MSC Seaside Review 6/2-6/9 (Yacht Club)

[jules815]

We didnt book again while on board, but booked again when we got home. If you didnt do the status match program I HIGHLY recommend you do. For example we had Silver and Black before we even stepped on the ship and the Black got some perks, like a Specialty Dinner for 2 free. Having said that, when we booked again we got a 15% discount on the next cruise because of the Voyager Club. It was even better then the last cruise we did (which we got police and military discount) price wise $100 less and we got an OBC because of the Voyager status. So I dont know if there are additional specials to book while on board (cant hurt to ask). $127 for 6GB of internet was more then enough for 2 of us, in fact we had 2GB left and did a lot of social media posting during the cruise and I didnt think that was too high of a price and the speeds were very good. (Uploaded some videos too, like the Bridge of Sighs...hope you like heights....lol

 

Awesome!

 

I need to do the status match. Agree, that price doesn't seem bad at all. Do you remember what you paid for gratuities? Assuming they auto-charge a specific amount depending on stateroom category.

[Ex-vogue model]

Thanks for this great review. I’ve been looking at YC for a while now as X and AZ seem to have Really increased their prices. We usually do suites with everything included but some prices quoted for next year are ridiculous. I think MSC Yacht Club ticks all our boxes - own pool area and dedicated restaurant with drinks included. Can you expand a little on food - was it up to AZ and X suite standard and was the wine drinkable? Any information greatly appreciated. Thanks. [emoji3]

 

 

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[Two Wheels Only]

Do you remember what you paid for gratuities? Assuming they auto-charge a specific amount depending on stateroom category.

 

For Seaside in the Caribbean...

 

Hotel Service Charge:

 

Adults (12 and older) - $12.50 pppd

Children (2 - under 12) - $6.25 pppd

Children (under 2) - no charge

[GMS4771]

Awesome!

 

I need to do the status match. Agree, that price doesn't seem bad at all. Do you remember what you paid for gratuities? Assuming they auto-charge a specific amount depending on stateroom category.

 

It was $87.50 per adult for a 7 day cruise. Then we tipped $2-$3 per drink order for two of us, we tipped $5-$10 for breakfast/lunch/dinner per table and then at the end tipped $20-$50 to the steward and butler.

[GMS4771]

Thanks for this great review. I’ve been looking at YC for a while now as X and AZ seem to have Really increased their prices. We usually do suites with everything included but some prices quoted for next year are ridiculous. I think MSC Yacht Club ticks all our boxes - own pool area and dedicated restaurant with drinks included. Can you expand a little on food - was it up to AZ and X suite standard and was the wine drinkable? Any information greatly appreciated. Thanks. [emoji3]

 

 

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The private yacht club area (restaurant, lounge, Deck 19 Forward) was all amazing, better then Carnival (none), RC (just a lounge/restaurant area combined) and NCL (The Haven). Drinks included made it even better (included everything we drank, beer, frozen drinks, martinis, cosmos, etc..all call alcohol--like Grey Goose or Kettle One, etc) As far as wine, we didnt drink a lot of wine and I think it only included certain levels, because they still tried to sell bottles in the specialty restaurants. As far as the food, the Yacht Club food was very good...lobster was well prepared, steaks were cooked to specified temps, Medium was Medium, not a low end Medium Well or something. The specialty restaurants foods were excellent. We thought NCL had great food in specialty restaurants, but MSC surpassed them!

[Ex-vogue model]

Well that’s great to know thank you! I like a good steak and it sounds like they know what they are doing. Thanks for such a detailed review - really helped![emoji3]

 

 

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[Geoff&Louise]

Sailed Yacht Club 19 May. Best cruise so far. Value for money can’t be beaten. No complaints whatsoever, and I am very critical. Would not hesitate to recommend MSC Yacht Club.

[DangerousDave407]

Great Review!!

 

I am sailing on July 14th, had heard mixed reviews for the boat in general, but I booked YC and am pulling the trigger! Sounds like I made the correct decision. Also went ahead and Prepaid Grats, Photo Package for giggles, and Internet, I did not understand the Per-person thing if its 4 devices?? Also upgraded the drink package, apparently it did not come with Premium brands, that makes a difference in the Morning, and it was not expensive! Anyone use the Photo package in the YC?

[mafig]

I don't think you need to upgrade your drink package if you're in the YC. You already get everything except items listed with two asterisks (at least that's what I've read here).

[GMS4771]

Great Review!!

 

I am sailing on July 14th, had heard mixed reviews for the boat in general, but I booked YC and am pulling the trigger! Sounds like I made the correct decision. Also went ahead and Prepaid Grats, Photo Package for giggles, and Internet, I did not understand the Per-person thing if its 4 devices?? Also upgraded the drink package, apparently it did not come with Premium brands, that makes a difference in the Morning, and it was not expensive! Anyone use the Photo package in the YC?

 

4 person thing means 4 people can logon at once using the main persons user name and password once you set it up. 6GB, sounds like you got the Family plan for $127.00 Agree with person above YC gets the best package for drinks, we called all our drinks with premium alcohol, Capt Morgan, Grey Goose, Kettle One, Bacardi, etc..no well liquor. Didnt do the photo package, just bought the ones we wanted and there are packages on board too...have to leave the YC for the photo stations, located on Decks 6 and 7 all around the main Atrium. Captain is there taking photos also on the first formal night

[GMS4771]

Strike everything I have said about the yacht club. It was terrible and I don’t recommend for anyone that hasn’t done it already. 😁

[CGTNORMANDIE]

Strike everything I have said about the yacht club. It was terrible and I don’t recommend for anyone that hasn’t done it already. 😁

 

This is absolutely correct. All you YC newbies please disregard all the above and save your money. The YC could not possibly be as good as described above...so forget it...save your money and enjoy your cruise! ;p:D

[JAGR]

I think you are wasting your money on the drink package. Your YC booking covers premium drinks (anything with one asterisk in bars outside the YC), same as the premium package. Neither will cover the super premium (two asterisks) or wines by the bottle. You really gain nothing by paying extra for something you are entitled to with your YC stay.

Great Review!!

 

I am sailing on July 14th, had heard mixed reviews for the boat in general, but I booked YC and am pulling the trigger! Sounds like I made the correct decision. Also went ahead and Prepaid Grats, Photo Package for giggles, and Internet, I did not understand the Per-person thing if its 4 devices?? Also upgraded the drink package, apparently it did not come with Premium brands, that makes a difference in the Morning, and it was not expensive! Anyone use the Photo package in the YC?

[Cruisergal1208]

Great Review!!

 

I am sailing on July 14th, had heard mixed reviews for the boat in general, but I booked YC and am pulling the trigger! Sounds like I made the correct decision. Also went ahead and Prepaid Grats, Photo Package for giggles, and Internet, I did not understand the Per-person thing if its 4 devices?? Also upgraded the drink package, apparently it did not come with Premium brands, that makes a difference in the Morning, and it was not expensive! Anyone use the Photo package in the YC?

 

My daughter used the photo package for her family. The photographers are set up on certain decks and around the atrium in the late afternoon and night and you have to go to them. Not like other ships where they are roaming around taking candid shots. You can have your pic made with the captain when he comes to the YC for a cocktail party.

[Debde]

Great review. thank you.

 

 

Ok-I have not asked this question in a while so here I go again!!! LOL :o

 

My husband loves to chill and watch TV from the bed. I've heard it does not swivel so what was your opinion on being able to view from the bed??

 

 

Also-at check in when the concierge takes you cc info.-can you just book the shows right then??

Embarkation-is the outside YC grill open to grab a quick burger/fries??

 

 

Sorry- a bit rapid fire there.....

[DangerousDave407]

My daughter used the photo package for her family. The photographers are set up on certain decks and around the atrium in the late afternoon and night and you have to go to them. Not like other ships where they are roaming around taking candid shots. You can have your pic made with the captain when he comes to the YC for a cocktail party.

 

 

Thanks!!

[GMS4771]

Great review. thank you.

 

 

Ok-I have not asked this question in a while so here I go again!!! LOL :o

 

My husband loves to chill and watch TV from the bed. I've heard it does not swivel so what was your opinion on being able to view from the bed??

 

 

Also-at check in when the concierge takes you cc info.-can you just book the shows right then??

Embarkation-is the outside YC grill open to grab a quick burger/fries??

 

 

Sorry- a bit rapid fire there.....

 

The angle is not that bad, our tv was to the left of the bed on the wall and the angle was fine for watching tv. The first like 10 channels are all ship info, the only channels we watched were TBS and TCM, they were spanish channels, but the movies were in English and unlike the US they dont bleep anything out....guess our FCC rules are stricter...lol

 

Your shows you would book right on the MSC FOR ME app and you can do that as soon as you can get the wifi from the ship.

 

Yes the outside grill was open for us, thats where we grabbed a drink and some food. Burgers are special order, they dont have your typical hot dogs/burgers just out there, it was more like prime rib from a slicing station..lol

[today55]

I am doing the review for the MSC Seaside 6/2 through 6/9 Yacht Club Room 18028.

 

 

 

 

 

A little Background: This was our 11 cruise, 1st on MSC. We have sailed Carnival (Captains Suite on the Liberty), NCL Escape (Owners Suite Deluxe), Royal Caribbean Oasis (Royal Suite)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Embarkation: a complete breeze, we got there at around 11:30, went straight to the white tent (Yacht Club) and luggage was taken right there and escorted by a butler to the yacht club waiting area. We were served finger foods, champagne/mamosa's until our name was called for check in, once we checked in we were escorted again by a butler to the Concierge area on Deck 16 and did the credit card check in there and then we were turned loose. We were on the ship and through all the check ins by 1pm. The butlers work as a team (all in tux/tails).

 

 

 

 

 

Once we were on we explored the Yacht Club area, Lounge was huge (in comparison to Carnival (none), Royal Caribbean and NCL Haven. They have piano and violin music playing often (especially in the evening). They have a very nice outside area right through the lounge and the views are magnificent (this area is on top of the bridge). Then we worked our way up to the restaurant which is up the diamond embedded stairs. Good size.

 

 

 

 

 

The up to Deck 19 (private area for Yacht Club) and it is great. Good size private pool, two hot tubs and a ton of lounge chairs (all padded) and cabanas all around (these would have to be rented for $59 for days at ports and $99 for days at sea. They include a ton of things too. Pool is salt water and is 6'3" deep so unless you are very tall, hang on the sides or tread water. The hotubs are not salt. There are ACTUALLY lifeguards here that enforce rules. Some parents would drop their kids here (12-13 yr olds, then leave for hours, I guess they assumed the other families and pool staff were babysitters, well then only happened for 2 days until someone said something, the next day they told the parents one of them had to stay) There is a bar up here too along with a buffet. Pool staff and Butlers are all over taking orders for you.

 

 

 

 

 

Yacht Club rooms (Deluxe Suites), very good size, plenty of storage and stuff left every night in the room from chocolates, macaroons, fruit, champagne and a bowl so big of grapes (I think its a Julius Ceasar thing). Bathroom was a good size, shower was great. In terms of size compared to the rooms listed above it was the smallest, BUT it was a perfect size for a couple. Not to mention the rooms above cost up to 5 times the cost of this room (Royal Suite was 16k)

 

 

 

 

 

Yacht Club as a whole was fabulous, only a few small hiccups. Formal nights (nights at sea), the restaurant is very busy. Plan on 2-2.5 hours+ for dinner. The Maitre D (Giuseppe) will do anything to make your experience better. Never have I seen this much on a cruise (his employees know he will come down hard on them) so they are all over things.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The group that supports the yacht club is an amazing group of people, from the Maitre D, to the butlers, to the stewards, concierge, pool staff, all of them AMAZING!!

 

 

 

 

 

Specialty Restaurants: We did every one of them (we bought the Trio and then the Teppanyaki seperate). Excellent Food!!! all of them. It was so worth the $79 (I think its higher now), but SO WORTH IT. They were relatively empty every time we went, I dont know why. One meal a la carte was about $70 a person, so its kind of like buy 1 get 2 free. Yes the menu's were fixed, but plenty to choose from and you can substitute for 50% off the normal price, so at the Pan Asian restaurant I got a $4 Calamari appetizer....:-)

 

 

 

 

 

The Ship was amazing, beautiful. We did pictures with the family on formal nights, you have to leave the Yacht Club area, but there are a lot of photo stations. Casino was nice, didnt seem very crowded ever. The chocolate bar was great, free chocolate martinis for Yacht Club members.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ports: Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Cozumel and Nassau. I wont go into details for excursions, but the service on/off the ship and tender was first class. Escorted by butlers all the time. Lines?? What lines?? There were some long ones too.

 

 

 

 

 

Debarkation: Again escorted off the ship and we were off in 15 minutes with our luggage. This was out mistake, we made arrangements for a shuttle and we had to wait 45 minutes for that. If you dont mind they have buses for $7/person to take you to the airport right when you get off.

 

 

 

 

 

As a whole, the Ship, the Staff, the Food we have MSC #1 (the room size was very good even thought the smallest of the premium rooms weve had), the cost was WAY TOO GOOD to pass up. so MSC moves up to #1 even higher, if that makes sense.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A few tips: Use your wrist band, theyre free for Yacht Club. You can prioritize the elevators, forward ship, to take you right to the Yacht Club, but we never did, didnt want to start a fight. Free Gelato..very good!!! Zip Line were free (fun) and water slides were a blast. Highly recommend doing these while at port. No lines and can go down multiple times.

 

 

 

 

 

We are already booked again for next year, same ship, different itinerary. With these prices and the amenities you receive, I dont see us switching from MSC for a while. Eventually I see them raising prices, but for now get it while you can. I just found out their private island, Ocean Cay (Nassau) wont be open until late 2019, so that a bummer because it was supposed to be ready late 2018.

 

 

 

 

 

Any questions, please feel free to ask.

 

 

 

What is the yacht club?

 

 

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[Cruisergal1208]

What is the yacht club?

 

 

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The Yacht Club is the top level of cabins available on some of MSC ships. It's all inclusive with private pool, restaurant, butlers, lounge and all drinks included. A wonderful way to be pampered and taken care of while cruising.

[Debde]

Thank you so much GMS4771

 

 

Did you mean TBS was in Spanish or was that English?? Do they have any English channels? Something like those pre- recorded TNT programs?? I know it sounds crazy worried about TV on a cruise.

 

 

 

I know-when people called it a grill-I thought burgers. Not prime rib!! LOL I think we can deal!!!:D

[GMS4771]

Thank you so much GMS4771

 

 

Did you mean TBS was in Spanish or was that English?? Do they have any English channels? Something like those pre- recorded TNT programs?? I know it sounds crazy worried about TV on a cruise.

 

 

 

I know-when people called it a grill-I thought burgers. Not prime rib!! LOL I think we can deal!!!:D

 

the commercials in Spanish, but the movies were in English....youll see the guy in the pink jacket selling how to learn to speak English :-)

[Debde]

the commercials in Spanish, but the movies were in English....youll see the guy in the pink jacket selling how to learn to speak English :-)

 

got it!! thanks again!!

[GMS4771]

For the ones who were asking if the Yacht Club restaurant has 2 and 4 tops

 

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d5/gms4771/083645117552417f99b2627f85152147_zpsaxqqzvba.jpg

 

 

and for those of you who were wanting to see the Yacht Club pool on Deck 19

 

 

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d5/gms4771/b47a5a37bb2f4299baaea72735a3c9b6_zpshpxb3u66.jpg

[jules815]

Thanks for posting those pictures. The views from the YC restaurant look beautiful.

 

How busy does the pool get? I’m sure busier on sea days. Did they seem to have an adequate amount of loungers? Also, other than the lounge chairs and shade in the YC cabanas, do they provide anything else?

 

 

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[GMS4771]

Thanks for posting those pictures. The views from the YC restaurant look beautiful.

 

How busy does the pool get? I’m sure busier on sea days. Did they seem to have an adequate amount of loungers? Also, other than the lounge chairs and shade in the YC cabanas, do they provide anything else?

 

 

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It never felt crowded, sea or port days. We did have a cabana on the 2 days at sea ($99 each day at sea)..$59 for days in ports. It was the same group of people up there each day and we got to know a bunch of them, but it was NEVER crowded on our cruise and our cruise was sold out. The lounge was never crowded either, only the restaurant was crowded and only on formal nights. The pool is 6'3" deep (salt water) but it does have a zero depth all around it (see the picture). There are a lot of nicely padded lounge chairs (if you walk around the ship YC lounge chairs are the only padded ones. There are about a dozen cabanas for rent, there are a lot of shaded tables for eating and then there are little chair section in the sun. Also in front there are 2 hot tubs (not really hot water and its not salt water in those) and more lounge chairs. Also in front of the lounge on the outside is another seating section to enjoy a drink outside watching where you are sailing.

They provide all your towels, you get 2 in your room, but save them for your first excursion. After that I would just run up there and get more for the next excursion.. There are lifeguards and service guys in red shirts for all those needs, they will move chairs/loungers to how you want. Butlers are up there servings drinks and the buffet is up there also, serving all meals most of the day (morning to early evening).