Just off Seashore (2/25/24, 4 nighter) - Review

[RC Dancers]

Our butler on our last Yacht Club trip said that most of the people were in the Yacht Club on upgrades and did not book it originally. It could be that MSC is just trying to adjust the experience to what people paid for it.

[psmarkle]

1 hour ago, RC Dancers said:

Our butler on our last Yacht Club trip said that most of the people were in the Yacht Club on upgrades and did not book it originally. It could be that MSC is just trying to adjust the experience to what people paid for it.

I agree with what you are saying as about a month ago I dummy booked our cruise on the Divina and there were 15 YC cabins available! Now, just 3. I figured it's all about the upgrades.

 

For our upcoming Western Caribbean cruise, DW and I are only getting off the ship at Cozumel and Ocean Cay. We plan to enjoy the YC pool deck and thermal spa access to its fullest this cruise!

 

I do miss the seafood/lobster grille at the pool, I truly enjoyed that. But it's still the YC...unbeatable for price/service, IMO,O!

Edited March 3 by psmarkle

[brucevr6]

@RC DancersIf that’s truly what MSC is doing “ adjusting the experience level to reflect what people paid “, it’s surely a poor business model and I would doubt that the company would do that. Cut backs for overall cost cutting maybe. One reason for allowing upgrades is to give people a taste of the heightened experience hoping to attract a new customer to that experience. If they don’t see a big difference in the level of service or the environment in general, they probably won’t consider booking YC for future cruises. To assume that most people who upgrade are “ cheaping out “ rather than just testing the waters is a bad assumption, imho. 

[morpheusofthesea]

3 hours ago, RC Dancers said:

It could be that MSC is just trying to adjust the experience to what people paid for it.

We got the same impression, but in a different way. In chatting with the head butler and head concierge, they let it be known that they were aghast that a recent upgrade bid on a Royal Suite was gotten for $5000 total. It sometimes takes years to get these Yacht Club staff positions and for the powers that be selling these cabins and their services for too low a price has a negative affect on their psyche.

[momofmab]

On 2/29/2024 at 12:02 PM, Morgsmom said:

I try to find weeks that I think are not going to be crowded – nope!  The ship was 100% full and boy could you feel it.

 

We try to do this too, now that we aren't bound to the school vacation weeks anymore.  Nonetheless, I was shocked by the full ship (outside of YC) and number of kids for a week that school in the U.S. was in session (this was on Seascape).

 

My impression after cruising MSC was that there will likely never be a week where the ships are not full - based on the cheap pricing (especially outside of YC) and the fact that even the ships that originate from the U.S. seem to attract a large European audience, and their holidays and school vacations differ from the U.S.

 

Because of this, MSC's "Sea" ships are too big & crowded for us (even though we were in YC, we still like to utilize other areas of the ship).  If we ever try MSC again, it would be on one of their smaller ships).

 

 

[cruisebeachgirl703]

19 hours ago, brucevr6 said:

@RC DancersIf that’s truly what MSC is doing “ adjusting the experience level to reflect what people paid “, it’s surely a poor business model and I would doubt that the company would do that. Cut backs for overall cost cutting maybe. One reason for allowing upgrades is to give people a taste of the heightened experience hoping to attract a new customer to that experience. If they don’t see a big difference in the level of service or the environment in general, they probably won’t consider booking YC for future cruises. To assume that most people who upgrade are “ cheaping out “ rather than just testing the waters is a bad assumption, imho. 

Sometimes YC is sold out and an upgrade is a pleasant surprise if it comes through.

[cruisebeachgirl703]

22 hours ago, RC Dancers said:

Our butler on our last Yacht Club trip said that most of the people were in the Yacht Club on upgrades and did not book it originally. It could be that MSC is just trying to adjust the experience to what people paid for it.

Can you ship and date?

[Morgsmom]

21 hours ago, brucevr6 said:

@RC DancersIf that’s truly what MSC is doing “ adjusting the experience level to reflect what people paid “, it’s surely a poor business model and I would doubt that the company would do that. Cut backs for overall cost cutting maybe. One reason for allowing upgrades is to give people a taste of the heightened experience hoping to attract a new customer to that experience. If they don’t see a big difference in the level of service or the environment in general, they probably won’t consider booking YC for future cruises. To assume that most people who upgrade are “ cheaping out “ rather than just testing the waters is a bad assumption, imho. 

I say with a wee bit of jest : "have you even followed the MSC business model?"  That's exactly what they are doing.  

 

So, let's imagine at YC at 70% capacity with every cabin paying $5k.  

Or 100% capacity but 30% of the cabins are at $2.5K ($1500 base fare + $1000 upgrade). 

 

Cruise lines (and Hotels) look at average revenue per cabin.  In the latter case the average guest is contributing far less so, in their mind, are entitled to less overall services.  Despite the fact that overall revenue is higher, the average is lower.

 

They can also use the large percentage of upgraders to test the waters on REMOVING services these guests never knew existed - the pringles/ seafood buffet/etc.  AND STILL get the data to see if they've done just enough to get them to book again in YC.  

 

At this point and two equally disappointing YC experiences in a row we are discussing cancelling an upcoming Euribia trip.  Not in the mood for more cutbacks. 🤷‍♀️

 

[no1talks]

2 hours ago, Morgsmom said:

"Not in the mood for more cutbacks."

 

Indeed, who would be?

 

Unfortunately, the alternatives are to pay more for YC-or-better cruise amenities elsewhere or just save your money and cruise with fewer refinements. 🤔

[Cruzan Sparky]

4 hours ago, Morgsmom said:

At this point and two equally disappointing YC experiences in a row we are discussing cancelling an upcoming Euribia trip.  Not in the mood for more cutbacks. 🤷‍♀️

 

My wife and I have a back to back on Euriba in September.  (Norway)  We are hoping the experience is better than we had on the Seashore.  We like that style of ship better so at least there is that.

[cruisebeachgirl703]

"Cruise lines (and Hotels) look at average revenue per cabin.  In the latter case the average guest is contributing far less so, in their mind, are entitled to less overall services.  Despite the fact that overall revenue is higher, the average is lower."

 

Do you think this happens on sailing to sailing or fleetwide?

[morpheusofthesea]

On 3/3/2024 at 11:12 AM, morpheusofthesea said:

  On 3/3/2024 at 8:00 AM, RC Dancers said:

It could be that MSC is just trying to adjust the experience to what people paid for it.

From our experience 'one hand does not know what the other hand is doing'. MSC corporate does at times send 'big wigs' to test the waters on their ships, but these are not undercover operations. Much of the on board experience is left to the department heads and staff on board. They know who and how much each cabin was gotten for. The staff have spent years trying to get into the Yacht Club and to have it 'overrun' by those they have worked so hard to get away from is discouraging, demoralizing, depressing, disappointing and down heartening.

[DrProfessor]

We were on this same sailing in an interior YC (originally booked that way) - 2/25-2/29.  While we didn't have everything the first night, we DID eventually get the Pringles, mixed nuts and Toblerone bar in our cabin along with a bottle of wine.  We had Venci (sp?) chocolates each night and a couple of other surprise treats in the cabin at times.

 

We used the TS lounge bar and they never had a problem coming up with the drink we asked for, although, we are admittedly not that sophisticated (peach on the beach (my favorite), mojito, wine to take to dinner, etc.).

 

I completely agree with the YC boarding process - that was uncomfortable - and we waited in line for the parking to open at 11am (that was very strange in our PC experiences).

 

We didn't think the ship felt all that crowded, but this was our first MSC cruise coming from exclusively Royal ships, which, to us, can feel very crowded. We usually avoid the buffet at all costs just because of too many inconsiderate people. We always ate in the YC restaurant and loved it.

 

Just another perspective - realizing that since it was our first MSC experience ever, we did not have the OPs frame of reference.  Even so, we seem to have had a few extras that the OP did not get on the same exact sailing and room type.

[awatt]

@Morgsmom  Am booking a shuttle from MCO to the port and wondering which time to choose. Were no vehicles allowed into the port before 11? Or was it the parking garage? Dont want to sit in traffic in shuttle van if I dont have to.

[Morgsmom]

7 hours ago, awatt said:

@Morgsmom  Am booking a shuttle from MCO to the port and wondering which time to choose. Were no vehicles allowed into the port before 11? Or was it the parking garage? Dont want to sit in traffic in shuttle van if I dont have to.

Shuttles are completely allowed. People were dropped off as early as 9 but the terminal didn’t open until 10:35

[Momto3girlsintheCarolinas]

On 3/2/2024 at 11:24 AM, mnocket said:

 It's almost like business majors are being taught that the proper way to manage a business is to raise prices and reduce product and service quality/costs.  Maybe I'm just an old foggy.  Younger people seem unaffected by this trend. 

 

FWIW:  Many colleges now require an interpersonal psychology class to teach students how to act professionally.  The younger folks need specific instruction on polite, appropriate behavior.  The class is required for nearly all majors.  Since I teach the class, it's job security.

[Essiesmom]

8 minutes ago, Momto3girlsintheCarolinas said:

 

FWIW:  Many colleges now require an interpersonal psychology class to teach students how to act professionally.  The younger folks need specific instruction on polite, appropriate behavior.  The class is required for nearly all majors.  Since I teach the class, it's job security.

I hope it includes how to dress appropriately…

[JAGR]

On 3/2/2024 at 2:07 PM, cruisebeachgirl703 said:

Do you know your butler ahead of time? Please let us know how things as the week goes. Also, current YC director.

Hugh Grant is the YC director. Like Robbie Sheriff, he is a Scotsman (he did come to MSC about a year before Robbie). Nice enough, but unlike Robbie, he does work behind the scenes. Did not see him out talking with the guests just darting through the YC public areas like a man on a mission. That was fine by me.

 

To your first question, I have known and been friends with Onil for years on the unmentionable "Visage Novel," so I knew his current ship and what floor and side of the ship he was on.

[JAGR]

On 2/29/2024 at 12:53 PM, Morgsmom said:

Oh, for the itinerary, our time at Ocean Cay was cut short due to a diesel engine issue.  Not the first time for this vessel.  So we lost the overnight and ½ day portion and made our way directly to Nassau.  For that we were each given $50 in OBC which I cashed out at the casino.  (Thank you cruise critic for the helpful suggestion).

 

What else to say… we went to Butcher’s Cut for our Diamond Club meal. – it was delicious as always.  We were surprised that they removed Teppanyaki as an option.  The first of the “removals” to be encountered, but not the last.

 

Back in YC I asked on day 2 about the room snacks – according to the head Concierge they had received word from “HR” that there would be no more starting this sailing.  I did not inquire as to whether this impacted only certain sailings of so many days or not because I was too busy crying to myself (just kidding) about that precious Toberlone bar.  Now before y’all say “just to to the sundries store and buy some.”  That’s not the point.  The point is they keep removing things.  No more Voyager’s Club trinket.  There was no Diamond “party”, just a general Voyager’s Club.  No Captain’s meeting in Top Sail.  NO welcome prosecco in cabin.

 

I completely understand that there’s an economic impact to each of these and that there is some bean counter rubbing their little fingers together overseas, but at some point they have to stop taking things away especially with loyal guests who know what it used to be like pre-pandemic when MSC was doing everything it could to get into the US market.

 

A happy surprise was the “Cocktail Bar” (yes, that’s the name) on 8 aft near the specialty dining restaurants.  It is open limited hours but boy can they make a drink.  This was about as 100% degrees difference than the craziness in the Uptown Lounge when karaoke was going on.  That had the feel of a frat party with 20 somethings drinking their faces off on the lowest beverage package drinks.   No, thank you, I’ll just mosey on out.    

 

It's just interesting to see the evolution from what was once an unknown line to one that is broadening their reach so much with many people taking their first ever cruise due to really low prices.   

Hi, Morgsmom:  To follow-up from last week,  I was on a seven-night on the Meravgilia, and service in YC was not as negative as yours.  My bottle of booze, selected pillows, confirmation of newspaper choice, requested distilled water and extension cord were in my room at embarkation. Prosecco bottle and strawberries on day two. Had snacks in the room every afternoon.  Also, they had a diamond party and returning guests party.

 

Like you, no Toberlone bar and no gift (I have enough MSC tote bags, thanks!). Got diamond chocolate bar on day five, and the small chocolates gift box from the YC director on the last night.  I have to say the snacks in the Top Sail were great (lots of variety, and changed out every day!).

[nattie]

56 minutes ago, JAGR said:

Hi, Morgsmom:  To follow-up from last week,  I was on a seven-night on the Meravgilia, and service in YC was not as negative as yours.  My bottle of booze, selected pillows, confirmation of newspaper choice, requested distilled water and extension cord were in my room at embarkation. Prosecco bottle and strawberries on day two. Had snacks in the room every afternoon.  Also, they had a diamond party and returning guests party.

 

Like you, no Toberlone bar and no gift (I have enough MSC tote bags, thanks!). Got diamond chocolate bar on day five, and the small chocolates gift box from the YC director on the last night.  I have to say the snacks in the Top Sail were great (lots of variety, and changed out every day!).

A bit of a side quest sorry, but how do I go about requesting the extension cord and distilled water for CPAP on MSC?

[cellfree]

@Morgsmom does each yacht club cabin still choose a bottle of tequila, vodka, etc.? Do you happen to have a wine list, hoping they have stocked up on “good” wine?

[JAGR]

35 minutes ago, nattie said:

A bit of a side quest sorry, but how do I go about requesting the extension cord and distilled water for CPAP on MSC?

Special needs form is available on line.  They will usually respond with, "we cannot guarantee that we will be able to meet your request," but I've always gotten them, at least in YC.

[nattie]

15 minutes ago, JAGR said:

Special needs form is available on line.  They will usually respond with, "we cannot guarantee that we will be able to meet your request," but I've always gotten them, at least in YC.

Thank you!

[Morgsmom]

2 hours ago, cellfree said:

@Morgsmom does each yacht club cabin still choose a bottle of tequila, vodka, etc.? Do you happen to have a wine list, hoping they have stocked up on “good” wine?

Yes on the bottle of liquor. No on a wine list and keep 

in mind that even if a wine is listed, it may be mysteriously “unavailable” 

[Fishwife2016]

On 3/11/2024 at 11:16 AM, cellfree said:

@Morgsmom does each yacht club cabin still choose a bottle of tequila, vodka, etc.? Do you happen to have a wine list, hoping they have stocked up on “good” wine?

Wait, YC gets a bottle of liquor?  I don't remember reading that.  Or I have and it didn't register.