Seascape Live YC first timer dec16-23

[morpheusofthesea]

11 minutes ago, brichar499 said:

Huh??

I certainly can understand a personal supplement to the daily hotel charge gratuity fee, but an additional $140 each?

It is really a personal matter. There are those guests that feel they have no need for a butler service and the butlers understand and do not force themselves on the guest. So no need to tip anything. Then there are the group escorts by butlers and those are generally just job related extras that are part of the job and again might not incur a tip, but some would say $5 like a bell hop that shows one to your hotel room. We are talking about all the other aspects provided or can be provided by a butler. The question really is 'How does one know they are receiving the service they should expect until they see it performed for others ?'  It is still a personal matter. We had a host/butler on Celebrity Edge. We booked the Edge Villa which is 2 floors, all the wardrobe space is upstairs in the master bedroom and of course DW 12 suitcases were delivered downstairs. The butler came to introduce himself, saw the 12 suitcases and disappeared for the rest of the week. I had to carry them up and down, so no tip for this guy, whatever incidentals he delivered to the cabin during the week were just part of his job description like the group escort butler above.

   Having read a report here on CC from another poster of his tipping $10 to his waiter for breakfast we upped our tipping to his recommendation level. But again, it is all personal. We feel our butler goes way beyond what we see him doing and so tip him $250 for a week and our cabin steward $200, waiter $300.

[DaKahuna]

@Lanierain Should the opportunity present itself, would you please take a picture of the tea's being offered in the YC?  We are big fans of the Tea Forte on Celebrity but know MSC does not offer it so we would like to know what MSC has in order to prepare for our upcoming cruise.

 

[Lanierain]

2 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

@Lanierain Should the opportunity present itself, would you please take a picture of the tea's being offered in the YC?  We are big fans of the Tea Forte on Celebrity but know MSC does not offer it so we would like to know what MSC has in order to prepare for our upcoming cruise.

 

These are the three in our room. I’ll check the top sail lounge later and see if there are any others. Hopefully the photo will post. If not, I’ll type it out 

[Lanierain]

4 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

It is really a personal matter. There are those guests that feel they have no need for a butler service and the butlers understand and do not force themselves on the guest. So no need to tip anything. Then there are the group escorts by butlers and those are generally just job related extras that are part of the job and again might not incur a tip, but some would say $5 like a bell hop that shows one to your hotel room. We are talking about all the other aspects provided or can be provided by a butler. The question really is 'How does one know they are receiving the service they should expect until they see it performed for others ?'  It is still a personal matter. We had a host/butler on Celebrity Edge. We booked the Edge Villa which is 2 floors, all the wardrobe space is upstairs in the master bedroom and of course DW 12 suitcases were delivered downstairs. The butler came to introduce himself, saw the 12 suitcases and disappeared for the rest of the week. I had to carry them up and down, so no tip for this guy, whatever incidentals he delivered to the cabin during the week were just part of his job description like the group escort butler above.

   Having read a report here on CC from another poster of his tipping $10 to his waiter for breakfast we upped our tipping to his recommendation level. But again, it is all personal. We feel our butler goes way beyond what we see him doing and so tip him $250 for a week and our cabin steward $200, waiter $300.

Absolutely! I appreciate everyone’s input as YC’ing my first time.  I do think some of the YC staff go above and beyond and should be shown gratitude. Seeing how messy my new DH is alone deserves some recognition lol! It is very personal but since I asked I figured I’d get responses from both ends of the spectrum.  

[Lanierain]

learned how to make an origami box in arts & crafts! ✅
Spent way too much on sea day “deals” ✅

ordered room service pizza delivery ✅

Took a vacation nap ✅

Had the thermal spa suite experience ✅ 

will see what the YC dinner has to offer tonight and also the show as DH wants to see it. 

[sidari]

9 hours ago, Lanierain said:

Ah, weather… the curse of captains and seafarers for centuries has struck again! Too dangerous for tendering to grand cayman due to wind and the port authority has closed the port. No suitable alternatives nearby due to same weather conditions. The entertainment staff are scrambling to redo today’s programming. DH is super bummed. ☹️

Stay tuned! 

Had the same story from GC when we were there in 2008 but on the Ruby Princess, the Captain said on the PA that he disagreed with the port authorities but had to accept their decision so we ended up with a sea day.

[George C]

23 minutes ago, Lanierain said:

learned how to make an origami box in arts & crafts! ✅
Spent way too much on sea day “deals” ✅

ordered room service pizza delivery ✅

Took a vacation nap ✅

Had the thermal spa suite experience ✅ 

will see what the YC dinner has to offer tonight and also the show as DH wants to see it. 

Definitely think that MSc pizza is the best of any cruise line we have sailed , didn’t do it my room service but May on next cruise. 

[Lanierain]

1 hour ago, George C said:

Definitely think that MSc pizza is the best of any cruise line we have sailed , didn’t do it my room service but May on next cruise. 

I had the margherita and my DH has the supreme. Really enjoyed it- well worth trying and getting it from room service on our unexpected lazy sea day was perfect. 

[Lanierain]

1 hour ago, sidari said:

Had the same story from GC when we were there in 2008 but on the Ruby Princess, the Captain said on the PA that he disagreed with the port authorities but had to accept their decision so we ended up with a sea day.

This is my husbands way of coping 

[Lanierain]

Dinner tonight in YC was yum. We both had shrimp cocktail for appetizers and split the Caesar salad. He ordered the lamb shank which was super tender. I had the surf and turf, surf being shrimp. The filet was a perfect medium. We both had some wine and our waiter had been very heavy handed with it tonight. Breno is performing in top sail lounge again providing a very pleasant background aesthetic.  Waiting on our cherries jubilee and tiramisu.  Dinner has been a little slower tonight. 

[Lanierain]

Just now, Lanierain said:

Dinner tonight in YC was yum. We both had shrimp cocktail for appetizers and split the Caesar salad. He ordered the lamb shank which was super tender. I had the surf and turf, surf being shrimp. The filet was a perfect medium. We both had some wine and our waiter had been very heavy handed with it tonight. Breno is performing in top sail lounge again providing a very pleasant background aesthetic.  Waiting on our cherries jubilee and tiramisu.  Dinner has been a little slower tonight. 

Tonight’s menu 

[DaKahuna]

5 minutes ago, Lanierain said:

 We both had shrimp cocktail for appetizers and split the Caesar salad. 

 

 Was it served with a true cocktail (with horseradish) sauce or the other sauce MSC normally serves?

[Lanierain]

1 hour ago, DaKahuna said:

 

 Was it served with a true cocktail (with horseradish) sauce or the other sauce MSC normally serves?

I didn’t taste horseradish in this one.  I’ve had blander but not the kick that horseradish brings. They had put some jalapeño slices in it as well. 

[George C]

9 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

It is really a personal matter. There are those guests that feel they have no need for a butler service and the butlers understand and do not force themselves on the guest. So no need to tip anything. Then there are the group escorts by butlers and those are generally just job related extras that are part of the job and again might not incur a tip, but some would say $5 like a bell hop that shows one to your hotel room. We are talking about all the other aspects provided or can be provided by a butler. The question really is 'How does one know they are receiving the service they should expect until they see it performed for others ?'  It is still a personal matter. We had a host/butler on Celebrity Edge. We booked the Edge Villa which is 2 floors, all the wardrobe space is upstairs in the master bedroom and of course DW 12 suitcases were delivered downstairs. The butler came to introduce himself, saw the 12 suitcases and disappeared for the rest of the week. I had to carry them up and down, so no tip for this guy, whatever incidentals he delivered to the cabin during the week were just part of his job description like the group escort butler above.

   Having read a report here on CC from another poster of his tipping $10 to his waiter for breakfast we upped our tipping to his recommendation level. But again, it is all personal. We feel our butler goes way beyond what we see him doing and so tip him $250 for a week and our cabin steward $200, waiter $300.

First I would never book a two story suite , I like the royal on celebrity and splurged with a penthouse once. I think we tip more than normal but not up to your level but I rather over tip than under tip , staff in general works extremely hard and deserves anything they get. 

[DaKahuna]

10 hours ago, Lanierain said:

I didn’t taste horseradish in this one.  I’ve had blander but not the kick that horseradish brings. They had put some jalapeño slices in it as well. 

 

 Thanks.  That sounds like pretty much what I have been told to expect so I'll be asking for horseradish on the side when I order the shrimp cocktail. 

 

 I also always ask for horseradish on the side when I order prime rib.  

 

[RichYak]

19 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

We feel our butler goes way beyond what we see him doing and so tip him $250 for a week and our cabin steward $200, waiter $300.

Just to extrapolate on an annualized basis, that works out to $10,000 in extra tips for the cabin steward, $12,500 for the butler, and $15,000 for the waiter, from one stateroom.

[Lanierain]

7 minutes ago, DaKahuna said:

 

 Thanks.  That sounds like pretty much what I have been told to expect so I'll be asking for horseradish on the side when I order the shrimp cocktail. 

 

 I also always ask for horseradish on the side when I order prime rib.  

 

That’s a good idea- I didn’t think of it. I’ll try that if I order the shrimp cocktail again. Thanks 

[Lanierain]

After dinner YC had a tropical party on the 20th deck.  The butlers got a few people to do group dancing and a conga line. We cut out early after being late from dinner so we could go to the show…  And oh my- the show last night was rough.  They have maybe one or two truly good voices in the shows depending on which songs they pair the singers with. Two of the singers frequently go flat in their songs. Was it entertaining? Yes. Would I do the “in concert” again? Probably not unless new singers are there.  DH has enjoyed the shows which is better than him being bored- so in the end, I’ll do shows as much as he wants.  
 

This morning we docked early in Cozumel and there are at least 5 ships in port. So even though we docked early, they didn’t move up the excursions. those who want to brave the port before excursions are allowed.  My DH is one of them as he’s had nervous energy for hours.  I told him I’d meet him at the pier for excursion as I’m munching on some of the breakfast pastries in Top Sail Lounge and still waking up lol. 

[morpheusofthesea]

1 hour ago, RichYak said:

Just to extrapolate on an annualized basis, that works out to $10,000 in extra tips for the cabin steward, $12,500 for the butler, and $15,000 for the waiter, from one stateroom.

And if one were one of these three, how would one treat their charges/wards; how might one feel;  better, the same, worse ? In our case, we are repeat guests and they know  we tip for service. We feel we do not experience the same problems constantly written about on social media. We need not extrapolate as we do not want to live on board or even take a long cruise. 

  Don't fret that someone is getting more than one might expect. Be happy for them. The truth of this matter is most do not tip at all.

Edited December 20, 2023 by morpheusofthesea

[Lanierain]

16 hours ago, Lanierain said:

These are the three in our room. I’ll check the top sail lounge later and see if there are any others. Hopefully the photo will post. If not, I’ll type it out 

the 20th floor pool deck had some additional non-caffeinated teas like an orange spice and chamomile. English breakfast is the only black tea I’ve seen so far 

[Lanierain]

As promised but better late than never is the dinner menu from Ocho Rios port night. 

[George C]

Great review, my MSc yacht is almost a year away but love reading this , thanks.

[bucfan2]

8 hours ago, George C said:

my MSc yacht is almost a year away but love reading this , thanks.

Ours is coming up.  This will be our first time on MSC, and we are anxious to give the YC a go.  (Unlike you, we love CL's on RCCL).  Certainly going to be interesting.  We enjoy every cruise; hoping this comes close to the 'suite life' on RC.

Edited December 20, 2023 by bucfan2

[George C]

10 minutes ago, bucfan2 said:

Ours is coming up.  This will be our first time on MSC, and we are anxious to give the YC a go.  (Unlike you, we love CL's on RCCL).  Certainly going to be interesting.  We enjoy every cruise; hoping this comes close to the 'suite life' on RC.

I am sure you will love yacht club , for suite perks I thought Hal was good until I cruised rccl suites which I thought was great until we did celebrity suites , I find celebrity suites if edge class very close to MSc yacht club. Big difference between celebrity and MSc yacht club is celebrity is 1k to 2k more per person per week.

[Lanierain]

Dinner tonight in yacht club restaurant.  Another slow service night in the restaurant.  It’s not crowded so not sure what’s going on.  DH ordered the Maryland crab cake (very good) and I got a salad since I ordered the lobster ravioli. The salad was a bit watery but I knew I wasn’t getting vegetables with the pasta.  And sadly the lobster ravioli was watery too and I totally wish I had ordered the pork medallions or the prime rib. Oh well.  DH got the sea bass and it’s done well so he’s sharing that.  The wait staff are flustered and slow tonight.  Not sure what’s going on but the usual can’t empty my glass before it’s filled I experience is not happening tonight. Oh well.  I really can’t complain.