1st Time MSC Cruiser on the Seashore - Is YC worth the extra cost on a bid?

[GeorgiaMomof4]

14 minutes ago, TheBeardedCruiser said:

I'm going to provide the counter point: 

 

You currently have a balcony cabin. I assume that something about that cabin intrigued you, or you wouldn't have booked it. Moving to an inside cabin in the YC might be a disappointment. Sure, you will gain the semi-secluded pool, restaurant, and lounge, but you will not have a truly private balcony to enjoy!

 

Truth in advertising...I say this as someone that has never sailed in the YC, and likely never will. I enjoy being in the normal cabins. I see plenty of civilized people in the common areas on every cruise. The normal areas of the ship are not a clown show or something, like some of the posters above would lead you to believe.

 

Whatever you decide, I hope that your vacation is fabulous!

Thank you!  I'm still on the fence as what to do.  I'll come back and let everyone know!

 

[Mezqal]

5 hours ago, MsTabbyKats said:

Not true....after YC we did Carnival & Princess.  We had a great time on both.  I have another Carnival booked for November.

.....

My reply on OP was a catchphrase, it is always a question of personal pov.

 

We started cruisin' back in 2018 with MSC with a upgrade free of charge granted from the cruise company - since then we only go with MSC and only in YC with a single exception. Because of that exception we commited to book only YC if it comes to book another cruise with MSC.

 

So i do not have any expirience with other cruiselines, but as it comes on MSC i'm pretty sure what choice i'd make.

 

In the end it's a question of ones preferences and everyone have to deal with it on their own. 😉

[dexddd]

I'd probably go for it at that price but note the YIN bathroom is very small and shower is literally coffin size.

[MsTabbyKats]

2 hours ago, dexddd said:

I'd probably go for it at that price but note the YIN bathroom is very small and shower is literally coffin size.

We had no problem with the shower size, but we're both small.  The only issue is storage space...very limited.  DH and I take one carry on each...not even fully packed...and there was barely enuf room for everything.  But, for the price....totally worth it.  

[mica178]

When are you traveling? If August, a balcony would be of limited use, between the heat and daily rain. I'd go with the YC inside cabin. 

[chrisgp999]

On 7/23/2024 at 5:10 PM, morpheusofthesea said:

If you have to ask, you are already a lost cause. Searching for greater and greater indulgences and gratifications in the Yacht Club, never seeking the mundane again.  It will only be the contrast with steerage and venturing out of the YC that might maintain the enjoyment longer, never boring.  DW has leveled similar admonitions at me, although not as eloquently.  She is more willing to venture into the den-pop area; especially when hearing the calls from the boutiques, gift shops and table-top costume jewelry sales.

P.S. I recall one Spring Break our personal butler queried as to why we would ever want to venture out of the Yacht Club confines. He said if we must it would be better if we had him escort us. I didn't know why until we did ventured out. It was a real freak show.

 

[morpheusofthesea]

   It will only be the contrast with steerage and venturing out of the YC that might maintain the enjoyment longer, never boring.

   "We are so constituted that we can gain intense pleasure only from the contrast, and only very little from the condition itself."

Sigmund Freud

   This has been why we all used to enjoy the Yacht Club so much. The contrast with those in steerage. Allowing the same behaviors in the YC defeats the illusion.

  "Illusions commend themselves to us because they save us pain and allow us to enjoy pleasure instead. We must therefore accept it without complaint when they sometimes collide with a bit of reality against which they are dashed to pieces."

Sigmund Freud

  Too much reality in the YC is a bad thing.

Edited July 25 by morpheusofthesea

[GeorgiaMomof4]

On 7/25/2024 at 10:52 AM, mica178 said:

When are you traveling? If August, a balcony would be of limited use, between the heat and daily rain. I'd go with the YC inside cabin. 

Yes, we are sailing on August 11.  I was wondering the same - it may be too hot to enjoy the balcony very much depending on how much air you get.  Thanks!

 

[KarenGretz]

On 7/24/2024 at 8:49 PM, TheBeardedCruiser said:

I'm going to provide the counter point: 

 

You currently have a balcony cabin. I assume that something about that cabin intrigued you, or you wouldn't have booked it. Moving to an inside cabin in the YC might be a disappointment. Sure, you will gain the semi-secluded pool, restaurant, and lounge, but you will not have a truly private balcony to enjoy!

 

Truth in advertising...I say this as someone that has never sailed in the YC, and likely never will. I enjoy being in the normal cabins. I see plenty of civilized people in the common areas on every cruise. The normal areas of the ship are not a clown show or something, like some of the posters above would lead you to believe.

 

Whatever you decide, I hope that your vacation is fabulous!

While never guaranteed, more often than not (from what boards and social media shows me) these YC bids, even on interior) are upgraded to a YC Balcony, especially new to MSC cruisers. I think it's apart of MSC's marketing strategy..... 

To the OP, DO IT!!

[luckyinpa]

i only sail in non suites on princess ships (mini suites arent true suites). theres really no value in those suites except a larger cabin. theres no butler , free wifi, free fridge filled daily, free drinks throughout the ship, private suite deck with pool bfast and lunch buffet nor a private restaurant. THATS what you are getting in YC and it's  worth it. plus YC, especially if you can deal with interior, is the price of other ships normal balcony cabins. just price icon of the seas or some other new ships. it's crazy.

 

my 1st trip was in YC in may and theres zero chance id ever go non YC. id rather not go on MSC at all.  the deluxe balcony does not compare to every other suite ive been in on other ships, but for the dirt cheap price you are getting an insanely fanastic value compared to pricing of those other suites PLUS paying for all the perks. so ive slummed it in a balcony cabin.  its only 500 more for my next trip to do the 2 story cabin but it's not in YC proper and i do so love being  on deck 16 on Mera next to the lounge. location location location!

[GeorgiaMomof4]

Thank you all so much for your replies!

 

I did it!  Put my offer in on a YC Interior and it was accepted by the next morning.  Looks like they also upgraded us to a balcony like some of you have said they do at times.  We sail in a little over a week and I'm getting very excited!

 

Any tips, must do's or must not do's for a first time YC and MSC person?

 

 

[luckyinpa]

7 hours ago, GeorgiaMomof4 said:

Thank you all so much for your replies!

 

I did it!  Put my offer in on a YC Interior and it was accepted by the next morning.  Looks like they also upgraded us to a balcony like some of you have said they do at times.  We sail in a little over a week and I'm getting very excited!

 

Any tips, must do's or must not do's for a first time YC and MSC person?

 

 

 

congrats. im unsure how big the extended balcony was that you booked but the deluxe balcony in YC wasnt big.  but the service you get is so worth it so i dont care

 

if you want daily snacks in the room, ask. we didnt ask and only got them 2 or 3 times. so be sure you say what you want so they know.

 

you will get  a menu to choose a free bottle of booze. we just brought it home

 

be specific what you want your fridge filled with every day so they arent guessing. (maybe even write up a list)

 

im not a newspaper person but it was nice to pick one to read to see how the other half lives

 

1st sea day will be captains reception where they will bring in an act from one of the shows to do a bit for you

 

tea was the last sea day for us. we never did it before. you should try it once.

 

as much as i like the restaurant, the pool deck buffet for bfast and lunch was very good. i had all but 1st day lunch there ( the burger wasnt that great in the restaurant) and i really preferred the buffet for lunch. breakfast had great stuff too and they will bring it to your table on the deck once it's cooked. def try it at least once.

 

we dont need escorted to shows but one night we decided to do one of the pay ones last minute. we booked with the concierge and they had the butler walk us to the show . it's a bit silly but it shows how much they really want to help you.

 

make sure you find out where the YC tent is at your port. we werent clear where it was and it delayed us unnecessarily. but  you just drop your luggage there vs the normal place. then theres a separate waiting area outside the port where you may wait till a few YC people at there then you are walked in and go thru security to the private lounge area where you get your keys and wristbands

 

from 6 am to 2 am there is a schedule of snacks in the lounge, make sure you eat enough snacks!  matter of fact if you are carrying too many, a butler that isnt even yours may pick up a tray and carry them back to your room. thats what happened to us. they really do all want to help you. never had that in Haven on NCL. the butlers just seem more personable here.

 

around 1 or 2 pm on the pool deck they should bring some ice cream around to where you are sitting

 

when standing in line at a port of call, a butler may pull you out of line and take you to the front and bypass everyone. if you are hot and tired im sure u could go to the front of the line yourself but id find that a bit awkward.

[lahlah57]

On 7/27/2024 at 5:49 AM, luckyinpa said:

i only sail in non suites on princess ships (mini suites arent true suites). theres really no value in those suites except a larger cabin. theres no butler , free wifi, free fridge filled daily, free drinks throughout the ship, private suite deck with pool bfast and lunch buffet nor a private restaurant. THATS what you are getting in YC and it's  worth it. plus YC, especially if you can deal with interior, is the price of other ships normal balcony cabins. just price icon of the seas or some other new ships. it's crazy.

 

my 1st trip was in YC in may and theres zero chance id ever go non YC. id rather not go on MSC at all.  the deluxe balcony does not compare to every other suite ive been in on other ships, but for the dirt cheap price you are getting an insanely fanastic value compared to pricing of those other suites PLUS paying for all the perks. so ive slummed it in a balcony cabin.  its only 500 more for my next trip to do the 2 story cabin but it's not in YC proper and i do so love being  on deck 16 on Mera next to the lounge. location location location!

Love the princess mini suites with the exception of the shower curtain which makes my skin crawl!!!😬

By the time we add the premium package with all included we are comparative to MSC YC. We are new to YC so hoping that the separation from steerage gives us a better experience than Princess! It's difficult dealing with the masses especially when it comes to "them" eating all the bacon at the breakfast buffet! 🥺

[Haljo1935]

15 hours ago, GeorgiaMomof4 said:

Thank you all so much for your replies!

 

I did it!  Put my offer in on a YC Interior and it was accepted by the next morning.  Looks like they also upgraded us to a balcony like some of you have said they do at times.  We sail in a little over a week and I'm getting very excited!

 

Any tips, must do's or must not do's for a first time YC and MSC person?

 

 

Congrats!

Safe travels- enjoy your cruise! ⛴️🍾

[GeorgiaMomof4]

13 hours ago, luckyinpa said:

 

congrats. im unsure how big the extended balcony was that you booked but the deluxe balcony in YC wasnt big.  but the service you get is so worth it so i dont care

 

if you want daily snacks in the room, ask. we didnt ask and only got them 2 or 3 times. so be sure you say what you want so they know.

 

you will get  a menu to choose a free bottle of booze. we just brought it home

 

be specific what you want your fridge filled with every day so they arent guessing. (maybe even write up a list)

 

im not a newspaper person but it was nice to pick one to read to see how the other half lives

 

1st sea day will be captains reception where they will bring in an act from one of the shows to do a bit for you

 

tea was the last sea day for us. we never did it before. you should try it once.

 

as much as i like the restaurant, the pool deck buffet for bfast and lunch was very good. i had all but 1st day lunch there ( the burger wasnt that great in the restaurant) and i really preferred the buffet for lunch. breakfast had great stuff too and they will bring it to your table on the deck once it's cooked. def try it at least once.

 

we dont need escorted to shows but one night we decided to do one of the pay ones last minute. we booked with the concierge and they had the butler walk us to the show . it's a bit silly but it shows how much they really want to help you.

 

make sure you find out where the YC tent is at your port. we werent clear where it was and it delayed us unnecessarily. but  you just drop your luggage there vs the normal place. then theres a separate waiting area outside the port where you may wait till a few YC people at there then you are walked in and go thru security to the private lounge area where you get your keys and wristbands

 

from 6 am to 2 am there is a schedule of snacks in the lounge, make sure you eat enough snacks!  matter of fact if you are carrying too many, a butler that isnt even yours may pick up a tray and carry them back to your room. thats what happened to us. they really do all want to help you. never had that in Haven on NCL. the butlers just seem more personable here.

 

around 1 or 2 pm on the pool deck they should bring some ice cream around to where you are sitting

 

when standing in line at a port of call, a butler may pull you out of line and take you to the front and bypass everyone. if you are hot and tired im sure u could go to the front of the line yourself but id find that a bit awkward.

Thank you!  What are the paid shows?  I’ve only cruised Carnival before so this is all new to me! 

[Essiesmom]

1 hour ago, GeorgiaMomof4 said:

Thank you!  What are the paid shows?  I’ve only cruised Carnival before so this is all new to me! 

I think I mentioned before, there are NOT any paid shows on Seashore.  EM

[MonsterJoe]

Yes...but...

 

We prefer to sail YC...it is an amazing experience.

 

However...we sail outside YC (aurea) when we travel with family who don't want that spend and we also have an amazing time...it's just different.

 

Nobody is going to tell you an YIC is not worth it at that price...and they're right..but that doesn't meant you won't enjoy a cruise any other way....speaking from experience. 

 

[Mezqal]

Only on Meraviglia - Class Ships there are shows you have to pay a small amount of money for the Cocktail they offer. It's somewhat 15 $/€. These shows are at carousel lounge in the very aft of these ships and formerly performed by cirque du Soleil at sea - before the pandemic. Nowadays  the shows are mostly mediocre compared to CDS shows in the past.

 

 

[luckyinpa]

17 hours ago, GeorgiaMomof4 said:

Thank you!  What are the paid shows?  I’ve only cruised Carnival before so this is all new to me! 

https://www.msccruisesusa.com/on-board/entertainment/shows/carousel-production-at-sea

 

ive heard these are now free for YC per people on this forum.  they are a nice diversion if you are looking for something to do. small theater stage in the round. cant comment on the free included drink as i just had dinner and was too full to try it.  but there were 2 or 3 choices as you entered.

[adlindstrom1]

I cannot say in comparison to non-yacht club if the extra expense is worth it.  I have only sailed on MSC as non YC.  My cruise in NOV. will be my first YC cruise.  But when I compared the cost to the other cruise lines, in terms of what I am getting for the money (drinks, wi-fi, priority embarkation/disembarkation, etc), it's less expensive than the other cruise lines.

[luckyinpa]

5 minutes ago, adlindstrom1 said:

I cannot say in comparison to non-yacht club if the extra expense is worth it.  I have only sailed on MSC as non YC.  My cruise in NOV. will be my first YC cruise.  But when I compared the cost to the other cruise lines, in terms of what I am getting for the money (drinks, wi-fi, priority embarkation/disembarkation, etc), it's less expensive than the other cruise lines.

 

very true . i did a booking with royal and saw the cost is 1700 for a balcony, then im sure drinks are at least 500. internet maybe 100 or so. so you arent that far from YC balcony. but for the extra green you get the YC restaurant and all those other perks which is so worth it

 

[Two Wheels Only]

^^

Calling that a "balcony" is a stretch....

 

 

[adlindstrom1]

@luckyinpa  Thats $1700 p/p with no benefit and not an ocean view balcony.  I looked at a 4 night from port Canaveral on other cruise lines.  RC was $3300.  That's more than I am paying for YC 

[MyriamS]

I have to say, some of the replies to this thread are extremely funny. One would think 90% of MSC ships are wretched hives of scum and villainy, with only the YC as a safe haven. But fear not, your butler is there to escort you out should you wish to look at the "freak show" (=ordinary people having an ordinary holiday).

 

At least to me that would not convince me to sail YC. Quite the opposite in fact.

Edited August 7 by MyriamS

[Mezqal]

it's about one likes it.... For my dw and me it is the relaxed quiet & descent atmosphere in YC.

 

If you like it with action and crowds, it is ok also. depends on pov 😉