Celebrity Retreat vs MSC Yacht Club

[RichYak]

31 minutes ago, mac_tlc said:

To each his or her own. I’m sure others, including us, have had memorable times on a cruise ship outside a bar. 
 

Variety is good. Plenty for everyone. 
 

mac_tlc

No doubt. And nothing I wrote was meant to imply that you couldn't have memorable times on a cruise outside a bar. If it came across that way, it was not my intent.

[DaKahuna]

14 hours ago, RichYak said:

No, I'm sorry, it doesn't. I don't need to qualify my own experience. Others can and should feel free share their experience, as you have. But I'm not qualifying my statement because you had a bad butler.

 

 I think my intent was not clear, by qualification I meant that it depended on the butler.  Not taking away from your experience, but if you get a bad butler, as we did, the butler service on Celebrity maybe considered better.  I've only had the one experience on MSC so I'll let it go at that. 

 

[mac_tlc]

2 hours ago, RichYak said:

No doubt. And nothing I wrote was meant to imply that you couldn't have memorable times on a cruise outside a bar. If it came across that way, it was not my intent.

No worries Rich, it didn’t. Just mentioning that different people cruise different ways and fortunately there is something for everyone ! 
 

Hoping to try YC this Fall and contrast/compare.
 

mac_tlc

Edited March 26 by mac_tlc

[RK-NC]

Thank you to all. This has been an interesting read. We've been researching MSC YC and we sail on Beyond in 17 days in a Sky suite. It looks like the sundeck bar has seating - maybe that's meant to be a gathering spot? I sort of think of the lounge as a quiet getaway spot. I counted 9 bars on Beyond - lots of places to go for the action! 

[DisneyJen]

Thanks to everyone for contributing to this thread!

 

@DJ's DH and I are sailing in a RS on Meraviglia out of Brooklyn in May.

 

Our last two X cruises were in a CS on Equinox and a RS on Summit out of Cape Liberty.

 

Looking forward to new experiences!

[RichYak]

As I was researching future potential cruises, another big Retreat vs YC difference came to mind, so I'm reviving this thread to share it.

 

The nice thing about sailing in Celebrity's M- and S-class Retreat is the manageable number of suite cabins. Fewer Retreat guests equates to higher overall service. The downside is the retrofitted spaces sprinkled throughout the ship or carved out of the main dining area; no dedicated pool; and, on some ships, no outdoor space at all.

 

Celebrity's E-class solves the dedicated space problems but at the cost of a massive number of Retreat cabins. I was one and done on Edge. Luminae was like a factory and the sundeck was too small--queue the chair hogs. I found myself missing the intimacy of the smaller Retreat on S- and M- class.

 

As I research potential future YC sailings for me, I find that I don't have to make that frustrating Sophie's choice of ship class like with Celebrity. There are plenty of MSC ships that have 90-100 manageable YC cabins with seemingly sufficient space for everyone.

[psmarkle]

On 3/25/2024 at 9:33 AM, FamilyAtSea.travel said:

I have a live thread going where I've explained everything indepth... Give it a look!

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2999113-live-from-the-msc-seascape-a-familys-experience-in-the-yacht-club-–-7-night-western-caribbean-–-march-23-30-2024/

I saw your update on the MSC board about giving the YC Director a chance to correct things. Did it get posted here, by chance? I'm still reading through this thread, but I found really good info in your post about how to handle things in a tactful way!

[FamilyAtSea.travel]

25 minutes ago, psmarkle said:

I saw your update on the MSC board about giving the YC Director a chance to correct things. Did it get posted here, by chance? I'm still reading through this thread, but I found really good info in your post about how to handle things in a tactful way!

Yes, I shared the outcome in the posts that you'll see as you read your way through things!

[cruisebeachgirl703]

On 3/26/2024 at 12:32 PM, DaKahuna said:

 

 I think my intent was not clear, by qualification I meant that it depended on the butler.  Not taking away from your experience, but if you get a bad butler, as we did, the butler service on Celebrity maybe considered better.  I've only had the one experience on MSC so I'll let it go at that. 

 

Celebrity, MSC, NCL butlers are hit or miss. Have done all 3 and have had hit or miss on all. Our most recent MSC was great! Our most recent NCL was good. Our most recent Celebrity, terrible. 

With Celebrity we felt it was lack of training. On NCL it seems to us that they are just generally not the best of the best of in this role. MSC I feel prides themselves on the butler service more than the others. (but our 1st was a bust, so we are 50/50)

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

My butlers on MSC have been mostly meh.  I've had some fabulous butlers on Celebrity.

 

[FamilyAtSea.travel]

11 hours ago, RichYak said:

As I was researching future potential cruises, another big Retreat vs YC difference came to mind, so I'm reviving this thread to share it.

 

The nice thing about sailing in Celebrity's M- and S-class Retreat is the manageable number of suite cabins. Fewer Retreat guests equates to higher overall service. The downside is the retrofitted spaces sprinkled throughout the ship or carved out of the main dining area; no dedicated pool; and, on some ships, no outdoor space at all.

 

Celebrity's E-class solves the dedicated space problems but at the cost of a massive number of Retreat cabins. I was one and done on Edge. Luminae was like a factory and the sundeck was too small--queue the chair hogs. I found myself missing the intimacy of the smaller Retreat on S- and M- class.

 

As I research potential future YC sailings for me, I find that I don't have to make that frustrating Sophie's choice of ship class like with Celebrity. There are plenty of MSC ships that have 90-100 manageable YC cabins with seemingly sufficient space for everyone.

We just finished two weeks in the YC (Seascape + Seashore) and had a great time on both. 

 

We will be in the Retreat on the Equinox in early June and I'm disappointed that our room is not in an exclusive Retreat area and that there's no Retreat pool or live music in the Retreat Lounge.

 

I'm hoping it will be enough to justify tripling the cost of the cruise vs a standard balcony, but I suspect we will regret upgrading (YC on a similar itinerary would have been about 25% less).

[RichYak]

19 minutes ago, FamilyAtSea.travel said:

We just finished two weeks in the YC (Seascape + Seashore) and had a great time on both.

I was following along. Thanks for both reviews. 
 

19 minutes ago, FamilyAtSea.travel said:

We will be in the Retreat on the Equinox in early June and I'm disappointed that our room is not in an exclusive Retreat area

Yes all Retreat staterooms are in public areas of the ship on all Celebrity ships. I did enjoy the true ship within a ship concept in YC. 

[FamilyAtSea.travel]

8 minutes ago, RichYak said:

Yes all Retreat staterooms are in public areas of the ship on all Celebrity ships. I did enjoy the true ship within a ship concept in YC. 

Don't the Edge-class ships have a ship-in-a-ship concept with their staterooms?

 

I haven't sailed in the Retreat on one yet, but that was my impression. 

[RichYak]

8 minutes ago, FamilyAtSea.travel said:

Don't the Edge-class ships have a ship-in-a-ship concept with their staterooms?

 

I haven't sailed in the Retreat on one yet, but that was my impression. 

Nope. Anyone from any deck or stateroom class can walk right up to the door of any Retreat suite. There is no “enclave” for Retreat staterooms. 

Edited April 9 by RichYak

[FamilyAtSea.travel]

1 hour ago, RichYak said:

Nope. Anyone from any deck or stateroom class can walk right up to the door of any Retreat suite. There is no “enclave” for Retreat staterooms. 

Interesting - for some reason I thought you had to have a Retreat sea pass to even to to their deck on those ships. 

 

We loved the Ascent over Christmas... One thing Celebrity definitely has going for it over MSC is the entire ship is a great experience, not only the YC area. 

[Shadow9612]

5 minutes ago, FamilyAtSea.travel said:

Interesting - for some reason I thought you had to have a Retreat sea pass to even to to their deck on those ship

I believe the retreat sundeck (on those ships that have one) is accessible only to retreat guests ...

[rrraydon]

On 2/17/2024 at 1:54 PM, Jeremiah1212 said:

The problem with Yacht Club is you’re stuck in Yacht Club. If YC is too sleepy for you, once you pass those doors you find yourself on Carnival 2.0 which is a hard pass for me. 

That has not been my experience with MSC at all. I enjoyed the entertainment, food and people all over the ship.

[Boatharbour]

1 hour ago, Shadow9612 said:

I believe the retreat sundeck (on those ships that have one) is accessible only to retreat guests ...

On Edge class you need a pass to enter the Retreat Deck and Retreat lounge. Luminae is located away from the other dining rooms.
The suites themselves were located in various parts of the ship and not on a dedicated area. We were in a SS sky suite which was a very long walk to the retreat areas, but worth it for the wake view. 

[cruisebeachgirl703]

On 4/8/2024 at 9:17 PM, FamilyAtSea.travel said:

We just finished two weeks in the YC (Seascape + Seashore) and had a great time on both. 

 

We will be in the Retreat on the Equinox in early June and I'm disappointed that our room is not in an exclusive Retreat area and that there's no Retreat pool or live music in the Retreat Lounge.

 

I'm hoping it will be enough to justify tripling the cost of the cruise vs a standard balcony, but I suspect we will regret upgrading (YC on a similar itinerary would have been about 25% less).

We sailed retreat equinox may 2022. Lounge is a room with a bar and concierge desk. did not spend any time there. Sundeck is just that. No water available to cool off, shower, etc. Service for drinks and lunch was slow. The YC pool deck and TSL win. We followed along your 2 recent weeks and enjoyed very much.

[FamilyAtSea.travel]

@morpheusofthesea Can you please help me find your list of 312 things YC does better than other suites? 

I know I've read it multiple times but I am struggling to find the most updated list!

[FBrew]

On 3/26/2024 at 1:36 PM, RK-NC said:

Thank you to all. This has been an interesting read. We've been researching MSC YC and we sail on Beyond in 17 days in a Sky suite. It looks like the sundeck bar has seating - maybe that's meant to be a gathering spot? I sort of think of the lounge as a quiet getaway spot. I counted 9 bars on Beyond - lots of places to go for the action! 

Are you sailing August 4th? We are on that sailing. Enjoy your cruise!!

[morpheusofthesea]

1 hour ago, FamilyAtSea.travel said:

@morpheusofthesea Can you please help me find your list of 312 things YC does better than other suites? 

I know I've read it multiple times but I am struggling to find the most updated list!

A lot has to do with which ship in the MSC fleet one has chosen. Next is who the Hotel Director is, followed by Yacht Club Director, Head Butler, Maitre d' and Chef of the YC restaurant. Our latest cruise was April, June and is now July 2024 on the Seascape and these last 3 are the best cruises we have had in 50 years of cruising. Never sailed on a MSC ship in a cabin outside the Yacht Club. We can list now all the things to look out for when booking any cruise ship.

 

#1 E muster drill is better. Seascape was to take elevator, scan any time after 11:30, watch video, call#.

 

#2 Two cabin cleanings per day

 

#3 No % charge for gambling if using credit card

 

#4 No extra charge for can sodas vs fountain drinks, all included.

 

#5 Reserved seating in the theatre for all shows

 

#6 Complimentary bottled water (not ship distilled with unsanitary reusable bottles)

 

#7 Reserved or ability to reserve pergola/cabanas on pool deck (avoiding chair hogs)

 

#8 'Cushioned' pool lounges

 

#9 Escorts on and off ship avoiding long lines. Group or personal escorts.

 

#10 First to use tenders off the ship at ports that tender

 

#11 Dedicated restaurant that is so good one need not book Specialty Restaurants

 

#12 Service that does not involve 2 hours to complete a meal

 

#13 An attentive butler is not hard to find when needed to be escorted to the front of ANY line (queue). Depends on the guest ($). 

 

#14 Cabins ready upon embarkation/ key cards in hand at check in

 

#15 Dedicated restaurant OPEN port days

 

#16 Dedicated buffet to only suite guests

 

#17 Dedicated pool and sun deck only for suite guests with ample lounges

 

# 18 All the advantages of a mega ship with the exclusivity of a gated community

 

#19 walk-in shower not low profile tub/shower combo

 

#20 No non-suite paying Pinnacle/Zenith/Diamond passengers taking up prime real estate in the Yacht Club

 

#21 Elevator override key cards for suite guests

 

#22 Pristine out island with NO bugs crawling all over cabanas

 

#23 short distance between cabin and restaurant decks

 

#24 At least a 100 sq ft balcony accommodating a cushioned lounge chair

 

#25 A reserved table for 2 for all meals in a dedicated restaurant with the same waiters for 'most' every meal

 

#26 More options for nightly entertainment besides theatre show productions, Loft Cafe, Uptown Lounge, Le Cabaret Rouge, Atrium, Dueling Pianos Times Square, and Top Sail Lounge.

 

#27  The complimentary WiFi, Premium Drink Package, mini bar and  full bottle of your choice liquor. 9-12 bottles in RS & OS to take home. (Thanks @Fissues)

 

#28 A price for a Yacht Club Royal Suite cabin that is 1/3 the price of Regent Grandeur GS without being treated like steerage and a butler that escorts one to the END of any line not to the front like YC butlers.

 

#29 Option to book exclusive excursions

 

 

Edited July 17 by morpheusofthesea

[mnpurple]

Well, darn you for bumping this thread to the top! Our last 3 cruises were in YC, but we decided to try a transatlantic to Spain and try Celebrity and not in a suite! It worked with the time frame we were planning since I had originally booked a flight.

 

We are fully aware of what we're doing and I'm sure it will be fine. We will miss YC perks of course, but happy to try a new to us product.  I'm also planning to upgrade drinks, so we aren't caught up in the 'does it fit our package" stuff, which I find annoying. May also try the Move up that I've seen.

[FamilyAtSea.travel]

30 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

A lot has to do with which ship in the MSC fleet one has chosen. Next is who the Hotel Director is, followed by Yacht Club Director, Head Butler, Maitre d' and Chef of the YC restaurant. Our latest cruise was April, June and is now July 2024 on the Seascape and these last 3 are the best cruises we have had in 50 years of cruising. Never sailed on a MSC ship in a cabin outside the Yacht Club. We can list now all the things to look out for when booking any cruise ship.

 

#1 E muster drill is better. Seascape was to take elevator, scan any time after 11:30, watch video, call#.

 

#2 Two cabin cleanings per day

 

#3 No % charge for gambling if using credit card

 

#4 No extra charge for can sodas vs fountain drinks, all included.

 

#5 Reserved seating in the theatre for all shows

 

#6 Complimentary bottled water (not ship distilled with unsanitary reusable bottles)

 

#7 Reserved or ability to reserve pergola/cabanas on pool deck (avoiding chair hogs)

 

#8 'Cushioned' pool lounges

 

#9 Escorts on and off ship avoiding long lines. Group or personal escorts.

 

#10 First to use tenders off the ship at ports that tender

 

#11 Dedicated restaurant that is so good one need not book Specialty Restaurants

 

#12 Service that does not involve 2 hours to complete a meal

 

#13 An attentive butler is not hard to find when needed to be escorted to the front of ANY line (queue). Depends on the guest ($). 

 

#14 Cabins ready upon embarkation/ key cards in hand at check in

 

#15 Dedicated restaurant OPEN port days

 

#16 Dedicated buffet to only suite guests

 

#17 Dedicated pool and sun deck only for suite guests with ample lounges

 

# 18 All the advantages of a mega ship with the exclusivity of a gated community

 

#19 walk-in shower not low profile tub/shower combo

 

#20 No non-suite paying Pinnacle/Zenith/Diamond passengers taking up prime real estate in the Yacht Club

 

#21 Elevator override key cards for suite guests

 

#22 Pristine out island with NO bugs crawling all over cabanas

 

#23 short distance between cabin and restaurant decks

 

#24 At least a 100 sq ft balcony accommodating a cushioned lounge chair

 

#25 A reserved table for 2 for all meals in a dedicated restaurant with the same waiters for 'most' every meal

 

#26 More options for nightly entertainment besides theatre show productions, Loft Cafe, Uptown Lounge, Le Cabaret Rouge, Atrium, Dueling Pianos Times Square, and Top Sail Lounge.

 

#27  The complimentary WiFi, Premium Drink Package, mini bar and  full bottle of your choice liquor. 9-12 bottles in RS & OS to take home. (Thanks @Fissues)

 

#28 A price for a Yacht Club Royal Suite cabin that is 1/3 the price of Regent Grandeur GS without being treated like steerage and a butler that escorts one to the END of any line not to the front like YC butlers.

 

#29 Option to book exclusive excursions

 

 

Thank you!!

[FamilyAtSea.travel]

29 minutes ago, mnpurple said:

Well, darn you for bumping this thread to the top! Our last 3 cruises were in YC, but we decided to try a transatlantic to Spain and try Celebrity and not in a suite! It worked with the time frame we were planning since I had originally booked a flight.

 

We are fully aware of what we're doing and I'm sure it will be fine. We will miss YC perks of course, but happy to try a new to us product.  I'm also planning to upgrade drinks, so we aren't caught up in the 'does it fit our package" stuff, which I find annoying. May also try the Move up that I've seen.

We just finished an amazing cruise on the Celebrity Equinox so I have no doubt you'll enjoy yourself! 

 

Based on our experience in the Retreat, we determined there's no reason to pay for the Retreat on Celebrity since the standard experience is so great already. 

 

We do have one more Retreat sailing coming up in November on an Edge-class ship (Apex) since the last one was on an older ship (Equinox) to see if that justifies paying for the Retreat but I suspect in the future we will either do Aqua (Blu was great) or just a standard room.