Yacht Club vs Explora Journeys

[morpheusofthesea]

Tonight we were invited to dine with Captain Serana and two other couples. It was a very nice experience. We were escorted to dinner at Fil Rouge by our butler, Anil, to a round table of seven. The Captain does not drink alcohol while on the ship. She had the house distilled water. She sleeps generally 5 hours a night. The conversation revolved around all the fine alcohols and some that are still missing on board the ship, what she likes to drink when she is home. Stories about her husband, her life at sea and whether she will be going over to Explora II, the great places in the world she loves, the reasons passengers cruise to unknown foreign places is they feel safer doing it on cruise ships.

  One couple is an avid MSC Yacht Club cruiser (like us) and the other couple have never been on MSC ships , but were on the inaugural sailing of Explora. The inaugural couple confirmed that all the problems they encountered on the inaugural have been rectified. The Captain said the first groups of passengers were mainly around 400 nonpaying travel agents and influencers being used as test subjects. Also that the comment slips are closely examined and acted upon. My contribution was why no Venchi Chocolate. She said that the aim of Explora is to be different, though she mentioned the possibility of fine Swiss chocolate maker being looked into.

  The conversation was polite with no complaints and our maitre d' was kind enough to take our three cell phones and take our pictures with the Captain at the end of the meal around the table. It would have gone on longer, but the couple from the inaugural wanted to get to the show and  we called it a night.

P.S. It is hard to remember every detail as I did not take out my note pad I had tucked away in my pocket. Didn't want to be like that reporter throwing up difficult questions when I was being invited to her party. I did mention we were afraid to come on this cruise because of all the negative social media postings. But after a week and a half we just booked another cruise today on Explora II.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Waltershipman]

2 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Tonight we were invited to dine with Captain Serana and two other couples. It was a very nice experience. We were escorted to dinner at Fil Rouge by our butler, Anil, to a round table of seven. The Captain does not drink alcohol while on the ship. She had the house distilled water. She sleeps generally 5 hours a night. The conversation revolved around all the fine alcohols and some that are still missing on board the ship, what she likes to drink when she is home. Stories about her husband, her life at sea and whether she will be going over to Explora II, the great places in the world she loves, the reasons passengers cruise to unknown foreign places is they feel safer doing it on cruise ships.

  One couple is an avid MSC Yacht Club cruiser (like us) and the other couple have never been on MSC ships , but were on the inaugural sailing of Explora. The inaugural couple confirmed that all the problems they encountered on the inaugural have been rectified. The Captain said the first groups of passengers were mainly around 400 nonpaying travel agents and influencers being used as test subjects. Also that the comment slips are closely examined and acted upon. My contribution was why no Venchi Chocolate. She said that the aim of Explora is to be different, though she mentioned the possibility of fine Swiss chocolate maker being looked into.

  The conversation was polite with no complaints and our maitre d' was kind enough to take our three cell phones and take our pictures with the Captain at the end of the meal around the table. It would have gone on longer, but the couple from the inaugural wanted to get to the show and  we called it a night.

P.S. It is hard to remember every detail as I did not take out my note pad I had tucked away in my pocket. Didn't want to be like that reporter throwing up difficult questions when I was being invited to her party. I did mention we were afraid to come on this cruise because of all the negative social media postings. But after a week and a half we just booked another cruise today on Explora II.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Well said. We were on in October and loved it. Late this month we go on Oceania Vista so will be an interesting comparison if that is possible. E J is extraordinary fir the cruising world

 

Thanks for your comments. When we were on board we never interactsd with Captain  but did meet a great many lovely crew members 

 

Enjoy your time i look forward to your posts

[morpheusofthesea]

3 hours ago, Waltershipman said:

Well said. We were on in October and loved it. Late this month we go on Oceania Vista so will be an interesting comparison if that is possible. E J is extraordinary fir the cruising world

 

Thanks for your comments. When we were on board we never interactsd with Captain  but did meet a great many lovely crew members 

 

Enjoy your time i look forward to your posts

Thank you for all your kind words on this thread and on the Explora CC Forum which I have abandoned. We learned a unique way to toast. The Captain proposed a toast with raised glasses that involved a 'wave' instead of the traditional clinking of glasses across the table. We raised our glass of spirit/water and she began by clinking the glass to her left, the person on the left to her left and so on until the person on her right clinked the Captain's glass. Each of us had only two clinks, from the left to the right in a wave.  We asked Heike , general manager, why we were picked and her answer "For many reasons". I believe this is where there is a solid link between MSC and Explora Journeys on their computers. When on board the Seascape we went to the the Top Sail Lounge to book a couple of cruises with Ms. Buse and booked 5 for 2024 in the YC. After signing our lives away to MSC she produced a print out of ALL our bookings for 2024 and 2025 in the YC which filled the page ("The many reasons"). 

[morpheusofthesea]

I am remembering some other points discussed. I brought up the fact that we feel the safest aboard the ships of MSC having been told the story of the founding of MSC by Captain Massa some years ago on the Seaside. He brought up the origins starting with the Achille Lauro and Captain Achille Lauro said "Never Again" hiring the best security in the world for his ships. A traditional carried on by the Aponte family.

[maehara]

1 hour ago, morpheusofthesea said:

He brought up the origins starting with the Achille Lauro and Captain Achille Lauro said "Never Again" hiring the best security in the world for his ships.

Sailed on the Achille Lauro way back in 1988 (I was 15 then; you can do the maths from there) - that would've been a few years after the hijacking, and our youth leaders made a point of showing us where certain events had happened (allegedly - couldn't exactly confirm it ourselves!).

 

On the one hand, brought to life things we'd only knew about from the news; on the other, not necessarily what you want to know when you're stuck on the ship for 2 weeks...

[morpheusofthesea]

9 minutes ago, maehara said:

brought to life things we'd only knew about from the news; on the other, not necessarily what you want to know when you're stuck on the ship for 2 weeks..

That is what travel is all about. Visiting places we learn about in books.

[morpheusofthesea]

8 hours ago, Waltershipman said:

When we were on board we never interactsd with Captain  but did meet a great many lovely crew members 

Today we received another invitation to have lunch in Fil Rouge again, this time with the ship's officers. We went to guest services and thanked them for the additional invitation, but we felt we already 'hit the lottery' having dinner with the Captain last night and it only be fair to give up our places at the officer's table for someone else to enjoy. This morning our waiter asked if we will be attending the special lunch with officers and told him what I just told you. He tried to entice us by bringing over the special lunch menu which I graciously perused and told him not to save our seats for us, rather give them to someone else to enjoy. All the hosts are very kind to us and many call us by name, just like Celebrity Retreat. We once during restart on the Celebrity Edge's second sailing we were exploring this new ship and out from a restaurant came a gentleman and addressed us by our surnames. I brought this to the attention of Rodrigo the guest services Manager who said of course we have all the pictures of the top suite guests pinned up in our office. Explora must be taking all the good points of all the cruise lines and implementing them on this ship. The Captain mentioned that Explora I is just a prototype still in progress. The way she described it I felt like the name of this ship should be called the "Enterprise" " Earth's first starship capable of traveling at warp five, as it explores the galaxy and encounters various alien species."

P.S. We are treated in the same manner on any MSC ship in their Yacht Clubs, like Royalty, many times 'Sir' Morpheus as well.

Edited January 3 by morpheusofthesea

[Waltershipman]

6 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Thank you for all your kind words on this thread and on the Explora CC Forum which I have abandoned. We learned a unique way to toast. The Captain proposed a toast with raised glasses that involved a 'wave' instead of the traditional clinking of glasses across the table. We raised our glass of spirit/water and she began by clinking the glass to her left, the person on the left to her left and so on until the person on her right clinked the Captain's glass. Each of us had only two clinks, from the left to the right in a wave.  We asked Heike , general manager, why we were picked and her answer "For many reasons". I believe this is where there is a solid link between MSC and Explora Journeys on their computers. When on board the Seascape we went to the the Top Sail Lounge to book a couple of cruises with Ms. Buse and booked 5 for 2024 in the YC. After signing our lives away to MSC she produced a print out of ALL our bookings for 2024 and 2025 in the YC which filled the page ("The many reasons"). 

Sounds wonderful 

Why have you abandoned the EJ site. I have noticed you are nit posting there yet i have found your posts. Happy i didENJOY

 

While i was never at one of these special meals whike on E J always felt special and simply delighted to be on board 

 

ENJOY

[morpheusofthesea]

Slowly other points were brought up about MSC. I said something (don't remember what) and it triggered this response from the Captain. " MSC had 200 groundings last year of its container ships and no one has heard a thing about them, but just one incident of its cruise department is all over the news."

[Av8tor]

7 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Slowly other points were brought up about MSC. I said something (don't remember what) and it triggered this response from the Captain. " MSC had 200 groundings last year of its container ships and no one has heard a thing about them, but just one incident of its cruise department is all over the news."

200 groundings in one year 😲  sounds like they need better container ship captains!!

[Mark_T]

3 hours ago, Av8tor said:

200 groundings in one year 😲  sounds like they need better container ship captains!!

When you consider the state of some of the ports that they service with their roughly 790 container ships, and that 'grounding' can just amount to getting caught on a sand bar for a couple of hours, it isn't quite the drama it might appear to be...

[morpheusofthesea]

Our cruise is coming to an end. Comparing the Yacht Club to their 'sister ' product, they are more alike than they are different. The attention one receives is the same. If one stays in the YC it is the same product for a lot less. Much attention is given to food on Explora and its Emporium no touching being served your food, variety is the best we have encountered (we are still novices in the luxury market). Out of 645 hosts on board the biggest department is Food & Beverage and its emphasis is the mainstay of this cruise line. The YC does come close with Chef Lisa, but she is the only one we have come across for consistency and is only on one Seaship , though have read consistent good reports of Divina Le Muse cuisine. Entertainment is exactly the same on both lines, good to mediocre, but we do not care as long as we have some to fill up our evenings. The YC can be over run and crowded during holidays, with move up offers, YCers inviting in their fiends and family, giving them their wrist bands to get in, interlopers sneaking into the YC, casino passengers given access, and Friends and family of ship's officers allowed access. Our recommendation is to try (but not at all costs) to book Explora during these peak holiday times instead of MSC YC. One will always have a better time on Explora not having to deal with the 'wider audience".

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 4 by morpheusofthesea

[morpheusofthesea]

Another concerning element we read about with great consternation was that of 'forcing' passengers to drink the ship distilled water by not providing bottled mineral water. We brought on 2 cases of "Fiji" having read prior accounts of none to be found. This week we have been offered Acqua Panna in all the restaurants we frequent. We find Acqua Panna always available and complimentary on MSC Seaships in the Yacht Club. Was searching for something in writing in the terms & conditions page about US departures now offering payments in US dollars instead of Euros. Placing our deposit two years ago on this cruise ("journey") we use a BoA credit card which offers 3% cash back on travel and boA charged us $150 for the conversion of euros into dollars. I found this instead: "2.5 The Journey fare includes the following items: suite accommodation, meals on board, alcoholic beverages, cocktails, soft drinks, mineral water, gratuities, port charges, WiFi internet access, entertainment where offered and complimentary transfers from port to town centre where applicable. Depending on the suite category or the promotional fare booked, additional benefits can be granted. The Fare does not include any medical expenses, any independent contractors' services or products, or Destination Experiences. Food & Beverage exclusive products can be available for an additional fee." Still looking for the 'in writing' new policy of charging payments in dollars instead of Euros for US sailings.

Edited January 4 by morpheusofthesea

[KittyCruz]

On 12/28/2023 at 11:54 AM, morpheusofthesea said:

   It all depends on your service. What would you feel you would appreciate for the service you provided if the shoe was on the other foot?

 

I was unsure about a lot of things, so I went in search of information and found this university study on tipping. "The common feature of all forms of tipping is the voluntary and discretionary nature of the tip: the consumer is free to choose how much to tip, if at all. This definition excludes service charges, imposed gratuities, and imposed tips which have nothing in common with voluntary tipping."

Being one's first time with no past experience of what to expect from a butler it can be a challenge. Let us take the example mentioned here. Some of us have experienced the assemblage of YC guests meeting in the TopSail Lounge for a 'group' escort off the ship to "fend for themselves" on the pier, while others are approached the night before by their personal butler (a good one) asking one's plans and setting up an appointment to be picked up at one's cabin and escorted (without a group) personally to one's seat (coach or private car). 

  Then the steward (jr butler), $20 /day; waiter $40/day (we eat all 3 meals with them), $2-3 every drink delivery, etc. Concierges generally $20 each unless something special was requested.

  https://www.researchgate.net/publication/23748777_The_Social_Norm_of_Tipping_A_Review

I concur to all of this!  

Our second night we noticed a charge added to our bill, it was not clear what it was so we asked the butler and he explained it was the gratuity, we thanked him for the explanation and shut the door.  

We had already planned and budgeted for additional tips, but seeing that amount really gave heed to the situation.

Although after reading this, I now know that ones butler needs to be asking us the night before about our plans... 

[morpheusofthesea]

3 minutes ago, KittyCruz said:

I now know that ones butler needs to be asking us the night before about our plans... 

This is the first sign you got a good butler.....

[KittyCruz]

18 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

This is the first sign you got a good butler.....

we didn't get a bad butler by any means, both he and our jr butler were pretty awesome with the service and it was determined our first, but not last YC cruise.   I employed many of the tips I've learned from reading your poop deck reports and they worked like a charm.  

[PTC DAWG]

32 minutes ago, KittyCruz said:

I concur to all of this!  

Our second night we noticed a charge added to our bill, it was not clear what it was so we asked the butler and he explained it was the gratuity, we thanked him for the explanation and shut the door.  

We had already planned and budgeted for additional tips, but seeing that amount really gave heed to the situation.

Although after reading this, I now know that ones butler needs to be asking us the night before about our plans... 

Were you not aware of daily service charges?  Almost all lines work this way.  It is usually in the FAQ areas of a cruise lines website.  

Edited January 4 by PTC DAWG

[kelleherdl]

On 1/3/2024 at 4:26 AM, morpheusofthesea said:

Thank you for all your kind words on this thread and on the Explora CC Forum which I have abandoned. We learned a unique way to toast. The Captain proposed a toast with raised glasses that involved a 'wave' instead of the traditional clinking of glasses across the table. We raised our glass of spirit/water and she began by clinking the glass to her left, the person on the left to her left and so on until the person on her right clinked the Captain's glass. Each of us had only two clinks, from the left to the right in a wave.  We asked Heike , general manager, why we were picked and her answer "For many reasons". I believe this is where there is a solid link between MSC and Explora Journeys on their computers. When on board the Seascape we went to the the Top Sail Lounge to book a couple of cruises with Ms. Buse and booked 5 for 2024 in the YC. After signing our lives away to MSC she produced a print out of ALL our bookings for 2024 and 2025 in the YC which filled the page ("The many reasons"). 

EJ and MSC Yacht Club are all over Cruise Critic. Your humility in wondering what the ‘many reasons’ might be rivals Mark Twain  😀. Senior Management definitely knows who is on board. I’m willing to bet they are even aware who our TAs are.  (Just kidding)

Edited January 4 by kelleherdl

[morpheusofthesea]

20 minutes ago, kelleherdl said:

Your humility in wondering what the ‘many reasons’ might be rivals Mark Twain  😀. 

Yes, Professor. Your comment immediately brought to mind my favorite toast by Robert Burns “Here’s to us! And who is better than us? Damn few, and they’re all dead!”

[awatt]

@morpheusofthesea Did you notice any solos on your cruise?

[morpheusofthesea]

15 minutes ago, awatt said:

@morpheusofthesea Did you notice any solos on your cruise?

Yes

[morpheusofthesea]

Here is a note of caution. Last cruise there was a lovely couple that got on the dance floor in the Journeys Lounge and were an absolute delight to watch. In passing we said how enjoyable it was to watch them, the gentleman responded there was more to come this cruise, but there wasn't. We see this cruise she is being pushed around in a wheel chair. At lunch we stopped by their table and expressed our shock. While on St Kitts they took an ATV tour and she had a terrible accident, 3 broken ribs and collapsed lung. The hospital was truly third world. The ship responded immediately. She said she got better treatment on the ship and they were both happy in the way the ship took care of them. They will be back next January on Explora and on the dance floor, minus anymore ATV excursions.

P.S. On the comment card we gave to Ms. Heilke #5 was how much we appreciated the escort of a destinations representative on the tours with us. The ship was there in 15 minutes to help.

Edited January 4 by morpheusofthesea

[morpheusofthesea]

Got up this morning and the ship was different. All the Christmas decorations are gone. Also all the 'Happy New Year' greetings( they stopped on Jan 2nd.)

Edited January 4 by morpheusofthesea

[Waltershipman]

55 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Here is a note of caution. Last cruise there was a lovely couple that got on the dance floor in the Journeys Lounge and were an absolute delight to watch. In passing we said how enjoyable it was to watch them, the gentleman responded there was more to come this cruise, but there wasn't. We see this cruise she is being pushed around in a wheel chair. At lunch we stopped by their table and expressed our shock. While on St Kitts they took an ATV tour and she had a terrible accident, 3 broken ribs and collapsed lung. The hospital was truly third world. The ship responded immediately. She said she got better treatment on the ship and they were both happy in the way the ship took care of them. They will be back next January on Explora and on the dance floor, minus anymore ATV excursions.

P.S. On the comment card we gave to Ms. Heilke #5 was how much we appreciated the escort of a destinations representative on the tours with us. The ship was there in 15 minutes to help.

On our EJ cruise in October there was one couple who danced beautifully while certain music was played. They had no accidents

[KittyCruz]

4 hours ago, PTC DAWG said:

Were you not aware of daily service charges?  Almost all lines work this way.  It is usually in the FAQ areas of a cruise lines website.  

Our last MSC cruise we pre paid for gratuities upfront at time of booking, so having something show up later while we were at sea was odd.  Either way it was money well spent as well as the last evening issuance of the green.   We really did enjoy the YC.