*LIVE* Random observations from a Haven Vet trying Yacht Club - MSC Seascape March 23-30

[Lupush]

Morning Cruise Critic Fam,

 

In the weeks and month leading up to this cruise these boards have been invaluable in our planning and decision making which ultimately resulted in my family trying MSC and Yacht Club for the first time. We will be on the MSC Seascape departing Miami March 23rd-30th in a YC Owners Suite. We are loyal NCL customers and have sailed with them in the Haven 11 times on 10 different ships.  We hated the Haven experience on Prima last year which is what led us to MSC.  Other than a Stingray City excursion in Grand Cayman, we have no pre-set plans for this cruise and are going into it with a completely open mind.  Throughout the week I will be posting random observations/thoughts/musings on the ship and my impressions as compared to NCL.  

 

Hope you all enjoy the ride with us.

 

- Lupush

[Georgia_Peaches]

Welcome to MSC!  My prediction is you will be left wondering what took you so long to jump ship and join the yacht club!

 

Looking forward to following along. Bon voyage 🛳️!

[GlenG]

16 minutes ago, Lupush said:

Morning Cruise Critic Fam,

 

In the weeks and month leading up to this cruise these boards have been invaluable in our planning and decision making which ultimately resulted in my family trying MSC and Yacht Club for the first time. We will be on the MSC Seascape departing Miami March 23rd-30th in a YC Owners Suite. We are loyal NCL customers and have sailed with them in the Haven 11 times on 10 different ships.  We hated the Haven experience on Prima last year which is what led us to MSC.  Other than a Stingray City excursion in Grand Cayman, we have no pre-set plans for this cruise and are going into it with a completely open mind.  Throughout the week I will be posting random observations/thoughts/musings on the ship and my impressions as compared to NCL.  

 

Hope you all enjoy the ride with us.

 

- Lupush

Can I ask - what made you hate Prima haven?

 

[PTC DAWG]

Hate is a strong word…I can’t say I ever hated any cruise I have been on..

[DisneyJen]

Bon voyage @Lupush🛳️

 

Looking forward to your thoughts as we are X Retreat vets Royal Suite and Celebrity Suite) who will try YC in a Royal Suite for the first time in May.

[rxlowry]

Very interested in your thoughts about the Prima Haven as it looks to be more elevated than the other Haven experiences.  I'll be on board next week in YC so I can't wait to read about your experiences!  Have a wonderful cruise!!!

[Lupush]

This has been an odd winter for South Florida weather wise. Colder than normal and lots of rain. It poured all day yesterday with more showers in the forecast for today. Hopefully clearing up in time for sail away.  Quick run to Wawa for a breakfast burrito and a Mello Yello Zero before heading to Port Miami.

[Lupush]

1 hour ago, GlenG said:

Can I ask - what made you hate Prima haven?

 

 

34 minutes ago, rxlowry said:

Very interested in your thoughts about the Prima Haven as it looks to be more elevated than the other Haven experiences.  I'll be on board next week in YC so I can't wait to read about your experiences!  Have a wonderful cruise!!!

 

Compared to other NCL mega ships (Encore, Bliss, Escape, etc.)  the design of Prima was just awful.  The Haven, while larger lacked the level of service found on other ships.  

[Lupush]

1 hour ago, PTC DAWG said:

Hate is a strong word…I can’t say I ever hated any cruise I have been on..

You’re right. We still had a good time, just not like we normally do on NCL.  

[Faulkh]

Thanks for posting. While not frequent cruises we are looking to jump from NCL to MSC specifically for the Yacht Club for Haven price wise has gotten crazy. Going to relish your comparisons. Have fun and enjoy!

[GlenG]

Have also done the Haven on NCL, but much more frequently the suite offering on Royal Caribbean. Got our first YC sailing early 2025. Never considered MSC before, not until RC’s ludicrous price hikes. Very keen to hear your views.

[Lupush]

We made it onboard after a challenging ride to Port Miami. Poured most of the ride and got soaked dropping our bags at the YV tent.  Checkin at Terminal C was in the old Haven area that they used before the new NCL terminal was built. Embarkation was as smooth as could be expected.

[Lupush]

We met our Butler who escorted us onboard and showed us to our cabin. Dropped our bags and now seated in the YC Restaurant.  Lunch for me today is Grilled Filet w/ Perigeaux Sauce.

[Lupush]

The Owners Suite is beautiful, although the bathroom is considerably smaller than the 2 Bedroom Family and Owners Suites on the NCL Breakaway Plus class ships.  Big advantage to MSC with the amenities, however.  The bar is STOCKED and the Butler told us he’ll replace anything we finish.  Going to do some damage this week. 

[DisneyJen]

Beautiful cabin!

 

Thanks for sharing the photos.

[Two Wheels Only]

1 hour ago, Lupush said:

The Owners Suite is beautiful, although the bathroom is considerably smaller than the 2 Bedroom Family and Owners Suites on the NCL Breakaway Plus class ships.

 

Not only that, there's only 1 bathroom in MSC Owner's Suites and Royal Suites. 🙁

[Lupush]

1 hour ago, DisneyJen said:

Beautiful cabin!

 

Thanks for sharing the photos.

My pleasure!  Hope to share a lot more throughout the week as long as the WiFi cooperates.

[Lupush]

40 minutes ago, Two Wheels Only said:

 

Not only that, there's only 1 bathroom in MSC Owner's Suites and Royal Suites. 🙁

Very true. Not complaining, but a half bath would be nice. The bathroom on these is essentially the same as found in a Haven Penthouse Balcony cabin.  I’d say this is the only area they missed the mark.

[Two Wheels Only]

32 minutes ago, Lupush said:

Very true. Not complaining, but a half bath would be nice. The bathroom on these is essentially the same as found in a Haven Penthouse Balcony cabin.  I’d say this is the only area they missed the mark.

 

Even with the World Class, RS and OS... there's only 1 bathroom. Another miss...

[Mezqal]

If you need two bathrooms, you should try to book Maisonettesuites. Unfortuneately not to be found on Seaside-class-ships....

 

Meraviglia-Class and the new World-Class you have about 8 Cabins with two bathrooms in front of the ship, the amount of space is about 495 sqft placed on two decks. On the world class you have two balconys either and the cabins placed inside YC on deck 16, the older mera-class the cabins placed outside YC Area on deck 12 because the cabins were formerly Aurea- Category.

 

To us for two ppl this cabin class is best, the price is reasonable lower then RS or OS

 

Edited March 24 by Mezqal

[Two Wheels Only]

1 hour ago, Mezqal said:

To us for two ppl this cabin class is best, the price is reasonable lower then RS or OS

 

I booked a Duplex Suite on World America. It wasn't just for the two bathrooms, though. I don't like the balcony on the Royal Suites for the World Class. The Duplex balcony on any class isn't great, either. The upper balcony on the World Class Duplex is a nice addition. The Meraviglia RS balcony wasn't great but the Meraviglia Plus ships have larger/better balconies for the RS. The OS balconies on the World Class aren't great, to be honest.

 

We're a family of 4 so the bathrooms are important. I'll miss the included cabana/pergola on the sundeck but I can first come/first serve one, I guess. I'll still have a hot tub on the lower balcony. Meraviglia had the best balcony hot tub for us, then Seaside EVO class, then Seaside. I'll see where World Class fits in the group. The Seaside EVO ships Owner's Suite balcony hot tub is too small for the 4 of us.

 

It isn't really possible to have a great balcony, great stateroom, great hot tub, and two bathrooms in the Yacht Club.....first world problems, I know. 😜

[Lupush]

Good Morning from MSC Seascape.  Yesterday was hectic but very good for the most part.  My family and I had fun exploring the ship.  Was nice to experience something completely new and we were genuinely excited with some of the surprises we found.  Overall the ship is beautiful and very well kept.  It does not seem like they vacuum the carpets enough, however.  Not that the carpets are dirty per se, there are small pieces of paper, crumbs, etc. that have been noticeable in various areas of the ship.   Service has been a mixed bag so far.  Some cruise staff have been great, while others have been downright salty.  The one glaring miss so far is the YC restaurant.  Service has been slow, staff un-attentive, and food bland.  Heading up for breakfast in a few, hopefully they'll turn it around today.  Plans for today are YC pool area, water slides, Masterchef for kids, and karaoke this evening.  Will try to take some pictures and post throughout the day.  

[Lupush]

[Lupush]

We found a duck! Thanks Rachel and Nick!

[Lupush]

Good evening from somewhere between Falmouth and Grand Cayman.  Having a good time so far, there’s a lot of new things to explore on MSC. YC Restaurant has been disappointing overall. Waited over 30 mins to be seated last night.  The staff in seems completely overwhelmed at times and the overall feel is disorganized chaos. Walked off for about an hour today and spent the afternoon at the YC Pool. Service was exceptional and we really enjoyed it. Stingray City and snorkeling in Grand Cayman tomorrow.