Is MSC a Good Match for Us?

My wife and I have sailed on Princess and Carnival. We prefer full suites on Princess for the elevated service level, additional perks and larger cabins. We kind of keep to ourselves (although we look forward to dinner in the MDR each night so we can enjoy time and conversation with our dinner mates). My wife is content to spend days sitting on the balcony or some quiet corner of the ship reading. I, too, am content with such quiet activities and also enjoy exploring the ship. We absolutely love sea days and have always said that the journey is our destination. But we like being spoiled every so often!

We've come across a good deal on MSC Divina that would put us in a Yacht Club suite. But I'm wondering if YC would be too formal and stuffy for us. We enjoy dressing up for dinner, but not every night! Apparently, we would have a butler assigned to our cabin. I have no idea what services a butler would provide or if we would be inclined to partake of any. I've gathered already that MSC is more about the experience than the accommodations. (It appears that deluxe suites on MSC are comparable to mini-suites on Princess in terms of square footage. I'm still trying to figure out why a more expensive suite doesn't have a balcony!)

We're plain, simple people who have worked hard and happen to have been granted a certain level of professional success that's finally afforded us the opportunity to occasionally indulge our desire to experience some of the nicer things in life. We look down our noses at absolutely no one and love the idea of Princess' new Club Class experience, but abhor that some are ascribing some sort of "class system mentality" to those passengers who book CC. I see nothing wrong with paying for perks and only object when those perks are provided by taking away services that had previously been provided to all.

So, do we belong in the Yacht Club? Do we belong on MSC at all? Thanks in advance for your thoughts and recommendations.

My wife and I have sailed on Princess and Carnival. We prefer full suites on Princess for the elevated service level, additional perks and larger cabins. We kind of keep to ourselves (although we look forward to dinner in the MDR each night so we can enjoy time and conversation with our dinner mates). My wife is content to spend days sitting on the balcony or some quiet corner of the ship reading. I, too, am content with such quiet activities and also enjoy exploring the ship. We absolutely love sea days and have always said that the journey is our destination. But we like being spoiled every so often!

 

We've come across a good deal on MSC Divina that would put us in a Yacht Club suite. But I'm wondering if YC would be too formal and stuffy for us. We enjoy dressing up for dinner, but not every night! Apparently, we would have a butler assigned to our cabin. I have no idea what services a butler would provide or if we would be inclined to partake of any. I've gathered already that MSC is more about the experience than the accommodations. (It appears that deluxe suites on MSC are comparable to mini-suites on Princess in terms of square footage. I'm still trying to figure out why a more expensive suite doesn't have a balcony!)

 

We're plain, simple people who have worked hard and happen to have been granted a certain level of professional success that's finally afforded us the opportunity to occasionally indulge our desire to experience some of the nicer things in life. We look down our noses at absolutely no one and love the idea of Princess' new Club Class experience, but abhor that some are ascribing some sort of "class system mentality" to those passengers who book CC. I see nothing wrong with paying for perks and only object when those perks are provided by taking away services that had previously been provided to all.

 

So, do we belong in the Yacht Club? Do we belong on MSC at all? Thanks in advance for your thoughts and recommendations.

The Yacht Club is far from stuffy and formal, you only get dressed up on gala nights.

Your butler will escort you to the YC dining room on the first night to show you the route.

He will also escort you to any excursion buses that you go on.

he will unpack and pack your cases if you want that service.

he delivers your choice of daily newspaper to our room. will shine your shoes if you require.

he can arrange a party in your room if you want.

you just ask him for any service you want and if it is possible he will do it.

the more expensive suites have a great view forward something you would find difficult to get from a forward facing balcony because of the wind caused by the forward motion of the ship

If you want a balcony and square footage then choose a YC3 , Royal Suite,

I, like you had a modicum of success and enjoyed the YC immensely and am booked into the YC for my upcoming Meraviglia cruise.

I think you will enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of the YC. and you can be spoilt by the service you get.

If you do decide to go with MSC make sure you "status match" your loyalty level with Princess or Carnival loyalty level. Chose the one which will give you the highest MSC level you are aligned with

. I presume you will get Gold or better still BLACK

Pete

...We're plain, simple people who have worked hard and happen to have been granted a certain level of professional success that's finally afforded us the opportunity to occasionally indulge our desire to experience some of the nicer things in life. ....I see nothing wrong with paying for perks and only object when those perks are provided by taking away services that had previously been provided to all.

You may want to look at Oceania (or even Azamara).

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My wife and I have sailed on Princess and Carnival. We prefer full suites on Princess for the elevated service level, additional perks and larger cabins. We kind of keep to ourselves (although we look forward to dinner in the MDR each night so we can enjoy time and conversation with our dinner mates). My wife is content to spend days sitting on the balcony or some quiet corner of the ship reading. I, too, am content with such quiet activities and also enjoy exploring the ship. We absolutely love sea days and have always said that the journey is our destination. But we like being spoiled every so often!

 

We've come across a good deal on MSC Divina that would put us in a Yacht Club suite. But I'm wondering if YC would be too formal and stuffy for us. We enjoy dressing up for dinner, but not every night! Apparently, we would have a butler assigned to our cabin. I have no idea what services a butler would provide or if we would be inclined to partake of any. I've gathered already that MSC is more about the experience than the accommodations. (It appears that deluxe suites on MSC are comparable to mini-suites on Princess in terms of square footage. I'm still trying to figure out why a more expensive suite doesn't have a balcony!)

 

We're plain, simple people who have worked hard and happen to have been granted a certain level of professional success that's finally afforded us the opportunity to occasionally indulge our desire to experience some of the nicer things in life. We look down our noses at absolutely no one and love the idea of Princess' new Club Class experience, but abhor that some are ascribing some sort of "class system mentality" to those passengers who book CC. I see nothing wrong with paying for perks and only object when those perks are provided by taking away services that had previously been provided to all.

 

So, do we belong in the Yacht Club? Do we belong on MSC at all? Thanks in advance for your thoughts and recommendations.

Of course you belong in the Yacht Club.

Didn't you have a butler with the Princess suites?

We were in the Yacht Club in October. It was the YC1 category, and they all have balconies.

Our butler was great. We didn't use him a lot, but he was always available.

I would never want anyone to unpack for me. :o He showed us to LeMuse the first night. Asked if we were getting off in ports and escorted us off the ship (without standing in lines). He even packed us a little bag with water and snacks in Puerto Rico. There was rain forecasted for that day so he also included rain ponchos. Priority disembarkation.

The private lounge in the YC is never crowded. Perfect for your wife.

Don't forget the private pool area. And the included beverages.

People do not dress up every night in the YC. Believe me....far from it.

Hope this helps.

My wife and I have sailed on Princess and Carnival. We prefer full suites on Princess for the elevated service level, additional perks and larger cabins. We kind of keep to ourselves (although we look forward to dinner in the MDR each night so we can enjoy time and conversation with our dinner mates). My wife is content to spend days sitting on the balcony or some quiet corner of the ship reading. I, too, am content with such quiet activities and also enjoy exploring the ship. We absolutely love sea days and have always said that the journey is our destination. But we like being spoiled every so often!

 

We've come across a good deal on MSC Divina that would put us in a Yacht Club suite. But I'm wondering if YC would be too formal and stuffy for us. We enjoy dressing up for dinner, but not every night! Apparently, we would have a butler assigned to our cabin. I have no idea what services a butler would provide or if we would be inclined to partake of any. I've gathered already that MSC is more about the experience than the accommodations. (It appears that deluxe suites on MSC are comparable to mini-suites on Princess in terms of square footage. I'm still trying to figure out why a more expensive suite doesn't have a balcony!)

 

We're plain, simple people who have worked hard and happen to have been granted a certain level of professional success that's finally afforded us the opportunity to occasionally indulge our desire to experience some of the nicer things in life. We look down our noses at absolutely no one and love the idea of Princess' new Club Class experience, but abhor that some are ascribing some sort of "class system mentality" to those passengers who book CC. I see nothing wrong with paying for perks and only object when those perks are provided by taking away services that had previously been provided to all.

 

So, do we belong in the Yacht Club? Do we belong on MSC at all? Thanks in advance for your thoughts and recommendations.

No reason why you don't belong.

Big thanks to each of you for your thoughts, comments, experiences and suggestions. I had to chuckle as I went back and reread my original post, this time from your perspective. I think you "got" that I wasn't asking if my wife and I are good enough for MSC, but, rather, would we find the sort of cruising style and atmosphere we like. Your answers mostly seem to confirm that we would be pleased.

So, the next question I could use some help with is, do we take a full (separate living and sleeping areas) balconied (I may have made that word up) Suite with the Aurea experience, or should we go with the smaller, single living space Deluxe Suite with the Yacht Club experience?

I'm thinking the Yacht Club experience alone makes this a no-brainer. If one of us gets cabin fever in the DS, we can always head across the hall to the Concierge area, Top Sail Lounge, Deck 18 sun and pool area. And indications are that Le Muse Restaurant is outstanding!

Are staterooms on Deck 16 subjected to much noise from deck chairs, revelers, etc. on the Deck 18 bar and pool area? What about from the Deck 15 Top Sail Lounge?

Thanks again. I appreciate your help. I am asking a lot of questions, but only because I want this to be a very special celebration for my wife, who deserves the best of everything (or at least, the best that we can afford of everything! Lol)

IMO the Yacht Club (YC1) cabins are preferred.

Also, when I was doing my research, I was told Deck 15 was preferable to Deck 16 for just the things you mentioned. So look there first.

:)

Big thanks to each of you for your thoughts, comments, experiences and suggestions. I had to chuckle as I went back and reread my original post, this time from your perspective. I think you "got" that I wasn't asking if my wife and I are good enough for MSC, but, rather, would we find the sort of cruising style and atmosphere we like. Your answers mostly seem to confirm that we would be pleased.

 

So, the next question I could use some help with is, do we take a full (separate living and sleeping areas) balconied (I may have made that word up) Suite with the Aurea experience, or should we go with the smaller, single living space Deluxe Suite with the Yacht Club experience?

 

I'm thinking the Yacht Club experience alone makes this a no-brainer. If one of us gets cabin fever in the DS, we can always head across the hall to the Concierge area, Top Sail Lounge, Deck 18 sun and pool area. And indications are that Le Muse Restaurant is outstanding!

 

Are staterooms on Deck 16 subjected to much noise from deck chairs, revelers, etc. on the Deck 18 bar and pool area? What about from the Deck 15 Top Sail Lounge?

 

Thanks again. I appreciate your help. I am asking a lot of questions, but only because I want this to be a very special celebration for my wife, who deserves the best of everything (or at least, the best that we can afford of everything! Lol)

Go YC on deck 15 but not a forward facing cabin.

the views are obscured downwards by a metal windbreak and the wind when cruising makes the balcony virtually unusable.

no revellers on deck 18 in the YC, but a bit of deckchair scraping when they set it up in the morning

Pete