MSC compared to Celebrity: An Analysis

[parallax]

Spa: The spa on the Divina is beautiful but it is a little chaotic in scheduling appointments. The services themselves are great. I do not believe that MSC contracts with another company and thus the prices are substantially lower than what we experienced on Celebrity (especially with Canyon Ranch taking over). I would say that on average the prices on MSC were 30% cheaper than on Celebrity. The service providers were from Bali. I was extremely happy with my massage.

 

Ship: The ship is very beautiful and has an extremely modern style. The atrium with the Swarovski staircases (also found in the YC) is breathtaking. The ship is little more segmented and less free flowing than found on Celebrity. It can cause for traffic jams during high traffic times. The color palates are aggressive but not gaudy. In total, the ship is very pretty and is significantly different than the Celebrity ships. I like the look of the Divina but also love the look of the more traditional Celebrity.

 

Overall: The YC is a differentiator for us. We were shocked how much we enjoyed and the difference it made in our cruising experience. It was such a relaxing experience. We love Celebrity and we cruise with them again, I'm sure. However, I cannot envision in booking a suite on Celebrity again. What they offer, in my opinion, does not match up to the experience one can get from the YC. MSC is by no means perfect and there is improvements (photography, speciality dining, etc.) to be had, especially outside the YC.

 

In the end, I think what it means that when we want to splurge we will book MSC instead of Celebrity. Since we cruise once a year at the most, it probably means that we will cruise with MSC more than with Celebrity.

[yorkyred]

It sounded wonderful until I checked the cost, not in our lifetime.

[MrJoeBlack]

It sounded wonderful until I checked the cost, not in our lifetime.

 

 

What was the category you checked on? Do you book suites in other Cruise lines Ship within a ship areas? I'm new to all of this but I see good value and price points for MSC

[Shippy]

Personally, the fact that beverages are not included outside the YC would be a deal breaker. There's no way we want to be confined to such a small area of such a large ship to use the perks. When we book a CS or higher, the benefits are available throughout the ship.

 

The yacht Club is probably half the price of a CS on Celebrity....so you can well afford a few drinks outside the YC area

[jelayne]

We have friends who swear by MSC and they are happy staying within the confines of the YC. They also don't drink or gamble so if they venture outside of the 3 decks that comprise the YC it is just to take a walk.

 

I don't think we are ready to be confined to 3 decks or to venture to other decks and experience lesser service.

[chemmo]

As a family of three adults we tend to book RS on Solstice and PH on milli class to have two room, two bath and large balcony. What rooms in the yatch club would be comparable size and facility wise to these?

[plucasana]

the YC3/YC2 can be booked with 4 people, but the YC3 is smaller than a RS. There is no 5 P occupancy in YC I'm afraid.

[dabear]

NCL also has a ship within a ship concept on the top decks of certain of their ships. In any event we like a balcony. if you want top service, great food,all inclusive premium drinks throughout the ship, etc, try a luxury line such as Regent or Seabourn. There is a substantial difference being on a ship with 200-600 pax vs 3000. Our standard cabin on Regent was 300sf + a balcony and was much bigger than the mini suites on X. Have you compared the costs of the YC to a luxury line?

Edited May 12, 2015 by dabear

[grayjay]

As MSC is eager to get into the Caribbean market they offer very competitive prices for that area.

In Europe the prices for the Yacht Club are high and comparable to Celebrity's high-end suites.

I'm sure that for those able, willing and interested in paying that kind of money it is a memorable experience. I'm afraid we belong to the category that tends to cruise more often and keep to ordinary balcony cabins - but to each his own!!

The complaints that can be read in cruise forums in Europe derive from passengers that receive (sub-) standard service in standard cabin categories - and most mention food, friendliness, cleanliness and (lacking) service orientation. But as usual you'll also find happy customers and a lot of people are happy to cruise MSC because it's much cheaper to bring kids compared to Celebrity. ( On Costa and MSC kids are often free).

In each of the cabin categories you find three sub-categories: Bella, Fantastica and Aurea. Bella for example is the cheapest of the three and gives you the least wanted cabins in the worst locations, no room service, access to the pool deck etc. has to be paid for. So on MSC ships you 'll find 4 or 5 classes eventually with the YC undoubtedly the top class - if you can afford it.

[jt1120]

I'd have to agree with the OP for the most part. MSC is quietly becoming a player. We've done a couple with them now and they have gone from last place to second place on our tabulation of cruiselines that we've experienced.

 

Our first cruise with them was beyond a disaster. Horrible food, few English-speaking staffers (the ship left out of Fort Lauderdale) and complacent service. What a difference a few years has made! We find them to be an exceptional line, being second only to our beloved Celebrity. The food is great, the staff is quite amenable, the ships are absolutely gorgeous and the entertainment is fantastic. I've been telling people to try them and hope that many do.

 

I have to disagree with embarkation though. Since we live in FLA, we tend to get to the port early (usually in the 11 am hour). Every time they have made us wait in the terminal until they begin boarding, which is usually around 1 pm. It's the only thing that we do not like about MSC. With the other lines we've been on, the longest we've had to wait was 12 noon, and that is an exception. Normally, it's around 11:30. not so with our experiences on MSC.

 

Other than that, I hope more people give them a try. You will be impressed.

[parallax]

You do not have to wait in line if you are in the YC. You give your luggage to the butlers and then they take you into the terminal to the YC waiting area. You check in there and if the ship is not ready to board, you have a snack and a drink.

[kenevenpar]

Personally, the fact that beverages are not included outside the YC would be a deal breaker. There's no way we want to be confined to such a small area of such a large ship to use the perks. When we book a CS or higher, the benefits are available throughout the ship.

 

What did you do before the newest suite program started?

[cruiserhal]

parallax, thanks you for the comparison. We have been thinking of looking for a new line to try and this may just be it. I think I could be happy in the YC for a week or two.

 

Hal

[chemmo]

Sorry to come back, but after looking at the home site I am non the wiser!

 

Are there are any yatch club suites that are comparable to celebrity royal suites (two rooms)? Or are they more like RCCL grand/owners suites with bigger rooms for more people but no real privacy?

 

Thank you in anticipation.

[Hlitner]

Thank you very much for posting the excellent review. DW and I are very frequent cruisers and have been on 14 different cruise lines over the year....but never on MSC. Your info on the YC cabins now has us thinking that MSC might be in our future.

 

Hank

[emerson621]

Can't we keep the YC our little secret?

[Shippy]

As a family of three adults we tend to book RS on Solstice and PH on milli class to have two room, two bath and large balcony. What rooms in the yatch club would be comparable size and facility wise to these?

 

They are the biggest cabins but no balcony. The YC3 has a balcony but it takes away from the cabin size.

The 3 YC2 cabins take up the entire front of the ship. The middle one is a bit smaller than the 2 on either side of it. We always take the one on the left side. My husband says it is about 600 sq. ft. he is a flooring contractor !

I will describe the one we get...

The bedroom and the living room have solid doors that close off the rooms from each other. The rooms are side by side across the front of the ship so with floor to ceiling windows, the views are incredible from each room. We leave the drapes open at night to watch the sunrise from the bed.

Each room has a mounted large screen TV. There is a large couch (bed) & 2 large stuffed chairs in the living room.

When you first enter the cabin there is a large closet...I give that one to my husband. I use the larger, walkin closet off the bedroom. There is a separate dressing table area across from the walkin closet.

The bathroom is humongous with 2 sinks, a large shower with jets and a separate large bath tub.

Of course the mini bar is free and replenished twice a day with alcohol and snacks.

As far as 'staying in the YC area'.... we do not. We walk around the incredibly beautiful ship, go to the show, visit the casino etc.

But when it comes to food....There is the small buffet by the YC pool, constant snacks in the YC lounge & the YC restaurant. The quality of these items cannot be matched.

Pool areas on any ship tend to be crowded. The YC pool area has a pool, hot tub & tons of upgraded lounge chairs. Do not forget there is a full complementary bar there to serve you while you sunbathe.

HERE IS THE PART YOU ARE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO BEAT.....

Luckily, we have leeway in when we can travel because as people are finding out about the yacht club, the YC2 are hard to get. We have booked our favorite one again for next March at a cost of $2100. per person

AND got $400. OBC because I bought a next cruise coupon for $10. on the last trip.

The price is creeping up because the first time we booked it was only $1650.pp

We booked before the ship came over here. The price will never reach what you have been paying for your suites

[SNJCruisers]

Here's a posting that contains links to several You Tube videos.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=40299915&postcount=1

[chemmo]

Sincere thanks for the description of the larger suites. MSC should employ you we found their suite descriptions very limited.

[morbihan]

Yes, thank you very much.

 

Very interested. Just been looking at MSC site.

[parallax]

This review was just posted by some fellow Yacht Club passengers that were on the same trip we were. It gives you a good taste of the YC experience. http://agiawellness.blogspot.co.uk/2...-that.html?m=1

[tbmrt]

We cruised the Divina 2 years ago even though reviews were awful.

 

Have to say, the food and entertainment were great.

 

Only wish they had more US departure, Caribbean trips for longer than 7 days.

 

Equinox trip last year was fine except for entertainment which we found really lacking compared to MSC Divina.

[Shippy]

This review was just posted by some fellow Yacht Club passengers that were on the same trip we were. It gives you a good taste of the YC experience. http://agiawellness.blogspot.co.uk/2...-that.html?m=1

 

You have to click twice to get to the review or it looks like a site about dogs !

There was a lot mentioned I forgot about, Like how you never enter the port terminal with the masses. They ( YC Butlers) meet you outside & take your luggage directly & you go to a special lounge.

The Crystal stairways that are so sparkly, they are hard to stare at.

And LeMuse, the dedicated restaurant. We were only going to eat in there some of the time but the food was soooo good. The hamburgers at lunch the best you ever had. Aside, of course from the fancier food.

I was glad he showed pictures of them dining at LeMuse so you could see that except on formal night, everyone was fairly casual even though you are in a fancy restaurant.

[gkbiiii]

Under the new pricing scheme, YC gets all the benefits of the Spa category, plus the private Club.

 

This would mean, that YC guests would get "free drinks throughout the ship", as it is a new benefit for the Spa guests.

Edited August 5, 2015 by gkbiiii

[saltydoge]

Hey MSC, I hate your decor. It has that dated, kitschy feel that you can find in abundance at resorts and cruise ships around the world. Celebrity on the other hand — magnificent! The design of their ships really accentuates the modern in Modern Luxury.

 

As for the ship-within-a-ship concept, I think it's offensive. Don't get me wrong — I'd love to be able to find a spot at the pool more easily, but not if it comes at the expense of separating myself from the rest of the ship, which leads me to my final point....

 

I strongly believe that segregating passengers to give the illusion of luxury and exclusivity is an incredibly lazy business decision. I understand that guests in suites pay more and should therefore be entitled to more perks. But to separate people physically? That marginalizes passengers in an entirely new, and incredibly uncomfortable way, and I'll have no part in that.

 

If Celebrity ever moves towards this model, you can count me out.