jules815

Just now, jules815 said:

3 minutes ago, jules815 said:

Currently in the Top Sail and it’s packed. They’ve brought a guitarist in who usually plays in the atrium. He was here a few nights ago and was well received so they’ve brought him back. It was never this crowded last week. 

 

Currently in the Top Sail and it’s packed. They’ve brought a guitarist in who usually plays in the atrium. He was here a few nights ago and was well received so they’ve brought him back. It was never this crowded last week. 

Today we’re in Nassau. Been here many times, so decided to stay on board and enjoy the YC pool. I will say the newly renovated pier looks great.
 

Had a beautiful and sunny morning at the YC pool, then right around the time we finished our lunch, a storm rolled in. We came back to our room and enjoyed watching it from our balcony. It poured, but the overhang kept us nice and dry. A perfect day actually. 
 

On 9/19/2023 at 3:42 PM, loge23 said:

Interesting and thank you for taking the time to post all of this.

We're on the 10/22 sailing also in the YC. Apparently there is more to come with your review and hopefully it will be a little more favorable going forward. It's only seven days we keep saying - how bad can it be? So far it looks like a one and done, but we'll shall see.

 

You’re in the YC so no worries at all. Our time on board has been fantastic. 

14 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

It's a tale of two cities. Those that book outside the Yacht Club are the ones in the majority giving the low ratings. You get what you pay for. Now we have been on a couple of MSC Yacht Club sailings and will give every one a 5/5 rating. Better than the Coastal Kitchen RCCL, better than The Haven on NCL, better than The Retreat on Celebrity. I have a list of 20 points we love about MSC Yacht Club. But beware, once you cruise YC you will never go back to cruising steerage again.

Tale of two cities is a perfect way to describe it. 
 

We’ve been on Seascape for the past 2 weeks. We walk the ship several times each day (Sports Bar still closed this morning btw), and it doesn’t surprise me about the low ratings. Some areas are very crowded, especially the Market Place buffet, which seems like the only breakfast option for non-YC guests. There are long lines for some of the stations and the floors are slippery (from wet bathing suits). That said, the people seem happy and look like they’re having fun. Same with the big main pool deck. We walked thru yesterday afternoon (sea day) and there wasn’t an empty lounger and the pool was full of people. Stressed me out, yet everyone else seemed to be having a good time. 
 

Got me thinking about when we first started cruising with our kids on RC ships, pre-Coastal Kitchen. Maybe if we were younger (or had never started sailing in suites) we’d be enjoying it too. 🤷‍♀️ 

We’ve just finished our morning walk about the ship and are now sitting in Top Sail enjoying a cappuccino. Tale of two cities is right. 
 

As I was about to hit send, the bartender walked over to our table and asked if I wanted a Bellini, which has been my pre dinner drink. (Morpheus, the guy with glasses who’s there all the time). Service has just been outstanding. 

15 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

That is GREAT news!!!!

It’s still not perfect, but works about 75% of the time. We even used it yesterday on the far aft glass elevator with the view of the wake. 
 

14 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

 

 Do they have any type of green tea? 

 

Yes, green was an option. 

Sitting in Top Sail having tea. These past few weeks have really spoiled me. 
 

28 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

No. But it is easy-peasy to stand on the landing of 19 or 20 and look down at the entrance doors on a sea day around lunch time. I was more concerned with asking the YC Director for something closer to my heart. To get the elevator over ride key cards for Yacht Clubbers fixed. I hope to board again this weekend.

Elevator over ride has been working pretty well for us the past 2 weeks. 

Per our butler, the Seafood Extravaganza is no more. He wouldn’t say why. Tonight is the Island Party at the One Pool (dj playing dance music). We went last week and it was nice. Small plates/buffet and drinks served by the butlers. 
 

Tomorrow afternoon is high tea in the Top Sail at 4pm. (Sea day). 
 

13 hours ago, lcpagejr said:

How is the Sports Bar involved?? Everything I've read has centered on deck 12 and 9??

Not sure, but on Sunday morning they had the outdoor walkway alongside the Sports Bar blocked off with tape. Bar remains closed, but they opened up the outside walkway again. You just can’t cut thru the sports bar to go inside. 

2 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

I just asked @jules815 who is on board the Seascape this question. I thought perhaps having a contingent of MSC corporate in the YC this week, they may tighten up security on interlopers and bring it back?

Believe it or not, we were just assigned a new butler who we met last night, who is very attentive. I plan on asking him about the Seafood Extravaganza when I see him this morning. Our butler from last week is still not cleared by ship medical to return. More on this later. 

My bad!  There is conditioner provided. I brought my own though. 

24 minutes ago, KNBCruising said:

So off subject but I am curious is there conditioner in the bathroom or just shampoo…..trying to limit my packing if I can.  Haven’t ever stayed in YC so not sure of bathroom amenities!

Here are some photos I took earlier today on deck 8 outside of the Sports Bar. 

On Seascape now and several times have seen people trying to get in on deck 19 entrance. The beige beach towels are a dead giveaway. 

3 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

To my DW, just the mention of Holland America's "Nieuw Amsterdam"will trigger her into a violent outburst similar to "Niagara Falls" "Slowly I turned".......

We made the mistake of booking the Pinnacle Suite for Spring break in March of this year. It had a 94 CDC health sanitation rating. She is a germaphobe and the second to last day came down with covid and norovirus. Let us just say that "Poppy's a little sloppy." She feels safer on the MSC Seaside with a CDC score of 67 and will NEVER sail another Hal ship again.

Oh no. We’re doing HAL for the first time in April in a Neptune Suite. A transatlantic to Rotterdam. We have a wedding to attend in Fort Lauderdale and this cruise works best with the dates. 

11 minutes ago, Itchy&Scratchy said:

you didn't go to the beach or anything?

Nope. It was just too hot. Had a nice lunch in YC restaurant then some pool time. 

I’m on board , second week of our b2b.  Sports Bar is still closed as of today and all the windows  are covered in paper. We didn’t even know about this incident until someone mentioned it last night in the Top Sail. 
 

On turn around morning the outside area on deck 8, just outside the Sports Bar was blocked off. Found it odd but had no idea anything had happened yet. Here are some photos I took this morning. We just pulled away from Puerto Plata. 
 

We’re in Puerto Plata today. Our first time here. Walked around the port and back on board in 30 minutes. The port area is very well thought out. It’s just soooooo hot. 
 

Question! I’ve been popping in here but not reading a lot of posts. Heard a rumor last night in the TS that there was an incident end of last week on deck 9, which caused a brief delay on Sunday morning in Miami. We’ve heard nothing up until last night, but the Sport Bar hasn’t been open at all this week, it’s blocked off, and apparently that’s part of alleged incident as well. On turn around morning while the ship was empty, we couldn’t walk past the Sport Bar on the outside deck 8. It was all blocked off. 

Last night we went to Butchers Cut for dinner. We went with the menu for our Diamond benefit and my husband added a lobster tail to his filet. While we were sitting there we noticed a YC butler come in and escort an older couple out of the restaurant. I thought how nice that was. Not that we need that level of service, but he took her by the arm and it was a nice touch. Then it got me thinking, even though we’re b2b it’s still a second cruise for us. It was booked as 2, 7-day. We haven’t seen our butler since I think it was Friday night at the island party at the One Pool. We had to stop by the concierge desk last night with a question about something else, so I asked if we would have the same butler this week. I was told that ours had an ankle injury or something, but that’s all they said. Still today, no sign of a butler. I hope he’s ok and I don’t want to complain and have them make him come back if he’s injured, but shouldn’t there be a replacement?  I will say our cabin attendant is doing an excellent job keeping our room tidy and refilling our waters. 

On our way back from lunch there was some activity in one of the owners suites next to us. Even the YC Director was in the hallway and went into the room. I don’t think anybody is in there yet, but maybe boarding tomorrow in the DR and they’re preparing? Maybe I should have asked the director who our butler is?

And back to that dinner last night in Butchers Cut.  We’ve had better meals and service in the YC dining room the last week. Not saying it was awful, but you do get spoiled up here. 
 

Last but not least, INTERLOPERS!  Oh boy have we seen them try. Twice today, 2 couples trying to get in at main deck 19 entrance, and also that side entrance on 19. Last night while we were talking to the concierge he stopped someone he didn’t recognize. Then he apologized to me and explained he had to be the police up there with people trying to sneak in. 
 

2 hours ago, lilalila said:

@jules815 If you happen to walk by the future cruse desk (and are willing to do so) would you take a picture of the current promotional flyer(?). I'm wondering what the OBC is for booking a YC Deluxe Suite while onboard.

Will do!!

Good morning from the Top Sail. Day 1 of week 2. We’re waiting for an escort off and thru immigration then right back on. Had a great first week. I’ll comment more on that later. 
 

Yacht Club will not be sailing full this week. I forget the exact number of guests we were told, but do know that they’ll be some top brass from MSC corporate joining us here in the YC. 
 

We have new cards and wristbands for this week. Beautiful morning. Can’t wait to go to the pool. 
 

4 minutes ago, jules815 said:

Currently in YC dining room. I ordered the filet as my main, and the Chinese dumplings as a starter. My husband couldn’t decide between the duck or lamb. Went with the duck. Arthur stopped by our table to check in with us. My husband was explaining how he had a hard time deciding. Arthur disappeared and returned a few minutes later with Beef Wellington for him. 
 

Service has been over the top AMAZING. 
 

 

 

Forgot to mention that beef Wellington wasn’t on the menu tonight. Did it come from the steakhouse?

Currently in YC dining room. I ordered the filet as my main, and the Chinese dumplings as a starter. My husband couldn’t decide between the duck or lamb. Went with the duck. Arthur stopped by our table to check in with us. My husband was explaining how he had a hard time deciding. Arthur disappeared and returned a few minutes later with Beef Wellington for him. 
 

Service has been over the top AMAZING.