Yacht Club Vs Haven Vs Retreat, Oh My!

[Guindalf]

We're normally loyal Celebrity cruisers since I quit smoking in 2015, but our last four cruises have been in the Retreat (on Edge nd Solstice class ships), in a Penthouse Suite on Princess and in the Haven on NCL (we returned last Sunday 2/11). For comparison purposes, we have just booked the Yacht Club for our next outing in February of next year.

 

While Princess completely failed to impress as a suite experience, X and NCL were great. Before we pick a winner and stick with it, we decided to try the YC to see if it is a viable option. It's certainly the cheapest choice, even going on the Seascape out of Miami.

 

Has anyone else compared the three and if so, any pointers, do's and don'ts, etc.? I know this is an MSC sforum and as such, is biased by definition, but what is the consensus?

 

ETA: Is Johnny Walker Blue available in the drinks package

Edited February 20 by Guindalf

[morpheusofthesea]

50 minutes ago, Guindalf said:

Has anyone else compared the three and if so, any pointers

#1 MSC Yacht Club Restaurant is OPEN port days. Celebrity Luminae is NOT open port days.

#2 MSC YC has reserved seating in the theatre for YC guests at all shows. Celebrity only Gala night.

#3 Royal Suite on MSC has 2 cushion deck lounges on balcony. Celebrity RS can only accommodate 1 non cushioned deck lounger.

#4 MSC has reserved pergolas/cabanas for RS & OS Celebrity on sundeck it is FCFS chair hoggers that get those.

#5 More attentive butlers on MSC . Celebrity hosts give one their telephone number which many times is forwarded to room service.

#6 Walk-in showers on MSC YC, Celebrity has low profile tub/shower combos in CS and SS.

#7 Elevator OVERRIDE key cards for suite guests on MSC. No such amenity on Celebrity.

#8 No non suite paying Diamond card holders taking up real estate in YC venues. Celebrity has non suite Zeniths in our venues.

#9 MSC All suites are within a gated community with a short climb up or down to all venues. Celebrity depends what ship.

#10 MSC a new pristine Ocean Cay out island with its own employees. Celebrity has Nassau.

#11 MSC offers Individual escorts on and off the ship. Celebrity one must assemble and be escorted off in groups (always waiting for some straggler).

#12 For those that enjoy buffets MSC YC has its own buffet at the One Pool Deck 

#13 Celebrity has two great features that MSC lacks; Starlink wifi is much better than MSC wifi and Cafe al Bacio has no peer on MSC for its selection of 12-14 mouth-watering pastries.

#14 YC has the best entertainers on the ship providing evening music in the TopSail Lounge, nothing in Retreat Lounge.

#15 YC Pool Deck has a pool, only Celebrity E-class ships have pool.

#16 MSC YC has much better price than the Retreat

[morpheusofthesea]

We prefer the Yacht Club over the Haven. The menu in the Haven is the same every day. One need not spend money on specialty dining as the YC menu varies from day to day. One can special order in advance in both, but that special order takes 2 hours to arrive in the Haven (DW's standing order of a grilled chicken breast and one baked potato, took 2 hours every evening ). Guests in the Yacht Club will not be bothered by other YC guests that book more than one cabin, throwing footballs or frisbees like on the Haven pool deck. Bottled mineral water is complimentary in the Yacht Club. Most the YC suites, lounge, restaurant and pool are together. New elevators are 'express' for Yacht Club guests on ’Seaships”.  From deck 8 press deck 19, A,B,C ,or D elevator lights up; step toward to lit elevator, empty elevator opens, walk in, no further deck buttons inside elevator for children to play with, express to deck 19. Every Theatre show has reserved seating, no reservations needed for Yacht Club guests. One will not see discarded, soiled plates and drink glasses left in hallways of YC. 110 YC cabins, counted 16 butlers during captains greeting in Top Sail Lounge, so plenty of service, no waiting. Live music in the exclusive Yacht Club suite lounge  called TopSail Lounge in evenings.

Edited February 20 by morpheusofthesea

[TrinaLC]

There is no comparison. But please don’t tell anyone. 

[Beamafar]

Haven’t done The Haven, but have sailed in Sky suites on Millennium and the Edge.  For us, YC is a much better experience, due it being a totally separate part of the ship.  We do think that the food in Luminae is a step up (though a poster on here begged to differ on that one, so it’s a very subjective question) but food is not a concern for us.

 

There isn’t really a comparison when you take the fares into account;  The Retreat fares, IMHO, are way overblown for what you get.  We’ve just booked a Sunset Veranda on Celebrity for next year and will not even consider bidding up.  But, when budget allows, it’s YC for us. 

 

 

[dexddd]

Haven service generally not that good and very inconsistent.

[xcell]

With a family of 4, I like that NCL Haven has a 2 bedroom option -- I wish YC had something similar.

 

YC prices are better than Haven (but starting to catch up -- too many people liking it I guess -- supply/demand), so I pick YC.

 

Food -- subjective --  my friends like the Haven food better than YC, even though the menu doesn't change.

 

I like that I don't need to show them my ship card everytime I need to get a drink (haven't been in haven for a while, so not sure if that changed).  Plus my kids drinks are also included.

 

I love the lounge that overlooks the front of the ship and the pool deck bar/food area.

 

Try it -- you might just like it -- we have, so that's my my last cruises have been on MSC YC.

 

[wolft927]

Cruised Have Several Times and loved it. But Price points have us tying MSC YC. MSC has inside YC suites, since my wife and I really never spend any time in the cabin unless sleeping or getting dressed we opted for the YC inside Suite. For $3200 all in we think this is a great deal. We would always sail Haven but pretty much can get 2 cruises in the YC for the price of one in the Haven. Also the DSC on NCL in the Haven is $25 per day, YC is almost half that. YC includes stocked mini bar as well. We shall see how we like it in September on the Seascape. 

[Brighton Line]

I just love not handing over my keycard everytime I want a drink in the Yacht Club. They have lounge butlers that aren't assigned cabins/passangers that know your drink of choice (bar staff anywhere else) and in your hand just after you sit down in the Top Sail Lounge.

The YC staff generally feel friendlier that what I have experienced in the Haven and yes the YC MDR with different menu every day for lunch and dinner is way better than Haven's get old quick menu.

Special orders do not upset them, if it can be made in the YC galley or you want something from the ship's MDR as long as  you give them notice it will be there for you.

And yes the pizza, you will get on board ship shape and leave in the shape of the ship.

Edited February 21 by Brighton Line

[kh6275]

2 hours ago, xcell said:

With a family of 4, I like that NCL Haven has a 2 bedroom option -- I wish YC had something similar.

 

YC prices are better than Haven (but starting to catch up -- too many people liking it I guess -- supply/demand), so I pick YC.

 

Food -- subjective --  my friends like the Haven food better than YC, even though the menu doesn't change.

 

I like that I don't need to show them my ship card everytime I need to get a drink (haven't been in haven for a while, so not sure if that changed).  Plus my kids drinks are also included.

 

I love the lounge that overlooks the front of the ship and the pool deck bar/food area.

 

Try it -- you might just like it -- we have, so that's my my last cruises have been on MSC YC.

 

I agree, the 2/2 Haven villa is amazing. We are in the Royal Suite right now on MSC and prefer the Haven 2/2.  I think you get what you pay for and the YC is a bargain (almost $7k cheaper). I like the food much better in the Haven but the service is better in YC. Pros and Cons to each line. I probably won’t do MSC again but that’s mostly due to the cabin. If the Royal Suite had a second bedroom and bathroom it would be the ideal cabin for us. 

[graphicguy]

Have done all 3.....Haven, Retreat, YC.  All are good.  You can nitpick a minor difference here and there, but overall, they all do a great job. To me, it all comes down to price.  

 

MSC Yacht Club used to be the clear leader compared to the fares of the other two.  Now, they are priced more or less about the same.

 

Today, Retreat fares have sky rocketed.  They are now $x,000 more than either NCL or MSC.  

 

Again, go for the best fare among the 3 for the itinerary and dates you're interested in.

[PTC DAWG]

5 hours ago, xcell said:

With a family of 4, I like that NCL Haven has a 2 bedroom option -- I wish YC had something similar.

 

 

I’m glad for this, I think it leads to less kids in YC

[no1talks]

21 hours ago, Guindalf said:

"Is Johnny Walker Blue available in the drinks package?"

Lord no! Even luxury lines don't offer JW Blue as an included liquor if you check their listed brands.

However, if you are on an MSC ship that has rolled out the pay-the-difference pricing policy, you'll just pay an up-charge.

Yacht Club gets the Premium Extra package, which tops out at $16. JW Blue goes for (I think) $27. That would leave you on the hook for $11, plus service charge on the difference.

[Beamafar]

Johnny Walker Blue was included in the Premium Plus drinks package (which you had to upgrade to from the YC included Premium package).  Alas, MSC, in their infinite wisdom, discontinued it.  🙁

 

 

Edited February 21 by Beamafar

[no1talks]

2 minutes ago, Beamafar said:

Alas, MSC, in their infinite wisdom, discontinued it.  🙁

Due, no doubt, to the blended scotch hounds who drank each cruise dry. 😂

[Beamafar]

6 minutes ago, no1talks said:

Due, no doubt, to the blended scotch hounds who drank each cruise dry. 😂

Yep - same with Veuve Cliquot, which was also included.  Idiots on sm bragging about drinking thousands of $\€ worth of champagne a day for - was it €72 pppd (can’t remember, now, but it wasn’t much more, if any)?

 

 

Edited February 21 by Beamafar

[rxlowry]

I've done all three and agree with much of what I read here.  

Value:

YC

Retreat

Haven

Service:

YC

Retreat 

Haven

Food:

Retreat

Haven

YC (but its not a far third, we just had more misses but I'm willing to revise this after my next sailing)

Lounge:

YC

Retreat

Haven

Pool Deck: (Or sun deck)

YC

Haven

Retreat (only bc it was older ship without an area but the edge class looks pretty great, I think better than Haven

 

I'm looking forward to my next cruise in YC next month which I will blog about (alpacamybagsblog)

You can read about my detailed thoughts on each there if you go back a few cruises.  

 

 

[Guindalf]

1 hour ago, no1talks said:

Lord no! Even luxury lines don't offer JW Blue as an included liquor if you check their listed brands.

However, if you are on an MSC ship that has rolled out the pay-the-difference pricing policy, you'll just pay an up-charge.

Yacht Club gets the Premium Extra package, which tops out at $16. JW Blue goes for (I think) $27. That would leave you on the hook for $11, plus service charge on the difference.

 

1 hour ago, Beamafar said:

Johnny Walker Blue was included in the Premium Plus drinks package (which you had to upgrade to from the YC included Premium package).  Alas, MSC, in their infinite wisdom, discontinued it.  🙁

 

 

 

1 hour ago, no1talks said:

Due, no doubt, to the blended scotch hounds who drank each cruise dry. 😂

 

1 hour ago, Beamafar said:

Yep - same with Veuve Cliquot, which was also included.  Idiots on sm bragging about drinking thousands of $\€ worth of champagne a day for - was it €72 pppd (can’t remember, now, but it wasn’t much more, if any)?

 

 

 

It IS included in the Premium Plus package on NCL! Apparently, it's normally $60 (plus 20% gratuity for a total of $72) a shot.

 

On the Breakaway last week, we were drinking it all the time. I didn't have the upgraded package, but a couple of others did and the bartenders were quite ok with charging it to those that did - including some times when they weren't even there, but didn't mind their cards being used!

 

 

[Guindalf]

Another quick question.

 

We usually pre-pay gratuities, but always tip extra to the butler, concierge and bar staff. Everything I'm reading strongly encourages you NOT to tip.

 

Do you usually add something extra or not? If so, how much for each? I'm not advocating a discussion, just trying to be prepared, but I realise this can be emotive and personal.

 

 

[mafig]

We always add extra, as you do to the butler, concierge, waiters and bar staff.  It seems others do also.  

[MsTabbyKats]

20 minutes ago, Guindalf said:

Another quick question.

 

We usually pre-pay gratuities, but always tip extra to the butler, concierge and bar staff. Everything I'm reading strongly encourages you NOT to tip.

 

Do you usually add something extra or not? If so, how much for each? I'm not advocating a discussion, just trying to be prepared, but I realise this can be emotive and personal.

 

 

People are going to say they tip this one and that one $100/day and more.

 

We tipped, but not extravagently...because MSC "encourages one NOT to tip".

 

In general, we are low maintenance, but DH is not what he used to be and he needed the help.  We actually felt guilty because we were not very generous.  On the upcoming April cruise, assuming the service is just as good....they'll be getting more.

 

I can't but a $$$ on it....it's what it's worth to you.

 

 

[morpheusofthesea]

2 hours ago, Guindalf said:

Everything I'm reading strongly encourages you NOT to tip.

Actually the wording is :

 

TIPS: MSC does not recommend tipping individual members of staff.

 https://www.msccruisesusa.com/manage-booking/before-you-go/service-charges

 

4. “NOT RECOMMENDED” means that there may be valid reasons in certain circumstances when the particular behaviour is acceptable or even useful, but the full implications should be understood and the case carefully weighed before implementing any behaviour described with this label.

Conventions page 6 https://www.projectcounter.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Release5_20171107.pdf

[Best Cat Mom]

If you choose to tip extra on YC -- totally your choice to do so -- the concierge desk can supply envelopes and can help you with the spellings of names.

[no1talks]

5 hours ago, Guindalf said:

"It IS included in the Premium Plus package on NCL! Apparently, it's normally $60 (plus 20% gratuity for a total of $72) a shot."

That Premium Plus access costs. NCL doesn't include a drink package with Haven, but it's easy to cruise NCL with a Free at Sea "Unlimited Open Bar" package. Then, you would pay $34.80 per person per day, which includes the service fee on the upgrade, for access to JW Blue.

So, you would likely pay significantly more to be in Haven in the first place, compared to YC. Then, you'd pay for a drink upgrade that would mostly cover three daily JW Blue upcharges of 11 buck plus service fee if you're on MSC with their Premium Extra package. That's the package YC includes, by the way. (Of course, prices can go up without notice and the $11 JW Blue difference could expand.)

 

 

5 hours ago, Guindalf said:

"On the Breakaway last week, we were drinking it all the time. I didn't have the upgraded package, but a couple of others did and the bartenders were quite ok with charging it to those that did - including some times when they weren't even there, but didn't mind their cards being used!"

Well, if you hang with drink-buying ballers, it doesn't really matter and you should cruise where they cruise.

[no1talks]

4 hours ago, Guindalf said:

"Everything I'm reading strongly encourages you NOT to tip."

Forget about the naysayers who discourage extra tipping in YC. Tipping staff there is completely normal. In fact, the YC concierge desk has tip-sized envelopes available upon request.