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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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TAKE your cruise to the next level

Bid for a cabin upgrade in a few clicks, how does the msc upgrades programme work, 1. find out if you are eligible for a cabin upgrade.

If you already have a booking number and have paid for your cruise, we will contact you by email to propose a cabin upgrade. If you don’t receive our e-mail, you can still check if you are eligible for this offer by filling out the eligibility form, and then making a bid to upgrade your cabin to a higher category. If you booked through a travel agent, they will be able to guide you through the process if necessary.

GO TO THE FORM

2. CHECK THE CABIN UPGRADES AVAILABLE AND MAKE YOUR BID

If you're eligible, discover the best cabins available for an upgrade and insert the amount you are willing to pay. Each bid is per person and will automatically be replicated for the second guest in the cabin with you (3rd and 4th guests will benefit from the category upgrade free of charge). Remember to provide us with a valid credit card, even though in this phase you will not be charged.

Bidding on multiple rooms will increase your chances of getting an upgrade, but you will only be charged for one upgrade. Remember to provide us with a valid credit card, even though you will not be charged at this point.

3. KEEP AN EYE ON YOUR EMAILS AND ENJOY YOUR CRUISE

We will inform you of the outcome of your bid by e-mail , so keep an eye on it!

If your bid is accepted, your credit card will automatically be charged the corresponding amount. Otherwise, you will keep the cabin you originally booked without paying any additional amount.

How much do I bid through MSC UpGrade if my reservation includes more than two guests?

How will i be charged for msc upgrade if i travel alone.

You will be charged based on double occupancy. For example, if you originally booked a single occupancy cabin and bid £  100 for an MSC UpGrade, you will be charged £   200 should the upgrade be accepted.

How do MSC UpGrade offers work if I’m part of a group or if my bookings is linked with another reservation?

If i’m travelling with another cabin, can i bid only once through msc upgrade and, if accepted, cancel the second reservation and move the guests into the upgraded cabin, can i modify or cancel the msc upgrade offer after it has been submitted.

You may modify or cancel the offer up until 48 hours prior to the closing of the bidding window, as long as the offer has not already been accepted by MSC or your credit card has not already been charged.

Can I cancel the MSC UpGrade offer after it has been accepted?

What will happen with the promotions i already have if i’m upgraded through msc upgrade.

You get to keep the promotions you already have based on the cabin category initially booked. However,  no additional promotions will be added to your reservation.

What will happen with my cabin experience if I win an MSC UpGrade?

If i win an upgrade to an aurea experience or msc yacht club cabin, do i get all the related benefits.

Yes, if a guest wins an upgrade to an Aurea experience or MSC Yacht Club cabin, the originally booked Bella or Fantastica experience will be changed to the new Aurea or MSC Yacht Club cabin experience. We will guarantee all the related benefits associated with the upgraded experience. In case of an upgrade to MSC Yacht Club, there will be no refund for pre-purchased drinks packages.

Can I choose the location or specific features of the cabin?

What will happen if the upgrade category includes a higher amount of hotel service charge, when will i know if my msc upgrade offer got accepted, why did i or someone “travelling with” me not receive an invite to bid for an msc upgrade, terms & conditions, msc upgrade programme, thank you for visiting msc cruises.

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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 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

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Yacht club upgrade

By Singleandnotmingling , September 9, 2022 in MSC Cruises

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Singleandnotmingling

I have booked a Bella balcony on Meraviglia for November, and received the email for possible upgrades. Honestly, none of these look appealing to me. Specifically, the yacht club interior. I looked at the perks and it included “free Wi-Fi” which I have already purchased a Wi-Fi package. Also, I always was under the impression that yacht club included free drinks, which I am not seeing as one of the perks listed. So I’m not sure honestly what I would be getting by going from a balcony to an interior aside

from having access to different areas of the ship. I will add the email below.   

also, with the balcony aurora, it does not include the drink package. So what exactly does it get me? A better balcony room and option for breakfast delivery?   

im brand new to this line so if I’m missing something please let me know 😊 I’m thinking I will not place bids for any of these offers.   

oh! And one more question. Are these rates based on double occupancy? I am just one person in the state room, so will my bid be charged twice based on double occupancy?

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An inside YC would knock any other lower class of cabin out the park. Drink is included.

5 minutes ago, philsuarez said: An inside YC would knock any other lower class of cabin out the park. Drink is included.

Even though it is not listed there as one of the perks? Also, which drink package does it include?

could you please tell me the added benefits aside from what is listed there? Thank you 

4 minutes ago, Singleandnotmingling said: Even though it is not listed there as one of the perks? Also, which drink package does it include?   could you please tell me the added benefits aside from what is listed there? Thank you 

Yes, it is the Premium Extra package and good throughout the ship...including non-YC areas.

You have a separate enclave i.e. a ship within a ship, with its own pool deck with padded luxury loungers, its own spacious lounge with full bar service, its own (much better than MDR) dining room. With all of this you have bags more space.

If your bid is successful, then go into the booking and cancel your paid wifi. The YC inside is certainly smallish, but the rest of the YC enclave is your balcony! The Deluxe Suite is much larger than a normal balcony cabin.

Honestly, you ought to jump at this offer.

4 minutes ago, hamrag said: Yes, it is the Premium Extra package and good throughout the ship...including non-YC areas.   You have a separate enclave i.e. a ship within a ship, with its own pool deck with padded luxury loungers, its own spacious lounge with full bar service, its own (much better than MDR) dining room. With all of this you have bags more space.   If your bid is successful, then go into the booking and cancel your paid wifi. The YC inside is certainly smallish, but the rest of the YC enclave is your balcony! The Deluxe Suite is much larger than a normal balcony cabin.   Honestly, you ought to jump at this offer.

You forgot the butler.  

30 minutes ago, philsuarez said: An inside YC would knock any other lower class of cabin out the park. Drink is included.

Also, I was assigned a 3pm embarkation time for my current booking. Would yacht club give me The option to board right at 11am?

So this is my problem. I am only one person in the room, and it is trying to have me bid for two people. That’s just not worth it

36 minutes ago, Singleandnotmingling said: Also, I was assigned a 3pm embarkation time for my current booking. Would yacht club give me The option to board right at 11am?

Yes, the YC embarking area generally opens at 10.30am. Also, at the far end of the cruise you can stay onboard YC until a couple of hours before sailaway with all facilities available..

3 minutes ago, Singleandnotmingling said: So this is my problem. I am only one person in the room, and it is trying to have me bid for two people. That’s just not worth it  

How long is the cruise?

Just now, hamrag said: How long is the cruise?

Just now, Singleandnotmingling said: 4 nights 

OK, it's definitely not worth it at that rate IMHO.

Just now, hamrag said: OK, it's definitely not worth it at that rate IMHO.

Agreed. I wish there was an option to just upgrade for one person, considering that’s what I am. Oh well

9 minutes ago, hamrag said: Yes, the YC embarking area generally opens at 10.30am. Also, at the far end of the cruise you can stay onboard YC until a couple of hours before sailaway with all facilities available..

Staying on that late in the US sailings is not allowed, unfortunately.  Since this sailing is out of Port Canaveral, the ship must be cleared out of all departing passengers before boarding new passengers can begin.

11 minutes ago, JAGR said: Staying on that late in the US sailings is not allowed, unfortunately.  Since this sailing is out of Port Canaveral, the ship must be cleared out of all departing passengers before boarding new passengers can begin.

Yep.  Our experience has been they will kick everyone off somewhere around 9:30 - 9:45!  

HipHipOnAShip

2 hours ago, Singleandnotmingling said: So this is my problem. I am only one person in the room, and it is trying to have me bid for two people. That’s just not worth it

Yes, for the upgrade you will be charged for 2 people.  If you are 4 in a cabin, it's a bargain; if you are 1, not so much.

I  received same email, we have an aft facing cabin, that is what we always book, if I try for an upgrade does anyone know if there are any cabins in the YC Deluxe category that aren't exactly desirable, like obstructed view etc., I've never left cabin selection up to the cruise line.

3 minutes ago, coscab said: I  received same email, we have an aft facing cabin, that is what we always book, if I try for an upgrade does anyone know if there are any cabins in the YC Deluxe category that aren't exactly desirable, like obstructed view etc., I've never left cabin selection up to the cruise line.

1 minute ago, coscab said:  

1 minute ago, coscab said: Sorry, should have mentioned its the meraviglia

6 hours ago, JAGR said: Staying on that late in the US sailings is not allowed, unfortunately.  Since this sailing is out of Port Canaveral, the ship must be cleared out of all departing passengers before boarding new passengers can begin.

I knew that, but totally overlooked it as all ours have been Europe and the Antilles from Barbados!

6 hours ago, Singleandnotmingling said: Agreed. I wish there was an option to just upgrade for one person, considering that’s what I am. Oh well

TBH, if you would do it if 245 then what is another 245 to savour the experience? Then you'd know for sure if you wanted to repeat it on a longer cruise in the future! Treat yourself, you deserve to do so and the inside would be perfectly adequate for a single person.   😉

9 minutes ago, coscab said: I  received same email, we have an aft facing cabin, that is what we always book, if I try for an upgrade does anyone know if there are any cabins in the YC Deluxe category that aren't exactly desirable, like obstructed view etc., I've never left cabin selection up to the cruise line.

The forward facing ones.

1 minute ago, hamrag said: The forward facing ones.

Thanks, I will stick with what we have.

1 hour ago, hamrag said: TBH, if you would do it if 245 then what is another 245 to savour the experience? Then you'd know for sure if you wanted to repeat it on a longer cruise in the future! Treat yourself, you deserve to do so and the inside would be perfectly adequate for a single person.   😉

I mean, it would be more than double than what I paid for a balcony. And this was just a “quick inexpensive getaway” for me and that would totally negate that. So yes, going to pass. 

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How MSC’s private island experience is different for cruisers in suites

Do you enjoy large cruise ships but still want to feel like you're in the lap of luxury? Passengers booked in MSC Cruises' Yacht Club cabins and suites have access to high-end amenities – both on the ship and off.

Butlers, exclusive dining and a private pool delight guests on board, but perks also await on MSC 's private island, Ocean Cay Marine Reserve , in the Bahamas. You can expect dedicated trams, towel service and a chance to book the nicest cabanas on the island, among other extras.

Read on to find out how the MSC Yacht Club Ocean Cay experience differs from that of the average cruiser.

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MSC Ocean Cay Yacht Club beaches vs. regular beaches

MSC's Ocean Cay Marine Reserve private island is home to seven (soon to be eight) beaches, and all are public, except one — Ocean House Beach, which is the Yacht Club's exclusive swath of sand. Beyond its exclusivity, the beach has a few other differences from the island's regular beaches.

There, use of lounge chairs and umbrellas is free. Chairs at the other beaches are also free and available on a first-come, first-served basis; however, umbrellas come with an extra cost.

Passengers must sign out towels on board the ship before heading ashore to Ocean Cay's main beaches. Yacht Club passengers can skip that hassle and ask for towels at the towel tent found on Ocean House Beach.

Interestingly, I found that several of the public beaches were less crowded than Ocean House Beach. At the latter, chairs were positioned much more closely to one another. If you're willing to walk or hitch a ride on one of the island's trams, you'll find fewer crowds on the farther beaches than if you stick close to the ship.

MSC Ocean Cay Yacht Club food vs. regular dining

Free lunch is included for all cruisers who visit Ocean Cay. For Yacht Club travelers, the Ocean House Restaurant — an exclusive waiter-served dining venue where passengers enjoy their meals on a shaded porch — exudes upscale beach vibes.

During my visit, the menu included starters like crab ceviche, charred octopus and a salad with romaine, tomatoes, jicama, a poached egg and candied bacon in a citrus dressing. Mains featured locally sourced blackened mahi-mahi, lobster roll, carne asada, a grilled portobello mushroom sandwich and one of the best burgers I've ever tasted during a cruise — a blend of Angus chuck, short ribs and grilled brisket with red onion jam and Monterey Jack cheese. Desserts consisted of creme caramel, mango cheesecake and chocolate cake with coffee sauce.

The meals at Ocean House are definitely superior to the fare found at the Seakers buffet, which is where cruisers not staying in the Yacht Club can go for a beach barbecue that serves hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken, macaroni and cheese, red beans, roasted potatoes and a slew of salads, drinks and desserts.

The food is tasty, but lines can be long. An alternative is to head to one of several food trucks throughout the island. Some are free and dole out the same items offered on the buffet but with shorter lines. Others sell entirely different menu items — lobster grilled cheese, fried calamari, shrimp with watermelon, Caribbean ceviche and octopus salad — with the cost charged to cruisers' onboard accounts.

Additionally — and also for an extra fee — a stand near the ship offers specialty coffee and ice cream. (If you're a coffee lover, trust me when I say you won't want to miss the Coco-Nilla Latte.)

MSC Ocean Cay Yacht Club cabanas vs. regular cabanas

There are three types of cabanas on Ocean Cay: Ocean Cay Beach Cabanas, Ocean View Yacht Club Cabanas and Beachfront Yacht Club Cabanas. All three types are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

They can hold up to six people each and include cold water, beach towels and chairs, as well as floating mats for use in the water. As the prices increase, so does the number of inclusions. The last two types are only available for booking by Yacht Club passengers.

Ocean Cay Beach Cabanas, found on South Beach, North Beach and Bimini Beach, are the most affordable on the island at $250 for the day. They've got walls on three sides, and they're outfitted with cushioned couches. They include the basic amenities mentioned above, and anyone can rent them.

Next up are the Ocean View Yacht Club Cabanas, which cost $400 for the day and also entitle you to free lunch and drinks, as well as fresh fruit skewers, four sets of snorkel gear and four floating mats. They're found on the Yacht Club's private Ocean House Beach, so they're off-limits to non-Yacht Club guests.

The most expensive, however, are the Beachfront Yacht Club Cabanas, located in a different section of the Ocean House area. They carry a $450 price tag but offer all the same extras as Ocean View Yacht Club Cabanas.

The draw? They're closer to the water and, therefore, have better views. Although they aren't on the main part of Ocean House Beach, they are still in the exclusive area, near the restaurant, so you don't have to go far to grab food.

Ultimately, the only thing being in the Yacht Club affords you in this case is the option to book more expensive cabanas.

MSC Ocean Cay Yacht Club trams vs. regular trams

At 95 acres, Ocean Cay is sizable. If you're fit, you can walk from one end to the other in about 15 minutes, but if you don't have great mobility or if you're easily overheated, reaching some of the island's more remote beaches can be difficult on foot. That's why MSC offers tram shuttles.

Passengers in standard cabins will find tram stops with shaded waiting areas throughout the island. However, waits can be long, especially if many other people are also in need of a lift.

Yacht Club cruisers can take advantage of trams exclusively for the Yacht Club. They run between a special tent (with free cold water to sip while you wait) set up just inside the entrance to Ocean Cay and the Ocean House beach and restaurant area.

You can make special requests for stops, which the regular trams usually won't accommodate. For example, you might ask to go straight from the tent to South Beach for a volleyball game without stopping anywhere else first.

MSC Ocean Cay Yacht Club activities vs. regular activities

This is the one category where the island's public spaces beat the Ocean House area by a mile. If you're looking for something to do other than eating, drinking or lazing by the beach, you'll have to head back toward the ship because there's not much going on in the exclusive areas.

Everything from massages, lighthouse tours and water sports equipment rentals to beach parties, volleyball games and shore excursions takes place elsewhere. However, perhaps that's by design. The Yacht Club is generally quiet, even on board, and the line likely prefers to keep the raucousness to other locations.

Bottom line

The MSC Yacht Club experience is more exclusive than the standard one at Ocean Cay, with extras like butler service, dedicated trams, towel service, access to pricier cabanas and a private beach and restaurant with better food and shorter waits.

However, all of the action — shore excursions, pickup volleyball games, beach parties, the lighthouse show — happens in the areas that are accessible to everyone, which significantly levels the playing field.

Additionally, items like specialty coffee, ice cream and for-fee food truck orders cost extra for everyone — even Yacht Club passengers.

Overall, Ocean Cay offers a great day for anyone who enjoys the beach, regardless of cabin type.

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MSC Cruises Drink & Bar Menus With PriceS – UPDATED

Last Updated on June 12, 2024

We spent a lot of time on a recent voyage with MSC Cruises trying to decipher the MSC drink menus and drink packages. We are posting the entire range of MSC drink menus to accompany the information recently published comparing the drink packages. These menus will also help people with the MSC Easy drink package better understand what’s included!

MSC Cruises Gratuities on Bar / Drink Purchases

Onboard bar purchases will incur gratuities, automatically added to all purchases : 15% gratuities on European, Emirates, South Caribbean, Red Sea, South America (Brazil and Argentina), and Far East itineraries, and 18% gratuities on North America itineraries. If you purchase a drink or beverage package, the price of the package includes the gratuities and you will not pay anything additional!

MSC Drink Menus

Ship wide drink list with prices *updated 2024 menus*.

This is the shipwide menu for bars, pool areas, main dining rooms, and lounges. This menu does not apply to specialty restaurants that have their own specific menus.

Master Wine List – Available in main dining rooms

This list is what is generally presented in any dining area or main dining room on MSC ships.

MSC Champagne Bar Menu

For MSC cruise ships with a Champagne Bar, this menu is presented, but they often have a full bar as well.

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Brass Anchor Pub

The pub features quite a few beer options but pay attention to the prices if you are planning on using a drink package. Additionally, there are paid items to eat at certain times.

• TRY IT : We’ve created an MSC Drink Calculator to see if buying a beverage package is worth it on your next cruise!

For people who have chosen the Easy Package or get it free with their cruise fare, there is a separate menu:

A word about the drinks on MSC Cruises

If you plan on enjoying your cruise without purchasing a drink package, you’ll see by the above menus that the prices of drinks really aren’t terrible compared to other cruise lines. However, a drink package is now more commonly included as a perk or incentive when booking a cruise with MSC . Even if there is a slight upcharge for an included Easy Package for you’re next cruise, you’ll likely find that it’s well worth it given that it includes bottled water, sodas and specialty coffee which is uncommon with most cruise lines.

Learn more about the MSC drink packages that are available and how they are used.

You might also be interested in…

MSC Cruises Dining Packages Explained – Are They Worth It? What to Know Before You Go!

MSC Dining Packages - Everything to know! The “dining experiences” offered by MSC include a single meal at a specialty restaurant for lunch... Read This

MSC Cruises Drink Packages & Prices (UPDATED)

 On a recent MSC Cruise, I booked an aft balcony with a special rate that included the “Easy Package”. I really had no idea... Read This

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27 Comments

Hello, how are you? I made a summary between the Easy and Easy Plus packages

Easy • You can only drink Heiniken beer • If you want to drink rum, vodka, whiskey, gin, tequila (You cannot choose a brand) • If you want wine you can choose between Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel Rose, Cabernet or Merlot but the house wine, do not choose by brand. • It is not valid for specialized restaurants, that is, if one goes to one specialized in pasta or Mexican, it is paid outside the plan. • If someone wants to buy a drink that is more expensive, they pay the difference. • The minibar is paid separately • Tips are included

Easy Plus • You can choose a greater variety of beers, rum, vodka, gin • You can choose brands of wine • This package can be used in specialized restaurants. • If someone wants to buy a drink that is more expensive, they pay the difference. • Minibar is paid separately • Tips are included

Thomas, Yep! This basically points out the main differences. Thanks!

Hi, how are you? We are going in January on MSC Armonia for 7 nights. Will you have the same menu but with the Easy Plus package? I want to see what the difference is with the Easy.

I understand that in the Easy Plus you can choose a wider variety of cocktails, choose other brands of spirits, wine, beer and better coffee.

Can you help me please Regards

Hi Thomas, you can see the easy plus menu on this page about MSC Drink Packages . But just know that you can order from any menu. I hope this helps! Enjoy your cruise!

Thanks for this ! Do you know if the basic drink package covers say a bourbon and coke drink ?

You know, that’s a good question. Our travel buddies were ordering generic like rum & coke – Vodka Tonic, etc… but didn’t ever hear anyone order any basic Bourbon. BUT They did seem to have something included in the easy / basic package for all alcohol types, so I can only assume they have a bourbon. If not, you only pay the difference in price if what you want isn’t included in the Easy package. The few times I have done that, it’s only been $2 or so for better drinks.

Hi Phil, yesterday I sent a small message about the MSC transfer between Milan Malpensa Airport and Genoa Port. A small modification: we should get from Milan to Genoa in the morning of June 22, not June 21, so I would like the information (timetable, etc.) by the 22 of June.Sorry for the modification.Thanks in advance for your reply: Agnes

Hi Agnes – I’m unfortunately not famliar with how MSC Handles busses or shuttles from the Milan airport 🙁 – but I do know the transport is usually only on the morning of the cruise for when they DO offer shuttles. If you’re arriving early, you’ll be on your own to get to Genoa and it’s a few hours by train. The trains are generally pretty reliable an on time, but give yourself plenty of room to work with. You can use Rome2Rio (link) and plan a route or hire a private car (expect to spend 200 euro to get there though!). Here’s a link to private services on Viator

Hi! We have a cabin (Seaside from Genoa – 7 nights) for 4 people: 2 adults, 2 children, we have Easy Package for all four people. By definition, children do not drink alcoholic beverages, but my question is, is ice cream(for the children) included in Easy Packae? Thanks in advance: Agnes

Hi Agnes, I think if you call MSC, they will downgrade the kids to a soft drink package and save you money. As for icecream, it was available at the outside cafe at no charge but it will not cover the specialty ice cream / Gelato at Philippe Maury & Venchi Chocolate

Does the prices in the drinks menu include the gratuity? Or we have to add the 18% to know the total price?

Lizette, If you don’t have a drink package, and you are purchasing the drinks one by one, then you’ll pay the gratuity on top of the price you’re seeing. I believe the gratuity has just increased to 18% from 15%

We are two people traveling on MSC Meraviglia. Looking at these prices (some of them equal to or better than any hotel or Pub), I don’t think we are going to spend $560 (2 non-alcoholic packages) on water, coffee, and sodas in our 10-day cruise.

I agree- The prices really aren’t bad compared to other cruise lines! The packages make the most sense when they’re included as a promotion in the base fare at a discounted rate. I have friends that recently did a 2 week cruise with MSC and the drink packages were as much as the cruise. They declined and ended up spending a fraction of what the drink package would have been. Definitely worth doing the math!

how can i find out what brands of scotch are included in the easy plus package

Hi Bill & Susan, You can see the main menu above (first menu) and page 7 has “whisky” …. which they’ve sort of put all scotch and whisky together.

Remember it’s anything up to $10 per drink, so there are quite a few basic options available.

It’s explained on another page here that the Easy Package includes drinks up to $7.50, but I don’t see these drinks listed in the menu provided above, only the $9 ones. Did I miss something? Or is it $7.50 plus a 20% gratuity so it is $9.00 as listed on the menu which also includes the tip.

Hi Cory – If you look at the menu at the top of this page – and flip to the first page of the menu, it has the drinks up to 7.50 which are included in the “easy” package. MSC Generally has a menu for drinks that are part of the “Easy Package” and not all have a price associated with them (They’re just included). The $7.50 amount has been established since they now allow you to get a drink that is more than the $7.50 limit by paying the difference. I hope that makes sense!

Thanks! Don’t know how I missed that. I did the calculation and for our group of mostly light or non-drinkers, the packages don’t make financial sense when everybody has to get the same package, especially when we are going to be in port during most days and will get paid drinks there.

Sure! If you’re light drinkers, MSC Often has a promo for Easy or Easy plus as part of a cruise fare. I find that is the best way to go when it’s available since it covers everything from premium coffee & bottled water, etc. Not sure if you saw our MSC Drink Calculator (here) . This might help as well!

I noticed one can order bottles of wine pre cruise to be delivered to your stateroom. The prices for which seemed reasonable at @$32. My question is can you get a bottle at a bar on board and take it to your room or would there be a corkage fee?

Hi Kim! If you get the bottles onboard where they are available, you’ll pay a gratuity but not a true “corkage” fee by just taking them back to your room. So Expect to pay whatever their automatic gratuity / service charge is – but nothing else.

Hi. Are these prices in australian dollars?

Hello! The prices are in US dollars unless otherwise noted (sometimes we post prices in Euro, but it’s clearly stated).

Your not in Alice Springs anymore, mate!

Are these also the same prices if you were to buy the drinks a la carte?

Hi Josh – Yes, this is the ship-wide price list even if you’re paying for the drinks 1 at a time. For package customers, it’s a reference as to what the package will cover more than anything.

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Ship-within-a-Ship Cruise Options: Luxury Service on Big Cruises

H ow do you get the luxury and guest-to-crew ratio of a small ship experience but on a larger cruise? The answer is simple: a ship-within-a-ship cruise class.

Major cruise lines have jumped onboard this special class, especially within the last decade. It's easy to see why it's attractive. It offers cruisers upgraded service and exclusive access while also enjoying the ship's entertainment, dining,g and amenities with the rest of the ship's passengers.

If you want to feel like a bigger fish in the pond of people onboard, or if you want to experience more privacy and service than the average cruisers onboard, ship-within-a-ship options are for you.

Disclosure: This page has affiliate links, meaning we may earn a small commission if you click the link and proceed with a purchase  at no cost to you . We recommend cruises, experiences, products, and services we personally use. As Amazon Associates, we earn from qualifying purchases.

What is a Ship-within-a-Ship cruise?

There's no denying that large cruise ships (including some “mega-ships,” as some people call them) can offer cruisers things that smaller ships, like river cruise ships or yachts , cannot. However, if you want multiple restaurants to choose from that are each themed to a specific cuisine, or large-scale stage shows, a casino, ice-skating rink, or a rock climbing wall, for instance, you'll have to cruise big.

Large cruise companies created a fantastic offering that means you can have the best of both worlds in cruising in some ways. Big ships have taken the luxurious and intimate ambiance of small-scale cruises and coupled them with their abundance of onboard offerings, deeming it a “ship-within-a-ship” cruise class.

Though mega-ships can never go into smaller ports that small-ship adventures offer, they have created a nice niche on board for a specific clientele.

Each cruise line has named it something unique to their company to help identify the niche brand within their recognizable cruise name — for example, “ Celebrity Cruises The Retreat .”

Which cruise lines offer this special cruise class?

The major brands that offer this ship-within-a-ship cruise class include:

• MSC Cruises
• Holland America Line
• Celebrity Cruises
• Royal Caribbean
• Disney Cruise Line
• Norwegian Cruise Line

While Princess Cruises doesn't have something like The Retreat or The Haven, like Celebrity Cruises or Royal Caribbean have, they have their MedallionClass. The device that works with the Princess Medallion class does make it feel like a special experience in its own way.

General perks of Ship-within-a-Ship cruise class

Precise details of each cruise line's ship-within-a-ship offerings differ. However, here are some perks you can generally expect if you choose to book this category:

• Early boarding
• Beverages included
• Included Wifi
• Separate and more private dining areas
• Butler service
• Priority seatings and bookings

Price point for this elevated cruise class

It's nearly impossible to quote exact prices for ship-within-a-ship cruise concepts. This is because each cruise sailing varies, no matter the cruise category you choose. This is affected by the length and location of the sailing, the cruise line, where your stateroom is on the ship, etc.

However, overall, guests can expect to pay a premium for premium service. Below, we've done our best to give you a general idea of what each experience will cost.

MSC Cruises: Yacht Club

MSC's offering is their “Yacht Club.” Guests need to be staying in one of the Yacht Club suites to be part of the ship-within-a-ship cruise with MSC. (In other words, the Yacht Club services are not something that guests can add as an upgrade to a different type of stateroom.)

Suites on the MSC Seashore, for example, which sails to the Bahamas and the Caribbean from Miami, range from 226 square feet to 1,059 square feet in the Owner's Suite. Overall, about 4% of the people onboard MSC Seashore can be a part of the Yacht Club; there are only 122 Yacht Club suites onboard out of 2,270 staterooms.

Of those 122, 107 Yacht Club suites have balconies. About 15 of the suites are interior cabins – the rest have outside views. This variety of interior and exterior cabins makes it possible for MSC to offer various price points to guests desiring a Yacht Club experience.

The suites are all located on the ship's upper decks: 16, 18, and 19. The Yacht Club restaurants and exclusive amenities are nearby on the same decks, also towards the front of the ship.

MSC Yacht Club's included services

• Priority boarding.
• 24-hour butler service.
• Exclusive restaurant and lounge.
• Exclusive pool and hot tubs.
• Complimentary drinks.
• Complementary wifi.
• Complementary access to the Thermal Suite at the Aurea Spa for the duration of the cruise.
• Private shopping experiences onboard, with your butler as your shopping escort .
• Private shore excursions.

MSC Yacht Club Dining

The Yacht Club on MSC ships is both a cruise category and physical area. Within the Yacht Club, there is an indoor Yacht Club Restaurant, an outdoor Yacht Club Grill & Bar, and the Top Sail Lounge, both indoor and outdoor. Those exclusive dining areas are only available to Yacht Club guests and feature sophisticated and unique meals and snack offerings.

Ships to Experience MSC Yacht Club

Book a cruise on the following ships to experience MSC Yacht Club:

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

Pricepoint of MSC Yacht Club

The Yacht Club is a good upgrade if you're looking for a ship-within-a-ship experience that won't break the bank. It can average to be as little as $1,400 for a 7-day sailing (approximately $200 a day). When you couple that with the drinks and wifi, alone, that are included for that investment, never mind the upgraded dining, it seems like a no-brainer!

If you keep an eye on their website and search the cruise options frequently, you may even spot some bargains for MSC Yacht Club. If one presents itself, lock it in!

Holland America Line: Neptune Suites

Enjoy the perks of being in Neptune Suites on one of the longest-running cruise lines, Holland America Line . You'll feel that extra special care as you luxuriate in the suite class's own lounge and cabanas.

Holland America Line: Neptune Suites included services

• Access to the Neptune Lounge
• Dedicated Shore Excursions Desk in the lounge
• Fresh flowers
• In-suite espresso machine
• Premium bathrobes
• Exclusive tote
• Priority check-in and disembarkation
• Priority tendering where applicable

Norwegian Cruise Line: The Haven

The ship-within-a-ship cruise experience aboard Norwegian Cruise Line is called The Haven.

Norwegian's Haven staterooms range in size from 309 square feet for a Deluxe Spa Suite with a Balcony, all the way up to over 6,694 square feet for the 3-Bedroom Garden Villa. (Yes, that's much larger than most people's homes!) The Garden Villa can accommodate up to six guests, and there's even a private hot tub and private dining area.

This is a great way to get that small-ship feeling on a mega-ship with entertainment and amenities far beyond what a small cruise ship can offer.

The Haven suites and its exclusive areas are generally located at the top of the ship.

Norwegian: The Haven included services

Here are just some of the included services you get when you book The Haven category on an NCL ship:

• Priority boarding for embarkation and disembarkation and at ports of call.
• Concierge service for anything from booking exursions to dining.
• Exclusive The Haven restaurant and lounge.
• Exclusive courtyard and sundeck, reserved for guests of The Haven, which includes an area with a private pool, hot tub and fitness area.
• In-room dining with white tablecloth service.
• Evening turndown service and treats delivered to your suite each night.
• Luxury bath products and fine linens.
• Invitation to exclusive cocktail parties.
• Priority restaurant reservations and entertainment seating .
• In-room bathrobes, slippers and oversized towels.

The Haven Dining

Guests of The Haven have the option to dine at an additional restaurant that other guests on the ship cannot go to unless they're part of NCL's ship-within-a-ship category. This special dining option is The Haven Restaurant. On Breakaway and Breakaway Plus class Norwegian ships, there is a special lounge and bar area for The Haven as well.

The Haven Ships

The Haven is offered on Norwegian Cruise Line's newer ships. This includes the following nine vessels:

• Norwegian Escape
• Norwegian Getaway
• Norwegian Breakaway
• Norwegian Epic
• Norwegian Gem
• Norwegian Jade
• Norwegian Jewel
• Norwegian Bliss
• Norwegian Pearl

Pricepoint of The Haven

In general, The Haven costs about double or triple what a balcony stateroom or club balcony suite costs for the same sailing. However, exact prices depend on the cruise, which often varies with availability depending on your search.

For example, a 7-day Caribbean cruise that costs $700 for an inside cabin or $935 for a balcony, costs $3,000 for The Haven.

Celebrity Cruises: The Retreat

Celebrity Cruises offer modern ships that appeal to all ages, but particularly adults with a penchant for modernity on a luxury cruise line. The Retreat is a resort-within-a-resort, of sorts, taking the ship-within-a-ship cruise concept to a new level.

After you take a plunge in your private Retreat-only pool you can relax in your Celebrity Suite and call upon your dedicated Personal Retreat Host to deliver champagne. You can also dine in Luminae , The Retreat-only restaurant.

Suites range from 319 square feet with an additional verandah for a Sky Suite, to Iconic Suites with two bedrooms and two bathrooms, which are 1,892 square feet. They also include a verandah that's bigger than most staterooms onboard, at 689 square feet and has a private hot tub.

Read our Extensive Review of The Retreat on Celebrity Apex

Some included benefits of Celebrity Cruises The Retreat

• Priority check-in, departure, and port tendering/boarding
• Upgraded bedding
• Upgraded bath products
• Premium drinks
• Included wifi
• A credit for shore excursions
• Onboard credit to use how you choose (which equates to anywhere from $200 to $400 per person, depending on the length of your cruise)
• Prepaid gratuities
• Pre-cruise concierge, available in days leading up to the cruise before you board
• Reserved theater seating
• Access to The Retreat Sundeck (available on Edge Series and Revolutionized ships – unavailable on Celebrity Solstice, Eclipse, Reflection, Constellation, and Infinity), cabanas, and hot tubs
• Entry to The Retreat Lounge (or Michael’s Club, on non-revolutionized ships)
• Access to The Retreat private restaurant,  Luminae
• Complimentary beverages at The Retreat Lounge

The Retreat Ships

The Retreat is available on all Celebrity Cruises ships listed below:

• Celebrity Apex℠
• Celebrity Beyond℠
• Celebrity Constellation®
• Celebrity Edge®
• Celebrity Eclipse®
• Celebrity Equinox®
• Celebrity Infinity ®
• Celebrity Millenium®
• Celebrity Reflection®
• Celebrity Silhouette®
• Celebrity Solstice®
• Celebrity Summit®

It's also available on the following Celebrity Galapagos Expedition Series ships:

• Celebrity Flora®
• Celebrity Xpedition®
• Celebrity Xploration®

Pricepoint of Celebrity Cruises: The Retreat

The entry price for The Retreat with Celebrity Cruises depends on what itinerary and location you're booking. For instance, pricing for a 7-day Caribbean cruise with The Retreat starts at just over $2,200 but for an Alaskan cruise, it's over $6,000. Expect to pay in the thousands, as is typical with any ship-within-a-ship cruise experience.

Check out our extensive review of The Retreat and find out all the reasons why we loved it!

Royal Caribbean: Royal Suite Class

Royal Caribbean has an option for the Royal Caribbean International's Suites Program on their ships. However, the Royal Suite Class is an upgraded option beyond their International Suites Program that is available on 10 of their vessels (they have over 25 ships in their fleet, total).

As the cruise line exclaims on its website, Royal Suite Class “embodies the best in luxury travel.” Guests can choose from three tiers of this ship-within-a-ship cruise option. Their Sea, Sky, and Star Suites will give you elite access to luxurious amenities, services, and areas of the Royal Caribbean cruise ships.

Sea Class gives you the least perks, yet more than a “normal” Royal Caribbean stateroom. Such upgrades include priority boarding at your port of embarkation as well as a dedicated check-in line, luxury bath products, and a robe in your suite. But the ultimate in luxury lies in the Star Class.

AShips to Book Royal Suite Class

Currently, Royal Caribbean's Royal Suite Class is offered on 10 ships:

• Oasis of the Seas®
• Allure of the Seas®
• Harmony of the Seas®
• Symphony of the Seas®
• Wonder of the Seas®
• Quantum of the Seas®
• Anthem of the Seas®
• Ovation of the Seas®
• Spectrum of the Seas®
• Odyssey of the Seas ®

A taste of what Royal Suite Class's Star Class Category includes

To reiterate, there are three Royal Suite Classes aboard Royal Caribbean ships: Sea, Sky, and Star Suites. Sea Suites offer the least perks and Star Suites the most. The associated cost to book increases with each class. It's important to note that while the Sea Class has some added benefits above the usual stateroom booking, only the Sky and Star Classes have access to Royal Caribbean's Suite Sun Deck area.

Here is some of what the Star Class includes, above and beyond the usual ship-within-a-ship cruise upgrades like luxury linens and priority boarding:

• Royal Genie service (a dedicated team member who truly makes the guests of the Star Class feel like celebrities – only available for Star Class, not Sea or Sky).
• Complimentary deluxe beverage package.
• Included gratuities.
• Complimentary mini bar stocked with alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

Pricepoint of Royal Caribbean's Royal Suite Class

There are so many cruise options with Royal Caribbean that it's nearly impossible to put a number on these cruises without looking up a specific sailing. But if you are looking for a Royal Suite Class experience, be sure you're looking for a cruise on one of their ships that offers it. (The 10 ships that offer it are listed above.)

We did a few searches and saw prices anywhere from $2,000 to $12,000 for a 7-night Caribbean cruise, with a starting price that was approximately $1,500 more than an inside stateroom and about $1,300 more than a balcony stateroom.

Cunard Queens and Princess Grill Suites

Cunard rolls out the red carpet for its Grill Suites guests. This company (which mostly sails in the United Kingdom) sends a clear message of luxury and elevated service. For instance, Grills Suites guests are served champagne and chocolates upon arrival and have exclusive access to special areas throughout the cruise.

The Princess Grill Suites are a step below the Queens Grill Suites but still a step above the usual staterooms onboard Cunard ships.

Included services with Cunard Queens Grill Suites

• Priority disembarkation in ports.
• Butler service.
• Pre-dinner canapés.
• Complimentary in-room bar.
• In-room dining from the Queens Grill menu or Princess Grill menu, corresponding to the class you book
• Access to Grills Lounge and Terrace (on applicable Cunard ships).
• Included drinks package (for cruises 7-nights or longer, and drinks $12 or below).
• Included hotel and dining service charges.
• Personalized stationery.
• Velour robes and slippers.

Cunard Ships offering Queens and Princess Grill Suites

The Grills Suites are offered on all three of their current ships and their fourth planned ship:

• Queen Mary 2
• Queen Victoria
• Queen Elizabeth
• Queen Anne (first sailings will be in early 2024)

Pricepoint of Cunard's Ship-within-a-Ship class

You can pay as low as $650 for a Grill Suite for a sailing that's just a few days, to upwards of $14,700 for a Grill Suite on a 32-day cruise.

For example, a 4-night cruise from Southampton (UK) to Hamburg (Germany) is $749 for an inside cabin and $1,599 for a Queens Grill Suite.

Grill Suites on a 7-night cruise off the Atlantic Coast and Iberia start at $2,369 per person, while an inside cabin on the same cruise is $755 per person. A balcony room is $971 per person on the same cruise. All that is to say that a Grill Suite, whether Princess or Queen category, will run at least $1,000 more per person.

Disney Cruise Line: Concierge

Disney Cruise Line's Concierge level gives guests special services and early access to the ship, bookings, and more aboard their beautiful cruise ships. Whether you're traveling on DCL as adults-only or as a whole family, you'll enjoy the best Disney has to offer and then some.

Their “ship-within-a-ship” concept doesn't necessarily equate to many private areas beyond the concierge lounge and a sun deck. Still, it does provide a white-glove service in other areas that are valuable to those desiring special treatment attached to the Disney name.

If you book a suite at their concierge level, the DCL world opens up to you for even more luxury and priority services beyond the minimum of what Disney is well known for.

Concierge suites are on Decks 11 or 12 on the Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream and Decks 8 and 10 on the Disney Magic and Wonder. On the Disney Wish , Concierge suites are found on Decks 10, 11, 12, and 13, with limited 2-level suites, including the incredible Concierge Wish Tower Suite.

Overall, Disney Cruise Line's concierge-level suites provide more square footage than their regular staterooms. They have custom finishings like teak wood details, crown molding, custom fabrics, and more aboard Disney Magic.

Disney Cruise Line's Concierge suites are offered on all of their Disney Cruise Line ships (but not aboard Adventures by Disney river cruises .)

What's Included with DCL's Concierge Level

• Requests for onboard activities and services start 125 days out (whereas other guests are usually only able to book 90 days out, depending on the length of their cruise).
• Dedicated Concierge Services Specialist, available Monday through Saturday for pre-trip planning before you board.
• Priority boarding when you check-in to embark .
• Upgraded pillow options (choose from hypoallergenic, feather, or therapeutic memory foam).
• Feather duvet covers in the main bedroom.
• Custom robe and slippers for onboard use.
• Complimentary wifi up to 100MB.
• The Concierge Lounge has complimentary food and nonalcoholic beverages throughout the day.
• Sun deck, which is accessible for Concierge guests via a private entrance where there are cooling water misters, cushioned lounge chairs, and a bar stocked with water and refreshments.

Pricepoint of Disney Cruise Line's Concierge Level

Generally speaking, Concierge suites start at double what a verandah stateroom costs on a Disney Cruise Line sailing. For example, an Oceanview cabin on a 5-Night West Caribbean cruise from the Port of Miami, Florida is $2,525, and a verandah stateroom is $3,125, for two guests.

But concierge suites for the same cruise start around $6,600. Often concierge-level costs more than that, depending on the cruise dates and itinerary. (We've seen upwards of 3xs the cost of a verandah room.)

Going on a cruise? Also check out:

• Awesome Cruise Gift Ideas for Cruise Fans & People Going on a Cruise
• River Cruise vs Ocean Cruise: What’s the Difference?
• Helpful Info about Luminae in The Retreat on Celebrity Cruises

• Cruise Line Restaurant, Room Service, and Bar Menus / Food and Drink

MSC Bar Menus and Drink Prices 2024

by Prof. Cruise · Published April 5, 2023 · Updated January 11, 2024

Are you booked on or considering a cruise on MSC? Wondering about available beverage packages, drink menus, and drink pricing? Here’s a brief description of the five available beverage packages followed by the standard MSC bar menus. These menus reflect updated offerings and pricing introduced in 2023.

MSC Beverage Packages 2024

Here’s what’s included in each of the five available beverage packages on MSC:

Easy Package

• Selected classic or international cocktails • Non-alcoholic cocktails and mixed drinks • Spirits (whisky, vodka, gin, rum, tequila, brandy – one brand per type) • House wines (red, white, sparkling, rosè) • Draft beer Heineken and bottled beer Heineken* • Soft drinks from the fountain, canned soft drinks, fruit juices by the glass and bottled • Bottled Mineral Water • Classic hot drinks (espresso, cappuccino, caffè latte, hot tea, hot chocolate)  • Beverage gratuities included

*The brand of beer may vary overtime. The Easy Package covers all the above served in bars, the buffet and the main dining room. It also includes private islands, but does not cover specialty restaurants and signature venues. 

Easy Plus Package

Includes all beverages priced up to $10!*

• Variety of frozen and classic cocktails
• Fresh fruit cocktails and protein shakes
• Well spirits, liqueurs and cordials
• Variety of draught and bottled beers
• Non-alcoholic cocktails and all non alcoholic drinks 
• Bottled Mineral Water
• Wide range of hot drinks
• 10% discount on bottles of wine purchased on board
• Selection of wines by the glass
• Beverage gratuities included

*The Easy Plus Package covers all the above served at bars, the buffet, main dining room and specialty restaurants. It also includes private islands, but does not cover signature venues.

Premium Extra Package

Includes all beverages priced up to $16!*

• Wide Selection of Premium and International cocktails
• Non-alcoholic cocktails and all non-alcoholic drinks
• Fresh fruit and protein cocktails
• Premium brand spirits, liqueurs and cordials
• Wide selection of fine wine by glass
• Champagne by glass
• Wide variety of draft and bottled beer
• Wide selection of classic and specialty hot drinks
• 25% discount on purchased of bottled wine and champagne

*The Premium Extra Package can be enjoyed in bars, the buffet, main dining room, and specialty restaurants as well as on private islands, but does not cover signature venues.

Alcohol-Free Package

• Non-alcoholic cocktails
• Energy drinks
• Flavored water
• Soda by glass and bottle
• Soft serve ice cream

*The Alcoholic-Free Package can be used in bars, the buffet, main dining room, and on private islands, but not in specialty restaurants and signature venues. 

Minors Package

*The Minors Package can be used in bars, the buffet, main dining room, and on private islands, but not in the specialty restaurants and signature venues.

MSC Bar Menus 2024 (Standard Fleet-Wide)

Gin and Tonics Available on MSC Cruises

Spritz Cocktails Available on MSC Cruises

Premium Cocktails Available on MSC Cruises

Frozen Drinks Available on MSC Cruises

Classic Cocktails Available on MSC Cruises

Tropical Cocktails Available on MSC Cruises

Mocktails Available on MSC Cruises

Spirits Available on MSC Cruises

Liqueurs and Cordials Available on MSC Cruises

Beer Available on MSC Cruises

Wine Available on MSC Cruises

Fruit Juice, Mineral Water, Energy Drinks, and Sodas Available on MSC Cruises

Specialty Coffee Available on MSC Cruises

And with that…

Class Dismissed!

Homework (10 points): Check out sample MSC dinner menus HERE and share your favorite cruise drink to the comments.

Also, don’t forget to subscribe to the blog (scroll up to the top right if on a computer or keep scrolling down if on a mobile device) and follow Prof. Cruise on your favorite social media sites:

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2 Responses

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Thanks for the uploads. This are great infos. I wonder why MSC is not providing this infos on their webside. BUT are this menus now after the updates from 27. February 2023? The prices changed then and also the assembling of the drinks in the individual package changed as well. Just wanted to make sure if this menus here are from after the 27th Feb 2023? Thanks Tom

Hi, I wil travel the 1st of june on the MSC Divina leaving from Barcelona, I need to Underestand how the drink package works?, how much they are? price is per day? per the all crucie? Wath they incloude?

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About Prof. Cruise

Given name Sarah, but also answers to Prof. Cruise. Retired after 10 years as a college professor to focus full-time on her primary research interest: travel. With a concentration in cruising.  Home port: Seattle.  Mom of a shaggy-haired dog and a shaggy-haired human.  Lover of books and dessert.  Fancies herself a bit of a comedian – you’ve been warned.

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• Northern Europe & Baltic Sea

COST of day trip to Moscow ??

By densol , February 26, 2012 in Northern Europe & Baltic Sea

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We have just booked a cruise to the Baltics for next year. I am trying to find out the average cost for a day trip to Moscow from STP. I have searched several times, and whilst I have read reviews and reports about the trips etc - I cannot actually see any examples of the costs. I imagine its quite expensive - but we want to do it so I need to budget LOL !!

Any ballpark figures ? :D

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We have just booked a cruise to the Baltics for next year. I am trying to find out the average cost for a day trip to Moscow from STP. I have searched several times, and whilst I have read reviews and reports about the trips etc - I cannot actually see any examples of the costs. I imagine its quite expensive - but we want to do it so I need to budget LOL !! Any ballpark figures ? Thanks

We did the Moscow trip through our cruise ship in late July 2008. Its cost was a little under $1000 pp. Now, that cost through this cruise line is a little over that $1000 pp cost. Now, most are using the high-speed rail connection versus the air flights as we did. I have seen some other numbers from other cruise lines and/or private firms that run $700-850.

Why cheaper or the differences? As cruise lines are pressured to keep their "sticker price" low, they need to make up some "margin" with ship tours, beverages, spa stuff, etc., to help cover their costs and gain some profit. Second, different tours provide various features. Our tour included going inside the famed and spectacular Kremlin Palace. Most Moscow tours don't feature that option and you cannot just walk up there and get in on your own. That Palace is where the Czars were crowned and all of the current/recent Russian leaders assumed their powers.

We could have saved a little if we had used a private tour to go to and visit Moscow, but, with my wife's pushing, we felt it was worth it to pay a little more, do it through the cruise line. If there had been any problems or mix-ups, it was the ship's duty to "make it right" and we would not have to worry.

If you have three days in St. Petersburg and/or have been there before, then the Moscow tour can work out very well. It's not cheap, but in my view, worth it!! Both are a few of my visuals from this super great city with such interesting history and dramatic architecture.

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Did a June 7-19, 2011, Solstice cruise from Barcelona that had stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik . Enjoyed great weather and a wonderful trip. Dozens of wonderful visuals with key highlights, tips, comments, etc., on these postings. We are now at 66,454 views for this live/blog re-cap on our first sailing with Celebrity and much on wonderful Barcelona. Check these postings and added info at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1426474

For details and visuals, etc., from our July 1-16, 2010, Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise experience from Copenhagen on the Silver Cloud, check out this posting. This posting is now at 60,364 views.

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923

One of the Kremlin Wall Towers in Moscow:

Walking on the famed Red Square of Moscow:

St. Basil's sits on Red Square and dates back to its 1555-61 construction on the orders of Ivan the Terrible (Ivan IV). It commemorates the capture of Kazan and Astrakhan and marks the geometric center of the city. This location has been the hub of its growth for Moscow since the 14th century. It was the tallest building in Moscow until the completion of the Ivan the Great Bell Tower in 1600. This church was near destroyed in the 1930’s when Stalin was in control.:

Here is a small sampling of the Kremlin Royal Treasures of the Czars: Eggs & Jewels insicde the famed Armory.:

Moscow’s subways are called the “People’s Palaces” with their marble coverings and unique designs for each of the different and many stations.:

This is the interior for Moscow's most historic church, Assumption Cathedral or the Cathedral of the Dormition, inside the Kremlin walls. It is the mother church of Muscovite Russia. The church stands on Cathedral Square and was built in 1475–1479 by the Italian architect Aristotele Fioravanti. It was erected on the spot of an older 14th century cathedral of the same name:

We did the day trip to Moscow with Alla-tour and were very pleased with our tour. Our guide whose English was great was a wealth of information and the day went very smoothly. I checked the web site and Alla's prices for 2012 range from $884 a person for two down to $542 a person for 6 with the 5% cruisecritic discount. So if you can get a group together the per person price goes down considerably. You can try to do this on the roll call section of cruisecritic.

We did not go to the Palace and as Terry says this is not included generally in tours. However, we did go to the Diamond Fund, an amazing display of crown jewels and jewelry in the Armoury building but not really part of the Armoury. I would think you could include this if you had a small group and really wanted to see it. It is quite small and does not accommodate a large group. You can google "diamond fund kremlin" to learn more.

Here are some of my pictures

Red Square with St. Basil’s at the far end

Kremlin Cathedral Square

Bolshoi Theatre

Treasures at the Armoury

200 ton Tsar Bell

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

We did the day trip to Moscow with Alla-tour and were very pleased with our tour. Our guide whose English was great was a wealth of information and the day went very smoothly. I checked the web site and Alla's prices for 2012 range from $884 a person for two down to $542 a person for 6 with the 5% cruisecritic discount. So if you can get a group together the per person price goes down considerably. You can try to do this on the roll call section of cruisecritic. We did not go to the Palace and as Terry says this is not included generally in tours. However, we did go to the Diamond Fund, an amazing display of crown jewels and jewelry in the Armoury building but not really part of the Armoury. I would think you could include this if you had a small group and really wanted to see it. It is quite small and does not accommodate a large group. You can google "diamond fund kremlin" to learn more.

Well said, cadreamer! (nice photos, by the way).

We also used Alla. She is just a super person to work with and, if you get a group together, she will accomodate what YOU want to do!! You can check-out her Moscow tour at:

http://www.alla-tour.com/tours/1

As cadreamer suggests, go to your roll call on Cruise Critic & see if you can get a group together.

Terry, your pix, per usual, are awesome! Still envious! :)

Terry, your pix, per usual, are awesome! Still envious! :) jill

Appreciate, Jill, the kind comments! Envy is GOOD!!

Below are a few more visuals on Moscow that are more "interesting". Fascinating to having seen both cities, back-to-back. It really puts all of this unique Russian history and architecture in better perspective.

Did a June 7-19, 2011, Solstice cruise from Barcelona that had stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik . Enjoyed great weather and a wonderful trip. Dozens of wonderful visuals with key highlights, tips, comments, etc., on these postings. We are now at 67,001 views for this live/blog re-cap on our first sailing with Celebrity and much on wonderful Barcelona. Check these postings and added info at:

The famed KGB (Secret Police) Headquarters in Moscow where many entered and did not exit (alive) during the 1950’s and 1960’s:

Kremlin Treasures: Royal coaches:

Young Military Officers on the streets of Moscow with Soviet "High Hat".:

These are the series of smaller domes on the top of the Church of the Deposition of the Robe in the Kremlin Cathedral Square area.:

Inside the newly, more westernized GUM Department Store:

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