YC experience on Ocean Cay

[jcathers1]

I searched for this topic, but didn't find anything, so apologies if this has been covered ad nauseum.

 

What is the YC experience like on OC? Are food/drinks included? Is there a private beach area? Any tips/hints? We've sailed with MSC a few times, but never since OC was opened. 

[morpheusofthesea]

1 hour ago, jcathers1 said:

What is the YC experience like on OC? Are food/drinks included? Is there a private beach area? Any tips/hints?

Glad you asked. We sail the Caribbean exclusively now and never bother to get off the ship, except for Ocean Cay. We go to the Top Sail Lounge and the head butler asks if we are ready to get off. He assigns a butler to escort us off the ship and walks us over to the free YC trolley which carries us over the butler guarded bridge to Ocean House. To the right facing OH is the complimentary YC only beach with complimentary umbrellas and lounge chairs. A white tent top is set up for towels. Your personal butler will probably be in front of OH to greet you and escort you to your seats on the beach. This way he knows where you are to run for drinks and when lunch is ready at 11:30 to either fetch you or bring it to you. To your rear if on the beach are 6 cabanas (for a cost), more for people watching.

   Now to the left of OH are another more secluded 6 cabanas with a rocky view of the ocean. 

   OH itself is reminiscent of Raffles Hotel and Bar in Singapore. No seats at this bar. Butlers take up the entire bar as 2 bar tenders make drinks as fast as they can. 

Edited April 19, 2022 by morpheusofthesea
added pictures

[seapad]

11 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Glad you asked. We sail the Caribbean exclusively now and never bother to get off the ship, except for Ocean Cay. We go to the Top Sail Lounge and the head butler asks if we are ready to get off. He assigns a butler to escort us off the ship and walks us over to the free YC trolley which carries us over the butler guarded bridge to Ocean House. To the right facing OH is the complimentary YC only beach with complimentary umbrellas and lounge chairs. A white tent top is set up for towels. Your personal butler will probably be in front of OH to greet you and escort you to your seats on the beach. This way he knows where you are to run for drinks and when lunch is ready at 11:30 to either fetch you or bring it to you. To your rear if on the beach are 6 cabanas (for a cost), more for people watching.

   Now to the left of OH are another more secluded 6 cabanas with a rocky view of the ocean. 

   OH itself is reminiscent of Raffles Hotel and Bar in Singapore. No seats at this bar. Butlers take up the entire bar as 2 bar tenders make drinks as fast as they can. 

In the 2nd picture, there are 2 people sitting in lounge chairs on the lawn (not by the beach)....that looks interesting. Is that something that we can request to lounge and people watch? 

[morpheusofthesea]

6 minutes ago, seapad said:

In the 2nd picture, there are 2 people sitting in lounge chairs on the lawn (not by the beach)....that looks interesting. Is that something that we can request to lounge and people watch? 

Of course. Just have your butler set you up. The maitre d' Luigi and the butlers were moving tables as well. Anywhere one desires. We were so excited to be back to OC that we were on the first trolley. Luigi told us that afternoon he was able to accommodate 250 YC guests for lunch.

  We had lunch there and later returned to the ship to have a second lunch at the YC pool grill, which were delighted to see some guests.

Edited April 19, 2022 by morpheusofthesea

[no1talks]

3 hours ago, jcathers1 said:

Any tips/hints? We've sailed with MSC a few times, but never since OC was opened. 

Here's a tip for those who like atypical cocktails while on the lash in the OC.

Ask before Ocean Cay day if the ingredients for your favorite beach libation can be ported to the YC watering hole.

Let us suppose, against all probability, you like to drink Hanky Pankys on the beach. Well, they'll certainly have several gins to choose from and I'd be surprised if the requisite sweet vermouth isn't brought to OC. However, I'll bet all the marbles that Fernet-Branca is left on the ship. Without that stuff, there will be no hanky panky. (At least not the cocktail kind.)

So, check the afternoon before OC on odd cocktail ingredient availability. This also goes for a preferred brand of liquor in a regular cocktail. Do you like sea breezes made with Chopin vodka? Ask to make sure they bring it along.
 

[lovemycruisetoo]

We found the indoor dining which by the way had very few tables at the YC restaurant to be extremely noisy with the bartenders coming in and out and having very loud conversations. We chose to eat outdoors the next time and will again on our next stop they in a few days. 

[westcoasttech]

4 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Of course. Just have your butler set you up. The maitre d' Luigi and the butlers were moving tables as well. Anywhere one desires. We were so excited to be back to OC that we were on the first trolley. Luigi told us that afternoon he was able to accommodate 250 YC guests for lunch.

  We had lunch there and later returned to the ship to have a second lunch at the YC pool grill, which were delighted to see some guests.

Thanks for the info - I’ve got YC on Seashore booked for 15 days in Oct/Nov, so I have 2 visits to OC on the route … if the weather cooperates!  Do you happen to know what the charges are for the cabanas?  Are they per person or a flat rate?  I don’t like to ‘broil’ myself for too long, are there possibilities for shade in the area without having to stretch to a cabana?  Really looking forward to it now you’ve teased me with the photos!

[Two Wheels Only]

32 minutes ago, westcoasttech said:

Do you happen to know what the charges are for the cabanas?

 

Exclusive MSC Yacht Club cabanas (ONLY AVAILABLE FOR MSC YC GUESTS):

• MSC Yacht Club Ocean View Cabana - $399  
• MSC Yacht Club Beachfront Cabana - $449 

IMPORTANT INFO: Max 6 guests per cabana. Price shown is per cabana. Price is subject to change without notice.

 

32 minutes ago, westcoasttech said:

 Are they per person or a flat rate?  

 

Flat rate.

 

32 minutes ago, westcoasttech said:

 I don’t like to ‘broil’ myself for too long, are there possibilities for shade in the area without having to stretch to a cabana?

 

You can open the umbrellas that are next to the loungers (see photos in post #2).

 

We were there for 2 days. YC cabanas sold out before the cruise for the first day. We booked one for the 2nd day. I've already booked another one for my cruise in June.

Edited April 20, 2022 by Two Wheels Only

[no1talks]

54 minutes ago, westcoasttech said:

are there possibilities for shade in the area without having to stretch to a cabana?

 

Free shade in YC area was available during a cruise with YC half-ish full. (Note the cabana in the background.) Butlers will rearrange things as shade changes, if you like.

[westcoasttech]

5 minutes ago, no1talks said:

 

Free shade in YC area was available during a cruise with YC half-ish full. (Note the cabana in the background.) Butlers will rearrange things as shade changes, if you like.

You look very comfortable!  That will work for me … I think the cabanas are a little out of my reach!  Thanks for the info everybody!

[jcathers1]

Thanks for the great info everyone. Someone mentioned the weather. What type of weather would cause them to cancel the day at OC? Wind?

[dexddd]

53 minutes ago, jcathers1 said:

Thanks for the great info everyone. Someone mentioned the weather. What type of weather would cause them to cancel the day at OC? Wind?

Yes, wind.  It is a narrow channel they have to turn around in.

[morpheusofthesea]

9 hours ago, westcoasttech said:

Thanks for the info - I’ve got YC on Seashore booked for 15 days in Oct/Nov, so I have 2 visits to OC on the route … if the weather cooperates!  Do you happen to know what the charges are for the cabanas?  Are they per person or a flat rate?  I don’t like to ‘broil’ myself for too long, are there possibilities for shade in the area without having to stretch to a cabana?  Really looking forward to it now you’ve teased me with the photos!

I felt that the cabanas/pergolas were a bit expensive for just an afternoon. Don't really recall. Best if someone reading this replies, guess was in the $300 dollar range flat rate. Plenty of complimentary umbrellas which your butler will set up or the towel guy (extra tip if towel guy). It is more beautiful than the pictures convey.

[morpheusofthesea]

9 hours ago, no1talks said:

 

Free shade in YC area was available during a cruise with YC half-ish full. (Note the cabana in the background.) Butlers will rearrange things as shade changes, if you like.

Never seen a more dapper, debonair gentleman on the beach. You should consider auditioning for Dos Equis's "Most Interesting Man in the World" (younger version of course).

[clemsonlori98]

My family just got off the Seashore on 4/16.   I have to say that I had heard about the YC beach being rocky and I of course forgot my water shoes.    That has to have been the worst beach I have ever gone in and out of.   I really felt like I was going to have to have someone drag me out with the combination of the waves and the numerous rocks/coral.   I wouldn't be surprised if someone has gotten hurt or will get hurt.   They really need to have loungers/umbrellas on the other beach/cove.      

[Paphillyguy]

I agree the water is very rocky and you do need water shoes.  But everything else is great there.  Get the lobster rolls. 

[mscdivina2016]

I must be the only one who did not have the same experience as everyone else.

 

I was at OC twice in December and once in January.

 

Our butler did not escort us off, he passed us onto another butler taking his people off. When we got off there were a dozen people waiting for the ride. At least a 15-20 minute wait.  We walked and beat the people we got off with.

 

The butlers did not set up chairs for us, nor did they adjust umbrellas. Drink service on the beach was poor as there were almost no waiters around and those that were seemed to service the cabanas mostly.

 We were lucky we got invited in January to share a cabana with friends mid afternoon. Service was outstanding.

 We never saw our butler on OC all 3 times we were there.

[westcoasttech]

7 hours ago, jcathers1 said:

Thanks for the great info everyone. Someone mentioned the weather. What type of weather would cause them to cancel the day at OC? Wind?

If you read through some of the reviews in the review section of CC, the ship seems to be sometimes delayed getting to OC due to strong wind preventing the safe navigation through the channel to get to the dock.  Resulting in the actual time on the island starting later and the ship may stay later into the evening, if it has the flexibility in the schedule.  

[clemsonlori98]

1 hour ago, mscdivina2016 said:

I must be the only one who did not have the same experience as everyone else.

 

I was at OC twice in December and once in January.

 

Our butler did not escort us off, he passed us onto another butler taking his people off. When we got off there were a dozen people waiting for the ride. At least a 15-20 minute wait.  We walked and beat the people we got off with.

 

The butlers did not set up chairs for us, nor did they adjust umbrellas. Drink service on the beach was poor as there were almost no waiters around and those that were seemed to service the cabanas mostly.

 We were lucky we got invited in January to share a cabana with friends mid afternoon. Service was outstanding.

 We never saw our butler on OC all 3 times we were there.

We had 300 sailing in YC last week!  Not sure what the max is for Seashore.  They were swamped!   Had to wait for drink service a long time and had to wait for a table for lunch (outside).   I did see our butler on island but really didn't do anything for us (nor did we ask.)

Edited April 20, 2022 by clemsonlori98

[Paphillyguy]

1 hour ago, mscdivina2016 said:

I must be the only one who did not have the same experience as everyone else.

 

I was at OC twice in December and once in January.

 

Our butler did not escort us off, he passed us onto another butler taking his people off. When we got off there were a dozen people waiting for the ride. At least a 15-20 minute wait.  We walked and beat the people we got off with.

 

The butlers did not set up chairs for us, nor did they adjust umbrellas. Drink service on the beach was poor as there were almost no waiters around and those that were seemed to service the cabanas mostly.

 We were lucky we got invited in January to share a cabana with friends mid afternoon. Service was outstanding.

 We never saw our butler on OC all 3 times we were there.

This is not even close to the experience we had on our December cruise.  Our Jr butler took us off the ship and our butler got our chairs and umbrella for us and there were several servers there to get you drinks.  

[Two Wheels Only]

1 hour ago, mscdivina2016 said:

Our butler did not escort us off, he passed us onto another butler taking his people off.

 

We were escorted off by another butler, too. It depends on what the butler's assignment is. We did see our butler later in the afternoon. Sometimes, a butler is assigned to the "left" side of Ocean House while another is assigned to the "right". Our butler had the left on the first day and the right on the second (where we were). 

 

1 hour ago, mscdivina2016 said:

When we got off there were a dozen people waiting for the ride. At least a 15-20 minute wait.

 

We had a bit of a wait but it's difficult for anything more than 2 people. We're a group of 4 so we couldn't fit on the first ride that came by. Overall, not too bad.

 

1 hour ago, mscdivina2016 said:

The butlers did not set up chairs for us, nor did they adjust umbrellas.

 

I did this myself but I did see butlers doing it for others. 

 

1 hour ago, mscdivina2016 said:

Drink service on the beach was poor as there were almost no waiters around and those that were seemed to service the cabanas mostly.

 

We were served even on the day that we weren't in a cabana. We also had one of the first set of loungers so that could have been a factor. The further away from Ocean House, the less frequent the service (it seems). 

 

1 hour ago, mscdivina2016 said:

We were lucky we got invited in January to share a cabana with friends mid afternoon. Service was outstanding.

 

As was ours. My butler on the ship was also my butler for the cabana. He had even prepared the cooler for us with drinks for the kids as well as a bottle of prosecco for us. Whenever we wandered away from the cabana, there was something waiting for us when we returned. Drinks, lunch, dessert, snacks, etc. were all delivered to us even though we were far from Ocean House.

[rkacruiser]

5 hours ago, mscdivina2016 said:

Our butler did not escort us off, he passed us onto another butler taking his people off

 

I experienced this when I disembarked Meraviglia.  My Butler passed me off to someone who was not a Butler.  Then, I got passed off to a MSC Shore Staff member who did more than what I anticipated.  My Butler's service was not what I expected.  (Maybe I didn't provide a more significant $$ gratuity for the gentleman?)  The MSC Shore Staff member (and Porter) were well rewarded by assisting me to get to my car in the parking garage.  

[no1talks]

12 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

You should consider auditioning for Dos Equis's "Most Interesting Man in the World" (younger version of course).

Narrator: "On a cruise, he brings more tuxedos than other men bring collared shirts. The minibar in any cabin he occupies suddenly contains chocolate covered peanuts. Ships' captains hope for an invitation to his table. He is the most interesting man on Ocean Cay."

Me: "I don't always drink champagne. But when I do, I prefer Nicolas Feuillatte...   because it's included."

"Stay in Yacht Club, my friends."

Edited April 21, 2022 by no1talks