The experience of flying first class may have ruined me for the main part of a cruise ship because of the Yacht Club.
The ship-within-a-ship concept gives its guests the high-end, intimate experience traditionally found on small, luxury ships while having access to big-ship attractions.
The largest Yacht Club on the line's newest ship, the 5,632-passenger MSC Seashore, was launched last summer. There is a four-level area at the very front of the ship. It has a restaurant, an open-air buffet, a top-deck bar, and an outdoor seating area overlooking the bow.
There is a pool deck and restaurant at the front of the park. The photo is courtesy of the cruise line.
I've had butler service on several luxury cruise ships, and it adds a new level of value to have one on a contemporary vessel, as it allows you to avoid some big-ship hassles.
They are waiting in lines. A lot of vacation time is taken at airports, terminals, and even on ships.
We arrived at the Port of Miami for our pre-holidays Western Caribbean sailing to find a boarding problem due to all of the additional requirements Covid tests create. I heard from a few people that they waited two hours to get on the plane.
Not us. butlers were on hand to check us in and escort us to the gangway at the yacht club.
The butlers' line-cutting extended shipwide once aboard. We were told by our butler that whenever we wanted to go somewhere, he would escort us.
We learned not to resist. When we booked a ship excursion on Mexico's Costa Maya, Pereira insisted on escorting us through the disembarkation area, where we cut a long line of people, and off the ship entirely to be sure we got to the correct waiting area.
We felt silly asking to be escorted off the ship when we headed out on our own, as we were so grateful. We learned that just being in the Yacht Club doesn't get you to the front of the line.
When you're a Yacht Club passenger, the butler is just one of many other people who saves you time and offers personalized service. The Yacht Club's concierge desk and butler handle all spa and restaurant reservations, which gives guests more time to vacation, and there was never a wait to talk to someone at the desk.
The Yacht Club passengers told me that the service level in the enclave was so good that they avoided being in the main part of the ship. Robert Balla said guests shouldn't compare the experiences.
He said that when he flew business class, he had different expectations. It doesn't mean that the service is better. It means it's different. I will say it's parallel to the price you pay.
The owner's suite has a balcony. The photo is courtesy of the cruise line.
The Yacht Club has more space per passenger than the rest of the ship and has exclusive amenities like a small pool and hot tub. The spaces in the Yacht Club area were always lively, even when we couldn't get a seat.
Balla said that as nice as the spaces are, they are not selling the rooms.
The butlers help passengers navigate the onboard experience, assisting them in managing their schedules.
Balla said that butlers are encouraged to know about activities and that the concierge makes all sorts of arrangements for guests, such as private shopping or bringing the shore excursion manager.
Balla said that the goal is to exceed expectations, not just to meet them.
The enclave was mostly left for the fitness center, specialty dining, waterslides, and arcade, which my 8-year-old son liked the most. One night, we went to watch "The Grinch" on the big screen by the pool. My son and I walked the terrifying glass-floored Bridge of Sighs, 72 feet above the Infinity Pool eight decks below, while I enjoyed getting a fresh-squeezed orange juice at the Deck 16 Sky Bar.
The kids areas of the Seashore's children's cruise ship company are mentioned.
It felt like coming home whenever we came back from the other side. We found our favorite spots quickly.
We almost always had breakfast and lunch at the buffet, which had a limited but impressive selection and a menu that changed daily to include lobster tails, an Indian chicken dish and staple foods like burgers and fries. Eggs and omelets were included in the breakfast.
Suite accommodations on the seashore. The photo is courtesy of the cruise line.
We sat outside at sunset to play cards and have cocktails, and to watch as the seashore left port.
We knew better than to refuse his help leaving the ship because we might face a long wait without him. He took us to the front of the line, where we said our goodbyes with a lump in our throats.
My son said that he missed his father as soon as we left the ship. So did I.
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