Newbie question - How does Yacht Club work.

[Hlitner]

On 6/2/2021 at 8:04 PM, Wishing on a star said:

Okay.  Thanks you guys!

I have enjoyed The Sanctuary on Princess,  which any passenger can book.

YC would be more exclusive.

The only thing is, I wish you wouldn't have to book a cabin up high and far forward in the ship.

More motion and probably more walking too.

There is no comparison between the Yacht Club and the Princess Sanctuary.  As you know, the Sanctuary is simply a private outdoor deck area reserved for those who pay extra.  You get a nice lounger, some extra service, and less crowding then on the regular decks.  But that is all you get.  The Yacht Club is an entire section of the ship (inside and outside) that is accessed via your cruise card.  In the YC you also get a private outdoor deck area but in addition you have an expansive indoor lounge (with buffet items rotated all day and evening, nightly entertainment in that lounge, a dedicated Concierge desk, special cabins, a dedicated private Yacht Club Dining Room, and also an OK Yacht Club outdoor buffet (on the pool deck).  Inside the Yacht Club it is a different world with nobody asking to see your cruise card.  You want a specific drink...you just ask. You have an issue, just stop by the Concierge desk (no lines) and it is usually resolved.  In addition you get treated like Royalty at embarkation (private check-in, private lounge, escort to take you (as a group) onto the ship, etc.  Even on disembarkation day you are treated well and will often find yourself being escorted via a reserved elevator down to the appropriate deck and escorted to the ship's exit (no lines).

 

As to your motion issue, when asked about motion and ship I have said (for over fifty years) that if motion is a big deal for you that you might want to consider staying on land.  We have cruised far more then 1000 days and probably had a dozen very rough days (including cruising through a real hurricane).  When you go upon the sea you always run the risk of rough seas.  Good sailors could care less and it is just part of cruising.  Bad sailors......well bad sailors are just bad sailors :).  DW and I actually remember most of our roughest days and our memories are of an interesting (often fun) experience.  The worst time, when it was hard to even stay in our bed, has become a very fond memory (although we do not want to repeat the experience).

 

Hank

 

 

[rkacruiser]

19 minutes ago, Hlitner said:

DW and I actually remember most of our roughest days and our memories are of an interesting (often fun) experience. 

 

My crossing of the Pacific from Vancouver to Petropavlosk in 2002 on the Volendam was a most interesting experience.  King Neptune had several most unpleasant days during that crossing.  (Maybe he ate some bad fish?)  But, that experience added much to my cruise memories.  I am glad that I had that experience.  

[rkacruiser]

4 hours ago, Toofarfromthesea said:

When I was in YC on Divina the butler only escorted us the first time.  I didn't feel mortified, just as I never feel mortified sitting in a first class seat on an airplane as the coach pax file by during boarding. 

 

YC guest on Meraviglia, me.  The concept of having a Butler was a totally different cruise experience for me.  It is one reason why I booked that cruise.  I wanted a different cruise experience.  

 

I never asked for an escort to the Main Theater; I can find my way, thank you.  But, I did appreciate having the reserved seating attended by a Butler.  Uncomfortable feeling?  No.  Different feeling?  Yes.  That was the same when I did ask for a Butler to escort me to the Theater for the Cirque show performance.  What I did not expect, since the Butler and I arrived before the doors opened, that she remained with me and escorted me to my reserved seat.  

 

4 hours ago, Toofarfromthesea said:

I never feel mortified sitting in a first class seat on an airplane as the coach pax file by during boarding.

 

I am thankful that I am able to be sitting in that seat; there was a time that it would have been unwise for me to make such an investment in that travel product.  

 

I learned from years of being an Economy Class air passenger walking down the aisle past those other guests enjoying their pre-flight beverages sitting in wider seats and more leg room:  that's where I want to be.  

 

Everyone needs a goal in life.  

[Selion]

3 hours ago, Wishing on a star said:

We were considering the Meraviglia.  We would have to do an INSIDE to begin to swing YC.

I haven't checked all ships, but some of the others (DIVINA?) only have more expensive suites.  So we really would be priced out of YC.

Depends on the itinerary, a YC inside is perfectly fine.  We've done two MSC cruises in YC, one on Seaside and one on Fantasia.  While both times we were in YC Deluxe (YC1) cabins, the second cruise on Fantasia in the Mediterranean was port-intensive and we didn't end up spending much time in the cabin at all.  DW actually said we should just get a YC inside for our future Mediterranean cruises on MSC.  Even on Seaside where we had 3+ sea days (eastern Caribbean out of Miami), we find ourselves spending time in YC's public areas, namely the Top Sail Lounge and the sun/pool area, or our favorite area outside of YC, the Venchi chocolate bar.

 

Remember to get MSC Voyager's Club status match.  That'll save you at least 5%.  There are additional discounts on Voyager's Club sailings, up to 20%.  Although at this moment there are none in 2022.

 

Edit:  In the off-seasons in the Mediterranean on MSC's older ships (such as Fantasia), YC1 isn't that much more compared to new ships' YC inside.  Compare the fares & itineraries, and find the one you feel it's the best value for you.

Edited June 6, 2021 by Selion

[SNJCruisers]

Does anyone know when bookings will open up for late Spring/Summer/Fall of 2023 on the Seashore?  I would assume around November 1 or so?