Saturday, June 15, 2024 – to NYC
Sunday, June 16, 2024 – Embarkation Day
Monday, June 17, 2024 – At Sea
The buffet was very chaotic, so I ate in the main dining room for most of my meals. Breakfast was served in the L’Olivo d’Oro restaurant. I started with pain au raisin and pineapple juice. Then I had an omelette, hash browns, and fresh fruit. The breakfasts on board were my favorite meal, and I had almost the same meal every day. Yum!
I had lunch in the L’Olivo d’Oro Restaurant. I learned that MSC french fries are great, their thinner burgers in the buffet are better (this one was too thick), and the best item on the entire ship was their brownie a la mode. (It was only available on sea days, so I had it every sea day. SO GOOD!)
Monday dinner was good. One of the highlights of the cruise was the bread on MSC. The meals always started with a basket of fresh bread with butter, and I struggled not to eat it all! The appetizer was eggplant parmesan. The entree was filet mignon with mashed potatoes. The highlight of the meal, though, was the chocolate mousse cake – WOW!
Tuesday, June 18, 2024 – Port Canaveral
I went swimming, then to a Disco dancing class, and to progressive trivia instead of the magic show. Dinner was good: quesadilla with salsa and beans, penne with sausage and peppers, and key lime pie.
Wednesday, June 19, 2024 – Nassau
There was pain au chocolat for breakfast on Wednesday along with my usual!
After a Bugaloo dance class, I went to the main dining room for lunch. The mozzarella sticks, a salad, and cheesecake were all good.
My first stop in Nassau was Junkanoo Beach! It was only a 30 minute walk from the ship.
The bridge costs $2 for cars but is free for passengers! I was able to see Atlantis on the other side as I walked, the cruise ships in the distance, and the port below. So fun!
I started walking back to the ship just after 3 pm. Here are the toll booths for the bridge, and here is the view of the port under the bridge.
Thursday, June 20, 2024 – Ocean Cay
From the kayaking area, you could see the beach, the lighthouse, and the ship. It was awesome!
I went to a Mambo dance class, then I went back to the island for the 8:30 pm lighthouse show. It was neat!
Thursday’s dinner was broccoli-and-cheese soup, shrimp co*cktail, fish-and-chips, and cheesecake with chocolate ice cream.
Friday, June 21, 2024 – At Sea
I knew I didn’t want any of the entrees in the main dining room, so I got pizza, fish, and cranberry juice in the buffet, then I went to the main dining room to get the brownie (AMAZING) and strawberry shortcake (dry) for dessert.
I watched the rest of the movie Elemental, went swimming, and went to the show in the theater before dinner. Dinner was elaborate: spring rolls (great), stuffed mushrooms (more cheese sauce than mushrooms, but good), fish with potatoes (good), coconut cake (great!), and strawberry ice cream (not much flavor).
Saturday, June 22, 2024 – At Sea (Last Day!)
Again, I knew that I didn’t really care for the main dining room lunches, so I had pizza, french fries, salad, and lemonade at the buffet, then I went to the main dining room for one more of those amazing brownies (plus fruit salad).
Sunday, June 23, 2024 – NYC and home
For the final breakfast of the cruise, I opted for the buffet: eggs, sausage, bacon, and has browns. The view was the same as on the first day of the cruise: the ferry dock, Brookly, and the Ikea, plus all of the taxis.
Since my flight was so late, I decided to take the cruise line’s bus tour of New York ending at the airport. Our first stop was the 9/11 memorial. (I had not been since 2004.)
The visit to the 9/11 Memorial was very emotional. The flower meant it was the person’s birthday. The nearby white building is called the Oculus and is supposed to represent a hand releasing a dove.
Our last stop before the airport was Hudson Yards. I didn’t know what to expect, then we got out, and there was The Vessel! It was neat to see it in person. (I only knew it from Project Runway.)
It was a great trip! I hope to be able to take a cruise again soon.
