YC Pricing

[Captain-John]

Hi all

 

As an occasional visiter to these forums, and occasional MSC cruiser, as we return to 'normal' I've been looking to book cruises both this year and next in the YC.

 

I am absolutely staggered at the prices being asked (even from my favourite, discount TA). We're talking Oceania or Viking money or beyond. Is this because MSC have a bidding system now? NCL's Haven also prices really high but often the cabins are unsold and people are upgraded via the bidding programme.

 

As much as I enjoy the YC - I can't see how the experience is on par with truly premium lines.

 

I understand the wider reasons as to why crusing is more expensive now - lots of future travel vouchers to be used from cancelled cruises, pent up demand (although my NCL sailing in October is very quiet looking at cabin availbility), inflation, 'lost time' the cruise lines need to make money back from, lower capacity on ships - etc.

 

But the rises for YC are disproportionate to all of that from what I can see. How are others finding it?

[8420PR]

I think it is demand driven - there were always bargain YC cruises around (my definition is sub €100 per person per night for a YIN cabin), but before covid you had to be quick to book one.  During covid, demand dropped and they became more plentiful and visible.  Now demand is surging, they sell very quickly again.

 

In general (for all cabins), I always found MSC very affordable in the shoulder and off-season, but with crazy prices in the main season and I cannot see that having changed.

Edited July 10, 2022 by 8420PR

[perakcruiser]

From my experience the price difference between high and low season is even bigger than before. With all cruise lines I checked recently. Not MSC, but same ship, same cabin, same route, from 699 to 1749. And I am not even talking about Christmas or school holiday times. 

 

[Two Wheels Only]

Prices and promos fluctuate and it takes more effort to find a good deal. My June 2022 cruise was actually less expensive than what would have been a June 2020 cruise that was booked pre-pandemic. Once people burn through their 125% FCCs and all of the cruise lines start to get back to "normal", prices should stabilize a bit.

 

Yes, things are more expensive all over but decent prices can still be found.

[deliver42]

We booked on board the Seashore for a cruise on the Divina in the  YC for May, 2023 and are quite happy with the price.

[dexddd]

MSC has been pushing the envelope but NCL has opened the flood gates on Haven prices.

[Hlitner]

14 hours ago, Captain-John said:

Hi all

 

As an occasional visiter to these forums, and occasional MSC cruiser, as we return to 'normal' I've been looking to book cruises both this year and next in the YC.

 

I am absolutely staggered at the prices being asked (even from my favourite, discount TA). We're talking Oceania or Viking money or beyond. Is this because MSC have a bidding system now? NCL's Haven also prices really high but often the cabins are unsold and people are upgraded via the bidding programme.

 

As much as I enjoy the YC - I can't see how the experience is on par with truly premium lines.

 

I understand the wider reasons as to why crusing is more expensive now - lots of future travel vouchers to be used from cancelled cruises, pent up demand (although my NCL sailing in October is very quiet looking at cabin availbility), inflation, 'lost time' the cruise lines need to make money back from, lower capacity on ships - etc.

 

But the rises for YC are disproportionate to all of that from what I can see. How are others finding it?

I am going to disagree with you and welcome some debate :).  Also understand I am looking at this from the US side of the pond based on prices we can routinely get here in the USA and do understand that pricing models are somewhat different in the UK and Europe.

 

When we first cruised in the YC (on the Divina) is was pre COVID and generally cost about $300 per passenger/day!  That was all-inclusive and because many US Cruise agencies enhance bookings with some On Board Credit (OBC) it was truly all inclusive (we even had trouble spending all of our OBC.  That $300 per person/day got us a YC Suite which is essentially a deluxe balcony cabin.  You might want to take a look at how much you would pay for a Viking balcony cabin including tips and all drinks (not just the wine/beer at lunch and dinner).  As to "O" you should also do a comparison to a balcony cabin on their newer ships since their older Renaissance ships only have relatively small balcony cabins with very tiny bathrooms.  And you would want to price out O with their upgraded drink package and gratuities plus the cost of unlimited Internet.   I think you will not find anything comparable to MSCs pricing.  Also consider that on "O" you can go to your one 9:30 show (not a production show) and perhaps to a later piano bar.  But on MSC you are going to have nightly Production Shows and at least 4 or 5 other live music venues (including the dedicated lounge in the YC).

 

Like most cruise lines, MSC has been increasing their prices so our upcoming cruise in the YC will cost us a little less than $400 per passenger/day.  But we have looked at some future cruises (Spring of 2023) and prices for YC Suites are still well under $400 per passenger day.  Show me anything close on Viking.

 

About 3 1/2 years ago I posted on CC the opinion that the MSC YC Suites were possibly the best "value" in the entire cruise industry.  We have since managed to book (and take) a couple of Seabourn cruises that were actually a better value, but that is the exception to our rule since most Seabourn cruises are somewhat more pricy.  When DW and I have cruised on Seabourn (one of our favorite lines) we sometimes talk about comparisons to MSC.  There are pros and cons to each cruise line.  For those who want to amenities of a big ship (with lots of entertainment venues) one could make a case that the YC is a better choice than a luxury line like Seabourn.  On the other hand, there is no way that the MSC ships come even close to Seabourn in terms of overall luxury, food, and other little things such as unlimited caviar (on Seabourn).  

 

So from my perspective having cruised on 16 cruise lines and about 80 different ships is that MSC's Yacht Club is still an amazing value.  At one time NCLs Haven Suites might have been comparable, but NCLs pricing has taken a major upturn and we know longer see their Haven Suites as a good value.

 

So, to answer your question, we do think that the increases in pricing we are seeing with MSC is easily in line with other cruise lines and may actually be somewhat of a bargain.

 

Hank

[bac513]

Until recently we would sail Celebrity Retreat when we could afford it. We like the reduced exposure to crowds. We tried MSC (Seashore) in May and were pleasantly surprised. Not only was the Yacht Club significantly less expensive even though gratuities were extra, but also provided extras not given by Celebrity. These extras include  a bottle of liquor, free minibar use, buffet on the pool deck, and the YC is truly a “ship within a ship” with all cabins inside the YC.  Butlers provide excellent service including escorting passengers to dinner, shows, and debarkation. We just returned from a 4 day cruise on Divina YC and received the best service we have experienced on 30+ cruises.

 

 

 

 

[bac513]

Forgot to mention the espresso machine in YC cabins.

[Seadweller001]

We are going on a 7 day YC (Grand Deluxe) and it was $5200.  I equate this to a X Sky Suite but with more benefits and a dedicated Butler with the ship within a ship concept.  We never had the same exclusive feeling with Celebrity, everything Micheals Club/Retreat was spread out on the ship.

 

The YC experience made more sense to us even on the Divina with Le Muse in the back of the ship.

[Nunagoras]

May I to add my 2 cents? YC is not anymore the cruise market's "top secret" for some of us to take advantage of anymore!... That said prices would jump the day it became as notorious as it is now.

 

YC offers, in average, some of the smaller cabins on the whole cruise suite market. Most of their cabins are pretty much only little bit larger than regular cruise balcony cabins. That said, YC prices will remain ever lower than their competitors pricing. Problem is... That one really. No amenities can surpass smaller real estate anyway!... IMHO: YC is a tad overpriced for its real value these days. But considering that YC cabins are usually the first to be fully booked on any given sailing (at least here from Europe) way before any bidding system arrives in place (if it arrives), that indicates that the market is OK on paying that premium, so...

 

Have a nice day!...

[Hlitner]

Trying to compare cabins and amenities are tough.   While the so-called YC suites are not what I would call a suite, they are generally about 265 sq feet.  Seabourn, which is certainly a luxury line, has cabins about 300 sq feet.  But the regular suites on Seabourn include a large bathroom with double since, shower, and separate bathtub.  I think the cabin size of the YC suites are actually about the same as on Seabourn if one excludes the bathrooms (with Seabourns being quite a bit larger).  One could also look at lines like HAL where their Vista Suites are probably slightly smaller than the YC regular suites.  And those Vista suites (and their slightly larger Signature Suites) get nothing for their money other than the larger cabin.  They do not have a spacious lounge, no private pool deck, no private dining room, etc.

 

Perhaps we have a different point of view because of our 45 years cruise experience with 16 cruise lines (and dozens of ships).  We have been in tiny inside cabins, small outside cabins, many balcony cabins, small suites, and large suites.  With the YC you are buying a "ship within a ship" and not just the real estate of your cabin.  There is little else in the industry to compare with MSC's "ship within a ship" other than NCL's Haven Suites and Cunard's Grill Suites (not truly a ship within a ship).   

 

We think the real benefit of the YC is that folks can buy into lots of luxury amenities without paying a small fortune for a large cabin.  We can go on Celebrity in one their Retreat access suites and pay close to $1000 per passenger day (more than twice the price of the YC).  The big difference on Celebrity would be a much larger suite, but the amenities are spread all over the ship and not as spacious as what we get in the YC.

 

Hank

 

 

[Captain-John]

All interesting points raised!

 

Hank - you're right, it's very difficult to compare directly amenities/cabin size/itineraries on a 1 for 1 basis. I suppose there is an element of 'perceived value' as well as actual value.

 

So for example for me the food on MSC is often a drawback to an otherwise good experience. How much 'extra' is good food worth to me - assuming all else is the same?

 

I picked a random week in the Med (sailing 1st April). I found a YC1 for £3800/($4,500). c. $320 pp. per day.

 

Different itinereary but I also found a V2 Verandah on Azamara pursuit for £3720. Drinks package is an extra £200 from what I can see (Wifi and Gratuities excluded from both). So for £120 more - I could sail Azamara over MSC.

 

Again - it depends on whether itinerary or ship or 'experience' is the driver - but it's a less clear 'win' for the YC IMO.

 

It's funny - I don't actually like the idea of a small ship (I'm not very social!). I love the 'ship within a ship' concept. But I can't physchologically get past the fact I could get the small ship luxury experience from a more 'premium' line, for roughly the same price as MSC charge for the YC -  a mass market line albeit offering a niche product

 

Everything is 'case by case' - but I just think the differential between YC and 'the rest' is evaporating - which takes away a reason to consider YC. All the other 'push and pull' factors remain. However price (and the weighting this is given when considering a cruise) has definitely changed in my view.

 

 

[deliver42]

I don't care that the cabins on MSC's YC are smaller than some other lines. What I care about are the anemnities that come with the YC, and I can't see any other mass cruise line, except NCL at a far higher price point in the Haven giving what MSC does. The lounge, pool, concierge, etc.

[bac513]

4 hours ago, deliver42 said:

I don't care that the cabins on MSC's YC are smaller than some other lines. What I care about are the anemnities that come with the YC, and I can't see any other mass cruise line, except NCL at a far higher price point in the Haven giving what MSC does. The lounge, pool, concierge, etc.

Agreed. My limited experience is that the cabins are large enough for 2. On the deluxe grand suite on Seashore, we had considerable drawer space unused and more than enough room not to feel cramped.  Even on Divina, we had room for a folding wheelchair without it getting in the way. There are more amenities in YC vs Celebrity Retreat except for included gratuities and standard OBC.

 

We switched from Apex to Meraviglia for the first week in December 2022. Our Retreat booking for Apex was $6500 which has increased to well over $8500 with $600 OBC and gratuities. The YC fare for Meraviglia is $4100 with $500 OBC and gratuities of $198. Of course, there are additional gratuities based on service received.

 

We have never had a bad Cruise on Celebrity (30). However, their Retreat prices are no longer affordable for us. Our 2 YC cruises on MSC have been great. Admittedly a non Retreat experience appears to be superior to a non YC experience on MSC. However, We will only sail YC or Retreat due to the reduced exposure to crowds and potential health issues.
 

Based on the lower fares and additional amenities, we have made the switch to YC until proven wrong. 

[Hlitner]

8 hours ago, Captain-John said:

All interesting points raised!

 

Hank - you're right, it's very difficult to compare directly amenities/cabin size/itineraries on a 1 for 1 basis. I suppose there is an element of 'perceived value' as well as actual value.

 

So for example for me the food on MSC is often a drawback to an otherwise good experience. How much 'extra' is good food worth to me - assuming all else is the same?

 

I picked a random week in the Med (sailing 1st April). I found a YC1 for £3800/($4,500). c. $320 pp. per day.

 

Different itinereary but I also found a V2 Verandah on Azamara pursuit for £3720. Drinks package is an extra £200 from what I can see (Wifi and Gratuities excluded from both). So for £120 more - I could sail Azamara over MSC.

 

Again - it depends on whether itinerary or ship or 'experience' is the driver - but it's a less clear 'win' for the YC IMO.

 

It's funny - I don't actually like the idea of a small ship (I'm not very social!). I love the 'ship within a ship' concept. But I can't physchologically get past the fact I could get the small ship luxury experience from a more 'premium' line, for roughly the same price as MSC charge for the YC -  a mass market line albeit offering a niche product

 

Everything is 'case by case' - but I just think the differential between YC and 'the rest' is evaporating - which takes away a reason to consider YC. All the other 'push and pull' factors remain. However price (and the weighting this is given when considering a cruise) has definitely changed in my view.

 

 

I agree that the food on MSC and in the YC leaves something to be desired.  For about the same price as the YC we could go on some Oceania cruises where the cuisine is certainly superior to what we get in the YC.  But there is a big trade-off because on O we will not get the kind of entertainment options we get on MSC, the spacious lounge and pool deck (for the YC), etc.   I should add that the last time we were in the YC on the Divina there was a Maitre'd in the YC's restaurant who was an amazing cook.  He prepared various pasta dishes in the restaurant and one evening made an amazing Cacio e Pepe that DW has worked hard to duplicate.  

 

It will be interesting to see if MSC can up their cuisine standards on their new Explora Journeys cruise line.  

 

Hank

[perakcruiser]

26 minutes ago, Hlitner said:

I should add that the last time we were in the YC on the Divina there was a Maitre'd in the YC's restaurant who was an amazing cook.  He prepared various pasta dishes in the restaurant and one evening made an amazing Cacio e Pepe that DW has worked hard to duplicate.  

Actually this is what I am dreaming of. That would make a cruise absolutely perfect. MSC has some pasta signatures that I always enjoy a lot, but a great pasta master that cooks up for us, that would be absolutely outstanding.

[GA Dave]

As a solo cruiser, I can tell you that MSC is the only line currently giving solos a break.  Most of the cruises I have booked in YC have either had no solo supplement or a very small (12-18%) supplement.  I have priced Haven cruises and there is no solo discount at all, everything is 2X the per person rate. And those rates are substantially more than comparable MSC cruises here in the USA.

I have also found that I truly love YC more than Haven even if they were priced the same.