MSC WORLD EUROPA REPO ABU Dhabi to Genoa on behalf of BEAMAFAR

[hamrag]

14 hours ago, Beamafar said:

OK - there’s a story around the dining change which I’ll relate tomorrow. 
 

We’ve finally made it to the Champagne Lounge.   No Landon here;  just the champagne we’ve been having everywhere else, Jacquard....
 

 

 

 

So, they have Lanson Black Label on the menu, but not available?? This menu is similar to our recent cruises, and there are also a couple of Lanson (I think it's L) with blackberry or raspberry added as a sort of champagne cocktail included on or just below the pricing threshold for PE....my DW enjoys all of those, and also Jacquart too!

[Beamafar]

5 hours ago, sverigecruiser said:

 

I must misunderstand this!

 

I see a few different brands on the menu but not Jacquard. What do you mean?

 

 

The included champagne in the Premium package has been Jacquard across most of the bars, (apart from getting Monopoli one time somewhere), SC.  That is the replacement in this region for Nicholas Feuillatte (or so I was told).  
 

However, I expected to be get something different in the Champagne bar.  Otherwise no need to even bother going to a lifeless, entertainment-free venue. 

[Beamafar]

1 hour ago, hamrag said:

 

So, they have Lanson Black Label on the menu, but not available??

It’s a repo, G.  We get what’s onboard and be happy with it!!  🙄🤣

 

In Butchers Cut, they didn’t have any of the listed wines, so the waiters have to rattle off the list that they do have.  No idea what the price per glass is of any.   Heard Pinotage and settled for that, making sure that our bill was zero at the end.  For all I know, it may even be included in Easy.  🙄

 

I can’t understand why they can’t print off a supplementary to the menu with what is actually available!! 

Edited April 4, 2023 by Beamafar

[Beamafar]

It was brought to my attention yesterday by a fellow guest that bananas are not available on the ship so, when you order a BBC they actually will give you just a BC.  😂

[hamrag]

12 minutes ago, Beamafar said:

It’s a repo, G.  We get what’s onboard and be happy with it!!  🙄🤣...

 

We've done a couple of repos last two November/Decembers (Med to Carib) and never had an issue, but guess it's because it's returning from the UAE where alcohol is 'frowned' upon....unless it's making them many dirhams from tourists!

Edited April 4, 2023 by hamrag

[hamrag]

23 minutes ago, Beamafar said:

....I expected to be get something different in the Champagne bar.  Otherwise no need to even bother going to a lifeless, entertainment-free venue. 

Indeed, it looks awful from the photo posted! At least on the other new ships, whilst usually quiet, it's at the Atrium where you can hear any musical interludes in that area. Incidentally, on our last two YC's the Nicolas champers was no longer with Jacquart as its replacement.

[hamrag]

19 minutes ago, Beamafar said:

In Butchers Cut, they didn’t have any of the listed wines, so the waiters have to rattle off the list that they do have.  No idea what the price per glass is of any.   Heard Pinotage and settled for that....

Is Pinotage a good wine?

 

Good pinotage is dry, full-bodied, and well balanced, making it especially good for pairing with barbecued meats. Try serving with gamey dishes like venison, flavorful beef dishes like Korean barbecue short ribs, or punchy sausages like andouille.

 

Cannot imagine any of those dishes being served, specialty restaurants or otherwise, on MSC! 🤣

[RBrowny]

I looked at some of the champagne's they have for Premium Extra and half of them you can buy a bottle for double the price in local supermarkets 😄

[Beamafar]

So, as promised, the story behind the MDR change last night (not dramatic/ intriguing, nor even as remotely interesting as I may have made it seem). 

 

Because we hadn’t been to the MDR for a couple of nights, I had decided to ring reservations to see if I could reserve the table that we’d enjoyed next to the window (and which others had been enjoying in our absence).  This is when I noticed that Aurea were to dine in La Foglia (according to the daily planner, anyway). 

 

Well, like the kind-hearted person I aspire to be, I shared this knowledge with several couples I knew were also Aurea guests.  Anyway, arrived to the stated MDR at the indicated opening time in the hope of being assigned a favourably situated 2-top.  There were a number of people waiting outside, including a couple we’ve befriended.  Inside, there was a crew meeting taking place;  I assumed it had something to do with instructions re the new Aurea arrangements that were to take place from last night. 

 

Anyway, it was almost 6.45 and no sign that the place was going to open soon, so the natives (me, especially) began to get restless.  The asst M’D came out and said opening was at 7pm , to which we assured him that the planner clearly stated 6.30.  He finally relented and allowed us in. Well, we and our friends entered, hesitated, saw we were not going to be escorted to a table, so we agreed to look for a 4-top and headed for a nicely located one (though it was set for five).  A waiter came over, looked at my card and asked if I’d changed tables.  Like - what???  We said we’re Aurea and he said we were in the wrong MDR.  A head waiter arrived over and we explained the situation.  He confirmed we were in the wrong place. 

 

At this stage, none of us felt like going up to Bubbles as the best tables would already have been assigned, being opened half an hour earlier.  But we couldn’t stay at the table we were at as it was an assigned one, but we were offered 6 seater literally across the aisle, which we gladly took.  Another couple who were known to the 4 of us then joined us (they were one of the couples who we’d told earlier that day about “the change”) so we ended up having a very enjoyable dinner together. 

 

In the meantime, the m’D came to us and explained that La Foglia had, indeed, been the dedicated Aurea MDR originally and had changed for the crossing, but the person printing the daily planner had just grabbed the info from previous printouts and mistakenly inserted La Foglia instead of Bubbles for last night.  

[Beamafar]

39 minutes ago, hamrag said:

Is Pinotage a good wine?

 

Good pinotage is dry, full-bodied, and well balanced, making it especially good for pairing with barbecued meats. Try serving with gamey dishes like venison, flavorful beef dishes like Korean barbecue short ribs, or punchy sausages like andouille.

 

Cannot imagine any of those dishes being served, specialty restaurants or otherwise, on MSC! 🤣

Would have went down very nicely with the lamb chops if they’d been any way as tasty as lamb should be. 
 

I’m quite partial to a nice Pinotage.  

[sverigecruiser]

1 hour ago, Beamafar said:

The included champagne in the Premium package has been Jacquard across most of the bars, (apart from getting Monopoli one time somewhere), SC.  That is the replacement in this region for Nicholas Feuillatte (or so I was told).  
 

However, I expected to be get something different in the Champagne bar.  Otherwise no need to even bother going to a lifeless, entertainment-free venue. 

 

So the menu is wrong? If yes, I understand what you mean.  

[Beamafar]

4 minutes ago, sverigecruiser said:

 

So the menu is wrong? If yes, I understand what you mean.  

Exactly, SC.  Same in Butchers Cut and other venues.  I’ve been sticking to my favoured Cicogna rather than chance getting something other than what I order. 

[sverigecruiser]

57 minutes ago, Beamafar said:

Exactly, SC.  Same in Butchers Cut and other venues.  I’ve been sticking to my favoured Cicogna rather than chance getting something other than what I order. 

 

I hope that it will be correct when we shall cruise on her in July! And that they don't try to convince me that no Champagne is included!

Edited April 4, 2023 by sverigecruiser

[Beamafar]

2 minutes ago, sverigecruiser said:

 

I hope that it will be correct when we shall cruise on her in July! And that they don't try to convince me that no Champagne is included!

I’m sure it’ll all be fine - and clear - well before your cruise,  SC.  There’s always confusion when changes are being made around April.  You’re bound to have a wonderful cruise on this amazing ship and I’m sure there will be a lot more reviews when she begins her Med season. 

[Beamafar]

I’m going to post the following screenshot from today’s daily program as a record for those who may book a cruise with Jeddah as a POC. 

 

[Beamafar]

The following will also be relevant 

 

 

 

[RBrowny]

How are you getting on with so many days at sea?

[Beamafar]

MSC does NOT arrange visas for this POC

[Beamafar]

Just now, RBrowny said:

How are you getting on with so many days at sea?

Not a problem for us.  We love being onboard.  Wouldn’t care if we never saw land again. 🤣

 

I remember on our crossing from Brazil, the excursions desk got incredibly busy after a few days at sea;   everyone was going stir-crazy and couldn’t wait to get to the next port to get off and feel terra firma beneath their feet.  😁

[Beamafar]

4 minutes ago, RBrowny said:

How are you getting on with so many days at sea?

Now, if you’d asked me how are we getting on with no alcohol being served today - well ….   🤪😂😂

[Beamafar]

Here’s how we’ve stocked up our minibar

 

We removed the little shelf so we could stand the opened bubbly upright. 

Edited April 4, 2023 by Beamafar

[Beamafar]

@ConnieTact   I’ve got the same problem with these as you did 🙄😂

 

 

 

[ConnieTact]

16 minutes ago, Beamafar said:

@ConnieTact   I’ve got the same problem with these as you did 🙄😂

 

 

 

So glad I’m not the only one! Are you in YC? If you are get the butler to loosen them all for you. If not, as the bar staff. That’s what I did! They are used to it. 

Enjoy your cruise! 

[ConnieTact]

I’ll start to follow and catch up on your posts! 👍

[Beamafar]

Just now, ConnieTact said:

So glad I’m not the only one! Are you in YC? If you are get the butler to loosen them all for you. If not, as the bar staff. That’s what I did! They are used to it. 

Enjoy your cruise! 

Thanks!

 

Not in YC on this one.  Luckily himself has a good firm grip.  However, I only discovered the problem in the middle of the night with a new bottle on the locker and my throat on fire.