I still want to book Yacht Club

I still want to book Yacht Club.

I'm still very afraid of MSC's website issues. I don't know if I can handle the stress of dealing with their errors.

I know I said NO, NEVER.

BUT:

Has anything gotten better with the booking process?

Would it be better if I book with a TA?

Either MSC Yacht Club or pay more for NCL's Haven.

I just cannot decide.:o:(

I still want to book Yacht Club.

 

I'm still very afraid of MSC's website issues. I don't know if I can handle the stress of dealing with their errors.

 

I know I said NO, NEVER.

BUT:

Has anything gotten better with the booking process?

Would it be better if I book with a TA?

 

Either MSC Yacht Club or pay more for NCL's Haven.

 

I just cannot decide.:o:(

I've sailed MSC Yacht Club twice and in steerage once and have never had any of the problems some on this board have encountered. If you're that worried about their website,,I suggest using a TA and then fill out your web-check a week to 2 weeks before you sail.

We have sailed 6x on the Divina and never had a problem either and yes there new web site is better then the old one.

The Yacht Club is superior to NCL Haven any day! If you have trouble with the web site just call the phone number listed on the web site. I have had excellent results with the travel consultants that work for MSC.

Bon Voyage!!!

I agree with Jewliana. The consultants are very helpful, and I haven't had any problem with them.

 

 

Why wait a week to two weeks? Less chance of a mix up?:confused:

You can also call them. I did that and talked to representative, no long wait time on the phone either. I had already done my reasearch and knew the going prices and deals. He gave me his direct number and name if I have questions also.

I booked online, and only had one problem, there was a glitch and it messed up our birth dates. I called MSC and it was fixed in a day I think.

Also, your cruise docs don't get delivered (online) till about 3 weeks before...that made me a bit nervous but they arrived and everything went well. The experience on ship itself and at customer service, to address a few of my questions were also well handled.

So I say, don't worry and try MSC....I did and was pleasantly surprised..and I didn't do YC, just a Bella balcony cabin.

Why wait a week to two weeks? Less chance of a mix up?:confused:

Some people were concerned about their passport information,,,;)

I still want to book Yacht Club.

 

I'm still very afraid of MSC's website issues. I don't know if I can handle the stress of dealing with their errors.

 

I know I said NO, NEVER.

BUT:

Has anything gotten better with the booking process?

Would it be better if I book with a TA?

 

Either MSC Yacht Club or pay more for NCL's Haven.

 

I just cannot decide.:o:(

We almost always use a TA. I initially booked the Davina YC by phone with MSC. The wait times we ridiculous. I transferred the booking to my usual TA. That was another adventure.

I later booked the Seaside using my TA, a much better experience.

As a long time NCL Suite/ Haven cruise I had to give the YC a try. Cant beat the price and the amenities.

Hello Mafig,

Long version: I felt very much the same as you so I'm going to see if I can walk you through my decision making process. My first trip on the Divina was last April. I got a great deal on an aft balcony and decided to give MSC a try. The pre-boarding experience with the web page was ridiculous. Their web site truly is an embarrassment to the company :(.

My on-board experience was quite nice, especially given the price paid. There were some areas where MSC can improve, but overall I felt that the value was enough to consider MSC for a future cruise.

Next came time to book my Mediterranean Cruise for this August. Ultimately, I decided against MSC because, like you, the web site glitches with reported compromised passport numbers freaked me out. Not to mention that the European price for MSC was just 'ok', and the port times were shorter than I wanted. Ended up going with RCL.

HOWEVER; I was also planning a girlfriends trip for June. We were set to book Oasis or Allure, then I stumbled upon an exceptional rate on Divina YC ($989 pp all in) and for the price, I decided to give MSC another shot.

An interesting problem arose for my second booking in that my original TA stopped selling MSC. There are several of the larger agencies who will not sell MSC product for a variety of reasons. I did find another agency who agreed to sell me the MSC trip but warned me upfront about the website issues (which is what any reputable TA should be doing if they are aware). However, my decision to sail YC was price driven and I was willing to take a risk as people were reporting that the new website was better.

Was the website perfect my second booking? Unfortunately, no :(. I never could log in with username and password, but I was able to log in this time with my booking number. My birthday was incorrect. My new agent did report long hold times trying to get my tickets straightened out (mine didn't arrive via email until a week prior) and I refused to manually enter my passport (which ironically wasn't an issue at all).

However, once again, the on-board value made up for the pre-cruise frustrations. Was the YC perfect? Nope :(. IMHO, There are areas that the YC can improve. Food was hit or miss (mostly miss :(), poolside service was pretty much non-existent, and our butler was MIA for a few days.

All that being said, the positives FAR outweighed the negatives and I would gladly sail MSC yacht Club exclusively for the rest of my life with similar pricing. Because the Divina has a less than average passenger to space ratio, the peace and quiet in the yacht club was worth cost difference alone!

I do recommend the YC on Divina as long as you are comfortable with the price point. With pricing like MSC tosses out for Divina, I think it's only reasonable to expect some minor glitches and cost cutting measures when it comes to the on-board experience. It is not fair to expect MSC to provide a champagne experience on a beer budget. With that being said, I think MSC provides a very nice Pinot Noir experience on a PBR budget, and for that reason alone I give MSC YC my highest recommendation.

Short version: MSC YC is not perfect, but the pricing reflects that. I say Go for it :)

Thanks. I spent a lot of time reading your review and looking at the pictures. I really appreciated the fact that your didn't make the YC seem just perfection like so many reviews do.

I just don't know why I am so wracked by indecision. It's not like it's my first cruise.:o

Two large agencies told me they did not deal with MSC. One of my favorite TAs said she would book me a cruise with them, but she said she had never booked MSC before, which makes me wary. Another gave me a good price on that Compete site a few weeks ago (then I got cold feet and chickened out). They said they had dealt with MSC before and they were getting better. At least they know what to expect.

My DH looks at me like I'm crazy....like what is wrong with you that you can't decide? I just can't.:o

Oh, and I should add, the pricing I'm getting is nowhere near as good as you paid. My price is about $1800 pp for 7 days. Still a lot cheaper than Haven, but more than we pay for a week in the Caribbean. A few years ago we were in a suite on NCL for around $1500 pp with $500 obc.

Thanks. I spent a lot of time reading your review and looking at the pictures. I really appreciated the fact that your didn't make the YC seem just perfection like so many reviews do.

 

I just don't know why I am so wracked by indecision. It's not like it's my first cruise.:o

 

Two large agencies told me they did not deal with MSC. One of my favorite TAs said she would book me a cruise with them, but she said she had never booked MSC before, which makes me wary. Another gave me a good price on that Compete site a few weeks ago (then I got cold feet and chickened out). They said they had dealt with MSC before and they were getting better. At least they know what to expect.

 

My DH looks at me like I'm crazy....like what is wrong with you that you can't decide? I just can't.:o

 

 

Oh, and I should add, the pricing I'm getting is nowhere near as good as you paid. My price is about $1800 pp for 7 days. Still a lot cheaper than Haven, but more than we pay for a week in the Caribbean. A few years ago we were in a suite on NCL for around $1500 pp with $500 obc.

There is something telling you not to choose MSC. I say listen to the voice in your head. Don't book until YOU are comfortable no matter what you read here. At $1,800 pp I'd be giving it serious thought too as that is getting up there in price for MSC. There are a lot of vacations that can be had for much less that offer similar product. Keep watching pricing, That's how I ended up in YC, you never know :).

Thanks. I spent a lot of time reading your review and looking at the pictures. I really appreciated the fact that your didn't make the YC seem just perfection like so many reviews do.

 

I just don't know why I am so wracked by indecision. It's not like it's my first cruise.:o

 

Two large agencies told me they did not deal with MSC. One of my favorite TAs said she would book me a cruise with them, but she said she had never booked MSC before, which makes me wary. Another gave me a good price on that Compete site a few weeks ago (then I got cold feet and chickened out). They said they had dealt with MSC before and they were getting better. At least they know what to expect.

 

My DH looks at me like I'm crazy....like what is wrong with you that you can't decide? I just can't.:o

 

 

Oh, and I should add, the pricing I'm getting is nowhere near as good as you paid. My price is about $1800 pp for 7 days. Still a lot cheaper than Haven, but more than we pay for a week in the Caribbean. A few years ago we were in a suite on NCL for around $1500 pp with $500 obc.

I checked with my TA who told me, and deals with MSC, some agents dont like to deal with MSC because they have the same problems getting through to a customer service agent. MSC is supposedly working on improving this experience.

Have you checked some of the videos on You-tube?? There are a bunch of Davina YC videos..

Good luck on whatever you decide.

...but are in a YC3.. The YC2 & YC3 are HUGE. There are very few of these so this is the only cruise we book far in advance.

Sorry a previous poster had a bad experience. We cruise several times a year on various cruiselines but ALWAYS once a year in the Yacht Club on the Divina.

There is nothing like it at sea....Youtube it. You will be amazed.

From when you first get there....no entering the port with the others or leaving your luggage with porters... You are met outside by a butler who takes your luggage and escort you to a private waiting room with champagne & cookies !

The food is subjective & VERY European but they are quick to adapt yo your liking. For instance....to me, their coffee is VERY strong. Others like it. So when I order coffee, I always ask for a small pot of hot water, like for tea and then just adjust the strength myself. When they bring bread, they serve olive oil....I ask for butter instead. They have never made me feel out of place.

We have found the butlers to always be around but not intrusive.

One night I stopped by the lounge before going to bed & instead of asking for a drink I decided on a cup of tea. They said they would deliver it. I said I could carry it but they insisted. So I went back to my room & just a few minutes later, I butler brought A tray with a beautiful china tea pot to my room......I since that have tea delivered every night :O)

Thanks. I spent a lot of time reading your review and looking at the pictures. I really appreciated the fact that your didn't make the YC seem just perfection like so many reviews do.

 

I just don't know why I am so wracked by indecision. It's not like it's my first cruise.:o

 

Two large agencies told me they did not deal with MSC. One of my favorite TAs said she would book me a cruise with them, but she said she had never booked MSC before, which makes me wary. Another gave me a good price on that Compete site a few weeks ago (then I got cold feet and chickened out). They said they had dealt with MSC before and they were getting better. At least they know what to expect.

 

My DH looks at me like I'm crazy....like what is wrong with you that you can't decide? I just can't.:o

 

 

Oh, and I should add, the pricing I'm getting is nowhere near as good as you paid. My price is about $1800 pp for 7 days. Still a lot cheaper than Haven, but more than we pay for a week in the Caribbean. A few years ago we were in a suite on NCL for around $1500 pp with $500 obc.

After seeing some of the ships you have been on the Divina will be paradise.

After seeing some of the ships you have been on the Divina will be paradise.

thanks, that was helpful.

I was in the YC this past May, and never heard anyone complain about the food in LeMuse, and didn't have any problem with my butler or cabin steward. The butler was always around to do whatever I needed. His name was Darwin.

It was among the top 3 of all my cruises, and I can toss a coin as to the order.

After seeing some of the ships you have been on the Divina will be paradise.

I have to say, we usually do Aqua Class on Celebrity, but have sailed Silver Sea and Regent, also Royal Caribbean and Holland America but we just love the Yacht Club. Done 2 so far and the second time was like coming home. Staff remembered us and Le Muse was a treat every night..exceptional service and just fun. The Top Sail Lounge with open bar, always something to eat, piano player, comfortable seating and beautiful views is just the best. Although we are going to Alaska on Celebrity in August, we are so looking forward to the YC in Feb 2017 on Divina and Seaside (Royal Suite!) in January 2018. I have no hesitation in recommending Yacht Club to any of our friends.

I have to say, we usually do Aqua Class on Celebrity, but have sailed Silver Sea and Regent, also Royal Caribbean and Holland America but we just love the Yacht Club. Done 2 so far and the second time was like coming home. Staff remembered us and Le Muse was a treat every night..exceptional service and just fun. The Top Sail Lounge with open bar, always something to eat, piano player, comfortable seating and beautiful views is just the best. Although we are going to Alaska on Celebrity in August, we are so looking forward to the YC in Feb 2017 on Divina and Seaside (Royal Suite!) in January 2018. I have no hesitation in recommending Yacht Club to any of our friends.

So are we my friend, we have 2 YC on the Seaside and 2 on the Divina. Enjoy!!!

emerson621, we are doing our first MSC cruise on Seaside in 2018 also! Anxious to try another line. We are diamond plus on RCL and just finished our first Celebrity cruise. We are looking forward to this one. We booked YC on deck 18 I think to be close to the pool.

We are loyal NCL suite cruisers and are going to be pulling the trigger soon for MSC Divina Yacht Club. Wanting to sail late October or early November 2017 out of Miami. We want an entry level suite and are needing suggestions for Y1 suite numbers from those who have sailed before. We don't mind having to walk a distance or go up and down stairs. I've read there maybe some suites that do not have glass on the bottom half of the balcony and instead have steel. Is this true?

We are looking for a suite that will not be near a door which will be slamming shut at all hours of the night, a balcony that is glass on the bottom half and one that is insulated from noise from a common space/bar/club/restaurant/etc above and below. Is port or starboard preferable? Many of our cruises have been aft and we love to sit and enjoy the view and sounds of the wake. We know this will not be an option for us and will need to make new cruise traditions.

You are the experts, help us become ex-NCL suite cruisers and professional MSC Yacht Club cruisers!!!

We were in 16013, port side. No noises whatsoever. Had to go up one flight (there is no 17 on Italian ships)for the One Pool and down one for Topsail Lounge. Either port or starboard, 16 or 15, no problem, and no steel balconies.

I booked over the phone with no issues,

NO doors slam shut in YC, they gliiiide. [emoji849]