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News & Expert Advice
A Blog for the LGBT Community Who Love To CruiseRandall Shirley: Editor
Tom Baker: Cruise Expert
Don Church & Tony Schillaci: Guest Writers
Tagged: cruise deals RSS
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Don and Tony
A money-saving New Year’s resolution – cruise more, spend less.
By Don Church and Tony Schillaci, Out & Travelin’™
Photo courtesy MSC: An Aurea Spa client enjoying a Zen moment | The MSC Poesia underway.
While many people resolve in the first days of the New Year to eat or drink less, to exercise more, or to be more vigilant about not texting while driving, we have vowed to cruise more in 2013 – for less.
Pursuant to that goal, we discovered that President’s Day weekend is the soonest that we can get away, so we searched the web and found an MSC Caribbean journey that fits both our calendar requirements and our wallet’s limitations.
In the past couple of years, MSC, a 4.5 star Italian cruise line based in Genoa, has had more of a presence in the USA. This winter, from January through April, the MSC Poesia (Poetry) is cruising out of Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale. Although there are several itineraries, we found a good deal by visiting http://www.msccruisesusa.com, and checking out the Presidents Day February 16-March 2 cruise.
From $1289 per person, cruisers can upgrade to a balcony stateroom at an ocean view rate. Another option is to book a standard balcony and then be upgraded to a superior balcony, but we’re counting our pennies, so we think “buy low, sail high” is the right move. The caveat here is that prospective cruisers must be bold enough to ask for the upgrade when booking. If there is any reluctance upon the part of the operator, ask for a supervisor.
The 14-night cruise, beginning on February 16, leaves Fort Lauderdale and visits Cozumel, Mexico; Roatan, Honduras; Georgetown, Cayman Islands; Falmouth, Jamaica; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, USVI and Nassau, Bahamas. Be aware that Jamaica is one of those countries that is not gay-friendly, so discretion is the key at Falmouth.
The Poesia’s Theater offers grand Broadway and European-style variety shows. Courtesy MSC.
A couple of sea days means that you can explore the ship from stem to stern and from port to starboard, taking advantage of the antipasto and fine Italian vintages in the Wine Bar to wile away a lazy afternoon on the Caribbean Sea. In the glamorous main dining room the cuisine is superb and service is friendly and efficient. Each day features a different freshly made pasta with a variety of sauces, so be sure to aim for the “Italian” specialties part of the menu.
Shows and entertainment are decidedly European-style, and the big production numbers feature opera singers and spectacular dancers in a majestic royal-purple hued theater.
The Poesia’s Godmother Sofia Loren at the launch in Dover UK with the inaugural Captain. Courtesy MSC.
The MSC Poesia is the line’s third Musica class ship, and offers the latest eco-technology to safeguard the environment, without compromising comfort, and luxury ship amenities. Poesia promises luxury cruising at its best – it features a spectacular waterfall with bridges in the foyer, a Zen garden in the sushi bar and a serene 12,000 square foot spa.
Offering exercise equipment, a Turkish bath and steam room, the Aurea Spa might be one of your first stops onboard to rejuvenate and recover from the holiday celebrations.
The glamorous movie-star legend, fabulous Sophia Loren, is the Godmother of the MSC Poesia, which was launched in April of 2008 from Dover, UK. The deal can be secured at 1-877-665-4655, or on the MSC website. (There is a tidal wave of other discounted Caribbean cruises in 2013 on MSC, beginning on January 6th from $499 for a seven-day cruise).
Be sure to let us know at MeetMeOnBoard if you booked this particular cruise, or any of the other deals at MSC, and we welcome your comments about the cruise line.
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MeetMeOnBoard
Europe from $50 USD a day!
This year’s summer has brought the cruise industry to some all-time low pricing due to the possibility of yet another recession and the doom-and-gloom realities of the Greek economy and euro. No question, business is down and it is a buyers’ market except for the airline industry. Air rates remain high to Europe and even for domestic travel.
While pricing is down with Alaska Cruises on Holland America starting at $449pp, Disney Cruise lines is offering upgrades from ocean view to balcony (Disney never offers sales like this), and many cruise lines traveling to Europe including airfare (bundling this component into their pricing) to add value and get the customer to buy, there is one deal I found that stands out and was quite amazing!
Norwegian Cruise Line’s remarkable Norwegian Jade has three November and December 10-Day Mediterranean Cruises sailing from from Rome to Greece, Egypt, and Turkey from a remarkably low $499 per person. That’s $50 a day for a European Cruise including meals and entertainment. For you cruise buffs, you also know this is likely one of the finest ships sailing in Europe. One cannot go to Rome and have a pizza and bottle of house wine in a trattoria for $50. On top of this, there is a special added value by CruiseCenter offering a $50 onboard spending credit …now…’That’s Amore!’
IS IT SAFE TO GO TO EUROPE?
Yes. The media is killing not only the worldwide economy with doom-and-gloom but making certain places in Europe sound like they are imploding on themselves. The protests have stopped in Greece and it is “business as usual” . I have just returned from Athens and the Greek Islands this year-all without any incident whatsoever. I have personally traveled to Spain, Greece, Germany, Italy, France, Switzerland and Europe is welcoming travelers with open arms. I was surprised while in Barcelona with news of 25% unemployment that this city seemed to be a total “boom” town. I can tell you assuredly – life is quite good for travelers in Europe. If you can, go now. The deals for cruise vacations are remarkable!
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MeetMeOnBoard
Cruise lines offer freebies and more to get you aboard
Cruise lines are using two-for-one deals, onboard ship credits, discounted airfares, “free” gratuities, even chocolate-dipped strawberries to jump-start business as they cope with a tsunami of bad news this year.
Read the Seattle Times Article >>>>>>
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markdale
The time is now for some great cruise deals
It’s crunch time for the cruise industry. Following the Costa Concordia disaster, cruise companies have been aggressively lowering rates and ratcheting up promotions to lure back hesitant passengers.
The two biggest companies — Carnival Corporation, the parent of more than a half-dozen lines, including Princess and Costa Cruises, and Royal Caribbean — saw bookings drop by percentages in the midteens in the weeks after the Concordia ran aground off the coast of Isola del Giglio on Jan. 13.
Read the entire article in The New York Times >>>>
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Randall Shirley
Interesting repositioning cruise, good pricing
Morning cruise fans,
I get a LOT of emails about different cruises and deals, from a variety of sources. This itinerary struck me as
Great deals ahead on this ship--as low as $45/night for a 12-night cruise!
very unusual (New Orleans to Boston, with several interesting stops) and I know there is some great pricing available on it. I’ve seen it advertised as low as $549/person/inside. That’s only $45/day. Wow. Check with your favorite agent who might even be able to get you a better deal or some perks.
I’ve personally never sailed NCL, but friends report they enjoyed the experience.
There is also at least one MeetMeOnBoard user (couple) planning to take this trip, connect with them here.
If you book it (or ANY cruise), be sure to update your profile so others gay, lesbian, and friendly cruisers can find you!
Happy sailing,
Randall
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Lee
Hi!
I’m the member that is on this trip! I know of one other couple and one solo traveler that are also going on the cruise, and hopefully I can get them to join the web site!
My partner and I have been on NCL many times and have always met several other “family”members on board. NCL has always scheduled and posted the “Friends of Dorothy” meetings in the daily schedule, and the gatherings overall have well attended. We have always been treated very well by the crew and find that they are very friendly and have no problem with our status as a couple!
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Don Church and Tony Schillaci, 
Mike, 
Joe Ridky and one other person are discussing. 
Lee is discussing. 
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Dennis Witting 12:03 pm on December 18, 2012 Permalink |
If you have never been on the Posia b3fore, be prepaired for alot of confusion, bland food, and unhelpfull crew.we spent 12 days on her, and could’nt waite to get off. check the internet about the ship first and see what the passengers had to say about it.
Don Church and Tony Schillaci 11:56 am on December 21, 2012 Permalink |
Hello Dennis,
Thank you for your comment. We appreciate your input.
How unfortunate that you had a bad cruise on the Poesia – just the opposite of what we experienced. It might be a good idea to put your thoughts in writing, and let MSC know the specific complaints that you have. For example, more about the ‘confusion’, specific dishes that were not to your liking, and names or locations of crew members who were unhelpful.
There is no doubt that the cruiseline is in business to keep their passengers happy, and will be more than willing to listen to what you have to say.
Here’s hoping that MSC will get another chance to make you happy. Cheers, D and T
Joe Ridky 2:27 pm on December 18, 2012 Permalink |
I am a frequent cruiser, but have never been on an MSC ship. However I have heard from a number of other gay friends/cruisers similar complaints about MSC that are consistent with what Dennis reports above.
Mike 9:56 am on December 23, 2012 Permalink |
I can’t give my opinion on MSC because I am unfamiliar with them. My partner and I have gone on over 25 cruises and don’t know much about their product. All of our friends who cruise are also not familiar with them. Their ships look beautiful and their prices are always competitive but knowing so little about the cruise line I’m reluctant to sail with them. Hopefully I’ll get to try them out someday soon. I’ll let you know!
Don Church & Tony Schillaci 2:31 pm on January 2, 2013 Permalink |
Hi Mike, Thanks for commenting on our article about MSC. It’s greatly appreciated by us and
we hope you get to experience these absolutely first-cabin ship some time soon! Meanwhile, check out our most recent story on Meet Me On Board, “Cruising to Sicily?
‘Due Amici’ will help you discover the authentic Sicilia” Best, Don & Tony.
Don Church & Tony Schillaci 2:33 pm on January 2, 2013 Permalink |
Hi Mike, Thanks for commenting on our article about MSC. It’s greatly appreciated by us and
we hope you get to experience these absolutely first-cabin ships some time soon! Meanwhile, check out our most recent story on Meet Me On Board, “Cruising to Sicily?
‘Due Amici’ will help you discover the authentic Sicilia” Best, Don & Tony.