AVACTION

is the extra money worth it to book a yacht club suite on msc

I compare it to flying First/Business class as opposed to Economy/Coach. You're on the same vessel, arrive at the same time & place but in a lot more comfort and more perks. If it's within your budget, go for it.

Thanks for the review, Tapi. We will be sailing on her in October, and staying in the YC.

 

Can you give me an idea of how late the bars are open/how late the live music goes? What time did the ship typically "go to bed?" Also, any experience in late night food, i.e. pizza, etc.

 

Thank you!

The Top Sail Lounge bar closes at 2am. Don't know about other bars/lounges as the YC free drinks are limited to YC area. I believe that is going to change later this year to throughout the ship.

MSC comes in last place in all categories.

WOW!! Harsh.:eek:

Thanks for your excellent review. You obviously went to a lot of trouble.

Very balanced review.

Personally I am put off sailing on Divina because of the perceived "Americanisation" of the experience. We were booked on a Trans-Atlantic re-positioning cruise on Divina but I cancelled it in favour of one out of Dubai.

The reason for this was the number of negative reviews from Americans and I did not want to be stuck on a cruise ship surrounded by negativity and faux American food etc.. I like visiting the U.S., having done so five times and if I want U.S. culture & food that is where I will go, not on an international cruise. In fact travelling around the U.S. (keeping away from chain restaurants etc.) there is amazing cultural and culinary diversity within your country.

I think your review will inform people what to expect from MSC on Divina i.e. more relaxed and European but not as European as their other ships.

are you sure it's $28 per 33cl?

 

33cl = 330ml (0.6 pints , over half a pint)

You are right. It's 33 ml Not cl. Probably wishful thinking on my part!!

Well yes, this will be happening soon. But I am talking about once that new is implemented (YC passengers being able to drink what they can for free in the YC throughout the ship.) What I am asking is if you want drinks that are not available in the YC, can you just pay the difference to upgrade to the all you can drink everything package?

I wouldn't think so. We just paid for the 'premium' drinks if we wanted them. No discounts. Even with drink vouchers you cannot pay the difference you have to pay the whole cost of the premium drink.

That being said, MSC are not a rip-off when it comes to drink prices. A LOT cheaper than Sydney Hotels, and certainly a lot cheaper than western Europe!! For instance in my local bar a Johnnie Walker Blue Label is $28 for a 33cl shot.

It worked!! Just browsing through the MSC website and found a cruise out of Dubai on 31/3/18 to Yokohama. 29 days/28 nights.

Both the Royal Suites were available, so I booked one straight away and paid the non-refundable deposit.

Now all I have to do is tell my wife that I just committed us to spending $23,000 on a cruise!! If you don't hear from me again, don't send flowers to my funeral, make a charitable donation in my name :eek:

I like your style :). Good luck!

This post is a bit "tongue in cheek" In our experience the MSC YC product is excellent. I am just frustrated that the prices are going up and there is no availability of Royal Suites due to their popularity.

Even at the increased prices we will still book but on some cruises the Royal Suite is now almost double the price of a deluxe suite.

I blame Cruise Critic!! :eek:

Would somebody PLEASE put a negative review out about the MSC YC!!

We have sailed two time in MSC YC (our only ever cruises) and have such a GREAT time can't wait to do it again in March and again and again.

The only problem I have is that I cannot find, for the life of me, the Royal Suite available on any cruise, they are always SOLD OUT.

So please, everybody, start posting negative reviews of YC so it is not so popular and I can get the cabin of my choice!! :cool::cool::confused:

My favourite place in the shade on the One Pool deck is sitting at the bar enjoying my choice of free drinks!! Then stagger to the showers on the port side for a refreshing cold shower, then back to the shade for more therapy from the bartender.

I am looking at finished deck plans and I dont see any private facility for the Yacht club! If this is true I am afraid it would be a deal breaker for us as we LOVE the top Sail lounge and spend most of our time there. Does anyone have any information on this? I am asking specifically about a private pool deck area.

Thanks in advance!

Looking at the video on https://www.msccruises.com.au/en-au/Cruise-Ships/MSC-Seaside.aspx there appears to be a private area with a pool, whirlpools, cabanas, loungers and bar at the front of the ship where the One Pool area is on Fantasia class MSC ships.

We have only cruised once before, on RCI Radiance of the Seas, to Alaska, which is notoriously casual. We only had very casual clothes with us, wore jeans to the dining room even on formal nights and were not out of place, with only a handful of other guests dressing formally.

 

Now we are doing a Mediterranean cruise on MSC Poesia next May. I am trying to pack very light (we have two weeks of travel across Europe before the cruise and I don't want a lot of luggage to lug around) so debating whether to take formal clothing or not.

 

There are 4 of us - myself, my husband, daughter (9yrs) and son (7yrs). I can take simple black dress which rolls up and doesn't take much room, with a simple sandal which is light and easy to pack other clothes round and not take up much space. What should I pack for my husband? Son and daughter?

 

Any ideas gratefully received.

Lou :)

The "Little Black Dress" is always good. Pack or wear a blazer & dress shirt (tie if possible) for hubbie and you are all set.

Just back from cruise on MSC Fantasia 17th Dec. Visit to Sir Bani Yas was awesome. Tours can only be booked via the cruise line. We took the Jeep Safari Tour which took us around the island's wildlife habitats - we saw giraffes, gazelles, lynx, peacocks, and cheetahs. It was great to get so close to all these animals and the scenery was breathtaking. Tenders take passengers ashore (everything well organised) and the tenders go back and forth at regular intervals. Food is served on the island at no charge and if you have the all inclusive drinks package then this can be used on the island. The whole day is meticulously arranged and the crew certainly work hard setting up the barbecue stations, the bars and all other amenities.

 

I would certainly recommend the tour but others may prefer some of the alternative tours on offer. Whatever you opt for I feel sure you will have a memorable day on Sir Bani Yas Island.

 

Suzanne

After reading this post I got onto the MSC website straight away and booked this excursion. We are on the re-positioning cruise from Dubai to Genoa in March. What was your overall opinion of the ship & cruise you were on?

Thanks! Do you happen to know what the up charge for premium liquor is by the glass? Package?

From past experience, you pay the full cost of the 'premium' drink. MSC does not over charge for drinks and the cost is quite reasonable. I too enjoy the occasional tipple of Makers Mark. On our last cruise we became very friendly with the bar staff in the Top Sail Lounge (and tipped them) as a result when we ordered 'premium' drinks the pours were VERY generous ........ Rusty Nail (Drambuie & Whisky) was HUGE!!

I was told by the Australian office that you could only use the web check in after the due date for the balance payable and if you have paid in full. Which in our case will be 25th December 2016 for a cruise departing 25th March 2017.

My experience in the YC on formal nights is somewhat different. We have sailed there three times and I haven't seen much difference in what men wear there compared to the rest of the ship. There were only a couple of tuxes, many suits and ties, some with suits and/sport jackets with open collared shirts and one or two men with jeans.

Yes, as I said, probably a more casual attitude on U.S. based cruises. Maybe the Divina should get it's own forum as it seems to differ from the other MSC ships???????:confused:

There are still "bargains" to be found on MSC, you just have to be flexible with dates. Being in Australia we tend to look for longer cruises (i.e. repositioning) on MSC in YC, as it is at least a 13 hour flight for us to the Middle East, or over 20 hours to Europe, so a 7 day cruise just does not cut it.

I am always checking the "specials" from MSC and have picked up cruises in YC for around AU$170 pp per night (US$120) which I think is very good value given the quality of the product.

True the Royal Suite prices have gone up dramatically but I think that is a question of supply and demand, the YC now a a great reputation and there are only 2 Royal Suites. I have been trying to book one for 2018 and am have trouble finding a vacant RS even this far out ...... I blame Cruise Critic for informing too many people of just how good MSC YC is!!!!!!

:p:p:p

Hey

 

Just wondering if anyone can advise what the dress code is like in the Yacht Club on MSC

 

Does it follow the suggested dress code of the rest of the ship or does it have a separate dress code?

 

Also, is the dress code on MSC still 'suggested'

 

Thanks

The dress code follows the rest of the ship, however on Formal Nights the people in YC tend to dress more formally (i.e. tux for men). I felt a bit underdressed the on our first cruise in YC so the next one I took evening wear with me. However this was on European and TA cruises, I suspect that on Divina out of Miami it may be more relaxed. I think evening wear is more of a European thing?? Even so, it's nice to dressed up for these occasions.

See this thread:- http://boards.cruisecritic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=2430722

:cool:

The dress code is stated by MSC as being "Advisory" and is definitely not compulsory, so if you don't want to participate you don't have to. However most people make some effort even if it is only smart casual. In Europe you would be turned away from the MDR if you tried entering in a T-shirt and shorts but other than that anything will be accepted.

 

Personally I always go for the full dinner suit, just because that is the brutish thing to do, (as someone says in an earlier post its the British that wear formal dress on these occasions )

 

Pete

A very BRUTISH thing to wear a suit???????? Yes I suppose we British had to be brutish at times (i.e. The British Empire), but surely not on "Formal Night"?

Hi all,

 

We have never sailed with MSC before, and we would like to know how formal dress is on Christmas Eve / Christmas Day? Do many men wear black tie? I guess ladies just dress up so not a bother but I'm just wondering if I should pack my hubbies suit. Thank all and merry christmas.

Evening Wear (black tie) for men on these special nights would be appropriate IMHO. Being Scottish NYE or Hogmanay is an important event for me!

Try the Roll Call thread for Splendida ........

First Formal Night

Second Formal Night

We had been on an MSC cruise previously and felt a bit under dressed on formal night, so on this cruise we went all out. Most men in YC had tuxedos ( the minority in lounge suits), and the ladies all looked spectacular in cocktail dresses and other wear.

Elsewhere on the ship it seemed only the ladies made a big deal of it.

Unlike the USA where sales tax is applied at the cash register (not displayed on the "shelf price") prices to consumers on display in Europe always include VAT. The VAT rate differs between countries and type of product.

4,000 average sized Americans will bring that water line down no worries.

Gotta be an Aussie!!

This is only available on MSC Divina, correct? Is it ONLY for U.S cruises?