Seaside YC boarding trend?

[Beachin2]

Have read several reviews lately (on that site with a nose which may not be named).  Several reports of folks arriving to the YC tent in Miami, being somewhat escorted aboard en-mass about an hour later to the TS lounge and just sort of dumped there to figure things out on their own.  Have read of folks not knowing about some of the YC offerings and services until several days into the cruise.

 

Thought there was some sort of a quick "how to" overview during the boarding process?  No more?

[PRH]

No information on benefits of YC were offered to us at any time.  We were taken from the tent to the lounge—boarding was delayed for three hours due to customs.  We were then called together and boarded but no butlers stepped forward (the land butlers and ship butlers are separate) so we ended up on the ship not knowing where to go.  Those at the door had no idea and called a manager who took us over and up to YC.  We also got no information about the credit card kiosk—where you are supposed to post a credit card for your account.  It seemed to be you had to know to ask the question in order to find out what needed to be known.  Best bet is to read whatever you can here.

[Beachin2]

PRH:  That mirrors what I have been reading lately.  Folks not even being told when cabins were expected to be available.  The whole process could/should be done so much better.

[mnocket]

Is this a case of "all good things must come to an end"?

It would be a shame if MSC cheapens the YC experience, but it they follow the trend of other mainstream lines that's exactly what they will do.☹️

[DiamondDiva]

We are taking our first MSC in February on Meraveglia from Miami.  I have been reading all I can about the YC experience, but have neither heard nor read on the sites about a "credit card kiosk".  We have always given our CC info to whomever checks us in at the terminal.  Could someone please explain what this is about?  Do we not check in at the terminal upon arrival??

Thanks for the help.

[sverigecruiser]

2 minutes ago, DiamondDiva said:

We are taking our first MSC in February on Meraveglia from Miami.  I have been reading all I can about the YC experience, but have neither heard nor read on the sites about a "credit card kiosk".  We have always given our CC info to whomever checks us in at the terminal.  Could someone please explain what this is about?  Do we not check in at the terminal upon arrival??

Thanks for the help.

 

You will not give your CC to anyone when you check in. They will help you with it in the YC. You will register your CC on the ship and if I remember correct it was on a touch screen "TV" on Meraviglia. They have at least one in the YC and if you need help they will help you there.

[go fish 44]

credit card kiosk, once you are in the YC you will see a machine that you need to put your credit card into.  They do not take your credit card at check in.  I assume that is to speed things up with check in.  

 

Yes, you check in at the WHITE tent in the arrivals area and then you are taken to the waiting room for YC guests, that has water and snacks and then your buttler will meet you as you enter the ship and take you to the room.

 

Also you do need to reserve the evening shows in the theatre.

 

Please ask any questions we loved the YC experience, it is first class all the way.  And I lots of notes from our cruise

 

Sue

 

 

[Beachin2]

1 hour ago, mnocket said:

Is this a case of "all good things must come to an end"?

It would be a shame if MSC cheapens the YC experience, but it they follow the trend of other mainstream lines that's exactly what they will do.☹️

Could be true.  Noticed prices rising a fair amount on future sailings, so it sort of figures that services would decline.

 

Sadly, must be the new MBA taught school model:  "If it ain't broke - fix it!"

 

Go Fish: Read that the butlers no longer escort - at least lately.

[DiamondDiva]

Thanks for the help.  Experienced cruisers, but new to MSC and YC.

[psmarkle]

I am almost done drafting my trip report from Jul 27-Aug 3 and will post shortly, but I spent quite a bit of time on the Embarkation process not being what it was from last year.  Large batch processing. Didin't ruin our trip at all, was just different.

[jules815]

6 minutes ago, psmarkle said:

I am almost done drafting my trip report from Jul 27-Aug 3 and will post shortly, but I spent quite a bit of time on the Embarkation process not being what it was from last year.  Large batch processing. Didin't ruin our trip at all, was just different.

 

Thank you.  Look forward to reading your report.

 

[mafig]

Looking forward to your review, psmarkle.

[dexddd]

Went March and June.  Same both times.  Check in at white tent with luggage.  A person will escort small group through security on left then up to check in lounge.  Meet person at the door who takes names.  Lounge with snacks, drinks, sparkling wine, quite nice.  At some point you are called to counter for check in and picture.  Then wait until small groups escorted onto ship. 

 

Once you go up escalators and scan onto ship, line of butlers meet you and escort you up to lounge.  Get drinks, restaurant will track you down for preferred dinner time.

 

IMO areas for improvement would be using an area like crew elevators so you don't have to serpentine through the main atrium since YC aren't necessarily let on first.  Also, it would be nice if they told you when rooms were ready.

 

Upon leaving, same thing.  They need to find way to get you from lounge to disembark without going through several public areas that are crowded.  Other lines do this without a problem.

[CGTNORMANDIE]

21 hours ago, Beachin2 said:

PRH:  That mirrors what I have been reading lately.  Folks not even being told when cabins were expected to be available.  The whole process could/should be done so much better.

 

A simple visit to the Concierge will answer any questions.  We never plan on our cabin being ready until 2:00 PM.  And we have never had any problem keeping ourselves busy until then.  The Concierge always had the answers. 

[rattanchair]

I will add my two cents worth.  We were on the July 20, 2019 sailing. You all obviously missed my postings Observations from the MSC Yacht Club or forgot ! The shore side 'attendants '  under the tents escorted a group of us into the terminal and stayed with us through security (helping us with our carry-on luggage) lifting them up on to the conveyer for X-ray. DW had a bottle of prescription medication which prompted a secondary search. But our 'escort' waited patiently as the agent in gloves went through our bag. Our attendant was kind enough to take our rolling carry-on up the escalator and deposited us into the YC lounge ( same lounge used by NCL Haven). I found it incumbent  to tip this gentleman attendant. Once many of us were checked in with photos, drinks and hors d'oeuvres, plied to us by very attentive 'butlers'; we were escorted through the main terminal, passing the hoi polloi all lined up trying to be first on board. As we stepped on board the ship we were immediately greeted by a line of well dressed butlers in butler attire, white gloved. They asked our cabin number and immediately our butler Vishnu stepped forward and grabbed our carry-ons, escorting us to the very nearby YC elevators. He flashed his key card and explained how they work for suite guests ( though they do not always work). He deposited us in the Top Sail lounge and suggested that 'he' take our carry-on directly to our cabin. Our carry-on he said would be secure and that the cabin would not be ready til 1:00 after lunch. He said to relax in the Top Sail Lounge and at 12:00 he would escort us to lunch up stairs, only a staircase away.

     Our butler advised us, 'in no uncertain terms', to let him make all our reservations for us. We acquiesced. He was the best part of our entire cruise experience. We tipped him $400 and DW questioned if it was enough !!

   Oh yes this was the Seaside.

Edited August 11, 2019 by rattanchair
additional info

[Beachin2]

RC:  Being in the Royal Suite "may" have made a difference for you and your experience.  Others are reporting otherwise, and it doesn't seem to be just one here and there.

[rattanchair]

11 minutes ago, Beachin2 said:

RC:  Being in the Royal Suite "may" have made a difference for you and your experience.  Others are reporting otherwise, and it doesn't seem to be just one here and there.

Dear B2,   Your posts are very helpful and informative. I may have to adjust my tipping to counter this 'new' lackluster trend from staff. One can not always book the Royal Suite. I have 3 booked in regular YC1 until I can snag a Royal cancellation. But' to be fore warned is to be fore armed'. Thank you for this thread. I will report.

[psmarkle]

6 hours ago, mafig said:

Looking forward to your review, psmarkle.

Review just posted "My Opus on the MSC Seaside Yacht Club, Jul 27-3 Aug"

[rattanchair]

2 hours ago, psmarkle said:

Review just posted "My Opus on the MSC Seaside Yacht Club, Jul 27-3 Aug"

A must read for every MSC Seaside YC devotee !

[DiamondDiva]

And lots of info for us "newbies" to MSC!

[dexddd]

13 hours ago, Beachin2 said:

RC:  Being in the Royal Suite "may" have made a difference for you and your experience.  Others are reporting otherwise, and it doesn't seem to be just one here and there.

We were in a Royal in June so what I reported is what happened both times.  As some posted but unlike RC it appears, general boarding started both times before YC which kind of makes it a mess to go through crowds the way they do it now.  Only reason I can think is butlers busy getting rooms ready.