MSC Yacht Club: Is It Really Worth It?

When you go to book your MSC Cruises itinerary, you may come across a special offering called MSC Yacht Club. Is this special level of cruise worth buying? What do you get with this VIP level of service?

We’re breaking down everything you need to know about MSC Yacht Club and whether or not it’s a good choice for you and your cruising family (hint: it probably is).

MSC Yacht Club – Ship Within a Ship!

MSC Cruises is one of the largest cruise lines in the world, right up there with brands like Carnival, but if you don’t often cruise from ports located outside of the United States, you may not be that familiar with them. That’s because many of MSC Cruises’ passengers hail from European countries.

But, with the brand expanding its offerings and targeting more passengers from more locales around the world, you may find yourself interested in booking an MSC Cruises itinerary — especially once you get a look at some of the line’s amazing, larger-than-life ships, like the MSC Meraviglia.

When you book your cruise, you’ll come across the line’s MSC Yacht Club offering. The Yacht Club isn’t a loyalty program and it’s not just a set of suites. The Yacht Club is what MSC Cruises calls “a ship within a ship.”

It’s a luxury experience that takes your cruise to the next level —  and if luxury experiences are something you value as a traveler, you’ll definitely want to pay the extra cash needed to be a member of this exclusive “club.” It’s also a great experience to stay away from the crowds.

MSC Yacht Club perks include access to the best suites, a private club-members-only restaurant, a private club-members-only pool and sun deck, and even your very own, 24-hour butler and concierge, priority embarkation and disembarkation. But that only scratches the surface.

Is MSC Yacht Club Really Worth It?

For many cruisers, yes, upgrading to an MSC Yacht Club cruise is going to be worth it. The complimentary dining and drinks will save you tons of cash. The butler and concierge service will save you tons of time. Then, the access to your private pools, deck, lounge, and more makes for a much more relaxing cruise experience.

What About the Cost?

When considering an upgrade to the MSC Yacht Club, it’s important to weigh the additional cost against the benefits it provides. While the exact pricing may vary depending on the ship and itinerary, the MSC Yacht Club experience typically comes at a premium compared to standard cruise accommodations. However, the added value and exclusive amenities can make it a worthy investment for those seeking a truly luxurious and pampering vacation.

To determine if the cost justifies the experience, consider the value you place on amenities such as 24-hour butler service, access to private venues, unlimited complimentary drinks, and priority boarding and disembarkation.

Take into account the potential savings from not having to pay for specialty dining or drinks throughout your cruise. By examining the overall cost and comparing it to the additional benefits provided by the Yacht Club, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your budget and desired level of luxury.

MSC Yacht Club Suites

The MSC Yacht Club premium luxury suites include, depending on the ship you’re on, anywhere from 70 to more than 100 different suite options. These options include interior suites, duplex suites, deluxe grand suites, new owner’s suites, executive and family suites, and royal suites.

Interior suites are, as you likely guessed, on the interior of the ship, but this is no drab and uncomfortable inner stateroom. Instead, interior suites are spacious (up to 226 square feet), with either king or twin beds, with a full sitting area, wardrobe, large bathroom with a vanity and even a coffee area.

Deluxe and deluxe grand suites are slightly larger, with a sitting area and occupancy for three to five guests and typically a small balcony with some seating.

If you’re traveling as more than just two or three people, you’ll probably want to upgrade to a duplex suite. The MSC Yacht Club duplex suites are humongous, with more than 600 square feet of interior space and nearly 250 square feet of exterior space, with a whirlpool-boasting balcony. There are two decks, occupancy for four travelers, walk-in closets, soaking tubs, a dining room and more.

Executive and family suites are similar to the duplex suite, only slightly smaller, though they do still offer occupancy for four. Unfortunately, executive and family suites do not come with balconies. However, they do come with gorgeous, panoramic, floor-to-ceiling windows.

The new owner’s suites are even larger than the duplex suites, with a whopping more than 1,000 square feet of interior space and room for five travelers. Enjoy a huge deck, spacious bathroom, dining room, living area and more.

Also Read: 5 Ways to Get a Free Cruise Ship Cabin Upgrade

Lastly, the royal suites are smaller than the new owner’s and duplex suites, but they’re still pretty luxurious all the same, with occupancy for three to four guests, separating living areas and dining rooms, soaking tubs and showers, walk-in closets and more.

Whatever option you choose, though, your suite will be outfitted with gorgeous furnishings, from Myform memory foam bedding to Egyptian cotton sheets to marble bathroom counters and wood paneling throughout the living spaces. Plus, the suites even feature a few high-tech amenities, such as “smart” air conditioning and an interactive widescreen television. You even get your own in-suite laptop!

So are these lavish suites enough to convince you to upgrade to the experience? For some cruisers, that’s exactly the case. That’s because, if you’re wanting to book a suite on the coveted upper decks of any MSC Cruises ship, you have to upgrade to the MSC Yacht Club. These suites are only available to those guests.

Private Space

As we mentioned, just like you only get access to these upper-deck suites by booking the MSC Yacht Club experience, there are certain private VIP spaces throughout the MSC Cruises ships that are only open to MSC Yacht Club guests.

These private spaces include the restaurant, Top Sail Lounge and the sun deck and pool. What exactly can you expect in each?

The Top Sail Lounge can be found on those upper decks where the Yacht Club suites are also located. It’s your place to go for a quick bite to eat or a leisurely drink when you’re not exploring the rest of the ship. You’ll find complimentary drinks, snacks and desserts all day long, all in an upscale, yet laid-back, setting.

The One Sun Deck Complex includes a pool, two extra spa pools and a solarium. This is your place to go when you want to take a dip and enjoy the sun and water, but you don’t want to be surrounded by a lot of loud noise or other cruisers.

The private and luxurious sun deck feels a world away from the rest of the cruise ship. The complex also includes a bar, where you can find snacks and drinks all day long.

Then, every MSC Yacht Club boasts its own private restaurant that’s open to Yacht Club guests only, and the name of the private restaurant will differ according to the MSC Cruises ship you’re on. So, for example, if you’re sailing on MSC Splendida, the restaurant is L’Olivo. If you’re sailing on MSC Divina, the restaurant is Le Muse, etcetera.

The great thing about these private restaurants? There are no scheduled dinner times, so you can come in and dine whenever you want. The restaurant is totally complimentary and offers gourmet fine dining in a luxurious setting.

Also Read: Must-Know Things About the MSC Seaside Cruise Ship

Butler Service

One of the most beloved perks for frequent Yacht Club cruisers? They love the MSC Yacht Club butler service. And who wouldn’t? You’ll have 24/7 access to your very own personal butler, to help you make the most of your cruising experience.

Your butler meets you when the ship embarks, carries your bags, escorts you throughout the ship as you get acquainted and is then available to help you plan anything you like while cruising, whether it’s a special dinner or access to a special amenity. The 24/7 Yacht Club concierges are also available for much of the same tasks.

Other Amenities

Other MSC Yacht Club amenities include…

• Complimentary drinks (including soft drifts, spirits, beers, wines and cocktails) both in the MSC Yacht Club venues and in your suite
• International newspapers delivered to your suite daily
• Access to a pillow menu, to pick your perfect fit
• Private elevator entry to the spa, with massage and treatment rooms set aside for Yacht Club guests
• Priority check in and check out
• Access to a broader menu of fine wines and spirits
• Nintendo Wiis in each suite
• Priority reservations at the spa
• Complimentary spa treatments, including a trip to the thermal suite and sauna in the Turkish bath
• Access to bespoke shore excursions
• Access to an exclusive shopping guide for shore excursions
• Access to a personal photographer for shore excursions
• Complimentary internet/WiFi

Of course, in addition to these extra perks that are only available to MSC Yacht Club guests, if you book an MSC Yacht Club suite, you’ll also get access to all of the other spaces and entertainment found throughout the rest of the cruise ship. You will, though, have to pay for those non-complimentary spaces and entertainment (such as dining at specialty restaurants), just like all the other cruisers.

What Are the Best MSC Yacht Club Perks?

If you’re still on the fence regarding booking a cruise within the MSC Yacht Club on an MSC Cruises ship, here are a few things that you’ll want to consider.

All the Time You’ll Save

No, really! That’s the great thing about priority boarding and priority check-in and check-out.  There’s no waiting in long lines or spending your valuable vacation time with extra chores you don’t want to do. The priority boarding and check-in and check-out processes for MSC Yacht Club guests are seamless, easy and headache-free, so you can spend your vacation time actually relaxing.

Worth Reading: MSC Virtuosa Cruise Ship Overview & Things to Do

Plus, you’ll save extra time with your cruise planning, too, thanks to the stellar butler service. Want to reserve dinner at one of the specialty restaurants on your cruise ship? There’s no need to do research or wait on the phone to make your reservation. Just talk to your butler and they’ll handle the rest, booking you the perfect experience.

The same thing goes for shore excursions. The concierges and butlers help make your planning process a breeze, so all you need to do is tell them what you want, and they’ll take it from there.

More privacy and fewer crowds

One of the worst parts (for many travelers) of going on a cruise or staying at a big resort? The crowds and lack of privacy. But when you go to the private MSC Yacht Club spaces, like the pool deck and restaurant, you get access to fine dining and stellar pool areas that you expect from a popular luxury ship, but without all the crowds, noise and hustle and bustle. It makes for a more relaxing experience, and one that feels more exclusive, too.

Free drinks

If you don’t purchase a drink package on your cruise (or even if you do), all that vacation drinking can turn costly. Even if you don’t consider yourself that much of a party animal, we all likely drink a little more than normal when on vacay, and all those cocktails can start to add up.

Luckily, if you’re staying in a MSC Yacht Club suite, you can enjoy free-flowing drinks of any kind, all day long, from both your in-suite minibar and the lounge, restaurant, and pool bar within the private spaces.

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