Beamafar

Always bring a couple of the large tubes on flights - especially to the US. They’re cheaper here. 😀

That chocolate buffet looks scrumptious. Never seen one before.

We’ve been to the Mayan ruins (rip-off - pay a fee, then there’s an extra ‘entrance’ charge once inside, around the shops/food outlets, to go to the actual ruins - we’ve visited Tulum before so didn’t bother) and the far side of the island (where there’s no power and the locals have to use generators). The price for your excursion is €91 pp (we’re in Ireland) so about £75 - you reckon it’s good value?

Thank you so much for this detailed report of your excursion experience. We’re not sunbed/beach lounging people, either, but it sounds like a really great way to spend the port day. Will definitely look into this. Much appreciated.

I understand how you feel. We were on the Meraviglia repo from New York to Miami and were to be the very first to visit the island. Unfortunately it wasn’t ready so we never made it. Really hope that we get to visit when on Seascape in a couple of months.

John - so sorry to hear about your DW’s illness. It’s great that MSC came through for you in this difficult time.

I realise that I didn’t give you anything in the way of insights. There’s no doubt that YC is a wonderful experience and, if it’s within budget, it’s a no-brainer. With the introduction of the YC insides, it’s now more affordable to have the experience at a lower price. The YINs are quite small, but we spent most of our time out of the cabin (when booked in one) which was actually an advantage. The Top Sail Lounge is a really lovely venue, plus the private pool deck with the grille for breakfast and lunch (when the weather is playing nice). We had many enjoyable lunches on Meraviglia and Seaview in the poolside buffet. I think you’ll find YC to be a totally different beast to ‘steerage’. Don’t forget, you get free access to the thermal suite in the spa and you can try out the Aurea private deck as that’s also included.

Just to add: for the first time, on MSC, we have booked a Fantastica Inside on our upcoming Seascape cruise, as we had a YC1 booked and decided to add a very cheap week on to make the long haul flight (from Ireland) worth our while. At the time of booking I was thinking that we might bid on a higher category, forgetting that we do not have that facility here, unlike other cruise lines. 😩

Hi. We weren’t in YC on that one (in Oct ‘21). We don’t always sail in YC. The only categories we haven’t sailed in are insides (except for my first ever cruise - that was on Carnival) and oceanviews (except for an Aurea infinity on World Europa). We’ve done 27 MSC cruises to date, with 3 more booked for this year. I hope you enjoy your YC experience. You’ll find that many on here will say that once you’ve done it you’ll never go back. For us, that is not the case. We don’t think that YC - especially the fares for YC1 on the newer ships - is worth it. YINs, at the right price, yes. However, it’s much better value than The Retreat on Celebrity. Also, we have had wonderful cruises on MSC when not in YC. These are just my opinions.

On Seashore the bartender added peppers to the Veuve - delicious 😋. Note the large glasses rather than flutes - we were served ‘doubles’. 🤣

On Meraviglia we dined several times in Butchers Cut (23 nighter). The BC staff would go straight out to the Champagne Bar as soon as we were seated to fetch our glasses of Veuve - always accompanied by paper coasters with lovely notes to us from the wonderful Oxsana who worked the bar.

Well, I, for one, didn’t care for the lounge snacks and I don’t eat pizza, but I really miss the choc peanuts. 😕 Loved to snack on them with a minibar g&t on the balcony in the afternoons.

Too many people bragging on social media about drinking thousands of dollars worth on the package was probably the catalyst for MSC to drop it. We enjoyed a glass or two of Veuve Cliquot at the Champagne bar every evening when we had it. We’ve always had whatever the top drinks package was on our cruises from the time they were first introduced on MSC. On what was the Deluxe package (€42 then €44 pppd) Remy Martin XO was included @ €12 a glass. That was reduced to Janneau XO @ €9 a glass when the package increased in price. Over the years, the inclusions reduced as the prices increased - until Premium Plus was introduced. It was a no-brainer for us as we enjoyed the higher end spirits and bubbly when we had it.

I won’t go through all the points, but #11 is not necessarily true. Just like the MDRs, food offerings in YC can be hit and miss. As can service. We’ve enjoyed cruises outside of YC and we’ve had less than stellar cruises when in YC. In other words, we’ve had great to not so good both ‘upstairs’ and ‘down’. #13 On some of our sailings our butler was MIA. We’ve had some amazing cabin stewards when ‘downstairs’. #16 Not all YC venues have this - only the newer ships - and they’re weather dependent due to being on the pool deck.

Will be interested in hearing about your day as we’ll also visit Cozumel and can’t quite decide what to do. Enjoy.

It was when MSC offered a PremiumPlus package (DH enjoyed it on an occasion or two and got fond enough of it to treat himself to a bottle last Christmas 🤣)

We’re doing the same and am glad to read an experience from a non-YC perspective. It’s especially good to hear that the OP is enjoying it.

Thermal suite access is included for Aurea guests (though I believe you need to book to ensure it’s not busy when you want to use it - eg sea days).

Are you not familiar with this poster? Rules on CC prevent me saying what I’d like to.

To the OP - my sincerest apologies.

Give it a rest and stop copying and pasting the same thing over and over. The OP has asked for his thread to be not derailed. I do hope you’ll extend him the courtesy that you wouldn’t to an OP on another review - even after being asked to desist.

That guy had to be asked a couple of times not to discuss YC on their review as the OP was sharing a non-YC experience.

You just can’t help yourself, can you? So, you pay several thousand more to get some steamed veg in YC (and you needn’t tell me about the YC - I’ve done several sailings around the world in the enclave).

They removed that a few years ago (used to be called beef paillard) on Europe sailings and replaced the salmon with ‘white fish’. This continued for several years (I remember specifically as I’m a picky eater and missed the always available salmon). Thankfully MSC saw the error of their ways and the beef and salmon reappeared (though the ‘steak’ is not great).

Bon voyage. Are you planning to post about your experiences? I have a feeling that your cruise will have the alternative week menus (the ones posted here are the same as those posted in the thread that I linked to).