When it comes to taking a luxury cruise, it’s always a bit of a trade-off. There are high-end lines such as Explora, Silversea, or Oceania where passengers can cruise on some of the nicest ships to sail anywhere in the world.
Those lines, however, have ships that are small in number, don’t sail from many ports, and don’t have near the number of things to see, do, and eat as today’s modern mega-ships. For many, that’s the point. For others, they would like to sail in luxury while also having lots of options.
Enter the MSC Yacht Club.
Dubbed a “resort within a resort” or a “ship within a ship,” MSC’s Yacht Club is a special group of high-end rooms set off from the rest of the ship for passengers wanting more exclusivity. Not only are the rooms more luxurious, but they also have exclusive spaces such as pool decks, lounges, and restaurants. In a way, it’s a way to have the experience of a small-ship’s luxury while also getting the benefits of a mega-ship cruise.
So what all should you know about the area? Here’s everything you’ll want to know before you book.
What’s Different About MSC’s Yacht Club From the Rest of the Ship?
In a word, exclusivity. MSC’s ships hold thousands of passengers. MSC’s Yacht Club allows for far fewer guests. If you love cruising but the hustle and bustle of the ship can get to be too much, you can think of the Yacht Club as an oasis.
With no access for most people on the ship, it’s an exclusive spot only for those who pay the higher price to stay here. That means the area is quieter and more tranquil.
It’s also built to appeal to more discerning tastes. Throughout the area is a more high-end feel. The cabins are nicer and larger. There are luxuries included like butlers, complimentary drinks, and included access to the ship’s thermal spa. And there are also areas like the restaurant, lounge, and pool deck that are only for people staying in these rooms.
So what’s different is that you essentially have a more luxurious and exclusive spot within the context of the larger ship itself.
What Are the Rooms Like?
In the MSC Yacht Club, you have a number of options when it comes to your cabins. It’s impossible to give a blanket statement about what all the rooms are like.
If you want the best of the best, then the Owner’s Suite comes in at more than 1,000 square feet with a balcony of more than 500 square feet. You’ll have your own private hot tub, lounge area on the balcony, and unrivaled views.
Then there are a number of other options including cabins that span multiple decks, all the way to interior suites.
We’ve personally stayed in a Deluxe Grand cabin aboard an MSC ship. The style was modern with muted tones that simply felt luxurious. With a bedroom and a seating area, the cabin was larger than your typical room, including an oversized balcony. The bathroom featured marble tile and an oversized shower and was about three times as large as what you’d find in a typical room.
There were also a number of nice features you don’t formally get. For instance, there was a coffee maker included, robes and slippers, a stocked mini-bar that’s complimentary for most items, and even a well-stocked supply cabinet with all sorts of small dishes, glassware, teas, and more.
What Amenities Are Included?
We see the MSC Yacht Club as having two big advantages over a traditional cabin. First is the exclusivity, and second are the amenities.
Let’s start first with the exclusive spaces that MSC Yacht Club passengers get to experience.
First, there is a restaurant in the club that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. You absolutely can eat wherever you want on the ship, but passengers have their own private restaurant offering upscale dining whenever they want.
The MSC Yacht Club also features the Top Sail Lounge. Here, you have your own private spot to relax with ocean views in a quiet, calm atmosphere away from the main part of the ship.
Then there is the private sundeck and pool area. Instead of having to fight for a spot with the larger crowds at the main pool deck, you can come here with a private pool and tons of lounge space.
Finally, if your ship is visiting Ocean Cay (MSC’s private island) then you have access to the private Ocean House Beach. This beach is separated off from the rest of the island and also features a restaurant for you to enjoy during your day.
Next are the amenities included in your cruise fare when staying at the MSC Yacht Club. Given the number of items, we’ll just list them below.
- 24-hour butler, concierge, and culinary staff
- Premium beverage package included
- Unlimited wi-fi for two devices per guest
- Complimentary mini-bar
- Included thermal spa access
- Priority reservation times at restaurants
- Priority access to theater shows
- Access to over 200 daily publications (newspapers, magazines) on phone or tablet
How Much Does the MSC Yacht Club Cost?
Just like any other room on a cruise ship, what you pay for a stateroom in the MSC Yacht Club will depend on a number of factors. This includes when you sail, cabin demand, and which type of room within the Yacht Club you want to book.
However, you should expect to spend considerably more than you would on a typical room.
The least expensive sailing for a room we found was a three-day cruise aboard MSC Seaside in the Yacht Club for $809 per person for an interior room in the area. A deluxe suite with balcony runs $1,259 per person. For comparison, a regular interior cabin on the same trip is $329 per person (Yacht Club is 2.5 times the price) and a balcony cabin is $409 per person (Yacht Club is about 3 times the price).
But the rates can get higher.
A June 2026 seven-day cruise aboard MSC World America from Miami shows a typical balcony cabin starting at $1,658 per person. A room in the Yacht Club starts at $4,218 per person (about 2.5 times as much) and the most expensive Owner’s Suite runs an eye-watering $8,998 per person.
Bottom line, prices will vary but a reasonable amount to budget is 2.5-3 times the price of a traditional cabin.
How Much Is the Gratuity for the MSC Yacht Club?
Like most lines, MSC charges a daily gratuity (or service charge in the cruise line’s lingo). It’s slightly higher here than with the regular rooms on the ship as you would expect given the higher level of service.
MSC charges different amounts depending on where you sail, but for most cruises for North America, the daily gratuity is $20 per person, per night for guests in the MSC Yacht Club.
For comparison, the rate is $16 per person, per night for typical staterooms.
Is MSC’s Yacht Club Worth It?
Of course the big question is if the extra money is worth it? That’s going to depend heavily on the individual.
There’s no question that the amenities and level of service offered are the best on the ship. Who doesn’t want to have the ability to enjoy a private pool deck while also being able to visit the rest of the ship? Or the ability to dine in a private restaurant while not missing out on any other eateries?
And there’s also lots more included on the cruise, including drinks, wi-fi, access to the spa, and the mini-bar.
Still, there’s no arguing that the extra price is certainly a considerable premium. For most people, we’d guess that paying three times the rate for a room in the MSC Yacht Club won’t be worth it, even if the experience is much better. That’s understandable. After all, you can sail quite comfortably without spending the extra to be in the exclusive part of the ship.
For a certain class of passenger, however, the high-end experience is everything. Take someone paying triple the amount to fly a first-class flight over the rate for coach. This happens all the time despite the plane going to the exact same destination.
Those sort of people are who the club is designed for. Passengers wanting the very best on their cruise will likely find the MSC Yacht Club worth the considerable price as it’s going to match the sort of experience they are used to having.
