IT'S ANOTHER HOLIDAY ROAD

[morpheusofthesea]

We are off once again on another Seashore adventure. Yes, just 2 weeks from our last venture on the same ship, same cabin, same anticipated great time. I enjoy week cruises and DW loves B2Bs, so we mix them up depending on her work schedule. (Hey, someone in this marriage has to work to keep me a manner to which I have become accustomed).

  This past week another song came to mind. Gerswin's "Summertime" Sung by Ella Fitzgerald. "Summertime and the livin's easy". Especially easy aboard the luxurious MSC Seashore.

  Here is another tip learned to ones advantage sailing on MSC verses NCL. The heads of departments like the maitre d of the dedicated restaurants are kept for the entire weeks cruise and not switched out mid cruise. (Unless they test positive, but I am talking pre-covid) NCL switches out service providers as venues demand. 

[mscdivina2016]

The title of your thread here... Holiday road was a feature song in National lampoon's family vacation which was a movie based on a vacation full of disaster's.

So fitting for MSC's IT and customer service.😆

[morpheusofthesea]

Made it to the terminal. Cruising is back in force. The biggest ‘scoop’ is Seashore is berthed at Terminal E NOT Terminal F. we were told that Terminal E will now be the terminal for the Seashore until it’s new terminal is ready.

[morpheusofthesea]

Heard that there are 4000 passengers this cruise.

[morpheusofthesea]

The open air parking lot just directly across the street from this terminal E is very convenient. Though it is closed. Concrete barriers across entrance indicates it not being opened soon. If it was just full at the moment Orange cones would suffice. 

[morpheusofthesea]

Parking garage G is now too far away to walk. MSC we are told is providing shuttle buses to the garage . Parking garage D is across the street from the bow of the ship. It took about an hour of driving around in circles to get situated and decide where best to park. Found a spot on the second floor of Garage D, which is used by Carnival and Disney. It was within walking distance.

[Couplecruisers]

We board next Saturday, excited to hear about your adventures!

[morpheusofthesea]

Every venue is open. All the restaurants. Show tonight in the Madison Theater is Beautiful woman’s soul. Nearly packed at the first seating.Brooklyn Cafe has a new duo, drummer and guitarist/singer, DW likes the singer. The live entertainers take 15 minutes between sets. The jazz quartet is still here. No Cabaret Rouge show tonight. Tomorrow CR has a quartet.

[morpheusofthesea]

While driving in circles trying to find a parking spot, I took the opportunity to stop to pull into the only entrance into the closed open air parking lot across from the Seashore which had tents set up for free Covid tests. I asked if these tests were done for the cruise ships. Yes, 20 minutes drive through, how much?  Free! I pulled out of lot and proceeded to circle the parking garage next door. The garage was packed. Found a tight spot on the second floor. When we finally got on board (we were first to board following the last of the B2BS) at 11:33 am. From our balcony we could see that at 4 pm the parking rooftop was packed. The first three floors are covered and must be coveted before having to park on the roof.

[morpheusofthesea]

Heard there are about 300 in the Yacht Club, 70 are children. While we were at the One Pool deck retrieving some pool towels we were approached by a waiter who informed us that the YC was trying out a special children’s buffet for dinner on the pool deck from 6 to 7:30 pm.

[morpheusofthesea]

Another tip we learned today. One must place ones key card in the power switch with the lanyard hole up to ones right for it to keep the power on. I just stuck an old one in upside down.

[wcook]

14 hours ago, mscdivina2016 said:

 

The title of your thread here... Holiday road was a feature song in National lampoon's family vacation which was a movie based on a vacation full of disaster's.

 

Great song. I was humming it as soon as I saw the thread title. I just hope the next post isn’t “Sorry folks, San Juan is closed. Moose out front should have told you.”

[morpheusofthesea]

A couple of photos that go with above posts. The first is parking lot across the street now featuring drive through covid tests for free. The yellow barricade keeps one from entering the open air parking lot.

Edited July 10, 2022 by morpheusofthesea

[morpheusofthesea]

Here are photos of the new YC (Captain's Lounge) terminal lounge . Nicer cushion chairs, but the check in desk had problems checking us all in. We had to be escorted by butlers, to butt in front of the line, for general checkins. Then escorted back to the Captain's Lounge to wait for boarding clearance.

[morpheusofthesea]

In this photo one can be fooled by the white tent tops across the street in the background. They were not YC. Had pulled up when first arrived and asked porter if this was YC. No, 500 feet further down was another two white tent tops. Second photo was taken of bow of Seashore standing outside parking Garage D.

[morpheusofthesea]

This photo is of the free covid drive up in the open air parking lot acroos the street from the Seashore Terminal E.

[JAGR]

9 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Here are photos of the new YC (Captain's Lounge) terminal lounge . Nicer cushion chairs, but the check in desk had problems checking us all in. We had to be escorted by butlers, to butt in front of the line, for general checkins. Then escorted back to the Captain's Lounge to wait for boarding clearance.

Surprised Carnival gave up the terminal.  The Captain's Club was for Suite guests back in the day, and had only one customer service desk for check in.  Surprised MS  didn't use the Platinum Lounge on the first floor for YC.

[mafig]

Is this free Covid testing area new?  Were you notified by MSC or your TA or someone that it would be available.???  I think it would be a great option "just in case."

70 children?  That's a lot.  Let us know how that goes.

 

 

Edited July 10, 2022 by mafig

[morpheusofthesea]

6 minutes ago, mafig said:

Is this free Covid testing area new?  Were you notified by MSC or your TA or someone that it would be available.???  I think it would be a great option "just in case."

70 children?  That's a lot.  Let us know how that goes.

 

 

Do not know if this "FREE" covid testing site is new or not new. This is the first time we had to 'hunt' for a parking space since this terminal change. Going around the block in circles several times looking for whatever entrances to lots I pulled into the testing area and inquired of the staff. Parked my car for a moment at the testing center, climb the berm and walked over to the attendant collecting parking fee at the parking lot exit. Ask her "How do I get into this parking lot?" Her answer was "Sorry sir the lot is full and it is now closed." So I opted for the parking garage next door to this lot. Circled it for a couple of times looking for the entrance. Might opt to drive down to parking garage G and walk the distance next time. 

   Do not know if the buffet was a success or not. Appears that many Latinos on board with these families and they tend to dine later, arriving at the YC restaurant around 8:30 to 9 pm. Buffet in YC ends at 7:30.

   No notification from MSC of Terminal changes or parking alternatives or of this free covid testing site at the port.

 

[morpheusofthesea]

43 minutes ago, JAGR said:

Surprised Carnival gave up the terminal.  

Spoke to Mr. Balla this morning about the terminal change. He was surprised that we were not notified by MSC of the changes. (We are not surprised). He confided that all the cruise lines hate this terminal, but that MSC has no choice until hopefully October since renovations at Terminal F can not go forward while being used with passengers.

[mafig]

Hmm.  If there were people being tested in the Covid testing area, they must have found out somehow.

 

Curious, don't you think?

[morpheusofthesea]

Well here is something new this cruise. On this our first sea day at12:30 to 1:30 is a Food Sampling Tour. FREE.Easily overlooked in the daily planner that the CD Dave came on the PA system to remind passengers of this culinary treat. The tour this time was attended by about 250 guests starting at one of the specialty restaurants for a demonstration and samples, followed by all the other specialty restaurants on deck 8. At each station there are several staff selling the specialty restaurant packages available.

[morpheusofthesea]

As packed as the YC is with guests there are more than enough lounges on the pool deck. Still not really crowded all over the ship. Tonight in the Cabaret  Rouge is a Celtic quartet of tenors, Celtic Charmers, at 8 pm and 9:30 for 45 minutes. Madison Theatre has a show called Paris at 7 and 9 for 35 minutes. And Dancing Shoes Gatsby Night in the Cabaret Rouge at 10:30 pm.

[morpheusofthesea]

The show in the Cabaret Rouge tonight, The Harps. Felt that the accompanying music drowned out their voices.Packed house at 8pm show. Enjoyed much more the singing and dancing guys and gals, which seem to be missing so far. We guess they have become a 'hard act to follow'.

[mianmike]

14 hours ago, mafig said:

Is this free Covid testing area new? 

 

 

I don't know when it started, but it was there April 27.