Meraviglia August 6, 2021 3 Nts to Ocean Cay - Recap Trip Report

[twangster]

Walking back to the ship from the lighthouse I grabbed a few more photos.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Excursion tickets are available for purchase off the ship.

 

 

 

Jet ski dock.

 

 

A visitor's center and...

 

 

Shops of course!

 

 

I noticed a few husbands carry large paper bags back onto the ship throughout the day. 

 

 

I suppose I should have asked a few husbands what they found while shopping.

 

 

We've come full circle back to Springer's Bar,

 

 

Yacht Club guests have their meeting point and golf car shuttles.

 

 

Trams are available for us regular (non yachtie) folks.

[twangster]

Heading out this morning I had grabbed a picture of the all aboard time.

 

 

Upon returning to the ship I noticed this had been updated to 12am midnight.

 

Back and board and in my cabin I found a bottle of sparkling wine waiting for me.  This ia Diamond perk.

 

 

It was a nice bottle of LaMarca Prosecco which is a label I sometimes buy myself.  Very nice.

 

 

It was pretty hot and humid so after my Ocean Cay adventures now into the heat of the day I needed a cool shower and a cold beverage.  

[pirate4me2]

Loving your review, thank you for sharing!

[phissy]

I second that!
Amazing pics and travel log.  Vicariously felt like I was on this cruise.

Great mental vacation.

 Now we are really excited for our cruise and feel more prepared as to what we can expect for boarding procedures.

Thank you for doing this.

 

[twangster]

While on board I jumped into the Marketplace Buffet for a bite of lunch and noticed how empty the ship was so...

I prefer to capture pictures absent of strangers in them so I took the opportunity to grab some photos.

 

Main Pool:

 

 

 

 

The Bamboo Pool with the roof open.

 

 

Cantilevered hot tubs.

 

 

 

[twangster]

Ocean Day in full sunshine from the ship:

 

 

 

 

Panorama:

 

[twangster]

Heading aft (but looking forward) 

 

 

To the Horizon pool area...

 

 

Panorama from the Horizon Bar.

 

 

Like much of the Bahamas it's pretty shallow behind the ship.

 

[twangster]

Mid afternoon the day of fun in the sun caught up with and I may have taken a nap because I can do that on a cruise vacation.

[Native Floridian 26]

Very beautiful pictures!  Thank you.  Also I appreciate seeing all the drink menus, and the heads up about the tax while still in Miami.

[twangster]

Sunset came with us still at Ocean Cay due to our late departure.  I took it in with a glass of wine on my balcony.

 

 

 

In hindsight I should have caught the sunset from the beach.  

 

On so many Caribbean and Bahamas cruises all aboard is late afternoon so I've seen plenty of sunsets from a ship.  When cruising the opportunity to see a sunset from a beach is less frequent so next time I'm on Ocean Cay with a late departure I'll be on the beach for sunset and I know exactly where to go to see it.  

[twangster]

At 9pm the cruise director promised us a Lighthouse Spectacular show featuring the lighthouse I climbed earlier. 

 

The best place to see the show is from the Lighthouse Beach but I just as I was getting ready to head there a notification of drizzle starting at my location appeared on my phone so I decided to take in the show, this time, from my balcony.

 

Ocean Cay is close enough to Miami that NOAA weather radar covers Ocean Cay.

 

I decided to run up to the Sky Lounge on deck 16 to get a drink to enjoy the show with.

 

 

Some great sounding live music in the lounge.  The lounge is 21 and over and for fully vaccinated only. 

 

 

The pool deck as seen from the Sky Lounge (didn't have my good camera with me). 

 

 

Back in my cabin a DJ on the beach had music going with a little light show of their own getting the crowd ready for the Lighthouse Spectacular at 9pm.

 

 

 

Ocean Cay is beautiful at night. 

 

 

 Another cruise line I sail frequently leaves their private destination well before this time so it's takes some re-thinking about evening plans since MSC stays later at Ocean Cay. 

 

I'm not used to having this option so I need to plan better how to visit a private destination that includes late night. 

 

For example Springer's Bar on Ocean Cay also has live music in the evenings after dark.  Next time I'll get off the ship in the evenings.

[twangster]

The Lighthouse Spectacular is pretty... Spectacular!

 

First let me state it's really hard to capture a show like this with still photography.  I do have some video but I'm fairly certain the music is protected by copyright laws so I'm going to keep that for personal use.

 

The sides of the lighthouse tower basically become a display surface that plays different scenes.

 

 

Combined with the automated LED spotlights when choreographed to music it becomes alive.

 

 

 

It's something you have to see for yourself.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Really quite... spectacular!

 

 

Unfortunately my weather app lied.  That drizzle turned into a downpour that the spotlights are illuminating. 

 

That's rain.  Heavy rain. 

 

 

Which sent the crowds on the beach scurrying back to the ship soaking wet.  

 

However next time, if the weather is good... I'll be on the beach!

[twangster]

Another Diamond gift arrived.

 

 

Cabin service is mornings only due to pandemic protocols but my cabin attendant dropped this off tonight.

[twangster]

The rest of night was spent around the ship at various venues.  I'm a lot more comfortable with the layout of the ship now and it's easy to get from here to there now that I understand where most things are.

 

I'm starting to really like this ship!

[twangster]

Day 3 - Sea Day

 

I feel like I haven't captured very much of the ship so with Ocean Cay behind us, it's time to move on. 

 

I always try to take pictures without a lot of guests in them and one of the easiest ways I have discovered to do this is by taking pictures early in the morning.  So this morning I set out early to capture the ship, or at least what I could before breakfast.

 

First here is a hallway.  Exciting stuff folks!  This is more so you get an idea of the decor around the ship. 

 

Note the little lights above the door.  Instead of hanging something on your door when your want privacy or need the cabin serviced there are switches inside that control these small LEDs above the doors so that crew know if they can knock or enter.

 

 

Since I have taken to using the panorama elevator and it drops me into the Edge Lounge on deck 6 let's start here:

 

 

Many of the bars have this blue barrier which is part of the pandemic protocols on board.  Typically wait staff will be present here ready to take your order. Your order is relayed to the bartender who prepares your drink.  The wait staff handle your card and the interaction so the bartender is free to make drinks.

 

 

Those windows are views to the sea during daylight hours.

 

 

 

Of course there is an MSC shop with logo merchandise.

 

 

The photo gallery was closed at this early hour.

 

 

These features are based around the Infinity Atrium midship.

 

 

The atrium looks into the Galleria on decks 6 and 7.

 

 

 

 

The Galleria.

 

 

The dome in the Galleria is a projection surface where they display a number of different graphics to set the mood.

 

In the center of the Galleria are more shops in the Plaza Meraviglia.

 

 

Shore Excursions has a kiosk in this area where you can purchase and manage shore excursions.

 

 

Crêpes & Gelato is a take away restaurant.

 

 

Crêpes & Gelato Menu:

 

Jean Philippe Crepes Gelato.pdf

 

This interesting mechanical piece can be found in the Galleria near the food venues.

 

 

There is a Jean Philippe Cafe with Chocolate. 

 

 

 

Jean Philippe Cafe with Chocolate Menu:

 

Jean Philippe Chocolat and Cafe.pdf

 

The signature namesake Meraviglia Lounge is near the end of the Galleria .

 

 

 

This was the venue where I first entered the ship on embarkation day.

 

 

 

[twangster]

The Galleria has more shops opposite the Meraviglia Lounge.

 

 

 

The dome does make for some very dramatic scenes.

 

 

The Galleria has a second level on deck 7.

 

 

A lounge that hasn't seen very much use on this reduced capacity voyage is the TV Studio & Bar.

 

 

 

 

In the middle of deck 7 is a bridge that spans the port & starboard sides of the Galleria.  Note how they changed the dome scene as overnight was becoming morning.

 

Looking forward:

 

 

And looking aft:

 

 

The Brass Anchor Pub is found on the Galleria forward on deck 7.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are information displays located around the ship.

 

 

Also on deck 7 in the Galleria moving aft are two specialty restaurants across from each other.  The first is Kaito Sushi & Teppanyaki.

 

 

 

Behind the glass is the Teppanyaki area.

 

 

 

Kaito Sushi Menu:

 

Kaito Sushi.pdf

 

Kaito Teppanyaki Menu:

 

Kaito Teppanyaki.pdf

 

[twangster]

Across the Galleria is Butcher's Cut, the steakhouse.

 

 

 

 

I'll post more about Butcher's Cut after my lunch there later on day 3.

[twangster]

At the end of deck 7 is the Champagne Bar.

 

 

The Champagne Bar spans both sides of the Infinity Atrium.

 

 

 

 

[twangster]

Elevator lobby at the end of the Galleria so you get an idea of the decor.

 

 

The Broadway Theater:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another look down the Galleria from deck 6 with the blue sky theme.

 

[twangster]

Up to the Bamboo Pool on deck 15.

 

 

With the storms last night they closed the roof.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[twangster]

The main outdoor pool is closed but lit overnight.

 

 

 

 

 

That's the gym straight ahead with the Sky Lounge above it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Pool Bar:

 

[twangster]

Top 19 is an exclusive sun deck for Aurea booked guests on deck 19.

 

 

It was not fully set up at this early hour.

 

 

 

As I took this photo a large thundercloud that I had been keeping my eye on was passing in front of the ship's bow 20 or 30 miles off in the distance.  It was lighting up just as I snapped this photo.

 

 

 

 

Surprise!  Turns out we haven't left Ocean Cay yet.  I guess they stay overnight to save fuel.

 

 

The thunderstorm was still distant enough that I couldn't hear it.

 

 

While it looks like a bolt of lightning struck the ship in reality it wasn't even close.  It was still a long ways off but given the angles the optical illusion makes it appear the lightning struck the ship.  It did not.

 

 

Nonetheless with the storm getting closer it was time to head inside.

[Mustsea]

Thanks so much! But am wondering, can people refuse the smart band? I would never wear a smart watch so wouldn't think I'd wear one of these 24/7. Also, what color is the wrist band for non-vaxxed? What would you say was the ratio vaxxed to non-vaxxed on your cruise? Did this cause segregation among the 2 groups?

[twangster]

The Sportsplex on deck 18.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sports Bar.

 

 

 

 

MSC Racing Simulators:

 

 

 

Flight Simulator

 

 

Bowling Alley on a cruise ship?  Yep.

 

 

[twangster]

Can't forgot the gym... even though I somehow forgot to go to the gym other than this visit.