From Yacht Club back to Bella! Is there any going back?! Live review MSC Virtuosa 17-24th March.

[ConnieTact]

Our last four MSC cruises have all been in Yacht Club and we are sold on the product. Last week challenged that, when I noticed a super, last minute deal, offered by a Travel Agent. It was priced much less than MSC were listing, so I acted fast! The deal was for balcony at the same cost of inside so we went for that.

It was priced so well -We couldn’t believe our luck!

 

Then, reality dawned on us- we would not be sailing in Yacht Club! 😅 “Wot? No Butler?!” 😂

 

Further to this, I looked at what a guarantee Bella balcony may look like and it showed those enclosed metal ones! This prompted me to fill in all our details and ‘check in’ as we were only 7 days away! Immediately, our cabin number showed on my booking, and to my amazement and delight, it was an Aurora Balcony located midship- one of the best! 

 

We have been on Virtuosa three times and this will be the fourth, but the first time not in Yacht club! We had a balcony cabin on one of Grandiosa’s first sailings, but that was before we experienced the joys of yacht club and we haven’t looked back….until now! Everyone said, “once you’ve been in yacht club there’s no going back!” Well, let’s see about that! 

 

Follow along if you like, as I compare the same ship at two different levels. We are leaving from Southampton on Friday, and stopping at Hamburg, Bruges, Rotterdam and Le Havre.

[Fla Mike]

Looking forward to your comparison

 

[ConnieTact]

Thanks Fla Mike. Let me know if there is any particular area that is of interest. 
 

[Beamafar]

You should get anytime dining (though none of the other Aurea perks) as it’s the cabin that comes under the Aurea dining room purview, not the ‘Experience’ booked. 

[Beamafar]

1 hour ago, ConnieTact said:Everyone said, “once you’ve been in yacht club there’s no going back!” Well, let’s see about that! 

 

We’ve sailed in YC on numerous occasions, but we’ve also been in steerage (balcony cabins either Fantastica or Aurea).  We’ve enjoyed our time onboard no matter which ‘Experience’ we booked.  Even when in YC, we spend quite a bit of time around the rest of the ship, so we don’t always miss the enclave when not booked there. 

[kernow]

Look forward to hearing what you think, I keep seeing the bargain last minute deals on Virtuosa but a bit put off in case we would be forever comparing to YC. I know it's stupid as we happily switch between suites and balconies on RCL but somehow non YC on the same ship makes me nervous😀.

[ConnieTact]

2 hours ago, Beamafar said:

You should get anytime dining (though none of the other Aurea perks) as it’s the cabin that comes under the Aurea dining room purview, not the ‘Experience’ booked. 

Oh that would be good! I didn’t realise that. I knew we’d be stuck with the Bella experience but we are Platinum so get a few extra perks that we enjoy.

We will miss free breakfast in the cabin though. I guess we could just pay for the delivery though if we really felt lazy though!

[ConnieTact]

1 hour ago, kernow said:

Look forward to hearing what you think, I keep seeing the bargain last minute deals on Virtuosa but a bit put off in case we would be forever comparing to YC. I know it's stupid as we happily switch between suites and balconies on RCL but somehow non YC on the same ship makes me nervous😀.

That’s exactly how I felt until this bargain came along and at a time we felt like a last minute get away! 

We haven’t been in Haven on NCL and so don’t always live the high life! 😅 

it may feel strange but I have a feeling we’ll get along okay! Got to be better than work! 😜

[Beamafar]

22 minutes ago, ConnieTact said:

Oh that would be good! I didn’t realise that. I knew we’d be stuck with the Bella experience but we are Platinum so get a few extra perks that we enjoy.

Here’s hoping 🤞.  Perhaps you’ll let us know.  Either way, hope you have a wonderful cruise.  Ours is just 11 days away, now.  

[heatherb1958]

I saw that deal and we were tempted but have just splurged on other cruises for later in the year in suites , not MSC, so decided to keep the pennies 😄. 

There have been some amazing deals with cruiselines just lately 😎.  

 

We have cruised in Bella insides , you'll be fine , we have also had one of those Bella steel fronted balconies, 12019,  on Virtuosa and it was lovely and private . 

Well done on the upgraded result though 👏,  look forward to your review,  throughly enjoyed your last one . 

Edited March 16, 2023 by heatherb1958

[8420PR]

We have done multiple cruises in the YC and not in the YC, and had a great time on all of them.  

 

Bella certainly is a different experience (compared to the YC), but not necessarily a worse one.   The fixed dining times drives a different rhythm (e.g. dining, show, disco) and we tend to take part in more activities and meet more people when staying outside the YC.

 

I hope (and am pretty sure) you will have a great time!

[bigblue1952]

Looking forward to your comparison.  Enjoyed your last report and looking forward to this one.

[L1211]

Looking forward to your observations!  Happy sailing- 

[ConnieTact]

5 hours ago, Beamafar said:

Here’s hoping 🤞.  Perhaps you’ll let us know.  Either way, hope you have a wonderful cruise.  Ours is just 11 days away, now.  

Where are you going Beamafar? Hope you have a good one too!

[Beamafar]

Just now, ConnieTact said:

Where are you going Beamafar? Hope you have a good one too!

Thanks. We’re embarking World Europa in Abu Dhabi for a 16 night repositioning to the Med. 

[ConnieTact]

5 hours ago, heatherb1958 said:

I saw that deal and we were tempted but have just splurged on other cruises for later in the year in suites , not MSC, so decided to keep the pennies 😄. 

There have been some amazing deals with cruiselines just lately 😎.  

 

We have cruised in Bella insides , you'll be fine , we have also had one of those Bella steel fronted balconies, 12019,  on Virtuosa and it was lovely and private . 

Well done on the upgraded result though 👏,  look forward to your review,  throughly enjoyed your last one . 

I’ve read that the metal fronted balconies are nicely sheltered too. Always good to try new things. 
Thanks for your kind words. I was in two minds whether to do one or not-so I’m glad I’ve started! 

[ConnieTact]

4 hours ago, bigblue1952 said:

Looking forward to your comparison.  Enjoyed your last report and looking forward to this one.

Thanks for your encouragement Bigblue! 

[ConnieTact]

1 minute ago, Beamafar said:

Thanks. We’re embarking World Europa in Abu Dhabi for a 16 night repositioning to the Med. 

Great! We are on Europa in January and are looking forward to it. The ship looks amazing! Hope you’ll do a review. Have a fab time!

[ConnieTact]

4 hours ago, L1211 said:

Looking forward to your observations!  Happy sailing- 

Thank you L1211.

[ConnieTact]

He never wants us to leave!! If I could zip him into a packing cube I would! 😻😂

lit does hold up the packing though! 

[Morecruisesplz]

Following along... enjoy!!!

[LiquidWu]

Have a nice cruise, I am curious how your "experiment" ends.
I get on in 2 days in Hamburg, but did not have your courage and stayed in the YC 😉

[ConnieTact]

1 hour ago, LiquidWu said:

Have a nice cruise, I am curious how your "experiment" ends.
I get on in 2 days in Hamburg, but did not have your courage and stayed in the YC 😉

I’ll give you a wave LiquidWu if I see you being escorted past us by your butler! 😜👋🏽

[ConnieTact]

Two small worries about todays travels!

A text we both received yesterday from MSC to say don’t come to the terminal early as Virtuosa will arrive late today! 
Then, there has been industrial action on our railways in U.K. 😅

Last night, I looked at the Railway website- and little yellow warning triangle was placed on all our possible train journeys from Bristol to Southampton! 
Although we had bought tickets this promoted me to contact friends who live nearby (& who happen to be cruising in New Zealand now!) to ask if I can have a Plan B to drive down to Southampton and park outside their house! This plan B is now on stand by!

Today I woke up to find that Virtuosa is now nearly arriving so panic over! Also our trains, although still showing triangles, are so far showing ‘on time’!

[ConnieTact]

We’re on the train to Southampton! It’s just a small three carriage train and it’s fairly full due to the strike yesterday and the day before. We have seats though and can keep an eye on our small cases. 
The train driver smiled at me as he drew into the station. I then remembered my great grandfather was a steam engine driver all those years ago! Trains were very different then but drivers just as smiley!