MSC vs Celebrity

[andymattmom]

We currently have an August 2020 cruise on the Apex booked with Celebrity in an Aft cabin. It sails to Spain, France and Italy.

 

I started researching MSC and the Yacht Club- a similar itinerary on MSC in Yacht club is $1500 less for a Delusd suite (or whatever the lowest level is in Yacht Club). We have done the Haven on NCL and loved it. Reading it appears the Yacht Club is similar to the Haven. 

 

I see there is a private pool, sun deck, restaurant, Butler, concierge and drinks. Is the drink package similar to the classic one on Celebrity? Are there any perks I’m missing? 

 

Pros and Cons of MSC

[andymattmom]

One last question- if sailing in Europe- does the staff speak English? Are the shows in English? 

[Beamafar]

I've never been in the Haven so can't compare it.  However, YC does, indeed, include all the perks you've mentioned, plus some more.  Priority, escorted embarkation/disembarkation and your choice of a daily newspaper delivered to your cabin every morning are just another couple that I can think of, offhand.

 

MSC has recently changed it's drinks packages and there is an ongoing debate as to what it actually included for YC guests.  However, it will still be a better package (with some premium brands) than what X offers and you don't need to use your cruisecard when ordering drinks in the YC enclave;  only when in the bars/lounges around the rest of the ship.  You can also order more than one drink (unlike on X where each person has to surrender their card when ordering).

 

IMHO, with the price difference between Celebrity and MSC in your case, YC is the way to go.  Having been in a Sky Suite once and YC 5 times, there is no comparison - YC is by far the better experience.

 

ETA ... The crew will certainly speak some English.  Just ask them how many languages they actually can speak - you'll be surprised, so don't be too hard on them if they're not fully fluent in the language you speak - they have to deal with several European languages on a daily basis. 

 

The shows are more visual to take account of the interational mix onboard but most of the songs sung are usually English ones (except for Italian or opera night in the theatre.)

Edited December 27, 2018 by Beamafar

[Nunagoras]

YC generally means smaller suites than the Haven with better perks. Staff will most likely to speak good enough English, have a nice day!

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

Be sure you're looking at a YC1 cabin.  

[andymattmom]

Thank you for the replies! 

[Toofarfromthesea]

7 hours ago, andymattmom said:

We currently have an August 2020 cruise on the Apex booked with Celebrity in an Aft cabin. It sails to Spain, France and Italy.

 

I started researching MSC and the Yacht Club- a similar itinerary on MSC in Yacht club is $1500 less for a Delusd suite (or whatever the lowest level is in Yacht Club). We have done the Haven on NCL and loved it. Reading it appears the Yacht Club is similar to the Haven. 

 

I see there is a private pool, sun deck, restaurant, Butler, concierge and drinks. Is the drink package similar to the classic one on Celebrity? Are there any perks I’m missing? 

 

Pros and Cons of MSC

 

Not a direct compare, but in recent years I did a 7 day Caribbean on Equinox in an aft balcony cabin, and last summer I did a 7 day Western Med on Divina in a YC Deluxe Suite.  Based on those experiences, both of which were very good, I would unquestionably go with the YC at equivalent prices, let alone at a savings.

In addition to the perks you listed is the topsail lounge, which is a large lounge looking out forward with full Butler bar service, a mini buffett, entertainment in the evening (piano).  I've never been in a haven suite, but there are threads here and on the NCL board making the comparison.  YC generally comes out very well in those comparisons.

You will also see some threads here about the YC drinks situation, which is in flux.  But I feel confident in saying that the YC drink package is equal to or better than the Celebrity premium drinks package, which is what I had, let alone the classic.

Not a comprehensive answer, but I hope it helps.

[Teacher42]

MSC YC vs Celebrity Suite class, the only differences are cabin sizes and balcony better on Celebrity, No dedicated  suite pool area on Celebrity ( thus a large balcony with 2 lounge chairs a must have on Celebrity), no reserved theatre seating on Celebrity, just found our reserved seating last night deck 7 port (left side facing) balcony on MSC Divina.

[Nunagoras]

On 12/27/2018 at 5:34 PM, Happy Cruiser 6143 said:

Be sure you're looking at a YC1 cabin.  

Surely there might not to be any doubts on that! At least from where I live the inside cabins are being sold with the YIN code under the inside category while YC1 cabins are being sold as YC1 under the suites category! Have nice day!

[andymattmom]

Just booked ! Interior Yacht Club 5/20/2020 cruise on Seaview- $2984- I received 10% teachers discount!

[Beamafar]

4 minutes ago, andymattmom said:

Just booked ! Interior Yacht Club 5/20/2020 cruise on Seaview- $2984- I received 10% teachers discount!

 

That seems like a very good price ... it's just over the equivalent of $4000 here (before the 5% VC discount).

[mafig]

25 minutes ago, andymattmom said:

Just booked ! Interior Yacht Club 5/20/2020 cruise on Seaview- $2984- I received 10% teachers discount!

Is that for two?  Or per person?

[andymattmom]

14 minutes ago, Beamafar said:

 

That seems like a very good price ... it's just over the equivalent of $4000 here (before the 5% VC discount).

 

I was very happy with price- considering I had $6200 Celebrity cruise booked for similar time and itinerary 

[andymattmom]

46 minutes ago, mafig said:

Is that for two?  Or per person?

Two people 

[jules815]

Just now, andymattmom said:

Two people 

 

That's a very good price.  I've never sailed in an interior, but will be looking to possibly book one for a 2020 trip with my daughter.  

 

The nice thing about the YC is it looks like there are lots of nice outdoor spaces, as well as the nice views from the lounge.  

[andymattmom]

15 minutes ago, jules815 said:

 

That's a very good price.  I've never sailed in an interior, but will be looking to possibly book one for a 2020 trip with my daughter.  

 

The nice thing about the YC is it looks like there are lots of nice outdoor spaces, as well as the nice views from the lounge.  

We have never done interior but watched videos and saw the outdoor areas in YC and decided we’d try. 

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

On 12/28/2018 at 9:48 AM, Teacher42 said:

MSC YC vs Celebrity Suite class, the only differences are cabin sizes and balcony better on Celebrity, No dedicated  suite pool area on Celebrity ( thus a large balcony with 2 lounge chairs a must have on Celebrity), no reserved theatre seating on Celebrity, just found our reserved seating last night deck 7 port (left side facing) balcony on MSC Divina.

 

Celebrity does have reserved seating in the theater for suite guests and your butler will escort you there if you wish.

[Teacher42]

Thank you. We will inquire when we get on board the Equinox this summer, just can not remember just 6 months ago on Equinox. The mind just is not what it use to be, but both of us at the same time?