Ncl Haven VS. MSC Yacht Club

[met195]

Anyone tryet them both .. ? We been on NCL Escape (Haven) is Yacht Club the same or better?

[Captain-John]

Haven is significantly more expensive, so from a value for money point of view, the Yacht Club wins, as, although it may not be as good as the Haven, versus the cost I think it's 'better' - depending on your definition of better of course.

[Into Cruising]

I beg to differ in saying  it is only better due to the perceived value.   I have been in the Haven a couple of times, and also in the Yacht club once.   I now have two more Yacht clubs booked.  

 

I found the cabins better in the Haven, but the  service, private lounge, and restaurant better in the Yacht club.   The private pool area  with Bar and grill was also better in the Yacht club.

 

As for service both were good, but I thought the Yacht Club was better.   

 

I felt the attention from the Butler in the Haven was good, but I felt the overall attention by all of the butlers throughouot the Yacht club was head and shoulders above that.

[LorraineP]

31 minutes ago, Into Cruising said:

I beg to differ in saying  it is only better due to the perceived value.   I have been in the Haven a couple of times, and also in the Yacht club once.   I now have two more Yacht clubs booked.  

 

I found the cabins better in the Haven, but the  service, private lounge, and restaurant better in the Yacht club.   The private pool area  with Bar and grill was also better in the Yacht club.

 

As for service both were good, but I thought the Yacht Club was better.   

 

I felt the attention from the Butler in the Haven was good, but I felt the overall attention by all of the butlers throughouot the Yacht club was head and shoulders above that.

I definitely agreed with you. Did both Haven & YC. YC much better all around. Lounge is big & gorgeous, food & service excellent, pool area never crowded. After we stayed in Haven we agreed never again, not worth it, but after staying in YC in October we booked another YC next year when we got home. 

[DMH15]

I have several Havens under my belt.   In the beginning, there was definately value.   After a change in top management I saw a definate shift.   Haven prices escalated dramatically.  The bid system was implimented.   NCL figured we'd blindly pay the price while discounting to upsellers getting the same for a lot less.  

 

I heard about MSC YC and the status match.   I have my first booked for May 2019 on Seaside.  The price is definately lower and I will go with an open mind.   Through my research, I have seen which things appear to be different/better on each line.   

 

 I am a little bit miffed about the recent changes to the drink program and just what will be complementary in the yacht club.  It is still unclear. It's frustrating to have your heart set on something and have the rules changed after you booked but before you cruise.  I will wait and see what shakes out.  

 

 

 

Edited November 16, 2018 by DMH15

[TrinaLC]

1 hour ago, Into Cruising said:

I beg to differ in saying  it is only better due to the perceived value.   I have been in the Haven a couple of times, and also in the Yacht club once.   I now have two more Yacht clubs booked.  

 

I found the cabins better in the Haven, but the  service, private lounge, and restaurant better in the Yacht club.   The private pool area  with Bar and grill was also better in the Yacht club.

 

As for service both were good, but I thought the Yacht Club was better.   

 

I felt the attention from the Butler in the Haven was good, but I felt the overall attention by all of the butlers throughouot the Yacht club was head and shoulders above that.

 

Agree 200%. There is no comparison. Even if they were the same price, YC wins hands down, though the rooms are a bit smaller. The public spaces (lounge, pool, sitting) are so huge and luxurious that room size just not an issue. 

 

And the service in YC is dramatically better. Instead of one often lousy butler, there is a cadre of butlers always “at your service”, though each cabin is assigned a prime butler. They all share service duties in the bar, lounge, pool grill etc. 

 

And on on principle I will not play NCL pricing game. Price the rooms at a fair rate, don’t make me bid. That cheapens the whole process and given that only one side of the transaction sees the data is inherently rigged in NCL’ s favor. 

 

But let’s keep this a secret 🙂 

 

 

Edited November 16, 2018 by TrinaLC

[met195]

33 minutes ago, TrinaLC said:

 

Agree 200%. There is no comparison. Even if they were the same price, YC wins hands down, though the rooms are a bit smaller. The public spaces (lounge, pool, sitting) are so huge and luxurious that room size just not an issue. 

 

And the service in YC is dramatically better. Instead of one often lousy butler, there is a cadre of butlers always “at your service”, though each cabin is assigned a prime butler. They all share service duties in the bar, lounge, pool grill etc. 

 

And on on principle I will not play NCL pricing game. Price the rooms at a fair rate, don’t make me bid. That cheapens the whole process and given that only one side of the transaction sees the data is inherently rigged in NCL’ s favor. 

 

But let’s keep this a secret 🙂 

 

 

Thank you all for your answers 🙂

[Two Wheels Only]

Having sailed both, I agree that both are excellent but there are a few differences. Some things favor the Yacht Club while others favor the Haven. I only have 1 Yacht Club sailing (Seaside) but I'm looking to add Meraviglia as well as more Seaside.

 

Stateroom choices and size - Haven

Lounge - Yacht Club

Pool - slight edge to Haven because of the retractable roof (not all Havens have, though)

Sundeck - Yacht Club by FAR

Hot-tubs - Haven (higher temperatures)

Bar service - Yacht Club (both cruise lines were excellent)

Butler - Yacht Club (we've never had a bad Haven butler but many NCL guests have, apparently)

Concierge - Haven

Room Steward - Even...no complaints at all

Overall staff - Yacht Club

Restaurant breakfast - Haven

Restaurant lunch - Haven

Restaurant dinner - Yacht Club

Overall Restaurant for service, variety, ambiance, etc. - Yacht Club

Priority Embarkation - Haven (a bit more organized but MSC may improve)

Elevator use - Yacht Club (Priority Service Hijack, ftw)

Booking Website - Do I really have to answer? C'mon, MSC. Get your sh** together.

 

This is not taking price into account. Both Haven and Yacht Club prices have increased rather dramatically but Yacht Club pricing is still better. I'm looking forward to NCL's Project Leonardo and MSC's World Class so I have years and several new ships to enjoy/compare/contrast.

[dexddd]

What Into, DMH, and Trina said.  We've only done YC on Divinia but have 3 more booked.  Been many Haven and suites and last Haven was on Escape in June in the DOS.  The NCL rooms are generally bigger and nicer and more variety of room types but MSC has so much more public YC space with things in it.  And as Trina said, your assigned NCL butler could be mediocre or a dud - they really need a system to give feedback on their performance like DCL does in Concierge.

 

MSC also has the butlers do more and farther escorting on/off the ship than NCL (like tracking you down on the pier when returning and escorting you on the ship).

[markf]

I have been on both , but not Haven for several years.

The last time on Haven , the menu n the haven was  very repetitive--not so on YC.

YC based on everything is far superior

[met195]

Thank you all for your reply

[TrinaLC]

And Haven has nothing like the wonderful breakfast and lunch poolside that YC offers, hot and cold entrees, eggs and pasta cooked to order, full bar service with many circulating staff, and an a wide, open deck - not in an enclosed “well’. 

 

Sadly, we get off Divina tomorrow, kicking and screaming.  The United Airways video of that poor doctor being dragged off a United flight comes to mind. It may just come to that.