Seaside Yacht Club Observations 'Revisited'

[rattanchair]

DW just asked who am I upsetting today? I told her I am just going over my observations from last night to post today. It is like my diary. To paraphrase Oscar Wilde in "The Importance of Being Earnest"  "I just have to bring my CC diary with me on a cruise, I think one should always have something sensational to read while on one.

    We requested Joel to pick us up early enough for the show to capture a couple of theatre seats that stand apart and alone as the last seats on the far right side of the theatre. We pointed them out to Joel the night before but they were taken. Tonight he brought us down just as the last show let out. He butted our way to the front of the line and raced to save us our 2 coveted seats; 'Lady Aster' is not as spry as she once was and spryness is what was needed with this crowd because these 2 seats are just outside the YC saved seat zone.

    Well, the  show was great. Awesome were the 2 dance pairs that out did each other. High energy, the most rapid movements I have ever witnessed, just incredible. It was just about perfect for me, no hackers, sneezers, nose blowers, crying babies or nose pickers. The only problem I experienced was waking up this morning with a crick in my neck. Of the three seats in front of me sat The Hulk, and I was constantly contorting from one side of his massive head to the other side to watch the performers who were not standing in one place. I must make another suggestion to Mr. Balla about constructing elevated box seats for the Royal suites.

 

Edited November 27, 2019 by rattanchair
remove redundant words

[rattanchair]

After the show we went to check out the YC pool deck party. It was a bust. Too much wind. Sitting at the table the the wind blew the salt and pepper shakers as well as the heavier battery tea light off the table. We left and found out this morning everyone did the same.

[rattanchair]

Just took a quick lunch. Quick if you compare it to a lunch dining in the YC restaurant. We ordered pizza delivery. Here is how it works. In our cabin, is of course room service menu, listing the types or create your own pizza. There is only one size. We could order 1/2 this 1/2 that, but I opted for 2 whole pizzas. The pizzas are only delivered to your cabin, not to your cabana or pool deck. You go to the YC concierge desk and they call it in to pizza central, located in the Market Place buffet.  It comes in a pizza box cut in quarters  and I tend to follow sage advice: (" I get a 4 slice pizza because I do not think I could eat an 8 slice pizza"). Yogi Berra

    It takes 30 minutes for the pizza to be delivered by your room steward. It comes on a tray, lift the boxes off the tray to discover plates and napkins wrapped around silverware. Ours took 15 minutes to arrive, we figure due to most everyone off the ship on tours. Should you decide to dine outside on your balcony ( and who would not?) while in any port we discovered that flies begin to arrive on your balcony within 15 minutes of opening your pizza box. Also, I know it is a hassle to open and close your heavy balcony door the older we get, but I recommend that when dining out on your balcony the flies zip right in and seldom find their way back out.

   Though the pizza was good. For us it was a 'one and done'. We will most probably not do it again.

[Beachin2]

You mentioned that Mr. Balla is now the YC director - do you know if Mandy moved on to the F&B slot??

[rattanchair]

43 minutes ago, Beachin2 said:

You mentioned that Mr. Balla is now the YC director - do you know if Mandy moved on to the F&B slot??

Did not witness any women in top spots at CC M&M. That appears to be Celebrity's ballyhoo.

Edited November 27, 2019 by rattanchair

[Todd320]

50 minutes ago, Beachin2 said:

You mentioned that Mr. Balla is now the YC director - do you know if Mandy moved on to the F&B slot??

 

Mandy was on the first half of our B2B as YC director. She left that position on 2 NOV and then shadowed F&B for two weeks.  She should be back in JoBerg now.

 

Edited November 27, 2019 by Todd320

[rattanchair]

I was just about to doze off lying here in my cabana, when for some reason my Muse reminded me of a Chaucer quote " What is better than wisdom? A women. And what is better than a good woman? Nothing."

    I think it is the recent combination of emmas gran, 'granny' Clampett, and my 'Lady Aster' that prompted my Muse to this old quote. I thank you lovely ladies.  RC

[Beachin2]

1 hour ago, Todd320 said:

 

Mandy was on the first half of our B2B as YC director. She left that position on 2 NOV and then shadowed F&B for two weeks.  She should be back in JoBerg now.

 

 

Thanks for the update.  Nice lady - wish her well.

 

(Sorry for the minor thread hijack).

[rattanchair]

Oh yes I must tip Tushar $50. He recognized us the moment we walked on board. He was our room steward in June and was upgraded to butler 3 weeks ago. I did not recognize him but DW did immediately ( he is a handsome guy). And he grabbed our bags as well as Joel and escorted us to our cabin.(8 bags, 3 carry on, one survival duffel bag).

[George C]

The jazz group that rattanchair was referring to are called jazz-n-more and they were very good piano player, bass and drums along with the very nice singer and they played most nights in seaview lounge. 

[rattanchair]

On 12/14/2019 at 1:07 PM, George C said:

The jazz group that rattanchair was referring to are called jazz-n-more and they were very good piano player, bass and drums along with the very nice singer and they played most nights in seaview lounge. 

Dear GC, Where can I find your review? I am most interested in a mature, censored opinion.

 Wow ! I just noticed the number of my posts.

Edited December 18, 2019 by rattanchair
P.S.

[George C]

17 hours ago, rattanchair said:

Dear GC, Where can I find your review? I am most interested in a mature, censored opinion.

 Wow ! I just noticed the number of my posts.

My review has still not been published , I will let you know when I do see it.

[George C]

On 12/18/2019 at 5:05 PM, rattanchair said:

Dear GC, Where can I find your review? I am most interested in a mature, censored opinion.

 Wow ! I just noticed the number of my posts.

My brief review has just been published

https://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=672567&et_cid=3302946&et_rid=16716584&et_referrer=June 2008 Boards Mailing

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

5 hours ago, George C said:

My brief review has just been published

https://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=672567&et_cid=3302946&et_rid=16716584&et_referrer=June 2008 Boards Mailing

 

George, there's no deck 17 because 17 is the Italian's unlucky number like 13 is for us.

[rattanchair]

8 hours ago, George C said:

My brief review has just been published

https://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=672567&et_cid=3302946&et_rid=16716584&et_referrer=June 2008 Boards Mailing

Dear GC, Read your review and concur. Booked on board at future cruise desk in Top Sail Lounge for the Meraviglia Spring break in YC1 to take advantage of a 20% credit for not stopping at Ocean Cay on Thanksgiving, got $200 shipboard credit to boot. Yesterday the Royal Suite became available on the Seaside for Spring Break and jumped on it, cancelled the Mera. In the process we lose the $200 ship board credit in the transfer, but they did apply the 20% credit. But a brand new policy.... MSC will no longer give a 5% Voyager discount nor 10% military/civil service (teacher) discount on Royal Suites. Bummer....

[George C]

2 hours ago, rattanchair said:

Dear GC, Read your review and concur. Booked on board at future cruise desk in Top Sail Lounge for the Meraviglia Spring break in YC1 to take advantage of a 20% credit for not stopping at Ocean Cay on Thanksgiving, got $200 shipboard credit to boot. Yesterday the Royal Suite became available on the Seaside for Spring Break and jumped on it, cancelled the Mera. In the process we lose the $200 ship board credit in the transfer, but they did apply the 20% credit. But a brand new policy.... MSC will no longer give a 5% Voyager discount nor 10% military/civil service (teacher) discount on Royal Suites. Bummer....

I want to thank you again for all your insight to YC and ship In general which helped us enjoy the experience. YC is still a bargain even without the ten percent discount . Doubt we will book the royal suite although a little more room would be nice, have that on celebrity in two months but that gives us lots of extra perks over smaller suites . 

[rattanchair]

8 hours ago, George C said:

I want to thank you again for all your insight to YC and ship In general which helped us enjoy the experience. YC is still a bargain even without the ten percent discount . Doubt we will book the royal suite although a little more room would be nice, have that on celebrity in two months but that gives us lots of extra perks over smaller suites . 

Dear GC,   Thank you so much for your kind words. We are leaving this morning on our second leg of our "Holiday Road", Observations  Revisited , aboard the beautiful MSC Seaside in the other Royal Suite for this Christmas. It is raining, but our spirits are high !  I am reminded this holiday season by a quote of Mark Twain's "Life is short. Forgive quickly. Kiss slowly. Love truly. Laugh uncontrollably. And never regret anything that makes you smile". I hope i have made you all smile.

[rattanchair]

Well, it is after boat drill and a moment to check in with you all with what has changed since Thanksgiving. The white tents have been moved from in front of Terminal F to the left of Terminal F due to stronger than usual winds. The tents were hidden from view due to buses parked in front of the terminal. Got to port early 9:30 am, YC opened at 10, security at 10:45, sat in YC lounge  til 12:15. Lounge was over flowing with YC guests, that they brought out 2 dozen folding chairs and then took about 30 of us  to another lounge ( don't go to this over flow lounge, dark, dingy, no drinks, no food). We went because we thought they were starting YC priority boarding.

   Going through security , DW suggested I remove all my metal toys from my pockets, which of course I complied with"she who must be obeyed". Ladies first, DW set off every alarm walking through the metal detector. Stand aside remove jewelry, rang again, pat down and wanded, I thought I heard a voice cry out "Strip search!!"( But I thought better of it). The moment was for me 'priceless', as I strolled right through the metal detector with a heavy metal belt buckle.

 I have more to divulge about this sailing I learned this afternoon.

[CGTNORMANDIE]

We await your further revelations!

 

”She who must be obeyed”...Horace Rumpole...priceless!

[George C]

Love all the quotes not many people who will quote Churchill and also Yogi Berra , just got a 1.6 percent raise from social security so maybe we can get that royal suite😁

[mafig]

Where's the "more to divulge" Rattanchair??🎅

[rattanchair]

3 hours ago, mafig said:

Where's the "more to divulge" Rattanchair??🎅

Dear Ma,  Quit writing last night, had to get ready for first dinner, which by the way was no improvement on the breaded veal chop I had on first evening's meal 3 weeks ago, still very griselly, IMHO. But the pasta sauce is exceptionally better.

    The news so far is that the Yacht Club is designed to handle 250 passengers and this sailing there are 280 passengers of which 125 are children. By the way, we got all our bags very quickly except for my green duffle which was again missing with all my survival at sea gear. Of course, DW accused me of packing the same smoke hoods that 'flagged' security check the last time. But fortunately Julian our butler found it just before dinner, without a security exam, proving to DW I did as she demanded and left the smoke hoods home. With  125 'little darlings' on board the odds of relinquishing my life boat seat to one of them is greater than ever, so our 'Mustang' water survival jackets are a great comfort, providing no sharks of course.

    We attended the lovely CC M&M at 10 am this morning in the Seaview lounge.  The Captain and staff all attended, but only 12 of us CC roll callers found the time to show up. It was a disappointment. The staff of the Seaside goes to a lot of trouble and expense for the CC. I mentioned to Mr. Balla, YC director, that I write constantly on the CC that the only way to travel on MSC is in the YC and that all their ships should have a YC.  He said that the Grandiosa is due in November of 2021 and it will feature 4 floors and 380 capacity YC. That a smaller all YC ship is scheduled in 2023 (DW said to me "I hope we are a live and able to go then" (Heck, I want her to keep working to afford these lavish Royal Suites).

[rattanchair]

After dinner we attended the show 'Timeless' again. Julian got us in early for the 8pm show so that we could get the 2 seats in the last row just outside the YC reserved section. The show was packed to capacity, standing room only. Luckily no sneezers, hackers, coughers or' large' headed in our vicinity.  The show was better than I remember (from 3 weeks ago). Age , I guess.

   Because the YC is over capacity, the YC has transformed the grill at the pool deck into another dinner venue for YC passengers from 6-8 with the same menu as the YC restaurant, only buffet style with more children's choices. Unfortunately last nights dinner was a bust on the pool deck due to too high winds. The YC restaurant can only accommodate 125 guests at a time and the entire staff is on high alert to try to remedy matters.

   After the show we just had to stop in and try and get a seat in the Seaview lounge to listen to Jazz & More ( thank you George C for the name of this group).  I have had an 'ear-worm' since Thanksgiving of this vocalist's rendition of Bobby Darin's "Beyond the Sea".  Again, for some reason the best just gets better. We stayed til 10 pm ( I am usually in bed at 8pm every night at home).

[rattanchair]

19 hours ago, CGTNORMANDIE said:

We await your further revelations!

 

”She who must be obeyed”...Horace Rumpole...priceless!

They have a new sommelier from England and I asked him to check to see if the kitchen had any crumpets on board, I knew he would know the difference than our waiters in the YC. Alas , no crumpets. But they have a lovely "Chateau la Thames" from the left bank as Rumpole loves to point out.

[mafig]

Well, it is Christmas week, so one has to expect children.  

 

I'm looking at a Mera. cruise in March, which is Spring Break time in the US, so I'm curious how the YC handles all these "125 little darlings."  LOL.

 

Is the breakdown mostly American, or other?