mnpurple

Sounds like a wonderful cruise! Is there an extra chair or two in the room? We are booked in a YCI on the Euribia (not even sailing yet, but same class ship) in March and I was curious if there would be room. Our daughters had an inside last year on Seaview, but I barely got to see it. I'll have to ask them too, but it's finals week!

Maybe disappointing, but we have been on two cruises in the last year in YC and didn't go to a speciality restaurant for either one. We enjoyed the YC restaurant a lot. And, like others have mentioned, you can put in a request for something special if you'd really like (with some notice). I wouldn't let that get you down too much. Enjoy what YC has to offer.

We were required to purchase insurance after the re-start and here is where the policy was through. I am not sure if it was MSC though or my travel agent, but maybe you can contact them because I was told they were the insurers when people purchased through MSC. Maybe they can look it up for you.

My husband did a behind the scenes tour on Divina in Feb. They weren't allowed to go in the engine room or on the Bridge, although I think if the shipped is docked they will allow something. It was on a sea day. He booked at the YC concierge, but I assume it is something that is considered an excursion, so booked through the excursion desk. He thought it was very interesting and informative. One take-away I found interesting for people who are critical of the entertainment is that they rotate entertainers frequently and a new dancer could be joining the shows the same day. They are provided the music/choreography and required to learn on their own, which I imagine can be very difficult. They also have to do all of their own costumes and spend a certain amount of time in the fitness center each day - all of this after the show times in the evenin.

Enjoying your review. You and your DH look incredibly relaxed and happy!

We were on Seaview last May and it was wonderful! We didn't book any excursions through the ship. If you look on the port of call board, you can find a lot of information on things to do. We did a few on our own and a few I booked privately. I'm not sure what your stops are, so not sure what to comment on. I also can't comment on World Europa, but will say that our cruise was very port intensive, so we really didn't have a ton of time on the ship.

As someone who recently sailed an MSC itinerary including Columbia, Panama and Costa Rica, the immigration was the hold up, not MSC. The lines were terribly long, so they had to hold people on the ship because of it. MSC could communicate better with passengers boarding after these itineraries, but I suppose it is hard to know if immigration will always be a problem. I have had similar waits on two cruises with NCL at different terminals.

@morpheusofthesea It worked for a frozen drink and wasn't a red solo cup at least, so we were able to enjoy the pool and meeting new people with a nice beverage (and no broken glass).

The pool attendant on the Divina took drink orders and brought us drinks in the pool. They were served in plastic glasses though.

They must taste better on the ship. We just opened a can from our cruise just a few weeks ago and my husband and I don't think they are very good. There are so many other good things, maybe you won't miss it if they don't have them 😉

When we boarded Divina on 1/27 they had them in the lounge before we boarded. We grabbed a few cans. We also had a can in our room, but they didn't have the Pringles, which I know might be disappointing to some.

What ship will you be on? Our family preferred YC over Haven. Besides what was mentioned above, there is far more space in the pool and lounge areas. You can also have drinks delivered to your room, which is nice at times. Depending on ship/area of ship, you can have priority elevator service. I will say that the priority boarding at ports by MSC was not great on our last cruise in the Caribbean. Lines for security weren't terrible, but we have been escorted to the front with NCL and with MSC in the Med, they had separate entries.

@styles27 I see how disappointing this experience was for you. I have to wonder if a lot of the problems were also the itinerary for this particular cruise. We had three sea days and on the cruise I was on, Ocean Cay was cancelled, which lead to a fourth (3 in a row). That is a lot of time for people to be "cooped" up on a ship together. I would believe that is way too much and I really felt for the staff having the added day with all passengers on-board. Not only were there a lot of sea days, but it was rough seas and the outdoor pools were closed at times. I was in YC, but paying a lot of attention to people when I wasn't in the "bubble" because it was after you reported your experience and we wanted to explore what the ship had to offer. I noticed the pool decks being extremely crowded, but never saw anyone behaving badly. On the contrary, when we attended activities on the main pool deck, someone offered to share his table. After he left, we shared with some others. There were kids "being kids" playing nearby. So maybe if they could add more loungers or enforce the "chair hogs" it would help. MSC also was doing maintenance on the hot tubs and had several closed at a time during our cruise. Probably not ideal timing to do this on a capacity 10-day sailing. We went to a number of shows and the only probably was people coming in late. We were in a few of the clubs, including the jazz club which was generally full, but a few spots to sit. The staff there was great and walking around taking orders. I hesitate to post on many topics because we sailed in the YC and people want to perceive us as snobs. Our first YC cruise, we did stay mostly in the bubble, but it was port heavy and we were tired. This cruise we did the opposite. Next cruise, we will be in a YC interior, which is not too much more than some balcony choices outside.

Like you said, YOU are not a doctor. You are not qualified to make any judgements, but are probably the reason many people won't go to the doctor for fear of being judged, even if they have something life threatening going on. I opened the original post, shook my head and rolled my eyes and moved along. I'm surprised by the responses and although I agree with many points, no one here knows anything about other peoples life experiences, etc. Who doesn't "live" a little and do things they might not normally do on vacation? I think there is enough said and the OP has probably gotten the point. If not, they will likely go elsewhere and some people can go back to living their "perfect" vice-free lives.

Yes there is. I say plan for the worst and hope for the best. Our experience (cruise ports in Jamaica/Columbia/Panama) was terrible. The facial scanners were not working and it took hours to get through immigration. Those with non-US passports were in a longer line. There was a woman collapsed on the floor that was taken away by an ambulance. Pack your patience, water and wear comfortable shoes if you have any of the ports that I listed as part of your itinerary.

@ddlb Let us know if you can book YC with it.

We just did a 10 night cruise and had no contact prior to the cruise (same with a 7 night last year). If they do contact you, I wouldn't expect preferences to be communicated and just plan to talk to your butler.

My family was in Haven, 2 BR family cabin, twice. Then we tried YC on Seaview in the Med and were more or less blown away. The outdoor space and meal options don't compare. Free Wi-fi (2 devices/pp) and drinks, yes please! Free use of the thermal spa, sign me up! My husband and I just finished another YC cruise on Divina in the Caribbean. It was wonderful, although we did prefer Seaview. We just booked another YC for spring 2024 in the Med. We booked an interior because we feel there is plenty of outdoor YC space that we will still enjoy it tremendously.

I believe things have changed since I booked mine and used the discount. I was able to pay to upgrade to YC and I also got the Voyageur credit. @smokeykat Yes, only Florida and specific ships.

There are more MSC offers on My Vegas now. We got finished a cruise today that I used a 30% voucher for.

I will apologize to the OP about my answer to another question in this thread about YC, especially after I read back that you don't have interest in YC. However, I don't feel my comments are "arrogant or haughty" and my timing was off. I have learned that life is all about choices, what i chose is based off my experiences. I don't need to explain why to people here. You may decide to buy a brand new car more often or wear nice jewelry or whatever your expenses you CHOSE. Not my choices. I cut back in some areas and splurge in others. While something want to believe differently, most people who spend more on a particular cruise are pretty normal people getting away from the stresses and difficulties of life, pure and simple.

@Justmekaren918 I am in YC on Divina now. I haven't disembarked in Miami, but was on Seaview out of Naples and when we disembarked, the butler brought us to an area with YC luggage and then to the exit if the port. You can not have meals from the restaurant brought to the cabin or Topsail (unless you're not well. They brought me oatmeal one morning). There is a room service menu and some continental breakfast items-we get croissants. There are also light items in the Topsail lounge and a breakfast/lunch buffet at the One Pool. You can also order pizza, which is amazing! Oh, drinks can also be ordered to the cabin. We are currently floating with Ocean Cay in view, and have tried approaching twice. The weather is not cooperating! It has been a very bumpy cruise this week. Fingers crossed we'll make it at some point.

I see no reason someone who is staying in the YC shouldn't be able to invite a guest to their room. Yes, the other areas are "off-limits", but in your private area, a guest should (and probably is) allowed for a visit. It doesn't affect anyone else or your experience as a YC guest. A few years ago when we were in the Haven, a few times, younger guest got into the pool area and it was quite obvious they weren't Haven guests. Our family appreciated when they were escorted out. As long as the neighboring cabins are quiet, I don't care what goes on in their room.

I just want to mention that I read your review and I keep watching people around the ship and feel like a lot of your disappointment from the cruise was a bad mix of passengers. So far this week most of the crowd on Divina has seemed polite. We are not going to the MDR, so can't comment on that. We went to the buffet on the first day and it was busy, but not unlike other buffets. I'm also not a buffet person, so don't plan to go there much. A few of the staff I've spoken with are on new contracts, some have been longer. I will say that this itinerary - same as yours I believe and having so many sea days has got to be difficult for the crew. All of the pools were closed due to rough seas yesterday and I imagine that has to put more demand on all of the staff. I'm just saying this because I think so much is dependent on the mix of people, not trying to diminish any of your experiences.

We're on the Divina now in YC. I recommend it. One example of a benefit is that we had a sea day yesterday and it was very windy and rough. All of the pools were closed and the loungers were full and decks packed outside the YC. Inside YC the pool was open (even though wavy) and I had it alone. There was no worrying about getting a lounger. It was relaxing. Also, after we were back from port the other evening around 5, we practically had the pool deck to ourselves and really enjoyed the hot tub. Even if you upgraded to YC Interior, there is so much space to enjoy.