You two really hit the right balance. You're so thorough yet don't overly waffle, with no inflated ego nor painful word slurring, but still convey that joyful side. To me, you're producing the best content. And it melts my heart every time you include glimpses of Josh's happiness on these ships. For however long it's enjoyable for you to do, keep up this fantastic content 👍
I am really enjoying your no nonsense commentary, with all the respect in the world to the butlers, its a gimmick to make you feel special and justify the price tag, but lets not forget these people who look after us on board are miles away from their loved ones for long periods of time and work incredibly long hours for our comfort and enjoyment. It’s a strange situation when you boil it down, we have worked hard and possibly put up with challenging situations to be able to afford the holiday and as such rightly expect the pampering we have paid for, i have had some funny and frustrating experiences with not just Butlers, but Yacht Club Directors and concierge and met some amazing people from all over the world, it is by far the most enlightening type of holiday I’ve had, hats off to the Captain of the Seaside always in the public areas and always ready for a chat.
Thanks for the comments! We try our best to just share our experiences in as balanced way as we can. We certainly could not do the job they do especially wing away from family for so long… 😊
Thanks for sharing your experience! I'm cruising MSC Meraviglia YC next month, so been doing my research and exploring hacks. I hear you have to ask your butler for things like pillow menu, packing /unpacking, basically anything you need - they will do their best to accommodate, but you need to ask for it. I'm learning too, so I know what things are included and will ask for them.
Interesting… given they advertise the services on the website not sure you should have to ask but fair enough… TBH the butlers were so busy of WE I’m not sure they had time to do anything more than the basics
@@CruiseBuoys agreed. They should be asking, because some travelers don't know what is included and should not miss out just because they didn't know. TBH, them being busy should not reflect on the level of service that is being paid for and is expected.
@@lilliansanders520 I just came back this Sunday. I'd say the privacy, exclusivity and priority in everything are all great! Escorts to shows and some restaurants, room service were all awesome! Butlers are very busy, so you do have to ask them for everything that you may need (escorting to places, shows, pillow menu, etc).
We did YC on the Europa in Dubai over 8 days, which affords a lot more time to explore the YC areas, but I agree, the pool was too small! I personally think a lot of YC comes down to the butler you get. Ours was amazing, we saw her a couple of times a day and she booked our days out, theatres, dealt with all our luggage, room service and daily evening treats. She arranged champaign at sunset for our room. When we arrived she sat down in our cabin and went through everything. Whereas our friends butler who sailed at the same time was not as good, they barely saw her and didn’t receive the same level of service. It’s an easy service to think ‘I don’t want to bother the butlers’ but I think that’s what makes it. We also loved the Top Sail lounge in the evenings, although I have to say, it’s so easy to forget there is a whole ship to explore. The included access to the spa was great. The director of YC handed us a golden coin one evening and we had to work out what and where it was for. This really made our holiday!
Yeah, we are in YC again this summer on Virtuosa for a longer trip plus we will be onboard World America in 2025 (again in YC) so hopefully we get to have a better experience than what we got this time 😊
I wonder if you tipped your butler to get higher and more attentive level of service versus those, who say their butlers weren't very helpful? I heard some travelers mentioned tipping the first day to set the tone of the service. Not sure how true it is. I'm cruising in YC next month, so trying to get all my basis covered.
As we are from the UK tips are automatically included… also tipping someone before they have done anything seems to be counterproductive, surely a tip is something to recognise exceptional service… if being done preemptively that would seem to be more of a bribe… 😆 We do and have provided additional tips over the standard included gratuity where service has been above 😊
Spotted the back of my head in the yacht club lounge when we all first boarded the ship! 😝 Thorough and balanced review. The check in and checkout were a wreck (and being herded past everyone on the gangplank was embarrassing).
Great review. Nice to meet you on board. We did YC on Virtuosa from Southampton last year on the Guernsey 2 nighters.. escorted on ship to top sail lounge, drinks there while butler went to see if cabin was ready.. when ready she came to escort us to cabin. Did offer to unpack for us but we said no. Priority came in handy at Guernsey.. walked straight past queues to get tender and then at St Peter Port, we avoided queue for tender back by going to YC point and were put on next tender first. Think you will find Virtuosa YC a better experience!
Gosh , felt quite underwhelmed for you guys with this review of YC. Not having been before, but one coming up in Sep, ive been am really looking forward to it. I feel gutted you didnt get the norm. Friends of ours who have sailed YV said their experience was awesome in so many ways, so I keep everything crossed your Virtuosa YC will be absolutely fabulous - Im sure it will. Keep up the awesome content boys x
We are in YC on Virtuosa again end of August to Fjords. Booked inside as will spend more time in top sail lounge or on the sun deck with best views. Two insides (two in each ... us and both 19yr old kids) cost £4000. Think we got a pretty good deal!
Hi what did you think about the no Buffett service at the yacht club, the table area looked small or was there more tables in another area,hope you don’t mind the questions.
Always happy to answer, so ask away 😊 We preferred the grill style on World Europa to the buffet it definitely elevated the experience in our opinion. There were more chairs and table behind what we filmed so it was a decent size while still having amazing views and an intimate feeling 😃
@@CruiseBuoys looking forward to it. Not cruised with MSC before. Really looking forward to the Yacht Club. Sadly I fear we might get hooked. Cruised RCI x12.
We love MSC for the European vibe! Never a dull moment but Yacht Club refines this somewhat… 😆 We cruise RC for the first time this October 😬 should be fun 🤩
Having done two YC cruises, that pool deck looks awful compared to the Seashore and Grandiosa, I’ll definitely avoid the World Europa and sister ships. I would say that getting off the ship is really fast, I’m not sure you had the normal experience, especially in the Caribbean, you just go to the top sail lounge and they will escort you off, really good review though, especially as you have been on MSC a lot so know your stuff.
Just wondering 🤔. Did you get anything ironed? Did you have to pay ? I think I read somewhere they'll iron up to 4 items with no charge on your 1st day. Thanks
Should be better on the virtuoso. maybe the problems are with their new ship. Never had any problems and always superb and it is what it says on the tin as the saying goes.
Hi guys, we were on the Virtuosa from Southampton in March and had a check in time within our information package, we were hours early so thought well we will just drop the bags off and go for a wander. We were in the Yacht Club and the staff just told us we could go straight through the check in process, is that just Yacht Club because we are on the World Europa in two weeks time and will need to be out of our Hotel in Barcelona hours before our embarkation time? Don’t know if you can answer this or should we just try our luck, we are in the Yacht club again. Cheers
It seems to be if you’re in YC you can go essentially when you want… nothing is ever a guarantee though if you turn up earlier than your time they could say no…
Good video guys. Have to say our experience of embarkation/disembark/excursions was quite different on Meraviglia last year. Walked through to separate lounge with butlers on embark, escorted onboard ( separate entrance ), disembark same and collected our luggage called a taxi, excursions always a separate exit/entrance for YC or as a minimum priority over others ( someone with a paddle to take you onboard). Overall a fantastic experience ( at obviously a high price!)
It’s not really a comparable product… while MSC do take a lot of the good bits from other cruise lines… MSC is very much directed to a European market in many ways… That being said they have worked hard to up their game in recent years and many “issues” people complained about before on MSC are now resolved… with many still to work on too 😂
I think as long as they behave and not bothering other people it's OK. We have done Yachtclub twice and the kids have been well behaved. Our son also understands that it's OK to enjoy himself but also be mindful of other people.