Anyone have experience with MSC Yacht Club *and* NCL Haven? Or...

[mom2sons]

Anyone know where I can find a side by side comparison of the benefits?

 

We are looking at either MSC Divina or the NCL Epic. In trying to compare the two for price versus value it seems difficult to decide who has the better program. I started out making a spreadsheet but that proved difficult.

 

I've never cruised with NCL so I'm not familiar with how all of their options work (ie beverage packages, pay-to-dine restaurants etc). I'm reading the threads of both of carriers here on Cruise Critic but ultimately what I'd like know is how the two plans (YC versus Haven) compare.

 

Looking for real feedback as opposed to just making a spreadsheet of facts from the websites of the two carriers.

 

Would appreciate any insight you well traveled cruisers may have.

 

Thanks in advance,

Shara

[tomsafrica]

I'll be in a good position to answer your questions in a few months... we did the Haven on the Epic in October and we're doing the Yacht Club on Divina in July :D

 

It does sound like they are fairly similar products with the main difference being that drinks are included in the YC and not in the Haven although if you religiously attend all the Captain's cocktail evenings the drinks are quite plentiful ;)

 

The Haven was amazing, we loved every minute of it. If you see some gouges in the door frame that was where they had to drag me off the ship kicking and screaming :o

[mom2sons]

Thanks, tomsafrica, would really love to hear of your experience and a comparison of both programs.

 

Don't forge to come back and update :)

 

Shara

[tomsafrica]

Thanks, tomsafrica, would really love to hear of your experience and a comparison of both programs.

 

Don't forge to come back and update :)

 

Shara

 

When are you planning on travelling?

[mom2sons]

When are you planning on travelling?

 

Plans are kind of loose at this time but in general Spring break April, 2014 - so a good bitof time 'til then.

 

Was looking at the Divina for December 2013 but then saw where MSC will sail the Divina year round from Miami Starting in November so I'm hoping there will be an April 2014 schedule out soon. Right now (I believe) March 2013 is the latest published scheudle.

 

At any rate it will be after your trip so I hope you will come back and post your comparison :)

 

Thanks,

Shara

[tomsafrica]

I will, I promise :)

 

Watch this space late July!

[bltrn]

Try this link - it may give you an idea of YC benefits.

 

https://skydrive.live.com/?cid=1CDC327C72A4C6D9&id=1CDC327C72A4C6D9!1233

[bltrn]

Try this one too.

 

http://www.cruisesinturkey.com/msc-yacht-club-katalog.pdf

[mom2sons]

Thanks, bltrn! Much appreciated. Very good info. I am leaning toward the YC on the Divina but there are a few minor glitches still. Just waiting at this time for MSC's schedule for April 2014 and beyond to be posted.

 

Thanks again!

Shara

[tomsafrica]

Shara if you're still on here just wanted to let you know we had a fantastic time on the Divina which is I think the most elegant and beautiful ship we've sailed on so far. The Yacht Club was outstanding, we really felt special and the staff were brilliant and couldn't do enough for us. Although we also loved the Haven on NCL (and to be honest the stateroom on the Epic was better) but overall I would rate the YC experience very highly and anyone who says the food is subpar at Le Muse needs their head examined. It was unrelentingly delicious!

[MSC Cruises USA]

Thanks, bltrn! Much appreciated. Very good info. I am leaning toward the YC on the Divina but there are a few minor glitches still. Just waiting at this time for MSC's schedule for April 2014 and beyond to be posted.

 

Thanks again!

Shara

 

Hi Shara,

 

The MSC Divina itineraries for April - October 2014 can be found here: http://www.msccruisesusa.com/us_en/Cruise-Departures/Find-Your-Cruise.aspx?DateF=2014-04&DateT=&Reg=CAR&Port=&Ship=

 

Also, we will soon be announcing the Caribbean itineraries for Winter 2014/2015 on our website as well.

 

Hope this helps!

[legion3]

Giving this thread some life.

 

Any updates? From anyone?

 

One difference apart from the free booze and drinks is that as I understand is that the Haven dinner menu never changes. Has more choices but is set for the whole cruise. Similar to the breakfast and lunch menus of the haven or doing the suite life on non haven ships.

 

Is this correct? Le Muse has less options but changes every night but does have a section that is always available.

 

Also another difference is embarkation, both get priority but with MSC they meet you at curbside and escort you to and through security and then check you in. Is it true with the haven you start getting priority only after you pass security, no matter how long the line to get through security.

 

Is this accurate? Is it different in NY and Miami?

 

Small differences but nevertheless differences.

[legion3]

Need to ask this same question on ncl board.

[Danbee46]

We are sailing on the Divina in March. The only comparison I did was price. I compared the YC with the Haven and discovered that the Haven would cost about $300 per person more. The difference is even greater when you factor in the included alcohol in the YC. Also, with the YC the butler meets you at the dock and escorts you to your cabin, bags and all; escorts you to dinner and the nightclub, and will provide after hours shopping. There are other benefits, making the YC a better "bang for the buck" for us.

[tomsafrica]

Giving this thread some life.

 

Any updates? From anyone?

 

One difference apart from the free booze and drinks is that as I understand is that the Haven dinner menu never changes. Has more choices but is set for the whole cruise. Similar to the breakfast and lunch menus of the haven or doing the suite life on non haven ships.

 

Is this correct? Le Muse has less options but changes every night but does have a section that is always available.

 

Also another difference is embarkation, both get priority but with MSC they meet you at curbside and escort you to and through security and then check you in. Is it true with the haven you start getting priority only after you pass security, no matter how long the line to get through security.

 

Is this accurate? Is it different in NY and Miami?

 

Small differences but nevertheless differences.

 

Yes this is correct - so after a few nights the Haven dining gets a bit repetitive although there was always the daily special. At Le Muse the entire menu was different every night.

 

When we embarked in Istanbul one of the butlers discreetly found us and assisted us all the way through the embarkation process which was wonderful. I don't recall any special attention boarding NCL until we actually arrived in the Haven.

[alexkrn46]

the haven was wonderful we had a cabin that had two bedrooms and bathrooms. the master bathroom was the best I have ever had. The butler to passenger ratio is higher in msc. there were more snacks available on msc.

service was better on msc, but good on ncl,.

 

the biggest difference was the price, msc more affodablle.