Small Change to YC MiniBar Policy

[BoundForSea]

For us it was just a moment to be a bit surprised and then we moved on. I’m surprised it didn’t go away years ago when this topic came up in 2019. Not a biggie, still a great experience with a great Butler. I really do like the new bottle offering option though. 

[Beamafar]

1 minute ago, BoundForSea said:

The Choco covered are gone. Just plain now and the tin is TINY. I wish I took a pic of it. 

Oh no - thanks for the heads-up.  I can live with the disappointment now.  It would have been a devastation of epic proportions had I only discovered it when onboard.  😂😂😂😂

[BoundForSea]

Just now, Beamafar said:

Oh no - thanks for the heads-up.  I can live with the disappointment now.  It would have been a devastation of epic proportions had I only discovered it when onboard.  😂😂😂😂

Glad to take the pain for you!!!! Haha. I did ask him if they were gone and he said yes and I wasn’t the first to ask. lol. Lord I’m pathetic!!!! hahaha. 

[sverigecruiser]

2 hours ago, BoundForSea said:

No mention of the new snack rule in the QR Code Menu, however it is listed in the items for purchase list, but the alcohol offering policy is there. 

 

Interesting that they call Asti Martini Champagne. That is a new thing, right?

[sverigecruiser]

 

For me the changes in the minibar is more good than bad. I really don't need the snacks because the snacks they have ( or had?) in the lounge is much better, I think.

 

Minibottles of liquor is not interesting for me if I can get drinks from the bar instead. If they really mean that we can get a bottle of Champagne instead that's much better.

 

The only thing we take from the mini bar is beers and no change there as I understand it. 

[Nunagoras]

TBHH: Despite the nostalgia from some like me who have started their cruise "career" back on the "good ole days", the fact is that these little changes being rolled out are to be applauded!... From wherever one can see them, they're in the way forward for a more sustainable world for the enjoyment of us all. It is time for the cruise industry as a whole to make what is now the norm on the mainstream 4* and even 5* hotel industry that is to make the cabin mini fridge to a guest requested extra fee add on.

 

If the cruise line wants to give some complimentary courtesy items, so be it. It's nice and quite memorable. Otherwise, I for me prefer to go to the bar and have whatever I want. The unique time I needed the MSC's minibar (on "steerage"), I run on a product out of recommended consumption date... Well: Ultimately I ended up on the nearby bar to replace the item!...

[phissy]

9 hours ago, Beamafar said:

Ah, G, I’m gonna really miss the choc peanuts. Can’t buy anything close to them anywhere.  . 

Edited September 28, 2021 by phissy

[BoundForSea]

56 minutes ago, sverigecruiser said:

 

For me the changes in the minibar is more good than bad. I really don't need the snacks because the snacks they have ( or had?) in the lounge is much better, I think.

 

Minibottles of liquor is not interesting for me if I can get drinks from the bar instead. If they really mean that we can get a bottle of Champagne instead that's much better.

 

The only thing we take from the mini bar is beers and no change there as I understand it. 

Case in point I’m not too sad, I’m sitting here at the bar on top sail reading your posts and doing just fine with the ‘snack’ situation!! haha

[Beamafar]

Just now, BoundForSea said:

Case in point I’m not too sad, I’m sitting here at the bar on top sail reading your posts and doing just fine with the ‘snack’ situation!! haha

❤️❤️❤️

[cdel71]

7 minutes ago, BoundForSea said:

Case in point I’m not too sad, I’m sitting here at the bar on top sail reading your posts and doing just fine with the ‘snack’ situation!! haha

 

Did you get the information from your butler on the Meraviglia regarding the mini-bar changes, since you are on there right now....

[BoundForSea]

8 minutes ago, cdel71 said:

 

Did you get the information from your butler on the Meraviglia regarding the mini-bar changes, since you are on there right now....

We’re on Divina, and yes he gave us the info Sunday morning upon him escorting us to our cabin, and giving us the suite tour and lowdown on everything as usual. 

[cdel71]

12 minutes ago, BoundForSea said:

We’re on Divina, and yes he gave us the info Sunday morning upon him escorting us to our cabin, and giving us the suite tour and lowdown on everything as usual. 

 

Ahh, apologies, I thought you were on the Meraviglia.  Enjoy the rest of your cruise!

[BoundForSea]

5 minutes ago, cdel71 said:

 

Ahh, apologies, I thought you were on the Meraviglia.  Enjoy the rest of your cruise!

Sure no problem. He did say it was a change for the North American operation here from FL if that helps or not. 

 

 

 

Cheers all! Happy Sailings snd be safe, hope to see some of you on Seashore in December over the holiday!

[Beamafar]

Enjoy the rest of your cruise, B.  😉

[rkacruiser]

2 hours ago, sverigecruiser said:

 

For me the changes in the minibar is more good than bad. I really don't need the snacks because the snacks they have ( or had?) in the lounge is much better, I think.

 

Minibottles of liquor is not interesting for me if I can get drinks from the bar instead. If they really mean that we can get a bottle of Champagne instead that's much better.

 

The only thing we take from the mini bar is beers and no change there as I understand it. 

 

I agree.  Changes in the replenishment of the mini-bar are low on my list of concerns.  I didn't use my mini-bar very much for the same reason as you.  The snacks/drinks in the Top Sail Lounge were better.  

 

If there is a cutback that MSC ought to seriously consider is the size of the fruit bowl that is placed in a YC suite.  My goodness, the amount of fruit is so excessive and, during a 7 day cruise, is replaced with the same amount of fruit.  Even for two guests in a suite, it's an excessive amount.  For a solo guest, it's a terrible waste!  

[LeCommandant]

5 hours ago, BoundForSea said:

No mention of the new snack rule in the QR Code Menu, however it is listed in the items for purchase list, but the alcohol offering policy is there. 

Thanks for sharing this. It is another proof that MSC offerings are depending on countries. Unfortunately in the US market, there is no “real” champagne as the Asti Martini is a sparkling wine. 

[LeCommandant]

7 minutes ago, rkacruiser said:

 

I agree.  Changes in the replenishment of the mini-bar are low on my list of concerns.  I didn't use my mini-bar very much for the same reason as you.  The snacks/drinks in the Top Sail Lounge were better.  

 

If there is a cutback that MSC ought to seriously consider is the size of the fruit bowl that is placed in a YC suite.  My goodness, the amount of fruit is so excessive and, during a 7 day cruise, is replaced with the same amount of fruit.  Even for two guests in a suite, it's an excessive amount.  For a solo guest, it's a terrible waste!  

Just ask your butler to provide you a light selection of fruits 😉 

[hamrag]

3 hours ago, sverigecruiser said:

 

....If they really mean that we can get a bottle of Champagne instead that's much better.....

That'll be Asti Spumante then.....Italian 'Champagne'!! 😂

[cdel71]

49 minutes ago, LeCommandant said:

Just ask your butler to provide you a light selection of fruits 😉 

 

Do you know if they will provide fruit that's already cut/sliced, like watermelon, melon, cantaloupe??

[rkacruiser]

Just now, cdel71 said:

 

Do you know if they will provide fruit that's already cut/sliced, like watermelon, melon, cantaloupe??

 

What has been provided in my fruit bowls have been whole fruits.  If one wants already cut fruit, I think a call to Room Service might be able to provide that.  

[cdel71]

2 minutes ago, rkacruiser said:

 

What has been provided in my fruit bowls have been whole fruits.  If one wants already cut fruit, I think a call to Room Service might be able to provide that.  

 

Going to be fruit overload!   Good to know, thanks!

[kidless]

If Asti is considered champagne on their list is it Asti waiting in the cabin on arrival? 😊 

[sverigecruiser]

7 hours ago, hamrag said:

That'll be Asti Spumante then.....Italian 'Champagne'!! 😂

 

Interesting that in the menu from a cruise in the Mediterranean ( post #2 ) a Champagne is listed.

 

The rules are stricter in Europe and that may be the reason for that. In the US it seems like they can get away with calling anything with bubbles Champagne but they can't do that in Europe.

[BoundForSea]

So with the choice of bottle of alcohol, you can choose Sparkling Wine (Asti) as one of the choices, or white, red, or a bottle of spirits (Rum Vidka Gin etc). You don’t receive the bottle of Asti anymore with the YC automatically upon arrival. You do if you are Diamond, as part of the Diamond perk, so for us we chose Gin and they brought Asti and the Macaroons as they Diamond perk. They also don’t provide Macaroons automatically anymore (nor the truffles I showed from the Topsail earlier). You do receive a bowl of whole fruit (not sliced). 

 

There’s just slot of small changes you will notice. We’re on day 3 and the food in LeMuse has been nothing short of amazing, the service spectacular and the ship although dated, just great. These small cut backs are somewhat insignificant but for some, it’s a big deal and I understand that. Overall the experience in YC is more than these small perks, it’s the whole vibe. You don’t get it in Haven, or Celebrity. It’s unique to MSC and YC, just as much as the MSC smell!!! and we love it.  I think for me being of Italian heritage it reminds me of a lot of my childhood in the culture of the ship and experience and that for me is unique. Tonight I had a pasta dish that was out of this world, truth is you’re not going to find that dish on NCL, Royal, Celebrity, Well def the C word, and even some luxury lines, it’s the culture and unique Italian and Euro family influence. 

 

Okay enough of my MSC cheerleading. I fought with the land side through the entirety of Covid and 2020, it’s like a different company when you step on board and enter the glass doors, and for that I deal with the landslide nonsense. 

 

That’s just me though. You’re Mileage may vary and opinions will as well, that’s what drives this platform called cruise CRITIC. 

 

 

[Beamafar]

Interesting to hear no welcome bottle of bubbly in the cabin anymore.  Cutting corners, to me, seems cheap.

 

I wouldn’t mind if these were temporary changes as a result of Covid and so many ships out of action or sailing with reduced numbers.  But MSC is exploiting the situation by introducing so many niggly cutbacks and price increases.   From what we experienced on NCL recently, there were no cutbacks of any kind.  We had a bottle of bubbly waiting for us in the minibar on arrival - and that was just a Club balcony - plus treats to the room twice during the sailing.