Steeler Nation At Sea

8 hours ago, Rhea98 said:

It's probably an "OK" deal if you want the spa access. We paid $227 (x2) for the 19 day Transatlantic which, as Fla Mike pointed out, arrives Nov 16. I'm thrilled with the price.  

Interesting.  I paid the same for 25 days boarding in Rome, so I'm super happy at about $9/day. The spa does look great!

4 hours ago, Lelly0109 said:

Just for information, I contacted MSC directly via Facebook messenger and their response was

'you will have to count from your first docking in Norway...' 

This is how I've understood it to work, not from the entire cruise departure date as reported earlier in this thread.  And all your days at sea after Norway count until you dock in UK again.

Being only 2 days difference in your case, I hope you're able to just count from Southhampton for assurance.

32 minutes ago, RocketMan275 said:

I called my TA about a price drop and NCL told her that there had not be a drop since that category was sold out.  I asked the TA to go back and ask NCL how they could be advertising that category for sale on their website if it was sold out.  Opps.  I got the FCC, over a thousand.

I'd be looking for a new TA that understood what they booked for you and that it was still being sold and didn't have to be asked to go back to NCL. 

On 8/8/2023 at 6:43 PM, Ourusualbeach said:

About $23 a day.  CANADA DAY 2020 I think. Maybe 2019.  Thank you intern!

Never got to take any of those $18 USD cruises in the end.  🦠

6 hours ago, molly361 said:

I know that the free one can't be at Hooked but are you saying that I can't pay for my solo dinner at Hooked and get my free one at a different venue?

Would be curious as to how this works out for you as I'm newly D+.  If the answer is no BOGO for solos, I'll seek out a fellow D+ solo on the roll call to dine with....twice.  I do the same on NCL with the loyalty BOGO's.  

There are few opportunities, but, they do exist.  Two Adventure OTS TA's in October and November '24 with 3 weeks between them, are a current offering.

Can always be done in combination with other cruise lines, most notably, Cunard, which sails back and forth regularly. 

I use online TA's to search for such pairings.  This summer, there was a late NCL Eastbound, and you could  have chosen an early Artic Circle Westbound on several lines to return.

2 minutes ago, ksmommy5 said:

Im sorry that happened to you. We travel about 3x a year across land and air to take cruises and visit our vacation property in the US, and while I carry the custody papers on me every time, I have only been asked when he was a toddler (he is now 12). Our passports have the same surname. I understand being asked to show proof at border crossings but find it weird to be asked on cruise especially on our Canadian passports where they can assume Ive already been asked to provide the proof upon entering the country. I guess we have just been lucky. I did just called MSC and they told me that custody paperwork is sufficient and the affadavit is specially for when the child is not travelling with a custodial parent. We've been cursing for 8 years and have never been asked upon embarkation so I just found this piece of information very weird. 

Mine were about 8, 11 and 12 at the time.  To be fair, I'm glad the Canadian officials were looking out for the children's welfare and doing their best to prevent parental abductions. Also, taught me a lesson that I needed to know.  Had we been turned back, it would not have been the end of the world either as I'm fairly near the border. My ex and I never did a formalized custody agreement or I might have thought about taking it with me.

33 minutes ago, ksmommy5 said:

I have never had this in all our years travelling on cruises with my child. How does this work for sole support parents? They expect me to track down this individual whom I haven't spoken to nor even know where he lives in about 10 years to ask him permission to take my son on a cruise? They don't even ask me at the border for the custody paperwork....

I see you're from Toronto so if you're talking about the Niagara land borders, they most certainly asked me on my first trip post separation into Canada from the USA as US citizens.  I was so caught off guard as I hadn't considered it.  We were both okay with wherever the other wanted to take the kids. I was pulled out of the line of cars at the Rainbow Bridge and directed to an administration building and each of my 3  children were interviewed separately as to the purpose and length of the trip before they were satisfied that I wasn't planning a kidnapping across borders. The kids were upset, naturally.   I never made that mistake again and never ever traveled, even across a state line,  without a notarized permission letter from my ex or from parents of any minor  friends that I was taking along.

This was about 20 years ago and, if anything, things have only become more strict. I'm surprised that the OP was caught off guard and that you have not been asked, but, it sounds like you have sole legal custody by status quo and you should speak to a lawyer about formalizing a sole custody order to avoid being questioned or to present to border agents, cruiselines and airlines that require it.

Hey PDXer2

I think I can tell from the way you titled this thread that you are not looking forward to sailing solo, and that title has been bumming me out, as someone who does often sail by myself.

I'm here to tell you that I absolutely love everything about it, from not having to share my cabin and space and the temperature controls, tv on/off and curtains opened/closed to doing my own thing whenever I want.  I can be as social as I want to.  It's easy to meet other cruisers as we all have at least one thing in common. We like cruising. Do try the solo meetings, but, if they're not well attended on your sailing or if you've reached out already on a quiet roll call, don't fret. 

And don't discount that you might make friends with couples, too.  I often try to start the ball rolling on my roll calls by asking if anyone would like to meet up at one of the specialty restaurants once or twice depending on the length of the cruise.  I usually get a mix of couples and solos to attend.  I have made lifelong friends whilst cruising solo. Highly recommend it and it's not something to feel unfortunate about!  I realize you're disappointed that your son can't go and probably worried over his medical reasons, but, you're going on a cruise so that's a big plus! 

Okay, pep talk over.  Enjoy.

52 minutes ago, Bgwest said:

Currently on year 2 of 50th Anniversary World Tour.  

Feeling good, feeling fine
Oh, baby, let the music play!

On 8/2/2023 at 9:42 AM, PompeySailor said:

We slept much better last night as well and have awoke chill and mellow 🌳

The AC is currently pumping out normal air 👍🏻

Bonus! Another YC perk?

2 hours ago, EllieinNJ said:

I've never had a connecting room but I've heard that you can hear most every word in the next cabin.

 I've had this without a connecting cabin. 

25 minutes ago, perakcruiser said:

By the way, as a tourist I found life much more difficult in Israel on a Shabbat that during Ramadan in muslim countries. 

I am learning the truth of this as I will be a first timer on a port stop in Haifa on Succot and everything will be closed with no public transit running, from what I've read so far.  For the first time ever, I will probably be taking a ship's tour instead of going about on my own.  

I was in Istanbul for Ramadan/Eid and it made no difference to my visit, except to enjoy seeing the families fill the parks to enjoy an Iftar picnic together in the evenings.  It was a very festive feeling.

1 hour ago, KINGBOBOFTHENORTH said:

Israel does not stamp the passport of visitors. They issue a small "Border Control" card about the size of your drivers license. It includes your name, passport number, arrival date and photo. You get to retain it when you depart Israel. There is nothing in your passport to indicate you were ever in Israel.

Yes, that's true now for entry as a tourist. It wasn't always the case.

3 hours ago, alyssamma said:

The visa process is very detailed so if that is approved the OP should have no problems.

I think US visitors can just get a Tourist E-Visa now.  I don't know the details.  

4 minutes ago, alyssamma said:

They used about 1.19 on the day it was a 1.1 published rate...so about a 10pt spread...1-3 is more common...even 5...but 10 seemed like gouging. Honestly it's a minor thing but it's always something with MSC and it just pissed me off.

 

Let me be clear...in NO way ruining the cruise. I really love this ship and I'm having a *great* time. I just hate the people who own the ship, lol.

I get it.  I often sail solo and get gouged in many ways by several lines, so I know how you feel.  I'm not talking about the solo supplements, but, other frustratingly small ways they all sock it to solos.  Hit me in the wallet and I feel it more.  At least now I know what to expect on the OBC.  Thanks for responding.

35 minutes ago, 8420PR said:

I don't think the passport stamps matter.   "An estimated 450,000 Israeli tourists have visited UAE in the last 2 years".  from:  https://www.businesstraveller.com/features/how-israel-and-the-uae-are-growing-their-tourism-links/

 

It is probably one of the safest countries to get on a cruise, with an intentional homicide rate 10% of the USA's.

MSC sail from Saudi Arabia and Egypt, too.  The Saudis ban Israelis from entry entirely. Currently, they say they'll accept an Israeli stamp in other passports.  If I were in the OP's shoes, I'm not sure how I'd feel about trying to enter by air, then board in Jeddah.

On 7/30/2023 at 11:18 AM, alyssamma said:

I had some OBC in USD and they used an insane exchange rate to convert it.to EUR  Although they were nice at guest services, they did nothing to help.

Can you say what the exchange rate they used or what was the basis?  

Don't want to be surprised when I board in Rome in October as a 1st time MSC guest. This is something that I hadn't actually thought about or have seen mentioned here.

17 hours ago, EllieinNJ said:

I am considering one for next year.  Are they safe for Americans, especially those of the Jewish faith?

The short answer is, yes, you will be safe. I would advise that you not outwardly display your religious affiliation.  The Middle East is a vast area with many nations. Some are tolerant and support religious freedom. Some do not. I would also suggest you take a look at where your destination countries fall on other human rights issues and factor those into your decision making.  Choose your itinerary wisely based on your new knowledge.  I cruised the Emirates and Oman in 2016 on another line and returned to the Emirates (Abu Dhabi and Dubai) for the World Expo last year for a week. On both the cruise and the week long trip, I traveled independently with no organized excursions or tours.  There are a couple of other countries that I choose not to visit at this time. The decision to go at all based on their human rights issues in general in the area is one that I do wrestle with.

In some other travel forums, I have also seen reports of certain passport stamps being issues for entry into certain other countries, so do look into that.  I believe it was reported with Saudi Arabia and Israel, when I read it.

2 hours ago, MindyJohn said:

Some of us were on Voyager last winter and I wouldn't say they've done much to amplify her except add a waterslide.  It'll be interesting to see what they plan for these two drydocks.  Are there any other Voyager class besides Navigator with the extra venues like Playmakers, Loco Fresh etc.?

I hadn't been on her until last year, but, I agree.  Felt like the added cabins made for some odd paths to take, especially to Izumi.  Couldn't find my way in at first and then got absolutely windblasted on the way another night. Maybe it was always that way, but, it felt cut off, so I assumed it was different prior to the amp. Missed the removed JR as an option, too.

55 minutes ago, RoperDK said:

Any thoughts on if they will be amped to include options like Playmakers?  

This statement was in the letter regarding the shortened Adventure TA.  Doesn't provide any hints as to the improvements to be expected.

"We’re taking Adventure of the Seas into dry dock for routine maintenance and exciting improvements."

12 hours ago, ONECRUISER said:

Sadly pretty Common. Last Fall Cruises, 4 mine Changed, 3 with one less night, all price protected no Compensation. Happened yr before also on 2 others of Cruises, though were CV canceled anyway

Also, on the Adventure shortened TA October '24.  Disappointed in that my only other shortened cruise in late  '21 provided both OBC depending on category booked, as well as the fare adjustment. Both items were communicated in the initial letter describing the change and our options.  I assume in late '21, they had no idea the industry would bounce back like it has and now that overbookings are a thing, they don't feel the need to make adjustments.

The only thing consistent about RCL is the inconsistency.  🙃

6 minutes ago, Heartgrove said:

 

 July 3 is seven days after June 27. Just like July 2 is seven days after June 26.

None of which are July 4th, my actual payment due date. 🤔

No idea what ship you are on, but, can tell you that my deck 6 balcony 6120 on Quantum above the theater was not quiet during rehearsals.  Impossible to nap during a rehearsal.  Didn't bother me in the evenings as I was not in the cabin during shows.

1 hour ago, Valpacino said:

 

I started poking around elsewhere in my MSC account portal & ended up going to the site map at the bottom of the page.  On scrolling to I think about Page 2 of the site map I ran across an entry labelled as 'Specialty Dining'.  By clicking on that it took me to the page I was looking for where I can pick a restaurant I want to eat in & add it to my account. 

 

So it looks like I may have solved 1 out of 2 of my issues.  Thank you to everyone who replied and participated so far in this thread.

I had found the dining button you mentioned and still had nothing showing.  Will try again.

Were you really shocked when the info from the phone rep on waiting 24 hours was a bust? 😉