Monday, March 3, 2014

MSC Divina’s Yacht Club

From the moment they arrive at the pier until the end of their cruise, guests occupying the 69 suites in MSC Divina’s Yacht Club receive unparalleled service and amenities. Met at pierside with their luggage upon arrival at the Port in Miami (illustrated at left), they are whisked aboard to begin their cruise by checking in at their own concierge desk on Deck 15, bypassing the busy check-in lines in the terminal. That’s only the beginning of the exclusive pampering they experience. Accessible only by key card, the Yacht Club is a private enclave of posh accommodations and privilege.

Once in the Yacht Club they find 234-283 square foot suites with 61 square foot balconies that have generous storage, walk-in closets, luxurious linens, and marble bathrooms with tubs. The plushest are the Royal and Sophia Loren Suites at 390 square feet with 170 square foot balconies—Ms. Loren designed the suite named for her with her own signature touches and black and white photos from her legendary career adorn the walls. Three Executive & Family Suites that measure 462-547 square feet are forward-facing with panoramic windows.

There’s no reason for Yacht Club guests to stand in line at the ship’s Reception Desk on Deck 5 as all their needs are taken care of in the Yacht Club. Private butlers are available around the clock to handle most requests and the concierge, whose desk is pictured at left, can take care of specialty dining requests and arrange their spa appointments and shore excursions. Butlers each serve eight suites and their assistants handle the daily cleaning. When going ashore Yacht Club guests are escorted to the head of the lines to leave the ship.

In addition to the private reception area with/concierge desk and small library, amenities include The One swimming pool with sun deck, two hot tubs, lounge chairs, umbrella tables, showers, a fully stocked bar, and a grill, and the forward-facing Top Sail lounge with floor-to-ceiling windows offering expansive sea views, a continental breakfast, lunch snacks, and a full service bar that serves as an evening cocktail lounge with a pianist. There is even a small area in the open deck near the pool dedicated to smokers. Like the rest of the ship, Yacht Club accommodations and balconies are non-smoking. All beverages in the Yacht Club venues, including cocktails, beer, wine, soft drinks, and mini-bar contents are complimentary.

Aft, with a view over MSC Divina’s wake is Le Muse (pictured at left), the Yacht Club’s dedicated open seating restaurant where breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner are served.

Like those on her Fantasia-class sister ships, MSC Divina’s Yacht Club is all-inclusive and very exclusive. At the end of the cruise, the service doesn’t stop—in a final personalized touch, Yacht Club guests are escorted ashore by their butlers who handle their tote bags and other hand luggage.

Naturally, Yacht Club guests have access to all the other facilities and entertainments on MSC Divina, but their luxurious ship-within-a-ship cruise is simply a cut above.

MSC Divina’s Yacht Club—it’s so divine.

Images © CruiseDiva.com

No comments: