Oceania vs. MSC Yacht Club

[mnocket]

14 hours ago, Russiamomm said:

Seriously?  Maybe I do have low expectations, but they’ve always been met.  
 

Are you going to answer the question?  What exactly is your issue with the concept of a “ship within a ship” on a mainstream line?  

My advice is to ignore comments like his.  Some people just can't seem to accept that someone else's expectations being different than there's doesn't make them inferior. 

[Croooser]

OK. I'll bite. It seems like half of the Observer Critics have no first hand experience.

 

We have sailed 40+ times with much of that on the mainstream lines. Like some others who frequent this board, we consider ourselves Celebrity "refugees".

 

We sailed MSC twice in 2019. Once in a standard balcony for a family trip and once in a balcony in the Yacht Club.

 

Our take:

 

Food: We enjoyed the food in the YC and would rate it somewhere between Celebrity and Oceania in terms of quality. Like all things on MSC, there is somewhat of a more European influence. We liked the YC restaurant - the room, the ambiance, the service, etc. better than on O. Menu varied each day for lunch and dinner and included wine was OK for us and no long waits for beverage refills. There is no equivalent venue to compare to the TC on O which s where we always eat our meals on O, unless in a specialty or Waves. Also no place to measure up to Waves. You can go to the buffet open to all guests on MSC, but it's comparable to the buffet on other mainstream lines. We have eaten dinner in the specialties a few times on MSC and they were similar to specialties on Celebrity - not quite as good as O in our opinion, but OK for a change of pace.

 

Service: In general, we found service levels on MSC YC and O to be more readily available and more personalized. One difference in approach is that the staff in the public areas of the YC were primarily Butlers. For example, in the Topsail Lounge, service all day long was from Butlers and they all seemed to be accomplished at their roles. Another difference is that the Butlers provide some service outside the YC. For example: escorting guests for embarkation/debarkation, to reserved seating in the theater and on and off of the ship when in port. We found this to be a major benefit on a ship with 5000 or so guests. 

 

YC area. We spent a LOT of time in the Topsail Lounge and enjoyed it (our YC cruise was a TA. It was sometimes busy, but never overcrowded.

 

Entertainment and activities: MSC wins hands down because YC guests can go to all of the entertainment and activities and they have a lot. When you venture out of the YC it does get crowded and hectic - 5000+ guests.

 

OUR summary: YMMV: 

Food - MSC is good, but O has more choices and overall is somewhat better for us.

Service - O is good, but MSC is definitely a little bit better and more personalized for us.

Environment - The YC facilities and atmosphere was better for us.

 

One important caveat: Our YC experience was 2019. Just before Covid. We have no idea what may have changed in the interim.

 

We would definitely like to go on MSC YC again. However, the itineraries have not lined up for us and itinerary takes precedence for us. We would not consider MSC out of the YC again.

 

HTH

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited July 21 by Croooser

[ak1004]

1 hour ago, Croooser said:

OK. I'll bite. It seems like half of the Observer Critics have no first hand experience.

 

We have sailed 40+ times with much of that on the mainstream lines. Like some others who frequent this board, we consider ourselves Celebrity "refugees".

 

We sailed MSC twice in 2019. Once in a standard balcony for a family trip and once in a balcony in the Yacht Club.

 

Our take:

 

Food: We enjoyed the food in the YC and would rate it somewhere between Celebrity and Oceania in terms of quality. Like all things on MSC, there is somewhat of a more European influence. We liked the YC restaurant - the room, the ambiance, the service, etc. better than on O. Menu varied each day for lunch and dinner and included wine was OK for us and no long waits for beverage refills. There is no equivalent venue to compare to the TC on O which s where we always eat our meals on O, unless in a specialty or Waves. Also no place to measure up to Waves. You can go to the buffet open to all guests on MSC, but it's comparable to the buffet on other mainstream lines. We have eaten dinner in the specialties a few times on MSC and they were similar to specialties on Celebrity - not quite as good as O in our opinion, but OK for a change of pace.

 

Service: In general, we found service levels on MSC YC and O to be more readily available and more personalized. One difference in approach is that the staff in the public areas of the YC were primarily Butlers. For example, in the Topsail Lounge, service all day long was from Butlers and they all seemed to be accomplished at their roles. Another difference is that the Butlers provide some service outside the YC. For example: escorting guests for embarkation/debarkation, to reserved seating in the theater and on and off of the ship when in port. We found this to be a major benefit on a ship with 5000 or so guests. 

 

YC area. We spent a LOT of time in the Topsail Lounge and enjoyed it (our YC cruise was a TA. It was sometimes busy, but never overcrowded.

 

Entertainment and activities: MSC wins hands down because YC guests can go to all of the entertainment and activities and they have a lot. When you venture out of the YC it does get crowded and hectic - 5000+ guests.

 

OUR summary: YMMV: 

Food - MSC is good, but O has more choices and overall is somewhat better for us.

Service - O is good, but MSC is definitely a little bit better and more personalized for us.

Environment - The YC facilities and atmosphere was better for us.

 

One important caveat: Our YC experience was 2019. Just before Covid. We have no idea what may have changed in the interim.

 

We would definitely like to go on MSC YC again. However, the itineraries have not lined up for us and itinerary takes precedence for us. We would not consider MSC out of the YC again.

 

HTH

 

 

Thank you very much, very helpful!

 

So when you say "Entertainment and activities: MSC wins hands down because YC guests can go to all of the entertainment and activities and they have a lot. When you venture out of the YC it does get crowded and hectic - 5000+ guests." - this is to be expected obviously. But my understanding is that YC guests have a reserved area in the main theater and don't really care about lines when it comes to evening shows, correct? What about other venues? What kind of activities they have during the day? 

[Flatbush Flyer]

On 7/20/2024 at 11:43 AM, mantadiver said:

….In the Haven they have the best of the best working .  The best bartenders, waiters and such. 

And when they’ve proved their worth in the Haven, they’ll have a better shot at employment with Oceania and Regent. 

[Flatbush Flyer]

26 minutes ago, ak1004 said:

 

……So when you say "Entertainment and activities: MSC wins hands down because YC guests can go to all of the entertainment and activities and they have a lot. When you venture out of the YC it does get crowded and hectic - 5000+ guests."…….

 FWIW: upscale Oceania and Regent use the same talent agency (and much of the talent) as does NCL. Of course, their smaller ship size limits the size of attractions that the show space can accommodate. So, there’s no wannabe Broadway shows.
 

But, that’s easily remedied: Book an Oceania or Regent cruise that starts/ends in NYC, spend a few days there and do a Broadway binge.

[ak1004]

1 hour ago, Flatbush Flyer said:

 FWIW: upscale Oceania and Regent use the same talent agency (and much of the talent) as does NCL. Of course, their smaller ship size limits the size of attractions that the show space can accommodate. So, there’s no wannabe Broadway shows.
 

But, that’s easily remedied: Book an Oceania or Regent cruise that starts/ends in NYC, spend a few days there and do a Broadway binge.

 

I can see Broadway shows any time, they are just an hour flight distance from Toronto, but this is not the point. As much as I love O (and small ships in general), you cannot compare entertainment and activities on O to ships like RCI or MSC. On our last RCI ships the shows were just magnificent. Plus they have a skating arena where you could skate and also see professional skating shows. Plus a lot of other great activities. I hated all the crowds and lines and would never go back to one of those ships if not in a suite - but suite resolves the crowds issue.

 

I don't know which agency they are using, but shows on any small ship were never at the level of shows on RCI or Princess. Never.

[Flatbush Flyer]

1 hour ago, ak1004 said:

 

….I hated all the crowds and lines….

 

….but shows on any small ship were never at the level of shows on RCI or Princess. Never.

Point 1, the crowds and lines? I rest my case.

Point 2. the shows on RCI or Princess? You need to get out more often (in any cosmopolitan city).

[ak1004]

Just now, Flatbush Flyer said:

Point 1, the crowds and lines? I rest my case.

Point 2. the shows on RCI or Princess? You need to get out more often (in any cosmopolitan city).

 

Well, the whole point of YC is that you avoid the crowds if you want to. You can be outside the YC as little or as long as you want. Tired of the crowds? Go back to you oasis. And no crowds at meals.

 

I didn't compare shows on RCI or Princess to shows on land, I compared them to shows on O. 

[Flatbush Flyer]

7 minutes ago, ak1004 said:

 

Well, the whole point of YC is that you avoid the crowds if you want to. You can be outside the YC as little or as long as you want. Tired of the crowds? Go back to you oasis. And no crowds at meals.

 

I didn't compare shows on RCI or Princess to shows on land, I compared them to shows on O. 

So, “hide out” and/or avoid the “thundering herd” and all will be fine? and mediocre cruise shows are all you need?

[ak1004]

6 minutes ago, Flatbush Flyer said:

So, “hide out” and/or avoid the “thundering herd” and all will be fine? and mediocre cruise shows are all you need?

 

Hide out when you want to, and go to the shows and other activities when you feel like it.

 

I'm curious - have you been on one of those "ship within ship"? Or even in regular cabin on one of the large ships?

[Flatbush Flyer]

12 minutes ago, ak1004 said:

 

Hide out when you want to, and go to the shows and other activities when you feel like it.

 

I'm curious - have you been on one of those "ship within ship"? Or even in regular cabin on one of the large ships?

Been on mass market ships in years past. In all honesty, “one and done” on several lines. Locking yourself away from the thundering herd is ridiculous when you can just go on a cruise with likeminded folks. 

[ak1004]

4 minutes ago, Flatbush Flyer said:

Been on mass market ships in years past. In all honesty, “one and done” on several lines. Locking yourself away from the thundering herd is ridiculous when you can just go on a cruise with likeminded folks. 

 

So you haven't experienced any of the "ship within ship", but you have a very strong opinion about it and dismiss all other opinions (including from people who sailed on lines like O, SB, SS etc and still like the YC and continue sailing on both).

 

Reminds me the old Soviet phrase ‘Didn’t read Pasternak, but condemn him’..

 

Maybe consider respecting other people's opinions and perspectives?

[osandomir]

It’s great that there’re options for different tastes in cruising. Many like to try different styles. But for some it’s only “My way or no way” and this is it. No way to force them to think differently.

[ak1004]

1 minute ago, osandomir said:

It’s great that there’re options for different tastes in cruising. Many like to try different styles. But for some it’s only “My way or no way” and this is it. No way to force them to think differently.

 

And if you don't try you don't know, right?

 

For some it's also about loyalty. For me, loyalty means nothing. For cruise lines loyalty means nothing. I just got diamond status on MSC (their highest status) without sailing a single day with them (status match with SB silver). And I got SB silver a year ago without sailing a single day with them (status match with old Crystal). This is how cruise lines reward loyalty..

[Flatbush Flyer]

3 minutes ago, ak1004 said:

 

So you haven't experienced any of the "ship within ship", but you have a very strong opinion about it and dismiss all other opinions (including from people who sailed on lines like O, SB, SS etc and still like the YC and continue sailing on both).

 

Reminds me the old Soviet phrase ‘Didn’t read Pasternak, but condemn him’..

 

Maybe consider respecting other people's opinions and perspectives?

I couldn’t care less about others’ opinions. Everyone of my posts had been why I wouldn’t  go on any mass market ship for any reason presented here.

I tried mass market and it’s terrible for my preferences and expectations.

It may work for you. But please respect the thousands of folks who agree with me and will never again get on a mass market ship.

[ak1004]

8 hours ago, Flatbush Flyer said:

I couldn’t care less about others’ opinions. Everyone of my posts had been why I wouldn’t  go on any mass market ship for any reason presented here.

I tried mass market and it’s terrible for my preferences and expectations.

It may work for you. But please respect the thousands of folks who agree with me and will never again get on a mass market ship.

 

So you ask me to respect the thousands of folks who agree with you, but you say you couldn’t care less about others’ opinions? You realize how ridiculous and disrespectful this is, right?

 

I also see many people who sail exclusively on one line. I don't understand it, but I respect it. It's their choice, and if it works for them, why not?

 

I don't even understand why chose to comment on this thread, given the original question was not if people recommend YC, but to hear opinions from people who tried both.

[Croooser]

13 hours ago, ak1004 said:

 

Thank you very much, very helpful!

 

So when you say "Entertainment and activities: MSC wins hands down because YC guests can go to all of the entertainment and activities and they have a lot. When you venture out of the YC it does get crowded and hectic - 5000+ guests." - this is to be expected obviously. But my understanding is that YC guests have a reserved area in the main theater and don't really care about lines when it comes to evening shows, correct? What about other venues? What kind of activities they have during the day? 

YC does have reserved seating in the main theater and the Butlers will escort YC guests if requested. The Butlers will also expedite check in at embarkation and getting on and off of the ship at ports of call. Our Butler also escorted us off of the ship at disembarkation to avoid the long line.

 

We did not utilize the Butlers for any other special services. We did experience Butler service in the Top Sail Lounge. There was a dedicated concierge in the TC as well.

 

The daily activities around the ship seemed equivalent (to us) to be much the same as the megaships on other lines. 

 

We enjoyed the option of being able to roam around the entire ship while still being able to enjoy the elevated experience in the YC. Some people have tried it and don't like it. But we liked it and will go again if the reviews stay positive and we find the right sailing.

 

Edited July 22 by Croooser

[no1talks]

9 hours ago, Flatbush Flyer said:

"Locking yourself away from the thundering herd is ridiculous when you can just go on a cruise with likeminded folks."

 

That's just it. The like-mindedness isn't always what one might hope.

 

For example, it is great when a ship is tranquil due to the shared disposition of the cruisers. However, tranquil ships often call it a night by 10 pm.

 

On an MSC ship with Yacht Club, one can enjoy White Night with the revelers until midnight and then head back to the YC's Top Sail lounge for a quiet nightcap.

 

It all comes down to what one wants from a cruise. No cruise delivers everything to everyone and that is why due diligence is so important when considering a new cruise line.

Edited July 22 by no1talks

[MEFIowa]

I wonder if a bit of commonsense has been lost as people talk past each other and avoid the obvious realities.

 

First, the smaller R-class ships are in their own world. Only 630 or so passengers. Second, even the larger O-class ships and Vista are NOTHING like the megaships. Bit over 1200 passengers. It makes almost no sense to compare smallish ships to behemoths. Third, some of MSC's ships are floating cities!

 

MSC World Europa is 216,000 tons! 2600 staterooms. MSC Euribia is 184,000 tons. 2400 staterooms. MSC Grandiosa & Virtuosa are 181,000 tons. 2600 & 2400 staterooms respectively. MSC Meraviglia & Bellissima are 171,000 tons. 2200 staterooms each.

 

I'm scratching my head trying to think how one could or would validly compare any of the MSC ships I've mentioned even to Vista. Tiny in comparison. You can't expect nightlife or entertainment or passengers or experience to be similar in such different environments.

 

Anyone who craves the megaship experience isn't going to like O. BUT then when it comes to those ships my first thought is usually, "I wonder how much urine is in their pools and waterslides?" That's just me.

[ak1004]

1 hour ago, MEFIowa said:

I wonder if a bit of commonsense has been lost as people talk past each other and avoid the obvious realities.

 

First, the smaller R-class ships are in their own world. Only 630 or so passengers. Second, even the larger O-class ships and Vista are NOTHING like the megaships. Bit over 1200 passengers. It makes almost no sense to compare smallish ships to behemoths. Third, some of MSC's ships are floating cities!

 

MSC World Europa is 216,000 tons! 2600 staterooms. MSC Euribia is 184,000 tons. 2400 staterooms. MSC Grandiosa & Virtuosa are 181,000 tons. 2600 & 2400 staterooms respectively. MSC Meraviglia & Bellissima are 171,000 tons. 2200 staterooms each.

 

I'm scratching my head trying to think how one could or would validly compare any of the MSC ships I've mentioned even to Vista. Tiny in comparison. You can't expect nightlife or entertainment or passengers or experience to be similar in such different environments.

 

Anyone who craves the megaship experience isn't going to like O. BUT then when it comes to those ships my first thought is usually, "I wonder how much urine is in their pools and waterslides?" That's just me.

We all know the numbers.

 

I sailed on both small ships and megaships. I love the small ships and will not go back to megaship in a regular cabin. But all the comparisons apply to regular cabins. Ship within ship provides a completely different experience. Ignoring this is just Ignoring the facts. All it takes is reading the reviews of MSC which are usually pretty bad, and comparing them to YC reviews. 

[ORV]

I'm with the posters that think people with experience in both situations should chime in. Having never been on a SWAS cruise I don't have an opinion here. On this subject and what the OP asked for information on I think the only valid opinions here are those that have been on both. 

[mnocket]

3 hours ago, ak1004 said:

 

So you ask me to respect the thousands of folks who agree with you, but you say you couldn’t care less about others’ opinions? You realize how ridiculous and disrespectful this is, right?

 

I also see many people who sail exclusively on one line. I don't understand it, but I respect it. It's their choice, and if it works for them, why not?

 

I don't even understand why chose to comment on this thread, given the original question was not if people recommend YC, but to hear opinions from people who tried both.

I repeat my earlier advice.... There are some people whose minds are closed to opinions that differ from theirs, and who hold personal opinions based on a narrow experience base. When encountering such people, it's best to just ignore them.  Arguing with anonymous people on the internet is rarely productive. 

[FeliciaLee]

On 7/20/2024 at 10:19 AM, ak1004 said:

After sailing for the last 5-6 years exclusively on premium/luxury lines like Oceania, Silversea, Azamara etc, we decided to try the MSC Yacht Club and booked a 7 nights cruise in the Caribbean for March 2025 on one of their newer ships Seascape.

From your upbeat post, it seems like you will have a fabulous time. Cruises are typically what we make of them and since you are going first class on this one, surely you will have a great experience. Cheers :)

[jonthomas]

On 7/20/2024 at 11:14 AM, basor said:

And they never will be- as those sales were to bring us all back to cruising after COVID...the cost of eggs is nothing like it was in 2021,2022 and 2023 either

The cost of eggs has a chance to come down, not so With debt ridden cruise lines.

[ak1004]

24 minutes ago, FeliciaLee said:

From your upbeat post, it seems like you will have a fabulous time. Cruises are typically what we make of them and since you are going first class on this one, surely you will have a great experience. Cheers 🙂

 

I'm sure we will. We never had a bad cruise, even not on megaships in regular cabin. And maybe after we try this concept, we will decide that it's not for us and we go back exclusively to small ships. Or maybe we will sail on both. But at least we will know we tried. I would never have an opinion about a product that I never tried..