THERE IS A PROBLEM IN THE YACHT CLUB

[PTC DAWG]

Just now, Gatordad1967 said:

Robbie

Glad I'm not losing my mind.  🙂

[Pat]

I am new to MSC and new to the YC,  but have sailed NCL Haven many times.  Aren't the doors to the YC only accessed with your key card?  How are the non YC paying guests getting in?  I'm not opposed to others using the YC as long as they are paying for the extra amenities.......like are they getting free drinks because they are in the YC, are they not showing their card?  I know it sounds extreme, but if the issue doesn't get taken care of you can go on up the chain...........I would think the Captain wouldn't appreciate having to deal with this issue, but he CAN put the rude offenders off the ship.

 

[At Sea At Peace]

Hopefully, the referenced abhorrent behavior and practice of allowing non-YC guests into the YC is identified immediately by MSC as a real threat to that luxury venues' attractiveness and curtailed 100% ASAP.  We've sailed 7 B2B's in the YC on 3 different ships and never encountered such; other than an occasional tour group coming through on a guided future reservations sales pitch.

 

Also, with reference to the YC Director, there is a team of butlers, bartenders, hosts, etc. that should be well empowered to support and enforce the use restrictions to YC stateroom guests of everything; bars and lounges, dining, pools and poolside venues, cabanas, etc.  

 

Again, hopefully MSC is made aware of this and stops it cold turkey.   If we read it continuing, we're not going on our YC bookings this Fall or next year and we'll tell them exactly why. 

 

[morpheusofthesea]

5 minutes ago, Pat said:

.like are they getting free drinks because they are in the YC, are they not showing their card?

The interlopers get free drinks because there is no 'carding' of YC guests. They sneak in behind YC guests not wanting to offend a fellow cruiser. It is not our job to police the entries of interlopers. Many with cabins outside, are given the wrist bands that their family members in the YC give them to access the enclave. It is all fine until the ship runs out of your favorite (fill in the blank) or all the prime seats are taken, or your waiters have unexpected double duty waiting on 'family' tables, or your bar drink takes longer to get or finding a table at the seafood extravaganza.

  One poster mentioned 4 young men interlopers were found having a host of free drinks at the Top Sail Lounge bar before they were 'discovered' and the YC Director had to 'bribe' them with a complimentary bottle of Champagne to get them to leave.

[Two Wheels Only]

17 minutes ago, Pat said:

I am new to MSC and new to the YC,  but have sailed NCL Haven many times.  Aren't the doors to the YC only accessed with your key card?

 

There's a chance that a YC guest can "loan" their card or wristband to an interloper. 

 

19 minutes ago, Pat said:

.....like are they getting free drinks because they are in the YC, are they not showing their card?

 

You don't need to show or swipe a card for drinks in the Yacht Club like you do in the Haven. 

 

2 minutes ago, At Sea At Peace said:

Hopefully, the referenced abhorrent behavior and practice of allowing non-YC guests into the YC is identified immediately by MSC as a real threat to that luxury venues' attractiveness and curtailed 100% ASAP.

 

I agree but nothing MSC is handled ASAP. 

 

3 minutes ago, At Sea At Peace said:

We've sailed 7 B2B's in the YC on 3 different ships and never encountered such

 

Neither have I but I will be more vigilant in the future. 

[SirWolf]

19 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Heard some of these "access" get up as early as 4 am and reserve for themselves the available cabanas (first come, first serve policy on the Seascape).  Actual YC guests are oblivious to what is occurring. They don't know that the prime real estate is being occupied by NON Yacht Club guests. Like RCCL and its NON suite Pinnacles, MSC has its NON Yacht Club guests with "access". Many are friends and family of officers. Others are family and friends of YC guests outside the YC that are smuggled in (wormed in) or given the wrist bands to gain access. On our recent cruise there were 44 ‘official’ additional friends and family using the Yacht Club venues besides the 310 YC guests.

 

.. don’t get me wrong .. I am just curious ..

How did you got proof that a person or a group of individuals are not YC passengers ?

Not every YC guest is wearing the wristband.

Who provided the ‘official’ number of 44 friends and family ?

 

[Pat]

I can't understand why the YC Director would have had to bribe the young men to leave,  I'm sure MSC has security.  The only incentive needed, I would think, is "leave or security will be called".  I understand not wanting to offend, however,  it's not the YC Director that's being offensive, it's the one in violation of the rules.  Again, (sorry to bring up the Haven again, but,) in the Haven, the staff would be well aware of who belonged and who didn't. 

[styles27]

Sorry wonky quote didn’t work 

Edited March 1, 2023 by styles27

[styles27]

20 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

One poster mentioned 4 young men interlopers were found having a host of free drinks at the Top Sail Lounge bar before they were 'discovered' and the YC Director had to 'bribe' them with a complimentary bottle of Champagne to get them to leave.

Honestly that YC Director doesn’t sound qualified to handle his duties of managing the YC. 
 

Imagine getting on a flight and sitting in first class when you’ve paid for coach and refusing to move. Pretty sure you’d be escorted off that flight. 
 

I’m so tired of the leniency given to people who break the rules. 
We’re so afraid of offending someone even when they are in the wrong. That’s disgusting and unacceptable.  That director should be reported. 

[Pat]

5 minutes ago, styles27 said:

Honestly that YC Director doesn’t sound qualified to handle his duties of managing the YC. 
 

Imagine getting on a flight and sitting in first class when you’ve paid for coach and refusing to move. Pretty sure you’d be escorted off that flight. 
 

I’m so tired of the leniency given to people who break the rules. 
We’re so afraid of offending someone even when they are in the wrong. That’s disgusting and unacceptable.  That director should be reported. 

I absolutely have to agree with you,  and your analogy is right on.  My guess is that everyone legitimately in the YC would have clapped for the YC Director doing his duty,  I know I would have quick with a thank you!

[morpheusofthesea]

37 minutes ago, At Sea At Peace said:

Again, hopefully MSC is made aware of this and stops it cold turkey.   If we read it continuing, we're not going on our YC bookings this Fall or next year and we'll tell them exactly why.

That is not my intent of bringing this to everyone's attention. We still had a fabulous time in the YC. It had 310 official guests in the Yacht Club plus 44 outside guests with "access" that are friends and family of officers. We were just 'put off' by a few getting up early at 4 am to commandeer our 'reserved' pergola/cabana. The pool attendant made us aware of the situation and he explained to them that this one was reserved and for them to take another, especially since we are paying YC guests and they are "friends and family" of staff residing outside YC. (Of course he could have concocted the whole story, but he did point out to us the perpetrators and did garner a $20 tip on the spot with the understanding to keep vigilant for the remainder of the cruise for us).

   In no other way were we affected by the increased presence of interlopers. We did witness a group of about 5 interlopers asked to leave the One Pool Deck on another sailing and saw one 'gentleman' of the group (must have been the 'ringleader') go into his pocket and try to bribe the pool attendant. We felt bad for the pool attendant losing out on a tip so we went over to him and tipped him $20 for the good job only he was apparently doing.

  Apparently "phissy" had a similar experience with their "reserved" pergola/ cabana. Only difference is they had to confront the foul mouthed, low life and suffer the abuse. It should never come to this. 

[PTC DAWG]

33 minutes ago, styles27 said:

Honestly that YC Director doesn’t sound qualified to handle his duties of managing the YC. 
 

Imagine getting on a flight and sitting in first class when you’ve paid for coach and refusing to move. Pretty sure you’d be escorted off that flight. 
 

I’m so tired of the leniency given to people who break the rules. 
We’re so afraid of offending someone even when they are in the wrong. That’s disgusting and unacceptable.  That director should be reported. 

Totally agreed..

[morpheusofthesea]

1 hour ago, SirWolf said:

 

.. don’t get me wrong .. I am just curious ..

How did you got proof that a person or a group of individuals are not YC passengers ?

Not every YC guest is wearing the wristband.

Who provided the ‘official’ number of 44 friends and family ?

 

#1 Never get you wrong. Have read many of your great posts over the past several years and find you a 'straight shooter'.

#2 One time it began at the white YC tent when a group assembled for priority YC check-in. The YC porter informed the group leader that only his those in his group with YC cabins were entitled to priority check-in. He ignored the porter and had his group follow his 'escort' into the terminal. Did not bother to see what happened next, but surmised that we would be seeing this group all enjoying the YC. Saw them all at dinner at two large tables in the YC restaurant one evening and again at the One Pool Deck on many occasions. The Director did not want to be accused of being 'narrow-minded'.

#3 We only wore the wrist bands during covid. Mandatory tracking device for close contact with confirmed positives.

#4 On an earlier cruise, we overheard a conversation between two YC staff members and a couple of guests were referred to as "access". We asked another staff member how many YC guests this cruise ? Then we inquired what are guests called "access". It was explained they are friends and family with cabins outside the YC that have complete access to the Yacht Club. The number is well known to every staff member.

  What amazes us is the number of "access" each cruise. Do not know if corporate knows the extent of all these with "access" every cruise.

[morpheusofthesea]

1 hour ago, Pat said:

I can't understand why the YC Director would have had to bribe the young men to leave,  I'm sure MSC has security.  The only incentive needed, I would think, is "leave or security will be called".  I understand not wanting to offend, however,  it's not the YC Director that's being offensive, it's the one in violation of the rules.  Again, (sorry to bring up the Haven again, but,) in the Haven, the staff would be well aware of who belonged and who didn't. 

I believe the poster said that the 4 were given a choice, this bottle of Champagne or I call security.

[morpheusofthesea]

15 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Again, (sorry to bring up the Haven again, but,) in the Haven, the staff would be well aware of who belonged and who didn't. 

Have I got a story about the Haven on the Breakaway.

DW and I witnessed at dinner in the Haven Restaurant, a threesome of middle aged ladies sitting at the table when one of them passed out. The other two, carried her out like a scene from "Saving Private Ryan" to their cabin. The two ladies return to their boozing and 15 minutes later the second lady fell out of her chair on the floor of the restaurant. She refused all help to get up off the floor and the third lady just sat drinking pretending nothing out of the ordinary was taking place. Well the maitre d called in security (they were men in black suits) and one remained stationed 3 feet from their table. We finished our delicious chocolate bomb tart and missed the last act of this show.

Edited March 1, 2023 by morpheusofthesea

[jean87510]

So I am confused as this will be my 1st experience with Yacht club and MSC.  There is no monitoring of people getting in and using the facilities?  So I could have booked a bella cabin and just walk up and plop on a cabana?  This is really troubling let alone a waste of money on my end.  Im booked on the Divinia and the Seascape and really not exactly thrilled reading this.  

[jean87510]

Also do the guests say anything when it's obvious?  Doesn't the staff have the pictures of the guests and if any questions, don't they at least check?  

I'd have a facial recognition app for the staff to identify who is non Yacht club and kick them out especially if they are obnoxious.

[mackfam]

Yeah, I’m not happy to hear this either and don’t understand why MSC would risk annoying/alienating their highest paying guests. I just made the final payment for 5 YC cabins for a family cruise in June, didn’t realize I could have just booked one and snuck everyone else in ( I’m being facetious). 

 

I will be making a lot of noise if I see this happening on our cruise and so will the rest of our party.

[def0715]

Lowering my expectations a bit now. It is disappointing to hear all this. I’m also a bit worried that if I see flagrant abuse that I won’t be able to keep quiet about it. I was really looking forward to my first YC experience this weekend but now have some trepidation. In general I’m not a fan of people not following the rules or people trying to game the system.

Edited March 1, 2023 by def0715

[styles27]

10 minutes ago, jean87510 said:

So I am confused as this will be my 1st experience with Yacht club and MSC.  There is no monitoring of people getting in and using the facilities?  So I could have booked a bella cabin and just walk up and plop on a cabana?  This is really troubling let alone a waste of money on my end.  Im booked on the Divinia and the Seascape and really not exactly thrilled reading this.  

It’s not easy to get into the YC you need a key card/bracelet to even access that area. 
I’m sure some people try to sneak in behind YC pax who swipe their key and hold the door for pax behind them. 

It never occurred to us when we were in the YC that folks we were holding the door for may not belong there. I guess I think everyone is as honest as we are. 
 

It appears that some crew members are getting their visiting family access to the YC. 
 

[jean87510]

16 minutes ago, styles27 said:

It’s not easy to get into the YC you need a key card/bracelet to even access that area. 
I’m sure some people try to sneak in behind YC pax who swipe their key and hold the door for pax behind them. 

It never occurred to us when we were in the YC that folks we were holding the door for may not belong there. I guess I think everyone is as honest as we are. 
 

It appears that some crew members are getting their visiting family access to the YC. 
 

Sorry but if visiting family of crew members that are sailing want to visit the Yacht Club, then they should pay for the Yacht club.  If visiting for the day, tough crap.  

[morpheusofthesea]

29 minutes ago, jean87510 said:

Also do the guests say anything when it's obvious?

The only time it is obvious is when one witnesses the white towels (not the royal blue towels) on their lounges. Or if you find them smoking while lounging in the non-smoking areas. These arrogant type interlopers do not follow rules or etiquette.

[CruisingNole]

20 minutes ago, styles27 said:

 

It appears that some crew members are getting their visiting family access to the YC. 
 

So the problem is with MSC, not the guests that are being given access by the crew. I wouldn't turn down that offer from a crew member, nor would anyone in their right mind.

[jean87510]

1 minute ago, morpheusofthesea said:

The only time it is obvious is when one witnesses the white towels (not the royal blue towels) on their lounges. Or if you find them smoking while lounging in the non-smoking areas. These arrogant type interlopers do not follow rules or etiquette.

Ah.  See you can tell I'm an MSC newbie. 😁

[morpheusofthesea]

3 minutes ago, CruisingNole said:

So the problem is with MSC

Don't know if corporate MSC really knows what is occurring on the ship.