If you’re considering booking MSC Yacht Club on your next cruise, you’ve probably wondered: Is the experience actually worth it?
Having recently sailed on MSC Seascape in the Yacht Club, I can confidently say that it was a game-changer in terms of luxury and convenience. However, there were also some surprises along the way!
To help you get the most out of your MSC Yacht Club experience, here are 25 essential things you need to know before embarking on your next MSC cruise.
25 Things You Need to Know Before Sailing in MSC Yacht Club
1. The “Ship Within a Ship” Concept
One of the most unique aspects of MSC Yacht Club is its “ship within a ship” design. This means that while you have full access to the cruise ship’s entertainment, restaurants, and activities, you also have a private, quiet retreat to return to.
Located on decks 16-20, MSC Yacht Club offers a separate world of luxury, including an exclusive concierge desk, a private lounge, a restaurant, and a sun deck with a pool.
The “ship within a ship concept” offers a perfect balance of excitement and relaxation.
2. Priority Embarkation Process
Your VIP experience begins before you even step on the ship. Upon arrival at the cruise terminal, head to the MSC Yacht Club booth, where staff will greet you, take care of your luggage, and guide you through an expedited check-in process.
You’ll receive a special Yacht Club wristband, enjoy complimentary drinks and snacks, and be personally escorted aboard by a butler. The embarkation process is quick and smooth, so you can fully enjoy embarkation day inside MSC Yacht Club.
3. Luxury Accommodations
MSC Yacht Club offers a variety of suites catering to different preferences and budgets, all of which grant access to exclusive amenities. The three main types of suites include:
- Inside Suites: The most budget-friendly option, offering all the Yacht Club perks without a balcony.
- Deluxe Balcony Suites: Spacious accommodations with a private balcony, ideal for relaxation.
- Owner’s Suite: The most luxurious option, featuring a private hot tub, stunning ocean views, and a large living space.
All suites are strategically located in the ship’s top and forward sections for breathtaking views and a quieter experience.
4. 24/7 Butler Service
A dedicated butler is available around the clock to assist with anything from unpacking your suitcase to bringing meals to your suite. Your butler can also arrange personalized shore excursions, specialty dining reservations, and spa appointments, ensuring a stress-free vacation.
One morning, our butler organized a special breakfast for us on our balcony. This was a special touch and a memory that we will always cherish.
5. Top Sail Lounge
One of the most enjoyable aspects of the Yacht Club is access to private areas. The Top Sail Lounge offers panoramic ocean views and is the perfect spot to relax with a coffee, cocktail, or glass of wine.
You’ll find a bar that serves coffee and drinks, as well as a small buffet offering light bites that change throughout the day. You’ll find fruits and breakfast like pastries in the morning and bar snacks and little appetizers in the evening.
You’ll find live music performances like piano players and singers in the evenings. It’s a perfect spot to chat with friends before or after dinner or a show.
6. Private Restaurant for Yacht Club Guests
One of the best perks of MSC Yacht is the private restaurant, where you can enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Unlike the main dining room, there’s no need for reservations and you’ll never wait in line. Since it only serves guests in MSC Yacht Club, the atmosphere is more intimate.
Something we really liked is the varied menu, as featured dishes changed daily. However there are also delicious classic dishes that were always available, including filet mignon.
7. The Yacht Club Sun Deck & Pool
On MSC Seascape, the Yacht Club pool area was one of the highlights. You have access to a large, spacious pool, along with two generously sized hot tubs—one of which had an incredible forward view, perfect for relaxing as you sail into a new port.
The entire pool area feels exclusive, with comfortable lounge chairs, and even cabanas that are free to use on a first-come, first-serve basis. For Owner’s Suite guests, there are reserved cabanas as well.
You also get excellent poolside service, with drinks and food brought to you as you relax. If you want to enjoy a casual poolside meal, the Yacht Club’s buffet and grill offer excellent options like lobster rolls, burgers, and salads, so you don’t have to leave the pool area to enjoy a fantastic lunch.
8. Poolside Buffet & Grill
MSC Yacht Club guest can enjoy casual yet high-quality dining by the pool, with options like fresh omelets for breakfast, lobster rolls for lunch, and afternoon pastries. It’s a great way to dine without leaving the relaxing atmosphere of the sun deck.
The poolside buffet was one of our favorite features as we could spend the day by the pool and eat as we pleased. The food was always tasty and fresh, and the service is top notch.
9. Premium Drinks Package Included
When you stay in MSC Yacht Club, you get the “Premium Extra Drinks” package as part of your fare. This includes a wide range of beverages, from specialty coffees like cappuccino and espresso to premium cocktails, wine, beer, and soft drinks.
This makes your MSC Yacht Club experience truly feel more inclusive, as you don’t have to think about adding a package.
Wi-Fi is included for MSC Yacht Club guests, which is a nice perk to have. You get access to the Top Internet Package, which lets you connect multiple devices at once, so you can stay connected throughout the ship.
10. Priority Elevators
A simple tap of your Yacht Club wristband summons an express elevator, skipping the long wait times of the main elevators. Although I never planned on using this feature, I certainly appreciated the convenience of never having to wait for an elevator.
11. Reserved Seating at Shows
One of the benefits of staying in MSC Yacht Club is that you will have reserved seating for shows. Before the show, your butler will escort you over to the reserved seats for MSC Yacht Club guests.
Once the show is finished, your butler will escort you back to the Yacht Club. The reserved seating certainly comes in handy when the theatre is crowded.
12. Aurea Spa Benefits
Part of the value of MSC Yacht Club is the inclusion of Aurea Spa, which includes the steam room, sauna, snow room, and therapeutic pool. It’s the perfect way to relax, rejuvenate and de-stress.
Yacht Club guests also receive discounted rates on treatments like massages, facials, and other spa services. An added bonus for Yacht Club guests is exclusive access to the Top 19 Solarium, a private sun deck reserved for those in the Aurea and Yacht Club categories.
This serene space offers loungers and stunning views, providing another quiet area to relax and soak up the sun away from the crowds.
As someone who loves the spa, I certainly enjoyed spending some time at the Aurea Spa. The saunas were top-notch and this was the perfect area for relaxing.
13. Twice-Daily Housekeeping & Turn Down Service
I’m a big fan of twice a day housekeeping and turn down service, so I love that MSC Yacht Club provides this. In the morning, the housekeeping team comes in while you’re having breakfast or out enjoying the ship, making sure your room is clean and restocked with anything you need.
Then in the evening, when you come back from dinner or a show, your bed is turned down, the room feels cozy with soft lighting, and there’s usually a little Venchi chocolate left on your pillow.
Our butler also left us a bottle of still water next to the bed, which was so nice to come back to.
14. Room Service
Another great perk of MSC Yacht Club is the included room service. You can order food or drinks right to your cabin anytime you want, at no extra charge.
Whether it’s a light breakfast to enjoy on your balcony, a mid-afternoon snack, or even a late-night bite like a sandwich or nachos. We loved starting the day with coffee and pastries on our balcony, and our son even ordered snacks while watching a football game in the room one night.
15. MSC’s Famous Pizza, Delivered
A special treat in the MSC Yacht Club is getting their famous pizza delivered anytime from noon to midnight. This pizza is so delicious!
It can be delivered to your cabin during the day or evening, but you can also order it to be delivered poolside and have pizza for lunch.
15. Enhanced In-Room Amenities
Yacht Club cabins come with special touches and in-room amenities. This includes plush bathrobes and slippers.
You also have an in-room coffee machine, as well as coffee mugs and glasses as needed. Each day, you’ll receive complimentary Venchi chocolates in your room for a sweet treat!
A mini bar is included, with sparkling or still water and soft drinks, which are always replenished. A pillow menu is also available, allowing you to choose from different options to ensure the most comfortable sleep possible.
18. Concierge Desk (24/7)
Yacht Club guests have access to a 24/7 concierge service. Whether you need assistance booking excursions, making dinner reservations, or arranging a special event, the concierge is always available to help.
While our butler was fantastic, we always knew we could ask the concierge desk questions or for assistance as well.
19. Special Events for Yacht Club Guests
Something we didn’t expect were the special events for MSC Yacht Club guests during our cruise. One evening we had a Sunset Sailaway Cocktail gathering on the Sun Deck. It was really nicely organized with drinks and music.
Another evening a Caribbean deck party was organized. It started out on the pool deck, but later moved to the Top Sail lounge when it rained. It was a lof of fun with guests and crew dancing.
Gala Evenings and Captain’s Reception
Yacht Club guests are invited to exclusive gala evenings and the Captain’s Reception, where you can meet the captain and enjoy a more intimate setting with fellow Yacht Club guests. These events are a great chance to dress up and enjoy the elegance of the Yacht Club experience.
20. Special Requests
The MSC Yacht Club staff and your butler are available for special requests, from arranging a special meal, setting up a private celebration, or handling any personal preferences you might have.
If you have a special birthday or celebration, or simply want breakfast set up on your balcony, your butler or the concierge team can help with the details.
21. Afternoon Tea
On sea days in the MSC Yacht Club, you won’t want to miss afternoon tea in the Top Sail Lounge. It’s a nice way to take a break in the afternoon, with a selection of fine teas, delicious tea sandwiches, petits fours, and pastries.
There was live music playing, which made it a really nice atmosphere to sit and relax, while sipping tea or a glass of bubbly.
22. Exclusive Ocean Cay Yacht Club Experience
If you’re on a Caribbean cruise, you’ll likely When visit Ocean Cay. MSC’s private island. It’s absolutely gorgeous, but as an MSC Yacht Club guest you’ll have access to a private beach area with premium loungers reserved just for Yacht Club guests.
There’s also a dedicated bar and service team, so you can have drinks and snacks brought right to you while you relax by the water.
For lunch, you’ll enjoy a nice lunch at the beachside restaurant. During our cruise, we only arrived at Ocean Cay after lunch due to weather, so we enjoyed lobster rolls poolside instead.
You also get priority embarkation and disembarkation, and transportation to the beach.
23. Exclusive Shore Excursions
Yacht Club guests have access to curated shore excursions. These are more intimate and luxurious than regular excursions, often offering VIP experiences at ports of call.
During our stop in Puerto Plata, we had an excursion to a beautiful resort with a gorgeous pool, beach and included lunch.
24. Priority Disembarkation
One of the really convenient perks of the MSC Yacht Club is priority disembarkation, both at ports and at the end of your trip. Not only do you avoid the long lines and crowds, but your butler will also escort you off the ship.
Whether you’re heading out for a port excursion or disembarking at the end your cruise, it’s easy and hassle free.
25. Who is Yacht Club For?
The Yacht Club isn’t just for couples or solo travelers; it’s also great for families. The personal butler can help with any family needs, and the larger suites, like the Executive & Family Suites, offer plenty of space for everyone.
Kids can enjoy the main ship’s activities, but you always have the quiet retreat of the Yacht Club to return to.
No Membership Is Required to Book MSC Yacht Club
Anyone can book MSC Yacht Club and you don’t need to be a member. Simply booking a Yacht Club suite gives you access to all the exclusive benefits, such as personalized butler service, private areas like the Top Sail Lounge and pool, priority embarkation/disembarkation, and more.
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Would you sail in MSC Yacht Club? Please let me know in the comments below.
Happy Cruising!
Ilana
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