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Yacht Club Pricing ...ouch


chisoxfan
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We truly love the YC experience and had booked a cruise in January which was obviously cancelled. We have signed up for a 28 day summer 22 cruise on HAL which will be our first after Covid cruise (don't want to jinx us). To the point, we thought perhaps we would resume our Winter (Jan-Feb) 7 or 14 day Caribbean cruise getaway in 2022. I was floored to see January YC Balcony on MSC 2022 at 5900.  I understand the pent up cruise credits and demand 'in the system'  but it is hard for me to buy into a cruise that is 50% more expensive than previous bookings/Cruises (I think our Jan 20 MSC YC was around 3000 all in and reserved 2021 not much more).

Anyway, it seems that AI's in Caribbean have not caught up to this expanded pricing and we can book some higher end (HYATT, Palladium)  AI's in Cancun for half the price (these are not saddled with a lot of extra costs such as daily gratuities).

I am a big believer in free enterprise and we all can vote with our feet but just curios what the consensus is for the cruising community on this (much higher pricing). I am thinking there will be a blip in pricing for 2022 and the market will equalize things. That said the cruise industry could be challenged if alternative vacation offers are not as aggressive with pricing.

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There is no doubt that YC prices have gone up over the last few years. The competition has also raised prices. However, there are/were still some good deals to be had.

 

My most recent (cancelled) Seaside cruise was actually hundreds less than my first Seaside cruise that I booked in 2016 and sailed in 2018 when prices were still very low (same suite).

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3 hours ago, chisoxfan said:

We truly love the YC experience and had booked a cruise in January which was obviously cancelled. We have signed up for a 28 day summer 22 cruise on HAL which will be our first after Covid cruise (don't want to jinx us). To the point, we thought perhaps we would resume our Winter (Jan-Feb) 7 or 14 day Caribbean cruise getaway in 2022. I was floored to see January YC Balcony on MSC 2022 at 5900.  I understand the pent up cruise credits and demand 'in the system'  but it is hard for me to buy into a cruise that is 50% more expensive than previous bookings/Cruises (I think our Jan 20 MSC YC was around 3000 all in and reserved 2021 not much more).

Anyway, it seems that AI's in Caribbean have not caught up to this expanded pricing and we can book some higher end (HYATT, Palladium)  AI's in Cancun for half the price (these are not saddled with a lot of extra costs such as daily gratuities).

I am a big believer in free enterprise and we all can vote with our feet but just curios what the consensus is for the cruising community on this (much higher pricing). I am thinking there will be a blip in pricing for 2022 and the market will equalize things. That said the cruise industry could be challenged if alternative vacation offers are not as aggressive with pricing.

 

Is 5900 for one? If yes I agree with you that that is much for a week.

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9 minutes ago, Two Wheels Only said:

There is no doubt that YC prices have gone up over the last few years. The competition has also raised prices. However, there are/were still some good deals to be had.

 

My most recent (cancelled) Seaside cruise was actually hundreds less than my first Seaside cruise that I booked in 2016 and sailed in 2018 when prices were still very low (same suite).

 

I have only followed MSCs prices for a few years but I have not seen a significant raise in prices.

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I've not noticed huge increases in prices, though I only check European prices (incl UK).  There has always been price variations with some cruises being unexplainably expensive and others bargains.

 

My hobby is searching for YIN cruises less that GBP90 or €100 per night per person.

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1 hour ago, sidari said:

I had a look at pricing for the Haven on the new NCL Prima, lowest cabin grade was just shy of £6,000 pp.

NCL has their ongoing 30% off with inflated prices.  Which sailing?  We booked the 12 night TA in Haven for a decent price.  Their computer models were a bit on the low end for the initial sailings but have now caught up.  It only took 36 hours for Haven and Studios to sell out on that trip.

 

They now have mid and lower end suites selling for what a mid category Haven was.

 

Isn't the MSC version of the Prima coming out first?  There was speculation here MSC would move YC aft like NCL did with Haven.

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1 hour ago, Couple-Somerset said:

 

If you find any, please shout (after you've grabbed yours).

 

 

Typically the bargains are repositioning cruises, often less than 7 days. 

 

Here is one example: 2 nights from Genoa to Barcelona for GBP159 per person in a YIN room in Sept 2021.  Add in a few days in Italy, a couple of nights in Barcelona and upgrade to the drinks package to premium plus and it will be a great short break, probably with decent weather in September.

 

https://www.msccruises.co.uk/Booking?CruiseID=VI20210922GOAAGP&Type=CROL&PriceCode=VIGB174MBR&NewCruise=true

 

And in Germany, MSC will sell a 4 night from Southampton  to Lisbon in a YIN for €489 per person.  Because of Brexit this one might be a problem to book if you are located in UK (at least there might not be legal protection for UK customers to book on the EU websites). 

 

https://www.msccruises.de/Booking?CruiseID=VI20210914SOULIS&Type=CROL&PriceCode=VIS21GE170707#/category/0 

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4 minutes ago, mafig said:

My question also.

I'm wondering what kind of research was done as well.  I have seen Caribbean prices going down recently, and have changed my reservation twice to take advantage.  The price for each week of our Feb-Mar 2022 B2B is now 80% of what the cost was when originally booked in January, 2021.  I'm happy with that sort of reduction.

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Hi 8420PR - I've just booked this via the USA!!!  I had originally booked for Genoa to Malaga but as this is sailing from the UK,  at least there will be one less flight and hopefully more chances of it sailing with UK passengers!

I usually book via a German website but they only had the 8 nighter.

 

Thanks!!

 

ps. Apologies for the font and typing, laptop gone crazy!

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Don't you think we've done some of this to ourselves? My wife and I have been sailing with MSC ever since I discovered the Yacht Club shortly after MSC's appearance here in the US. I was skeptical of the opulence and level of service presented on their website for the price, but we tried it and found it was true. Obviously, it seemed, this new-to-the-US-market cruise line was trying to establish a customer base in the US by offering low fares. Then we (the collective "we") all came home and raved to our friends, neighbors, co-workers, online discussion board buddies and anyone else who would listen about what a great deal we'd found in this new onboard experience called The Yacht Club. They tried it, liked it, and told others. So, now our secret is out and in high demand. It's only natural that MSC would raise fares, especially in a high service-level enclave, in response to their now firm footing in the US market, our desire for the Yacht Club experience and their need to recover COVID-delayed revenue. I wish I'd never told anyone else about The Yacht Club!! (I'm only half-joking.)

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3 hours ago, Safe77 said:

Don't you think we've done some of this to ourselves? My wife and I have been sailing with MSC ever since I discovered the Yacht Club shortly after MSC's appearance here in the US. I was skeptical of the opulence and level of service presented on their website for the price, but we tried it and found it was true. Obviously, it seemed, this new-to-the-US-market cruise line was trying to establish a customer base in the US by offering low fares. Then we (the collective "we") all came home and raved to our friends, neighbors, co-workers, online discussion board buddies and anyone else who would listen about what a great deal we'd found in this new onboard experience called The Yacht Club. They tried it, liked it, and told others. So, now our secret is out and in high demand. It's only natural that MSC would raise fares, especially in a high service-level enclave, in response to their now firm footing in the US market, our desire for the Yacht Club experience and their need to recover COVID-delayed revenue. I wish I'd never told anyone else about The Yacht Club!! (I'm only half-joking.)

 

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5 hours ago, Safe77 said:

Don't you think we've done some of this to ourselves? My wife and I have been sailing with MSC ever since I discovered the Yacht Club shortly after MSC's appearance here in the US. I was skeptical of the opulence and level of service presented on their website for the price, but we tried it and found it was true. Obviously, it seemed, this new-to-the-US-market cruise line was trying to establish a customer base in the US by offering low fares. Then we (the collective "we") all came home and raved to our friends, neighbors, co-workers, online discussion board buddies and anyone else who would listen about what a great deal we'd found in this new onboard experience called The Yacht Club. They tried it, liked it, and told others. So, now our secret is out and in high demand. It's only natural that MSC would raise fares, especially in a high service-level enclave, in response to their now firm footing in the US market, our desire for the Yacht Club experience and their need to recover COVID-delayed revenue. I wish I'd never told anyone else about The Yacht Club!! (I'm only half-joking.)

 

You nailed it, big time.....sadly, I also am guilty! 🤔

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  • 1 month later...
1 hour ago, 8420PR said:

YIN cabin on MSC Seaview for 13 nights from Kiel to Genoa (9th October to 22nd October) for GBP1169 per person.  Also, no single supplement - which is exceptional!!! 

 

 


Great capture!   Even the YC balcony cabins are fantastic value.  

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On 5/19/2021 at 9:00 AM, JAGR said:

I'm wondering what kind of research was done as well.  I have seen Caribbean prices going down recently, and have changed my reservation twice to take advantage.  The price for each week of our Feb-Mar 2022 B2B is now 80% of what the cost was when originally booked in January, 2021.  I'm happy with that sort of reduction.

 

You've posted some incredible values.  Whatever the secret is "don't tell."  🤐

 

As others have noted, "we all did this to ourselves" with our gushing commentary on the Yacht Club and its comparable value.  😳

 

After reading the thread comments, just took a quick look at our Seashore B2B the first two weeks of December 2021.

 

61% higher now than when we booked, now at about $16,000 and change.

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some current data…
 

We just cost compared a 14-day Norway/Baltic B2B on Preziosa out of Kiel on May 29 2022 with NCL Haven (lower deck front-facing) 11-day Baltic on Getaway out of Copenhagen on 29 May 2022. MSC was $2,000 cheaper, even with the NCL July 4th sale.  Deposit on MSC for the YC1 was $398 versus over $1,000. For NCL.  
 

we booked Preziosa…..

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3 hours ago, At Sea At Peace said:

 

You've posted some incredible values.  Whatever the secret is "don't tell."  🤐

 

As others have noted, "we all did this to ourselves" with our gushing commentary on the Yacht Club and its comparable value.  😳

 

After reading the thread comments, just took a quick look at our Seashore B2B the first two weeks of December 2021.

 

61% higher now than when we booked, now at about $16,000 and change.

I found a good window date of last week of Feb. and first week of March.  You appeared to have done well compared to current prices.  Our two weeks are now 55% above our booked rate.  Fare charges are acting like a stock market gone crazy!

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First of it all, bear in mind that MSC's pricing schemes sadly largely vary by the local market on where one lives and or shop on. And I'm not only talking about those VAT and other state taxes that vary country by country... It's the scheme itself that changes vastly. Sometimes in our favor, sometimes not so.

 

As per from where I live, MSC's general pricing was sort of stable from when I started to cruise with them back in 2006 to nearly 2015. From 2016 on prices started to jump... And jump... And jump again, unless you're part of one of those Travel Operators charters that used to be very popular in some European regions, or you happen to find such one of those last minute or special promotions or you have casino or top fidelity members special discounts. Today it is possible to find some RCI sailings cheaper than MSC here. Princess might to have some more or less on par sailings... Even if you join the drinks package, WiFi, gratuities and such, the difference for such an X sailing might to go at a very surprisingly low difference. Basically and simply: Unless you want the RCI's Oasis class, MSC is pretty much on par, if not sometimes little bit above the general mainstream level...

 

YC followed the general trend, just on such a more intense way. IMHO, even though the perks are nice and the service is said to be top notch, I believe it to be somewhat a bit overpriced right now from my own personal observations, once I have never done the YC, but I was invited for a tour of it and to have a specialty coffee at the Top Sail Lounge on the Fantasia, so I have an idea of what the thing is about.

 

Finally: As someone has said; most of the bargains, YC or "steerage" alike, are mostly on those shorter repo, transatlantic, or far low season from mid January to mid Mach on the Med. Yes, those wonderful deals do happen to exist!... Simply they're now far less prevalent than what they happened to be!... Seems that despite some CC naysayers, the fact is that MSC is filling those ships at those prices!... And, if it wasn't for the Covid, in a few years the World class would no doubt to reach the RCI's Oasis one!...

 

Have a nice day!...

Edited by Nunagoras
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I love MSC, so don't flame me for what I'm about to say. The World will never beat the Oasis Class. Oasis shows are better, a larger ship with less passengers, An Ice sating show, and a tremendous water show. 

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