shipgeeks

We are booked on a cruise that includes Bar Harbor next September. If it doesn't go, we won't be disappointed. We have stayed on the ship during our last two times there, after a number of times going ashore and deciding it was just so-so. Many other pax stayed aboard when we did. So now my question is: With a 1,000 person limit, will that mean only a ship with a pax + crew total of 1,000 or less be allowed there? Or could a 1,500 person total ship, calculating that only 60% of pax and 10% of crew might go ashore, be permitted? As I said, I don't care; it will be interesting to see what port, if any, replaces it. We already have Portland, Saint John, Halifax, Boston, all of which we enjoy.

Is this a cruise in which your ship will go into the Canal, then turn around, exit, and pull into Colon to await the passengers who did tours? Or does it only dock at Colon for the day? If the first, at least he will have the experience of going through the locks, which is probably the most interesting part of the day.

The lack of variety/exotic ports seems to be the case with any major cruiseline, esp on 7-night cruises. IMO, what MSC has in their favor is Ocean Cay, which is far superior to any other private island in the area. And with some itineraries staying there overnight, it's a real winner. I'm happy to just go there, and skip Jamaica/Nassau/Antigua/all the rest.

Or "Life of Pi", and all the weird things that happened while he was adrift.

I wouldn't care if a ship didn't have a pool, hot tubs, sun loungers, as I never use them, and don't find them an especially appealing feature. But a sheltered walking/viewing area (promenade deck) and an open walking/viewing area (top deck) are great.

I have not seen any mention of the father/husband. Is he aboard?

I suggest learning Merengue first! Easiest, and IMO, the most fun, and most likely to draw people onto the dance floor. DH calls it "1, 2", that's pretty much all you need. And the music is great. Glad you got a good band.

And we like being in our OV cabin, closer to the water than a balcony, and seeing wonderful sights like that!

Do you recall the name of the Latin band? We had Latin Dream, from Cali, Colombia, on Enchantment earlier in the year, and they were excellent. I knew they went to another ship, which might have been Navigator.

Aren't muster stations typically on the same side (port or starboard) and roughly in the same area as the passenger's cabin (forward, midship, aft)?

I am so glad that has not happened on Enchantment (at least not during our four cruises this year). We really appreciate the excellent band, for listening and for dancing. We spent every evening there. Once or twice a family with a toddler came by, and perhaps let the child boogie a bit on the dance floor while no adults were dancing, then moved along. Several Latin extended families were evident from time to time, but they were much more courteous; nothing like the takeover described above. ;

Winter coat? YES! We take a winter cruise from Baltimore every year, and I always board in my warmest winter coat, gloves, etc. I need it for the trip (road) to the port, and for standing in line at the terminal. Then, if the deck is not snow-covered, I want to be out there for the first hour or so as we depart. I will wear it that night if we go out on deck again, and I might still need it the next morning. When I can put it away, it goes into a big zipper bag, smooshed down (it's a down coat) and tossed under the bed.

We don't have AC at home, so I tend to feel cold on a ship all the time. Therefore, everything I take on a cruise now, for wearing on the ship, has long sleeves, especially my evening wear. Cardigans and I do not get along very well, unfortunately. I'm working on the idea of a pashmina, but have not yet actually worn one.

I stopped eating meat burgers about 50 years ago. And I have found most grocery store veggie burgers disappointing, especially the ones that taste like meat, so I rarely try one elsewhere. However, on a HAL cruise a few years ago we got burgers (meat for him, veg for me) at the Dive In, along with an order of fries, and they were very good.

One time I did a final wash of undies.....but left them in the laundry room. We were able to buy some in the shop onboard. I now have two hair brushes so I can pack one, and still brush my hair before we rush out for the trip. Honestly, apart from documents required for the cruise, and a credit card, the rest is not the end of the world. Ask again in 50 years, and the answer could be dentures, hearing aids, meds, glasses.

I might mention that on both of our Seaside cruises, the only people I saw in shorts at dinner were a couple of pre-teen girls. Certainly I didn't see everyone, but with a table near the entrance, right on the main aisle, I did see a lot of the passengers. I credit this to the fact that there were many British, European, and South Americans aboard, who just choose to dress better than some Americans do.

One time there we just walked through the nearby park and town. We looked up and saw a sloth in a tree. Bought coffee beans in a little open-air market, where female crew members were having manicures/pedicures. Another time we did a banana train excursion. Fairly interesting, but not earth-shaking -- but well run by a Swiss company. Docked next to us was a cargo ship delivering wind turbines. Huge.

RC from Baltimore also does 12 night cruises to more southern Caribbean. Three sea days, five islands, three sea days.

What about sailing north to Canada and New England? I would prefer that over Bahamas/Carib. And cruises longer than 7 nights.

Nor are we interested in Nassau itself, but we always enjoy seeing the other ships as we sail in, as we walk the pier, and as we sail out. We've been able to see some interesting ship designs walking the pier (and then going back to our ship).

As another ship buff, spending a few days on an island would have no appeal at all, compared to being on a ship.

While plumber was in the cabin, presumably working in the bathroom, a passenger could have stepped in undetected, as well. Same with cabin steward.

Enjoy the newness! What we enjoy the most on MSC is the passenger makeup, with lots of European, British, and South Americans. It feels more like being "away" than RC cruises. The theater shows are more exotic, as well. We can't wait to get back on an MSC ship.

Our TA notes our bed preference when she makes our bookings; I believe it stays in our profile unless we later request a change.

Interesting; thank you. That was one of many articles I've come across in the past couple of months, which has made me wonder if hair loss is indeed happening more, or if my personal feed knows what I'm thinking. I can't see myself washing my hair every day, but maybe I'll work a little more on my scalp when I do. Every bit of information helps!