DMH15

I have not asked too much from cabins stewards.   Butlers are a different story. 

9 minutes ago, MrMike45 said:

With all due respect to the loyal MSC Yacht Club/Suite cruisers in this thread, from an outsiders perspective it comes off as you are stuck up, entitled people who don't want the common folk associating with you in your precious members' only areas at a cheaper rate then what you might have paid for it.  Just saying 

 

This is absolutely not true!   Not only am I totally NOT stuck up If you met me at trivia or at the spa I would likely strike up a conversation with you.  

Here is the deal.  I am NOT rich... but I budget for my suite cruise every orher year.   My job of almost 30 years has me catering to people on a daily basis.  A lot.  When I vacation I look forward to being pampered.  I choose a line like MSC or (the old) NCL where I can have pampering without being amongst snobs that I would be on a luxury line.  I do not have tons of money to throw away.  Value is important to me. 

MSC, I thought, had it right.  Price suites correctly, where the product is in demand and might sell out but some availability can be found.  In the case of NCL they upped the suite prices, in many cases doubling them.  So, less people booked them.  I know that is when I tried MSC.  

No, I do not want to book a balcony and then try for the bid.  I am an organized planner.   I like to

know exactly what I am buying.  For that reason I usually book early.  And book the suite I want.  

The losers are folks like me.  I cruised solo in an inside on Seaside in May.  I booked a year in advance. It was a little over $3,000.   So now, with the new model, if that same cruise costs me $5000 and the person next to me booked s balcony for $1,500 and bid $1,000 to updrade I am paying an inflated price.  

This to model is for people who like to play the game.  It is not for me.  I make no apologies.  But it has thing to do with being stuck up. 

8 hours ago, max996 said:

Food is very subjective. What one person finds delicious, may completely gross out somebody else. So I think we have to take everyone's opinions about the food with a grain of salt. I like the food we ate in the YC, but the steaks were obviously not Ruth's Chris (as an example). We've cruised on 3 different cruise lines, and none of the food we've had was spectacular. But it was all good, in my opinion. The service we have received in the YC restaurant (Seaside and Divina), however was fantastic.

So true about subjectiveness.  

My faves in YC on Seaside in May were:

spaghetti bolognase

lamb chops

pastries

and the hot choc in venchi.  Especially the orange flavored.  

Thought I had found a new home in MSC YC.  Alas. 

Just cruised 5/11.  Had a few short chats with him.  Very pleasant man.  

On 5/21/2019 at 10:29 AM, JAGR said:

Glad you got the Venchi drinks!  I did the same in March.  If you wanted crepes you had to go aft on deck 7.  I was happy the moved the trivia to Plaza Grande. The year before it was in the Seaview Lounge (which was good for the Cruise Critic reception).

Luckily I make great crepes... so I can have those anytime.  Although having someone else do the clean up is a plus.  

I loved the orange hot chocolate.  Wish I could duplicate it.  Does anybody know what they use for that creamy texture????

I disembarked a week later.  I was solo in a YC inside.  I had read Venchi and crepes were no longer gratis.  (i booked last June when they were included.). On board I was pleased that the Venchi drinks were in fact included.  It was fun to have these at trivia.  However, if they had not been I would have had something else.  Never saw crepes.  So, until now, had not even crossed my mind.  

Perfect cruise?  No.  But only a few hiccups and some of those were funny as heck. 

Never had to wait for a heated tile lounger in spa.  Quite a contrast to Epic a few years ago.  

I cannot imagine anything that would have me fuming days later, especially bar service.  Life is too short. 

5 hours ago, JAGR said:

We went to all both times we sailed and they were great (to us at least!  YMMV).  Whatever, don't miss the Friday show, and you may want to consider the crew talent show (on Thursday).  Really some talented people in the wings.

Thanks!  I have always gone to the crew shows on other lines.  So much fun. 

Any other “don’t miss” shows?

Any duds?

At DFW Airport right now - boarding tomorrow.  

Thanks. 

On 5/6/2019 at 9:15 AM, GOLDENBONNY said:

no. I am only concern about things that important in my life and I can change them . 

Post of the day!

18 minutes ago, dexddd said:

About time. Have a great trip.

It is about time!  Thanks!

1 hour ago, SailBreakaway said:

I have a few questions being a first time MSC client and first time in YC, we sail in less than a month:

 

1.  We have Standard WiFi included in our booking from an All-In promo.  Is it possible to upgrade from Standard to a Premium or Unlimited by paying the difference prior to departure? If so with whom?

 

2.  We are booked in YC, I have not seen any info other than generically on the MSC website for Gratuity costs (and the press from their failed attempt to make it mandatory in Feb).  Is it still $12.50dy/pp? Can I pre-pay (no link for this either like NCL) and if I do is there any savings to that (again like NCL used to)? I prefer to tip directly esp in Haven or YC type service, although they 'discourage this'.

 

3.  With NCL Haven, they used to send out a letter a month or two out welcoming us to the Haven experience.  It was always something to look forward to.  We were given a number to call, and make arrangements for special requests ahead of time.  This was great, and given my wife is a Vegetarian and has special requests such as Vegetarian snacks, Almond Milk, etc for the room this worked out well.  YC didn't send us anything, is there a Pre-Cruise Concierge like NCL for these kind fo things? 

 

I am a NCL HAVEN Alum going on first Seaside YC Saturday!

I have done my homework though.  No Pre-cruise concierge.  Kinds like my early Haven days. 

Tipping is so subjective.  But I will just say that I leave auto tips in place and cash tip all the fine folks who make my vacation special.  

I had to purchase internet for my cruise so I cannot help.  I must watch baseball. And see my pup on webcam. 

I will say NCL was superb for my vegan niece.  I plan to research on the Seaside future options for her.  I will owe her another cruise when she graduates from college.  When are you cruising?

Since the amount is so small I would guess an adjustment in port charges and taxes?

12 minutes ago, anka-morfin said:

Just following up - we did take scooters and MSC had no issues with them whatsoever! They literally saved our trip with little ones :) Thank you all for advice!

Glad you came back to update/post.  Your kids are adorable!  

3 hours ago, G.M.T. said:

As the old adage goes "Never change a confirmed cruise".

 

Also MSC is a founding and ex member of:

 

G.M.T., I agree with you!  I have never had any problem with any cruise line's customer service, including MSC.  I think this is in a great part due to me doing a great deal of research and due diligence BEFORE my booking.  Then I DO NOT change it.  Changing an order with anyone is asking for trouble and mishaps.  If I get the wrong size, I ALWAYS do a new sale, receive the item, make sure it okay and then I begin the return process.  The same is true with cruises.  The only times I have had changed anything about a cruise is when NCL cancelled my booked cruise, due to pulling out of Houston and then AGAIN when my replacement cruise was cancelled due to a Sixth Man music charter.  Thin in itself was a bit confusing and irritating.  

I research EVERYTHING, even the exact cabin I chose with my lifetime subscription to "Cruisestaterooms.com".  I make sure I like the ship, cabins, ports, etc. before I make that call... has saved me a lifetime of stress.

Jamie, so sorry you are having problems.  I hope all turns out for you.

Russ, sounds fantastic.  Only a few weeks until I experience it for myself.  

Thanks.  

Thank you, Ate’!

On 4/2/2019 at 2:59 PM, Até said:

I've been told by ship staff that the original intention of the YC insides was as an extra separate bedroom/bath for children of parents staying in a deluxe suite.  My response was if that was the intention they should have figured a way to make them adjoining cabins.  But after thinking about it with younger kids it's usually not much of a problem to have them in the same cabin, and with older kids it's not too big a deal to have them in a nearby separate cabin.  I think many people weren't willing to fork out the extra cost of a YC inside for their kids.   The staff told me MSC were initially surprised by how quickly adults booked up the inexpensive YC insides, so now we're left with significantly higher YC inside prices usually being sold to adults.

I booked an inside YC on Seaside for next month because I am travelling solo.  I would not do it if I was travelling with someone else.  

I understand the common areas are so nice in the YC I plan to be out of my room most of the time. 

1 hour ago, doubleduty said:

Thanks, Tapi.  Good advice.  Our flight now leaves Miami at 1:45 so we should be fine.  And, since my husabnd says I worry to much about evreything,  this is probably the best course of action.

I am a worrier too.  So, think you made the right choice.  You might have made your  early flight but stuff really does happen.  One cruise we were supposed to return to Long Beach but were diverted to San Pedro.  Everyone with flights before 2 were scrambling as the cruise line were bussing people to LB.  I am not even sure what happened with luggage. 

It was lucky for us we kept our luggage to walk off.  We called a friend who lived 6 blocks away and spent the day with her as our flight was the next day. We were very lucky to have dodged a bullet. Many were not. 

The Dawn was my least favorite.  After Sun, Epic, Jewel and Norway. 

Three or maybe 4 adults.   That 5th?   No way.  A lot depends on the relationships.  Who sleeps with who?

the suite sleeps 6 if half are small kids. 

Why be stressed?   Call the airlines and see if they can give you something after noon. 

On 4/11/2019 at 12:05 PM, anka-morfin said:

I was wondering if child scooters are allowed in luggage on board and to take on and off the ship. Not mobility scooters but regular kids scooters, we can fold them to put them in luggage. We’re going on msc Mediterranean cruise next week. Very port intensive and our kids are 7 and 4 so with scooters they’re like different people. But without them high potential for whining 🙂 I was wondering if we can take scooters and of course we won’t use them on the ship. But would it be allowed to take them on and off the ship in carry on luggage for the port days.

The worst that could happen is that they hold them until your cruise is over, (I am guessing).

Great picture.  

Aloha 1, thanks so much for a very readable review.  One can just get a feel whether the reviewer's impressions vibe with the reader's and I definately could relate to a lot of what uou mentioned.   

I will be embarking in exactly a month.  First MSC YC solo. YAY. 

5 minutes ago, mnocket said:

 

Agree.  I don't see any real differences that cause me to prefer one over  the other.

Thanks so much for your reply.