At Sea At Peace

We've adjusted our booking methods based on CC member comments, suggestions and recommendations. We do select the cruise line, ship and itinerary with dates, book or hold a reservation and send to a select few TA's for 'what can you do?' quotes. Recently, for MSC, we've enjoyed $1,500-$2,000 OBC or 'actual discounted pricing' (which was a first for us). With MSC requiring only $398 to book a reservation and keep for months, booking ahead for us is a no-brainer. Also, transferring reservation to a TA (that is offering almost 10% OBC or other) within the 30-day MSC transfer OK window is now SOP for us too.

Agreed. We'll wat for EJ for awhile. Not a fan of departure port one-ways with a fly home pre or post to add on (not just dollars but the hassle). Like the idea of smaller port itineraries for EJ (ship size versus sea ships) though. MSC sea ships, last in line at the major ports that had existing agreements and contracts with the other major lines, are stuck in the rut of the classic Eastern and Western itineraries of 'same ole' ports (that's why we go for the ship). BTW, our end of November beginning of December 2025 B2B World, not even net of TA OBC, is now significantly less than mock booking yesterday and just under $4K PP per week for the Royal stateroom. Not really too much more than a regular YC Deluxe.

Another point in the analysis screenshot is missing. The second leg of the Explora B2B ends in Bridgetown, Barbados where we had to add flights back to Miami or FLL.

It's in the website of MSC in a couple of places, Terms of Benefits of Voyagers Club, etc. Here is a screenshot on the website. Also, we took the advice of others in MSC thread about using TA's. We like to do all of our own research, date and transportation planning, etc. to pick the cruise. After we have a reservation confirmation we went to a referral TA from a Yacht Club member and asked 'what can you do if we transfer the reservation to you? We got $750 per week in optional discount or OBC.

It surprised (shocked) us also. We didn't keep all of the 'mock ups' at the time so we just took another look to see the differences. We quoted the World America Royal Suite Yacht Club on a B2B end of November early December 2025 and also two (2) PH levels B2B* on Explora at the lowest special price offered. We were able to 'transfer' the World America reservation to a TA recently to pick up another $750 per cruise ($1,500) discount or OBC at our choice. The Explora 2nd leg is two days longer, so we adjusted the quote 7/9ths. Check my math, only one coffee so far. 🧐

Well said and a real factor for us that I forget to mention. It's not irrational, it is limiting the exposure of larger, closer crowds in smaller, more compact venues. Seriously, excellent and relevant point. BTW, we were like that pre-pandemic. We've got two B2Bs on Seascape booked and one B2B on World America in Yacht Club sandwiched around a 26N Celebrity Ascent FLL-Rome 15N then Rome, Greek Isles and Turkey 11N - in a Prime Aqua Class stateroom. Why? To dine at BLU; not for the menu alone, but also for the comparative exposure to less people as above (although in BLU it is tight).

Also, never even got a hint of such in 8 or so B2Bs. We've met some of the nicest people of all of our cruises socializing in the TS lounge pre or post dining. MSC YC probably not for you.

Seriously, never even got a hint of such in 8 or so B2Bs. MSC YC probably not for you.

We did. 😉 We find land based restaurants also using the same very deep bottom seating on such back wall seating. Also some who do not and use very short and upright alternatives. The same as buying furniture recently. The sectionals and couch models are 90% deep bottom pillow. At 5'8" our legs have to stick out at the calves versus being able to touch the floor. Have to specifically select and order short depth models where we can sit, without several pillows behind us, and touch the floor. 😊

Or simply do not open the water venue during rough seas and lower the water level.

Yep, yet another great variable. We've got end of 2024 through end of 2025 cruises reserved and booked with such minimal deposits. Good point.

Real fun isn't it. 😜 We're all learning. 🧐

BartonX, just a note of caution with the 14-day cruise window and counting open staterooms (that we learned when told of this counting unbooked staterooms malaise). It's weird. 1. The 14-day cruise window will show a different count (possibly for each stateroom category) due to split reservations from those with 7-day cruise windows! 😲 2. For example, looking at the 7-day cruise window starting 12/6/2024, it shows ~ OT1 7104, 7106, 7107, 7109 AND 7111 unbooked. That's 5 versus none. ~ OT2 shows 24 on Deck 7 and 31 on Deck 8 (55 unbooked for 7D Leg 1 vs 48 for 14D), ~ etc. other stateroom classes. 3. For example, looking at the 7-day cruise window starting 12/13/2024, it shows ~ OT1 7110, 6022, 6041 AND 6049 unbooked. That's 4 versus none. ~ OT2 shows 28 on Deck 7 and 32 on Deck 8 (60 unbooked for 7D Leg 1 vs 48 for 14D), ~ etc. other stateroom classes.

World America looks very intriguing - outside the Yacht Club - which some view as drawbacks on the Seaside and Meraviglia Class ships. It looks like there will be quite a bit to explore on the ship, which is important to us as, like all lines new ships, they're too big to go anywhere other than the 'same ole same ole ports. So we booked a B2B for end of November 2025 into December (give her some time to get everything ironed out). By then, it will be our 13th B2B in the Yacht Club. Lucky 13, we booked a Royal Suite. We were looking at Explora Journeys for that same period and, with the recent comments about the issues when the ship is more than half-empty, flipped over to take a look at World America. Seriously, our Royal Suite is $2,000 less than Explora PH entry Penthouse (and the EJ quote didn't include fees in the quote), then with a transfer to a TA (first time based on CC member recommendations) another $1,000+ in OBC! A no brainer. On the calendar. Will keep up with all of you ahead of us.

Well, thanks for the honest updates. Doesn't bode well for our initial 2025 end of year plans. Just changed 2 planned Explora Journeys in PH Penthouse B2B in late November early December 2025 for a B2B on MSC World America in a Royal Suite in the Yacht Club. FYI, it was even $2,000 less and the EJ quote didn't include 'fees!" Will let the dust settle with EJ and see how the reports go. We noted the capacity was up quite a bit. Any thoughts or comments on whether such is primarily 'all paying cruisers' or are there still noticeable numbers of TA's and influencers? Thank you.

No offense intended, but that statement is a real head scratcher. It's quite a leap from using your high end customer data base with enticements to try your new product to the implicating 'ends' that such would somehow disembowel the MSC cruise line and that the Yacht Club (a secret many of us held close 🤐 for so long (for some others no so much 😔 ) that is growing in not only repeat popularity but winning many cross-overs from competing brands. In the past couple of decades, with technology (internet, social media and even almost cost-free email digital campaigns) our purchase and consumption history is not only recorded and used by our vendors (and intermediaries, i.e., Amazon for example) but also sold by medium intermediaries of the search engine or social media source - - to push so many of their other products. It's just seems so common sense, something that they missed and underestimated at the outset, and should definitely work into the current marketing plan to help move away from 50% empty ships, discounted prices (versus pre Explora I) as they double their capacity with Explora II. JIMO 🧐

First, I don't consider 18-19 year olds either 'teens' or 'at need for much help for activity decisions and socialization.' Not many generations ago 18 year old males were jumping in to register to go to war overseas. A week on a new billion dollar cruise ship doesn't seem to be such a comparable dilemma. Currently, most that age are planning on heading to college. S will be fine. Let him go. Second, did you consider letting the S 'bring a friend?' Seriously, with a friend (and likely free under the promotions), 'you' will have the boredom problems and he and his friend will be 'out of sight.' Take care. Raised 3 sons and never 'planned' much for them after 15 or so. All meant in good spirit.

Again, we share good points. My original point was they should have (and still should) 'tap' their most loyal MSC Yacht Club data base of almost a million passengers with a Loyalty Credit Program for Yacht Club sailings (adjustments for stateroom classes). Despite their desire for Explora Journeys to be "the Ocean State of Mind" and compete with the best other luxury brands with generations of new, younger cruisers, they should stick with 'what worked' at MSC in the Yacht Club and 1. provide the best club-within-a-club sea ship for, by far, 2. the best value. You're also right about not knowing the actual price, in a couple of perspectives. Some TA's are being offered 18% (others 8%) and the TA can OBC 'their most loyal customers.' How about giving MSC Diamond members that self-book 'the same deal?' Second, how about a website where you can actually see the available staterooms by category and price? Yikes. They can't do it!

Lots of good recommendations for planning extra pre-cruise flights (also a good idea for those who'd like the same post-cruise). Before wintering 9 months here, coming from New England, we'd do extra days pre and post. However, we'd also keep an eye on the weather several days ahead "on both ends of the flights." If there was any risks developing, we'd change our flights to earlier to avoid the following ~ ~ weather related issues in departing parts of the country (like the Northeast in the winter) and port receiving areas in South Florida (during 'the season') cause massive, chain reaction-like flight nightmares for airports, travelers, their luggage, flight crews, planes, connections, etc.

True. Most companies also hate to be operating at 50% revenue capacity with a considerable sub-population of TAs and Influencers on the cheap or free. We'll see.

Forgot to thank you for the information as it adds to the discussion re: solo cruisers. We did not know that the % was that high and the believe the industry should adjust to increase solo-purposed cabins on new builds and refurbishments.

Good points. Considering the data just posted re: % of solo passengers, it would appear that the cruise lines (not just Celebrity, so many issues with Celebrity are issues with many sea ship cruise lines) should make more ship accommodations for solo travelers on new builds (more smaller solo-purposed cabins) and on refurbishments (eliminating existing cabin areas and replacing with smaller solo-purposed cabins).

FYI, the above post was along the lines of 'such royal treatment.' 😉 TMK, I am unaware that it is generally considered incumbent on the guests to initiate ones' reception of hospitality leaders' personal service protocols and find the odds of missing a B2B guest every night quite low. It was not a disappointment at all, as others have espoused, the Head Waiter was so over-the-top in all regards he was preferred (in our reference, also at the 'such royal treatment' category) over the MD. 😀

Yep, for us also. Welcomed us with conversation upon arrival and seating, upon sparkling service, checked our meals in person for temperature (I order and eat only the protein and, if meat (favorite lamb - any) medium rare. Again after the meal and walk to the stairs to the TS lounge. Great hospitality skills and a a modest age. I recall a first name like 'deekshay' or something to that effect. Ended his contract on the last day of our B2B. Had no guaranteed assignment to return as Yacht Club Head Waiter (and One Pool Deck Head of Service) and preferred to get assignment on the Divina. If not offered a contract for the YCHW, said he would not considering returning for another position. A real talent, voiced such to Mustafa and the Captain in the TSL. Never was greeted by the MD, mostly the Host for seating (very bland) and never visited our table for the B2B. The MD was noticeably very, very good and close, however, to what appeared to be select tables. Must be from past relationships. In all of our 10 YC B2Bs we've never observed a MD with split qualities depending on the passengers.

Another CC member posted he is on until this contract ends in August. I do not know if that is correct or not. What we found impressive was that he not only was so visible (we're talking meeting him 4-5 times a day, everywhere) but he was both a solver (listened to the issue, or saw an issue, and acted) and a leader; he clearly motivated his departmental staff and, if applicable, addressed an underperforming crew staff immediately. Seriously, no beating around the bush. It was noted that a TS Lounge bartender appeared to be annoyed to pour drink orders (🤨) and the next day and to the end of the crew that bartender was sugar candy every day. Will definitely consider his whereabouts when booking. The head waiter (also One Deck food manager most days) from Mauritius, whose current contract expired at our cruise end, was another asset and promising gem that would end up heading the restaurant and someday possibly even a Yacht Club. Just 'has it.'