What do you think of these MSC upgrade offers?

[Stockjock]

In a few months, we'll be doing a 10-night European cruise.  We have a aft-facing, slightly oversized balcony on an upper deck along w/the usual drink package, wi-fi, double Voyagers Club points (on this one), etc.  I think we got an excellent price.

Here are their MSC Upgrade offers.  They don't seem compelling to me, but what do you think?

1. Yacht Club Deluxe Suite minimum bid $1635 per person.

2. Yacht Club Interior Suite minimum bid $320 per person.

3. Aurea Suite w/Terrace and Whirlpool minimum bid $635 per person.

4. Aurea Premium Suite minimum bid $320 per person.

While I don't think I'll bid, if one does bid and win, does one lose other perks (i.e. drink package or double VC points on our sailing)?

 

[carlmm]

If you upgrade to Aurea you keep your drinks packsgr, if you upgrade to  Yacht Club an ever bettercthan the usual package will be include.

 

If you, as you say, got an excellent price, the upgrade offers  could be quite good, too, but of course that is apersonal decision and one should check the current full prices.

[Stockjock]

7 minutes ago, carlmm said:

If you upgrade to Aurea you keep your drinks packsgr, if you upgrade to  Yacht Club an ever bettercthan the usual package will be include.

 

If you, as you say, got an excellent price, the upgrade offers  could be quite good, too, but of course that is apersonal decision and one should check the current full prices.

We paid roughly $1,100 per person net for 10 nights, wi-fi, double VC points, Easy Plus drink package and I think $100 OBC.  Included in that was a customer care certificate for a prior problem which had knocked off something like 15% or 20% on top of the other offers.  Aft-facing balcony (slightly oversized) on a top deck.

We'd love to try YC, but don't think it's worth spending another $3,300 and while inside YC sounds enticing, I'd hate to give up an aft balcony.

Plus, not sure how they handle double VC points.  I'd guess they remain the same, but not sure.  It probably doesn't matter anyway, in our case.

[Hearthosesteeldrumsplayin]

I think you are leaning towards keeping what you have.  It sounds like a great deal!  While the Yacht Club is my favorite, I would not want to change a balcony for an interior.  And, another $3,300, while probably reasonable, just seems like a big chunk!  If port intensive, how much will you get to enjoy YC versus sitting on your Aft balcony and chilling?

[mscdivina2016]

16 hours ago, Stockjock said:

In a few months, we'll be doing a 10-night European cruise.  We have a aft-facing, slightly oversized balcony on an upper deck along w/the usual drink package, wi-fi, double Voyagers Club points (on this one), etc.  I think we got an excellent price.

Here are their MSC Upgrade offers.  They don't seem compelling to me, but what do you think?

1. Yacht Club Deluxe Suite minimum bid $1635 per person.

2. Yacht Club Interior Suite minimum bid $320 per person.

3. Aurea Suite w/Terrace and Whirlpool minimum bid $635 per person.

4. Aurea Premium Suite minimum bid $320 per person.

While I don't think I'll bid, if one does bid and win, does one lose other perks (i.e. drink package or double VC points on our sailing)?

 

I think you are missing one small point in your reasoning.

That is the word "minimum".

 

Chances are you won't win a minimum unless there is massive inventory.

 

 

[Nunagoras]

18 hours ago, Stockjock said:

In a few months, we'll be doing a 10-night European cruise.  We have a aft-facing, slightly oversized balcony on an upper deck along w/the usual drink package, wi-fi, double Voyagers Club points (on this one), etc.  I think we got an excellent price.

Here are their MSC Upgrade offers.  They don't seem compelling to me, but what do you think?

1. Yacht Club Deluxe Suite minimum bid $1635 per person.

2. Yacht Club Interior Suite minimum bid $320 per person.

3. Aurea Suite w/Terrace and Whirlpool minimum bid $635 per person.

4. Aurea Premium Suite minimum bid $320 per person.

While I don't think I'll bid, if one does bid and win, does one lose other perks (i.e. drink package or double VC points on our sailing)?

 

TBHH: Bear in mind that those are the minimums. If there's not a big leftover inventory, chances are that you wont win on a minimum.

 

That said the unique minimum out of those on which I would bet would be the YC interior. Chances are the demand for those cabins is not that big for your particular sailing, because that price difference considering the inclusions seems pretty nice these days!... All the others are way overpriced for the really minimal advantage, or similar cabin with YC. Actually those offers are nuts IMHO... Aurea is now just a slightly glorified Fantastica category with some minimal perks. If your promotion gives you Easy Plus or Premium Extra packages, Aurea only gives you baseline Easy. Priority embarkation might to mean nothing depending on your embarkation port and Covid restrictions, anytime dining is also available with YC, on the Spa you will now just have discounts, and I could to go on... YC gets Premium Extra drinks package and WiFi though. So; unless you really valuate more the balcony than the extra YC perks, try for the YC inside. European cruises use to be very port intensive. I don't feel the need for a balcony anymore for those cruises. Yes, they're a must have on a TA, or UAE cruise. Not on most European loops. Usually bids for upgrade will be applied upon your initial booking with same rights, but read the fine print on that one. Special promotion benefits might to be cut off.

 

Have a nice day!

[pappahbuttz]

I have done two MSC cruises and going on my third this November B2B. All were/are in Yacht Club interior cabins. I had a balcony cabin on one Royal Caribbean cruise and loved it, but the price to get a YC balcony is MUCH more than the interior, and with the YC private pool deck and generous open spaces I do not really miss having the balcony. (just miss having the natural light in the am). I do not think I would ever sail on MSC in anything but YC.

[Oxo]

Going on the Seashore 14 days July 2022. Received upgrade offer from Bella Balcony with $300 OBC, 2 Easy Plus Bev Pkg and 2 Internet Pkg.

 

Offer is: YC Deluxe Suite $1,920 * 2 = $3,840

                YC Interior Suite $740 * 2 = $1,480

                 Grand Suite Aurea $1,770 * 2= $3,540

I personally believe that they are too much. For the $3,xxx I can take a 7 day cruise. JMHO

Your opinion????

[Stockjock]

7 hours ago, mscdivina2016 said:

I think you are missing one small point in your reasoning.

That is the word "minimum".

 

Chances are you won't win a minimum unless there is massive inventory.

 

 

I did win a bid on RCCL at or near the minimum.  Different cruise line, but I think it's the same company that administers the upgrade program.

But yes, of course it depends on how many cabins are available in that class, if any, and what bids are in place.

[mscdivina2016]

18 hours ago, Oxo said:

Going on the Seashore 14 days July 2022. Received upgrade offer from Bella Balcony with $300 OBC, 2 Easy Plus Bev Pkg and 2 Internet Pkg.

 

Offer is: YC Deluxe Suite $1,920 * 2 = $3,840

                YC Interior Suite $740 * 2 = $1,480

                 Grand Suite Aurea $1,770 * 2= $3,540

I personally believe that they are too much. For the $3,xxx I can take a 7 day cruise. JMHO

Your opinion????

It depends on your finances. I assume those are minimum bids anyway and in summer, many are bidding against you.

 

[Bluewake]

On 6/24/2022 at 4:40 PM, Stockjock said:

We'd love to try YC, but don't think it's worth spending another $3,300 and while inside YC sounds enticing, I'd hate to give up an aft balcony.
 

 

We are seasoned cruisers who, prior to the pandemic, had a balcony on MSC Seaside but decided to place a bid on a YC interior because we'd not been in the YC before that time.  The bid was accepted and we were excited about this new experience.  However, during the cruise, we came to the conclusion that we should have remained in the orginal balcony cabin.  The YC is very nice but it just didn't work for us.  The two things we most liked about the YC were the ability to grab a quiet breakfast and lunch at the Buffet and Grill and being escorted on and off the ship at embarkation and debarkation.  However, being quite independent and preferring to do things for ourselves, we actually found being tied to a butler (who was very nice) a bit stifling.   For instance, we often had to wait to be escorted places until a group arrived to be taken together.  On a couple of excursions, we ended up with some of the worst seats on the bus because the group didn't go down to the pier until the last minute.  In the theater, we found the seating area reserved for YC guests not to be as good as other seats.  [Of course, we could have gone to such events on our own but as YC rookies, we thought we'd stick with the program.]  While the food in the YC restaurant was very good, I guess I'm an unsophisticated diner who didn't always appreciate the unique dishes that were offered...thus, I ended up eating the risotto entree 3-4 times.  And, we like spending time in various cafes around the ship so  sitting in the YC lounge wasn't for us.  Finally, the pool area was rather tiny...although getting a chair was easy.   We fully appreciate the fact that many cruisers find YC experience to be the only way to go but - as always - whether it's "worth it" depends on your personal preferences and lifestyle.  If you like being pampered, having someone attending to your every need, and avoiding the crowds it probably would be a wonderful experience.  We are glad we gave it a try but found it's just "not us".  I assume a lot of folks might think we're crazy!

 

[Oxo]

1 hour ago, mscdivina2016 said:

It depends on your finances. I assume those are minimum bids anyway and in summer, many are bidding against you.

 

Thanks! You are correct that those are minimum bids. We just don't believe we would get that much more for our money. Would rather take another cruise. 

Stay Safe and Happy Cruising! 

[Oxo]

1 hour ago, Bluewake said:

 

We are seasoned cruisers who, prior to the pandemic, had a balcony on MSC Seaside but decided to place a bid on a YC interior because we'd not been in the YC before that time.  The bid was accepted and we were excited about this new experience.  However, during the cruise, we came to the conclusion that we should have remained in the orginal balcony cabin.  The YC is very nice but it just didn't work for us.  The two things we most liked about the YC were the ability to grab a quiet breakfast and lunch at the Buffet and Grill and being escorted on and off the ship at embarkation and debarkation.  However, being quite independent and preferring to do things for ourselves, we actually found being tied to a butler (who was very nice) a bit stifling.   For instance, we often had to wait to be escorted places until a group arrived to be taken together.  On a couple of excursions, we ended up with some of the worst seats on the bus because the group didn't go down to the pier until the last minute.  In the theater, we found the seating area reserved for YC guests not to be as good as other seats.  [Of course, we could have gone to such events on our own but as YC rookies, we thought we'd stick with the program.]  While the food in the YC restaurant was very good, I guess I'm an unsophisticated diner who didn't always appreciate the unique dishes that were offered...thus, I ended up eating the risotto entree 3-4 times.  And, we like spending time in various cafes around the ship so  sitting in the YC lounge wasn't for us.  Finally, the pool area was rather tiny...although getting a chair was easy.   We fully appreciate the fact that many cruisers find YC experience to be the only way to go but - as always - whether it's "worth it" depends on your personal preferences and lifestyle.  If you like being pampered, having someone attending to your every need, and avoiding the crowds it probably would be a wonderful experience.  We are glad we gave it a try but found it's just "not us".  I assume a lot of folks might think we're crazy!

 

We agree with your assessment of YC.

We think the same as you. Don't need or would use a Butler. Have seen where the reserve seats are and they would not be our choice. You are not crazy, just realistic. Thank you! 

Stay Safe and Happy Cruising! 

 

[Stockjock]

4 hours ago, Bluewake said:

 

We are seasoned cruisers who, prior to the pandemic, had a balcony on MSC Seaside but decided to place a bid on a YC interior because we'd not been in the YC before that time.  The bid was accepted and we were excited about this new experience.  However, during the cruise, we came to the conclusion that we should have remained in the orginal balcony cabin.  The YC is very nice but it just didn't work for us.  The two things we most liked about the YC were the ability to grab a quiet breakfast and lunch at the Buffet and Grill and being escorted on and off the ship at embarkation and debarkation.  However, being quite independent and preferring to do things for ourselves, we actually found being tied to a butler (who was very nice) a bit stifling.   For instance, we often had to wait to be escorted places until a group arrived to be taken together.  On a couple of excursions, we ended up with some of the worst seats on the bus because the group didn't go down to the pier until the last minute.  In the theater, we found the seating area reserved for YC guests not to be as good as other seats.  [Of course, we could have gone to such events on our own but as YC rookies, we thought we'd stick with the program.]  While the food in the YC restaurant was very good, I guess I'm an unsophisticated diner who didn't always appreciate the unique dishes that were offered...thus, I ended up eating the risotto entree 3-4 times.  And, we like spending time in various cafes around the ship so  sitting in the YC lounge wasn't for us.  Finally, the pool area was rather tiny...although getting a chair was easy.   We fully appreciate the fact that many cruisers find YC experience to be the only way to go but - as always - whether it's "worth it" depends on your personal preferences and lifestyle.  If you like being pampered, having someone attending to your every need, and avoiding the crowds it probably would be a wonderful experience.  We are glad we gave it a try but found it's just "not us".  I assume a lot of folks might think we're crazy!

 

I suspect we are on the same page.  I would try YC under the right circumstances, but it doesn't seem to be a good value compared to my current aft-facing oversized balcony cabin, in my view.

Edited June 26, 2022 by Stockjock

[Oxo]

On 6/25/2022 at 2:59 PM, Oxo said:

Going on the Seashore 14 days July 2022. Received upgrade offer from Bella Balcony with $300 OBC, 2 Easy Plus Bev Pkg and 2 Internet Pkg.

 

Offer is: YC Deluxe Suite $1,920 * 2 = $3,840

                YC Interior Suite $740 * 2 = $1,480

                 Grand Suite Aurea $1,770 * 2= $3,540

I personally believe that they are too much. For the $3,xxx I can take a 7 day cruise. JMHO

Your opinion????

Just received our 3rd email from MSC with same min bids. MSC must not be getting many bites. Will stay with my current Bella Balcony.

[mscdivina2016]

4 hours ago, Oxo said:

Just received our 3rd email from MSC with same min bids. MSC must not be getting many bites. Will stay with my current Bella Balcony.

When I have bidded in the past before just outright booking it, even with my bidding max, I still have gotten those emails.