Why choose MSC Yacht Club? Is it worth it?

[Nunagoras]

15 minutes ago, 2cruiseluvrs said:

 

MSCDIVINA - I was wondering if you would help me negotiate my cable TV bill... ? Just asking 🙂

You made my day, congrats and have a nice day!...

[Ehg]

Hi 👋🏻 

We are thinking of booking our first MSC cruise in YC next September. We are Elite on Celebrity, so have I understood correctly that we can use this status on MSC? 

Also, I hope I don’t sound like the “gentleman” referred to in this thread kicking off about champagne, but our cruise buddies only drink champagne 🥴

They don’t mind if it’s not top notch but it must be real champagne. Can anyone let me know if this would be included in the cruise fare?

This thread has been incredibly useful, so thank you to the author and contributors. 😊

[gingersvp]

We have our first YC booked for this coming October. We've sailed NCL Have, Royal Star Class and Virgin rockstar suites (mega upcoming) - so we'll have a broad comparison. We're embarking at Port Canaveral and it seems that's the port that had the bubbles before embarking - woohoo!

 

It's not that I want to be waited on hand and foot - it's that my work is very stressful and I really just want to have the option to not think or plan. And I'm a planner. So knowing there's a butler to handle the small details and do all the little things I tend to handle for my family - now that's what I call a real vacation. Not to mention, I love having more space and a good balcony.

[2cruiseluvrs]

2 hours ago, Ehg said:

Hi 👋🏻 

We are thinking of booking our first MSC cruise in YC next September. We are Elite on Celebrity, so have I understood correctly that we can use this status on MSC? 

Also, I hope I don’t sound like the “gentleman” referred to in this thread kicking off about champagne, but our cruise buddies only drink champagne 🥴

They don’t mind if it’s not top notch but it must be real champagne. Can anyone let me know if this would be included in the cruise fare?

This thread has been incredibly useful, so thank you to the author and contributors. 😊

 

EHG - Stop thinking and just book it 🙂 Sorry, that's just me trying to live vicariously through you!

 

I cannot answer how the cruise lines match one another, but here is a PDF all about the MSC program https://www.msccruisesgetforms.com/cms/Flyers/2020/20-076-StatusMatch9-3-20.pdf

 

Also, I don't think it's too much to ask for authentic Champagne. I am not able to answer whether they serve it on MSC, but my goodness, I can only assume so. That seems like it would be such a common request and easy to accommodate. But someone else can answer for me more accurately.

 

I am glad you found this thread to be useful. I wish I had known these things long ago before we booked the first MSC cruise in 2016. We would have sailed YC instead of Aurea. So I am happy to share what I know and feel, and I am thrilled others have chimed in to fix my errors!

 

Cheers!

[J0Y0US]

Looking at the Seashore anyone know the pool and hot tub hours for YC?

 

I saw a review saying everything was closed by 8pm in the normal part of the ship? 

[2cruiseluvrs]

1 hour ago, gingersvp said:

It's not that I want to be waited on hand and foot - it's that my work is very stressful and I really just want to have the option to not think or plan. And I'm a planner. So knowing there's a butler to handle the small details and do all the little things I tend to handle for my family - now that's what I call a real vacation. Not to mention, I love having more space and a good balcony.

 

GINGERSVP - I am excited for you and your trip that's just two short months away!!! Woo hoo! Add to that a big room with a nice balcony, and you will be loving every bit of your trip!

 

Sorry to hear that your job is so stressful, and hopefully your vacation will be just the ticket to help you unwind and re-focus.

 

I want to paint a picture about what a butler does and does not do. 

 

I would not say that a butler waits on a client "hand and foot." In my mind, waiting hand and foot means that they are standing there just waiting for you to move or speak, and then they try to anticipate your every thought. This is not what happens in the YC at MSC.

 

However, in my experience, if you see them, or call them, or speak to them, they are very good about remember what you have asked, or what your wishes might be. I am going to make up a few examples of totally realistic situations, purely for your enjoyment:

 

(My butler's name was Vishnu - the same awesome guy two cruises in a row, so I will use the name Vishnu.)

 

Excuse me, Vishnu, would it be possible for me to have a cappuccino in my room tomorrow at 6:30 a.m.? And could you please bring an extra packet of sugar? Thank you, Vishnu. [And he says, "My pleasure."]

 

Hi Vishnu, my wife would like to go to the comedy show tonight at 7 p.m. Would you be able to escort us to the comedy club at that time?

 

Dear Vishnu, I really love the chocolate covered raisins in the room. Would you be able to bring seven more canisters of them to our room?

 

Vishnu, tonight at dinner, would you please make sure the waiter has a glass of chardonnay for me and a mojito for my wife as soon as possible when we are seated?

 

Excuse me, Vishnu, this afternoon I was frantically looking for my watch and I made a mess of our room, would you be able to have it re-made, and could I please have an additional soft pillow?

 

Vishnu, when we arrive at Ocean Cay, we would love to ride the jet skis. Could you book that for us please?

 

Hi Vishnu, I changed my mind and do not want to see the New York Times anymore, so could you please bring the St. Louis Tribune to me each morning?

 

Hey there Vishnu, I know it is late and I know I have been drinking, but I need one more cosmopolitan in my room ASAP!

 

I could go on and on....

 

But the point is they are not sitting there in your face waiting on you. However, they are a phone call away, and can pretty much do anything for you that is not illegal or immoral! They may also surprise you with occasional treats to make your trip even better than expected.

 

On a side note, I have to say that the most memorable gesture from the butler that I can remember is that we were about to go ashore on some island (I forget which). It was rainy, and the forecast was for more rain. AND it was hot out! Well, we walked to the Top Sail Lounge to meet out butler before heading out for the day... and he was waiting there for us with ICE COLD WATER and ... ready for this.... PONCHOS!!!!! He says, "It looks like there might be rain today, so I got these ponchos for you just in case. And here's some water for your journey." That right there sealed the deal. That was amazing butler service!

 

Ginger, I would encourage you to ask for as much and what whatever you need... up until the point that you personally feel uncomfortable or that you are asking for too much. If your conscience is telling you to "zip it," then maybe you have enjoyed the butler a little too much.

 

Have fun in October!!!!!!

[2cruiseluvrs]

8 minutes ago, J0Y0US said:

Looking at the Seashore anyone know the pool and hot tub hours for YC?

 

I saw a review saying everything was closed by 8pm in the normal part of the ship? 

 

JOYOUS - that is a great question and I imagine all the pools (no matter where on the ship) close at the same time for general safety measures, or in rough seas. But as my wife would tell you, I am probably wrong.

 

I found these pictures of the Seashore Yacht Club pool deck at https://www.cruisedeckplans.com/DP/deckplans/shiptour.php?r=11872 and I am 100000% jealous of you.

 

Better yet, I would encourage you to find out what time it all OPENS in the morning. That's when you want to be there.... wake up, shower, head to the yacht club pool, find yourself all alone, and relax buddy, you deserve it.

[phissy]

MSC YC does offer NF champagne and Prosecco onboard.

I usually drink champagne at dinner , in the evening. After first day, they just confirm at dinner, “N.F.?”

Yes, please🥂 😉

Also, note about cans of chocolate nuts or raisins in YC. These are no longer offered. 
Initial snacks in cabin are free and then charged to cabin for additional refills.

 

[gtaylor]

And just to be clear, NF is Nicolas Feuillatte.

 

It's available in the Yacht Club, but not sure of availability elsewhere.

 

gary

 

 

Edited August 5, 2022 by gtaylor

[2cruiseluvrs]

1 hour ago, phissy said:

MSC YC does offer NF champagne and Prosecco onboard.

I usually drink champagne at dinner , in the evening. After first day, they just confirm at dinner, “N.F.?”

Yes, please🥂 😉

Also, note about cans of chocolate nuts or raisins in YC. These are no longer offered. 
Initial snacks in cabin are free and then charged to cabin for additional refills.

 

 

Pretty sad they don't still provide all the chocolate raisins you want.  😞

[kernow]

9 hours ago, Ehg said:

Hi 👋🏻 

We are thinking of booking our first MSC cruise in YC next September. We are Elite on Celebrity, so have I understood correctly that we can use this status on MSC? 

Also, I hope I don’t sound like the “gentleman” referred to in this thread kicking off about champagne, but our cruise buddies only drink champagne 🥴

They don’t mind if it’s not top notch but it must be real champagne. Can anyone let me know if this would be included in the cruise fare?

This thread has been incredibly useful, so thank you to the author and contributors. 😊

I think Elite will give you Gold level on MSC now, when they first started offering the match it would have given Diamond (or Black as they used to call it) but they have now dropped it to the lower level.

 

As others have said you can get NF champagne within YC, don't know which ship you are going on but if it has a champagne bar outside of YC you can also get one of the cheaper champagnes there included in the package.

[no1talks]

2 hours ago, kernow said:

"...champagne bar outside of YC you can also get one of the cheaper champagnes..."

Insofar as actual Champagne goes, NF will likely be the least expensive on the entire ship, including the Champagne bar.

 

There will be less expensive "bubblies" that are within package price caps, but they won't be Champagne. There is probably a prosecco and an asti at the two lowest price points.

[kernow]

1 hour ago, no1talks said:

Insofar as actual Champagne goes, NF will likely be the least expensive on the entire ship, including the Champagne bar.

 

There will be less expensive "bubblies" that are within package price caps, but they won't be Champagne. There is probably a prosecco and an asti at the two lowest price points.

The champagne bar on Virtuosa had Lanson included on the package in June.

[mscdivina2016]

2 hours ago, no1talks said:

Insofar as actual Champagne goes, NF will likely be the least expensive on the entire ship, including the Champagne bar.

 

There will be less expensive "bubblies" that are within package price caps, but they won't be Champagne. There is probably a prosecco and an asti at the two lowest price points.

There is

[JAGR]

20 hours ago, hamrag said:

Eek...😵

 

I'm with kernow, especially that YC staff onboard do not deserve this! Recommend you take a good, long, hard look in the mirror....you are so much better than to treat innocents in such manner! 😉

I've added a new unwritten note to my journal, "How To Enjoy YC."  If you are in line to see the concierge with a question, and in front of you is an angry customer with a briefcase, excuse yourself and come back later.  Much later.

[Nunagoras]

13 hours ago, 2cruiseluvrs said:

 

JOYOUS - that is a great question and I imagine all the pools (no matter where on the ship) close at the same time for general safety measures, or in rough seas. But as my wife would tell you, I am probably wrong.

 

I found these pictures of the Seashore Yacht Club pool deck at https://www.cruisedeckplans.com/DP/deckplans/shiptour.php?r=11872 and I am 100000% jealous of you.

 

Better yet, I would encourage you to find out what time it all OPENS in the morning. That's when you want to be there.... wake up, shower, head to the yacht club pool, find yourself all alone, and relax buddy, you deserve it.

Yes; they'll close all pools at the same time for safety reasons. In some sailings they may permit the inside pool and the YC one a bit longer, but not that much. Times are usually published on the daily newspaper, but as per my experience; weather permitting; pool opening times use to range between 6:00 or 6:30 in the morning to 20:00 or 20:30 in the afternoon, except for cruises in Brasil where times were somewhat more liberal...

[Ehg]

15 hours ago, 2cruiseluvrs said:

 

EHG - Stop thinking and just book it 🙂 Sorry, that's just me trying to live vicariously through you!

 

I cannot answer how the cruise lines match one another, but here is a PDF all about the MSC program https://www.msccruisesgetforms.com/cms/Flyers/2020/20-076-StatusMatch9-3-20.pdf

 

Also, I don't think it's too much to ask for authentic Champagne. I am not able to answer whether they serve it on MSC, but my goodness, I can only assume so. That seems like it would be such a common request and easy to accommodate. But someone else can answer for me more accurately.

 

I am glad you found this thread to be useful. I wish I had known these things long ago before we booked the first MSC cruise in 2016. We would have sailed YC instead of Aurea. So I am happy to share what I know and feel, and I am thrilled others have chimed in to fix my errors!

 

Cheers!

All booked! 
Very excited. 
Thank you so much for all the info. 🥰

[gingersvp]

15 hours ago, 2cruiseluvrs said:

 

GINGERSVP - I am excited for you and your trip that's just two short months away!!! Woo hoo! Add to that a big room with a nice balcony, and you will be loving every bit of your trip!

 

Sorry to hear that your job is so stressful, and hopefully your vacation will be just the ticket to help you unwind and re-focus.

 

I want to paint a picture about what a butler does and does not do. 

 

I would not say that a butler waits on a client "hand and foot." In my mind, waiting hand and foot means that they are standing there just waiting for you to move or speak, and then they try to anticipate your every thought. This is not what happens in the YC at MSC.

 

However, in my experience, if you see them, or call them, or speak to them, they are very good about remember what you have asked, or what your wishes might be. I am going to make up a few examples of totally realistic situations, purely for your enjoyment:

 

(My butler's name was Vishnu - the same awesome guy two cruises in a row, so I will use the name Vishnu.)

 

Excuse me, Vishnu, would it be possible for me to have a cappuccino in my room tomorrow at 6:30 a.m.? And could you please bring an extra packet of sugar? Thank you, Vishnu. [And he says, "My pleasure."]

 

Hi Vishnu, my wife would like to go to the comedy show tonight at 7 p.m. Would you be able to escort us to the comedy club at that time?

 

Dear Vishnu, I really love the chocolate covered raisins in the room. Would you be able to bring seven more canisters of them to our room?

 

Vishnu, tonight at dinner, would you please make sure the waiter has a glass of chardonnay for me and a mojito for my wife as soon as possible when we are seated?

 

Excuse me, Vishnu, this afternoon I was frantically looking for my watch and I made a mess of our room, would you be able to have it re-made, and could I please have an additional soft pillow?

 

Vishnu, when we arrive at Ocean Cay, we would love to ride the jet skis. Could you book that for us please?

 

Hi Vishnu, I changed my mind and do not want to see the New York Times anymore, so could you please bring the St. Louis Tribune to me each morning?

 

Hey there Vishnu, I know it is late and I know I have been drinking, but I need one more cosmopolitan in my room ASAP!

 

I could go on and on....

 

But the point is they are not sitting there in your face waiting on you. However, they are a phone call away, and can pretty much do anything for you that is not illegal or immoral! They may also surprise you with occasional treats to make your trip even better than expected.

 

On a side note, I have to say that the most memorable gesture from the butler that I can remember is that we were about to go ashore on some island (I forget which). It was rainy, and the forecast was for more rain. AND it was hot out! Well, we walked to the Top Sail Lounge to meet out butler before heading out for the day... and he was waiting there for us with ICE COLD WATER and ... ready for this.... PONCHOS!!!!! He says, "It looks like there might be rain today, so I got these ponchos for you just in case. And here's some water for your journey." That right there sealed the deal. That was amazing butler service!

 

Ginger, I would encourage you to ask for as much and what whatever you need... up until the point that you personally feel uncomfortable or that you are asking for too much. If your conscience is telling you to "zip it," then maybe you have enjoyed the butler a little too much.

 

Have fun in October!!!!!!

 

Thank you! We have had a butler on NCL and a Genie on Royal twice and I do think there's something of a learning curve for folks on how to make the best use. I tend to be the person that makes all the dining reservations and maps everything out ahead of time. It was maybe my 3rd suite sailing before I learned to let go and just trust the butler/concierge/genie to work things out for me, that I don't *have* to plan everything out. That's the real value to me. I was more commenting on the other poster's "wait on you hand and foot". It really isn't that - it's the ability to let go and just trust the staff to make things happen for you.

 

For my job - I'm sort of that person within my field (technical professional services) - it's my responsibility to think of all the little things, plan and anticipate. It's just so nice to have it done for me once in a while!

 

[Nunagoras]

3 minutes ago, gingersvp said:

 

Thank you! We have had a butler on NCL and a Genie on Royal twice and I do think there's something of a learning curve for folks on how to make the best use. I tend to be the person that makes all the dining reservations and maps everything out ahead of time. It was maybe my 3rd suite sailing before I learned to let go and just trust the butler/concierge/genie to work things out for me, that I don't *have* to plan everything out. That's the real value to me. I was more commenting on the other poster's "wait on you hand and foot". It really isn't that - it's the ability to let go and just trust the staff to make things happen for you.

 

For my job - I'm sort of that person within my field (technical professional services) - it's my responsibility to think of all the little things, plan and anticipate. It's just so nice to have it done for me once in a while!

 

This, exactly. Let them to deal with the details, even if quietly on the move. They'll do the magic even if you don't see them a single time. This is what I enjoy once on a 5* tourism venue. Quiet reserved professionalism for a personalized experience. On 4* ones, like on MSC's "steerage" I expect the same reserved professionalism, but I expect a standardized product equal for everyone. Nice, but not over the top personal.

[no1talks]

6 hours ago, kernow said:

Virtuosa had Lanson included

Hmmm...

After a quick bit of Google-fu, it seems Lanson is not available in the Carribean cruise region. Perhaps Lanson takes the place of Nicolas Feuillatte in the Mediterranean? It would seem odd, having two entry-priced Champagnes by the glass.

[kernow]

16 minutes ago, no1talks said:

Hmmm...

After a quick bit of Google-fu, it seems Lanson is not available in the Carribean cruise region. Perhaps Lanson takes the place of Nicolas Feuillatte in the Mediterranean? It would seem odd, having two entry-priced Champagnes by the glass.

Definitely had both on Virtuosa, NF in YC,  Lanson in Champagne bar. I've attached menus from both bars downloaded on the ship.

QR_V_YC-BAR-LIST_OTHER_DAYX_EN_1652631776.pdf QR_N_CHAMPAGNE-BAR_OTHER_DAYX_EN_1656525271.pdf · version 1.pdf

[no1talks]

5 hours ago, JAGR said:

..."an angry customer with a briefcase..."

Permission to treat the witness as hostile?

[hamrag]

8 hours ago, kernow said:

The champagne bar on Virtuosa had Lanson included on the package in June.

Grandiosa also.

[hamrag]

1 hour ago, kernow said:

Definitely had both on Virtuosa, NF in YC,  Lanson in Champagne bar. I've attached menus from both bars downloaded on the ship.

QR_V_YC-BAR-LIST_OTHER_DAYX_EN_1652631776.pdf 250.07 kB · 3 downloads QR_N_CHAMPAGNE-BAR_OTHER_DAYX_EN_1656525271.pdf · version 1.pdf 641.99 kB · 2 downloads

Yep, same for Grandiosa.

[2cruiseluvrs]

5 hours ago, Ehg said:

All booked! 
Very excited. 
Thank you so much for all the info. 🥰

 

EHG - Woo hoo! Which ship did you choose?