shipgeeks

Drew, I'm a bit confused by your response. What about flying, where you can pay base rate for economy, or a bunch more for first class? Or a hotel in which you can book a standard room or a suite? Is it unfair that some passengers get more "benefits" - or as in our decision to book Bella - set dining (our preference) instead of anytime dining? I hope you know that all cruiseship cabins have private bathrooms - but if they didn't, wouldn't it be okay if some passengers freely chose that category because the price is lower? We never ever felt any caste system while aboard; we were treated fabulously throughout. We even mingled - unintentionally - with YC passengers in the theater, as their section was adjacent to where we happened to choose to sit, being farsighted.

So, which beaches or areas are the quietest?

Further to several comments above. No taco bar? I saw (and enjoyed) a smallish taco bar on Seaside almost every day, more often than I've ever seen one on RC. However, personally, I hope MSC never becomes a clone of RC/Carnival/NCL. If I wanted only Broadway-type shows, and American music and food, I could more easily sail on those lines. I choose MSC because it is more interesting to be aboard. I loved the shows, and very much enjoyed having foods that are not what I can get at home every day. I'm fine with having no comedy shows, no piano bar, and I ask for "no towel animals" on all cruises. BTW, we sail Bella, not YC.

I miss the days of set dining only. Along with the apparent popularity of anytime dining, there seem to be many people who want to get in and out as quickly as possible, and are horrified to think they might have to share conversation with others. For us, dinner was always the social event of each day. Being the last table still occupied in the MDR was a mark of success. We still prefer printed daily schedules and menus. Other than that, I don't miss any of the items on the initial list.

The answer is still that your cruiseline will probably have a directive to not remove or bring aboard any sand, shells, etc. due to the risk of them containing contaminants.

We had to take ours out of the carryon, so they could see it was empty. Or at least did not contain vodka, perhaps.

Additionally, I just recalled that while our ship was in one of the ports into the evening, a local dance and music group were brought onboard, where they did a big show in the theater, and a later one on the open upper deck. They were wonderful, and from all reports, far superior to the performances/events/luaus that passengers attended onshore.

We did the roundtrip cruise option a few years ago. It was perfect for us. A highlight of the sea days was the opportunity to attend classes in hula, ukelele, jewelry making, etc. That added a lot, IMO, to our appreciation of our ports. (And in our case, being Shipgeeks, we loved channeling the old Matson sailings to Hawaii.) The five ports we experienced were lovely, but I have no further need to take any more trips there.

Agreed, simple, quick and painless. And we are people who have never used an ATM or smartphone.

When we sailed Bahamas/Carib on MSC, Americans were a small minority. We got the middle seating (8?), but there was a third, later time as well.

Ugh, I hope he wasn't seated right across from you! I can't really recall if I saw men in any type of shorts in the evening, MDR/theater/lounges. I do remember seeing a couple of pre-teen girls in shorts in MDR; they stood out because that was unusual.

Our TA experiences go back several years, but we always found them to be dressier in the evening than, for example, Caribbean cruises. Maybe because there were no port days to be tired out from? Evenings were just very festive, from pre-dinner music and drinks right through to bedtime.

We chose Bella because we wanted a set dining time, and we don't use room service. Aurea passengers have "anytime" dining, and some perks related to the spa, neither of which we wanted. I don't think there were any activities or amenities we didn't have, related to being Bella. We would do it again.

The brief, organized flash mob I described was just a small part of the evening's party. MDR antics I would find annoying. I don't like the waiters having to parade around while we are supposed to wave napkins, and I certainly would feel sorry for them if a bunch of diners did the freeze thing or other tricks.

Enchantment of the Seas frequently does one under the direction of the CD. A routine is taught one day, including "becoming invisible in the crowd". At the appointed time, usually after an event in Centrum, the music comes on, participants wander on to the floor from all over the area, CD is on the band platform, and it all begins. Fun.

Interesting. We have sailed on Enchantment several times this year. Indian dishes were evident in the buffet every lunchtime and most breakfasts, and as the theme one evening. I don't recall seeing many on the main MDR menu in the evening, although we were treated to some by our lovely Indian waiter, who knew we wanted to try them. All were good!

Agreed, BB. I had scrambled eggs with lox a couple of times on our most recent cruise. I realize I would much prefer a portion of plain eggs, and a portion of lox beside it. Are you back from your Cunard cruise? Any food highlights you would care to share?

Not MSC, but we have been getting OBC from both our TA and the line. I notice that neither is refundable. Neither was specified as such until our final statement, when it was too late. But now I know.

Agreed. I don't want extra "things" (ice buckets, plates of fruit, wine, towel animals) in my cabin, and I don't want "things" in my home. Unfortunately for me, DH likes things, so we now have an increasing collection.

GP, Please don't waste any effort in worrying about your booking. The previous poster has had some unique situations that will never apply to the rest of us. 99% never have any problems.

My most basic essentials: my hairbrush and toothbrush. I now own duplicates of both, so I can pack both ahead of time, and still brush and brush at home, at 5am, just before I dash off for my cruise.

And previously we had to ask to have it removed. It's just not something we want in the cabin; maybe many others feel the same.

Same here, as we've never had any issues that led us to need to contact them (via phone, website, or onboard). Everything has always gone as planned for us, and more than satisfactory.

Well, it has become obvious that there are as many different answers as there are people! Personally, I never carry a phone. Ever. I don't care to take photos. I don't use an app to get menus or activity info. My room card is my only "must" at all times. If I'm going to eat in the MDR, I take a little purse with reading glasses, for the menu. If I want water I get a glass of it from any bar or dispenser. I always get a chuckle seeing a woman on the dance floor in the evening, with a big, full purse slung over her shoulder. Even if it contains lots of items essential to her, she could have left it on her seat or table, to hold her place. No one is going to steal it while she dances.

Yes, I learned my lesson! Losing the credit came way behind imagining how the waiter must have felt when she saw such a small amount, after the exceedingly excellent service she provided for us.