The Pros and Cons of the Yacht Club.

[hamrag]

3 hours ago, jules815 said:

Same. But if we were alone and calling an elevator, we'd give it a try.

Absolutely agree, we'd use it if alone in the elevator. We have far too much respect for all passengers to do so otherwise! That said, so far on 3 YC cruises we haven't yet boarded an empty elevator. 

[DCGuy64]

7 minutes ago, dmccadden said:

If you gamble and earn 1500 point you will get a 30% discount for you next cruise add the additional 5 or 10% and you can get a yacht club balcony for under $1500 pp. we have done it several time and we never spend close to the Cost difference, we have left winners more than once!

We don't gamble, but I'm guessing that if someone does, he/she has more than paid for that 30% 'discount' at the craps table, slot machine, etc. (unless the person is extraordinarily lucky/an excellent gambler, that is) 😉

 

 

 

[Beamafar]

I once got a 30% discount voucher at a time when I was ahead by €100 on the slots so you don’t always have to lose a lot to reach the qualifying points.  

[Two Wheels Only]

3 hours ago, jules815 said:

Sometimes it would, and then most of the time we figured we were doing something wrong.

 

Certain elevators are more responsive than others. The butlers know which ones work best.

 

2 hours ago, rkacruiser said:

I probably was doing something incorrectly.  

 

It takes practice and some RFID bands work better than others. Mine rarely worked but my daughter's worked fine. Just another MSC inconsistency....😉

[rkacruiser]

2 hours ago, hamrag said:

That said, so far on 3 YC cruises we haven't yet boarded an empty elevator. 

 

Only one MSC cruise under my keel and that was my experience.  One exception, the elevator in YC often was a solo event for me.  Elsewhere, particularly after the main theater's show was over:  trying to get an elevator was "every man for himself" experience.  

[chromered7]

After reading all of the post’s and looking online at YC menus the narrow choice alternatives particularly for the evening meal we feel the YC is no longer for us. It’s a shame because it sounded  really good but when we had a closer look it there were things that we did not like.

[dexddd]

22 hours ago, At Sea At Peace said:

 

We've been wicked lucky to get all of our OC stops.  Love the place.  

 

They YC beach area is nice, near one end of island.  The restaurant is appropriately sized.  However, the appetites of cruisers, including YC'ers, seems to be insatiable.  😲  So, the rush to the YC beach and grille ends up with a heavy load on the restaurant and seating. 

 

Plus, some aren't planning any sunbathing at all and use the seating for drinks, apps and possibly food for almost their entire visit to the island.

 

"The" bathroom was a funny issue and story.  One.  On the right of the entrance.  About 4 tables right around it.  Not pretty to use or to sit next to.  Hopefully, they've figured out new facilities somewhere abutting the YC area.

 

Some pics from the phones.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for the info and pics.

[JohnJayJotaJames]

1 hour ago, chromered7 said:

After reading all of the post’s and looking online at YC menus the narrow choice alternatives particularly for the evening meal we feel the YC is no longer for us. It’s a shame because it sounded  really good but when we had a closer look it there were things that we did not like.

If you don't like the options... they have the always available options... or the bambini menu. I've tried both alternative options. Yes, I found the YC kids menu! Even managed to get a pizza one gala night!!! I'm sure there must be a way of getting food sent up from main dining room to YC. Intend to try this in December. Has anyone tried this? 

[phissy]

13 minutes ago, JohnJayJotaJames said:

If you don't like the options... they have the always available options... or the bambini menu. I've tried both alternative options. Yes, I found the YC kids menu! Even managed to get a pizza one gala night!!! I'm sure there must be a way of getting food sent up from main dining room to YC. Intend to try this in December. Has anyone tried this? 

With all the changes that are going on .....not sure we can depend on past experiences in YC.   BUT..

Our past YC experiences were very good...We were always offered options not listed on menu. 

 

Some cruise passengers like the ability to select food at buffets and are more comfortable with MDR offerings.

That is the beauty of cruising, something for everybody.

[shipgeeks]

2 hours ago, chromered7 said:

After reading all of the post’s and looking online at YC menus the narrow choice alternatives particularly for the evening meal we feel the YC is no longer for us. It’s a shame because it sounded  really good but when we had a closer look it there were things that we did not like.

We sailed on Seaside in Bella (non-YC).  We ate in the MDR.  Near us was a table of folks who I believe were in YC, as they were seated by the butler in the YC section of the theater each night (directly across from our chosen seats).  We had set dining, which makes me think that they had arranged in advance to eat there instead of the YC dining room.

We really enjoyed MSC overall, including the dining.  Would you consider sailing non-YC?  We are continuing to book our MSC cruises in Bella.

[JohnJayJotaJames]

2 hours ago, phissy said:

With all the changes that are going on .....not sure we can depend on past experiences in YC.   BUT..

Our past YC experiences were very good...We were always offered options not listed on menu. 

 

Some cruise passengers like the ability to select food at buffets and are more comfortable with MDR offerings.

That is the beauty of cruising, something for everybody.

yep! lots of changes. I do hope the YC keeps their children's menu!

[At Sea At Peace]

3 hours ago, JohnJayJotaJames said:

If you don't like the options... they have the always available options... or the bambini menu. I've tried both alternative options. Yes, I found the YC kids menu! Even managed to get a pizza one gala night!!! I'm sure there must be a way of getting food sent up from main dining room to YC. Intend to try this in December. Has anyone tried this? 

 

Yes and more.

 

They will accommodate you with anything that is on the ship.

 

You just need to ask and plan.

 

They post the lunch and dinner menus daily, and you can ask at the outset to see the ones for each day of the week.

 

If there is nothing on a day that excites you, and you don't want to go specialty, MDR or buffet, you can have anything from any other day of the week, lunch or dinner, or anything that is available anywhere on the ship. 

 

The courtesy is to ask them ahead of time.

 

Quite often, while dining, abutting tables will ask "where was that on the menu?"  I gladly tell them the above.

 

And, if you have someone like Arthur as your waiter (and we've had others that will as well), he actually remembers you and your dining choices, will tell you a day or so ahead of a menu he knows you will not be enamored with, and recommend something that he will have the chef prepare that night. 

 

Seriously.

 

 

[tc1177]

This might have been answered, I’ve been unable to find it. If you’re staying in the YC and don’t really see anything appealing on the menu there, can you dine in the MDR. We are booked in the YC on the Meraviglia in November. Thanks for any info.

[MarkusToe]

Yes you can, but you will not like to 🤭

[rkacruiser]

14 hours ago, MarkusToe said:

Yes you can,

 

Curious.  How would one do so?  Just show up at a dining room and expect to be seated?  

[jules815]

1 hour ago, rkacruiser said:

 

Curious.  How would one do so?  Just show up at a dining room and expect to be seated?  

I would tell someone ahead of time, butler, YC matre'd, if anything as a courtesy to the YC dining room staff. Maybe they arrange it for you?  

[phissy]

39 minutes ago, jules815 said:

I would tell someone ahead of time, butler, YC matre'd, if anything as a courtesy to the YC dining room staff. Maybe they arrange it for you?  

 

2 hours ago, rkacruiser said:

 

Curious.  How would one do so?  Just show up at a dining room and expect to be seated?  

Just mention this to the Concierge.
They are there to facilitate your desires on your cruise. If you want reservation at Specialty restaurant, they will make it happen. Want to dine in MDR? They will make it happen.

Concierge desk always open to help.

Edited June 28, 2021 by phissy

[jules815]

35 minutes ago, phissy said:

 

Just mention this to the Concierge.
They are there to facilitate your desires on your cruise. If you want reservation at Specialty restaurant, they will make it happen. Want to dine in MDR? They will make it happen.

Concierge desk always open to help.

 

Of course! I didn't even think about the Concierge! 

 

 

[capriccio]

On 6/26/2021 at 1:14 PM, phissy said:

 

Our past YC experiences were very good...We were always offered options not listed on menu. 

 

That was our experience on our first (and thus far, only since it was 2 months before the pandemic began) MSC cruise.  We are partial to Italian food (having lived in Rome for 5 years) and were served some excellent food, especially the wide variety of risotto dishes. 

[JohnJayJotaJames]

13 hours ago, rkacruiser said:

 

Curious.  How would one do so?  Just show up at a dining room and expect to be seated?  

We spoke to Concierge who asked us to select a time for the MDR. We had asked at MDR earlier in the day and they were so helpful. They said to come along at any time but confirm via concierge. Concierge were not so happy for it to be any time dining in MDR. So we selected a time. We were so lucky, our butler escorted us to the MDR to make sure everything was ok! Our server was so good and ensured it was a Christmas dinner never to forget! 

[rkacruiser]

16 hours ago, capriccio said:

especially the wide variety of risotto dishes. 

 

I was surprised at this.  If I recall correctly, there was a different risotto entree on every dinner menu.  The YC chef was a good one, I thought.  I remember a pasta dish that he prepared with pesto which I thought was odd and debated about ordering it.  But, I did and it was quite good.  

 

6 hours ago, JohnJayJotaJames said:

We spoke to Concierge who asked us to select a time for the MDR. 

 

18 hours ago, jules815 said:

I would tell someone ahead of time, butler, YC matre'd, if anything as a courtesy to the YC dining room staff. Maybe they arrange it for you?  

 

18 hours ago, phissy said:

Just mention this to the Concierge.

 

Thanks to those who responded to my question!  Trying one of the MDR's would be a dining experience that I would enjoy.  Maybe for another meal rather than dinner as well.  

[JohnJayJotaJames]

On 6/25/2021 at 1:15 PM, Two Wheels Only said:

 

I disagree because I look at it this way....

 

If there was a "Yacht Club Only" elevator right next to the other elevators, would you use it? Most Yacht Club guests would use it. Think of hijacking the elevator as a temporary "YC Only" elevator. 😁

On some ships the signs says "reserved for Yacht Club guests" so we're happy to use them and never feel that we are hijacking an elevator!

 

 

 

[MarkusToe]

On Seaside the front elevators works for YC special, normally...

I'll check on Seaview End of the month and Seashore beginning of Sep...

Edited July 8, 2021 by MarkusToe

[KennyFla]

On 6/26/2021 at 4:18 PM, At Sea At Peace said:

 

Yes and more.

 

They will accommodate you with anything that is on the ship.

 

You just need to ask and plan.

 

 

Even something from a specialty restaurant?

[Beamafar]

Just now, KennyFla said:

Even something from a specialty restaurant?

No.