Is That All There Is ?

[morpheusofthesea]

Have seen the same shows repeatedly. Differences every time. New acts weaved in and choreographed seamlessly. Noticed in Cabaret Rouge that first presentation had three female dancers in prior months and when lost one female dancer they were substituted by a male dancer who copied the female routine flawlessly. One could not tell if they had not seen the original act.

[morpheusofthesea]

Tonight is elegant night. CD Dave got on the PA to remind guests no shorts, flip flops, etc…This is a first.

  Tonight’s show is “Paris “. Packed house. In anticipation the butlers stayed the entire performance saving the seating for any late arriving YC guests. 
  Madison Theater only seats 1000 guests. Seashore has capacity of about 6000. Only two shows. In February when there were 3 shows not many guests would attend the earliest. Thus until further notice only 2 shows.

[morpheusofthesea]

Left “Paris “ early to get good seat in Cabaret Rouge for “Women in Art”. Saw another first tonight, butlers escorting YC guests to seats in Cabaret Rouge.

[morpheusofthesea]

Sunny morning here in Ochos Rios. Walked up to Hotel Director, Yannis Kazalis, who was outside enjoying the morning air on deck 8. Who better on board to get the answer to how many passengers this cruise? 3361.  Of the 1600, plus (he did tell me the exact numbers) staff, he was responsible for 1500 plus under his command. He repeated to us that he and most of his entire staff will be opening the new Seascape.

  Learned an on board colloquialism. We first thought it was unusual when speaking to CD Dave on the stairway one evening after a Madison Theatre show expressing our delight at his keeping the introductions short and the officer greetings moved to the atrium, when he said he "had to go see his kids". Naturally thought he had his family on board. Until Mr. Kazalis said the same thing this morning.  Dawned immediately that their respective charges are 'their kids'. (Besides DW can talk ones 'ear off', one thing I know all too well).

 

[Paphillyguy]

On 6/12/2022 at 2:08 PM, morpheusofthesea said:

This must be a new idea, addition to, the services provided by the staff at the YC one pool deck. A refreshment trolley going door to door with complimentary drinks that did not happen last month.

Miguel!!! he is the best

[Paphillyguy]

On 6/12/2022 at 4:20 PM, morpheusofthesea said:

I honestly do not see how MSC can top their Yacht Clubs with their new Explora 1.  I seriously think we are making a mistake booking Explora 1. Presently we are about 300 YC guests out of 3200 on board, receiving the best of everything on the entire ship. The best restaurant, the best service providers in the fleet, the finest chefs on board (something must have happened to the donut chef this cruise). When one walks outside the YC enclave and witnesses the stark differences....One will not have this dichotomy on Explora 1, this contrast that gives MSC the edge in suite cruising. There is a striving on the ship between the staff for available placements in the Yacht Club,  which adds to the level of superior service guests receive. How this will transfer over to an all YC ship????

I agree the YC is amazing,   I will say we felt we had amazing service in December and the new crew in the YC in the June sailing was good but did not match the service we had in December. 

[morpheusofthesea]

2 hours ago, Paphillyguy said:

I agree the YC is amazing,   I will say we felt we had amazing service in December and the new crew in the YC in the June sailing was good but did not match the service we had in December. 

Don't know how to answer. Just that as the years fly by one forgets the good times as well as the bad times, and all we acknowledge is the here and now. 

 P.S. One of my DW's principals told the faculty some 40 years ago "that these children may never remember what you taught them, but they will always remember how you treated them."

Edited June 20, 2022 by morpheusofthesea

[morpheusofthesea]

This is interesting. Last cruise we had about the same number of passengers and had no problem with the internet and posting. Today while docked at Ocho Rios had very hard time and read this: "MSC Cruises uses a satellite system to bring you an internet experience at sea. Satellite internet access is different from a land based broadband network and at times may be slow or unresponsive due to physical obstructions or peaks in usage. Logging off from the internet when you are not using it can help improve the overall performance for all guests. Thank you in advance for your understanding and cooperation." Which I am sure we all just gloss over while signing in. We just left Ocho Rios 10 minutes ago and I am able to post this.

[morpheusofthesea]

Got back to our cabin after lunch and found our 'freebies' have increased. Got two more chocolate boats. It appears I wasn't a Diamond  status last cruise. I asked head concierge, Eva, to look into it. She did and my new card for this sailing is black. DW has been Diamond for several cruises already. Neither of us has used any loyalty points from other cruise lines. 

[morpheusofthesea]

There is no longer any free sundae at the Venchi Chocolate Bar kiosk on deck 6. DW and I both got 2 scoops in a cup and were charged on our final bill last cruise. One really need not venture to the kiosk because the sundaes are offered every lunch and dinner for dessert in the YC restaurant. We made the trek on Ocean Cay day at lunch time because the YC restaurant is closed (only that time), expecting most to eat at either Ocean House or the YC One Pool Deck buffet.

[morpheusofthesea]

We are in Grand Cayman this morning 8 am. Tendering in. Count six 'hired' tenders. Double deckers.

[morpheusofthesea]

Different meeting places for congregating for the many excursions offered. Found one meeting up location for 'Priority' excursion in the Cabaret Rouge Lounge with coffee and danish offering like TSL in YC.

[morpheusofthesea]

Back of ship is also a quiet spot, air conditioned 'library type atmosphere' with great views behind band location in the Cabaret Rouge.

[morpheusofthesea]

Now this may just be a very important entrance exit on deck 8 from inside to the outside deck on both starboard and port sides. The only automatic doors . Photo is from port side facing front of the ship just past the infinity bridge.

[morpheusofthesea]

DW overheard a couple this morning complaining to the YC concierge that they were not able to go on their tour in Grand Cayman with their son and daughter (the son and daughter were booked outside the Yacht Club). I guess the tours are segregated ? Something to consider when traveling with friends and family in different levels of MSC experience ?

[FLCruiser97]

2 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Now this may just be a very important entrance exit on deck 8 from inside to the outside deck on both starboard and port sides. The only automatic doors . Photo is from port side facing front of the ship just past the infinity bridge.

Looks like some bad weather may be coming your way from the looks of the background.

[morpheusofthesea]

1 hour ago, FLCruiser97 said:

Looks like some bad weather may be coming your way from the looks of the background.

I thought so as well. So I pulled up the weather forecast for Grand Cayman. Just cloudy skies in store for us today, no rain forecasted.

[morpheusofthesea]

A Disney ship pulled up next to us this morning. Also using hired tenders in Grand Cayman.

[Paphillyguy]

When we were in the YC last week our Butler specifically made it a point in the first meeting that at no time for dinner are shorts or graphic tshirts allowed in the YC dinning room for dinner.  She said that this cruise they were told to enforce this rule.  The first night I did hear of a couple being told to go change because of their dress.  However, later in the week i did see some shorts and tshirts at dinner service in the YC.  

 

[morpheusofthesea]

2 hours ago, Paphillyguy said:

She said that this cruise they were told to enforce this rule.

Probably because we were onboard.

[travelwide]

5 hours ago, Paphillyguy said:

When we were in the YC last week our Butler specifically made it a point in the first meeting that at no time for dinner are shorts or graphic tshirts allowed in the YC dinning room for dinner.  She said that this cruise they were told to enforce this rule.  The first night I did hear of a couple being told to go change because of their dress.  However, later in the week i did see some shorts and tshirts at dinner service in the YC.  

 

On two May cruises, there was NO dress code enforcement. We were not happy with that.

[morpheusofthesea]

It appears that the included wifi in the YC price does not include streaming. On first day of cruise special 50% off. Upgraded to streaming for about $40 for 2 devices total so I could try and up load the finale of "Coast to Coast's" "Born in the USA", for your viewing pleasure.

[morpheusofthesea]

Ordered a pizza to be delivered to cabin. Did not know the procedure so picked up the cabin phone and dialed concierge. They said we called the proper number. The pizza came within 15 minutes, delivered by our assigned butler Analisa in an insulated carrier with ceramic plates and wrapped silverware. I had $5 out for tip for whoever was delivery person, this is in addition to the $250 tip at the end for her 1 week of service. She has escorted us to dinner and show every evening.

P.S. The pizza was as good as has been reported my many but I rarely eat any pizza and am no judge with nothing to compare this one to.

[morpheusofthesea]

Is it worth it to go on extended cruises? It really is a tough decision. This is one of life's learning moments. "Know thyself" the time immemorial words chiseled above the entrance of the ancient Oracle at Delphi. We are going to try another B2B. Presently one is taking a chance contracting something the longer one stays on board, but one world cruise sold out before opening up to the public.

[morpheusofthesea]

In Cozumel. All aboard at 5:30.Ship had to wait for late arriving tour boat with about 200 passengers, which arrived to pier at 6:00. took another 1/2 hour to leave Cozumel at 6:30. What was interesting was that there must have been many YCers as the restaurant was unusually empty at 6:30. On passing by the Tribeca restaurant,  on our way to the Cabaret Rouge for Van Gogh's show at 7:00, a couple was denied entrance as the restaurant closed for early seating. The hostess suggested the buffet on deck 16 as an alternative. We sat down in the Cabaret Rouge and a waitress approached us, telling us that due to technical issues no Cabaret Rouge shows this evening, only DJ at 11:00. So walking past the 5th Avenue Restaurant we decided we now had the opportunity to stop in for a second dessert, Grandma's chocolate cake and a table for two. It came immediately on cold plates with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Another case of instant gratification.