Silhouette LIVE (1/12) w/ Side by Side: A Royal Week on Celebrity and MSC

[GenerationX]

4 hours ago, hcat said:

thanks for understanding  of visual.issues... and  love your sense of humor ..

 

have not seen any pics of great art so far..the wall of lipstick pics was  def not my style.  .. 

 

On X (esp E class) we have appreciated the curated art..taken the art tours and enjoyed discovering  new artsts..   yes dome of the art on X is wierd but can be  thought provoking 

 

I also find the botanical collections on X quite interesting.... not not easy caring for plants at sea..

 

Thank you! If I have time tomorrow I’ll take and share a few pics of the “art gallery” on Divina. At this point you probably won’t be surprised to hear that it consists mostly of gold and silver sculptures of women, some of whom with extremely ample lower bodies.

[SkystheLimit]

Have really enjoyed your review.  We want to see the "Blue" island of Madeira when the all of the hydrangeas are in bloom.  MSC offers a great itinerary(only one of a couple for that time of year) that we would never have considered except for your review of YC.  We aren't Zenith with Celebrity but getting there so we have been loyal to Celebrity.  Thank you for opening our eyes to another cruise line's options on an itinerary we really want to do. 

[emmas gran]

6 hours ago, jelayne said:

I’m with you on this.  I have looked at MSC but couldn’t figure what was YC and what wasn’t,  what was a Suite and what wasn’t ‘and the  various options for the same cabin.  
Gave me a headache and I gave up.  It didn’t help when friends of DH who sail MSC sail they never leave the YC because the rest of the ship wasn’t pleasant. 

We have done 5 YC cruises total 10 weeks and agree somewhat with your DH friend depending on where you are sailing it can be a bit of a zoo outside YC!!

[hcat]

5 hours ago, GenerationX said:

Thank you! If I have time tomorrow I’ll take and share a few pics of the “art gallery” on Divina. At this point you probably won’t be surprised to hear that it consists mostly of gold and silver sculptures of women, some of whom with extremely ample lower bodies.

thanks.. I  look forward to it!

[LouChamp]

12 hours ago, GenerationX said:

No offense taken! In my profession it’s a necessity to be pretty difficult to offend. After all, nobody really likes a lawyer 😂

 

I certainly never intend with my reviews to dismiss anyone else’s experiences on the same ships/cruise lines. I just try to report mine honestly in comparison to what I read pre-cruise.  
 

I always try to make a point of mentioning the class of stateroom that I’m sailing in at the very beginning of my reviews so that it’s very clear to everyone following what level of accommodations and cruise fare spend are resulting in the service and quality that I’m receiving and reporting.

 

I fully agree that it is not an apples to apples comparison to compare food quality in MDR’s vs. extra charge specialty restaurants and/or suite dining rooms and certainly didn’t intend to make such comparisons.  
 

I had actually read recent reviews reporting poor quality of food and service in Luminae and specialties on Celebrity and MANY such reviews about yacht club on MSC (hence my prior reluctance to try the line) and wanted to convey that those (in some but not all cases) have not been my experiences in the these two specific cruises, in these stateroom classes and dining venues.  

 

As far as “privileged” treatment for those who pay double or triple the non-suite rates for a cruise, I can certainly understand your position. But for me personally it doesn’t bother me as much or seem elitist, perhaps because of my background.  

After all, Celebrity and MSC aren’t like country clubs where an application, sponsor and reference are needed to get access to the extra benefits.  Anyone who is willing and able to pay X fare gets Y perks and benefits. 
 

When I was sailing in $300 per person inside staterooms (and even now when sailing in no frills verandas and elevated, but not suite level staterooms due to budget constraints), I fully expect that those who are paying 4 or 5 times or more than me to be on the same ship would be given preferential treatment over me.  
 

After all, to me it seems it would be foolish for anyone to pay so much higher fares and not get a much better experience than those who paid thousands less.  And it would seem foolish to me for the cruise lines not to go the extra mile for the customers who are driving the highest revenue.
 

Honestly, I struggle to think of any area in my non-cruising life where those who are able to and do spend more money aren’t given more/better service and quality.

 

Plus frankly, as a woman and as a minority in my country, I’ve experienced my fair share (sidebar for those interested: NEVER on Celebrity and not as of now on MSC) of others receiving preferential treatment over me for FAR less valid reasons than me spending a lot less money than them.
 

My view on those in higher classes getting put ahead of me is really is just to shrug and say “must be nice to have the means to that end” and enjoy what I can afford and have.

 

I worked extremely hard for the education and resulting earnings that allow me to splurge occasionally on higher level travel accommodations and with the exception of those (lucky people) with way better gambling luck or generational wealth, I assume those who sail/fly/stay in higher class accommodations than me do as well.  So I don’t really see a problem with them spending their much needed time off getting special treatment that they’ve paid an arm and leg for.

 

I sincerely hope that my thoughts don’t offend you either and I’m so glad that you’re enjoying the review!

 

 

 

 

Aloha Charla.  I echo the chorus of fans who love your posts, wit, sense of humor and as a fellow lawyer enjoy the ribbing  lol.    We travel like you do and have been doing so for decades as perhaps we may be older than you lol.  We are top tier on most major lines and have been blessed to have seen the world.  Your reports candidly describe the differences between different cabin categories and allow the reader insight so as to help them decide what is individually important for them. I enjoy concierge lounges in hotels and on board. The little extra touches are worth it although when I travel back and forth to Hawaii every two months for two months its coach lol. Certain expenses are just not worth it. You don’t brag. You work hard and deserve what you have worked for. There is a couple unnamed of course on a world cruise that brags all the time of their perks as a the highest tier member and demands special recognition and separate lines and treatment. Unfortunately after being on CC since 2002 I was compelled to block them. If i were on the ship with them i would be curious to see how they treat the staff and fellow passengers and vice versa.  As for you, your posts are loved by all and I thank your for your graciousness and look forward to meeting you and hopefully one day the Mrs. and I can join you for a cocktail! Keep on sailing the smooth seas and keep the food pictures coming lol. All blessings!

[GenerationX]

A report on my day yesterday at Ocean Cay!

 

I’m starting this write up with a disclaimer:  

 

For my day on the island I was invited to join a couple of my fellow yacht club guests in the cabana that they booked on the yacht club beach.

 

These cabanas cost an additional $500 😮 to book (for those who think the $300 for a cabana rental on Celebrity is ridiculous, get a load of this guy).  One of said guests turned out to be related to the Captain and another is the equivalent of a Zenith cruiser on Celebrity, so in light of all of the above we may have been afforded a little more deference in terms of speed of service.

 

I’ll be sure to point out in my report things that are perks of the (pricey) cabana rental. 

 

We all met up in the top sail lounge before my butler used his super key card to get us down the elevator and off the ship with no wait.  

 

Once we walked out onto the pier, there was a circle driveway at the entrance to the island.  On the right side of the circle there were yacht club tents set up where guests could wait in shade for a butler-driven golf cart to take them to the yacht club private beach and restaurant on the other side of the island and it looked like a couple of carts were waiting.

 

The yacht club manager (Rafa) was waiting for us in a separate cart though to give me my promised tour then drop us right at our cabana.

 

In addition to the general ocean and lagoon beaches with water sports rentals and food trucks, there was also a beautiful wedding pavilion area with separate bathrooms and a helicopter landing pad (for extremely wealthy runaway brides, I guess 😂).

 

Ocean Cay pro tip:  up the west side of the island past the main non-yacht club beach there’s a beautiful quiet beach that has a bar and very few guests (because most people stop walking once they get to the colorful chaired main beach) that looks like it would have great views of the sunset.  

 

Rafa said that when it isn’t too busy with people going back to the ship, the yacht club golf cart drivers are happy to take yacht club guests over there from the club beach to watch the sunset.

 

Really though if you aren’t mobility challenged, there’s no place on the island that you couldn’t get to in a pretty flat and paved 15-20 minute max walk, so a golf cart ride isn’t 100% necessary.

 

There’s also a small spa where ocean side massages can be booked. Rafa said in the next 2 years MSC intends to add an additional restaurant and beach to the island for yacht club (for when those bigger ships with double the yacht club guests dock), a pool area and a hotel that would allow people to sail out to ocean cay, stay on the island a few days, then sail back to Florida.

 

All over the island you’ll hear soft music coming from somewhere.  It’s being put out by these Bose speakers that are in the ground every few feet.  I know about how much one Bose speaker this size costs and there must be thousands of them all around the island. MSC clearly dropped some serious coin on this place and plans to spend even more in the near future. It will be interesting to see how all that investment effects the currently very competitive fares they charge.  It makes me a little worried honestly.

 

Most of the beaches, including the yacht club beach are a little rocky, so I definitely suggest water shoes or sandals, but the grounds are beautiful and the water is clean and clear.

 

The yacht club private beach is across a bridge on the island with a bouncer- I mean butler- at the other end checking yacht club status.  

 

We arrived at the island after lunch time so most of the food venues on the island were closed, including the yacht club restaurant.  The bar inside was open but I didn’t have a chance to go in because beachside drink service was provided.

 

Speaking of the beach experience, when we arrived at the cabana there was a bottle of Prosecco and a snack bowl waiting and shortly afterwards a server came around to fill a cooler with ice to chill the bottle and stock us with cold bottled water.

 

The cabana has a fan which is probably nice on hotter days as well as electric outlets.  There was no special food menu for delivery, chilled fruit skewer delivery or cold towel/Evian spritz service for the cabanas like there is on Celebrity (or at least none of it was offered to us).  I think if I had a bunch of onboard credit to burn, the cabana might be nice, but I don’t think I’d personally spend an extra $500 for it.

 

When not in a cabana there are still lots of loungers on the yacht club beach with umbrellas for shade at no extra charge. Butlers provide beach drink service to these chairs too, included in the beverage package.  No need to bring a checked out towel off the ship like the announcements you’ll here pipped around the ship at docking will remind. That’s only for non-yacht club. The yacht club beach provides towels there.

 

We stayed on the island till about 5pm which was when the yacht club bar service closed down and they sent the last golf cart back to the ship from the yacht club beach.

About 5 minutes after I got to my room, there was a knock at my door.  It was Kevin in his tux and white gloves holding a cosmopolitan.  He thought I might like a pre-dinner cocktail to enjoy while I showered and dressed.  Dear Poseidon, what have I gotten myself into with this cruise?

 

After my dinner at the Japanese restaurant (report to come), I went and got a drink in then top sail lounge then went up to the one pool deck where I had a great view of the short light show that they do on the lighthouse after dark.  

 

I could see fires and stage lights down on the beach where a late night beach party was being held, but I was still recovering from the white party, so instead I explored the ship some more, then came back to yacht club to chat with some new friends then we had the concierge order us a late night pizza delivery from the pizza and wine bar on deck 7.  I had heard the rave reviews of the pizza on MSC and the accolades are legit.  I don’t know what they put in that pizza sauce but OMG, and you can’t beat the flavor that brick oven baking gives pizza crust!

 

When I got back to my room I felt bad because Kevin had once again set me up with enough turn down snacks for 5 people.  I was too full of pizza to eat anything, but there’s always room for wine.

 

Pic overload below!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 19, 2023 by GenerationX

[GenerationX]

Oops forgot the pizza pic!  Oh also, these little pickled onions on the snack buffet in the top sail lounge are really tasty.  Just be sure to brush your teeth afterwards before any evening romances! 
 

 

 

[mac_tlc]

Great review. Given the cabana prices on CoCo Cay, $500 is a bargain. They usually run $1000 to as high as $3400. They are great with kids and we have done it when we have a party of 8. For just two, we would probably pass. 
 

mac_tlc

[GenerationX]

3 hours ago, LouChamp said:

Aloha Charla.  I echo the chorus of fans who love your posts, wit, sense of humor and as a fellow lawyer enjoy the ribbing  lol.    We travel like you do and have been doing so for decades as perhaps we may be older than you lol.  We are top tier on most major lines and have been blessed to have seen the world.  Your reports candidly describe the differences between different cabin categories and allow the reader insight so as to help them decide what is individually important for them. I enjoy concierge lounges in hotels and on board. The little extra touches are worth it although when I travel back and forth to Hawaii every two months for two months its coach lol. Certain expenses are just not worth it. You don’t brag. You work hard and deserve what you have worked for. There is a couple unnamed of course on a world cruise that brags all the time of their perks as a the highest tier member and demands special recognition and separate lines and treatment. Unfortunately after being on CC since 2002 I was compelled to block them. If i were on the ship with them i would be curious to see how they treat the staff and fellow passengers and vice versa.  As for you, your posts are loved by all and I thank your for your graciousness and look forward to meeting you and hopefully one day the Mrs. and I can join you for a cocktail! Keep on sailing the smooth seas and keep the food pictures coming lol. All blessings!

Aloha and Mahalo for your kind words!  
 

Jeremy and I very much aspire to be you and your wife as travelers someday (when the house is paid off and Gen Z gets a full ride to college 😁).

 

I also hope our cruise itineraries cross paths one day as we would love to sail with you too!

[countess5]

16 hours ago, GenerationX said:

No offense taken! In my profession it’s a necessity to be pretty difficult to offend. After all, nobody really likes a lawyer 😂

 

I certainly never intend with my reviews to dismiss anyone else’s experiences on the same ships/cruise lines. I just try to report mine honestly in comparison to what I read pre-cruise.  
 

I always try to make a point of mentioning the class of stateroom that I’m sailing in at the very beginning of my reviews so that it’s very clear to everyone following what level of accommodations and cruise fare spend are resulting in the service and quality that I’m receiving and reporting.

 

I fully agree that it is not an apples to apples comparison to compare food quality in MDR’s vs. extra charge specialty restaurants and/or suite dining rooms and certainly didn’t intend to make such comparisons.  
 

I had actually read recent reviews reporting poor quality of food and service in Luminae and specialties on Celebrity and MANY such reviews about yacht club on MSC (hence my prior reluctance to try the line) and wanted to convey that those (in some but not all cases) have not been my experiences in the these two specific cruises, in these stateroom classes and dining venues.  

 

As far as “privileged” treatment for those who pay double or triple the non-suite rates for a cruise, I can certainly understand your position. But for me personally it doesn’t bother me as much or seem elitist, perhaps because of my background.  

After all, Celebrity and MSC aren’t like country clubs where an application, sponsor and reference are needed to get access to the extra benefits.  Anyone who is willing and able to pay X fare gets Y perks and benefits. 
 

When I was sailing in $300 per person inside staterooms (and even now when sailing in no frills verandas and elevated, but not suite level staterooms due to budget constraints), I fully expect that those who are paying 4 or 5 times or more than me to be on the same ship would be given preferential treatment over me.  
 

After all, to me it seems it would be foolish for anyone to pay so much higher fares and not get a much better experience than those who paid thousands less.  And it would seem foolish to me for the cruise lines not to go the extra mile for the customers who are driving the highest revenue.
 

Honestly, I struggle to think of any area in my non-cruising life where those who are able to and do spend more money aren’t given more/better service and quality.

 

Plus frankly, as a woman and as a minority in my country, I’ve experienced my fair share (sidebar for those interested: NEVER on Celebrity and not as of now on MSC) of others receiving preferential treatment over me for FAR less valid reasons than me spending a lot less money than them.
 

My view on those in higher classes getting put ahead of me is really is just to shrug and say “must be nice to have the means to that end” and enjoy what I can afford and have.

 

I worked extremely hard for the education and resulting earnings that allow me to splurge occasionally on higher level travel accommodations and with the exception of those (lucky people) with way better gambling luck or generational wealth, I assume those who sail/fly/stay in higher class accommodations than me do as well.  So I don’t really see a problem with them spending their much needed time off getting special treatment that they’ve paid an arm and leg for.

 

I sincerely hope that my thoughts don’t offend you either and I’m so glad that you’re enjoying the review!

 

 

 

 

Outstanding closing statement councilor!! Lincoln Lawyerish! 😂 (Netflix) 

 

Cheers! 

[jerseygirl3]

18 hours ago, GenerationX said:

No offense taken! In my profession it’s a necessity to be pretty difficult to offend. After all, nobody really likes a lawyer 😂

 

I certainly never intend with my reviews to dismiss anyone else’s experiences on the same ships/cruise lines. I just try to report mine honestly in comparison to what I read pre-cruise.  
 

I always try to make a point of mentioning the class of stateroom that I’m sailing in at the very beginning of my reviews so that it’s very clear to everyone following what level of accommodations and cruise fare spend are resulting in the service and quality that I’m receiving and reporting.

 

I fully agree that it is not an apples to apples comparison to compare food quality in MDR’s vs. extra charge specialty restaurants and/or suite dining rooms and certainly didn’t intend to make such comparisons.  
 

I had actually read recent reviews reporting poor quality of food and service in Luminae and specialties on Celebrity and MANY such reviews about yacht club on MSC (hence my prior reluctance to try the line) and wanted to convey that those (in some but not all cases) have not been my experiences in the these two specific cruises, in these stateroom classes and dining venues.  

 

As far as “privileged” treatment for those who pay double or triple the non-suite rates for a cruise, I can certainly understand your position. But for me personally it doesn’t bother me as much or seem elitist, perhaps because of my background.  

After all, Celebrity and MSC aren’t like country clubs where an application, sponsor and reference are needed to get access to the extra benefits.  Anyone who is willing and able to pay X fare gets Y perks and benefits. 
 

When I was sailing in $300 per person inside staterooms (and even now when sailing in no frills verandas and elevated, but not suite level staterooms due to budget constraints), I fully expect that those who are paying 4 or 5 times or more than me to be on the same ship would be given preferential treatment over me.  
 

After all, to me it seems it would be foolish for anyone to pay so much higher fares and not get a much better experience than those who paid thousands less.  And it would seem foolish to me for the cruise lines not to go the extra mile for the customers who are driving the highest revenue.
 

Honestly, I struggle to think of any area in my non-cruising life where those who are able to and do spend more money aren’t given more/better service and quality.

 

Plus frankly, as a woman and as a minority in my country, I’ve experienced my fair share (sidebar for those interested: NEVER on Celebrity and not as of now on MSC) of others receiving preferential treatment over me for FAR less valid reasons than me spending a lot less money than them.
 

My view on those in higher classes getting put ahead of me is really is just to shrug and say “must be nice to have the means to that end” and enjoy what I can afford and have.

 

I worked extremely hard for the education and resulting earnings that allow me to splurge occasionally on higher level travel accommodations and with the exception of those (lucky people) with way better gambling luck or generational wealth, I assume those who sail/fly/stay in higher class accommodations than me do as well.  So I don’t really see a problem with them spending their much needed time off getting special treatment that they’ve paid an arm and leg for.

 

I sincerely hope that my thoughts don’t offend you either and I’m so glad that you’re enjoying the review!

 

 

 

 

Thank you for realizing where I was coming from and not chastising me, as others tend to do when their way of thinking doesn't align with another's.  Having said that, I didn't mean to insinuate that you were the one complaining about the meals and service.  I guess I was pointing it out to others who do that; the fact of the matter is, if you're booked in a suite, your meals and service should be elevated compared to those in a lower category cabin.  I take no issue with that at all.  What I do take issue with is the fact that you have encountered less service than others given your sex and race .  That is NEVER acceptable.  But without getting political, I'm not surprised.  Our country needs to do better.

 

I think the only thing that I didn't think was fair was going ahead of people at a bar that were waiting before you.  I'm not implying that you asked for that; it was a perk given your accommodations.  Perhaps it annoyed me more because when I'm ready for my glass of Pinor Grigio (very chilled, if you please...LOL), I hate waiting a minute longer than necessary!!!LOL  

 

Good for you for achieving what you have in life that enables you to enjoy the fruits of your labor.  Life is short (I know, my husband and I had a month-long land/cruise trip scheduled from Italy this past October, and one week before our departure, I suffered a massive stroke.  (Completely unexpected, no health issues, and relatively young (67).  The neurologist told me I was extremely lucky to survive this type of stroke (cerebellar) because most don't, and that I wasn't overseas when it occurred.  I am recovering slowly and while I go through numerous tests to try to find the cause and continue to rehab, I will enjoy reading about your adventures.  Again, thank you for taking the time and energy to allow us to travel along with you.  Until I am ready to travel in person, I will do it vicariously through you!

 

 

[mchell810]

22 hours ago, GenerationX said:

...   I would follow this ship around the world like it’s a Grateful Dead concert.

 

 

Sorta like the way we, your CC fans, follow you around 😜

 

Like so many others I seriously have to take a look at Yacht Club; I do appreciate your comments on how it may be different on larger ships.

[LouChamp]

5 hours ago, jerseygirl3 said:

Thank you for realizing where I was coming from and not chastising me, as others tend to do when their way of thinking doesn't align with another's.  Having said that, I didn't mean to insinuate that you were the one complaining about the meals and service.  I guess I was pointing it out to others who do that; the fact of the matter is, if you're booked in a suite, your meals and service should be elevated compared to those in a lower category cabin.  I take no issue with that at all.  What I do take issue with is the fact that you have encountered less service than others given your sex and race .  That is NEVER acceptable.  But without getting political, I'm not surprised.  Our country needs to do better.

 

I think the only thing that I didn't think was fair was going ahead of people at a bar that were waiting before you.  I'm not implying that you asked for that; it was a perk given your accommodations.  Perhaps it annoyed me more because when I'm ready for my glass of Pinor Grigio (very chilled, if you please...LOL), I hate waiting a minute longer than necessary!!!LOL  

 

Good for you for achieving what you have in life that enables you to enjoy the fruits of your labor.  Life is short (I know, my husband and I had a month-long land/cruise trip scheduled from Italy this past October, and one week before our departure, I suffered a massive stroke.  (Completely unexpected, no health issues, and relatively young (67).  The neurologist told me I was extremely lucky to survive this type of stroke (cerebellar) because most don't, and that I wasn't overseas when it occurred.  I am recovering slowly and while I go through numerous tests to try to find the cause and continue to rehab, I will enjoy reading about your adventures.  Again, thank you for taking the time and energy to allow us to travel along with you.  Until I am ready to travel in person, I will do it vicariously through you!

 

 

Aloha. My prayers for a full recovery and good health!

[Stem to Stern]

From the photo shoot for MSC’s upcoming ad campaign….

Nailed it in an epic way, Charla.

Or is that Captain Charla?

[hiccups]

It’s been very interesting to read about your Divina YC experience.  We were in YC from the 13th-16th on Divina, and while it was a lovely experience, it was nothing like yours!  We saw our butler ONCE, after our arrival.  He asked if we had any requests for the minibar, and I asked for Coke Zero.  We never received it.  I also asked if they possibly had milk chocolate rather than the dark Toblerone, and he said no, they didn’t carry any milk chocolate on the ship.

 

I wasn’t a fan of the overall ship decor, but didn’t have any problem with our cabin’s.  We preferred the muted brown and mauve to the burnt orange of non-Revolutionized X ships.  My husband and I have different tastes, though, and he liked the rest of the ship, too.

 

We enjoyed Le Muse, but didn’t get to experience The One pool area thanks to the chilly weather over the weekend, sadly.  Looks like lunch would have been nice! The indoor pool was completely overrun by families with children, as you noted.  My husband braved the buffet to grab a slice of pizza, and even at 2 PM it was packed with long lines.

 

We’d sail MSC again, but only in YC!

[GenerationX]

A Report on Last Night’s Dinner at Galaxy Sushi

 

Much like Celebrity’s Sushi on 5, I think referring to this restaurant with “sushi” in the name is a bit narrow because the menu has so many other Japanese food options beyond sushi.

 

Also like Celebrity, the restaurant is a la carte so there’s not a cover charge, but you pay for each item ordered and prices seemed about comparable to Celebrity.

 

The Galaxy menu seems to have far more options though.  There were about 7 or 8 other things I would’ve loved to have tried but there’s only so much stomach space.

 

I enjoyed the miso soup,  Dragon Roll and chicken fried rice. I thought the shrimp tempura was a little too salty but not horrible.

 

I think this dinner was the first time on the ship that I experienced service that was less than excellent. 

 

It was fine. Everyone was polite and pleasant.  I wasn’t ignored completely or kept waiting excessively long. But service was definitely slower than in the yacht club venues and not quite as attentive.  

 

I’d gotten used to servers anticipating my needs before I had a chance to ask.  For example, in the yacht club restaurant any time my water got below the quarter way mark in the glass, someone was immediately there refilling it.  At Galaxy, I had to pour my own refills a couple of times from the bottle they left on the table.  

 

My butler had made me a glass of champagne to sip on the walk as he escorted me to the restaurant and I still had half a glass when I sat down. A server asked  at the beginning of the service if I was ok with just my champagne for now (I was) but then never offered a refill once my glass was empty. 

 

I also got the sense that a couple of the servers’ understanding of English wasn’t quite as good as the crew working in the yacht club.

 

Not big issues at all and I probably wouldn’t even have noticed but for how above and beyond the yacht club service had been.

 

The only other negative I had was, I bet you can guess it: the atmosphere.  Nothing about the space said sushi restaurant or seafood restaurant, or really “restaurant” at all.  

 

For Celebrity cruisers, it was as if someone took the sky lounge, decorated it floor to ceiling in nothing but black marble, crystals and chrome, and stuck dining tables around it and called it a restaurant.  Just outside the host stand area there was even a dance floor and cocktail seating booths. I’m thinking perhaps this restaurant was a later addition to Divina and put in an existing night club space without many changes and it looks like parts of the space may still be used as a night club venue (hopefully after restaurant hours).

 

The food and experience was good enough though that if I sail Divina again, I would definitely go to try some other new dishes.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Essiesmom]

That Galaxy area was rather an undefined space when I was on her in 2013…EM

[SkystheLimit]

Thank you so much for your review.  Are there any shore excursions that are exclusively marketed for Yacht Class?

[hopeless holiday booker]

Your review is fabulous - thank you.  You haven't mentioned evening shows or entertainment.  What's that like?

[JeanieC,Aston]

Anyone thinking of booking MSC for a Med cruise really needs to read the reviews.

MSC do round trips in the Med,,,embarkation and disembarkation happens at every port of call.

Cruises from Southampton are better,,but cruises from Med ports are bedlam,some who book YC never leave the YC area.

Public areas are just noise noise and noise,,pushing and shoving the norm.

I should imagine cruises from Miami are totally different to a cruise from Barcelona or Genoa.

Edited January 20, 2023 by JeanieC,Aston

[talljules1]

On 1/17/2023 at 7:52 PM, GenerationX said:

About last night’s dinner:

 

I was very worried about food on MSC based on the reviews I’d read pre-cruise.  

 

Based on the meals I’ve had thus far, I’m far less concerned that I’m risking waisting away to nothing by trying a new cruise line.

 

The MSC version of Red and Gen X that I met at lunch invited me to join them for dinner.  We rendezvoused in the lounge for a pre dinner cocktail around 5:30 then headed to dinner a little after 6.  Well, actually, I should say their smiling, white gloved butler arrived at our lounge table at 6 and let us know he’d be waiting at the concierge desk to escort us to dinner whenever we were ready.

 

I wasn’t sure how I felt about the pretense of a butler walking me around the ship, but I will say, at that time the bars and lounges you walk through to get to the suite restaurant from the inside of the ship were very busy and it did help having a well dressed butler at the front parting the seas of humanity for us.  It also seemed that the butler’s priority elevator key card worked even during a peak time when ours didn’t, so it was nice not to have to wait long or be crowded in on getting the elevators to the restaurant.

 

For dinner I started with a vegetable dim sum with a yummy Thai sweet and spicy chili sauce. The MSC experts went with steaks for entrees, but I was torn between a marinated scallop entree and a rosemary and sage crusted veal.  Our server offered to make a surf and turf for me so that I didn’t have to decide.  If I see the chef coming through the restaurant at some point  I’m going to stop him and find out what those scallops were marinated with and for how long because they really came out great. Crispy sear on the outside but on the inside, juicy and oh so flavorful.

 

The veal was also very good and a massive serving.  I think our server Rohan was a bit disappointed that I didn’t finish everything on my plate and asked a lot of questions about the veal, like he was concerned I didn’t like it.  I tried to politely explain that I really did enjoy it, I just didn’t want to die that night. 😂

 

After entrees, we picked some cheeses from that much anticipated cheese cart and Rohan plated it with some apricot preserves, dried fruit and honey to accompany them.

 

For dessert, after a delivery of a tray of chocolates which we didn’t order but apparently come standard,  I had what seems like is essentially the Italian version of creme brûlée. I forgot to write down the name, but it took me back to licking the beaters when my grandma made caramel Bundt cake.  My dinner mates had mentioned to the restaurant manager that this is my first MSC cruise and my dessert was served with a welcome message!

 

I just finished lunch in the suite restaurant and am about to put out a few work fires on my veranda while watching the going’s on off the rail in port. When I saw this cruise was docking in Freeport Bahamas instead of Nassau I thought “hmm that’s unique”.   Looking around I think I’ve figured out why. There’s a very small area of touristy shops and a couple of bars/restaurants (including the ever present Senior Frogs) right next to the ship, but otherwise the only development as far as the eye can see is shipping port facilities…and look who seems to be the biggest shipping customer around here…why do I feel like Divina is probably getting a very sweet deal on its docking fees, etc.?

 

After work, time to read myself into an afternoon nap.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aha - those are the Bella staterooms LOL

[OysterD]

2 hours ago, JeanieC,Aston said:

Anyone thinking of booking MSC for a Med cruise really needs to read the reviews.

MSC do round trips in the Med,,,embarkation and disembarkation happens at every port of call.

Cruises from Southampton are better,,but cruises from Med ports are bedlam,some who book YC never leave the YC area.

Public areas are just noise noise and noise,,pushing and shoving the norm.

I should imagine cruises from Miami are totally different to a cruise from Barcelona or Genoa.

 

Firstly, thanks Charla for taking the time to post this wonderful series of reviews. I'd say I hope you're having a fabulous time but it seems pretty obvious you are!

 

I just read through all 14 pages and I was going to ask a question which weirdly enough seems to have been answered in the very last comment I got to!

 

I remember I looked at MSC a few years ago and got the impression that unlike most lines, MSC have embarkation and disembarkation options in pretty much every port on their Med sailings. You might book a 9 night round trip from Rome with a first stop in Naples but hundreds of people will have booked a 9 night round trip from Naples on the same ship and will be boarding on what is your 2nd day but for them it's their 1st. If that makes sense lol. To me that just sounded pretty awful in so many respects and when added to other reviews and comments about food, service, constant announcements in multiple languages, entertainment not really catering to English language speakers (I completely understand and appreciate why) plus ships being inundated with kids running around, it was enough to put us off. 

 

I think as JeanieC pointed out, the constant embarkations in every port of call isn't probably an issue in the Caribbean and maybe other parts of the world, but if you're looking at an MSC cruise in the Med, definitely bear that in mind! 

 

Edit: I'd almost forgotten about another reason we were put off MSC, the gaudiness of most of their ships haha. Just remembered some of the photos Charla posted and others I've seen...they look like stepping back in time a good few decades. Shiny gold/brass trim around doors and handrails all over the ships just makes me wince in horror! 

Edited January 20, 2023 by OysterD

[talljules1]

Thank you for this wonderful and helpful review. It is certainly making me think we made the right choice for our summer cruise. We were choosing between a week on Silhouette in a RS or a fortnight in YC on MSC Virtuosa.  MSC won - twice the length of cruise, excellent itinerary (we love Iceland and Norway and our cruise takes us to both!) and much cheaper.  We've been in the YC once before (Preziosa) but the Virtuosa will be the biggest ship we've sailed on by far. Good to know the food is good and the service still attentive.  Looking forward to our cruise!  (We have a RS at Christmas on the Infinity to look forward to as well).

[GenerationX]

Good morning from Miami (sigh),

 

I’d heard horror stories of long delayed disembarkation on MSC, but this morning disembarkation started with walk offs being called at 7:15.  

 

I went to the yacht club lounge a little before 8am for one last light pastry breakfast and coffee. I love that the pastries on the buffet in yacht club are kept warm. Such a nice little touch for continental breakfast.

 

After I finished I let the concierge know that I was ready to leave and my butler helped me with my carryon bags and escorted me down as far as the gangway.

 

When I got into the terminal, there wasn’t a sign for yacht club luggage tags, but a porter pointed me to the very far end of the terminal.

 

As I walked down, I once again saw a white gloved butler in tux standing next to a group of luggage. The same butler who greeted me and poured me champagne as I arrived at yacht club check in 5 days ago. I had come full circle.  Minus the champagne.  The butler found my luggage then went down to grab a porter for me.

 

Terminal E was using facial recognition so customs clearance was very quick for those traveling with a U.S. passport.

 

Veteran MSC cruisers told me that disembarkation can be much slower, by a matter of up to several hours, even for yacht club if the ship docked at any ports in South America due to more rigorous customs inspections, so maybe good to plan for a late afternoon or even evening flight if your itinerary includes any of those ports.

 

I don’t know what it is with my luck on airport issues recently.  When my Uber driver got to the exit to MIA we were met with stand still traffic.

 

Once we inched up to the airport we saw that the entire departures area was blocked off by emergency vehicles. 

 

Departure drop offs had to go to the international arrivals baggage claim area then take an elevator up.  Over half of the check in area for AA and British Airways was blocked off by yellow tape with law enforcement and police dogs walking around.

 

Turns out there was a suspicious package report and half the airport is shut down, including all of gates D1 through D20.

 

Life in the real world. Do not recommend.

 

My flight doesn’t board for another couple of hours so I’m not too worried at the moment, but am a bit wary about what kind of back ups in flight schedule being down 20 gates first thing in the morning is going to cause.

 

While I’m sipping a Bloody Mary in the admirals club, stay tuned for a couple of back in time posts about my last day yesterday and I guess I should start collecting my final thoughts about both cruises and Retreat vs. Yacht Club.

 

[GenerationX]

4 hours ago, JeanieC,Aston said:

Anyone thinking of booking MSC for a Med cruise really needs to read the reviews.

MSC do round trips in the Med,,,embarkation and disembarkation happens at every port of call.

Cruises from Southampton are better,,but cruises from Med ports are bedlam,some who book YC never leave the YC area.

Public areas are just noise noise and noise,,pushing and shoving the norm.

I should imagine cruises from Miami are totally different to a cruise from Barcelona or Genoa.

We didn’t have the multiple embark/disembark ports on this sailing, but I did feel like most of the time I was outside the yacht club area it was exactly as you described: crowded, noisy bedlam.  
 

Other than an hour or so in the jazz bar the first night and the white night party, I very much found myself wanting to stick to yacht club areas to avoid the often overserved and over perfumed/cologned crowds.

 

It will be interesting what the main crowd is like on a longer itinerary on the newer ships with higher fares, but just based on this cruise I don’t think I would personally sail MSC outside of yacht club.