LIVE: MSC Fantasia 17 night repositioning cruise Santos Brazil to Venice 5 March 2013

[travelberlin]

Nice to hear you are heaving a great time. Are many Brazilians on board? Which other nationalities?

[All aboard??]

:eek: having fallen behind yet again Tim has suggested that I do these updates in the morning so with severals birds in front of my window riding what I can only imagine is an incredible mass of air being forced forward by this behemouth as she makes her way North lets play catch-up again...

 

The morning of the arrival in Salvador begain like any other port arrival when you stay in Yacht Club.....violent vibrations shaking a person to their core, thankfully though it was already 09:00 vs my previous experiences in the med of what I had eventually dubbed the 06:30 wake up call.

 

Reluctantly climbing out of bed I opened my drapes and watched as we docked - my next comment is in no manner or form intended to offend any individual or group of individuals and is purely my personal opinion and not the opinion of any member of the group on board or reflective of an individual or group of individuals who may reside there - and thought to myself what a dump.

 

Having lived in Angola for several years I found Luanda, a city in a country ravaged by civil war for 30 years to be more appealing that what stretched out before me, and so taking this into consideration, together with the various comments I had already gathered from the various Brazilian crew on board I decided that Salvador was a port of call best left to the locals and so opted for a second day at The One Pool, Aurea Spa and most definitely lunch with Keith, Angela and Tim.

 

 

 

 

 

I always make a point of going to the Spa when onboard - nothing like a bit of pampering and this cruise is no different. Yesterday, the sea day as we made our way towards Salvador I had had a full body Balinese Hot Stone Massage, one of my favorites. The petite Indonesian masseuse, who at some times I found climbing onto the table where I lay in an attempt I can only imagine to exert additional pressure kept on speaking to me in Portuguese even after I had told her that I am South African, working in Australian in my fairly strong English South African accent, but language confusion aside it was a good massage as usual and yes, it did come with a happy ending..............20% discount! - a mistake I am sure which I did bring to the attention of the concierge.

 

In Salvador I was experiencing an incredibly stiff neck, most in part due to the flowers fiasco, which I shall go into more detail for you all with at a later point - my approach being dependent on how Napoli / Geneva resolve the insult and inconvenience, and so I went off to the Spa again for a quick 30 minute neck and shoulder - concentrating on the main problem area the masseuse informs me "something upsetting you - not good - must relax on cruise" - if only she knew......

 

At this stage I was interested to see what would happen with the discount - was I to have two happy ending in a row? Yes, once again 20% discount to which effect I once again informed the concierge and this is where I will leave it for now - should they elect to continue to apply such a generous discount to my spa treatments, I shall let them continue.

 

The rest of the day was spent drinking Strawberry Caiparoska at the pool and as mentioned earlier I was on deck.....drinking......as we set sail from Salvador. 4 sets of 3 blasts from the ships horn rang out through Salvador and we were off - goodbye Brazil, hello 6 sea days.

 

I am not sure if it is the fact that tomorrow is a sea day, after depositing my 450 USD break even the day before at the black jack table I found the entire CC group at the usual spot - the wine bar in very merry sorts. At this stage I fear that they may be a bad influence on innocent me...... :rolleyes:

[All aboard??]

I awoke the morning after departing Salvador at 09:30 and having missed breakfast at L'Etoile I opted for the continental option in The Top Sail Lounge. With smoked salmon piled on my plate and a view of the Atlantic as far as they eye can see I enjoyed the change from eggs benedict, sausage and bacon - pictures will follow as I collect them over the remainder of our crossing.

 

Discussion with my fellow Yacht Club guests covered airport security, duty free allowances, the differing price of cigarettes globally and whether Tag Heur is worth the money paid.......

 

By now it was 11:15 and I decided to go and find Tim, Keith and Angela with the intention of joining them for lunch. I don't believe any of us intended for a boozy lunch, but it soon turned out that way. Elizabeth and Stan were directed to our table and so four became six and three bottles of wine later (one of which was my own doing :eek:) we all decided that perhaps it was time for a little afternoon siesta, however...........

 

En route to my cabin I figured I would go past the casino "just to have a look"; an hour later and after depositing further 100 USD into the MSC coffers I decided that a sleep was necessary if I was to make anything of the evening ahead.

 

Waking at 17:30 I was not excited at the prospect of having to put on my suite for the evening festivities, however sucking it up I proceeded to conform to evening's dress code. Feeling like a stuffed suasage and sweating profusely I made my way down to the wine bar to catch the gang before dinner. With my captive audience I reiterated continuously how much I hate formal evenings and that I would much prefer a country club casual take on dress code - much I am sure to Tim's horror. It is unusual to see tuxeedos and bow ties on MSC cruises however last night there was a sea of penguins.....errrr waiters.......errrr elegantly dressed gents; except in Yacht Club, where it was very much a situation of dark suits.

 

I opted to decline Tim, Keith, Michael and Angela's invitation to join them at their table as, having caught a glimpse of the menu for L'Etoile I gathered there would be no comparison.

 

The menu was compiled for MSC by a two Michelin Starred chef and consisted of:

 

Prawn marinated in passion fruit

 

Tandoori scallops with grapefruit

 

Seafood risotto

 

Fillet of beef with a balsamic reduction, roasted peppers and pineapple

 

Coconut ice cream topped with a chocolate biscuit and hot chocolate sauce

[travelberlin]

Hi all on board,

I am sorry to hear you have missed Salvador Bahia. Having been both in Luanda and Salvador Bahia, I would not think both are similar. I can see you enjoy having good food. After visiting the charming old town and admiring Bahianas and Bahianos you could have enjoyed very good Bahia food in one of the local restaurants. For example, there is a magnificent hotel close to the main square which I am sure would have suited your fine taste (it used to be a convent). Maybe the crew members are not the most adequate people to provide advise on the ports. I thought you had a concierge. Was he or she in Salvador Bahia or does he/she have the same limitations than most crew members, who very offen do not get the chance to visit the ports.

By the way we love your country South Africa. We use to visit it several times when we had a house in Stellenbosch.

[All aboard??]

Since my last post all media and communication from the outside world has been nonexistent and today, as we approach Cape Verde we are back online – thank goodness, as I was starting to go through withdrawals.

 

Waking on the second of six sea days I was content in my decision not to partake in Neptune’s, Crossing of the Equator Ceremony and proceeded to the The One Pool to take a bit of sun. I can’t recall when I had the moment of enlightenment, however while lying in the sun I decided that Neptune’s Ceremony was something which I needed to do – a life experience if you want to call it that.

 

Registration was at 10:45, it was by now 10:40 so I figured I would need the assistance of my butler to cut a few lines at the Vomit Venue as Tim so eloquently describes the Liquid Disco. The concierge was intrigued that a Yacht Club guest was willing to be creamed and egged, and Donny; my new butler; was paged to assist me in my mission. The Liquid Disco was a hive of activity, tables for registration and various points where the animation team were doing body painting. Donny, as expected completed my registration on my behalf and caught the attention of a member of the team of body painters as, according to him I “needed some paint”. All painted up and nowhere to go I handed my camera, cigarettes, cruise card, shirt and flip flops to Donny and arranged that when I called the concierge after the ceremony was complete a butler would bring me a towel etc.

It was shortly thereafter that Neptune himself surfaced, together with his daughter Ariel, who I can only describe as being heavy with child….several minutes passed and we were off, paraded like the heroes we were to become - I am of the opinion that my voluptuous body shall soon adorn many a Facebook photo album – our group of willing participants ended up sitting on the edge of the pool…..and then it started. Champagne, Milk, Whipped Cream, Coco Powder, Tomato and finally Raw Eggs where poured, scattered, dumped and cracked on our heads culminating in Neptune giving his blessing for us to cross the equator and in doing so; and I am amazed at how it was timed, the ship suddenly began blasting her horn at which point we all climbed into the pool which had already become and interesting shade of grey.

 

Climbing out I called the concierge and soon enough one of the Junior Butlers arrived, robe, towel, flip flops, cigarettes and cruise card. He too expressed delight at the fact that a Yacht Club guest had taken part in the ceremony and assisted further in advising where I had missed a spot while rinsing off further at the pool deck showers. It was also at this time that those of us who had taken part became heroes…..the weather having rather threatening before had now miraculously cleared and what had started out as nothing special had become one of the best days we have had to date.

 

Angela had arranged for us all to meet at 15:00 at the Gaudi Bar for afternoon drinks, which venue was changed to my suite as the heavens opened…..the sight of all of us walking the full length of the ship down the corridor on deck 12 can only have been something to amaze.

 

I called for a butler and one arrived, interestingly not mine but Wendy and Vincent’s, but not being fussy I ordered several glasses of red wine for the wine drinkers and opened a bottle of Preseco……several minutes later more CC members arrived followed by my butler and that of Wendy and Vincent. Donny arranged a further bottle of Preseco as well as some canapés while the rain poured down outside.

 

By 17:30 everyone had left as it was a big night in Yacht Club…….meeting the Captain. I had experienced it previously on Fantasia that when travelling in Yacht Club you don’t go to the Captain, the Captain comes to you and so dressed country club casual I joined Wendy and Vincent in The Top Sail Lounge for some drinks and canapés……..

 

 

 

 

 

Talking to the Hotel Manager it became evident that he had lived and worked in Durban, the same place I grew up, culminating in us discussing some of the persons I went to school with whose parents are now in the upper echelons of the MSC Group – which seemed to have left the Captain slightly shocked…..after all I am just a young man from South Africa.

 

I joined Wendy and Vincent for dinner where I encountered the most interesting dish to date……purple risotto.

 

 

I believe I should have retired after dinner - and prefer to not go into too much detail -, but unfortunately I didn’t and a boozy afternoon, became a boozy evening, became a boozy early morning in the night club which became a boozy 04:00 in The Top Sail Lounge…….

 

……..the third sea day was spent comatose.

[All aboard??]

Hi all on board,

I am sorry to hear you have missed Salvador Bahia. Having been both in Luanda and Salvador Bahia, I would not think both are similar. I can see you enjoy having good food. After visiting the charming old town and admiring Bahianas and Bahianos you could have enjoyed very good Bahia food in one of the local restaurants. For example, there is a magnificent hotel close to the main square which I am sure would have suited your fine taste (it used to be a convent). Maybe the crew members are not the most adequate people to provide advise on the ports. I thought you had a concierge. Was he or she in Salvador Bahia or does he/she have the same limitations than most crew members, who very offen do not get the chance to visit the ports.

By the way we love your country South Africa. We use to visit it several times when we had a house in Stellenbosch.

 

Thank you for your kind words regarding South Africa. I will be honest I am disappointed that I did not get to the Old Town in Salvador but realistically the stories I heard from passengers who did try and go there makes me thankful I didn't attempt the journey. I note they building a new cruise terminal in Salvador - perhaps they should look at running a cable car / tram system straight up to the Old Town so that us tourists can avoid the hotspots in the port area.

[Skipper Tim]

Good morning from the Northern hemisphere! Apologies for the tardy update. This is the first time I have had a steady internet connection since leaving Brazil.

 

I had intended delaying my report yesterday until after we crossed the equator. With the whirl that life aboard has been, although I wrote bits of what follows yesterday, there simply wasn't the time to collect myself and finish off the post.

 

Let's go back and work out how it came to be that, of all breakfast lovers, and I am like a hobbit in that regard, I started today on canapés and cold Kentucky fried chicken in my cabin. I know. I find it hard to believe myself. Every morning I find myself conducting an autopsy of the day before starting from whatever evidence there is in my cabin.

 

Firstly though, travelberlin asked about the mix of nationalities aboard.

 

It is always hard to be sure exactly which languages are being spoken and even harder to know which countries people are from. English-speakers are certainly in a minority but not in quite such a minority as expected based on my experience of the Musica. I would estimate 5-10% are British compared to around 1-2% total native English speakers on the Musica. I have yet to hear a North American accent. Most of the Brits I have heard are vaguely Southern English, suggesting that there may be one or two large groups aboard or one particular travel agent based in the South of England was promoting this cruise, perhaps as a package. I will make a point of finding out as the cruise progresses.

 

Brazillians I would guess make up the single-largest nationality and the ship does have a mixed Italian/Brazilian feel to it. For example, the wines are all Italian, there is half a page of Brazilian cocktails on the bar menu but my staple pre-meal Bloody Mary is not available. (Having said that, one barman has assured me that there is a secret supply of tomato juice deep in the bilges of the ship which he will retrieve specially for me today). (That was yesterday, he did it!)

 

Then the age of guests are the real surprise. There are a lot of young latinos, probably Brazilians, aboard. In my forties, I usually feel young on a cruise ship. I feel like the median age on this one. And I have to add that there are a lot of very daring swimming costumes even on old men. The pool deck is a combination of naked brown flesh and a blaze of extraordinary bright, bold and skimpy lycra. Regular North Americans would be shocked. I feel a new sense of freedom - I no longer feel inhibited about wearing a suit (jacket and trousers - not swim) for lunch.

 

I am currently safe from the flesh and lycra on deck 5 in the coolness and peace of the 'Fantasia Bar' having my first ever caipirinha. I don't know exactly what time it is but the delightful waitress, Raman, wished me good morning when I arrived. After my first sip, Max, the barman asked me how it was. When I regained my ability to talk, I told him it was "special". He laughed and said "yes, it was! 'Good morning pick-me-up'!". I replied "and then put me down after?". He gestured a graph in the air of going up and down. "You are in control" I said. He agreed. "I like him", Max confided to Raman before realising he was speaking aloud in my native language. They were great too and my first caipirinha was a 'special' experience.

 

I remember now that I had overheard this duo at the Fantasia bar speaking just after we had left Brazil. "Where are we next?" Raman asked. Straight-faced, Max quipped,"Tomorrow, we are in Madagascar".

 

And that brings me on to special treatment. It continues. Every member of the Cruise Critics roll call, except those in Yacht Club who have these things 'on draught' anyway, received canapés and fruit delivered to our respective cabins while at dinner yesterday evening. Again, no note or explanation. There is no other common factor - for some it is the first cruise, some are on all-inclusive (more on this below), some have had reason to complain but none of these apply to everyone who is receiving this special treatment. Our only common factor is being on the Cruise Critics roll call.

 

Now, much as when Dr. Strangelove' tells the Russian ambassador that there is no point in a doomsday machine to destroy the planet in case of attack if "you don't tell anyone!", I feel the steady stream of free gifts are somewhat pointless if we have no idea who they are from or why they have been sent!

 

There are only two of our Cruise Critics roll call who knew all our cabin numbers, Duane and John. I believe both of their denials. MSC are known to monitor the Cruise Critics threads and this live review is receiving a lot of hits. At the moment, who and what is behind our special favours has taken the air of a murder mystery. There was a death a couple of nights ago. We are told due to natural causes. If our group's numbers start to dwindle, there the remainder of us will be at the dining table with our competing ideas, "it was Professor Plum in the Manhattan bar with a double caipirinha".

 

So to the all-inclusive issue. I have had it confirmed from three sources that there are just 12 guests aboard with one of the all-inclusive 'Allegrissimo' packages. There was much discussion about the non-availability of any all-inclusive drinks package in South America nor on the repos departing from South America. It was confirmed countless times in different countries that Allegrissimo was not available and indeed it is not available to book onboard or mentioned in any literature. However, a few days before the start of the cruise it became available to book online. Hence the 12, including myself, with one of the two Allegrissimo packages. The staff know what it is and have clearly been briefed about us but management appear to be surprised and at a loss as to how it came about and are currently waiting for answers for "Napoli" headquarters in relation to various related enquiries.

 

We crossed the equator at 1pm ship time yesterday. Twelve of us celebrated with sparkling wine before lunch at the 'Bar at the Back' on deck 15 just as Duane was being baptised by King Neptune in full body paint with his butler standing by to assist as he emerged. I bitterly regret not been there with my camera. Had I known in advance I would have been. That was a once in a lifetime photo opportunity. We are told the ship's horn blasted four times but we didn't hear it because of our group's jollity.

 

Shortly after the freshly baptised, and hence transformed, Duane joined us, the heavens opened and we hiked to his suite at the opposite end of the ship. His butler was instructed and a tray of drinks and canapés duly arrived. You can start to understand the blurring of days and times.

 

I defied the 'casual' dress code last night and wore suit and tie. For post-dinner drinks we moved directly to the the starboard bar of the pool deck. It was windy again and felt a little like a fan oven. We drank too much once more and retired.

 

Plain clothes but CIA-looking guys complete with earpieces and comical coilly wires had had a laugh with one of the barmen. As they left I had a few questions. They were 'security' and, according to the barman, all MSC security personnel are Israeli. This makes perfect sense to me. Israelis have had serious security issues for decades and yet they, as regular international travellers, would not tolerate the gross impositions placed upon we Europeans in airport security by our political leaders desperate to demonstrate that they have a handle on the current situation. Debate.

 

Getting back to my cabin around 2 a.m., there was another tray of canapés and, of all things, a plate of fried chicken, KFC style, waiting for me. I was overwhelmed until this morning, having totally missed our regular breakfast engagement, I finally admitted defeat, relaxed and tucked in. I am on holiday. And so far, it is quite some holiday.

 

Please keep the questions flowing. Make use of our time aboard!

 

Tim.

[Skipper Tim]

Good morning from the Aurea Spa Bar apparently sponsored by Adidas.

 

I have been unable to get an internet connection for a couple of days but that won't stop me writing and posting later when I can. Please bear with the powers that be, whether they be MSC or Neptune of the Sea.

 

Today is the fourth consecutive sea day, I think, and it is with deep regret that I have had to give up on breakfast and focus on lunch as a more realistic waking target. Candles should never be burned at both ends and in this case the standard of ends has been exceptionally high. However, difficult choices have to be made and that is that.

 

To overcome the guilt of my rejection of breakfast, I have walked all the way to the gym, positioned forward on deck 14 directly above the bridge, and I am currently watching people exercise while sitting at the bar enjoying a healthy 'Relief Potion'. This is described on the menu as "Basil, Cucumber, Spinach Leaves, Lime, Green Cabbage and Mint Syrup". There is a garnish of lettuce leaves and the whole concoction is both refreshing and the perfect antidote to the night before.

 

So last night was the first night that there was no present waiting for me upon my return. In many ways this was a relief because I don't like leaving any food but neither do I like eating when I am already uncomfortably full. We still don't know why we have been receiving presents but if it is because MSC are reading this live review and are hoping to carry sway, then please could I have a bottle of sparkling wine? The one with the black label is especially good. If only I could tick a box on a form in my cabin to indicate my preferred gift, just in case one may be forthcoming.

 

Despite trying to have a day off yesterday, it turned into another day of non-stop social engagements. I am grateful that dinner was casual again because I again did not have time to change. (So far we have had 6 casual nights and just the one 'gala' night with 10 nights t go).

 

The ship continues to get smaller. After dinner we decided to take advantage of the hot nighttime air while we still have it and go to one of the bars on pool deck. I called the lifts, the doors opened and there was Duane who casually continued a conversation from earlier in the day. As we arrived on deck 14 the door opened and there was Wendy just walking by. On a ship of around 3,000 I did not expect this chance encounters to happen so frequently or with such reliability. We sat and talked under the stars until morning.

 

I have just walked the full length of the pool deck to the very rear of the Africana buffet for a coffee. The jacuzzis are packed, there are stalls selling "change of nail varnish" ($15) and other such wonders and the air is distinctly less hot and humid than it has been. We have safely crossed the 'sun's anvil'. The sun is out in a cloudless sky but I am already bright red from sitting under the clouds for an hour yesterday, I will remain fully clothed today. In any case, I have nothing to compete with the bright, bold and skimpy swimming costumes of the Brazilians.

 

Virgil, our superb Romanian waiter from a couple of days ago has appeared. It was my fault I know, but I started chatting with him and I may just have got more information than I would have wished, especially regarding the frequency of lovemaking with his former wife (sparing you the details, is was insufficient).

 

With that, I shall sign off for today and head towards our regular pre-lunch venue on deck 5. Then it will all start again and no-doubt end in another missed breakfast. This is no longer a cruise but a lifestyle.

 

Tim.

[sthelder]

Glad to hear you guys are having such a merry and fun life on board.

 

If this's what a jail ship or low-end-mass-market-booze-cruise-ship was about, can someone please sentenced me to life on it? :D

[travelberlin]

Thank you guys for your answers and your updates.

Since we will be sailing very soon on the Magnifica, we are interested in ensuring our consumption of good quality wines. I have looked every where for a wine list in order to see which wines are available by bottle and to which price. I have only found a bar list from 2008.

If it is within your possibilities, could Skipper Tim post an actual wine list? I think All on Board has an all inclusive package in the Yacht Club or am I wrong?

Edited March 12, 2013 by travelberlin

[sidari]

"Glad to hear you guys are having such a merry and fun life on board.

 

If this's what a jail ship or low-end-mass-market-booze-cruise-ship was about, can someone please sentence me to life on it?"

 

Me to ... :D

 

Tim ... your mention of walking to the bar near the Gym and then watching reminds me of something Roy chubby Brown once said about exercise .... Up one Two, Down One Two ... thats one sock on .. :)

 

Sounds like the cruise is becoming more and more tedious by the day ... NOT LOL.

[Skier52]

Hi Pete

I had a look at the threads and a general poke around the site. I think the thread was interesting and informative, particularly for those looking for info on the ship itself, the line and the ports. After all picture often convey more than words can. I don't know the poster, so that was pretty much it for me. Where this thread appeals to me is the humorous tone of the writing, having more than one CC member contributing and because both Duane and Tim are solo cruisers like me, and have a similar outlook on some things,I almost feel like they're friends taking me on holiday with them, if that makes sense? I feel more "connected " to this thread.that said were I to have spent a lot of time on cruise mates, and be familiar with the poster, I might feel more involved too.

Thank you very much for taking the time to have a look and writing an informative opinion of the style of the blog. considering it was all done from a Blackberry and not a laptop or notebook I think it went well. Others have done blogs since using laptops or I-pads and they are much more like this excellent example of a Blog. This one is unique in that it has two contributors and makes excellent reading, and I have to agree that it certainly feels like it is written by a personal friend.

We have introduced , this week , a flipbook, of cabin reviews. Fancy a look see and let me know what you think?

 

http://www.cruisingmates.co.uk/cabins/#/Chapter_1

 

 

Keep up the good work!!

 

Excellent Blog

Edited March 12, 2013 by Skier52

[Skier52]

Thank you guys for your answers and your updates.

Since we will be sailing very soon on the Magnifica, we are interested in ensuring our consumption of good quality wines. I have looked every where for a wine list in order to see which wines are available by bottle and to which price. I have only found a bar list from 2008.

If it is within your possibilities, could Skipper Tim post an actual wine list? I think All on Board has an all inclusive package in the Yacht Club or am I wrong?

If you want to see wine lists from mSC med cruises that were current last Oct here are links to the general wine list and the YC wine list

 

General Wine LIst ( with other beverages at the back of the list)

 

https://skydrive.live.com/?cid=1cdc327c72a4c6d9#cid=1CDC327C72A4C6D9&id=1CDC327C72A4C6D9%211247

 

 

 

Yacht Club Drinks list ( which includes wines)

THe first three pages are the drinks included in the All inclusive part of the yacht Club price ,the rest are at extra charge as shown, with the obilgatory 15% to be added on.

 

https://skydrive.live.com/?cid=1cdc327c72a4c6d9#cid=1CDC327C72A4C6D9&id=1CDC327C72A4C6D9%211230

 

 

 

 

Hope this is OK

 

 

 

Pete

Edited March 12, 2013 by Skier52

[papcx]

Skipper Tim & All Aboard.

 

Loving your live reviews. Reminds me of last year on the Poesia and gets me all excited for the Musica this September.

 

I have a request please. It's a bit geeky, but that's just the AV freak coming out of me. What inputs do the cabin TVs have? I mean in terms of connecting a camera through HDMI or compound inputs.

 

Thanks in advance,

Edited March 13, 2013 by papcx

[Skipper Tim]

Good morning from L'African Cafeteria, aft on deck 14. The sun is just above the horizon. Yes, I made breakfast!

 

Firstly, Papcx, I asked the same question not so long ago and no one could give me a reply. I can give you the good news that my TV has a full compliment of connections. At the side and easy to access there is composite and component video in. The set top box (actually floor box) uses a duplicate of these on the rear. Then there are unoccupied VGA-style, SCART and HDMI inputs which should cover all bases. The remote control is not for the TV but rather the set top box via a tethered IR receiver below the TV. However, there is a button on the front of the set marked 'Source' which will presumably toggle between all the different inputs.

 

Now, as I sip on my plastic glass of capuacu cordial I am yet again loving the piped music. We have had a Greek syrtaki number followed by quite a stunning recording which I can only describe as a South American instrumental equivalent of 'The Floral Dance' except at unexpected intervals the music breaks and a single high-pitched little voice sings a verse of something before the instruments comes back in. Next an laid-back Caribbean number and so it goes on.

 

In place of baked beans this morning there are kidney beans in tomato sauce - another first for me. The bacon has improved from my previous MSC cruise. Instead of brittle, fatty strips, there are 3-inch squares of fried ham which are both flexible and meaty. Hash browns, which have clearly been fried, are nevertheless described as oven-roasted potatoes. There Turkish-style scrambled eggs but not the delicious Brazilian sausages this morning. Also the coffee has taken a turn for the worse, it is back to the stuff we had on the Musica. Perhaps the better coffee is only for the MDR or perhaps they have run out of their Brazilian supply.

 

I don't mind. I have brought my own facilities for my cabin - a mini immersion boiler, a large travel mug and my favourite Colombian instant coffee.

 

I believe we are currently off the coast of Mauritania as we head towards the Canary Islands with a scheduled arrival in Funchal tomorrow at 9 a.m. Seven of our Cruise Critics group aboard have booked a Madeira wine tasting at Blandy's less than a mile from where the ship should dock. If I reveal that this tour is priced at 7 Euros each, you will instantly realise that this is not one booked via MSC. Anyway, for some of us, it will be the first time off the ship since Santos, 10 days before.

 

I have switched from capuacu to maracuja 'juice' and it is quite an improvement, believe me.

 

Entertainment highlights of the day are listed as Chess Lesson (for three hours), Mega Bingo, Rastape Dance Lesson and Election of Miss Fantasia. The show tonight is only described as 'Rodrigo and Massimo present Fantasia' but there is a helpful drawing showing what appears to be anostrich with the legs of a French tart complete with exposed knickers and garters. I am not sure it will be quite my thing.

 

It is life, but not as we know it. Everything on MSC is just a little twisted and unintentionally extraordinary.

 

Time for a jacuzzi before the rush.

 

Tim.

 

P.S. Last night's room gift was a platter of little cream pastries. I don't have a sweet tooth but these were delicious. I have left half for my cabin attendant.

[Starlight Durban Cruising]

Talking to the Hotel Manager it became evident that he had lived and worked in Durban, the same place I grew up, culminating in us discussing some of the persons I went to school with whose parents are now in the upper echelons of the MSC Group – which seemed to have left the Captain slightly shocked…..after all I am just a young man from South Africa.

Thanks everyone for the great reviews you are posting.

All aboard, so where in Durban? I am from Amanzimtoti originally. I assume your reference to MSC Group you mean the SA management entity ;) - I think my folks in Durban probably talk to that same crowd far too often :D.

[Skipper Tim]

Good afternoon from the pool deck mid-ships. You may have noticed the deliberate mistake in my earlier post. We are due in Funchal on Friday which is not tomorrow. Last cruise, I lost a day which has still never been accounted for. This time, I managed to gain an extra day of pleasure.

 

What I failed to mention earlier was that there was a something of a swell overnight and I had woken up with my head rotating. The apparent wind is strong and on the nose from the North and so after breakfast Keith had chosen the only table in the sunshine at our regular spot by the Gaudi bar aft on deck 15. It also happened to be located on the only section of the deck that was vibrating. As a result our chairs and table were vibrating and we were shaking while all those around were not. It felt very similar to aircraft turbulence and so not too uncomfortable but it was not a good look in the morning given our reputation.

 

I am prone to motion sickness. With the swell, the wind and the shaking, when the crazy Brazilian party music they play there started, I allowed Duane (who had just appeared having "slummed" breakfast in the buffet) to rescue me and take me indoors.

 

The motion of the Fantasia in a swell is a little odd. Midships, you can hardly feel it - just a gentle juddering from the stabilisers. At the stern, the juddering is sufficiently violent to be shaking the curtains and objects on the surfaces - a little like Titanic being tickled by an iceberg. However the pitching is a little more of a slow roller-coaster ride with hills and valleys around 15 seconds apart. No doubt Duane will be able to describe the motion at the sharp end of the ship.

 

For those of a nervous disposition, most people appear totally unaffected and I recovered since lunch.

 

Lunch was painfully slow with a final three quarters of an hour wait for dessert. Keith's chocolate ice cream arrived as strawberry but remained silent for fear of further delay. Having not ordered a sweet, I asked for chocolate ice cream but only if it were available immediately. Within seconds, I too received strawberry without explanation. The injury was immediately aggravated by seeing the same waiter delivering chocolate ice creams to the guests at the next table. This was could have been a repeat of the 'hot/cold milk' language issue.

 

We dearly missed our favourite Rumanian waiter, Virgil. He may be clinically depressed but his service is utterly impeccable.

 

Apart from the increased motion of the boat, I can thoroughly recommend a stern cabin on a Fantasia class ship as a 'poor man's yacht club'. The small pool area and Gaudi bar aft on deck 15 have an air of exclusivity being away from the main programmed pool area entertainments. These, the buffet and both MDRs are all immediately off the aft-most lifts, merely a few steps away from the stern cabins.

 

The added advantages of the stern cabins on deck 13 are that they are just one and two decks away from the buffet and pool area by a very convenient 'private' staircase and are balcony cabins that come at an outside (category 5) in return for a standing room only balcony.

 

No smoking is permitted on any cabin balcony and the wording on the the sliding patio door could not be clearer. However, there is no such restriction the traditional yachtsman's habit of urinating off the stern. In the case of deck 13 cabins and, due to the 'terracing' at the rear, there is the added value of being able to reach multiple balconies on a full four decks below before hitting the sea, depending upon the length of one's reach.

 

I became too cold outside - we are certainly getting near Europe - and transferred to La Cantina wine bar where the regular bar man is now my friend. I just asked him if the background music is the same everyday. (Frank Sinatra is currently singing the Beatles "Yesterday"). He started laughing hysterically. I told him I liked it (I do) and that brought tears to his eyes. When he could compose himself he shook my hand, "that is very funny!", and he walked away laughing at the top of his voice.

 

Tonight is both gala night no. 2 and the repeat guests cocktail party. Oddly, we have not had the intermediate dress code previously described as "elegant''. Perhaps MSC has received sufficient feedback that "elegant" is not the correct translation of the "informal" that appears in other languages and has just abandoned the translation altogether.

 

Until tomorrow - the last of our consecutive sea days!

Edited March 13, 2013 by Skipper Tim

[Skipper Tim]

Good afternoon from the MSC Fantasia on day nine of our cruise and the last of six consecutive sea days since leaving Brazil. According the Daily Program, we have now cleared the Canary Islands and are on time to arrive in Funchal, Madeira at 9 a.m. tomorrow. Yesterday's wind and accompanying swell have gone and it is warm and very pleasant on deck. Even the outside piped music is more bearable 'international pop' and less 'Brazilian crazy party' today.

 

However, I am not currently up on deck. Printouts of our mid-cruise accounts were delivered under our doors this morning and there were a couple of understandable errors on mine. After breakfast I had an unrelated appointment with Marcelo, the Guest Relations Manager. Then I had a long jacuzzi at Lido Catalano to recover - I am getting to know all the best nozzles - and as I made for the stairs to my cabin dressed in bathrobe and sunglasses as one might in a health farm or posh insane asylum, I met Michael. I had a pressing engagement with Angela and so by the time I reached it, the accounts desk had a queue to compete with Manchester airport security. With 8 days to go, this was not the time to queue.

 

The neighbouring 'Fantasia Bar' had no queue whatsoever. Max the holder of the World record for making the best caipirinha, and Raman, the most delightful waitress, were beckoning me over. It was an easy choice to make - to relive that airport security experience or bliss? Seriously, if you ever get the chance to try one of Max's 'special caipirinhas' you must. It won't be on the bar menu but ask him. Your life will change.

 

The conspiracy theorems regarding the special roll call members' special treatment continue as we discovered that it was not the repeat guests cocktail party yesterday evening but rather the more intimate Black Card event. The entire 13 Cruise Critics roll call members were invited, including MSC first-timers. It is getting embarrassing. So now, whoever is responsible, and I notice that AmoMondo has been especially quiet on this thread, it is time to admit responsibility, accept our gratitude, and reveal yourself!

 

It is time for 'sundown' on deck. More on today and tomorrow, tomorrow.

 

Any questions?

 

Tim.

Edited March 14, 2013 by Skipper Tim

[All aboard??]

Sitting here in the Top Sail Lounge I can confirm that “the pointy end”, as it has affectionately become known as, experiences more of a pitching motion than anything else. The Top Sail in bad weather, especially during the day is not a great place to be if a person is prone to “the sickness” that plagues so many an avid cruiser. Looking through the large forward facing picture windows you have moments where you just see sea and then moments where you just see sky – for me, one of the joys of cruising.

 

My cabin on deck 12 has a similar effect, however with enough closet space for Liberace the free hangers are insistent on clanging out of tune throughout the evening as Fantasia makes her way north. Today I have a date with Angela to go and try out the 4D cinema and Formula 1 Racer, which I believe will make for interesting reading in the morrow.

 

But for now back to Tuesday.

 

After only having managed to surface for the occasional meal the previous day I awoke feeling tired, a side effect of too much sleep as well as an indication that my body can no longer process excess amounts of alcohol like it used to. Making my way the full length of the ship towards L’Etoile for breakfast I noticed a distinct nip in the air – Europe was getting closer. Breakfast was the usual of eggs benedict, sausage and bacon washed down with freshly squeezed orange juice.

 

After a several cigarettes, coffees and juices in the Top Sail Lounge I realized it was already time to track down my CC friends in steerage for a spot of lunch in “The Golden Circle”. As Tim has indicated previously, Virgil from Romania is fantastic and being of the opinion that praise is to be given where praise is due I was interested to learn that he had been allocated to L’Etoile, however after one day he requested to be returned downstairs as the pendulum effect of the upper decks failed his constitution. So in short, if you are lucky enough to be allocated Virgil in the MDR you will be fortunate enough to receive a similar silver service experience as we receive upstairs in Yacht Club.

 

Anyway….back to Tuesday.

 

Lunch was uneventful and it was soon time for me to return to the exclusivity of Yacht Club. I made my way up to the The One Pool where I decided an afternoon of sunbathing was in order. It was here where I discovered that photographic evidence of my participation in the Neptune Ceremony existed and, albeit I needed to wait until after the cruise for it to come per email I could get my hands on it. Being a bit of a heffer I am not partial to pictures of myself, expecially without my shirt on, however these where not half bad and once I have received them I will upload same on this thread.

 

I get easily bored sunbathing and it was not long before I decided to make my way to my cabin to have a nap, however as I walked in, through my large picture windows I saw two land masses directly ahead……….land! We had been notified in the daily program that we would be navigating through the islands that make up Cape Verde and grabbing my camera I headed back to the pool. A Limao Caiparinha was soon in my hand while I waited patiently for us to approach the islands. There was an air of excitement amongst the Yacht Club passengers and staff and the same excitement seemed to extend to the rest of ship.

 

 

 

As vantage points in steerage became scarce the usual Yacht Club gawkers emerged on deck 18. I am constantly amazed at how many people are unaware of this ship within a ship and the attempts to open the glass door forming part of the glass divide between us and the rest amusing.

 

Up until we entered the waters between the islands the wind had been relatively well behaved, until, being the operative word. Although The One Pool is relatively sheltered there are areas where you can experience gusts that can make life a little difficult and at this stage the staff started feverishly in the background trying to secure our wicker loungers, tables and chairs while the Yacht Club Members blissfully took pictures of the two islands.

 

 

 

Not realizing that while I was taking photos I was simultaneously taking a lot of sun my high pressure shower at first was fairly uncomfortable, and it was not long until I was in the Wine Bar on deck 7 regaling Angela, Keith and Tim on my afternoon. Dinner in L’Etoile was as expected and the group met up again at The Glass Bar on deck 14. You would think that being on the same ship for a week at this stage there would be nothing to discuss…….however MSC have managed to give us enough intrigue in our cruise and by now everyone has their own hypothesis as to what why and whom is sending the food.

 

On my return to my cabin I noticed an invitation on my bed from the Captain for a special cocktail event the next day, and without thinking too into it I retired for the evening.

 

Having slept past the closing time for breakfast of L’Etoile I decided that I would rough it in the Buffet. I can honestly concede that the breakfast buffet on Holland America is superior, but that is, in my honest opinion where the superiority ends. Irrespective the buffet breakfast was adequate and it was easy to find an open table. I made my way up to the Gaudi bar on deck 15 where I bumped into Tim and Keith.

 

Earlier in the morning I had asked the concierge if the invitation I had received was for repeat guests to which he had responded “yes sir”. And it was a result of this that when I saw Tim I had asked him if he had received the invitation to which he responded “no sir” and after spoken to Angela and devised a cunning plan Boldrick, Tim went off to reception to ask if they were to receive the same invitation as himself and Angela were clearly repeaters. I am informed by Tim that they indicated that the invitations had just been sent off for delivery. Simultaneously in the Top Sail Lounge my butler, Donny had informed me that the cocktail is only for VIP’s and not repeaters – his reasoning being that of his allocated cabins only myself and a black card member had received the same invitation……the intrigue deepens, but perhaps I thought to myself he could be wrong.

 

Soon enough it was time to get dressed for the evening, deciding that it was about time for a shave I had an epiphany and now I brush my teeth in one sink and shave in the other. Opting to forgo a tie because I was of the opinion that by shaving I had made enough of an effort I summoned Donny to escort me down to the soirée. I cannot reiterate enough how much I hate formal evenings, country club casual is much more amenable to my body type and so, moaning with face cloth in hand Donny escorted me downtown aft. It was on my arrival at the allocated venue that something was indeed afoot. The Cocktail Party was for Black Card Members and VIP Guests. Did Amomondo (sorry sp) have something to do with this? It had soon become apparent that all the guests from my CC Meet and Greet soiree had been invited, even the first timers.

 

The event was similar to that we had had in Yacht Club save for the fact that here the animation team doubled as dance hosts, and it had an air of even more exclusivity. The Captain, Hotel Manager, Ships Surgeon, Chief Engineer came round table by table to introduce themselves and have a quick chat. On their arrival at our group the Hotel Manager quirked to everyone that him and I were best friends and I can only hope that he is of the same opinion after our meeting this afternoon over several issues which I have been patiently waiting for Napoli to come back on.

 

Joining Wendy and Vincent for dinner in L’Etoile I regret not having my camera with me. Garlic infused goats cheese with marmalade followed by salmon roses, followed by crayfish, followed by the most wonderful steak with green pepper sauce. Wendy and Vincent regaled me about their experiences aboard Seabourn and indicated that the Yacht Club experience could easily equate, save for several differences. After dinner and once we had joined the rest of the gang our attention turned to the evenings earlier festivities……..I can report that although I received my invitation the night before; everyone else, including Vincent and Wendy who, as you have read are also travelling Yacht Club received theirs only several hours prior to their required presence. This compiled with a question posed by the table companions of Joanna and Keith has only added to the intrigue further…….

[sthelder]

Whoever get the CC group the VVIP treatment is a hero...just realise caipirinhas is made of sugar cane, oh, how I love sugar cane!

[All aboard??]

Supplemental..........Donny was informed this morning that things like this will result in the perpetrator being hung from the foremast......

 

[AmoMondo]

The conspiracy theorems regarding the special roll call members' special treatment continue as we discovered that it was not the repeat guests cocktail party yesterday evening but rather the more intimate Black Card event. The entire 13 Cruise Critics roll call members were invited, including MSC first-timers. It is getting embarrassing. So now, whoever is responsible, and I notice that AmoMondo has been especially quiet on this thread, it is time to admit responsibility, accept our gratitude, and reveal yourself!

 

Tim.

 

Not me either Tim! Whilst I'd love to have that kind of influence with them, I'm afraid I don't! So your comspiracyntheorem is still unsolved. Never mind, it will keep you guessing and who knows if it has something to do with them readingbthis, they make take notenof your preference for a bottle of the nice bubbly!

 

Sounds like you're all having a ball, apart from your livers that is!:)

[travelberlin]

Hi Skipper Tim and All a Board,

Thanks very much for your updates, which are so full of humour. I am so glad that you are being treated so well by MSC. Of course you are something special guys and all the members of your roll call seem very interesting people.

We are sailing with the Magnifica from Santos to Hamburg and our roll call is very quiet....

I am so glad to hear that your experience is so good and that MSC offers fantastic service and really pays attention to detail.

Ivi

[Norwegian Cruiser 73]

Hi Fantasia cruisers :)

 

Just arrived home after 11 lovely days on MSC Divina and this thread makes my cruiseholiday even longer:D

 

Very interesting to read and thanks to All Aboard for the lovely photos, really nice. Glad that you are enjoying this great ship, looking forward to more updates.

 

Have a drink for me in the Top Sail:D

[Skipper Tim]

Good afternoon from La Cantina Tosca wine bar, deck 7. We are in the port of Funchal, Madeira and today the free tapas/nibbles theme is Portuguese.

 

There are various people passing through holding life jackets and we have just had the muster drill announcement in Spanish, so it appears more guests embarked here. There is never any evidence of people disembarking at any our ports of call. The ship may be packed to deck 18 by the time we reach Venice. Update - some others wearing lifejackets have just been led here to the wine bar. I am going to ask if I can change muster stations. If the ship is going down, I would like to be drinking the best the she has to offer.

 

It is currently 5pm, with an 'all aboard' at 5:30 for a 6pm departure. It has been a busy day. Most of the Cruise Critics gang set off in a minibus this morning so Duane will have to tell us what they got up to.

 

My priorities were to have a wander, find a cash machine for Euros then have a haircut before joining our group wine tasting at 2:30pm.

 

I was in Funchal around 20 years ago but I did't recall how attractive the place is. The centre is one mile from the cruise terminal. In port before us was the Norwegian Spirit. I noticed that her guests had the benefit of shuttle busses while we, parked further away, did not.

 

Many of Funchal's backstreets are cobbled while the main drag features very expensive-looking but actually very reasonable cafes. I paid €2.40 for a cappuccino right in the heart of the pedestrianised zone with street musicians and, oddly, exotic birds willing to have their photograph taken with passers-by, and enjoyed free wi-fi to boot.

 

ATMs were plentiful and carried no extra charges, unlike those in Brazil. However, find a barber or hairdresser was more challenging. Eventually, I walked into a pharmacy. My problem was immediately diagnosed and I was led down a corridor to 'Salao Camacho's' - a 'cabeleireiro'. I don't have the translation yet but it was one man tending to two women's hair simultaneously in an establishment around the size of a small kitchen. The older had hair died that familiar Iberian shade of brown and required a huge amount of hairspray and blow-drying to create a solid, stiff mass that she seemed please with. The younger had hair almost to the floor when sitting down and this took even more time with a steam iron and a blowdryer.

 

Then it was my turn. The process was unexpectedly long and complicated: clippers, wash, scissor cut, wash, nose hairs, ear hairs, eyebrows, blow dry and finally a huge amount of hair gel which then took a lot of finger manipulation. During all this, I discovered his name is Nelson. He is from South Africa. He came to Madeira on holiday and had fallen in love (with the Island, I think). He told me I was beautiful, charged less than I thought and told me to come back soon. Overall, I thought he was very good value.

 

I returned to the Fantasia for a brief lunch with Michael in the buffet. I had put minute beef steak on my plate before I notice the lamb. They were both superb. Michael had what he decided was an attempt to put the 'full English Breakfast' on a pizza. He thought I was looking taller - probably due to the hair gel.

 

At this point I have to say hello to Claire and no, it is not me.

 

After lunch, Michael and I walked back in the centre of Funchal to rendezvous with ten others of our group for the Blandy's Madeira wine tour.

 

Part two to follow tomorrow....