TrinaLC

MSC matches. 

Is the card equipped with a punch hole for a lanyard?

Is the water bottle double construction (like the yeti brand) so keeps contents cold?

As long as they add a lot of shade!

On 5/8/2024 at 12:43 PM, morpheusofthesea said:

A decent rule of thumb I have learned from one other poster ("pirate" something ?) was $10 for breakfast/lunch waiter and $20 for dinner waiter. So bring a couple of bucks for drink butlers. Same for room steward, your discretion.

We tip only at the end, based on experiences during the week. 
 

Proabably $100 for the butler, and 50 to 70 for the assistant butler. 
 

We’ve tipped $30 or so for exceptional service from others, be they butlers (not ours), waiters we had regularly, servers form the pool/YC lounge, and $20-30 to several bar tenders and the often terrific pool guys. Also tipped the Maitre D’ from $50 to 75 but this was an exceptional guy. On other trips we have not tipped the MD. 
 

Haing said that, we are fairly big tippers, so evaluate the above in that perspective.

 We have never felt that a tip was expected and certainly not that the possibility of a tip changed the service level. Staff know that Europeans are generally not tippers and treat every one the same.  So just leaving the auto tips in place and nothing more is certainly fine as well.  And of course treating the staff with kindness and patience when they are busy. 

 

Not sure the 7-14-21 day plan will work for us - each would represent a different 7 day cruise out of Miami (for example) but any 7 day cruise out of Miami is something we’ve done a million times (or so it seems). We will never again cruise the Jamaica loop. 
 

Seems like if we want longer cruises to places not normally within the 7 day radius we won’t be doing Explora. Shame, we already have two TAs booked but that may be it for us. 

In YC we don’t tip until the end of the cruise. Sorry, but it seems a bit crass to tip for each rendered service. 
 

We tip well at the end of the cruise. Does that mean everyone who ever brought us a drink or waited our table gets a tip? No. But those who have gone above and beyond, most certainly. 
 

We love Divina. The restaurant is lovely and the walk to and from is nice. Much smaller, more intimate, great service. You really get to “know” the staff and they are lovely. 
 

Lots of seated shade, and typically a number of lounges are lightly shaded by the tinted glass. We don’t typically sail in the summer though …

Anyways don’t count the Divina out!

Odd that rooms disappeared. Divina currently doing TA has I am told 8 YC-1s available. 

Onil is wonderful. We remember when he was a pool attendant on I think Seaside. He shone in that capacity and was quickly promoted!

How is the YC Director compared to the wonderful Pepe? We are so sorry he won’t be on the TA. When we sailed earlier this year he had every plan to be on the TA (while Mehmet was up on the air on his return plans). 

3 hours ago, Homosassa said:

I suggest you find and read the MSC Guest Conduct Policy on the MSC website.

 

It will help you understand why your personal balcony furniture may be denied at security before boarding the ship.

“Personal balcony furniture”!

We often bring “personal balcony furniture” in the form of a camping chair, have never even had a second look at security. 
 

For us, no. There are some lovely shady spots under the palms.  
 

You are already pampered to the max for “free” by the butlers/waiters on duty, circulating with drinks and taking requests.   By contrast, when not in a YC environment, the pampering that is included with cabanas is a true value add. There is very little value add to a cabana in the YC area. 
 

Maybe pamper with a message, or as someone suggested a jet ski or other excursion. 
 

Carnival Sunshine out of Charleston, many plantations open to the public. 

1 hour ago, momofmab said:

 

I think one of MSC's biggest obstacles is consistency in the service and product across the ships (at least within the size categories, such as the "Sea" ships).

 

In the past couple of days alone, I've read several different versions of the safety drill process for YC quests that were different from my experience in YC on Seascape (and one of the negatives on my list).

 

I was also lured to MSC (YC) by the great experiences of the very talented "Live" thread writers.  While I don't question their experiences whatsoever, mine was nowhere near those levels, and it has caused me to be convinced that MSC follows this board and makes a big effort to "wine & dine" those that sing their praises.  My cruise in YC was fine, but not at level that others on CC have experienced.  I suppose it was a good value for the price, but with those prices creeping upward, I would likely choose to sail in "gen-pop" on other lines where I felt the overall experience was better.

We have had great service in the YC - 3 Divina cruises, two Seaclass. I’ve never written a “live from” review and didn’t even have a picture on CC until I changed that recently. 
 

A terrific butler makes a difference and those are harder to come by these days as the number of YC cabins expands with new ships coming on board.  In the one instance where we didn’t have great butler service the roaming butlers and waitstaff more than made up for it. (We are happy finding he theater and Divina aft restaurant on our own, and just request an escort from the concierge desk to get off the ship if we need that service.  And on that cruise we had a fabulous junior butler and the awesome Pepe YC Director …)

The Facebook posts are usually quite active. Search for Euribia specific groups. 
 

Also see if there is a roll call for the current cruise 

Love Divina. Have sailed 3x YC on her and at least as many on the Seax ships. 
 

The YC Divina in February was seriously underwhelming. As though no chef in charge. Fillets that were so poorly cut as to be inedible (well, not really, but not YC quality), cold dishes, when asked for a “double” given two plates instead of being replaced as one …cold risotto

The service is wonderful. Mehmet is amazing. But the chef is totally absent. 

On 2/22/2024 at 7:56 PM, BlerkOne said:

I doubt many people have been on 6 cruise lines 

S.S. France, Cunard Princess, multiple NCL, multiple Carnival, multiple MSC, Oceania Riviera, Holland America Eurodam, RCCL Enchantment OTS, Caribbean Princess, booked on Explora. 

Pool deck is also staffed by several butlers and waiters that you will recognize from the dining and lounge area. The YC Director if (s)he is a good one will pass through several times a day, checking on service and engaging with the guests. 
 

We find it to be a very convivial atmosphere and often meet and chat with other guests. 

Great (and welcome) answers!  And beautiful photos!

Well, I get that, except the Residences are treated differently. They get to experience the YC area on OC which we have always enjoyed. So why should we not feel as second class citizens? 

A venue that we have had as YC guests is now for another higher “first class”.   
 

So how is this egalitarian? everyone treated as the same?
 

Dr Cocktail, didn’t you find the OC experience devalued after having experienced the full “YC treatment”?  
 

and I guess we don’t know yet what the experience will be like with a normal docking …

We have sailed MSC’S Yacht Club quite a few times and really enjoyed the YC enclave on Ocean Cay. (True, the YC beach is rocky, but the overall experience with the dedicated dining is very nice.)
 

When Explora docks at Ocean Cay, only the Residences get to use the YC enclave. Everyone else is relegated to the “steerage” area, including a buffet area designed to serve thousands at a mass cruise level. Frankly, going from YC to “steerage” at Explora prices seems a serious downgrade. 
 

Is anything done to make the OC day match up to Explora pricing and expected luxury for the cabins not entitled to the use of the YC enclave?  Maybe a serious upgrade to the food and service on the island?

I agree with the above response. Get envelopes from the concierge and distribute the last day. 
 

Also take pictures of your favorite crew members’ name badges so you can mention them by full name in the review you are asked to give several days after you return.  It isn’t awkward, they are more than pleased that you plan to mention them by name (I tell them why I am asking to take the photo). It makes a diffference to their career trajectory.