MSC Yacht Club vs Haven ?

[2boyzmom]

We are considering the MSC Divina for an Italy trip this summer and see they have an area similar to the Haven. Has anyone sailed this ship and can compare with the Haven for me? Thank you!

[G-DawgMN]

22 minutes ago, 2boyzmom said:

We are considering the MSC Divina for an Italy trip this summer and see they have an area similar to the Haven. Has anyone sailed this ship and can compare with the Haven for me? Thank you!

 

 I've sailed in both. The biggest difference of MSC is that the restaurant has a different menu daily. I'm sure it varies by staff/ship, but I found the butler on MSC absolutely useless. I had requested room service menus, they never showed, he offered to escort us off the ship but never showed up to do so.

  I personally found the staff on MSC Yacht Club restaurant amazing compare to NCL, but the sailing I was on also had only 45 people in the Yacht Club which may have made a big difference.

  I did enjoy the lounge on MSC a bit more that NCL, the bar was in the front facing lounge so it was much less crowded, they also had live music in the evenings if that's your thing.

 

  I sailed on the Meraviglia which has a different Yacht Club layout than the Divina, so there may be some differences.

 

  

 

Edited December 15, 2022 by KSSS2013

[cruiseny4life]

Thanks for asking this! I really want to try out MSC Yacht Club. My husband...he loves NCL's Haven. I need to find something to entice him, so maybe someone on here will have that magic bean for him.

[J0Y0US]

45 minutes ago, cruiseny4life said:

Thanks for asking this! I really want to try out MSC Yacht Club. My husband...he loves NCL's Haven. I need to find something to entice him, so maybe someone on here will have that magic bean for him.

 

Look at the ship tours of the area. Yacht Club area is very well put together and is different than what NCL really offers with the Haven.

 

Possibly looking at the layout you might find that its better suited to how you might want to cruise.

[CruizinSusan70]

Not knowing what your thoughts are regarding balconies, but the Yacht Club does have inside cabins as well that are a cost savings.  The category is YIN.

[nonchalant_muse]

1 hour ago, cruiseny4life said:

Thanks for asking this! I really want to try out MSC Yacht Club. My husband...he loves NCL's Haven. I need to find something to entice him, so maybe someone on here will have that magic bean for him.

 

I'm a huuuge fan of MSC Yacht Club! Will be sailing in YC (on the Seaview) in early Feb 2023.

 

I'll start off by saying that I have never sailed in the Haven (or on NCL, first-ever sailing with them will be in mid-April) but, from what I've read about it, it's a similar concept to the YC with the private section of the ship closed off and dedicated only to Haven guests (i.e. "ship within a ship" concept). I love this as I can enjoy all the benefits that come with cruising on a very large vessel while at the same time enjoy a more private and less crowded space to retreat to when I need a breather 🙂

 

Anyways, this is what I've learned as far as the positives of MSC YC over NCL Haven:

 

1. YC restaurant menu rotates day to day; there are a select core of entrees that remain the same throughout the cruise, all the rest change on each day of the cruise, lots of variety. My understanding is that the Haven restaurant menu does not change.

 

2. YC guests are allowed unlimited access to the MSC Thermal Spa area; this is one of my favorite perks regarding YC, you automatically get free, unlimited everyday entry to their Thermal Spa (and it is sweeet!!!) As a Haven guest, access to the NCL Thermal Spa requires an additional charge unless one is booked in a Haven Spa suite. 

 

3. In YC, room service is included and is free, including delivery of alcoholic beverages for free. My understanding is that Haven does not allow for delivery of alcoholic beverages without a fee (although room service for other items is free and included). 

 

4. High tea service in the YC Lounge every late afternoon (roughly 4 pm). Another one of my favorite perks of the YC, you receive personalized high tea service in the YC Lounge every afternoon of your cruise. I love tea and absolutely adore their high tea service; they bring a cart with a selection of various teas and brew it in front of you, along with a tiered plate setting of scones, clotted cream, jams, tea sandwiches, and petit four desserts. I do not believe this type of tea service is offered in Haven. 

 

5. This is something new and I think may only be offered on the newer MSC ships (Meraviglia-class and newer) but YC guests are given a wristband in addition to a room key card. The wristband works just like the card; you use it to unlock and enter your cabin, to scan and receive beverages from the bar/cafe, to unlock and enter private YC areas of the ship, etc. It's great because one can just wear the wristband without having to carry around a room key card (I found this especially useful while lounging/swimming in the pool, and yes, wristbands are waterproof). To my knowledge Haven does not have this feature, but correct me if I'm mistaken. 

 

As an aside, you DO need your room key card whenever disembarking the ship while at port. Only the room key card will allow you to disembark/embark the cruise ship. 

 

 

That's all that comes to mind for now, hopefully you and your husband will be able to try out MSC YC at least once. It's generally a hecka lot cheaper than NCL Haven, too, if price point matters to you 🙂 

[2boyzmom]

28 minutes ago, nonchalant_muse said:

 

I'm a huuuge fan of MSC Yacht Club! Will be sailing in YC (on the Seaview) in early Feb 2023.

 

I'll start off by saying that I have never sailed in the Haven (or on NCL, first-ever sailing with them will be in mid-April) but, from what I've read about it, it's a similar concept to the YC with the private section of the ship closed off and dedicated only to Haven guests (i.e. "ship within a ship" concept). I love this as I can enjoy all the benefits that come with cruising on a very large vessel while at the same time enjoy a more private and less crowded space to retreat to when I need a breather 🙂

 

Anyways, this is what I've learned as far as the positives of MSC YC over NCL Haven:

 

1. YC restaurant menu rotates day to day; there are a select core of entrees that remain the same throughout the cruise, all the rest change on each day of the cruise, lots of variety. My understanding is that the Haven restaurant menu does not change.

 

2. YC guests are allowed unlimited access to the MSC Thermal Spa area; this is one of my favorite perks regarding YC, you automatically get free, unlimited everyday entry to their Thermal Spa (and it is sweeet!!!) As a Haven guest, access to the NCL Thermal Spa requires an additional charge unless one is booked in a Haven Spa suite. 

 

3. In YC, room service is included and is free, including delivery of alcoholic beverages for free. My understanding is that Haven does not allow for delivery of alcoholic beverages without a fee (although room service for other items is free and included). 

 

4. High tea service in the YC Lounge every late afternoon (roughly 4 pm). Another one of my favorite perks of the YC, you receive personalized high tea service in the YC Lounge every afternoon of your cruise. I love tea and absolutely adore their high tea service; they bring a cart with a selection of various teas and brew it in front of you, along with a tiered plate setting of scones, clotted cream, jams, tea sandwiches, and petit four desserts. I do not believe this type of tea service is offered in Haven. 

 

5. This is something new and I think may only be offered on the newer MSC ships (Meraviglia-class and newer) but YC guests are given a wristband in addition to a room key card. The wristband works just like the card; you use it to unlock and enter your cabin, to scan and receive beverages from the bar/cafe, to unlock and enter private YC areas of the ship, etc. It's great because one can just wear the wristband without having to carry around a room key card (I found this especially useful while lounging/swimming in the pool, and yes, wristbands are waterproof). To my knowledge Haven does not have this feature, but correct me if I'm mistaken. 

 

As an aside, you DO need your room key card whenever disembarking the ship while at port. Only the room key card will allow you to disembark/embark the cruise ship. 

 

 

That's all that comes to mind for now, hopefully you and your husband will be able to try out MSC YC at least once. It's generally a hecka lot cheaper than NCL Haven, too, if price point matters to you 🙂 

Thanks so much. We just got off a 14 night Haven Breakaway cruise and that same menu everyday is nuts. One night i requested some pasta with tomato sauce and they said special items need to be ordered 24 hours in advance! I realized it's time to widen our experiences with our cruise lines

[mafig]

I preferred the Yacht Club to the Haven.  Number 1 reason was the pool.  I don't like indoor pools, and the YC is outside.

I also liked that they never asked for a room card while in the YC.  

I loved the Top Sail lounge, especially at night with light entertainment.

I though I'd have enough to choose from in the Haven restaurant to not get bored with the same menu every night....but I did.  DH, on the other hand, had lobster every night and still talks about that!

In the YC you don't have to upgrade your drink package to get water!

 

Sounds like I didn't like the Haven...but I did.  Just prefer the YC more. 

However, Prima has an outdoor pool, so that'll be one of my next bookings. 😊

Edited December 15, 2022 by mafig

[graphicguy]

Not going to reiterate what others have posted here.

 

Generally speaking, Haven has better Concierges.  They seem to be able to get you into sold out shows, restaurants, make billing problems disappear and solve internet problems, seemingly like magic.  YC Concierges are good.  But, if you want reservations anywhere that you can't get on your own, neither can they.  Still, they're polite and helpful if they can help.

 

YC Butlers are around all the time.  From the time you drop off your luggage at the sidewalk YC tent at the pier, to serving drinks at the YC Lounge, they are very visible and willing to help.  Haven Butlers are a strange bunch.  Sometimes they're always around, sometimes they disappear for days.  Sometimes the follow instructions to a "T".  Sometimes they just ignore them.

 

If you've booked a Haven Spa Suite, you also get unlimited access to the NCL Spa.  Depending on the ship, the spas on NCL are some of the best at sea.  Again, YC spas are nice (depending on ship).  I just like NCL's better because of the varied areas of the spa.

 

Bottom line...both are good.  They do have differences, however.  

 

Let us know your priorities and we'll recommend which like does it better.

[gmbhardy]

We’ve cruised in both extensively, although not on the Divina. The YC is much better value. The Haven is getting way overpriced. We prefer the YC restaurant because the portions are smaller and more manageable. I get turned off getting portions I can’t possibly eat. As others have said the YC lounge is a lot nicer and the pool deck has a bar and patio serving breakfast, lunch and afternoon snacks. We think the butlers are better in the YC. The bartenders are much better in the Haven. You are able to use multiple devices with the free wifi in the YC. The thermal spa is included free of charge in the YC. The Haven has a larger variety of cabin choices. I would rank the booze package superior in the YC. As others have said you can order drinks delivered to your room and the mini bar fridge is restocked each day with juices and the beer of your choice. You also receive a free bottle of liquor. The DSC is way less on MSC. I know you’re planning a cruise in Italy, but I’ll end by saying if you’re planning on booking a Caribbean cruise, every MSC itinerary includes a stop at their private island, Ocean Cay Marine Reserve where YC guests can dine at a private restaurant overlooking breathtaking vistas. Ocean Cay is hands down the best private island in the Caribbean. If you sail out after dusk, you can also watch the lighthouse show from your balcony.

[Dr. Cocktail]

I have sailed on both many times and they are both very different especially as we're comparing not only different cruise lines but different classes of ships.

 

While we loved the YC and made it work, we won't return for one very big reason - no shade outdoors whatsoever. The decks on Divina are slightly hotter than the surface of the sun whereas the Seaside class ships offer some shade if you're willing to constantly keep moving and jump when someone else moves.

 

The Haven outdoor decks severely lack a bar but have ample shade with the pool with sliding glass roof and the many umbrellas offered.  I absolutely HATE the disposable NCL plastic glasses for any drinks served outside - soooooo much waste.

 

The Haven menu does indeed never change but while food is extremely subjective, the quality of the raw ingredients is far superior to those served in the YC.  As an example, YC Prime Rib is .... likely beef cut to resemble a Prime Rib but actually ridiculously awful. Nearly everyone who sails on NCL will have a dining package and will get a few dinners out - that's NCL's brand - eat at different places at different times.  I like the specialty restaurants on both.

 

The main shows on NCL are generally Broadway lite and superb but .... there's usually only two different shows on any giving sailing. MSC offers click-tracked "extravaganzas" that have to be seen to be believed - but not in a good way. While they have many different titles, they're uniformly bewildering, noisy and frenetic.

 

The Top Sail lounge is great in that it offers live music all evening to late at night.  I also like not having to ever take out my key card or sign for anything.

 

Again - both are great but the lack of shade is a deal breaker for me on warm weather cruises.

[dexddd]

Much already covered but like Havens on NCL, the YC on MSC has evolved too.  The first class of MSC ships having YC includes Divinia and our first trip was on Divinia as was our last on MSC.  Divina YC is very good.  Main complaints is restaurant is in back, not a big deal but fixed on newer class and lack of shade by pool which also partially corrected on Divinia but more so on newer classes.

 

Grill by pool.  Butlers have always been great vs NCL who are so so.  On Divinia behind YC is jungle pool with movable roof if weather bad.

 

Overall rooms smaller but nicely appointed.  Note Divinia does not have YC interiors but on the newer ships they are small and shower is literally coffin sized.

[chill6x6]

So I can't bring myself to follow thru with an MSC YC cruise.  The two hurtles I have are the small balconies/no loungers with the vast majority of YC cabins AND I'm a little concerned that we won't like the Europeanish food choices.  I'm not saying we won't ever do an MSC cruise but I know what I'm getting with Norwegian and Royal.

[CruizinSusan70]

51 minutes ago, chill6x6 said:

So I can't bring myself to follow thru with an MSC YC cruise.  The two hurtles I have are the small balconies/no loungers with the vast majority of YC cabins AND I'm a little concerned that we won't like the Europeanish food choices.  I'm not saying we won't ever do an MSC cruise but I know what I'm getting with Norwegian and Royal.

Wait till the MSC World America comes out in 2025.  It will be built specifically for the US and should be more to your liking.

[Georgia_Peaches]

My understanding with Divina is that the YC restaurant is not in the YC area. Kinda like some older NCL ships that added a Haven after the fact. However, since this is an itinerary in Italy, chances are you will spend a great deal of time off the ship so the YC facilities may not matter as much. In general, I have come to enjoy and appreciate the YC experience more than the Haven.. and we loved the Haven. But the pricing on NCL had us looking elsewhere. 
One final thought, sailing Divina in Europe is going to be a much different experience than sailing Divina from USA. English will not be the first language spoken…. Or the second, third,… don’t get me wrong, I love a multicultural vibe but when we cruised in Europe, it was very comforting to be able to land at the end of the day where English was the first language (we were on RCCL). 

[Hearthosesteeldrumsplayin]

We sailed the Med in the MSC YC on the Belissima.  Fabulous trip.  We have sailed almost exclusively in the Haven on NCL.  I loved the experience on both.  YC generally less expensive than Haven.  Haven has gotten ridiculously high, but I notice that YC is trying to catch up.  Loved the live music in the YC area in the evenings.  I had asked at restaurant if they were going to serve a dish I like.  They were not, but the Maitre 'd actually had it prepared specifically for us the next night.  We were in the largest suite with a hot tub on the deck, so no issues with outside loungers, etc. (this was back when MSC was trying to break into the US market, so VERY reasonable price!)  Something I have not seen mentioned (sorry if I missed it), those arm bands also give you priority on the elevators.  We usually take stairs, but were spoiled by the rapid elevator to the YC.  Downside was all announcements in multiple languages, so it took a while to get through them.  And embarkation/disembarkation at every port, as opposed to everyone getting on/off at a single point.  My overall thoughts were YC is certainly an experience that I enjoy.  Not sure I would appreciate an MSC cruise outside of the YC.

Have a cruise on Divinia coming up in May; YC.  Then depart her to board NCL (suite, no haven on ship).  So, both cruise lines offer an enjoyable experience!  I'm hoping that when everyone has finally spent all the pandemic FCC, that prices will ease back down!

[dexddd]

Right, on Divinia the YC restaurant is in the back.  People complain about having to walk outside to get there or having to go down to seven then back up (which is how butler takes you first night)

 

Just go down to 13 and walk aft then back up.

 

The funny thing is the restaurant overlooks the aft adult pool.  Our first lunch people were changing into swimsuits to go swimming.  There is an outside bar port side just outside the restaurants.  That is also a smoking area fyi.

 

Divina is not a smart ship so it does not use the wristbands.