I sailed with MSC’s Yacht Club—6 reasons it’s worth the splurge

Endless champagne is just the beginning of the perks.

Cruise ships, like MSC World America, really do have something for everyone. It has elevated dining options, entertainment around every corner, and a host of outdoor venues to take in the sweeping ocean views. But one area of MSC’s ships is a haven for guests who want an elevated experience. The MSC Yacht Club is a dedicated concierge-level cruise experience that brings luxury and high-end service right to MSC’s ships. 

I recently got to enjoy a week in the Yacht Club on the MSC World America, and what surprised me most wasn’t the extensive list of inclusions (more on that below), but the lengths to which each member of the dedicated staff went to ensure I had everything I needed to make my cruise truly unforgettable. If you’re already looking at an MSC Cruise, or want a luxury cruise experience without the luxury price tag, keep reading for my top six reasons that the Yacht Club is worth the vacation splurge.

Expedited Embarkation And Disembarkation

I boarded MSC World America from Miami, Florida, for a weeklong cruise, and the Yacht Club experience started before I even set foot on the ship. At the cruise terminal, there was a dedicated Yacht Club luggage drop-off and a Yacht Club-only check-in area. This greatly expedited the embarkation process. Inside the terminal waiting area, there was a section just for Yacht Club guests, complete with complimentary snacks and drinks. Other guests and I didn’t have to wait very long for a butler to arrive to walk us right onto the ship, directly to our muster stations, and then to the Yacht Club Lounge. 

This expedited service was also extended past embarkation day to the subsequent port days in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and MSC’s private island, MSC Ocean Cay Marine Reserve. In Puerto Plata, my butler escorted me off the ship from the Yacht Club Lounge and directly to my excursion meet-up point. (I did the Classic Cars Tour, which was the most fun I’ve had on an excursion in a long time.) 

Then, in Puerto Rico, I had a food tour booked through TripAdvisor. (I only recommend booking non-cruise excursions if your port day is very long and the tour stays close to the ship, as this one did.) My butler escorted me off the ship and to the end of the pier before I found my own way to the meet-up spot. It was nice to know that the expedited disembarkation was still available even without an MSC port excursion.

At the end of the week, I let my butler know I would want to be off the ship as early as possible, and at 6:10 a.m., he was at my door waiting to help me get off the ship. 

Dedicated Butler Service

Besides expedited embarkation and disembarkation, the Yacht Club butlers can assist guests with a wide range of things. Throughout the week, my butler helped me navigate the ship to get to specialty dining reservations on time, brought me to theater shows (where there was also a reserved section for Yacht Club guests), and even had the mini fridge in my cabin stocked with my favorite drinks by day two. 

One truly special moment occurred when I mentioned how much I liked a certain sweet treat that was left in my cabin one evening. The next night, a whole plate of gem-colored jelly candies was placed on the counter, made for me by the chef onboard thanks to my butler remembering this tiny detail.

Exclusive Restaurants And Lounges

On all MSC ships with a Yacht Club, there is a dedicated lounge and restaurant that’s exclusively for Yacht Club guests. The Top Sail Lounge features plush seating, panoramic views of the ocean, a communal bar, and top-notch servers who bring your drinks and treats right to your couch. I particularly loved the evening lounge service, where after-dinner drinks are paired with chocolates and live music. 

Additionally, once during every cruise, the Top Sail Lounge hosts high tea, complete with a roaming tea cart so you can pick your favorite brew, plus a beautiful tea tower with dainty sandwiches, fruit tarts, macarons, and scones with real clotted cream and jam. This is one Yacht Club event you won’t want to miss. 

The Yacht Club Restaurant sits right atop the Top Sail Lounge and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It’s a big step up from the regular dining room and buffet restaurants on MSC’s ships. Breakfast features all of the classics like omelettes and French toast, while the lunch and dinner menus rotate throughout the cruise. If there’s ever a pasta dish on the menu, it’s always worth trying. I’ve never been disappointed by one of the Yacht Club pasta dishes at lunch or dinner. 

One hidden gem dining option in the Yacht Club is the Yacht Club Bar & Grill. On some ships this is more buffet-style, but on MSC World America and other ships in the World Class, it’s a traditional sit-down restaurant. Do not skip the lobster roll at lunch, which was hearty and filled with a delightful lobster salad. 

On MSC World America, La Brasserie, one of the onboard buffets, turns into a Yacht Club-exclusive dinner venue, with a robust menu of culinary delights from around the world. I loved the crispy pork belly, chicken empanadas, and the grilled Angus ribeye (which was partially cooked tableside on hot stones).

Private Pool And Pool Deck

The Yacht Club has its own private pool and pool deck, complete with servers who can bring drinks and snacks right to your chair. How this space is configured is based on the ship you’re sailing. On MSC World America, the pool was small (as most cruise ship pools are these days) and tucked away in a corner. I tried to visit earlier in the morning to get the best lounge chairs and access the pool before it got too busy. Even then, the pool and surrounding private deck never felt overly crowded.

Dedicated Area On Private Island

On sailings that go to MSC Ocean Cay Marine Reserve, MSC’s private island, Yacht Club guests have their own reserved area. The day starts with a Yacht Club butler escorting you to a private area to wait for a tram to take you to the Yacht Club beach. Here, chairs and umbrellas are included with your cruise (some other parts of the island do not include umbrella rentals). 

Additionally, the Yacht Club area of Ocean Cay has its own restaurant, The Ocean House. Here, frozen drinks are served en masse, and lunch includes dishes like grilled rock shrimp salad, shrimp and conch fritters, and loaded cheeseburgers.

Inclusive Cost

The cost of a Yacht Club cabin includes much more than just your cabin. The inclusive nature of the Yacht Club means your cruise fare encompasses a host of amenities like 24-hour butler service, priority check-in and check-out, a Premium Extra Drink package for drinks up to $16, two-device Wi-Fi, access to the MSC Aurea Spa’s thermal suite, and more. 

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