Love the Haven, but trying MSC Yacht Club

[Two Wheels Only]

1 minute ago, NyYankees2k3 said:

You are just like me, I am always looking and hunting for deals.  Do you just check them manually yourself. 

 

I check them myself. With MSC, the age of the guest has an impact on the price. I'm booking for a family of 4 so it isn't as simple as $xxx per person when those prices are usually for guests #1&#2.

 

There is also the Voyager's Club discount which in the past has been 5%, 5%+5%, 5%+10%, or 5%+15%. Those discounts can come and go at any time but it's possible to add a discount months after booking if a better discount comes along. For example, let's say I book and the total price after 5% discount is $5,000. Even if the price goes up months later but the discount is then 5%+5%, I can get the better discount applied to the original lower price. It can be tricky (MSC will often mess up a booking if changes are made) but so far, everything has worked for me with MSC.....eventually. 

[NyYankees2k3]

5 minutes ago, MsTabbyKats said:

I've been on MSC twice....with the general population and I loved it.  We're doing YC this time because of what I said about my husband.  But, when I saw it was cheaper to do YC than NCL "balcony guarantee"...booking MSC was a "no brainer".

 

I'm platinum on NCL....been in every kind of cabin they have, except Haven.  And the prices have gone wild!

 

We are really low key people...."buffet people"....because as a general rule, I've never cared for MDR food.  I even skip the specialty restaurants we're entitle to....because I like the NCL buffet so much.

 

My last cruise on MSC was a 7 day pizza party!  I did not like the buffet or the MDR.  But you can't beat the pizza (I'm a pizza snob).  I'm hoping to like YC food...but if not, there's pizza delivery.

Okay thanks. I agree there was a period of time we didn't go on NCL for about 1.5 years because of price hikes, however, we just went in November, have one next month, and May also.  The prices are higher, but we did get some pretty good deals on all of them.  Looking now for future ones, seems like prices are back up again, so that's why I was thinking about MSC.  I'm not very particular myself, when it comes to food, but I do try to avoid the buffets.  Thanks again for your feedback.

[NyYankees2k3]

3 minutes ago, Two Wheels Only said:

 

I check them myself. With MSC, the age of the guest has an impact on the price. I'm booking for a family of 4 so it isn't as simple as $xxx per person when those prices are usually for guests #1&#2.

 

There is also the Voyager's Club discount which in the past has been 5%, 5%+5%, 5%+10%, or 5%+15%. Those discounts can come and go at any time but it's possible to add a discount months after booking if a better discount comes along. For example, let's say I book and the total price after 5% discount is $5,000. Even if the price goes up months later but the discount is then 5%+5%, I can get the better discount applied to the original lower price. It can be tricky (MSC will often mess up a booking if changes are made) but so far, everything has worked for me with MSC.....eventually. 

 Okay thanks.  I have two kids 5 and 2.  We went on Carnival with my son this year (my last choice of cruise lines), but it was drivable.  We are flying to Florida with him in a few months to go on NCL.  Daughter is staying home.  I think we will wait to take everyone on a cruise, when daughter turns 4.  Right now I couldn't imagine all of us staying in the same cabin, but when you look at 2, costs go $$.  Thanks again.  Just wondering to you use TA for MSC, or you book directly?

[JGmf]

2 hours ago, Dr. Cocktail said:

I really enjoy the MSC vibe - VERY different from NCL but that's what I like!

 

OK, I'll bite - what is the vibe on the MSC ships and what do you like?

[Two Wheels Only]

19 minutes ago, NyYankees2k3 said:

Just wondering to you use TA for MSC, or you book directly?

 

I've done both but I usually book directly. MSC has this new "concierge" service which is basically an in-house travel agent. There was an issue with the MSC website (happens far too often) and I called the MSC concierge to secure a specific stateroom when the site would give an error message. I have a history of navigating MSC's website and gaining access to things that I shouldn't see but that's a story for another day....😉

 

 

I've spoken to the regular MSC phone reps plenty of times and I could easily tell that the concierge was more knowledgeable and helpful. I was booking a cruise for Christmas week and many different travel agents and even direct bookers tend to put phantom holds on suites. The concierge was able to see the error message and was able to flush out the posers who were holding the suite that I wanted. I was able to book and everything was exactly as it should have been. Without the concierge, I would have booked a more expensive suite (Owner's) even though my preference was the Royal Suite. As always, prices started to climb as more and more people booked. If there is a better promo or discount, I can contact the same concierge directly and make changes. I already got more OBC and nothing else had to be changed. 

Edited January 27, 2023 by Two Wheels Only

[DCGuy64]

1 hour ago, cruiseny4life said:

I'll always take the cheapest! If only I could convince someone. We both still work too, unfortunately we have a few decades before retirement will happen. Well, unless we win the jackpot! 

Yeah, similar, although in my case, I have (fingers crossed 🤞) only about 6 years to go until retirement. And I'm with you on the jackpot thing. 💰 If I win the lottery, it's early retirement time!

1 hour ago, cruiseny4life said:

I'm with you on finding affordable vacations, but just wanted to be sure you knew it is possible to find a humanely priced Haven suite. 🙂

Thanks, I appreciate that. One of these days, I'll see if we can swing a Haven cabin. I tried last year as a bid on an upgrade, but there were none to be had-all sold out! 

 

1 hour ago, cruiseny4life said:

That trip to Italy and Greece sounds heavenly!! Enjoy all that yummy Mediterranean food!

Oh definitely! Some of this will mimic our honeymoon cruise. And YES to Mediterranean food, this will be my 27th time in Italy and I can't wait! 🥣

[DCGuy64]

36 minutes ago, NyYankees2k3 said:

Just wondering to you use TA for MSC, or you book directly?

I realize your question was for @Two Wheels Only but thought I'd chip in on this: if you read the MSC boards on Cruise Critic, you're bound to come across some horrible reviews about MSC's customer service (as in, pre-cruise). Many people, quite naturally, assume that a poor service experience on land means the same thing on board. NOT TRUE. Many people have admitted once they returned from a cruise on MSC that the experience on board was light years ahead of the call center. We always book with a TA. He's a personal friend, he gets us great Voyager Club discounts (5%+10 on our last MSC cruise, August 2021), and he's always available. Plus he also cruises with MSC and others. One other tip I'd give is that the Europeans who were the majority of our fellow cruisers REALLY like to get gussied up at night. If you're the T-shirt and shorts types, you might find MSC comparatively stuffy, at night at least. I was surprised by how many long gowns and dinner jackets/suits I saw. Not everyone does this, of course, but certainly a higher percentage than, say, folks we've seen on NCL, RCI, and Carnival. Similarly, some of the wait staff is less in-your-face, "hey, how we doin' tonight?" than other lines. Service is good, but not as pushy or, dare I say it American. We like that, but others may not. Oh and MSC usually makes announcements in 5 languages, which puts the monolingual crowd off. 😉

[Dr. Cocktail]

3 hours ago, JGmf said:

 

OK, I'll bite - what is the vibe on the MSC ships and what do you like?

First off, I really enjoy (and this would throw a lot of Americans and Canadians) that the lingua franca as you're walking around in the evening is NOT English.  Italian, Spanish and German predominate.

 

As others have mentioned, the dress at night is MUCH blingier than on the usual suspects. People really do get dressed up on formal nights.

 

Some evenings make me think of what would happen if an Italian Wedding and a Bar Mitzvah took place simultaneously in the same room!  Lots of good-crazy energy!

 

Yes - the announcements are in a million languages but again, it really makes it feel like you didn't just sail out of South Florida.

 

Some sailings did (I'm not sure if they still do it) offer "opera"  which is different for a cruise ship but it's sung to a click track and really reminds me  of a SNL skit!  I was vaguely stupefied by it all but the crowd seems to eat it up! As an extremely frequent recital goer, I was told I was a snob and suck it up!

 

I think that there is a different approach to personal space but it's not as if you have a lot of space in ships in any case!  

Edited January 27, 2023 by Dr. Cocktail

[cruiseny4life]

9 minutes ago, Dr. Cocktail said:

As others have mentioned, the dress at night is MUCH blingier than on the usual suspects. People really do get dressed up on formal nights.

 

Interesting. Does MSC require this dress code or do cruisers just prefer to dress this way? Are guests allowed to wear shiorts, t-shirts, flippie floppies in the evening? I don't care if guests may give scowls, but if it's allowed/not allowed. I don't go where the dress code prohibits these items, but certainly don't mind if others dislike my clothing choices.

 

Thank you!

[gmbhardy]

35 minutes ago, Dr. Cocktail said:

 

 

Yes - the announcements are in a million languages but again, it really makes it feel like you didn't just sail out of South Florida.

On our last four MSC cruises out of Florida, the announcements were made in one language - English!

[Two Wheels Only]

49 minutes ago, cruiseny4life said:

Interesting. Does MSC require this dress code or do cruisers just prefer to dress this way? Are guests allowed to wear shiorts, t-shirts, flippie floppies in the evening? I don't care if guests may give scowls, but if it's allowed/not allowed. I don't go where the dress code prohibits these items, but certainly don't mind if others dislike my clothing choices.

 

Thank you!

 

With MSC, most dress codes are more like "suggestions" than hard rules. Even when something is specifically prohibited in writing (such as no shorts for dinner), the enforcement is (more often than not) inconsistent. 

 

You might be allowed to wear shorts on one day but denied entry in shorts the next day. It doesn't matter if it's Gala Night or not. You'll see someone in a tuxedo sitting next to someone in shorts. 

 

Some forum members were not allowed in the Yacht Club restaurant for dinner because of shorts. 

Some forum members wore shorts for dinner in the Yacht Club restaurant with no problem.

Either can happen with MSC. 

 

NCL's dress codes are written but aren't always enforced. 

MSC's dress codes are kinda/sorta written but enforcement is more unpredictable.  

Edited January 27, 2023 by Two Wheels Only

[Steff79]

i was twice at seaview yachtclub and one time at seaside. In may this year i will go seaview and seashore in yachtclub inside. ( all cruises for a price that i pay for a inside at NCL ). it is not so much luxus but a great product. never cruised haven at NCL so i can´t compare it to haven.

 

i think msc and ncl have many things the same at this ship class. great parties, many live music. yes shows in theater are better at NCL and food is better at NCL. But i´m OK with what MSC is doing/offer.

 

love the yachtclub very much, top sail lounge ist awesome. you can take breakfast at the yachtclub Restauarant or at the top deck outside. i did breakfast mostly at the top deck.

top sail lounge at yachtclub seaview

 

with yachtclub is the mini bar, internet and drinking package inclusive and spa and the yachtclub area also the Aurea area ( at my Europe booking and cruises ). At embarkation you have to look for the yachtclub embarkation, it is a own desk there somewhere.

 

at the top sail lounge they serve tea times at many days at 4pm or so, very nice with something to eat and celebrating tea.

 

my favourite desssert, the ice pyramide ( with ice cream inside )

 

if someone want to try msc the first time look for their status match before, MSC give you a higher status at their loyal program if you have a latitutes status for example at NCL or something.

 

 

Edited January 28, 2023 by Steff79

[gmbhardy]

2 hours ago, cruiseny4life said:

Interesting. Does MSC require this dress code or do cruisers just prefer to dress this way? Are guests allowed to wear shiorts, t-shirts, flippie floppies in the evening? I don't care if guests may give scowls, but if it's allowed/not allowed. I don't go where the dress code prohibits these items, but certainly don't mind if others dislike my clothing choices.

 

Thank you!

I’ve been on six Caribbean MSC cruises in the YC. I wear shorts in the YC restaurant except for gala night when I break down and wear long pants. On our last B2B in October on the Seashore , I would guess that close to half the male cruisers wore shorts to dinner.

[Dr. Cocktail]

2 hours ago, gmbhardy said:

On our last four MSC cruises out of Florida, the announcements were made in one language - English!

Yo baby! I haven’t been on since the “before !”

[pinklady65]

I travel solo and used to sail in the Haven (courtyard penthouse) but it is ridiculously expensive now. I tried MSC YC first 4 years ago and as others have said there are pros and cons for each.  However I prefer YC as I think the service is better and I like that everything is included ie Premium drinks, Premium Wifi and Spa access.  They have changed the minibar inclusivity (now there are only refills on the soda but you do get a litre of a spirit).  I stay in an interior as spend very little time in my cabin.

 

Here is my quick comparison

 

	Haven	YC
Priority check-in/boarding	y	y
Butler escort off ship	y	y
Butler escort back on ship	n	y
Butler escort to shows	y	y
Wifi included	n	y
Drinks included	y	y
Spa included*	n	y
Grill on sundeck	n	y
Restaurant menu changes	n	y
Daily snacks in lounge	n	y
Lounge entertainment	n	y
Daily snack delivery to cabin	y	y y

* NCL only if in spa cabin

 

One thing to note with MSC is that you can't make speciality restaurant bookings until you board.

 

The things I prefer on MSC are:

• Everything is included, the spas are amazing on the newer ships
• Fresh fish at the sundeck grill
• Butler escort back on the ship
• Pizza delivery service
• Cost

Edited January 28, 2023 by pinklady65

[pinklady65]

12 hours ago, gmbhardy said:

On our last four MSC cruises out of Florida, the announcements were made in one language - English!

The US cruises are only in English but if you sail in Europe then they are multi-lingual

[cruiseny4life]

16 hours ago, Two Wheels Only said:

 

With MSC, most dress codes are more like "suggestions" than hard rules. Even when something is specifically prohibited in writing (such as no shorts for dinner), the enforcement is (more often than not) inconsistent. 

 

You might be allowed to wear shorts on one day but denied entry in shorts the next day. It doesn't matter if it's Gala Night or not. You'll see someone in a tuxedo sitting next to someone in shorts. 

 

Some forum members were not allowed in the Yacht Club restaurant for dinner because of shorts. 

Some forum members wore shorts for dinner in the Yacht Club restaurant with no problem.

Either can happen with MSC. 

 

NCL's dress codes are written but aren't always enforced. 

MSC's dress codes are kinda/sorta written but enforcement is more unpredictable.  

 

14 hours ago, gmbhardy said:

I’ve been on six Caribbean MSC cruises in the YC. I wear shorts in the YC restaurant except for gala night when I break down and wear long pants. On our last B2B in October on the Seashore , I would guess that close to half the male cruisers wore shorts to dinner.

Thank you! This is really helpful with what actually happens on the ship. 

[mafig]

Bottled water included in YC drink package.  I still cannot get over NCL's policy on water.🤔

[gmbhardy]

10 minutes ago, mafig said:

Bottled water included in YC drink package.  I still cannot get over NCL's policy on water.🤔

I know it’s been said many times but for what you pay for the Haven, the premium plus beverage package (that includes bottled water)  should be included.

[Dr. Cocktail]

1 hour ago, gmbhardy said:

I know it’s been said many times but for what you pay for the Haven, the premium plus beverage package (that includes bottled water)  should be included.

When they were rolling out the "new" Haven program around when Getaway was launched (but correct me if I get the years wrong!), booking the Haven included 1) beverage package (many more inclusions) 2) gratuities 3) open dining pass (no limits on number of meals and 4) $300 obc that could be used to tip your butler and Concierge!  VERY similar to what you get on Celebrity's Retreat right now.

 

100% agree with your comments ....  but I think they're looking at their competition which  does include  The Retreat and RCI's Upper Suite Class and the Haven is still much cheaper than them.

 

I don't think that they take MSC as serious competition .... yet.

 

Totally off topic, I think that the other big 3 are very nervously looking over their shoulders at the launch of Explora ....

Edited January 28, 2023 by Dr. Cocktail

[wolft927]

So, as the OP I was looking at the Inside Yacht club. Now I do always have a balcony, but just priced the inside YC on the seascape for 7 day out of Miami in December and it was all in $2800. For that price it opens up the YC to an entire different price group which is awesome 

[phissy]

On 1/28/2023 at 2:41 AM, pinklady65 said:

I travel solo and used to sail in the Haven (courtyard penthouse) but it is ridiculously expensive now. I tried MSC YC first 4 years ago and as others have said there are pros and cons for each.  However I prefer YC as I think the service is better and I like that everything is included ie Premium drinks, Premium Wifi and Spa access.  They have changed the minibar inclusivity (now there are only refills on the soda but you do get a litre of a spirit).  I stay in an interior as spend very little time in my cabin.

 

Here is my quick comparison

 

	Haven	YC
Priority check-in/boarding	y	y
Butler escort off ship	y	y
Butler escort back on ship	n	y
Butler escort to shows	y	y
Wifi included	n	y
Drinks included	y	y
Spa included*	n	y
Grill on sundeck	n	y
Restaurant menu changes	n	y
Daily snacks in lounge	n	y
Lounge entertainment	n	y
Daily snack delivery to cabin	y	y y

* NCL only if in spa cabin

 

 

Just a quick correction.

You have drinks included in Haven . This is not correct. One must pay gratuities for drink package , which is hundreds per person. NCL does not include bottled water in drink packages.

YC has all drinks, WiFi, mini bar and spa included in YC price. 

 

[phissy]

We have sailed NCL , both in and outside of Haven.

Last two cruises on NCL were Haven, as we are able to book last minute for Alaska cruises.

NCL has cut many corners, especially in the Haven.

We have status matched on MSC to Diamond via our NCL status.

All our cruises on MSC have been in YC.

MSC has a good product with their YC and it is nice not to be hit by constant small fees like NCL.

MSC also has a reasonable DSC. NCL just raised theirs again.

 

Rumors of financial issues plaguing NCL, carrying a Hugh debt.

Read that NCL approached MSC, asked them to buy NCL.

MSC declined and will continue to build their own ships and continue their business model. 

[mafig]

20 minutes ago, phissy said:

 

 

Rumors of financial issues plaguing NCL, carrying a Hugh debt.

Read that NCL approached MSC, asked them to buy NCL.

MSC declined and will continue to build their own ships and continue their business model. 

I have heard that also.  Do you think it is true?

[Seas2mountains]

We typically choose NCL but most recently sailed in YC on MSC Divina earlier this month. We sailed in the Haven on NCL Getaway in September. 
 

MSC excels with YC embarkation as you get escorted after dropping luggage at the YC tent to a special YC security line and then to YC check-in. 
 

We also liked how the YC experience included premium wines like Oberon Cabernet with no need to pay for P+ and also included unlimited but sloooooooow wifi. 

 

On MSC Divina, the YC restaurant is in the aft area of the ship in Le Muse. The food and service were equal or slightly better than Haven. The menu does change daily for lunch and dinner. The dress code was not enforced.  People came to dinner and were seated with tank tops, shorts and flip flops.
 

If you don’t want to eat lunch at Le Muse, the YC One Pool area can make a burger cooked to order and had buffet items. There were more food options in One Pool on newer MSC ships like we experienced on Seaside. 

 

While we had better YC entertainment on Seaside in Top Sail than we experienced on Divina, it was still nice to be in the lounge rather than in other areas of the ship. 
 

The common areas of the ship outside of YC were a nightmare at times as it was so crowded. I’ve never seen people pack in a hot tub on a ship like we saw on MSC.  The bar service was close to not existent or had long waits at the bar at entertainment venues. 
 

We absolutely loved Ocean Cay and the special service at Ocean House.  
 

Our next two cruises are on NCL in Club Balcony cabins but we will cruise MSC YC later this year knowing the the trade off with entertainment in the evening. 
 

Here are some photos of Ocean Cay and room service menus. 
 

The room service pizza on MSC is amazing!