Just boarded MSC Virtuosa

[chemmo]

47 minutes ago, emmas gran said:

I bit the bullet and booked this trip in June as I was playing on the website and found a great fare. I miss my husband terribly but he wanted me to continue cruising and enjoy my life after he passed in February 🥲

Good luck to you! I think it is only when you are in our position that you realise that life does do on and you do need to move forwards…So much easier said than done. 

 

I wondered if you were ‘solo’. Let me know how you get on. I will be ‘semi solo’ on my Infinity cruise next year travelling with my son and fiancée. I am planning on being fairly independent once on board and as part of that I have joined the roll call for my cruise. It will be a ‘soft’ start for me…I plan on doing a few solo things in ports too.

 

Keep up the excellent review, I am enjoying all aspects!

 

 

 

[emmas gran]

Arjun the Head Butler came to see if everything was OK a while ago so I asked about YC staffing about 55 including 

9 butlers

9 assistant butlers

YC Director overall chargehe is a Brit ex Carnival employee

Melia the pool deck waitress is really sweet keeps coming to make sure that Im

drinking enough water and has just brought me a latte with extra shot as I had one yesterday 

[chemmo]

52 minutes ago, emmas gran said:

Arjun the Head Butler came to see if everything was OK a while ago so I asked about YC staffing about 55 including 

9 butlers

9 assistant butlers

YC Director overall chargehe is a Brit ex Carnival employee

Melia the pool deck waitress is really sweet keeps coming to make sure that Im

drinking enough water and has just brought me a latte with extra shot as I had one yesterday 

I wish someone had just brought me a drink…I am just drying off after hurriedly bringing in the washing, raining cats and dogs here!

[emmas gran]

Lisbon currently 25c or more, I’ve had enough sun for today. Off inside but before I go pool deck lunch is

John Dory

BBQ pork

Thai chicken curry

Veal chop

A joint of pork roast

salmon

People starting to come back now , we sail at 4 pm. Correction to the HAL ship Statendam not Amsterdam

[emmas gran]

Upcharge on diinks

JW Blue £8 and Remy  Martin XO is £3 sorry we are in £££ so you have to convert

 

Dinner tonight we had Crab cakes on per serving which seemed a little dry then Crusted sirloin with Yorkshire pudding, there was a lobster ravioli which we shared .All very good 

[George C]

1 hour ago, emmas gran said:

Upcharge on diinks

JW Blue £8 and Remy  Martin XO is £3 sorry we are in £££ so you have to convert

 

Dinner tonight we had Crab cakes on per serving which seemed a little dry then Crusted sirloin with Yorkshire pudding, there was a lobster ravioli which we shared .All very good 

Not to bad for the top shelf , my cruise 5 years ago we paid extra about 18 dollars a day and Johnny Walker Blue was no cost , but I drank way too much empty several bottles of blue and had a couple hangovers to prove it . Thanks for all the info.

[Dolebludger]

I’m  interested in this thread. We are historical Regent cruisers, but did go in the Retreat CS and RS in 2018 and 2019 respectively, and had great cruises. Also, we cruised in the MSC Yacht Club in 2015, and we liked that very much also. Both were much less expensive than Regent, but we’re almost as good. Now, cruises in the Retreat costs as much as Regent (or more) and there is a question about whether they include as much as then. The prices on  MSC. Yacht Club now seem in line with what they have been in the past. So that is why I am interested in thus thread, and appreciate all information.

[miched]

2 hours ago, George C said:

Not to bad for the top shelf , my cruise 5 years ago we paid extra about 18 dollars a day and Johnny Walker Blue was no cost , but I drank way too much empty several bottles of blue and had a couple hangovers to prove it . Thanks for all the info.

I always heard you never got a hangover from drinking good Scotch.    They must have been refilling the bottles with cheap stuff.   
 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅

[chemmo]

10 hours ago, emmas gran said:

Upcharge on diinks

JW Blue £8 and Remy  Martin XO is £3 sorry we are in £££ so you have to convert

 

Dinner tonight we had Crab cakes on per serving which seemed a little dry then Crusted sirloin with Yorkshire pudding, there was a lobster ravioli which we shared .All very good 

As someone who thinks it is OK to drown an occasional Scotch/cognac in lemonade I don’t think the up-charges will be worth it to me!

 

How would you say the food is in comparison to Celebrity (suite dining)?
 

Also what is the atmosphere like in the suite lounge both during the day and in the evening. Are people chatty or do they keep themselves to themselves? Is the entertainment in the lounge good?

 

If you want to give it a few days more before replying to get a better flavour of the ship I totally understand…

 

 

[Chewbecca]

We sailed on Virtuosa in YC during COVID (so not necessarily a usual trip). We liked YC but found the rest of the shop horrid, with one exception - the taco speciality restaurant which was quiet, good value and really tasty and I would highly recommend! 

[emmas gran]

Due to my husband’s illness we haven’t cruised with Celebrity for 2 years, we then sneaked a week between chemotherapy with his Oncologist blessing. Luminae wasn’t spectacular then so I personally think YC is good, and improved greatly since early 2019 when we started. Staff are attentive there is the hostess, Senior waiter as well as Maitre De . I have 40 nights on Edge Rome to Sydney at the end of October so the comparison will be interesting

 

There are 3 shows in the theatre each evening and butlers will escort you down should you wish the shows are not long just 30/35 minutes. The Top Sail lounge entertainment is subdued allowing conversation and usually a rotation of 2 or 3 different acts lasting maybe 45 minutes .

 

Not being a sun person my husband would use the lounge during the day to read do suduko whatever the staff circled checking if he wanted anything. During the evening 3 or 4 couples have asked me to join them which has been lovely.

 

We are in Cadiz today along with 5 other ships so docked in container area and shuttle buses provided to take people into town, I’m going to enjoy they ship.

More later

[gordylad]

really sorry to hear about your husband but well done you for continuing to cruise as life must go on...following along and enjoying your reports...looking forward to the Rome to Dubai cruise next month

[emmas gran]

Bottles of water still or sparkling replaced as required when the room is serviced. I also had a bowl of fruit with pear, plum apple orange and kiwi, grapes and some blueberries and raspberries.

Butlers bring drinks to the room and someone last evening asked for drinks to take to the room one of the staff said I’ll bring them for you sir.

 

Casablanca today and it’s very warm, the Captain said that MSC asked should we come here in view of the earthquake and the answer was a resounding yes.

 

No complaints from people I’m speaking with about food , some said the lamb shanks last night were very big so I didn’t have a starter!! Talking to a chef and his wife on their first cruise and they are very impressed 

[emmas gran]

Well we are in an overcast Gran Canaria so thought I’d update things.

Butlers are more than happy to take/bring drinks to your room, you can also get pizza brought from the main buffet to your room or on deck.

 

Had dinner with Jamie on Friday evening just 4 of us so an enjoyable evening. There are quite a few people moved from Celebrity to MSC from our conversation, some working in Geneva and some on ships.

 

As I’m solo have made it a thing not to have any alcohol before 6 pm, it’s working well and when I do order the bartender makes sure I am also drinking enough water . Been sticking to vodka and tonic but tonight I’m having a mudslide!

 

[hcat]

Go for the mudslide!

It's like a dessert +

40 days on EDGE spounds like a nice trip.  Hoping the staff will pamper you as one used to expect in X.

[chemmo]

Just a brief message to ask how your cruise is continuing….Hope you are enjoying!

[emmas gran]

3 hours ago, chemmo said:

Just a brief message to ask how your cruise is continuing….Hope you are enjoying!

Enjoying it very much, sorry not been posting!! The staff and butlers are exceptional. Celebrity will have to up its game to keep me booking with them. I was looking at booking MSC Euribia April 2025 and No YC balcony cabins available. The future cruise concierge (there are 3 of them) comes to YC for approx 2 hours every evening and will let me know if anything changes/ becomes available.

 

 

[DaKahuna]

@emmas gran Have the bartender make you a sidecar.  They are nice and refreshing.  

 I normally have one earlier in the day, especially if I have been outside in the sun but they are light and refreshing anytime. 

 

[emmas gran]

4 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

@emmas gran Have the bartender make you a sidecar.  They are nice and refreshing.  

 I normally have one earlier in the day, especially if I have been outside in the sun but they are light and refreshing anytime. 

 

My drink is Vodka and tonic pre dinner and VSOP for a nightcap, red wine 🍷 with meal although I have had a rose with lunch. I tend to stick to what I like.

Going to the taco place for tonight’s dinner with YC director and deputy head butler.

 

My room which they call deluxe YC is basically a balcony room , there is a 2 seater sofa table and 2 dining type chairs. The balcony is small but it’s rarely used by me.

It’s very quiet at the moment as we put clocks forward last night ready for Vigo tomorrow, then back tomorrow night ready for Southampton so I think I’ll go to the restaurant for breakfast.

[Cruise a holic]

On 9/9/2023 at 2:56 PM, deliver42 said:

The Yacht Club package MSC offers is better and more reasonably priced than anyone, on my opinion. The only place it falls a little is the Deluxe suite isn't much bibber than a normal balcony cabin on most cruise lines. Another problem is when you leave the Yacht Club, you think a tornado took you from Kansas to Carnival. LOL.

The tornado also is on NCL when you leave the Haven!  

[DaKahuna]

6 hours ago, emmas gran said:

My drink is Vodka and tonic pre dinner and VSOP for a nightcap, red wine 🍷 with meal although I have had a rose with lunch. I tend to stick to what I like.

Going to the taco place for tonight’s dinner with YC director and deputy head butler.

 

 Thank makes sense.  Before Celebrity eliminated the "Drinks & More" package, i would purchase that and have our butler stock some diet tonic for me.  In the evenings I'd enjoy a Tito's vodka from the mini-bar with the diet tonic.    

 

Unfortunately our MSC sailing is on the Divina which does not have the taco place. 

 

6 hours ago, emmas gran said:

 

My room which they call deluxe YC is basically a balcony room , there is a 2 seater sofa table and 2 dining type chairs. The balcony is small but it’s rarely used by me.

It’s very quiet at the moment as we put clocks forward last night ready for Vigo tomorrow, then back tomorrow night ready for Southampton so I think I’ll go to the restaurant for breakfast.

 

 That is the same type of room we have booked.  We do tend to spend a little time out on our balcony's.  We enjoy looking for various sea life while waiting the world go by.  

 

[chemmo]

17 hours ago, emmas gran said:

Enjoying it very much, sorry not been posting!! The staff and butlers are exceptional. Celebrity will have to up its game to keep me booking with them. I was looking at booking MSC Euribia April 2025 and No YC balcony cabins available. The future cruise concierge (there are 3 of them) comes to YC for approx 2 hours every evening and will let me know if anything changes/ becomes available.

 

 

Anything you miss from Celebrity? It certainly is the little things that staff do that make a cruise exceptional….

[emmas gran]

Nothing to miss really as haven’t cruised with Celebrity for 2 years. As I said it will be very interesting to cruise on Edge for 40 nights .

Apparently the lobster tails tonight were very big, the beef wellington was also very good.

Everyone of the staff calls me Miss ******** and checks I’m Ok the pool butlers even put towels on a bed when they set up every morning.

[gimletgal]

On 9/11/2023 at 3:50 PM, Georgia_Peaches said:

They are not included as a general booking but one may find a special that includes gratuities.  I believe the daily grat for YC is $16 pp/pd.

 

We have only sailed MSC from US ports and the entertainment is very USA centric.  Having said that, we enjoyed a mini-opera on Seashore on a sea day afternoon.  The female lead had a beautiful voice but the male was lip synced.  

Daily gratuity on MSC (all cabins, including YC) is $14.50/day for persons over 12 yrs - children $7.25/day - under 2 yrs. old - no charge.

[sunlover33]

On 9/19/2023 at 10:09 PM, emmas gran said:

Enjoying it very much, sorry not been posting!! The staff and butlers are exceptional. Celebrity will have to up its game to keep me booking with them. I was looking at booking MSC Euribia April 2025 and No YC balcony cabins available. The future cruise concierge (there are 3 of them) comes to YC for approx 2 hours every evening and will let me know if anything changes/ becomes available.

 

 

We were looking at exactly the same, completely sold out already! 🥲