HappyInVan

Sorry. I only ate dinner once in the YC restaurant. The main course was salmon which was nicely done, but I thought it didn't have enough fat. I did have dinners at 4 specialty restaurants, and twice(?) in the Marketplace. The food in the buffet was okay. No horror stories.

Whilst the pool deck is one of the social hotspots during the day. The quiet hours offer moments of contemplation.

Back to the positives. IMHO, The Meraviglia has one of the most attractive pool decks in the industry. In Nassau, I was able to check out 3 RCL ships (Freedom, Anthem and Vision) and the Carnival Elation.

No operational organization is perfect. Certainly not MSC. Before I forget, here's some annoying design choices on the ship. There's too many reflective surfaces. Several times, I walked towards a wall because out of the corner of my eye, it looked like a passageway was there. In the room, the HVAC control was graphic rather than numeric. So, which graphic bar corresponded to 22 degrees Celsius? MSC App's Personal Agenda lists the bookings for excursion and restaurants, but not for the spa and shows. In the YC, the butler slips a reminder under the door. What would the general pax do? In addition, show and specialty reservations can't be made until onboard. Easy for YC members, since there's a guy outside the Lounge taking reservations on embarkation morning. What about the general pax? Finally, the TV menu offers two views from the ship's cameras. Port side and starboard. On HAL, the views are bow and aft. At the Brooklyn Terminal, the bow pointed north. So, those in the YC had a panoramic view of New Jersey, lower Manhattan and downtown Brooklyn. The general pax might appreciate a look through a bow camera.

+1 This is the direction that HAL is heading because its current situation is untenable. I anticipate that HAL will have a change of owner within 2 years. 🙄 Fortunately, there are alternatives.

Worse case of lost of control I have ever seen. The procedure is logical even though cumbersome. Pax are supposed to wait for the announcement to watch the safety video in their room. Then dial a number to register compliance! Then, wait for the announcement for their deck to report to their assembly station. What happened was that the YC decks were the first called. I was down at my station (Broadway Theatre) in a flash. Thanks to our priority cards. I found that a quarter of the ship was already on Deck 6 and blocking the entrance!!! How could they all have watched the video and gotten downstairs before me? The staff were scanning every Tom Dick and Harry. So, I elbowed my way through. Then, the staff had us do a short walk into the theatre and out! .🙄 The next day, the ship carried out the drill again for those who didn't do it the first time. Lot's of people. Obviously, the info system isn't geared up to automatically register pax who have played the safety video. A better way is to build an integrated scheduling procedure. Once the video had been played, the TV screen would automatically instruct pax to report to their assembly stations at an allotted time. Whilst the entertainment system would be frozen until the pax actually registered at the assembly station. At the station, the scan would reject those who had not passed the safety video phase, or had reported before their allotted time. It would not matter what deck you're on, or what time you boarded. The first onboard and who had viewed the video, would be the first cohort at the Assembly Station. The last onboard would be the last cohort. This way, the Assembly Stations could start at noon, with a controlled flow throughout the afternoon. ??? IMHO, this episode was an embarrassment for MSC. 🙄

Thanks for the update. Yes, I traveled Regent just once.

Hmmm. I wouldn't drive into the Cruise Terminal area. The problem is that the approach to the terminal is on narrow Bowne and Clinton Wharf street. I have no idea what the traffic is like later in the day. Personally, I would turn from Van Blunt St into King St and onto Conover St (one way). Drop at the bend in the road. There's a small gate (marked on the map) where you enter Clinton Wharf. Just walk the 60m to the Terminal. Alternately, there's a South Brooklyn ferry from Wall Street Pier 11 to the Red Hook ferry station, just 50 feet from the circus at the Terminal. Only runs hourly on Sunday. https://www.ferry.nyc/routes-and-schedules/south-brooklyn/

First time MSC and first time Yacht Club. Mainly sailed in the past with Holland America (HAL). Also Regent, Silversea and lately Ponant. I'll be comparing Meraviglia to HAL, and YC to Ponant (10k GT and @100 staterooms). Cruise to Nassau from Brooklyn Cruise Terminal, and return from Ocean Cay. Verdict: I found Meraviglia to be better than expected. Strong value proposition against its competitors. The YC was also great value. I'll be returning to MSC in Aurea or YC. The Good: Well designed ship, of human scale, mall not too long, each section comfortable size. Lot’s eye relief. Not feel crowded. Continuous Dome shows on the roof of the mall. However, built for warm weather itineraries. Unlike HAL, this ship has a great deal of open-air unprotected decks. Strong winds blow through the pool/solarium on Deck 19, through the area around the Atmosphere Pool, through the topside play area midship, and over the Horizon Pool area. Only the small Bamboo Pool area has a retractable roof. On the other hand, I was pleased with the quality and quantity of the food in the Marketplace buffet. Quite good for this price point. Choice was more limited than on HAL, but plenty of seats and elbow room. Did not dine in the public dining rooms because the tables were crammed together. Entertainment was where MSC shone. Attended 4 free shows in the Broadway theatre. Song and dance, magicians and concluded with a variety show. Talent was impressive, particularly the lead dancers and singers. Adrenaline pumping. My room had good ergonomics and functionality. Only complaint was that the closet door faced the wrong direction (towards the bathroom). Resulting in a tight squeeze when accessing the closet. Balcony was narrow but usable. One big plus was the balcony door could be locked open to air the room. Ocean Cay was impressive. A huge investment by MSC. Brilliant white sand, several beaches, cabanas and loungers. Laughing gulls, Terns and Brown Pelicans fishing along Bimini beach. YC had their own club house and ample beach on the island. The Bad: Brooklyn Terminal heavily congested on embarkation day. The work area was too small for the load of a 5k pax ship. Traffic on the approach road was still stuck at 1030h, and plenty of disembarking pax were still there. I dropped off a transit bus and took a short easy walk to the Terminal. Approached an attendant holding a YC sign, And was escorted into the YC Top Sail Lounge in 15 minutes. Shower overflow. The bathroom is accessed over a high step. Unfortunately, the shower stall had no ledge. Water cascaded onto the bathroom floor when the ship rolled back and forth. The biggest mistake was the evacuation drill on embarkation day. What a mess! Finally, the room TV had very limited choices. No free movies, and very few Pay videos. How would I spend my money onboard? I purchased a 3-pack for the specialty restaurants. Very reasonable prices. I would recommend the Butchers Cut. Excellent fillet mignon and 4 tasty sauces. The asparagus was overcooked and limp like greenbean. However. The moist banana cake was enjoyable. Kaito Sushi offered a light meal. Mix of traditional and fusion. Perhaps, too much of the former. Particularly liked the outdoor tables on Deck 7 overlooking the mall. Excursion. Just one in Nassau; Land and Sea. Boat cruise was nice, but the minibus was full and hot. Annoying pax. Downtown Nassau unremarkable. Never again. Rock Circus in Carousel Lounge; cirque-style but ceiling too low for high wire acrobatics, too goth/punk for me. Spa? YC pax receive free entry to the spa. HAL ships have large thermal baths. This ship's bath is modest, But the loungers are arranged in small compartments for greater privacy. What about the YC? I had a positive experience. Today, the basis of luxury lies in the quality of the staff. On Meraviglia YC, the service staff was attentive and obliging. In view of the high number of staff dedicated to the YC, my opinion is that MSC YC is good value. The escorts during embarkation and disembarking were very helpful for novices. What surprised me was the tasty food. Much of what was served was similar to what was available in the Marketplace. However, the preparation was noteworthy. And, the size of the portions in the pool buffet was staggering. A piece of swordfish looked like 600g. By comparison. Ponant’s kitchen was hit or miss, and the portions more modest. I was speaking with a grizzled butler who had served with MSC for 16 years. IMO, an organization is well served by long term employees who have been trained and promoted from within. General comments. Pax generally well behaved. One ugly cussing match on a tour boat. Usual rowdy juveniles. International mix of pax. Many teens and YA. Three babies in the YC. What I did miss was the creative towel animals on HAL ships. Motivation. MSC tries to please high $$$ pax. Those are the most profitable customers. Daily stream of gifts: alcohol, Biscotti. Macaroon and chocolate. On some other brands, suite pax are treated as an afterthought. Enjoy.

sad sad! 😬

Of course, Ruth. You're a veteran frequent cruiser. The OBC program works for you. What about the novice cruiser who has never purchased stock directly? They may be tempted by the enthusiasm on this forum. How can we lose? 😁 I would caution them (as an experienced finance guy) that the industry is in a weakened and vulnerable state. Our investors could lose it all during another back swan event in the next two years. That buying CCL is a gamble. Can they afford the loss?

Things are more complicated than that! 😶 Someone with a finance education would tell you that there is capital risk whenever you buy any part of a company (equity, options, debt). Pax have bought CCL at $60. Anticipating that there would be a profit, while reaping dividends and OBC. How can you lose??? Well, turns out that they did. Is it safe to buy at $15, or could the price fall further? Could there be another black swan event? At this point, the industry is in a shaky position. I would not confuse the investment with the cruising decision. At $5, the conglomerate would be bought for its salvage value. Not for OBC. Here's what I'm interested in. Is there anyone who can offer insights into the life cycle of the industry? Floating resorts and smaller luxury ships appear to have strong market appeal. What about the large middle part? That's why someone in the industry might be able to offer guidance. Perhaps, they have heard or read something from the professionals. Do you have anything to offer us?

The difference is that you got the courtesy of a warning. Anyway, I just don't understand why HAL is making a stop in Jamaica. Its gonna be the next Haiti. I would stay onboard and enjoy the sun.

Enjoy your cruise! Its better than a bargain. 😀

It should now be apparent that this is much ado about nothing. 🙄 The OP had exercised his legal right to withhold gratuity. His contract does not specify any limitations. So, he could exercise his right for any reason. Therefore, any objection is merely an opinion. Why does he have this right? To save employees a few dollars a day in income tax by shielding some of the income as gratuity! This is what employees signed onto. These are the rules. Sometimes, a pax exercises his right to withhold. This is how the game is played. Employees must understand that it is what it is. Instead of resentment, employer and employee should reflect on how to improve the customer experience. Do something positive! Some pax complain that they have to make up for the withheld gratuity. As I understand it, HAL has to top up the pool at some point. So, no loss to you. Of course, you can replace the OP's gratuity by donating your own money? 👍 IMHO, everyone needs to have a clear perspective! Ultimately, it is HAL's problem because they own the system. 😴

This discussion has solidified my decision. How much are you willing to pay for a roll of toilet paper? $1 or $20 or $50? I hope that you now have a better understanding of the relationship between employer, employee and customer. Things get difficult when the company messes up. It shows up on this forum. What's the price of CCL today?? BTW, I'm putting you on IGNORE for your own good. Enjoy your cruise!

Respectfully, I would caution pax about tipping for the wrong reason. I used to hand money around in third world countries. Than, I realized that I was sending the wrong messages. Employees deserve dignity. They're paid to do a job. Let them do it. Tip culture can get out of hand. The last time I was in Mexico, the shuttle driver tried to fleece me. Drove pass my hotel. I had to shout at him to turn around. At the hotel, he had a predatory anticipation in his eyes. I gave him the standard tip. He quoted a sum far higher. He didn't get what he wanted. IMHO, MSC has the right policy. MSC makes it clear that you can withhold their service charge if staff performance is unsatisfactory. “However, should you wish to modify any of the daily Hotel Service Charge in the unlikely event that you do not receive satisfactory service, you may do so by contacting the Guest Relations Manager onboard.” https://www.msccruisesusa.com/manage-booking/before-you-go/service-charges No mention about a blacklist. In fact, tips are discouraged. The customer is always right!!!! Here's the professional part of the MSC system. They have designated the CR Manager as the mediator and arbitrator. Presumable, the CR manger will have the time to discuss the problem with the guest. Explain how things work. Apologize where that is needed. Escalate the problem when it is necessary. Of course, I would tip when the server demonstrates customer focus. Tip extra when the server goes beyond the call of duty. But not out of pity or fear.

Not surprising after the way that some people piled on him! Frankly, I'm disappointed. This is an users forum. Sharing info, high five on the good experiences. Commiserating on the bad. Personally, I would give him a pat on the back, and tell him to try again. "Try to balance the negatives against the positives!" BTW, I agree with him about the forward verandas. I was on K in 4022 to Alaska. There was a huge amount of noise on some afternoons and in the evening. IMO, the worse offender was the synthetic balcony dividers. In high wind, those panels flapped like they were going to tear off. 🤕 Not a problem on the older ships where the balcony dividers are solid metal.

Quite so. No point jumping to conclusions. It might turn out that it makes no difference to the Asian staff because the tax rates are low for our stewards and sailors. 🙄

Well said.

Excellent! Thanks so much. Now, we have the facts. Looks like what any pax does, will have a negligible effect on crew compensation. Either withholding gratuity or adding to the pool. As I suspected, cash is king. I'll go that route to reward our service heroes. 👍

Yes, but what proportion of their income comes from this gratuity 'tax'? This is what's important. As I understand it, landside F&B servers derive a large share of their income from tips and service charge.

Hi, Sorry. I have a YC booking. Is there a daily service charge or required gratuity imposed on YC pax? On HAL, there is a daily Gratuity of @$17/day PP that can be withdrawn by the pax.

No No! Those folks lack management, business and operational experience. But, they have legitimate concerns. They just need to listen to the people who know what they are doin! 😉

This individual was insubordinate. Normally, I wouldn't react to the mistakes made by a new recruit. But, this was an older man. I presume that he was one of the substandard workers left behind on HAL. He certainly stood at attention as I walked by. He was not my steward on that trip. No, I suspect that all the mass lines are pretty much the same. But, HAL is the only mass line that I am familiar with. IMHO, the so-called gratuity should be replaced by a wage increase throughout the industry. With guests tipping only for extra services. However, I wonder if the luxury lines compensate their hotel staff better. Certainly, the luxury ships have a more professional clientele and expect a higher standard from their crew.