Yacht Club versus more prestigious cruise line

[Morgsmom]

4 hours ago, styles27 said:

They made the “party” crowd on Carnival look like monks.

 

Ok, so I was on the Mera in December on a 4 nighter.  Generally I find that Sun-Thursday cruises have a more laid back crowd.  Not the weekend warriors, and not the folks who want the full 7 night experience.  It was a hot mess.  Though I was in YC, the folks in the cabin next to me smoke week INCESSANTLY on their balcony and in their cabin.  The one time I left the bubble to walk across deck 15 it was like walking into a Carnival cruise on it's worst day.  More weed smell (which I detest); folks yellling at bartenders, tables LADEN with drinks.  Just a nasty crowd.  Not one I'd want to say "hello" to let alone sit next to.  I do agree that the bargain level entry prices are attracting some rather 'ratchet" (?) (or whatever the kids say) crowd.  Like nasty.  However, the prices of more "upscale" lines is off putting.  I can do a YC with drinks for 1/2 the price of Virgin without.  It's still a no brainer.  Just need to stay in the bubble

 

[Morgsmom]

3 minutes ago, talljules1 said:

2 passengers, no kids.

A bargain then!  As prior poster said, different rates in different countries.  Frustrating, indeed, when I see significantly cheaper rates if I could book on the .IT (Italy) site.  I would say $400/pax/day for the 1st and 2nd is about right if not a bit low nowadays

[morpheusofthesea]

 

   I find everything reported here to be spot on accurate and not just over holidays. The rudeness, lack of respect, lack of decorum, sloppiness, found outside the Yacht Club is stunning. Found this same degree of offensive behavior on the other mass market cruises out of South Florida. Walk the ship and hallways and find soiled plates and drink glasses outside many cabins and most nooks and crannies around the ships. Find passengers walking around the ship in their pajamas, putting bare feet on tables and chairs. (We all have witnessed some impropriety). From these postings it appears to be worse on the shorter cruises than the 7 day.

    To witness a reprimanding of a crew member in view of a passenger is unusual and perhaps is indicative of the utter frustration the normally well trained and highly disciplined staff are experiencing from this ‘wider audience’ attracted by such low pricing and unlimited drink packages. The staff assigned to all the venues want nothing more than to get rave mention in order to work their way up ‘ladder’ to a more advantageous position in the Yacht Club (or Retreat). The staff, too, have their breaking points to this daily, weekly, monthly abuse.

    Chit chatting with staff in the YC (and Retreat) we find they enjoy the confines of going from their cabins directly to their hard sought and won positions in the suite venues and they question us on why we would ever want to venture outside the confines of this oasis. Our standard reply “It is so we do not take for granted the lovely treatment you provide for us here. Don’t worry we will never book a cabin outside this beautiful environment.” Why even the Retreat will provide a guest, in their top suite, to put a Peleton bike in the cabin for ones exclusive use.

   I am acquainted with many of the largest private yachts that frequent the waters of South Florida and though very luxurious, they become boring very quickly. In the ‘ship within a ship’ of the Yacht Club one has their own pool deck, their own buffets, their own lounge with live music and hors d’ oeuvres (finger food all day and night). When the ship is in port we venture out and have lunch at a specialty restaurant on the ship. Walk around, explore the rest of the ship and enjoy a gelato or two. Then mosey on back to the lounge or the One Pool Deck for teatime, before preparing for dinner and a show in the reserved section of the Theatre.

   Ultimately, the Yacht Club is not for everyone.

[KennyFla]

11 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

   I find everything reported here to be spot on accurate and not just over holidays. The rudeness, lack of respect, lack of decorum, sloppiness, found outside the Yacht Club is stunning. Found this same degree of offensive behavior on the other mass market cruises out of South Florida.

I think this statement can be applied to our society in general right now.  It is not just on cruise ships.

[morpheusofthesea]

1 hour ago, KennyFla said:

I think this statement can be applied to our society in general right now.  It is not just on cruise ships.

Interesting that you should say this. Many of us have isolated ourselves behind closed doors these past few years and have been afraid to venture out. I guess we forgot how to act in polite society. All the more reason to be more selective in the cruises we take.

[sverigecruiser]

On 2/9/2023 at 7:35 PM, Markanddonna said:

 

If you'd like to see a show or a performance, get ready to fight for a seat.

 

In the Yacht Club section of the theatre? 

[Markanddonna]

15 hours ago, sverigecruiser said:

 

In the Yacht Club section of the theatre? 

Actually, I never said what you were quoting. I cut and pasted a Yacht Club's review of what was going on outside the Yacht Club. There were seats available at every performance and I attended most of them.

 

 

[JAGR]

17 hours ago, sverigecruiser said:

 

In the Yacht Club section of the theatre? 

I think this is an exaggeration on the Mark and Donna's part.  Theater seating for shows is by reservation, and I've never hear of them overbooking like airlines and hotels tend to do.

Edited February 11, 2023 by JAGR

[styles27]

56 minutes ago, JAGR said:

I think this is an exaggeration on the Mark and Donna's part.  Theater seating for shows is by reservation, and I've never hear of them overbooking like airlines and hotels tend to do.

No reservations for shows on Divina.

 

Markanddonna didn’t write that, they posted a recent review from someone who did. 

[JAGR]

1 hour ago, styles27 said:

No reservations for shows on Divina.

 

Markanddonna didn’t write that, they posted a recent review from someone who did. 

Thanks.  My Bad.  I've only been on ships with more advanced technology, like the Seaside and Meraviglia class.

[sverigecruiser]

4 hours ago, Markanddonna said:

Actually, I never said what you were quoting. I cut and pasted a Yacht Club's review of what was going on outside the Yacht Club. There were seats available at every performance and I attended most of them.

 

 

 

I know that your didn't said that. My response was a hypotetical question to the person you quoted with your "cut and paste".

[RudiRatlos]

Reservations for theater are necessary on meraviglia(plus)- and seaside(evo)-class because the theater has a smaller capacity in relation to the ship's total capacity. Therefore also often more than 2 shows per evening.

[sverigecruiser]

4 hours ago, RudiRatlos said:

Reservations for theater are necessary on meraviglia(plus)- and seaside(evo)-class because the theater has a smaller capacity in relation to the ship's total capacity. Therefore also often more than 2 shows per evening.

 

Do you know when they started with that? There were no reservations in the main theater when we cruised on Meraviglia.

[Nunagoras]

On 2/9/2023 at 4:02 PM, JAGR said:

I've been following the thread and your growing disappointment with MSC, and reference to other "prestigious" lines.  It's hard to delineate exactly what lines are truly prestigious, since so much of it is based on personal preference.  The title is also subject to shifting, based on one's latest cruise experience. I think that shift is evident in your latest experience.  Assuming you earned Diamond status, you have cruised MSC more than recently.  You must have liked some of those experiences in order continue sailing with them.  It seems like you have reached your breaking point with MSC, and I can understand that.  I would offer my observations on the "MSC Brand" experience.  Since you are from Westerville, let me use a local reference:  Kroger Company.  In this area of the Columbus metropolitan area, we have four Korger's that serve the market.  Even though they are all Kroger stores, they are not alike.  Not sure what part of town you live in, but here is my rundown of the stores.  First is Maxtown Rd.  This is bright, well staffed and serves an upscale market.  You can tell that because not only do the carts roll freely and straight, many are computerized to allow customers to scan and buy their food without contact with a cashier.  They have a large Starbucks, a liquor store and large wine shop (with sampling counter), and actual workers (!!!) behind the deli and meat and seafood counters. This Kroger is the  Flagship store (think Europa or Euriba), and is the equivelant of the Yacht Club. Further west, you have Kroger Polaris. It is a  larger Kroger store, well stocked, with a liquor store and sometimes staff areas like the bakery, deli, meat/seafood with real workers, and many of the carts have all four wheels and work. It markets upscale apartment and condo residents.  This is the Kroger Aurea experience store (Seaside).  In the southeast of Westerville is the Schrock Road Kroger's. In its day, it was considered a destination store (think Fantasia, the first YC ship), but is now a weather-worn former grand dame.  Staffing levels are low, and they are usually going on break when you approach them with a question, and stocking levels are not complete.  It gets the job done, but could have been so much better.  Carts are in short supply and getting through the aisles requires determination.  This Kroger's is Fantastica class.  Finally, there is Worthington Centre.  Despite the quaint English spelling of center, this is Kroger's Bella experience.  Shelves are barren, staff hide in the back room, and people fight over the last can of creamed corn.  This Kroger should rest in peace with MSC's Monterey and Patricia.  Just remember, don't paint MSC or Kroger with one brush.  😊

This is perhaps the best CC post ever I've seen, congrats!... This is exactly what it is on all aspects of the market these days at any level. During the worst time of the post pandemic shortage supply, I used to go further on such a 25 minutes bus ride for a big supermarket that was the unique one in the nearby areas that was well stocked of all what I needed at that time, adding those little nothings that make us happy for the day. Surely same chain like the one across the street from home... But that one is bigger and serves a far upmarket zone on the city. No doubts I became a client of them for some time because my street one was so poorly stocked then. On MSC it is the same, as elsewhere. Have a nice weekend!

[RudiRatlos]

8 hours ago, sverigecruiser said:

Do you know when they started with that? There were no reservations in the main theater when we cruised on Meraviglia.

From the beginning afaik, been there 2017.

But you, according to your signature, were in YC back then, this may explain.

[sverigecruiser]

7 hours ago, RudiRatlos said:

From the beginning afaik, been there 2017.

But you, according to your signature, were in YC back then, this may explain.

 

When we cruised on Meraviglia no reservations were needed for the main theater. 

[B_A_H]

If by "prestigious" OP's referring to Regent, Azamara, Seabourn, Silversea, and Viking, it's comparing apples and oranges even though YC may be priced similarly to the entry level prices on those boutique/luxury lines.   

 

All those cruise lines have ships that hold less than 1,000 people.  Ships that size have far fewer venues, limits on entertainment offered, and skew toward a much older demographic.  They also tend to be more port intensive and their cruises are longer and to more exotic destinations.  Traveling with those lines is less about the cruise/ship and more about experiences at where they stop.  

 

I've been on some of them and the food and service are exceptional (when done right).  I don't seek them out though because frankly, they can be boring.  With YC you get equal the food and service (when done right) but you have an entire 5,000 passenger ship to entertain you.  Then, when you've had enough of the 5,000 passengers, you retreat to your exclusive little corner of the ship.  

 

I gravitate to YC because I like a "cruise" vs. "destination" experience and I like the diversion MSC's large ships provide. I also like the diversity of the broad demographic you'll find on MSC's ships. 

 

Choosing a specific cruise, ship, or cruise line is a huge YMMV because one person's ideal cruise could be another's nightmare.  

[Stem to Stern]

9 minutes ago, B_A_H said:

With YC you get equal the food and service (when done right) but you have an entire 5,000 passenger ship to entertain you.  Then, when you've had enough of the 5,000 passengers, you retreat to your exclusive little corner of the ship.  

 

I gravitate to YC because I like a "cruise" vs. "destination" experience and I like the diversion MSC's large ships provide. I also like the diversity of the broad demographic you'll find on MSC's ships. 

Well written.  I think this sums up a lot about what I am expecting when I give the YC a try later this year.

[RudiRatlos]

57 minutes ago, sverigecruiser said:

When we cruised on Meraviglia no reservations were needed for the main theater. 

I think both of us cruised on her in 2017. You were in YC then, correct?

I assume the YC-reservated seats required no additional reservation.

 

Furthermore I remember the reservations not to be strictly enforced - if the theater was not crowded, one could walk in without reservation.

 

 

[Essiesmom]

Sailed Seaside in 2019.  Up until five minutes before showtime, you needed a reservation.  After that, you could just walk in if there were any seats available.  EM

[morpheusofthesea]

6 minutes ago, Essiesmom said:

Sailed Seaside in 2019.  Up until five minutes before showtime, you needed a reservation.  After that, you could just walk in if there were any seats available.  EM

Same on Seashore 2022 and Seascape 2023. Over 5000 passengers and 2-3 shows with 1,172 seats in Madison or Chora theaters. And sometimes strollers left in the aisles.

Edited February 12, 2023 by morpheusofthesea

[sverigecruiser]

12 hours ago, RudiRatlos said:

I think both of us cruised on her in 2017. You were in YC then, correct?

I assume the YC-reservated seats required no additional reservation.

 

Furthermore I remember the reservations not to be strictly enforced - if the theater was not crowded, one could walk in without reservation.

 

 

 

They never looked at the card when entering the theatre so that can't be the reason but maybe they just didn't enforced it at all.

 

Another possibility is that they on our cruise tested to do it without reservations. 

[Hlitner]

When we have entered the YC reserved section (on two different MSC ships) nobody has ever asked to see any proof that we were in the YC.  However, there were usually one or two Butlers quietly lurking in the area and seemingly keeping an eye on who was entering the roped-off reserved area.  We have always found the YC staff, fantastic, and they seem to be very good a recognizing those who are in the YC and also spotting "interlopers" ( the term used by a couple of staff).  On our cruises, our Butler always wanted to escort us to the theater the first time we went to a show.  After that first time, we would tell our Butler we no longer needed an escort (and thank them for offering).  

 

I will emphasize that on our cruises there has never been specific reserved seats, but rather an entire small section (usually 3 or 4 rows in one section) that were roped off for the YC.  One could sit anywhere in that section.  My understanding is that once it gets near show time, the empty seats are available for anyone.

 

Hank

[Two Wheels Only]

12 minutes ago, Hlitner said:

I will emphasize that on our cruises there has never been specific reserved seats, but rather an entire small section (usually 3 or 4 rows in one section) that were roped off for the YC.

 

It's possible to have seats reserved but the success of the reservation will depend on the butler and the staff in the theater. On Seaside, we had 4 front row seats reserved for 2 shows and those seats were held for us until we were escorted to the theater. The Yacht Club reserved section was higher up but we wanted the front row for the Michael Jackson show and some other show that I don't remember. 

 

We even had drinks delivered while we were seated but having drinks in the theater is sometimes frowned upon. Once again, MSC is consistent with inconsistency. 😉

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

1 hour ago, Two Wheels Only said:

 

...

 

We even had drinks delivered while we were seated but having drinks in the theater is sometimes frowned upon. ...

 

I recall seeing this somewhere else... so, as a general rule do they ask you not to bring drinks into the shows? (I'm guessing no cup holders?)

 

Tom