Yet another new to MSC person

[Hydrotx]

We (SWMBO & myself) just booked/paid for our first MSC cruise (Fall 2024, 7 nights to Bermuda) and its out of NYC (local(ish)) to us.  We have historically cruised on Royal, Celebrity and Disney and wanted to try something different before we got too far down the road of loyalty to a line.  It certainly didn't hurt that MSC matched my Hilton to Diamond, however, I'm not sure we are going to use much of those perks on this trip.  We decided to go cushy on the cruise and are trying out the YC duplex.  Reading some of the reviews here, I don't think we will want to go back to non-YC after that.

 

A couple questions for the hive mind:

1. SWMBO and myself consider ourselves foodies, and looking at the YC menu, I don't see a reason to take advantage of the diamond perk of the one free taste of a specialty restaurant (or whatever they call it).  Am I mistaken with this thinking?
2. Assuming that the butler is in fact, all that and the proverbial bag of chips, what is the usual tip for them at the end of the cruise?

 

Thanks in advance 

[morpheusofthesea]

1 hour ago, Hydrotx said:

We have historically cruised on Royal, Celebrity and Disney 

1 hour ago, Hydrotx said:

Assuming that the butler is in fact, all that and the proverbial bag of chips, what is the usual tip for them at the end of the cruise?

Considering you are a New Yorker and "historically cruised" on other premium lines, perhaps you can enlighten us on what is "usual" from your experience ? Because sometimes the "proverbial bag of chips" is stale.

 

Edited August 22, 2023 by morpheusofthesea

[Selion]

Welcome to CC!

 

1. Use the Diamond perk.  Why not?  It's at no additional cost to you.  Grab it before MSC reorg Voyagers Club benefits.

 

2. The butler is also your room steward (part of their job).  Tip them as you normally would on other lines.

[JamieLogical]

I would use the Diamond specialty dining. I found the tastings menus at Butcher's Cut and Ocean Cay had plenty for me to choose from and I enjoyed the food at both.

[Hydrotx]

17 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

 

On our previous cruises, which I wouldn't consider premium, we added anywhere from an extra 50-100 for a 5 to 7 day cruise for the room attendant.  20 for the assistant waiter/waitress and 50 for the head waiter/waitress 

[morpheusofthesea]

3 minutes ago, Selion said:

The butler is also your room steward (part of their job)

Dear Selion, You are always very helpful. We have found that in the Yacht Club many of the butlers have come from the ranks of the Stewards, hence they are called Jr. Butlers. However we have had a couple that are 20 year veteran butlers that have come from 5* hotels working as butlers in the YC. Have also found a great difference in the level of service provided by different butlers on different lines. For instance, we have had the 'run of the mill' butler that tells us to assemble in the TopSail Lounge for a group escort off the ship. And then we have the better butler who approaches us the night  before and arranges to meet us privately at our cabin to escort us off by ourselves. One deserves nothing extra while the other deserves something extra. 

  You are correct though about them 'helping out' the cabin steward. On one cruise the ship was short staffed, several cabin stewards did not make it to the ship that week, so the YC commandeered a pool attendant to clean our cabin in his white t-shirt labeled "POOL ATTENDANT". This is when we caught our personal butler teaching and cleaning our cabin at the same time. Definitely worthy of a good tip at the end of the cruise.

[Hydrotx]

18 minutes ago, Selion said:

Welcome to CC!

 

1. Use the Diamond perk.  Why not?  It's at no additional cost to you.  Grab it before MSC reorg Voyagers Club benefits.

 

2. The butler is also your room steward (part of their job).  Tip them as you normally would on other lines.

Thank you for the welcome and the helpful response.  

 

I'll look into the specialty restaurants then and see what catches our eyes.

[Hydrotx]

5 minutes ago, JamieLogical said:

I would use the Diamond specialty dining. I found the tastings menus at Butcher's Cut and Ocean Cay had plenty for me to choose from and I enjoyed the food at both.

Thanks.  We will have to see what they offer on the tastings menu then!

[JamieLogical]

14 minutes ago, Hydrotx said:

Thanks.  We will have to see what they offer on the tastings menu then!

 

Sorry these pictures aren't great, but these are the tastings menus from my April sailing on the Meraviglia.

 

 

 

Edited August 22, 2023 by JamieLogical

[PTC DAWG]

I've sailed in YC, we always hit up at least one specialty restaurant.  I would possibly hit two if one was included, as it may be for you. A highlife for me in the YC is the breakfast/lunch buffet served outside.  Hopefully your weather is good and you can enjoy.  A nice hot pizza waiting in your room late at night is a nice perk too....the Butler can arrange is you so desire.  

 

Your comment about going YC and not going back is spot on for me and the Wife.  

 

 

[Selion]

1 minute ago, PTC DAWG said:

Your comment about going YC and not going back is spot on for me and the Wife.

One could go back, but nagging about not booking YC the whole cruise.  Not like I have any recent experience to share...  🤣