Yacht Club Inclusions

[Até]

15 minutes ago, Margaretealexander said:

Can someone clear this up for me.... a received bid for an upgrade only gives you the room not the “experience”? If I get upgraded to YC I only receive a better room not all the perks? That’s what I’ve been reading on CC boards.

If you win a bid and are going to a Bella, Fantastica or Aurea cabin the associated new cabin perks do not apply and you stay in the experience you originally booked.  Only Yacht Club winning bids get the Yacht Club experience benefits.

[Até]

4 minutes ago, doublebzz said:

This is exactly my case.

Look at your name on your booking confirmation closely and then go to your online profile and make changes so that your name matches exactly.  Put any middle name used on the booking in with your first name on your profile, separated by a space.  Put any suffix in with your last name, also separated by a space.  Remember to save any changes.  Then on the account home page click on "Link a booking to your account".  If it still doesn't work it can sometimes take a day for the profile changes to get integrated into the MSC main system.

[kelleherdl]

16 minutes ago, Até said:

How many Yacht Club booking have you made at $5500 per week for a Deluxe in the off season?

I accept your challenge.  I found a 7-day out of Fort d France for Christmas week in the Yacht Club Royal Suite for $5519 pp.  So I see  your 5500 per week in a Deluxe off-season and raise you a Royal YC suite for Christmas in the Caribbean.

[Margaretealexander]

25 minutes ago, alyssamma said:

It's actually the opposite 🙂

 

YC rooms are nothing to brag about and can be worse than many non-YC rooms. However, the experience is what people pay for. If you win an upgrade bid, you'll get both - room and experience.

Just called MSC and the upgrade does NOT include the experience. It only includes the bigger room. I don’t know how they can keep up with that if your in that area. Not worth the extra $ for just the bigger room.

[doublebzz]

10 minutes ago, Até said:

Look at your name on your booking confirmation closely and then go to your online profile 

I booked through a TA and my confirmation does not include my middle name so there is a conflict.  This problem is that I seem not to be able to access my profile.  When I log in with account number, it asks me to add booking number and it doesn't let me do that.  If I log in with my booking number, it takes me to the plan my cruise page and again no way to access profile.

[Até]

12 minutes ago, kelleherdl said:

I accept your challenge.

I wasn't making any challenge it was a question.  What I am saying is look at the YC Deluxe pricing for this Fall from the US, pricing is typically $5500+, look into the late Winter/Spring and it's $6300+ per week.  Then look at how many unsold cabins there are, MSC usually hides this but has gotten a bit lax.  From what I can see YC is selling at around 10% to 25% for the asking prices.  I've always lauded MSC YC for being a great value and it was historically evidenced by completely selling out by a couple months before sail date, the poor sales are indicating that value has diminished.  I feel it's mainly a result of the bidding scheme, the same thing happened at NCL.

Edited August 10, 2021 by Até

[KennyFla]

6 minutes ago, Até said:

  I've always lauded MSC YC for being a great value and it was historically evidenced by selling out by sail date, the poor sales are indicating that value has diminished.  I feel it's mainly a result of the bidding scheme, the same thing happened at NCL.

Maybe people are booking a cabin, and then waiting to see if the get the upgrade opportunity.  And if they don't are upgrading themselves before sailing.  Or is that cost prohibitive?

Checking my cruise on the Divina, the YC price has not moved much at all since I booked last January.

Edited August 10, 2021 by KennyFla

[alyssamma]

18 minutes ago, Margaretealexander said:

Just called MSC and the upgrade does NOT include the experience. It only includes the bigger room. I don’t know how they can keep up with that if your in that area. Not worth the extra $ for just the bigger room.

I believe you got wrong info from a rep - wouldn't be the first time 🙂

 

And I know there was some confusion on these boards, but once in the YC, there is no way to prevent you from getting YC perks. 

[Até]

27 minutes ago, doublebzz said:

I booked through a TA and my confirmation does not include my middle name so there is a conflict.  This problem is that I seem not to be able to access my profile.  When I log in with account number, it asks me to add booking number and it doesn't let me do that.

When you click on the Login icon at the top of the MSC US homepage you have two choices, "With Booking Number" and "With Your MSC Account".  The booking number option is very limited.  I assume you misspoke stating you "log in with account number" and meant email address and password?  It might be better to create a new online account and use your name as I described above, doing so would require a different email address as the other email is now linked to the dysfunctional account.

 

ETA: You could also create a new account using your sailing partner's name and email address.

Edited August 10, 2021 by Até

[Até]

33 minutes ago, Margaretealexander said:

Just called MSC and the upgrade does NOT include the experience. It only includes the bigger room. I don’t know how they can keep up with that if your in that area. Not worth the extra $ for just the bigger room.

https://upg.stage.plusgrade.com/faq/partner/9Ck2Ks4MSC

 

A large thread where this concern was resolved.

 

 

Edited August 10, 2021 by Até

[beloum]

23 minutes ago, Margaretealexander said:

Just called MSC and the upgrade does NOT include the experience. It only includes the bigger room. I don’t know how they can keep up with that if your in that area. Not worth the extra $ for just the bigger room.

This is a screenshot from the upgrade offer page.  Looks like at least some of the Yacht club experiences are included.  See #3

[Beardface]

59 minutes ago, Até said:

How many Yacht Club booking have you made at $5500 per week for a Deluxe in the off season?

I paid less than that for my YC Deluxe booking on the Seaside out of Miami on Feb 29th, 2020.  And I paid that before COVID was a 'thing'

[zackarykeef]

For those of you wondering, since I’m the one who started this thread as I just won my upgrade, where it used to say “experience: fantastica” on my booking now says “experience: yacht club.” My dining also changes to “dining: yacht club.”

 

So please do not confuse other people. If you have Bella and you get upgraded to the Aurea balcony spa suite, you do not get Aurea perks. However, anyone who bids into Yacht Club gets Yacht Club perks. They wouldn’t let you into the YC to just go to your room…

 

Also…whether it may or may not be a deal sometimes, but this cruise definitely was. It was $600 total for two of us, which was reduced to $400 with the healthcare worker discount. I paid $540 extra for the upgrade, so for $940 total for 2 in YC, compared to the original prices I saw (even without the healthcare worker discount), I think I got a pretty good deal.

 

Now I just need this tropical storm to steer clear…

[Até]

1 minute ago, Beardface said:

I paid less than that for my YC Deluxe booking on the Seaside out of Miami on Feb 29th, 2020.  And I paid that before COVID was a 'thing'

You're misunderstanding the context of our conversation.  Yes, past YC prices were much lower.  We are discussing current YC prices on the Fall and Spring US sailings.

[Até]

5 minutes ago, zackarykeef said:

Also…whether it may or may not be a deal sometimes, but this cruise definitely was. It was $600 total for two of us, which was reduced to $400 with the healthcare worker discount. I paid $540 extra for the upgrade, so for $940 total for 2 in YC, compared to the original prices I saw (even without the healthcare worker discount), I think I got a pretty good deal.

The healthcare discount clouds the total price paid.  You should also clarify this is for a three day sailing.  But yes, there will be decent value when these low-ball bids are accepted, and MSC will likely be accepting a lot of them.

[alyssamma]

7 minutes ago, zackarykeef said:

For those of you wondering, since I’m the one who started this thread as I just won my upgrade, where it used to say “experience: fantastica” on my booking now says “experience: yacht club.” My dining also changes to “dining: yacht club.”

 

So please do not confuse other people. If you have Bella and you get upgraded to the Aurea balcony spa suite, you do not get Aurea perks. However, anyone who bids into Yacht Club gets Yacht Club perks. They wouldn’t let you into the YC to just go to your room…

 

Also…whether it may or may not be a deal sometimes, but this cruise definitely was. It was $600 total for two of us, which was reduced to $400 with the healthcare worker discount. I paid $540 extra for the upgrade, so for $940 total for 2 in YC, compared to the original prices I saw (even without the healthcare worker discount), I think I got a pretty good deal.

 

Now I just need this tropical storm to steer clear…

You got an unbelievable deal. As someone said earlier, the only problem is now you'll be hooked 🙂

 

[alyssamma]

1 minute ago, Até said:

The healthcare discount clouds the total price paid.  You should also clarify this is for a three day sailing.  But yes, there will be decent value when these low-ball bids are accepted, and MSC will likely be accepting a lot of them.

Even w/o the HC discount it is $1140...which is amazing for 2 in YC. The "rack" prices are double that.

[Até]

26 minutes ago, alyssamma said:

Even w/o the HC discount it is $1140...which is amazing for 2 in YC. The "rack" prices are double that.

The rack rate for that cruise is $3198 for three days. Again, that is not what people should base their bidding on.  My last YC Deluxe sailing was $3600 for a one week sailing about the same time of year.  I've been saying for a while that with the current availability there will be decent deals through YC bidding.  Hopefully MSC realizes high initial prices and relying on the bidding system to fill unsold cabins is not always a good strategy.  So as far as I'm concerned I hope a lot of people get terrific deals through the bidding system.  Zackarykeef was able to take advantage of MSC's pricing mistakes, good for them.

 

 

ETA:  Oh, @zackarykeefcould you verify this winning bid was for a YC Deluxe and not a YC interior?

Edited August 10, 2021 by Até

[alyssamma]

5 minutes ago, Até said:

The rack rate for that cruise is $3198 for three days. Again, that is not what people should base their bidding on.  My last YC Deluxe sailing was $3600 for a one week sailing about the same time of year.  I've been saying for a while that with the current availability there will be decent deals through YC bidding.  Hopefully MSC realizes high initial prices and relying on the bidding system to fill unsold cabins is not always a good strategy.  So as far as I'm concerned I hope a lot of people get terrific deals through the bidding system.  Zacharykeef was able to take advantage of MSC's pricing mistakes, good for them.

Where are you seeing that price? The most expensive 3 day I see if $3098 *before* the 5% discount. The cheapest is $2098, again, before the 5% Voyager discount.

 

And yes, YC rates have gone up, but to me it seems they've only gone up about 25%...the amount of the FCC bonus 🙂

 

I still find lots of 7 week YC cruises for between $2K and $2400pp

[Até]

We are obviously comparing different cabins, I asked the OP to confirm what cabin type they won a bid to.  Just moments ago there were no YC interiors available to price on their sailing, now there are so bid awards are changing availability.  The $3198 I stated was for a YC Deluxe, the only YC cabin I could price at the time.  YC interior are now listed for $2038 on that three day sailing.  My last YC interior during the same time of year was $2500 for the week.  So let's identify which cabin type the OP moved to and then we can more accurately make comparisons.

Edited August 10, 2021 by Até

[alyssamma]

13 minutes ago, Até said:

We are obviously comparing different cabins, I asked the OP to confirm what cabin type they won a bid to.  Just moments ago there were no YC interiors available to price on their sailing, now there are so bid awards are changing availability.  The $3198 I stated was for a YC Deluxe, the only YC cabin I could price at the time.  YC interior are now listed for $2038 on that three day sailing.  My last YC interior during the same time of year was $2500 for the week.  So let's identify which cabin type the OP moved to and then we can more accurately make comparisons.

I just looked at 3 day sailings in Aug and Sep and got the prices I said above. And these were for YC Deluxe. Nowhere did I see $3198.

 

What specific sailing did you find $3198 for?

 

Oh, and many of these fall under 5+15 which I didn't account for either. For example, the Mera on 8/20. All of this makes it cheaper.

Edited August 10, 2021 by alyssamma

[Até]

OP is sailing August 13th Meraviglia.  Cabin availability is currently in rapid flux but I managed to catch it showing most YC cabins.  I find it best that when making comparisons it's best not to use discount rates or promotions unless you specifically mention them.

 

[alyssamma]

4 minutes ago, Até said:

OP is sailing August 13th Meraviglia.  Cabin availability is currently in rapid flux but I managed to catch it showing most YC cabins.  I find it best that when making comparisons it's best not to use discount rates or promotions unless you specifically mention them.

 

OK, yeah, if you are ignoring discounts then you can get the number you said.

 

However, with the current promos, a YC Deluxe is $2624. A YC Inside is $1688 - both of these for 2 people, of course.

 

So, when seeing if the OP "got a good deal", they certainly did. Even if they got an inside, and ignoring the HC discount, it would be about a $500 savings. If it is a deluxe then a $1500 savings.

 

I think when looking at YC prices you have to include all discounts "regular" passengers are entitled to - regular being they've sailed at least once. So this ignores HC, Casino, other discounts which would apply only to a small percentage of passengers.

 

With that in mind, YC prices have certainly gone up, but not significantly when compared to other lines' top shelf products (e.g., Retreat, Haven).

 

When I first started sailing YC I could find deluxe cabins for about $1500pp...sometimes as low as $1200. Now it is between $2000 and $2500. More? Absolutely. Still an amazing deal? I think so.

 

It becomes an even better deal if you would purchase a drink package. That's almost $1K for 2 people right there.

[KennyFla]

12 minutes ago, Até said:

OP is sailing August 13th Meraviglia.  Cabin availability is currently in rapid flux but I managed to catch it showing most YC cabins.  I find it best that when making comparisons it's best not to use discount rates or promotions unless you specifically mention them.

 

Question.  I wanted to get a feel for how full YC will be.  If I click on YC for my sailing, are the cabins that show available everything that is still unsold, or does MSC only show so many cabins at a time?

[Até]

43 minutes ago, KennyFla said:

I wanted to get a feel for how full YC will be.  If I click on YC for my sailing, are the cabins that show available everything that is still unsold, or does MSC only show so many cabins at a time?

Yacht Club will sail full, at least to whatever capacity limit the CDC will hold them to.  Showing of cabin availability is something that seems to have changed recently.  I've watched since 2016 and up until this re-start MSC would initially show all availability but would eventually move to "hide" YC cabin availability, this does not apply to regular cabins.  I've been dragged into detailed debates about that statement and would rather not get into that again. 

 

This does not usually apply to YC interiors, but there were some similar strategies aimed at pushing people to choose the Deluxe over the interior.  On numerous sailings it was common for MSC to show two YC Deluxe cabins left, then a week later two other cabins were all that was available, then a couple weeks later two totally different cabins and it would eventually repeat back to the original two.  Oddly they were almost always in symmetrical pairs.  Either several people are fickle with their cabin choices or MSC was playing a little game.  In the past their sales method usually resulted in just a couple to a few upgrades to fill out the unsold YC, if any.  Pre bidding system the most I've been admitted to by a YC Director was 15 YC Deluxe upgrades on Seaside for an off season sailing.

 

For some reason MSC is no longer trying to hide availability, there are tons of recent posts where people are seeing half to 90% YC Deluxe available after final payment.  Look for yourself.  I'm not sure what is going on, my current theory is the recent increase in YC prices has caused an significant decline in YC bookings and therefore an issue with the system that used to automatically "hide" inventory.  Or perhaps they dropped hiding availability for the bidding system?  Cruise lines have extremely complicated algorithms that take account number of cabins sold, number of cabins left available, asking prices and many other factors.  I don't think anyone has been able to break into their tightly held strategies.

Edited August 10, 2021 by Até