UniPac

5 hours ago, NavyCruiser said:

Actually, as of Jan 1, our hometown of  Houston has 22.1% positivity rate, 303442 of 1371880 tested.  Safer to be on 1% cruise ship where 100% of crew & 100% of passengers 12 & up are vaccinated , & tested negative as of 2 days prior to embarkation...

Whilst I was on a cruise myself in December and had a fabalous time, that is just numbers.If you decide to eat at home, wear a FFP2/KN95... mask during supermarket time and don't mingle with others you will be safer than on a ship - except if you stay in your cabin all time 🙂 Just because lots of people share the same places every day and night on a ship.

Another point is that if you test positive on a cruise ship, you will be moved to a cabin in the red zone (quarantine), often without balcony and maybe to a shaby hotel afterwards. What I have read here and on facebook doesn't sound like something I want to experience. Self-isolation at home sounds better to me. So whilst I am not too concerend about a positive (omicron) test during cruising, I fear being quarantined instead in a tiny cabin. If cruise lines would do some marketing on that (e.g. guarantee a balcony, a 4+ star hotel etc.) I bet there would be less cancellations as I think it has much to do with the fear raised by the stories of quarantined people.

However, this is just my 2 cents 🙂

The cases during cruise will raise. Learned that from last three cruises. So if the cruise just started, there won't be lots of cases. But things can and will change during the cruise. Crossing my thumbs that it won't be more than a dozen cases in total.

We found Uptown to be the best band performance in the theatre!

But they left Apex on December 17th.

2 hours ago, NavyCruiser said:

Also, walking down our 9th deck towards the elevators/stairs, we saw alot of key envelopes still unopened & still in the doorway slot, so maybe lots of no-shows onboard on this embarkation day...

I wonder if they canceled in time and Celebrity had the cards etc already in preparation OR if they were not allowed to board due to missing documents, positive tests etc.

On our Apex sailing (11th December) we had 30% capacity. Went to blu between 8-8.30pm (just as on all other cruises) and there were only few tables occupied. Guess everybody upgraded to Suite class (which was $1000 pP for us and therefor to much).

Is assistant waitress Sabitri still there? If so, say hello to her from Ingo and Lydia please :-) She is sooo nice and cute, we love her!

On 1/3/2022 at 3:32 AM, helen haywood said:

If one wants to experience/enjoy true gelato one must go to Italy.  YUM!!!

Gelato on MSC ships - at least Seaside class - is also really good. That way you can board Italy in Miami.

On 1/2/2022 at 8:35 PM, morpheusofthesea said:

ent down to deck 3, atrium deck, and noticed a transformation. Before and after photos of Christmas 2021. Stood in line, social distanced and masked, to ask guest services a very important question. What is the difference between the free, complimentary ice cream on deck 14 Ocean View Cafe and the charged for ice cream on deck 5 opposite end of Cafe al Bacio ?  Well, a smile came upon the purser's face as he described the difference about textures and flavors and that the kiosk on deck 5 was really 'gelato' not 'ice cream'. They fooled me, I couldn't tell the difference.

 

 

I was on the Apex until 20th December. We always forget to "use" our free gelato, so it came the she tried it on the last evening. And guess what? We have been told that it is all complimentary!

That made me feel like I missed something 😆

However, this might be a difference from E to S-Class ships or because of those times... we had only about 30% on our cruise and a ratio 1:1,3  guest to staff. Don't remember how it was on the Edge back in 2019 before Covid, but I think it wasn't complimentary.

16 hours ago, Fouremco said:

I still don't understand where you get the idea that Celebrity will test you before boarding. You will need to provide proof of a negative test taken within 2 days of embarkation when you check in, but Celebrity will not test you.

You are right, I mixed this up with unvaccinated guests and because MSC did that on my cruise few weeks ago. And to be honest, I thought this is a good idea to have 2 tests on different days for maximum safety.

However, my challenge for an additional test is still the same, whether Celebrity tests us or not.

Thanks @kokopelli-az for all that options. I hope it works ago. I just would have been so much easier for us using our test to enter the US and start our vaccation without having to find a test and a plan B 🙂

20 hours ago, Fouremco said:

A couple of questions. First, what day to you fly to the US and what day do you embark?

 

Second, you state that you will be tested by X on embarkation day. Why would they do so, and even if they did, wouldn't that suffice as your test?

We arrive three days prior so that test won't help as it will be too old.

Second, you have to bring your own test before you get tested by Celebrity.

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How to calculate which days to take your test:

• Vaccinated guests: You must take your test no more than 2 days before embarkation.  Therefore, if you are setting sail on a Saturday, you can take your test on Thursday or Friday. You may also take it on Saturday morning if necessary — however, we don't recommend waiting until the last minute.

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17 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

Take a look here .. one of the tabs are for test accepted by Celebrity 

 

https://www.celebritycruises.com/healthy-at-sea/faqs 

 

 

Thanks.

"The test must have Emergency Use Authorization from the U.S. FDA."

--> I found this:

https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19-emergency-use-authorizations-medical-devices/in-vitro-diagnostics-euas-antigen-diagnostic-tests-sars-cov-2

"Mail me luggage tags" still greyed out at the "Before you board tab".... 35 days to go.

On 11/3/2021 at 11:54 PM, jelayne said:

The 10% discount on the upgrade from Classic to Premium was a recent addition to the Elite benefits.  Previously there was a discount on the purchase of a beverage package but not on the upgrade.

I did not know that! When I login to my account, there is only an info box telling me to call for an upgrade, so I can't do that online. Booked through TA.

What is the final price for the upgrade per day? Is there any advantage to upgrade pre-cruise (maybe service charge?)

Hi all!

Regarding the tests pre-embarkation: how do we know if the test used or the company doing the test will be accepted by Celebrity? Is there a list available? What about telehealth tests, are they accepted?

They changed the policy from 3 to 2 days - as we will fly to Miami from Europe, our test to enter the US will be too old 😞 ... and we can't do the test on embarkation day (because X will test us on that day) which leaves little room for third test... plus we need transportation. Not the way I want to start our vacation. Telehealth test would be easiest for us, but are european tests accepted at all?

Thanks for any answers! The last thing I want to happen is that I will be denied boarding because they don't accept the test!

Tom

We used Native Choice in 2019 and were very satisfied.

I am also researching Beach Club options for our Cozumel visit. May I ask why Mr Sanchos, Paradise Beach or Nachi Cocum are not on your list?

Cave tubing sounds fun! However, how cold is the water?

We did tubing in Jamaica but the water was "refreshing" so she was really cold after a while...

No. Malta even only allowed two types of tours: open bus tour or harbour boat tour.

France does allow guests on their own, but MSC has not adjusted to that yet.

1 hour ago, LeCommandant said:

More generally speaking, there are not only cutbacks, but also improvements, in particular:

• Free WiFi for YC guests (it was sooo expensive before!)
• Drinks everywhere in the ship are included (it was limited to YC areas before)
• Improved bar list with the famous real champagne Nicolas Feuillatte (limited to Europe)
• and so on...

The prices also decreased (in particular Inside Cabins). 

Regarding WiFi, it is the "Browse" package for 2 devices per person. Slow, but works.

Drinks outside YC: it is like having bought the premium package (10 EUR limit) and is working in specialty dining venues.

So here we go for some tips & tricks I came along - only a few but they might be helpful. Will add more once I come across.

 #1 bring your own towel to the spa - they don’t offer any because of Covid and they don‘t tell you so you will end up in the spa locker room looking for towels. I don‘t understand this one -  you get towels at the YC sundeck, you get it in your room, you get it in the gym… why is towel service in the spa such a risk?

 #2 don‘t try to call room service. Call your butler. Room service never arrived (3days, 3calls).

#3 shortcuts galore - besides the automatic sliding door to the YC, there are more doors. Some could be easily overseen (glass doors) but they will allow to cut your way to the restaurant or bar. Best shortcut is the hidden door that your butler will use. That way we cut down the way to YC restaurant by 70%.
Take a look around, it is fun to find out.

#4 non-YC: sundecks are crowded. Sunbeds are occupied. Take a stroll around and you will recognize spaces with less crowds and free sunbeds. Sometimes they are not set up. Grab one and you have your quiet place in the sun. It is worth to tour the ship to find those spots.

 #5 non-YC outdoor seating for buffet: at the back of the ship, there is some outdoor seating for buffet. Didn‘t find it first time as the Marketplace buffet is so huge and looks like indoor only. Plus the buffet on deck 9 is gone and replaced by butcher‘s cut outdoor area.

 #6 dining deals - it is easy to get 20%, sometimes 30% off for specialty dining. Just do the „undecided“ guest. Interested in first, but then undecided… works best with the crew members trying to sell the dining.

Side note: we didn’t enforce this as we have one free dining plus OBC, just learned by walking around the restaurants.

#7 paper tissues - another covid-reasoned-removed item. Ask for it and you can get it. 

#8 food menu for the week - it is within the app (and the giant touch screens around the ship), but is somewhat hiding. There are two restaurant „buttons“ within the app. One is just information, the other one will present a „Menu“ button. Slide left/right to change from breakfast to lunch and dinner. Note: subject to changes, the app menu is the „regular“ menu but depending on supply, items can change and will be correct on the „printed“ version of the menu.

Speaking of that is another (like the towels) funny Covid-story: because of that nasty virus, you don‘t get the regular printed menus. Instead, it is a single sheet of paper, black&white printed, showing you all the delights, you can choose.

You might think it is only used once and then trashed - wrong. It is reused. They collect it and put it back on the table with all the menus in different languages for the later guests. As long as it is only a little bit crumbled, it will do for the next guests…. So tell me, is there any special „menu card“ or „spa towel“ Covid out there that ignores printed paper or other towels?

Sorry for being ironic… smile and be happy 🙂

#9 emergency drill – because of Covid, this is different as well. They ask you to watch the security video in your cabin. Your proof of having it watched is dialing 881 (from your stateroom phone) which is shown at the end of the video, but only for a very short time. Guess that is why they announce the number through the speakers… you then have time to go to your assembly station and scan your card (your band won’t work, only the card).

#10 theater shows – some of them are being shown on two days, because of the limited capacity (50%) in the theater. Masks are required and you won’t be allowed to sit next to each other, even if in the same stateroom. This is enforced. If you are used to big production shows on ships, I can tell you that MSC has improved but is still not at the same level like Royal or Celebrity. So don’t waste too much time there, head to tip #11 instead.

#11 Cabaret Rouge at the end of the ship – this is new to Seaside class ships. It is a multi-story, 360° venue with bar service and life music. And I tell you, it is amazing. You can choose whether you want to sit right next to the singers or higher above them watching down. Sometimes the band has its own spot above the stage if there is more acting, for music shows the band will be on stage with the singers. And the current band/singers are awesome! Way better than what we heard in the theater. Great place to be! I know this is my personal view, but I am sure most of you will agree that it is really worth attending.

That’s it for now. Tomorrow is a sea day and we have received a letter, that everybody disembarking in Barcelona will be swab tested on that day. Let’s see how long this will take.

Tom

Thanks, both @Beamafar and @MemeCruise!

We are close to Naples, ship will dock soon. Next Chapter:

Service, Crowds and Food

Our Butler and Junior Butler are doing a great job so far, same for the YC head concierge. And same for the restaurant and bar service. Almost no waiting, friendly with a smile and they always insist to bring the last drink to your room (incl. some sweat or savory treats, if you choose some).

YC is about 75% booked and most of them are couples and only few families. Sundeck is empty, I would say about 10% of Sunbeds being used (but weather hasn't been perfect).

I had read a lot of negative feedback that it is crowded, drinks service being slow (even in YC), elevators being full and stopping on each deck… after 3 days I can’t confirm anything of that.

We have been to the Sports Bar and the Brooklyn Café on two nights. Service wasn’t the same as in YC but still we got enough drinks without waiting too long. We have been asked regularly for another drink. Elevators been efficient, most of the time going to our desired deck without an additional stop. No crowds in front of the elevators, most time just us and maybe a second couple (waiting for a different cart).

We walked past the main pool, it was indeed crowded but there have still been sun chairs available around the ship. Same for the infinity pool. Closest spots to pool/bar are occupied, but you could always find a sunchair a little more remote. Let’s see how it will be on a sunny sea day. Aurea sundeck was almost empty. Jungle Pool is full, loud, warm – because the top is closed as the sun is still hiding. A place to walk by fast – only reason to go there was because we wanted to go to Marketplace Buffet and the Jungle Pool separates YC and the MP Buffet.

Speaking of Marketplace Buffet, this area is huge (as the second buffet has been eliminated on Seaside Evo class ships). However, it seems that at least a half of it is always closed. Food choice is the smallest I have come across on MSC ships, maybe Covid related. It is somewhat crowded, but not as much as I have thought.

I think the main difference is that the school holidays in Europe are over so less families and less bookings in total.

The food in the YC has been hit and miss so far. We had really good lunch, but also mediocre dinner. We must admit we are foodies and love the choice and quality on Celebrity. And we have not sailed on Celebrity since Covid (two days before departure in Miami our cruise got canceled). But the food on Celebrity was better – and we are comparing Aqua Class “Blu” vs. YC. Some of the food in YC looks really nice but tastes just so-so. We had the filet mignon on the sundeck – ordered medium – came rare, almost blue. Reorder was rare to medium. The filet at lunch instead was cooked perfectly. The Choice is really satisfying, but the food lacks of something “special”. Sometimes you are missing the acidity, sometimes the spice, sometimes texture, sometimes it is not cooked as we chose. Service, again, was outstanding - Pasta wasn't.

Pizza at MP is really good. Didn’t have enough space left to try out pizza delivery to our room. Regarding room service: used it one time for a decaf espresso – it never arrived. Second day we called Concierge for some ice – never arrived.  

That’s it for now, next update will be some tips and tricks. I hope I didn’t put in too many typos/grammar errors this time – but it is good practice for me so I enjoy writing as I hope you enjoy reading!

Tom

Hi everybody!

I would like to share some information regarding our cruise that started two days ago in Barcelona, Spain. I will focus on relevant tips & tricks and everything that was special in any way (ups and downs).

If you have any questions, feel free to ask – I will try to answer them.

So, let’s start – unfortunately, with some negative points… first chapter:

Embarkation

Our check-in time was 10.30am, we arrived at the port (using “cabify”, which seems to be Barcelona’s Uber) and went to the baggage drop off. Two persons checked our luggage tags (that stated Yacht Club) and sent us to some tent. We thought that YC has no priority because of Covid so we queued… inside the tent, there were 5 desks set up with two MSC employees and after about 15min we have waived to the next free one. Showing our boarding document, the woman recognized we are YC and escorted us outside to a separate tent and luggage drop off. That’s when we learned that if the first two persons would have been able to read our tags or ask us, we could have saved 15mins…

Sooooo… we showed our boarding document again, our passports, proof of vaccination … and next some discussion en espanol started and one more person came to the YC desk, totaling in four talking about our names/cabin number not being on their list. After 10 minutes of waiting and watching them discussing and calling other persons, we were escorted into the terminal where the Covid tests would take place. We haven’t been on the list at this point, so there was some short discussion again and the Covid test, after which we have been escorted to the YC waiting area. There was one couple waiting plus two YC butlers and two other ladies that came to us and asked for our boarding documents and passports. Discussion started again, phone calls, and my partner was asked for her passport 3 times within 20 minutes. In the meantime, several other couples came and immediately received their wrist bands and cards (which we didn’t), the first couple already left to the ship (and others arriving after us also left after a short wait for the test result). Finally, they asked me if I know a woman named “Jane Doe” (name changed for privacy reasons) which was somehow embarrassing as they didn’t tell my why they ask such a question in front of my partner. Never heard of that name (really!) I started to get upset as we had been in the process of boarding for almost an hour without been told what went wrong.

Long story short: somehow, they have been missing our names/cabin and when they “found” it, it was assigned to me and a woman I don’t know. So, they had to register us from scratch, print new cards etc…. in total, that took about 1,5hours waiting and sitting….

Onboard we learned that even it took so long, neither our drink package nor our internet package was registered… and our card didn’t reflect our Diamond status, but that’s something we didn’t care about.

All together, the whole embarkation took longer than for non-YC guests and we even had to go to the YC desk two times because of the missing internet and missing drink package. Of course they excused for that verbally.

Enough for now, hope you enjoyed reading it and have some questions already! Next up will be some tips and tricks and first impressions of YC, food and service. Be asured, our experience will get better!

Tom

16 hours ago, blordos said:

Next week me and my wife are going to MSC Virtuosa. We will be staying in the YC. Our  boarding paper says WIFI is now included for the YC guests. That is  pleasant surprise. Last time we went on the MSC Grandiosa YC and WIFI was not included.

Currently on Seashore YC. The „Browse“ package is included, 2 devices per person.Slow but works for news, mail, whatsapp, facebook…

23 minutes ago, marielco said:

This is a photo taken of the theatre. All the seats with the signs on them are not to be used.  This is strictly enforced 

MSC is good at doing the things in a bad way. I am quite tall so I would definitely prefer the chairs with the larger back... not talking about I would love to sit next to my partner...

3 hours ago, Beamafar said:

You can certainly have drinks delivered to your cabin.  

Thanks. I wasnt sure if this is included in the YC or if you have to pay extra. And also, if this is something others do as well. Don't want to ask the butler for something he isn't used to 🙂

14 hours ago, MarkusToe said:

Minibar had the new version.

One big bottle, snack's and Toblerone, first filling. 

Restock for coke and juice (not regularly)

So it is "normal" to have your butler deliver drinks from the bar to your cabin?

21 hours ago, MarkusToe said:

No need to fill out any form... Had the harbour ship Tour.... 

Have the same tour booked... was it worth it? When did it start?

Different Question Markus: did you have an excursion booked for Malte? If so, did you need to fill out the EU Form (dPLF)?