LiquidWu

When does your cruise start? Does it still have 2 weeks? Then I can send you the menus.

I can confirm @HardToPort 's experience. Perhaps the emphasis is on "travelling together". Usually you are placed at a table with random other guests, so this clause usually does not apply and the rule is therefore not enforced.

I have received so much information here and read such great, interesting travel reports that I would like to contribute something myself. With 20+ MSC voyages and 26000 (real, non-matched) Voyagers Club points so far, I have some experience and know what to expect. I'm sure there are several interesting things for you. I'm starting the European metropolis tour in 19 days. From Hamburg, I'm going to Bruges, Amsterdam, Paris and London. I think these destinations could also be interesting for Americans visiting Europe. I have also made a few unusual bookings in advance. For example, I'm travelling to Hamburg with my motorhome and have booked a parking space in the harbour next to the ship with MSC. How that will work out will be interesting 🙂 As far as shore excursions are concerned, I'm more the active type and have booked, for example, the e-bike adventure or a ride in an ampibic vehicle. In London, an interactive experience in the footsteps of the legendary Titanic is planned. I will certainly not take pictures of every menu and every cocktail. We have enough of that here in the forum. But what would interest you? Write me what you would like to read about, then maybe I can find out in advance. Last but not least, English is only my third language, so please be prepared for lots of spelling mistakes and misunderstandings 😉 I would not consider it rude if you would please point out such problems to me. It would help me to improve.

I was able to update from Easy to Premium without any problems last year. This was actively offered at the bars on the first days.

As a European, I can assure you that from the point of view of the shipping company (salary structures) really no additional tips are necessary. I personally do not give additional tips for the normal, booked service. But for a service beyond the normal I like to give a tip. (e.g. breakfast is deliciously served on the balcony table instead of just passing the tray through the door). It is important for me to give the additional tip after the service to honor this. Others give additional tip in advance to buy a better treatment. I do not like that at all.

Yes, non-refundable OBC can be used for all payments on board, including service charge. Edit: Oops, Jagr was a few seconds faster 😉

Unfortunately, I can't really say, because as I mentioned, I didn't get any instructions or anything by email. I discovered it purely by chance on the website when I wanted to book some shore excursions. That was about 3 weeks before departure. But I don't know how long it had been there. I Think approx. 4 weeks. We diskussed this here:

Oh, an interesting route. I did this trip in January and was thrilled because it was very different from US or Europe. But you should know a few things beforehand so as not to be disappointed. I hope your TA advised you well. In particular, there will be no alcohol during the trip in the waters off Saudi Arabia, but also no discount on the beverage packages. Due to the almost worldwide sanctions, which Arabia has not joined, many Russians will be on board. Are you familiar with their table manners and other cultural peculiarities? Even in YC this required a high degree of tolerance 😉 But the interesting, unusual route and the warm weather fully compensated us 🙂 Here are a few impressions to heighten your anticipation:

I have never been upgraded on board (20+ cruises), but already 2 times 4 weeks before the start of the voyage. Both times from Aurea on YC and also without info from MSC. Once I saw it by chance when I wanted to book a shore excursion online, the other time when I installed the app.

I love the big MSC ships with all their hustle and bustle and entertainment and the bars etc. But to spend my whole vacation, hm then I would be ready for vacation after this cruise. For me, the yacht club is important as a luxurious, relaxing enclave. The fact that there are also such delicious drinks is nice, but not decisive

I would make the decision dependent on the weather in the target area. The Meraviglia is a beautiful, but rather traditionally divided cruise ship, on which your son would certainly have a lot of fun. But the Seascape was specially developed for travel in sunny climes. There's a lot more space on the open deck, outdoor sports, more tables outside the restaurants, and a more spacious pool area. There is simply more fun outside in good weather.

Thank you very much Connie, that helps me a lot. Thanks to your info I decided to book the shows "Ajedrez" and "Arkymea" in advance (10€). If the savings had not been so high, I would have booked later on board to be more flexible.

Thank you very much for the great, informative blog. Would you please be so kind and would add how much it costs to see the show?

I would like to add something from my perspective as a European. You should not only ask yourself what the differences are between Haeven and Yacht Club. Much more exciting are the differences in culture on board between American and European shipping companies. I have just read a very fair, comprehensive comparison here (please don't be put off by the lurid title, it's about the linked answer by @B_A_H ) You did everything right with the yacht club booking. The main perk (and you asked about these) is having a quiet, luxurious ship in the ship as a place to retreat. Combined with the possibility to go out into "real" life at any time. My next cruise, a week in the YC of the MSC Virtuosa, starts on 19 March 🙂 If you have any specific questions, please feel free to contact me.