Captain-John

We arrived at our hotel, the Kimpton Vividora. The taxi driver had never taken anyone there before and struggled to find directions on his phone, so it was an interesting ride. There is no direct road access to the hotel, we had to cross over La Rambla with our lugggage, but apart from that very impressed so far. Taxi was c. €35. Last year we stayed in the Majestic which was very nice but just a tad farther out (on foot) than we wanted for such a short stay. Fantastic welcome from all the staff and we have been assigned a King room for our one night stay. We are dining on the terrace later as we want a more relaxing holiday than our usual wandering for hours and hours. We did take a walk around for a few hours, as the sun set, and were reminded how much we enjoy this city.

Our trip is underway. We had a civil flight time of 10:30 this morning, Edinburgh direct to Barcelona. Normally we start much earlier so although sacrificing some time in Barcelona, it has worked out well. Check-in and security were smooth. Conditions were pleasant on the ground. We are not spoiled for choice in terms of carrier and often low cost airlines is the easiest way to fly to European cities for us Unfortunately the Vueling aircraft we were on was absolutely filthy. The A321 was only 9 years old, but last cleaned the day it left the factory. However smooth skies followed and we departed on time. Some beautiful views as we flew: I spotted another LNG powered vessel when coming in to land - I trust World Europa will be slightly more comfortable! We landed early but had a long wait for baggage. Immigration was very smooth (we have found this to be true in many Spanish airports recently). Before long, we were on our way into the city. Lovely settled weather in Barcelona just now.

Thanks very much for the detailed review and photos, it's a big investment of your time. Much appreciated. 🙂

On the Celebrity board there has been chat about arrival/check in time being more strictly enforced. I find the paperwork for YC to be mixed - on the embarkation page, it invites you to 'leave your luggage to the butler team' but in the same document we have been given a 15:00 check in time - most of the first day is gone! We intend to be there for 10:30.

Thanks! I need to save up some more Avios before looking at Oz but it is on the list too. Glad you had a good time. Interesting comment about 'big, positive changes.' The video that was circulating from the CEO recently seemed to confirm reversal of cutbacks rather than new and big improvements but I would of course welcome improvements on top. Looks tasty! I'd swap the mash for fries (call me refined!).

Thanks for the insight. Hopefully this is the start of the tide turning (back to what it was!). We are sailing Celebrity for the first time next May in Japan and I had serious reservations after booking when reading these boards. Chateaubriand in the MDR is certainly more along the lines of what I was thinking Celebrity would deliver. Management visibilty and speedy reaction to feedback is also a positive sign.

Thanks very much for the very detailed insight. Will you sail MSC YC again?

We have been on Preziosa before to represent the 'smaller' YCs and in fact sailed Preziosa non-YC in the past too. The seperate restaurant never bothered me, but the butler's insistence on escorting us through the ship did on the smaller ships. Great, and sorry in advance I won't cover a lot of detail in the ports just on the basis we have been before and not planning to go 'all in.' Thinking at this point is we are doing the Aix-en-Provence tour in Marseille. We will just walk around Porto Antico and Genoa city centre. We will explore Civitavechhia itself instead of going into Rome. Palermo also we will just explore the city on foot. Valetta we are going to take the ferry to 'The Three Cities' having explored Valetta proper previously. Will do, I don't recall having much success with this on past YC sailings but I am keen to utilise it if it works on this trip. Yes, I'll explore the seperation for you. We are on deck 18, forward so backing on to the public indoor pool area. Wasn't our first choice but our agent only had access to a certain range of cabins at the time. Agreed. As a % of the overall ship I think the YC equates to <5% of passenger volume, but you're right, the overall numbers are higher (nearly 400 at max capacity I think). While I don't think this sailing will be overly popular with families, and given it's not high season, I do think the YC will be full or nearly full given the prevalance of the Bid Up programmes. Will let you know how it 'feels.'

Never sure when to start a thread like this but figured since we sail on Friday now was an appropriate time to set the scene. We are sailing MSC World Europa in Yacht Club for 7 nights, on what I'd call a 'bog standard' Mediterranean itinerary. I intend to post from the ship about our experience as best I can. The intention with this cruise is to get a taste for a larger ship, as well as to indulge in the YC experience. The destinations were less important as we've been many times before. We will still get off in most ports but for example no plans to go into Rome, instead exploring locally. We are doing a tour to Aix-En-Provence from Marseille as we weren't overly impressed with Marseille itself on previous visits. I find MSC tours to be reasonably priced compared to other lines. The largest ship we've been on to date across all lines is Meraviglia at 171,598 Gross Tonnage. Earlier this year were on NCL Joy - 167,725 Gross Tonnage. World Europa is the 6th largest ship in the world by Gross Tonnage standing at 215,863 GT, surpassed only by RCL's Oasis Class. We do have some apprehension about the size of the ship and crowds etc. but also looking forward to the extra facilties/venues only a mega ship can offer. On Joy we were in Haven, so will be able to compare the the Haven vs YC experience with fairly recent memory. NCL is our most travelled line followed by MSC. We are Diamond with MSC but many of the perks are covered by the YC experience anyway, so the only thing of real value to us is the speciality meal. Just on the dining note, 7 nights is way too short a cruise for us and we also want to try the YC buffet (if it's still running) as the menu really appeals to our taste compared to the main menu, as well as use our Diamond meal, so in reality we may only have 3-4 evening meals in the YC restaurant. We also want to try Hola! and there simply won't be time for it all. We fly to Barcelona on Thursday, to spend a night at the Kimpton Vividora and then join the ship on Friday. We have been given a 3pm boarding time which will be ignored. If anyone has any specific questions regarding World Europa I will do my best to find out the answer when onboard. Appreciate the recent hot topics are wristbands and snacks in the TSL!

Agreed! I don't see how it cuts down on waste if all of the snacks are delivered to a table when you might only want a couple of the same kind, or one of one kind and none of the other. Thanks Eglesbrech for your review and hope you have a great cruise.

Thanks for your updates. Regarding the snacks, bringing over a selection is just as wasteful in my view than me selecting what I want from the display area? I might only eat one or two snacks from the cake stand brought to the table.. what happens to the rest? I will really miss this aspect of the lounges. I wasn't too impressed with the offering in NCL Haven earlier this year and was quite looking forward to the YC offering I was used to. Interesting vents to the outside are blasting out cold air too, I'd have thought the opposite if cooling the interior areas but good to know! Enjoying your reports and trust you are enjoying your cruise.

On Norwegian, you can, once per cruise, invite guests to join you to dine in the Haven restaurant with you for a fee. Guests are not allowed anywhere else in the complex apart from your stateroom. I haven't heard of YC offering anything similar (officially that is).

Not having a steak as an 'always available' would be quite problematic for me. Hope it comes back in future menu updates.

I too have had candid guidance from some of the CN staff - they may look at status and know we 'get the drill' - they have said 'of course you'll just use the OBC to reduce the cost' or words to that affect on some occasions. Others have tried to bamboozle with the company line and I am sure this is 'accidentally on purpose' to lead people to spend more onboard than they otherwise would because they have all this 'free' money.

I take it the ships won't be confirmed until the release date?

They want you to 'spend' the 'free' OBC you get rather than use it exclusively to offset the cost of the voucher.

Agreed, if it heats the room and is hot to the touch, it's malfunctioning and should be replaced ASAP.

This. If the airline changed the schedule, hopefully they will permit you a change as it no longer suits your plans?

You must really have enjoyed it! It's a shame we don't have the same flexibility as our stateside cousins who can adjust pricing after booking without losing deposits etc. It's a shame booking onboard doesn't offer any advantage either.

You were very forgiving on the room steward, I cannot say I would be the same if he picked my used towel up from a floor that was not spotless to begin with and hung it back up. Hoping that aside you had a good time, but for your first MSC cruise, it certainly could have gone smoother (internet, port experiences/queuing) etc. Did you enjoy the food?

Thank you so much for posting. We are sailing on Millenium in May next year too. Have never been to Japan so trying to absorb as much detail as possible. Great pictures and the ship is indeed looking very well for her age.

I've locked in at 53% discount just now. Earlier, it wasn't as much as that. It seems to be fluctuating all the time. Well, hopefully I've locked in and they don't retract it after the fact!

In my opinion (and I will be able to verify for myself in a few weeks), the quality of MSC food has been maintained or increased where lately other lines are moving in the opposite direction. Anyone who I have corresponded with on these boards over the years will know that I like to cruise MSC 'despite' the food, but I don't think that's accurate now especially in view of the cutbacks other lines are making. MSC have a real chance to stand out actually. Thanks for the video Walter, very insightful. 🙂

Hope you have a great time! We are on a similar itinerary (only difference is Malta instead of La Goulette and Civitavecchia instead of Naples) on World Europa in a few weeks. Slight apprehension is the weather at this time of year so keen to see how you find it.

A surprisingly low number given the fact it's a smaller ship, which I would guess would tend to attract more repeat cruisers than new cruisers. New cruisers going for the 'big wow' of the latest, biggest ship. Also given the status match programme, I would have guessed that number at far more. Sorry your trip wasn't as you had hoped, and trust that you get a resolution you are happy with.