RichYak

6 hours ago, capsplace said:

Thank you!  We have a Platinum Card and never thought to ask our TA if there is any benefit using that card.  Plus I believe she is an AMEX TA.  Thanks!

Google “amex cruise privileges program”

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

I would think that the algorithmic maturation of the move-up program is largely to blame.

1 hour ago, RTShaker said:

Sorry, not being familiar with all the acronyms, what is a DPV?

Deluxe Porthole Veranda. Unlike Infinite Verandas, there is an outdoor space, smaller than a traditional balcony, with a large porthole.

You will keep your current beverage and wifi package. 

4 minutes ago, DaKahuna said:

 

 We found the entertainment in the TSL to our liking so spent quiet evenings there.  I did attend some main theater shows but was not really impressed, even with one other said was good.  

 

We never even found the Carousel Lounge on Meraviglia. We always turned around when we hit the casino thinking that was aft-most. Rookie mistake. 

10 minutes ago, DaKahuna said:

 

 We are in this cabin but on Millennium starting next week.  On our last cruise, the guest in 6145 gave us a tour so we could see what it was like, but the tour was in the evening so did not see that there was only a door and no window as the side of the door like a normal balcony.  Not sure that will matter to us as we spend more time on the balcony than sitting in the room looking out, weather permitting. 

 

Those who are less physically able will find the separate walk-in shower to be godsent. Thankfully not an issue for us currently. Having stayed in it once given the hype here on CC, I would no longer seek it out. 

Great bathroom. The rest of the cabin… meh. Very dark. The only natural light and sightlines to the ocean are the 3 ft wide door to the balcony. IMO this cabin is overrated on CC. 

1 hour ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

It would be nice if it was open while at the PI as many people don't get off the ship and would enjoy the quiet of Luminae....although, I understand that the crew need down time too.

Hire more crew and open Luminae on port days. MSC YC can do it, why can’t Celebrity Retreat.  

7 hours ago, FlyingCruiser2 said:

Looks like they posted a refund for all of us of 50% of the charge for the class.  This wasn’t asked for or even expected, to be honest.

I imagine someone complained and asked for a credit, to be honest. 

1 minute ago, clarkgriswold said:

Our assumption is, they must hold back some of the reservations to be handled on board. Does anyone know if this is true?

This is true.

1 minute ago, clarkgriswold said:

Additionally, if that is true, when and where when boarding do you go immediately to secure the reservations that you want for places like Rooftop and Eden?

You can go to any specialty when you board. They should be able to make all your reservations from that one spot.

9 hours ago, Dolebludger said:

For some reason, some like a larger ship than the lux lines offer. I can’t see why.

I can think of a few reasons. Some prefer the larger production shows and casinos and the kind of varied entertainment that large ships provide. Seasickness on smaller ships is another reason. Also, the lux lines are more egalitarian which some like and some don't. There are those that prefer to have private, dedicated spaces that the fray cannot access. 

26 minutes ago, CruisinShips said:

So, since starting this thread, we have booked a cruise on MSC YC.

Out of curiosity, which ship? I hope you enjoy it!

12 hours ago, cruisestitch said:

Not so. There is also the option to take it as a credit on your credit card account. You are not limited to taking it as OBC.

I read the T&C of the card and the MyCruise points program. I can’t find any language where one can use the points as a statement credit against against general charges to the account. 

10 hours ago, cruisestitch said:

Not so. There is also the option to take it as a credit on your credit card account. You are not limited to taking it as OBC.

Well that’s better (still not a good card at 1% earnings) but it begs the question: why would anyone convert the points to obc instead of taking the credit?

8 hours ago, Stockjock said:

Ok then, 100 points?

No. The card essentially offers 1% cash back (which is bad) in the form of Celebrity OBC (which is terribly restrictive). Using this card is essentially giving money away. There are countless better options.

And the post upthread is correct. This isn't a poll, it's just a regular thread.

The B of A Celebrity credit card is a terrible travel card. I can’t think of a number of Captain’s Club points that would overcome that. Certainly not 50 points. 

54 minutes ago, peanut head said:

Yes, you are correct.  I was specifically referring to Craft Social's menu.🙃

Ah, understood. When we've been in a RS, we've ordered from Sushi on Five via the butler. None of the other specialties do take-out, so I doubt one could order those via the butler. We never felt the need to try. I guess Craft Social falls somewhere in between. I suppose one's butler would be willing to bring food from there to one's cabin and that the cost would be based on that particular butler's ingenuity.

2 hours ago, peanut head said:

I don't think that regular room service would comp the food, either.

Regular room service is complimentary in all Retreat cabins.

On 4/17/2024 at 12:52 PM, CruisinShips said:

I know some will say MSC Yacht Club, but IMO it just doesn't match up.

Have you changed your mind yet? 😁

54 minutes ago, CruisinShips said:

I am really surprised to see the positive comments about MSC Yacht Club.  I haven't tried it yet, but I have watched tons of youtube reviews and have read many reviews/comparisons, and almost all said similar things...the YC experience is very good on some ships, food is below that of Celebrity, and if you leave the YC area, you feel like you're on a packed Carnival cruise ship.

 

If this is not what some of you have found, then I'd love to be wrong.  Are there certain MSC ships to focus on for the better experience?

You should avoid the ships with "World" in the name. They are newest, but like Celebrity E-class Retreat, YC space isn't big enough to handle so many YC cabins. I sailed Meraviglia, which was great. I understand that anything with Sea* in the name also has ample space per YC guest.

As far as the food, I found the ingredients to be of a higher quality than on Celebrity--better fish, better beef, lobster tails of an acceptable size, etc. YC also has their own buffet, obviously smaller than the main buffet, but plenty of choices.

As far as your "packed Carnival cruise ship" comment, I would say if you leave the YC area, you also feel like you're on a packed Celebrity cruise ship, but with more activities going on. These activities create some crowded, but completely avoidable, public areas. We left YC on occasion to have drinks at the champagne bar and the Irish pub style bar. Both were great and never crowded. The real crowds are found on the pool deck and in the main buffet, both of which there is no need to visit.

All in all, what I wrote upthread was not hyperbole. The YC experience absolutely blew away any Retreat experience I've had.

9 hours ago, CruisinShips said:

I know some will say MSC Yacht Club, but IMO it just doesn't match up.

What ship did you sail in YC? 

For me, MSC Yacht Club blew away the Retreat and it wasn’t close. Food, booze, service, facilities, butler… all better in YC. 

Just now, RichYak said:

It's called *****. It's not a travel agency so it's fine to mention.

Apparently it's not fine to mention.

3 hours ago, cruisegirlppp said:

Are you able to name the website or does that go against the rules? From a fellow Wildcat (many, many decades ago).

 

It's called *****. It's not a travel agency so it's fine to mention.