graphicguy

I saw a person pulled aside as they were hacking pretty badly while in line to board. Not sure where they took her, or what the outcome was.

Same here. They boarded in this order on my last NYC Breakaway cruise..... 1. Haven 2. Mobility impeded 3. Latitudes -Ambassador -Diamond and Sapphire -Platinum -Bronze, Silver, Gold 4. numbered groups Went smoothly 3 weeks ago.

Haven't sailed the Bliss. Sounds good for Alaska, too.

Good/Accurate assessment.

NCL...concierge escorts guests on and off the ship...and to most (not all) entertainment venues for prime seating, usually way before shows actually start. It's been a few years since I sailed MSC, but the Butler did the escorts on and off the ship. Felt the Butlers on MSC were quite a bit better than those on NCL. MSC concierges are good, but they're mostly focused on taking care of reservations, billing and internet snafus, and excursion questions and bookings. They're good. Just not to the same degree as NCL's Concierges, who sometimes seem to be able to get you into restaurants that are sold out. That said, I've never tried to get into a sold out venue with an MSC concierge. Rightfully or wrongfully, I've never thought it to be necessary to give an NCL Butler "the letter". I inform them of my wishes. But mostly, I don't require much of them, if anything at all. Butlers on MSC handle my luggage, on and off the ship, they are many times my server in the Yacht Club Lounge (there's little in the way of bartender interfacing in the Yacht Club...another difference from NCL Haven Bar), and the Butlers escort me to the entertainment venues. Never used them for in suite dining, as I prefer to sit down in a restaurant to do so, not in my cabin (at those tiny tables).

I must fall into that basket.

Fingers crossed on the new gig. You could always make the acceptance letter contingent upon working around your cruise schedules. I'm joking....(not really)! Looking at May. Got my TA on the case.

Encore...for no other reason than it has the Observation Lounge, which is perfect for viewing Alaska. Especially true if you are in an inside cabin.

No……THANK YOU! Pricing for YC at one time was much less than NCL Haven. Then, pricing was about on par with NCL for a long time. Now, YC pricing is again quite attractive. I’m looking at an inside YC cabin, too. Any regrets not getting a balcony (which on the cruises I’m looking at are about $1,000 more)?

Probably? Maybe? Who knows? I know I didn’t ask them to extend anything. Plus, I was what they called “black status” and now I’m Diamond. From what I can tell, they’re the same, just a different name. As you say, aside from a discount on fares (which at least is something), I don’t see anything regarding perks that makes me all that excited. Let us know what you end up doing (even if it’s nothing). 😉

Jamie….looking at MSC, too for next Spring. I haven’t sailed MSC in 5 years. But, I did a status match then. Just looked up my Voyager number and this shows up on MSC’s WEB site (personal info edited). Looks like I’m good through the end of next year as a Diamond. Don’t know why. I know I haven’t communicated in any way with MSC during that period. DIAMOND MEMBERSHIP 12-31-2023 14500 points My points 1 CLASSIC MEMBERSHIP 2200 SILVER MEMBERSHIP 4300 GOLD MEMBERSHIP 10000 DIAMOND MEMBERSHIP My Past Cruises point details MSC Divina 2600 13 October 2016 Duration 8 days, 7 nights Departure Miami Arrival Miami Points Details Experience 1500 On-board shopping 1100 Prepaid 0 MSC Meraviglia 1800 22 November 2017 Duration 8 days, 7 nights Departure Barcelona Arrival Barcelona

Oh man…this review couldn’t be more timely. I’m looking very seriously at one of the “Sea-ships” this coming Spring. And, I enjoy your reviews. Looking forward to the rest.

You can get an emergency passport, which is what is needed in this scenario. I wouldn’t want to chance getting to embarkation and trying to check in and turned away, losing the cruise fare. It may be too late even for an emergency passport, though. I know I had to get my pic taken, drive 5 hours to the nearest processing center (Chicago) and paid a bunch of crazy extra fees for the privilege, but I did it. I think I had 3 weeks to get it, though. That doesn’t apply here.

Age spread is pretty wide. You’ll find children (depending on their school age and if school is in) to centenarians….everyone in between. Can’t really tell you about specific ports and seasons. Guests on individual ships tend to be different.

And yet, I just got back from the cheapest cruise I’ve ever taken on the NCL Breakaway on a 7 day Canada Fall Foliage cruise in a Club Balcony Cabin with FAS for about $600. Not an NCL apologist, but you can find pricing discrepancies between cruise lines on any fare, any week, for a variety of reasons. I’m looking closely at an MSC cruise next Spring. Right now, they’re the best value. But, 30-60-90 days from now, those fares can and will change…on all lines.

NCL is great for solos. They sponsor solo get togethers every evening, where solos can meet up and make plans together. I’ve even enjoyed meeting others on excursions, dining at tables where I didn’t know anyone, just having a cocktail at any of the many bars. Solo opportunities are abundant. Be open to meeting new people, and you’ll have a great time.

Speaking of sailing during hurricane season, while not NCL, looking at some Yacht Club MSC cruises in May on 2 of their newest ships. No 2X solo supplements. And, about the same fare as Jr Suites on Royal. Drinks and internet included.

-Norway -Breakaway (3x) -Getaway (2x) -Epic -Gem -Escape -Encore

That’s a great idea!

I think it’s great that NCL (and really most cruise lines) recognizing that solos are a viable group and starting to offer us reasons to book with them. Just looking around, this cruise was a perfect example. There were quite a large solo contingency. Pricing was reasonable (actually it was great given it’s the cheapest cruise I’ve ever taken). Plus, we had priority access to some entertainment and dining venues, as well as a solo guest coordinator. Celebrity has done this in the past. Just now, looked at some MSC cruises that offer some very attractive solo fares, too.

NO regrets booking during hurricane season. Scored some really good deals, too. A couple of times storms diverted us, but nothing that caused my BVDs to get in a bunch except when NCL knew a hurricane was imminent and refused to cancel the cruise until 4-5 hours before embarkation, after I had already flown to FL and was stuck in a hotel room with flights either full or cancelled. Still steamed about that.

Indeed you are! 😉

Actually, I’m a perpetual deal hunter. If I find a deal I can’t pass up, I book it. I know there are those out there who post that NCL fares are too high, or Royal’s fares are too high, or Carnival’s fares are too high, etc, etc. Deals are out there on ALL cruise lines. You just have to do a little digging.

Thank you!

This one will be an impulse booking if it happens. Wake up one morning “in a mood” and book a cruise. That’s m plan. LOL!