If Haven and Yacht Club were the same price....

[mafig]

If NCL Haven and MSC Yacht Club were the same price for the following suites in the Caribbean, which would you select"

 

You know that when these comparisons are made, it's often posted that NCL Haven is much more expensive

 

What if it wasn't??????

What if the price of a NCL Haven Suite (Not that jaguzzi one) one that's a penthouse either front, aft, or in the Haven

is the same as a

YC1 on Meraviglia.

 

Which one would you pick.  

Preferably answered by posters who have been in both..... but answer anyway.🙂

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 11, 2019 by mafig

[Two Wheels Only]

39 minutes ago, mafig said:

...one that's a penthouse either front, aft, or in the Haven...

 

Because of the size differences between the suites on NCL, it depends on what is being compared. 

 

Since we are a family of 4, if a YC1 and a Haven H6 are the same price, I'd take the H6 of my choice. I'd lose out on not being in the actual complex but I'd gain a larger stateroom, a 2nd bathroom,  and a larger balcony.

 

If it's YC1 vs Haven H5 (staterooms for both are about the same size but H5 sleeps only 3), I'd probably take MSC because what you get in the Yacht Club complex/sundeck is a bit better than what you get in the Haven complex/sundeck. Also, the Haven sundeck is 16 and older and my kids are both way under 16. For some people, the 16 and up is a plus (no kids). 

 

If it's YC1 vs Haven H7, I'd also take MSC. The H7 is a larger stateroom but it isn't better overall than the YC1. 

Edited September 11, 2019 by Two Wheels Only

[mafig]

There's only two of us.  And we would probably select the Aft Penthouse....giving up living in the Haven for the aft view and larger suite.

 

We've already been in the YC so I have to assume YC in Meraviglia is similar.

 

Let me ask you now, which would you select if you were Mafig and DH?  

[Até]

Which NCL ship?

[mafig]

Escape

[psmarkle]

If I could get the 2 bedroom Haven suite for the same price as a YC1, I would go for the 2 bedroom for the 4 of us travelling.  We really enjoyed all the space and the ability for DW and DSIL to have their own room since they tend to close down the casino every morning!

 

However, for the luxury experience, the Yacht Club wins easily, IMO and based on experience in both.  The food, cocktails, butlers everywhere, the Topsail Lounge, and the value appeal to me more than our Haven experience.

[Até]

If it were Bliss or newer I'd definitely say NCL because of the Haven public areas, even for a Haven penthouse.   I'd just have to get over the cart track and other NCL garbage.  Escape Haven is better than Breakaway class but in my opinion no better than Meraviglia YC.  I'll be in YC on Meraviglia in a couple months but I really don't think that overall the ship is going to be that popular on Caribbean itineraries.  If all else was the same I'd probably pick Escape because of the boardwalk with specialty restaurants and overall design of the ship's public areas.  An aft penthouse at the same price as YC Deluxe would be a definite yes to Escape.  I will say that would be an unusual circumstance price wise.

[Two Wheels Only]

14 minutes ago, mafig said:

Let me ask you now, which would you select if you were Mafig and DH?

 

6 minutes ago, mafig said:

Escape

 

I've been in 12306 on Escape twice. It's my preferred configuration (A), I like the location (not too high, not too low), and it has the 2nd largest balcony in the H6 category. 

 

Other than a H2 on Escape ( a deck 17 Deluxe Owner's Suite), a deck 12 H6 is my favorite category on the ship. I'd take that H6 over the Owner's Suite (H3) on Escape. 

[Two Wheels Only]

6 minutes ago, psmarkle said:

If I could get the 2 bedroom Haven suite for the same price as a YC1, I would go for the 2 bedroom for the 4 of us travelling.

 

The H4 is nice for space and location but I doubt that it is the same price. I'm guessing that the OP is looking at the H5, H6, & H7 on Escape.

[sverigecruiser]

1 hour ago, mafig said:

If NCL Haven and MSC Yacht Club were the same price for the following suites in the Caribbean, which would you select"

 

You know that when these comparisons are made, it's often posted that NCL Haven is much more expensive

 

What if it wasn't??????

What if the price of a NCL Haven Suite (Not that jaguzzi one) one that's a penthouse either front, aft, or in the Haven

is the same as a

YC1 on Meraviglia.

 

Which one would you pick.  

Preferably answered by posters who have been in both..... but answer anyway.🙂

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We have been in the forward facing penthouse on the Breakaway (outside the Haven) and on the Epic (inside the Haven) and in the YC1 on Divina and Meraviglia.

 

We should pick the YC1 because of the service and the food in the Yacht Club but the forward facing penthouse on the Breakaway is a much better room. The lounge is also better on MSC, much better than the Breakaway lounge.

 

(I assume that the YC1 is the "standard" balcony suite.)

[mafig]

Food, food, food.  The threads I've read have said the food is better in the Haven vs. the YC.   Is this not so?  We were in the YC twice and I thought it was pretty good, my dh not so much.  Although he loved the YC grill....still talks about the pork they served on day.

 

Yes it'll be a H6 vs. a YC1.  I'll see what my TA is offering tomorrow.  Her offerings may make one a better deal than the other.

 

Just an aside, about 18 months ago I found a great deal on a GS on Royal's Allure.  It was on Deck 6, so I did ask if this was a good deck or too low.  Someone responded

"What date?  I'm just curious, I never book suites, just wanted to know." So stupid me responded.  Ten minutes later I checked the roll call and there she was IN MY SUITE.

 

 

So please understand if I'm a little gun-shy with details until I have booked.😏

[Até]

Overall I don't expect the Meraviglia YC to be much/any better than the Escape Haven.  I also don't think the food quality on MSC is any better than NCL, nor vice versa.  The YC menu changes, but on NCL you get specialty restaurants included.  If the price of an Escape H6 is anywhere near the Meraviglia YC1 I'd pick NCL just based on that, especially if you are tied to that sailing time frame where they are equal.  I'm booked up through Spring 2021, but may have to look to see what NCL is doing.

 

ETA:  I assume you are aware of the large differences between the H6 cabins, Two Wheels Only has vast knowledge about which are most desirable, and there are several NCL threads on the subject.

Edited September 11, 2019 by Até

[mafig]

33 minutes ago, Até said:

?

 

ETA:  I assume you are aware of the large differences between the H6 cabins, Two Wheels Only has vast knowledge about which are most desirable, and there are several NCL threads on the subject.

 

Well I have balcony size:  9, 12,15,14 ,11,10,13 in that order for size.  Is there something else?

[rkacruiser]

2 hours ago, Até said:

I'll be in YC on Meraviglia in a couple months but I really don't think that overall the ship is going to be that popular on Caribbean itineraries. 

 

I will be aboard January 5th.  Why do you think Meraviglia will not be "that popular on Caribbean itineraries"?

[Até]

23 minutes ago, mafig said:

Well I have balcony size:  9, 12,15,14 ,11,10,13 in that order for size.  Is there something else?

Cabin layout and square footage also vary a lot. 

[Norwich Cruiser]

I’d go with NCL Haven

[Até]

2 minutes ago, rkacruiser said:

I will be aboard January 5th.  Why do you think Meraviglia will not be "that popular on Caribbean itineraries"?

I'll be aboard soon also.  I think the ship was designed more for cooler weather and focuses more on being inside.  I'll wait to make a full decision, but for now I'm booking Seaside for future Caribbean sailings.

[BermudaBound2014]

No surprise with my respons;, anytime MSC is the same price as a mainstream line, I'm picking the mainstream.

 

With that said, I have never been in Haven. I did spend 10 days in vibe and ate off the lunch menu so I have very limited experience with the product. I can't comment on room size differences, but I would pick Escape for the following reason: Entertainment choices and quality food. Plus, my experience is that service on NCL is a bit more polished and quest services is more likely to solve an issue should it arise. 

 

Clearly the MSC does not spend anywhere near the same amount of money on entertainment as NCL. While MSC main shows are entertaining (actually quite good for what they are, imo), they aren't broadway productions. Shows are also much shorter in length and all tend to resemble each other. Something else that matters to me is that MSC does not have a live band accompanying the shows; it's all cheesy pre-recorded. My father was a professional musician, and this makes a difference to me (most people may not care).  NCL also has additional entertainment choices: We really enjoy howl at the moon and comedy central. As far as I know, MSC does not have anything similar. 

 

Some other things we like about the away class is the promenade with outside dining. We also enjoyed both fatcats and suger cane bar in the evening where we could sit outside and enjoy live music nightly. And who can forget O'Sheehans, 24 hour sit down restaurant. Great option for breakfast and late night wings :).  Of course, once onboard, NCL is going to grab much more cash than MSC, which may make MSC an overall better value.

 

I have never taken DH on MSC, because I do not think he would enjoy it. For a solo or a relaxing girls trip, MSC meets my needs. DH would not like the food quality on MSC and I do think he would find the experience a bit boring. Also, and this is very personal, but the Escape has district brew house. 24 beers on tap including craft ipa's. That alone would sway DH lol.

 

The good news is that you can't go wrong with either :). 

Edited September 11, 2019 by BermudaBound2014

[rkacruiser]

1 hour ago, Até said:

I'll be aboard soon also.  I think the ship was designed more for cooler weather and focuses more on being inside.  I'll wait to make a full decision, but for now I'm booking Seaside for future Caribbean sailings.

 

Many thanks for your reply to my question.  I do appreciate that.  I have read your past postings with interest.  I will look forward to a report when you return from Meraviglia.  Meraviglia, MSC, and YC is going to be a step or two beyond my previous cruise "comfort zone", I think.  I look forward to "something different".

[sverigecruiser]

6 hours ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

No surprise with my respons;, anytime MSC is the same price as a mainstream line, I'm picking the mainstream.

 

 

In what way is MSC not a mainstream line?

[xznwfd]

For the room alone, I would pick the aft suite on the Escape.  For everything else, MSC Yacht club would be my choice.  I found the food in the YC restaurant much better than the Haven (showing how subjective food is), and prefer having a new menu every meal vs. the same menu throughout the cruise as the Haven restaurant does.  I also thought the service in general was much better on MSC.  The Top Sail Lounge is also much nicer than the Haven lounge, and the snacks there are much more varied.  We also really enjoyed the buffet available on deck 19 for breakfast/lunch - nothing similar was available in the Haven.  Overall for me, MSC Yacht Club wins.

 

Cathy

[dexddd]

You leave out one thing.  NCL will change things for the worse between booking and when you sail, for your convenience, of course.

[dexddd]

4 minutes ago, xznwfd said:

For the room alone, I would pick the aft suite on the Escape.  For everything else, MSC Yacht club would be my choice.  I found the food in the YC restaurant much better than the Haven (showing how subjective food is), and prefer having a new menu every meal vs. the same menu throughout the cruise as the Haven restaurant does.  I also thought the service in general was much better on MSC.  The Top Sail Lounge is also much nicer than the Haven lounge, and the snacks there are much more varied.  We also really enjoyed the buffet available on deck 19 for breakfast/lunch - nothing similar was available in the Haven.  Overall for me, MSC Yacht Club wins.

 

Cathy

I agree.

 

I'd add MSC needs to up the room types and sizes plus more royals.

Edited September 12, 2019 by dexddd

[BermudaBound2014]

7 hours ago, sverigecruiser said:

 

In what way is MSC not a mainstream line?

 

This is great point. When I first started following MSC (2012) I didn't consider them a mainstream line but now they clearly are a player in the game. Old habits :(. What I should have written was:

 

"Anytime MSC is priced the same as other mainstream lines, I'm choosing the other line". 

 

Of course, there are MANY other considerations (itinerary, port times, etc...) and nothing is absolute. Just a general statement :).

[citizenfrank]

25 minutes ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

 

This is great point. When I first started following MSC (2012) I didn't consider them a mainstream line but now they clearly are a player in the game. Old habits :(. What I should have written was:

 

"Anytime MSC is priced the same as other mainstream lines, I'm choosing the other line". 

 

Of course, there are MANY other considerations (itinerary, port times, etc...) and nothing is absolute. Just a general statement :).

Yes I fear you cannot say MSC are anything other than a leading mainstream line.

Cruising and carriers are subjective I agree with many levels/layers of factors involved within the product.

Is there a line building/holding a better fleet?

To the standards that MSC produce?

With anything better than YC?

....That'll be x3 No's then! ❤️