Like you I status matched and recieved Gold and will be MSC newbie come September. I googled MSC yacht club and lots of youtube videos came up with info and reviews. Went to the most recent dated ones.
Also searched for MSC Cruise travel agent who is actually a loyalist.
She just got back from her recent cruise and loved yacht club.I booked thru her so I could get the best deal.
I've done HAL, Celebrity and Princess but I felt bored.
Going with MSC for the adventure factor, something different and will take whatever comes!
You have very detailed questions.....maybe pick the top 5 info points that are important to you and take the rest as an adventure as it comes.
Back in the day 28 years ago before internet my husband and I did a carnival cruise with porthole window cabin to the Mexican riviera.
We didn't know what to expect with very little info than what an agent
mailed to us. That cruise was more fun than imagined!
Sometimes you just gotta have that sort of spirit when traveling. 🤗