Seaside - YC - January 12, 2019

[jules815]

Hi everyone, leaving this here for now.  We'll be getting picked up any minute.  I hope to add to it during our trip.  

 

I thought I'd try to start a live review for our Seaside cruise.  We're sailing 1/12 - 1/19, in the Yacht Club.  (Sorry, yet another YC review.)

 

Some background.  We're from the Chicago suburbs, 57 and 61.  We both still work full time, and our nest has been empty since 2012.  Our vacations are no longer during peak times, and they've gradually gotten longer.  We love B2B's and we've done one transatlantic crossing when they brought Harmony to the US in 2016.  We've sailed mostly with RC, (they're our favorite line when cruising with family),  a few with Carnival, and most recently with Celebrity, which is our new favorite.  All of our cruises since 2014 have been in suites.  Was looking at trying Haven, but during my research I read a review of YC, and here we are.

 

We're doing a Western Caribbean itinerary, Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman, Costa Maya, Nassau, and have 2 sea days.  We've been to all of these ports before and don't have any excursions booked.  The ship is our destination for this trip, but we usually walk around the port for a little while after breakfast and we're always back on board before lunch.  Love the nearly empty ship.

 

We'll be in 18009, which is regular Deluxe Suite.   We've pre-purchased the 4-device Premium Internet Package and the Back Home Clean 20 Laundry Package. 

We're flying down the day before we sail and staying at our favorite pre-cruise hotel in Miami, the JW Marriott Marquis.  The night before our flight we're staying at a hotel near O'Hare.  We live about an hour away from the airport.  January in Chicago, even a little snow can really screw with rush hour, don't need that stress.  Edit:  No snow, but we're staying near the airport anyway.  🙂

 

[LisaLisa87]

I'm looking forward to your review! I'm still suffering the post-cruise blues, so it'll be fun to follow your adventures!

[Kmkub]

I'll follow along! We are getting ready to book our first MSC cruise, on Seaside, and in YC. We've never done the suite life at sea, so very excited!

 

Have fun.

[Cruisergal1208]

Will be following as I like to hear reports from the YC. You might want to check on boarding times because those getting off and on Divina today are reporting long delays   They think it’s due to government shutdowns and not enough  agents to handle clearing the port. 

[Aloha 1]

Love the Marriott Marquis! Looking forward to your review as we board on 3/30.

[Aloha 1]

Jules;

Thanks for taking time to do this! Here's a couple things I think a lot of us would like to know about. First, I assume you booked before 11/18 so verify that they are honoring the included gelato, crepes, and chocolate drinks for free at Venchi. Second, verify exactly what you get with the YC drink package and if you can upgrade to the Premium Plus. Finally, FOOD! Please tell us what you think of the YC dining experience. Thanks in advance.

[DMH15]

Following your live review.  First MSC, First Seaside, First YC and First Solo. 

 

I came over to try after the status match to Black.  I come from NCL Haven.  So excited.  

[jvsnana]

Jules...following along too!  We will board on the 19th when you are getting off.

Hope you have a wonderful time!

[PompeySailor]

Following:

 

Have a Great Cruise!

 

Looking forward to your take on YC, and comparison to RC Suite life.

We still have 8 weeks before we get to enjoy

 

Happy Days!

[luv2sail7]

Following as well.  We (3 couples) board YC Seaside in Feb and I am also looking at getting the internet package and laundry package (as we will jump to a different cruise line for a 2nd cruise).  Enjoy your cruise and safe travels down to Miami!

[markf]

I am envious, you  will find  the  YC to be  your  future favorite cruise  line  of  choice.. I  will follow  along.

I have been on 2  YC crusies  and  various  others --

[kodesthemoose]

I think that we are in that room on the Seaview so I'm looking forward to hearing what you think of it !  Have fun!! 

[smdubowsky]

MY DW and I will be in YC on the Seaside next week. We look forward to your review. Let us know if you are impressed with any particular crew members and any special things you discover along the way

[hgroff]

YC in May, looking forward to your review.

[reedprincess]

Hooray!!  Looking forward to your review... We've sailed Suite class on RCI and Celebrity, Princess, Carnival and are looking forward to your comparison...

We're YC Feb 2... 

And yes, hoping for info in the inclusions - hoping it still covers gelato, Venchi,  etc. (as above!)..

 

Thanks a million.. 

[jules815]

[jules815]

Our stay at the JW Marriott Marquis has been very good, as always. We just finished breakfast, and plan to leave the hotel around 10:30.  

 

Question.  When we get to the YC tent, are there porters taking bags or butlers?  If they’re butlers, would this be a time to tip?  We always tip the porters. Would this be a time to tip the butler?  Thanks. 

[Debde]

Excited for you Jules!! Have a great time.

 

When we arrived the porter took us to the tent so my husband tipped him. They take care of the bags but the butler only escorted us and the team at the YC tent said follow him. We were so excited that's all I remember about the bags!!

[gimletgal]

19 minutes ago, jules815 said:

Our stay at the JW Marriott Marquis has been very good, as always. We just finished breakfast, and plan to leave the hotel around 10:30.  

 

Question.  When we get to the YC tent, are there porters taking bags or butlers?  If they’re butlers, would this be a time to tip?  We always tip the porters. Would this be a time to tip the butler?  Thanks. 

The butlers at the tent are "shoreside only" butlers. They will just walk you through security and up to the lounge where you will have your credentials processed. If a porter takes your bags to the YC tent, definitely tip him. I have never tipped the shoreside butler. 

 

Have a great cruise!

Edited January 12, 2019 by gimletgal

[jules815]

3 minutes ago, Debde said:

Excited for you Jules!! Have a great time.

 

When we arrived the porter took us to the tent so my husband tipped him. They take care of the bags but the butler only escorted us and the team at the YC tent said follow him. We were so excited that's all I remember about the bags!!

Thank you!  That’s exactly what we needed to know. We’re so excited. Beautiful day here. Just took this pic from our room. 

[Cruisergal1208]

43 minutes ago, jules815 said:

Our stay at the JW Marriott Marquis has been very good, as always. We just finished breakfast, and plan to leave the hotel around 10:30.  

 

Question.  When we get to the YC tent, are there porters taking bags or butlers?  If they’re butlers, would this be a time to tip?  We always tip the porters. Would this be a time to tip the butler?  Thanks. 

Have a fantastic time. If the shoreside butler helps with your carry ons then I tip them   We usually get the same older gentleman each time and he takes good care of us and we tip $5 as he escorts us up to the gangway 

[Beachin2]

Hope you didn't get lost on your way to the port, looking forward  to your review!

[xcell]

Maybe the internet package was too slow for any updates....interested in your report.

Edited January 16, 2019 by xcell

[Teacher42]

Although the carry-on has wheels, they are still getting heavier with each passing year. It was a pleasant moment when the escort butler grabbed  and lifted our carry-on luggage up off the floor onto the X-ray belt. There is no one else there that will do this for you. It was such a pleasant experience at that moment that it is hard not to tip, but we waited til he escorted us into our cabin and explained about our butlers, room steward, etc. Once in the room I was able to get my self situated so I would not drop something important out of my pockets while fumbling around for the tip money I set aside for these moments.

[mmpgoodtogo]

On 1/10/2019 at 5:10 PM, Aloha 1 said:

Jules;

Thanks for taking time to do this! Here's a couple things I think a lot of us would like to know about. First, I assume you booked before 11/18 so verify that they are honoring the included gelato, crepes, and chocolate drinks for free at Venchi. Second, verify exactly what you get with the YC drink package and if you can upgrade to the Premium Plus. Finally, FOOD! Please tell us what you think of the YC dining experience. Thanks in advance.

I am not the OP obviously but I’m on this sailing in the YC.  I have had no problems with venchi being included on drinks or gelato.  I haven’t tried to get crepes b/c I don’t want them.  YC dining room has been great.  Randy is our server and is very nice and attentive. I’ve gotten all drinks included other than one at the champagne bar which was like 19.00.  We’ve not been told anything is outside of the packages we booked with before the changes unless it was an obviously expensive item.  You can buy up to premium plus and we discussed it but found it wasn’t going to really add much for us to do so. Waiters in YC are attentive as well. Heard a few people say they love the cruise.  Heard a few people say they hate MSC. We’ve successfully hijacked the elevator for priority use several times. (We are those jerks).  And the wait staff at the champagne bar have been great. We did tip but found them to be great even prior to our 5$ gratuity we ended up giving at the conclusion of each visit. YC food has been good. Husband loved the Osso buco.  The deserts have been tasty.  The fruit tarts=yum!  My biggest food complaint is as that my toast was a bit burnt for my tastes.  YMMV.  I’ve seen a few sour faced people look pretty sour each day and I think they are having a sour trip.  But I think it’s more about them then the staff. Oh our butler is Alessandra.  She’s been perfectly acceptable and attentive though we haven’t asked for much past an extra blanket, in room breakfast one day, and a bag of laundry.  She’s keeping the fridge stocked with diet cokes as requested.