Fla Mike

6 hours ago, styles27 said:

I’d much rather pay for my drinks as I go if it means we never have to cruise with people who drink because it’s unlimited again. 

You said it!!! 👏

I'm going to be watching this thread...

I've been trying to talk Lovey into one of those aft-wrap suites that overlook the aft pool, but if the thermal access is not included, why bother at all?

Wow,  sorry to hear about all the troubles your beginning to have.

You had concerns beforehand, and I told you not to worry. Was I wrong!

It once again makes me wonder if I made a mistake booking Seashore in November, but it is out of PC, so that may help.

Even though Americans seem to be in the minority on your cruise, I think the "Carnivalization" of MSC is occurring. 

So sad if true.

Look forward to tour next post.

We were in 10256 last year, those balconies are really nice, enjoy.

We also loved the alcoves on either sides of the hall that to that huge outside area, nice!

3 night cruise Nov 2023 out of Miami, still offering drink packages

Beautiful reminder that we are very lucky to be able to cruise...

Thanks, and  Merry Christmas to you and your family!

I was on two - 4 night cruises in the last year.

Both Divina and Meraviglia and neither had an official formal night.

That didn't stop me from wearing my Dinner Jacket on either.

I was the only one.

All the little kids thought I was someone important. 

I dress for myself.

1 hour ago, 8420PR said:

To save anyone listening from watching the video, I summarized it below:

I wish I would have read this post first... That video is 13:37 of my life I'll never get back 😖

9 minutes ago, styles27 said:

Really hoping the 4 day part doesn’t turn into a party ship.
 

We’ve  even considered getting off after the 10 days that’s how much we’re concerned about that part of the cruise. 
We said we’d never book another cruise that’s less than 7 days and here we are ugh

Our two MSC cruises were both 4 days out of PC...

The crowds were OK, not bad at all, nothing at all like a short Carnival cruise.

It was just that the service on Mera was awful.

What does concern me now is that there has been some chatter on various Carnival boards on other social media that says they are "jumping ship" as Carnival still has banned pre cruise alcohol bottle sales on cruises under 7 days.

An unlimited Easy Plus package and low fares might bring out some, but I think the lack of comedians, free food choices, and pool shenanigans, may keep most away.

I wouldn't cancel.

We were on the Mera last February, although not in YC.

Also was on Divina in the last year.

Both were four day'ers and left from PC.

We did not notice the weed smell, but will agree with everything else you have pointed out.

The bars were out of almost everything on Easy Plus.

Mike: I'll have a Jamesons on the rocks

Server: (comes back from bar empty handed) We are out of Jamesons

Mike: Ok, Jim Beam on the Rocks

Server: (back with a glass) We were out of J&B, so here is a Canadian Club

It was an awful cruise, total opposite of our Divina cruise which Lovey said was one of the best she had ever sailed, in 40 years!

I swore we would NEVER cruise with MSC again, but booked again for Nov '23 on Seashore.

Agree that with the bargain basement prices come bargain basement crowds.

Current Location as of 6:20AM.

She looks to arrive at PC at around 2:30 PM

Good Stuff...Thanks for posting

Thanks for all your thoughts and replies...

We are not YC people, we have done upper level suites on other lines and do not see a cost benefit to it. although I see why it appeals to most.

I'm actually having a hard time justifying Aurea, but that is the only way to get an aft facing balcony on Seashore. And that is really our priority in cruising these days.

18 hours ago, kwokpot said:

I was on the Seashore in September in an Aurea Balcony Suite (Deck 9 Aft) and these are the Aurea benefits:

*Separate dining room with anytime dining - no reservations needed nor are they available.

*FREE Thermal suite access for the entire cruise. 

*Access to the Aurea Sundeck 

*Prosecco and chocolate (A small dark chocolate bar)

There were other benefits but there were the ones that stood out. 

We are thinking about an aft Aurea Suite also. Did you find deck 9 location OK, or would you have gone up a few decks?

Also are ALL the Spa amenities included, such as scrub room, steam room, salt room, snow room, etc. 

2 hours ago, Tierun said:

Seashore is the second best ship type I’ve been on, only topped by Edge class.

 Actually, we liked the Divina more than The Edge.

Don't get me wrong Edge was beautiful, and the food and service were above average, but I'm getting the feeling X is trying to be something it is not.

They seem to be trying to appeal to a "youngerish" crowd. Well heeled "DINKS", but the on our Edge sailing, ( 4 nighter) was average age, I'm guessing mid 60's. Which is where I am.

I'm also afraid that MSC may pick up some stragglers from Carnival since Carnival has changed their booze policy again, making it harder still to skirt their drink limit. Our last Carnival cruise in May was the last, bargain basement prices bring bargain basement crowds.

24 minutes ago, Nunagoras said:

If the price is similar I'd recommend going with X. Problem is: Very rarely X is similar priced to MSC.

Very true...

This would be a 4 night cruise on either ship:

MSC Aurea aft wrap suite is $400.00 pp less than a Concierge level Sunset (aft) Verandah on X.

MSC Standard Mid Level  Fantastica balcony is $350.00 pp less than Standard Verandah on X.

2 hours ago, Tierun said:

Now as far as service goes, we’ve lowered our expectations for MSC sailings(unless YC) and don’t expect as much and we end up not being dissatisfied. 

That is what I need help with, as I mentioned up front, service on our Meraviglia cruise was confrontational at the very least.

Lovely and I just got off a fantastic cruise on Celebrity Edge and are thinking about next November 2023 already, as we have two RCCL cruises booked for Feb and May 2022.

We did both a Divina and an Meraviglia cruise within the last year, and, well the Divina cruise was one of the best cruises we ever had, but, the Meraviglia was  the exact opposite.

Service was so bad in the MDR with a server actually yelling at us, we vowed never, ever to cruise MSC again. (in fairness the Maître d', did try very had to correct the problem) 

Never say never...right?

I can do a aft facing Aurea Suite on the Seashore for less than a Sunset Veranda on Celebrity Silhouette. All in on both.

The Seashore looks drop dead gorgeous, just thinking I'll be sorry in the end.

I also know first hand the problems with MSC shoreside Customer Service.

I booked those Royal cruises as the prices were right and it has been a few years since we have been on Royal, but I'm also thinking after those two I'll have had my fill of kids for a while.

So, tell me I'm not crazy if I book this again???

Yes they can move down.

I just went to check the move-up for our Nov 7 Edge cruise and the Sky Suite minimum did in fact go down, I checked and there are 31 SS left. Cruise leaves Monday.

On 10/8/2022 at 7:48 AM, Cebse said:

Now i could not care less what anyone wears to go to the restaurants and I do not understand why it bothers anyone at all. Everyone is on holiday let people just enjoy themselfs. Behaviour is more important that what someone wears. 

Well said!

Lovey and I always get dressed on Chic night, regardless, makes no difference to us what everyone wears.

Our last Celebrity cruise, (on Infinity) one of the couples (older, perhaps in their 60's) came dressed in jogging suits for dinner.

I think they only did it to see if they could, as they were dressed nice (?) the rest of the cruise.

We all enjoyed ourselves, and no one else at the table was upset.

The table did get some looks from others as I was in a Tux, Lovey was in a long dress, one couple in resort clothes and our joggers.

Who really cares.

As long as you don't expect a "Coco Cay Of The Seas" experience, you'll be good to go.

We are currently in a Sunset veranda for an upcoming Edge cruise in November and was thinking about putting in a minimum bid on a Sky Suite.

There are quite a few left so I thought I would see what happens.

I'm guessing that my SV would get swooped up as soon as it got listed as the prices on IV's are currently almost twice what we paid for the SV last year.

I don't really care if the bid is accepted or not, I just do not want to lose my SV when the bid is declined.

So, I guess my questions are:

Has anyone lost a bid and also lost their original room?

Figuring, if the bid is accepted, I'd probably get assigned the worst Magic Carpet SS there is.

If it were you, would you just stay put?

Thanks your thoughts

43 minutes ago, Merion_Mom said:

 

Please satisfy my curiosity.  Which Royal Caribbean ships have you sailed on?

Liberty, Indy, Majesty, Vision, Mariner, Navigator and Oasis... and Enchantment

Been on her three times...without a doubt our favorite RCCL ship.

Wish she was back in Florida

Hi.

If you are on the Edge sailing Nov 7th, we will see you on board!

Now in regards to the crowds...

Short four day cruises are almost all we do as we  live very close to Port Canaveral, Port Everglades, and Miami, retired, and do not like to leave our dogs with the kennel too long.

In the last year we have done four days with:  two Carnival, two MSC, one RCCL, one Princess, and a short two day on the Margaritaville at Sea Paradise, (Old Grand Classica).

We have also done a seven day  HAL.

We also do four day X cruises whenever they are available, (usually in Oct or Nov)

I can guarantee you that the crowd on a short X cruise will be nothing like Carnival, the crowd will be different.

They will be older, and much more behaved, no hairy chest contests, belly flops or fights in the clubs.

 We are no big party people either, and I'm in my late 60s and my wife is in her mid 70s, ( yes, I married an older woman!)

And, contrary to what was mentioned, no wife beater shirts.

Funny though, the last wife beater shirt I saw on a cruise was some guy who was trying to get into the MDR, also with a backwards ball cap, ON AN X CRUISE IN ALASKA!

I'll be the guy in a Tux, and  I bet, not the only one.

Enjoy your cruise, maybe we will see you on board.

Oh, worst drunks I ever saw was the crowd on the last HAL sailing we were on... 2 for 1 happy hour,  good thing there were lots of scooters, cause they weren't walking too good!

We were on deck 6, 6101

So, I fibbed, here are some photos, uncaptioned.