Seaside Yacht Club Observations 'Revisited'

[rattanchair]

24 minutes ago, George C said:

I much prefer dinning room on YC to rccl CK but miss celebrity luminae, other issue with rccl is we were on Oasis a week after thanksgiving loved our owners suite but there was a thousand or so children , we did get a very nice rate for that cruise. Our next cruise is a music charter on celebrity that is adults only 😁

Dear GC,  It is funny you mention Celebrity, we travel in the same circles. We are booked in a CS for the 4th of July, same cabin as last year, only because we are in the Royal suite on Seaside in June to break it up a little, teachers summer vacation.

  The food part is so subjective, I am just happy I can digest it properly. Service is my main concern or so it has become now that DW has made it so. "Whatever Lola wants Lola gets" she is on the g-mail today to our travel agent trying to upgrade our Christmas cruise on Regent Splendor so she can have a BUTLER !  @#$$ MSC Yacht Club.

  My DW lives by Samuel Johnson's quote " It is better to live rich, than die rich".

Edited December 23, 2019 by rattanchair
quote

[George C]

31 minutes ago, rattanchair said:

Dear GC,  It is funny you mention Celebrity, we travel in the same circles. We are booked in a CS for the 4th of July, same cabin as last year, only because we are in the Royal suite on Seaside in June to break it up a little, teachers summer vacation.

  The food part is so subjective, I am just happy I can digest it properly. Service is my main concern or so it has become now that DW has made it so. "Whatever Lola wants Lola gets" she is on the g-mail today to our travel agent trying to upgrade our Christmas cruise on Regent Splendor so she can have a BUTLER !  @#$$ MSC Yacht Club.

 

  My DW lives by Samuel Johnson's quote " It is better to live rich, than die rich".

The only problem with suites and butlers is when you get used to them you really do not want anything less. We were very happy with our normal cabins that we had for first fifty something cruises, then celebrity gave us a free upgrade to a sky suite and we been booking suites since. That also goes to flying first class.

[rattanchair]

27 minutes ago, George C said:

The only problem with suites and butlers is when you get used to them you really do not want anything less. We were very happy with our normal cabins that we had for first fifty something cruises, then celebrity gave us a free upgrade to a sky suite and we been booking suites since. That also goes to flying first class.

Dear GC,   So true.  It was only a few years ago, 2017, our first suite, #1664 Equinox, corner aft,  sky suite (you always remember your first and last of everything) I remember it fondly. It has been up, up and away since then. Crafty devils, these cruise lines. So far I can not  find fault with the Yacht Club, except they only have 2 Royal suites. When the Grandiosa comes in November 2021 they should have 6 Royal Suites (if I am not mistaken speaking with Robert Balla our YC director). I also think he told me that the price point MSC is targeting for the Royal suites is $14,000 for 2. The man knows everything and runs a very tight ship.  He knew I changed Royal Suite cabanas from starboard to port to take advantage of the sun's ever changing position in relation to our balconies. Now if the occupants of either Royal suite prefer sun or shade all day they have 2 options, they have both port and starboard to choose from, cabana or balcony, and can switch from one in the morning to the other in the afternoon.

 It is almost dinner time and time for another hot shower.

[George C]

Funny our first suite was celebrity corner aft sky suite on solstice in 2009 , have done several rccl grand suites and one owners and a few celebrity and a few HAL suites.

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

2 hours ago, George C said:

I much prefer dinning room on YC to rccl CK but miss celebrity luminae, other issue with rccl is we were on Oasis a week after thanksgiving loved our owners suite but there was a thousand or so children , we did get a very nice rate for that cruise. Our next cruise is a music charter on celebrity that is adults only 😁

 

Luminae on Celebrity is tough to beat!

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

16 minutes ago, George C said:

Funny our first suite was celebrity corner aft sky suite on solstice in 2009 , have done several rccl grand suites and one owners and a few celebrity and a few HAL suites.

 

My first was an M class penthouse.  Tough act to follow.  A friend of mine made me a deal I couldn't refuse.  But since I normally sail solo, that's a stretch.  I'm perfectly happy with my own sky suite.  Although I'm doing a share in the PH next year for 28 nights.

[rattanchair]

Well, it is an absolutely beautiful morning and we are supposed to tender into Grand Cayman. We get up early every morning and walk around a less crowded ship before breakfast.  This morning I noticed a line forming in the vestibule outside the Seaview Lounge and we inched our way to find out what is for.  It appears that the line was for the hoi polloi to get tender tickets, first come first served. Isn't it just wonderful to get up early and race to start a line and wait an hour or more in a line and later discover that the port of call has been canceled.  Now you all have to switch gears and race to the deck to save yourselves lounge chairs all before breakfast.

   The ship is blaming the missing of Grand Cayman on port authorities, not allowing the ship to tender in.  The seas are very smoooth, IMHO, with a light breeze. Reminds me of Mark Twain's many accounts of his ship travels in "Innocents Abroad", nothing has changed in 150 years. The ship is making this a sea day sailing very slowly on to Cozumel. Thanksgiving we missed Ocean Cay and received compensation of $100 per cabin obc and 20% credit off our cruise toward a future cruise. Today it has been announced we will receive $100 per person obc and a special showing in the theatre of "Fred Claus". I wonder if the parents who paid  $100 per child to bring their kids this cruise are going to receive the additional obc as well,  making this a 'kids go free' Christmas cruise. Thanksgiving cruise the 5 guests in one cabin had to share the $100 obc.

   Ocean Cay was an MSC delay all within their control. Subsequently the $20% bonus.

[rattanchair]

Seeing as the ship is over booked, squeezing in 4 and 5 to a cabin, the YC has withdrawn any previews or tours of the YC, etc..

    The wait staff, I have been advised, make $350 per month and are paid out  of funds collected from passengers Daily Service Charges. If passengers remove their DSC for any reason, the cruise line is obligated to make up the difference so they receive $350 regardless.   Any cash tips from appreciative guests is theirs alone, if you place it directly in their hands. Giving tips via any other method just goes into the general DSC account and is distributed equally to everyone.

Edited December 24, 2019 by rattanchair

[rattanchair]

The Yacht Club is truly a 'ship within a ship'.  I am advising YC guests to not bother leaving the confines of the Yacht Club to find answers to any question. You will only have to stand in some line and wait and later find that you wasted your time.  Everything related to a YC guest is refered back to Mr. Balla to handle. We are not part of the hoi polloi. He is the "Top Gun" of the Seaside YC.

   The question we are seeking an answer to is why Royal Suites no longer receive a 5% Voyager discount.  We spoke to Suleka, senior cruise consultant future cruise desk, who never heard of 'such a thing'. If she never heard of such a thing, why have we been subjected to 'such a thing'?  Hey, if Royal Suites are being price pointed at $14000 a cabin, $700 can go part way to fulfill my tipping for the excellent service I receive while on board. We thought an 'audience' with the head of guest relations would help "weasal" back our Voyager discount,  let alone "weasal" a 10% military/civil servant discount, which would take care of all my weeks tips. ( I know a "weasal" when I see him, even if he is in the mirror)

[psmarkle]

18 hours ago, rattanchair said:

Dear GC,   So true.  It was only a few years ago, 2017, our first suite, #1664 Equinox, corner aft,  sky suite (you always remember your first and last of everything) I remember it fondly. It has been up, up and away since then. Crafty devils, these cruise lines.

Ahhhh, yes.  For me, it was NCL Star, in 2011, Family Suite which was the former Spinnaker Lounge converted into suites with floor-to-ceiling views, perfect for viewing Glacier Bay, Alaska while sipping a Grey Goose martini delivered by our butler!  Haven't looked back since, although I have looked at my wallet and wondered why it's so empty LOL! 🤣

[CGTNORMANDIE]

Hi Rat,

 

The way you tip you are going to need the OBC’s!!  
 

MERRY CHRISTMAS to you Rattan and to all of you on this thread!  
 

CGT

 

 

[rattanchair]

17 minutes ago, CGTNORMANDIE said:

Hi Rat,

 

The way you tip you are going to need the OBC’s!!  
 

MERRY CHRISTMAS to you Rattan and to all of you on this thread!  
 

CGT

 

 

Dear CGT,  You got that right!

  Just got back from lunch. I like that the portions are small compared to American standards. It justifies me ordering 2 or 3 entrees and 2 or 3 desserts (they are just as small). We compensate by taking the stairs instead of the elevator ( to no real discernible effect). We just stopped off at the onboard gym, not to work out, but to jump on the scale. DW just had to find out. She gained 5 lbs , she looks better in my estimation. She is a 5 foot 102 lb munchkin. Now she wants to cut me down to one entree and I did not go near the scale..

  When it comes to any sort of gym I follow Winston Churchill's advice " whenever I get the urge to exercise, I lie down and wait for the feeling to pass."

  Yes indeed, A very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and all and especially to Host Carolyn and Michel and the others who have been most gracious.

[Host Carolyn]

Merry Christmas to you as well! Enjoy your holiday at sea!

 

Carolyn

[rattanchair]

2 hours ago, psmarkle said:

Ahhhh, yes.  For me, it was NCL Star, in 2011, Family Suite which was the former Spinnaker Lounge converted into suites with floor-to-ceiling views, perfect for viewing Glacier Bay, Alaska while sipping a Grey Goose martini delivered by our butler!  Haven't looked back since, although I have looked at my wallet and wondered why it's so empty LOL! 🤣

Dear ps,  You know It is not your wallet that is important. Having read many of your fine reviews I am reminded of something Emerson once said about men like you ," Successful is the person who has lived well, laughed often, and loved much, who has gained the respect of his children, who leaves the world a better place than he found it, who has never lacked appreciation for the earth's beauty, who never fails to look for the best in others or give the best of himself."

  A very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours, as well.

   RC

[rattanchair]

Here is another example of Yacht Club attention to details:  Having 'dressed' for dinner and being seated, I had forgotten to press the 'make up room' button. I got up to go back to the cabin when I was stopped by butler Tushar asking where I was going. He said he would take care of it, to go back to dinner. After dinner we returned to the cleaned and 'turned down' cabin. Details, details, they all look after you.

[psmarkle]

Merry Christmas to all here! And here's to new adventures on the high seas for 2020 (in the lap of luxury, of course...we don't want to rough it!) 🤣

[rattanchair]

This Christmas morning we are docked in Cozumel, the dock that has the escalators over the main street into the souvenir mall of shops.We got off the ship to 'work off' breakfast. And for the first time experienced something different and pertaining to all ships docked here (perhaps everywhere, but only experienced it first hand today). The ship was cleared and our butler Julian escorted us off the ship. Returning to the dock 30 minutes later we had the Rhapsody of the Seas docking next to us on the opposite side of our pier. Everyone was stopped from leaving the Seaside and everyone returning to the Seaside where stopped some distance from the ship until the Rhapsody was tied up. It took another 30 minutes of waiting in the sun, but thankfully the morning sun with a cool breeze. Getting to the 'special' YC return gangway we found the that it was being used to unload the hoi polloi rushing to get to their tours, and for the first time had to wait to get back on. One YC lady rushed back up the gangway 'on her own'. When we made it up the gangway she was still waiting , stopped by security, which was not yet ready to 'screen' returning passengers and check them in. Though she spoke only French the whole cruise, I did here the English words she used to the security young lady "I have to get to the bathroom, I have been waiting a half hour on the pier."  Funny thing is DW would not let me finish my pot of hot chocolate this morning at breakfast, for the same reason, she did not want me using a Mexican toilet while on our walkabout.

   I do not know if this new because of the recent mishaps at Mexican piers with cruise ships or just was a case of being in the right place at the wrong time.

[rattanchair]

Sitting in the shade on the YC pool deck cabana, typing away at these observations. Here is another one that will blow the tops of those eco-maniacs.  DW only drinks 'still' water and asked me if I would like a bottle (we are safely on board in range of a 'clean' toilet). I said "sure". She went to the bar/grill on this pool deck ( our cooler had not been stocked this early and staff probably felt they had time being in port). She prefers her water 'room temperature' and all the bar attendant had was on ice.  So he took it back and ran it under hot water for a minute or so. Details, details...to some, horror of horrors to others.

[bigblue1952]

Wonderful review.  We had Julien on our last cruise who was missing in action most of the time.  Hopefully you will fare better. Have a great cruise.

[rattanchair]

Well just had a delightful lunch in the YC restaurant. One of the best yet. I did not have to order more than 2 entree this time because the leg of lamb came with 4 'nice' slices (American portion) and of course, the penne pasta as a side entree. I do not eat this way at home and generally DW gets the weight off me 'tout suite.' Why the French? Because we just spent a delightful few moments with a chat at lunch with 2 ladies from Paris at the table next to us who had the same experience as the other French lady trying to get back on board about the same time we did. They were so upset by the  rude treatment they received by security on the ship. Luckily the one lady spoke English she said she learned working for the US army after the 2nd world war and then in Tehran where either the French or US had a base , for7 years after the war. They both were going on and on in French to the waiters. The maitre d' told us they stopped him and ranted their upset for 10-15 minutes before he could get a word in as a reply, to say he did not speak French.

   Anyway the gist is the same thing we experienced, the only thing that made our experience different is that we had a butler present to escort us up the gangway in the opposite to passenger flow. Should they have had a butler present to facilitate, the butler would receive the' brusque' commands of the security personnel on board, which our butler received trying to get us back on through security.  Moral of this is do not attempt to go it alone, even if you are in the Royal Suite.  The security on MSC ships is the best in the world....

  Now these French ladies have threatened ,all that will listen, that they will cancel their next 6 MSC reservations because of this one instance.  They told us this is their 25 MSC cruise in 3 years. They obviously have nothing better to do than travel. I do not know why it took MSC so long a time and so many cruises to insult them.  What is the French word for "weasals"?

[rattanchair]

2 hours ago, bigblue1952 said:

Wonderful review.  We had Julien on our last cruise who was missing in action most of the time.  Hopefully you will fare better. Have a great cruise.

Dear bb,   Thank you so much.  I notice Julien has a 'slow' gait and likes to take the elevator, even if it is just one floor. He is never early, even by one minute. We are always looking around for another butler just before our 8pm show time while waiting for him in the TSL. The coveted seats we want are 2 by themselves just outside the YC reserved section in the theatre. Last night I had to order a pizza at 9:30 pm because the roast turkey entree was not 'filling' enough along with the lasagna.  DW did not want me to have pizza so late, so she gave me a choice; either we go to the Seaview Lounge and listen to this fabulous jazz ensemble Jazz N' More at 10 pm or you have pizza. (She knows how much I love to listen to this group). I chose the pizza. Julian delivered it...cold. But I spent the rest of my evening enjoying a most filling cold pizza. DW was astonished that I devoured the whole thing. This morning she admonished me for eating all eight slices. I replied there were only 4 slices in my pizza... that shut her up (thanks Yogi)

Edited December 25, 2019 by rattanchair

[rattanchair]

The sun got too hot in our cabana on the pool deck and DW wanted to (Gasp!) take a shower, so we traded the cabana for our lovely balcony now in the shade. The American portion of roast leg of lamb for Christmas lunch did its 'magic' and I fell asleep. Either it was that or the book I brought to read, Nepos's Life of Hannibal ( or both). The Captain's wife must be on board because we noticed this lady with him on the YC pool deck and she  was on board on Thanksgiving cruise as well in the YC. (Does the CC translate any of these posts into Italian? I wouldn't want to get anyone into trouble should I be mistaken).

[George C]

Merry Christmas Rattanchair , poor us I now have to pour my Johnny Walker blue myself and even cook our own meals at least for about 7 weeks till next cruise. 

[rattanchair]

1 hour ago, George C said:

Merry Christmas Rattanchair , poor us I now have to pour my Johnny Walker blue myself and even cook our own meals at least for about 7 weeks till next cruise. 

Dear GC,   It"s these little things you describe that makes the times on board so much sweeter. Merry Christmas and a Very Happy New Year. And do not forget 'our 'New Years Toast given to us over 200 years ago by poet extraordinaire Robert Burns " Here's to us ! And who is better than us? Damn few, and they're all dead !".

[rattanchair]

In our walkabout the ship this morning, a beautiful morning, the deck hands are setting up the loungers and as fast as they are set up, passengers are placing their "one' beige allotted deck towel and disappearing leaving only the towel to 'mark' their possession of said lounger. While in the YC about a dozen passengers have done the same thing. So lack of consideration of fellow passengers is not just limited to the hoi polloi. The only differences are YC guests get unlimited 'royal' blue towels, the lounges are a black rattan style with 2 1/2 " thick cushions, and the cabanas lounges are precovered with 3 blue towels wrapped under the cushions. The only deck area with plenty of available deck loungers not occupied with 'abandoned' towels is the' pay to lounge' experience just outside the YC. (I never bothered to find out the name of this experience since I was not interested, but it appears appealing.)