CruisnDeb

Thank you @sandiherbert for all the details on your experience--it's truly appreciated.  

@Devo12 not sure if you used a TA or not, but I would recommend calling them to set it up for you if you did.  We recently cruised with a group of 18.  We all sat together at the same time, same dining room, every night.  It was at two tables (it was 2 long rectangular tables end to end, with a space between them.)  We enjoyed this setup and mixed it up as to who sat at each table each night.  Our TA set it up, and I verified our reservation as soon as we embarked.  Also, I believe it makes it easier to set this up if all your reservations are linked.

5 minutes ago, rrraydon said:

Wanted pizza for a snack at 3p and this was what was available… 😞 

This is very sad.

4 hours ago, Harriet75C said:

Are the drinks packages and dining packages worth it?

I found the drinks package worth it.  We had the Easy Plus drink package which included wifi and also included specialty coffees (coffee machines at the atrium bar and some other bars but not the coffee at Venchi) which was great.  Make sure you add the drink package on at the time of booking--it is more expensive it you try to add it later.

Wow....it would stress me out to fly out the day of my cruise (but I totally get why you need to).  I'm totally jealous you get to cruise twice a month--that's awesome!  Enjoy your cruise and I'm looking forward to reading the rest of your review 🙂 

Thanks everyone for your contributions to my question--you have been awesome with your opinions and details.  I've made lots of notes and hopefully the time will come soon when I will need to decide which ship I want to try my first YC experience on.  

1 hour ago, Radio said:

(Note from Radio: Do not order the Crab cake)

Having grown up in Maryland, I think we judge crab cakes differently then the rest of the population.  In Maryland you get mostly crab and other places you seem to get a lot of filler.  Just wondering if that was the case with Cagney's.  Sadly, I've learned to lower my expectations when I see crab cakes on any menu 😞 

11 hours ago, Radio said:

Cambridge Beaches Resort is a beautiful property and it seems like every time you turn your head, you get another postcard-like view.

There are two private pools, four private beaches, and  several lounges. I think I could stay here for a week or more.

Did you get a day pass for here?  How much was it and what all does it include?  Looks like a lovely place.

Yes.  Here is a recent menu from the seashore.  You can get multiple appetizers and desserts without an additional charge.

34 minutes ago, RichYak said:

This is a great thread, highlighting the differences in YC across MSC ships. Thanks @CruisnDeb for starting it.

Absolutely.  I'm loving getting all the perspectives of everyone and the likes and dislikes.  Everyone will have a different opinion as to whether those things are good or bad.  It all comes down to knowing so you can set your expectations accordingly.  

25 minutes ago, Heartgrove said:

 

I have to add that we enjoyed the MSC Splendida so much, we had booked a nine-night cruise on it for this Fall and also the 22-Night Grand Voyage on the MSC Divina to sail home. Unfortunately MSC made the decision to have the Divina remain in Europe and cancelled the Grand Voyage. With that, we needed to cancel both cruises and on to Plan B.

Awww....so sorry for you.  I know it stinks when you have a plan and it falls through.  But plan B's can sometimes turnout to be even better than you could have imagined.  Happy planning.

42 minutes ago, TrinaLC said:

Anyways don’t count the Divina out!

Thanks @TrinaLC.  I love getting people's perspective on what they liked and didn't like about their personal experiences--then I can make notes on those things that would bother or not bother me to make my decision.  I've not counted any ship out yet.  🙂 

56 minutes ago, Heartgrove said:

We have sailed on the MSC Splendida (sister ship to MSC Divina) in YC in Italy. The Top Sail Lounge was very nice due to the YC with it's smaller capacity of only two decks with staterooms. Having the restaurant in the rear of the ship was actually nice as we could walk around the ship after eating. This weekend we sail on the MSC Seashore in YC so we'll be in a position to compare.

Thanks.  I agree that the YC restaurant being outside of the YC is not a big issue, but good to know going forward to make a decision.  

I'm making lots of notes.....thanks everyone for all the details 🙂 

13 hours ago, Best Cat Mom said:

I guess it depends on your perspective of where you want your shade -- loungers or tables/pool.

Good point.  Thanks for the response.

1 hour ago, jean87510 said:

I have only been on Divina and soon will be on the Seashore.  If I can make an observation if flying, Miami is usually cheaper to fly into than Port Canaveral *MCO.  If the sea*** are that close, use that to factor.  HOWEVER, the Seashore includes the overnight now on her 4 day sailings at Ocean Cay.  She is out of port canaveral. 

 

One thing I will note Divina has terrible shade for those of us shade chasers.

 

We were just choosing sailings for a 3 day in November to balance out a land trip and we actually opted for the Magnifica with no YC but much smaller ship, Aurea, and Key West and Ocean Cay.  Leaves out of Miami.  No specialty dining other than a sushi restaurant I believe.  Probably not what you are looking for though.

Thanks for your input—I love hearing everyone’s experience.  I actually didn’t realize the Magnifica doesn’t have a YC—I had eliminated that ship for other reasons but good to know. 
 

The Divina was my first MSC cruise. We managed to get an Aurea corner balcony at the front of the ship—it was a lovely room with a separate bedroom, large walk-in closet, large balcony and was back when Aurea included a one hour massage for each guest. I feel the Aurea experience has been somewhat downgraded since we took that cruise and I’m not sure the price is worth it to us anymore. 

I appreciate the assessment @markwfpb. 

Thank you @psmarkle.  Your details and insight are much appreciated 🙂 

Bumping this so it's back on page 1.  I appreciate the post from Two Wheels, but I'm hoping to get a few other opinions and experiences. 

@Radio I'm looking forward to your review.  I will be on the Joy next year for our Panama Canal cruise.  I notice you are from Perry Hall....I grew up around Silver Spring and went to college at UMBC (go Retrievers!)

Thank you @Two Wheels Only.  I appreciate all the details 😀

I am an experienced cruiser (14 so far and 2 more on the books.) I’ve cruised (at least twice on each line) NCL, Princess, Celebrity, Royal Caribbean and MSC—so I am familiar with the quirks/differences with each cruise line outside of the suite areas (I’ve not experienced the suite life yet.)  I’ve cruised in interior, oceanview, and balconies. 

I am hoping (fingers crossed) to try my first sailing in the Yacht Club sometime next year.  I would be sailing out the USA, so looking at Meraviglia, Seaside, Seashore, Seascape, and Divina. Ports aren't as important to me (I've been to most multiple times) so I'm looking at trying the ship within a ship experience.  

Any cruisers who have sailed on more than 1 of these ships, could you tell me which Yacht Club you liked better and why?  I’m looking for information like how the YC pool was, service at the YC pool, YC restaurant, stateroom info (ex. if you had an interior, how convenient was it to get to the YC pool deck), etc.  I might be overthinking it, but just curious to know if any are better than the others.  TIA for your insight 🚢

36 minutes ago, mjkacmom said:

I just don’t know why a travel agent would go out of there way to check for discounts that would lower their commission. 

I had a friend who used to be a TA.  They had a system that would check for reductions and alert them when a booked cruise was discounted.  It's good practice to let the client know....you want their repeat business and for them to spread the word of what you've done for them to their friends and family.

We actually found the bracelets to be quite functional when we cruised the Seascape in October.  We didn't have any problems at the bars (they had these little white scanners they would pick up and we would tap it with the wristband.)  It was great having my door open as I was approaching, especially when I was bringing a couple of coffees back to our stateroom.  I liked that it is waterproof and I could go swimming with it.  When we cruised Princess, they had the medallion ones.....these are so much more comfortable and we didn't have to worry about the medallion popping out of it.  We only needed our cards in the casino and when we exited/entered the ship.

@bruce85 I would love to see daily programs and dinner menus. Enjoy your cruise. 

22 hours ago, sullyd said:

Is there a line to checkin or is it the same line as the already checked in?

Not sure about NYC but when I took my NCL cruise out of Miami in February, there was a separate line for those without documents. This was after the X-ray scanning.