SEASIDE – Yacht Club 3/3-3/17/18 B2B – Points and Q&A

[Formula280SS]

Thanks for your post! Our grandsons are well-traveled and well-behaved, too in addition to being polite; can carry on a conversation with any adult so I think they’d do fine.

 

Your welcome.

 

Also for the tip with the grand kids planning. We know that kids are kids; parents are parents and grand parents are also. It is so noticeable to see 'families that remind us so much of how our vacations and travels with our kids. Quite different from a large % of such however. The 'vice of the devices is quite apparent.

 

We heard a line from our youngest son, an educator and wife, a PT doctor, as they planned their family re: observing others with kids or grand kids out at events (primarily dining). Do you respond to your child (or grandchild's) request for attention with A DEVICE or eye-to-eye conversation? We were raised without devices (or 'vices), and even before we heard that line, kids access to such were time planned and generally educational for their ages. Breakfast, lunch and dinner were, and are, times to TALK; wherever the interest goes if they lead, informational about where we are if we lead.

 

We also recommend to son and DIL to enjoy family vacations once a year with just them and daughter and son; worth collecting the memories. And, we actually enjoy having the kids all to ourselves; more planning, more responsibility, more work, early to bed, etc. Keeps us young; of course until it's over and we fly them back to TX, visit and then we fly home. Then we're beat. :D

 

Again, thanks for your experience shared. Got to check the status of our existing booked stateroom to see if it accommodates 4 (although I have the feeling that I'll be on the couch and my wife will have the two of them). Got to check out the specs for 16003.

[Formula280SS]

Great details! I Appreciate the format :). Glad you had a terrific time!

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

You're welcome.

 

Time to move on to another POINT - Other.

 

NOTE: Not complaints, just another aspect of the ship, cruise line etc. worth comment.

 

POINT - Other - TIPPING

 

Automatic Gratuities:

 

We're not big fans of the automatic gratuities, prepaid or otherwise charged. It is likely us, but we never seem to get a clear understanding of just WHO is getting the tip. Some tell us it's just a ROOM charge, but that it is shared by the butler, room attendant (worked her butt off every day, have never had a stateroom taken care of so well on any cruise ever), and the "back of the house" (explained by concierge as laundry and support staff and managers). There was no mention of WAIT STAFF when we inquired in that fee, and we were already aware of our intended Yacht Club (and other) tip plans.

 

So, maybe we have missed where this is detailed? Likely, a cruisecritic member has got the answer where, for MSC, and specifically Seaside, this information is. We believe "we" just missed it.

 

 

Yacht Club:

 

We, for the second of two B2B cruises 2017 and 2018, have been pleasantly presented with the circumstance that we need enough cash on hand for the B2B 'because there are SO MANY DESERVING staff that are to be tipped, and, SPECIAL ONES deserve even more.

 

Also, some that are routinely 'not tipped, for example, on most of our cruises, the bartenders got an 18% automatic gratuity that you paid even if you had a UBP, might need to be considered for tipping on MSC in the Yacht Club. We were 'told that the bartenders DO NOT GET ANY BUILT IN GRATUITIES and, as a result, in fact aren't 'thrilled with being selected to work in the Yacht Club (i.e., they can't make the tip money they would make about the ship elsewhere). We do not know if this is true, just what we were told by three of the most trusted YC staff for us for the two weeks.

 

SO - - Our plan:

 

1. Room Attendant - We tip weekly, at a rate of $10/day, as we would at a nice hotel or resort. In reality, the attendant we had on Seaside (I believe a long Czech name woman, tall, very nice), way WAY ABOVE the competition (including comparisons to other cruises, but also high end hotel and resorts, and even much, much better in all regards that at the Yacht Club at Walt Disney World). Should we have done more? Yep. Again, there is more to the story (so many others to tip).

 

2. Waiter (and Assistant) - We tip bi-weekly, at a rate of $100/twice a week for waiter. We had Arthur. Words do not explain how much he 'takes care of your trip with regards to ALL THINGS FOOD, "your food preferences," food execution, quality (advice, "no, don't order that, that is TOO DRY for you"), etc. A total pleasure to greet each meal, to try new wines and bubbly, and when you really believe, TEST HIM by asking him what our order will be. He usually was quite on the spot by mid-week of week one. And as you exit your meal, making sure you have a FULL GLASS of whatever you wanted before heading back down to the lounge, the pool deck or stateroom. His assistant was Siva (guessing, he came on quite a bit in week two, was not noticed in week one). Water, raw, dish of lemon wedges, no bread, take the bread plate and butter knife, new wine glass quite often, plates 'away, etc. Finally engaged in small conversation mid week week two. We tipped $30 for the second week.

 

There was some final cash the day before we left. Wife just felt like doing it. I don't know the amounts.

 

3. Butler, Concierge and Restaurant MTD - These individuals are so subjective as we believe it is based on our experiences with them should govern the tip (if at all), and not the mere position that they have. We found the Butler to be marginally involved with our cruise; although she was very nice when we saw her occasionally at Yacht Club venues. Almost never saw her once during week two. Week one $50, week two nothing. Concierge, a specific lady (long hair, engaging smile, smart, friendly, assists well), helped out the first couple of days getting our MSC apps updated (we booked the shows within hour of boarding), activate the WIFI for our 4 devices (she did two and I did two following her), getting advice on specialty restaurants, what nights were 'color nights at restaurants and 'meals that could be missed to try a specialty restaurant, daily paper recommendation 'for good old days, etc.). Week one $30, week two $30. The Restaurant MTD was very nice; unfortunately, we couldn't forget MARIO from Divina last year. It was not even close "for us," little to no interaction at all. Nothing either week. :o

 

4. Lounge and Pool Deck - Well, here is to expensive. Roy was both assistant butler that worked the Lounge and the Pool Deck. We really have never had a better service, or person, than what we had with him for two weeks. He had everything 'you wanted 'when you wanted it (or earlier, or later). Nobody can make me a HEINEKEN LIGHT, in a frozen glass, plus 5 ice cubes, squeezed lime and sea salt like I can; except ROY. If I switched up to red wine late afternoon HE WOULD GO THE RESTAURANT TO GET MY PREFERRED CAB that they didn't have at the Pool bar. Just over the top. $50 week one @ pool, $50 week one @ lounge; same for week two. Onil is 'the next Roy, but called a pool attendant. MSC will lose him to NCL because 'big companies are so structured they lose the ability to experience, see and measure talent that should be EXEMPT from all of the steps on the ladder based on TIME. $ame as Roy @ pool each week. Mohammed, we think, lives in the lounge. He's there all the time. Always happy. Always friendly. Service. Knew you, where you'd been or going from conversation day to day. Knew what you drank, when and how you liked it. $ame as Roy @ lounge each week.

 

A couple of the above got some final cash the day before we left. Wife just felt like doing it. I don't know the amounts.

 

5. General Others - Bartenders that we used (tall, young guy in lounge), servers in lounge (female, tall, friendly) pool chef (wow is that pool grille for real), and a couple of others hard to describe, got various denominations 'at will approximate to the time we 'notice them based on something they did and did real well. Even if it wasn't for us, but observed for others also.

 

We have no idea how this compares with anyone as we never discussed it at all with anyone.

Got a rough idea on the totals as we know what we took for cash and what we left with, so there are some that we missed in the above.

 

Seriously well worth it for the experience we had. Still believe it should have been more.

[go fish 44]

Thanks for the info on the tipping re the YC. We had no idea that they did not share in tips from the cruise line.

 

Thanks goodness we tipped each and every drink we got like we do during Royal's Diamond hours.

 

Also we will certainly look for Onil as we will be sailing on the NCL Bliss for a month this fall. Hopefully that is the ship he will be on.

 

Sue

[Formula280SS]

Thanks for the info on the tipping re the YC. We had no idea that they did not share in tips from the cruise line.

 

Thanks goodness we tipped each and every drink we got like we do during Royal's Diamond hours.

 

Also we will certainly look for Onil as we will be sailing on the NCL Bliss for a month this fall. Hopefully that is the ship he will be on.

 

Sue

 

I'm glad we were told by a couple of Butlers. Actually, for drinks, we wouldn't have minded an 18% automatic gratuity. I think that's fair. Alternately, we only tipped the ones we regularly used; but the others lost out I guess.

[Até]

...We're not big fans of the automatic gratuities, prepaid or otherwise charged....

 

Just for my clarity, did you leave the daily service charge intact and tip the cash amounts for the steward, butler, waiter, concierge and others in addition to the daily charge? No judgement here, actually I'm just back from Seaside YC with similar opinions of the same people you mention and was deliberating if I tipped them "appropriately".

[mafig]

Just for my clarity, did you leave the daily service charge intact and tip the cash amounts for the steward, butler, waiter, concierge and others in addition to the daily charge?.

 

 

I wondered the same.

 

If you left the dsc in place, I feel you were very generous.;p

[Formula280SS]

Just for my clarity, did you leave the daily service charge intact and tip the cash amounts for the steward, butler, waiter, concierge and others in addition to the daily charge? No judgement here, actually I'm just back from Seaside YC with similar opinions of the same people you mention and was deliberating if I tipped them "appropriately".

 

I was told after we rebounded from Customs for the 2nd week when I looked at my bill and saw the PP charges for our stateroom. We had already tipped and really didn't have the complete story yet. Concierge indicated that we "couldn't change" the DSC for the week already completed, however, we could for the second week (which we did).

 

Re: the DSC PP per day, does anyone know if (1) it is for stateroom and hospitality only or (2) if it is for all (stateroom/hospitality, bartenders, waiters, etc.)? Again, we were told it was only for (1) and included the 'back of the house management and staff.

[Formula280SS]

I wondered the same.

 

If you left the dsc in place, I feel you were very generous.;p

 

See previous reply; split week one (yes) and two (no).

 

Seems generous, but when you consider if you went out for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner @ FINE DINING VENUE for two, would the tip average likely be at least $10, $15 and $25, then $50/day for 7 days should be $350 for Arthur and assistant. I believe we came in at $200+ (wife, side cash of unknowns amount) per week for him and only $30 for assistant for week 2.

 

As my wife stayed in MD with youngest son's newborn on the way home from Miami, guess who is cooking? :(

 

WOW. Really not a good transition from YC. :o

 

Can't wait to fly down for Easter and bring her home. ;p

 

Thank you for the opinion of generous. We really have no idea what others do.

[mafig]

We always leave our Service Charge in place and give more, when we feel the service is good.

 

So in the YC the last time we gave more to our butler, waiter, assistant waiter (not all, just the two we had the most), and Hostess in LeMuse.

 

Our Concierge didn't do anything for us and, to be honest, I didn't even think to give a tip to our bar servers ...... if they are, indeed, not included in the DSC, then we will this next time.....but I cannot imagine that they are not. Many times our butler would see us and ask us if we wanted a drink.:p

[Formula280SS]

We always leave our Service Charge in place and give more, when we feel the service is good.:p

 

That's a good plan. I'd like to know just 'who gets the PP daily (if anyone knows, appreciated).

 

So in the YC the last time we gave more to our butler, waiter, assistant waiter (not all, just the two we had the most), and Hostess in LeMuse.:p

 

I'm assuming Divina? Last year, our B2B on Divina YC our butler was very visible compared to this year on Seaside (literally only 'ran into her by coincidence). Our waiter was Arthur ('nuf said).

 

THE HOSTESS (I believe Paula?), was TOPS. Very well tipped, versus I can't even tell who was host/hostess on Seaside. Arthur told us she was "re-assigned involuntarily to Main Dining." She RESIGNED. Not a good management style ~ you don't lose really good staff in such a way. She was so welcoming the minute she made eye contact with us before we even got into LeMuse. BIG smile, how was your day, your table. Nice.

 

Our Concierge didn't do anything for us and, to be honest, I didn't even think to give a tip to our bar servers ...... if they are, indeed, not included in the DSC, then we will this next time.....but I cannot imagine that they are not. Many times our butler would see us and ask us if we wanted a drink.:p

 

For us on Seaside, their was one concierge that was TOPS at the beginning of week one.

 

RE: the bar servers; I'd really like to know if it is really true that when they are assigned to the YC they "do not get automatic gratuities." I'm quite certain we were told that they "did not." Also, that was matter of disappointment when assigned to the YC. You could never tell during our B2B, they hustled every drink, every day, both weeks.

 

Thanks so much for the feedback.

[windlicht]

Wow, I am glad so many of you are able to afford generous tips like that! That's wonderful.

[Formula280SS]

Wow, I am glad so many of you are able to afford generous tips like that! That's wonderful.

 

Honestly, the best "we've been taken care of" on any cruise, any destination resort, ever.

 

We do like mafig's approach also; especially if we could FIND OUT for sure what the daily stateroom PPS service gratuity is for and WHO is allocated to.

 

We always leave our Service Charge in place and give more, when we feel the service is good.:p

[Até]

Re: the DSC PP per day, does anyone know if (1) it is for stateroom and hospitality only or (2) if it is for all (stateroom/hospitality, bartenders, waiters, etc.)? Again, we were told it was only for (1) and included the 'back of the house management and staff.

 

As with most cruise lines I don't think there is much actual proof as to where the Daily Service Charge goes. I have also found I get a different answer from each crew member regarding almost any question. The way I look at it is the crew and unions know what the cruise line claims. MSC states the DSC is used as incentives for the all crew, those that interact with passengers and those you never see. MSC also discourages individual tipping, in my opinion because it may have the effect of decreasing the amount a passenger pays into the DSC. I will not say there is a right or wrong way, but I leave the DSC intact to hopefully cover those I don't see and tip additional cash to those I find extremely friendly and/or helpful. On MSC I tip less to the butler & concierge than I do on NCL, where they are definitely excluded from the DSC.

 

 

Since many seem to be interested in the topic I will say that on Seaside in addition to the DSC I gave the following cash tips per week: Arthur - every meal that we ate in the YC restaurant $50, Siva - his assistant $20, Luigi & Hostess - both made sure we always got a preferred table in Arthur's section $20 each, Mohammad - our butler $40, Cabin stewards $20 each, Alisia?Concierge $20, Other butlers Roy and Zakia - just for being so helpful around the YC - $20 each. I also went through about $40 in ones when I ordered directly from a bartender around the ship and in YC.

[windlicht]

As with most cruise lines I don't think there is much actual proof as to where the Daily Service Charge goes. I have also found I get a different answer from each crew member regarding almost any question. The way I look at it is the crew and unions know what the cruise line claims. MSC states the DSC is used as incentives for the all crew, those that interact with passengers and those you never see. MSC also discourages individual tipping, in my opinion because it may have the effect of decreasing the amount a passenger pays into the DSC. I will not say there is a right or wrong way, but I leave the DSC intact to hopefully cover those I don't see and tip additional cash to those I find extremely friendly and/or helpful. On MSC I tip less to the butler & concierge than I do on NCL, where they are definitely excluded from the DSC.

 

 

Since many seem to be interested in the topic I will say that on Seaside in addition to the DSC I gave the following cash tips per week: Arthur - every meal that we ate in the YC restaurant $50, Siva - his assistant $20, Luigi & Hostess - both made sure we always got a preferred table in Arthur's section $20 each, Mohammad - our butler $40, Cabin stewards $20 each, Alisia?Concierge $20, Other butlers Roy and Zakia - just for being so helpful around the YC - $20 each. I also went through about $40 in ones when I ordered directly from a bartender around the ship and in YC.

 

So you paid $670 plus about $150 DSC ($820) in tips for one week?

[Até]

So you paid $670 plus about $150 DSC ($820) in tips for one week?

 

I think it came out to about $290 in cash, plus $175 for the DSC.

 

ETA: I feel that my total amount may even be a bit high, but if I'm going to recognize exceptional service by giving someone a cash tip at the end of a cruise it will not be less than a $20 bill. I usually keep my tipping cash in $20 bills so that works for me.

Edited March 27, 2018 by Até

[windlicht]

I think it came out to about $290 in cash, plus $175 for the DSC.

 

ETA: I feel that my total amount may even be a bit high, but if I'm going to recognize exceptional service by giving someone a cash tip at the end of a cruise it will not be less than a $20 bill. I usually keep my tipping cash in $20 bills so that works for me.

 

I’m not judging you.

I just wanted to clarify... you said you tipped $50 for every meal in the YC. You must have eaten elsewhere a lot.

 

No, honestly, I am in awe that you and others are able to tip that much. It’s in no way a criticism as I am definitely happy for the recipients.

[Formula280SS]

As with most cruise lines I don't think there is much actual proof as to where the Daily Service Charge goes. I have also found I get a different answer from each crew member regarding almost any question. The way I look at it is the crew and unions know what the cruise line claims. MSC states the DSC is used as incentives for the all crew, those that interact with passengers and those you never see. MSC also discourages individual tipping, in my opinion because it may have the effect of decreasing the amount a passenger pays into the DSC. I will not say there is a right or wrong way, but I leave the DSC intact to hopefully cover those I don't see and tip additional cash to those I find extremely friendly and/or helpful. On MSC I tip less to the butler & concierge than I do on NCL, where they are definitely excluded from the DSC.

 

 

Since many seem to be interested in the topic I will say that on Seaside in addition to the DSC I gave the following cash tips per week: Arthur - every meal that we ate in the YC restaurant $50, Siva - his assistant $20, Luigi & Hostess - both made sure we always got a preferred table in Arthur's section $20 each, Mohammad - our butler $40, Cabin stewards $20 each, Alisia?Concierge $20, Other butlers Roy and Zakia - just for being so helpful around the YC - $20 each. I also went through about $40 in ones when I ordered directly from a bartender around the ship and in YC.

 

Thanks so much for the feedback. It's what we were looking for. It appears maintaining the DSC as a baseline and letting it go 'where it goes might be the way to go. Then, for individual services, based on each ones' own experiences.

 

Again, thanks for the detailed response.

[Até]

I’m not judging you.

I just wanted to clarify... you said you tipped $50 for every meal in the YC. You must have eaten elsewhere a lot.

 

Oh, I see the problem. What I meant to convey was that we had Arthur as our server for every meal that we had in the YC restaurant. We ate there about three times each for breakfast and lunch and four times for dinner. We tipped Arthur a total of $50 at the the end of the week. I expect that he also gets DSC money.

[TrinaLC]

We did not end up with a regular table in the dining room, so we did not tip extra. We did tip our butler and cabin attendant on the last day, and on final afternoon the several bartenders that stood out as exceptional.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[windlicht]

Oh, I see the problem. What I meant to convey was that we had Arthur as our server for every meal that we had in the YC restaurant. We ate there about three times each for breakfast and lunch and four times for dinner. We tipped Arthur a total of $50 at the the end of the week. I expect that he also gets DSC money.

Ah! :D Ok then. I understood you to mean you gave him 50 bucks every day...

[Christi209]

Ah! :D Ok then. I understood you to mean you gave him 50 bucks every day...

I read it that way as well. Thought it was very generous!

[Formula280SS]

Moving on to another topic to get a sense of what others opine.

 

POINTS – Other - Port Days – On Ship Limited Offerings

 

Although it is not a “hot button issue,” we find itinteresting that MSC, as well as many of the other cruise lines that we havesailed, almost literally shut down (restaurants, bars, activities, etc.) onport days.

We believe that enjoying ports is a big part of cruising,just that, after repetition year after year, there’s just not much of interest.

 

It is obvious that, if a large % of passenger are expectedto be gone from the ship for the entire port duration (note, many do not takeexcursions for the entire duration; rather, skip down to the port “central hub”and look around, sometimes out to the nearby streets and then begin to returnto the ship quite fast), that it makes total sense to “scale back” staffingon-ship venues. Also, we met a number ofcrew members who longed for their favorite (home) restaurant at the port, orshopping at a favorite store and were able to do such with such breaks inservice time.

 

However, with a port intensive itinerary, it just seemed oddthat (1) one specialty restaurant couldn’t have been open for lunch, (2) almostall of the bars were actually closed (not the doors or seating, just notstaffed at all), (3) shopping venues were barely open and (4) activities venuesopen times were minimized.

 

We must admit, we used the zip line “at will” on port days,over and over with ZERO line. Same forthe water and tube slides. So that was aplus. Also, we got to ‘take in thebuffet, glass walkways and some other areas of interest to see.

 

But, it would have been nice to be able to sample aspecialty restaurant (on sea days, all were open), or another bar (such as theChampagne bar for the seafood tower), or visit a store; again, on sea days,mostly open all the time.

 

I’ll credit the Yacht Club, there was no scale back at thelounge, restaurant or the pool grill at all. It was probably the best venue on the ship on port days.

 

Should more of the ship "stay open" (or "stay scaled back less) on port days?

[Linda the Book Lover]

The DH and I stay on the ship for some ports and are fine with the closure of some venues. We have plans to stay on the ship for some ports on our upcoming MSC cruise. Personally, it is enjoyable to casually walk around the ship and not be in a crowd. We stay in Haven/Suites on NCL and when the ship is full it is always a crowded hot mess on sea days. The non-Haven ships mean there is no quiet place from crowds so we venture out more. Do we enjoy the company of people sometimes - but, to be honest, sometimes the noise, pushing etc. gets on my nerves and the port days without the full ship is nirvana.

[Cruisergal1208]

We don't miss the venues outside of the Yacht Club being open on port days. We like the quietness of the ship and take it as an opportunity to explore the rest of the ship without the crowds. We are provided all the food and beverages we want in the YC. We have been to the islands so many times that cruising now is all about the ship.

[windlicht]

I think she shops have to be closed in port because of duty free rules