MSC Yacht Club- compared with X?

[Bluewake]

23 hours ago, helen haywood said:

Well, I’ll swim upstream here.  We’ve sailed MSC in both a regular balcony cabin and in YC.  We enjoyed the regular cabin!  And we loved the buffet!!  Maybe we just like different/new experiences.  But YC is absolutely wonderful.  Far superior to suites on Celebrity IMHO.

 

Same here.  We've sailed in a regular cabin on MSC Divina and in the Yacht Club on MSC Seaside and thoroughly enjoyed both experiences.  Of course, the privacy and personalized service in the YC was nice but we didn't find the rest of either Divina or Seaside to be over-crowded or the other passengers to be "annoying" or "classless" as some posters have characterized their experience on MSC.  In fact, it was quite the opposite for us, particularly when compared to experiences we've had on lines such as Carnival and NCL. Do you think it matters from where one is cruising?  For instance, we believe we've noticed a difference in the general "personality" of the passengers when we've sailed from certain ports beginning with the boarding process and continuing throughout the cruise.

[Robkat]

We love, love, love YC and the whole experience!  We've done several now, and have to agree with all these previous opinions that they've done the ship-within-a-ship concept to the T!

 

We also agree with some of the comments about the "rest of the ship" issues ... a lot of overcrowding.  BUT ... we find that's the case on almost all cruise lines ... NCL, Royal, Princess and Celebrity.  MSC's most recent ships are lovely though ... so we walk around when the ship is empty or when we know that folks are occupied elsewhere ... eating or shows.

 

Understand the point of view that some people don't want to feel like they "need"  to stick within the confines of YC ... but, it's not a hardship!  YC is very large and has all the amenities that you'd want.  And it's quite easy to find times to take a wander around the ship.

 

We've been on many X cruises, only 1 in a Sky suite, and that was before they introduced the Retreat, so no Luminae and other Retreat amenities.  While it was a nice experience, at that time, we didn't find it anything special.

 

We're closing in on 60 cruises, and for us, enjoying the ship and being able to have this quiet oasis is terrific.  As mentioned a few times, the YC prices are getting nonsensical, but we feel like it might be because they're trying to get all the FCC's spent.  Then, hopefully, they'll go back to reasonable rates.  Oh, and PS, rates on X and Royal are way up too.

 

Mafig ... we agree with you.  Wish YC had stayed a secret ... but it seems like the cat is out of the bag! 🤐🤐😂😂

[paulh84]

As usual, this comments have left me more conflicted than before 🤣

 

For our February cruise I think we will decide on Seashore YC or Apex with a coin toss. 

[Shadow9612]

On 7/16/2021 at 4:29 AM, Germancruiser said:

Since the X has just a very limited number of ships in Europe this year, I thought of trying their " ship in ship concept" in their Yacht Club. So I am booked on the MSC Seaview- in YC1 Deluxe Suite. Very curious about the experience!

What also pulled me into the MSC fold- so to speak- was their new concept, introduced on board the newest ships. They call it the Waterfront prommenade - with Outdoorseating ( of Restaurants- Bars...) and lounge chairs- which wraps 360 degres around the ship. I am big fan of an open prommenade deck- so I thought I might give MSC a try. It remains to be seen if I like it.

The reviews are mostly horrible ( for the " regualr " cabins) - so I though I might ask here - if any Happy X- cruisers have an experience with both the YC and X! Thanks!

@Germancruiser Thanks SO MUCH for starting this thread. I am really enjoying the comments.

 

Pre-pandemic, I sailed essentially exclusively Celebrity, but have considered a few times the MSC YC, based on some of the positive feedback I've seen on this board.  I think the rising costs of YC, as the secret got out, was one of the reasons I haven't.  I'm a creature of habit, so  since I love celebrity I stick with them. 

 

However, I realize, nothing ventured, nothing gained. So I'm willing to give MSC YC a try in the future, and I look forward to great discussion in this thread.

 

When do you sail (October?) and do you plan on a live review ?  😁

[Fogfog]

On 7/16/2021 at 4:29 AM, Germancruiser said:

Since the X has just a very limited number of ships in Europe this year, I thought of trying their " ship in ship concept" in their Yacht Club. So I am booked on the MSC Seaview- in YC1 Deluxe Suite. Very curious about the experience!

What also pulled me into the MSC fold- so to speak- was their new concept, introduced on board the newest ships. They call it the Waterfront prommenade - with Outdoorseating ( of Restaurants- Bars...) and lounge chairs- which wraps 360 degres around the ship. I am big fan of an open prommenade deck- so I thought I might give MSC a try. It remains to be seen if I like it.

The reviews are mostly horrible ( for the " regualr " cabins) - so I though I might ask here - if any Happy X- cruisers have an experience with both the YC and X! Thanks!

 

OK since this is in the Celebrity boards, are you asking about Celebrity vs MSC YC?

You'd have to compare Celebrity suite class to MSC YC...

Am uncertain about the waterfront promenade comment and which ships you are looking at

HappyCruiser (above) can help you compare Celebrity suites vs YC

 

We enjoyed MSC YC -- however the flavor of that ship experience is different from an americanized cruise line like Celebrity. We really liked the food, service and rhythm in YC and we hope that things will be relatively "normal" again soon. There were few Americans in YC on our sailings and while it was mostly Germans, scandanavian nations, France and Italy represented we really liked that. Gave us a chance to exercise our french and italian language skills

Never had a bad meal on MSC YC. The pizza in the main buffet was great and just like when we lived in Italy. Also the fresh mozz and burrata are amazing

As far as Celebrity goes, we like Aqua class and Blu. We haven't sailed suite class w/ Luminae---so someone who has eaten in YC and Celebrity's suite class for several sailings may be able to add here. We have had excellent food in Blu and also the same dish on another ship was terrible. So really its about execution not recipes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[EMc&DrS]

We've sailed Celebrity 4x (including July 3 on Edge) with one being a Sky Suite, and MSC 6x (5x being in YC after our first sailing which was outside of YC), and we are booked in YC on the first US sailing of Seashore during Thanksgiving. The perks for a Sky Suite have improved a lot since we sailed in one back in 2013.  Back then there was no Retreat and we were assigned to eat in the main dining room (but could lurk around Blu and ask for an empty table if one became available). The YC service is first rate, and you rarely feel the need to leave the area because they take care of you so well.  We've also been very lucky to have the same outstanding butler on 3 sailings and their most famous waiter, Arthur, on 4 sailings. We learned quickly with Arthur that he would basically be telling us what we were going to eat each night based on what was happening in the kitchen, and he rarely steered us wrong!

 

One thing that no one has mentioned is the new beautiful private island that MSC debuted just before Covid.  We were there in Feb 2020 on Divina.  If you are in YC, they pick you up in a golf cart at the ship and drive you to the far corner of the island where YC has it's own private beach, bar, and restaurant.  Unlike some other cruise lines, your free drink package follows you onto the private island where several of the butlers are there to bring you drinks at your lounge chair on the beach.  Of course, you are free to go elsewhere on the island, and your drinks are free at all other bars on the island as well.

 

The blue building in the pics is the YC restaurant and bar overlooking the YC beach.

 

(PS--we had a great time on the Edge last week in a regular SV room and would go back again tomorrow if we could!)

 

Edited July 17, 2021 by EMc&DrS

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

5 hours ago, EMc&DrS said:

We've sailed Celebrity 4x (including July 3 on Edge) with one being a Sky Suite, and MSC 6x (5x being in YC after our first sailing which was outside of YC), and we are booked in YC on the first US sailing of Seashore during Thanksgiving. The perks for a Sky Suite have improved a lot since we sailed in one back in 2013.  Back then there was no Retreat and we were assigned to eat in the main dining room (but could lurk around Blu and ask for an empty table if one became available). The YC service is first rate, and you rarely feel the need to leave the area because they take care of you so well.  We've also been very lucky to have the same outstanding butler on 3 sailings and their most famous waiter, Arthur, on 4 sailings. We learned quickly with Arthur that he would basically be telling us what we were going to eat each night based on what was happening in the kitchen, and he rarely steered us wrong!

 

One thing that no one has mentioned is the new beautiful private island that MSC debuted just before Covid.  We were there in Feb 2020 on Divina.  If you are in YC, they pick you up in a golf cart at the ship and drive you to the far corner of the island where YC has it's own private beach, bar, and restaurant.  Unlike some other cruise lines, your free drink package follows you onto the private island where several of the butlers are there to bring you drinks at your lounge chair on the beach.  Of course, you are free to go elsewhere on the island, and your drinks are free at all other bars on the island as well.

 

The blue building in the pics is the YC restaurant and bar overlooking the YC beach.

 

(PS--we had a great time on the Edge last week in a regular SV room and would go back again tomorrow if we could!)

 

 

 

 

 

The YC building on YC beach is absolutely gorgeous.  Don't know if they've solved the restroom problem yet--we were on the second ship to call there and there was only the one restroom for the entire YC area.

 

[Germancruiser]

Thanks again! Shadow- I will sure write about my first YC experience. Oh yes- this pandemic- as dreadfull as it has been - and still is- has forced my hand to try different ships- cruise lines.

I am, too, an absolut person of habit- so I will try this cruise out of Germany- even though I fear there will be almost only Germans on board. ( I prefer a more international bunch of people. )

So if I like YC - of which I am almost sure- I might try more cruises with MSC - YC. This private island looks vey nice- and that they have an extra part for YC- well sounds very posh. LOL.

[Germancruiser]

EMcDrs´- wonderful pictures- thank you so much for postig them. As I said my Apex Maiden Voyage was wonderful- and I also would go again in a heartbeat.

Sounds nice to have more options- maybe for a TA or a Caribbean Sailing, other then X.

[spencerdrivecruiser]

The YC Service bested the X suite experience.

 

Food is subjective but we enjoyed the YC restaurant.

 

Being able to be in our own space with a limited number of YC passengers was a huge plus.

 

Salt Cay is too die for.  It was the best part of our cruise(s).  There is a posh YC Bar and restaurant on the beach.  MSC really show deference to their YC Passengers.  Absolutely no waiting in queues and your Butler will escort you anywhere you want go on the ship.  My last RS on X, I hardly saw the Butler after his morning refill of our fridge.

 

With MSC YC you have a Butler and an Assistant Butler that are aware of your comings and goings and are on the ball.

 

Plus when comparing prices, YC Deluxe is 25-30% less than an X suite.

[Fogfog]

On 7/18/2021 at 1:11 AM, Germancruiser said:

Thanks again! Shadow- I will sure write about my first YC experience. Oh yes- this pandemic- as dreadfull as it has been - and still is- has forced my hand to try different ships- cruise lines.

I am, too, an absolut person of habit- so I will try this cruise out of Germany- even though I fear there will be almost only Germans on board. ( I prefer a more international bunch of people. )

So if I like YC - of which I am almost sure- I might try more cruises with MSC - YC. This private island looks vey nice- and that they have an extra part for YC- well sounds very posh. LOL.

 

When are you expecting to sail MSC out of the US?

Are there any barriers re covid, vax etc to Eu passport holders to enter the US/sail from Fl?

Am not certain US passport holders can sail out of the EU at the moment though I could be wrong on that front

[PTC DAWG]

On 7/17/2021 at 10:35 AM, EMc&DrS said:

We've sailed Celebrity 4x (including July 3 on Edge) with one being a Sky Suite, and MSC 6x (5x being in YC after our first sailing which was outside of YC), and we are booked in YC on the first US sailing of Seashore during Thanksgiving. The perks for a Sky Suite have improved a lot since we sailed in one back in 2013.  Back then there was no Retreat and we were assigned to eat in the main dining room (but could lurk around Blu and ask for an empty table if one became available). The YC service is first rate, and you rarely feel the need to leave the area because they take care of you so well.  We've also been very lucky to have the same outstanding butler on 3 sailings and their most famous waiter, Arthur, on 4 sailings. We learned quickly with Arthur that he would basically be telling us what we were going to eat each night based on what was happening in the kitchen, and he rarely steered us wrong!

 

One thing that no one has mentioned is the new beautiful private island that MSC debuted just before Covid.  We were there in Feb 2020 on Divina.  If you are in YC, they pick you up in a golf cart at the ship and drive you to the far corner of the island where YC has it's own private beach, bar, and restaurant.  Unlike some other cruise lines, your free drink package follows you onto the private island where several of the butlers are there to bring you drinks at your lounge chair on the beach.  Of course, you are free to go elsewhere on the island, and your drinks are free at all other bars on the island as well.

 

The blue building in the pics is the YC restaurant and bar overlooking the YC beach.

 

(PS--we had a great time on the Edge last week in a regular SV room and would go back again tomorrow if we could!)

 

That Island may could get me back on an MSC ship...it does look interesting.  FYI, the drink package on Royal works on Coco Cay (which I get to experience for the first time in Sept)

Edited July 19, 2021 by PTC DAWG

[Denny01]

On 7/17/2021 at 7:39 AM, Robkat said:

…….We also agree with some of the comments about the "rest of the ship" issues ... a lot of overcrowding.  BUT ... we find that's the case on almost all cruise lines ... NCL, Royal, Princess and Celebrity.  ……….

I’ll disagree with you saying Celebrity has ‘a lot of overcrowding’. Yes, the high cocktail time bars are full. Yes, a lot of people around the pool on pretty at sea days, but not even close to a lot of overcrowding. One the points I enjoy about Celebrity is how they designed their commons areas and venues. Very open, very accessible.

 

On Princess, their theaters are way too small (on the 3 ships I’ve been on) and you had to show up almost an hr prior to get a seats together (2 of us!) and found many areas just not well designed for flow and seating. Except for the older RCL ships, the RCL Line is just hugely crowded with the oversized ships. But Celebrity? Nope. 

 

I consistently cruise Celebrity for a number of reasons because it meets what I want in larger ocean cruiser at this time, and one of the issues isn’t a lot of overcrowding! 

 

den

[Germancruiser]

Fogfog- I do not sail out of the US. I have no idea when Europeans will allowed to enter the US again. That is for Mr. Biden to decide.

I also changed my planes- and ships - that is. Instead of East Europe out of Kiel - Germany I opted for a little warmer climate in early Octobers. So I switches to the MSC Seaside also YC- out of Genoa.

All you informations and tipps really helped makeing my mind up. So I look forward to my very first MSC YC experience.

[voyager1964]

How about the room service? I hear that you can get only continental breakfast in YC

[Shadow9612]

On 7/18/2021 at 1:11 AM, Germancruiser said:

Thanks again! Shadow- I will sure write about my first YC experience. Oh yes- this pandemic- as dreadfull as it has been - and still is- has forced my hand to try different ships- cruise lines.

I am, too, an absolut person of habit- so I will try this cruise out of Germany- even though I fear there will be almost only Germans on board. ( I prefer a more international bunch of people. )

So if I like YC - of which I am almost sure- I might try more cruises with MSC - YC. This private island looks vey nice- and that they have an extra part for YC- well sounds very posh. LOL.

Thank you -can't wait to hear about your experience.  🙂

[Shadow9612]

On 7/19/2021 at 10:57 PM, Denny01 said:

I’ll disagree with you saying Celebrity has ‘a lot of overcrowding’. Yes, the high cocktail time bars are full. Yes, a lot of people around the pool on pretty at sea days, but not even close to a lot of overcrowding. One the points I enjoy about Celebrity is how they designed their commons areas and venues. Very open, very accessible.

 

On Princess, their theaters are way too small (on the 3 ships I’ve been on) and you had to show up almost an hr prior to get a seats together (2 of us!) and found many areas just not well designed for flow and seating. Except for the older RCL ships, the RCL Line is just hugely crowded with the oversized ships. But Celebrity? Nope. 

 

I consistently cruise Celebrity for a number of reasons because it meets what I want in larger ocean cruiser at this time, and one of the issues isn’t a lot of overcrowding! 

 

den

I couldn't agree more with you @Denny01.

 

Yes, there can be busy moments on Celebrity, but I've never felt "overcrowded".

[cruise kitty]

Following with great interest, we'll be on MSC YC next May, sailing out of Germany...  I'm assuming that most onboard will be European, & I'm looking forward to a different experience.  We've mostly sailed on Celebrity with a little HAL thrown in...looking forward to the Fjords & a new ship experience with a little different culture than found on Celebrity. 🙂

 

[iamaqt2]

Sailed MSC once.. YC might be different, but my experience will NEVER change my mind.

https://boards.cruisecritic.co.uk/topic/2044312-my-nov-1st-divina-review-why-we-wont-sail-msc-again/page/2/

[Germancruiser]

6 hours ago, Shadow9612 said:

I couldn't agree more with you @Denny01.

 

Yes, there can be busy moments on Celebrity, but I've never felt "overcrowded".

And I agree with both of you. LOL.

[EMc&DrS]

9 hours ago, voyager1964 said:

How about the room service? I hear that you can get only continental breakfast in YC

Not true.  Your butler will bring you anything you want from the YC dining room. My son and his college roommate were onboard with us.  They placed the order the night before and couldn’t quite decided what they wanted, so they ordered several breakfast items. They were embarrassed by how much food was delivered.

[cruise47]

What is the nightly dress code  for the YC restaurant? 

[sptrout]

The dress code for the YC is nice causal in the evening. No different than any other major cruise line sailing out of the US in the evenings. Some people may dress-up some evenings, but we always wore the same type of clothes every night.

[George C]

Passengers dressed about the same as celebrity 

[Hlitner]

We are another couple who has really enjoyed cruising in MSC's Yacht Club and would not consider MSC unless we were booked in the YC.  Outside of the YC the MSC ships are a lot closer to Carnival then Celebrity.  But inside the YC it is akin to being on a luxury line except that the food is not up to the standards we experience on lines like Seabourn and Crystal.   One could make a case that Celebrity also offers a comparable experience for those in the larger suites with the amenities that go with those cabins.  But consider that the YC costs less than $400 per person day (it used to be about $300) which is essentially an all-inclusive experience.  To get into the decent suites (with all the perks) on X costs significantly more money.  We still think that the Yacht Club is one of the best values in then entire cruise world (and we have cruised on 16 cruise lines).

 

Hank