MsTabbyKats

@sidariI just had to laugh...."locks" was DH's road to success. Came here with no language, 2 suitcases...and a dream. However, he doesn't look like Burt Reynolds!

There is one factor relevant to me that I haven't mentioned in any post. I feel more comfortable with the concierge just steps away in case of emergency (remember DH is almost 90 and not getting younger). It's "crisis insurance" and worth the extra cost of YC interior for peace of mind. I'm waiting to hear from TA about the price. I told DH that if it comes in "under $XXX" we're going YC. Let's see if my TA gives me a really nice discount! Otherwise, I'll be with regular people on my regular balcony.

You're kids. I'm 75 and DH will be turning 90 in Sept. We were just like you before we tried YC...thought it was amazing, the best thing ever...had the best cruise of our lives. That was an interior. After that we were with regular people in regular cabins twice (NCL and CCL) and we enjoyed those too, especially the CCL cruise. I was DH's butler as needed (bad balance and uses a cane). The second YC cruise was a deluxe balcony. For us, because of personal likes and choices, it wasn't the same. Little things changed. Service was still excellent...and priority boarding was great. But, was a nice cabin worth the cost? (Money isn't an issue but value for money is a must). In addition, having a butler makes DH feel like a sick old man. Next MSC cruise will be in a balcony (I got one of those angled balconies)...so yes, there is a going back. IMHO, YC interior is the best value at sea....if you make use of the amenities. Unfortunately, we don't!

@morpheusoftheseaIt's also called "raining on your parade."

That's exactly what my husband said. And we have more tv channels at home!

I like port days, when everyone else if off the ship. We've been to them all, so we don't need excursions. Just, do a little shopping...and back to an empty ship. No food lines, no chair hogging. I don't like sea days. I gamble...so the cruise can be quite expensive. It's also generally too windy etc to sit outside comfortably (for me, anyway). Our last cruise had "2 sea days going and 3 coming back". No more...so many sea days...for me!

I called MSC twice. They confirmed...I can "move again"...within 90 days forward of current booking, to any cabin (YC or non-YC) with a fee. Of course, the fee may be the size of the deposit...and they can't tell me until I book! Just waiting to hear back from TA. If allowable, I'm gonna book "with the masses".

Did you book directly with MSC or a TA? I had an Oct cruise booked, moved it to Jan. Now Jan is out of the question.... I just sent TA an e-mail, asking to check. ETA I just called MSC...and she said I could move the date again...but with a fee. They can't tell me the fee until I book.

No....not refundable. You can transfer the booking, the date being 90 days past the original date. But once you pay a deposit for a yc cabin, it's gone.

This is what I plan to do for an April 2025 cruise if there's a memorial day sale. Not thrilled about losing a yc deposit....(Jan in yc...not for us, we like the pool deck). There's an angled balcony that I have my eye on!

IMHO...nothing tops the NCL buffet. MSC...strictly for the pizza (in and out of YC).

@Momto3girlsintheCarolinasAlthough entitled, we didn't go to the spa. And once you're out of the YC area...nobody knows what kind of cabin you're in, or cares. As far as non-Americans, there was a large group of Asians (from Asia). You can ask @JamieLogicalfor her reviews. She's said with "regular folks" a few times...and is very happy!

Don't worry, you won't be an outcast. We were in the YC last month (2nd time in YC), and truth be told, we spent most of our time "with the masses". YC "fine dining" just isn't for us, we don't drink and it was too windy for the private YC pool deck...our main source of food was buffet pizza. Also, in the theatre we prefer first row, so we didn't even sit in our "reserved YC seating" area. If I sail on MSC again...unless I get a super great deal...it's gonna be in a "regular folks" cabin.

Thanks....I just did that on a random cruise that they've offered me, and was able to see the available cabins. Now...I just have to patiently wait for a cruise I could actually take!

Thanks... As far as the bunk bed issue....DH is almost 90 and uses a cane because he has balance issues; I'm a very short and non-athletic 75. That, and a cabin with a high bathtub...maybe Carnival will have mercy!