sbcs5390

Curious, were you already within final payment?

I was able to pre-register my card online with no issue but there are lots of self-service terminals around to register. There's even a terminal at the YC Concierge which is a lot more full-functioning as guest services than any Retreat lounge or Michael's Club concierge can be, which I saw as a major advantage. Given YC fares are about the same as a regular balcony on Celebrity (maybe CC), you're getting a lot more.

Conversely, I felt like it was a much more cosmopolitan experience, with not just folks from the U.S. I met friends from the UK, Canada, and had folks at the table next to me using the Italian menu and conversing with the wait staff in Italian. Felt a lot more worldly to me. On Meraviglia from New York, though, they only made announcements in English that I remember.

On Meraviglia, it cost me $70 to upgrade on a 7 night cruise. I was solo and had the ability to use two devices. The ability to send pictures was not improved, i.e., still took 8 minutes to send one photo. The YC Concierge chastised me that I should have understood the terms when I chose to upgrade, and should know it's not like home when I asked to switch back. I said that I assumed it was like the many other cruise lines I'd been on where the upgraded internet had upgraded functionality. I do think YC should include the premium from the get go. Subsequently he called to say he had the internet team check and I had managed to use 1.6 GB so it must be fine. I stopped it as it was becoming argumentative and intrusive. I never was able to do WiFi call direct on my iPhone, even with the streaming, but I made calls using my Microsoft Teams app without issue. I think they are throttling speed on iMessage or something. Snapchat (and I heard WhatsApp) seemed to work a lot better.

It ends up being 9.75% 🙂

The main problem I had was with sending photos on iMessage. One picture would take 8-10 minutes to go back home. Things worked OK on my work computer. I wonder if they throttle iMessage. This was 4/22 on Meraviglia. I was just surprised because on Celebrity when you have that issue and upgrade to the premium wifi (which is included in all suites) it goes away.

The premium streaming internet is not included. Surprising when compared to other suite products like Celebrity but to me that is the only shortfall. Fortunately the upgrade doesn’t do much, so it’s not really necessary, but also I made the mistake my first time and they wouldn’t switch me back.

I would definitely recommend trying to pre-schedule at least the departure, and probably if you can, the return trip. The surging might be crazy on the day of with everything going on. Uber and Lyft both offer the option, and sometimes one is cheaper than the other. Unfortunately, my mom uses a mobility device and sometimes drivers refuse to transport them so it's best we park.

You won't regret it! I am so excited to come back with my family. I did 4/22 solo as a tester - the family travel agent! We are doing 10/25/23 and 5/4/24.

Belmar here! We are a bit nervous about returning on the 10/25 cruise to the NYC Marathon and bridge closures! Plus, Princess will be parking then too adding to the lot filling up concerns. Fingers crossed...

I paid $315 for the 4/22 - 4/29 cruise. The last one after ours was a day longer cruise (Miami itinerary instead of PC)

Craig (Yacht Club Dir on Meraviglia) mentioned that they have a big project coming up to ready the YC area for larger vessels like World America that will have nearly 500 in YC. He’s seen the plans and described changes to the restaurant (two stories I think?) and more toilets, etc. I didn’t ask but would be surprised if they didn’t clean up the beach again at the same time.

Umbrellas are provided at the chairs at the YC beach - or at least were in late April.

So glad you had a nice time. I was on the 4/22 cruise solo in YC to test it out for a future family cruise. I also have family members with mobility issues and know the “YC shuttle” will be great for them. We are going back on 10/25 - have to apologize as we snagged the last two YINs!

Q2 - I have heard officially that it’s “once and done” but others have mentioned they resubmitted and got a better result. Q3 - I have been able to get the discount and OBC (if required number of months out) applied after doing the match. Good luck!

Yes, I just returned from Meraviglia solo and had two devices. Don't bother upgrading - I did and it made no difference in what I wanted to do and they would not refund me. Save the $70!

I submitted my parents' Celebrity Select for them and MSC gave them Gold last week. Probably 10 months ago I had done mine, Celebrity Elite, which also matched to MSC Gold. I had missed out on the "hack" to match Celebrity to Azamara to MSC Diamond, and apparently I see some folks got Marriott Titanium over to Diamond more recently. The good news is with the double points offer for booking onboard, I'll be Diamond anyway after my second MSC sailing which I booked while on my first.

I’m doing a tester solo in two weeks’ time in hopes of being able to bring my parents in the future for the same reasons. We have done most of the lines and lately have been doing Celebrity including two in the Retreat. I think there you really need to be on a new ship to have an experience close to YC and pick a suite that is truly inside the Retreat complex. You are right that their ships can feel overwhelming otherwise. The only recent cruise on which my Mom did not get sick was when we were in the Retreat and she too has a weakened immune system. For me, I don’t mind an inside cabin so absolutely love that YC offers the inside suites. Flying is also a big stress for her so Meraviglia coming to New York is a draw.

I think you’ll be happier with the space and two bathrooms of two YC insides. I went for the one on the same deck as the Top Sail Lounge so I can just walk down the hall to it. I sail in two weeks on Meraviglia so don’t have any personal experience yet.

Me too - I’m probably going to just bring on in New York but would have rather they just handled it for me.

This would have been amazing. We left Equinox on the 27th and had a lot of stuff. To confirm: it's $29 per person (on the reservation?) regardless of the number of bags checked? And, it's waived for all Retreat guests, including Sky Suites?

Waiter in MDR on Equinox March 18 sailing said it had been replaced by something else - I think a sirloin. Did not try the kids' sirloin.

On Equinox now and both stateroom attendant and guest services refused. We have two aft concierge cabins and were so excited about opening them.

I’m so surprised they didn’t offer to have your butler serve from one of the menus in-suite. I had a RS when the ship was less than half full and we enjoyed Murano a lot. You’re right though - that tub takes a while to fill! Keep having a great time!

It was at end of January. We were Feb 3. The logo was on the card and the login. Crew also remarked that their internet got worse with the switch. Maybe they still had growing pains to work out.