As I mentioned before, I took my first cruise last summer. The experience, while enjoyable, could have been better had I been a little more cruise seasoned. I do not have the ins and outs of cruises locked just yet but I am wayyyy ahead of where I was this time last year.
My mom has had a pretty eventful year or so. She has had a couple of procedures on her knee and decided to get married as well. To top it off, she has just entered her diamond year. I wanted to do something for her so I thought a cruise would be appropriate.
As I began planning the trip, I immediately knew that it needed to be over spring break so I could take my seven year old son, Nicholas, along. My son is always down to travel so this was a no brainer.
Since I went on my first cruise with MSC Cruises, it was only right that I planned the follow up trip with them. I also wanted to see how the MSC Status Match would play out. I booked the following itinerary for approximately $2000 for four people:
⁃ MSC Seashore
⁃ Depart/Return Port Canaveral
⁃ Four days
⁃ Stop in Nassau, Bahamas
⁃ Stop in Ocean Cay
⁃ Deluxe Balcony Room
MSC Cruises
The price I paid for my room was about $100 less than the price I paid for my mom’s room. I guess the status match was worth it. It would have been an even bigger discount if I had booked a drink package, excursion, etc at the time of booking. Once the reservation is made, the other status discounts are no longer applicable.
I have purchased WiFi, drink packages, dinner at the four specialty restaurants, and even fresh fruit. The one thing I must reserve is the cabana at Ocean Cay again. The entire day, on the previous cruise, was a highlight of the trip. There were tons of activities, food and seemingly endless mojitos.
@phillipsloop I did not drink all of those mojitos while at bluelagoonislandbahamas, I swear. @MSC Cruises US #fyp #phillipsloop #mscseaside #cruisedrinkpackage #bahamas #cruisin #mojitos
♬ original sound – Rob Short
Final Word
I am excited to spend nearly a week cruising the Atlantic with my family. My mom deserves to have as much fun as she can, while she is still able. On the other side, I want my son to experience things I could only dream about when I was his age. As for me, I am happy that the both of them are allowing me to go along for this ride in life alongside them.
