GPPhilly

We always give cash.  The only time we did cash and gift items is just after they started sailing again after the lockdown.  The crew could not leave the ship.  At our stop in the Cayman Island, we went to the large store there and bought toothpaste, soap, shampoo, and other items to give to the crew in the YC.  They were so grateful and thankful.  But in normal times, cash is king 

We have one time where we were told to come back in 30 minutes and they would have a table for us.  This is once over 7 YC trips.  

35 minutes ago, jean87510 said:

I did this am.  And explained why.  And tipped accordingly.  

You need to talk to the YC director when you first noticed as they can address it immediately.  I have always had things turn for the better once I discussed with the YC director.  I would not base the YC experience off this one trip.  We have done 7 and it is the only way we will cruise now.  

2 hours ago, dgreeney said:

I've booked a Casino Cruise on the Seashore and would like to know:

1.  What is YC and how does one get it.

2.  How does anytime dining work. Are there long lines.

3.  When does one get the Boarding Pass and luggage tags.

4.  Is smoking allowed in the casino, if so, does it get too smokey.

5,  Are the specialty restaurant worth the money.

6.  How does the ship compare to Royal Caribbean and Carnival.

I would appreciate any comments.

1 - If  you are on a casino comp, you can contact the casino department and they can give you a quote on the upgrade to the YC.  Make sure to do a mock booking on line prior to make sure that the upgrade is worth it.  Most of  the time it is but it is always good to check.  I have exclusively sailed MSC in the YC with a casino offer and upgrade and it is our preferred way to travel on MSC. 

2- They recently tested some ships as no smoking I believe that has been changed back on most ships to be a section for smoking. I do not have specifics on the Seashore though.  When there was a smoking area it did get smoky in the casino.  The table area in my experience has always been non smoking. 

1 hour ago, eroller said:

 

 

This was the crew beach yes.  They still have a beach, just smaller and close by (see the map I posted).  To be honest the original crew beach (which is now the family beach) was way too big.  I never saw more than maybe 20-30 crew hanging out.  They also have an indoor facility near the wedding gazebo.  

The only time I saw it very crowded was just after they started back post Covid and the crew was not allowed off at most ports.  The beach was packed.  

17 hours ago, eroller said:

 

The new family beach is called Seakers Cove. Marked with a red arrow.  Very protected lagoon essentially.  
 

 

Isn't this were the Crew Beach was?  Does the crew not get a beach now?

24 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Looks like the gulls are swimming in the pool.

I originally thought as well lol

We have experienced the lack of a YC line or at least escort at several ports lately and always at OC.  It is quite disappointing.  Due to your issues, I would go to the concierge and ask to see the YC immediately.  

1 hour ago, perakcruiser said:

This is the philanthropic foundation of the Aponte family. Here you can see what they do: https://www.mscfoundation.org/

 

If you donate 1$ (or more), the Apontes will double the donation. If you don't want to donate you can  delete at reception.

I knew what the fund was but I find it very presumptuous that they assume they can just add the fee to your bill.  I understand it is a $1 but unless you agree to it in the terms and conditions how do they get away with just adding to your bill.  

On our Euribia cruise of Northern Europe, we had a $1 MSC Foundation fee.  We did not bother to question it but anyone know what that fee is? 

I feel the included meat items in Butchers Cut are way to limited with the dining experience  

1 hour ago, jame_g said:

 For YC, is there still a breakfast/lunch buffet by the One Bar and Pool?

 

This was our biggest disappointment as the buffet on the pool deck was not that good compared to the Seashore.  They did make your own omelet but everything else was very limited and precooked and cold.  

I have been no several ships.  Seashore (3 times)  Euribia (1) Seaside (2) and Meraviglia (2) and Divina (1) all YC.  The Divina was fine but I was was to rank them I would rank it last as we found it to be a bit worn and just not as nice as the newer ships.  That being said, we did enjoy the ship and if the itinerary was good we would sail her again.  

40 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Yes, I forgot about them also trying to crash Ocean House.

P.S. You reminded me of another quote by Rousseau "There are always four sides to a story; your side, their side, the truth, and what really happened."

I am just pointing out my experiences.  I am not sure why people waiting up front to be seated should cause you stress.  Relax and enjoy.  If they wanted to get seated right away they should have gotten there earlier.  

I have not seen people not in the YC try to eat at Ocean house but we have seen people stroll onto the YC beach since they person sitting in on the road doesn't always get everyone.  Normally the Butler spots them and asks them to leave.  We did witness a group in their 20's not react well to being asked to leave.  But that was a very isolated case.  

16 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

The lunch at OH can be a highlight of the cruise, it can also be a distressing situation with your fellow YCers hovering around waiting for your table.

 

 

 

I have been to Ocean Cay many times.  At least 10 times in the YC and full ships and I have never had people hovering around the tables waiting.  People wait at the front of Ocean House were the host is.   You seem to be fixated on the Interlopers as you call them.  We rarely have ever experienced this the way you say it happens.  

I read so many of your reviews and I sometimes think we are on different ships.  

6 minutes ago, Notch8 said:

Anyone know if these shades are new or were they there before?

Yes there were there before,  I looked at pictures from 2021 and 2022

We find the dining experience at Butcher's Cut to be too limited.  

14 hours ago, dbrown84 said:

you've had problems even after doing a travel alert, or you never did one?

I have called each time to alert them and was told both times that there was no need to alert them as they track based on usage.  This makes no sense since I do not have usage normally where I travel.  I tried each time to make a charge in Miami before hand.  I am not a fan of B of A to begin with and this lead me to get another travel CC. 

The cruises are available on the Spanish site so seem to be an issue with the USA site

I think like always it depends on the security person you get.  I have seen people have stuff confiscated and others sail right through.  

I have had my credit card (B of A) get denied mid cruise and had to call the bank.  Luckily, I was in the YC and concierge called from the ship and I got it cleared up.  It has happened more then once with this card.  So I moved to a Capital One card and have had no issues. 

I saw this earlier today.  I am on the 9/1 sailing.   There are some for next year I have been looking at and they too are gone on a different ship and port.  I would say typical MSC IT issues.  They really are the worst with their IT and tech.  

My travel partner on our first MSC used a cc and was charged foreign transaction fees sailing out of the US.  I was not because I have a CC that does not charge foreign transaction fees. 

A few observations.  

Having been on many 10 nights that are actually a 3 night and a 7 night.  I have noticed a slight difference in service on the 3 night as I think there are more people on the 3 night.  

I have always talked to the YC Director if I felt there was an issue with service.  It was always addressed.  I have never witnessed in my many YC cruises the lack of service that you have described.  

As for the food I have always enjoyed the YC food in general.  If you speak to your server about your issue they will address it.  

I am surprised your server in Butchers Cut did not ask about allergies.  We have always been ask as well in the YC the first day.  Did you let the Restaurant host/manager know about the allergy once you boarded?   I travel with someone with a shellfish allergy and they always let the server know when they approach the table if they are not asked.  

These are public boards and most MSC ships have Yacht Clubs therefore you will get people posting about their YC experiences.  They way I see it is if you see something is about the YC just stop reading and move on.  There are posters on forums that if I see it is their post or their reply I stop reading and move on as I don't put stock in anything they have to say.  

There are some people that seem to have anger toward people that talk about the YC.  I am sure there are reasons but I do enjoy the YC and it is the way I prefer to cruise.  I do not prefer interior rooms but I still might read posts on that because I enjoy reading about cruising.