Thanks for your review, as an older slower moving cruiser, MSC wins for me because of the close proximity to the Sun Deck, Dining, Lounge, and Thermal Spa. Then I can save what energy I have left for other activities and exploring the Ship. Love your videos.
On Celebrity, the Royal suite and above also have complimentary unlimited access to the Thermal Spa just like Aqua Class. Also, "Star Class" is a Royal term, not Celebrity. Otherwise, nice comparison.
I've liked this video even before starting to watch it. This is the question I had for the last year. I've been in The Retreat and loved it, going in the Yach Club next year. Never thought someone would do a video of it. Going to watch it now 🙂
I'm looking forward to buffet on the Yacht Club sundeck. I did not enjoy the lunch experience on The Retreat sundeck, it was a small menu, the ordering process was awkward and the food wasn't great, I guess it came from the main kitchen as opposed to the Luminae kitchen. I generally prefer a buffet anyway, except for evening meals, so will be nice to have lunch at the Yach Club sundeck buffet, without having to go to the cabin to put dry clothes on so that we can go to the main buffet.
I like that on Yacht Club the mini bar is free, which makes sense because you get the same things free everywhere else on the ship and you've already paid the tips for your butler to restock it. To be fair, when we were on the Celebrity Beyond last year, our butler asked which soft drinks and beers we like and he stocked up the mini bar everyday without any cost.
We're giving Yacht Club a try next year, mainly because of price. We've always wanted to try the Edge Villas, but the price is crazy, so trying the Duplex Suite with whirlpool on the World Europa, which is less than a 3rd of the price of the Edge Villa for the same time of the year in the med. I've not been in Yacht Club yet, but from what I've seen I think we prefer the modern look of the The Retreat, but I can't see The Retreat being 3 times better than the Yacht Club. Now I know a Duplex Suite with whirlpool is not an exact match for an Edge Villa, but again, when the difference in price is 3x then you have to consider. With the Duplex Suite we'll have more than enough space in the suite including comfortable in-suite dining, a proper bath, a second bathroom, a suite sundeck with loungers and a hot tub. Those are the same reasons we would want an Edge Villa, so even though the Edge Villa looks classier and a bit bigger, it doesn't actually provide us with anything more. I'll let you know once we've actually experienced it 🙂
I will be in the Retreat soon on the Apex and I had no idea that Butlers were back for Sky Suites. That is awesome! They dropped them after I booked. I did book Yacht Club on the World America. I have a feeling that will be incredible.
In a Sky Suite our butler kept our mini fridge stocked. No charge. Next month we're trying a Celebrity Suite. (we'll see) I do wish the Retreat included some Thermal suite access. Next up is a 13 day Scandinavian for us. I bet that Thermal suite area would be great. On wifi, we both got access. We toggled between our phone and ipad, so I don't see the advantage of having 2 devices per person. From your last video on this subject, I'm glad to see your marriage survived! I continue to enjoy your videos and will continue to recommend to others on different Facebook pages. I hope you continue to grow in popularity. I think you should!
Yep, we had the same experience on the Beyond, butler asked us which soda and beers we like and he kept the mini bar stocked without charge. Regarding the thermal suite access, they have that on MSC (Yacht Club gets a free hour a day access to the thermal suite), but from what I've seen that means it gets really busy in there. I prefer the Celebrity way, where if/when I decide to go to the thermal suite and pay for it, it's virtually empty making it a nice and calm experience.
Regarding both your comments with the mini bar they were included but it seems like it no longer gets replenished after they took the butlers away. (We will see now that butlers are back)
Yacht Club is usually 25-30% less expensive, but you can find even greater discounts on the Yacht Club that will make is less than 50% of the price of Celebrity Retreat.
I would have to disagree on the drinks category, it should be all drinks and MSC clearly wins that one, also the ship within a ship is a huge deal, you could get a retreat room at the back of the ship and have to walk all the way to front to utilize the retreat areas not making it feel like an all in one
Comes down to personal preference. My wife suffers from motion sickness, so was really nice to get a suite in the middle of the ship where you get least movement.
I have been traveling with Celebrity many many times and travel with MSC once on my 50th birthday. Let's say that will be my first and last time with MSC. As soon as we enter the ship, it smell like Pinesol, not a scent I expect on a cruise. The interior was worn out and the food was so bad on the buffet as well as the fine dining. We were also disappointed with the MSC excursions. We booked an Spanish speaking excursion. They mixed it with a French group. The French guide spoke more than the Spanish one so we couldn't understand anything of what they were saying, I would not say MSC is on the same class as Celebrity. One does not need to book The Retreat to enjoy the cruise experience.
Thanks! We LOVED our experience in the Retreat on the Celebrity Ascent but the cost has increased so much that we decided to try the Yatch Club next. This video was fantastic to better understand the offerings and set our expectations for our Yatch Club sailings!
On Edge Class: The Celebrity Retreat lunch menu on port days, which is the sundeck only, is abysmal. The choices are limited and often the items are premade/cooked, including the burger. Cant even order room service to the lounge or sundeck. The Retreat Lounge also has very limited snacks for only a limited time of day. Not as hospitable compared to a typical airline or hotel lounge.
I agree with this. We were on the Celebrity Beyond last year in the med and lunch on The Retreat sundeck wasn't good. The main buffet was gorgeous in comparison, but we had to go to our suite first to dry off and put normal clothes on to go to the buffet. I'm looking forward to trying the buffet in the Yacht Club without having to get changed or go far. A grab and go type of scenario just so that I don't go hungry while enjoying the sun and cocktails on the sundeck 🙂
If you removed your votes and focused on the actual substance, you would have expected a much different outcome to this vote. For both drink and the suite areas, nearly everything you said indicated Yacht Club was the superior experience, but then you ended up voting for Celebrity. Not saying you're wrong, just a surprising result!
@@lindsayslivealittle We just finished two weeks in the YC (Seascape + Seashore) and will be sailing in the Retreat on Celebrity in a few weeks, so we're curious to see how they compare as well. Great content as always, thanks for sharing!
Thank you! Hope you have a great trip! And enjoy it! Are you on an Edge class ship or an older one? Similar experience but a little different that’s why I ask! (Edge class nicer)
@@lindsayslivealittle We're on the Equinox so not Edge-class unfortunately, but it's about to go in for dry dock next week though so hoping they'll make some improvements. 9 days in the Retreat across Italy, France, and Spain on the Mediterranean will be bliss though!
Thanks for your review, as an older slower moving cruiser, MSC wins for me because of the close proximity to the Sun Deck, Dining, Lounge, and Thermal Spa. Then I can save what energy I have left for other activities and exploring the Ship. Love your videos.
Thank you so much!
I am going MSC Seascape next month ❤❤❤❤❤thank you for sharing ❤❤❤❤❤❤
We hope you have an amazing time!
On Celebrity, the Royal suite and above also have complimentary unlimited access to the Thermal Spa just like Aqua Class. Also, "Star Class" is a Royal term, not Celebrity. Otherwise, nice comparison.
Thanks much!
I've liked this video even before starting to watch it. This is the question I had for the last year. I've been in The Retreat and loved it, going in the Yach Club next year. Never thought someone would do a video of it. Going to watch it now 🙂
I'm looking forward to buffet on the Yacht Club sundeck. I did not enjoy the lunch experience on The Retreat sundeck, it was a small menu, the ordering process was awkward and the food wasn't great, I guess it came from the main kitchen as opposed to the Luminae kitchen. I generally prefer a buffet anyway, except for evening meals, so will be nice to have lunch at the Yach Club sundeck buffet, without having to go to the cabin to put dry clothes on so that we can go to the main buffet.
I like that on Yacht Club the mini bar is free, which makes sense because you get the same things free everywhere else on the ship and you've already paid the tips for your butler to restock it. To be fair, when we were on the Celebrity Beyond last year, our butler asked which soft drinks and beers we like and he stocked up the mini bar everyday without any cost.
We're giving Yacht Club a try next year, mainly because of price. We've always wanted to try the Edge Villas, but the price is crazy, so trying the Duplex Suite with whirlpool on the World Europa, which is less than a 3rd of the price of the Edge Villa for the same time of the year in the med. I've not been in Yacht Club yet, but from what I've seen I think we prefer the modern look of the The Retreat, but I can't see The Retreat being 3 times better than the Yacht Club. Now I know a Duplex Suite with whirlpool is not an exact match for an Edge Villa, but again, when the difference in price is 3x then you have to consider. With the Duplex Suite we'll have more than enough space in the suite including comfortable in-suite dining, a proper bath, a second bathroom, a suite sundeck with loungers and a hot tub. Those are the same reasons we would want an Edge Villa, so even though the Edge Villa looks classier and a bit bigger, it doesn't actually provide us with anything more. I'll let you know once we've actually experienced it 🙂
@@farab4391you will love the yacht club then based on what you are saying
Thanks so much!
Great review. Any plans to do a small ship? We’re booked for Oceania for the first time.
We actually just got off our first smaller ship experience with Explora Journey. that review will be out in the next week or so!
I will be in the Retreat soon on the Apex and I had no idea that Butlers were back for Sky Suites. That is awesome! They dropped them after I booked. I did book Yacht Club on the World America. I have a feeling that will be incredible.
Hope you have an amazing time. The butlers being back was a huge win for the customers.
In a Sky Suite our butler kept our mini fridge stocked. No charge. Next month we're trying a Celebrity Suite. (we'll see) I do wish the Retreat included some Thermal suite access. Next up is a 13 day Scandinavian for us. I bet that Thermal suite area would be great. On wifi, we both got access. We toggled between our phone and ipad, so I don't see the advantage of having 2 devices per person. From your last video on this subject, I'm glad to see your marriage survived! I continue to enjoy your videos and will continue to recommend to others on different Facebook pages. I hope you continue to grow in popularity. I think you should!
Thanks so much! We appreciate you sharing our channel. Scandinavia is amazing and hope you have a great time!
Yep, we had the same experience on the Beyond, butler asked us which soda and beers we like and he kept the mini bar stocked without charge. Regarding the thermal suite access, they have that on MSC (Yacht Club gets a free hour a day access to the thermal suite), but from what I've seen that means it gets really busy in there. I prefer the Celebrity way, where if/when I decide to go to the thermal suite and pay for it, it's virtually empty making it a nice and calm experience.
Regarding both your comments with the mini bar they were included but it seems like it no longer gets replenished after they took the butlers away. (We will see now that butlers are back)
Great video guys :) what was a price difference between both?
Yacht Club is usually 25-30% less expensive, but you can find even greater discounts on the Yacht Club that will make is less than 50% of the price of Celebrity Retreat.
Will be trying Yacht club in 10 days time on New England - Canada route!
@@alatul48have a great time!
I would have to disagree on the drinks category, it should be all drinks and MSC clearly wins that one, also the ship within a ship is a huge deal, you could get a retreat room at the back of the ship and have to walk all the way to front to utilize the retreat areas not making it feel like an all in one
Both good points and can see how that can drive a different opinion.
Comes down to personal preference. My wife suffers from motion sickness, so was really nice to get a suite in the middle of the ship where you get least movement.
Totally agree!
I have been traveling with Celebrity many many times and travel with MSC once on my 50th birthday. Let's say that will be my first and last time with MSC. As soon as we enter the ship, it smell like Pinesol, not a scent I expect on a cruise. The interior was worn out and the food was so bad on the buffet as well as the fine dining. We were also disappointed with the MSC excursions. We booked an Spanish speaking excursion. They mixed it with a French group. The French guide spoke more than the Spanish one so we couldn't understand anything of what they were saying, I would not say MSC is on the same class as Celebrity. One does not need to book The Retreat to enjoy the cruise experience.
How would you compare Celebrity Retreat to NCL Haven
czcams.com/video/rDOXg8fMLho/video.html
@@lindsayslivealittle Thank you
does celebrity sky class have a dedicated butler?
They just brought them back on all ships. New (edge class) they are back. Should be back on older ships in the next month or two.
Who won the ipa category?🍺
That category goes to Celebrity
Thanks! We LOVED our experience in the Retreat on the Celebrity Ascent but the cost has increased so much that we decided to try the Yatch Club next. This video was fantastic to better understand the offerings and set our expectations for our Yatch Club sailings!
Thanks so much. Hope you enjoy!
That's exactly what we've done. Done The Retreat on the Beyond, so next year trying the Yacht Club on the World Europa, mainly due to price.
I've considered it, but the food is very important and I've really enjoyed Luminae. Good luck!
On Edge Class: The Celebrity Retreat lunch menu on port days, which is the sundeck only, is abysmal. The choices are limited and often the items are premade/cooked, including the burger. Cant even order room service to the lounge or sundeck. The Retreat Lounge also has very limited snacks for only a limited time of day. Not as hospitable compared to a typical airline or hotel lounge.
I agree with this. We were on the Celebrity Beyond last year in the med and lunch on The Retreat sundeck wasn't good. The main buffet was gorgeous in comparison, but we had to go to our suite first to dry off and put normal clothes on to go to the buffet. I'm looking forward to trying the buffet in the Yacht Club without having to get changed or go far. A grab and go type of scenario just so that I don't go hungry while enjoying the sun and cocktails on the sundeck 🙂
That is a good point. The buffet on the sundeck with the Yacht Club wins in that section.
If you removed your votes and focused on the actual substance, you would have expected a much different outcome to this vote.
For both drink and the suite areas, nearly everything you said indicated Yacht Club was the superior experience, but then you ended up voting for Celebrity.
Not saying you're wrong, just a surprising result!
It’s honestly the difference between “on paper” vs real life experience. Thanks for watching.
@@lindsayslivealittle We just finished two weeks in the YC (Seascape + Seashore) and will be sailing in the Retreat on Celebrity in a few weeks, so we're curious to see how they compare as well.
Great content as always, thanks for sharing!
Thank you! Hope you have a great trip! And enjoy it! Are you on an Edge class ship or an older one? Similar experience but a little different that’s why I ask! (Edge class nicer)
@@lindsayslivealittle We're on the Equinox so not Edge-class unfortunately, but it's about to go in for dry dock next week though so hoping they'll make some improvements.
9 days in the Retreat across Italy, France, and Spain on the Mediterranean will be bliss though!
Ooo well location alone should make it amazing!!!! Enjoy!
Do they allow children in Celebrity Retreat? For me, the one that excludes children is the winner.
Yes children are welcome in the Retreat, Yacht Club and NCL Haven.
The one with the least kids is The Retreat, because Celebrity cruises don't have water parks, activities, etc. that attract families with kids
i will say, the few children we saw in msc yacht club were extremely well-behaved. :)
MSC vs …. Don’t need to watch anything more. Anything beats MSC hands down. MSC is a dumpster fire.
Based on our experience we will have to agree to disagree.