MSC Yacht Club first time questions please

[Salf777]

So after a fairly disappointing sailing on Celebrity in the Retreat with all their changes people on board we’re suggesting we try the Yacht Club on MSC. 
Has anyone done both that can give me some comparisons?

For when we are looking choices of ships are Divina and Seascape any suggestion as to which ship to choose and why?

Any other input appreciated 

[DaKahuna]

45 minutes ago, Salf777 said:

So after a fairly disappointing sailing on Celebrity in the Retreat with all their changes people on board we’re suggesting we try the Yacht Club on MSC. 
Has anyone done both that can give me some comparisons?

For when we are looking choices of ships are Divina and Seascape any suggestion as to which ship to choose and why?

Any other input appreciated 

 

 We are escapee's from Celebrity Retreat and will be taking our first MSC Cruise and first time in YC this coming February on Divina. 

 

 We selected Divina based on the itinerary.  We did not want to do a 3 + 7 day cruise and instead opted for an 11-day cruise, even though it does not include a stop at Ocean Cay.  

 

 

[Stem to Stern]

Another Celebrity loyalist here giving the Yacht Club a try for the first time on board Seascape next month.  GenerationX’s Live Silhouette thread over on the Celebrity boards is what influenced me.  She started in a Royal Suite on Sil and then on turnaround day she moved over to Divina.  Lots of good Yacht Club info to read through there.  Have you submitted your loyalty status match application to MSC?  It is very easy to do.  I used our Azamara status and was matched to Diamond level on MSC which entitled me to a discount on the cruise fare and other benefits.

[Eglesbrech]

We have done both and both are good but different.

 

The cabins on MSC are not generally as fancy as on Celebrity and there is no option for proper in suite dining, you can however get breakfast and basic room service food (I don’t know if dining is an option in the very senior suites but not in the standard ones).

 

The standard YC balcony is just like a slightly bigger balcony cabin. There is no bath just a walk in shower and basic toiletries (which are fine but not fancy). There is however a stocked mini bar, coffee machine etc a daily printed newspaper of your choice and a bottle of spirits from the selection provided. They provide Pringles and nuts but just once and after that they are chargeable (unlike Celebrity who will constantly replace the crisps and kind bars). There are little additional touches every evening, I won’t spoil the surprise but it is a nice addition to the service provided. 

 

I prefer the food on MSC as it is very much Mediterranean with some lovely fresh pastas,  risotto etc.. Food is of course very subjective. All meals are offered in the main dining room which has a lovely view and there is also a snack bar in the Top Sail Lounge on some ships and al fresco dining on the outside YC area. The MSC dining area is not quite as fancy as Luminae eg crockery, table wear etc.

 

I like the fact that the YC facilities are all in one area rather than scattered across the ship. The top Sail lounge has a better atmosphere and provides a nice place away from the buzz of the rest of the MSc ship. It’s bigger as well than the Retreat area on Celebrity so a proper lounge to relax in, they also provide some entertainment there eg a piano player or classical music.

Like Celebrity there is a private area for YC guests in the main theatre but this is available every night on MSC, not just on gala nights.

 

Where MSC really win is the priority given to YC guests. You can be escorted every time you get on or off the ship f you want and to the theatre to bypass queues. You have a lift override on your card (but we don’t tend to use it). You don’t have to book theatre as you have a YC area. If you go on an excursion you wait in the Top Sail and the butler will take you down (and provide bottles of water), no waiting in crowds. You are generally well looked after in terms of service in all YC areas.

 

Celebrity ships on the whole are nicer and much less crowded imo. I would never travel on MSC unless I was in YC and could escape the crowds for some peace and quiet. While the MSC extra pay dining is fine it is not anything like as good as Morano etc.. The theatre shows on Celebrity are also very much better as well imo.

 

One slight irritation on MSC is the announcements done in 5 languages. I suspect this will not happen on sailings from the USA, perhaps someone can confirm this. On European sailings you get everything repeated so it takes time , this also affect the type of entertainment provided as game shows take forever when repeated by the host in English, Spanish, French, German and Italian!

 

Just ask if there is anything you want to know / I have missed.

[Two Wheels Only]

50 minutes ago, Eglesbrech said:

I like the fact that the YC facilities are all in one area rather than scattered across the ship.

 

It can vary by ship. The OP is considering Divina which has the YC restaurant (Le Muse) on the opposite end of the ship. 

[Eglesbrech]

3 hours ago, Two Wheels Only said:

 

It can vary by ship. The OP is considering Divina which has the YC restaurant (Le Muse) on the opposite end of the ship. 

Thanks for clarifying that for the OP, the MSC ships I have been on have all been in one area so I didn’t appreciate that it varied. 

[hypercafe]

Have traveled in the YC a few times from NYC. The only draw back for me is the crowds and chaos on the rest of the ship. A butler will help you avoid this. The YC service desk is very helpful with everything. I believe it's the best value among the ship within a ship market.

[Eglesbrech]

53 minutes ago, hypercafe said:

Have traveled in the YC a few times from NYC. The only draw back for me is the crowds and chaos on the rest of the ship. A butler will help you avoid this. The YC service desk is very helpful with everything. I believe it's the best value among the ship within a ship market.

I would agree re value for money. We have tried a few of of the ship within a ship concepts and YC is the best value when you balance service & quality with price.

[Salf777]

12 hours ago, Stem to Stern said:

Another Celebrity loyalist here giving the Yacht Club a try for the first time on board Seascape next month.  GenerationX’s Live Silhouette thread over on the Celebrity boards is what influenced me.  She started in a Royal Suite on Sil and then on turnaround day she moved over to Divina.  Lots of good Yacht Club info to read through there.  Have you submitted your loyalty status match application to MSC?  It is very easy to do.  I used our Azamara status and was matched to Diamond level on MSC which entitled me to a discount on the cruise fare and other benefits.

Can you provide a link to the GenerationX’s review you speak of please? I would like to read but haven’t been able to find thank you

[DaKahuna]

29 minutes ago, Salf777 said:

Can you provide a link to the GenerationX’s review you speak of please? I would like to read but haven’t been able to find thank you

 

I believe this is the review -- it is on the Celebrity forum.   It is also the one that influenced us to try MSC for the first time. 

 

The MSC portion of the review starts on page 8, post #180, Disembarkation/Embarkation. 

 

 

 

Edited November 22, 2023 by DaKahuna