MSC Yacht Club

[SewKate5]

We are doing our first cruise on MSC. It’s a 2 night cruise to celebrate my husband’s 60th. Can anyone please tell me what time we can expect to board and will we get priority boarding as first timers in Yacht Club. I chose this cruise as it falls on his 60th and due to a bank holiday weekend we don’t need to take any leave. Thanks 

[Essiesmom]

You will have priority boarding because you are in YC.   Beyond that, I can’t say.  EM

[helenb]

You can get there early and the people at the YC tent will take care of you. YC are the first people on board, once boarding begins.

[notley-cruise]

@SewKate5

Find the YC tent outside Southampton cruise terminal, hand over your luggage, YC staff will guide you through security to check in and then you'll wait in the YC lounge with orange juice / mimosas until boarding commences.

 

Once onboard you can be guided and assisted everywhere by your YC butler,  MSC YC on Virtuosa UK sailings really is an excellent experience.

Edited April 28 by notley-cruise

[Eglesbrech]

We usually show up at the YC tent (look out for a blue gazebo outside the terminal building) about 10am. As described above you are escorted to the YC check in area for a drink and the paperwork.
 

A butler then takes you up to the Top Sail lounge for another drink about 10.30am. There is a nice little snack area there on some ships on others you can request a snack plate. You can then either wait there to be escorted to your suite by your butler once it is ready or leave and go exploring.

 

The concierge desk will help you set up your payment account and can assist with any bookings you wish to make.

 

You don’t need to book slots for the main theatre shows if in YC, there is a separate area reserved for you. Your butler can escort you down to bypass the queues in the evening if that’s something you want (we never bother but the facility is there).

 

Your YC card can also override the lifts to give you priority but the lifts are efficient so again we don’t tend to use this perk as it affects other guests.

 

You will eat in the YC restaurant which is very good, particularly the Italian choices. You also get a choice of included wines by the glass and staff are happy to recommend an appropriate pairing if you want that. The coffee is also very nice as you would expect from an Italian vessel. 

 

On the last morning you also get priority to disembark when you want to. A butler will escort you down and you get priority to exit.

 

@SewKate5You will enjoy the YC, they take very good care of passengers there. 

[SewKate5]

10 minutes ago, Eglesbrech said:

We usually show up at the YC tent (look out for a blue gazebo outside the terminal building) about 10am. As described above you are escorted to the YC check in area for a drink and the paperwork.
 

A butler then takes you up to the Top Sail lounge for another drink about 10.30am. There is a nice little snack area there on some ships on others you can request a snack plate. You can then either wait there to be escorted to your suite by your butler once it is ready or leave and go exploring.

 

The concierge desk will help you set up your payment account and can assist with any bookings you wish to make.

 

You don’t need to book slots for the main theatre shows if in YC, there is a separate area reserved for you. Your butler can escort you down to bypass the queues in the evening if that’s something you want (we never bother but the facility is there).

 

Your YC card can also override the lifts to give you priority but the lifts are efficient so again we don’t tend to use this perk as it affects other guests.

 

You will eat in the YC restaurant which is very good, particularly the Italian choices. You also get a choice of included wines by the glass and staff are happy to recommend an appropriate pairing if you want that. The coffee is also very nice as you would expect from an Italian vessel. 

 

On the last morning you also get priority to disembark when you want to. A butler will escort you down and you get priority to exit.

 

@SewKate5You will enjoy the YC, they take very good care of passengers there. 

Thanks  for your detailed reply. Does that mean we can arrive earlier than our given embarkation time? It’s been given as 3pm and I know we can board earlier than that on Cunard if we are in the grills. I had hoped for a much earlier boarding time.

 

[Mark_T]

1 hour ago, SewKate5 said:

Does that mean we can arrive earlier than our given embarkation time? It’s been given as 3pm and I know we can board earlier than that on Cunard if we are in the grills.

Ignore the time you have been given, just arrive in the morning as suggested above.

[Eglesbrech]

1 hour ago, SewKate5 said:

Thanks  for your detailed reply. Does that mean we can arrive earlier than our given embarkation time? It’s been given as 3pm and I know we can board earlier than that on Cunard if we are in the grills. I had hoped for a much earlier boarding time.

 

@SewKate5 Mark T is correct, you can go any time you like but 10am has been about the earliest in my experience.

 

If you like the Grills you should love the YC. Some prefer the food on Cunard but I have always enjoyed what is offered on MSC as well. Within reason you can make special food requests as well.
 

All the extras included in YC make it more attractive pound for pound and the extra escort services provided by your butler eg if you are going on a tour you go down from Top Sail not the theatre etc.

 

The contents of the mini bar is included in your price and the butler will change them if for example you prefer diet drinks or more fizzy water, different mixers etc. I don’t know if it applies to a weekend short cruise but we are usually also offered a full bottle for in the cabin from a relatively decent choice of vodka, gin etc (the whisky is however quite basic).

 

You should be offered your choice of daily newspapers as well and there are evening surprises but I won’t spoil it by telling you.

 

YC also has a lovely outdoor space where you can enjoy the sun or a light meal or afternoon tea (there is also white glove tea in top sail). There is a small pool, jacuzzi etc up there.

 

YC is a lot more laid back than Cunard so expect a range of outfits on formal night for example but no one looks at you twice whether you choose to wear a tux/ ballgown or your best jeans and top. 

[notley-cruise]

4 hours ago, Eglesbrech said:

You don’t need to book slots for the main theatre shows if in YC, there is a separate area reserved for you. Your butler can escort you down to bypass the queues in the evening if that’s something you want (we never bother but the facility is there).

 

@SewKate5  Whilst there is reserved YC seating it's at the rear of the theatre, so if you want the best views of the dancers and performers, you should reserve, arrive early and nap some seats front and centre.