We recently had the opportunity to experience the MSC Seashore Yacht Club and are back to give you a first-hand look at this exclusive area. We share what you need to know including its benefits, helpful tips and tricks, and all the private spaces to help you decide if the MSC Yacht Club is right for your next cruise vacation.
What is the MSC Yacht Club?
The Yacht Club on MSC Cruises is an exclusive ship-within-a-ship experience that offers guests all the luxuries of small ship cruising combined with all the amenities of modern mega-ships.
OUR EXCLUSIVE LOOK AT MSC YACHT CLUB
This exclusive experience is available to all guests by simply booking a cabin in the MSC Yacht Club. Guests can take advantage of the Yacht Club’s personalized service and dedicated amenities with no membership or loyalty tier status required.
Further, the MSC Yacht Club offers a variety of accommodations and is family-friendly making it accessible to everyone!
Our MSC Seashore Yacht Club Experience
Our immersive experience began from the moment we arrived at the terminal in Port Canaveral, where we were quickly escorted to a private check-in area. Here, staff verified our documents, provided an overview of the inclusions, and issued our keycards and MSC for Me wristbands. We were also treated to drinks and light snacks while we waited.
Soon after, we met our butler, Francis, who escorted us onto the ship bypassing the typical embarkation day queues. Priority embarkation and disembarkation is one of the many perks of staying in the MSC Yacht Club. This service also applies at certain ports of call as well.
Once onboard the ship, we were given a tour of the facilities which are all centrally located on Decks 16-20 forward. This ship-within-a-ship features everything you’ll need throughout the week. So, you could spend your entire cruise in this private retreat. But, we suggest you explore the rest of the ship as well.
MSC Yacht Club guests have dedicated spaces to fulfill all their needs including the Top Sail Lounge, Yacht Club Restaurant, and Sundeck.
Top Sail Lounge
The Top Sail Lounge is your go-to space throughout the day. With floor to ceiling windows, it offers great panoramic views, alongside a full bar. Guests can grab a morning cup of coffee and relax in the comfy furniture or sip a pre-dinner cocktail while socializing with newly made friends.
The Lounge also features snacks throughout most of the day and light music in the evenings.
An exclusive High Tea event is also offered in the Top Sail Lounge on the last sea day of the cruise. White-gloved butlers pour up your favorite teas alongside sweet and savory snacks for a true English experience.
MSC Yacht Club Restaurant
The Yacht Club Restaurant is the upscale main dining room for Yacht Club guests. This venue serves sit-down breakfast and lunch most days and nightly dinner. Similar to the other main dining rooms on the ship, the menu does change nightly with a set list of classics that are available every night like chicken, salmon, and filet mignon that rivals any specialty restaurant offering.
Where the venue does differ from the other main dining rooms in that there are more elevated menu selections. We sampled lobster ravioli, ossobuco, risotto with clams, short ribs, and the homemade pastas to name a few.
The Maitre d’ and waitstaff were very accommodating as well, offering to customize dishes for Heidi and even got her an off-menu chicken parm for the last evening’s Italian Night.
Other benefits of the Yacht Club Restaurant are that there are no up-charges for additional entrees and no set dining times. Guests are able to dine anytime between 5:30 and 9 PM without any reservations needed. Given the venue is exclusive to just Yacht Club guests, we never had to wait for a table either.
MSC Yacht Club Sundeck
Perhaps one of the best parts of staying in the MSC Yacht Club is an entire sundeck to yourself.
This dedicated sundeck features a pool, whirlpools, and upgraded loungers and cabanas. There’s also a full-service bar and a buffet, so guests never have far to go to grab some food or drinks. The One Pool Buffet serves breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snacks.
While smaller than the ship’s Marketplace Buffet, there are premium offerings available like calamari, steak, and more. There’s also a grill that serves up custom omelets in the mornings and custom burgers among other grill favorites in the afternoons.
This sundeck is quite spacious, so we never had any issues finding loungers throughout the day. Although, there isn’t much shade. So, if you do want to snag one of the cabanas, you’ll need to do so early in the day. The pool and whirlpools never felt crowded either.
The Yacht Club sundeck also hosts the Yacht Club’s exclusive Island Party. This event features a DJ, snacks, drinks, and more.
Our MSC Seashore Yacht Club Deluxe Suite
For our MSC Seashore cruise, we stayed in a Deluxe Suite. This cabin was noticeably more spacious than our typical balcony accommodations, with over 40% more square footage.
The main cabin area featured plenty of space around the king bed, a separate seating area with a sofa, chair, and coffee table, a large desk/vanity, ample closet space, and an over-sized bathroom on par with hotel bathrooms on land. The balcony too was larger than standard cruise balconies.
Not to mention, Yacht Club accommodations also come with an in-room coffee maker, stocked (complimentary) mini-bar, premium bath products, and bath robes. Now, we could certainly get used to this!
While we enjoyed our Deluxe Suite, there are other accommodations at various price points available as well. The most luxurious offering is the Owner’s Suite. This suite is 1055 square feet with a 269 square foot balcony. The balcony even has a private whirlpool. The cabin has a separate living and dining area, a walk-in closet, and a large bathroom.
For a more modest price, guests can opt for an Interior Suite. At 226 square feet, these cabins are also noticeably larger than other interior rooms on the ship.
MSC Yacht Club Benefits
There are quite a few MSC Yacht Club benefits in addition to the well-appointed suites and exclusive areas themselves. Actually, after living the MSC Seashore Yacht Club lifestyle for the week, it might be difficult to go back to ordinary cruising…similar to how we never went back to inside cabins after staying in our first balcony cabin. Many other cruisers we spoke to said the same thing.
Butler Service
The most notable MSC Yacht Club benefit is a butler. This was our first time having a butler, and we honestly didn’t really know how to utilize him.
Some of the things your butler can do for you are:
- Give you a private tour of the ship
- Pick up your children from kids area
- Make reservations for you
- Escort you to the theater and on/off the ship
- Bring you snacks to your suite
While he can also do things like unpack for you, we didn’t think that was necessary. He did come in handy for priority embarkation and disembarkation though. He was always a resource for any questions we had during the trip and to assist with reservations.
Room Service
Another perk of the Yacht Club is included room service. We took advantage of this a couple times to order pizza, and we suggest you do the same! It was served hot, fresh, and delicious. While we didn’t order room service breakfast, you could also enjoy some breakfast in bed or on the balcony for no added fees.
Drink Package
Yacht Club guests receive a premium beverage package. With this package, guests can enjoy cocktails up to $16 throughout the whole ship, not just within the Yacht Club.
This means you can check out the other bars on MSC Seashore like the Cocktail Bar with its signature menu. You can grab a drink while enjoying the entertainment in Le Cabaret Rouge or dancing it up at the White Party. Or, you can order a beverage while dining at one of the specialty restaurants. If the drink happens to be over $16, you’ll only pay the difference in price.
WiFi Package
In addition to a drink package, another MSC Yacht Club benefit is a browse internet package for two devices per person. There is the option to upgrade to a stream package for an additional fee as well.
Just remember that you can not switch back and forth between devices like most other cruise lines. Once you log in on these two devices, you won’t be able to use a third device by logging off one of the others.
Thermal Suite
If that’s not enough, MSC Seashore Yacht Club guests have unlimited, complimentaray access to the Aurea Spa’s thermal suite. This thermal suite features a hydrotherapy pool, heated stone loungers, various experiential showers, two saunas, two steam rooms, a salt room, and even a snow room. There is also a dedicated outdoor space with loungers and a whirlpool.
Exclusive Area on Ocean Cay
If your cruise is heading to Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve like ours did, you’ll also get the same royal treatment on the island. With priority disembarkation in port, you will be some of the first guests off the ship and whisked away on a private shuttle to your exclusive retreat.
Ocean House features a private beach with plenty of sand, sun, and loungers to enjoy. There’s also a bar and a sit-down restaurant. Instead of the typical island buffet, Yacht Club guests can enjoy an upgraded menu with items like a lobster roll, mahi-mahi, carne asada, and more.
Of course, you’re not limited to this space. Guests can certainly leave the area to explore the rest of the island like we did. We spent a couple hours in the morning circling the island to see the progress since our last visit in 2022 and then returned in time for lunch.
Other Benefits
In addition to all the other great perks that we already discussed, Yacht Club guests get discounts on specialty dining and spa packages as well. And we do suggest giving the specialty restaurants a try. MSC Seashore features four specialty restaurants: The Butcher’s Cut, Hola! Tacos and Cantina, Kaito Teppanyaki, and Ocean Cay seafood restaurant. There’s also a sushi conveyor belt at Kaito Sushi. We dined at The Butcher’s Cut, Hola! Tacos, and Kaito Teppanyaki, and they were all top-notch.
Further, Yacht Club guests earn more MSC Voyagers Club Points too. This means you can work your way up the ranks in the cruise line’s loyalty program even quicker. For a typical 7-night cruise, Yacht Club guests will receive 1500 points versus 500-1000 points for other experience levels. As a bonus tip- if you have loyalty status with another cruise line, MSC Cruises offers a matching program.
While all MSC guests can purchase MSC for Me wristbands for $9.99, these are included for those staying in the Yacht Club. We personally love this wearable technology. It’s so much easier than having to use your key card all the time. Guests can scan the wristbands to enter their cabins and to make purchases on the ship. However, you do still need your keycard when going ashore in ports of call.
Finally, while not included, guests do also have access to exclusive Yacht Club excursions. These vary by port of call but can include villas and luxury beach escapes. We tested out one of these excursions in Cozumel, the El Presidente Villa. This private tour included a day room at the Intercontinental and access to the beach and two pools at the resort.
Still, there is even more waiting for guests beyond the keycard access-only MSC Seashore Yacht Club.
More on MSC Seashore Beyond the Yacht Club
At approximately 170K gross tons with 20 decks, MSC Seashore offers cruisers of all ages a variety of things to see, do, and eat.
Specialty Dining
Beyond the MSC Yacht Club exclusive dining spaces, guests can enjoy a meal at one of the specialty restaurants or drinks at one of the many onboard bars. Our personal favorite is the Butcher’s Cut; it’s one of the best steakhouses at sea in our opinion. We also really like the casual fare at Hola Tacos and Cantina, and hibachi on a cruise is always a fun time too.
Entertainment
When it comes to entertainment, Yacht Club guests don’t need to worry about making reservations for any of the main theater production shows, as there’s a reserved seating section in the Madison Theater. Our MSC Seashore sailing featured five signature productions with a talented cast of singers, dancers, and aerialists, along with two headliner acts which were a comedian and a magician. Our favorite of the signature productions was Rock Royalty.
Beyond these production shows, there’s plenty of other entertainment to keep you busy day and night. There’s trivia sessions, game shows like the Guests vs. Crew challenge, a Master Chef at Sea show, a Guinness World Records competition, dance classes, and live music in various venues around the ship.
And let’s not forget the parties! MSC knows how to throw a party, and there’s one just about every night. There’s the popular Glow Party, Silent Disco, and White Party to name a few. So, be sure to pack your best white outfit and get ready to dance the night away.
Kids Areas & Hall of Games
If you’re cruising with the kids, MSC has dedicated kids and teens spaces where they can participate in a variety of staff-led activities with others of the same age group. And for all the big kids at heart, the Hall of Games is a must. This arcade and VR complex features an F1 simulator, an XD cinema, a VR rafting experience, and more.
Outdoor Spaces
But that’s not all. The outdoor spaces on MSC Seashore deserve some recognition too. Perhaps one of our favorite spots on the ship is the adults-only Infinity Pool. Aft on Deck 8, this pool features in-pool loungers and the best wake views. There’s also the waterfront promenade and Infinity Bridges on Deck 8 if you’re looking for a space away from the pool deck.
Speaking of pools, besides the exclusive Yacht Club Pool and the Infinity Pool, guests can enjoy the Long Island Pool which is the main pool on the ship and the Jungle Pool which has a retractable roof. Families will love the Pirates Cove Aquapark too, complete with waterslides, a splash area, and an adventure trail.
If you’re not tired yet, there’s a casino, gym, sports court for some pickleball action, and plenty more.
MSC Yacht Club Tips
If you’re staying in the MSC Seashore Yacht Club on your next sailing, we have some helpful tips and tricks so you can have the best cruise vacation.
1. All Yacht Club Suites get the same perks.
As mentioned previously, the MSC Seashore Yacht Club has a variety of suite options. These range from the more affordable Interior Suites up to the most luxurious Owner’s Suites.
And the best part is that you get access to all the exclusive spaces and benefits regardless of which room category you book. So, even if you stay in an interior suite, you’ll get the same perks (minus a balcony, of course). Now, that’s a huge perk in itself.
2. Guests can enjoy the Yacht Club exclusive spaces but still take advantage of all the other onboard offerings.
Just because you are staying in the MSC Yacht Club doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the rest of the ship too. You actually get the best of both worlds. You can catch the nightly shows and entertainment, dine at the specialty restaurants, or have some family time in the Hall of Games AND you can retreat to the secluded Yacht Club sundeck for some relaxation or pool time whenever you want.
3. The MSC Yacht Club is family-friendly.
When many think of luxury experiences, they assume adult-only. But, that is not the case with the MSC Yacht Club. This ship-within-a-ship complex is family-friendly, meaning there are no age restrictions on the sundeck or in the restaurant.
Of course, if you are cruising as a family, the kids will probably want to spend some time in the youth clubs or Pirates Cove Aquapark too. This means you’ll even get some time to yourself to visit the spa or enjoy an adult beverage.
4. Yacht Club guests get the premium extra drink package that works anywhere on the ship.
Speaking of beverages, all MSC Yacht Club guests get the Premium Extra drink package as part of their cruise fare. This package entitles guests to all beverages priced up to $16. This includes a wide range of cocktails, spirits, wines by the glass, and beer as well as soda, juice, bottled water, and specialty coffee and teas.
These drinks are not just limited to within the Yacht Club either. Guests can enjoy beverages at any of the bars around the ship.
5. Yacht Club guests can dine anytime in the Restaurant without a reservation.
Unlike most other guests on the ship that are assigned a dining time in one of the main dining rooms, Yacht Club guests can dine whenever they want. They have no set dining times and no reservations are required. Guests can simply walk up to the Yacht Club Restaurant when they are hungry with no wait times for a table.
6. Yacht Club guests don’t need to make entertainment reservations.
Similarly, those staying in the MSC Seashore Yacht Club don’t need reservations for any of the shows in the Madison Theater either. There is a reserved section in the theater for both showtimes of all the productions and headliner acts. All you need to do is show your keycard or wristband and you’ll be allowed into the roped off area.
7. Yacht Club guests can scan their complimentary wristband or keycard at the elevators for priority status.
We love wearable technology on cruise ships as we think it’s so much easier than carrying around the keycard. Luckily, MSC Cruises offers MSC for Me wristbands that are complimentary to Yacht Club guests.
Whether you are using the wristband or prefer the keycard, this is one tip you’ll definitely want to know! You can scan either the wristband or keycard at the elevator for priority access.
8. Take advantage of priority embarkation and disembarkation.
Another perk you shouldn’t skip is the priority embarkation and disembarkation. Our embarkation day was a breeze as we bypassed all the lines and made our way straight on to the ship. At ports of call, we were among the first guests off the ship as well.
On disembarkation day, we were able to enjoy a relaxed sit-down breakfast in the restaurant without worrying about our luggage or waiting in line to get off the ship. When we were ready to leave, our butler assisted with our luggage and escorted us straight to the gangway.
9. Yacht Club guests get free room service, and you don’t want to miss the pizza.
While other guests on MSC Seashore do have to pay for room service, it is complimentary for all those staying in the Yacht Club. Guests can enjoy breakfast in bed or order selections from the all day menu.
The one thing you MUST try is the pizza. This is perhaps the best pizza we’ve had at sea!
10. Don’t miss the High Tea event either.
Yacht Club guests are also treated to various other exclusive events during the cruise like the Island Party on the One Pool deck and High Tea on the last sea day of the cruise.
This tea event is comparable to what you’d find on other luxury cruise lines. You can indulge in fine teas from the East India Tea Company, served alongside scones, sandwiches, and pastries in traditional British fashion.
11. Yacht Club suites come with an in-room coffee maker and free stocked mini-bar!
While there are various options to enjoy a morning coffee or drinks around the ship, you technically don’t even have to leave your suite to do so. The suites on MSC Seashore come with an in-room coffee maker and a complimentary mini-bar that is stocked daily. Your butler will be happy to stock the mini-bar with your preferences as well.
12. Be sure to reserve time to enjoy the thermal suite.
With so much to do on the ship and ashore, be sure to reserve some time to enjoy the thermal suite. As one of the included perks of staying in the Yacht Club, guests have unlimited access to this rejuvenating experience.
On port days, guests can come and go from the thermal suite, but a reservation is required on sea days. The concierge desk in the Yacht Club or your butler will be happy to assist you in making this reservation and/or any other spa reservations.
13. Your butler can pretty much do anything for you.
While having a butler might feel fancy to some, it might also be intimidating for others. Honestly, we weren’t really sure how to utilize such a service either as it was our first time staying in the MSC Yacht Club. But, your butler can pretty much do anything for you, so don’t be afraid to ask. Just don’t get too used to the pampering.
14. MSC Yacht Club is cheaper than the competition.
MSC Cruises offers very competitive pricing in the contemporary cruise market for all stateroom categories, even the Yacht Club. Other cruise lines have similar ship-within-a-ship complexes that feature many of the same perks and benefits, along with more personalized service. They all have exclusive sundecks, restaurants, and lounges as well. But, when it comes to price, MSC’s Yacht Club offers the most affordable entry point.
15. MSC Yacht Club is featured on 15 MSC ships.
While we enjoyed the MSC Seashore Yacht Club, this luxury experience is available on several ships in the MSC Cruises’ fleet. In fact, guests can enjoy a similar ship-within-a-ship complex on the following 15 ships.
- MSC Bellissima
- MSC Divina
- MSC Euribia
- MSC Fantasia
- MSC Grandiosa
- MSC Meraviglia
- MSC Preziosa
- MSC Seascape
- MSC Seashore
- MSC Seaside
- MSC Seaview
- MSC Splendida
- MSC Virtuosa
- MSC World America
- MSC World Europa
Bottom Line
Overall, when considering all the inclusions and exclusive spaces, the MSC Yacht Club is a great value for those looking for a personalized vacation experience that doesn’t feel stuffy. Beyond all the benefits of this area itself, you have the option to enjoy all that the rest of the ship has to offer. All guests, even within the same travel party, can customize their vacation experience coming and going from the Yacht Club as they please to enjoy the best of both worlds.
Comments
Have you sailed in the MSC Seashore Yacht Club? Do you think this ship-within-a-ship exerience is worth it? Drop us an anchor below to share your experiences staying in the Yacht Club on MSC Cruises.
