MSC Cruises going after Loyal cruisers on other lines

[Beamafar]

1 million complaints out of 11 miilion passengers = less than 10%. So 90% don't complain about the food - which is a subjective matter, anyway.

 

MSC offers a different experience to Celebrity - I prefer choice to sameness.

Edited July 24, 2015 by Beamafar

[I&J Cruisers]

We tried MSC in the yacht club. We were grossly unimpressed and will not do it again. We were on Divina. They built a beautiful ship. The yacht club space was amazing but they don't have the panache to pull it off.

[cle-guy]

1 million complaints out of 11 miilion passengers = less than 10%. So 90% don't complain about the food - which is a subjective matter, anyway.

 

Hospitality Industry studies also show that generally 1 of 10 people who get bad service ever bother to say so. Most just never return and say nothing or deal with it and are unsatisfied.

 

1 out of 10 complaining is a GIANT number in this circumstance, it's likely far higher.

Edited July 24, 2015 by cle-guy

[Bounce]

We tried MSC in the yacht club. We were grossly unimpressed and will not do it again. We were on Divina. They built a beautiful ship. The yacht club space was amazing but they don't have the panache to pull it off.

 

After 5 straight Celebrity cruises (we book suites), we decided to book a cruise in the MSC YC for next year. That decision was based on so many favorable reviews of the MSC YC including those who sail Celebrity.

 

I'd love to hear some specifics about why you did not like the YC.

 

Thank you.

[morbihan]

After being completely underwhelmed with the food in Blu on Constellation we are looking for a change and we are going to go Cunard and MSC Yacht Club.

 

The cruise we had has left us with such bad memories, we are seriously considering cancelling next year on the Silhouette. However, we really like the Silhouette. Got to decide what to do.

 

This new bigger best or whatever changes things too. You will remember that

I was the lucky person who received free gratuities. Already in the price ha ha ha. So one offer in the 123go. This was May.

 

We will go last minute on a cheapie with Cunard. Probable early Spring with MSC, 2017. Unless yacht club is available sooner. We can sail from mainland Europe which is a plus. Have a week or two in Italy to bulk it out.

[I&J Cruisers]

After 5 straight Celebrity cruises (we book suites), we decided to book a cruise in the MSC YC for next year. That decision was based on so many favorable reviews of the MSC YC including those who sail Celebrity.

 

 

 

I'd love to hear some specifics about why you did not like the YC.

 

 

 

Thank you.

 

 

I avoided doing this on the MSC board to avoid being flamed by loyal MSC cruisers but I'll give you my honest opinion. Positives first. The setup of YC in terms of space was nothing short of amazing. A huge space was allotted to a relatively small number of people. The Lounge was large comfortable. Snacks available throughout the day and evening were a nice touch. Pool area was never crowded but there is absolutely no shaded area around the pool. My tablet got so hot while I was reading that it shut off. I knew going in that there was no shade up there except in the bar area where they serve breakfast and lunch but thought that on port days I could snag some shade around the main pool. There are no shaded ahead there either. The overhang areas are filled with tables and chairs ostensibly for al fresco dining from the buffet area which has no out side seating. They really want these used for extra charge items like gelato and the Nutella stand. If everything else was perfect this shade issue alone would have been a deal breaker for me.

Yacht club restaurant:

On Divina it is all the way aft on deck 15this is a big ship. It is quite a hike. In the evening to avoid the wind on the open deck you have to go down to deck7 and walk across therewhich gets you tangled up in the bottle neck where they display and sell photos. You gave to do this twice because after dinner the show lounge Is all the way forward.

The Italian food is delicious, the best I've ever eaten and I'm from NY and have eaten in some of the best Italian restaurants. Other food not so good. They couldn't make Anerican breakfast. One day I ordered oatmeal and asked for heavy cream. They brought me whipped cream. The bacon was deep fried and comes out looking like a ball. The eggs were always over done. The lobster tail on the next to last night was dry and tasteless. If you like meat and cheese for breakfast you'll love it.

Service:

The service in the YC was very nice. After embarkation the Matre,d was in the concierge area and asked when you wanted to eat and made a big deal about telling you this would be your table for the whole cruise and that you,d have the same waiter etc for the whole cruise. This is not open seating. One night we arrived at our usual time and someone was sitting at our table. The Matre,d ushered us to another table in a different section of the dining room served by a different waiter who didn't know us or our preferences. Our waiter tried to intervene but we were out of his sight lines. We spoke to the matre'd afterwards he told us the other passenger had "demanded" that table.

 

This is getting too long winded. If you have specific questions I'll answer them for you.

[morbihan]

You have made me smile.

 

This is an Italian boat. Not American. Two different countries who do not eat the same food.

 

You are the same as the people who come on holiday to Paris and instead of eating a French breakfast of croissants, bagette etc., they demand eggs and bacon! The Dutch want cold meat and cheese. The British a fry up. They can't even make tea!

 

The French do not eat that for their breakfast. Bacon, of a fashion, has only just recently arrived. Eggs Benedict? In your dreams.

 

If I am in the USA I eat things not available here. Within reason of course.

 

Frogs' leg's anyone? Snails? Tripe? Not everything is edible here:D

[I&J Cruisers]

The problem was that when they did have Italian offerings on the menu they were excellent but they did not always have Italian offerings. They seemed not to be able to do fish or seafood well at all. Both of those are not strangers to Italian cooking. I think it had to do with the quality of the fish and seafood they were using.

[Bounce]

The problem was that when they did have Italian offerings on the menu they were excellent but they did not always have Italian offerings. They seemed not to be able to do fish or seafood well at all. Both of those are not strangers to Italian cooking. I think it had to do with the quality of the fish and seafood they were using.

 

I really appreciate hearing why you did not care for MSC YC. Thank you for taking the time to answer. I will add it to my list of pros and cons for MSC YC.

 

Questions: Would you compare the room size in the YC to a sky suite on Celebrity?

 

Will the restaurant prepare food to your specifications? Such as "no sauce" or "grilled simply".

 

Do you know if the balconies can be opened between suites?

 

How was it when you got off the ship? Did someone escort you off the ship or just throw you out (the way it is usually done ~giggle~)?

 

Where there any standard provisions made for drinks in other parts of the ship - such as coupons? Some people report they received coupons and/or OBC. I'm confused.

 

Any children in the YC?

 

Thanks again.

[greydog]

I really appreciate hearing why you did not care for MSC YC. Thank you for taking the time to answer. I will add it to my list of pros and cons for MSC YC.

 

Questions: Would you compare the room size in the YC to a sky suite on Celebrity? SIMILAR BUT BALCONY LESS GENEROUS SIZE

 

Will the restaurant prepare food to your specifications? Such as "no sauce" or "grilled simply". I ASSUME ONE CAN REQUEST. HOWEVER, REQUESTED SHRIMP COCKTAIL AND THEY SAID 'NOT AVAILABLE' ONE NIGHT

 

Do you know if the balconies can be opened between suites? NOT SURE

 

How was it when you got off the ship? Did someone escort you off the ship or just throw you out (the way it is usually done ~giggle~)? HAD ESCORT ON, OFF TAKING PAST GENERAL LINES.

 

Where there any standard provisions made for drinks in other parts of the ship - such as coupons? Some people report they received coupons and/or OBC. I'm confused. FREE BOOZE PROVIDED ONLY INSIDE YACHT CLUB. THE 'COUPONS' I HEARD ABOUT WERE FOR SOMETHING LIKE DOZEN DRINKS FOR $60? - PAID FOR A FEW DRINKS IN AN ENTERTAINMENT LOUNGE WHERE DUO WAS PLAYING POP SONGS (BEATLES, EAGLES, ETC)

 

Any children in the YC? MINIMAL - BUT NOISY CONGESTION OUTSIDE YACHT CLUB DUE TO 'KIDS FREE' PRICING

 

Thanks again.

 

Questions: Would you compare the room size in the YC to a sky suite on Celebrity? SIMILAR BUT BALCONY LESS GENEROUS SIZE

 

Will the restaurant prepare food to your specifications? Such as "no sauce" or "grilled simply". I ASSUME ONE CAN REQUEST. HOWEVER, REQUESTED SHRIMP COCKTAIL AND THEY SAID 'NOT AVAILABLE' ONE NIGHT

 

Do you know if the balconies can be opened between suites? NOT SURE

 

How was it when you got off the ship? Did someone escort you off the ship or just throw you out (the way it is usually done ~giggle~)? HAD ESCORT ON, OFF TAKING PAST GENERAL LINES.

 

Where there any standard provisions made for drinks in other parts of the ship - such as coupons? Some people report they received coupons and/or OBC. I'm confused. FREE BOOZE PROVIDED ONLY INSIDE YACHT CLUB. THE 'COUPONS' I HEARD ABOUT WERE FOR SOMETHING LIKE DOZEN DRINKS FOR $60? - PAID FOR A FEW DRINKS IN AN ENTERTAINMENT LOUNGE WHERE DUO WAS PLAYING POP SONGS (BEATLES, EAGLES, ETC)

 

Any children in the YC? MINIMAL - BUT NOISY CONGESTION OUTSIDE YACHT CLUB DUE TO 'KIDS FREE' PRICING

[blueboro]

You have made me smile.

 

This is an Italian boat. Not American. Two different countries who do not eat the same food.

 

You are the same as the people who come on holiday to Paris and instead of eating a French breakfast of croissants, bagette etc., they demand eggs and bacon! The Dutch want cold meat and cheese. The British a fry up. They can't even make tea!

 

The French do not eat that for their breakfast. Bacon, of a fashion, has only just recently arrived. Eggs Benedict? In your dreams.

 

If I am in the USA I eat things not available here. Within reason of course.

 

Frogs' leg's anyone? Snails? Tripe? Not everything is edible here:D

 

But, if they are going to get serious about the North American market like their CEO indicated they better become more "Americanized".

[greydog]

I really appreciate hearing why you did not care for MSC YC. Thank you for taking the time to answer. I will add it to my list of pros and cons for MSC YC. Thanks again.

 

But, if they are going to get serious about the North American market like their CEO indicated they better become more "Americanized".

 

MSC has announced a new build tailored specific to American market.

[I&J Cruisers]

I really appreciate hearing why you did not care for MSC YC. Thank you for taking the time to answer. I will add it to my list of pros and cons for MSC YC.

 

 

 

Questions: Would you compare the room size in the YC to a sky suite on Celebrity?

 

 

 

Will the restaurant prepare food to your specifications? Such as "no sauce" or "grilled simply".

 

 

 

Do you know if the balconies can be opened between suites?

 

 

 

How was it when you got off the ship? Did someone escort you off the ship or just throw you out (the way it is usually done ~giggle~)?

 

 

 

Where there any standard provisions made for drinks in other parts of theythe ship - such as coupons? Some people report they received coupons and/or OBC. I'm confused.

 

 

 

Any children in the YC?

 

 

 

Thanks again.

 

 

The standard caBin was comfortable but smaller than a sky suite. It did have a walk in closet which I like. It gives you a place to store things you by and makes the cabin feel neat all the time. I didn't care for the bathtub. Sides were very high. Had non moveable glass on Halfof it. You had to twist awkwardly to turn the shower on.

 

They try to accommodate any requests you make. The pasta dishes were terrific but they lol seemed to have tomato bases sauces. I asked if they ever had pasta with a garlic oil based sauce. He brought the matre'd over who said he'd make me whatever I wanted. He did and it was delicious.

 

I never asked about opening the dividers between the balconies but I'm sure someone on the MSC board could answer that qx.

 

Debris tigon was a dream. The butler told us to ignore the instructions that were on the TV and in the daily program. We had room service for breakfast and when we were ready to leave went to the concierge and they called a butler to escort us. he took us thru decks that were empty then opened a door we'd never seen and magically we were at gangway.

 

We had purchased 12 vouchers to use in other parts of the ship but the drinks were not very expensive. When was the last time you saw $8.25 for a cocktail on a ship. After shows I usually drank Irish coffees and they ever only 5.50 I think. We easily could have done without them.

 

On our sailing there were a couple of babies. I did see a couple of older kids.

 

By the way the extra charge pizza they talk about is excellent. Well worth the money.

[Emma]

We enjoyed the yacht club experience very much, the lounge always had some kind of snack, they had high tea in the afternoon, view was great,comfortable seats. The pool is small, it does have shade and there was hardly anyone in it , the lack of shaded areas on the pool deck was an issue for me as well. Lots of lounge chairs but all in the sun. Food was great in all areas, you did have to walk to the restaurant but that did not bother us. Service was top notch at every level. The standard yc cabin is a little too narrow for my taste, there is not as much storage as other cabins we have had, bathroom same thing. Overall a great experience in yacht club.

[Gig103]

I'm still angry that Celebrity changed the CC system four days before my sailing (in 2013) which resulted in me missing out on Select, which I would have earned with the terms I booked under. MSC has a chance to earn my business as a result.

 

They turned my CC Classic rating into MSC Silver, which gets me a 5% savings on my booking, and that stacked with a promo.

Edited August 18, 2015 by Gig103

[dizneydawn]

Thank you so much to every one that has compared Celebrity to MSC YC. We have a sky suite booked for fall 2016 and I have been considering changing to MSC YC. I have been reading all I can find about YC and the overwhelming majority loved it. The rest of the ship gets the worst reviews I have seen! So surprised that they can do YC so well and be so bad for everywhere else.

Lots to ponder!

[Beamafar]

Thank you so much to every one that has compared Celebrity to MSC YC. We have a sky suite booked for fall 2016 and I have been considering changing to MSC YC. I have been reading all I can find about YC and the overwhelming majority loved it. The rest of the ship gets the worst reviews I have seen! So surprised that they can do YC so well and be so bad for everywhere else.

Lots to ponder!

 

We have a Sky Suite booked for January next. It'll be our first time with Celebrity. We've done YC twice and will be in YC again in two weeks time on Divina. The price per night is comparable but Celebrity does not have a dedicated pool area and lounge for Sky Suite guests. They don't even have access to Michael's Club unlike MSC where all YC guests have access to the Top Sail Lounge. It's what I love about YC - it's like being on a small luxury liner whilst being on a large ship so you get the best of both! Having said that, we've had cabins outside of the YC enclave and it wasn't "bad for everywhere else". Not for us, anyway! We wouldn't have another 5 MSC cruises booked otherwise with 3 of them outside the YC!

[MarkusToe]

normal Elite match into black.... :)

[Janet987]

Just received same email as Markus. Elite to Black.

Not that I have given this one thought since the first day of the thread, but checking the prices on a TA's ticker, the YC isn't showing much in way of discounts for this winter in the Caribbean. 5% off for Black doesn't excite much either.

Do any of the MSC fans have experience with how this line handles last-minute pricing for YC? Do you see discounts after final payment worth waiting? I'll check out the MSC forum but any thoughts on their pricing appreciated (winter getaway to sun, flexible on weeks, standard routes, last minute doable).

Edited August 18, 2015 by Janet987

[Beamafar]

Just received same email as Markus. Elite to Black.

Not that I have given this one thought since the first day of the thread, but checking the prices on a TA's ticker, the YC isn't showing much in way of discounts for this winter in the Caribbean. 5% off for Black doesn't excite much either.

Do any of the MSC fans have experience with how this line handles last-minute pricing for YC? Do you see discounts after final payment worth waiting? I'll check out the MSC forum but any thoughts on their pricing appreciated.

 

I'd suggest you pose your question on the MSC board - there are quite a few from the US who post there - hopefully they'll be able to answer it.

Edited August 18, 2015 by Beamafar

[stephenp]

I have sailed once on MSC and NEVER AGAIN !! It was the worst Food ever in the Buffet and Restaurant, Service is Zero at it´s best.

 

Best to leave then alone!!

[Beamafar]

I've also seen posts on the MSC forum from people saying they've sailed once with Celebrity and "Never again!" I've sailed with MSC 8 times with 5 more cruises booked with them. I've NEVER had bad service - the crew go above and beyond to make your cruise an enjoyable one. I'm hoping after my trip on Millennium in January that I'll be able to say the same about Celebrity. I'm sure that I will, though :)

[blueboro]

I've also seen posts on the MSC forum from people saying they've sailed once with Celebrity and "Never again!" I've sailed with MSC 8 times with 5 more cruises booked with them. I've NEVER had bad service - the crew go above and beyond to make your cruise an enjoyable one. I'm hoping after my trip on Millennium in January that I'll be able to say the same about Celebrity. I'm sure that I will, though :)

 

I think the difference is that the "I'll never cruise with MSC again" reviews are numerous whereas they are the exception with Celebrity. We too have looked at MSC but quite frankly the reviews have scared us away.

[The_Big_M]

I think the difference is that the "I'll never cruise with MSC again" reviews are numerous whereas they are the exception with Celebrity. We too have looked at MSC but quite frankly the reviews have scared us away.

 

There may be more, but they're still a minority. So either way (Celebrity or MSC), you'd be casting your net based on an emotional, minority response. Is your viewpoint the same as those in either minority group?

[UniPac]

normal Elite match into black.... :)

 

Hallo Herr Zeh ;)

 

can you tell me how to get the match from X Elite to MSC Black when you live in Germany? Didn't find anything on the German MSC website nor in this thread here. Not a MSC customer either, but maybe in the future.

 

Danke und Gruß aus dem sonnigen Süden!