Is MSC Yacht Club Really Worth It?

[@bullgator]

First, the food on MSC is actually pretty good. I applaud this woman for pointing out that if you are on an Italian cruise line, you would be wise to choose food with a more Italian flair...like you are in Italy. This is such a difficult concept for so many Americans who believe the world revolves around the USA and all cruise line must serve some form of American fair. Also, if your palate prefers Outback, the Olive Garden, Chili's or Friday's, this probably is not the food for you. That said, the main dining room food is good, not great. But don't order fried chicken, pork chops or prime rib. It is not going to be the best. However, the pasta is made fresh, the cheeses are the best, and the Italian soups are excellent. However, every palate is different. If you think Carnival serves good food, then this is probably not for you. IMHO, Carnival food is greasy, fried garbage (except for the lava cake). But if that is your preference, then go for it. As for the specialty restaurants...they are pretty good.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Thanks for sharing. We think everyone should give MSC a try but go in with the right attitude.

[@ashleys4652]

The president of MSC Cruises said "The only way to grow the way MSC cruises wants to grow is to fill all the ships they have ordered is to accelerate growth in the US market as it's the largest cruise market in the world." So MSC would actually be smart to cater to more of the American taste. Nope, the stereotype is actually NOT true that Americans think the world revolves around the USA. But apparently the head of large corporations do. 😂 There's a reason why MSC is known for having bad food and it has nothing to do with it being a more sophisticated palette, it's just poor quality. Even in the YC. Celebrity Retreat, NCL Haven, and Azamara are all superior. I do not sail Carnival, but your comments about the food being "greasy and fried garbage" are uninformed and more stereotypes. I have watched videos and know people who have sailed Carnival and the food has improved significantly over years past. Most would say much better than MSC.

[@angiepatterson6338]

Carnival is far superior if you are interested in watching a good drunken fistfight.

[@marciasanguinetti3900]

This was a fantastic video - you are both a perfect duet :-) of knowledge, fairness, fun and detail-oriented without being too over the top. I cannot wait for your video(s) on the actual sailing you took in the MSC Yacht Club ! Happy travels and cheers to you !!! m.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Thank you so much. We really appreciate the kind note! Have a great week! Emma & Jack

[@skipfrey4603]

Great video. I have done three Yacht Cruises and I am hooked. I think it is great value for the money, love all of the perks.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Thank you very much for watching and commenting! Agree with the value. With the price of everything increasing, Yacht Club offers a more budget friendly premium experience. Emma & Jack

[@frightrisk7407]

How much? Virgin has raised prices and we are looking at alternatives. Sadly, we are never going to find everything we love about Virgin (no kids, no announcements, no photographers, everything included for everyone, tips included, a happenings cast etc. etc.), but maybe we can come close if we add everything up and just divide by the nights. Are the "experiences" Bella, Fantastica, Aurea, Yacht Club? If so, I'm guessing we are Fantastica. We don't need any or many up-charge items for other cruises. Do they have the horrible set dining times like other cruises? We love that all the restaurants are included in virgin and you can eat any time you want in a place that looks like a land restaurant. So really don't want a "dining hall" experience or being forced to sit with strangers. Bottom line is that if you add up everything you would spend for a 7 night cruise, and divide by 7, what can you get on MSC that is under $600 per 2 person room per night? Under 500 would be better.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

@@frightrisk7407 sadly we cannot answer all these questions as we have only experienced the Yacht Club experience. However, based on what we know on MSC, most of the non-Yacht club experiences have set dining times and tables. To the budget portion, you should be able to find a MSC Yacht Club experience for less than $600/day. And if you do the Yacht Club you can eat anytime in the Yacht Club restaurant and have a private table. But based on everything you mentioned you liked about Virgin, I might suggest looking at Celebrity. There will be significantly less kids (if any) compared to MSC and many more included dining options with anytime dining.

[@PostcardAndAPint]

We've heard so many conflicting reviews on MSC. This was a really good balanced review. That was one heck of a deal you got. That beach house at the private island is stunning. Great video 🍻

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Thanks so much. We try our best to impartial but still provide our opinion honestly. And yes we could not say no to that deal! Have a great weekend. Emma & Jack

[@jayvoas1976]

The food in the YC i s fabulous. Over 20 cruises with RCL, NCL, Princess, and Disney. And it is the best of all in my opinion.

[@ericc3963]

I don't agree just back from yacht club experience and food very much a hit or miss both in quality & food temperature ( lukewarm) service in restaurant also good one night & poor the next. Spoke to 2 other couples from UK at end of cruise who both agreed.Also a couple from New Zealand who said standards have dropped from 1st time they did yacht club.

[@dakahuna]

Great review. Thank you. We have two differences between what was included with your YC booking and what is included with our YC booking on Divina. For us, we get two WiFi for two devices per person and our gratuities were not included. Not sure if this was changed between the time you booked your cruise and when we booked ours but I did find that those two things were different.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

We appreciate it. And thank you for noting the differences. We will be looking to dive more into MSC so might get better clarity on everything. Emma & Jack

[@JourneyWithTheGingers]

Yay for a Live a Little Seashore vlog! We will be in an Aurea Suite on the Seashore on Sunday. 😊 As always, we love your videos!!❤

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Have an amazing time! Thanks so much!

[@jimsmith8553]

The pizza is amazing!! Can't wait to have it again. On this ship in the yacht club for two weeks in May!!

[@lindsayslivealittle]

The pizza was very good! Definitely the best I have had on a cruise! Enjoy your 2 week cruise!!! Emma Live a Little

[@frightrisk7407]

@@lindsayslivealittle Never had anything as good as the made for you in front of you NY Style on Virgin, but interested in trying anything else that can manage the pizza you get from NY or NJ.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

@@frightrisk7407sadly we haven’t tried Virgin yet but will be trying later this year.

[@sandrarums9405]

I love your reviews and adventures. Please keep up the very good work.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Thank you so much! It honestly means a lot to us to hear. We hope you have a great week and continue to enjoy! Emma & Jack

[@thomasmurphy502]

Thanks you two for the much anticipated review of the Yacht Club. We are doing a week on the Seascape in the YC in March with mixed expectations. We did two weeks in the Haven on the Bliss in October and were not impressed. There were a lot of good things, but nothing in the Haven was consistent (great meal one day followed by terrible the next, bartenders were friendly one day, acted like they didn't want to be there the next, etc.) Hoping for consistency in the YC.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Hope you get more consistency with the YC. Quality wise it will be a bit below what the Haven offers but hopefully consistency makes up for it. Emma & Jack

[@eileenrobinson4048]

@@lindsayslivealittle I would have to disagree with this. I have done Haven and YC and would take YC any day of the week. JMHO.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

@@eileenrobinson4048 I understand! We did a comparison between the two and the end vote was a tie. I think it is what is most important to the individual. Thanks for watching.

[@tonyselby2839]

I have just come in on the Yacht Club video. Can you explain to me what “controversial” is during your conversations? You are talking about food and it being one of the more controversial items of MSC.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

When we preparing for our trip, we watched and read reviews that were so polar opposites of each other (good and bad). From the food, to the crew and even the ship designs, it differs quite a bit from US cruise lines.

[@TonyG-gk7qr]

I loved this review. I am sailing Seashore yacht club with my mom in June. I may have to try that upgrade fairy 😀

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Thanks much! Might as well give it a try. They have some crazy rooms that you can upgrade to and we were surprised we got upgraded. Emma & Jack

[@LloydCaldwell-k8x]

@@lindsayslivealittlewhere do I go or call to talk to the upgrade fairy? Thank you love your content and filming.

[@JennaHaxton]

There are yacht club rooms outside the yacht club area. The duplex whirlpool rooms are on different decks

[@RoLin4u]

Thank you! I’ve been trying to decide on yacht club or not

[@cata2215]

We were in “steerage” on the MSC Meraviglia in February (Aurea Class). We felt the food was better than our last Celebrity Cruise for sure. A great value for the money. Definitely don’t listen to all the horrible reviews. We had a wonderful time and booked again for July,

[@lindsayslivealittle]

MSC is definitely a great value for the price. And is only becoming more so with other lines increasing prices.

[@MrWatlow]

Love the color of your roller luggage. A lot of my scuba gear is that color 😂

[@lindsayslivealittle]

It matches our Jeep and is Jacks favorite color! Emma

[@marilynbeebe8249]

My friend who went me had major emergency surgery the month before our trip. We used the butler a lot. If we did not have the butler we would not have been able to go.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Glad the butler made the experience!

[@michelleherrera2453]

Hi! I love your videos and all the information you provide! Which did you like more overall…MSC Yacht Club or Celebrity Retreat?

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Thanks so much. Overall we would pick Celebrity Retreat over Yacht Club if cost is not a deciding factor. We will do a comparison video between the two where we get into the nitty gritty. Emma & Jack

[@farab4391]

I love the buffet on the pool deck. We don't tend to each much at lunch, so this would've been perfect for us and wouldn't interrupt our sun/pool time 🙂 I wish The Retreat on Celebrity had that, since that's who we tend to go with.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

It would be super nice if the Retreat had something similar. Emma & Jack

[@ashleys4652]

You can order lunch on the pool deck in the Retreat. It was our experience that servers walked around and brought the delicious Luminae burger or a salad, for example, right to our lounge chair. They also have snacks and mini sandwiches in the Concierge lounge on a buffet.

[@farab4391]

@@ashleys4652I know, but it’s a very limited menu. Even trying to get a small bowl of olives with a drink was a hassle. Would much rather prefer the buffet I saw in this video

[@remoorepharmd]

Great video, The hilton diamond status match is great

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Thank you! It really is a fantastic option! And it’s not just Hilton!

[@brunkerj]

What is 'one free change'? Just trying to grasp all of your content. The overall looks good. But not enough for me to change. I've been tempted by your Haven experiences, but I'm probably not going to sway from Celebrity Retreat. Food is a giant thing with me, and so far, I find Luminae and other dining with Celebrity to be hard to beat. You answered so many questions for me about MSC. Thank you

[@lindsayslivealittle]

The free change is that if you need to change from one week to another week due to anything it doesn’t cost you anything. Many cruise lines make you cancel a reservation and book a new one thus potentially losing deposits or payments made. You can even make this change up to 15 days before your sailing. Changes include sail date and name changes. It’s not a huge thing until you need it and then it will save you thousands of dollars. We would suggest sticking with Celebrity if food is your driver! Emma & Jack

[@Nickyandhappy]

Thank you for sharing 🎉🎉🎉we are going next month 😊😊

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Have an amazing time!

[@brianbrennan1923]

Good information here. However, 80% of the screen time is the couple talking with only brief shots of the ship.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

If you are looking for content on the ship we release videos throughout the trip and typically wrap a series with a talking heads video. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@GlobalAdventurer]

Actually, the tips are not included. You may have received an on board credit that took care of it, but gratuities are not included. And each "person" gets 2 devices for wifi which is at least 4 devices per cabin.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

We actually booked when a special was running and tips were included. Didn’t realize until after we started to receive comments that this was abnormal. And thanks the adding the context on the devices. Having 2 devices per person is a nice perk. Emma & Jack

[@GlobalAdventurer]

@@lindsayslivealittle Sounds like you guys got a good deal 👍

[@donstaley4606]

Are the items in the refrigerator included in cost in the yacht club

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Yes they are included in the Yacht Club. Emma & Jack

[@johnparkison4535]

You can actually connect two devices per person in the yacht club.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Thanks. We realized after we finished editing that we had made that mistake. Great benefit!

[@goodlien]

As always....loved your video. If I understand you, this was a 4 day cruise for just over 8K?

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Thanks much! Just over $1K.

[@goodlien]

@@lindsayslivealittle obviously I miss understood. So you stayed in the Yacht club for just over 1k? Now that's a deal 🙌🏻

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Correct it was a heck of a deal!

[@goodlien]

@@lindsayslivealittle wow what a blessing for you guys 🙏🏻

[@farab4391]

@@lindsayslivealittle is that for both of you or per person? If it's 1,200 total for 4 days in the yacht club, then that's amazing. I would never have thought of going with MSC, but at that price I might have to at least try it. Just room and drinks for that price is great, everything else is a bonus 🙂 Let's hope Celebrity learns something and drop their The Retreat prices a bit.

[@GoProSKYFOX]

Honestly I love the MSC Yacht Club….and would not cruise any different than that 🫶I will be going on a cruise with Explora Journeys soon (part of the MSC group). Can‘t wait to try them 😊

[@lindsayslivealittle]

We are on Explora in a few weeks to give it a try! Stay tuned to see what we think so after! Emma & Jack

[@GoProSKYFOX]

Cool!!! Can‘t wait for your review!!!!

[@angiepatterson6338]

Two questions…I’m not a drinker but when I do I go for top shelf so is that available? Also, do you have to reserve the cabana against the other Yacht passengers or is it first come, first served?

[@lindsayslivealittle]

The cabanas in the Yacht Club are first come first serve. They have a good selection but it varies frequently. But they will have premium liquors available.

[@LamaMontana]

Great video! Looks more than good enough to me at that price even if they don't have the monkey gin! ha. I might even try the spa if it's that gerevnavating! 🤣 Maybe too many mirrors but you guys always look great so wouldn't matter as much. 😉

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Honestly only Emma looks great. I on the other hand just get by. Jack

[@jenniferlee3843]

I love your necklace! Is that a jade pendant?

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Thank you so much! It’s from a local shop. I believe it’s Chalcedon. Here is a link to the store if you were curious! originalhardware.com

[@angiepatterson6338]

I’m Platinum on NCL and Gold on Hilton honors so what lever would that start me off on?

[@lindsayslivealittle]

We don’t know the answer to this but here is a link to the program. www.msccruisesusa.com/manage-booking/msc-voyagers-club/status-match

[@15MinuteMindsetShift]

I just booked a 3-night on the Seashore, inside Yacht Club suite for less than a standard balcony room on a comparable NCL sailing (same month, similar itinerary). I know you're doing an MSC YC vs NCL Haven video soon, but I wonder...how does Yacht Club compare to regular NCL (not Haven) experience?

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Love this! Fyi we put in a very low ball offer for a room upgrade and got it. Got a balcony in the yacht club from the inside room! Yes we will be doing an MSC YC vs NCL Haven in the next week or two. It will be very different experience from a regular NCL room. You will have a butler, dedicated concierge, private roof deck with pool and food, access to the thermal spa and a dedicated restaurant. (You can go to main dinning room and buffet if you wanted) The lounge is also great. With great coffees (drinks) and snacks! The yacht club spaces over all do not seem crowded, you feel more pampered and you will be able to board the ship super fast. Food is always subjective but I would say if you order with more of a European/Italian mindset the food is probably a little better! Hope you have a fantastic trip! Live a Little Emma & Jack

[@johnnyllooddte3415]

how do you join the yacht club.. i cant find anything on how

[@lindsayslivealittle]

The MSC Yacht club is what MSC refers to with its suite class. Here is the link to their website: www.msccruisesusa.com/cruise/msc-yacht-club

[@Matt-SquirrelCop]

Under $1000 ?? Was this only a 3 or 4 day cruise ?? I didn’t hear you mention how long the cruise actually was. Maybe I missed it.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

It was a 4 night cruise. And was booked under $1000 for Yacht Club interior room and then after the upgrade went through the total cost came in just under $1200.

[@ScottLara]

Appreciate your content.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Thank you so much! Really appreciate that!

[@donstaley4606]

Which is better msc yacht club or celebrity retreat

[@lindsayslivealittle]

If money is not a deciding factor, Retreat is a better experience. But stay tuned because we will do a deep dive comparison on the main suite levels. Emma & Jack

[@debbipurcell8108]

How long was your cruise?

[@lindsayslivealittle]

We did a 3 night cruise.

[@eld4726]

So, in your opinion, who has the better food....MSC or NCL?? With a few exceptions, I have only cruised NCL. But I am seriously looking at a MSC cruise.....in the Yacht Club!!!....next year. Great itinerary and, unlike NCL, they stay in port for anywhere from 8 to 12 hours. NCL way too often will stop in a place from 7am to 1pm. So annoying. You can't do anything in that short of a time!!!!

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Short answer is NCL has better food but on Wednesday we are releasing our comparison of NCL Haven vs MSC Yacht Club. MSC is a better bang for your buck now.

[@eld4726]

@@lindsayslivealittle Thanks for the quick reply! I look forward to your vlog on Wednesday comparing the two. I travel the Haven a lot and it would be hard to top that food. But I LOVE ...1) how fast you get through check-in and get on board with MSC Yacht Club and ...2) that so much is included in the fare.....unlike NCL that nickels and dimes you to death!! This will be my first MSC cruise.

[@DogScreenTV]

Which cruise line would you say is the highest quality wise?

[@lindsayslivealittle]

For mainstream cruise lines, we would say Celebrity. But it is really dependent on what you are looking for in your experience.

[@TricornForge]

How do you join the yacht club, I can’t figure it out and I’m not sure if I’m just dumb

[@lindsayslivealittle]

It is the suite class on MSC. Just called the Yacht Club. (You are not dumb. That’s a legit question)

[@OneAmazingAdventure]

Did it cover your drink at specialty dining???

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Yes it covered the drink at speciality dining

[@OneAmazingAdventure]

@@lindsayslivealittle Thank you, never tried, going right after Ocean Cay reopens at end of May, considering trying Kaito one evening

[@Seekq]

Red nail polish on a man and Macallan on ice don’t mix. Not in Scotland at least.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Well when you have a 3 year old daughter sometimes you have to do things.

[@davidc5191]

"One free change" 8:13 What's a "change"? - sorry don't know cruise terminology.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

You are allowed to change the dates of your booking 1 time. Typically on other cruise lines if you want to change your current booking to a different date it is considered a cancelation and thus you may lose you deposit. With the yacht club that is not the case. Emma & Jack

[@tdalej]

Just skip to the end like I did and hear them say "yes, we would book The Yacht Club again."

[@lindsayslivealittle]

The end answer is about 5% of the reason to watch the video. 95% of the reason to watch the video is around the ‘Why’.

[@johnlindsay7352]

I want a butler, and chocolate on my bed.😂

[@lindsayslivealittle]

You will get it soon enough!

[@l.f.timmerman1138]

Very cheap deal. We always pay around 2800 euro for a week YC per person. 3 weeks Atlantic crossing was 16k euro

[@lindsayslivealittle]

2800 Euros is still a good price for a week in a suit! We did find a great steal for our trip.

[@kalaniepetersen2359]

Question to anyone ? Has anyone did MSC cruises out the country as an American? I was on Seaside that left out of Martinique two and a half weeks ago everyone that wasn’t French had to surrender their passport!!! I complied and last week they lost it!! Has anyone else experienced this?

[@lindsayslivealittle]

I am so sorry this happened to you! I am sorry we have only tried MSC out of the US. I hope they find your passport and get it back to you and did something to make it right! How did you get home? This sounds horrible!

[@vincentclausen2250]

I actually liked the MSC food when they first started. They are going too far towards American druthers here in the States

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Interested to hear what has changed

[@RichardGarner-u8s]

Conservative but XL

[@lindsayslivealittle]

not sure what this is referring to

[@monicapedone8636]

I wouldn’t trust his opinion about Italian food

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Thanks for you option. But his whole job is food so he knows more about food than the average person!

[@johnchojnowski3951]

No iPa’s🍺👎

[@lindsayslivealittle]

There were minimal options but we did see Goose Island IPA available at some places.

[@Swhbucsfan]

Not worth the money to be around screaming kids. Make it adult only and then I may purchase it.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Luckily there adults only cruise options with other lines. However, we travel with our daughter quite a bit and have to say we rarely have encountered screaming kids in the suite areas.

[@wellifthemediasaysit]

Arrrghhhh please please, show us 34 mins of the stunning ship, with your voiceovers! Not your faces!

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Other channels such as Harr Travel offer great ship tours. We do ship tours on some trips but has to be a ship without much content out on it.

[@jackmead6166]

MSC is horrible The food is horrible The treatment is horrible The value is horrible.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Ok so we only tried the food in the Yacht Club and one specialty restaurant. I will definitely say there were something’s that were bad. But if you ordered with the Italian food mindset then the food wasn’t bad. The pasta and pizza were good. We also got it for a fraction of the price of other suits and for that it was worth it. But you can’t go in expecting the same level as other suite lines. For the price (that we paid at least, 1K) it was worth it! I would never pay comparable to what other suites charge. And like we say… that was our experience on this cruise. Might not be everyone’s experience! Thanks for watching Emma & Jack

[@kalaniepetersen2359]

I agree with you @jackmead6166!!! I was on Seaside from Martinique they lost my passport last week!! It’s a nightmare I still can’t get a manager on the phone. !! My first and last cruise with them!!!

[@jamesvirga9496]

We have done NCL Haven, food was OK, not great. We have done Celebrity and will never do that again, Food was barely edible, in fact we left the Retreat and went to the dining room and the food was just as bad. MSC Yacht club is the only way we go now, Pasta is fresh made and delicious, pizza is great, best Eggplant parmigiana we have ever had, lasagna was amazing and service was stellar. Our butler Mary was perfect and could not do enough for us. If you like over salted food loaded with saturated fat you won't find that on MSC.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

@@jamesvirga9496 thanks. Always nice to hear other people’s opinions and experiences. Sorry to hear you disliked Celebrity so much. We really enjoy Celebrity.

[@medrich1]

So wrong. Service, food and value are great.