MSC Seaside - part 2 of preview party

Part two......

I was entitled to preview the Seaside because I made a little video at a Travel Agent conference remarking how MSC allows cruisers to experience the cruise line for their first time while matching their loyalty level with another cruise line. In other words...if you are 'diamond' with Carnival you get too cruise at MSC's highest loyalty level for your first MSC cruise too. It was just a one night preview cruise so I did not get to experience all that I would have liked too this trip. I can say that what I did experience was modern, beautiful and exciting! Everyone should look into taking MSC up on their challenge and use that "loyalty level match" to experience this ship.  When you look at the ship itself, it literally looks like someone set a condo building on top of a flatbed ship.

On the back of the ship are glass elevators that can lead you up to Deck 16 for the "Bridge of Sighs" which is like the infinity bridge at the Westside of the Grand Canyon. This unique catwalk has a glass floor and you can look down 131 feet underneath to the aft ship pool. The view of the sea is breathtaking from up there! 

Another great feature are the waterfront boardwalks and the extra wide decks. As a matter of fact, everywhere you walk is "open" and I never felt closed in or crowded any time on this ship...or anywhere on this ship. I even remarked that some areas seemed to have "wasted space" if you can believe that...lol.

Even the buffet areas were spacious and I loved the design. There are two on this ship....deck 8 and deck 16 and I have to admit, they had the best food of any other ship buffets I have encountered.  Everything was organized, the staff was professional and I was not worried about "germs".  The food stations were in a square, in the center. As you walked around to view the offerings there came a place where it started to repeat for passengers on the other side. I found homemade pizza, grill foods, salad and fruit corners, bakery items and in the morning there were even breakfast pizzas!  And of course, there was a bar...with espresso, lattes, etc. too!

     

        

      

I know in my previous post I talked about the bars and lounges but I must comment further on the dining options.  While I was less impressed with the main dining room....The Specialty Restaurants looked amazing! 

We were only able to sample the Asian Market Kitchen by Roy Yamaguchi. This restaurant is rather large and found on Deck 16, besides the Asian menu items there is also sushi and 4 teppanyaki grills. The decor is very well themed and gorgeous. I loved the place settings, dishes and the aluminum chopsticks!

    

    

Also on Deck 16 is Ocean Cay, a seafood fusion type of restaurant and Butcher’s Cut steakhouse which looked amazing to Kevin.

OMG...I haven't even talked about the bowling alley, racecar simulator or the outside, pools or kids area yet!  Guess there is a Part 3

MSC Seaside, part 1...too much to tell!

MSC's newest ship"Seaside"

Last year I made a video about MSC's policy of "level matching" from other cruise lines and won a preview of their new ship.  So on Dec. 22, 2017, we made the drive down to Miami to experience her for a one night cruise before she started her Miami itineraries.  As soon as you walk onboard into the "lobby area" or atrium, you know she is special.  I fell in love right away with the Swarovski crystal stairway.
  

MSC is new to the US as far as cruising goes but many of us will recognize those initials when we think of shipping containers.  Founded in 1970, MSC is a family owned business started by Gianluigi Aponte in Brussels.  MSC is new to the US as far as cruising goes but many of us will recognize those initials when we think of shipping containers. The ship features world-class entertainment, a large spa, family-friendly facilities, and the private "ship within a ship" MSC Yacht Club with its own dedicated restaurant, lounge and pool area.  MSC Seaside also features six specialty restaurants

MSC Seaside on Dec. 23 began sailing year-round from Miami to the Caribbean offering seven-night eastern and western Caribbean itineraries. With Seaside, MSC Cruises’ fleet now includes 14 ships. MSC Cruises has designed six new ship classes, all prototypes that offer cutting-edge marine architecture and design. The company employs more than 17,000 people worldwide, both ashore and on board its ships.

The large three floor screens behind the lobby bar change and feature three platforms,with the bottom one being large enough for a small performance band.

                  

 But my favorite...right in the center of the ship, Deck 6....Venchi CHOCOLATE bar and other awesomeness like ice cream...watch as the chocolate is being made from the lab!

 

Of course you may be thinking...get to the important part...what are the cabins like!?

We were given a standard balcony cabin on Deck 10 but viewed other cabins in our tour time.  The cabins are beautiful, with clean lines, a lot of mirrors and very modern.  It appears very roomy and long with airyness and not crowded.  You place your keycard in front of the outside sensor and the door unlocks. Then inside the door you place the keycard in another sensor which allows you to turn on the lights, but keeps you from forgetting your keycard when leaving...or forgetting to turn off the lights.  MSC seems to be very energy efficient and your cabins also have a recycling trash can.  

Things that stood out:

➤The bathroom is layed out extremely well with an angled corner sink, glass enclosed shower complete with a "razor bar" (thank you!!!!!) and the garbage is under the sink, enclosed in the cabinet.  

➤ The balcony door is a sliding door allowing you to have it open at any interval.

➤The closet is on the backside of the bathroom, sliding doors, with a few small drawers and the safe inside.  


➤ Blow dryer, mini bar fridge included. 

Another thing I noticed while walking to our cabin...the doors are set-in not flush with the hallway doors.  I feel that this will cut down on noise or people hitting my 

cabin door while going by.

Perks in some of the suite options can include a small jacuzzi outside on the balcony, larger balconies, wellness program, spa amenities, etc.  Of course, the best upgrade is the "Yacht Club".

Handicapped facilities were very accomodating in all cabins.

Now moving on to what my husband feels is the most important...the Lounges, 

MSC Seaside offers 9 amazing eateries on board, 4 themed restaurants, and more importantly.....20 great bars and lounges.

The Sports Bar on Deck 8 is very large, plenty of beer on tap, a lot of bar seating plus large booth areas and bean bag chairs!

of course you should also check out ...and sample.....the Seaside Bar on Deck 5, Shine Bar on Deck 6, Champagne Bar on Deck 7, Seaview Lounge on Deck 8 and the indoor pool Jungle Bar on Deck 18 for the latest tropical drinks

  

The Haven Lounge, some great entertainment here!

  

The Garage Club on Deck 7 is teenage hangout during the day but becomes the ship's nightclub at night where you can dance the night away and enjoy premium cocktails.  The Billiard Room is close by too

stay tuned for more info coming soon.....

Never "Over Stated" (pt. 1 of 3, A-H)

Travelling the United States

I have heard many times....."I want to travel all 50 US States" .....or "How can you go on cruises when there is so much to see in the US".  Sometimes even I say that ....and I love to cruise!  That is probably why we take some time off from cruising and 'adventure out here'.  So, for the for each state I have been to, I will write my favorite memories in just a few sentences:

Alabama- The 'HOT NOW' as we drove from landing in Tuscaloosa airport to visit our daughter at Grad School, passing Krispy Kreme.  Beautiful shoreline and great parks!

Alaska- What can I say, been here twice!  Once by land, the second time was by cruise.  There isn't a better place!  Bears, salmon fishing, whales, halibut fishing, the otters...the volcanoes, the beautiful vast scenery, etc.  This really needs to be on everyone's list.    Did you know that Juneau is the only state capital you cannot drive to from another?  You must fly or sail into it!

We actually redid our vows as the ship turned at the Glacier on a cruise!

Arizona- The Grand Canyon of course!  It really surprised me that there wasn't a railing everywhere.  I was scared to death to go near the edge...and they sell a book in every gift shop about the deaths that have happened there!  There is no picture that can make you understand the magnitude of this place.

Arkansas-  Hot Springs:  the history, the bath houses, the quaintness of this city and the fact that everyone is still nice here.  You can even see someone blessing their meal in McDonalds.  Beautiful lakes and simple beauty.

California- Really too big of a state to cover in a brief note.   Traffic is horrible but the movie star appeal in LA, the wine areas, the coastline areas, the bridges, and perfect weather in San Diego make this state one to visit multiple times.  Great food districts too!  

Oh, and I did I mention we went Hot Air Ballooning!???

Colorado- SKIING!  OMG...the mountains are beautiful and if you don't believe God exists, you must take a gondola to the top of a mountain (like Breckenridge) and just look out on the beauty.  If you don't ski there are many options still.  Garden of the Gods, the rivers, etc. and you can still experience the mountains with taking a lift up during the summer!

Connecticut- still need to get here!

Delaware- still need to get here!

Florida- Ha!  What can I say?  I was born here and have lived here all my life.  Beaches, cruise ports, golf courses, and tourist attractions (Disney, etc.)....everything else is flat, hot in the summer and stay away in September. 

As a matter of fact, I would like to be gone during the summer!  Seriously, if you are a summer cruiser (those with school age children) plan the cruise for June or 1st half of July for the safest time.  

Remember, besides the holidays, it the most expensive time to cruise.

Georgia- The history of Savannah,Stone Mountain, etc.  The golfing and beaches of its islands, The Coca-Cola museum and more in Atlanta and the beginning of some beautiful mountains. Try some river rafting or tube down the Chattahoochee!

Hawaii- This awesome group of islands is on most peoples list.  The tough part is the expense of it!  Kauai is gorgeous with it's waterfalls and coastline and has the "wettest place on earth". Of course the big island, Oahu.... with the beaches of Waikiki, Honolulu, and the  Pearl Harbor area is not to be missed.  Go there....once.  (btw...NCL is the only cruise line with a ship registered in the US that let's you do an exclusive inner island only cruise).

While I do mostly help clients get the most out of cruising, I am always available to help with land travel planning.  I am always willing to share ideas.  We work hard and travel can get pricey...make the most of your time and see what you want to see.  There is an adventure any where you choose to wander!

The Cruise C-A-F-E, a Matter of Taste?

What is your order?

So today I was driving to the Port of Tampa for the ship inspection of the Holland America Rotterdam and I was thinking "who would be a good client for this ship?'.  This led me to think about all the different reasons people go on vacations and how they make their choice.  Obviously different personalities travel for different reasons.  So I have titled this blog "Travel CAFE": Comfort, Adventure, Family or Entertainment to cover the main four things I hear from clients.  Cruising in ONTA...One trip fits all!

I then thought of the discussion that takes place when deciding to go out with my husband or friend...."Where should we go?"  It is no wonder my parents liked cafeterias as much as they liked cruising with us kids....we could get/do different things all in one location, eliminating the timely decision making process.  

Which do you "order" for your cruise:

COMFORT: Just go away and be waited on!  No tough decisions and you can be lazy...you don't have to make your bed.  Relax...don't do it!  LOL.  You have pretty much paid for everything before you boarded so you don't have to look at menu prices.  You have a Sea Day or two... just to chill out by the pool, or the library, or at the bar, or watching a show...or put 20 bucks in the penny slots....play a game, take a nap...haha.  Okay and now you have a Port Day..tough choices...excursion, shopping, walk around the port area or stay on board?  No phones, no email (unless you have to have it), no mail, no cooking or cleaning and none of the TV shows my husband makes me watch.

ADVENTURE:  This is me....I am an Adventure traveler.  I like going someplace different or at least on a different ship.  On a cruise you get to go to several ports and if you do repeat one you can pick something different to do.  I have been to Cozumel 20+ times and I have done different things. I do prefer to go to at least one new port, or one I haven't been to in awhile, each cruise.  This is the main reason you should not stick to one cruise line!  Recently I have had people who want to sail the same line for their loyalty perks, but I would rather sail somewhere new or on a new ship without worrying about a $20 bag of laundry or getting on the ship 1st.  Small ship, mid-ship, large ship, river cruise?   I am fine as long as I get to experience something different.  The older I get the more I want to see something new but for some, the older you get, the less amount of change you are open to.  But life should be an adventure, a journey and a surprise!

                                 

FAMILY (or Friends):  A cruise is perfect for a family reunion, school reunion, a group of girlfriends etc.  And if you have a good travel agent they will instruct you how to book a group to achieve the best perks!  A group of 6 cabins is all it takes to get extra on-board spending money.  My favorite thing about groups is you can pick and choose when to be together and when to have time to yourselves.  Go off after breakfast and meet again at dinner to share all the exciting things you did that day.  Kid Programs also allow adult time!  It is a win-win situation.  Guests can be seated together in assigned seating for dinner if desired, a small meeting area can be established and cabins can be booked near each other or scattered throughout the ship.  Family members can also choose their cabin type independently of other family members.
I have a group of girlfriends who do this each year.  When in one port they hang out together while in others they break up into groups:  shoppers, snorkelers, etc.  
The best thing:  no one has to worry about "Uncle Mike" driving home!                                                             

  


ENTERTAINMENT:  This is an area that cruisers either love...or they could care less.  But for those who like their Broadway style shows, rock climbing walls, karaoke, etc.  it is all on-board.  If you are into those type of things there is no cheaper way to indulge.  
Depending what ship and/or line you are sailing you can take a cooking class, blend some wine...stop over to the lounge for some jazz...after dinner, sing some karaoke on your way to the theater for tonight's show...meet up with your friends for late night comedy and wind down the night in the Piano Bar.  Then in the morning play some trivia, dance the limbo at the pool, go to the Gym/Spa for a while, eat lunch, do some rock climbing and play putt...just to start the nights activities all over again!  

Whatever your "taste" at the Cruise CAFE is...there is a ship for you!  or for that someone special in your life....afterall, it is Christmas time...you need a gift?  Call me!

San Juan is Back in Business with Carnival

Welcome Back to San Juan

Puerto Rico is back in the charts for Carnival Cruise Line following Hurricane Irma. 

The 110,000gt Carnival Conquest arrived in San Juan early Thursday, Nov. 1st. This marks the first of dozens of transit calls to the island by Carnival ships in the coming weeks. During Carnival Conquest's call, the ship’s 3,200 passengers could take a range of shore excursions since the destruction of this beautiful island.

The line will resume sailing from San Juan as an embarkation port when Carnival Fascination begins its year-round seven-day southern Caribbean schedule Feb. 18 (That ship is currently on charter to the FEMA to house relief workers in St. Croix). 

This year round cruise is one of my favorites, although I have done it twice on bigger ships.  The Fascination does not have regular balcony cabins and is like the other "ation" ships in Carnival's fleet.  But I also must add, the ports are intense and you don't really need a balcony.  The journey between the islands is much shorter starting in San Juan so a larger, faster ship is not necessary.  Carnival is very smart using a smaller ship here and utilizing their larger ships for routes that need them.  I tell you all this... as you should NOT miss this itinerary!

I would like to take the opportunity to address another thing I have heard cruisers state: "The people of San Juan are rude and fill up the ship".   First of all, I want to clear up...they are not rude...it is their culture.  WE need to understand their way of life, as I could say the same thing about traveling to NY City!  They are used to being in a hurry and crowded and they expect that and do not see the need to apologize for it.  Please remember you are in their world, not yours.  

Are there a lot of Puerto Ricans on the ship?  Yes sometimes.  This can be taken as a good thing.  You are surrounded by island life your entire cruise.  Learn to observe and then sing a long.  They are fun! Learn to dance...they have got some moves!  They are very family oriented and very loving to each other...maybe we should pay attention.

The cruise from San Juan resumes soon.  There is no better way to see all these islands at once.  You can even bring back more booze than normal...lol.  Don't even get me started on St. Lucia!  (let me take the opportunity to add that Carnival has awesome ports).  I hope that you will see for yourself.  Make sure you go to Puerto Rico at least a day early as there is so much beauty to see.  I have been there at least 10 times in recent years and I love it for something new each time.

Why I am a Travel Agent

I am a Travel Agent... just to help You!

I have to admit I don't really have a job.  The only time it has been close to being a job was last September after the hurricane.  That was not fun.  I had 20 cruises scheduled that week... all on Carnival...who had a lot of ships in the ocean that week.  This meant a lot of cancelled cruises, a lot of upset people and a lot of time on the phone.  I can't even imagine what that company went through :(

Most of my hours I get to help people have fun. I have gotten to plan a marriage proposal, a wedding onboard, reunions, fundraisers, family celebrations, etc.  I have always loved to have an event, a theme, a celebration reason, etc. and just run with it.  That is why my "other hat" is the Social Director in a 55+ Community here in Pinellas Park, FL.   I am fortunate to be married (for many years) to a guy who pays the bills. I can volunteer in my neighborhood putting on events and every once in a while, take some of them on a cruise too.

I am new at this for a job but I have been on 87 cruises.  I have travelled to most of the US states, Canada, South America and Europe.  Now, a lot of this is when I was younger and had parents paying for it, but needless to say, I love travel.  I do not know as much as I should but I know how to assist you or find someone who can.  (The guy who owns the agency I work through, Jay Getman of 66th Street/Cutting Edge Travel, has been doing it since he was born).

• I want the challenge, I want to help you plan, I want to assist you in making people around you happy.
• I want to help you pick the right cruise, the right ship and the right cabin.
• I want to surprise your family, surprise you and do what it takes.
• I will travel with your group and help if needed...if not I will just buy you a drink.

Last month I got to help a mother/grandmother plan a summer Carnival cruise for her entire family.  She is giving them this gift for Christmas and wanted to have something to wrap for under the tree.  They have never been on a cruise or a vacation all at the same time.  Together we made luggage tags, lanyards and laminate placemats to everyone.  It was a blast!

This is what I do and this is why I do it!  I can't wait to see the photos of those grandkids!

Today I was honored by winning the Grand Prize in a Travel Agent contest from Carnival....just another perfect in doing what I love to do!

SECURITY

Feeling "Secure" or Mad about it?

I have a tiny pair of scissors....wait....HAD a tiny pair of scissors... that I travel with in my carryon.  Until recently no TSA Agent ever said a word.  Last vacation, for my flight home from Paris, they were taken from me.   Now understand...I have no problem that they were taken...I have a problem that I was mistreated.

This is a very common type of story one will hear and it is true from me.  If the scissors are too big feel free to remove them.  However, why is it then necessary to check everything I also have in the bag?  The X-ray lady didn't say anything about my eye shadow, compact, hairbrush, etc. but yet the other TSA lady decided that since my scissors were too large I must also be hiding something in my mascara????  It was ridiculous and I suppose it was some kind of punishment.

I just received an update about security changes: 

TSA officers will be asking travelers to remove electronics larger than a cell phone from their carry-on bags and place them in a bin with nothing on top or below, similarly to how laptops have been screened for years. This simple step helps TSA officers obtain a clearer X-ray image. Passengers will experience a bag check if they fail to follow this procedure, which will slow screening for them and everyone else on line. Through extensive testing, TSA identified ways to improve screening procedures with quicker and more targeted measures to clear the bags and keep the public safe in the skies.  There are no changes to what travelers can bring through the checkpoint; food and liquid items that comply with the 3-1-1 liquids rule, electronics, and books continue to be allowed in carry-on bags. As always, TSA suggests passengers arrive to the airport two hours prior to their scheduled departure time to allow adequate time to navigate the ticketing, baggage and security screening processes.

Note: the new security measures do not apply to passengers enrolled in TSA Pre✓® who are using TSA Pre✓® lanes. Travelers enrolled in TSA Pre✓® do not need to remove shoes, 3-1-1 liquids, laptops, electronics, light outerwear, or belts. The program allows TSA to focus resources on passengers who may pose a high risk to security while providing expedited screening to those travelers who have been identified as low-risk, trusted travelers.

Although the update was actually announced earlier this year,  it will raise a new level of complaints, just watch and see.  I hear people complain about the security lines, the time it takes and how terrible it is to have to get to the airport so early. Millennials today have no idea what is "used to be like" luckily...or they would have more to complain about...LOL.

Recently there was an article about video recordings on ships.  Some people say they are an infraction of their privacy.  Really?  There is no such thing as privacy. It just isn't feasible anymore.  Think of all this as a "bonus feature" and concentrate on feeling safer instead of anger about needing to wake up an hour earlier.  

In Paris, I had to remind myself...safer is better.  I should be happy they took my scissors as it let's me know someone is at least paying attention.  I should instead be worried that I was able to get on a plane probably 10 times before they were noticed :)