Rare Beamafar Posted April 5, 2019 #1 Share Posted April 5, 2019 Well ... according to MSC UK: "The Yacht Club does not include a specific drink package, but it offers a premium F&B experience, within and outside of the Yacht Club area. Guests can enjoy complimentary drinks with premium brands included, while the top-shelf connoisseurs’ selection is on payment within and outside of the Yacht Club. A complimentary premium beverage selection is offered in all onboard bars and restaurants, according to the drink selections available in the different venues." That was the response I got to an email I wrote querying a quote of £1702 to upgrade to the PremiumPlus package on a 23 night YC booking. This is what it would cost to upgrade from 'Easy' to Prem+. (I have since received a reduced cost which is the difference between the price of Premium and Prem+ despite the above quote). Now, contrast that with the following that a German TA received from MSC Germany when I asked to upgrade to Prem+ on a 7 night YC sailing: "MSC Cruises told us today, that the additional charge for the upgrade from> the All Inclusive Beverage Package Premium to the All Inclusive Beverage> Package Premium Plus is 224 Euro for 2 adults (subject to changes)." That, to me, reads that YC DOES include the Premium package, conflicting with what MSC UK advised. So, I emailed MSC UK to clarify the situation. This was the reply: "We have different Terms and Conditions and different offers on each market we are selling our cruises. Here we are the MSC Cruises representative office for UK and Ireland and the below information provided is correct as per our market.Different representative offices provide different privileges on the cabin experiences, according to the market requirements, etc. A clear example is the MSC Cruises USA market compared to ours or in this case, the German market compared to ours" Is it any wonder it's almost impossible to state anything on here definitively when MSC provides such conflicting information. 🙄 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JP Medina Posted April 5, 2019 #2 Share Posted April 5, 2019 I wonder if you should mention the market you come from when ordering a drink then (as MSC states the privileges vary). LOL. Thanks for the info, have reached YC, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Beamafar Posted April 5, 2019 Author #3 Share Posted April 5, 2019 2 hours ago, JP Medina said: I wonder if you should mention the market you come from when ordering a drink then (as MSC states the privileges vary). LOL. 😄 According to MSC UK it would seem so! 😏 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamrag Posted April 6, 2019 #4 Share Posted April 6, 2019 Don't pay attention to any of the regional or international offices. What matters is what happens onboard, and our recent experience on Preziosa was that the YC package was Premium plus a little from the Connoisseur Selection (CS)! A handful of drinks listed only in the CS in other bars are included on the YC menu without the CS upcharge. In other bars outwith the YC these drinks were not included, but when we asked for them we were provided without charge....even although they were listed as CS and chargeable. To summarise YC on Preziosa was Premium, plus the low end of CS and definitely also included Nicolas F Champagne! One of the couples we befriended had upgraded to Premium Plus at a supplement to avail themselves of e.g. Johnnie Walker Blue Label whisky, so that is an option. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Beamafar Posted April 6, 2019 Author #5 Share Posted April 6, 2019 Can you remember what was for charge in YC, G? From the Connoisseurs' Selection drinks menu that I have from 2017 for a Med cruise, JW Blue wasn't offered; the top CS was Macallan Select Oak which, I believe, you were able to enjoy (?). We have upgraded to Prem+ for our Aug/Sept sailing; I'll be comparing our experience with that of friends of ours who aren't upgrading, before deciding whether it will be worth it to upgrade for our Oct/Nov sailing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamrag Posted April 6, 2019 #6 Share Posted April 6, 2019 2 hours ago, Beamafar said: Can you remember what was for charge in YC, G? From the Connoisseurs' Selection drinks menu that I have from 2017 for a Med cruise, JW Blue wasn't offered; the top CS was Macallan Select Oak which, I believe, you were able to enjoy (?). We have upgraded to Prem+ for our Aug/Sept sailing; I'll be comparing our experience with that of friends of ours who aren't upgrading, before deciding whether it will be worth it to upgrade for our Oct/Nov sailing. It was the same as the other bars, with a handful of exceptions like Macallan Select Oak and one other malt whisky (Bowmore I think) for sure. Other than that, I do not recall....certainly it did not include your favoured high-ends like Remy Martin XO cognac. I recall someone saying one evening that they believed one of the low-end Connoisseur Selection was included for the main spirits e.g. rum, vodka and gin....Tanqueray No. 10 was definitely included, but that may not be part of the Connoisseur Selection, and is more select than e.g. Hendricks. Other than with dinner in the evening, we would not drink wine....of which I know you enjoy, so cannot help you with that other than noticing most wines, including champagne, on the Connoisseur selection were by the bottle....I see no reason why they couldn't be included certainly for a YC restaurant lunch or dinner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Beamafar Posted April 6, 2019 Author #7 Share Posted April 6, 2019 Thanks, G! Hendrick's was on the Connoisseurs' Selection list on Armonia in January. I prefer it to Tanqueray No 10 (which is on the Premium list), so that's just one more of my favourites that I can look forward to enjoying in August. I'm not sure that we'll have a better wine selection in the YC restaurant as a result of having the Prem+ package, but I'll be making friends with the Sommelier asap after embarking (hopefully there'll be one in YC - I've read reports on here that there isn't one on Seaside). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamrag Posted April 6, 2019 #8 Share Posted April 6, 2019 1 hour ago, Beamafar said: I'm not sure that we'll have a better wine selection in the YC restaurant as a result of having the Prem+ package, but I'll be making friends with the Sommelier asap after embarking (hopefully there'll be one in YC - I've read reports on here that there isn't one on Seaside). You ought to.....The couple I previously referenced as upgrading to Premium + on Preziosa certainly did, because they bored the pants off everyone else telling us about the fabulous wines available to them. There is no doubt at all in my mind that the Sommelier spent most of his time around them when we dined at a time when they were eating! So, premium + becomes ever more attractive for you Bea!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Beamafar Posted April 6, 2019 Author #9 Share Posted April 6, 2019 (edited) Well ... you've certainly made it sound like I have lots more to look forward to, G (and, no, I won't bore the pants off anyone about anything extra we'll get. Unless someone else brings up the subject, we never even discuss what package we have - which is usually Deluxe whether we're booked in or out of YC - let alone what brands we get to drink). On that subject; ourselves and my parents joined 2 other couples (from England) one night in one of the lounges. We all had drinks packages (we had the Deluxe, they had Allegrissimo). When we wanted to order drinks, it became a joke about who was getting in the next round (the waiter was getting all 8 drinks on 2 cards as he knew we were all covered). One of the English blokes waved his card and said "I'll buy a drink for you, Bea". "Sure", says I, "but it'll cost you €12 plus 15%" (yeah ... it was RM XO - dem were the days ) Edited April 6, 2019 by Beamafar 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Znak Posted April 7, 2019 #10 Share Posted April 7, 2019 Hi All, We're sailing on the Preziosa (YC) to Iceland in August 2020. Which Bourbons are included in the Yacht Club drinks package on the Preziosa? We sailed on the Meraviglia (YC) to Norway last year and was happy that the Woodford Reserve Bourbon was included as well as JD,Jim Beam, etc. Have they shifted any to the premium plus category? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Beamafar Posted April 7, 2019 Author #11 Share Posted April 7, 2019 4 hours ago, Znak said: Hi All, We're sailing on the Preziosa (YC) to Iceland in August 2020. Which Bourbons are included in the Yacht Club drinks package on the Preziosa? We sailed on the Meraviglia (YC) to Norway last year and was happy that the Woodford Reserve Bourbon was included as well as JD,Jim Beam, etc. Have they shifted any to the premium plus category? I intend to post photos of the drinks menus from Seaview in September (which should be similar to what will be available on Preziosa as they're both European itineraries). If you don't get an answer before then, just watch out for my photos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emmas gran Posted April 7, 2019 #12 Share Posted April 7, 2019 I can ask tonight, watch for a reply tomorrow. Sorry 😐 I am not technical enough to post pictures of lists. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emmas gran Posted April 7, 2019 #13 Share Posted April 7, 2019 Posted on another link bourbon 🥃 available tonight in YC Makers Mark Jack Daniels Jim Beam Woodford Reserve Hope this helps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Beamafar Posted April 7, 2019 Author #14 Share Posted April 7, 2019 Liz ... are there drinks with prices on the YC menu? (Have I asked you that before? - I'm getting to that age LOL) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emmas gran Posted April 7, 2019 #15 Share Posted April 7, 2019 You and me both LOL No prices only the Connoisseur Selection has pricing We had Cicigona? Tonight very nice wine I have had a couple of wines and now having Remy VSOP so quite happy with the selection DH having a Bowmore can only get Macallan in the casino as on Connoisseur list! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Beamafar Posted April 7, 2019 Author #16 Share Posted April 7, 2019 Cicogna is the only red I drink when we have the premium package. However, we did one Med cruise where we had the basic drinks package and bought a wine package to supplement it. Unfortunately, Cicogna wasn't on the list of included wines, so I had the next best, which is Regale Toscana. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emmas gran Posted April 7, 2019 #17 Share Posted April 7, 2019 Okay I have a menu for Dim Sum / wine bar so will post info tomorrow, when I have my specs and no 🍷 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Znak Posted April 8, 2019 #18 Share Posted April 8, 2019 13 hours ago, emmas gran said: Posted on another link bourbon 🥃 available tonight in YC Makers Mark Jack Daniels Jim Beam Woodford Reserve Hope this helps Thanks for the speedy answer, it's very helpful Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Znak Posted April 8, 2019 #19 Share Posted April 8, 2019 20 hours ago, Beamafar said: I intend to post photos of the drinks menus from Seaview in September (which should be similar to what will be available on Preziosa as they're both European itineraries). If you don't get an answer before then, just watch out for my photos. Thanks Beamafar, I will let DW know about the drink menu photos so she can peruse the red wine selection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sverigecruiser Posted April 8, 2019 #20 Share Posted April 8, 2019 Divina seems to be special so my experience there is special. On other ships, are the guests in the YC informad about the pricelimit for included drinks in bars around the ship now when there is no * in the menues? If not, how shall they know what's included? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Beamafar Posted April 8, 2019 Author #21 Share Posted April 8, 2019 3 minutes ago, sverigecruiser said: Divina seems to be special so my experience there is special. On other ships, are the guests in the YC informad about the pricelimit for included drinks in bars around the ship now when there is no * in the menues? If not, how shall they know what's included? Items not included are in the Connoisseurs' Selection page of the menus, SC. (It'll be interesting to see the Champagne bar menu, though, where asterisks denoted inclusions/exclusions). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sverigecruiser Posted April 8, 2019 #22 Share Posted April 8, 2019 4 hours ago, Beamafar said: Items not included are in the Connoisseurs' Selection page of the menus, SC. (It'll be interesting to see the Champagne bar menu, though, where asterisks denoted inclusions/exclusions). Then I understand that. Are the guests told that so that they know what's included? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Beamafar Posted April 8, 2019 Author #23 Share Posted April 8, 2019 (edited) 19 minutes ago, sverigecruiser said: Then I understand that. Are the guests told that so that they know what's included? I don't remember ever being told what was included/excluded outside of YC, SC. Having said that, when the Deluxe package was first included for YC guests (back in April 2017) I was already familiar with it, having always upgraded to Deluxe in the past, so I never had to ask anyone about it. Edited April 8, 2019 by Beamafar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mightywabbit Posted April 8, 2019 #24 Share Posted April 8, 2019 Cheers to everyone... a slightly off topic question... is it always possible to upgrade on board paying for just the difference of 2nd highest to the highest drink package? and cheers again.. at home at least I get the all inclusive package..............😁🥃🍸🍺🍻🍹🥂🍾🍷🥤 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Beamafar Posted April 8, 2019 Author #25 Share Posted April 8, 2019 Cheers mightywabbit ... Welcome to CC. Yes, it is possible to upgrade once onboard. You pay the difference in cost between the 2 packages plus 15% service charge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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