Silhouette LIVE (1/12) w/ Side by Side: A Royal Week on Celebrity and MSC

[WrittenOnYourHeart]

Oh. My. I'm not sure I could manage in that room with the print and mirrors.

[PTC DAWG]

On 1/16/2023 at 2:33 AM, swigso said:

Hi Jim

have a look at the Riverside Hotel on Las Olas has great reviews and the corner tower rooms look really nice

That is my go to place in FLL. 

[sbt518]

Oh yes! Ask for cheesy decor and I shall receive!  The curved, possibly upholstered, uplighting next to the headboard is so bad it is almost good.

 

I think I would find those mirrors distracting too especially in the bathroom, agree, no one needs to see themselves in that much detail.

 

But, all your other descriptions of the YC, including the prices are making it seem like it may be worth trying.  The newer decor that Karmamule posted doesn't look too bad.

[GenerationX]

36 minutes ago, karmamule said:

It's funny to see how the older MSC ships looked. As a point of comparison, here's a pic of the main living area for the Royal Suite we had on the MSC Seashore. (The bedroom was equally subdued).

 

 

Now that is MUCH better. Thanks for sharing!

[countess5]

Looks like they have the life jackets in the cabin?  

 

Interesting.......

 

Cheers!

[PTC DAWG]

Room looks great to me...I would prefer a larger walk in shower to a tub, but other than that, I could spend some time there.  Mirrors don't bother me, I know what I look like.  🙂

 

Thanks for the review, now I have to check on upgrading my cruise that leaves Sunday on the Meraviglia from Aqua to Yacht club....

Edited January 17, 2023 by PTC DAWG

[Lena11033]

lol the mirror is a bit much but otherwise bathroom doesn't bother me - but as it's not a North American company I get it 

[LMaxwell]

3 hours ago, GenerationX said:

After my muster drill workout yesterday, I went back to my suite where my butler, Kevin was waiting to introduce himself.

 

He gave me an orientation to the room and told be about all the services he can assist with.  He mentioned that items in the mini bar are complimentary (not a big selection, but nice as the mini bar on Celebrity is only included if you’re dropping serious coin on the upper suites) and he’d be happy to swap out different brands if I’d like and would restock it each day.

 

He also let me know that he would be happy to personally escort me to dinner each night and/or to the theater for shows where there is reserved yacht club seating every night (also pretty nice as on Celebrity there’s only reserved suite seating on chic night).

 

He also let me know my suite comes with a full size bottle of liquor.  However he suggested I just get it from him the last day and take it home with me because “if you want a cocktail in your room ma’am, just call me and I’ll bring it to you from the lounge.  In yacht club you shouldn’t have to make your own drinks.”  I’ve discovered my room is about a 15 second walk to the yacht club lounge bar though, so I feel like I won’t be troubling Kevin to fetch me drinks.  I’m fine to get a few much needed steps in and go grab one myself and bring it back.

 

Ok citizens of the Commonwealth following along, this one’s for you...You know how on Celebrity the “high tea” for suites is now essentially just a little buffet of sandwiches and scones set up for self service in the retreat lounge?  Well Kevin informed me that in yacht club there is a full, proper high tea service in the yacht club each day 4-5pm.  I’ll definitely make a point of checking it out and will report back.  I knew I should’ve packed day gloves and a fancy hat 😂

 

After meeting Kevin I went out to explore the ship some.  As my drink situation suggests, as opposed to Celebrity where retreat cabins are spread all over the ship mixed in near other non-retreat staterooms and can be a decent walk to get to the retreat lounge and pool areas (unless you’re on E-class and again have invested serious dough in the edge villas/royal suites/penthouse), in yacht club the cabins are all in a separate, key card access only portion of the ship adjacent to the lounge and pool.  The suite restaurant though is at the other end of the ship (I assume hence the offer of a butler escort).  My new friends who are regular MSC cruisers informed me that on newer MSC ships, the restaurant is also within the yacht club “enclave” though.  So one could very easily spend their whole cruise locked away in the yacht club.

 

Another fun perk, not a thing on Celebrity:

 

See these key card slots by the elevators? In the forward bank of elevators, If you’re in yacht club, you swipe your card in this before pushing the button for an elevator, and an elevator will come straight to you once it becomes available.  You can tell when this has happened because the deck number display will say “priority service”.  No stopping to pick up other decks.  Once you’re on said elevator, swipe your card again before pressing the button for the deck where you’re going.  The elevator will take you straight there with no other stops. Do not pass go, do not collect 4500 other people trying to squeeze themselves in on top of you.

 

It seems the service is disabled during some peak traffic times, like when a show is letting out in the theater. But still a nice little perk.

 

Overall, thus far, I’m so so sad to say that it’s seeming like Yacht Club is offering a good amount more perks than Celebrity and at almost half the price (and again, without having to book the highest levels of suites to get them).  So, you might be asking, what’s the catch? Well, here are the ones for me thus far:

 

1- As I mentioned before, the decor on this particular ship is…something.  Very Vegas circa 1995.  I know people complain about E class and refurb decor on Celebrity being too grey and plain but I will cheerfully take that bright clean look over all things purple, fluffy and gold.  

 

2- If you aren’t a fan of the (to me still relatively limited) number of kids on Celebrity, brace yourself before coming aboard because MSC is kids on a whole other level.  Not so much in yacht club but everywhere I’ve gone outside the club, strollers and high chairs abound.  In a half hour walking around the main pools and water slide yesterday, I heard “mommy I’m thirsty” whined in at least 3 different languages. There was a woman out on the dance floor in the jazz club last night boogieing down with a sleeping infant strapped to her chest.

 

3- Really minor thing, but it looks like you don’t get a robe in yacht club like you do in retreat.  Again not a deal breaker, but I guess if I want to use a bathrobe for my room service breakfasts and late evening pj’s star gazing on MSC, I’m going to have to pack one and bring it from home.

 

Speaking of breakfast, I’m just finishing a really good hazelnut latte in the lounge.  There’s a nice little continental breakfast spread out but I think I’ll head up to check out the breakfast by the yacht club pool as we pull into Freeport, Bahamas.

 

Talk to you all after breakfast!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Regarding Robes - Yes, you should be provided one.  Sorry if I did not see - had you done status match w MSC? 

[gotta cruise again]

@GenerationX on our Seaside YC cruise, pre-shutdown, we also would walk the 15-20 seconds to the YC lounge for a cocktail. We’d enjoy part of it there then want to take the rest back to our cabin…

 

No way was that happening without butler involvement!! A butler would quickly come over, have us place our beverages on his tray, and he’d walk us back to our cabin!

 

Though one never enjoys disembarkation day, at least those in YC get to wait in the YC lounge and when ready to leave, a butler walks them to the departure area of the ship, where you get to cut the line. We also experienced butler-initiated line cutting when leaving the ship at port stops. Some in YC worry about what other passengers think and don’t take advantage of the perks that come with the cabin they purchased, which is fine, but we enjoyed the times when we took advantage of the perks.

 

Thank you for your reviews…much appreciated!

 

PS: be sure to ask for your commission on the map dress I bought for our Beyond cruise 1/29!!

[Jim_Iain]

1 hour ago, karmamule said:

It's funny to see how the older MSC ships looked. As a point of comparison, here's a pic of the main living area for the Royal Suite we had on the MSC Seashore. (The bedroom was equally subdued).

 

 

Really like the new look.   Can you advise which ships or class ships have been updated. 

[Jim_Iain]

36 minutes ago, PTC DAWG said:

That is my go to place in FLL. 

Giving it a look.    I think I want to go stay with Carla... if she has a empty room in her Penthouse for the next cruise.   LOL ---  I'm tempting you Carla. 

[miguelmia]

Why have I waited so long to click on this amazing live report?? I love your sense of humor, photos, and most of all your positivity! I'm doing my first X cruise on Sunday on Reflection and this is definitely making me more excited. Really enjoying your updates! 

 

And that MSC bed... that's certainly... a choice as far as decor goes. I'd probably laugh myself to sleep every night just looking at that pattern. 😂😂

[Jim_Iain]

Carla -  if interested on CruiseDeck plans they have a link to a YouTube Video of your exact room.   I could post it if interested -   Pretty good video but the Wife is a bit Barby Dollish 

[karmamule]

7 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

Really like the new look.   Can you advise which ships or class ships have been updated. 

 

We were in a regular Yacht Club suite on Meraviglia and Seaside and those were both equally restrained. I can't be 100% sure but it's probably a safe bet that all Seaside, Meraviglia, and Meraviglia Plus class ships all have the toned-down design. The videos I've seen of their new oasis-rivaling World Europa also appears to have similar decor.

 

In general anything launched after 2016 (when the Seaside was launched) should be safe. 

[Blazn7]

1 hour ago, GenerationX said:

The much anticipated stateroom report:

 

My room is a yacht club deluxe grand suite.  I believe this is the next to highest class of yacht club cabin on Divina. I’ve been told there’s a higher, Sophia Loren themed multi room suite that seems like it’s on par with a royal suite on celebrity.

 

The room and closet are spacious, but I think just felt small to me after 5 days in my royal suite executive condo at sea.

 

As you can see (and mentioned earlier), the interesting design choices continued in the room.

 

The room is very clean, but it seems like it’s due for a good refresh, and not just for the outdated decor.  My carpet has a few stains and the bed skirts and drapes are somewhat worn.  

 

Frequent followers of my reviews know how much I love a good full body mirror.  So it’s saying something when I say this room has too much mirror for me.  The Italians must really enjoy looking at themselves. At all times. The entire wall across from the bed is a massive mirror.  I’m keeping this review rated PG so I won’t share my husband’s response when I sent him a photo of this about how he felt that this feature could actually [cough] “optimize” our [cough] “cruising experience”. 

 

Even less appealing to me is the full wall mirror in the curtain-less shower/tub combo.  With apologies if it’s too graphic, but between the mirror in the tub itself and the one over the sink directly across, I really can do without the close up, play by play, look at how my food and beverage consumption is affecting my bare form as the cruise goes on.

 

I think I also really prefer how in the sky suites on Celebrity S class, the tub is separate from the shower.  
 

If I compare apples to apples and think about a non-refurbished, S class, sky suite on Celebrity compared to this room on MSC, for me Celebrity gets the win for the cabin hands down.

 

I’m going to take a dip in the pool then grab a mimosa at the bar (unlike the retreat Sundeck, I’ve yet to see in-seat drink servers going around, but it sounds like there’s a crew drill going on right now so may be why) then will fill you in on dinner last night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Girl, that is a lot of damn mirrors. I think we’re all anxious to hear about the food now. 😃 

[PTC DAWG]

24 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

Really like the new look.   Can you advise which ships or class ships have been updated. 

Seaside class I believe.  I am sailing Meraviglia Sunday, it is a different class of ship, we just upgraded to YC…I will try and get some pictures..there are some good videos on YouTube that are probably better than most anything I can do though..

[tcmagnum]

1 hour ago, GenerationX said:

Now that is MUCH better. Thanks for sharing!

Have you had the pizza on board yet?

Trust me and find it.  Even if it means going outside of Yacht Club to find it.

My husband is a pizza snob and loved the pizza on the Seaside.

Loving all the feedback and pictures.

[Stem to Stern]

Visual overload.  Way, way too much pattern happening in the cascading stairs pic you posted.   However, after further review of your stateroom pics, I have to say that it is not that hateful.  I am making lemonade here:  1.) I love that they have Aqua Panna still water on board, 2.) The mirror in the shower probably makes the bathroom look much larger, 3.) Walk-in closet is definitely a plus, 4.) Zebra pattern combined with all of the mauve (goes well with gray and greige wood finishes) is not as bad as I envisioned.  Find any other cactuses?  Are there views of the sea from the Yacht Club?

 

Edited January 17, 2023 by Stem to Stern

[JeanieC,Aston]

22 minutes ago, Stem to Stern said:

Visual overload.  Way, way too much pattern happening in the cascading stairs pic you posted.   However, after further review of your stateroom pics, I have to say that it is not that hateful.  I am making lemonade here:  1.) I love that they have Aqua Panna still water on board, 2.) The mirror in the shower probably makes the bathroom look much larger, 3.) Walk-in closet is definitely a plus, 4.) Zebra pattern combined with all of the mauve (goes well with gray and greige wood finishes) is not as bad as I envisioned.  Find any other cactuses?  Are there views of the sea from the Yacht Club?

 

And that’s the famous Swarovski crystal staircase,a feature on all MSC ships.

[FLCruiser97]

2 hours ago, LouChamp said:

Aloha. Room looks great. You are not  missing anything with the Sophia Loren room. Years ago Carnival owned the Crystal Palace in Nassau and Carnival Air. So I would be comped air and hotel and food from NY. Anyway stayed in rooms that would make Las Vegas cringe lol.  Travel to LV several times per year but those rooms…aargh. Now the Crystal Palace was used to house workers when then built Baha Mar and then Atlantis 

took the reigns. Anyway enjoy and thank you for the pictures.  Please post food pictures i am hungry 😂

Hey @LouChampI was a flight attendant for Carnival Air back in the day. You were probably on one of my flights.

[LouChamp]

12 minutes ago, FLCruiser97 said:

Hey @LouChampI was a flight attendant for Carnival Air back in the day. You were probably on one of my flights.

So funny! You are the only person I know who remembers Carnival Air! 

[GenerationX]

About last night’s dinner:

 

I was very worried about food on MSC based on the reviews I’d read pre-cruise.  

 

Based on the meals I’ve had thus far, I’m far less concerned that I’m risking waisting away to nothing by trying a new cruise line.

 

The MSC version of Red and Gen X that I met at lunch invited me to join them for dinner.  We rendezvoused in the lounge for a pre dinner cocktail around 5:30 then headed to dinner a little after 6.  Well, actually, I should say their smiling, white gloved butler arrived at our lounge table at 6 and let us know he’d be waiting at the concierge desk to escort us to dinner whenever we were ready.

 

I wasn’t sure how I felt about the pretense of a butler walking me around the ship, but I will say, at that time the bars and lounges you walk through to get to the suite restaurant from the inside of the ship were very busy and it did help having a well dressed butler at the front parting the seas of humanity for us.  It also seemed that the butler’s priority elevator key card worked even during a peak time when ours didn’t, so it was nice not to have to wait long or be crowded in on getting the elevators to the restaurant.

 

For dinner I started with a vegetable dim sum with a yummy Thai sweet and spicy chili sauce. The MSC experts went with steaks for entrees, but I was torn between a marinated scallop entree and a rosemary and sage crusted veal.  Our server offered to make a surf and turf for me so that I didn’t have to decide.  If I see the chef coming through the restaurant at some point  I’m going to stop him and find out what those scallops were marinated with and for how long because they really came out great. Crispy sear on the outside but on the inside, juicy and oh so flavorful.

 

The veal was also very good and a massive serving.  I think our server Rohan was a bit disappointed that I didn’t finish everything on my plate and asked a lot of questions about the veal, like he was concerned I didn’t like it.  I tried to politely explain that I really did enjoy it, I just didn’t want to die that night. 😂

 

After entrees, we picked some cheeses from that much anticipated cheese cart and Rohan plated it with some apricot preserves, dried fruit and honey to accompany them.

 

For dessert, after a delivery of a tray of chocolates which we didn’t order but apparently come standard,  I had what seems like is essentially the Italian version of creme brûlée. I forgot to write down the name, but it took me back to licking the beaters when my grandma made caramel Bundt cake.  My dinner mates had mentioned to the restaurant manager that this is my first MSC cruise and my dessert was served with a welcome message!

 

I just finished lunch in the suite restaurant and am about to put out a few work fires on my veranda while watching the going’s on off the rail in port. When I saw this cruise was docking in Freeport Bahamas instead of Nassau I thought “hmm that’s unique”.   Looking around I think I’ve figured out why. There’s a very small area of touristy shops and a couple of bars/restaurants (including the ever present Senior Frogs) right next to the ship, but otherwise the only development as far as the eye can see is shipping port facilities…and look who seems to be the biggest shipping customer around here…why do I feel like Divina is probably getting a very sweet deal on its docking fees, etc.?

 

After work, time to read myself into an afternoon nap.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[FLCruiser97]

2 minutes ago, LouChamp said:

So funny! You are the only person I know who remembers Carnival Air! 

Worked there for 5 yrs. And you are right, not many people knew that the cruise line had an airline.

[Jonem2001]

3 hours ago, mchell810 said:

The mirror in the shower is definitely a bit much! 

I can’t help but pity the poor stewards having to clean the water marks! A terrible choice on practicality alone!

[GenerationX]

Current situation:

 

Finished my work project quicker than expected so I’m taking in a little more sun while catching up on the news.

 

Celebrity got rid of daily newspaper service years ago and now that I have it again I’m remembering what a nice touch it was.  There are several little things like that onboard where I wasn’t really bothered when Celebrity stopped doing them, but having them on this cruise has made me go “oh yes, this IS really nice to have, isn’t it?”

 

Divina Pro Tip:  Ashish at the One Pool bar makes an incredible rum punch.  Careful though. Don’t let the smooth taste fool you. I watched him make it and it’s got enough rum for a pirate party.  
 

These days though the international news tends to make me want a stiff drink anyway.

 

Some prefer to check out from such things while on vacation which I totally understand,  but I actually make a point to keep up with what’s going on more while traveling because it helps to keep me grounded and give me perspective.
 

Reading the Times, I am an extremely fortunate woman that the biggest challenge in my life today is that I’m trying to decide which cruise line I want to book my next suite-class sailing with.