Review of YC on Meraviglia October 23 - 30, 2022

[JAGR]

Just off the MSC Meraviglia seven-night cruise. Our eight booking with MSC (all YC), and this was overall one of the best cruises we've been on!  The caveat is that this review reflects the experience of one couple on one MSC cruise on one week.  If you have sailed MSC more than once, you know that inconsistencies in service and other experiences is a hallmark.  In the real-time reviews people posted, you may wonder if they were on the same ship ("Best Cruise Ever", "Worst Cruise Ever", "I'll Never Cruise MSC Again", and "Booked Two Future Cruises While On Board").  I think all of the people posting were reporting honestly on their experience, probably tempered by their expectations and probably influenced by an event or two that stood out. We last sailed MSC in Feb/March on a B2B on Seashore, so my observations may reflect on comparisons between them.

 

The Ship Overall:  Our first time on Meraviglia (most of our experiences have been on Seaside class), and it is a beautiful ship. I met a number of people who favor this ship, and I can't blame them.  Like all MSC ships, it is clean and shiny.  It looks like half the crew run around with cloths to wipe things down.  Standouts are the the two-story atrium walkway (Galleria) with its colors and light shows, the Carousel Lounge with no bad seats, and the Aurea Spa (perhaps the best spa afloat).  Negatives (I will grant they are personal, and things I disliked may be preferences for others) are the resumption of smoking being allowed in the Casino meaning you walk a gauntlet going to the Carousel Lounge, and the complete separation of the YC restaurant from the Top Sail Lounge.  I prefer having the restaurant open to the lounge like on the Seaside class.  To me, it's nice to have live music while dining.  Anyone who has sailed YC on MSC knows what the generic canned music is like!

 

Embarkation:  Smoothest ever.  Our check-in window was 10:00 to 10:30.  It seemed like all 1400-1500 were given the same window, but it went smoothly.  We got to the tent at 10:12, and were sitting with champagne in the Top Sail at 10:38.  I know you are thinking, "A bit exact on the times, there, John."  It's an engineering thing!😌

 

Yacht Club Areas:  I won't mention the open area lacking between the Top Sail Lounge and restaurant again.  Oops, guess I did!  The YC areas are very good.  DW is a sun worshiper, so she prefers Seaside class, but after all was said and done, the glass roofs did not stop her from getting a tan.  Plenty of open seating on the Sun Deck, and the staffing was more than adequate.  For the Sun Deck bar, I prefer the Seaside class since you can actually get a seat at the bar, which I've always liked.  Pool is adequate size but would be small if we had over 120 in YC, I think.  Top Sail Lounge and restaurants seem larger than Seaside class, but I think it may be an illusion because of the way space is used.  That, or the lack of an open area between the restaurant and Top Sail Lounge, but I wouldn't want to belabor that point! 😉

 

Food:  For eating, we left the YC only once for our Black Card dining at the Sushi.  I have to admit I'm not terribly fond of the one-week menu they instituted early this year (especially on our B2B earlier) but there is enough variety.  That, and the executive chef as introduced to us early in the week, and when I mentioned a preference for Northern Indian cuisine, he arranged that for me twice, asking only for a notice by lunch of that day.  I will say that one advantage with the preset menu, is that they can show you menus for the entire week, allowing you to determine when you may want to try and venture out for meals somewhere else.  Some things to note:  I get up early, and discovered that they have coffee in the buffet area as early as 5:30 or 6:00.  Breakfast and lunch service in the YC dining room is efficient, and fast.  Dining is a bit more measured, but the servers seem to sense when you are done and bring things out in a timely manner.  DW is a late riser, and she reports that the Sun Deck buffet and made-to-order station are great for breakfast.  Lunch is good either in the restaurant or the Sun Deck.  The only thing I found was that the fish dishes in the Sun Deck buffet were a bit dry and over cooked.  The exception is the tilapia and red sauce.  Overall, good variety, and you won't go hungry.

 

To be continued....

[PammyMouse]

Thanks!  I'm following - I'm a first time MSC and YC solo in January.  

PM

[JAGR]

Public Areas:  Overall very nice.  Very walkable, and most things in the center of the ship.  Nice thing was the lack of hard sell of specialty dining and spa.  Usually that's a downer, but if you act like you are waling in Mexico, and just keep saying, "No, gracias," or, "No, thank you." they are not pushy.

 

Shows:  Carousel productions were fantastic.  Well worth the $12 prepay cost, not necessarily the $16 on board.  The included drink wasn't that good (e.g., who likes a weak Bombay and Tonic with whole peppercorns and mint?).  Upside is despite the fact that they say you can't bring in a drink, we and others had no problem doing so.  Stage productions were good, but there they do enforce the no drink policy.

 

Bars and Lounges outside YC:  I know this will come of to some as, "Here is the crying of the lush," but I do like wandering the ship, and occasionally, thirst will strike in the need for like a water, say, or a soft drink, even. 😉  It may be because the passenger count was low, a number of the bars were not open during regular hours.  The Champagne Bar was only open from 6:00 or so, and not every night.  The Brass Anchor (primary sports bar outside of the smoky Casino Bar) did not open until 4:00, even on football Saturday.  (Go Bucks!)

 

Cabin:  We booked an interior, and when we boarded, I went to the Concierge Desk to ask about a paid upgrade since I knew cabins were available.  We ended up getting a Balcony for a very reasonable price (about a fourth of the total bid guidelines for the offer they email you before the cruise).  Very comfortable and spacious room and balcony.  Worth the upgrade to have DW happy enough that I could sleep with out hearing crying, and did not have to keep sharp objects away from her, or sleep with one eye open!

 

The Most Important Factor - The People of MSC:  This to me is where MSC shines.  On walkabouts throughout the ship, almost every staff member I saw gave a warm greeting.  When I got my morning coffee and sat, a waiter would come by asking if I needed anything, and would ask how the cruise was going.  Over the years, I have learned a few simple phrases in foreign languages, like hello, good morning, thank you, etc.  Luckily, those came in handy on this cruise.  A simple good morning in Tagalog to a Filipino server, for example gets them excited. A thank you in their language to an Indonesian server is priceless to them.  Overall, everyone we came in contact with was overly friendly, from the Captain on down.

 

Some Standout People:

1.  Captain Giuseppe Gazzano:  Former Carnival master.  Reminded me of Sydney Greenstreet (I know, showing my age!).  He was all over the ship!  Saw him daily in the YC area, but saw him walking the Galleria almost every day, popping into the restaurants and stores, and just talking to people.  Amazing fellow!

2.  YC Pool Attendants (James and Romeo):  Constantly friendly, outgoing and smiling. Both bent over backwards to make sure you had anything you needed.

3.  YC Lounge Butler (Kimberly):  Constant smile, can do attitude and superior service.

4.  YC Waitress (LaToya):  I joked with her about getting married (DW gave her blessing).  Her service was on point, and the running humor was fantastic.  Experienced cruisers will understand this.  She has a black tie, not a gold one, and was still the best server I have had on any ship.  I made it my mission to let the Maitre d' (George - very good as well) and YC Director (Allesandro - also very good) that LaToya needs the Gold Tie.

5.  (Top Sail Lounge bartender) Daryl:  Very outgoing.  Service on point.  Takes time to talk with you.

 

One negative People Comment:  It is not a game breaker, but one pet peeve I have is personal solicitation by a server.  On MSC, employees get a chance for extra time off if their names come up in a positive way in the post-cruise survey we get.  Most of us who sail MSC know that, so it bothered me a bit when one server we had contact with only two times openly asked DW and I to put his name on a survey.  That just guaranteed a big NO from us.

 

Overall, a fantastic cruise!  Can't wait until early next year for another MSC cruise.  For those of you sailing YC or who are Diamond, I will close with a summary of some of the changes/idiosyncrasies we saw on this cruise versus or last:

1.  Despite being Diamond, my initial cruise card was Classic.  Reservation showed Platinum.  Took a minute to correct that at the Concierge desk.  However, that mistake may have led to other issues or differences from the last cruise.

2.  No sparking wine or strawberries in the cabin.  Got the strawberries on day three. Got the Prosecco dropped in the room on the last night.

3.  On Seashore, there were different treats every night (definite overkill). On this sailing, we got macaroons one night.  Butler said they stopped the daily treats.  That may be our butler though, because others we met said they got something each night.

4.  No gift in room.  Asked butler and on the last night, the left two drawstring totes.  On Seashore, they gave the nicer collapsible backpacks.  No biggie, just a little cheaper.

5.  No chocolate ship anymore (although Seashore gave them out two weeks ago to friends.

6.  Actually, not chocolate gift was given.  On our Seashore sailings, all YC guests got a small box of Venchi chocolates.  Not on this cruise.  Eventually, out butler gave us two Voyager Diamond Chocolate bars on the day we were leaving.  He "found" them.

7.  No escort off the ship offered by butler, who saw us leaving the room (In all honesty, we told him day one that we were low maintenance and could find our way to venues). Concierge saw us and asked us to wait for a butler to leave the ship.

 

These issues above were minor.  I only list them so people know that benefits are changing and this will continue.  Change is inevitable.  The overall MSC product is great.

[JAGR]

49 minutes ago, PammyMouse said:

Thanks!  I'm following - I'm a first time MSC and YC solo in January.  

PM

You'll enjoy it.  Be sure to tell you butler you are a first-timer!  He/She will make sure you are taken care of.

[PTC DAWG]

Nice review, I was hoping the non smoking casino would stick…

[Two Wheels Only]

I also prefer the Seaside/Seaside EVO ships but I actually enjoyed Meraviglia more than I thought that I would. 

[Muushka]

Thank you for your fair and balanced report!  My favorite kind.  A pleasure to read.

We are hoping to cruise on this ship, YC, for NYE.  Fingers crossed!

[bac513]

Great review. We will be sailing on Meraviglia in December. Couple of questions.

 

🏝 Does the YC pool deck have opportunities for shaded areas which were almost unavailable on Seashore?

 

🏝Is the entire casino smoking or just certain areas?

 

🏝What are the Carousel productions?

 

Thanks.

 

 

[JAGR]

2 minutes ago, bac513 said:

Great review. We will be sailing on Meraviglia in December. Couple of questions.

 

🏝 Does the YC pool deck have opportunities for shaded areas which were almost unavailable on Seashore?

The layout is a bit different, with the pool more up front. There are some areas of shade, but honestly not much.  With the ship sailing mostly easterly and westerly, you have to deal with the sun for the better part of the day.  It may mean having to move things around a bit.  The think with Seashore is the extra cabanas available.  I know the roofs were mostly exposed strips, but at least you could put towels on top.

 

🏝Is the entire casino smoking or just certain areas?

I think it is only on the starboard side toward the aft part of the casino with slots.  I didn't see smoking on the port side where they have the table play.  I'm sensitive, so I could smell it as we walked through.

🏝What are the Carousel productions?

Currently, Houdini and Age of Rock.  The male and female vocalist leads are very good, and the nine supporting dancers/acrobats are good as well.

Thanks.

 

 

Answers in your text.

[bac513]

Thanks. Which days were the Carousel shows?

[JAGR]

To clarify the reference of Captain Giuseppe Gazzano to Sydney Greenstreet for those of you who have never seen "The Maltese Falcon,"  Two pictures of the Captain bookend Sydney.

[JAGR]

8 minutes ago, bac513 said:

Thanks. Which days were the Carousel shows?

Last week, Houdini was on nights 2 through 4, and Age of Rock on days 5 through 7.  Two shows each night at 8 and 10.  Given the costuming and acrobatics set up, I would bet that they would stay with a non-rotating schedule.

[Elsammo46]

Thank for the review! I’m on the November 6th sailing in the YC in a few days for my first MSC cruise! Things certainly seem to have improved since the rocky start to Mera’s US season a few weeks ago. Just a couple of questions. When were the formal nights and what were some of your favorite dishes offered at the YC restaurant? 
 

Thanks again! 

[rkacruiser]

8 hours ago, JAGR said:

the complete separation of the YC restaurant from the Top Sail Lounge.  I prefer having the restaurant open to the lounge like on the Seaside class. 

 

An excellent and balanced review!  Thanks for posting it.  Have not sailed on the Seaside Class ships, but, I liked the way the Top Sail Lounge and the YC Restaurant was arranged.  I was able to engage in conversation with other guests next to my table for one when music might have interfered with our conversations.  Gained some friends during my cruise by being able to have those conversations.  

 

7 hours ago, JAGR said:

Got the Prosecco dropped in the room on the last night.

 

Prosecco on ice was waiting on me when I embarked and my Butler kept the ice bucket filled with more when I finished a bottle.  

 

7 hours ago, JAGR said:

The People of MSC:  This to me is where MSC shines.  On walkabouts throughout the ship, almost every staff member I saw gave a warm greeting. 

 

Among many others, I have praised the service/attention of the crews of HAL.  MSC's crew's service was as good as HAL.  When a bartender or Steward outside the YC enclave saw that I was a YC guest, the service/pours were even better.  

 

7 hours ago, JAGR said:

The Champagne Bar was only open from 6:00 or so, and not every night.  The Brass Anchor (primary sports bar outside of the smoky Casino Bar) did not open until 4:00, even on football Saturday.  (Go Bucks!)

 

I don't think this was a change from January, 2020.  (Go Bucks as well as the Bengals.)

 

7 hours ago, JAGR said:

The included drink wasn't that good

 

I had a Bahama Mama and "Mama" skimped on the Rum.  

 

8 hours ago, JAGR said:

Lunch is good either in the restaurant or the Sun Deck

 

Breakfast in the Restaurant is excellent with very good choices on the menu.  Learned late in the cruise that I really liked their Ranchero Potatoes with my eggs.  

 

On the Sun Deck for lunch (and breakfast), I was disappointed in the selection of cold meats, cheeses, and cracker/bread selections for a European type style of ship.  Barely adequate in my opinion.  

 

7 hours ago, JAGR said:

YC Director (Allesandro - also very good)

 

Tall blonde?  The name is familiar and I think she may have been the YC Director when I sailed on Meraviglia.  

[mackfam]

Thanks so much for the great review. We will be on the Mera next week. I’m wondering if you’d be willing to share a ballpark range of how much it cost to upgrade to the YC1 from a YIN once onboard. We are booked in a YIN currently. Never received any emails to bid for an upgrade though I see there are still quite a few cabins available. I phoned last week and asked about the cost to upgrade but I was told it would be more than $2000 which is not worth it to me. Would love to move if it was a reasonable amount.

[wdowns9]

We were in the YC right before dry dock last year; I made mention that I like a variety of Indian curries from different regions..Low and behold we had a different one nightly along with our main mean. If you ask they will accomodate. Not sure what it would be like at 100% capacity as we were at less than 50% and the entire ship sailed with less than 2000 people. Looking forward to our return YC experience in Dec on the Mer.

[Georgia_Peaches]

So glad (and relieved) to read that you had a nice cruise experience on Meraviglia. Like others have said, we are booked for an 11/13 embarkation and were a little leery after the false start a few weeks ago. Your review is balanced and reminds me that no cruise is flawless. I am also interested in knowing more about how you upgraded your stateroom on embarkation day. Did you go to main guest services, YC concierge, or was this done when you checked in at the pier?  Our cruise is only 4 nights and I’m thinking YC interior will be fine (our current booking) but it never hurts to ask. Thanks again for your review. 

[no1talks]

10 hours ago, JAGR said:

"Reminded me of Sydney Greenstreet (I know, showing my age!)"

"By gad, sir, you are a character. There's never any telling what you'll say or do next, except that it's bound to be something astonishing."

[no1talks]

11 hours ago, JAGR said:

"I have to admit I'm not terribly fond of the one-week menu they instituted early this year (especially on our B2B earlier) but there is enough variety."

 

Zounds! Just to be clear, @JAGR, does YC now have just one dinner menu for an entire week? How many starters, mains, and desserts? We should very much miss nightly changes in the bill o' fare on our next YC cruise in March.

Is afternoon tea still a thing?!?

[bac513]

9 hours ago, JAGR said:

Last week, Houdini was on nights 2 through 4, and Age of Rock on days 5 through 7.  Two shows each night at 8 and 10.  Given the costuming and acrobatics set up, I would bet that they would stay with a non-rotating schedule.

Thanks, again

[hamrag]

6 hours ago, no1talks said:

Zounds! Just to be clear, @JAGR, does YC now have just one dinner menu for an entire week? How many starters, mains, and desserts? We should very much miss nightly changes in the bill o' fare on our next YC cruise in March.

Is afternoon tea still a thing?!?

No, there are 7 different menus in a week and that repeats every 7 days, Therefore, if you are on for two weeks, the menu on the second Saturday will be identical to the first Saturday etc.

[hamrag]

19 hours ago, JAGR said:

...DW is a sun worshiper, so she prefers Seaside class, but after all was said and done, the glass roofs did not stop her from getting a tan.  Plenty of open seating on the Sun Deck...

On our Meraviglia cruise, we used the open area next to the grill beside the port side 'golf ball' radar where there were about 8 sunloungers laid out.

 

As always, your posts and observations reflect the voice of reason! Thank you for reminding us of our first and second YC cruise, fantastic ship. We are booked on our third 'Seaside' class 14 nights from Barbados late November....on the Seaside, a first for us.

Edited November 3, 2022 by hamrag

[skyking]

Outstanding review Jagr. 

 

We are back on the Meraviglia on the 17th and on the Virtuosa in June which will be our first YC experience.   We cant wait!

[JAGR]

11 hours ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

So glad (and relieved) to read that you had a nice cruise experience on Meraviglia. Like others have said, we are booked for an 11/13 embarkation and were a little leery after the false start a few weeks ago. Your review is balanced and reminds me that no cruise is flawless. I am also interested in knowing more about how you upgraded your stateroom on embarkation day. Did you go to main guest services, YC concierge, or was this done when you checked in at the pier?  Our cruise is only 4 nights and I’m thinking YC interior will be fine (our current booking) but it never hurts to ask. Thanks again for your review. 

As I said, I asked at the Concierge desk to get on the list first thing.  Roughly, the rate is $39/person per night.  Concierge said that I was number one on the list and not to unpack.  Said they would know at closeout.  We were assigned our new room at about 3:15.

[JAGR]

16 hours ago, Elsammo46 said:

Thank for the review! I’m on the November 6th sailing in the YC in a few days for my first MSC cruise! Things certainly seem to have improved since the rocky start to Mera’s US season a few weeks ago. Just a couple of questions. When were the formal nights and what were some of your favorite dishes offered at the YC restaurant? 
 

Thanks again! 

The one elegant night was on our first sea day (Wednesday).  No other formal night, but there was an "Italian Night" on our last night.  They had some red and green napkins, but the waiters were not wearing red, white, and green cumberbunds or ties, like on past cruises.

 

Favorite dishes would be hamachi carpaccio with avocado appetizer, surf and turf, lamb, sea bream, and any dessert!