Princess vs MSC

For those who are elite on Princess and have sailed MSC/Yacht Club I have a couple or so questions.

We are elite on Princess and are thinking about trying MSC (Seaside). If matching to black on MSC, how does that compare to elite on Princess? It appears no laundry and no internet on MSC. It talks about specialty dinning "menu tasting" what ever that means on MSC as one of the few tangible perks that elite does not offer except for maybe some fruit.

As far as the Yacht Club goes are the drinks include at bars through the ship. I get confused when I keep reading the description. Also how does the sanctuary on Princess compare to the special layout area on MSC for the Yacht Club.

I do know YC gets you the higher (better) drink package which includes gelato (yum) and crepes as well as anything in your minibar.

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I’m elite on Princess and sailing Seaside in YC on MSC for the 1st time in about 12 weeks. So I cannot speak from experience but have been reading the MSC board for about a year. I’ll do my best and certain others will correct as needed!

We got internet basic package but it was a perk when we booked, as was some OBC.

We both matched black: in addition to the specialty dining tasting, there will be a party for black cards that seems ‘better’ than Princess Captain’s Circle party as you not only get drinks/appetizers but a gift in your cabin, MSC chocolate ship, and I think your photo with the captain is free.

DH uses the elite laundry perk but I do not. MSC won’t have laundries like Princess does either. I’ve read on this board that MSC does a very nice job with the laundry if you send it out; it’s a better price to pre-purchase a package than buy onboard. For the highest priced package, if I remember correctly, it works out to ~$.50-.75 per item...much cheaper than paid laundry on Princess.

Elites get 1 non-refillable mini bar. YC gets liquor, water, sodas, snacks, coffee in the cabin with no limits and unlimited refills of mini bar. YC drinks are free (some limitations which are noted) throughout the ship to also include gelato and crepes. Specialty coffee (though flavors not done on MSC, like the salted caramel strata on Princess) is included.

YC has its own pool and hot tubs; Sanctuary does not. Butlers in YC will bring you drinks and snacks at no cost but in Sanctuary, there can be charges for some food items. YC has some cabanas for additional charge but it seems most loungers are in the Sun most of the time.

Hope this helps a bit!

I’m elite on Princess and sailing Seaside in YC on MSC for the 1st time in about 12 weeks.

Hope this helps a bit!

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond!

We just started researching today. I finally cleared my schedule for Oct. but the Princess cruise we wanted is sold out.

For those who are elite on Princess and have sailed MSC/Yacht Club I have a couple or so questions.

We are elite on Princess and are thinking about trying MSC (Seaside). If matching to black on MSC, how does that compare to elite on Princess? It appears no laundry and no internet on MSC. It talks about specialty dinning "menu tasting" what ever that means on MSC as one of the few tangible perks that elite does not offer except for maybe some fruit.

 

As far as the Yacht Club goes are the drinks include at bars through the ship. I get confused when I keep reading the description. Also how does the sanctuary on Princess compare to the special layout area on MSC for the Yacht Club.

Drinks are included thru out and in the YC pool area you have a grill that serves breakfast, lunch and afternoon snacks and while the sanctuary is very nice the YC pool area is better.

I have sailed Princess in a two room suite and MSC Yacht Club and I can tell you the following: Princess offers a good mass market product for the average cruiser. Princess fails to deliver anything above that. Their suites are not that great and their mini suite is actually a larger balcony cabin. The Mini Suite is their best bang for the buck but in no way is their suite experience in the same class as the MSC Yacht Club...not even close. The MSC Yacht Club experience is mass market luxury...not to be compared with the so-called luxury lines that are exclusively luxury. The YC is a discrete enclave that offers a First Class all-inclusive experience. There is nothing on Princess that can compare with the YC.

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond!

We just started researching today. I finally cleared my schedule for Oct. but the Princess cruise we wanted is sold out.

You are welcome! And I agree with CTGNORMANDIE based on what I’ve read about YC suites. I’ve sailed both Royal & Grand Class mini-suite as well as Grand class full suite. (Haven't done Club Class mini as don’t really get much more for the additional price than perks that come with elite status.) The Sabatini’s breakfast is wonderful but I think we’ll get far more bang for the buck on MSC. I have a mini booked on Sky but am very actively looking for more MSC YC cruises.

You are welcome! And I agree with CTGNORMANDIE based on what I’ve read about YC suites. I’ve sailed both Royal & Grand Class mini-suite as well as Grand class full suite. (Haven't done Club Class mini as don’t really get much more for the additional price than perks that come with elite status.) The Sabatini’s breakfast is wonderful but I think we’ll get far more bang for the buck on MSC. I have a mini booked on Sky but am very actively looking for more MSC YC cruises.

We are really comfortable on Princess but are excited to try MSC. We usually book mini suite M108/107 on the Royal which has the mega balcony which you could play badminton on. Looking at the Princess mini suite equivalent, YC deluxe suite, the physical cabin it's self doesn't impress us. We are hoping that the extra you pay for the YC expereince will wow us. It's nice to try new things.

We have fifty some days book on the Royal Princess this winter that we are excited about.

I keep reading on here that crepes and gelato are free in YC however in August on Meraviglia, those items were not free from the ice cream shop (forgot the name) but there was free tasteless ice cream in the buffet area.

So where are the free crepes? Thanks!

I keep reading on here that crepes and gelato are free in YC however in August on Meraviglia, those items were not free from the ice cream shop (forgot the name) but there was free tasteless ice cream in the buffet area.

So where are the free crepes? Thanks!

The Jean-Philippe Maury franchise on Meraviglia is not included in packages or YC bookings. However, there are one or two areas where gelato is available on the ship which the basic drinks package covers.

Todd ... I haven't sailed on Princess, but I have sailed in YC on 4 different MSC ships, plus, we're both Black Card members, earning our points through sailing with MSC.

A lot of Black Card perks are ones that YC bookings get, anyway, such as priority boarding (though YC guests get butler escort onoboard). You will receive a very nice bottle of prosecco on arrival in your cabin as a YC guest as well as a bowl of fruit, which will be replenished each time you remove anything from it (or if it's still there after a number of days, it will be replaced with fresh items; you will also receive a second (different) one during the cruise, along with a plate of choc-dipped fruit as a Black Card perk.

You will have the Deluxe (premium) drinks package included ship-wide, which will cover you for everything on the bar list menus EXCEPT items marked with 2 asterisks, which are Super Premium products and aren't covered by any packages.

MSC needs to change the wording regarding the "taster menu' Black Card perk. When Voyagers Club was first introduced (back in 2015, replacing the old 'loyalty' club, when the Black Card perks were severely reduced in anticipation of the upcoming Status-Match programme) a 'taster' menu was offered in the Speciality Restaurants. I remember in Galaxy, there was a list of about 7 different items which were brought out one by one to give a flavour of the main menu items. Now, there's usually a 3 course meal offered (depending on the ship and/or restaurant) with some (limited) choices within them. In some cases, you can order a dish from the main menu at a discount, if you prefer. Again, the discount value may depend on the Speciality Restaurant.

I do know YC gets you the higher (better) drink package which includes gelato (yum) and crepes as well as anything in your minibar.

 

 

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You get gelato on the standard drinks package as well.

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I’m elite on Princess and sailing Seaside in YC on MSC for the 1st time in about 12 weeks. So I cannot speak from experience but have been reading the MSC board for about a year. I’ll do my best and certain others will correct as needed!

 

We got internet basic package but it was a perk when we booked, as was some OBC.

 

We both matched black: in addition to the specialty dining tasting, there will be a party for black cards that seems ‘better’ than Princess Captain’s Circle party as you not only get drinks/appetizers but a gift in your cabin, MSC chocolate ship, and I think your photo with the captain is free.

 

DH uses the elite laundry perk but I do not. MSC won’t have laundries like Princess does either. I’ve read on this board that MSC does a very nice job with the laundry if you send it out; it’s a better price to pre-purchase a package than buy onboard. For the highest priced package, if I remember correctly, it works out to ~$.50-.75 per item...much cheaper than paid laundry on Princess.

 

Elites get 1 non-refillable mini bar. YC gets liquor, water, sodas, snacks, coffee in the cabin with no limits and unlimited refills of mini bar. YC drinks are free (some limitations which are noted) throughout the ship to also include gelato and crepes. Specialty coffee (though flavors not done on MSC, like the salted caramel strata on Princess) is included.

 

YC has its own pool and hot tubs; Sanctuary does not. Butlers in YC will bring you drinks and snacks at no cost but in Sanctuary, there can be charges for some food items. YC has some cabanas for additional charge but it seems most loungers are in the Sun most of the time.

 

Hope this helps a bit!

One glass of cheap fizz at Captains party. It was on gala night but hardly anyone dressed up and in fact my husband went and changed before dinner. They forgot our gift but understand it is something like a baseball cap. Chocolate ship (we ended up with 4) is not nice chocolate [emoji853]. We enjoyed the sparkling wine and strawberries. Think you also get an hour in the Spa. The only free speciality dining on our ship Poesia was a sushi type restaurant which we don't care for. We don't think MSC Black is anywhere near to the quality of Princess Elite but we were pleased to be given it on our first MSC cruise. We sail on Preziosa next year again at Black so hope for a better speciality dining experience. We are not in YC though [emoji853]

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The 'gift' varies. We've received (several) tote bags, baseball caps and, on our Poesia cruise a couple of weeks ago, a notebook with cruise ship images on the cover and an MSC pen.

Todd ... I haven't sailed on Princess, but I have sailed in YC on 4 different MSC ships, plus, we're both Black Card members, earning our points through sailing with MSC.

Thank you so much for taking the time to type a lengthy response. Greatly appreciated!

We both matched black: in addition to the specialty dining tasting, there will be a party for black cards that seems ‘better’ than Princess Captain’s Circle party as you not only get drinks/appetizers but a gift in your cabin, MSC chocolate ship, and I think your photo with the captain is free.

Hope this helps a bit!

I agree with everything you said but the Party. If you ask for a drink that is not already poured/served, they will charge you for it. Such as wine, even a cheap White Zinfindel.

Thank you so much for taking the time to type a lengthy response. Greatly appreciated!

You're very welcome!

YC is a fantastic, separate enclave on the ship. It's at the very front on the top decks with its own private pool deck with bar and grill where you can get breakfast and lunch, a private lounge with small buffet stocked with snacks throughout the day and where afternoon tea is served by white-gloved butlers, plus a dedicated restaurant where the food offerings are superior to what's served in the MDR.

I will say, as someone who is MSC Black, sailed on two MSC ships (Posea & Divena) and going in a month, on my first YC, on Seaside a few points. If your non-YC, Princess is by far the better line.

My JR Suite (Emerald deck covered) on Caribbean Princess, was very nice. The food was outstanding everywhere aboard: this includes, the MDR, Sabbatines, the Buffet, Room Service, and the great cafe in the central atrium. The staff spoke English well, unlike MSC, NO was not a common word, spoken by the staff.

If your non-YC including Black tier, (in my personal experience) you will not we well treated by MSC. The food will be substandard, unless you buy a dining package; but even here, your be stuck in a bureaucratic hell, trying to use it. No your not in Kansas, & Disney is nowhere in sight!

Princess is a refined British Experience; high tea, champagne tower, refined Italian food, "Movies under the Stars" with popcorn & blankets, the Sanctuary, English shows, & a understated decor, among other things.

For the money, I would book Inside YC, before any non-YC suite on MSC. The difference in treatment, is night & day. MSC's main concern is the Yacht Club only. If you are booking it, this is the best deal in cruising. Otherwise, I would book Princess for any other cabin category, being; the treatment is MUCH better, as is the food, ship experience, staffing, events, and overall experience.

This is in response to gkbiiii posting about MSC compare to Princess.

Everyone has an opinion and an experience. GKBIIII posted his/her opinion and now I will post mine.

We are Elite on Princess 54 cruises and 496 days.

We are Black Card on MSC and have cruised MSC on the Lirica (2006 2x,) Divina (2017 and 2018 3 x) and Sinfonia (2018 1x.)

We cruise other cruise lines, too, and have over 100 cruises. We are not a cheerleader for any cruise line. They all have their pluses and minuses. Each cruise line offers something different, but in many ways they are the same. You may have a fab experience or a bad experience on any cruise and/or cruise line.

I would like to express my opinion on MSC compare to Princess to show how each passenger has a different view of each cruise line/ship. I not flaming or saying gkbiiii is incorrect in the assessment/opinion of MSC compare to Princess. That is ekbiiii opinion/experience. We all have our own expectations.

I have not used MSC YC or suites on Princess. I am speaking about the other categories on both cruise lines.

' If your non-YC, Princess is by far the better line.' Don't agree with this statement and will explain why. There is not much difference between both cruise lines on non-YC.

Food is very subjective and food quality has gone done over the years where now it is banquet type food regardless of cruise line. However, I would rate MSC as the lowest in food quality, taste, variety, etc. In my opinion, I would rate NCL Escape the best out of Celebrity, HAL, RCI, Princess, NCL, MSC. Subjective!!!!

We no longer cruise for the food and that includes the Specialty Restaurants (SR.) Princess has the best prices and food for their SRs. MSC has very limited SRs and selection is limited. Since we are Black Card on MSC we get 2 free meals in MSC SRs. Can't beat that as their food is still good.

Personally, I do not consider any cruise line as having OUTSTANDING Food in any venue and that includes them all. Again, it is banquette food. In the SRs Celebrity and RCI are very expensive, food good. NCL ala carte so it can be expensive, food very good.

'The food will be substandard, unless you buy a dining package; but even here, your be stuck in a bureaucratic hell, trying to use it.' We had the 3 package meal and 2 free meals on MSC and never had a problem with any so called 'bureaucratic hell,' what the hell that means. In fact, we were treated very well as they recognized us as repeaters. Their SRs were small and service was excellent. Food good and well prepared.

Princess has the International Cafe that is very nice and good. MSC does not have that. But, NCL has O'Sheeans which is free and fab!!! Much better than any other cruise line.

'The Princess staff spoke English well, unlike MSC, NO was not a common word, spoken by the staff.'

Lets get serious. We did the Med and Caribbean on MSC and never had a problem understanding the staff and they spoke not only English, but many other languages. I have friends that have been in the USA for over 50 years that speak broken English. I still understand their English. Yes, MSC does repeat announcement in many different languages that some passengers don't like. But, if they did not speak in English, would you be upset?

'No,' is not a common word on any cruise line. I have had experiences that I elevated to Guest Relations with both Princess and MSC. They got resolved. It is how you try to ask and resolve a problem.

'If your non-YC including Black tier, (in my personal experience) you will not we well treated by MSC.'

Sorry, totally disagree. Have never used YC and been treated very well on our 6 MSC cruises. In fact, when we went back on the Divina many of the staff recognized us and welcomed us as family. Can you imagine any cruise line not trying to treat any passenger without respect or not well?

'Princess is a refined British Experience; high tea, champagne tower, refined Italian food, "Movies under the Stars" with popcorn & blankets, the Sanctuary, English shows, & a understated decor, among other things.' Yes, Princess has that. However, after 54 cruises on Princess, high tea, champagne tower, is not what it was 5 years ago. Been cruising Princess since 1986 and have seen the changes. Sanctuary cost extra per 1/2 day or a full day. Please explain a British Experience. My wife is British and I have spent many years in Britain. That is like saying MSC is Italian. Do you prefer British or Italian? LOL

'For the money, I would book Inside YC, before any non-YC suite on MSC. The difference in treatment, is night & day. MSC's main concern is the Yacht Club only. If you are booking it, this is the best deal in cruising. Otherwise, I would book Princess for any other cabin category, being; the treatment is MUCH better, as is the food, ship experience, staffing, events, and overall experience.'

Sorry, disagree with you again. I have used non-YC on MSC. Treatment around the ship is no different. Yes, you are not in the YC area, but you are still treated with respect and will enjoy your cruise, if you want too . Treatment is not MUCH better on any cruise line, regardless of cruise line. With ships carrying over 6,000, 3,000, or 2,000 passengers, no cruise line treats anyone like a 'King or Queen.' That has also changed over the years.

FYI - booked on RCI Harmony OTS (B2B) Nov 2018, MSC Seaside Nov 2018, Sapphire Princess Jan 2019, and Adventure OTS April 2019.

I hope people who read both of our opinions can determine what they would consider a value cruise that they will enjoy. MSC has some of the best values and that includes: cruise price, beverage package price, Internet price, tour price,etc. However, price is not always a determine factor.

Awaiting any comments/experiences that may help others to get an objective view of any cruise line. Happy Cruising!!!!

Hi Todd320,

I wouldn't worry about "diamond status", mariner stars, brilliant, black, green, and other little marketing toys (Manhattan was bought for a few guilders).

Book a cabin on a 5* ship, and you'll be 5* passenger.

 

Cruising experience overall and your real status will be (any cabin):

MSC Seaside YC class 4*++

Sapphire Princess 4*++

MSC Fantasia YC class 4*+

Ruby Princess 4*

MSC Fantasia 3*

Royal Princess 3*

MSC Seaside 3*

 

Happy cruising!

Agree that status doesn't matter. However, 5* ship should give you 5* experience. Is Your experience and ship ratings overall 3* and 4*?

Somewhat confusing.

I'm sure those who only do 5* find fault with things, too. Nothing is perfect all the time. Even 5*

I want to thank everyone who responded.

We pulled the trigger today and booked the 6 Oct, Seaside, interior YC. MSC landslide was great expediting our Black match over the phone. I think we got a decent fare with 19,2% off and $100 OBC for the cabin.

Thanks Again

We have only a couple of Princess cruises under our belt, so no status level. We DID sail in a suite on Princess and we really could not figure out what it actually got us. However, we were comparing to NCL's Haven and did not feel there was any comparison. DH was so underwhelmed he won't consider Princess again (I figure I'll give it a few years.)

So, we know we like NCL's Haven, and MSC status matched us to Black, so I thought, lets check it out. So, next May we are in the Yacht Club on the Bellissima. Every thing I have been reading on CC indicates that the YC is similar to the Haven in the "ship within a ship" feeling. I am looking forward to it. So, while I don't have experience between MSC and Princess, I am equating the YC on MSC with the NCL Haven, which was a totally different (and better) experience than we received in our Princess suite. Thinking about it, just a regular suite on NCL was superior to our Princess experience....but maybe we just happened upon a bad time.

I want to thank everyone who responded.

 

We pulled the trigger today and booked the 6 Oct, Seaside, interior YC. MSC landslide was great expediting our Black match over the phone. I think we got a decent fare with 19,2% off and $100 OBC for the cabin.

 

Thanks Again

You got a great deal Todd. I saw the inside prices yesterday and you saved about $600 over last years quote for the same cabin...plus your discount on top and OBC!! Have a great cruise.;)

You got a great deal Todd. I saw the inside prices yesterday and you saved about $600 over last years quote for the same cabin...plus your discount on top and OBC!! Have a great cruise.;)

Thanks.... Maybe we will run into each other.:)

We will hold our opinion on MSC since our first YC experience is coming up in a couple of months on the Divina. But we do know Princess having been Elite for more than a decade...and just came off the Regal on Saturday. As Elite on Princess I got free internet which is a very nice perk. Otherwise, we get free laundry (with a 3 day turn around time) and a free mini-bar (which we trade for a coffee card). Big deal. The daily Elite cocktail time is a joke (we do not even bother) where some consider a few chips and salsa something special. As to the various Captain's cocktail parties we have no interest in standing in a queue for 15 min just to get a free drink (and not a good drink).

Do not get me wrong...in that DW and I really enjoy Princess and plan on booking two more Princess cruises this week (including one that will be more then a month in length). But we are not overly impressed with the Elite benefits although the internet is decent. But you will find quite a few Elites who "proudly" wear their cruise card around their neck so all can see that Black card. I guess its something akin to nouveau riche. We are also very underwhelmed by the quality of food in the Princess alternative restaurants (Crown Grill and Sabatinis) which do not even come close to the quality offered in Celebrity's Murano restaurant. Looking forward to our first MSC experience and praying that they do not overly "Americanize" their product.

Hank