REFRESHING OBSERVATIONS FROM THE SEASHORE

[morpheusofthesea]

Yes, we are refreshed once again. Got our negative tests in hand and our 'cup runneth over'. In spite of a few dire threads of warning we are on the verge of another possible game of 'Russian roulette' by cruising during a pandemic'. We added a 12th suitcase to DW's trumpery. She has it filled with comfort food, disposable plates and high grade plastic cutlery, and a small pharmacy. Reading that viruses (fomites ?) can live for 72 hours on surfaces we have always packed enough gloves and cleaning supplies to re-clean our cabin after every visit from our room steward. A box of 100 masks will come in handy each night in the theatre ( never reuse them) even though we have seen the same shows now 3 times it is still a thrill for us to attend the theatre performances even twice in the same evening. We have never worked so hard at enjoying a cruise like we are doing now. We do not fly, we drive to the ports and park. We (really I) 'hide out' in our cabin all day and never eat in the buffet. We understand there are still many supply side issues, like last month YC ran out of bread sticks during the cruise (no real cause for a Revolution ?) There are so many other attributes to cruising....I guess I'll have a week to think about what they are ?

[JAGR]

Happy sailing!  If you are in 19004 again, make sure to use the secret staircase to the One Pool deck.

 

[morpheusofthesea]

At Port of Miami at 10 am. Immediate check in at white tent top, escort into terminal, directed to security screening then up escalator to check in. Escorted to YC holding area with fruit drinks.At 10:30 noticed group of passengers on third level of terminal with no carry on luggage lined up and getting on board, estimating around 200 B2Bs some wearing masks. Never experienced sooo many B2Bs. Very encouraging.

[morpheusofthesea]

Great first day. Asked butler, Kevin how many guests on board this sailing, his reply 2200-2300, with 200 in Yacht Club. New protocol from head office that staff now must wear the white n95 type masks and a plastic shield. It was hard enough to hear with just a face covering but now it is impossible. Was told new protocol is supposed to give guests extra sense of protection from staff. I guess as long as they hear me, that is the more important aspect. Got our luggage around 2:30. Service is still fantastic with all the newbies. New waiter, Narcisso, very professional, very attentive, excellent service wears a 'gold' tie so one should expect nothing less than excellence. 

[morpheusofthesea]

Cruise Director Monica (leaving this week) mentioned at the early show this evening that there were just over 200 B2B'ers this cruise. So I wasn't far off in my count. The B2B'ers came off and cleared customs and back on the ship in about 20 minutes. They were the first to board. After them the YC'ers were escorted on. I have never witnessed so many B2Bers. Many on board are wearing masks. The forward bank of elevators are still running express for YC'ers. Here is another bonus which we previously missed out on. Our butler Kevin wanted to escort us to the show in the Madison Theater where the YC has reserved seating. So we prearranged for him to pick us up in the Top Sail Lounge deck 16. We went to the elevator and he pressed the deck button 7 for the theatre and while waiting a group formed behind us all wanting to get on our elevator. He politely only allowed 2 more guests to join us down limiting a crowed elevator.

[Hobby3333]

May I ask who the CD will be in July?

[JAGR]

36 minutes ago, Hobby3333 said:

May I ask who the CD will be in July?

Well, at least it won't be, "Ciao, Ciao.....For now!"

 

[morpheusofthesea]

I happen to be a milk chocolate lover of sorts. DW just became a Diamond Voyager Clubber for this cruise and in anticipation I went on line MSC terms and conditions of Voyager Club benefits to see what 'she' might be able to get for 'me' using her new found status. The only item of interest that my attention was drawn to was the $10 off for every $50 spent in a shop on board on the first evening of the every cruise. I contacted my TA by e-mail and asked her to ask MSC if this 'deal' applied to the Venchi  (kiosk) Chocolate Bar on deck 6. Got an email back that yes this was included, but only for YC guests. So we waited til after the evenings first show and we were well enough at sea to avoid a Miami Florida sales charge (7%) on purchases within 12 miles of shore and went to the Venchi chocolate bar with email in vest pocket. Of course they never heard of such a thing. They called their supervisor who asked to keep my email to research it further. In the mean time if I do not purchase on the first evening I would have to wait til next month's cruise. So I made my purchase of $202.95 with no discount in the hopes I might be awarded the $40 later in this cruise. Just a very minor MSC misunderstanding ?

P.S. The supervisor did let me know of a 20% discount on the last two days of the cruise on all boxes of chocolates. Alas, no boxes are of milk chocolate only, all are assortments.

 

Edited May 15, 2022 by morpheusofthesea
P.S.

[dexddd]

2 hours ago, JAGR said:

Well, at least it won't be, "Ciao, Ciao.....For now!"

 

And not much else from her.

[Match Game 72]

Looking forward to your observations. 🙂

[bac513]

13 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Great first day. Asked butler, Kevin how many guests on board this sailing, his reply 2200-2300, with 200 in Yacht Club. New protocol from head office that staff now must wear the white n95 type masks and a plastic shield. It was hard enough to hear with just a face covering but now it is impossible. Was told new protocol is supposed to give guests extra sense of protection from staff. 

New protocol started on May 12 at dinner. We were told it was due to Covid occurrence. Also delayed debarkation on Saturday.

[morpheusofthesea]

2 hours ago, dexddd said:

And not much else from her.

I found her most charming from our YC reserved seating.

[morpheusofthesea]

Raining today. Nice over hang on balcony. Discovered that the logo store has the chocolate 'bar' ship for sale $13.90 each. Bought two this morning (day 2). Will wait to get home before taste testing. Bought only two for several reasons; no sale today;  bought about 5 lbs already (no sale ?) last night of known chocolates; get home and taste great will regret not having bought more; get home and taste bitter (like OP has reported) will be glad I didn't spend $200 on them; besides will get home and fire off another email to TA asking her to get definitive, in writing, from MSC if Logo Store is included in the first day sale of $10 off for every $50 spent, for our anticipated June sailings. Spending thousands to save pennies. I am crossing the mind barrier into decrepitude.

[morpheusofthesea]

Another poster brought up a point on FB that needs to be addressed. The question was posed about the new protocols for staff and that perhaps it is because of increased cases on board. The fact of this matter is that these are hardcore cruisers. Over 200 B2Bs....They no longer care.... They are boosted up the kazoo. Bring on the low fares, the booze packages, the unlimited food options, throw in some entertainment and pack the short shorts, we're going cruising....

[morpheusofthesea]

DW just came back to the cabin from her walk-about to report that the longest line on the whole ship is the future cruise desk.

[JAGR]

1 hour ago, morpheusofthesea said:

I found her most charming from our YC reserved seating.

I assume the phrase sounds more muted up there in the back!😉

[morpheusofthesea]

8 hours ago, Hobby3333 said:

May I ask who the CD will be in July?

Could be her assistant Jose ? But I no longer listen or hear or see that well anymore.

[morpheusofthesea]

1 hour ago, JAGR said:

I assume the phrase sounds more muted up there in the back!😉

Reminds me of a story about Marlene Dietrich's last stage appearances, where a man in the front row was using opera glasses. She stopped her performance and asked the gentleman to "please put away the glasses and not spoil the illusion."

Edited May 15, 2022 by morpheusofthesea

[morpheusofthesea]

It appears the "joy has returned to Mudville." Reports of cuts to Voyager Club Diamond tier is unfounded. Tonight DW ask our butler if we would be getting a chocolate molded ship and he replied not only a chocolate ship, but macaroons, bottle of Prosecco and 2 tote bags.

[morpheusofthesea]

Well we were shocked tonight at how popular the evening shows have become in the Madison Theatre. We thanked our butler, Kevin on our way to dinner this evening for not allowing us to be crammed into a crowded elevator. His service for this one aspect was well worth his 'weight in gold'. The first seating show at 7 pm was standing room only, unusual as we experienced the same shows in February and March. We made our way to the Cabaret Rouge for "Women in Art", still 'undiscovered' by the masses of passengers. Returned to the Madison Theatre for the second show to find it also sold out, even the YC reserved seating was gone. Shocked and pleasantly surprised. This portends many future disappointments for guests if more bookings are projected this summer.

[perakcruiser]

17 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

I contacted my TA by e-mail and asked her to ask MSC if this 'deal' applied to the Venchi  (kiosk) Chocolate Bar on deck 6. Got an email back that yes this was included, but only for YC guests... Of course they never heard of such a thing.

Well, as MSC is keen to tell us that Venchi has nothing to do with them, they are just some outsiders that rented an by coincidence empty store on the ship😁 so you cannot get a 2€ Cappuccino there with you superdeluxepremiumplus drinks package, this is of course for sure.

[morpheusofthesea]

Somethings, like proper code of conduct in polite society, have to be posted.

[morpheusofthesea]

Cabaret Rouge early morning walk-about.

[morpheusofthesea]

Sometimes one can catch background movement.

[morpheusofthesea]

This is the only instance I have found time to read on a cruise. Waiting for a 54second upload to CC.