missthesea

We tipped the just a few dollars to the initial porters at the YC tent, then a few more to the butler who took care of us during our wait and up to the ship. When we were handed off to the onship butlers, we did not tip - as we knew they were getting a part of our prepaid gratuities and we would tip extra to a few at the end of the cruise.

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Does anyone know if Yacht Club passengers have free access to the F1 racer or 3D cinema? We are taking our kids next time around. I purchased a $160 fun package for $100 - but maybe we don’t need it?

We just asked about adding the government employee discount to our cruise (already having the Voyagers discount). The agent told our TA the discounts couldn’t be combined. I’ve heard some people have had them combined. We may ask once more with a different agent. ;)

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We didn’t have our kids with us on our June cruise, but did go look at the club. We didn’t ask about the ratios, but thought it looked small and a little more chaotic than we’d like. We expect our 10 year olds will spend more time on the waterslides than in the kids’ club.

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There were dance lessons daily, including Latin. I don’t know about opportunities to dance, though. We aren’t dancers, but did notice the lack of live music in most of the venues. It seems they have invested heavily in their theater show talent - and much less in music and dance venues.

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Markf-

Here’s one from our trip. He’s on the left - younger than I thought he’d be..

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Quote(Do they play music at the YC pool? Sorry for all the questions - I have been teetering on whether to keep my Seaside booking but you sure do make it look like we should!! Thank you for all of your info! [emoji4])

I was wondering about the pool music too. No music at all now? When we went in June, they played spa type instrumental music near the YC pool. When a group brought in their own loud modern music, they turned off the spa music rather than asking them to turn off their private music. We didn’t mind, and aren’t the complaining type anyway - but I don’t think everyone liked it. It made me wish they had a balance of no music, spa music and perhaps an hour of a louder type in the afternoon - and there should def not be private music allowed to be played.

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We didn’t ever order pizza! We remembered at midnight the last night of the cruise that we’d meant to do that! I’ll be sure to try the chicken nuggets next time we cruise.

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We didn’t try the specialty restaurants, we were happy in the YC. Others told us they enjoyed them though.

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Hi. I think you’ll get better response if you post this in the area for Florida departures. For seeing the Seaside pull in, check out the Holiday Inn Port of Miami or Hotel Intercontinental (much nicer) near the Port - great views! Neither has a shuttle, but they are only 2 miles from the port with lots of cabd or Ubers available. Happy sailing!

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Yes. Thermal spa area is included with YC for the entire stay.

 

Arthur said he will be gone for two to three months. He did not commit to a return date.

 

The shade in the YC area is where the tables and chairs are (for eating). It would probably be awkward to move a lounger there. I will try to get some pics and do a scope tomorrow.

 

 

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There is one spot on the starboard side, forward, just around the corner from the hot tubs, that you can move a pair of loungers into the shade. We noticed the same couple got up early each day and claimed this spot. You can also pull a lounger up under the panels of glass far forward.

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Dining: We never made breakfast, lol. It was wonderful to sleep in, and with an inside cabin this was easy to do. For lunch, we tried both YC grill (we were in Yacht Club, but I’m commenting on the whole ship in this review) near the pool and also the buffet (Marketplace?) on Deck 8. Our first impression of the buffet was that it paled a bit compared to the buffet on our last cruise on the Celebrity Equinox. On the Equinox, the buffet was light and bright with steak cooked to order and lots and lots of variety. The Seaside buffet on Deck 8 had less variety. However, we found plenty to eat and thought the quality was very good! As other posters have mentioned, there were fast food type options of burgers (ok) and fries (not the best - weak and not enough salt). But walking all the way around, we found a small salad bar, pasta (lasagna with homemade noodles - yum), several dishes with beef, pork and rice, soups, polenta with sauce, sandwiches, sweets (great meringue cookies). We loved the pizza - think wood-fired style with homemade thin crust, light on cheese with a great sauce. The “ethnic station” was limited to Mexican, it seemed. Drinks included coffee (good), tea, iced tea, pop (or soda I should say - I think only Midwesterners in the US call it pop!), and a few juices. The plates and bowls were kind of hidden in little nooks next to the food. We did not try the beer and wine dispenser, or the button on the tables to call a server for drinks. We didn’t find it crowded at 1-2 pm. There is an abundance of outdoor seating - much more than other ships we’ve sailed. We liked eating outdoors and it was closer to the water (and the nearby gelato) than in the YC area. I thought I’d taken photos, but I can’t find pictures of the buffet.

We also had lunches at the YC outdoor grill. There was a small selection of foods - including some that were also found on the regular buffet - but also higher end additions like lamb chops and salmon. Burgers from the grill were good, and there was usually a pasta dish and a selection of breads.

We requested a table for two in the YC restaurant at about 7:30 pm with Arthur (a waiter we’d read about here on CC). He is a character, and we enjoyed his service and frank advice on our entrees. He is popular, as several people requested him on our cruise. We felt the food in the YC dining room was good to excellent, with steaks, pastas, fish and shellfish - all very good. The dress code wasn’t strongly enforced, but I felt the staff were appreciative that we tried to dress for dinner (dress of some kind for me and at least a collared type shirt for my husband). This first pic includes Arthur and the Maitre’D - Giuseppe. Roshan and assistant Siva were also excellent on the waitstaff, and the dining manager (can’t remember her name) was wonderful. There was no sommelier on our sailing, but we aren’t wine drinkers and didn’t mind.

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Yes! No worries. It was nice, but I didn’t want to spend time on my cell phone during vacation, so didn’t really use it. Between the concierge and the big touchscreen outside the YC, you will be fine.

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They honored my military discount after final payment. It was as OBC, but it spends all the same

 

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That’s great to hear! I’m having my TA ask them. Thanks.

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Has Arthur told you yet that “sharing is caring?”, lol, as he advises you to split a dish to try? He is quite good at steering you the best choices, and will let you know if he feels you are choosing poorly!

We were thankful the crepes were a long walk. We needed the exercise as we were eating so much in the Top Sail lounge.

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Hmm. I didn’t realize they would give government employees a discount! I wonder if they will honor after final payment?

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Missthesea...I followed your posts. Sounds like you had a great time! I doubt we will be up early enough to watch the ship come in [emoji42]

 

 

 

 

Feel free to ask whatever. I will try to find out.

 

 

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Ah, and I haven’t finished my review! Your dedication will spur me on...

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We did the same itinerary in YC last month, and also stayed at the Intercontinental. You will enjoy! Be sure to get up early enough to watch the ship come in to port. The YC, and MSC in general, have a few quirks - or differences from other lines - but overall an amazing experience.

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Magnetic hooks worked well on all of our cabin walls and door. We didn’t see decorated doors this cruise, though.

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On the Seaside June 9 sailing, there was no sommelier in the YC dining room. Wines were suggested for the featured meals, though it seemed you could ask for others. We aren’t wine drinkers ourselves, so it wasn’t an issue for us. I did not see any champagne in the YC, but plenty of prosecco.

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Did I read correctly that you had to book your spa time & arrange your dining time? (I know you said you pre-purchased the spa.) If staying in a suite on Holland America, the concierge takes care of these types of bookings for you. Doesn't YC have concierge service? If so, what do they do for you?

The dining room manager sits with you in the Top Sail lounge to discuss your dinner time preference. The concierge stated he could book the spa appointments in the YC, but he recommended I do so in the spa as I may have questions for the spa staff. This was fine with us. The spa was lovely, and we got a quick tour before it was busy. Show times were easily reserved via a large touchscreen right outside the YC entrance, or I believe you could reserve with the MSC and Me mobile app.

The concierge seemed to be helpful in reaching your butler, arranging shore excursions with the help of shore excursion staff, and handling any problems that the non-YC passengers would need to handle with the crowded Customer Service desk in the atrium. While perhaps limited in scope, the concierge was helpful to us and available around the clock.

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where can I find part 2?

Working on it - I have a long flight today and I’ll try to finish it then. :)

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I guess this is a little off post, but we recommend the cheese plate from room service

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This was posted in YC the week of June 9. Although we very much wanted shade, we didn’t reserve one - they don’t block all the sun, but do block some of the breeze and face the glass wall looking out at sea. The loungers inside and the set up didn’t look any better than those on deck. The treats delivered sounded nice.

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I second everything JAGR posted here. No charge for room service, keep in mind the menu is small though. We asked for tip envelopes from the concierge and tipped extra to our our butler and waitstaff. I didn’t think it was expected, but they all accepted graciously. If we were in Europe, I think we may have thought about whether we should tip. Enjoy the YC!

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