Cruises are becoming an increasingly popular form of travel, with 21.7 million Americans expected to embark on an ocean cruise in 2026, making it difficult to avoid crowded ships with overflowing passengers and even harder to find peace and quiet.
For those looking to get away from the masses, the MSC Yacht Club provides a welcome reprieve for guests staying on the cruise line’s “ship within a ship” concept. This concept can be seen on all 19 ships. Paying for an upgrade is certainly a splurge, but it includes perks like a drinks package, fine dining and pool deck, access to a thermal spa, a butler, dedicated theater seating, priority entry to board the ship, and a dedicated area on MSC Cruises’ private destination, Ocean Cay.
The European-based company is working to attract passengers from other, more established American cruise lines, but many curious cruisers who have never taken an MSC cruise are wondering what its value proposition is, especially when upgrading to a yacht club that only has “suite” accommodations.
During January’s voyage aboard MSC Grandiosa, members of the media (including myself) were invited on a sponsored cruise and stayed in a deluxe suite at the Yacht Club with 312 square feet of indoor space and a 54 square foot balcony. But more than the room itself, the Yacht Club experience offered tranquility, service, and hassle-free cruising.
For travelers considering a yacht club upgrade, we’ve put together a cost comparison to help you understand what the experience is like.
get on a boat
The benefits of sailing with MSC Yacht Club begin with a quick check-in and boarding process at the cruise terminal. Sure, Yacht Club passengers have to go through security just like everyone else, but you can get there by skipping the huge lines outside. Once inside, there is a dedicated seating area where a butler serves drinks and snacks.
When it’s time to board, a butler will escort guests to their cabins. Usually there’s a bottle of beer waiting for you there. The Yacht Club includes a fully stocked minibar that is restocked daily and a complimentary bottle of wine or spirits delivered to your room.
Each suite has a personal butler who is available 24 hours a day during the cruise. The Yacht Club’s concierge desk can assist with personalized directions, restaurant reservations, and shore excursions.
The fare also includes a ‘Premium Extra’ drink package, Wi-Fi and hot spring spa access.
through the journey
While sailing, the value of MSC Yacht Club is to enjoy as many premium drinks as you like, relax in the tranquil solarium or pool deck, or dine in the exclusive Yacht Club Restaurant with exclusive menu options.
Top Sail Lounge offers the best views from the bow, light refreshments most days of the week, and live music in the evenings. These areas are the most comfortable when retreating from the ship’s crowded public areas for some peace of mind.
Butler service and concierge also make your cruising experience more comfortable. Need anything? Call now or take a short walk to the Yacht Club desk. High quality service is one of the Yacht Club’s most outstanding principles.
It also comes in handy when you go to a main stage show and find a dedicated Yacht Club seating area so you don’t have to worry about finding a spot in the crowd.
Upon arrival at Ocean Cay, MSC Cruises’ private Bahamas destination, the Yacht Club offers its own restaurant and beach, making it another tranquil and exclusive retreat.
In addition to the exclusive top deck pool and solarium, MSC Yacht Club guests have access to the Top 19 Solarium Jacuzzi, which is shared with MSC Aurea Suite guests. Overlooking the main pool deck, it’s the perfect spot for people-watching or watching the sunset as you depart from the cruise port.
When it’s time for departure, Yacht Club guests are given priority access through the throngs of people waiting to disembark. Your personal butler will escort you to the gangway, ensuring a rewarding experience from arrival at the cruise terminal to boarding and disembarking.
Ivan Sarfatti/MSC Cruises
MSC Seascape’s MSC Yacht Club is one of the largest clubs in the fleet, with 32,000 square feet of suites, private pools, lounges and restaurants. (Credit: Ivan Sarfatti/MSC Cruises)
What is the value?
Exact results will vary by itinerary and options, but for a seven-night cruise departing in November 2026, you can compare costs by comparing multiple MSC Cruises fares to similar Royal Caribbean itineraries.
Week-long Caribbean and Bahamas cruises aboard MSC Grandiosa depart November 28 and start at $459 per person, or $649 per person with balcony, at the time of writing.
Ann Articles about Cruise Blog of Yacht Club Value According to , adding a premium drinks package to a weeklong cruise was $497 per adult, adding a two-car internet package was $134 per person, and a thermal spa pass was $130 per day. This cost breakdown means that Yacht Club benefits are included, adding an additional $760 to the lower cruise fare.
On the same voyage, Yacht Club interior suites start at $2,931 per person and balcony suites start at $3,411.
msc cruise
MSC Seascape’s MSC Yacht Club is one of the largest clubs in the fleet, with 32,000 square feet of suites, private pools, lounges and restaurants. (Courtesy of MSC Cruises)
This means that Yacht Club guests pay almost twice as much, but get exclusive areas, a dedicated butler and concierge, a Yacht Club restaurant, and all the other perks listed above. All of these perks are difficult to put into monetary terms, but for travelers who want to be sure to enjoy a quiet and carefree cruise experience, the upgrade may seem worth it.
You can also find cheaper yacht club fares and deals during seasonal sales and off-peak cruise times.
Royal Caribbean cruises for the same dates on Harmony of the Seas start at $900 per person for indoor rooms and $1,083 per person for balcony rooms at the time of writing. Royal Caribbean (and many other companies) use dynamic pricing, so guests often don’t pay the same price for the same amenities or packages.
However, anecdotal evidence online suggests that a deluxe alcohol package can cost between $55 and $120 per person per day. Wi-Fi packages on such cruises cost between $130 and $180, and a seven-day pass to a hot springs spa costs between $100 and $160 per person.
When you consider that you’ll spend about $1,900 per person on an average week-long Royal Caribbean cruise in a balcony room, or about $3,400 for a premium experience on an MSC Cruises, the value proposition becomes a little more appealing. It’s not a firm decision yet, but travelers looking for a little luxury during their cruise may find it more affordable than they think.
On the same Royal Caribbean cruise, an upgrade to a suite, which offers exclusive Sky Class amenities similar to Yacht Club benefits and areas, starts at just under $4,000 for a week-long itinerary on Harmony of the Seas.
MSC Cruises won the award There are mixed reviews about the service, food and crowded spaces on board, with some travelers online saying: They insist that the only way to sail on a cruise ship is through a yacht club. First-time MSC Cruises travelers may not splurge on a yacht club experience, but cruisers with a budget to play with will find the upgrade well worth the price.
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