First Yacht Club cruise

[NMTraveller]

27 minutes ago, SirWolf said:

 

The late disembark will work out great as I am getting on another cruise right after this one...

The other benefits are really nice also.

[Bgwest]

6 hours ago, Two Wheels Only said:

 

There were 2 extensions due to Covid. Some people got some really long extensions based on when they were originally supposed to expire.

What do you anticipate will occur when these extensions are no longer offered?

[chrisgp999]

6 minutes ago, NMTraveller said:

I have not had a butler before.  I have no idea what to use them for?  Your thoughts?

• Escort you anywhere on the ship, not just the YC area. Escorts to non-YC area will include moving you to the front of the line, if there is a line.
• Escort to the shows.
• Escort to YC restaurant dinner.  This is especially helpful on the first night where he can introduce you to the Maitre 'd, sommelier, preferred waiters, etc.
• Escort you off the ship at ports of call, bypassing the long lines waiting to get off.
• Note that having your butler escort you to speciality restaurants outside of the YC area identifies you as a YC guest and will get you a better table in the restaurant.
• Bring drinks and snacks to your room.  If you want you can set up a daily order for morning coffee, evening nightcap, etc.
• If you desire, they will unpack your luggage.  They do a much better job then me just grabbing my things and stuffing them in a drawer.

 

These are just some of the most common requests.  In general, if there is something that you could have someone do for you instead of doing it yourself, don't be shy about asking your butler.  Also I suggest viewing some YouTube videos for a more complete synopsis of what butlers can do for you.  

 

As a bit of info, one night our butler was escorting us to dinner in the YC restaurant.  Upon approaching the restaurant I noted that I forgot a bottle of wine in our cabin.  Butler went back to our cabin to retrieve it for us.  

 

One final comment, some butlers are better than others.  If you feel your butler is not performing to your satisfaction, tell the concierge you want to speak with the head butler.  If he/she cannot resolve the matter, discuss it with the YC Director.  

 

One final, final comment, a cash tip to your butler and other YC staff that helped you is always appreciated by such staff.  

 

 

[Two Wheels Only]

40 minutes ago, Bgwest said:

What do you anticipate will occur when these extensions are no longer offered?

 

Things will go back to normal aka "...3 years or less between cruises...". 

 

What SHOULD happen is that MSC adds another level for those at around 25K points. 

[Georgia_Peaches]

17 minutes ago, Two Wheels Only said:

What SHOULD happen is that MSC adds another level for those at around 25K points. 

Not that I disagree, but what perks would you like to see at that level?  As far as loyalty perks go, MSC's are on the weak side compared to some other cruise lines, IMO.

[billc23]

Just to add to those talking about the discounts. Healthcare Hero's was 50%!!! Now 10% but still great. Remember to book your next sailing if desired on board for some really great OBC and savings.

[Georgia_Peaches]

38 minutes ago, chrisgp999 said:

Escort you anywhere on the ship, not just the YC area. Escorts to non-YC area will include moving you to the front of the line, if there is a line.

We had the services of a butler on Celebrity but we rarely saw them beyond initial introductions...not to imply that they wouldn't have done something if we asked...they just weren't very visible.  Sharp contrast..on our first MSC YC experience our butler, Ana was simply amazing.  The first time we left our room to go to a show (and didn't call her for an escort) she saw us in the corridor and called after us and insisted that she escort us to the theater.  We realized then that it was important to her that we allow her to do her job...and so we did.  Subsequent butlers on MSC have been good to great...but none have been able to walk in Ana's shoes.  I believe she has risen through the ranks since that cruise.

 

44 minutes ago, chrisgp999 said:

Escort to YC restaurant dinner.  This is especially helpful on the first night where he can introduce you to the Maitre 'd, sommelier, preferred waiters, etc.

This is such a great suggestion!

 

Another thing our butler has helped us with in the past is getting our devices connected to the wifi.

[DaKahuna]

On 10/13/2024 at 3:58 PM, George C said:

We got a ten percent off on our first because I am a veteran, also diamond status to match my rccl diamond plus. 

 

 I must have done something wrong because as Diamond Plu on RCCL and Elite + on Celebrity, both obtained through sailing points, we were only matched to Gold and that's what I am seeing on their current PDF.   Not that it matters any more because as of the first leg of our recent B2B we are now Diamond.  

 

[Bgwest]

1 hour ago, Two Wheels Only said:

 

Things will go back to normal aka "...3 years or less between cruises...". 

 

So what I'm hearing you say is when things "go back to normal", one loses status after 3 years of not sailing with MSC and status matching is a one time thing, e.g., can only be granted once per customer. Have I got that right?

[DaKahuna]

2 hours ago, NMTraveller said:

The late disembark will work out great as I am getting on another cruise right after this one...

The other benefits are really nice also.

 

You will find that other than the meal in the specialty restaurant, being in YC will get you almost everything else.  

 

 Some people like to have their butler escort them to any specialty dining reservations or escort them to the theater.   

[George C]

15 minutes ago, DaKahuna said:

 

 I must have done something wrong because as Diamond Plu on RCCL and Elite + on Celebrity, both obtained through sailing points, we were only matched to Gold and that's what I am seeing on their current PDF.   Not that it matters any more because as of the first leg of our recent B2B we are now Diamond.  

 

We were both diamond plus on rccl when we got converted, they made me diamond but my wife gold which doesn’t make sense.

[RivieraRampage86]

Hello all,

 

Out of curiosity, has anyone sailing in the YC ever used their butler to skip the line at the waterslides?

We are embarking on our 3rd YC cruise aboard the Seascape, but we have never really utilized out butler outside of our daily jitter juice delivery and escorts on / off the ship at ports of call.

[Georgia_Peaches]

1 hour ago, George C said:

We were both diamond plus on rccl when we got converted, they made me diamond but my wife gold which doesn’t make sense.

Same thing happened with us. I matched to Diamond and DH matched to gold. We had the same status. But after our first cruise he made it to Diamond as well. Doesn’t seem to be any rhyme or reason. 

[frank808]

4 hours ago, Two Wheels Only said:

 

Things will go back to normal aka "...3 years or less between cruises...". 

 

What SHOULD happen is that MSC adds another level for those at around 25K points. 

On Preziosa right now. Our YC director (Pepe) was making small talk in the YC area at Hamburg with the 8 of us waiting to board. He asked us how many MSC cruises we have been on. After I replied he said that there would be a new level for higher level Diamonds called Blue Diamond with more benefits. He did not mention what the point level or what other benefits would be though.

 

He is a great YC Director and seems to be much happier than when he was YC Maitre D on Seaside. The YC staff has been great on Preziosa (as we have always experienced). Was told there is only about 90 YC guests. TSL has never been more than half full, so service has been super attentive. Weather has been bad (around 50degrees day time) and wet. Everyone is staying indoors in solarium for sure. Walked around on sea day yesterday and it was literally standing room only.

[frank808]

2 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

 

 I must have done something wrong because as Diamond Plu on RCCL and Elite + on Celebrity, both obtained through sailing points, we were only matched to Gold and that's what I am seeing on their current PDF.   Not that it matters any more because as of the first leg of our recent B2B we are now Diamond.  

 

We were matched to Diamond as a RCCL D+ back in 2018. A couple years later IIRC MSC started matching D and D+ to Gold and only P to Diamond. When did DaKahuna match your RCl status with MSC? Mind telling us when George C and Georgia Peaches matched with MSC?

 

It takes about 4 seven night cruises in YC to make it to Diamond on MSC. Way less nights than sailing on Royal. It would take almost 59 nights sailing solo in a suite on Royal to hit D+.  But the benefits are a lot better on RCL for D+ members.

 

Now I want to know if MSC will actually implement a higher status level that YC director mentioned would be called Blue Diamond. I am guessing sailing in YC will duplicate most of the Blue Diamond benefits.

[George C]

5 hours ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

We had the services of a butler on Celebrity but we rarely saw them beyond initial introductions...not to imply that they wouldn't have done something if we asked...they just weren't very visible.  Sharp contrast..on our first MSC YC experience our butler, Ana was simply amazing.  The first time we left our room to go to a show (and didn't call her for an escort) she saw us in the corridor and called after us and insisted that she escort us to the theater.  We realized then that it was important to her that we allow her to do her job...and so we did.  Subsequent butlers on MSC have been good to great...but none have been able to walk in Ana's shoes.  I believe she has risen through the ranks since that cruise.

 

This is such a great suggestion!

 

Another thing our butler has helped us with in the past is getting our devices connected to the wifi.

We normally are happy with butler on celebrity, they do more for upper suites, our butler for our only penthouse was fantastic. But all the YC butler’s seem great at last on our cruise. 

[Two Wheels Only]

13 hours ago, Bgwest said:

So what I'm hearing you say is when things "go back to normal", one loses status after 3 years of not sailing with MSC and status matching is a one time thing, e.g., can only be granted once per customer. Have I got that right?

 

That's what I believe to be true. What actually happens when it comes to MSC is, well, you know.....

 

11 hours ago, RivieraRampage86 said:

Out of curiosity, has anyone sailing in the YC ever used their butler to skip the line at the waterslides?

We are embarking on our 3rd YC cruise aboard the Seascape, but we have never really utilized out butler outside of our daily jitter juice delivery and escorts on / off the ship at ports of call.

 

We had the butler skip the line for my kids to get their free Effy jewelry. That line was much longer than any waterslide line. 😁

[DaKahuna]

17 hours ago, George C said:

We were both diamond plus on rccl when we got converted, they made me diamond but my wife gold which doesn’t make sense.

 

15 hours ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

Same thing happened with us. I matched to Diamond and DH matched to gold. We had the same status. But after our first cruise he made it to Diamond as well. Doesn’t seem to be any rhyme or reason. 

 

Well, they matched us both to Gold and that was okay.  We've only been in YC so the only thing we missed out on was the free meal which to us is not a big deal since the meals in YC are so good.   I see the attraction of Buther's Cut and we enjoyed it both the times we've eaten there but with filet on the everyday menu in YC it hardly seems worth the trip.  However, i did have some excellent lamb chops on Seascape.  

 

14 hours ago, frank808 said:

When did DaKahuna match your RCl status with MSC?

 

We matched at the end of 2023 before our February 2024 sailing on Divina. 

 

[NMTraveller]

So is there much benefit to getting my DW upgraded to Diamond?  

On 10/14/2024 at 2:20 PM, SirWolf said:

 

So is there much benefit to getting my DW upgraded to diamond?  Or should she be Diamond also to enjoy these benefits?

 

If I am Diamond and she is not will she have to board later than me?  The same for the rest of the perks?

[DaKahuna]

48 minutes ago, NMTraveller said:

So is there much benefit to getting my DW upgraded to Diamond?  

So is there much benefit to getting my DW upgraded to diamond?  Or should she be Diamond also to enjoy these benefits?

 

If I am Diamond and she is not will she have to board later than me?  The same for the rest of the perks?

 

 Since you are sailing the YC you nor your wife would be  using the Diamond boarding perk.  YC has it's own separate and distinct checking and boarding. 

 

The free Diamond meal in a specialty restaurant is per cabin so only one meal even if both of you are Diamond sailing in the same cabin. 

 

Not sure about anything other than that.  I made Diamond on our last cruise, my DW is 500 points away from Diamond but since we only sail together and in YC I do not think it matters.

 

[SirWolf]

47 minutes ago, NMTraveller said:

So is there much benefit to getting my DW upgraded to Diamond?  

So is there much benefit to getting my DW upgraded to diamond?  Or should she be Diamond also to enjoy these benefits?

 

If I am Diamond and she is not will she have to board later than me?  The same for the rest of the perks?

 

The complementary speciality restaurant dinner (or lunch) is per stateroom.

You are in Yacht Club which includes “butler style” boarding, bath robes & slippers and late check-out disembarkation.

Your wife will get the same services as you.

 

[NMTraveller]

12 minutes ago, SirWolf said:

 

The complementary speciality restaurant dinner (or lunch) is per stateroom.

You are in Yacht Club which includes “butler style” boarding, bath robes & slippers and late check-out disembarkation.

Your wife will get the same services as you.

 

Thanks and thanks @DaKahuna.  I likely could get my DW upgraded.  But I was thinking that if my status lapses,  I could have my DW book the cruise and get her upgraded status at a later time.  Does this make sense?

[frank808]

11 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

 

 

Well, they matched us both to Gold and that was okay.  We've only been in YC so the only thing we missed out on was the free meal which to us is not a big deal since the meals in YC are so good.   I see the attraction of Buther's Cut and we enjoyed it both the times we've eaten there but with filet on the everyday menu in YC it hardly seems worth the trip.  However, i did have some excellent lamb chops on Seascape.  

 

 

We matched at the end of 2023 before our February 2024 sailing on Divina. 

 

MSC had changed their match status by 2023. I think it was changed from D+ matching to Black sometime back right before Covid shutdown in 2020. 

 

Sailing YC, as you have mentioned, the only thing you are missing is the specialty meal and maybe the Diamond party. I have missed a few speciatly meals because YC dining has been so good. And the Diamond party if it has been at a convenient time we make it, if not we pass. Free drinks and snacks but you get those in YC. Plus the YC has their own meet n greet with Captain and officers in the lounge. Missed both of those parties this cruise as times were not convenient to us (we were napping). 

[Dock B]

On 10/14/2024 at 9:25 PM, RivieraRampage86 said:

Out of curiosity, has anyone sailing in the YC ever used their butler to skip the line at the waterslides?

We actually asked this question of the concierge, but we did ask rather in jest, something like “can we get (butler’s name) to cut us in line for the slides—he can change to his swimsuit!” 
 

We were politely told “no”. However, we did not ask our butler directly if he escorts guests to the slide. Even if he did, that would only be an escort to one slide and I would think he’d have left, so for remaining slide-lines we would not have been moved to the front of the line.

 

DW & I do the slides but on a port day when there are mostly no lines at all.

 

Pro tip: when ascending stairs to the top of the slide, be sure to walk side-by-side up those stairs, especially if you walk slower than the little children. The little ones want to race around you, which was disconcerting to us (we were going single file) for fear a child might slip and knock us down too. Next time, we probably won’t let them pass by (case by case basis, of course).

[JAGR]

13 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

The free Diamond meal in a specialty restaurant is per cabin so only one meal even if both of you are Diamond sailing in the same cabin. 

Just so it's not misinterpreted by people who have more than two guests in a cabin, the Diamond meal perk is per cabin only for two guests. Now, some may report that they were able to get it for more than two people, but that is not generally allowed per their rules as I understand it.