MSC Seascape Yacht Club

[jobinseattle]

I booked our first cruise on the MSC Seascape in the Yacht Club and wanted to share what I got off the booking confirmation. Would like to hear from others who would like to share their experience in the MSC Seascape Yacht Club.

 

Your Experience Yacht Club PRIVILEGES

• Dedicated priority check-in and check-out as well as priority departure and return on excursion days

• 24-hour butler service and dedicated concierge

• Room Service available 24 hours

• Premium Extra Drinks package included for use in all areas of the ship including the mini bar in your suite

• Browse Internet package (2 devices Unlimited Internet Package)

• Complimentary access to the Thermal Area in the MSC Aurea Spa

• Relaxation amenities in each suite (including bathrobe, and slippers)

• Pillow menu

• Other personal touches: luggage packing/unpacking service, newspaper directly so  delivered in cabin on request

• MSC for Me wristband (where available)

 EXCLUSIVITY

• Dedicated, private area of the ship accessible only to MSC Yacht Club guests

• Lavishly fitted suites offering outstanding comfort located in the foredecks of the ship

• Panoramic Top Sail Lounge with bar, afternoon tea service, light bites available day and night and live entertainment in the evening

• A private and spacious pool deck with whirlpool baths and sunbathing area, an outdoor bar with the very best views

• Gourmet restaurant with a la carte dining for breakfast, lunch and dinner with free choice of dining time

• Tailor made experiences from shopping to excursions

[morpheusofthesea]

2 hours ago, jobinseattle said:

Would like to hear from others who would like to share their experience in the MSC Seascape Yacht Club

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 NOT a butler that escorts one to the END of any line but to the front like YC butlers.

 

#29 Option to book exclusive excursions

 

 

 

 

Edited July 23 by morpheusofthesea

[jobinseattle]

8 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

#29 Option to book exclusive excursions

Thank you, I do have a question about this. I use a walker to get around with and our last  cruise we took a couple of excursions and I found it to be a pain as there was so many people on the bus and they were very considerate as it seemed like I could hardly walk at times and they left seating in the front of the bus as they could see I was having a difficult time. I am open to excursions but don't want to go through that kind of experience again.

 

8 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

 

 

 

Edited July 23 by jobinseattle

[morpheusofthesea]

It all depends on the service and amount of attention. Many prefer no attention. Outside the confines of the Yacht Club a butler can be indispensable. For example, getting off the ship at ports. One can just wait in the Top Sail Lounge for a group escort on the elevator with other YC guests, held back with inconsiderate stragglers, coughers , and sneezers to the separate unadvertised YC gangway. Or one can make an appointment with ones personal butler to the unadvertised YC gangway without the necessary holdups in an empty elevator.

One may also make one's own reservations at a Specialty Restaurant. Here is what happened to another YC couple that attempted this. They were seated at Butcher's Cut. Now the staff on board are tired of dealing (overwrought and agitated) with the 'crowd' in steerage booking in the same venues. This YC couple were seated next to a family with unruly, loud children and asked to be moved to a different table. The manager refused their request. A perk of the YC is "prime seating" at specialty restaurants. A complimentary escort by one's butler would have distinguished them as VIPs and gotten them the better service they deserved.

So as for tipping. How much would you appreciate if you had provided the same service ??

[morpheusofthesea]

4 minutes ago, jobinseattle said:

I could hardly walk at times and they left seating in the front of the bus as they could see I was having a difficult time. I am open to excursions but don't want to go through that kind of experience again.

Please see my post #51 under title here. OBSERVATIONS FROM POOP DECK SEASCAPE where I photo all the EXCLUSIVE YACHT CLUB TOURS available that you will benefit from.

[morpheusofthesea]

11 minutes ago, jobinseattle said:

so many people on the bus and they were very considerate

You were very lucky that cruise. But this is what to look out for YC has its own buffet. Main Marketplace Buffet opens at 6 am. Went and filmed at 7am with waiters standing around waiting to take drink orders. No crowds and unsanitary practices until 7:30 am. Buffet is best at noon port days. Lowest prices in the cruise industry have attracted lowest class cruisers as well. Had a Maitre d' on MSC Explora 1 in Fil Rouge. He came from Celebrity. He was maitre 'd at Blu and Eden. He was so good that Celebrity asked him to open their two newest ships at the time, Edge then Beyond. He became disenchanted with the clientele so he took a position with MSC Seashore as Specialty Restaurant Manager. It turned out to be worse that he broke his contract after 2 months dealing with lowlife. He stated he would never work on any mega ship again. This is management, can one imagine how the rest of the service staff feel? Would only travel in Yacht Clubs on MSC.

[morpheusofthesea]

Last three cruise on Seascape April ,June and July in Yacht Club were the best cruises we have had in 50 years of cruising.

[no1talks]

8 hours ago, jobinseattle said:

Lavishly fitted suites offering outstanding comfort located in the foredecks of the ship

 

"Lavishly fitted" is doing some heavy lifting in that bullet point.

 

The rooms are quite nice, but I would not use any form of the word "lavish" as a descriptor.

[morpheusofthesea]

8 hours ago, jobinseattle said:

Lavishly fitted suites offering outstanding comfort located in the foredecks of the ship

I concur with @no1talks. But you being a seasoned cruiser know not to believe some flowery language.  We were in the same frame of mind for 50 years of cruising. Now in the twilight of our years we no longer find the destinations of any interest. Have discovered that there exists a charm, a beauty that exists from afar. They use words describing ports of call as idyllic, nestled, exotic, and when you get to that dump of a place you know why it's one and done. Upon closer examination one finds disappointment around every corner. The tour guides, taxi drivers, the people, would all trade places with you in an instant. Now our focus is ship, cabin, food, and treatment on board. Covid woke us up to our impending fates. Might as well "live rich than die rich" Dr. Samuel Johnson P.S. At one of these "exotic" places I made the mistake of purchasing spices. When I got home the spices were moving inside the bottle. Can't recommend the YC exclusive tour enough. They just have to be a better experience. The Yacht Club of Seascape was rated #1 for the preceding 4 months of the entire fleet. Understand that their rating fell this past month to number 4 and the YC staff lost their bonuses all due ,100%, to complaints on emailed surveys of 3's & 6's on the regular tour excursions. The prior YC Director had a way of schmoozing distraught YC guests that complained of these steerage type tours by bribing them with bottles of Champagne and boxes of Venchi chocolates and letters of apology, and they in return gave the tours a 10 or not used. Unfortunately the new YC Director is not as finessed.

[DaKahuna]

 It is my understanding that the YC Restaurant is open for lunch of days the ship is in port with the exception of Ocean Cay where it is open for breakfast and dinner but closed for Lunch.  Is this correct? 

 

[JustAPilot]

Maybe the dedicated elevator perk works for the US market but I found it did not work for our Mediterranean sailing. Coming back from port, every elevator got mobbed by everyone that could fit in regardless if it said Yacht Club or not. We actually just started going up a flight of stairs to another floor just so we can call the elevator and be on it without everyone else joining.

[LEWAN6]

Referring to bullet point in opening comment of thread - Premium Extra Drinks package included for use in all areas of the ship including the mini bar in your suite - would past YC cruisers know if that includes beverages from Venchi 1878 Chocolate Bar (milkshake, coffee, etc.) as part of YC privileges? And, similarly, a dish of gelato? Thank you.

[morpheusofthesea]

2 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

 It is my understanding that the YC Restaurant is open for lunch of days the ship is in port with the exception of Ocean Cay where it is open for breakfast and dinner but closed for Lunch.  Is this correct? 

 

Yes, this is our only complaint that there is no longer any Specialty Restaurant open on Ocean Cay  Day for lunch as well. It is too hot in the summer to eat at Ocean House as there are only 3 tables inside under air conditioning.

  The YC buffet is open on the One Pool deck but it also is too hot as well. Leaving room service or pizza delivery to cabin.

Edited July 31 by morpheusofthesea

[morpheusofthesea]

1 hour ago, JustAPilot said:

Maybe the dedicated elevator perk works for the US market but I found it did not work for our Mediterranean sailing. Coming back from port, every elevator got mobbed by everyone that could fit in regardless if it said Yacht Club or not. We actually just started going up a flight of stairs to another floor just so we can call the elevator and be on it without everyone else joining.

That happens in the Caribbean as well. It is because the elevator is on deck 4 the lowest and everyone piles in because it is going only in one direction....UP. They do not care what floor up, just that it is going up.

[morpheusofthesea]

12 minutes ago, LEWAN6 said:

Referring to bullet point in opening comment of thread - Premium Extra Drinks package included for use in all areas of the ship including the mini bar in your suite - would past YC cruisers know if that includes beverages from Venchi 1878 Chocolate Bar (milkshake, coffee, etc.) as part of YC privileges? And, similarly, a dish of gelato? Thank you.

No. Venchi is a franchise. Go to MSC page, ON BOARD, DRINK PACKAGES, scroll down to TERMS & CONDITIONS..".The following exclusions apply; tobacco, souvenir glasses, ice cream menu, retail items, minibar, room service, promotions, and signature venues, including Venchi 1878 establishments, Lavazza Coffee Shops, Jean Philippe Chocolate, Coffee, Crepes & Gelato, regardless of beverage price." 

Edited July 31 by morpheusofthesea

[DaKahuna]

3 hours ago, LEWAN6 said:

would past YC cruisers know if that includes beverages from Venchi 1878 Chocolate Bar (milkshake, coffee, etc.)

 

No the beverage package does not work there.  

 

[DaKahuna]

3 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

The YC buffet is open on the One Pool deck but it also is too hot as well. Leaving room service or pizza delivery to cabin.

 

 Thank you.  We'll be doing a B2B the end of September and both cruises stop there .. figured we would plan on staying onboard at least one of the times.  I do love lobster rolls though and assume they might not be available at The One Pool so may have to go ashore just for those. 

 

[MonsterJoe]

1 hour ago, DaKahuna said:

 

 Thank you.  We'll be doing a B2B the end of September and both cruises stop there .. figured we would plan on staying onboard at least one of the times.  I do love lobster rolls though and assume they might not be available at The One Pool so may have to go ashore just for those. 

 

Funny about the Lobster Rolls..

I am a native New Englander...still...I only eat one lobster roll a year on average.  I've been jonesing for my one this year, but figured I'll just wait and get it on OC.  Maybe three or four.

I have to say, given my natural bias - regardless of their inclusion in my fare, they are pretty darn good on the island (and the french fries, also)





 

...and some of the other food from OC, since I've got google photos open...

 

Edited July 31 by MonsterJoe

[lilalila]

5 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

No. Venchi is a franchise. Go to MSC page, ON BOARD, DRINK PACKAGES, scroll down to TERMS & CONDITIONS..".The following exclusions apply; tobacco, souvenir glasses, ice cream menu, retail items, minibar, room service, promotions, and signature venues, including Venchi 1878 establishments, Lavazza Coffee Shops, Jean Philippe Chocolate, Coffee, Crepes & Gelato, regardless of beverage price." 

I was on the Seashore February 2024 and my experience at Venchi 1878 must have been a one-off. There was liquor on display; I asked for a rum and coke and I wasn't charged (I had the Premium Extra package).

[Two Wheels Only]

8 hours ago, LEWAN6 said:

would past YC cruisers know if that includes beverages from Venchi 1878 Chocolate Bar (milkshake, coffee, etc.) as part of YC privileges? And, similarly, a dish of gelato? Thank you.

 

Those things USED TO be included for Yacht Club guests but that stopped years ago. 

[DaKahuna]

Here's one I have not been able to find the answer to by search here on CC. 

Can I get a cappuccino made with almond milk in the YC?  Both my DW and I prefer the flavor of almond milk over regular or soy milk. 

 

 

[Best Cat Mom]

6 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

Can I get a cappuccino made with almond milk in the YC?

As long as almond milk is somewhere on the ship, I'd say yes. Or, if not, use amaretto. 😁

[Essiesmom]

There will be almond milk in the buffet at breakfast.  EM

[DaKahuna]

4 hours ago, Best Cat Mom said:

As long as almond milk is somewhere on the ship, I'd say yes. Or, if not, use amaretto. 😁

 

 Now while that would work for me, I am not sure how my DW would feel about it.

 Then again who says she has to know.  I'll just not tell her. 

 

59 minutes ago, Essiesmom said:

There will be almond milk in the buffet at breakfast.  EM

 

 Thank  you.  I think I saw that in one of your picture reviews.  Hopefully we will not have to resort to going to the buffet for a cappuccino make with Almond Milk. 

 

[MonsterJoe]

10 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

 

 Now while that would work for me, I am not sure how my DW would feel about it.

 Then again who says she has to know.  I'll just not tell her. 

 

 

 Thank  you.  I think I saw that in one of your picture reviews.  Hopefully we will not have to resort to going to the buffet for a cappuccino make with Almond Milk. 

 

You might make it easy for them by bringing some with you for them to hold on to.  If you ask the butler, they will likely grab you a carton for your minifridge - you might just be able to leave that with the bar or bring some with you to it.

I will ask next week.