My Opus on the MSC Seaside Yacht Club cruise, Jul 27-3 Aug 2019

[Best Cat Mom]

psmarkle -- thanks for a wonderful review! We were in YC on Seaside last August and also had Andrei as our server (though his 'sidekick' was Bene at that time). We had been trying to book another week in Seaside YC for this September but, by the time our dates were locked, there were no YC cabins remaining. 😞 Instead, we found a one-week Mediterranean cruise on Fantasia YC out of Genoa and saved $1K ($1.5K per person instead of $2K per person). Initially, I was sad that we wouldn't be on the Seaside again with the familiar, fantastic service of Andrei. Now that I've had a mini-holiday of sorts as I've read through your review, I can look forward to enjoying the experience of a different -- but I'm sure still exceptional -- YC experience. 🙂

Edited August 13, 2019 by Best Cat Mom

[Best Cat Mom]

1 hour ago, CruisingFox27 said:

Some people were more properly and smartly dressed though, please tell me it was so?

 

We dressed up for 2 evenings last August on Seaside in the Caribbean -- husband in suit and tie and me in a dress -- and never felt out of place. One night was for dinner in YC and one night was for dinner in Butcher's Cut. Dress as you wish and I don't think you'll have any regrets. (We never dined in the main dining rooms or buffet area for any meals so I can't speak to those venues.)

[mafig]

3 hours ago, gmbhardy said:

If I may throw in my two cents, you can’t really compare “the YC” to the “Haven” as the experience can be quite different depending on what ship you are on.  On NCL for instance, the Getaway Haven and the Bliss Haven are two different animals as far as facilities are concerned. The Getaway/Breakaway Haven is small with no inside observation lounge while the Bliss, Encore and Joy have an observation lounge similar to the YC. I think the Haven is more casual (no pants required in dining room, no formal nights etc). We think the food in the Haven dining room was better than YC but the Haven menu never changes from night to night. The bartenders in the Haven lounge are mixologists. You can get some pretty exotic concoctions there. There is also a bigger variety of rooms available in the Haven (aft suites, two bedroom family villas etc). The pool area, sun deck and grill on the YC totally blows away the Haven. The entertainment on NCL ships totally blows away MSC productions. There’s more specialty dining venues on NCL ships. The butler experience on both ships really depends on the luck of the draw as some are better than others. Considering everything I think the winner from a value perspective is the YC but as prices edge up this may become a moot point. Bottom line, they are both great experiences.

 

 

I appreciated your response.  

What did you think of Escape's Haven?

[gmbhardy]

3 minutes ago, mafig said:

 

I appreciated your response.  

What did you think of Escape's Haven?

We haven’t stayed in the Escape Haven, but from what I understand, it’s a better version of the Getaway/Breakaway Haven with an outside dining area. We will be sailing on the Escape in December and I hope to score a Haven cabin through the upgrade bidding process.

 

[mafig]

37 minutes ago, mafig said:

 

I appreciated your response.  

What did you think of Escape's Haven?

I'm looking at a Forward Facing Penthouse on her (H7).  Thoughts?  I already know to avoid Deck 9.  What do you think of that category vs. H5?

[rojoand8]

13 minutes ago, mafig said:

I'm looking at a Forward Facing Penthouse on her (H7).  Thoughts?  I already know to avoid Deck 9.  What do you think of that category vs. H5?

When we were on the Escape Haven we had the least expensive cabin—the spa cabin. It was awesome as far as room size. It also had a whirlpool in the room. The problem with that room was that it wasn’t in the Haven complex. It was next to the spa. LaMuse, their restaurant was also not in the Haven. You had to learn how to navigate your way there. The first night your Butler takes you there to show you the easiest way. Having sailed on the Divina and Seaside I would never again sail NCL’s Haven. Mostly because if their cost and their swimming pool. It was so small and even when the roof is retracted it seems very stuffy and dull. To me, the YC and the Haven aren’t comparable.  Just booked another YC on the Meraviglia in the Caribbean in 2021. 

[psmarkle]

20 hours ago, Russ_MT said:

Does YC have reserved Front Row seats or did your butler reserve them specifically for you?

The YC reserved seating is only the back 2 rows, center section.  However, Lezle would come get us at 8:15pm and take us down front where the seats either side of center (those are marked for Handicap, but some cruisers took them anyway :-( ) were always open when we got there. They are first come-first serve.

[Sundiego]

On 8/11/2019 at 2:35 PM, psmarkle said:

Using both the Casino 30% discount stacked with our Voyager’s Club 5% discount, I booked for next April on the Seaside again (we love this ship and crew),

Wow... so surprised to read this! We sailed Seaside YC last October and have an upcoming YC booked on the Meraviglia using our 30% casino discount. Casino dept firmly told my T/A that no other discounts could be stacked with the 30% casino discount. Perhaps you said, so apologies if I overlooked it, but was your "30% cruise" priced and booked onboard or after you returned home?

 

Thanks for the reply and for the awesome review!

 

Denise

[psmarkle]

8 minutes ago, Sundiego said:

Wow... so surprised to read this! We sailed Seaside YC last October and have an upcoming YC booked on the Meraviglia using our 30% casino discount. Casino dept firmly told my T/A that no other discounts could be stacked with the 30% casino discount. Perhaps you said, so apologies if I overlooked it, but was your "30% cruise" priced and booked onboard or after you returned home?

 

Thanks for the reply and for the awesome review!

 

Denise

Yes, booked onboard on Friday evening.  She told us the Voyager's 5% is the only discount that can be added to the Casino discount as I was trying to get her to also apply our 10% military discount 😉

[Sundiego]

2 minutes ago, psmarkle said:

Yes, booked onboard on Friday evening.  She told us the Voyager's 5% is the only discount that can be added to the Casino discount as I was trying to get her to also apply our 10% military discount 😉

Thanks for the fast reply! We sail in 40 days, so way past final payment but I'm still going to try and squeeze a few dollars out of this latest news 🙂 I'm not optimistic lol but it never hurts to ask I guess.

 

~Denise

[Sundiego]

1 hour ago, psmarkle said:

Yes, booked onboard on Friday evening.  She told us the Voyager's 5% is the only discount that can be added to the Casino discount as I was trying to get her to also apply our 10% military discount 😉

Ok I just checked my booking and my scribbles. I did get the 5+30%. I feel better now!! Thanks again for the fun review 🙂

 

~Denise

[dexddd]

14 hours ago, rojoand8 said:

When we were on the Escape Haven we had the least expensive cabin—the spa cabin. It was awesome as far as room size. It also had a whirlpool in the room. The problem with that room was that it wasn’t in the Haven complex. It was next to the spa. LaMuse, their restaurant was also not in the Haven. You had to learn how to navigate your way there. The first night your Butler takes you there to show you the easiest way. Having sailed on the Divina and Seaside I would never again sail NCL’s Haven. Mostly because if their cost and their swimming pool. It was so small and even when the roof is retracted it seems very stuffy and dull. To me, the YC and the Haven aren’t comparable.  Just booked another YC on the Meraviglia in the Caribbean in 2021. 

Are you thinking of Le Muse on Divinia?  On Escape the Haven restaurant is called the Haven restaurant and is the Haven area proper deck 18 starboard side aft of the rooms.

[mafig]

4 hours ago, dexddd said:

Are you thinking of Le Muse on Divinia?  On Escape the Haven restaurant is called the Haven restaurant and is the Haven area proper deck 18 starboard side aft of the rooms.

 

I'm glad you posted this.  I was getting really confused.  I've been on Divina and know the restaurant's name is Le Muse, and I started to wonder if Norwegian had a restaurant in the Haven area with a similar name.  Started looking at deck plans and couldn't find it ….LOL.

[Dr. Cocktail]

On 8/13/2019 at 3:37 PM, mafig said:

I'm looking at a Forward Facing Penthouse on her (H7).  Thoughts?  I already know to avoid Deck 9.  What do you think of that category vs. H5?

Oooops ... busy week. Just getting around to reading this thread! 

 

First off: to the OP: Thank you for an extremely detailed review that took a LOT of time. Much appreciated!

 

I have stayed in the Haven many times alternating between Spa Suites and Forward Facing Penthouses on Breakaway, Getaway and Escape.

 

It's a difficult question as each of the categories you asked about and the addition of the Spa Suites all have definite pro's and cons.

 

For some people, actually staying in "the complex", be it the Haven or YC is of prime importance. Having said that, I was least impressed with the H5 that our friends stayed in. Its prime feature, again, is proximity to the Haven area. The bathroom has a tub/shower combo that I frankly hate and the suite itself felt strangely claustrophobic to me.

 

The Forward Facing Suites are fabulous - separate small dining area, living room, bedroom with a forward facing view and a HUGE bathroom with dual sinks, dressing area, tub, toilet stall and massive shower. We took two suitcases and likely filled about 40% of the available storage. On the downside, the balcony is tiny and it's a looooooooooong walk to the elevators from where it's an additional few story walk/ride depending on your fitness level! Still, a superb cabin that's miles above a YC Deluxe.

 

Our "go-to" has been the Spa Suites. A beautifully appointed room with a laminate/hardwood floor. No faking clean!

 

A nice bathroom with pedestrian finished but a GREAT walk in shower with different sprays and jets. A whirlpool inside the room next to the balcony - shades of Niagara Falls honeymoon but popular with many! A balcony similar to a YC1. A bit of a walk to the Haven but on Bliss and later, a REALLY long walk as it's on the other side of the ship. It's true perk is the pass to the spa with it's different environments, heated loungers and spectacular Thalasso pool. The Seaside's spa area is truly a trainwreck in comparison.

 

I love both the Haven and the YC and it's nice to be able to go between the two!

Edited August 15, 2019 by Dr. Cocktail

[rojoand8]

12 hours ago, mafig said:

 

I'm glad you posted this.  I was getting really confused.  I've been on Divina and know the restaurant's name is Le Muse, and I started to wonder if Norwegian had a restaurant in the Haven area with a similar name.  Started looking at deck plans and couldn't find it ….LOL.

So sorry.  It was late when I posted. I did get the two mixed up. 

[dexddd]

19 hours ago, mafig said:

 

I'm glad you posted this.  I was getting really confused.  I've been on Divina and know the restaurant's name is Le Muse, and I started to wonder if Norwegian had a restaurant in the Haven area with a similar name.  Started looking at deck plans and couldn't find it ….LOL.

I can say the one that threw me was Seaside having a Haven Lounge.  When Ashley posted that I questioned it only to find out it was true.

 

What is going to happen when NCL has copy cat ships in Leonardo class that MSC has?  When you go to Miami you'll have to pay attention to terminal number since the new NCL ships will look like the new MSC ships.

[DeRon]

19 hours ago, Dr. Cocktail said:

The Seaside's spa area is truly a trainwreck in comparison.

What makes it a train wreck?

[psmarkle]

A small addendum to my trip review as I was going through some vacay stuff last night.  One of the perks of going to the Cruise Critic Meet and Greet is you will receive a free group photo in your room about 2 days later.  This time, Capt Massa hand wrote a thank you note on the back of the photo!  Talk about a little touch to have a big impact, I'm amazed a ship's Capt would take that time to personally pen a "Thank You."  The meet and greet should be one of your "must do" items, IMO.

[frank808]

On 8/11/2019 at 6:42 PM, sheilb4 said:

What a super informative review, Thank you! 

Am hoping Lezle will be there in October? Did he mention when he goes on vacation? He was my butler this past May and was indeed great, so hoping I get lucky and have him again. The Ninja I think was Anna? 

What suite # were you? 

Thanks again for refreshing my prior memories. Am counting the days until I’m back on her again.  🙂

 

We had Lezzle for two weeks July 2018.  He adopted our son like his brother.  My son messages him every so often.  He said that he will be on Seaside till Dec as he just started his new contract a month or two ago.

 

It is important for my son to have him as our butler this coming June.  

Edited August 17, 2019 by frank808

[frank808]

On 8/11/2019 at 7:52 PM, psmarkle said:

B2B?  When I grow up, I wanna be just like you!  A few more years until I retire and become a cruise critic regular poster on my 3-4 cruises a year (maybe 5 if I can convince DW, perhaps?)! Excited for you!

Watch out it is very addicting!  We mainly cruise Royal and after our first b2b 4 years ago, we our now hooked.  7 days just gets us started into the vacation mode.  Sailed Seaside July 2018 b2b and our next cruise this coming June will be b2b as 7 days is just not enough.

[psmarkle]

Frank808:  I agree with you...7 days is just a tease, right?  We've done an 11-day Hawaiian and a 12-day Australian/New Zealand cruise and DW commented that on day 7 of both cruises, she could really see a difference in my demeanor for the better!  Just a few more years to go before I'm completely retired and ready to go!

[seapad]

Hey psmarkle,

Thanks for such an awesome and detailed review. Did you by any chance tried Venchi? I'm wondering if the Venchi drinks and ice cream are still included with YC, given there has been announcement that it;s going away, yet some cruisers have reported back that they are still getting it. . 

 

Thanks.  

[Marine7]

psmarkle,

This was one of the best reviews I have ever read. My wife and I have sailed on both Royal and Celebrity mostly in suites and have seen a slow decline in services and perks over the past several years. Have researched MSC Seaside suites YC and like what we have read so far.

Your review has been so positive and informative that we have decided to give MSC Seaside a try.

Thank you for such great attention to details . Your humor made us laugh a lot and brightened our day!

Happy Cruising.

[psmarkle]

17 hours ago, seapad said:

Hey psmarkle,

Thanks for such an awesome and detailed review. Did you by any chance tried Venchi? I'm wondering if the Venchi drinks and ice cream are still included with YC, given there has been announcement that it;s going away, yet some cruisers have reported back that they are still getting it. . 

 

Thanks.  

Yes, we stopped by Venchi almost every night, and it was included.  They scanned our wristband and rang it up like a regular passenger, but no charges ever appeared on our bill.

 

Glad you enjoyed the review, and I hope I presented some useful insights for those considering the Seaside!

[psmarkle]

2 hours ago, Marine7 said:

psmarkle,

This was one of the best reviews I have ever read. My wife and I have sailed on both Royal and Celebrity mostly in suites and have seen a slow decline in services and perks over the past several years. Have researched MSC Seaside suites YC and like what we have read so far.

Your review has been so positive and informative that we have decided to give MSC Seaside a try.

Thank you for such great attention to details . Your humor made us laugh a lot and brightened our day!

Happy Cruising.

Marine7, you are most welcome!  We are Platinum cruisers on NCL and enjoyed the suites and the Haven; however, the Haven prices have accelerated way beyond our vacation budget!  I do like the room choices of the Haven vs YC, but that's about it.  We find the Seaside YC a much better value with better service and atmosphere.  We will be sailing the Seaside for our third time in a row next year as that's how much we enjoy it!