It’s September, which feels like the perfect time to finally write about our Christmas cruise last year. Some people send holiday cards late. I apparently need nine months to process a vacation and open a blank document.
But our Christmas aboard MSC Seashore in the Yacht Club deserves its moment, because I am still thinking about it. Particularly the part where someone else handled dinner and kept bringing us snacks.
What Is MSC Yacht Club?
If you’re unfamiliar with MSC’s Yacht Club, it’s their “ship within a ship” experience, with dedicated spaces, dining, and service. And for our family, the appeal became clear before we even boarded.
Embarkation Made Easy With MSC Yacht Club
We arrived at embarkation and were whisked past the line to mimosas and cookies.
I don’t want to suggest that my loyalty can be purchased with a glass of sparkling wine and baked goods, but apparently those are excellent opening negotiations.
Getting a family onto a cruise ship can involve a lot of waiting, managing bags, answering questions, and wondering how someone is already hungry. Starting our vacation with someone guiding us through the process while we enjoyed refreshments felt pretty wonderful. The vacation had begun, and I hadn’t even unpacked.
And that wasn’t a one-time perk. Every time we got off the ship for excursions, we were whisked to the front of the line again. Less waiting around with kids and an easier start to our adventures? Yes, please.
Our MSC Seashore Yacht Club Room
Our room had a couple of other things I appreciated: a larger bathroom and an espresso machine. Having a little more space in a cruise ship bathroom makes a difference, and being able to make coffee before leaving the room felt like someone had considered my needs very carefully. I am much better equipped to parent on vacation once coffee has happened.
Family-Friendly Dining in the Yacht Club
That sense of ease carried through to dinner. I loved the anytime dining. Traveling with kids involves enough scheduling, and having the flexibility to eat when it worked for us made the evenings feel relaxed. Dinner didn’t have to become another appointment we were trying to make.
But the moment that really stuck with me happened with Nat.
One evening, the staff noticed he wasn’t eating what he’d ordered. They also remembered that he’d liked chicken the night before. So they brought him two different chicken dishes to try.
That sounds like a small thing until you’re the parent at the table.
They were paying attention. They remembered what had worked, noticed what wasn’t working, and quietly offered a couple of other possibilities. We didn’t have to turn it into a whole production or flag someone down and start over.
When you travel with kids, especially kids whose food preferences can make meals a little complicated, that kind of thoughtfulness means a lot. I remember that dinner more clearly than any beautifully plated entrée I ate myself.
Snacks, Santa, and the Yacht Club Lounge
Another favorite was the Yacht Club lounge. Yes, because it was a lovely place to spend time. Also, snacks.
I cannot overstate the contribution of readily available snacks to a successful family vacation. Sometimes you want a meal. Sometimes you need a little something to get everyone through the next hour. And sometimes you personally would like to sit somewhere nice and eat something you did not have to shop for, prepare, or clean up.
The lounge understood the assignment.
It also hosted a very special visitor: Santa came to the lounge with gifts for the kids. Apparently, he has no trouble locating a moving cruise ship, which is impressive considering how often I have to check which direction our cabin is.
Christmas Decorations and Holiday Magic at Sea
And the beautiful Christmas decorations throughout the ship made the whole trip feel festive. There was Christmas magic everywhere, even with Caribbean sunshine outside. Swimsuits and sunscreen by day, beautiful decorations and a visit from Santa on board—it turns out that combination works very well for me.
A Family Beach Day at Ocean Cay
Then there was our cabana day at Ocean Cay, where the service was amazing. A beach day with children can still involve quite a bit of work, even in a beautiful setting. Having a cabana and being so well looked after made it much easier to settle in and enjoy being there. It was one of those experiences where the service really added to the day.
And a very important pro tip: the pizza is excellent for late-night room service. Please leave room in your vacation plans for eating pizza in your pajamas. This is professional travel advice.
Why We Loved the MSC Yacht Club
Looking back, what I loved most about Yacht Club was how many little things felt easy. Boarding. Getting off the ship. Finding a snack. Deciding when to eat. Getting a child something he might actually enjoy for dinner.
Those details matter when you’re usually the person keeping track of everyone else’s needs. It feels awfully good when someone is paying attention to yours, too.
We loved it enough that we’re doing the same thing for Christmas this year. More Yacht Club, more snacks, and another holiday at sea.
Maybe I’ll even write about that one before next September. Let’s not get carried away.
