How to get the most out of your Yacht Club experience

[kelleherdl]

53 minutes ago, rkacruiser said:

 

 

 

 

Thanks for your food porn!  Your lobster roll looked like mine and it was so very good!  The side of "fried potatoes" (?) looked quite a bit overdone.  Or was that something else?

 

 

The “fried potatoes” are Ocean House fresh potato CHIPS (the US kind).

 

Dennis

[MonsterJoe]

59 minutes ago, rkacruiser said:

The Macaroons were delicious as were the strawberries.  

Strange thing here, in the US - at least where we live.  Ordering Macarons are hit or miss - many times they are just sandwich cookies with buttercream in the middle (GROSS!) 

 

I'm happy to report that the Macarons on MSC are the real deal.

[clemsonlori98]

On 10/19/2021 at 4:55 PM, Beamafar said:

It’s the luck of the draw whether you get a good butler or a dud!   There are members in both camps lol

Our butler on the Seaside was not the best in the beginning of our cruise but towards the end I think he tried to make up for the lack of service.   Hopefully our cruise on the Seashore is great experience! 🙂 

[Beamafar]

4 minutes ago, clemsonlori98 said:

Our butler on the Seaside was not the best in the beginning of our cruise but towards the end I think he tried to make up for the lack of service.   Hopefully our cruise on the Seashore is great experience! 🙂 

When are you on Seashore?   We’re boarding tomorrow (in steerage) and will be in YC next March.

 

After experiencing shocking lack of service from a butler a couple of years ago there’s no way we’ll let it go if it happens again.

[hamrag]

42 minutes ago, Beamafar said:

....After experiencing shocking lack of service from a butler a couple of years ago there’s no way we’ll let it go if it happens again.

 

Not YC specific, we were Virtuosa Aurea....little better than steerage, it was poor....in August. Generally speaking for the crew, these poor guys no longer get off the ship as it would take them out their working bubble. Low morale was clear with very few exceptions and almost 3 months later it's gonna be a whole lot worse!

 

Not a lecture, just something to consider....cannot begin to imagine what it would be like couped up in real steerage for months on end!

 

And....Bon Voyage, hope you have a wonderful cruise, enjoy.

[Beamafar]

Cheers, G.  Will keep it mind about the crews’ conditions.

 

We’ve rarely had cause to comment on bad service, but there have been a couple of isolated incidents where there was no excuse. 

[ulster-cruiser]

We finally made the plunge and booked the Meraviglia for 28th November!

 

There will be three of us in a cabin, I assume that all 3 of us will get the drinks package? Does anyone know which drinks package the yacht club gets at the moment? Will it be the premium plus?

[alyssamma]

32 minutes ago, ulster-cruiser said:

We finally made the plunge and booked the Meraviglia for 28th November!

 

There will be three of us in a cabin, I assume that all 3 of us will get the drinks package? Does anyone know which drinks package the yacht club gets at the moment? Will it be the premium plus?

Yes, you'll all get drinks. But the YC has a special quasi-package. It sits in between premium and premium plus.

 

In *general* everything except real high end champagnes, bourbons, etc. will be covered. 

[Janet&Carl]

We are sailing on the Grandiosa next year - I have a question about the theatre - is there assigned seating for YC and can you get drinks in there or take one in with you ?

[Morgsmom]

14 hours ago, Janet&Carl said:

We are sailing on the Grandiosa next year - I have a question about the theatre - is there assigned seating for YC and can you get drinks in there or take one in with you ?

There should be assigned YC seating, but for drink service only time will tell.  As of last month you have to bring your drinks with you (which I prefer, because drink service in the theater always seems to take much longer)

[clemsonlori98]

23 hours ago, Beamafar said:

When are you on Seashore?   We’re boarding tomorrow (in steerage) and will be in YC next March.

 

After experiencing shocking lack of service from a butler a couple of years ago there’s no way we’ll let it go if it happens again.

My family is sailing on 4/9/22.  

[rkacruiser]

20 hours ago, Janet&Carl said:

We are sailing on the Grandiosa next year - I have a question about the theatre - is there assigned seating for YC and can you get drinks in there or take one in with you ?

 

There is an assigned seating area for YC and, as people are arriving in the theater, a Butler is present to keep that area just for YC guests.  On Meraviglia, there was no drink service available that I saw.  The seating is so tight that having drink service would be very difficult to offer.  For those on the end of the rows:  great.  For those further in the row, it would be impossible for a Butler to bring the drink to you.  And, then, what are you going to have to do with it?  Hold it.  There is no other option than to put it on the floor.  

[davidnkim]

On 10/21/2021 at 11:34 AM, hamrag said:

 

Not YC specific, we were Virtuosa Aurea....little better than steerage, it was poor....in August. Generally speaking for the crew, these poor guys no longer get off the ship as it would take them out their working bubble. Low morale was clear with very few exceptions and almost 3 months later it's gonna be a whole lot worse!

 

Not a lecture, just something to consider....cannot begin to imagine what it would be like couped up in real steerage for months on end!

 

And....Bon Voyage, hope you have a wonderful cruise, enjoy.

Due to the fact they can't get off and I heard they get amazon delivered to the ship is how they get supplies, I wonder what the best ideas are for giving them little gifts they can use.....I know cash is king, but much needed items or surprises are nice too.....any experience here....anyone?

[MonsterJoe]

44 minutes ago, davidnkim said:

Due to the fact they can't get off and I heard they get amazon delivered to the ship is how they get supplies, I wonder what the best ideas are for giving them little gifts they can use.....I know cash is king, but much needed items or surprises are nice too.....any experience here....anyone?

I don't think cash is king in this specific scenario - at least of equal importance to the staff we still talk to are toiletries, hygiene products, socks, and shelf stable meals (instant ramen, mac n' cheese, etc..)

I guess they also have to pay handling charges to MSC for the 'privilege' of having amazon delivered.

[kidless]

On 10/21/2021 at 3:57 PM, ulster-cruiser said:

We finally made the plunge and booked the Meraviglia for 28th November!

We are also on this sailing! Just got off Divina it was amazing can’t wait to check out Meraviglia 

[phissy]

10 hours ago, MonsterJoe said:

I don't think cash is king in this specific scenario - at least of equal importance to the staff we still talk to are toiletries, hygiene products, socks, and shelf stable meals (instant ramen, mac n' cheese, etc..)

I guess they also have to pay handling charges to MSC for the 'privilege' of having amazon delivered.

Something I Learned from my Cruise 

Bumped that thread where list of items requested from past cruisers.

Bar soap, toothpaste, mouthwash, deodorant, hand cream, makeup remover pads and health bars.

Edited October 27, 2021 by phissy

[ddlb]

We won a bid to upgrade to a YC deluxe suite on the Mera at $5 over minimum bid. This is our second cruise with MSC. I’ve been reading everything I can about the YC experience and I am beyond excited.  Very helpful info here!

 

I have a couple questions. When we were on our first cruise the area beach for YC members was closed at Ocean Caye. Do you know if it is open now?  Would you be able to get drinks over there or anything else special?  I know there was a special YC cart for people to take.

 

Is it two devices per person for the Internet Wi-Fi?

 

I want to tip correctly and for good service so do we do this at the end of the cruise?  For example if we get room service breakfast every morning do we wait to the end of cruise to hand out tips?

 

I’m a bit confused on the spa too is it anything like what NCL has on their some of their ships with their whirlpools etc.?  

On our first MSC  cruise we had a handicap balcony and taking a shower flooded the whole floor in the bathroom very hard to keep pushing the water toward the drain. Has anyone stayed in the YChandicap cabin 15039? I’m wondering if the shower drain works good.

 

Last question can you get yummy drinks like mudslides and strawberry daiquiris?  And are drinks outside of the YC bar included?

 

Any comments welcome I really appreciate reading everyone’s experiences.

 

 

 

[MonsterJoe]

9 minutes ago, ddlb said:

We won a bid to upgrade to a YC deluxe suite on the Mera at $5 over minimum bid. This is our second cruise with MSC. I’ve been reading everything I can about the YC experience and I am beyond excited.  Very helpful info here!

 

I have a couple questions. When we were on our first cruise the area beach for YC members was closed at Ocean Caye. Do you know if it is open now?  Would you be able to get drinks over there or anything else special?  I know there was a special YC cart for people to take.

 

Is it two devices per person for the Internet Wi-Fi?

 

I want to tip correctly and for good service so do we do this at the end of the cruise?  For example if we get room service breakfast every morning do we wait to the end of cruise to hand out tips?

 

I’m a bit confused on the spa too is it anything like what NCL has on their some of their ships with their whirlpools etc.?  

On our first MSC  cruise we had a handicap balcony and taking a shower flooded the whole floor in the bathroom very hard to keep pushing the water toward the drain. Has anyone stayed in the YChandicap cabin 15039? I’m wondering if the shower drain works good.

 

Last question can you get yummy drinks like mudslides and strawberry daiquiris?  And are drinks outside of the YC bar included?

 

Any comments welcome I really appreciate reading everyone’s experiences.

 

 

 

Ocean Cay: The YC beach is open...there is beach service.

Internet: It is two devices per person.

Tipping: Everyone does it different.  We tipped our Assistant Butler throughout, but everyone else at the end.  I recommend not waiting until the very last night, because you may not see someone you want to tip on the last night.

No spa experience

No handicap shower experience - though the other one could get a little messy

Frozen Drinks / Outside YC: Yes you can...and yes they are.

Enjoy - it's amazing. 🙂

 

[KennyFla]

22 minutes ago, ddlb said:

 

 

I have a couple questions. When we were on our first cruise the area beach for YC members was closed at Ocean Caye. Do you know if it is open now?  Would you be able to get drinks over there or anything else special?  I know there was a special YC cart for people to take.

 

 

 

 

The beach is open.  It is mentioned on this board, and is very true, that the rocks you have to walk over to get into the deep water are really painful.  Bring some kind of water shoes.

 

Waiters come around all day to the YC beach.  Service is great.

 

The best lunch of the voyage is at the Beach House.

[mushroom]

KennyFla, can you expand on the lunch at Beach House?  What type of food is offered and is there a set menu you could describe?  Thanks!

[SirWolf]

6 minutes ago, mushroom said:

KennyFla, can you expand on the lunch at Beach House?  What type of food is offered and is there a set menu you could describe?  Thanks!

Lunch is served in the Ocean House from 12:00-2:00pm. Outside seating on porch and limited inside seating (air conditioned).

Menu attached.. from 10-21-2021.

[MonsterJoe]

Not trying to speak for KFla, This is what we had at Ocean House.

It was all very good, though I wouldn't put it above YC Dining Room, which was all very good also.

Worth noting - I am from New England, so I have high standards for Lobster Rolls.  This wasn't anything like I'd get at home, but I still liked it - especially for the Caribbean.

Not pictured is the Crab Ceviche.  It's not pictured because it may have been the most disappointing thing I ate all week - including from the Main Buffet.

The crab was that fine shredded canned stuff.  Still tasted fine - just not elevated enough for the YC menu, IMO.


Carne Asada Salad


Lobster Roll

Caramel Creme


Mango Cheesecake

Edited October 27, 2021 by MonsterJoe

[SirWolf]

The Burger

[SirWolf]

Ocean Cay Salad

Edited October 27, 2021 by SirWolf

[SirWolf]

Carne Asada