psmarkle

You will LUV the YC starting with the white YC tent for embarkation 🤩 keep in mind, the 4-day experience will probably not be as personable as a 7-day experience, but enjoy the pampering nonetheless! Have only done 7-day YC cruises, but basing that off the feedback from our YC crew...they actually said they get frustrated on the shorter cruises as they want to provide a higher level of service, but just don't get enough time to know your personal preferences like my Grey Goose Cosmos as soon as I sit down in the Top Sail Lounge! Luv those people!!

March 31st until we sail on the wonderful Divina! Have only sailed MSC in the YC and not even NCL's Haven can compare for us, personally at 1/2 the price, literally. I so enjoyed your review and felt like I was on the cruise with you...thank you for posting!

If I may be politically incorrect in these times, as the brother of two very successful hair stylists, your hair is seriously gorgeous! Nicely done!

OK, here's what I got from my URComped e-mail. So basically, you can earn a free cruise then pay to upgrade to YC for $X depending on type of cruise. Lengthy, but informative post, so grab a cocktail as you digest the lengthy information...might be worth starting a separate thread?? MSC "You Choose" Signature Rewards for Dream Points MSC's "You Choose" Program is MSC's onboard Signature Casino Rewards program. This On-Board Reward Program is a tiered system, based on play. Like many other casinos, players can earn "Dream Points" onboard to receive benefits/rewards. These benefits include 3 different discount levels on a future sailing, a free cruise certificate, as well as possible Free Play vouchers and Casino Drink Packages. $3 coin in (Slot Machines/ Video Poker)= 1 Dream Point Table players must check their points with onboard staff Based on where the casino guest wants to sail with MSC will determine the points needed to receive certain benefits. These are "market-specific" Dream Point Reward options. Some specific point values provide rewards that are valid for sailings around the world! Guests can reach multiple benefit options where they will have the opportunity to "choose" between two or three rewards. The host/manager will ask and confirm which reward option the guest would prefer and issue the reward letter or free cruise certificate accordingly. URComped guests who sail onboard MSC will be eligible to receive these benefits and join the rewards program. Your URComped host will be able to redeem and book the offer that you receive for you. DO NOT GO to the NEXT CRUISE desk to book this. Please see the “Dream Point Reward Matrix” below for the Market-Specific and World Dream Point Reward options. *Note that the below criteria to "earn a free cruise onboard" is different than URComped's negotiated offers with MSC Cruises that are seen on your URComped "My Offers" Page. Your onboard points/rewards do not affect your URComped offers. Free Cruise Certificates Any Guest who reaches the following Dream Point thresholds for a free cruise will receive a Free Cruise Certificate (FCC) with the below Stateroom according to the length and market of the cruise: Anywhere around the world up to 10 nights 10,000 Dream Points FCC Interior Stateroom Bella Experience 15,000 Dream Points FCC Ocean View Stateroom Bella Experience 20,000 Dream Points FCC Balcony Stateroom Bella Experience 30,000 Dream Points FCC Suite Stateroom Aurea Experience + Casino Drink Package 45,000 Dream Points FCC MSC Yacht Club Deluxe Suite USA sailings 6 to 8 nights 8,000 Dream Points FCC Interior Stateroom Bella Experience 10,000 Dream Points FCC Ocean View Stateroom Bella Experience 15,000 Dream Points FCC Balcony Stateroom Bella Experience 25,000 Dream Points FCC Suite Stateroom Aurea Experience + Casino Drink Package 34,000 Dream Points FCC MSC Yacht Club Deluxe Suite USA sailings 2 to 5 nights 5,000 Dream Points FCC Interior Stateroom Bella Experience 8,000 Dream Points FCC Ocean View Stateroom Bella Experience 10,000 Dream Points FCC Balcony Stateroom Bella Experience 20,000 Dream Points FCC Suite Stateroom Aurea Experience + Casino Drink Package 30,000 Dream Points FCC MSC Yacht Club Deluxe Suite MEDITERRANEAN sailings 7 nights 8,000 Dream Points FCC Interior Stateroom Bella Experience BRAZIL sailings 7 nights 8,000 Dream Points FCC Interior Stateroom Bella Experience AFRICA sailings 5 nights 5,000 Dream Points FCC Interior Stateroom Bella Experience Free Play Rewards Once you choose the certificate that you prefer, you will start earning $50.00 in Free Play for each additional 1,000 dream points earned. The free play amount will increase until you reach the next upper-level stateroom category criteria. When this happens, the Free play will automatically reset to 0 and you will restart earning $50.00 Free Play for every 1,000 points. For example, you decide you want a USA 6-8 night cruise. 8,000 Dream Points FCC Interior Stateroom Bella Experience 9,000 Dream Points FCC Interior Stateroom Bella Experience +$50 Freeplay 10,000 Dream Points FCC Ocean View Stateroom Bella Experience 11,000 Dream Points FCC Ocean View Stateroom Bella Experience +$50 Freeplay 12,000 Dream Points FCC Ocean View Stateroom Bella Experience +$100 Freeplay 13,000 Dream Points FCC Ocean View Stateroom Bella Experience +$150 Freeplay 14,000 Dream Points FCC Ocean View Stateroom Bella Experience +$200 Freeplay 15,000 Dream Points FCC Balcony Stateroom Bella Experience And so on... Casino Drink Package Any Guest entitled to a Suite Aurea Stateroom regardless of the market and the length of the cruise will get a Casino Drink Package as well as the Stateroom and the Free Play rewards if any are earned. Upgrading your "You Choose" Certificate Players can upgrade their certificate with the following pricing: 7-10 Night Sailings Upgrade pricing - Inside to Oceanview: $425 - Inside to Balcony: $1250 - Inside to Yacht Club: $3350 - Oceanview to Balcony: $850 - Oceanview to Yacht Club: $3000 - Balcony to Yacht Club: $2200 - Balcony Aurea Suite to Yacht Club: $1400 - Extra Person: $500 Short sailings Upgrade pricing - Inside to Oceanview: $295 - Inside to Balcony: $540 - Inside to Yacht Club: $2945 - Oceanview to Balcony: $295 - Oceanview to Yacht Club: $2400 - Balcony to Yacht Club: $2265 - Balcony Aurea Suite to Yacht Club: $120 - Extra Person: $300

I now just pack 1 pair of Khakis and 7 polo/golf shirts, then gym clothes and a couple of bathing suits...that's it!

Yes. And yes. And on MSC, they don't charge a service fee (usu 3% on some other cruise lines) for charging to your room. Go to msccruisesusa.com/casino for description of the revamped casino rewards program. Make sure you insert your room card into the machine for points tracking as well. It used to be 1,200 points earned you a 30% voucher for your next cruise which is how we can afford the YC every time. Now, I believe it's 3,000 points for 20% off and 5,000-8,999 points for 30% off, and I think I read somewhere the free cruises start at 9,000+ points. I think it's 1 point for every $3 in slot play that you cycle through the machine?? Oh, and if you are enjoying some cocktails while you play, a small tip goes a long way. I usually have to tell my waiter to slow down on the refills as I tip every drink!

Or around $75 if you happen to forget a suitcase back at your airport hotel and call back your Lyft driver to come get you again...not that I'd ever do that, speaking for a "friend!" 🤣

I am a foodie of sorts and I do the cooking at home, and I'm a pretty solid cook. Don't know if this helps any, but I go on a cruise with a vacation mindset, meaning as long as I'm not doing the cooking, cleaning, and there are plenty of cocktails, then I'm definitely going to have a good time! I've posted on other threads here, I'm a carnivore, so there are some nights where I'm not thrilled with the menu, but in the YC you have the "everyday steak" option which is a filet mignon (ok, tech a beef tenderloin on the menu...same thing to me!). In the MDR, it's a NY strip and I have not seen great reviews on that one. You can also request another dish if you're not happy with what you ordered...I've done that about 1 night every cruise. And if all of that fails, there's the pizza! In fact, in the YC, you gotta order the free room service pizza at least once...it's not the same as the buffet. YUM-O! So for me, I don't fret the food as I know there are so many options and no dishes to wash afterwards 😋

Yes, sailed Seaside 2X before Covid.

Yesss! We, too, got spoiled by Arthur and Vishnu in the early years! Miss them (isn't Arthur now a Maitre' d on MSC??). I heard that Vishnu moved back to Mauritius and opened a restaurant. I wish them all success!

And guess who we're flying on in March!? 😁 They were much cheaper then American or Delta. FWIW, we stay at the Hyatt Regency Miami/Brickell, maybe 10 mins to the port and in a great walking/restaurant area. You can actually see the cruise ships from your room. We use points and it's only 15,000 for the night.

You are smart to fly in a day early which is what we always strive to do! Following along, we're on the Divina in March.

Not sure this is of help, but I've found a Lyft/Uber is more convenient and cheaper than the shuttle charges from MCO to Port Canaveral. Just offering that up as I'm also the major "family" travel planner. And Lyft is on your timeline, not the cruise shuttle's...no need to go back to the airport, just get picked up at your hotel. Especially if they offer a stay and cruise parking package.

Yup, that's the one! Takes a LOT more energy to get up there out of the water than you'd think! Wore my butt out!...and I work out daily and got my butt whipped climbing that ladder onto the trampoline LOL

Oops, I think I'm finding Royal Palms is permanently closed now...my bad. Researching another beach club... 🫣 Looks like Coral Beach Club is still open??

Having done this itinerary several times, we head to Royal Palms Beach Club in Grand Cayman where we rent a cabana (we just grab a van taxi at the port along w/ 8 of our new "best friends"), in Ocho Rios you can walk off the ship to Margarittaville beach club where we do the VIP pkg which includes beach chairs, a beach side safe for valuables and a round of margaritas. Cozumel, it's Mr Sanchos all the way! VIP pkg, of course (unlimited drinks and food)! We love this intin so much, we're doing it again in March 2024. It's a great beach day schedule, if that's what you're looking for like we do!

Agree 100%! Having gone YC on 4 previous cruises, I am definitely more experienced now on how to exact the experience from the YC that my family is looking for. I don't hesitate to ask for the pillow menu on Day 1 to get the extra pillows I need for my bad back. I also remove the items from our mini fridge that we don't use and ask for more of what we want (extra Coronas!). On night 1, we let the Maitre' D know what time we'd like to eat (usu 6pm for us) and the same table we'd like. I also know if there's not a main dish I like on the menu, I can always order the filet mignon which has not disappointed yet (I'm a carnivore, what can I say?). Also, we let our butler know our pre-dinnner cocktails we'd like in our room as we get ready since I learned from our first YC cruise that they get "hollered at" if their boss sees a YC customer carrying their own drinks from the bar vs them delivering them to us! And similar to you, I pre-tip every day to the poolside waiters for prompt and great cocktail service. Not required, but I also never have an empty cocktail glass either LOL! So all to say, I've learned a lot of tips and pointers along the way on our YC journey from our first Seaside cruise and now don't hesitate to ask up front for what we'd like. The people working the YC aspire to provide an exceptional experience and have done us right our last 4 cruises with our 5th coming up in March.

Have only done a hot stone massage with MSC as I require a massage therapist with seriously strong hands for my functional massages (I really have tight back muscles). However, doing a hot stone massage on a cruise is truly enjoyable and relaxing! Highly recommend.

I am a gym enthusiast on our cruises as well. One unique feature of MSC gyms is having a barbell rack, so I can actually keep up with some olympic weightlifting. Although, the guys wanting to use the bench press look at me sideways when they see I swiped their 45lb plates for some heavy squats!

You can just charge it to your room. The cashier's cage or a pit boss can help you out.

+1! We are booked on her at the end of March in YC. Looking forward to hearing your review/thoughts!

From our waiters on our past YC cruises, they explained they get frustrated on the 3- and 4-day cruises because they don't get a chance to really know their guests and provide the true YC experience. as on a 7-day. For example, after the second day, there was a bottle of the Robert Mondavi Chardonnay waiting at our table when we arrived. In addition, they knew we liked the assorted cheese platter as an appetizer vs as a dessert and automatically brought it with the bread/rolls without us having to ask after the first couple of nights. Even out on the pool deck, the butlers learned I like my Grey Goose Cosmos and would bring me one as soon as they saw me come up to the pool deck and settle into my chair. So I'd recommend trying the YC again on a 7-day cruise, if you get a chance, and see if you experience an elevated level of service!

We have been on 50+ cruises, so what you've described can be found on all the major lines. For me, personally, we are done with Carnival, but that's just our experience. We enjoy a good Royal experience, but the prices have gone crazy. NCL had been our go-to line for a very long time until we found MSC, now we're hooked! You don't see a whole lot of cruise passenger fight videos on youtube occurring on MSC ships, but you do find them on other ships. Go ahead a do a search, they're out there! Your cruise is going to be what you make of it. If you're expecting high-end gourmet on a main-line cruise ship, you might be disappointed. For me, decent food at a casual restaurant level quality, where I'm not doing the cooking nor the dishes? Count me in! Midnight pizza delivery? Yessir!! Eggs benedict for breakfast...now I know I'm on vacation! Chair hogs by the pool? No worries, I usually try to find chairs on the upper decks away from the crowds anyways (disclaimer: this is in reference to our earlier cruise days since we only sail YC on MSC where there are no chair hogs in the YC pool deck as there are more chairs than YC passengers). Lines at the buffet? Usually not if you go to the one at the back which most people forget about! Sold out shows? Did you not get your act together before the cruise and have your days planned out?! What kind of vacay planner r u? LOL! MSC is in the same arena as the Royal and NCL. It's a main line cruise experience for a fair price. If you want higher end, go into the YC like we do (LUV IT!), go to a luxury cruise line, or temper your expectations that no matter what, it still beats being at work on a good day at the office!!

You should be fine with those times. We always book our own GC excursions, sometimes spur of the moment at the pier, and have never had a problem making it. I will say, stingray city on your own excursion vs through the ship is the way to go!

We are NCL Platinum from back before they divided the levels up. Always booked NCL Haven through the Casinos At Sea until we discovered MSC Yacht Ckub at literally 1/2 the price for a far superior experience! Now MSC Diamond and have only sailed MSC YC and not looking back. Seriously, why would I, for the higher level of service and the value for our $$, MSC has earned our loyalty! Thier casino rewards are also very generous with their 30% off your next cruise. Although I understand they have changed the amount of play required, I'm sure I won't have any problem meeting the requirement 😊