Yacht club.

For those who have been in the suites within the yacht club is it as good as it looks and what were the pros and cons.

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It's even better! The ONLY negative I have is that there's only a bath-tub in YC on Fantasia class ships. With dodgy knees, I don't like having to climb over the side to have a shower.

Other than that, I can't speak highly enough about the YC experience. We were in YC on Meraviglia in June and we're splurging on a 28 night YC cruise next March! :')

I'll warn you that my opinion is in the vast minority on this MSC board, and no disrespect is intended to those who love the MSC and the YC. My experience as follows:

Background: I sailed in Fantastica aft balcony in April 2016 and then immediately followed with YC sailing in June of 2016. Both sailings on the Divina. I've been cruising since 1987 and have experienced 10 different cruise lines.

1) I actually preferred my aft balcony to the YC1 suite. The balcony was larger and the bathroom was better designed. Other than the closet and a slightly larger sofa, the room square footage was negligible. I had more interaction with my aft balcony room steward than my YC butler.

2) I was hoping for a much better food experience in YC and LeMuse verses traditional dining. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case for me. It was fine, but that's about it. Fine. For me, specialty restaurants on mainstream lines absolutely blow away YC dining. For me, food on MSC was just 'ok'. I did not go hungry, the buffet pizza was wonderful, but it was not a highlight of my experience. Food is subjective, but MSC gets constant dings in their food quality when looking at reviews overall, and I tend to agree with this rating. YMMV

3) Service was nice in YC, but I did not find it over the top in any sense of the word. I've experienced true butlers, and ours was not. Our butler was nothing more than a glorified room steward and we went days without even seeing him. Service at one-pool was actually poor unless you physically walked to the bar. The roaming waiter was pretty much non-existant. I had more attentive pool side service outside of YC.

What is great about YC is the space ratio. MSC ships have some of the most dense passenger/space ratios in the industry and it was heavenly to lay at one pool without crowds. Top side lounge was also never crowded and the snacks there were lovely. Service in topside lounge was excellent also. The only time we used butler escort was debarking the ship because we arrived in Miami 3 hours later than expected and the rest of the ship was absolutely chaotic. I'd pay just for that perk alone.

Please don't get me wrong, YC is a very nice experience. However; I think weighing the cost is very wise when making your decision. I would certainly elect to pay more for the YC experience, but I would not pay double (for example). MSC is a very nice budget cruise line, and even in YC I think it's wise to adjust your expectations accordingly.

Again, to those who love MSC, I intend no disrespect. I know it's hard for some people to read less than stellar reports of a product they love. Obviously your experience was different than mine or you wouldn't love the YC product so much. I can only report my experience.

Bottom line: For the right price, I would absolutely sail YC again.

We did love the Yacht Club, mostly for the lack of crowds. On Divina, every time we made that walk through all the people to LeMuse we were very happy to be in the YC.

Food in LeMuse was hit or miss, but service was very good.

Liked sitting in Top Sail Lounge, day or nighttime.

One difference is we did see our butler every day, all the time, but he wasn't "too much" either.

When we book Seaside, we'll go for YC, unless I read something that makes me really want to book a suite instead.

For those who have been in the suites within the yacht club is it as good as it looks and what were the pros and cons.

 

 

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Sorry, sent the above prematurely.

Pros:

1. Check-in is a breeze. Show up at the YC canopy and MSC does the rest.

2. Top Sail Lounge is spacious with a great view at the front of the ship.

3. No crowds, no saving of deck chairs, no 8 to a table at the MDR.

4. Drinks are included in the YC package.

5. Dedicated restaurant is excellent.

6. You get all the benefits of a large ship, with the seclusion of a small ship whenever you grow weary of the crowds.

Cons

1. Rooms are relatively small for a suite experience

2. Although not required, we tip the butler, concierge and steward in addition to the standard tip charge. Therefore, extra cost to consider.

3. Once you sail in the YC or Haven on NCL be prepared to always want to sail in those suites.

We are in the YC on the Meraviglia in one month. Third trip in the YC. Cannot wait.

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We've sailed in YC on the Divina, the Preziosa, and the Fantasia all in YC1 suites. I would agree that cabin size is little more than the standard balcony cabins on the lower decks but they do have walk-in wardrobes and full baths. For the rest, YC is absolutely wonderful it creates dependency. I mean it's hard to think about booking a cruise on one of the smaller ships that don't have YC. For us the food in the YC restaurants was always good to excellent and the butlers and staff throughout the YC enclave were always marvelous. We have three more YC cruises booked. That says something!

I'll warn you that my opinion is in the vast minority on this MSC board, and no disrespect is intended to those who love the MSC and the YC. My experience as follows:

 

Background: I sailed in Fantastica aft balcony in April 2016 and then immediately followed with YC sailing in June of 2016. Both sailings on the Divina. I've been cruising since 1987 and have experienced 10 different cruise lines.

 

1) I actually preferred my aft balcony to the YC1 suite. The balcony was larger and the bathroom was better designed. Other than the closet and a slightly larger sofa, the room square footage was negligible. I had more interaction with my aft balcony room steward than my YC butler.

 

2) I was hoping for a much better food experience in YC and LeMuse verses traditional dining. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case for me. It was fine, but that's about it. Fine. For me, specialty restaurants on mainstream lines absolutely blow away YC dining. For me, food on MSC was just 'ok'. I did not go hungry, the buffet pizza was wonderful, but it was not a highlight of my experience. Food is subjective, but MSC gets constant dings in their food quality when looking at reviews overall, and I tend to agree with this rating. YMMV

 

3) Service was nice in YC, but I did not find it over the top in any sense of the word. I've experienced true butlers, and ours was not. Our butler was nothing more than a glorified room steward and we went days without even seeing him. Service at one-pool was actually poor unless you physically walked to the bar. The roaming waiter was pretty much non-existant. I had more attentive pool side service outside of YC.

 

What is great about YC is the space ratio. MSC ships have some of the most dense passenger/space ratios in the industry and it was heavenly to lay at one pool without crowds. Top side lounge was also never crowded and the snacks there were lovely. Service in topside lounge was excellent also. The only time we used butler escort was debarking the ship because we arrived in Miami 3 hours later than expected and the rest of the ship was absolutely chaotic. I'd pay just for that perk alone.

 

Please don't get me wrong, YC is a very nice experience. However; I think weighing the cost is very wise when making your decision. I would certainly elect to pay more for the YC experience, but I would not pay double (for example). MSC is a very nice budget cruise line, and even in YC I think it's wise to adjust your expectations accordingly.

 

Again, to those who love MSC, I intend no disrespect. I know it's hard for some people to read less than stellar reports of a product they love. Obviously your experience was different than mine or you wouldn't love the YC product so much. I can only report my experience.

 

Bottom line: For the right price, I would absolutely sail YC again.

Thank you BB for this very even-handed response and review.

As you can see below, cruising has been our vacation of choice for years, and we've been fortunate enough to sail with many different cruise lines, and have also been lucky enough to experience suites on a few occasions (the absolute best was the Crown Loft suite on Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas ! O-M-G ... awesome!).

For several reasons, its been 2 years since our last cruise, and we're beside ourselves with excitement looking forward to our upcoming experience on the Divina in YC. However, since we have ourselves worked up into a fever pitch and since most of the YC reviews have been overwhelmingly favorable, I really appreciated your reasonable and down to earth review of your experiences. It certainly hasnt dampened our enthusiasm or made us any less excited, but it certainly was a little dose of reality ... that things aren't always the "best of the best" and/or "the best thing ever"!

We noted all your comments, and will approach the cruise with our usual attitude of things are what t you make of them!

Thanks to you and everyone who posts their experiences and opinions. We appreciate reading each and everyone one of them! 😄

I would completely agree with Bermudabound.

That said, I quite liked it. By far, the biggest plus was the relative emptiness of the Top Sail Lounge and the One Pool. I abhor crowds, and these areas were an oasis of calm for me.

The food was very hit or miss. I'd say my recent Croisieurope river cruise had consistently better food than the YC restaurant, and Croisi is not high end.

I don't need a butler, so the relative lack of one did not bother me. The lady at the concierge desk was amazing however.

I wouldn't maybe pay significantly more, but we got a 2 for 1 deal which made it very appealing.

Yes, it's as good, no check that, it's better than it looks.

Internet or any photo package included in YC?

Internet or any photo package included in YC?

No, not on Divina.

No, not on Divina.

We are in YC on Divina now...included $150 shipboard credit plus the "surfer" internet pkg. Our butler, Mevin, is an absolute charm....quite intuitive and really does anticipate our needs/requests. If it wasn't for the screaming bratty kid next door I would call this a near-perfect vacation.

We are in YC on Divina now...included $150 shipboard credit plus the "surfer" internet pkg. Our butler, Mevin, is an absolute charm....quite intuitive and really does anticipate our needs/requests. If it wasn't for the screaming bratty kid next door I would call this a near-perfect vacation.

Oh that's right. I forgot about the internet package with some bookings We had and will have the surfer package. Sorry about the kid next door. We had one overhead last cruise that liked to run around the room. At late hours! Glad you're enjoying the YC. We have three more cruises booked in YC.

what does the surfer internet package include, as we have it as well on an upcoming cruise?

https://www.msccruisesusa.com/en-us/Discover-MSC/On-Board/Internet.aspx

This link should show what each package includes.

Or just google MSC internet packages for all info.

Be aware that the internet package is severely limited....but you can upgrade. It is restricted to two devices. with it many facebook pages would not load and no video's would display. Seems many pictures and any videos would not display. But you can purchase higher end packages...which gets you priority on the bandwidth.

Be aware that the internet package is severely limited....but you can upgrade. It is restricted to two devices. with it many facebook pages would not load and no video's would display. Seems many pictures and any videos would not display. But you can purchase higher end packages...which gets you priority on the bandwidth.

Do you really NEED 'videos' on vacation? This Surfer package works just fine for DH and I to handle our work-related internet needs on this trip. I don't really want to "stay connected" any more than that. Do I really need to see photos of what Susie and Johnnie had for breakfast?

Another benefit to Yacht Club is it is a fantastic value compared to Celebrity's Suites, NCL Haven or Royal's Suites!!!

The pasta the maitre'd prepared in the middle of Le Muse on sea days was fantastic! Ditto his crepes Suzette!!

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Another benefit to Yacht Club is it is a fantastic value compared to Celebrity's Suites, NCL Haven or Royal's Suites!!!

 

The pasta the maitre'd prepared in the middle of Le Muse on sea days was fantastic! Ditto his crepes Suzette!!

 

 

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Agree about the maitre'd 100%. I always asked for extra sauce for the crepes.

BTW, where is Washington, Ga? Ops, never mind. I googled it. We live south of airport.

Do you really NEED 'videos' on vacation? This Surfer package works just fine for DH and I to handle our work-related internet needs on this trip. I don't really want to "stay connected" any more than that. Do I really need to see photos of what Susie and Johnnie had for breakfast?

Why do you think your way of vacationing should be used to judge someone else?

What level of internet package would i need to run apps? Not webpages or video, but actual apps.

Kwaj girl,

Agree completely, down to the screaming girl.

We must be right down the hall from you. :)

In Topsail right now as I type.

gary