking at drink list our favorites,margaritas mudslides,lemondrops, and Baileys for coffee after Dinner. Am I overlooking or are we going to have to change our tastes of drinking or pay on our perfered. Definitely looking forward to trying Celebrity. 

Hello,

Your mentioned perk of 5 drinks per day suggests to me that you are D+. That being so, you are now, under the new regime, E+ on Celebrity. That being the case you are entitled to a 20% discount on a drinkable bottle of wine (unlike some of the swill that is 'gratis'). So outside of Happy Hour you can drink cheaper, and better, than buying by the glass and have your favoured bar keep your bottle for you.

Regards,

Cublet

Hello,

On Euribia in April this year, they had reverted to charging the whole price. Not for the first time there was a gulf between ship-side and shore-side.

Regards,

Cublet

Hello,

I see the Zenith discount on Specialty Restaurant cover charge is 25%, can I ask if that is a 'one-time' use per cruise or can I use it multiple times?

I am booked on Apex but don't know how often I would use the discount as Apex doesn't have either Murano or Tuscan Grill that are my usual feeding holes.

Regards,

Cublet

10 hours ago, jelayne said:

Zeniths get free laundry not a free bag.  Wash and fold, pressing, dry cleaning.  

Hello,

Are you sure about the 'pressing' and 'dry cleaning'?

I've printed the latest Captain's Club Membership Benefits' and under the ZENITH heading there are no entries along the lines of 'pressing' or 'dry cleaning' but just 'Complimentary' long the line of 'Bag of laundry (wash, dry, fold)' (BOLD - my emphasis).

Having said that, since Royal destroyed one of my made to measure formal shirts I would trust them with nothing more that socks.

Regards,

Cublet