Observations from a new and impartial Cruise Passenger - MSC Seascape Yacht Club

[Two Wheels Only]

29 minutes ago, L1211 said:

I’m perplexed on why they did not dedicate a desirable part of the island/beach to YC.  Feels like they took the crappy part of the island and “labeled” it luxury.  A miss for sure. OC is an AMAZING island but differentiated YC experience is lacking IMHO. 

 

I believe that the beach was much nicer until a storm of some kind (tropical storm, tropical depression, whatever) washed away part of the beach leaving the undesirable rocks exposed. 

 

20 hours ago, UWGRAD1 said:

I can't understand how a few shrimp and some lobster tails make people lose their minds.  The seafood buffet on the last sea day was a zoo.  Presumably everyone in the Yacht Club has enough money to buy shrimp and lobster whenever they want it back home...why they lose their ***** for subpar quality just because its free is beyond my comprehension.

 

51 minutes ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

The seafood buffet on the last day is a big deal I think because many people (such as myself) would never buy lobster back home.  And it's not because I can't afford it, it's because it's a luxury item that I don't choose to splurge on.  Same with crab legs.  I think people get excited because it's not what they would normally buy when at home.

 

 

 

I've never fought for food at a buffet (or anywhere) but I can understand the desire for shrimp/lobster/crab legs.

 

It's the BEHAVIOR that I'll never understand. 🙄

[morpheusofthesea]

1 hour ago, UWGRAD1 said:

Rocky Beach – The negative commentary on the rocks as you enter the water is real. The rocks are actually dangerous, they are big enough that you can twist an ankle or substantially scratch/cut your feet.  We had high quality water shoes on and it was still very uncomfortable.  I went into the trip expecting people to have been overblowing this issue, but they were all stating 100% fact. 

True. Went searching for information from the world's top cruise lines. Not one advertises beaches. Guess ocean bathing is not on the high end cruisers list, so it makes perfect sense to give the best beaches for families, etc.

  For those that do enjoy going into the surf ....

March to August is sea lice/ jellyfish season.

May to October is seaweed season

February March and August September is red tide season.

So it appears the best time to swim in the Ocean is November December and January.

[morpheusofthesea]

2 hours ago, UWGRAD1 said:

Rocky Beach – The negative commentary on the rocks as you enter the water is real. The rocks are actually dangerous, they are big enough that you can twist an ankle or substantially scratch/cut your feet.  We had high quality water shoes on and it was still very uncomfortable.  I went into the trip expecting people to have been overblowing this issue, but they were all stating 100% fact.  

Was there several times when new beach sand was put down over the rocks. Went back a month later and rocks. The waves must have washed the sand away ?  The serenity from the cabanas to the left of Ocean House is enhanced by the large rocks and no obstructing lounges. Where those cabanas on the beach side have no view at all.

[clydecruiser]

On 4/7/2023 at 4:10 PM, perakcruiser said:

I was very surprised on our last MSC cruise that the room steward refused to empty the fridge for us. We had to do this by ourselves and even had to store all the unwanted stuff in the wardrobe for the whole cruise. This never happened on any MSC cruise before and we had the fridge always emptied. If this even happens in YC now that is not a good sign. 

Never had an issue having this done. If it happens on next cruise I will empty contents of unwanted drinks down sink and they can remove empties

[Morgsmom]

9 hours ago, clydecruiser said:

Never had an issue having this done. If it happens on next cruise I will empty contents of unwanted drinks down sink and they can remove empties

Until they restock all of them and the cycle continues.....

[clydecruiser]

1 hour ago, Morgsmom said:

Until they restock all of them and the cycle continues.....

They would normally only restock with what you want

[LoungerOnBalcony55]

That's absolutely unacceptable you weren't provided a lounger, and that your butler wouldn't remove unwanted items from your fridge. I'd have withheld a tip entirely on the basis of that alone. 

[hamrag]

11 hours ago, clydecruiser said:

They would normally only restock with what you want

Yes, but in your scenario they assume you drank the lot! How would they know you'd drained the stuff down the sink? 🤔

[jean87510]

My husband and I are ambivalent to butlers as we too would not use them to unpack or iron.  However, I would be a little pissed if I was expecting things like the minibar or pillows or an escort off of ship at port.  These things I can't control on my own.  I can make my own bed but I can't restock my minibar.  I don't know where they keep their pillows.  I just can't go grab what I need.  I agree I would have gone Day 2 and either asked for some sort of compensation for lack of service or a new attendant.  If that attendant was in my shoes and had paid for an experience and wasn't getting it, he/she would feel the same.  

[chisoxfan]

Thanks for the very complete review. We were looking at a family cruise in 2024 (3 cabins) and I had complained about the YC non refundable deposits on an earlier post (we were planning to book with MSC but declined when we learned this) . That said we were today thinking of booking regardless and your post reminded me of some concerns.  We are not looking for a 'perfect' vacation and to me the 'butler' is more negative than positive, but comments on food quality, YC beach on private island, etc. made us hesitate.  Our 2019 YC cruise was great but the price difference from then and now is significant and I conclude best case the product is similar but may be 'reduced' in quality. Wish our path was clearer but we don't need to do anything regarding vacation that we are not enthusiastic about from the get go. JMHO