Key West is convenient for shops, and activities--we did a 18.00 tour this year --not with the ship they wanted 36 I think --last year we walked to Mass--too far--should have used taxi--we did the Truman WH--not fancy but good guide who had good stories --good stop for any who have trouble walking distance --or who will be alone--looks very safe 


Key West

one time went to Tulum Mayan ruins--it was very good --excellent guide--a lot of hot walking tho --not so good for anyone with limits--there was a shuttle to get from bus to ruins--but the ruins are walking --hot and hilly--its hot in Mexico --93 the day I was there --last year we did the shopping bit--lots of shops --walkable--but shops ok but not good 


Cozumel

Did a bus tour--OK --area was pretty clean and shops pleasant 


Grand Cayman (Georgetown)

Last year we stopped in Montego Bay--be careful here --very annoying shopkeepers --here buy my stuff type behavior --this year Ocho Rios--was a little better --Jamaica may be ok to fly in and go to a resort --but on a cruise --I didnt care for it --I hear Dunn River Falls is the best to see but it seemed too strenuous for me--I am 73--but active 





Montego Bay and Ocho Rios are 2 ports we visited --both are fair at best --dont feel esp safe --shopping not interesting--I hear Dunn River Falls is the thing to do --but the strenuous nature scared me off --I'm in good shape but 73 - 











Montego Bay

Couldnt get a tour here either on ship or off --so didnt see anything but the local area --many ships in--a mess 


St. Maarten

St Thomas a surprise --last time I shopped --good for that --this yearwe docked outside the city --took a bus to ferry to St Johns--very much enjoyed it--ate on a outside restaurant overlooking the sea --ride was very scenic to and from the ship 


St. Thomas

My 3rd stop here --not much of interest for me --the shop at the hotel was nice tho

Nassau

room fine except size small--shower too small prefer HAL who has tub/shower combo --the shower with curtain leaks--sticks to me if I move --they must be able to do better here

Excursions--MSC lacks here in numbers offered but the few I used were ok 

Entertainment --and I refer only to nightly show in the theater --was the best I have seen --with 3 MSC cruises to compare --with several languages , they have shows/acts where all can enjoy--there is criticism on the opera offered--and indeed I am not into that--but it was nicely done --again Italians are more into opera than US folks --



There is no question than price being equal, I would select a HAL cruise--I like the food and the deck chairs on Promenade deck--and the port info --the afternoon ice cream and bread pudding--all sorts of things--but we got a 2 for 1 deal--1036 for 2 weeks on deck 11 --the price is too much better --I decided to deal with the Italians and the menu00--

Embarkation --super quick 3x--rooms ready --arrival was 12n to 1pm 

Food --Its Italian --it was OK esp in the dining room --not so in the cafeteria --mostly lukewarm--but problem is crowds --can be hot when gotten but after the lines is cold when you sit down--I dont like European food a lot esp main courses --

Room --clean and attractive --smaller than others

Staff--fine esp dining room --Indonesian staff esp attentive I have run into abrupt staff--always with Italian names but not on this cruise --front desk was fine--and I had several trips to see them about my laptop--they were very good --including calling the IT manager who was Italian--he was not chatty but not abrupt --Room steward was fine --he forgot ice a couple of times so I give him very good instead of excellent 

Activities--I dont hang in bars or the pool --so not into that--but I enjoyed the Italian lessons --teacher was very good--Sophie?

MSC Poesia Review

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