What services did your YC Butler provide?

[Nashna]

In the past, we have sailed with concierge services.  This is our first time with a butler.  What extra services did you request?  What special extra services did they provide?

[Hlitner]

Our Butler (on the Divina) was involved in many functions.  It started as soon as we boarded the ship when he introduced himself and insisted on escorting us to Le Muse (where we wanted to go for lunch).  He showed us two ways to get from the YC to Le Muse and introduced us to the Maitre'd.  He was also around many hours of the day and supervised the cabin stewards.  Any requests regarding our cabin were immediately granted.  For example, DW saw our Butler next to the bar in the Top Sail Lounge and mentioned that she likes to have a few Diet Cokes in our cabin.  Eric (our Concierge) immediately grabbed a few cans from the bar and headed for our cabin :).  For those that have MSC excursions (we do not do excursions) the Butlers are around to escort them off the ship (avoiding lines) to their tour bus.  At disembarkation the Butlers are also available to escort passengers off the ship...avoiding other lines.  We were impressed with both our Butler and some others we met in the Top Sail Lounge and near the Concierge desk.  Question and/or issues were immediately resolved.  To be honest, it was a level of service we have never experienced on any other ship or line...and we have been on 15 lines and more then 70 different ships.

 

Hank

[Nashna]

Wow.  That is impressive service.  We sailed on Seabourn last year and expected that level of service and it was not provided.  We made the mistake of thinking that at that price point, the service would be excellent.  This will be our first sailing on MSC.   The main reason that we booked the YC was to avoid lines, to have a place to sit by the pool, and to dine when we wished.  From what I've read about the butler service, it is a huge plus.     

[Beamafar]

The butlers only escort you to the restaurant on Fantasia-class ships (there's no need on the new-builds as they're located in the YC enclave).  This is done for 2 reasons:

 

1)  For the purpose of showing you the best route to take to the restaurant.

 

2)  To save the *asst m'D from having to request YC guests that they show their cruisecards to him to prove their entitlement to dine there.  By being escorted by a butler, the crew can see that you are, indeed, a YC guest.  They don't have this problem with the new builds as you can't access the restaurant unless you're in the YC area.

 

*The ship's m'D does not work in the YC restaurant - and there's only one!  All others in charge of MDRs are assistant m'Ds.

Edited February 17, 2019 by Beamafar

[TrinaLC]

One of the things that really makes YC work is that while you are assigned a butler, all the butlers work together and anyone of them will happily help you. There are always several on duty and visibly present in the public areas. No having to track them down like you do in NCL Haven. Also if you get a bad butler on NCL you are SOL. (Though I have yet to see a bad butler on MSC with one sorta exception.)

[xcell]

What kind of snacks can you ask for in the mini-fridge?

[Cruisergal1208]

43 minutes ago, xcell said:

What kind of snacks can you ask for in the mini-fridge?

It comes with chocolate covered peanuts and potato chips, cocktail nuts, and salted peanuts. They will replenish twice a day or whenever you ask for more. 

[Captain-John]

On a scale of 1 - 10 - is it likely I would get a request granted for 'chips and dip' - tortilla chips and salsa - as a snack in the afternoon instead of canapes etc.? (really random, totally unimportant in the grand scheme of things, first world question!!)

Edited February 17, 2019 by Captain-John

[Beamafar]

3 minutes ago, Captain-John said:

On a scale of 1 - 10 - is it likely I would get a request granted for 'chips and dip' - tortilla chips and salsa - as a snack in the afternoon instead of canapes etc.? (really random, totally unimportant in the grand scheme of things, first world question!!)

 

There is usually a selection of (unusual) bags of 'chips' in the Top Sail Lounge, Cap'n.  Just ask one of the butlers if it would be possible to have a salsa made up.  They may be able to arrange it for you;  though you may not get it the first day, they should be able to get the kitchen to fix some up for you at some stage.  I used to get lovely little bread rolls with ham made up for excursions.

 

Here is what it says in the online YC brochure (page 28):

 

"Your wish is our command, so don’t be afraid to ask".

 

YC Brochure.pdf

 

 

[Captain-John]

Thanks Bea - sounds like it's not 'to hand' but I'd get a feel for how busy they were etc. and ask, although wouldn't be devastated with a polite refusal.

 

Good idea about getting a snack for an excursion - hadn't thought of that and never worked up to taking anything from the buffet on excursions as you often hear about people doing.

[xcell]

Thanks for the info on snacks -- kids are allergic to nuts, so I am hoping there are other things they can snack on...

[Cruisergal1208]

50 minutes ago, xcell said:

Thanks for the info on snacks -- kids are allergic to nuts, so I am hoping there are other things they can snack on...

Ask for all nuts to be removed.  Lots of snacks in Topsail all day. Also I guess you know to let your server know of the allergies. 

[Cruisergal1208]

1 hour ago, Captain-John said:

Thanks Bea - sounds like it's not 'to hand' but I'd get a feel for how busy they were etc. and ask, although wouldn't be devastated with a polite refusal.

 

Good idea about getting a snack for an excursion - hadn't thought of that and never worked up to taking anything from the buffet on excursions as you often hear about people doing.

Just make sure  it’s allowed by the port you are at. Some are very strict about no food from ship unless in original unopened packages. 

[Capricruiser]

MSC butlers are wonderful for all the reasons cited above.  For several years now we've cruised almost exclusively in Yacht Club.  If the itinerary we want only has one of the smaller MSC ships without YC, we may grit our teeth and book - but then maybe not.