OBSERVATIONS FROM THE POOP DECK AUG 6-13,2023 SEASCAPE

[morpheusofthesea]

Been reading disconcerting experiences on board MSC ships of slow service, poor food, rude fellow passengers, over crowed pool decks, long elevator wait or no elevator service, amateurish production shows, and now illegal pot smoking in cabins. Yet with all this the ships are running over 100% capacity out of Miami. So popular that MSC for next year will be positioning 3 ships sailing from Miami; Divina, Seaside, and Seascape. We will be sailing the Seascape this coming week and hope to report back the 'picture' from our prospective. Summer vacation is coming to an end in some states and this might just impact the situation to the positive. We shall see.

[Bgwest]

Another "poop deck" thread! Yay!!😀

Something for me to look forward to. 

Keep those interlopers at bay!

[morpheusofthesea]

We had to go back over our list of why we love cruising on MSC ships with a Yacht Club, to reinforce our commitment to this cruise line. Just wondering how far a dedicated cruiser can be 'pushed' before they look elsewhere.

Here is our list for those that might have missed it, that Yacht Club has all of them.

Never sailed on a MSC ship in a cabin outside the Yacht Club. But we can list now all the things to look out for when booking any cruise ship.

#1 E muster drill is better

#2 Two cabin cleanings per day

#3 No % charge for gambling unless using cash

#4 No extra charge for can sodas vs fountain drinks

#5 Reserved seating in the theatre for all shows

#6 Complimentary bottled water

#7 Reserved or ability to reserve pergola/cabanas on pool deck

#8 'Cushioned' pool lounges

#9 Escorts on and off ship avoiding long lines

#10 First to use tenders off the ship at ports that tender

#11 Dedicated restaurant that is so good one need not book Specialty Restaurants

#12 Service that does not involve 2 hours to complete a meal

#13 An attentive butler not hard to find when needed

#14 Cabins ready upon embarkation/ key cards in hand at checkin

#15 Dedicated restaurant OPEN port days

#16 Dedicated buffet to only suite guests

#17 Dedicated pool and sun deck only for suite guests with ample lounges

# 18 All the advantages of a mega ship with the exclusivity of a gated community

#19 walk-in shower not low profile tub/shower combo

#20 No non-suite paying Pinnacle/Zenith/Diamond passengers taking up prime real estate in the Yacht Club

#21 Elevator over-ride key cards for suite guests

#22 Pristine out island with NO bugs crawling all over cabanas

#23 short distance between cabin and restaurant decks

#24 At least a 100 sq ft balcony accommodating a cushioned lounge chair.

[no1talks]

21 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

"So popular that MSC for next year will be positioning 3 ships sailing from Miami; Divina, Seaside, and Seascape."

 

I don't know if all four ships will be in Miami for the entirety of 2024, but Magnifica will be there, too.

[morpheusofthesea]

21 minutes ago, no1talks said:

 

I don't know if all four ships will be in Miami for the entirety of 2024, but Magnifica will be there, too.

Yes. Please forgive my 'elitist' tendencies as I only focus my attention on those with a Yacht Club. I have spent 70 years grooming myself for this time in my life to only absorb the finest life has to offer. If I don't do it now, my heirs will.

[BDL]

Morpheus - #3 on your list.  Can you clarify?  Do they charge a % if using cash or did I misread it?

 

My hubby and I are approaching 70 too and have also decided we're going to spend on the finer things before we're too old to enjoy them! We've been YC all the way on MSC and our first RS next May (He'll be 70 by then).  We've found the YC service is better than the Retreat or the Haven on those other lines. Can't wait to follow another poop deck thread!

[no1talks]

18 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

I only focus my attention on those with a Yacht Club.

 

Understandable, no doubt.

 

However, in our case, we can't pass up a chance to get on a non-YC ship for a test cruise. In fact, we have cancelled an Oceania cruise for a Magnifica booking.

 

Many appealing MSC itineraries are on pre-YC ships in other parts of the world. We think it is better to test the Aurea amenities in the Caribbean, before committing to an overseas flight for a non-YC cruise in a far away place.

[morpheusofthesea]

17 minutes ago, BDL said:

Morpheus - #3 on your list.  Can you clarify?  Do they charge a % if using cash or did I misread it?

According to Don Terrace NCL is charging guests 3% if they use their credit cards. No charge for cash.

[morpheusofthesea]

7 minutes ago, no1talks said:

 

Understandable, no doubt.

 

However, in our case, we can't pass up a chance to get on a non-YC ship for a test cruise. In fact, we have cancelled an Oceania cruise for a Magnifica booking.

 

Many appealing MSC itineraries are on pre-YC ships in other parts of the world. We think it is better to test the Aurea amenities in the Caribbean, before committing to an overseas flight for a non-YC cruise in a far away place.

The two of you are too young to limit yourselves to what we are doing now. We did exactly what you write about. Do not spoil yourselves so early in your life with extravagances. We were once the youngest couple on every ship we sailed (two lower twin beds on the inside cabins). I did make the mistake once of booking a cabin on American Hawaii's Independence not knowing the cabin only had 2 bunk beds and no room for even one suitcase. Had to upgrade on the spot to whatever was available at full tariff fare or go home to a divorce.  Too much of the finest life has to offer at an early age can also lead to an untimely end. From your postings I see you already know how to enjoy life. You are spacing your indulgences wisely. As one ages one hasn't the same luxury.

[JAGR]

1 hour ago, morpheusofthesea said:

 So popular that MSC for next year will be positioning 3 ships sailing from Miami; Divina, Seaside, and Seascape.

Alas, the beautiful Seaside is only in Miami on November and December of next year.  She was our first MSC YC sailing, and so is our sentimental favorite!

[no1talks]

32 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

"From your postings I see you already know how to enjoy life. You are spacing your indulgences wisely."

 

Mille grazie, maestro.

[jules815]

Happily following along! We board Seascape on September 10 for 2 weeks in the YC. Starting to feel real now.

 

[morpheusofthesea]

24 minutes ago, jules815 said:

Happily following along! We board Seascape on September 10 for 2 weeks in the YC. Starting to feel real now.

 

Great ! Our paths may cross in September if all goes well. We are booked September 24 to Oct 1, 2023. We will be the two with our faces pressed against the terminal door as you B2Bers walk casually back onto the ship.

Edited August 4, 2023 by morpheusofthesea

[Match Game 72]

Enjoy your cruise as we tag along. 

[bundtkate]

1 hour ago, morpheusofthesea said:

We will be the two with our faces pressed against the terminal door as you B2Bers walk casually back onto the ship.

 

Very accurate image of @morpheusofthesea waiting patiently to board:

[morpheusofthesea]

1 hour ago, bundtkate said:

 

Very accurate image of @morpheusofthesea waiting patiently to board:

Thanks. But my hair bow is wrong. "One would wear hair bows to reveal their love life. A bow on the top of one's head would mean one is single, a bow on the back would mean one is not interested. Bow worn on the right side is indicating that one is deeply in love and the left side is to show that one is going steady." Mine is around my neck.

[Best Cat Mom]

Morph -- Enjoy another week in YC! We shall enjoy all you can share. 🙂

[no1talks]

5 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

"One would wear hair bows to reveal their love life. A bow on the top of one's head would mean one is single, a bow on the back would mean one is not interested. Bow worn on the right side is indicating that one is deeply in love and the left side is to show that one is going steady."

There is also the best-left-undiscussed "upside down" pineapple hair bow, sometimes seen on cruises.
😵

 

[morpheusofthesea]

8 hours ago, no1talks said:

There is also the best-left-undiscussed "upside down" pineapple hair bow, sometimes seen on cruises.
😵

 

Funny, I keep looking for these elusive "signs" to take a photo and post back here, but alas the only photo is of my own shirt that I must now only wear around the house (inside). (It is all wrinkled from 'rolling in the hay').  I wore it on the OnePool deck and I got  hysterical laughs just walking from my pergola to the buffet. Nobody takes me seriously ?

Edited August 5, 2023 by morpheusofthesea

[morpheusofthesea]

 

 I tend to get philosophical before every cruise. I  lean toward the Utilitarian Principle and their greatest happiness postulate, “that the ultimate end is an existence exempt from pain, as far as possible, and as rich in enjoyments, both in quality and quantity.” I find that traveling in the Yacht Club of MSC ships is a most luxurious way.

   But, (there’s always a “but”) the longer one is exposed to most anything, the more one is liable to lose the pleasure it once provided. It’s just human nature. Many of us cruising aficionados look longingly at those of us that cruise for long periods of time on world cruises or even those that manage to live on board cruise ships as passengers. I am reminded of the most luxurious life of the Caliph of Cordoba.

   Abd Al-Rahman lived a life of complete luxury and kept a meticulous diary. He was Emir and Caliph of Cordoba in 10th Century Spain. He was an absolute ruler, who wrote, “I have now reigned above 50 years in victory or peace; beloved by my subjects, dreaded by my enemies, and respected by my allies. Riches and honors, power and pleasure have waited on my call, nor does any earthly blessing appear to have been wanting to my felicity. I have diligently numbered the days of pure and genuine happiness which have fallen to my lot. They amount to 14." That is just one B2B cruise in one’s entire life time. Much to be learned, so little time. Set 3 alarm clocks for tomorrow’s embarkation. Tallyho !

[relaxatsea]

Bon Voyage, Morpheus! 

[morpheusofthesea]

Got to port. Able to pull up to white tent in front of Terminal C. Terminal opened a little earlier since the heat was stifling, but still had to wait for security to start scanning at 10:30. YC began boarding at 11:23 am. YC is sold out. Real easy now to get Wi-Fi. Cabin # and birth date. To upgrade to streaming $70 for two devices for the week per person.Got two YC directors this cruise, out going Taylan and new cruise director from Romania will find out his name. 

  First day and already bumped into a couple on deck 20 INSIDE the Yacht Club asking our pool attendant in our presence where was the buffet. He pointed to the YC buffet on the OnePool deck. Thought nothing of it until I went to the Concierge desk and this same couple approached a Butler and asked him where was the Marketplace buffet. He asked for their key cards and discovered they are non YC lost in the Yacht Club. This is how easy it is to just wander into the YC ?

 

[Stem to Stern]

Belated Bon Voyage!

[morpheusofthesea]

Here is a 19 second video clip of tonights Chora Theatre show ImaginOcean.

[morpheusofthesea]

Another 19 second clip of entertainment.