MSC: "4" New Small Luxury Ships: Yacht Club For All!

[Beamafar]

On Seaside for Oct 27th, I am paying only $2,450 for two, for Inside Yacht Club Suite. I wonder how you got to a full $7,000 for a week, with Inside YC, on Seaview?

The price for October 26th (off-peak) for 2 on Seaview in a YC inside is €4638. Works out at $5770, gkbiii.

 

While I quoted you in the previous post, some of my comments were not directed at you; only the illustration of where I got the price of $7000 from.

 

 

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[Beamafar]

Bea, on the USA site there are no YC inside cabins going for more than $4000 for a couple in July on the Seaview. And some dates/itineraries are less. We must be getting quite a discount and/or they are really sticking it to you guys. Even the YC deluxe suites are less than $5000. ???????

Hi there. I've posted a couple of screenshots from today on MSC's Ireland website showing the price of the cabins on Seaview for both a July and an October sailing.

 

 

 

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[CruiseIreland]

We must be getting quite a discount and/or they are really sticking it to you guys. Even the YC deluxe suites are less than $5000. ???????

 

Barcelona17: You've hit the nail on the head, I guess it's promotional pricing for the US market. Imagine what the reviews of Seaside would be like on CC if the cruisers were paying European prices!! By the way, Seaview YC is showing as 'Sold'Out' on MSC USA site, as is all YC for that date. But the Aurea Whirlpool suite which is usually comparable in price to a YC interior is priced at $1758(plus taxes) so there is a substantial differential.

[sidari]

The story on these new builds also says that the ships may not be all YC but a mixture of YC and Aurea, 700 passengers as a figure, with MSC going off their past record numbers are likely to be closer to 850.

 

Bea ... I had a look here to see what the cost of a YC Deluxe balcony is for 24th October from Barcelona, the price is £4,038.00 and at today`s £/$ that is $5,572 using the tourist rate of 1.38 and not the bank rate of 1.42.

When you add in airfare that takes it to over £5,000 for a 7 night holiday, although not in the YC on Seaside in April as we have booked Aurea again, with a B3 Aurea forward Deck 9 cabin, 2 nights at the Marriot before and 1 night after the cruise and airfare the figure is £3,064 / $4228.

YC Deluxe would have cost us £1,340 / $1849 more. An Inside was oddly the same cost as the B3.

 

Off these figures the Med prices are way over inflated.

[Beamafar]

The story on these new builds also says that the ships may not be all YC but a mixture of YC and Aurea, 700 passengers as a figure, with MSC going off their past record numbers are likely to be closer to 850.

 

Bea ... I had a look here to see what the cost of a YC Deluxe balcony is for 24th October from Barcelona, the price is £4,038.00 and at today`s £/$ that is $5,572 using the tourist rate of 1.38 and not the bank rate of 1.42.

When you add in airfare that takes it to over £5,000 for a 7 night holiday, although not in the YC on Seaside in April as we have booked Aurea again, with a B3 Aurea forward Deck 9 cabin, 2 nights at the Marriot before and 1 night after the cruise and airfare the figure is £3,064 / $4228.

YC Deluxe would have cost us £1,340 / $1849 more. An Inside was oddly the same cost as the B3.

 

Off these figures the Med prices are way over inflated.

The only reason why I'm even aware of how ridiculous the YC Inside cabin price is for July (a month that I would never normally consider sailing in) is because we met a wonderful couple from Norway on Meraviglia (Hi, NC) who will be in YC on Seaview who asked us if we'd join them.

 

I priced it last October and it was €1769 PP back then. Because we got a couple of discount vouchers from last December's cruise, we thought we'd go ahead and book it. I got a right land when I saw the price had jumped to €2869 PP - an increase of over 62%. No thank you, MSC!

 

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[CruiseIreland]

Barcelona17: You've hit the nail on the head, I guess it's promotional pricing for the US market. Imagine what the reviews of Seaside would be like on CC if the cruisers were paying European prices!! By the way, Seaview YC is showing as 'Sold'Out' on MSC USA site, as is all YC for that date. But the Aurea Whirlpool suite which is usually comparable in price to a YC interior is priced at $1758(plus taxes) so there is a substantial differential.

 

Edit: The YC Deluxe suite is showing at $1858 on US website, plus taxes. Not bad!

[DAJedu]

I think with cruise lines like Viking, it is more than just the 'on board' experience. They start to take care of you well before you get on the ship. They don't just have one restaurant, they have multiple restaurants that are all included in the price. The only 'pay' restaurant on many of their ships is an excursion where you go out with the chef to shop locally, they take recommendations from the guests on what they would like for dinner, and they you get a cooking class and help prepare the meal (if you like). They also have one free shore excursion (although lower quality) at every port. They send you materials ahead of time on the ports of call so you can do some reading to learn about the area and you have lectures regarding the various ports scheduled on the ship.

Air is often quoted are part of the price or can be easily added on for a limited additional charge. They meet you at the airport, sign in hand, to transport you to the ship - all included in the price.

 

So, although Viking isn't considered a pure luxury brand, MSC would have to change significantly to be a true competition. I think a niche that they can fill is with those that are willing to pay suite level prices to sail on a ship without children, but they are not ready to pay for the added experiences often associated with a luxury line. Also with people looking at ports of call rather than looking at the ship as a vacation.

 

But, what is provided by many higher end lines is significantly different than simply priority boarding, higher end food, and dedicated elevators. The experience starts much earlier than that.

[sidari]

Does anyone know what the age demographic is on Viking ?

[Barcelona17]

The only reason why I'm even aware of how ridiculous the YC Inside cabin price is for July (a month that I would never normally consider sailing in) is because we met a wonderful couple from Norway on Meraviglia (Hi, NC) who will be in YC on Seaview who asked us if we'd join them.

 

I priced it last October and it was €1769 PP back then. Because we got a couple of discount vouchers from last December's cruise, we thought we'd go ahead and book it. I got a right land when I saw the price had jumped to €2869 PP - an increase of over 62%. No thank you, MSC!

 

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I don't want to offend anyone sensitive to political talk on this site so I will just say that although I have sometimes bemoaned being an American over the past year and a half, I am glad to be one when it comes to pricing by MSC. You all really should find some EU court you could hawl them into.

[Beamafar]

I don't want to offend anyone sensitive to political talk on this site so I will just say that although I have sometimes bemoaned being an American over the past year and a half, I am glad to be one when it comes to pricing by MSC. You all really should find some EU court you could hawl them into.

The problem is that MSC has a good foothold in the European market; they're heavily discounting prices in the US at the moment to build market share there.

 

It was said elsewhere (I can't look for it as I'm on my phone) that there are great last-minute offers in Europe. The poster then elaborated to say they are on the German, Austrian and Italian sites. That is of no benefit to those of us in Ireland (or the UK). I reckon the reason has to do with the logistics of arranging flights; those from the other countries can travel overland to get to Genoa to embark. So we don't even get an opportunity to avail of last-minute lower prices.

 

On the subject of Viking cruises, I must say that they sound very attractive. DAJedu - thanks for the info. I must do some research as I'm looking for alternatives to MSC.

 

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[free from work]

Can you explain the difference in service?

 

I really can't feel that I need better service than I got on Meraviglia so it should be interesting to know what the enormous difference is.

 

 

Hi. Can I say firstly that we are not the type of people who are high maintenence so the service on MSC is also OK for us hence our booking with MSc for 25 days Durban to Venice 2019.

 

I am not going to slate MSC just highlight differences.

 

I have been told by staff in the MSC buffet that if I wanted a drink I would have to get it myself. In the Az buffet there are enough staff not only to provide prompt service but also willing to take your plate from you and follow you to your table.

 

All tables in the Az buffet are cleared promptly in all areas. On more than one occasion we have had an afternoon drink behind the MSC buffet where we have had to clear the table before using it.

 

Az-There are waiters around the pool during opening hours who are constantly looking for customers and on sea days there are usually twice as many. MSC- Waiters hard to find and long waits at the bar, especially for children wanting ice cream.

 

Az- staff appear to have fewer tables to cover so service is prompt and calm. MSC- staff seem to be spread thinner so there seems to be a manic atmosphere at dinner.

 

Bars on Az again have enough staff to service the customers without the need to queue for drinks. On MSc we tend to find the quieter bars off peak to get a similar level of service.

 

Just a few observations to try and highlight the difference but another way to explain it is that there are enough staff on Az for them to be able to look after the customers better and be proactive whereas on MSC the staff seem to be constantly busy and unable to give as good service as the Azamara staff.

 

I hope this makes sense and in no way am I having a go at MSC staff, just as I said at the beginning trying to clarify my comment.

 

Jim

[CruiseIreland]

Just a few observations to try and highlight the difference but another way to explain it is that there are enough staff on Az for them to be able to look after the customers better and be proactive whereas on MSC the staff seem to be constantly busy and unable to give as good service as the Azamara staff.

Jim

 

Jim: that has been my experience on RCCL and NCL also. More staff, higher cruise fare, more expensive drinks/drinks packages, more service and more American style food. I prefer to pay a lower cruise fare on a very nice(MSC) ship and put up with the drawbacks, i.e. go for a my own drink or wait a little longer for my, much cheaper, drink.

[sidari]

Bea ... I know someone who is currently on the Viking Sky, the photos she has posted have been very good. I will try and forward them to you when I get the chance. Are you on the book of faces ?

[Beamafar]

Bea ... I know someone who is currently on the Viking Sky, the photos she has posted have been very good. I will try and forward them to you when I get the chance. Are you on the book of faces ?

No, Dave, I'm not.

 

You've just triggered a memory with the ship's name - wasn't that the one that Jane McDonald did a cruise TV programme about last year which did a Baltic itinerary? I watched the series as she was on Meraviglia in one episode.

 

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[free from work]

Jim: that has been my experience on RCCL and NCL also. More staff, higher cruise fare, more expensive drinks/drinks packages, more service and more American style food. I prefer to pay a lower cruise fare on a very nice(MSC) ship and put up with the drawbacks, i.e. go for a my own drink or wait a little longer for my, much cheaper, drink.

 

 

My view too. You can't pay MSC prices and receive (or expect) Azamara service. However if MSC want to compete against the "luxury" lines they will need to review their proposition.

[sverigecruiser]

Hi. Can I say firstly that we are not the type of people who are high maintenence so the service on MSC is also OK for us hence our booking with MSc for 25 days Durban to Venice 2019.

 

I am not going to slate MSC just highlight differences.

 

I have been told by staff in the MSC buffet that if I wanted a drink I would have to get it myself. In the Az buffet there are enough staff not only to provide prompt service but also willing to take your plate from you and follow you to your table.

 

All tables in the Az buffet are cleared promptly in all areas. On more than one occasion we have had an afternoon drink behind the MSC buffet where we have had to clear the table before using it.

 

Az-There are waiters around the pool during opening hours who are constantly looking for customers and on sea days there are usually twice as many. MSC- Waiters hard to find and long waits at the bar, especially for children wanting ice cream.

 

Az- staff appear to have fewer tables to cover so service is prompt and calm. MSC- staff seem to be spread thinner so there seems to be a manic atmosphere at dinner.

 

Bars on Az again have enough staff to service the customers without the need to queue for drinks. On MSc we tend to find the quieter bars off peak to get a similar level of service.

 

Just a few observations to try and highlight the difference but another way to explain it is that there are enough staff on Az for them to be able to look after the customers better and be proactive whereas on MSC the staff seem to be constantly busy and unable to give as good service as the Azamara staff.

 

I hope this makes sense and in no way am I having a go at MSC staff, just as I said at the beginning trying to clarify my comment.

 

Jim

 

OK, then I understand.

 

I agree that Azamara seems to have better service than what MSC has outside the Yacht Club.

 

In the YC I don't think that the service level need to be improved. That's good enough for me and not a reason to pay for a more expensive line.

[eroller]

I've had the pleasure of sailing on Azamara and Oceania (both ultra-premium lines) and luxury lines such as Silversea and Seabourn. Plus the Grills on Cunard (they are somewhere in between I think). More recently the Haven on NCL and just last week the Yacht Club on MSC.

 

Overall the best crew goes to Azamara. They were just so motivated, proud to be there, and really seemed to love their jobs. It showed in everything they did. Best food goes to Oceania. Their tag line is "The Finest Cuisine at Sea" and I truly think it is. They spend more per pax on food than any other line. Best line if you're a foodie for sure. Service was a little cold but that is ok. Very perfunctory.

 

I thought the YC stood up pretty well to be honest. We had an excellent Butler and cabin steward, and one of the best waiters (Arthur) I've ever had on any ship. It wasn't quite as polished as Silversea or Seabourn but overall pretty well done especially for the price. If there was one thing that wasn't quite to snuff it was the food. Not bad, but just didn't have the quality or flair that I have found on the luxury and ultra-premium lines, or even The Haven on NCL which had excellent cuisine. On lines like Silversea and Seabourn, even at the Grill by the pool it's waiter service and white linens. Very nice. Also you could order a burger made to order which was lacking at the YC Grill. If you wanted a simple burger you had to go to the restaurant which I thought was odd. I give the YC high marks though and would certainly return at the right price.

 

I'm also very interested in Viking Ocean. Perfect size ships, not stuffy or too formal, but very nice and seems quality driven. I'm also a bit of a minimalist so I love the more minimalist Scandinavian decor. They are high on my list to sail for sure.

[GOLDENBONNY]

Does anyone know what the age demographic is on Viking ?

My friend was 50 and she was a youngest one :*

[eroller]

My friend was 50 and she was a youngest one :*

 

 

 

I’m 50 and would love to be the youngest! Lol. Sign me up.

 

Love the fact that Viking has no kids and no casino. Two things I don’t need on a cruise.