First Timers MSC - Divina & YC lots of help needed!

[dizzyc]

We've cruised RCL & NCL a few times but after watching a TV programme in the uk this week I HAVE to go to Ocean Cay and when better than our 10th wedding anniversary! We got married in the Bahamas and Divina is at Ocean Cay on 16th May 2022, our anniversary date. So I've picked because of the port rather than the ship. We normally book a deluxe balcony cabin but am tempted with YC although my husband really does prefer casual dining nothing too fancy. We like an all inclusive drinks package, but am wondering whether it's better to just book a deluxe balcony & pay for drinks package or go for YC which is way more expensive but I don't mind if it's worth it. If we fancy eating casual can we use the main restaurants or do YC guests tend to stay separated from other guests?  Are there any bad YC cabins or are they all spectacular on this ship - how comparible to a normal deluxe balcony cabin? Just looking for the pros and cons really so that I can weigh up whether the extra cost is worth it. We like to mingle, my husband prefers peace and quiet during the day but I like people watching and being around others. So I guess I need to know people's reasons for booking YC - is it the exclusivity, the dining, the peacefulness? I would really appreciate hearing from real people who have experienced it so I know whether it's for us or not. We are in our late forties, like a drink but don't like to party too hard! Thank you kindly 

[sverigecruiser]

12 minutes ago, dizzyc said:

 We got married in the Bahamas and Divina is at Ocean Cay on 16th May 2022, our anniversary date. So I've picked because of the port rather than the ship. 

 

It is possible that the port is cancelled and you get a sea day instead.

[dizzyc]

2 minutes ago, sverigecruiser said:

 

It is possible that the port is cancelled and you get a sea day instead.

I never even thought of that, how disappointing that would be....

[sverigecruiser]

15 minutes ago, dizzyc said:

 Are there any bad YC cabins or are they all spectacular on this ship - how comparible to a normal deluxe balcony cabin? 

 

Most of the cabins are NOT spectacular. The spectacular thing is that they get the Yacht Club experience.

[sverigecruiser]

18 minutes ago, dizzyc said:

If we fancy eating casual can we use the main restaurants or do YC guests tend to stay separated from other guests?  

 

You can not just go to one of the MDR and eat. It may be possible to arrange to have a meal there if you ask the concierge.

[sverigecruiser]

21 minutes ago, dizzyc said:

We are in our late forties, like a drink but don't like to party too hard! 

 

That's exactly me and I love the YC!

[hamrag]

2 hours ago, dizzyc said:

....We like to mingle, my husband prefers peace and quiet during the day but I like people watching and being around others. So I guess I need to know people's reasons for booking YC - is it the exclusivity, the dining, the peacefulness? I would really appreciate hearing from real people who have experienced it so I know whether it's for us or not. We are in our late forties, like a drink but don't like to party too hard!...

 

https://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/articles.cfm?ID=2490

 

For us, the beauty of the YC is its luxury and tranquility. However, the real beauty of it is that the rest of the ship is also yours when you want it....and when you are ready, you head back to your tranquil enclave. So, you can get out there and people watch till your heart is content, around the masses if you choose.

 

The link above lays out 8 reasons to choose it, and we agree. We also are late forties, at heart, in reality that was 15 years ago! 😂

Edited January 26, 2021 by hamrag

[shipgeeks]

2 hours ago, sverigecruiser said:

 

It is possible that the port is cancelled and you get a sea day instead.

But OP has an overnight there, so with two days, chances are much better than the average!

 

[sverigecruiser]

4 hours ago, shipgeeks said:

But OP has an overnight there, so with two days, chances are much better than the average!

 

 

I agree.

 

Another possibility is that the itinerary is changed and Ocean Cay is not included anymore.

[emmas gran]

dizzyc said We like to mingle, my husband prefers peace and quiet during the day but I like people watching and being around others. So I guess I need to know people's reasons for booking YC - is it the exclusivity, the dining, the peacefulness? I would really appreciate hearing from real people who have experienced it so I know whether it's for us or not. We are in our late forties, like a drink but don't like to party too hard! 

 

I will reply as honestly as possible--I have done quite a few cruises and would book YC if you can stretch to it. The food is not fancy, the restaurant is at the back of the ship not within YC area so each evening you can stroll across the top deck for dinner(you can have breakfast there as well). Some days we would go to the main buffet for breakfast or to grab a slice of pizza on returning from a port . The food is not fancy just good and it is nice to have the same waiter each evening at a nice table.

My husband never sits in the sun he reads in a quite shady place or the Top Sail Lounge while I lay on a sunbed "people watching" or reading, listening to music. When you are boarding there is a separate area to drop luggage and a butler will escort you on board, believe me I will not cruise in any other cabin, go on book and enjoy it. You will be well looked after by the butlers and it is not stuffy or stuck up

If you have done a few cruises with a cruise line you can also status match your loyalty, on MSC website under manage a booking there is the Voyager Club all details there

Hope this helps and please let us know what you decide to do

Liz

[emmas gran]

At the top of the page where topics are listed are some copies of YC menus if you want to check it out

[dexddd]

We've had OC missed twice, once not done, second trip cancelled.

 

First non issue now.  That being said, OC was only open from sometime in November 2019 to early March 2020.  Most reports ship made it but that is from limited input.  Time will tell.

 

Divina YC is nice and as SV said you have rest of ship to enjoy.  You can go back for peace in YC.  Dining in YC casual.

[emmas gran]

6 minutes ago, dexddd said:

We've had OC missed twice, once not done, second trip cancelled.

 

First non issue now.  That being said, OC was only open from sometime in November 2019 to early March 2020.  Most reports ship made it but that is from limited input.  Time will tell.

 

Divina YC is nice and as SV said you have rest of ship to enjoy.  You can go back for peace in YC.  Dining in YC casual.

We were supposed to be the first ship there in Nov 2019 on Meraviglia. Sometime we may get there!!

[CGTNORMANDIE]

15 hours ago, dizzyc said:

We've cruised RCL & NCL a few times but after watching a TV programme in the uk this week I HAVE to go to Ocean Cay and when better than our 10th wedding anniversary! We got married in the Bahamas and Divina is at Ocean Cay on 16th May 2022, our anniversary date. So I've picked because of the port rather than the ship. We normally book a deluxe balcony cabin but am tempted with YC although my husband really does prefer casual dining nothing too fancy. We like an all inclusive drinks package, but am wondering whether it's better to just book a deluxe balcony & pay for drinks package or go for YC which is way more expensive but I don't mind if it's worth it. If we fancy eating casual can we use the main restaurants or do YC guests tend to stay separated from other guests?  Are there any bad YC cabins or are they all spectacular on this ship - how comparible to a normal deluxe balcony cabin? Just looking for the pros and cons really so that I can weigh up whether the extra cost is worth it. We like to mingle, my husband prefers peace and quiet during the day but I like people watching and being around others. So I guess I need to know people's reasons for booking YC - is it the exclusivity, the dining, the peacefulness? I would really appreciate hearing from real people who have experienced it so I know whether it's for us or not. We are in our late forties, like a drink but don't like to party too hard! Thank you kindly 

Your chances of hitting OC on 22nd May 22 are very good...so GO FOR IT!  
I would definitely opt for the YC experience on Divina...seen it...done it...loved it.  
Hamrag lays it all out nicely.  Go to the link he posted and you will find the answers.  The YC on Divina will give you the best of both worlds.  Right now your focus is on OC and 5/22/22.  You will come to appreciate the YC experience as it happens.  If you are going to go all the way to OC you might as well enjoy the ride.

[eastoftheboston]

I'll add that if Ocean Cay is super important to you, than that's an even bigger reason to book in the Yacht Club. They have their own private section of the island (they check your card at the entrance) with nicer lounge chairs (and free umbrellas), and the butlers from the YC bring drinks to your lounger so they already know you and what you like. Also, the restaurant in the YC area of Ocean Cay was one of our favorite parts of the trip (it's not big, so go early to get a seat). It's nicely decorated, the food was good, and the whole atmosphere just made me happy. 

They have golf carts to take YC guests to the YC beach on OC, but I found it quicker and easier to just walk, plus you get to see what else the island has to offer that way.

I've been in the YC on Divina and Seaside. If you can afford it, don't think twice about booking it. Good luck, and happy anniversary!

[Nashna]

You may certainly dine in the MDR.  We sailed on a B2B with the first leg in Aurea Class.  That class has their own section of the dining room,so you may dine anytime.  We enjoyed our waiter and loved the head waiter.  They told us to come back at anytime to dine and to just ask the coincerge in the YC to make the arrangements.  We met a couple in the MDR who were staying in the YC and decided to change for one night.  We enjoyed the YC restaurant and staff and never did go back to the MDR.  The Divina does not have a large selection during the day at the pool area of the YC.  However, you can order anything you wish and they will bring it up from the MDR or the buffet.  Definately splurge and try the YC...you won't want to go back. 

[dizzyc]

Thank you so much for all the lovely replies - I'm sold! Once things start settling down here in the Uk and I can see that international travel may become a possibility again I will get this booked. 11 nights YC on Divina celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary! I've saved a fortune not travelling in 2020 so I might as well splurge for our special occasion. Thank you all

[rkacruiser]

19 minutes ago, dizzyc said:

I've saved a fortune not travelling in 2020 so I might as well splurge for our special occasion.

 

LOL!  Haven't we all!

 

2 hours ago, eastoftheboston said:

2 hours ago, eastoftheboston said:

They have golf carts to take YC guests to the YC beach on OC,

 Also, the restaurant in the YC area of Ocean Cay was one of our favorite parts of the trip (it's not big, so go early to get a seat).

 

My golf cart driver took my group of guests on a tour of the entire island after we left the YC area and was returning to the ship.  If they are not super busy, ask, you might also get a very comprehensive tour.

 

It's my hope that MSC has been busy during this cruising down time to expand the offerings of Ocean Cay.  I hope that would include in making the YC Restaurant facility larger, as well.  

[shipgeeks]

dizzyc, I'm looking at the Divina itineraries (I'm fantasizing!), and I see some super-appealing possibilities.

I know you will be at Ocean Cay on May 16 and 17.   Are you doing the 7-night cruise?

If you sail on May 12, and do 10 nights, you get a third day at Ocean Cay!

If you sail on May 15 and stay aboard til May 26, 11 nights, you get two overnights there!!

Now I want to do that!

[dizzyc]

8 minutes ago, shipgeeks said:

dizzyc, I'm looking at the Divina itineraries (I'm fantasizing!), and I see some super-appealing possibilities.

I know you will be at Ocean Cay on May 16 and 17.   Are you doing the 7-night cruise?

If you sail on May 12, and do 10 nights, you get a third day at Ocean Cay!

If you sail on May 15 and stay aboard til May 26, 11 nights, you get two overnights there!!

Now I want to do that!

Yes I'm considering the 11 nights and going there twice! Only ever done 7 night cruises till now but we've missed out on 2020 and 2021 so might as well go all out! 

[shipgeeks]

And I think of it as amortizing the air fare, by doing a longer cruise!

[dexddd]

13 hours ago, rkacruiser said:

 

LOL!  Haven't we all!

 

 

My golf cart driver took my group of guests on a tour of the entire island after we left the YC area and was returning to the ship.  If they are not super busy, ask, you might also get a very comprehensive tour.

 

It's my hope that MSC has been busy during this cruising down time to expand the offerings of Ocean Cay.  I hope that would include in making the YC Restaurant facility larger, as well.  

Maybe.  All we really saw the short time they were open is one person said they added a port o john at the YC area due to only one bathroom.

[shipgeeks]

Check out the nifty vintage travel posters in the restrooms all over the island.

[phissy]

On 1/26/2021 at 8:04 PM, sverigecruiser said:

 

I agree.

 

Another possibility is that the itinerary is changed and Ocean Cay is not included anymore.

This is what happened  to us.  Booked B2B with 3 days total for Ocean Cay. 
now, all stops at Ocean Cay are missing. Just listed as Sea Days.

Seems to be “new normal” for MSC.  We cancelled another cruise after the ports scheduled were changed to the “usual” Caribbean 4 ports. 

[rkacruiser]

12 hours ago, dexddd said:

Maybe.  All we really saw the short time they were open is one person said they added a port o john at the YC area due to only one bathroom.

 

Adding such a facility is not what I would expect as a YC guest.  On/near the beach?  OK, I can understand that.  But, the YC building at Ocean Cay needs to be made larger and more accommodating for the YC guests.  Didn't need to use the loo when I was there.  Is there only one such facility in that building?