MsTabbyKats

You' ve read correctly. I'm one of those health nuts at home. Pizza and a coke delivered on the pool deck. Whereas others care about "the drink package"....this was nirvana to me!

@GoldenZoo Tip for the theatre and lack of handrails: Instead of walking down the middle, go down the sides and use the wall for stability.

On 5/7 I got a Lyft (to Manhattan) within 10 minutes. Going there was a nightmare....half an hour to the port and almost an hour getting dropped off. But...the weather was awful that day.

I am not a coffee drinker but my husband was having cappacino multi-times per day. I'm not sure if that qualifies as a specialty coffee. He had it in the YC dining room and pool deck buffets.

So, now you know why everyone is so negative. Call them again....as early in the day as possible to clear this up. With MSC you never know..........

We were on the 4/29 sailing....rain and wind like a hurricane. The main embarkation was total chaos. We went to the YC entrance....and were taken care of immediately. While we waited for the escort on to the ship, we sat in the lounge and were served drinks and snacks. I would assume that if there is a delay in disembarkation you can sit in the TSL on the ship and have drinks and snacks until you're escorted off the ship.

Thank you for this info. Between this and the reduction of entertainment....my expectations aren't very high. YC truly spoiled me, and more importantly, DH. I never saw him so happy on a cruise. For him, it was all about the food/wine and level of service.

Um....I am a NY pizza snob "of a certain age". I remember when pizza was pizza....before all these artisan toppings...lol. I had my "made to order pizza" delivered to the YC pool deck. That and my coke (coke is a real treat for me)....I felt like royalty. The pizza was fresh and hot. Each pie had 6 slices; more than enuf for 2 people. I didn't bother with dinner those nights. Talking about food and NCL vs MSC: I am a big fan of the NCL buffet...mainly the salads (I cook with a lot of spices and flavor...cruise dining room food just doesn't do it for me...even YC...hence "the pizza"!). In reading NCL reports, it seems the quality of the buffet has gone down (not talking about the hours of service). Anyone care to comment? Less variety? Those "gelatin based desserts"? Are the hard ice cream/toppings still there? Going on the Escape (non Haven) in Sept...and getting a bit nervous. Is there life after the YC?

It's rocky...but NOT like the YC beach. DH couldn't enter the water in YC beach; he went into the water on this one. It was even hard getting on the the YC beach. There's a "towel guy" at the entrance and he had to help me down a small hill (for the sake of transparency...I'm not the most agile person). Next time I'll find a gentle lagoon.........

Yes....chairs. Not crowded at all. Unlike the YC beach, if u want an umbrella you could rent one

We left the rocky beach and went right across the road to another beach.

I got the 10% voucher....but even if I called the casino line and got the discount, my TA gave me more. He tried to add it on, but no luck. Oh well, at least I didn't lose too much getting those points...lol.

@JamieLogicalSpecial for you! There is a specific casino game I like to play. Unfortunately an Asian man like the same machine. He'd be sitting there, all comfortable, curled up on the seat....with his bare feet on the seat! I agree...if you are sailing out of North America....observe how others behave, and do likewise.

I've weighed the pros; I've weighed the cons. I also factored in the "diluted entertainment". I think "Choir of Man" is the only show and we've seen it twice before (not a fan). Based on the suggested bid for a "fair chance" of winning an upgrade to a cabin I don't get to pick, I can't justify the added expense. Thanks for the input!

@Two Wheels OnlyHmmm....DH was completely spolled on MSC. He loved those "personally grilled fish meals" on the pool deck and while he was being healthy, I loved my "personally topped pizza" that was delivered by the butler. I don't think the Haven, despite higher price, would compare. We have a nice "corner balcony" booked now....and I love the NCL buffets. Thanks for the info....I'm gonna stay put.

We are booked for the 9/3 Escape and I've been offered to bid for an upgrade. A couple of questions: DSC...our TA paid our DSC. Would I have to pay "the difference" (I think Haven is couple of dollars more pp/pd) or the entire amount? Meals....we were on the MSC Yacht Club recently. For breakfast and lunch they put out a buffet by the pool. Do they do this in the Escape, or are the meals limited to the dining room? Drinks...without a drink package (neither of us drink) is anything included with the meals? Any cappacino, bottled water?

I just got a $325 reduction for a YCI plus the OBC. I'm happy with it! @NCteacherlovescruisingMany TAs won't work with MSC. If there are issues, they have to spend too much time resolving them. @kaz828If you're happy with the price, go for it. But, after you book, ignore the urge to do mock bookings. They don't price adjust, and if the price goes down, you have to cancel (and lose your deposit) and then rebook.

Nature made it rocky. But they could just move the lifeguard, umbrellas and lounge chairs to the beach across the road. I don't know why they don't.

Sorry....but it's very true. I was warned but couldn't believe how rocky it was. There's another beach right across the road that's much smoother.

@mking8288Sept 3rd for us....

Maybe because in the Yacht Club people aren't fighting for space.

Hi Henry-How are you? I'm getting kind of nervous now. We have a Sept Escape cruise and we are buffet people. We got back from an MSC Meraviglia sailing in the Yacht Club and absolutely loved it. The only thing I missed was the NCL buffet and their wide variety of salads. With your buffet observation, plus cutbacks in entertainment that I've heard about...I have a feeling that my upcoming cruise may be my last NCL cruise.

Yacht Club dining room was completely unpretentious. Come in whatever makes you happy. (Side note: Whole YC experience was unpretentious)

Maybe they don't replace the Pringles or jar of nuts....but the lounge had a variety of nuts and chips available in the evening (with dishes....so you could bring them back to the cabin).

Not such a crazy question (because I had mine with me). Yes...there was conditioner, shampoo, body wash and body lotion upon arrival. They all lasted the entire 8 days...but I assume the butler would bring you more upon request.