Meraviglia Yacht Club inside Suite

Yes the card is as shown. You also get the card as well as the bracelet. It works the same as the cruise card. You ONLY need your cruise card for getting off and back on the ship.

Thanks for the info and pics! It's a shame you still need the card for certain things (like getting on/off the ship) if you wear the bracelet. Sort of defeats the purpose. That is similar to how the Wow Bands at Royal Caribbean worked. With the new Princess Cruises medallion program, you won't need anything else but the pendant. Hopefully MSC evolves their program so that only one media device is required for everything.

Really appreciate the info!

I agree with Eroller. What's the point of the bracelet if you need the card for other things? If it's a choice of card OR card+bracelet, I'll use the card only. i don't need to cart 2 things around.

I agree with Eroller. What's the point of the bracelet if you need the card for other things? If it's a choice of card OR card+bracelet, I'll use the card only. i don't need to cart 2 things around.

Exactly. On QUANTUM I ditched the "Wow band" and just used the card. Silly to have to carry two things when one will do it all. I don't consider that an enhancement.

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Exactly. On QUANTUM I ditched the "Wow band" and just used the card. Silly to have to carry two things when one will do it all. I don't consider that an enhancement.

Yes. I haven't experienced the bands on RCCL, but the Magicbands at DisneyWorld (which we've used quite a bit) cover *everything*. They don't even have room keycards anymore unless you specifically request it. The point of having the band is to be able to carry everything around more conveniently. But if you have to bring the card AND the band... I'll just stick with my lanyard, thanks.

Yes. I haven't experienced the bands on RCCL, but the Magicbands at DisneyWorld (which we've used quite a bit) cover *everything*. They don't even have room keycards anymore unless you specifically request it. The point of having the band is to be able to carry everything around more conveniently. But if you have to bring the card AND the band... I'll just stick with my lanyard, thanks.

Yes I love Disney's MagicBands. I'm an annual pass holder and go often, and yes they work everywhere including as your room key. It was pretty cool not having to check in, and receiving a text with my room number then using my MagicBand to enter.

FYI the mastermind behind Disney's MagicBands was recruited by Carnival Corp and he is responsible for the Ocean Medallion program. It will make its debut on Princess Cruises this Fall but the plan is to eventually roll it out to all Carnival Corp brands. I'm looking forward to trying it out.

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Ok. Let me explain again.

1. you have a choice of the free band if you want. It's completely optional in YC or anywhere else, you can pay for a band in the "other" areas when you board (€6 I think?)

2. Everyone gets a cruise card because you need it to exit and enter the ship. Don't know why but hey it's the current system, I'm sure it will evolve. (see below for my opinion as to why)

3. The band work everything when on the ship (even the cabin doors, YC entry and priority lifts), except the gaming machines (for points and cabin credit)

4. The MSC for me app works well in my opinion and it will only get better when a few bugs get sorted. You only have to connect to the ships Wi Fi (no cost) plus Bluetooth enabled and it's works perfectly. It is the same in the room, the TV has all your info as normal.

5. I can see why the band Isn't used for exiting and boarding the ship as you would have to supply at least 10-15 people outside of the ship with scanners AT EACH PORT (that show photos and information) just to make sure you are who you are for security, going in the right direction, going on a excursion, finding the port bus, we had two MSC ships at dock today so a quick look at the card can let the MSC helpers and port staff/security know where you need to go once inside the port terminal (god knows why with all the signs in the world) and MSC Orchestra people wanting to come down our gangway and I'm sure vice versa for Meraviglia people, some people are plain dumb, simple as that.

Ok. Let me explain again.

 

1. you have a choice of the free band if you want. It's completely optional in YC or anywhere else, you can pay for a band in the "other" areas when you board (€6 I think?)

2. Everyone gets a cruise card because you need it to exit and enter the ship. Don't know why but hey it's the current system, I'm sure it will evolve. (see below for my opinion as to why)

3. The band work everything when on the ship (even the cabin doors, YC entry and priority lifts), except the gaming machines (for points and cabin credit)

4. The MSC for me app works well in my opinion and it will only get better when a few bugs get sorted. You only have to connect to the ships Wi Fi (no cost) plus Bluetooth enabled and it's works perfectly. It is the same in the room, the TV has all your info as normal.

5. I can see why the band Isn't used for exiting and boarding the ship as you would have to supply at least 10-15 people outside of the ship with scanners AT EACH PORT (that show photos and information) just to make sure you are who you are for security, going in the right direction, going on a excursion, finding the port bus, we had two MSC ships at dock today so a quick look at the card can let the MSC helpers and port staff/security know where you need to go once inside the port terminal (god knows why with all the signs in the world) and MSC Orchestra people wanting to come down our gangway and I'm sure vice versa for Meraviglia people, some people are plain dumb, simple as that.

Thanks for explaining in detail, but the bottom line is that you still need to carry the card if you want to get on an off the ship. So two pieces of media are required if you choose to use the band. That doesn't simplify things. I would just use the card until MSC improves the technology to a point where only the band is needed, and nothing else. This will be the case with the Ocean Medallions that Princess will use, so the technology exists.

Thanks for all the info Stealthy. I hope you are enjoying the rest of your Europe trip.

DH and I will be in the exact same cabin in less than 2 months. The cabin looks quite a lot like what I expected, apart from the lack of chairs. But to be honest, I do not have chairs in my bedroom at home either, so am used to sitting on the bed, when putting on shoes etc. I don't expect us to spend much time in the cabin anyway.

Can you describe embarkation and debarkation in Naples? What time were you able to board? Is there a YC tent? What time did you have to vacate you cabin?

Hi. We got to the terminal early 11.30am. The Meraviglia just arrived at 11 am so could not board yet. There is a white tent at the drop off area outside on the ground level, leave your bags with YC (not self bag drop area) and they will take care of it while you head up to check in on the 1st level.

When we arrived at the check in area it was too early as the process hadn't started yet. They took us aside to some tables and chairs reserved for YC guests. They provided drinks while we waited and spoke to us welcoming us to the ship. Once the check in process could be started at approx 1pm they checked our paperwork and passports, once that was done (2 min) we could be escorted to the ship by the butler and up to the YC concierge.

Concierge then welcomed us aboard and has our cruise cards and arm bands ready, a quick explanation of the YC areas etc. We then started our YC experience [emoji3].

At Naples you don't have to vacate your room until 10am. Your bags will have provided tags the night before and must be outside your door by 2am.

We stayed on the ship until approximately 12.30 pm, then was escorted with our carry on to collect our waiting luggage. It's where we say goodbye to our butler and head back to reality ☹️

Process was quick and efficient, no stress.

Thanks

I'm surprised to see that the cabinnumber is printed on the keycard.

 

I haven't seen that in many years, on cruises or in hotels.

Yes you have a very good point !!!

Nice to see it's pretty clear between normal checkin, priority and YC

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Great info, thanks. I'm happy to know that we can go straight to the cruise terminal in Naples, after checking out from our B&B. Also good to know we can have a leisurely morning on the last day.

Great info, thanks. I'm happy to know that we can go straight to the cruise terminal in Naples, after checking out from our B&B. Also good to know we can have a leisurely morning on the last day.

Yes we had the same. Checked out of Sorrento B&B and took the ferry across to Naples. Walked 50meters off the ferry and we were standing there looking at this beautiful Meraviglia. Absolutely mesmerising.

Thank you for posting. We have inside YC on Seaside and I was curious about the size. Truly wish the cabin had a little more room but we got YC for less than an Aurea balcony so ........... I think it will be worth it for the YC experience. We have family booked in the same type as well. Not sure how happy they are going to be!

Thank you for posting. We have inside YC on Seaside and I was curious about the size. Truly wish the cabin had a little more room but we got YC for less than an Aurea balcony so ........... I think it will be worth it for the YC experience. We have family booked in the same type as well. Not sure how happy they are going to be!

I'm booked as well in an inside YC on Seaside. According to MSC it's a little larger than the insides on Meraviglia. We shall see!

I'm booked as well in an inside YC on Seaside. According to MSC it's a little larger than the insides on Meraviglia. We shall see!

It's supposed to be 226 sq ft versus 172 on the Meraviglia.

It's supposed to be 226 sq ft versus 172 on the Meraviglia.

By cruise ship standards a fairly big difference. Enough extra space for a small sitting area. Fingers crossed.

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yes. This cost us US$2280 or around €2050 for two people in YC for a week. I couldn't care less about the "suite" factor (nobody sees where I slept anyway) it's a place to sleep, shower and have a afternoon siesta. I'm never in it! Free booze around the ship and so much to explore it suits me to a tee. We get everything that YC has to offer no matter what room I have. I could have booked a balcony (I've had a YC Divina suite before) but the extra money saved is helping to pay for the other 4 weeks away around Europe and Thailand before heading back to Australia [emoji1037]. Each to there own and at least MSC has provided a choice, good on them.

100% agree! Thanks for the video!

It's more then adequate for a good night sleep with all YC amenities. I just returned from a NCL Studio cabin, so I'm sure my upcoming YC inside will feel large and luxurious [emoji23]

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By cruise ship standards a fairly big difference. Enough extra space for a small sitting area. Fingers crossed.

 

 

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That is 30% larger. Should be enough for a stool.

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That is 30% larger. Should be enough for a stool.

 

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Lol. I'm hoping for a small couch like a standard balcony cabin would have, but I'll take a stool!

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Perhaps something is lost when they translate "suite" into Italian. Ouch!

Hank

Perhaps something is lost when they translate "suite" into Italian. Ouch!

 

Hank

I've noticed that cruise lines (not just MSC) like to call everything a "suite" these days, even when it reality it's just a glorified standard cabin. This is especially true of so-called "mini-suites". Buyer beware if you're truly expecting a suite. If it seems to cheap or the square footage too small, it's probably just a standard cabin on a few steroids.

Lol. I'm hoping for a small couch like a standard balcony cabin would have, but I'll take a stool!

 

 

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Leave some liquor in the YC lounge for us, we're in an inside the week after you in January. Hopefully they can get the kinks worked out after a few sailings so it'll be smooth sailing for you and us the following week.

 

That's what I'm hoping as well, and I'll be sure to find a secret spot to leave that liquor ... if there is any left! ;)

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