MsTabbyKats

Yes....it's the same great service, cabin size/cost doesn't affect anything. I never should have waved those pompoms and let the secret out! Just a note: My husband didn't share my disappointment. His main complaint was "itinerary"....3 sea days in a row with "too cool and windy" for the YC pool deck was boring. That he couldn't get freshly grilled fish bothered me more than it did him.

@cellfreeIf I were to go in YC again, it would be in an interior cabin. Although the balcony deluxe was deluxe...the interior was adequate. We travel lite...so even the lack of storage space would be ok for us. This time the butler brought more snacks....maybe because we had more space and a table.

Another thought....the Brookly cruise terminal vs Manhattan. Getting off the ship was easy thanks to the butler....but there was chaos at "the uber waiting area"...I guess due to the drizzle. It would be awful in winter. Our wait for the car was about 10 minutes. Without the butler, the line to get off was loooooong.

@StockjockWe didn't eat at Hola (or any of the specialty restaurants). However, they had guacamole in the main buffet. Too bad I didn't have my camera ready....the look on my husband's face when he tasted it (remember....we live in Spanish Harlem...we know what guac is supposed to taste like) was hysterical. But not as funny as when he tasted the buffet hummus (we're Middle Eastern...we know our hummus)!

Entertainment: Our first MSC cruise was on the Divina in 2015. The entertainment was fabulous. Because of the international passengers....there were lots of singing/dancing shows. In addition...there was a famous Italian opera singer who gave an afternoon performance. This is no longer the case. Now it's "your run of the mill Americans"...so there are comedians and magicians...much less "musical productions". Again...personal preference, just not my preference. I used to say it was the best entertainment at sea...but they're catering to a different audience.

I'll write more later on...about food, about entertainment. We were on CCL a few months ago (in Jan) and my expectations were "not much". Turns out...that cruise was much better than expected. The entertainment was very much improved over prior CCL cruises and DH love the "steak and eggs" for brunch. I'm trying to find "one great thing" about this cruise. On the first YC sailing, I couldn't say enuf great things....perfect. This one was ok...but ok isn't good enuf for cheerleading! Presently we have the same itinerary booked for Jan 2025. My feeing right now (subject to change of course) is that I'll absorb the non-refundable deposit and do the same itineray I did on Carnival instead.

I am aware of this. The bottom line...we paid a lot for this cruise. We don't really care for YC dining room meals (our issue...other people love it). We don't drink (DH had one red wine a day and I had 3 wine spritzers for 11 days). We ended up eating most meals in the main buffet (again...our thing...due to our eating schedules and preferences). So, if I can't get what I really care about....is it worth paying so much for a beautiful cabin with a wonderful shower.....and great butler service? I don't think so...which is why I'm (probably) hanging up the pompoms.

Last April, I had the best cruise of my life....Merviglia YC! But, "You Can't Go Home Again". We just got off the ship this morning, YC again; I was expecting the 11 days to be spectacular. They were good, very good. We had a nice time. But, based on my prior YC experience, I set the bar too high. Somethings specific to YC, somethings for the entire ship....and somethings that probably only affected me. Last year it was an interior YC cabin; this year balcony deluxe. The cabin was wonderful, the service great. Our butler and asst butler did great jobs....down to escorting us off the ship! The disappointment starts with "no pizza delivery to pool deck". That was the highlight of my cruise last year....having customized pizza delivery. Now...it's only in your cabin. Last year, at the pool deck lunch buffet...raw fish was layed out....and then freshly grilled for you. Like the poolside pizza....probably not important at all for most people. Very important for us. I'll be back later with more comments....the laundry is calling right now

Thanks....

Is the "Uber waiting area" covered? Disembarking tomorrow....and the weatherman says it's gonna rain!

Shhh....we've been eating with the masses at the buffet. Fine dining isn't for us. I'll be writing my thoughts later this week.

I'm in the Mera yc right now. Maybe it's me...but disappointed with food, as compared to a year ago. No more customized pizza delivery to pool deck...no more freshly grilled fish at lunch buffet. I has pizza in the main buffet...and it just wasn't "the best pizza ever". I don't want to hijack this thread....will write my own thread when I get home.

Mine too.... Anyone care to give us "old folks" the details, or point us in the right direction

@Georgia_PeachesDH gets up all night long (transparency...so d I). We bring tea lights. They're battery operated....and about 2 dozen for less than $10 on Amazon or temu.

Just my 2 cents... We are currently on the Mera...2nd time in yacht club, third time on the ship. Anyway...yesterday was a port day and we missed our YC poolside buffet due to an excursion. We went to the main buffet.... besides the pizza we both had absolutely delicious quinoa and chicken. As far as quality of food....MSC is a great value. (Not to get into a debate...but the chicken/quinoa tasted much better than the YC dining room food...to both of us.)

I'm on the Meraviglia right now. The comedian was joking about all the kids on board last week, and what a zoo it was....1600 under 18!

You said you were in contact with your TA. If anyone should have "serviced you", it should have been the TA. That's what they're getting paid for.

They are giving you the fare back and a FCC credit of 50%...yes, only $250 but you paid only $500. Traveling is always riskly...things go wrong. That's what insurance if for. I don't know what else you expected MSC to do?

Yes. .... home of the famous Rao's. Some of the homes there still look like Italian villas with marble in the gardens. We used to go up there a lot.

That's gonna be my new motto!

Thanks for all the info. We'll stick to YC....and supplement with pizza! Never heard anyone complain about MSC pizza...

In general...our "not for tourists" Mexican restaurants have servers that don't speak English, don't serve tacos etc...and spice it up...generally about 116th Street. I won't say more....

Oy...I really don't like sushi... 😞 On the Mera...the restaurant is named Kaito Teppanyaki. If it's "no"...I'm just as happy with unlimited pizza for 11 days.

Thanks! See reply above....I can take the subway anywhere and in just minutes have authentic cuisine. However, I think we'll give Teppanyaki a try. I have never done one of those...might be an interesting experience (and I can always get pizza)!

LOL....I live, literally, on the bordenline of the Upper East Side and Spanish Harlem (NYC). Footsteps from my door I have authentic (nobody speaks English authentic) Puerto Rican, Mexican, Peruvian, Dominincan etc...restaurants. I don't even like going a few blocks south (to the Upper East Side) for these cuisines. I call them "Mexican etc food for tourists". The issue is I don't like "fine dining". I'm more of a pizza girl...so worst case scenario would be I order a "Taco Italian Syle"...hate it...then get my pizza.