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I tried a ship-within-a-ship cruise experience and it was worth it for the endless perks—here’s why

The MSC Yacht Club affords travelers a totally different cruising experience, but you’ll have to splurge.

I heard tales of luxury from people about the ritzy MSC Yacht Club , the ship-within-a-ship concept where discerning passengers enjoy their own area of the cruise ship that includes a dedicated restaurant, private lounge, separate pool and sundeck as well as private butlers and concierges to take of any whim while cruising. The elevated Yacht Club boasts priority everything while sailing MSC.

I sailed on a four-night cruise on the new MSC Seashore, a glitzy ship with Italian flair intermingled with references to New York City at every turn. Although the ship was well-appointed and had amazing dining, drinking and entertainment venues, and a bountiful Top Sail main buffet, thousands of passengers made the ship feel crowded at times, elevators were slow, and as I strolled through the general pools, they were boisterous and crowded.

RECOMMENDED: 10 things about cruising on an adults-only ship that might surprise you

Switch gears to MSC Seashore’s Yacht Club, passkey-protected for lucky guests, and is a 180 from the ship’s general spaces. Once you scan your handy Yacht Club wrist badge, or your room key, you’re instantly given entrance to a breathtaking retreat of 131 staterooms and suites. All this luxury does come at a price. Cruise fares will vary based on destination, time of year, and cabin category, but generally speaking you can expect to pay double for the Yacht Club. And from my experience, it’s worth it. Read more about why you should splurge.

You’re fast-tracked through everything

The Yacht Club’s exclusivity and impeccable service standard started from the moment I got dropped off at the Port Canaveral cruise terminal. There were hundreds of people waiting to board at 1pm on embarkation day. I saw in the distance a canopy that said MSC Yacht Club. My husband and I wheeled our carry-on luggage to the representative under the canopy. I gave her my name and within two seconds, she gave me a sticker to wear and up we ascended on the escalator to check in. Just five minutes later, I was directed to the dedicated check-in area for Yacht Club guests. To my right, I saw about 1,000 people serpentine through ropes to do general check-in. I felt a sense of relief; who wants to wait in that line? Five minutes later, a butler from the Yacht Club insisted on wheeling my luggage to board the ship and I was in my room in a total on 12 minutes from the time I stepped foot out of the car to my stateroom in the Yacht Club.

Relaxing and streamlined

In addition, Yacht Club guests have the freedom to get off the ship first for excursions. Your butler will happily escort you off the ship with a smile. Guests also can disembark on the last morning first, which is a big convenience. Your butler walks you right to the place you disembark, bypassing crowds and hassles. Port Canaveral is about an hour away from Orlando International Airport, and we took a 10 am flight home. We didn’t have to linger around until the afternoon for our flight home.

Another perk is that there’s a special seating area in the theater for shows. All the shows were excellent during my voyage. All other ship passengers have to make reservations in advance for shows but that’s not the case for the privileged Yacht Club passengers. As long as you arrive about 10 minutes before any show you choose, a crew member from the Club will allow you entry into a special roped-off section. Again, no rushing through dinner—you have the flexibility to plan your evenings your way.

Your Yacht Club package is packed with remarkable value

The price tag may sound daunting, but there’s lots of value there. All Yacht Club cabins and suites include a premium drink package that covers beverages up to $15. You can use this perk both in the Yacht Club and throughout the ship. In addition, your package includes a two-device Wi-Fi package, which worked well during my sailing. Finally, you get access to the thermal spa suite, which is a place to indulge after a day in port or a sea day. Commonly, there’s a taboo regarding mini-bars, but not in the Yacht Club. It’s stocked each day with the beverages you want; just tell your butler and consider it done.

You get perks ashore too

If your sailing includes a call to Ocean Cay, MSC’s private island, Yacht Club guests get an elevated experience there too. Yacht Club guests enjoy a private area, and a dedicated restaurant called the Ocean House. While other ship guests were hosted to a buffet of predictable fare, I enjoyed a lobster roll, and my husband chose carne asada. In my opinion, one thing that could be improved was the tram service to the Yacht Club’s private area. We were told the last tram back was 3:30pm if we didn’t want to trek a 15-minute walk in the heat. Since we were docked in Ocean Cay for the evening and weren’t sailing, I was a bit dismayed by this logistical quirk. I felt like I was keeping an eye on my phone to make sure I didn’t miss the last tram.

You have private areas with curated food and drink and outdoor spaces

Within the Yacht Club complex, there’s the Yacht Club Restaurant, Top Sail Lounge and the One Pool Buffet, which are all exclusive to Yacht Club guests. Obviously, the food and service are steps above other dining venues of the ship, I can vouch for that. Although the food is delicious, if you don’t want to pay extra to dine at the specialty restaurants or fuss in the main buffet, eating three meals a day in the Yacht Club restaurant can get a bit monotonous. The breakfast is the same daily, and lunch and dinner offer a menu with daily specials plus a few standby selections like a hamburger or pasta each day. Although the Yacht Club Restaurant concept is desirable, I would strongly suggest dining in other venues on board, especially for dinner. I thoroughly enjoyed specialty dining in Ocean Cay Restaurant, Butcher’s Cut, and Kaito Teppanyaki. I also want to mention that late afternoon high tea is offered daily at the Yacht Club Restaurant. It was one of the nicest I have experienced at sea.

Also available exclusively to Yacht Club passengers is the Top Sail Lounge, which offers panoramic water views and has chef-curated selections from morning through late night. We enjoyed popping into the lounge at all hours to try finger foods and sweets. The One Pool Buffet offers a more casual option for breakfast and lunch by the pool. The buffet has grilled fish, sandwiches and lots of delicious options if you want to dine outside.

There’s also an exclusive area with a private pool and two whirlpools for Yacht Club guests only. The sun deck loungers are very comfortable and I never had to worry about finding a lounger, there are ample. One issue I had was that there was almost no shade on the sun deck; there were shaded day beds for Royal Suite and Owners Suite guests, but beyond those, I couldn’t find any shade, which was disappointing.

You can justify the price at the end of your cruise

Overall, the best way to explain my enthusiasm for my MSC Yacht Club experience is this: it’s better to book an interior stateroom in the Yacht Club than a luxe cabin outside the Yacht Club. It’s worth the splurge and you return home feeling truly pampered and it’s money well-spent. And I make this prediction: Once you try a ship-within-a-ship concept like the MSC Yacht Club, you won’t want cruise any other way. Bon Voyage!

Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.

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MSC Meraviglia Deck by Deck Guide

MSC Meraviglia full deck guide

We spent a week onboard MSC Meraviglia in October 2018. In case you missed it, you can read our entire live-blog here .

We’ve written some guides for people who haven’t yet had the chance to try out the ship – whether you have booked or are thinking about booking, read our guides for plenty of tips and advice!

Our first guide is a full deck-by-deck guide of the entire ship. MSC Meraviglia is a big ship (at the time of writing – the 5th biggest cruise ship in the world!) and it will take you a day or two to navigate her fully. Thankfully, you can use this guide to familiarise yourself with the ship and whilst onboard there are TV screens located by most venues and in every lift lobby on each deck. Simply touch them to find a place you wish to go to or where you are! Additionally, you can use the MSC for Me App to navigate around the ship too.

These are crew only decks and you won’t be down here anytime soon!

This deck is primarily used for tender access and also the Medical Centre is based on this deck. This deck is also sometimes used for wheelchair access gangway (check in the Daily Program or with the reception at the port though!)

This deck is the most popular deck to embark and disembark the ship. There are usually several gangways attached to this deck (depending on the port). You’ll also find the  Infinity Bar, Infinity Atrium  (complete with the start of the famous crystal staircase),  Infinity Reception and also the Business Centre (located to the left of reception) and finally the  MSC Excursions self-service desks allowing you to book your excursions 24/7. Often, a pop-up Cirque du Soleil at Sea stand is located here to book tickets for the two nightly shows available during your cruise.

Live music is often performed in the Infinity Atrium from a pianist to a live singer or MC on Gala Nights. Heading further back, past reception you’ll find access to the 600-seat Waves Restaurant which is open for Breakfast and Lunch daily (no reservations required).

From the front of the ship you have The Broadway Theatre , which is actually two decks high, but only accessible from Deck 6.

Immediately behind the theatre, heading to the rear of the ship you enter Galleria Meraviglia – the 80m long indoor promenade, with the world’s longest LED dome screen!

The promenade is on two tiers, we’ll cover the lower level and the left-hand side first. First, you have the Meraviglia Bar & Lounge , followed by the Jean-Philippe Chocolate & Cafe , MSC Excursions desk (this is manned) then Plaza Meraviglia which contains some of the onboard shops (Mini Mall and two shops which sell Perfumes & Cosmetics and the other Watches & Sunglasses. There are also pop-up shops here whilst at sea.

On the right-hand side of Galleria Meraviglia from the front, we have the Boutique which sells clothes, accessories and jewelllery, Eataly Food Market , Jean-Philippe Crêpes & Gelato Bar , Eataly Ristorante Italiano & Chef’s Table,  finally  La Vetrina which offers spa and beauty products. The  MSC Logo Shop is then situated around the corner.

After you exit the Galleria Meraviglia , you’ll find a large area surrounding the atrium. On the left-hand side is the EDGE Cocktail Bar with seating also to the right-hand side.

Immediately behind this area are the MSC PhotoShop and MSC Photo Gallery where you can buy photo equipment and browse your cruise photos. As you head further back you’ll enter a very wide corridor containing the Emotions – Immersive Gallery . From here you can use small kiosks to choose and purchase the photos that have been taken of you throughout the cruise.

Next up as you continue to the rear of the ship is the L’Olivo D’oro restaurant on the left and the L’Olive Doree restaurant on the right. These are two of the four main dining rooms on the ship and you will be automatically allocated one before embarkation.

If you walk past both of these you’ll arrive at another main dining room – The Panorama Restaurant . This restaurant is for MSC Anytime Dining guests and spans the entire width of the ship, with panoramic views out to sea.

Starting at the front of the ship we have the MSC Aurea Spa which spans the entire width of the ship, offering many facilities.

Immediately behind this, we enter the upper tier of Galleria Meraviglia . On the left-hand side is the TV Studio & Bar venue. Walking down the right-hand side we have the Brass Anchor Pub , followed by Kaito Sushi Bar and Kaito Teppanyaki speciality restaurants. Crossing over to the left-hand side we have the Butcher’s Cut speciality restaurant.

At the rear of the Galleria Meraviglia, we have the Champagne Bar , the bar is located on the left-hand side with additional seating on the right-hand side.

Immediately behind this is the entrance to Casino Imperiale which spans the entire width of the ship.

If you walk all the way through this, you’ll end up at the Carousel Lounge , the home of the Cirque du Soleil at Sea theatre shows. Visit during the day to see a beautiful panorama from the back of the ship or at night for a stunning show!

All of these decks are accommodation-only decks and don’t feature ship facilities or services. Each deck is serviced by two sets of eight lifts (forward and mid-ships) and two further panoramic lifts located towards the front of the ship either side.

Starting at the front of the ship we have the Bamboo Pool and Solarium . This is a covered pool with a retractable roof and is split into two levels. On the lower level, you’ll find the pool and hot tubs with the Bamboo Bar at the rear.

As you leave the Bamboo Bar & Pool area you’ll enter into the Atmosphere Pool area, first is the Atmosphere Pool Bar North which is a covered, but outdoor bar handy to the pool.

The pool is open during port and sea days, depending on the weather. Sunbeds are first-come, first-serve and are free.

At the rear of the Atmosphere Pool , you’ll find the rear splits into two venues. On the left is the Atmosphere Pool Bar South . On the right, the Atmosphere Ice Cream Bar combined with the Marketplace Buffet grab and go section.

Continuing to the rear and now inside, you enter the expansive Marketplace Buffet which spans the entire width of the ship. In here the buffet is split into several different seating areas with a large counter that runs the entire buffet offering a wide selection of foods.

At the rear of the Marketplace buffet , you can sit at a rear terrace if you wish. This isn’t very busy as most people miss it!

At the front of the ship is an entrance to the MSC Yacht Club and the Top Sail Lounge , this is by keycard access only for MSC Yacht Club passengers. Walking back, through the lift lobby you’ll enter the upper level of the Bamboo Pool & Solarium . There are numerous tables and chairs around here and table football games too. As you leave this area you’ll enter the upper level of the Atmosphere Pool .

During the day you’ll find sunbeds available for use, again on a first-come, first-serve basis.

As you head towards mid-ships you can either follow the deck around the ship that continues to the rear or you can walk across the ship from one side to the other. It is also here that the power walking and running track are located.

In the middle of the ship now you’ll find the nearly full-width MSC Gym by Technogym containing the latest gym equipment by Technogym and the starting place for several fitness classes.

Walking further back, you’ll enter the fun and activities area, known as the Sportplex . It starts with the 4D Cinema, the Flight Simulator, the F1 Simulator, Arcade games, Bowling and the Sports Bar. The indoor Sportplex  arena is also located here, offering kids (and adult) games such as badminton, football and others.

As you leave the Sportplex you’ll pass the Horizon Bar which directly overlooks the Horizon Amphitheatre; a series of stepped deck areas offering sunbeds and views over the rear of the ship. As you head down the steps to the bottom of the Horizon Amphitheatre you’ll find the Horizon Pool and deck space to walk around.

Don’t worry, you’ve not missed one! There isn’t a Deck 17 as seventeen in Italian culture is considered an unlucky number! If you view 17 as a Roman numeral (XVII) it is changed anagrammatically to VIXI which in Latin translates to “I have lived” or “My life is over”. So you won’t find a Deck 17 on any MSC cruise ships!

At the front of the ship is access for MSC Yacht Club guests only and contains the MSC Yacht Club Restaurant .

Heading back through the lift lobby you’ll have to head down a deck to continue walking outside of the ship.

In the middle of the ship on Deck 18 you’ll find the Sky Lounge , a large panoramic bar with floor-to-ceiling windows giving you a 180-degree view forwards over the Atmosphere Pool and to the sides of the ship, excellent for sea days or arriving/leaving ports. The bar up here offers table service.

Walking to the rear of the ship you now enter the area for children’s activities which includes Doremi Lab , Baby Club Chicco , Junior & Mini Club Lego , Doremi Studio and the Young/Teen Club Attic , complete with soft drinks bar!

You can walk out of the rear from here and head down a deck to the Horizon Amphitheatre or head up to Deck 19.

Deck 19 is only available at the front of the ship for MSC Yacht Club passengers which includes their Solarium Grill, Pool, Sundeck and Bar areas. Again, access by key card only.

Top 19 for MSC Aurea guests is located on this deck (at the rear), passes are available to purchase on a daily or per-cruise basis.

At the rear of the ship Deck 19 is also the Polar Aquapark which spans the entire width of the ship. There are many splash pools here and access to the three free waterslides. This facility is open during port and sea days, depending on weather, (times are in the Daily Program).

We hope you enjoyed our MSC Meraviglia full deck guide! Next up will be the Food and Drink options available on the ship!

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MSC Meraviglia Live Voyage Introduction

What is the MSC Yacht Club? Take a look at MSC Cruises’ luxury suite area

MSC Cruises sails nearly two dozen beautiful ships from home ports around the world, but their inviting sun decks can be crowded, and you're likely to encounter queues for dinner, shows and guest services.

The trick to creating a more luxurious experience on this big-ship cruise line is to book a stay in the line's Yacht Club. This upscale enclave within MSC Cruises ' larger ships offers guests more spacious accommodations, butler service and dedicated restaurants and lounges — even coffee delivered to your room each morning, just the way you like it.

Because of the Yacht Club , MSC can offer an inviting experience for cruisers who like big-ship cruising but crave more elevated accommodations, dining and amenities. MSC Cruises was one of the first lines to introduce this ship-within-a-ship concept, along with Norwegian Cruise Line . Now other popular cruise lines, such as Royal Caribbean , also have adopted it.

The Yacht Club section on several of MSC Cruises' ships offers gated access to semi-private dining, butler service and more, but it comes at a price. Find out how much you can expect to pay and what you'll get for your money.

For more cruise news, guides and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

What are the MSC Yacht Club perks?

All stays in the Yacht Club include priority check-in and checkout; priority disembarkation and boarding on shore excursions days; free premium alcohol and Wi-Fi packages; a bathrobe and slippers; complimentary access to the Aurea Spa thermal suite; 24-hour concierge and butler services (dining and spa reservations, unpacking and repacking, morning coffee delivery, etc.); a free daily in-cabin newspaper of your choice, delivered; and the ability to change your cruise one time without penalty.

Yacht Club cruisers are also entitled to discounts of 10% on spa treatments, 20% on specialty dining packages and 40% on spa packages.

In addition, passengers booked in the Yacht Club have access to their own dedicated bar, lounge and restaurant, as well as a semi-private outdoor bar, pool and hot tubs, all on an exclusive sun deck. When ships dock at the line's private island, Ocean Cay Marine Reserve , Yacht Club passengers have private beach and restaurant access .

In their cabins, Yacht Club cruisers will find a pillow menu, memory foam mattresses, high-quality linens, bathrooms with marble floors, a specialty coffee maker, complimentary open minibar access, one gratis bottle of spirits (choose from a list of available options), free one-time snacks, 24-hour room service and nightly turn-down chocolates from Venchi, an Italian chocolatier that partners with the cruise line.

Which MSC cruise ships have the Yacht Club?

Thirteen ships in the MSC Cruises fleet have the Yacht Club on board:

• MSC Bellissima
• MSC Euribia
• MSC Fantasia
• MSC Grandiosa
• MSC Meraviglia
• MSC Preziosa
• MSC Seascape.
• MSC Seashore.
• MSC Seaside
• MSC Seaview
• MSC Splendida
• MSC Virtuosa
• MSC World Europa

Upcoming vessel MSC World America (2025) also will have the Yacht Club.

The largest Yacht Club in the fleet is on MSC World Europa, offering 152 suites. The second-largest is found on the line's two Seaside EVO Class ships, MSC Seashore and MSC Seascape, which each have 131 suites.

MSC Yacht Club cabins

All accommodations in the Yacht Club are labeled as suites, even though they comprise some standard cabin types. The specific stateroom types offered will vary by ship, but in general, they range from windowless interior cabins and deluxe balcony rooms to Executive and Royal Suites with more space, walk-in closets and bathrooms with both showers and bathtubs.

New to the fleet with the line's World Class are 1,600-square-foot Owner Suites, which include multi-room layouts, walk-in closets, bathtubs and balconies, each with a whirlpool and alfresco dining area.

Also new are Duplex Suites, offering two decks of space, with the bedroom and bathroom upstairs and a dining area, living room and guest bath downstairs. These also include two private sun decks with loungers, one of which boasts a whirlpool.

How much does it cost to stay in the MSC Yacht Club?

As you might expect, the cost to stay in the Yacht Club depends on several factors, including cabin type, the length of the sailing and where you're going and when. However, in line with the rest of the brand's pricing, a stay in the Yacht Club is an excellent value when you compare it to stays in other lines' dedicated suite areas or to luxury cruise prices.

I priced out several sailings departing over the next two years on some of the line's newest and largest ships. This is what was available at press time. (Note: MSC Cruises' website will only allow me to choose a general Yacht Club designation when booking. That means a guaranteed suite within the Yacht Club, but you won't know what type it is until closer to sailing.)

• 7-night Caribbean and Bahamas cruise on MSC Seascape: $6,538 (including taxes) for two adults, round trip from Miami, March 16-23, 2024
• 11-night Bermuda, Canada and New England cruise on MSC Meraviglia: $9,958 (including taxes) for two adults, round trip from Brooklyn, New York, Sept. 25-Oct. 6, 2024
• 7-night Mediterranean cruise on MSC World Europa: $5,118 (including taxes) for two adults, round trip from Barcelona, May 2-9, 2025
• 7-night Mediterranean on MSC Divina: $5,858 (including taxes) for two adults, round trip from Kusadasi, Turkey, June 5-12, 2025

Check out the MSC Cruises website to learn more about the MSC Yacht Club .

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Review: How to upgrade your MSC Virtuosa cruise to the MSC Yacht Club

By Qin Xie | 15 Jul 2022

MSC Yacht Club service. Picture: Luc Selvais

Is it worth upgrading to MSC Cruises’ high-end Yacht Club, one of the ship-within-a-ship areas adding a little more luxury to your cruise? We test out the concept on MSC Virtuosa

A jovial group of lads, dressed to impress and each with a cocktail in hand, stumbles out of the mirrored lift as I pile in with a handful of other guests. There’s an air of buzzy exhaustion as we collectively lean back against the glass while the elevator makes its swift and smooth ascent.

“Too much booze, and too much good food,” one guest quips as he rubs his stomach; we all chuckle knowingly. It’s true. After a whirlwind cruise on glitzy MSC Virtuosa – the 19-deck Meraviglia-Plus vessel with room for close to 6,000 guests – we’re a bit overwhelmed.

It’s just as well I’m ending the night with a quiet drink in the Top Sail Lounge. An oasis of calm away from the party atmosphere of the decks below, this low-key bar and lounge has plush armchairs and banquettes from which you can enjoy table service. There’s not much to see besides the other guests when I slip in for a negroni just after midnight, but the view during the day from its front-of-ship vantage point on deck 16 is pretty impressive.

Top Sail Lounge, MSC Yacht Club, MSC Virtuosa. Picture: Ivan Sarfatti

What is it like in the Yacht Club on MSC Virtuosa?

Just a handful of people get that privilege though, as it’s open only to guests who are staying in the Yacht Club, MSC Cruises’ equivalent of first class. Described as a ship within a ship, the Yacht Club is designed to offer all the luxuries of a smaller vessel alongside the entertainment and facilities that you would expect to find only on larger ships.

There are just 95 cabins in a private section located at the front of the ship, between decks 14 and 18 (there’s no deck 17). Within this bubble there’s a separate lift, concierge station and three food and beverage venues for the exclusive use of Yacht Club guests.

Like first-class passengers on flights, there’s also priority boarding, 24-hour butler service, complimentary premium drinks, free internet access and discounts at the speciality restaurants and spa on board.

MSC Yacht Club Deluxe Suite, MSC Virtuosa. Picture: Ivan Sarfatti

Food and drink on MSC Virtuosa

During my short sailing, the Top Sail Lounge was a favourite for pre and post-dinner drinks. Everything from Nicolas Feuillatte Brut champagne to Johnnie Walker Black Label came in generous measures and without the extra price tag of other bars on the ship.

The Swarovski crystal-studded staircase spiralling straight up to the MSC Yacht Club Restaurant on deck 18 adds to the effect, so you always arrive and leave in style. Breakfast, lunch and dinner were all served à la carte at the Yacht Club Restaurant, with the daily-changing menu pitched to a fine-dining standard.

I enjoyed dishes such as stuffed tortellini with asparagus and mascarpone cheese, and charred sea bass fillet with crab and rocket salad, all with a glass of something delicious from the wine list. There’s one further exclusive spot for Yacht Club guests – the sun deck on deck 19.

Laid out like a beach club, there are dozens of loungers facing the ocean, flanked by a bar at the back. Drinks and light bites are always available up here, and you barely have to lift a finger to get service. Situated to one side, a small heated pool and whirlpool bath complete the picture, along with a handful of cabana-style loungers that are assigned to specific Yacht Club cabins for exclusive use.

MSC Yacht Club Grill & Bar, MSC Virtuosa. Picture: Ivan Sarfatti

What to do on board MSC Virtuosa

You will always find plenty within the Yacht Club to keep you occupied on a short sailing, like my jaunt to Guernsey , but for those who want a longer adventure, the ship within a ship concept is perfect because you can access the variety of dining and entertainment facilities that would be impossible to fit on a smaller vessel, but still escape back to the sanctuary of your bubble afterwards.

On MSC Virtuosa, the entertainment space is split into two areas. Deck seven is home to speciality restaurants that overlook Galleria Virtuosa on deck six, a promenade flanked by bars, more restaurants and the largest shopping area at sea. To the rear of the ship, through the casino, is the Carousel Lounge, where acrobatic-style shows are put on every night, while musical productions take place in the 945-seat Le Grand Théâtre to the front. A second entertainment space starts from deck 15.

MSC Virtuosa. Picture: Ivan Sarfatti

The open-air Atmosphere Pool takes pride of place in the middle of the ship, surrounded by bars, loungers and whirlpool baths, but there are a couple of others dotted around the ship. Dedicated kids’ and teens’ clubs are on decks 16 and 18, alongside a basketball court and virtual reality games. The interactive cinema is particularly thrilling.

However, the pièce de résistance is on deck 19, where an aerial obstacle course wraps around a water park . I managed just a fraction of the ship and was completely exhausted. Luckily, the memory foam mattress and Egyptian cotton sheets in the Yacht Club cabins make getting a restful night’s sleep a breeze.

Book the Yacht Club on MSC Virtuosa

A seven-night Norwegian Fjords cruise in a Yacht Club balcony cabin on MSC Virtuosa starts from £2,009. For more information or to book now visit msccruises.co.uk , see your local travel agent or call 0203 426 3010.

The Haven sun deck on Norwegian Viva

More luxury ship-within-a-ship areas

MSC Cruises isn’t the only line to offer a more luxurious enclave on board a bigger ship. Here are some of the other places to upgrade your experience

The Haven by Norwegian

NCL introduced The Haven on Norwegian Breakaway and has now rolled it out across nine ships in the fleet, with more to come on new vessels Prima and Viva . Expect a concierge and 24-hour butler; private sun deck, lounge and restaurant; in-room extras and more, with some inclusions varying by ship.

The Retreat by Celebrity Cruises

As part of Celebrity’s move to create a ‘new luxury’ vibe , enjoy private restaurant Luminae with dishes created by Daniel Boulud, complimentary in-suite dining, a sun deck with hot tub and loungers (on selected ships), plus a private lounge, premium drinks, pre-paid tips and onboard credit.

The Retreat, Celebrity Beyond. Picture: Ryan Wicks

Grill Suites by Cunard

Elevate Cunard’s classy cruises even further with its most luxurious cabins, which are not clustered together in a private enclave but rather occupy the most sought-after spots on the ship. Book a Princess Grill or Queens Grill suite to enjoy lavish accommodation, a more intimate lounge and restaurant with open-seated dining, bubbly on arrival, Penhaligon’s toiletries and a host of other in-suite extras.

Royal Suite Class by Royal Caribbean

There are three levels of upgrade in the Royal Suite Class – Sea, Sky and Star – which offer more spacious accommodation, priority boarding and upgraded amenities, plus, in higher tiers, concierge service, tips, speciality dining and a ‘Royal Genie’ butler. Latest ship Wonder of the Seas has even added a dedicated Suite Neighbourhood.

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MSC Splendida Review: MSC Yacht Club Experience

We just got back from a seven-day cruise to Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan on board the MSC Splendida, and today we will tell you all you need to know about MSC Yacht Club Experience! Is it really worth it? Watch us until the end, and you will find out! 

Today we will tell you all about our experience on board the MSC Splendida Yacht Club. But first, if you like travel-related blogs like this one, now is a great time to hit the subscribe button so you will never miss any future blogs.

Let’s begin: 

What is the MSC Yacht Club?

The MSC Yacht Club is an exclusive section of some of MSC’s cruise ships that offers passengers a unique, all-inclusive cruising experience. Some people refer to it as a ship within a ship or a luxury cruise to other luxury cruises.

The MSC Yacht Club section is typically located at the top of the ship, and it’s reserved for guests who are looking for a little extra luxury and a private club. It can only be accessed with the cruise card.

When you book a trip with the MSC Yacht Club, you’ll have access to a range of exclusive amenities and services. For example, you’ll have a dedicated concierge who will be available to help you with any requests you might have.

They’ll even walk you to wherever you need to go! You’ll also have access to a private lounge, which serves complimentary drinks and snacks throughout the day.

But that’s just the beginning. The MSC Yacht Club also offers passengers exclusive access to a range of private spaces, including a private pool area, an MSC Yacht Club restaurant, and a bar. This means that you’ll be able to relax and unwind in your own private sanctuary, away from the hustle and bustle of the main ship.

But perhaps the best thing about the MSC Yacht Club is the level of service you’ll receive. The staff in this section of the ship are highly trained and attentive, ensuring that your every need is taken care of. Whether you need help with your luggage, want to book an excursion, or simply need a drink, the staff at the MSC Yacht Club will be on hand to assist you.

Our next topic for the Yacht Club Experience is:

Boarding MSC Yacht

One of the great perks that we noticed right away was priority boarding. In fact, when we arrived at the luxury cruise terminal, a butler was waiting for us and took us straight through immigration, check, and on the ship skipping the extra long line that other passengers had to do. Also, the butler explained to us how to use the dedicated elevator reserved for Yacht Club passengers. With this elevator, activated by our cruise card, we could go right to deck 15 or 16 without stopping on any deck in between.

Once we arrived at the dedicated MSC Yacht Club Lounge on deck 15, we were greeted with a glass of champagne while a very nice concierge lady explained to us all our Yacht Club benefits. We have to admit that the priority boarding process was incredibly smooth and efficient, with a very nice personalized touch.

Let’s move to our next topic of the MSC Yacht Club experience, and we will talk about:

We booked a Yacht Club Deluxe suite on deck 16. The cabin was quite nice, wide, and well laid out. The room had a nice couch and a little desk beside the private balcony.

The bed was very comfortable. We had a very nice walk-in closet with a lot of space for clothes and shoes, which we really liked.

The bathroom was wide and quite nice, with a bathtub. In our opinion, a nice big shower is better than a tub, but we know that a lot of people like to take baths. 

The private balcony was nice, not the widest but big enough.  We noticed a couple of things that could be improved in the cabin. First, there were no electrical plugs by the bedside tables to charge the phones.

In fact, the only plugs available were by the desk, and there were two European and two American plugs there. Second, the wood paneling in the room made the room feel a little dark. Other than those minor details, we really enjoyed our cabin.

The next topic in our Review of MSC Yacht Club is

The Yacht Club Lounge 

On MSC Splendida, the Yacht Club lounge is on deck 15 all the way to the front. The area is really nice and well-designed. There is a concierge desk that takes care of all the yacht club passengers’ needs; more about that later.

Next to the concierge, there is a great big lounge with couches and tables. In the lounge, there are snacks available all the time. In the morning, they serve a light breakfast with cereals, sandwiches, and toast, and jam.

The lounge also has a nice big bar with complimentary drinks. We really enjoyed this area, especially on sea days we used it to work because it was really quiet and comfortable. It was also the best place for a pre-dinner aperitif.

Moving on to our next topic of the MSC Yacht Club experience:

The Yacht Club Pool

The MSC Yacht Club Pool is called “one pool” and is located on deck 18, right above the lounge. It is a very nice space with a pool, two jacuzzis, a lot of sunbeds, a bar, and a small buffet area where they serve food for breakfast, lunch, and afternoon tea. On our cruise, during sea days in the buffet area, the head waiter of the Yacht Club restaurant was cooking fresh pasta and other lunch items in a buffet they set up by the pool. 

We really enjoyed this area sunbathing, especially during the sea days. It is never super busy and always has sun beds available for us away from the huge crowds of the main pools on the ship.

The MSC Yacht Club Pool area is also incredibly private. In fact, we asked the concierge if it was possible to invite guests, and the answer was no. The area is for Yacht Club members only.

Next, we will talk about:

The Yacht Club Restaurant 

On the MSC Splendida, the Yacht Club’s dedicated restaurant is called Olivo, and it is located on deck 15 all the way aft above the main buffet. We heard that on newer ships the MSC Yacht Club restaurant is located above or below the yacht club lounge, but on this particular ship it was outside the exclusive yacht club area. That’s probably because the MSC Splendida was the first ship to get retrofitted with the yacht club.

The restaurant is open seating, and Yacht Club passengers can go anytime during opening hours. It serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. 

The specialty restaurant’s ambiance is excellent, very intimate and wide, with a lot of natural light. The service is absolutely impeccable. Every waiter is perfectly trained, knowledgeable and really friendly. 

In this restaurant’s menu, there are always one or two items that are not available on the menu in the main dining room; for example, on the second formal night, they served lobster that was not on the menu in the main dining room.

Moving on to our next topic of the MSC Yacht Club experience, we will talk about:

The Service for MSC Yacht Club Guests

The service at MSC Splendida Yacht Club is impeccable. The MSC Yacht Club perk is that a 24-hour butler service is available, which is really nice.

We did not ask our butler to unpack and pack for us, but that is one of the butler services that they provide. We can totally tell that the butler service takes great pride in providing stunning service and that they genuinely care about their MSC Yacht Club guests.

Our butler Augustine was incredibly friendly and attentive, always available but never intrusive. Very well done! 

The concierge desk was there to take care of passengers’ needs. They were there to help with almost every aspect of the MSC cruise, from excursions to billing. 

This came particularly helpful the day before arriving at the port of Sokhna when the Egyptian border agent came on board to stamp everyone’s passports. We did not have to go to see the agent, but the concierge took care of this step for us to avoid the long lines. 

Also, the future cruise consultant was available at the concierge lounge by appointment for MSC Yacht Club passengers. Really stunning service. 

Our next item to review about the MSC Yacht Club review is:

What is Included in MSC Yacht Club?

One of the best benefits of MSC Yacht Club perks, aside from the amazing service, is the fact that it is a truly all-inclusive experience. In fact, when you book a yacht club cabin, you have the Premium Extra Drink Package included. The MSC Yacht Club offers a package that includes drinks up to €13 euros.

Now one thing to consider is that if you order a drink that costs €14, for example, you will be charged the whole amount, not the €1.00 difference as other cruise lines do. It also included is the premium internet package, with unlimited use for two devices per passenger.

Another thing that is included is unlimited access to Thermal Suite in the MSC Aurea Spa, even though on this voyage, people at the spa told us that we had to make a reservation before going. Now we brought this up to the concierge, and they said that it wasn’t true. We did not have to make a reservation. 

The MSC Yacht Club offers gratuities and 24-hour room service. Basically, the only items not included were the excursions, spa treatments, onboard shopping, drinks over 13 euros, and the Casino.

Moving on to the next topic of our MSC Yacht Club experience, we will talk about:

Yacht Club passengers have priority access to shore when going on an excursion. Basically, we had to meet our own personal butler at the sail lounge at the time specified on the excursion ticket, and he then took us to the gangway skipping all the lines for security, passport controls, etc.

Same thing on the way back from excursions. A butler was always by the gangway escorting us to the front of the line and back to our lounge. Now, this service is excellent because it allows Yacht Club Passengers to skip all the long lines, but there is a downside.

Since we were always the first passengers on the bus, we then had to wait on the bus for all the other passengers to arrive. Sometimes the wait was up to an hour. Now considering that some excursions on this itinerary required two and half hours bus ride, an extra hour before departure was quite long.

In our opinion, it would be better if MSC reserved the seats on the bus for Yacht Club passengers (they already know who they are) and let them off the ship when the bus was almost ready to go. 

MSC Cruises Ships

MSC Cruises is getting bigger and better. There are a lot of special things to discover on each MSC cruise ship when you go sailing with them as a member of the MSC Yacht Club.

Their huge fleets include:

MSC Seashore

MSC Seashore is like her sister ships, MSC Seaside and MSC Seaview. Most of the places people go on the ship are different than before.

MSC Seashore has new places to play, eat and hang out outside. There are also more rooms for people to stay in and more space for everyone.

You can sit back, relax, and enjoy all that MSC Seashore offers. MSC Seashore is the first of two special ships. It has technology that helps it use energy more efficiently.

The MSC Cruise has been fitted with the fleet’s largest and most luxurious MSC Yacht Club, with almost 3,000 sqm of space, including a bigger solarium and a panoramic whirlpool.

MSC Seashore’s 13,000 sqm of outdoor spaces, from pools and lounge areas to Speciality Restaurant seating areas, bring guests closer to the sea than ever before, making them truly.

MSC Meraviglia

You can experience the ultimate sea adventure on MSC Meraviglia. This magnificent ship boasts incredible features such as gourmet dining, amazing entertainment options, panoramic areas, an ocean-view lounge, a two-deck “inside promenade” complete with an LED dome, and an amusement area attached to an outdoor water park.

Best of all, MSC Meraviglia features late-night and overnight stays on MSC Cruise’s exclusive private island.

MSC Virtuosa

The name MSC Virtuosa is from the word virtuoso which means someone who is very good at something. MSC Cruises gave it this name to honor the people who designed and built the ship. They are very talented and skilled.

This new cruise ship is one of the biggest in the MSC Cruises fleet. It has lots of special features that work together to give you the best vacation ever! Moreover, it’s the MSC Grandiosa’s sister ship.

Conclusions

In conclusion, the Yacht Club on board MSC is really excellent product. It not only allows passengers to enjoy a ship within a ship but also provides a great service that is much more personalized and attentive than what you’d expect with a standard MSC product.

The MSC Yacht Club allows passengers to avoid long lines for embarkation, excursions, or even restaurants. The downside is the price.

The cruise costs almost twice as much as a regular balcony cabin. Everything is indeed included, but the price difference is quite steep. In fact, when you’re looking at this price point, luxury cruise lines now become comparables.

We really enjoyed our week on board the MSC Splendida Yacht Club and will do it again for sure, maybe next time on a different itinerary.  

We hope you enjoyed our blog, and as usual, if you have any questions, please leave a comment below.

In March 2017, Rick and Andrea started Travel Addicts Life as a way to share their travel photos and videos with the world. And boy did it ever grow!  Today, we are proud to offer content here on Travel Addicts Life, on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Youtube.

Thanks for reading!

Rick & Andrea

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MSC YACHT CLUB

Step into the MSC Yacht Club, an exclusive private sanctuary onboard only accessible by key card. Here, you can discover elegance with luxury suites offering a 24/7 butler service. Enjoy curated menus in a private restaurant and unwind on the secluded pool deck. An elevated experience awaits you on a vacation that’s a step above.

WELCOME TO A WORLD OF LUXURY

Experience unparalleled service from the moment you check in. Gain access to priority embarkation and disembarkation, your own concierge team, a dedicated butler available 24/7, and premier room service delivered to you at any hour.

Enjoy access to areas that are exclusive for MSC Yacht Club guests during your cruise vacation. Delight in fine dining at our dedicated restaurant, unwind on a private sun deck, and admire captivating sunsets from the Top Sail Lounge.

When you choose MSC Yacht Club, you unlock unique exclusives, all-inclusive packages, and VIP access available only to you including entry to Ocean House Beach on Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, our private island in the Bahamas.

Allow us to indulge you

Step into a world where your suite is just the beginning and where every detail is meticulously attended to.

AT YOUR SERVICE

Our butlers are prepared to meet your needs, whether that be bringing a late-night treat-or turning down your room. From the minute you step on board, your dedicated butler will be by your side for a memorable experience.

Ask your MSC Yacht Club concierge to secure the best reservations at all our incredible venues, including specialty restaurants, and consider it done. Revel in VIP seating for entertainment, partake in private shopping trips, and enjoy curated excursions.

Your journey with us is tailored to perfection, guaranteeing every moment is marked by exceptional comfort and convenience.

EXTRA TOUCHES

Allow our dedicated MSC Yacht Club team to bring your ultimate cruise vacation to life. We prioritize every detail, from the perfect pillow selection from our exclusive Dorelan® menu to a fully stocked personalized mini bar at your fingertips.

Any questions you may have can always be answered by our 24-hour concierge service, available to you from the moment you step on board.

EXCLUSIVITY AWAITS

Immerse yourself in elegant spaces and experience elevated design in a beautiful setting.

TOP SAIL LOUNGE  

The Top Sail Lounge is the ultimate place to rest and relax after shore excursions or days at sea. Throughout the day, take in crystal-clear panoramic views of the ocean while enjoying crafted drinks, gourmet finger foods, and desserts. At night, relish in exclusive access to live music and after-dinner drinks.   

When you visit the Top Sail Lounge, you'll have the time to unwind and watch the world sail by.

PRIVATE SOLARIUM

Recharge on a sundeck featuring dipping pools and whirlpool baths where you can cool off and lounge for total relaxation. Take in the sun and the ocean breeze with your preferred poolside beverage delivered right to your chair.

YACHT CLUB RESTAURANT 

With a dedicated restaurant on each ship, the MSC Yacht Club offers an elevated menu. Enjoy fine dining served with five-star service and a selection of beverages and wines from around the world.  

You can savor the finest flavors in a space meant for you—no reservations needed.

MSC YACHT CLUB’S OCEAN HOUSE

The MSC Yacht Club experience continues on land at the private Ocean House Beach on Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. A serene space with ocean views, beachfront cabanas, and complimentary amenities.

COMFORT AWAITS

MSC Yacht Club offers guests luxurious onboard accommodations for the ultimate in comfort. Explore our wide range of staterooms to enhance your MSC Cruises luxury experience.

The Owner's Suites feature a spacious living area, a walk-in closet, a large balcony with a private whirlpool, and a panoramic glass wall. 

Every Royal Suite has a separate living area and all the comforts you would expect in first-class accommodations. 

These two-deck suites offer a separate living space with a double sofa bed, walk-in closet, and a balcony with a private whirlpool. 

These suites are ideal for families with children. They come with a separate sitting area and a bathroom with a bathtub.

These suites have also their own private balcony and all the comforts you expect in first-class accommodations. 

Guests on our newest ships can enjoy all the comforts of the MSC Yacht Club with an interior suite.

ALL-INCLUSIVE, ALL THE TIME

PREMIUM BEVERAGE PACKAGE

Our Premium Extra Package is included as an MSC Yacht Club benefit. Delight in a wide selection of beers, cocktails, wines, top-shelf liquor, and an array of non-alcoholic beverages.

HIGH-SPEED INTERNET

Stay connected with a premium internet package from anywhere on board, an exclusive benefit for guests. Unlimited Wi-Fi allows you to browse on up to two devices.

THERMAL SPA ACCESS

Experience ultimate pampering at the MSC Aurea Spa, where you can enjoy complimentary access to the serene Thermal Suite, enhanced further by an exclusive 10% discount on all treatments.

explore further

Discover the best of both worlds as a guest of MSC Yacht Club. Enjoy VIP access to amenities throughout

your journey, from dining to captivating entertainment, while experiencing the personalized touch that

extends from your suite to every corner of the ship.

SIGNATURE DINING

Savor the flavors of exquisite specialty restaurants such as Butcher's Cut, Kaito Sushi & Teppanyaki, HOLA Tacos, and Ocean Cay.

Elevate your dining experience with exclusive perks like priority reservation times, premium seating, and the luxury of a personal butler escort if you choose.

TOP-TIER ENTERTAINMENT

As an MSC Yacht Club guest, there’s always more to discover. Get priority access to our show-stopping Broadway and Vegas-style shows brought to you by Carousel Productions at Sea.

Plus, you can always explore the myriad of entertainment areas on board, from thrilling water parks to trying your luck at the state-of-the-art MSC Casino.

PREMIUM WELLNESS

Unleash your active side by checking out our sports facilities, including outdoor walking tracks, basketball courts, and a fully-equipped gym boasting Technogym® equipment.  

For those seeking an even more tailored experience, indulge in specialty classes and personal training sessions, reserved by your MSC Yacht Club concierge team.

discover more

Journey to the ultimate destinations on board the MSC Yacht Club, whether it’s crossing places off your bucket list or delighting in quick weekend getaways.

CARIBBEAN CRUISES

MEDITERRANEAN CRUISES

NORTHERN EUROPE CRUISES

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MSC Cruises

WELCOME TO A WORLD OF

PRIVACY & LUXURY

MSC YACHT CLUB THE LUXURY CRUISE EXPERIENCE

Feel the finesse and elegance of luxury cruises with MSC Yacht Club , an exclusive area of refined indulgence . Surround yourself in unparalleled comfort and personalized service as you embark on an astounding voyage aboard our finest ships. Discover a world where  privacy  meets  luxury , where every detail is meticulously crafted to exceed your highest expectations. Savour the sophistication  and  elegance of luxury cruises from the very first step onboard. Our  dedicated staff  will cater to your every need, ensuring that your  journey  is nothing but sensational. Welcome to  MSC Yacht Club , get away from it all, whilst having everything you may wish for .

Unrivaled comfort and exquisite luxury

Experience the finest luxury accommodation during your  MSC Yacht Club luxury cruise . Discover lavishly appointed suites designed with meticulous attention to detail .

Immerse yourself in the epitome of comfort with  luxurious amenities and elegant touches.

Explore below all our MSC Yacht Club Suites available to book.

• Surface: approx.  104 sqm, terrace 48 sqm, deck 16
• Bedroom with a queen size bed
• Separate dining/living room with a sofa bed which converts into a double bed
• Floor-to-ceiling windows and glass doors
• Spacious private terrace with a whirlpool bath, a dining table and chairs
• Marble bathroom with a bathtub, a shower and “Med” organic amenities
• Premium bespoke embroidered towels and bed linens 100% cotton
• Plush slippers and 100% cotton bathrobes for onboard use
• Spacious walk-in wardrobe
• Bar set-up, refrigerator, Nespresso machine, Fresh fruit Welcome amenity & Venchi daily turndown chocolates
• Interactive TV, telephone, safe and air conditioning

The image are representative only: displayed suite from MSC World Europa Size, layout and furniture may vary (within the same suite category)

• Surface: approx.  51-58 sqm, terrace 42-51 sqm, deck 16-18
• Separate living room with a sofa bed which converts into a double bed
• Marble bathroom with a large shower and bathtub and “Med” organic amenities (some suites feature a large bathtub only)
• Premium bespoke embroidered towels & bed linens 100% cotton
• Bar set-up, refrigerator, Nespresso machine and Fresh fruit Welcome amenity
• Venchi daily turndown chocolates
• Surface approx . 46 sqm,  terrace 28- 31 sqm, deck 16
• Two-deck-high suite located at the front of the ship

Main level (suite entrance)

• Open living/dining room with a dining table and a sofa bed which converts into a double bed
• Private terrace with a whirlpool bath, outdoor chairs and a table
• Marble bathroom with shower and “Med” organic amenities

Second level

• Master bedroom with a queen size bed which can be converted into 2 single beds (on request)
• Marble bathroom with bathtub & “Med” organic amenities
• Private sundeck with loungers, accessible from the external staircases
• Spacious wardrobe

Each suite is equipped with:

• Minibar and Nespresso machine
• Fresh fruit Welcome amenity
• Interactive TV and telephone available on each level
• Safe and air conditioning
• Premium bespoke embroidered towels & bed linens 100% cotton

The image is representative only: displayed  suites from MSC World Europa Size, layout and furniture may vary (within the same suite category)

• Surface: approx 46sqm, balcony 6 sqm, deck 16

Main level (Suite entrance):

• Balcony with outdoor chairs and a table

Second level:

The image is representative only: displayed suite from MSC World Europa Size, layout and furniture may vary (within the same suite category)

• Surface:  approx . 40-53 sqm, deck 12
• Queen size bed which can be converted into 2 single beds (on request) with a panoramic sealed window on the side (no access outside)
• Separate living room with sofas and armchairs with a panoramic sealed window (no access outside)
• Marble bathroom with bathtub and “Med” organic amenities
• Premium bespoke embroidered towels & bed linens100% cotton
• Minibar Tea kettle & Fresh fruit Welcome amenity

The image are representative only: displayed suite from MSC Fantasia Size, layout and furniture may vary (within the same suite category)

TAKE A SUITE TOUR

• Surface:  approx . 31-43 sqm, balcony 8-21 sqm, deck 16-19
• Queen size bed which can be converted into 2 single beds (on request)
• Balcony equipped with outdoor chairs and a table
• Minibar, Nespresso machine and Fresh fruit Welcome amenity

The image are representative only: displayed suite from MSC Seashore Size, layout and furniture may vary (within the same suite category)

NB: Select MSC Yacht Club Grand Suites are adapted for guests with disabilities or reduced mobility.

• Surface:  approx . 25 sqm, balcony 5 sqm, deck 15-21

NB: Select MSC Yacht Club Deluxe Suites are adapted for guests with disabilities or reduced mobility.

• Surface: approx. 15 sqm, deck 15-16
• Bathroom with shower and “Med” organic amenities
• Premium bespoke embroidered towels& bed linens 100% cotton

PRIVATE VENUES

The MSC Yacht Club is an authentic ship within a ship: each MSC Yacht Club venue has been meticulously tailored to provide our guests with the highest standards of comfort and privacy .

Get inspired by our selection of private venues.

Top Sail Lounge

The Top Sail Lounge, located in the MSC Yacht Club area at the forefront of the ship, offers breathtaking views alongside exceptional food and service. As part of a luxury cruise experience, this exclusive lounge is accessible 24/7 to MSC Yacht Club guests. A complimentary bar awaits you, with premium beverages available all day, as well as delicious gourmet finger food at various times. You can enjoy live music every evening and participate in hosted events like the High Tea moment and Officer Welcome Onboard cocktail.

MSC Yacht Club restaurant

The MSC Yacht Club Restaurant is an exclusive and private venue reserved only for you with spectacular sea views. Embark on a culinary journey and delight in gourmet creations and five-star service. From à la carte menus with premium Mediterranean and International cuisine to a dedicated team of international chefs sourcing local premium products, everything is thought to tantalize your taste buds. Our dedicated Sommelier will be pleased to advice a food & wine pairing experience and to present the wide selection of wines.

MSC Yacht Club Grill & Bar

The MSC Yacht Club Grill & Bar is a dedicated outdoor terrace where guests can savour meals and drinks all day long. Start early morning with a wide selection of breakfast options with cereals to omelets, French toast, and fried eggs. Our waiters will take care of your every needs at the pool bar: delight with a variety of beverages such as craft cocktails, beers, wines, and for a high-end touch to your evening experience, savor a chilled glass of champagne.

The MSC Yacht Club Grill is available on Meraviglia, Seaside and World Class ships

MSC Yacht Club Sundeck & Pool

The MSC Yacht Club Sundeck & Pool is an exclusive luxurious outdoor area with captivating swimming pool, spacious sundeck, and relaxing large hot tubs for an remarkable luxury cruise experience. In the MSC Yacht Club you are provided with exceptional service, including fresh towels and cleaning sunglasses while enjoying the One Pool. Elegant and private cabanas are also available on selected ships.

SET SAIL FOR A WORLD of PRIVILEGES

From its elegant suites to its round-the-clock butler service, the MSC Yacht Club offers an all-inclusive luxury cruise experience

 with privacy and exclusivity while you can enjoy all the other vibrant activities that our ship offers. 

Discover more:

Indulge yourself in luxury cruises with MSC Yacht Club. Surround yourself in unparalleled comfort and personalized service as you embark on an astounding voyage aboard our finest ships of dedicated venues including a private restaurant, lounge, pool and solarium, all featuring an all-inclusive drinks service.

• Butler service available 24 hours
• Dedicated concierge 24 hours
• Premium Beverages included: Premium Extra Drink package in all ship areas
• Internet package: Browse - 2 devices per person with unlimited Internet Package
• Dedicated priority check-in and check-out
• Room service available 24 hours
• Complimentary access to the Thermal Suite in the MSC Aurea SPA
• Relaxation amenities in each suite (including bathrobe and slippers) and pillow menu
• Other personal touches such as luggage packing/unpacking service, newspaper service
• Most rewarding experience for MSC Voyagers Club points
• One free Cruise Change** (please consult Terms and Conditions)

Discover a world where privacy meets luxury, where every detail is meticulously crafted to exceed your highest expectations. Welcome to a ship within a ship, a secluded and elegant area is waiting for you.

• Lavishly fitted suites offering outstanding comfort located in the foredecks of the ship
• Dedicated exclusive Sun Deck with pool, whirlpool, solarium and Grill & Bar
• Gourmet dining in the private MSC Yacht Club restaurant. Free choice of dining time during restaurant opening hours
• Panoramic Top Sail Lounge with bar, afternoon tea service, light food selection 20 hours per day
• Live music available every night in the Top Sail Lounge
• Tailor made excursions and shopping experiences (not included in cruise fare)

At your own pace, indulge in the privacy and luxury of the MSC Yacht Club or step out of your secluded area and enjoy countless recreation, relaxation and entertainment opportunities offered throughout the ship.

• Access to all ship's facilities (bars and lounges, specialty restaurants, pools, etc)
• Discounted packages offer
• Premium buffet
• 10% discount on all MSC AUREA SPA treatments purchased on board
• Varied programme of Broadway and Las Vegas-style theatre shows
• Entertainment activities for adults, infants and children
• Recreational activities for children
• Open-air sports facilities
• Well-equipped gym with panoramic view

DESTINATIONs

Explore marvelous destinations all over the world with MSC Yacht Club, while enjoying the unique service, unrivalled comfort and exquisite luxury. The privileges of the MSC Yacht Club extend beyond the ship, discover our exclusive beach destinations with their own reserved MSC Yacht Club area .

Join the MSC Yacht Club Excursions and discover amazing hidden gems by participating in unique activities with knowledgeable local guides, specially crafted just for our valued MSC Yacht Club guests and covering a wide range of finely curated experiences and benefits.

Including OCEAN CAY MARINE RESERVE

MSC YACHT CLUB: THE LUXURY CRUISE EXPERIENCE

A ship within the ship.

Which ships in the MSC Cruises fleet feature the MSC Yacht Club? MSC Yacht Club is featured in 15 of 23 MSC Cruises ships. Book now the one that suits you best:

- 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 (from 2025)

- MSC World Europa .

MSC Yacht Club FAQ

What is the msc yacht club.

The MSC Yacht Club is an exclusive and private area entirely dedicated to luxury, privacy and comfort, an authentic ‘ship within a ship’ equipped with elegant suites, 24/7 butler service, and a dedicated concierge reception for your extraordinary luxury cruise experience. In the MSC Yacht Club you will have exclusive access to refined private venues including a restaurant, lounge, pool, and sundeck, along with an all-inclusive premium drinks service. Unlimited internet access and an extensive selection of recreational and entertainment opportunities, such as the thermal area in the MSC Aurea Spa and Broadway-style theatre shows, enhance your luxury cruise journey. For your family holiday, a world of excitement awaits young travelers on board MSC cruises, from kid’s club to aquapark , guaranteeing endless amusement.

What types of suites accommodation are available in the MSC Yacht Club?

All the accommodations in the MSC Yacht Club are elegant suites specially designed to ensure you the utmost comfort and privacy. The MSC Yacht Club features a range of 8 distinct suite types , each with its own unique touch of luxury and comfort. Although not all suite types are available on every ship, you will always be able to choose from a selection of elegant and comfortable accommodations according to your own preferences. All MSC Yacht Clubs on our ships provide refined Deluxe Suites with balconies and spacious wardrobes, as well as Royal Suites featuring direct balcony access from the bedroom and a private terrace. On Fantasia class ships, you can also choose from Grand Suites with ample living space or Executive & Family Suites with a panoramic sealed window and a separate living room. Indulge in high-end accommodations on our newest ships, offering innovative suite choices. Meraviglia class ships boast Duplex Suites with whirlpool, located at the front of the ship for breathtaking views. On Seaside class ships, MSC Seashore and MSC Seascape also offer Owner Suites with spacious terraces and a private whirlpool and Grand Suites. Owner Suites are also available on our World-class ships, including Duplex Suites, that can be chosen either with or without a whirlpool. All our newest ships also include refined Interior Suites .

From Myform Memory mattresses to Egyptian cotton bedding and mattresses and a Dorelan pillow menu, marble bathrooms to complimentary minibars, your every need is catered to for a truly exceptional luxury cruise .

What does MSC Yacht Club include?

In the MSC Yacht Club, you can enjoy an all-inclusive luxury cruise experience with a wide range of exclusive privileges, starting with 24-hour butler service , dedicated priority check-in and check-out , and a 24-hour dedicated concierge. Drinks are also included with the Premium Extra Drink package, not only in the MSC Yacht Club but also throughout the ship. This allows you to enjoy your favorite beverages at various locations such as the buffet, main restaurant, specialty restaurants, and onboard bars. Wi-Fi connection is available for the entire duration of the cruise with the Browse Cruise package for two devices per person.

Gourmet dining awaits at the private MSC Yacht Club restaurant , with flexible dining times. The Top Sail Lounge offers nightly live music, while the Panoramic Top Sail Lounge provides a bar, afternoon tea service, and light food selection for 20 hours a day. All MSC Yacht Club suites are situated on the foredecks of the ship to ensure you exceptional comfort with room service available 24/7 . You can benefit from unlimited access to the thermal area in the MSC Aurea SPA for your complete relaxation. You can also take advantage of spa discounts, specialty restaurant packages, open-air sports facilities , Kid’s Club, aquapark, and diverse programs of Broadway and Las Vegas-style theater shows.

Are drinks included in the MSC Yacht Club?

Which internet package is included in the msc yacht club.

MSC Yacht Club Guests benefit from the Browse internet package, with unlimited data valid for two devices per person for the entire duration of the cruise. This package allows you to: :

• Browse the web.
• Send and receive emails and images.
• Chat on messenger apps (e.g. WhatsApp).

Once onboard, you can also choose to upgrade the Browse internet package to the Browse and Stream package , available for an additional fee.

What are MSC Yacht Club Excursions? How can I book them?

What is the dress code for the msc yacht club are there themed parties i shall specifically pack for.

The dress code m ay vary depending on the venue and the time of the day. Top Sail Lounge - Dress code To fully appreciate the exclusive ambiance of the Top Sail Lounge, dressing appropriately in the lounge is highly recommended.

• By day: Casual clothing, including t-shirts and tops, is perfectly acceptable, but we kindly request that you do not wear swimwear at any given time.
• By night: Smart casual attire is required for entry to the Top Sail Lounge. Feel free to wear dresses, skirts, long pants, jeans, and button-down tops. However, please avoid wearing shorts and flip flops.

MSC Yacht Club Restaurant - Dress code To preserve the exceptional ambiance of this private restaurant we kindly ask you to dress in a way that complements its exclusiveness.

• By day: Feel at ease in casual wear, including t-shirts and tops, but to maintain a respectful atmosphere, we kindly request that swimwear not be worn at any time.
• By night: We kindly ask that you dress in smart casual attire. This includes options such as dresses, skirts, long pants, jeans, and button-down tops. However, please avoid shorts and flip flops.
• For Gala evenings: Dress elegantly and glamorously for your onboard photo with sophisticated outfits such as cocktail dresses, skirts, slacks, designer jeans, elegant dress tops, blazers, or even tuxedo suits and gowns.

MSC Yacht Club Grill & Bar - Dress code Wear your bathing costumes, t-shirts, tank tops, hats, and sunglasses as you please. Just remember that topless bathing is not allowed in this family-friendly area.

Can you  bring external Guests such as family or friends staying in the main ship in the MSC Yacht Club area?

Is the msc yacht club luggage allowance higher compared to regular guests, are children and infants allowed in the msc yacht club, how to join the msc yacht club shall you need to register to the msc yacht club, as a msc yacht club guest do you collect more msc voyagers club points than other experiences.

Yes, MSC Yacht Club is MSC Cruises’ most rewarding experience :

• For cruises less than 5 nights or 6 days , you will earn 800 MSC Voyagers Club points .
• If your cruise ranges from 5 to 9 nights or 6 to 10 days , you will earn 1,500 MSC Voyagers Club points .
• If your cruise is longer than 10 nights or 11 days, you will earn 2,000 MSC Voyagers Club points .

How to upgrade to the MSC Yacht Club?

Can upgraded guests to the msc yacht club collect msc voyagers club points in the same way as other msc yacht club guests , terms and conditions, terms and conditions.

• **MSC Yacht Club guests are entitled to one free cruise change, applicable either on the cruise dates or on the destination. Such change needs to be performed up to 30 calendar days before departure, for a new cruise to sail within 90 calendar days from the original departure. Any cruise change shall be requested through MSC Book or our contact centers.
• Possibility to organise tailor made excursions depending from itineraries.
• For more information about the premium extra drink package please click here

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• MSC Cruises

Yacht Club elevator hijack??

By shellster1 , March 18, 2017 in MSC Cruises

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I've read that if a YC guest swipes their card in the elevator, the elevator then automatically goes to deck 15, bypassing every other floor, EVEN IF buttons have been pushed for other floors? :o

Did I read this correctly? Seems like it might be slightly awkward...although I'm sure my 9-year-old son would thoroughly enjoy the hack. :rolleyes:

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There is a dedicated lift for RYC Members (only 1 of the many available to everyone else).

It isnt meant for general use, but apparently non RYC members do get the benefit from it as well (nothing really stopping them).

Reading from others reviews the issue comes when non RYC users are using it (getting extra usage of a lift they are not supposed to use) and then their stops are overridden by a RYC user. I think that is a small price ot pay (if using a lift surreptitiously).

Yes it's true.

And it's great. Especially when I got on one day and it was full of kids riding it, all the buttons were pushed [emoji849], swipe card and bingo YC level 15! Hahahaha so long suckers. [emoji14]

I've read that if a YC guest swipes their card in the elevator, the elevator then automatically goes to deck 15, bypassing every other floor, EVEN IF buttons have been pushed for other floors? :o Did I read this correctly? Seems like it might be slightly awkward...although I'm sure my 9-year-old son would thoroughly enjoy the hack. :rolleyes:

When I was on Divina in the med in 2012 there were two YC lifts and it worked in two ways

1) put your card in the slot outside and call the lift and it comes straight to you

2) once in the lift insert your card into the slot; press for your floor and go straight there ignoring all other button presses except other YC users.

method 2 could be used as you exit the lift to send non YC pesky kids down to the bowels of the ship as you leave.

served them right for trying to mess with my privilege.

I always had the courtesy to ask where others wanted to go and pressed their floors as well.

all I wanted was the express call not the express first stop

MY card in the outside slot

When I was on Divina in the med in 2012 there were two YC lifts and it worked in two ways   1) put your card in the slot outside and call the lift and it comes straight to you 2) once in the lift insert your card into the slot; press for your floor and go straight there ignoring all other button presses except other YC users.   method 2 could be used as you exit the lift to send non YC pesky kids down to the bowels of the ship as you leave.   served them right for trying to mess with my privilege.   I always had the courtesy to ask where others wanted to go and pressed their floors as well. all I wanted was the express call not the express first stop     pete

Lol. Must try that one Pete.

Yes how dare they lol [emoji23]

There is a dedicated lift for RYC Members (only 1 of the many available to everyone else). It isnt meant for general use, but apparently non RYC members do get the benefit from it as well (nothing really stopping them). Reading from others reviews the issue comes when non RYC users are using it (getting extra usage of a lift they are not supposed to use) and then their stops are overridden by a RYC user. I think that is a small price ot pay (if using a lift surreptitiously).

They are the 2 in the middle of the main bank of elevators on Divina

No where does it say that non YC people cannot use them.

Literally, I just laughed out loud! So true with kids. Very annoying when they push all the buttons, not limited to just elevators. ;p Thank goodness mine is old enough now to realize it's actually NOT fun to stop at every floor.

In any case, thanks everyone for the more detailed info.

They are the 2 in the middle of the main bank of elevators on Divina No where does it say that non YC people cannot use them.

there was a multilingual sign saying YC guests had priority not exclusivity

So clearly I'm doing something wrong.

Here's my experience with the YC elevators

Using your card to call the elevators seemed to make no difference.

In face, when already on the 16th it would make multiple trips between 15 and 6 before eventually coming to 16.

This was confirmed by another couple at one point when they were also trying to get off the 16th.

I'd usually just walk down the stairs to 15, saves a lot of time.

Once in an elevator that could go to 16:

Couldn't press 16 without inserting my card.

So, once I inserted my card and pressed 16 it would still go to whatever floor was next on the list of buttons already pressed.

Once it arrived at that floor it would clear ALL floors and close the doors.

Hopefully someone would be quick enough to press a floor above us before it went back down to 6.

This process would repeat on every pressed floor. Clear all buttons, rinse repeat.

So I would usually end up just hitting 15 without using my card, would get me to 16 a lot more quickly.

Edit: his was on the Divina last week of Dec 2016

For our two cruises on Divina last year, it worked as originally advertised, quick call and bypass previously selected decks.

This year, all that seemed to go away, except for, as mentioned, the elevator would periodically clear ALL selections, and you had to select your floor again.

First time we were in YC we weren't made aware of this. Second time we asked the butler escorting us to YC at embarkation about it and he gestured in a way to say "I can't tell you"! LOL We weren't to know!

Like others, we never had much success with it; although, on the odd occasions when it did work, a voice would come over the tannoy to tell everyone to evacuate the elevator as it was needed for an emergency! We were so embarrassed we decided to forego using it. That has since been changed!

• 4 weeks later...

Capricruiser

The "emergency" announcement is still in use, at least on the Fantasia. The problem is getting on the elevator, inserting your card and pressing 15 for example. Then someone non-YC gets on before the doors close and presses another deck, say 9. The elevator thinks the YC member now wants to stop at Deck 9, causing an unscheduled stop before going up to the YC decks. No problem but if many others come on requesting multiple decks, then the YC perk is useless.

Would it still register once the doors shut? Maybe after every one has pressed their button do the swipe?

I honestly don't know.

Never worked for us on our recent Davina trip.

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This Cruise Life

Msc yacht club 2024 on board msc meraviglia.

To say we were pampered is the understatement of the year (although, considering it’s only January, fingers crossed there’s more pampering ahead)! We had the opportunity to sail MSC Meraviglia out of New York earlier this month; we were excited to check out the new-to-us cruise line. But what we didn’t expect: an upgrade to MSC’s exclusive Yacht Club!

What is the Yacht Club?

The Yacht Club is MSC’s “ship within a ship” concept that promises both privacy and exclusivity. The experience includes amenities most could only dream about: white-glove butler service, 24×7 concierge, an exclusive restaurant on the ship and on MSC’s private island, Ocean Cay, unlimited drinks anywhere on the ship, a private pool, hot tub, lounge deck, and so much more.

Upgrade Offer

In early December, just over a month from our sailing date, we received an email inviting us to bid on an upgrade . We were already in a balcony cabin, so it seemed odd bidding on an interior cabin – but that’s just what we did! We maxed out our bid on an interior Yacht Club stateroom in hopes that the upgrade fairies would grant our wish.

On December 13, 2023, that’s exactly what happened!

Thank you Twitterverse!!! You made our MSC Yacht Club dreams come true. Our upgrade was accepted this morning. Full review of the MSC Yacht Club Deluxe Suite and experience coming January! 💙💙💙 #thankyou #msc #yachtclub pic.twitter.com/ZNDRZcfKKH — This Cruise Life (@thiscruiselife) December 13, 2023

Yacht Club Check-In

Fast-forward a month to January 9, 2024 when we checked in to board MSC Meraviglia. Again, to say this check-in process was different would be a huge understatement. Unlike your typical check-in with long queues, growling stomachs, and throngs of people, we waited in our own lounge with champagne and canapés away from the crowds. We made sure to document the entire experience so that we could share it with you:

First Impressions

So what is it like to sail on a ship within a ship? Is the Butler actually a real person, or is it just a glorified room steward? And what exactly is a canapé? The first 24 hours on board was a whirlwind. There were so many new experiences – and so much food! Considering this was our first-ever MSC cruise, it was a GREAT first impression! You can check out our detailed review of that first 24 hours, along with what we thought about MSC Meraviglia:

Full Review to Come!

Now that we’re back on solid ground, we’re working on our full review of our 9-day sailing on board MSC Meraviglia in the Yacht Club. We’re going to cover the things that we loved, didn’t love, and a couple things that we hated about the ship and experience.

As always, thanks for joining this cruise life of ours and following our adventures! -Mark and Rocky

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• CruiseMapper

MSC Bellissima cabins and suites

Msc bellissima staterooms review, floor plans, photos.

MSC Bellissima cabins and suites review at CruiseMapper provides detailed information on cruise accommodations , including floor plans, photos, room types and categories, cabin sizes, furniture details and included by MSC Cruises en-suite amenities and services.

The MSC Bellissima cruise ship cabins page is conveniently interlinked with its deck plans showing deck layouts combined with a legend and review of all onboard venues.

MSC Yacht Club Royal Suite with Balcony Jacuzzi

Layout (floor plan).

All passengers booked in MSC Yacht Club Royal Suite accommodations receive the following perks (bonus amenities and services):

• interactive large LCD TV, phone, electronic safe (in the closet), Nespresso coffee machine
• Myform Memory mattresses
• Dorelan pillows menu
• Egyptian cotton bathrobes, slippers
• luxury bedding (by Mascioni)
• marble bathroom with shower / bathtub
• fully stocked mini-bar
• goodnight gourmet chocolates (by Venchi)
• private balcony with a whirlpool tub and dining area (6-seat table)
• Nintendo Wii gaming console
• Priority services (check-in / check-out, embarkation / disembarkation, tendering)
• 24-hour personal concierge, butler service, room service (free delivery)
• Unlimited drinks in all MSC Yacht Club venues (including the suite's mini-bar drinks)
• All-inclusive (complimentary) free-time dining (lunches and dinners) in the exclusive MSC Yacht Club restaurant
• Unlimited drinks in all onboard bars and restaurants
• Free Thermal Suite access
• Direct access (via private elevator) to MSC Aurea Spa
• Exclusive access to "The One Sun Deck" and "Top Sail Lounge"

MSC Yacht Club Deluxe Suite

All passengers booked in MSC Yacht Club Deluxe Suite accommodations receive the following perks (bonus amenities and services):

• Priority services (check-in / check-out, embarkation / disembarkation, tendering)

Note: Cabin 16018 is MSC Cruises fleet's (and world's) first-ever "Crystal Cabin" - a balcony stateroom adorned with around 0,7 million Swarovski crystals. The YC-Deluxe Suite (16018, on the photo) is located on Deck 16 forward-starboard (in the MSC Yacht Club) and is recognizable by the crystallized number on the entry door. In-cabin Swarovski crystal decorations include furniture (both bedside tables / 2-door nightstands, coffee table's top, sideboard), the wall-mounted bedside lamps (sconces specially designed to provide lighting throughout), walls (with coral-themed artworks adorned with the luxury crystals).

MSC Yacht Club Spa Suite

All passengers booked in MSC Yacht Club Spa Suite accommodations receive the following perks (bonus amenities and services):

• in-cabin Kinesis equipment by Technogym

MSC Yacht Club Interior Suite

All passengers booked in MSC Yacht Club Interior Suites receive the following perks (bonus amenities and services):

• 1 queen bed (or 2 single beds/ upon request)
• private bathroom with shower
• Unlimited drinks in all MSC Yacht Club venues (including the cabin's mini-bar drinks)

Duplex Suite with Balcony Jacuzzi

All passengers booked in Duplex Suite accommodations receive the following perks (bonus amenities and services):

• 2-deck-high (lower / upper level) stateroom - main level (living/dining room, double sofabed), upper level (master bedroom, queen bed convertible to 2 single beds / upon request)
• 2 interactive LCD TVs, 2 phones, electronic safe (in the closet), mini-bar
• 2 walk-in wardrobes
• 2 private bathrooms with shower (1 with bathtub)
• private balcony with whirpool hottub
• Priority services (boarding, tendering, dinner seating / at onboard complimentary restaurants)
• 24-hour room service
• Unlimted drinks by MSC's "All-Inclusive Classic Drink Package"
• Complimentary Spa package - welcome cocktail, your-choice massage (spa menu), tanning shower, private wellness consultation, Thermal Area free access (throughout the cruise, adults only), private solarium access
• Complimentary room diffuser (100 ml)

Angle-Balcony Premium Suite with Terrace Jacuzzi

All passengers booked in Angle Balcony Suites receive the following perks (bonus amenities and services):

• interactive TV, phone, electronic safe (in the closet), mini-bar
• 1 queen bed (or 2 single beds / upon request)
• large wardrobe
• private (angle) balcony with whirpool hot tub
• Priority services (boarding, tendering, dinner seating / at onboard complimentary restaurants)
• Unlimited drinks by MSC's "All-Inclusive Classic Drink Package"
• Complimentary Spa package - welcome cocktail, your-choice massage (spa menu), tanning shower, private wellness consultation, Thermal Area free access (throughout the cruise, adults only), private solarium/sundeck access

Super Family Plus Cabins

All passengers booked in MSC family cabins (connecting staterooms for families) receive the following perks (bonus amenities and services):

• Note: Super Family Plus cabins combine 3 connecting rooms (1 Inside plus 2 Balcony).
• 3 nteractive LCD TVs, 3 phones, 3 electronic safes (in the closets), 2 mini-bars
• 3 wardrobes
• 3 private bathrooms (2 with showers, 1 with shower / bathtub)
• 2 private balconies
• bed configuration (max sleeping capacity 10 people) - combination of lower and upper beds plus double sofabeds
• Dedicated and supervised kids activities (educational and recreational), "Doremi Chef" cooking courses
• Classic dining (assigned first or second sitting) or Flexi dining (your-time). Switching dining styles is available after booking and also after boarding the ship.

SuperFamily Balcony Cabin

All passengers booked in MSC Super Family cabins (connecting staterooms for families) receive the following perks (bonus amenities and services):

• Note: Super Family cabins combine 2 connecting balcony rooms
• 2 nteractive LCD TVs, 2 phones, 2 electronic safes (in the closets), 2 mini-bars
• 2 wardrobes
• 2 private bathrooms (1 with showers, 1 with shower / bathtub)
• bed configuration (max sleeping capacity 6 people) - combination of lower beds plus double sofabeds

Family Cabins

All passengers booked in MSC Family Balcony cabins (connecting staterooms for families) receive the following perks (bonus amenities and services):

• Note: Family Balcony accommodations are 2 connecting cabins (1 Inside plus 1 Balcony or 1 Oceanview).
• 1 private balcony (or Porthole Window)
• bed configuration (max sleeping capacity 6 people) - combination of lower beds (queen and single) plus double sofabeds

Balcony Cabin

All passengers booked in MSC Balcony staterooms receive the following perks (bonus amenities and services):

• private bathroom (with shower)
• private balcony
• 1 queen bed (or 2 single beds / upon request)

Note: Wheelchair-accessible cabins (for disabled passengers) are sized up to 325 ft2 (30 m2).

Depending on Balcony cabin class, passengers additionally receive the following amenities:

• Bella Cabins - 20-hours-a-day gourmet buffet, dining preferences (Flexi Early or Late / at booking), free access to 5 different kids and teen clubs.
• Fantastica Cabins ("Bella” privileges plus) - upper deck room location, Classic dining (first or second assigned sitting) or Flexi / your-time). Dining styles can be selected after booking or after boarding. 24-hour room service, Dedicated and supervised kids activities (educational and recreational), "Doremi Chef" cooking courses.
• Wellness / Spa Cabins (“Fantastica” privileges plus) - upper deck room location, My Choice dining (anytime dinner, priority access to the ship's complimentary restaurants), Wellness Welcome Kit (MSC logoed T-shirt, shorts, sports towel), complimentary health check-up onboard, Inbody analyzer test (with personal Technogym-trained instructor), personalized Wellness program (1 complimentary gym class per day / every on 7+ day cruises), exclusive wellness-themed shore activities, unlimited mineral water onboard (at bars, restaurants, buffet, in-cabin bottled water), 1 sports drink per day (in-cabin mini bar), complimentary gym gear laundry service, 1 free souvenir photo.
• Aurea Cabins (“Fantastica” privileges plus) - priority boarding, Unlimted drinks (by MSC's "All-Inclusive Classic Drink Package"), My Choice dining (anytime dinner, priority access to the ship's complimentary restaurants), Complimentary Spa package (welcome cocktail, your-choice massage/spa menu, tanning shower, private wellness consultation, Thermal Area free access (throughout the cruise, adults only), private solarium access, room diffuser (100 ml).

Oceanview Cabin

All passengers booked in MSC Oceanview cabins receive the following perks (bonus amenities and services):

• nteractive LCD TV, phone, electronic safe (in the closet), mini-bar

Depending of Oceanview cabin class (low to high - Bella, Fantastica, Spa), passengers additionally receive the following amenities:

• Wellness / Spa Cabins (“Fantastica” privileges plus) - upper deck room location, My Choice dining (anytime dinner, priority access to the ship's complimentary restaurants), Wellness Welcome Kit (MSC logoed T-shirt, shorts, sports towel), complimentary health check-up onboard, Inbody analyser test (with personal Technogym-trained instructor), personalized Wellness program (1 complimentary gym class per day / every day on 7+ days cruises), exclusive wellness-themed shore activities, unlimited mineral water onboard (at bars, restaurants, buffet, in-cabin bottled water), 1 sport drink per day (in-cabin mini bar), complimentary gym gear laundry service, 1 free souvenir photo.

Interior Cabin

All passengers booked in MSC Interior cabins receive the following perks (bonus amenities and services):

Depending of Inside cabin class (low to high - Bella, Fantastica, Spa), passengers additionally receive the following amenities:

Studio Single Cabin

All passengers booked in Studios/single-occupancy staterooms receive the following perks (bonus amenities and services):

• wardrobe, vanity table/writing desk with chair
• private bathroom (with shower)
• 1 French bed (sized 140x200 cm / 255x78 inches)

MSC's Studios (categories IS-Interior, OS-OceanView, BS-Balcony) are available for booking with single-occupancy rates only.

Handicap|Wheelchair-Accessible Cabins

For passengers with disabilities, MSC Bellissima has a total of 45 handicap-accessible cabins (18x Inside, 26x Balcony, 1x Deluxe Suite).

Follows the complete list of MSC Bellissima cabins for disabled passengers. They are listed as type and categories, with cabin numbers in brackets:

• Inside rooms: 8049, 8052, 8130, 8182, 9057, 9060, 10053, 10056, 10080, 11053, 11054, 11172, 11192, 12041, 12046, 12158, 12178, 13152, 13162
• Balcony rooms: 8087, 8088, 8089, 8090, 9108, 9110, 9113, 9115, 9134, 9136, 10083, 10085, 10110, 10112, 11091, 11093, 11100, 11102, 12079, 12081, 12088, 12090, 13073, 13075, 13088, 13090
• YC2-Yacht Club Suite: 15039

Each of the handicapped staterooms features: larger size (compared to the non-accessible counterpart), wider doors (width 35 inches / 0,9 m, sitting-level keycard slot), wider turning spaces (5 ft / 1,5 m), ramped thresholds, beds with open bed frames, lowered vanity in the sitting area, amplified phones, captioned TVs, wider bathrooms (door width 35 inches / 0,9 m, roll-in shower, fold-down shower bench, grab rails, lower sinks and closet rods, raised toilets, hand-held shower head, seat height from the floor 0,4 m).

All ADA cabins also feature a convenient location near the elevators.

The ship’s gangways are all wide enough for most types of wheelchairs and disability scooters.

All decks provide elevator access.

All passenger lifts have visual, audio and Braille deck indicators.

During an emergency, dedicated crew personnel helps all disabled guests (also those with reduced mobility) to board the ship's lifeboats.

MSC Bellissima cabins review

Of all MSC Bellissima cabins, 1587 are outside and 657 are inside. All cruise accommodations have a double bed (convertible to 2 single beds). The number of all cabin categories is 21, including the Wellness (Spa) grades YCW-Deluxe Suite, BW-Balcony, OW-Oceanview, and IW-Inside.

For accommodating more guests (up to 10), the ship offers 3 types of "family cabins", comprising of 2 or 3 modular connecting rooms (and their balconies). These are the categories FPB ("Super Family Plus"), FLA ("Super Family"), and FMB ("Family") balconied staterooms. A unique feature for an MSC cruise ship, Bellissima has 8 Duplex Suites (2-level accommodations).

Follows the review of MSC Bellissima staterooms as amenities, furniture and included (complimentary) services:

• All passenger cabins as amenities offer twin beds (singles convertible to king, or double upon request), leather headboard, bedside tables and wall lamps, pillow menu, flat HD TV (with an interactive TV system, allowing bookings from the cabin, also itinerary/ports of call and tours/excursions information, movies on demand, live webcam views), direct-dial phone (onboard connections only), safe, hairdryer, mini-bar/fridge, closet/wardrobe, sitting/lounge area (mirrored vanity table, chairs), en-suite bathroom (WC, sink, shower), individual air-conditioning (thermostat controlled), Wi-Fi Internet access.
• All MSC YACHT CLUB cabins additionally have Nespresso machines.
• All Suite cabin categories feature larger bathrooms with bathtubs.
• Interconnecting "cluster cabins" are specifically designed for large families and family group travel. This new concept allows up to 3 cruise staterooms to be linked together and opened up. Bellissima ship's family cabins are in 3 main categories - FAMILY (max occupancy 6 passengers, 2 connecting rooms, 2 baths, 1 balcony), SUPER FAMILY (max occupancy 6 passengers, 2 connecting rooms, 2 baths /1 with bathtub, 2 balconies) and SUPER FAMILY PLUS (max occupancy 10 passengers, 3 connecting rooms, 3 baths, 2 balconies).
• Angle Balcony Suites feature larger bathrooms and a veranda with a whirlpool bath.
• Duplex Suites feature 2 walk-in closets, 2 bathrooms (1 with bathtub, 1 with shower), veranda with a whirlpool bath.
• YACHT CLUB Royal Suites feature a spacious veranda (40 m2) with a 6-seat dining table and a whirlpool bath.
• MSC Cruises "BELLA cabins" are in categories I1-Inside, O1-Oceanview, and B1-Balcony. Booking Bella-class staterooms additionally offer as extra perks: 20-hour gourmet buffet, organized daily scheduled activities, access to a dedicated swimming pool, modern gym, open-air sports facilities, plus earning MSC Club points for more perks on the next cruise.
• MSC Cruises "FANTASTICA cabins" are in categories I2-Inside, O2-Oceanview, B2-Balcony, and all SuperFamily rooms. Booking Fantastica-class staterooms additionally offer as extra perks: 24-hour room service, 50% discount on fitness classes, specially dedicated to kids activities, free in-room dining (breakfast), free delivery, priority dinner sitting, cooking sessions with the ship's Master Chef. These higher-grade cabins are with upper deck location and offer easy access to elevators and popular lounges.
• MSC Cruises "AUREA cabins" are in category B3-Balcony. Booking Aurea-class staterooms additionally offers: a complimentary Aurea Spa package, Thermal Area unlimited access, 60-min massage PP (max 2 per cabin), 20-min Solarium usage, welcome cocktail party, plus priority services (check-in, embarkation, tendering), bathrobes, slippers, luxury spa products, 24-hour unlimited drinks (specialty coffee, wine and beer, cocktails, soft beverages, gelato ice cream).
• MSC YACHT CLUB passengers enjoy an exclusive butler service (available 24-hours), dedicated concierge service (24-hour Concierge Reception), all-inclusive dining (a la carte menu, your-time dining in an exclusive gourmet restaurant (TBN), unlimited drinks (from cabin's mini-bar and in all Yacht Club complex areas), exclusive "The One Sun Deck" (suites-only sundeck area) access, exclusive Top Sail Lounge access. The YACHT CLUB's exclusive lounge areas are "Top Sail Lounge" (with its own restaurant) and "The One Pool Deck" (swimming pool, whirlpools, sundeck served by its own bar).
• MSC's new category "Super Family Plus" cabins are category B1-Balcony staterooms (location on decks 9, 10, 11). Facing forward, they interconnect with an interior room and another B1-Balcony (forward location too) making a "Super Family Plus". Some of the aft-location B2-Balcony staterooms (location - decks 9 through 14) have an extra single bed and can be connected to make a "Super Family Plus". When a balcony room is combined with an adjoining interior cabin it becomes a "Superfamily".
• Passengers booked in MSC Wellness cabins (IW-Inside, OW-Oceanview, BW-Balcony, and YCW-Yacht Club) receive access to dedicated sports facilities, training equipment, and amenities, along with the personal trainer, personalized fitness program, exclusive fitness-themed excursions, healthy food/drinks, charge-free laundry service (gym wear only).

Note: On decks 13 and 14, balcony cabins colored in pink are the company's new "wellness" class. In the same class are also the interior staterooms on deck 13, plus 4 outside staterooms on deck 8.

Bellissima ship's MSC Yacht Club has a total of 78 balcony staterooms (suites) plus 15 inside cabins. Two apartments are with large living room and 2 balconies (with alfresco dining area and whirlpool).

MSC Bellissima's "Crystal Cabin"

The MSC ship Bellissima has fleet's (and world's) first-ever "Crystal Cabin" - a balcony stateroom adorned with around 0,7 million Swarovski crystals. The YC-Deluxe Suite (room number 16018, located on Deck 16 forward-starboard) is in the MSC Yacht Club and recognizable by the crystallized number on the entry door. In-cabin Swarovski crystal decorations include furniture (both bedside tables / 2-door nightstands, coffee table's top, sideboard), the wall-mounted bedside lamps (sconces specially designed to provide lighting throughout), walls (with coral-themed artworks adorned with the luxury crystals).

MSC Cruises' "Crystal Cabin" was developed in partnership with Swarovski Group and De Jorio Design International. The stateroom is available at no extra cost (same-priced as other "Yacht Club Deluxe" category balcony suites).

In addition to the new crystal cabin and the 96 steps with 61,000+ Swarovski crystals on MSC Bellissima, other details consist of crystal detailed wallpaper in the MSC Yacht Club and a crystallized Active Panel illuminated by custom-made LED lighting with ~0,5 million crystals per m2 built into the design of the Champagne Bar.

ZOE is MSC's (and cruise industry's first) new in-cabin digital assistant. The technology was developed by Harman International (US-based company, a fully-owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics).

• ZOE is an artificial intelligence device (voice-enabled, with advanced voice recognition software) available in all passenger staterooms.
• ZOE speaks 7 languages, answer cruise-related questions, provides info on shipboard services-activities-facilities, makes reservations and bookings.
• The digital device features far-field microphones, top-quality speaker, quad-core processor (for fast response times), direct phone connection (through Bluetooth). The system can also upgrade its own database to answer previously unanswerable questions.
• Passenger data (including itinerary/tour and shipboard preferences) is stored in the Cloud Storage system and used on the next scheduled voyage.
• The device (sized ~15 cm) can be activated whenever passengers choose. A waiver must be signed to agree for their personal data to be stored.

Starting with Bellissima (2019), ZOE will be available on all newbuild MSC liners - including Grandiosa (2019) and Virtuosa (2020) - and introduced fleetwide over 2019-2024.

MSC Bellissima cabin and suite plans are property of MSC Cruises . All floor plans are for informational purposes only and CruiseMapper is not responsible for their accuracy.

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Who currently holds the America’s Cup? List of challengers and defenders since 1851

O ne hundred and seventy-three years ago, on the Isle of Wight, a race began that would become a legend in the sailing world —a race that continues to be discussed today. The competition was for a silver trophy that captured the imaginations and fortunes of some of the wealthiest people in the world, sparking bitter rivalries, intense controversies, and costly legal battles.

What’s more remarkable is that the boat that would become the center of attention by winning the race, the yacht America , started the race facing the wrong way.

The Royal Yacht Squadron in Cowes is one of the most prestigious yacht clubs in the world because this is where the America’s Cup began. Despite the poor start, America surprised its British hosts by winning the race, and the trophy soon made its way to New York. However, after the victory, the owners and crew were uncertain about what to do with their prize—until someone had an idea. This idea would transform the trophy into the most prestigious sailing award, and it has since become the oldest international sporting trophy in the world.

The trophy was renamed the America’s Cup after the yacht that won the first race , though it is informally known as the Auld Mug

Interesting trivia about the winning boat of the first event was a 100-foot schooner, and after winning the cup, the vessel was sold for a sum of $25,000, $5000 more than it was paid for.

For some, the America’s Cup has grown into an obsession. The quest for this trophy has led some of the wealthiest people to pour vast sums of money into their campaigns, only to come up short. Yet, despite the immense costs, many have returned to challenge for the Cup again and again. The New York Yacht Club, in particular, holds the record for the longest winning streak in history, fueled by these relentless East Coast competitors.

One such competitor was Thomas Lipton , who, despite five unsuccessful challenges with his Shamrock yachts, used the publicity to build his tea empire. His repeated failures earned him the respect and affection of the public, even as they cost him a fortune to defend his campaigns. In contrast, others, like Lord Dunraven , were entangled in bitter disputes , illustrating the passion and intensity that have always surrounded the America’s Cup.

The early days of the America’s Cup are as captivating as today’s high-tech, carbon-fiber racing machines.

The America’s Cup is the oldest international sailing competition. Races are held between a defending and challenging yacht club, with the winner awarded the America’s Cup trophy, known as the Auld Mug .

Any yacht club meeting the specified requirements can challenge the current holder. If successful, the challenging club gains stewardship of the Cup. In 1970, a Challenger Selection Series was held to decide the official challenger .

Team New Zealand syndicate

The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron club is the current holder of the America’s Cup . They successfully defended the 36th America’s Cup in March 2021 using an AC75 foiling monohull called Te Rehutai, owned and sailed by the Team New Zealand syndicate and heavily sponsored by Emirates airline company.

The next America’s Cup will be held between the defending Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron and a challenging yacht club from 12 October 2024 in Barcelona, Spain.

List of all winners

From 1851 to 1983, the USA won the America’s Cup, holding onto the title for 132 years until Australia and the Royal Perth Yacht Club won in 1983. The New York Yacht Club had successfully defended the Cup 25 times in a row , making it the longest defense of a title in sports history .

Additionally, the America’s Cup r ace winner has the right to decide the rules for the next contest , including the types of boats to be used, the location of the race course, and when the race will take place.