MSC Yacht Club * VS* NCL Haven ????

We are hooked on the NCL Haven, however, the prices keep creeping up especially as new ships come out. On the NCL board a lot are mentioning how they may switch to MSC now that they have the Yacht Club. The word is the prices are much cheaper. Can those of you who have stayed in both suites compare the ship, suites and overall experience. Thanks in advance!

I have done both, and found the "suites are better on NCL, but on every other measurement I prefered the Yacht Club. The lounge was head and shoulders better..and is in fact a lounge and not just a bar. The food selection is top notch and fresh, and the evening music is classy. The Pool area is also head and shoulders better on MSC. Having a Bar and grill on the pool deck is sweet. Made to order breakfast is top notch out on deck. A great place for breakfast or lunch at the pool.

The restaurant was also in favor of MSC. The Haven restaurant had the same menu each meal, abd even though you could choose a different entre each evening, it was strained to be choosing from the same menu for every dinner and every lunch. The menu was varied and changing for each meal and service was superb on MSC. Wine was free flowing at dinner. It was enjoyable taking your time, and never feeling rushed. But if you wanted a quick in and out meal, it might not be for you.

On another much played differentiation, the children in the Yacht club seems better mannered. On some MSC ships most Yacht club cabins will not hold a family, so the amount of children was lowered.

I may get a bit of disagreement on this, but in the way of a butler, I give the nod to NCL, however the service provided by all of the team really makes up for it. On NCL the butler took care of you in the cabin and perhaps getting you to a show or on and off the ship...but the other staff at the bar/lounge and around the pool lacked in service on NCL....but the service throughout the yacht club was top notch everywhere in the Yacht club.

I have done both, and found the "suites are better on NCL, but on every other measurement I prefered the Yacht Club. The lounge was head and shoulders better..and is in fact a lounge and not just a bar. The food selection is top notch and fresh, and the evening music is classy. The Pool area is also head and shoulders better on MSC. Having a Bar and grill on the pool deck is sweet. Made to order breakfast is top notch out on deck. A great place for breakfast or lunch at the pool.

 

The restaurant was also in favor of MSC. The Haven restaurant had the same menu each meal, abd even though you could choose a different entre each evening, it was strained to be choosing from the same menu for every dinner and every lunch. The menu was varied and changing for each meal and service was superb on MSC. Wine was free flowing at dinner. It was enjoyable taking your time, and never feeling rushed. But if you wanted a quick in and out meal, it might not be for you.

 

On another much played differentiation, the children in the Yacht club seems better mannered. On some MSC ships most Yacht club cabins will not hold a family, so the amount of children was lowered.

 

I may get a bit of disagreement on this, but in the way of a butler, I give the nod to NCL, however the service provided by all of the team really makes up for it. On NCL the butler took care of you in the cabin and perhaps getting you to a show or on and off the ship...but the other staff at the bar/lounge and around the pool lacked in service on NCL....but the service throughout the yacht club was top notch everywhere in the Yacht club.

I have done both and totally agree with every thing stated here.

I did the YC on the Magnifica Christmas 2016.

I had looked at the NCL Spirit for the same dates and itinerary and a suite on the Spirit was more that double the price of the YC and the Spirit doesn't even have a Haven.

Lois

I have never been in the Haven but I was on the April 14th sailing and was in the YC, I feel MSC is now our cruise of choice. and I am a diamond plus. I cannot say enough good things about the YC.

Our butler Victor escorted us to shows and even the next cruise desk plus off the ship and even delivered pizza from room service. Booked YC for Sept 22nd while onboard,

When Victor escorted you to shows, had you made reservations beforehand?

Done both....MSC YC on the Divina and Meraviglia. Haven on Breakaway (x2).

Great experiences both, but different.

First, the Haven...

-Concierge took care of escorting you upon embarkation

-Concierge takes care of escorting you to and from shows and seating you in the “preferred” areas of the theaters.

-Concierge takes care of booking dinners and any billing or customer service issues

-Special embarkation lounge

-Butler takes care of all cabin related dining, entertainment and snack delivery. Depending on ship, they also wil escort you on the ship

-Haven bar and restaurant, as well as private pool and lounge areas

YC

-Butler meets you at a curb tent to check you in and escort you to the lounge, where he will also carry luggage for you while getting onto the ship. Tux and tails seems to be the dress requirement

-Butler also doubles as part of the wait staff in the YC lounge

-Butler handles all in suite dining and drink requirements

-Concierge takes care of all booking of shows and billing/customer service issues (as well as internet issues)

-Restaurant manager available on embarkation in the YC lounge to assist booking all restaurants.

Differences....

The YC lounge is nicer than the Haven, but does not have access to outdoor dining or drinking areas. Beautiful space with entertainment every evening, and snacks throughout the day. Also has it’s own bar.

The YC also has its own restaurant. Didn’t use it much as you were required to wear long pants and collared shirts. Plus, there were other better venues for dining available.

Haven restaurant was more relaxed and had access to any specialty dining or MDR food on the ship to serve in the Haven. Haven restaurant seemed to have better food than the YC restaurant.

YC delivered a daily newspaper to your suite every day.

Haven staff seemed to engage more on a personal level and seemed to offer better service, remembering your favorite drinks or food preferences in the Haven restaurant.

YC staff was around but did not engage with you until you called for them.

In short, two sides of the same coin. I preferred the Haven. But, hard to go wrong with the YC on MSC given the price delta between the two.

I must point out that Divina and Seaside (and perhaps others) definitely do have outdoor dining and drinking areas...The One Pool Bar.

I must point out that Divina and Seaside (and perhaps others) definitely do have outdoor dining and drinking areas...The One Pool Bar.

You're right. I was specifically pointing to the Haven's outdoor area where you can eat and drink specifically!

YC has the indoor bar and snack which overlooks the front of the ship, but it's still indoors.

I haven't been on Seaside yet, but we were on Divina and there definitely is an outdoor buffet and grille and bar outdoors.

I have done both, and found the "suites are better on NCL, but on every other measurement I prefered the Yacht Club. The lounge was head and shoulders better..and is in fact a lounge and not just a bar. The food selection is top notch and fresh, and the evening music is classy. The Pool area is also head and shoulders better on MSC. Having a Bar and grill on the pool deck is sweet. Made to order breakfast is top notch out on deck. A great place for breakfast or lunch at the pool.

 

The restaurant was also in favor of MSC. The Haven restaurant had the same menu each meal, abd even though you could choose a different entre each evening, it was strained to be choosing from the same menu for every dinner and every lunch. The menu was varied and changing for each meal and service was superb on MSC. Wine was free flowing at dinner. It was enjoyable taking your time, and never feeling rushed. But if you wanted a quick in and out meal, it might not be for you.

 

On another much played differentiation, the children in the Yacht club seems better mannered. On some MSC ships most Yacht club cabins will not hold a family, so the amount of children was lowered.

 

I may get a bit of disagreement on this, but in the way of a butler, I give the nod to NCL, however the service provided by all of the team really makes up for it. On NCL the butler took care of you in the cabin and perhaps getting you to a show or on and off the ship...but the other staff at the bar/lounge and around the pool lacked in service on NCL....but the service throughout the yacht club was top notch everywhere in the Yacht club.

I'd agree with all of that except disagree as you guessed about the butlers. NCL butlers for us have been, on average, lackluster. More recently, I think they are just plain overworked. Duties for butlers also appear to be a bit different as on NCL they take care of your in room needs. We've never been escorted anywhere by a butler on NCL.

In YC the butlers are more in number and do lounge service, pool area service, I saw them vacuuming rooms, we got escorted first night to dinner, and they escorted us off the ship and met us at the pier (or tender spot) to get us back on the ship.

OP - a couple other things - NCL Haven DSC is $17.50 pp/pd vs MSC $12. MSC includes the minibar in the room. YC drinks include soda, water, coffee, and gelato around the ship. NCL charges the 20% service fee on the "value" of dining and beverage packages.

You're right. I was specifically pointing to the Haven's outdoor area where you can eat and drink specifically!

 

YC has the indoor bar and snack which overlooks the front of the ship, but it's still indoors.

I don't know what you're talking about. The Seaside Pool Bar and Grille has seating at the bar, tables in front of the bar overlooking the pool, seating under cover on the side (a seating area much larger than the Haven) "in addition to" the incredible indoor bar and lounge with open glass two decks to accommodate the Yacht Club restaurant.

So, IMO, not "indoors."

I don't know what you're talking about. The Seaside Pool Bar and Grille has seating at the bar, tables in front of the bar overlooking the pool, seating under cover on the side (a seating area much larger than the Haven) "in addition to" the incredible indoor bar and lounge with open glass two decks to accommodate the Yacht Club restaurant.

 

So, IMO, not "indoors."

The Yacht Club bar and lounge which also has OUTDOOR seating and tables.

We absolutely hate the YC. Definitely NCLers should stick with the Haven.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

We absolutely hate the YC. Definitely NCLers should stick with the Haven.

Hmmmm. Methinks someone is talking smack about the YC to keep the NCLers away, eh? :D:D

I am enjoying all sides of opinion, but I agree that is a heavy dislike comment. :confused:

Hmmmm. Methinks someone is talking smack about the YC to keep the NCLers away, eh? :D:D

You might be correct......;)

4. If you can swing the Yacht Club, do so!! Truly an awesome experience. Gigantic lounge, top bow private pool, grill, hot tubs, bar, butlers, restaurant, it does in fact feel like a yacht!

[emoji6]

Sent from my iPad using Forums

We absolutely hate the YC. Definitely NCLers should stick with the Haven.

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Need to see a lot more reviews / comments like this.... keep the demand low and prices affordable. 😜

[emoji6]

Three YC bookings thru spring 2020 just in case.

Dennis

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

One other thing comes to mind - Haven has free PPV movies ranging from 60-100 (our last trip had just under 100, recent reports saying 60 ish). MSC has tons of tv channels though vs. NCL limited so not really much difference.

[emoji6]

 

Three YC bookings thru spring 2020 just in case.

 

Dennis

 

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

Us too!

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Us too!

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Us three (3, literally). ;p:D:p

It's just terrible. ;)

Have been on over 50 cruises so far....majority on RCCL. Never tried the Haven, but was turned off by NCL the way were nickel and dimes on there. After trying the Yacht Club on the Divina, we were vastly impressed and are booked again on the new Seaside in November.....THEY REALLY WOWED US!!!

I have never been in the Haven but I was on the April 14th sailing and was in the YC, I feel MSC is now our cruise of choice. and I am a diamond plus. I cannot say enough good things about the YC.

 

Our butler Victor escorted us to shows and even the next cruise desk plus off the ship and even delivered pizza from room service. Booked YC for Sept 22nd while onboard,

Victor is wonderful as is his assistant Alexis [emoji4]

Sent from my iPad using Forums

While most posts indicate that the Haven and the YC have similar levels of service and amenities if you take into consideration price it's a no brainer in favor of the YC. One other thing that isn't mentioned is that with a YC room you get access to the Spa whereas in the Haven you only get it if you have a Spa Suite. On NCL it's $200 per person for spa access so there's another $400 potentially that you save.