Upgrade...or not?

[Toofarfromthesea]

18 hours ago, styles27 said:

Thank you!

Absolutely will book with MSC again.  This has been such a great experience from the crew to the food and drink to the ports and of course the beautiful ship! They’ve won us over! We don’t want to leave tomorrow!

 

It is a double edged sword.  You may end up like us - we will ONLY book MSC in the yacht club.  And that is more expensive - and free upgrades don't come around very often.  But it is great that you got it - it is a very nice experience.  And Divina does a great job - better than Meraviglia, in whose Topsail Lounge I am writing this.  Enjoy!!

[lizinvan]

On 5/4/2019 at 4:08 PM, styles27 said:

It said the new room number, deluxe suite, yacht club but I didn’t believe it til we got on board and it was confirmed that we did indeed have the yacht club experience.  We feel like we hit the lottery! lol

How nice!  Which ship?

[styles27]

9 hours ago, lizinvan said:

How nice!  Which ship?

Divina.  

Just got off yesterday. It was an amazing cruise. MSC won us over for sure. Nothing negative to report I will write a full review once we get home. We’re in Rome now. 

[nikkiw60]

On 4/28/2019 at 10:55 AM, styles27 said:

Hi everyone! 

We’re on board and just wanted to let you know that not only our room was upgraded to the yacht club area but our experience was upgraded at no cost to us.

We have the all inclusive drink benefit and full use of all of the amenities. 

 

I’m not sure what we did to deserve this but we are very grateful for this opportunity. 

 

So far the staff has been fantastic!  I have a feeling this will be a cruise we’ll never forget! 

We have also just had our cabin upgraded to Yacht Club, I called MSC in U.K. and they confirmed just the cabin is upgraded.

So how did you become aware that you had a full upgrade to Yacht Club  with the benefits?

 

[styles27]

12 minutes ago, nikkiw60 said:

We have also just had our cabin upgraded to Yacht Club, I called MSC in U.K. and they confirmed just the cabin is upgraded.

So how did you become aware that you had a full upgrade to Yacht Club  with the benefits?

 

We found out when our butler took us to our stateroom and explained what was included. 

 

This was a game changer for us. With dozens of cruises under our belt none of them can compare to the level of service we received in the YC.

Never having to deal with the MDR or the buffet on a ship this size was phenomenal. We pretty much spent all of our time in the YC areas of the ship except for the main shows that we went to.  Our lounge had entertainment at night so no need to fight for a seat in one of the public lounges. 

 

We we will book the YC in the future so If MSC upgraded us with the hope of reeling us in....it worked. 

 

Enjoy your cruise! 

[nikkiw60]

1 hour ago, styles27 said:

We found out when our butler took us to our stateroom and explained what was included. 

 

This was a game changer for us. With dozens of cruises under our belt none of them can compare to the level of service we received in the YC.

Never having to deal with the MDR or the buffet on a ship this size was phenomenal. We pretty much spent all of our time in the YC areas of the ship except for the main shows that we went to.  Our lounge had entertainment at night so no need to fight for a seat in one of the public lounges. 

 

We we will book the YC in the future so If MSC upgraded us with the hope of reeling us in....it worked. 

 

Enjoy your cruise! 

I was told by MSC UK just to go to the regular boarding desk not the one for Yacht Club so from this assume we will make our own way to the cabin so would not interact with a butler. Will just have to wait to see what happens next week.

[Epos Man]

I would still go the check in for YC the UK CS aren't to on the ball sometimes if you have been upgraded then the YC boarding area should also know

[Beamafar]

I agree!  You have a YC cabin - you need to be escorted to it!

[nikkiw60]

2 minutes ago, Beamafar said:

I agree!  You have a YC cabin - you need to be escorted to it!

Watch this space...

[Beamafar]

5 minutes ago, nikkiw60 said:

Watch this space...

 

I most certainly will, Nikki - with great interest!  😉

 

ETA ... I wouldn't pay much heed to what MSC UK has to say, either.  I'm with Epos Man on this one.  I have conflicting as well as downright wrong information from them on a number of occasions.  Regular cruisers with MSC often know more than they do.

Edited May 15, 2019 by Beamafar

[emmas gran]

37 minutes ago, nikkiw60 said:

Watch this space...

Hi Nikki just done 4 weeks YC on Splendida the cruise Beamafar did last March. Excellent service and I think difficult to go back to “normal “ now

 

Have a fabulous time 

Liz

[nikkiw60]

1 hour ago, emmas gran said:

Hi Nikki just done 4 weeks YC on Splendida the cruise Beamafar did last March. Excellent service and I think difficult to go back to “normal “ now

 

Have a fabulous time 

Liz

Thank you and hope to! I want to catch up with you in October to ask about the Tokyo Tours you did as we have booked a week on the Bellissima next April.

[Dolebludger]

I am a bit confused here. I had thought that if one books a room in the YC (don't know about upgrades to the YC) that one had access to the YC private dining room and private lounge with drinks at no additional charge. Am I wrong? has there been a change since we last cruised in the YC five years ago?

[Beamafar]

26 minutes ago, Dolebludger said:

I am a bit confused here. I had thought that if one books a room in the YC (don't know about upgrades to the YC) that one had access to the YC private dining room and private lounge with drinks at no additional charge. Am I wrong? has there been a change since we last cruised in the YC five years ago?

 

No, you're not wrong!  However, this discussion is around the fact that the OP (styles27) received an upgrade to YC and received all the benefits that come with a YC cabin (despite the fact that an upgrade is usually for the cabin only and not the benefits attached to said cabin) while another poster (Nikki) has just received an upgrade but has been informed that she won't enjoy any of the YC facilities or benefits.

[styles27]

Nikkiw60...For them to tell you that you don’t have any of the benefits is really not even possible and here’s why. 

 

Your room key is needed to access the area of the ship that the YC rooms are located. Once in this area you have access to the Top Sail Lounge and the YC pool deck on the 18th deck. 

 

Not one time did a waiter ask to see our card when we ordered a drink in the YC lounge, dining room (Muse) or pool area. Also we used drinks and snacks from the little fridge in our room and we weren’t charged for any of that. 

 

When we arrived at the port we had a private transfer from Rome. When our driver pulled up in front of the entrance to the port there was a butler waiting for us when we got out of the car. (The driver had to stop at the entrance to the port and give our name and ship so I guess this is how the butler knew we were coming) 

 

From that point on we didn’t touch our bags or have to go in line to check in.

The butler took our tickets and passports and escorted us over to the YC waiting area while he checked us in. 

My husband and I kept thinking “this has to be a mistake” 🤗

We were offered a drink and they had pastries and fruit out as well. 

The butler that took our passports came back and said our room was ready to please follow me. 

 

We were on the ship by 11:15. 

 

He escorted us and 2 other couples to concierge on deck 15 and showed us how to use our room keys to enter the private section of the ship and also on the elevator to override and get to our floor ahead of others. (Only did that once during the cruise and was given some pretty dirty looks by others whose decks we bypassed to get to the 15th lol) 

 

Once on our deck the concierge welcomed us and explained to all of us the benefits of being in the YC etc. Nobody knew who booked the YC or who was upgraded  to it...we were all treated the same. 

 

We had room 15008 which was directly across the hall from the concierge desk and a few doors down from the Top Sail Lounge. Great location. 

 

Once in our room our keys were on our bed and Lova our private butler told us that all drinks were included with the YC experience as well as the private DR, Lounge and pool area. 

 

As I’ve said before I’m not sure what we did to deserve this great gift that we received but we are eternally grateful to MSC and every one of the crew that helped to make this the best cruise we’ve ever been on. 

 

When you get to the port Nikkiw60 I would go to the YC check in if your room is in the YC area. 

 

Be sure to print out your new tickets and luggage tags and they’ll spot those tags a mile away I promise you. 

 

Get ready for a great experience you’ll love it I’m sure!

 

(I plan on writing a full review but since we returned home I’ve had strep throat and am just now feeling up to it so that review will be coming as soon as I have enough time to write a thorough one!)

 

[Beamafar]

10 minutes ago, styles27 said:

Nikkiw60...For them to tell you that you don’t have any of the benefits is really not even possible and here’s why. 

 

 

There was a report on the forum some time ago from a poster who'd been upgraded to YC but was prevented from entering TSL and the YC restaurant.

 

There was also another report from someone else who claimed that they were asked to pay a small upcharge to enjoy the YC facilities.

[styles27]

8 minutes ago, Beamafar said:

 

There was a report on the forum some time ago from a poster who'd been upgraded to YC but was prevented from entering TSL and the YC restaurant.

 

There was also another report from someone else who claimed that they were asked to pay a small upcharge to enjoy the YC facilities.

Not that I don't believe you but once you're in that area of the ship you have access to TSL and as I said not ever were we asked to show our room key.   By day two they addressed us by name and knew what we drank  

 

Our butler escorted us to Muse the first night and introduced us to the maitre d from that night on we dined there for every meal but one (we had breakfast on deck 18 outside)

 

We were never made to feel like we didn't belong there or that we didn't pay for the yc experience  

Maybe this is a ship by ship situation I can only speak of Divina and how we were treated so well by every single person we encountered.  

[Beamafar]

3 minutes ago, styles27 said:

Not that I don't believe you ...

 

It's not a matter of believing me - the posts are on the forum, they're not my experiences.

[nikkiw60]

49 minutes ago, styles27 said:

Nikkiw60...For them to tell you that you don’t have any of the benefits is really not even possible and here’s why. 

 

Your room key is needed to access the area of the ship that the YC rooms are located. Once in this area you have access to the Top Sail Lounge and the YC pool deck on the 18th deck. 

 

Not one time did a waiter ask to see our card when we ordered a drink in the YC lounge, dining room (Muse) or pool area. Also we used drinks and snacks from the little fridge in our room and we weren’t charged for any of that. 

 

When we arrived at the port we had a private transfer from Rome. When our driver pulled up in front of the entrance to the port there was a butler waiting for us when we got out of the car. (The driver had to stop at the entrance to the port and give our name and ship so I guess this is how the butler knew we were coming) 

 

From that point on we didn’t touch our bags or have to go in line to check in.

The butler took our tickets and passports and escorted us over to the YC waiting area while he checked us in. 

My husband and I kept thinking “this has to be a mistake” 🤗

We were offered a drink and they had pastries and fruit out as well. 

The butler that took our passports came back and said our room was ready to please follow me. 

 

We were on the ship by 11:15. 

 

He escorted us and 2 other couples to concierge on deck 15 and showed us how to use our room keys to enter the private section of the ship and also on the elevator to override and get to our floor ahead of others. (Only did that once during the cruise and was given some pretty dirty looks by others whose decks we bypassed to get to the 15th lol) 

 

Once on our deck the concierge welcomed us and explained to all of us the benefits of being in the YC etc. Nobody knew who booked the YC or who was upgraded  to it...we were all treated the same. 

 

We had room 15008 which was directly across the hall from the concierge desk and a few doors down from the Top Sail Lounge. Great location. 

 

Once in our room our keys were on our bed and Lova our private butler told us that all drinks were included with the YC experience as well as the private DR, Lounge and pool area. 

 

As I’ve said before I’m not sure what we did to deserve this great gift that we received but we are eternally grateful to MSC and every one of the crew that helped to make this the best cruise we’ve ever been on. 

 

When you get to the port Nikkiw60 I would go to the YC check in if your room is in the YC area. 

 

Be sure to print out your new tickets and luggage tags and they’ll spot those tags a mile away I promise you. 

 

Get ready for a great experience you’ll love it I’m sure!

 

(I plan on writing a full review but since we returned home I’ve had strep throat and am just now feeling up to it so that review will be coming as soon as I have enough time to write a thorough one!)

 

Our tags give no indication of Yacht club just a cabin number which is in Yacht club. We will go to that check in area and see what happens! Our confirmation says yacht club deluxe suite Fantastica experience. Oh well it’s a week Saturday...

[CGTNORMANDIE]

1 hour ago, nikkiw60 said:

Our tags give no indication of Yacht club just a cabin number which is in Yacht club. We will go to that check in area and see what happens! Our confirmation says yacht club deluxe suite Fantastica experience. Oh well it’s a week Saturday...

 

If your cabin is in the YC then YOU GO TO THE YC TENT and the YC staff will check to see if your paper work is in order.  If there is some error they will straighten it out and direct you to the right place.  You got bad advice from the MSC rep.  Your cabin is in the YC so you deserve the full treatment and you should definitely start at the YC tent!  

[styles27]

1 hour ago, nikkiw60 said:

Our tags give no indication of Yacht club just a cabin number which is in Yacht club. We will go to that check in area and see what happens! Our confirmation says yacht club deluxe suite Fantastica experience. Oh well it’s a week Saturday...

They're color coded correct?  Ours were blue if I remember correctly showing the location as starboard/front which on Divina is in the YC

 

Which ship are you on?

[Beamafar]

Luggage tags are not colour-coded except for disembarking.  The only indication would be the cabin number which would identify that it's a YC cabin.

[nikkiw60]

One says yacht club one doesn’t.

[Beamafar]

Deleted

Edited May 15, 2019 by Beamafar

[Dolebludger]

I was in error when I posted earlier that the DR for the YC on the Divina was in the YC area. others have correctly stated that it is in another area. However, the free drink lounge IS in the YC area, and no ID is required to get into and enjoy the lounge. Because of the security to enter the YC, it is just assumed that entrants are YC eligible.