Linerguy

Correct, the captain is in constant communication with the office in Miami; but it's a joint decision as to what to do.

I did get off the ship in Nassau both times. The first time a group of us went to Atlantis for a tour and breakfast. The second time I just walked around the piers, taking photos of the Allure and the other ships. Being a ship fanatic, that's my favorite thing to do (in any port).

Of course, after being there on a great ship, the choice to return to Nassau still befuddled and ticks me off. Why was another port not chose? We went in a ridiculous circle to get to Ft Lauderdale after Nassau.

 

Sent from my SM-G955U using Forums mobile app

If you watched the video on the television in your room of the cruise director talking to the captain about the change, you know why they didn't choose a different port. They explained that the ship could have made Falmouth, but, because of how long it would take to get back, the call would have been for only a few hours. Other ships were already at Labadee, and its infrastructure can handle only so many people, so that wasn't an option, either.

You have to consider that other ships, including ships from other cruise lines, had already been rerouted because of hurricane damage.There are only so many ships and passengers that a port can handle. Oasis Class ships can't tender in passengers, so it had to be a port where an actual berth was available. Logistically, no other port would work.

Just be glad there happened to be an open berth at Nassau; otherwise, it would have been another day at sea. When you consider that Allure of the Seas, along with Carnival Liberty, MSC Divina, and Silversea Explorer, dumped over 13,000 people in Nassau that day, all involved did a great job.

And so what if the ship sailed in a "ridiculous circle"? The last day was always scheduled to be a day at sea, and that's what you got. What difference does it make if she sailed in a circle, a straight line, or a figure eight? At sea is at sea.

You're right, it did seem like most folks were fine with the switch; there weren't mobs of people at Guest Services threatening a mutiny.

Because of all the changes prior to changing out Costa Maya, I don't think anyone was really surprised when the captain made the announcement. I was in my room and actually laughed out loud.

Just came back from the Allure. We were assigned Silk, but I personally preferred the Grande. The giant, red hi-back chairs in Silk are just plain silly, and they take up a huge amount of space. Also, while I love red, it's overkill in Silk....makes the place look like a French brothel.

I was also on this sailing. It rained a good part of the day during the first call at Nassau.....at least it was sunny and dry the second time around. This was my 16th time in Nassau, so I have no real love for the place (other than for ship spotting), but when things like this happen, people can either make the best of it, or whine about it and be miserable.

Not really a deal. Do the math.

If $1100 for two for a balcony isn't a deal, I don't know what is.

I'm not sure about most people, but I get so geared up for my cruise that I search the net to find out as much as I can about my cabin, and that includes looking at as many photos as I can find. I guess the OP didn't do that; otherwise, they would have known that their room was an in-hull balcony.

We're sailing on DIVINA a week from tomorrow and, thanks to several folks on this site, as well as my own research, I know EXACTLY what my room will be like.

Having said that, I realize that not everyone does this, so I do believe that MSC should disclose when rooms are in-hull or obstructed. This info should be available in their brochures, as well as on their website.

BTW, I had an in-hull balcony on QUEEN MARY 2, and I loved it. It rained a few days and folks who had the open, glass balconies couldn't use them....but I had no problem. Yeah, I had to get up to look over the rail, but it wasn't an issue, and I'd book another in a minute.

While we never waited more than a few minutes for anytime dining (maybe 10), I also believe that Princess should revamp the system. How is it fair that people who've picked traditional dining can, on a whim, head to the anytime dining room? If I'm on anytime dining, I wouldn't show up at the early or late sitting of traditional dining and expected to be seated and served.

I'm also not in favor of being able to make reservations. Anytime dining should be just that: I walk up anytime I want and get a table. It's a bunch of malarkey that there are empty tables and people have to wait in line. It should be first come, first served. How hard can this be?

This entire cruise was a disaster. Joe Elliot from Def Leppard was sick and couldn't sing, Jimmy Bain – the bassist for the band The Last in Line – passed away in his cabin, the weather sucked, and a lot of people went on the cruise not knowing it was a partial charter. Still, I talked to several people who said they had a great time, and that MSC seemed to try to make the best of it.

Things happen, food is subjective, and going on MSC expecting it to be just like every other cruise line is to not do your homework. And then there's this:

"On The Blue was supposed to be the organizer and they hired Trvst security out of Miami to "manage" the cruise. They are glorified rental cops who became very abusive and unprofessional. Not only were they not professional they had zero communication skills. They were supposed to be in charge of keeping the bands "secure" so they never secured the areas safely and when cruisers entered the "secure area" hours ahead of time(unsecured) they said "you have to go, you can't be here" When we attempted to discuss with MSC security they said they have no authority. Thanks for being jerks and ruining our only day we could even enjoy the deck. I will NEVER use on the blue associated with any event."

Then perhaps you should contact On the Blue. After all, according to you, they were the organizer of the trip.

"In the summertime when the weather is hot You can stretch right up and touch the sky

When the weather's fine

You got MSC cruises on your mind

Have a drink, relax.

Your gonna have a goooo-ooo-ood time"

 

(EMBEDDED IN BRAIN)

Thanks. Thanks a lot. There goes my day.

BTW how much does it REALLY slow one down if a disabled person boards with his whole family/party?

It's not that big of a deal....but it does go both ways, and there ARE people in wheelchairs who don't deserve to go to the front of the line.

I waited for nearly an hour and a half with my kids to ride the Dumbo ride at Disney. When we were almost to the front of the line, they wheeled up a kid with broken leg, and his entire family/party of about 20 people (they were wearing family reunion t-shirts). Everyone in line had to step back while every one of them got on the ride in front of the hundreds of people who had been waiting patiently. Sorry, but I don't consider a broken leg to be a disability. To top it off, they were all 'high-fiving' each other over the fact that they didn't have to wait.

So, yes, there are people with legitimate reasons to go to the front of the line; but there are also a lot of people who take advantage of the system. And then there are people who SHOULD go to the front of the line – people with chronic back pain, arthritis, anxiety, autism, etc. – but never do.

That isn't how it worked for me liner guy :(. After multiple attempts with TA and Msc (often the 3 of us on the line at the same time), I was finally able to complete web check in. I received an email shortly after that said I should be on the lookout for travel docs emailed directly to me 7 -14 days prior to embarkation. I'm still waiting :)

There's the inconsistency I was talking about. Hope you get it straightened out soon.

Thanks for sharing....glad to hear you had a great time!

The web check in has to be completed before documents or luggage tags can be emailed or downloaded. My wife and I are going with three other couples on the DIVINA on May 7th, and I took care of the bookings (been an agent for 26 years). Once each couple completed the web check in, I called MSC, told them the web check in was complete, and, within ten minutes I received their documents via email. No problem.

Seems they're rather inconsistent when it comes to things like this.

This drives me crazy....I call it "arrogant entitlement".

One time, during a crossing on QM2, I went to the lounge when they were introducing the ship's officers. The room was packed; standing room only. A few minutes into it, I heard this lady yell, "Excuse me, I'm disabled...move!" The guy I was standing next to, he and I turned around and saw this lady in a wheelchair, but there was nowhere for us to go; it was packed, so we just turned back around. Again we heard, "MOOOOVE! I'm disabled!" The guy looked at me, I looked at him, we both shrugged and just ignored her. She went on and on, and never shut up. When the lights came back on, she actually yelled, "One day I hope YOUR disabled, and no one moves for you!"

Then we watched her spin the chair around, roll herself over to the door, and then she got up and walked out.

The SeaCity Museum is pretty cool. Lots of TITANIC and ocean liner-related exhibits. It's on

Havelock Road. Definitely worth a visit.

http://seacitymuseum.co.uk/

Another thumbs up for the UBD while at sea! We did it on REGAL PRINCESS, and had a wonderful experience. We were in a category BE, forward on Caribe Deck; no wind problem whatsoever. Only thing was, because we were in the Caribbean, and wearing dress clothes, we sweated like a convict on the way to the electric chair. Other than that, it was perfect.

We are sailing the Epic in June with grandchildren 8 & 11. I was told kids eat free off the children's menu but want to be sure the selection is not just hamburger, macaroni & little kid food. At the same time I don't want to waste buying a dinner package for them if not needed. Thanks for any comments.

Not to sound snarky but, perhaps you'd find your answer in the NCL forum.

The problem is that the Piazza is not a showroom.

 

If you are in a showroom, you expect everyone there to be quiet while a performance is going on.

 

But if you put on a performance in the middle of an area with food service and bars and in an area that is a major passageway, then you should not have the same expectations for quiet you would have in a showroom.

Exactly.

Some people get to the shows early (1/2 hour or more) because that is the only way they can get decent seats. They then read to fill the time.

I understand that. But I certainly wouldn't go to the main show room expecting it to be quiet enough to read a book, and then complain when it isn't. But maybe that's just me.

Even in the Princess theater before the main show they have the music turned up so loud it's hard to concentrate on reading a book.

This made me laugh.

Most people go to the library, or out on deck, or to a quiet lounge to read a book. I can't imagine saying to myself, "Think I'll take my book and head to the show."

Having a Black card won't make much difference, most people do use the MDR and avoid the fun and games to be had in the buffet.

 

But I'm sure you will be alright it's just the drinks package that could cause problem.

 

 

Pete

Thanks. None of the us are purchasing the unlimited drinks package, so that shouldn't be an issue.

The more I think about it, the less I'm worried. After all, we're cross-referenced with three other couples; I imagine a lot of people skip the MDR and go to the buffet to begin with; and we're sailing in May, which isn't peak time. Plus they matched my Elite status with Princess, so I have a black card (which might not have anything to do with it).

This will be our first time on MSC, and we're really looking forward to a different type of experience. Still, some of their practices seem to create a lot of concern and confusion for people (more so than any other cruise line we've been on).

Thanks for the responses. I had called MSC and they said that since the booking numbers have been cross-referenced, there shouldn't be a problem. But they're sort of notorious for saying one thing and doing the other, so I thought I'd get opinions here.

Thanks again.

-Russ

We're on DIVINA's 5/7 departure in a Bella B1 balcony. We're traveling with three other couples who are in Fantastica balconies, and MSC has cross-referenced all of our booking numbers. My question is, there shouldn't be a problem with all of us eating together in the MDR for dinner, right? I can't imagine MSC sticking us in the buffet while our friends are in the MDR.

Anyone have an opinion on this?