MSC Yacht Club- compared with X?

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

2 hours ago, Hlitner said:

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

 

I agree that the food in the YC is not as good as that in Luminae.  Neither is the service.  Maybe I've just had very bad luck in waiters, but the last one was so bad we ordered room service pizza the last night.  The other problem I have with MSC is their lackluster itineraries from Florida.  Granted their private island is fabulous, but the rest is ho hum.  And I am not a fan of 7-night cruises.  Other than that, they have aced the ship within a ship concept.

[WonderMan3]

On 7/21/2021 at 7:30 AM, EMc&DrS said:

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.

Not our experience. We were limited to whatever was on the room service menu. We asked about eggs and some other items not listed and were given a firm "No" and additionally told that eggs were not allowed in staterooms for "sanitary reasons" whatever that was supposed to mean. The butlers were pretty useless on MSC. They don't have the same responsibilities as Celebrity butlers. All they basically do is clean your room, deliver any room service (you don't order the food through them though), and escort you on and off the ship. And trying to ask them about anything that deviates even the slightest from the norm results in a "No" or total confusion. At least on Celebrity they will give you "Let me check" and most of the time will accommodate you as long as the request is within reason.

[EMc&DrS]

12 minutes ago, WonderMan3 said:

Not our experience. We were limited to whatever was on the room service menu. We asked about eggs and some other items not listed and were given a firm "No" and additionally told that eggs were not allowed in staterooms for "sanitary reasons" whatever that was supposed to mean. The butlers were pretty useless on MSC. They don't have the same responsibilities as Celebrity butlers. All they basically do is clean your room, deliver any room service (you don't order the food through them though), and escort you on and off the ship. And trying to ask them about anything that deviates even the slightest from the norm results in a "No" or total confusion. At least on Celebrity they will give you "Let me check" and most of the time will accommodate you as long as the request is within reason.

What ship were you on where the butlers said “no?”  That has never been our experience in YC!

[hcat]

All interesting comments

2 ques we have..

 

What are the Comparative ship sizes?

Are there more children in Yacht Club than Retreat/Luminae or about the same?

[Hlitner]

51 minutes ago, hcat said:

All interesting comments

2 ques we have..

 

What are the Comparative ship sizes?

Are there more children in Yacht Club than Retreat/Luminae or about the same?

The ship sizes vary but are generally in the 3-4000 passenger range.  When we have been in the YC there has not been a lot of children but that might be because of the time of the year.   Like Celebrity, MSC is a very family oriented line with the big difference being that on MSC you will have  a large group of Europeans who outnumber Americans.

 

Hank

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

3 hours ago, WonderMan3 said:

Not our experience. We were limited to whatever was on the room service menu. We asked about eggs and some other items not listed and were given a firm "No" and additionally told that eggs were not allowed in staterooms for "sanitary reasons" whatever that was supposed to mean. The butlers were pretty useless on MSC. They don't have the same responsibilities as Celebrity butlers. All they basically do is clean your room, deliver any room service (you don't order the food through them though), and escort you on and off the ship. And trying to ask them about anything that deviates even the slightest from the norm results in a "No" or total confusion. At least on Celebrity they will give you "Let me check" and most of the time will accommodate you as long as the request is within reason.

 

I agree.  My experience with the MSC butlers and assistant butlers is that there are very strict rules as to what they can and cannot do and that they're not going to deviate from them.  Celebrity butlers seem to have more latitude in how they take care of their clients.

 

[sptrout]

14 hours ago, hcat said:

All interesting comments

2 ques we have..

 

What are the Comparative ship sizes?

Are there more children in Yacht Club than Retreat/Luminae or about the same?

Do you mean ship sizes as asked, or did you really mean cabin sizes? Your ship size question has been answered. As for cabin sizes the majority of YC cabins, in the newer ships any way, are mostly nearly identical in square footage to the Sky Suites in Celebrity ships. There are some smaller inside cabins and a few larger YC cabins. Although the sizes of YC cabins has been recently enlarged with the addition of some cabins outside the confines of the YC that are considerably larger (may be mistaken here since this has happen after our last MSC cruise).

As for children, nearly zero in our limited experience (2 MSC cruises both in YC cabins out of Miami in the winter). I assume that this varies to some degree, but I image that there are few on most cruises. IMO, the YC is not really intended for families although there is no reason why not as long as a family can handle the cabin sizes and the costs of the YC p/p charges.

[paulh84]

I know some people have qualms about Celebrity's customer service but MSC really takes inconsistency to a whole new level. We really wanted to try Yacht Club but with today's volatility I'm not making a final payment and crossing my fingers that it all works out. 

[mafig]

20 minutes ago, paulh84 said:

I know some people have qualms about Celebrity's customer service but MSC really takes inconsistency to a whole new level. We really wanted to try Yacht Club but with today's volatility I'm not making a final payment and crossing my fingers that it all works out. 

Yeah, they do.  I felt the same as you and put off booking with MSC.  I had heard that travel agents hated dealing with them.

THEN I talked with the ta I use most of the time.  She said they weren't "that bad" and that they had a special line for them to call.  So I booked.  My two reservations went as smooth as silk.

[Hlitner]

1 hour ago, paulh84 said:

I know some people have qualms about Celebrity's customer service but MSC really takes inconsistency to a whole new level. We really wanted to try Yacht Club but with today's volatility I'm not making a final payment and crossing my fingers that it all works out. 

When you talk about MSC's customer service it is a many edged sword.  Their US Customer service folks range from terrific to absolutely awful and near useless.  It is luck of the draw if you call MSC and several cruise agents (who we know quite well) strongly dislike dealing with MSC.  But arrive at the pier (I am talking about Miami) and it becomes really interesting.  For those in the YC it is usually an amazing experience where you go to the small white tent, your luggage is quickly retagged, and you are guided by a staff person through the check-in process.  At that point the YC folks are taken to a large private room where they have some snacks (good cookies), mimosas, etc.  You then wait until boarding begins at which point the YC Butlers will escort the YC folks aboard and into reserved elevators to be whisked up to the YC.  

 

Within the YC the customer service is top notch with a staffed (24/7) concierge desk.   On our cruises we have never had to go to the regular Guest Services desk as the YC Concierge's handled our every request.  

 

On the other hand, over the years we have had some very mixed experience with X customer service and reservations folks.  Our "favorite" was when X booked our air (home from Europe) for a departure 3 days prior to the end of our cruise when we would have been well out to sea.  When I noticed their error and called their reaction was that it "was my fault" even though we had nothing to do with their complete screw-up.  Eventually it was fixed but it involved multiple phone calls and only got resolved after I insisted on getting the issue transferred to a senior supervisor.

 

Hank

[paulh84]

5 hours ago, Hlitner said:

When you talk about MSC's customer service it is a many edged sword.  Their US Customer service folks range from terrific to absolutely awful and near useless.  It is luck of the draw if you call MSC and several cruise agents (who we know quite well) strongly dislike dealing with MSC.  But arrive at the pier (I am talking about Miami) and it becomes really interesting.  For those in the YC it is usually an amazing experience where you go to the small white tent, your luggage is quickly retagged, and you are guided by a staff person through the check-in process.  At that point the YC folks are taken to a large private room where they have some snacks (good cookies), mimosas, etc.  You then wait until boarding begins at which point the YC Butlers will escort the YC folks aboard and into reserved elevators to be whisked up to the YC.  

 

Within the YC the customer service is top notch with a staffed (24/7) concierge desk.   On our cruises we have never had to go to the regular Guest Services desk as the YC Concierge's handled our every request.  

 

On the other hand, over the years we have had some very mixed experience with X customer service and reservations folks.  Our "favorite" was when X booked our air (home from Europe) for a departure 3 days prior to the end of our cruise when we would have been well out to sea.  When I noticed their error and called their reaction was that it "was my fault" even though we had nothing to do with their complete screw-up.  Eventually it was fixed but it involved multiple phone calls and only got resolved after I insisted on getting the issue transferred to a senior supervisor.

 

Hank

 

After my interaction with customer service this morning I am willing to lose the deposit if it comes to that. The person I spoke to was definitely more on the absolutely awful side of the spectrum.  Maybe they need a few more years to figure out their US operation but we will be sticking with others lines for now. 

[mafig]

Things will be a lot easier and go a lot more smoothly if you go through a travel agent who has experience dealing with MSC.  

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

1 hour ago, mafig said:

Things will be a lot easier and go a lot more smoothly if you go through a travel agent who has experience dealing with MSC.  

 

I agree.  My long-time travel agent told me I would need to use someone else for subsequent bookings after my first booking with MSC.  She refused to ever do business with them again.  For my second sailing, I used an agent who books mainly with MSC.  She complained about them a lot, but she still did business with them.

[Germancruiser]

Interessting to read about the different experiences with the customer services of MSC. I booked via an online TA and - so far- everything went as it should be.

If they ( MSC ) are having trouble getting their foot into the US- Market- they better spruce up. The US customer service outshines by far what we are used to in Europe.

It is not for nothing that they came up with a name for lack of service in Europe- and not a very flattering one i might add. They saying goes that Europe and esp. Germany is a - " Service- desert"!

[hcat]

Thanks to those who answered abt ship size, cabin size and kids...

Sticking with X for now... have to use up future cruise credit.

Open to other options  or non cruise plans for awhile.

[goldsmip115]

It’s so interesting to me to follow the progression of posts on this thread and several, actually many other, cruisers posts and some “happy cruisers” and others who previously claimed that MSC YC was nearly the best thing since sliced bread compared to Celebrity Suites/Retreat.  How it was a much better value, so much better suite experience, etc etc.  How wonderful it is to have a truly separate YC as opposed to Celebrity’s unsegregated Retreat experience.  How attentive the Butlers were, etc etc.

 

Hmmmm, how the posts and respective experiences seem to have devolved over time.  I cannot imagine a suite experience where ordering an egg dish from room service breakfast would be denied.  Buyer beware. Hmmmm.  Maybe the Celebrity suite experience will survive in spite of the intense competition from the MSC YC.  I for one hope so.

[Germancruiser]

Oh yes, for sure X´s suite experience will survive. I really love X and their ships- even though they got louder and louder by the year. Nowadays even the Captain climbs up to the bar and mixes Martinis much to the amusemend and fun of the most passengers. The Captain and his officers have become part of the entertainment - team. Oh yes- times they change.

 

I do not need all the stuff they offer on these new MSC ships- bowling alley- water slides- interactiv waterslides - the list goes on and on. What I really appreciate is that MSC turned back time and reinvented the prommenade deck- even enchanced it. To that I really look forward.

 

The dead is done- the deal taken ( no surcharge for single travelers - even in YC) , the cruise booked.

I changed ships and directions, though.

 

I opted for a little warmer climate for a October cruise. Instead the baltic sea I booked the cruise on board the Seaside ( instead of the Seaview) going around Italy. The destinations are not that important for me - this time - the ship is the destination. The deluxe suite looks really nice  and spacious.

 

I am sure I have a few more questions before I sail- so again - a heartfelt thanks for all those who told about their exerperinces.

[WonderMan3]

3 hours ago, goldsmip115 said:

It’s so interesting to me to follow the progression of posts on this thread and several, actually many other, cruisers posts and some “happy cruisers” and others who previously claimed that MSC YC was nearly the best thing since sliced bread compared to Celebrity Suites/Retreat.  How it was a much better value, so much better suite experience, etc etc.  How wonderful it is to have a truly separate YC as opposed to Celebrity’s unsegregated Retreat experience.  How attentive the Butlers were, etc etc.

 

Hmmmm, how the posts and respective experiences seem to have devolved over time.  I cannot imagine a suite experience where ordering an egg dish from room service breakfast would be denied.  Buyer beware. Hmmmm.  Maybe the Celebrity suite experience will survive in spite of the intense competition from the MSC YC.  I for one hope so.

I was intrigued by MSC based on some positive feedback here and the look of the ships. I got a substantial casino discount which prompted me to book. I did a kind of back to back in Europe (one night in between cruises on two different ships) so got to experience two of their newer ships. I won't go into details but suffice it to say I found MSC pretty underwhelming. There were some good points which I mentioned in a post further up but overall was disappointing. That being said people told me that I should try a Caribbean cruise for a different perspective, that it was a bit more "American feeling", not that I found the Europe cruises to be that drastically different from the American cruise lines beyond having many more Europeans on board (not an issue), some language issues with staff and frustrations with cocktail orders. So I decided to give MSC one last shot since I had another casino discount and booked a Caribbean cruise for May 2020 which of course got cancelled by Covid. I took that as a sign and have decided I'm done with MSC especially seeing as I have not received one single offer from them for any future cruise since the last one was cancelled and everyone says their pricing is going up. Celebrity is just so, so much more of an enjoyable experience for me. I just feel totally at home on their ships. Their own price increases have been frustrating but with some casino discounts they are manageable..for now.

[uktog]

I am about to take my first Yacht Club cruise.

 

The nice thing, they status matched Zenith to Diamond (top) but pre cruise the experience is not good and is downright dishonest.  

This datapoint relates to the UK by the way

I accept with Covid embarkation is different and you get a time slot but when ours was 1600 in my presence my TA went into bat with their dedicated business partner (so not basic call centre).   He was given the following answers

a.  Due to the fact the Covid testing team won’t arrive at Greenock until early afternoon that’s the best time slot we can have

b.  We won’t be admitted to the terminal ahead of our slot.

 

As the terminal is very small I believe (b).  I was unhappy with the answer to (a) and did digging and found an MSC person in a position above call handler was not telling the truth.  On a group in the face place, I find many people with noon boarding times. (I did ask on the MSC forum here but just got one response from a US guest rubbishing my TA).  What’s worse none of them are in YC and none have the loyalty level MSC has afforded me. 
 

I hope the onboard experience is good because pre cruise stinks! 

[little britain]

For avoidance of any doubt; YC guests can board anytime they want as they have a dedicate check-in. 

[uktog]

15 minutes ago, little britain said:

For avoidance of any doubt; YC guests can board anytime they want as they have a dedicate check-in. 

Not true for Greenock and lots of people also saying not true at Liverpool either. It seems they allocate boarding times by booking dates. Even non YC people are reporting family bookings with teenagers in separate rooms are getting split times and having to argue with port security guards to get in together. That’s not the holiday start anyone wants. 
Sounds like their back office is pretty rubbish and they don’t then react with a customer focus when the issues are highlighted to them. 
As I say I will judge them in the round after the end of the cruise but the starting experience is woefully inadequate and I hate unethical organisations that spin stories to fob customers off. 

Edited July 24, 2021 by uktog

[emmas gran]

We haven’t boarded in UK but in Dubai we have been in YC lounge by 10 am, partly due to the early flight arrivals. This happened pre Covid in March 2019 and February 2020, there were queues all around the terminal but YC was about 10 people with snack soft drinks or tea/coffee.

[uktog]

40 minutes ago, little britain said:

For avoidance of any doubt; YC guests can board anytime they want as they have a dedicate check-in. 

So why are their UK travel agent contacts, not call centre reps insisting otherwise?  

[ipeeinthepool]

9 hours ago, Germancruiser said:

Oh yes, for sure X´s suite experience will survive. I really love X and their ships- even though they got louder and louder by the year. Nowadays even the Captain climbs up to the bar and mixes Martinis much to the amusemend and fun of the most passengers. The Captain and his officers have become part of the entertainment - team. Oh yes- times they change.

 

I do not need all the stuff they offer on these new MSC ships- bowling alley- water slides- interactiv waterslides - the list goes on and on. What I really appreciate is that MSC turned back time and reinvented the prommenade deck- even enchanced it. To that I really look forward.

 

The dead is done- the deal taken ( no surcharge for single travelers - even in YC) , the cruise booked.

I changed ships and directions, though.

 

I opted for a little warmer climate for a October cruise. Instead the baltic sea I booked the cruise on board the Seaside ( instead of the Seaview) going around Italy. The destinations are not that important for me - this time - the ship is the destination. The deluxe suite looks really nice  and spacious.

 

I am sure I have a few more questions before I sail- so again - a heartfelt thanks for all those who told about their exerperinces.

 

I hope you enjoy your cruise and I hope you will return and let us know how you think MSC and Celebrity compare.

[Jeremiah1212]

16 hours ago, mafig said:

Things will be a lot easier and go a lot more smoothly if you go through a travel agent who has experience dealing with MSC.  

 

That's part of the problem. You shouldn't need a special four year degree to sell a particular cruise line. For many of us it's just not worth the hassle.