Long time Celebrity Cruisers Jump Ships

[Seadweller001]

 

SEASONED Celebrity Cruisers book with MSC YC and are super impressed!

 

We just ended a seven day cruise on the Divina in the YC today.    We were in 16034 at the end of the hallway in a larger Deluxe Suite.  The room was comparable to the S Class Sky Suite on X BUT half the price for seven days ($3,200 net price with discounts).

 

Prior to the cruise we applied for Voyagers Club status and quickly received Diamond Level status.  Being in the YC gave  us basically everything needed except the complimentary Specialty Restaurant Dinner.

 

Got to the port of MIA at 10:45 AM on 1/31 and walked over to the YC Tent in front of Terminal F.  Checked in with a Port Butler and handed our luggage over to a dedicated YC Port Baggage Handler.  Waited outside 10 minutes till a barrage of Port Butlers came to take us to the terminal and to the front of long security lines.  We then sat in a YC Lounge in Terminal F and were offered pastries, sparkling wine, sodas and bottled water.  Because of special screening (Corona virus) we waited an hour before boarding.  YC was the first to board and we were whisked to special elevators to the 15th Floor into the Top Sail Lounge which was amazing.  Much nicer than Celebrity's Michaels Club or the newer Retreat Lounge.

 

We were approached by Drink Butlers and ordered Zaccpa Rum and diet coke.  

 

The Le Muse Restaurant Hostess (Ukraine) and a YC concierge (Iryna, Ukraine) introduced themselves and gave an overview of the YC amenities and Le Muse.  It was very informative and they were very friendly and professional.  I counted 7 Bar Servers or Bar Butlers and a Bartender versus Michaels Club having one Bartender.  Big plus for the YC.

 

A group presentation from the YC Director (Delipe from Scotland) and some of his workers.  It was Delipe's last cruise and his replacement was introduced, Mandy from South Africa.  They were both consummate professionals and readily available throughout the cruise.

 

We met our Butler Jeanout from Madagascar and he escorted us to Le Muse for lunch.  We met the Le Muse Maite'd Alin from Romania.  He could not do enough the entire cruise to accommodate us.  Unlike Celebrity that closes Luminae on Port Days for lunch, Le Muse is open everyday for lunch (Beeakfast and Dinner).  The tables along the back window are for 2 or 3 guests and there is nice spacing for more privacy versus Luminae which seats people on top of each other.

 

Every meal in Le Muse was excellent.  We asked for Lasagna and it was cooked for us on two separate days.  The beef was great and the shrimp were huge.  The ice cream was the best ever and some desserts were to die for. Every meal we had the penne pasta with extra fresh tomato sauce.  It was outstanding.  The best dessert was a Nutella Pastry freshly baked with vanilla ice cream.

 

We asked Mandy if they could (arrange) bring a Large Screen TV into the YC Top Sail Lounge for the Superbowl.  She worked hard to accommodate us.  The Superbowl affair was the best, fresh varieties of pizza, hot burgers, chicken wings, hot french fries and grilled hot dogs.  There were carts passing around for ours with an unlimited amount of food.  Of course we all had drinks the entire time.  The Stella Artois was ice cold and was perfect with the pizza.  I had no irons in the fire as far as the winner since my team was not there but there were fans of both SF and KC in the lounge.

 

The larger deluxe suite was immaculate.  The bathroom was big and the flow of water in the shower was very strong and as warm or cold consistently as needed. The towels were fluffy and appeared to be new.   Our Butler let us breathe and gave us the option of being autonomous, calling him when we needed anything.  We were escorted once the first day and knew the layout of the ship after our first night exploration after dinner.

 

The Senior Concierge Eva from Honduras was exceptional.  There was nothing Eva could not do or arrange.  We were super impressed with her and her great personality and can-do attitude. Unfortunately, Eva transferred to the Seaside today.

 

Twice on the cruise at dinner, once in Le Muse and once in Galaxy Sushi Venue the captain approached us and engaged us in conversation.  A very charming young man.  I do not believe in encroaching on officers when they are dinning but we were impressed when he approached us. We met the Captain, Staff Captain, Hotel Director and Cruise Director.  They were a very professional group of Senior Officers. 

 

Dinner in the Sushi Restaurant was amazing.  I would have said it was the best meal we had in seven days but Butcher Cut the next night bested the Sushi dinner.  We thought the Filet Mignon and NY strip steak was a better quality than Murano on X.  The Idaho baked potato was huge and perfectly cooked.  The salad with a special dressing was great.  The tables are close in Butchers Cut and we met a nice couple next to us.  The Special Restaurant Maitre'd was most accommodating to us and wanted to insure we had a memorable meal.  The Lava Cake with vanilla Gelato was amazing.  We ordered Lattes with a shot of Baileys.  After dinner we were offered a few shots of Johnny Walker Blue in the Pizzaza.  We dont like to take advantage and were very appreciative of their generosity.

 

One of the very few negatives was the walk from the YC to Le Muse (and back).  There are a few ways to make the journey and nothing is perfect.  We ended up using Deck 15 most of the time.  Once you leave the YC you encounter 1000s of cruisers and have to navigate around them.  I was told the newer ships have Le Muse in the dedicated YC area, a perfect solution.

 

We met with a very nice young lady, Mushi  (Mauritius), Future Cruise Manager and booked 40 plus days of cruises in the same suite (16034) on the Divina in Europe and the Jan 2021 TA from BCN.

 

We were dazzled by the friendly crew, the ships cleanliness, price and outstanding service thus cancel future Celebrity way over priced sailings.  I now have six FB crew friends from this cruise.  We felt very welcome from the moment we arrived at the YC area of the port.

 

The Top Sail Lounge has nightly live entertainment.  The opera singers and accompanying piano and violin players were excellent.  The husband and wife Italian duo were the best.
 

MSC is growing and will soon be a huge competitor in the cruise industry.  The company is family owned with no stockholder accountability.   Chandris was the same way before being acquired by RCL.  Things change when big public corporations take over.

 

We are excited about our booked June b2b in BCN.  

 

THANKS MSC for a super vacation.

 

 

 

[Muushka]

Wow, what a glowing review of MSC!   We are also seasoned X cruisers and really appreciated the comparisons since we have booked our first MSC YC cruise for this October.  X was way too $$ for Canada/NE but MSC was a pretty good deal.

 

Like you, there are aspects of X Suites that I am not thrilled with.  I agree with what you said about Michael's Club.  They are very understaffed, I really noticed it on Reflection.  From what I have read so far from others, the YC is an experience we look forward to.

 

It is fun doing the info gathering quest, thank you!

[portofrome]

Thanks for your great review!

[chisoxfan]

We are also are X cruisers who have migrated to MSC YC. We were on Seaside last year and had a generally excellent cruise although were not fans of entertainment or specialty dining. It was nice having a Black match also for this first cruise.

We looked at X AQ across the line for a 2021 7 day Caribbean cruise and the pricing was much more than or equal to MSC YC.

AQ was always our 'sweet spot' on X as we liked 'Blu' but still were stuck trying to navigate crowded pools and did not think the Spa offered great amenities on S class.

I know the new Apex and Edge allow a dedicated area suite life (like NCL) but the pricing was way much higher (understand it is dangerous to make pricing generalities but sharing our investigations).

Overall we think X is a fine line and we have great memories and would gladly sail S class ships again (not too sure of the new Apex and Edge offerings). 

However MSC YC is our current 'sweet spot'.  We will be on Meravaglia in Jan. and are excited to try this new ship. Just hoping YC doesn't become too popular although know it is trending in this direction.

 

Happy cruising.

 

 

[Seadweller001]

The big problem as stated above is the YC is becoming very popular and vacancies are hard to find.  Have slim pickings if you don't want to wait over a year.  In June we had to book alike B2Bs out of BCN.  Nothing else was available.  Great product for the price.

[mickey89]

2 hours ago, Seadweller001 said:

The big problem as stated above is the YC is becoming very popular and vacancies are hard to find.  Have slim pickings if you don't want to wait over a year.  In June we had to book alike B2Bs out of BCN.  Nothing else was available.  Great product for the price.

You can have mine, just cancelled SplendidaYC March next year. Just got off Preziosa YC, worse food ever. I will definitely return to Celebrity, completely opposite to OP’s experience.

[Muushka]

37 minutes ago, ronbe65 said:

Thanks for the report.

I am not surprised. Celebrity product is going downhill.

These days even the "standard" MSC product on the Seaside and Divina  (not to be confused with the Meraviglia) vs the "edgesized" Solstice ships and infamous Edge delivers at least equal product overall, and with added much better itineraries, surpasses them. 

Needless to say that the YC product on Divina, and especially  the Seaside (best MSC ship to date), surpasses anything Celebrity has to offer in the Caribbean.

Try the Seaside next time (difference between the Divina and the Seaside).

 

Happy cruising!

 

Can you explain the bolded section?  Being an MSC ignoramus (for now!),  I'm trying to learn  Thanks!

[Cruising89143]

Thanks for a nice review. We too love Celebrity but refuse to pay their current suite prices. We booked the Grandiosa YC out of Barcelona for mid April. Looking forward to trying a new cruise line. 

[jkgourmet]

It will be interesting to compare our 5 cruiseswith X in OV and inside cabins (usually GTY) with our upcoming MSC Bella Inside.

 

I already know that the Easy Package is WAY less inclusive than than what X offers.   

 

And we'll miss anytime dining.  

[daisy-mae]

If the only negative is having to mix with the hoi polloi on your way to dinner I would say that you had a successful cruise.

[Seadweller001]

I Agree 1000%.  

[heatherb1958]

2 hours ago, jkgourmet said:

It will be interesting to compare our 5 cruiseswith X in OV and inside cabins (usually GTY) with our upcoming MSC Bella Inside.

 

I already know that the Easy Package is WAY less inclusive than than what X offers.   

 

And we'll miss anytime dining.  

Thanks for your review Seadweller , we are converts to MSC from many cruises with RCI and have also done a few with Celebrity though we travel in the cheap seats , 😆. 
 

jkgourmet- which ship are you on ? We have done Bella inside on Meraviglia, Bellissima and Grandiosa plus Bella balcony on Magnifica .  We only usually pay for the next level when MSC do the promotion ‘free Premium drinks package for Fantastica and above ‘  The only main thing you have to remember is no free room service with Bella other than that there is not much difference to the next level Fantastica. 
Love MSC ships and have booked  to go on Preziosa again in September . 
 

 

Edited February 8, 2020 by heatherb1958

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

Glad you enjoyed your Yacht Club cruise.  There is absolutely no comparison between the YC lounge and Celebrity's suite lounge.  YC lounge is huge with 180 degrees of floor to ceiling windows and comfortable seating.  An outside deck.  Lots of butlers falling all over themselves to wait on you.  Lovely live entertainment.  Celebrity's suite lounge has no view, is small, has awkward, trendy, uncomfortable furniture, and the last time I was in the one on Equinox there was 1 bartender and no one to wait on you.  Took me half an hour to get a drink and there were all of 6 people in the lounge.  Needless to say, I did not spend a lot of time in there.  During tea time, there was one butler there who spent no time interacting with or waiting on the guests.  So why was he there???

 

Celebrity's Luminae is far superior to the YC dining room, that's the only edge I'll give Celebrity in this comparison.  Besides the rest of the ship, which is also superior on Celebrity.  Not wall to wall people with screaming kids.  YC also wins on price, being at least $2,000 cheaper than Celebrity's current insane suite prices.  Now if MSC would just develop some interesting itineraries.  Really tired of same old, same old.  Their private island is awesome, but the rest of the itinerary out of Miami is ho hum.

[Bossa Nova]

18 hours ago, Seadweller001 said:

One of the very few negatives was the walk from the YC to Le Muse (and back).  There are a few ways to make the journey and nothing is perfect.  We ended up using Deck 15 most of the time.  Once you leave the YC you encounter 1000s of cruisers and have to navigate around them.

Did you try deck 7 outside, walking along the lifeboats? On sea days it can be too windy, but on port days it's usually very pleasant. You can choose the side of the ship that is in the shade, and I've never seen it crowded. After dinner on sea days I found the wind has often died down and it is quite a pleasant stroll from aft to the fore elevators.

[Seadweller001]

We never walked outside on deck 7.  

[Seadweller001]

As far as food, I can only speak for the food served to us.  Two nights the Italian Chef made delicious lasagna, two nights in the specialty restaurants which best Tuscan, Sushi on 5 and Murano.  A bit more expensive ala carte menu but excellent.

 

The portions were huge as witnessed by the posted pictures.  The eight huge shrimp were great.  The pastry chef made my apple into a rabbit.

 

Food is subjective but IMO our meals were far superior to Luminae both food quality, presentation and great service.

[Seadweller001]

The Rack of Lamb  in a cherry sauce with a bowl of creamy hot mashed potatoes was excellent.  My wife loved her Sea Bass.

 

The Topsail Party was great and the Capt, HD and Chief Engineer visited EVERY table.  We have been snubbed at a similar event in MC.

 

I cannot imagine our food being any better since all meals were home runs.

 

 

[rkacruiser]

As a long time, starting in 1970,  HAL guest, my YC Meraviglia experience, both aboard as well on Ocean Cay, makes me think that MSC is going to "eat the lunch of HAL and Princess" in several respects unless some aspects of the cruise program of HAL does not change particularly as to entertainment as well as recognition of cruise line loyalty.  I usually sail on HAL or Princess in a veranda or an outside stateroom and have sailed in a Neptune Suite on HAL.  My YC Suite experience was superior to HAL's Neptune Suite experience or Elite on Princess.

 

I achieved MSC Diamond status based on my 5 Star Mariner status with HAL.  When I showed my Black Card at a bar outside of YC, there was a noticeable reaction by the staff member.  When he or she also noticed that I was a YC guest, there usually was an additional reaction to that.  On HAL:  some times my 5 Star Status is acknowledged; sometimes not.

 

Booking YC on Divina because of the location of the YC Lounge/Staterooms and the YC Restaurant is something that I would not consider.  The distance is too far between the two areas and, particularly for breakfast, I have no interest in having to walk such a distance at that time of the day.

 

A negative for me who drove to the Port and had to park my car was the Port of Miami traffic.  I'll never do that again!  MSC sailing from a less congested Port or on a less congested sailing/arrival day, would make a much--shall a say again--a much less stressful day than on Sunday.  

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

"A negative for me who drove to the Port and had to park my car was the Port of Miami traffic.  I'll never do that again!  MSC sailing from a less congested Port or on a less congested sailing/arrival day, would make a much--shall a say again--a much less stressful day than on Sunday."

 

I agree.  I absolutely hate sailing out of Miami.  I too drive to the port and $22/day to park one's car is a bit much.  

 

I've only sailed in Yacht Club on Seaside, where everything is together.  Would not be interested in sailing on a ship where I had to walk the entire length of the ship to get to the dining room.  Those are big ships!  And I'm glad the other poster enjoyed his meals in YC.  The food in the YC on Seaside (I've been twice now) is only mediocre.  Sort of like going to a chain restaurant.  With the exception of the risotto, which was excellent.  But I can't eat risotto every night.  And our waiter was so bad the last cruise that we didn't even bother going to the dining room the last two nights.  We couldn't stand it any more.  Went to Butcher's Cut one night and had pizza up on the pool deck the last night.

 

So, their execution of the ship within a ship concept is mostly excellent, but I have no interest in continuing to do the same old, same old 7-night itinerary out of Miami forever.  Let's hope they can branch out a bit.

[Seadweller001]

The current cruise is 11 nights I was told.  The 7 day Caribbean is once a year for us because of the boredom.

 

We booked the YC on Divina for the 23 night TA from BCN next January.  The price onboard was right plus an additional 12% TA discount off the price vs taking an OBC.

 

i can surely live with walking two RTs a day to El Muse for lunch and dinner.  It was the most exercise we got on the cruise, lol.

[cruisingnewtoit]

DH & I are sailing Mera this month in YC, our 1st MSC cruise. We have never sailed out of Miami. 

 

My enthusiasm should be higher. I've read so many negative reviews about MSC so any good will feel fabulous 😁.  

 

We are sailing Divina next Jan in YC. I'm ok with the long walk to the dining room. Not sure if we will keep the sailing if Mera is a disaster.

[shipgeeks]

Re Port of Miami traffic, we are dreaming of Baltimore getting a smaller MSC ship, doing a varied itinerary.

[jkgourmet]

17 hours ago, heatherb1958 said:

Thanks for your review Seadweller , we are converts to MSC from many cruises with RCI and have also done a few with Celebrity though we travel in the cheap seats , 😆. 
 

jkgourmet- which ship are you on ? We have done Bella inside on Meraviglia, Bellissima and Grandiosa plus Bella balcony on Magnifica .  We only usually pay for the next level when MSC do the promotion ‘free Premium drinks package for Fantastica and above ‘  The only main thing you have to remember is no free room service with Bella other than that there is not much difference to the next level Fantastica. 
Love MSC ships and have booked  to go on Preziosa again in September . 
 

 

 

Mera.  We have only ordered room service once or twice on 25+ cruises,  so that's no worry.  However, I admit that I screwed up and didn't do proper research on the easy package.  Had known about it's inadequacies, we very likely would not have booked.  (No, we are not going to pay the daily charge to upgrade. )

[jkgourmet]

15 hours ago, Seadweller001 said:

As far as food, I can only speak for the food served to us.  Two nights the Italian Chef made delicious lasagna, two nights in the specialty restaurants which best Tuscan, Sushi on 5 and Murano.  A bit more expensive ala carte menu but excellent.

 

The portions were huge as witnessed by the posted pictures.  The eight huge shrimp were great.  The pastry chef made my apple into a rabbit.

 

Food is subjective but IMO our meals were far superior to Luminae both food quality, presentation and great service.

 

Are those photos from the MDR, YC or speciality restaurants?

Edited February 9, 2020 by jkgourmet

[Seadweller001]

17 minutes ago, jkgourmet said:

 

Are those photos from the MDR, YC or speciality restaurants?

All above from Le Muse.  No pics of Specialty Dining.