Yacht Club vs Explora Journeys

[morpheusofthesea]

Food is a 'Big thing' with these cruise ships. Sure I love going every 4-6 weeks on a 7 day cruise just to sample ( get away from my DW's cooking) different cuisine. ( she seldom reads my posts because much of what I write upsets her...she can't handle the truth as are many of you who are in the same camp as she.) The most important and lest advertised are the chefs on board, NOT the Captains. It is the chef that makes or breaks a cruise. I wish the YouTubers and influencers grab and run with this information. It would change the cruising industry.

[morpheusofthesea]

14 minutes ago, no1talks said:

 

Based on YC reports from World Europa, I'm hesitant to book World America's YC.

 

A great many more rooms without a proportionate increase in dining room and lounge size is not a plus.

That is a problem. Only hoping MSC keeps a Seaship home ported in Miami giving us all a choice.

[happy cruzin 2]

58 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

We understand. We are presently booked on other MSC Seaships and looking forward to MSC World of America as well. All Yacht Club only.

  IF we were to return to Explora it would have to be a bigger cabin at a price comparable to RS or OS on MSC. I would have to 'look the other way' about my reserved pergola on the One Pool Deck and DW would have to resign herself to carrying bottled water to every venue. Others would, I am sure, be happy with the former ...price.

I agree we are in a RS in February out of Miami. We Had an penthouse in November was not impressed with the room. We were in 6086 it was right above astern lounge. You could hear the music thankfully it was over around 10:30  in the evening 

[morpheusofthesea]

Here is another difference between Yacht Club and Explora. Chocolates on ones pillow every night. 

https://www.tripsavvy.com/the-origin-of-the-hotel-pillow-chocolate-3301205

 

Only the luxury hotels continue this tradition.

[morpheusofthesea]

8 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Here is another difference between Yacht Club and Explora. Chocolates on ones pillow every night. 

https://www.tripsavvy.com/the-origin-of-the-hotel-pillow-chocolate-3301205

 

Only the luxury hotels continue this tradition.

All except Explora (hotel) Journeys.

"Give me the luxuries of life and I will willingly do without the necessities." Frank Llyod Wright . Found every evening at our beside in a special coaster on Seaships Yacht Club.

Edited December 27, 2023 by morpheusofthesea

[morpheusofthesea]

We have the same chair hogs on Explora more so in the Conservatory (Jungle Pool).

[morpheusofthesea]

Resident vocalist, Lydia Cristina has a fine voice. Sometimes drowned out by her backup band. Last night she took the first show, followed by a magician and then Luke the male vocalist did the second show of tunes. At the same time the Latin Trio performed in the Astern Lounge. Too bad one has to walk around until 8pm for the doors to open for the Journeys Lounge. There is very limited seating down the hallway at the Lobby bar which was all taken. On the Seaships one has the YC option of entering the Theatres early and finding a seat before any performance and no one 'bothers' you.

P.S. "Man does not live by bread alone." This cruise line can not be judged by food alone which we all can agree is good.  I am using the phrase in almost the opposite sense to justify material luxuries beyond simple things like bread (food).

Edited December 27, 2023 by morpheusofthesea

[Fissues]

Welcome to Guadeloupe! French food!

Edited December 27, 2023 by Fissues

[morpheusofthesea]

Today is a beautiful day anchored at Deshais pronounced Deh heh. Took the "Death in Paradise " TV show tour. The three lifeboats acted as our tenders for the day. A five minute tender ride. There were 11 passengers that booked this tour and Explora sent along a destinations representative along with us on a new clean Mercedes air conditioned bus. Noticed they drive on the same side of the road as the US. The most impressive stop is the Honore Police station.$15 entry fee included in the price of the tour. It has a kiosk inside selling DIP t-shirts $30 and tote bags $20. The place is really 'run down' and not the bright colorful clean set in the show. As a matter of fact the entire island we saw on the tour suggested why stop here at all? The second delightful stop was this rundown dive they said was Catherine's Bar. There is no way anybody would choose to stop here if it wasn't part of the tour. Reminds me of when Dorothy wakes up in the "Wizard of Oz" from the vibrant colors of Hollywood film to the stark black and white of reality. Nicest part of the tour are the ship tenders do not wait for the tender to fill to capacity and we were able, just us 12, to jump on and get back to the ship in time for lunch at the Emporeum.

[morpheusofthesea]

Just to add. The Emporeum closes at 2:30pm , but the Grill section which they call in the program the "Burger Corner" is open to 3:30pm.

  Bumped into Lydia Cristina at the carving station in the Emporeum and expressed our admiration for her singing. She told us that the following cruise will be all different shows in the Journeys Lounge. That there are around 250 new guests joining the ship in San Juan and 250 are staying on til Miami. Those of us B2Bers DO NOT need to get off the ship, will have the same key cards if not changing cabins and just take cabin card, ID and small "In Transit" card given to us yesterday to get back on anytime should we decide to get off.

[morpheusofthesea]

One nice lady, part of our tour group expressed relief and gratitude as she sat down in the tender for the return trip to the ship. Only the faux pax was she exclaimed "It's nice to get back to Seabourn." Catching the mistake she asked "Oh, is this your first time on Explora?" As if astounded if it had been more? DW responded "No its our first time we are MSC Yacht clubbers". "Oh". Got the impression we 'stepped in something'.

[Essiesmom]

I would be doubtful about not getting off the ship in San Juan.  I’ve done a B2B with turnaround in San Muan and we had to get off.  It might be someone comes on to clear you, instead of getting off.  EM

[morpheusofthesea]

2 minutes ago, Essiesmom said:

I would be doubtful about not getting off the ship in San Juan

I find that you have better intel than those that are supposed to know these things. Will report.

[happy cruzin 2]

When we did this cruise in November we did not have to get off at San Juan  on our back to back

[morpheusofthesea]

Now this is very telling; posted in today’s daily program is the same posting we see recurring in MSC’s daily program ASKING guests to adhere to some decent modicum of proper dress for the restaurants. No shorts or flip flops. Did not expect this needed to be posted on a luxury cruise/hotel line. Must be too many Yacht Club upstarts on this cruise.

[morpheusofthesea]

Entertainment tonight was very good. "Tabitha" is a multi talented singer songwriter pianist and guitarist using the backup resident band to do two different shows to night. She was followed by, the first ever for Explora, comedian Andrew Grose. At the end of his set he mentioned he would have a get together for a Q&A or as Explora would say an "inquiry and exploration". (Noting Explora's love of new titles).It was a very enjoyable evening of entertainment. "Tabitha" was hired just for this week and will be getting off in San Juan and going over to Princess cruises. Hopefully we will be treated to more guest performers getting on the ship in San Juan ? 

[Nikita4]

Morpheusofthese:
On Explora all pax are treated on the same way, there are no YC- special-services like on MSC YC Ships. So if you want to have a special service, take a YC Cabin. It logical there are no reserved seats in a theater or special wating lines. For me Explora is not really a luxury line, it's a smaller Ship.

[morpheusofthesea]

54 minutes ago, Nikita4 said:

Morpheusofthese:
On Explora all pax are treated on the same way, there are no YC- special-services like on MSC YC Ships. So if you want to have a special service, take a YC Cabin. It logical there are no reserved seats in a theater or special wating lines. For me Explora is not really a luxury line, it's a smaller Ship.

This is why we enjoy the Yacht Clubs

 

That is why cruising has so many types of ships. If exotic destinations are ones 'wish list' like Antarctica or the Society Islands, then smaller ships are the only way to go. If "dancing" is a priority a good travel agent could research which ships and theme cruises would satisfy ones desire. I recall dancing every evening on NCL Breakaway in their 'Manhattan Supper Club'. One just has to make up ones own list'. Here is our list for those that might have missed it, that Yacht Club has all of them.

Never sailed on a MSC ship in a cabin outside the Yacht Club. But we can list now all the things to look out for when booking any cruise ship.

#1 E muster drill is better

#2 Two cabin cleanings per day

#3 No % charge for gambling if using credit card

#4 No extra charge for can sodas vs fountain drinks

#5 Reserved seating in the theatre for all shows

#6 Complimentary bottled water (not ship distilled with unsanitary reusable bottles)

#7 Reserved or ability to reserve pergola/cabanas on pool deck (avoiding chair hogs)

#8 'Cushioned' pool lounges

#9 Escorts on and off ship avoiding long lines

#10 First to use tenders off the ship at ports that tender

#11 Dedicated restaurant that is so good one need not book Specialty Restaurants

#12 Service that does not involve 2 hours to complete a meal

#13 An attentive butler not hard to find when needed

#14 Cabins ready upon embarkation/ key cards in hand at checkin

#15 Dedicated restaurant OPEN port days

#16 Dedicated buffet to only suite guests

#17 Dedicated pool and sun deck only for suite guests with ample lounges

# 18 All the advantages of a mega ship with the exclusivity of a gated community

#19 walk-in shower not low profile tub/shower combo

#20 No non-suite paying Pinnacle/Zenith/Diamond passengers taking up prime real estate in the Yacht Club

#21 Elevator over-ride key cards for suite guests

#22 Pristine out island with NO bugs crawling all over cabanas

#23 short distance between cabin and restaurant decks

#24 At least a 100 sq ft balcony accommodating a cushioned lounge chair

#25 A reserved table for 2 for all meals in a dedicated restaurant with the same waiters for 'most' every meal

 Now many on this list are not needed or have been accommodated on Explora like elevator over ride or escorts.  

 

Edited December 28, 2023 by morpheusofthesea

[morpheusofthesea]

1 hour ago, Nikita4 said:

Explora is not really a luxury line, it's a smaller Ship.

MSC is not considered a luxury line, but we experience a level of service and accommodation by far the best in those cruise lines that provide "a ship within a ship" concept. Having heard and read that Explora is nothing like a true luxury line like Regent, Seabourn, Oceania (one can debate) we aim to find out. We have for 50 years experienced destination cruises on Marco Polo, Home Lines, Orient Lines in two lower berths on the inside. It is just these last few years and covid that pushed us 'over the edge' into the suites category and after the Coastal Kitchen, Haven, Retreat have landed on MSC Yacht Club. Now the MSC andYC advertised this new all YC product called Explora Journeys so we booked a cabin we thought was the same size as the Royal Suite on the Seaships and came with a butler that we have become accustomed to. Perhaps it is NOT a luxury line we are looking for but a level of attention we have come to enjoy in the Yacht Clubs.

   Due to the horror stories of Spring Break and holiday cruises being 'mosh pits' with over indulging drunks we decided to try Regent Grandeur in a Grand Suite this new year Spring break. Oceania Vista Owners suite for Spring Break in 2025. (Hope springs eternal).

   So maybe it is NOT luxury of being egalitarian on a luxury line that we seek, but more treated like royalty and MSC Yacht Clubs strokes our fancy. We will find out.

[morpheusofthesea]

2 hours ago, Nikita4 said:

On Explora all pax are treated on the same way,

So we have been led to believe. But truly not so. Perhaps it is not written anywhere. But our  butler intimates differently. Residences gets a different level of preferential treatment not advertised. Let us just say we are being accommodated like in the Yacht Clubs.

P.S. And we are tipping accordingly.

Edited December 28, 2023 by morpheusofthesea

[morpheusofthesea]

Suppose one really must define 5 and 6 star hotel/cruise experience first.

"6 star cruising is where absolutely everything is included in the cruise. With 5 star cruises, many but not all things will be included, such as beverages, shore excursions, speciality restaurants, gratuities and more.Mar 13, 2021"......

So in our list we find we are really NOT looking for a 5 or 6 star hotel/cruise experience. We do not want or need our air flights, tours/shore excursions off the ship, gratuities, specialty restaurants included. We are spending upwards of $2000 per person per day for service. Something we find we are getting for $600 per person per day in the MSC Yacht Clubs.  So @Nikita4 is right on target, we should be sticking with MSC Yacht Clubs for the right 'bang for our buck' and just avoid Spring Breaks and holiday periods with families and booze cruisers. These 6 star seekers are just high end bargain hunters the same as we used to be low end $100 per person per day bargain hunters. They expect everything to be included, just like those that are outraged paying $5 for a second entree. Reminds me of a Winston Churchill story "What kind of woman do you think I am?
He: We’ve already established that. Now we’re just haggling over the price."

[morpheusofthesea]

I have a distinct idea that problems experienced by this advertised egalitarian atmosphere of everyone being treated the same is an illusion. I will not go into details or even try to prove this as we do not have our hearts set on anything in particular. But just the way our butler phrased it to us on our first day If we should encounter any problems (he did not want to give examples and 'plant any seeds') that we should see him as he is a "genie" that can perform miracles on the ship. Though we did ask him to arrange for our own table with the same waiter for all our dinners, which he took to immediately and escorted us the first evening to make sure we were recognized by wait staff, exactly what we have come to expect from booking a Yacht Club suite (RS or OS).

[morpheusofthesea]

DW went to one of the bars in the off chance of getting a bottled water. No. But as stated earlier we got prior authorization from Geneva and we have all the bottled Aqua Penna stock in our cabin and every empty is replaced the same day. Besides allowed to bring on board 2 cases of Fiji water. Our butler said that our room stewardess handles the bedroom and bath and he handles the living and dining areas and everything else.

[JAGR]

41 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

DW went to one of the bars in the off chance of getting a bottled water. No. But as stated earlier we got prior authorization from Geneva and we have all the bottled Aqua Penna stock in our cabin and every empty is replaced the same day. Besides allowed to bring on board 2 cases of Fiji water. Our butler said that our room stewardess handles the bedroom and bath and he handles the living and dining areas and everything else.

Just curious, and it may be semantics or Explora Journeys terminology, but you mentioned a room stewardess. In YC terms, that would be the Junior Butler, correct?  The reason I ask is that on our first YC sailing, it was stressed to us that Junior Butler was a coveted title that the holder was very proud to own.

[morpheusofthesea]

12 minutes ago, JAGR said:

Just curious, and it may be semantics or Explora Journeys terminology, but you mentioned a room stewardess. In YC terms, that would be the Junior Butler, correct?  The reason I ask is that on our first YC sailing, it was stressed to us that Junior Butler was a coveted title that the holder was very proud to own.

Your correct.  Butler  = Residence Host

                       Steward= Suite Host