msc yacht club area

How MSC’s private island experience is different for cruisers in suites

Do you enjoy large cruise ships but still want to feel like you're in the lap of luxury? Passengers booked in MSC Cruises' Yacht Club cabins and suites have access to high-end amenities – both on the ship and off.

Butlers, exclusive dining and a private pool delight guests on board, but perks also await on MSC 's private island, Ocean Cay Marine Reserve , in the Bahamas. You can expect dedicated trams, towel service and a chance to book the nicest cabanas on the island, among other extras.

Read on to find out how the MSC Yacht Club Ocean Cay experience differs from that of the average cruiser.

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MSC Ocean Cay Yacht Club beaches vs. regular beaches

MSC's Ocean Cay Marine Reserve private island is home to seven (soon to be eight) beaches, and all are public, except one — Ocean House Beach, which is the Yacht Club's exclusive swath of sand. Beyond its exclusivity, the beach has a few other differences from the island's regular beaches.

There, use of lounge chairs and umbrellas is free. Chairs at the other beaches are also free and available on a first-come, first-served basis; however, umbrellas come with an extra cost.

Passengers must sign out towels on board the ship before heading ashore to Ocean Cay's main beaches. Yacht Club passengers can skip that hassle and ask for towels at the towel tent found on Ocean House Beach.

Interestingly, I found that several of the public beaches were less crowded than Ocean House Beach. At the latter, chairs were positioned much more closely to one another. If you're willing to walk or hitch a ride on one of the island's trams, you'll find fewer crowds on the farther beaches than if you stick close to the ship.

MSC Ocean Cay Yacht Club food vs. regular dining

Free lunch is included for all cruisers who visit Ocean Cay. For Yacht Club travelers, the Ocean House Restaurant — an exclusive waiter-served dining venue where passengers enjoy their meals on a shaded porch — exudes upscale beach vibes.

During my visit, the menu included starters like crab ceviche, charred octopus and a salad with romaine, tomatoes, jicama, a poached egg and candied bacon in a citrus dressing. Mains featured locally sourced blackened mahi-mahi, lobster roll, carne asada, a grilled portobello mushroom sandwich and one of the best burgers I've ever tasted during a cruise — a blend of Angus chuck, short ribs and grilled brisket with red onion jam and Monterey Jack cheese. Desserts consisted of creme caramel, mango cheesecake and chocolate cake with coffee sauce.

The meals at Ocean House are definitely superior to the fare found at the Seakers buffet, which is where cruisers not staying in the Yacht Club can go for a beach barbecue that serves hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken, macaroni and cheese, red beans, roasted potatoes and a slew of salads, drinks and desserts.

The food is tasty, but lines can be long. An alternative is to head to one of several food trucks throughout the island. Some are free and dole out the same items offered on the buffet but with shorter lines. Others sell entirely different menu items — lobster grilled cheese, fried calamari, shrimp with watermelon, Caribbean ceviche and octopus salad — with the cost charged to cruisers' onboard accounts.

Additionally — and also for an extra fee — a stand near the ship offers specialty coffee and ice cream. (If you're a coffee lover, trust me when I say you won't want to miss the Coco-Nilla Latte.)

MSC Ocean Cay Yacht Club cabanas vs. regular cabanas

There are three types of cabanas on Ocean Cay: Ocean Cay Beach Cabanas, Ocean View Yacht Club Cabanas and Beachfront Yacht Club Cabanas. All three types are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

They can hold up to six people each and include cold water, beach towels and chairs, as well as floating mats for use in the water. As the prices increase, so does the number of inclusions. The last two types are only available for booking by Yacht Club passengers.

Ocean Cay Beach Cabanas, found on South Beach, North Beach and Bimini Beach, are the most affordable on the island at $250 for the day. They've got walls on three sides, and they're outfitted with cushioned couches. They include the basic amenities mentioned above, and anyone can rent them.

Next up are the Ocean View Yacht Club Cabanas, which cost $400 for the day and also entitle you to free lunch and drinks, as well as fresh fruit skewers, four sets of snorkel gear and four floating mats. They're found on the Yacht Club's private Ocean House Beach, so they're off-limits to non-Yacht Club guests.

The most expensive, however, are the Beachfront Yacht Club Cabanas, located in a different section of the Ocean House area. They carry a $450 price tag but offer all the same extras as Ocean View Yacht Club Cabanas.

The draw? They're closer to the water and, therefore, have better views. Although they aren't on the main part of Ocean House Beach, they are still in the exclusive area, near the restaurant, so you don't have to go far to grab food.

Ultimately, the only thing being in the Yacht Club affords you in this case is the option to book more expensive cabanas.

MSC Ocean Cay Yacht Club trams vs. regular trams

At 95 acres, Ocean Cay is sizable. If you're fit, you can walk from one end to the other in about 15 minutes, but if you don't have great mobility or if you're easily overheated, reaching some of the island's more remote beaches can be difficult on foot. That's why MSC offers tram shuttles.

Passengers in standard cabins will find tram stops with shaded waiting areas throughout the island. However, waits can be long, especially if many other people are also in need of a lift.

Yacht Club cruisers can take advantage of trams exclusively for the Yacht Club. They run between a special tent (with free cold water to sip while you wait) set up just inside the entrance to Ocean Cay and the Ocean House beach and restaurant area.

You can make special requests for stops, which the regular trams usually won't accommodate. For example, you might ask to go straight from the tent to South Beach for a volleyball game without stopping anywhere else first.

MSC Ocean Cay Yacht Club activities vs. regular activities

This is the one category where the island's public spaces beat the Ocean House area by a mile. If you're looking for something to do other than eating, drinking or lazing by the beach, you'll have to head back toward the ship because there's not much going on in the exclusive areas.

Everything from massages, lighthouse tours and water sports equipment rentals to beach parties, volleyball games and shore excursions takes place elsewhere. However, perhaps that's by design. The Yacht Club is generally quiet, even on board, and the line likely prefers to keep the raucousness to other locations.

Bottom line

The MSC Yacht Club experience is more exclusive than the standard one at Ocean Cay, with extras like butler service, dedicated trams, towel service, access to pricier cabanas and a private beach and restaurant with better food and shorter waits.

However, all of the action — shore excursions, pickup volleyball games, beach parties, the lighthouse show — happens in the areas that are accessible to everyone, which significantly levels the playing field.

Additionally, items like specialty coffee, ice cream and for-fee food truck orders cost extra for everyone — even Yacht Club passengers.

Overall, Ocean Cay offers a great day for anyone who enjoys the beach, regardless of cabin type.

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I Sailed in MSC’s Yacht Club Luxury Suite Enclave — Here’s What It Was Like

I recently sailed onboard  MSC Seashore from Port Canaveral, Florida, for a three-night cruise. During my trip on the Seaside-class mega-ship, I got to stay in a suite that was part of MSC Yacht Club , an exclusive sanctuary on board that’s sort of like a ship within a ship. These luxury enclaves are becoming more and more common , and usually feature pricier staterooms or suites that come with added perks like access to a private lounge, restaurant, pool, and sundeck, though inclusions vary by cruise line.

While a variety of lines now feature such enclaves, MSC and Norwegian are generally credited with pioneering the idea, and MSC introduced Yacht Club in 2008. 

Today, Yacht Club is a private area accessible only via key card for those who booked Yacht Club suites. While Yacht Club does cater mostly to adults, it’s not an adults-only space. 

Each Yacht Club suite is assigned a team of butlers who can help with whatever you need, from delivering coffee in the morning to escorting you off the ship for excursions. The area has a private restaurant, lounge, and a stunning pool deck with hot tubs, a bar, and plenty of comfortable seating. On Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, the cruise line’s private island in The Bahamas, Yacht Club guests have access to a private beach with chairs, umbrellas, beach bar service, and an oceanside restaurant. 

The price of your suite covers just about everything, including premium drink packages, a stocked mini-bar in your suite, high-speed internet, and access to the thermal suite in the spa. You’ll also get skip-the-line service to get onto the ship at embarkation, off the ship at ports of call, and be the first off the ship at disembarkation time.

What Does a Yacht Club Suite Cost?

The prices for suites depend on the sailing length, time of year, and the type of room booked. However, the average Yacht Club experience can be double the cost or more of booking a non-Yacht Club room. For example, a three-night sailing from Port Canaveral to the brand’s private island and Nassau, The Bahamas, in August 2024 is $3,350 for two people in a Yacht Club Deluxe Suite. The same cruise in an equivalent balcony cabin is $990 for two. Non-Yacht Club suites are priced at $1,390 for two people on this same cruise. 

Other Yacht Club cabin styles include Interior Suites, Executive and Family Suites,  two-story Duplex Suites, Royal Suites, and the Owner's Suite, which boasts a whopping 1,119 square feet, a 517 square-foot balcony, and a whirlpool.

What’s a Yacht Club Suite Like?

My Deluxe Grand Suite was more spacious than any other cruise cabin I’ve been in, regardless of the cruise line (they range from 269 square feet to 463 square feet). I loved that it had a partially sectioned-off sitting area that made the room feel like it had a bedroom and a living room, plus it had one of the largest balconies I’ve seen on a cruise ship. Depending on your Deluxe Grand Suite, balconies can vary from 86 to 129 square feet. The room had plenty of storage, and the bathroom was about the same size as mine at home with a large shower, toilet, sink, and plenty of counter space. 

On MSC Seashore , the Yacht Club has 131 rooms, all of which can accomodate four people. The largest Yacht Club space is on MSC Europa , with 152 suites. 

What I Loved About My MSC Yacht Club Experience

Overall, my experience with the MSC Yacht Club was great. The Yacht Club takes over the forward section of decks 16, 18, 19, and 20 ( MSC Seashore does not have a deck 17) and I had to scan a wearable bracelet to get into the Yacht Club from the regular guest areas. Once I was inside the sanctuary of the Yacht Club I could use the private elevator to get to my cabin, the restaurant or lounge, and the pool. 

I loved the Yacht Club Restaurant and Top Sail Lounge which were just a few steps from my cabin. Both spaces featured floor-to-ceiling windows with panoramic views of the ocean. The restaurant was elegant with white linens and beautiful place settings, while the lounge was a more casual hangout. Each morning I would walk to the lounge to get iced coffee, then head upstairs to sit at one of the restaurant tables. After a few meals, I really got to know my dining team — and more importantly, they got to know me and my dining and drinking preferences. Dishes at the Yacht Club Restaurant were elevated, including sea bass, filet mignon, and hand-made pasta. Every meal here was impeccable, as was the service. I also enjoyed that the menu for each service changed, so I was never eating the same thing twice, and there were always plenty of options to choose from.

I also loved the pool and the surrounding deck that was just for Yacht Club cruisers. This area offered a quieter oasis than the main pool, which was often brimming with guests. The Yacht Club pool deck also has an ample amount of shade and chairs, something I didn’t see at the main pool onboard. The Yacht Club pool is smaller than the main pool and doesn't have any views, but makes up for it by being relaxed, serene, and uncrowded.

One of the biggest perks of booking Yacht Club is the expedited service. This started right when I checked in at Port Canaveral, where a Yacht Club tent sat outside the terminal. I checked in and was escorted upstairs into the terminal to another Yacht Club-exclusive space to wait until I was called onboard. I was then taken to the ship by one of the Yacht Club butlers, who first brought me and a few other families to our muster station to check in for the safety drill before ushering us to the Yacht Club Lounge for drinks before lunch was served.

The expedited service didn’t stop at embarkation. After getting to my cabin and meeting my personal butler, he let me know that he could take me anywhere on the ship and that I could skip any lines. He could even take me to any specialty dining venue I wanted and have me seated almost immediately. There were also priority escorts and priority seating for the nightly shows.  

When it was time to get off the ship and head to the private island, my butler met me in my room to take me down to the disembarkation point. I was then picked up by a golf cart and whisked to the Yacht Club-exclusive beach. At the beach, I booked a cabana for the day, and it just so happened that my room butler was on cabana duty, so he was also able to bring drinks, snacks, and anything else my heart desired.

What I Didn’t Love About My MSC Yacht Club Experience

While there are plenty of perks to the MSC Yacht Club experience, I also saw and experienced a few things that diminished the experience slightly. I wish the team, whether it be the front desk at the Yacht Club, my butler, or anyone else had explained all of the services that could be provided. For example, only on my last night did I see pizzas being delivered to rooms, which I would have gone for one evening when the seas were rough instead of eating in the Yacht Club restaurant. 

The service in the lounge was hit or miss. There were a lot of great crew members taking care of the guests who booked the Yacht Club, but it seemed that in some instances special priority was given to guests who had already sailed on the ship and that the crew remembered. 

The Bottom Line

If you’re looking for an elevated cruise experience where the only reason you would need to leave a private enclave is to get off the ship, then yes, the MSC Yacht Club is worth the cost. Nearly everything I wanted and needed for a long weekend away was included in the cost, and the level of service from the majority of the crew exceeded my expectations.

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I tried a ship-within-a-ship cruise experience and it was worth it for the endless perks—here’s why

The MSC Yacht Club affords travelers a totally different cruising experience, but you’ll have to splurge.

I heard tales of luxury from people about the ritzy MSC Yacht Club , the ship-within-a-ship concept where discerning passengers enjoy their own area of the cruise ship that includes a dedicated restaurant, private lounge, separate pool and sundeck as well as private butlers and concierges to take of any whim while cruising. The elevated Yacht Club boasts priority everything while sailing MSC.

I sailed on a four-night cruise on the new MSC Seashore, a glitzy ship with Italian flair intermingled with references to New York City at every turn. Although the ship was well-appointed and had amazing dining, drinking and entertainment venues, and a bountiful Top Sail main buffet, thousands of passengers made the ship feel crowded at times, elevators were slow, and as I strolled through the general pools, they were boisterous and crowded.

RECOMMENDED: 10 things about cruising on an adults-only ship that might surprise you

Switch gears to MSC Seashore’s Yacht Club, passkey-protected for lucky guests, and is a 180 from the ship’s general spaces. Once you scan your handy Yacht Club wrist badge, or your room key, you’re instantly given entrance to a breathtaking retreat of 131 staterooms and suites. All this luxury does come at a price. Cruise fares will vary based on destination, time of year, and cabin category, but generally speaking you can expect to pay double for the Yacht Club. And from my experience, it’s worth it. Read more about why you should splurge.

You’re fast-tracked through everything

The Yacht Club’s exclusivity and impeccable service standard started from the moment I got dropped off at the Port Canaveral cruise terminal. There were hundreds of people waiting to board at 1pm on embarkation day. I saw in the distance a canopy that said MSC Yacht Club. My husband and I wheeled our carry-on luggage to the representative under the canopy. I gave her my name and within two seconds, she gave me a sticker to wear and up we ascended on the escalator to check in. Just five minutes later, I was directed to the dedicated check-in area for Yacht Club guests. To my right, I saw about 1,000 people serpentine through ropes to do general check-in. I felt a sense of relief; who wants to wait in that line? Five minutes later, a butler from the Yacht Club insisted on wheeling my luggage to board the ship and I was in my room in a total on 12 minutes from the time I stepped foot out of the car to my stateroom in the Yacht Club.

Relaxing and streamlined

In addition, Yacht Club guests have the freedom to get off the ship first for excursions. Your butler will happily escort you off the ship with a smile. Guests also can disembark on the last morning first, which is a big convenience. Your butler walks you right to the place you disembark, bypassing crowds and hassles. Port Canaveral is about an hour away from Orlando International Airport, and we took a 10 am flight home. We didn’t have to linger around until the afternoon for our flight home.

Another perk is that there’s a special seating area in the theater for shows. All the shows were excellent during my voyage. All other ship passengers have to make reservations in advance for shows but that’s not the case for the privileged Yacht Club passengers. As long as you arrive about 10 minutes before any show you choose, a crew member from the Club will allow you entry into a special roped-off section. Again, no rushing through dinner—you have the flexibility to plan your evenings your way.

Your Yacht Club package is packed with remarkable value

The price tag may sound daunting, but there’s lots of value there. All Yacht Club cabins and suites include a premium drink package that covers beverages up to $15. You can use this perk both in the Yacht Club and throughout the ship. In addition, your package includes a two-device Wi-Fi package, which worked well during my sailing. Finally, you get access to the thermal spa suite, which is a place to indulge after a day in port or a sea day. Commonly, there’s a taboo regarding mini-bars, but not in the Yacht Club. It’s stocked each day with the beverages you want; just tell your butler and consider it done.

You get perks ashore too

If your sailing includes a call to Ocean Cay, MSC’s private island, Yacht Club guests get an elevated experience there too. Yacht Club guests enjoy a private area, and a dedicated restaurant called the Ocean House. While other ship guests were hosted to a buffet of predictable fare, I enjoyed a lobster roll, and my husband chose carne asada. In my opinion, one thing that could be improved was the tram service to the Yacht Club’s private area. We were told the last tram back was 3:30pm if we didn’t want to trek a 15-minute walk in the heat. Since we were docked in Ocean Cay for the evening and weren’t sailing, I was a bit dismayed by this logistical quirk. I felt like I was keeping an eye on my phone to make sure I didn’t miss the last tram.

You have private areas with curated food and drink and outdoor spaces

Within the Yacht Club complex, there’s the Yacht Club Restaurant, Top Sail Lounge and the One Pool Buffet, which are all exclusive to Yacht Club guests. Obviously, the food and service are steps above other dining venues of the ship, I can vouch for that. Although the food is delicious, if you don’t want to pay extra to dine at the specialty restaurants or fuss in the main buffet, eating three meals a day in the Yacht Club restaurant can get a bit monotonous. The breakfast is the same daily, and lunch and dinner offer a menu with daily specials plus a few standby selections like a hamburger or pasta each day. Although the Yacht Club Restaurant concept is desirable, I would strongly suggest dining in other venues on board, especially for dinner. I thoroughly enjoyed specialty dining in Ocean Cay Restaurant, Butcher’s Cut, and Kaito Teppanyaki. I also want to mention that late afternoon high tea is offered daily at the Yacht Club Restaurant. It was one of the nicest I have experienced at sea.

Also available exclusively to Yacht Club passengers is the Top Sail Lounge, which offers panoramic water views and has chef-curated selections from morning through late night. We enjoyed popping into the lounge at all hours to try finger foods and sweets. The One Pool Buffet offers a more casual option for breakfast and lunch by the pool. The buffet has grilled fish, sandwiches and lots of delicious options if you want to dine outside.

There’s also an exclusive area with a private pool and two whirlpools for Yacht Club guests only. The sun deck loungers are very comfortable and I never had to worry about finding a lounger, there are ample. One issue I had was that there was almost no shade on the sun deck; there were shaded day beds for Royal Suite and Owners Suite guests, but beyond those, I couldn’t find any shade, which was disappointing.

You can justify the price at the end of your cruise

Overall, the best way to explain my enthusiasm for my MSC Yacht Club experience is this: it’s better to book an interior stateroom in the Yacht Club than a luxe cabin outside the Yacht Club. It’s worth the splurge and you return home feeling truly pampered and it’s money well-spent. And I make this prediction: Once you try a ship-within-a-ship concept like the MSC Yacht Club, you won’t want cruise any other way. Bon Voyage!

Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.

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FIVE REASONS WHY THE MSC YACHT CLUB IS THE ULTIMATE WAY TO CRUISE

The msc yacht club offers a variety of luxurious accommodations, such as suites with ocean views, private balconies with whirlpool baths, and lavish amenities. exclusive access to the top sail lounge, private sundeck with pool and bar, and panoramic views is included in the msc yacht club experience of cruising. additional privileges offered by the msc yacht club encompass a dedicated 24-hour butler service, priority check-in and check-out, vip services, exclusive shopping sessions, private excursions, and complimentary utilization of the thermal suite and msc aurea spa. furthermore, guests also have private-access opportunities to destinations such as msc ocean cay marine reserve and sir bani yas island..

Geneva, Switzerland – October 19 2023 – The MSC Yacht Club ‘ship within a ship’ concept offers an exclusive holiday sanctuary on board many of MSC Cruises’ ships, providing guests an unparalleled cruise experience with complete serenity, added exclusivity and privacy within a world of choice. This privatised, key-card access area of the ship is only accessible to MSC Yacht Club guests, offering stylish facilities, lavish accommodations with a host of dedicated amenities, such as a panoramic lounge, high-end restaurant, elegant pool and secluded sun deck. Guests staying in the MSC Yacht Club benefit from a range of privileges and personalised service, that is sure to make them feel pampered. These perks are available around-the-clock and are designed to cater to their specific needs and preferences, ensuring a seamless luxury experience at sea. The MSC Yacht Club also offers a myriad of dedicated leisure and entertainment possibilities, allowing guests to enjoy the exclusivity of a private club while also having access to the countless recreation and entertainment options available throughout the larger ship. Whether guests are looking for a relaxing escape or a lavish holiday, the MSC Yacht Club provides an exclusive haven for guests to savour the sophistication and elegance of a luxury cruise experience, ensuring the utmost privacy and comfort where every detail is designed to surpass guests’ expectations and create memories of a lifetime. MSC Yacht Club is available on more than half of MSC Cruises’ modern fleet, allowing travellers to experience the same level of exceptional, personalised services across many destinations. Highlights of the MSC Yacht Club benefits include:

1. 24-HOUR PERSONALISED SERVICE

MSC Yacht Club’s all-inclusive experience is fully personalised with a dedicated 24-hour butler service and concierge, making the cruising experience truly personal and tailored to each individual guest’s needs. The butler service will quickly get to know each guest’s personal preferences, providing the highest level of customised service to ensure all guests feel pampered and relaxed. From shoeshining to 3 a.m. room service, no request is too small. Meanwhile, the dedicated concierge is on hand to facilitate any request, from organising shore excursions and making reservations for the spa to arranging for the newspaper to be brought to the cabin each morning.

2. PRIVILEGED ACCESS

MSC Yacht Club is sure to exceed expectations with a host of privileges that create an effortless experience, from the moment guests step on board to the moment they depart. This luxurious cruise experience offers a dedicated priority check-in and check-out, ensuring a seamless embarkation and disembarkation, so guests can start enjoying their holidays as soon as possible. They will also receive the full VIP service with a variety of offerings including the possibility to organise a tailored shopping session in the onboard boutiques outside regular opening hours, embark on exceptional private excursions or take advantage of the complimentary use of the Thermal Suite and MSC Aurea Spa to decompress and rejuvenate while at sea. These private-access areas extend ashore in a number of destinations:

• MSC Ocean Cay Marine Reserve, The Bahamas – MSC Cruises’ private island, founded on a strong commitment to the preservation of marine resources and the conservation of coral reefs and marine life. Northwest of Ocean Cay lies a private beach area exclusively reserved for guests of the MSC Yacht Club, with privileged access to enjoy sunbeds and cabanas with butler service as well as a dedicated restaurant to relax, sip a cocktail and enjoy a 3-course dedicated lunch surrounded by sea breezes.
• Sir Bani Yas Island, United Arab Emirates – A beach lover’s paradise just off the southwest coast of Abu Dhabi, offering guests a stunning tropical oasis to unwind. The island features a MSC Yacht Club zone with premium sunbeds and dedicated transportations, barbecue lunch and bar service to ensure the utmost comfort and privacy for guests during a day ashore.

3. PRIVATE AND LUXURIOUS LEISURE AMENITIES

Designed to provide the utmost in service and comfort, MSC Yacht Club guests have exclusive access to a range of private and elegant spaces to enhance their cruise experience. From the dedicated Top Sail Lounge, offering panoramic views for guests to sit back and relax in a sophisticated setting while indulging in an array of gourmet finger foods, delicious drinks and high tea service, as well as enjoy live music every evening. The club’s private sundeck, complete with a private pool, whirlpool, sundeck and bar, will offer guests the chance to soak up the sun and enjoy complimentary refreshments in complete comfort while taking in the best views on board across the bow of the ship and out to sea.

4. LAVISH ACCOMMODATION

Experience the finest luxury accommodation with the MSC Yacht Club’s wide variety of suites to meet all guests’ preferences. The stylish and spacious accommodations set themselves apart and include options with stunning ocean views from the cabin’s private balcony, as well as suites like the Duplex Suites, Royal Suites and Owner’s Suites, offering a private whirlpool bath on the balcony. From sumptuous Myform Memory mattresses and crisp Egyptian cotton bedding to an indulgent Dorelan pillow menu, luxurious marble bathrooms and complimentary minibars, the MSC Yacht Club offering will surely provide unparalleled comfort for an unforgettable holiday.

5. CULINARY DELIGHTS FROM DAY TO NIGHT

With a dedicated restaurant, the MSC Yacht Club offers guests the opportunity to enjoy the pleasures of an exquisite fine-dining experience with five-star service. Offering sophisticated cuisines with an à la carte menu, guests can savour an array of the finest dishes served exclusively for them from a dedicated kitchen staff, accompanied by a spectacular selection of drinks, including fine wines from around the world with a dedicated sommelier available to further enhance the food and wine pairing experience. The private restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner where guests can dine at any time that suits their needs. This is on top of MSC Yacht Club guests having a premium drinks package included as standard. From the finest whiskey or vodka brands to glasses of champagne – toast to total relaxation.

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MSC CRUISES ELEVATES ITS EXCLUSIVE MSC YACHT CLUB OFFERING ON BOARD NEWEST SHIPS

Msc seashore to feature the largest and most luxurious yacht club in the msc cruises fleet, with more outdoor space as well as new luxurious owner’s suites msc virtuosa to offer an enhanced vip experience to msc yacht club guests.

Geneva, Switzerland (March 10, 2021) — With each new ship, MSC Cruises strives to enrich the guest experience, and with the Company’s two newest ships — MSC Virtuosa and MSC Seashore — MSC Cruises will elevate the exclusive MSC Yacht Club . As extended versions of their sister ships, both ships’ designs have allowed for the expansion of the MSC Yacht Club to include more public space and increased outdoor space. MSC Seashore in particular will feature the largest MSC Yacht Club to-date with approximately 32,000 sq. ft. of private space.

“The MSC Yacht Club has become a compelling and unique offering from MSC Cruises, and we continue to see a positive response from our guests who appreciate having an exclusive, luxurious escape while accessing all of the amenities and entertainment of a larger ship,” says Rubén Rodriguez, President of MSC Cruises USA. “For our guests in North America in particular, MSC Seashore’s arrival this November sets an exciting milestone as we not only introduce our newest ship to the region, but also our most spacious MSC Yacht Club yet.”

MSC YACHT CLUB OVERVIEW

First launched in 2008 and now available on more than half of the MSC Cruises fleet, the “ship-within-a-ship” MSC Yacht Club concept immediately set a new standard for the industry offering a premium cruise experience. Designed to make guests feel like a VIP, the all-inclusive experience is fully personalized with 24-hour butler service to get to know each guest’s personal preferences with warm, friendly and unobtrusive service. Meanwhile, the dedicated concierge is on hand to facilitate any request from organizing private shore excursions and making spa reservations to delivering a daily newspaper to the guest’s stateroom. No request is too big or too small.

Available only by key-card access, the MSC Yacht Club has been appointed with elegant touches to create its stylish backdrop. The sparkling Swarovski staircases greet guests in the atrium, instantly setting the tone for the sophistication and glamour that can be expected throughout, particularly in the spacious and beautifully designed suites.

The MSC Yacht Club is situated at the front of the ship, boasting panoramic sea views throughout, most notably from the chic Top Sail Lounge, where guests can listen to live music, sip complimentary beverages or enjoy gourmet canapés throughout the day and evening, all with a view. Meanwhile, the private fine-dining restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner with a different daily a la carte menu featuring chef’s specials and a wide choice of gourmet dishes complemented by an extensive wine list served in sublime surroundings with impeccable service.

The private sundeck and pool is spacious with different areas to relax in the sun on a comfortable lounge chair, unwind in a shady cabana or take a break in a hot tub. At the well-stocked bar and grill, guests can refresh with a cocktail or light bite throughout the day.

THE MSC YACHT CLUB ON NEW SHIPS & EXCLUSIVE DESTINATIONS   Introducing the largest and most luxurious MSC Yacht Club in the fleet on board MSC Seashore

Spread over four decks, the MSC Yacht Club on MSC Seashore has been enhanced to become the largest, most luxurious in MSC Cruises’ fleet, with approximately 32,000 sq. ft. of private space.

• The entrance to the Yacht Club will be even more remarkable and glamorous, featuring a three-deck, 495 sq. ft. back-lit Onyx wall and MSC Cruises’ iconic Swarovski staircases, beautifully connecting four decks at the entrance of the Yacht Club.
• The private pool area and sun deck is more spacious than ever, extended to over 21,000 sq. ft. and offering a larger private pool and a new panoramic hot tub with eight seats and individual jets, plus a standard hot tub.
• Guests will be able to choose from 131 glamorous suites with five different types, including the traditional interior, deluxe and royal suites as well as 41 newly introduced deluxe grand suites, with extra space and a walk-in closet, plus two brand new Owner’s Suites.
• The Owner’s Suites are the showpiece of the MSC Yacht Club — the largest suites on the ship with 1,054 sq. ft. of space — with an extended private balcony including a hot tub and outdoor living area, a panoramic glass wall for impressive sea views as well as a separate dining and living room area.

Enhancing the MSC Yacht Club VIP experience on board MSC Virtuosa

• Guests have a choice of 103 exclusive suites including two MSC Yacht Club Royal Suites with a private hot tub on a large balcony as well as eight new MSC Yacht Club Duplex Suites.
• The impressive Duplex Suites span two decks — the first has an open living and dining area with a sofa that converts to a double bed, as well as a bathroom with a shower, while the second level holds the master bedroom and a bathroom with a bathtub. For the ultimate in luxurious living, each Duplex Suite offers a large private balcony with its own hot tub. 
• The MSC Yacht Club on MSC Virtuosa offers over 13,000 sq. ft. of outdoor space including a private pool area with a spacious solarium, shady cabanas and hot tubs.

Extending the MSC Yacht Club experience to Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve

MSC Yacht Club guests cruising in The Bahamas are able to not only relish their experience on board, but also on MSC Cruises’ private Bahamian destination, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve . On the island, Yacht Club guests have access to an exclusive area, complete with butler service, a private beach and clubhouse and all-inclusive food and beverages in addition to everything Ocean Cay has to offer.

Surrounded by 64 square miles of marine reserve, Ocean Cay offers guests a unique opportunity to enjoy the island’s natural beauty, discover local marine life and soak up the spirit of Bahamian culture. With ships frequently docked at the island from early morning into the evening — and in many instances overnight — MSC Cruises’ guests can spend a full day enjoying two miles of pristine, white sand beaches and a variety of ocean discovery activities including stand up paddle boarding, kayaking, thrilling wave runner rides and more.

All MSC Cruises ships sailing from the U.S. call at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, including MSC Meraviglia , MSC Armonia, MSC Divina and MSC Seashore , arriving to Miami for the first time in November 2021.

MSC YACHT CLUB BENEFITS

An all-inclusive experience with added privileges:

• Dedicated priority check-in and check-out as well as priority departure and return on excursion days.
• 24-hour butler service and dedicated concierge, providing for an experience tailored to each individual guest’s needs.
• Unlimited dining and drinks within the Yacht Club.
• Inclusion of the Browse Internet package with unlimited data for two devices.
• Complimentary access to the Thermal Suite in the MSC Aurea Spa.
• Tailormade experiences from shopping to excursions.
• Nespresso coffee machine in each suite and complimentary mini bar, personalized with each guests’ preferences.
• Room service so that guests can enjoy a lazy morning with breakfast in bed.
• Personal touches such as a luggage unpacking and packing service, newspaper delivered to the stateroom daily and special deliveries at turn down each evening, like a different selection of sweet or savory canapés.

Exquisite private facilities:

• A dedicated area of the ship accessible only to MSC Yacht Club guests.
• Between 70 and 103 suites at a premier location, featuring a pillow menu, Egyptian cotton sheets and memory-foam mattresses for the most comfortable night’s sleep.
• The panoramic Top Sail Lounge with bar, afternoon tea service, light bites available day and night and live entertainment in the evening.
• Gourmet dining at a private restaurant, with a la carte menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner, where guests can dine at the time of their choosing.
• A spacious pool deck with hot tubs, sunbathing areas and an outdoor bar with sea views across the bow of the ship.

The MSC Yacht Club is available on all Fantasia, Meraviglia, and Seaside class ships.

To find out more about the MSC Yacht Club offering visit here .

To find out more about MSC Seashore visit  here .

#MSCSeashore

To find out more about MSC Virtuosa visit  here .

#MSCVirtuosa #MasterpieceAtSea

About MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises is the world’s third largest cruise brand as well as the leader in Europe, South America, the Gulf region and Southern Africa with more market share in addition to deployed capacity than any other player. It is also the fastest growing global cruise brand with a strong presence in the Caribbean, North America and the Far East markets.

Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, MSC Cruises one of the two brands that sit within the Cruises Division of MSC Group, the leading privately held Swiss-based shipping and logistics conglomerate with over 300 years of maritime heritage. MSC Cruises — the contemporary brand — has a modern fleet of 18 vessels combined with a sizeable future global investment portfolio of new vessels. The fleet is projected to grow to 23 cruise ships by 2025 with options for six vessel orders in place through 2030.

MSC Cruises offers its guests an enriching, immersive and safe cruise experience inspired by the Company’s European heritage, where they can enjoy international dining, world-class entertainment, award-winning family programs and the very latest user-friendly technology on board. To learn more about MSC Cruises’ itineraries and experience on board its ships please see here .

The Company’s number one priority has always been the health and safety of its guests and crew, as well as the communities at the destinations its ships serve.  In August 2020, MSC Cruises implemented a new comprehensive and robust health and safety protocol to become the first major line to return to sea. To learn more about MSC Cruises’ health & safety protocol please see here .

MSC Cruises has long been committed to environmental stewardship with a long-term goal to achieve zero emissions for its operations. The Company is also a significant investor in next-generation environmental marine technologies, with the objective to support their accelerated development and availability industry wide. To learn more about the Company’s environmental commitment please see here . 

Finally, to learn more about the MSC Foundation, MSC Group’s own vehicle to lead, focus and advance its conservation, humanitarian and cultural commitments please see here .

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• Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity Retreat vs MSC Yacht Club - reviews?

By go.without.you , January 12, 2023 in Celebrity Cruises

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go.without.you

I've sailed Celebrity Retreat several times but was wondering how MSC's Yacht Club compares. Does anyone have any reviews for me?

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If you go into MSC, you'll find lots and lots of YC reviews.

1 hour ago, go.without.you said: I've sailed Celebrity Retreat several times but was wondering how MSC's Yacht Club compares. Does anyone have any reviews for me?

Funny, I just mentioned MSC to my wife during lunch today. Yacht Club is now firmly on my radar screen and I'm also curious how it compares to Retreat.

Here's one tip. MSC's frequent cruiser program is not that generous, but they do offer a status match from hotels and other cruise loyalty programs. My Azamara status, obtained via only Celebrity cruises, matched to MSC's highest tier, where my Celebrity status wouldn't have. I just did the match yesterday. It only took them a few hours and I'm Diamond!

Hi, GenerationX, who is on Celebrity now and currently posting her trip, will be on MSC in YC right after her current cruise and doing a comparison review.

4 minutes ago, STLCRUISIN said: Hi, GenerationX, who is on Celebrity now and currently posting her trip, will be on MSC in YC right after her current cruise and doing a comparison review.

I'm also looking forward to her Comparison but will definitely enjoy her Celebrity RS experience first.

We have celebrity retreat several times including very recently on Beyond and also Edge , in general I give a edge to MSc yacht club, love the truly ship within a ship , on yacht club all your cabins , restaurants and bars are in this area you can’t enter without being in a yacht club cabin, the inside suite lounge is beautiful and much larger and nicer than celebrity with a baby grand piano and live music from about 5 to 11 , there will be a solo artist or a duo playing that whole time. Also loved the outdoor area with pools and hot tubs never saw a crowd or had any issues getting a chair plus more food options outside including breakfast and lunch . They also match your status and can get a free specialty restaurant if you are elite on celebrity or diamond on rccl. Another plus was there private island has a yacht club area with lots of waiters and they will serve your lunch , had a very nice lobster roll there.  

9 minutes ago, RichYak said: Funny, I just mentioned MSC to my wife during lunch today. Yacht Club is now firmly on my radar screen and I'm also curious how it compares to Retreat.   Here's one tip. MSC's frequent cruiser program is not that generous, but they do offer a status match from hotels and other cruise loyalty programs. My Azamara status, obtained via only Celebrity cruises, matched to MSC's highest tier, where my Celebrity status wouldn't have. I just did the match yesterday. It only took them a few hours and I'm Diamond!

Good to know! I just hit Elite Plus.

I want to do a Thanksgiving cruise this year but not liking the options on Celebrity. I did it last year on a ship without a Retreat deck and I won't make that mistake again. Way too peopley.

2 minutes ago, go.without.you said: Good to know! I just hit Elite Plus. I want to do a Thanksgiving cruise this year but not liking the options on Celebrity. I did it last year on a ship without a Retreat deck and I won't make that mistake again. Way too peopley.

Outdoor retreat is a joke except for edge class. Yacht club has inside cabins also , basic balcony cabin is a little smaller than edge class sky suites. Yacht club also gives veterans a ten percent discount.

9 minutes ago, go.without.you said: Good to know! I just hit Elite Plus.

CC Elite and Elite Plus match to Gold on MSC. I am Elite on X but Discoverer on Azamara because of all my Celebrity cruises (never sailed Azamara). Discoverer got me Diamond on MSC.

2 hours ago, RichYak said: Funny, I just mentioned MSC to my wife during lunch today. Yacht Club is now firmly on my radar screen and I'm also curious how it compares to Retreat.   Here's one tip. MSC's frequent cruiser program is not that generous, but they do offer a status match from hotels and other cruise loyalty programs. My Azamara status, obtained via only Celebrity cruises, matched to MSC's highest tier, where my Celebrity status wouldn't have. I just did the match yesterday. It only took them a few hours and I'm Diamond!

I wouldn't bother. I did two cruises on two different MSC ships in Yacht Club. While the YC space itself is definitely better than the Retreat (all contained in one area, indoor and outdoor food venues, large indoor bar) the food was largely terrible and vastly inferior to Celebrity and the service was very uneven with some of the worst staff members I've ever encountered in cruising; we had to have one of our butlers replaced for being surly, bartenders and servers didn't recognize basic cocktails, we saw several instances of staff members verbally abusing other staff members. And once you leave the YC, while the MSC ships are very nice they are very crowded with a pretty rowdy crowd. It was basically a European version of NCL except that NCL has better food and service in The Haven. I couldn't wait to get back to Celebrity after trying MSC.

7 minutes ago, WonderMan3 said: I wouldn't bother. I did two cruises on two different MSC ships in Yacht Club. While the YC space itself is definitely better than the Retreat (all contained in one area, indoor and outdoor food venues, large indoor bar) the food was largely terrible and vastly inferior to Celebrity and the service was very uneven with some of the worst staff members I've ever encountered in cruising; we had to have one of our butlers replaced for being surly, bartenders and servers didn't recognize basic cocktails, we saw several instances of staff members verbally abusing other staff members. And once you leave the YC, while the MSC ships are very nice they are very crowded with a pretty rowdy crowd. It was basically a European version of NCL except that NCL has better food and service in The Haven. I couldn't wait to get back to Celebrity after trying MSC.

Thanks I do value your opinion. I’d be more concerned with MSC’s food if I didn’t think Celebrity’s food has become vastly inferior to it’s own offerings from just last year. I am considering a low effort sailing out of Brooklyn as I live a short drive away just to try the product. 

14 minutes ago, RichYak said: Thanks I do value your opinion. I’d be more concerned with MSC’s food if I didn’t think Celebrity’s food has become vastly inferior to it’s own offerings from just last year. I am considering a low effort sailing out of Brooklyn as I live a short drive away just to try the product. 

If you can get a price that is significantly less than Celebrity then maybe try it out. Wasn't my cup of tea but some others here seem to like it. The specialty restaurants were pretty good although still not as good as Celebrity but much better than the YC dining room.

We've done both - and doing both again this year. 

They are quite different from each other. MSC does the ship within a ship concept much better. The YC lounge is larger than the retreat lounge on S-class ships. We've had good service in both. The food in YC on Preziosa was perhaps not as quite as good as on Celebrity, but it was fine in the YC and we enjoyed it. Perhaps the difference is that outside of the YC, as others have said, the ship is more crowded and rowdy. We vowed we wouldn't sail MSC outside the YC - non YC MSC doesn't compare to non-retreat X.

We've met lovely people on both lines (and that's important to us).

A Deluxe balcony stateroom in YC on Virtuosa is about the same size as a sky suite (but has a shower rather than bath, but also has a walk in wardrobe), and unlike the sky suite, comes with an included minibar and a bottle of spirits and daily newspapers. We will miss the laundry that would come with our Elite+ status. However, MSC YC is MUCH cheaper than the Retreat, so it doesn't matter.  You get premium drinks, wifi and gratuities included in both retreat and YC. We compared a week in the retreat with a fortnight in YC, and MSC was still cheaper - it also has a great itinerary. So, we're sailing MSC YC in the Summer to Iceland and Norway.

Georgia_Peaches

Love, love, love MSC YC and personally feel as though they have Celebrity beat in amenities and value. Having said that, if I had to cruise outside of a suite category, I’d definitely go with celebrity where there seems to be less of a class division as it relates to service and amenities. 

We have a few more cruises on X this year and will be trying Yacht Club on MSC.  Prices for a Deluxe Veranda in the YC are outstanding compared to a SkySuite which was s ridiculously overpriced.  

On a whim, I just priced 2 different 7-night Norwegian Fjord cruises in August 2024. Apex in an S2 and the brand new MSC Euribia in a YC balcony cabin. Very similar itineraries embarking 1 day apart. It was $10,400 (which comes with $600 OBC) for Apex and $6,300 for Euribia (before including any 5% discounts for Voyagers Club and early booking). I'll be reading the live from MSC YC thread by @GenerationX very closely.

On 1/12/2023 at 3:25 PM, RichYak said: CC Elite and Elite Plus match to Gold on MSC. I am Elite on X but Discoverer on Azamara because of all my Celebrity cruises (never sailed Azamara). Discoverer got me Diamond on MSC.

Would Zenith also match at Gold or a different level?

11 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:   Would Zenith also match at Gold or a different level?

Zenith matches to top tier Diamond. You would need to sail MSC at least once every 3 years to maintain the status and matching is a one time courtesy. So time your match accordingly.

Shiba_Lover

Here is some info on the status match -  MSC status match: How status with another cruise line got me perks with MSC - The Points Guy    If you click "this chart" in there, it looks like you'll get diamond

On 1/16/2023 at 5:21 PM, Jim_Iain said:   Would Zenith also match at Gold or a different level?

I can confirm that Zenith matches to Diamond.  I did the status match last week.  Note that when you book an MSC cruise using your Voyager Number, you do get a discounted rate (as opposed to Celebrity who does not offer discounted rates for Zenith members).  So definitely do that status match (some have reported that they had difficulty doing this via the MSC website but keep at it if it gives you trouble!  I am lucky I guess because I had no trouble - and I did the status match for myself and my two cruise buddies)

On 1/12/2023 at 7:49 PM, RichYak said: Thanks I do value your opinion. I’d be more concerned with MSC’s food if I didn’t think Celebrity’s food has become vastly inferior to it’s own offerings from just last year. I am considering a low effort sailing out of Brooklyn as I live a short drive away just to try the product. 

I love leaving out of New York either Manhattan or Brooklyn since we visit there every year it saves us a lot on airfare. We are sailing celebrity again in 2 months if Luminae continues to decline we will be happy to go back to yacht club, MSc gives us a ten percent discount since I am a vet . Also I got a much better price on rccl this November and we can easily add UDP like we did last cruise and still way cheaper in a grand suite bs the smaller sky suite.

19 minutes ago, George C said: I love leaving out of New York either Manhattan or Brooklyn since we visit there every year it saves us a lot on airfare. We are sailing celebrity again in 2 months if Luminae continues to decline we will be happy to go back to yacht club, MSc gives us a ten percent discount since I am a vet . Also I got a much better price on rccl this November and we can easily add UDP like we did last cruise and still way cheaper in a grand suite bs the smaller sky suite.

My cruise calendar is booked up for 2023. A Southern Caribbean itinerary in a RS on Millennium in March (that was booked before X went insane with Retreat prices) and a regular balcony cabin on Summit's Greenland/Iceland cruise in August. Celebrity wants $800pp/pn for a SS for this cruise. The Retreat product just isn't worth that price. I nearly booked Oceania instead, but the X itinerary is better.

All that to say, I'm looking at probably March 2024 for MSC YC to the Bahamas on Merviglia. I hate that it's so far off, but it is what it is. My wife and I both matched to MSC Diamond in anticipation of booking. I look forward to trying out the product.

52 minutes ago, RichYak said: My cruise calendar is booked up for 2023. A Southern Caribbean itinerary in a RS on Millennium in March (that was booked before X went insane with Retreat prices) and a regular balcony cabin on Summit's Greenland/Iceland cruise in August. Celebrity wants $800pp/pn for a SS for this cruise. The Retreat product just isn't worth that price. I nearly booked Oceania instead, but the X itinerary is better.   All that to say, I'm looking at probably March 2024 for MSC YC to the Bahamas on Merviglia. I hate that it's so far off, but it is what it is. My wife and I both matched to MSC Diamond in anticipation of booking. I look forward to trying out the product.

What really surprised us was the music in suite lounge from approx 5pm to 11, a few small combos or solo acts would continuously play , it also had a baby grand . Celebrity disappointed me when they removed the piano from Michaels when they changed it to retreat . 

On 1/16/2023 at 2:35 PM, ehall said: Here is some info on the status match -  MSC status match: How status with another cruise line got me perks with MSC - The Points Guy    If you click "this chart" in there, it looks like you'll get diamond  

Thanks --- time will tell.   Charla's experience left me on the boarder.    Not sure the Mega's ships are our forte even in the Yacht Club.   Time will tell.  Our first non-Celebrity cruise will be on Ponant (ultra small ships).

1 hour ago, George C said: What really surprised us was the music in suite lounge from approx 5pm to 11, a few small combos or solo acts would continuously play , it also had a baby grand . Celebrity disappointed me when they removed the piano from Michaels when they changed it to retreat . 

I agree with you, George C.  Pre-Covid, the Retreat Lounge (formerly Michael's Club) had solo or duo musicians playing in there from about 5pm to 7:00/7:30 pm, but post covid, there has been zero live entertainment.  Now it is just 3 flat screen TV's for "entertainment": zero comparison.

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This Brand-new Ship Has One of the Largest Yacht Clubs in Its Fleet, Endless Adventure, and a Glass-bottomed Bridge

MSC Seascape just set sail — here's what it's like on board.

Christine Burroni

The MSC Seascape may share many similar — or even identical — features with its predecessors, but when it comes to luxury, the fleet’s newest vessel certainly leveled up. The new ship sailed on its inaugural journey with guests from Rome to New York City this past weekend and will go on to sail out of Miami to the Caribbean for future trips.

While the European cruise line has become known for its luxury ship-within-a-ship concept, called Yacht Club , the Seascape boasts one of its largest clubs with 131 suites — with five categories to choose from — taking up 32,000 square feet. Located at the front of the ship, most exclusive Yacht Club spaces, like the private dining area or pool deck, are afforded sweeping ocean views.

Courtesy of MSC Cruises

In addition to a private restaurant with a regularly changing menu, and both indoor and outdoor lounge space, passengers who make a Yacht Club reservation are treated to expedited embarkation, 24-hour butler and concierge service, and access to the spa’s Thermal Suite where a sauna, steam room, and whirlpool awaits. Members will also have access to the ship's Top Sail Lounge for coffee, tea, and light bites at any time of day.

Yacht Club guests also enjoy the ship's premium drink package, an unpacking or packing service, a morning newspaper delivery of their choice, and the ability to select a specific pillow for customized comfort.

Sailing the blue water of the Caribbean while tucked in a super-exclusive setting may seem exceptionally relaxing, but the MSC Seascape also offers just the opposite for those looking for a bit of an adrenaline rush — with an extreme thrill ride and virtual reality experiences.

Adrenaline junkies can take a ride on the ship's Robotron , an attraction unique to the ship that will bring riders nearly 175 feet above water and flip upside down, moving in all directions to offer unobstructed 360-degree views. 

Those looking to keep their feet on the ground can still get their adventure fix with a walk across the Bridge of Sighs, a 72-foot-high glass-bottomed bridge.

The MSC Seascape is also home to a variety of virtual reality experiences. Riders can choose from Formula 1 racing, a flight simulator, and motorcycle riding.

“ MSC Seascape is an exciting addition to our fleet of Seaside Class ships with its elevated onboard experiences that will surprise and delight all ages," Ruben Rodriguez, President, MSC Cruises USA exclusively told Travel + Leisure. " From one of the largest and most luxurious Yacht Clubs in our fleet to interactive, high-tech experiences like the first Robotron at sea and immersive VR experiences, MSC Seascape brings unparalleled entertainment and thrills to our guests.”

Elsewhere on board, the ship’s interior is very similar to that of MSC’s other vessels, like the line's one-year-old MSC Seashore, including its Times Square–inspired décor, Swarovski crystal–adorned staircases, and Atrium space where live entertainment takes place.

Fans of the ship's fleet will also recognize its signature restaurants including Butcher's Cut steakhouse, Ocean Cay seafood restaurant, and more. Its lively sports bar is the perfect spot to catch any game around the world — and there are 18 other bars and lounges on board, some of which offer live music.

MSC Seascape journeys set sail from Miami to the Caribbean where passengers can visit the company's private Bahamas island, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.

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Want to See America’s Cup Racing Up Close? These 9 Yacht Charters Let You Watch From the Water

Options range from 200-foot-plus superyachts with side trips to ibiza to intimate sailing vessels catered by michelin-starred chefs. let the races begin., jemima sissons, jemima sissons's most recent stories.

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Next week, when the 37 th Louis Vuitton America’s Cup kicks off in Barcelona with its opening ceremony, the contest that began in 1851 with a race around the Isle of Wight between the fastest British and American sloops (the yacht America won handily) will come back to Europe for the first time in 14 years.

The move to the Catalan capital from the 2021 event in New Zealand will make it more accessible to sailing fans in Europe, and even North Americans who want to view the fast, technical AC75 foiling boats in person. Barcelona has been preparing itself for a surge of spectators for the “return” of the Cup, which was held twice in Valencia, Spain, in the aughts.

The America’s Cup may be billed as “the race with no second place,” but it takes three months of racing and four events for one of five Challenger teams to win the Louis Vuitton Cup, and that winner will race Defender Emirates Team New Zealand in the America’s Cup final. The racing runs from August through October, and this year includes a first-time all-women’s America’s Cup as well as an event for the world’s best youth sailors.

Having Barcelona as a venue was a smart move, partly for the gorgeous beaches fronting the race course on the Med. But there is also the city’s magnificent architecture and sense of history as well as vibrant arts, culture and, of course, no shortage of Michelin-starred restaurants.

There are many five-star hotels in the area, but the smartest and most thrilling way to see racing is by water. The vessel options are wide-ranging—from weeklong superyacht charters to luxury suites on a cruise ships to day trips on sailboats with Michelin-starred cuisine. Many can be combined with on-land stays and even cruises to other parts of Spain as part of the itineraries.

One important note: Four zones adjoining the race course allow spectator boats. Before chartering a vessel, be sure to find out which zone the boat will operate in, because that impacts how close you are to the racing.

Here are 9 options to suit the most avid Cup aficionados or those visiting Barcelona who want to sip champagne and watch the AC75 foiling boats battle it out.

Superyacht ‘Resilience’

Edmiston is offering charters aboard the 212-foot Resilience during the America’s Cup. The ISA-built superyacht, designed by Enrico Gobbi, features a mosaic-tiled pool, circular fire pit and a BBQ for a ringside lunch. Post-race pampering comes via the steam room, sundeck jacuzzi and gym, and there’s even a self-playing Edelweiss piano and projector for evening entertainment. The vessel sleeps 12 across seven cabins. From September 16, weekly charters start at about $645,000 (€600,000).

Explora Journeys

The soon-to-be-launched Explora II looks very much like its sistership, the Explora I : onyx finishes, self-playing Steinways, on-deck Technogym bikes, a spa with a Himalayan salt room, Dunhill cigar den and a wine cellar boasting decades-old Chateau Latour. With 461 luxury suites, how was the Explora II chosen to become an America’s Cup viewing platform? The idea came from the top down. 

“I love sailing and believe the Med is the most beautiful sea on earth,” Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman of the cruise division of MSC Group, told Robb Report during a visit aboard Explora I in Barcelona. “We thought if only our customers could also experience [the America’s Cup], we can call it the ocean state of mind.” 

Explora II launches in mid-September, with itineraries planned to coincide with the different Cup events. On October 6, the vessel will be in port for the Louis Vuitton Cup Final and Puig Women’s Races. Guests can take a walk to the official race village and experience its excitement before watching the races from their suites. A 10-night journey starts from $5,210 per guest.

The Almanac Sailing Experience

Barcelona’s Almanac hotel has a romantic-gastronomic experience that offers guests front-row seats on a Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 45 sailboat with a capacity for 10 guests. Besides the racing, the package includes two nights at the hotel. The boat comes with the hotel’s branded slippers and Jimmy Boyd bespoke amenities. Enjoy a selection of customized Cava Bellinis from the pop-up bar. Chefs from the hotels’ restaurant will also serve up shrimp salad and fennel ceviche paired with organic Spanish wines. The boat can be chartered every Saturday from August 31 to October 26. The Louis Vuitton Cup round-robin starts on August 29 and lasts through Sept. 8. There’s also the Puig Women’s Race (first all-female America’s Cup in its 171-year history) and, of course, the America’s Cup finals in October. Prices start at $2,940 per couple. 

Superyacht ‘C’

For a majestic week-long cruise that incorporates America’s Cup summer races and possible side itineraries in Costa Dorada, Sitges and Formentera, Camper & Nicholsons’ expansive 177-ft C is the flashy option, defined by Minotti furniture, lacquered panels and a hamman. It also sleeps 12 in six cabins that feature a master and two VIP suites. Its chase boat also offers a great opportunity for side trips. Weekly charters from Sept. 18-October 31 run from about $513,000 or €400,000.

Sailing Yacht ‘Imagine’

UK adventure specialists Pelorus offer a private seat on an elegant sailing boat seeped in America’s Cup history. Built in New Zealand by Alloy Yachts, Imagine is a 110-footer that served as an official viewing platform for the America’s Cup in Auckland, but it has also completed three global circumnavigations. Beyond its sailing chops, it’s a beautiful vessel, with a blonde, teak-lined deck, large salon and dining area, and three cabins for sleeping seven guests. It will be available from October 12 for the America’s Cup final. Pelorus is also offering to bookend the week with trips to Majorca and Ibiza. About $101,000 (£79,121)

Superyacht ‘Diane’

Also available from Edmiston, the 141-ft Diane can accommodate 10 guests in five staterooms for the week. The interior is all about soft hues, featuring cream leather and white marble, boasting a bar and plenty of outdoor seating for watching the races. For the non-race legs, guests can take to the water via the large beach club, complete with seabobs and wakeboards. It has a Balearics license, making a hop to Ibiza or Majorca a possibility. Weekly charter rates from September 23 run about $150,000 per week (€140,000)

Black Tomato Cup Package

Incorporating a city-stay, Black Tomato’s America’s Cup getaway includes a day’s private day charter to view the race, plus five nights at the Mandarin Oriental as well as visiting the regatta course and different bases of the America’s Cup teams for an insider’s look at the operations and technology. As a dayboat, its Bali Yacht Saxador 400 GTO can accommodate 11 guests. It sets sail from Port Olympic, giving guests a sweeping view of the city on one side and the regatta course on the other. The boat has access to the blue area (for preferred charter boats) on the front line. From $12,750 per person, based on two people.

Superyacht ‘Quasar’

Camper & Nicholsons recently introduced the 153-foot Quasar to the charter market and what a great way to end the Med season than by viewing the America’s Cup. It has six cabins (including two master suites) that can accommodate 12 guests, along excellent outdoor seating, an upper salon that joins the aft deck area for viewing the races or dining al-fresco. The beach club has a large selection of water toys. Visits to scenic Med ports around Barcelona are also possible on the week’s charter, which start at about $232,000 (€210,000).  

Superyacht ‘Kiawah’

For front row seats on day charters in the blue zone (the third-closest area to the races), official charter partner ac37 Sailcharters offers different types of vessels and packages. The 110-foot Kiawah features a cocktail lunch on board, a specialized lecture from an expert sailor, and an AV system to follow the race in real time. From August 22 through October 11, daily rates are about $34,000 (€30,800) and during the America’s Cup finals October 12-27, rates move to about $41,000 (€37,400).

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• America's Cup
• Louis Vuitton

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Cherepovets, Russia

Transportation

Hotels, motels and where to sleep, restaurant, taverns and where to eat, description of cherepovets.

Cherepovets is a city in the Vologda Oblast of Russia, the administrative center of the Cherepovetsky district, which is not part of, having the status of a city of regional significance and forming a city district. It is located at the confluence of the Yagorba River into the Sheksna River (left tributary of the Volga), not far from the Rybinsk reservoir, 126 km west of Vologda. Population - 318 856 people. (2017). The area is 126 km2. Cherepovets is the largest by territory and population of the city of the Vologda region.

Administratively, the city is not divided in any way, but the following division has historically taken shape: Industrial (in local vernacular - simply "City"). The oldest in the city, in the west adjoins the factory territory (enterprises of OAO Severstal). Zayagorbsky (Zarechensky, "District"). It is located to the east of the Industrial District, and to the southeast of the North, across the Yagorba River. It is connected by bridges with the Industrial and Northern regions. Zasheksinsky (popularly also - "104th" or "Prostokvashino"). As the name implies, it is located across the Sheksna River, to the south of the Industrial and Zayagorbsky districts. You can get there only from the Industrial District, along the Oktyabrsky Bridge. Northern (FMK area, popularly - "Plywood"). The Plywood Furniture Factory area is located to the north of the Industrial District. The districts are separated by the railroad. Corners - a remote area between PJSC Severstal and JSC Apatit near the city dump

Travel Destinations in Cherepovets

Theaters and palaces of culture.

House of Music and Cinema "Komsomolets" Theater for children and youth Cherepovets Russian National Theater Cherepovets Chamber Theater Theater of Improvisations Palace of Culture "Builder" Palace of Metallurgists MAUK "Palace of Chemists" Palace of Culture "Severny" City Philharmonic

Museums and exhibition halls

Art Museum Children's Museum Museum of Nature Memorial House-Museum of the Vereshchagins Museum "House of I. A. Milyutin" Museum of Archeology Museum of History and Local Lore Historical and Ethnographic Museum "Galsky Manor" Literary Museum with the memorial estate of I. Severyanin Exhibition Hall of the Cherepovets Museum Association First Art Gallery Art Gallery of Contemporary Art "KTO" Museum of the Metallurgical Industry Museum of Alexander Bashlachev (within the walls of the Central Music Library) PhosAgro interactive educational center Green Planet Museum of samovars "Annunciation Antiquity" (in a restored building of 1905) Art space Pivzavod

Park them. Leninsky Komsomol (Komsomolsky Park) Park of Culture and Leisure Park of the 200th anniversary of Cherepovets Victory Park Serpentine Park

Operating churches, chapels, monasteries

Cherepovets Resurrection Monastery, now the Bishops' Resurrection Compound of the Cherepovets diocese (Sobornaya Gorka, 1) or the Resurrection Cathedral - it was the only functioning church in the city in the Soviet years until 1997. Temple in honor of the Nativity of Christ in the former. the village of Christmas (Shekhonskoye) - recreated on the basis of archival materials in 1992-1996 (Parkovaya st., 1) Cathedral of Saints Athanasius and Theodosius of Cherepovets (Makarinskaya Grove, 1). The Cathedral also operates the Diocesan Administration of the Cherepovets Diocese of the Vologda Metropolis of the Russian Orthodox Church. Temple in the name of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker (at the railway station) Chapel in the name of St. Philip of Irapsky (Sovetsky pr., 31) Temple in the name of the Icon of the Mother of God "Life-Giving Spring" (Embankment St.) Church of St. Sergius of Radonezh in the Zasheksninsky district (between the Ice Palace and the Raduzhny water park)

Multi-format volunteer festival "Summer Outcome" - annual, held since 2013 Festival of poetry and prose "I live in Cherepovets" - annual, held since 2006 PROVzglyad Short Film Festival - annual, held in Cherepovets since 2010 Music festival of classical music "Lace" - annual, held in Cherepovets since 2010 Festival of dance directions of fitness - annual International Festival of Piano Duets - annual from 2001 to 2008 The Jump Above Your Head Festival is an annual event that has been held since 1994. Festival "Silver Strings" - annual, held at CSU since 2000 Festival of school creativity "Welcome to CSU!" – annual, held at ChSU since 2005 Festival of Flowers in the Historical and Ethnographic Museum "Galsky Manor" - annual, held since 2011 Festival of bard song "Zaozerye" Ecofest "GREEN ROCK" has been held annually since 2015. The village of Gorodishche was chosen as the site

Sports clubs

Hockey club "Severstal" Hockey club "Almaz" Basketball club "Severstal" Volleyball club "Severstal" Women's volleyball club "Severyanka" Football club "Sheksna" Club "Velorus" Football club "Aist" Football club "Flagman" Football club "FOOTBOSTARZ" Sports tournaments and competitions Tournament "Golden Puck" - the championship of the city in ice hockey among amateur teams, annual. International amateur boxing tournament named after Academician Bardin, annual. Traditional hockey tournament in memory of cosmonaut Pavel Ivanovich Belyaev. Cherepovets Cup in cross-country (cycling), annual.

The name of the locality Cherepoves has been mentioned since the 15th century. In this pre-Russian toponym, the Finno-Ugric base skull-, for which a convincing explanation has not yet been found, and the element - all from Fin. vesi - "water". At the end of the 14th - beginning of the 15th centuries, a monastery was founded on the site of the modern city, which in the sources of the 15th century is referred to as the Resurrection Monastery in Cherepoves, and in the 16th-18th centuries - the Cherepovsky Resurrection Monastery. In the course of the administrative reform in 1777, it was ordered "to establish at the Cherepovsky Monastery ... a city under the name of Cherepovets." The map of Didier de Wagondi in the region of the city of Cherepovets on the opposite bank of the Suda River shows the city of Lukovets (Lukowec), the same shows the Atlas of the Russian Empire 1745, on later maps the city of Lyubets is the closest on the road to Cherepovets: the more ancient cities in this area are Sheksna, which have a Slavic etymology.

History of Cherepovets

The foundation of Cherepovets is traditionally ascribed to two orthodox monks Feodosy and Afanasy. In 1362, they founded the Cherepovets Resurrection Monastery, in the vicinity of which a small village of Fedosyevo was founded. Historians consider the former village of Fedosyevo to be in the center of modern Cherepovets. Several centuries were needed to develop the small village into a prominent trade, manufacturing, and transportation regional center. Cherepovets was granted city status in 1777 by Catherine the Great and became the center of a separate uyezd in the administrative structure of the Novgorod Governorate. Construction of Mariinsk canal system in 1810 made a significant impact on the development of the city. The Mariinsk Canal System connected Cherepovets with Volga River to the south and the Baltic Sea to the west. At that time, the city was still in the very early stage of development with the population of 3000 residents by 1863. For a long time, the city brickworks with seven workers was the sole industrial enterprise in Cherepovets. The development of city became more dynamic after Emancipation Reform happened in 1861 and appearance of the shipbuilding industry. The city soon became a prominent shipbuilding and logistics center tying major regional rail- and waterways. The population had grown to 10,000 by 1915. After the revolution, in March 1918, eastern uyezds of the Novgorod Governorate were renamed to separate Cherepovets Governorate centered around Cherepovets. The new governorate existed for less than 10 years. In 1927, it was merged with Leningrad, Novgorod, Pskov, and Murmansk Governorates into a single Leningrad Oblast. In September 1937, most of the former Cherepovets Governorate territories (with the exception of Tikhvin district) were transferred to the newly established Vologda Oblast. The subsequent development of the city is closely tied to the completion of construction of the Cherepovets metallurgy plant (now known as Severstal) in 1955, the second-biggest in the country. Unlike the majority of the most important metallurgy centers in the former Soviet Union, the location of the future steel plant was selected far away from the actual mineral resources and deposits. The reason for that was the logistic advantage of having well-developed infrastructure that allowed connection of the north and northwest of the country by rail, road, and waterways into a single operation system. It connected such remote mining centers as Vorkuta and Olenegorsk, Murmansk Oblast. The rapid growth of industry center drastically changed the city, and by the early 1960s, its population exceeded 100,000 residents (three times bigger than the pre-World War II population). By 1970, Cherepovets had become the most populated city in Vologda Oblast.

By plane The only international airport in the Vologda Oblast is located not in Cherepovets itself, but 25 km from the city. Regular flights to Moscow (Vnukovo, Domodedovo), St. Petersburg and Petrozavodsk, Kaliningrad, Yekaterinburg, Minsk, Murmansk, Ukhta. 1  Airport, Botovo village. By train From Moscow from the Yaroslavsky railway station on the direct branded train No. 126YA "Sheksna" (one night on the way) or on any train to Vologda further by road or electric train (see below). From Vologda by train. Its biggest drawback is that it stops at each bush, so it takes a very long time. From Vologda by any transit train. It is important to guess "in the schedule" here. A lot of transit workers pass through Cherepovets at night, which is inconvenient. From St. Petersburg on a large number of transit trains. Direct trains from Anapa, Adler and Simferopol. On transit trains going to St. Petersburg from the cities of Perm, Yekaterinburg, Kotlas, Arkhangelsk, Kirov, Tyumen, Vorkuta, Sharya, Novokuznetsk, and others. 2  Railway station (Cherepovets I) , Zavokzalnaya st., 9 (north of the center). around the clock. The station is quite large, but before the departure of trains to Moscow or St. Petersburg, trains can be crowded. There is not much infrastructure: there is a small buffet, a souvenir shop and rest rooms with the possibility of settling for several hours. Many bus routes approach the station, a tram line passes a little further. The area near the station is not the busiest, but there are several supermarkets within a 5-10 minute walk. Externally, the station is asymmetrical: the left wing from the side of the tracks is historical, preserved from the time of the construction of the St. Petersburg-Vologda railway, and the right wing was added in the 1950s and 2000s. By car From Vologda and St. Petersburg: along the A114 highway. From Moscow: along the federal highway M8 "Kholmogory" through Yaroslavl to Vologda, then along the A114. along the M8 to Sergiev Posad, then along the P104 highway through Uglich, Nagorye, Rybinsk, Poshekhonye. By bus Cherepovets is connected by intercity routes with Vologda, St. Petersburg, Petrozavodsk, Yaroslavl. Within the region, communication is carried out with the cities and towns of Belozersk, Vytegra, Veliky Ustyug, Kirillov, Lipin Bor, Babaevo, Ustyuzhna and many others. Between the bus stations of Cherepovets and Vologda, buses run in both directions approximately every hour, so if you go to Cherepovets or from it with a transfer in Vologda, then it is most convenient to get to and from it by bus. 3  Bus station, st. M. Gorky, 44 (station square). ☎ +7 (8202) 30-25-07. 5:00–21:00. A small waiting room with left-luggage offices (6:00–18:00, 30 rubles per hour). There is a grocery store inside. On the ship Cherepovets previously had a passenger river port, but at present the port operates exclusively for tourist trips and offsite events.

City transport

The main urban transport is buses. The fare is 33 rubles. in cash, 31 rubles. contactless bank card (2022). All buses on the routes are large (there are no minibuses), most are new. Buses start running around 6 am and finish closer to midnight. The Cherepovets tram is a typical "factory" network leading from the residential Zayagorbsky district on the eastern outskirts of the city to Severstal on the western one. It captures the center completely by the edge, and a separate “ring” branch leads to the station. There are three routes: No. 4 through the whole city, but without stopping at the station, its episodic version No. 2 with a stop at the station, and “abbreviated” No. 8 from the Zayagorbsky district to the station. Opening hours and fares are the same as for buses. It might be interesting to take the tram along Severstal; the final stop is already behind the checkpoint, where outsiders are not allowed, but it is quite legal to get to the Hydrogen or Domainnaya stops. Taxis are not much different from other cities of the same size: the main aggregators work, there are many local parks. Estimated prices excluding traffic jams: within the district - 70-80 rubles, between neighboring districts - 100 rubles, through the district - 150-180 rubles. (2019).

Cheap Hotel "Rendezvous", Sovetsky pr., 54 (in the center). ☎ +7 (8202) 74-21-21. 1200 rubles (2011). Rooms with amenities. Hostel Graffiti, st. Metallurgov, 9 (center). ☎ +7 (8202) 58-00-54, 62-18-77. 350–600 rubles/person (2011). Double and triple rooms with shared facilities. Access to the Internet. Average cost Business hotel, st. Batyushkova, 7a (Zasheksinsky district). ☎ +7 (8202) 32-35-25, 62-32-00. Double room: 1800/2400 rubles (2011). Hotel for 6 rooms (all with amenities). Breakfast. Free unguarded parking. Free WiFi. Hotel "Avelia", st. Krasnodontsev, 124 (Zarechensky district, on the outskirts). ☎ +7 (8202) 62-19-63, 62-19-36, 64-20-74. Double room: 1800 rubles (2011). Rooms with amenities. Free parking. Internet access claimed. Azalia Hotel, st. Krasnodontsev, 126 (Zarechensky district, on the outskirts). ☎ +7 (8202) 64-22-06, 28-04-18, 28-91-46. Double room: 2000 rubles (2011). 14 rooms, mostly with private facilities. Free parking. Free WiFi. Azot Hotel, st. Krasnodontsev, 30A (Zarechensky district). ☎ +7 (8202) 23-66-61, (921) 050-78-00. Double room economy / standard: 1500/2300 rubles (2011). Single and double rooms with private facilities; economy and standard differ only in the presence of European-quality repair. In general, the conditions and reviews are not bad: free parking, free Wi-Fi, but far from the center. Hotel "Voskresenskaya", Sovetsky pr., 82 (in the center). ☎ +7 (8202) 51-11-08. Double room: 2200 rubles (2011). A small hotel containing specially designed deluxe rooms and regular economy class rooms (amenities on the floor). Breakfast. Hotel "Harmony", Vologodskaya st., 35 (in the center). ☎ +7 (8202) 50-46-55. Double room without amenities / with amenities: 1400/2000 rubles. Another mini-hotel of incomprehensible content. Gloria Hotel, Ustyuzhenskaya st., 7 (western outskirts of Cherepovets). ☎ +7 (8202) 22-06-31, 22-86-18. The hotel is located on the first floor of the hostel. Conflicting reviews. Hotel "Unity", st. Lomonosov, 19 (southwest of the center). ☎ +7 (8202) 22-88-89. The hotel has been converted from a residential building. Conflicting reviews. Hotel "Leningrad", blvd. Domenshchikov, 36 (center). ☎ +7 (8202) 57-38-27, 57-16-22. Double room: from 1500 rubles (2011). An ordinary Soviet hotel with expensive renovated and cheap old rooms. Free parking, breakfast. Wi-Fi announced. Hotel "Metallurg", Vologodskaya st., 5a (in the center). ☎ +7 (8202) 55-47-78 (booking), 57-26-11 (administrator). Double room: 2500 rubles (2011). Comfortable and spacious rooms recently renovated. Free parking, breakfast, Wi-Fi. Good feedback. Hotel "Northern Dawns", st. Krasnodontsev, 30 (Zarechensky district). ☎ +7 (8202) 23-83-43, 23-83-40. Double room: 3000 rubles (2011). Recently renovated Soviet hotel. Rooms with amenities, but the reviews are extremely contradictory. Breakfast. Free WiFi. Hotel "Steelprokatchik", Ustyuzhenskaya st., 9 (on the western outskirts). ☎ +7 (8202) 57-29-32. Single room without amenities / with amenities: 850 / from 1800 rubles (2008). Renovated and old rooms vary greatly in price and level of comfort. Expensive rooms have Wi-Fi. Hotel and recreation complex "Planeta", st. Mont-Clair, 17a (Zasheksinsky district). ☎ +7 (8202) 32-15-31, 31-82-63. local number: 2400/2800 rubles (2011). Single and double rooms with private facilities. Restaurant. Guarded parking. There is Wi-Fi. Expensive Arm Premier Hotel, Northern Highway 45a (northeast of downtown). ☎ +7 (8202) 29-10-99. Double room: 4800 rubles (2011). New building, comfortable and expensive rooms, but rather inconvenient location. Restaurant. Free WiFi. Good feedback. Hotel "Versailles", Sovetsky pr. 47 (in the center). ☎ +7 (8202) 51-90-86, 51-91-59. Single / double room: 2200/3600 rubles (2011). Single and double rooms with private facilities. Breakfast. Free WiFi. Conflicting reviews. Mini-hotel "Discovery", st. Godovikova, 8 (Zasheksinsky district). From 3000 rubles (2011). Three rooms, "elite sauna" is promoted. Hotel Amparo, st. Lenina, 52 (center). ☎ +7 (8202) 51-11-53. Double room: 4200 rubles (2011). Nice modern hotel with its own restaurant. Breakfast or half board. There is Wi-Fi (possibly paid). VIP-Hotel, st. Novoselskaya, 13/34 (Zasheksninsky district). ☎ +7 (8202) 60-44-77. Double rooms: from 3000 rubles (2011). A hotel with a pretentious name in one of the most remote areas of the city. Rooms with amenities. Guarded parking. Free WiFi. Hotel "Scandinavia"   , pr. Lunacharskogo, 22 (at the intersection of Milyutina and Labor streets). ☎ +78202552888. around the clock. 3700-4800 rub. Hotel in the center of Cherepovets with 24 rooms. Three floors, one of which is an attic. Rooms with all amenities: air conditioning, TV, bed with orthopedic mattress, bathroom with a complete set of hotel perfumes. In the country Recreation center "Gorodishche", 8 km on the road to Rybinsk. ☎ +7 (8202) 64-69-39. Rest house "Torovo", 13 km west of Cherepovets. ☎ +7 (8202) 53-72-05. 1000 rubles / person (2011). On the banks of the Rybinsk reservoir, owned by Severstal. Fishing and tourist base "Upper Rybinka", village. Vichelovo (15 km south of Cherepovets, on the banks of the Rybinsk reservoir). ☎ +7 (8202) 55-15-13. 1900 rubles/person without meals (2011). Accommodation in cottages with private facilities. Hunting, fishing, restaurant.

Cheap Heat Pizza. ☎ 52-62-52. Pizza: from 120 rubles (2011). Cherepovets chain of simple and budget cafes with pizza, salads and pies. There is home delivery. Sovetsky pr. 35b (free Wi-Fi) st. Belinsky 1/3 (Zarechensky district) st. Krasnodontsev, 56 (Zarechensky district) - pie 90 Pobedy Ave. — pirogovaya Cafe Vinaigrette, st. Maxim Gorky, 85. 8–23. Cafe "Pen-Pnyom", st. Maxim Gorky, 26. 10–22. Self-service cafe with an emphasis on national cuisine. McDonald's. Around the clock, sanitary hour 4:00-5:00. A small standard McDonald's with a hall for 100 seats and an entrance for shopping directly from the car. Prospekt Pobedy, 100a Sheksninsky pr. 2 Average cost Restaurant Il Patio, st. Lenina, 48. 12–24. Indistinguishable from similar restaurants in other cities. Free WiFi. Restaurant "Genatsvale Vaniko", Pervomayskaya st. 50. Restaurant "Munich beer", st. Mira, 18. Inexpensive beer restaurant. Restaurant "Pirosmani", Pobedy Ave., 58b. Hot dishes: 200–300 rubles (2011). Georgian cuisine. Restaurant courtyard "Karavai", Sovetsky pr. 75 (second and third floors). 12–24. On the third floor, a coffee shop, a sushi bar, a pizzeria and a steak bar are gathered under one roof, and on the second floor there is a full-fledged restaurant. Wi-Fi announced. Expensive Restaurant "Deja Vu", st. Krasnodontsev, 30 (Zarechensky district, in the building of the hotel "Northern Dawns"). Hot dishes: from 400 rubles (2011). French cuisine, many culinary delights. Restaurant "Sushi-san", st. Pervomayskaya, 30A, on the second floor, the entrance from the street is shared with the food supermarket located on the first (Zarechensky district). 12–24 (Fri and Sat, until 3). Hot dishes: 250–450 rubles (2011). Proper Japanese restaurant. Despite the name, the assortment is not limited to sushi, but includes almost all the main types of Japanese dishes. Good feedback. Trattoria La Ville, Pobedy Ave., 100 (Zarechensky district). 12–24 (Fri and Sat, until 5). Pasta: 200–350 rubles, hot dishes: from 300 rubles (2011). Proper Italian restaurant. Good feedback. Coffee houses Coffee house "Coffee Maxx", st. Lenina, 39. 9–1 (Fri and Sat, until 3). Coffee: from 80 rubles (2010). Large selection of coffees, as well as soups, salads and pancakes. Good feedback. Free WiFi. Coffee house "Kofeynik", Pobeda avenue, 68. 8–5. Coffee: from 60 rubles (2010). Nice coffee shop crossed with Italian fast food type (pizza, pasta selection). Mostly good reviews. edit Coffee house "Little Italy", st. Maxim Gorky, 51. 9.30–24. Coffee and pizza. Wi-Fi announced. Coffee house "Shokoladnitsa", Pobeda avenue, 93 (Zarechensky district, shopping center "Rassvet"). 10–21. Network cafe. Wi-Fi announced.

Bars Pub "Britain", st. Lenina, 43. Opening hours: from 11 to the last client. Hot dishes: from 300 rubles (2011). The interior is really stylized as a British pub, and the menu has several varieties of draft English and Irish beers. Free WiFi. Pub "Two Pints", st. Pervomaiskaya, 50 (Zarechensky district). Hot dishes: from 250 rubles (2011). In fact, a beer restaurant with perhaps the best assortment of draft beer in Cherepovets (exclusively foreign). In the pub itself, the choice of food is small, but dishes can also be ordered from the nearby Aviator restaurant, which offers not only European, but also Japanese cuisine. Clubs Night club "Platina" and restaurant "Chocolate", st. Ledneva, 4 (Zarechensky district). 18–6. Hot dishes: from 300 rubles (2011). A full-fledged nightclub with strict face control. The restaurant is located inside the club and, oddly enough, it has a quiet, cozy atmosphere, as well as good European cuisine with an inevitable touch of sushi.

The store "Suveniry" on Sovetskij Prospect has some of the best souvenirs in Russia at the best prices, including local crafts and costumes. There are many stores along Sovetskij Prospect and Prospect Lenina to find really anything you need, although you're better off buying some things in the major cities. In addition, there are many shopping centers throughout the city, and they continue to be built.

Free public Wi-Fi points are available in several squares and squares and in some buses and trams.

Precautionary measures

In Cherepovets, you should be careful and attentive in the area of ​​Bardin, Chkalova and Ustyuzhenskaya streets, the unofficial name is the Bermuda Triangle. As a rule, these streets are dominated by drunken youth. It is recommended, if possible, to avoid visiting these streets at night, otherwise the impression of the rest in Cherepovets will be spoiled.

Physical and geographical characteristics

Geographical position.

The city of Cherepovets is located in the central part of the East European Plain, in the southwest of the Vologda Oblast. The geographical coordinates of the city are 59°08′ s. sh. 37°55′ E d.HGЯO. Cherepovets is equidistant from Moscow (to the north) and from St. Petersburg (to the east) at 530 km. The distance to the regional center — the city of Vologda — is 126 km. Modern Cherepovets is located on the banks of the rivers belonging to the Volga basin: Sheksna (+ Yagorba + Serovka, + Rogue) and Courts (+ Koshta, + Nelaz). Cherepovets is located at the intersection of 3 transport routes: 6 km to the north lies the highway A114 "Vologda - Novaya Ladoga"; a railway line passes through Cherepovets (Northern Railway); the city has a port on the Volga-Baltic waterway. The airport is located 21 km from the city center, with regular connections to the capitals and regular international flights.

The climate of the city is determined by its geographical location, a small amount of solar radiation. Cherepovets is located in the temperate continental region of the temperate climate zone. A characteristic feature is the frequent change of air masses, due to the rapid passage of baric formations during the year. The seasonal change of prevailing wind directions is clearly expressed. Most of the year, southerly winds prevail, the frequency of which is 23% per year. East (7%) and northwest winds (7%) are less common.

Ecological situation

The results of long-term observations of the state of atmospheric air, carried out by the laboratory of Roshydromet, show that all residential areas of the city, to one degree or another, experience a certain technogenic load. The study of the monthly variability of the collective indicator of atmospheric pollution allows us to conclude that the most unfavorable situation in the city develops in the spring-autumn period, when adverse weather conditions (NMC) occur more often, worsening the dispersion of harmful substances and contributing to their accumulation in the atmosphere due to weak wind, the impact of thermal stability and the formation of inversions, or changing the direction of the transfer of impurities emitted into the atmosphere. In this regard, the most unfavorable for the city is the western direction of the wind, in which emissions from many sources are transferred towards residential buildings. An increased level of air pollution is more often observed in the Industrial and Northern districts, as they are located closer to the industrial site of the metallurgical plant. However, due to predominantly northerly winds, a significant part of the emissions settles in the Zasheksna region. The ecological situation in this area is also aggravated due to the almost complete absence of trees in this part of the city and the high population density (mostly multi-storey buildings, with more than 5 floors of houses). Emissions of air pollutants from stationary sources in Cherepovets in 2018 amounted to 312.8 thousand tons, or about 1 ton per 1 person/year. The discharge of polluted wastewater into surface water bodies in the city of Cherepovets in 2009 was 29.7 million cubic meters, including 0.5 million cubic meters without treatment.

Territorial division

The city is divided into four districts: Industrial Zayagorbsky Zasheksinsky Northern

Industrial area

The industrial district is the oldest, historical core of the city, the active formation of which began in the 18th century. It is the most economically developed area. The ecological situation within the boundaries of the region is unfavorable due to the proximity to the production facilities of PJSC Severstal: Until recently, the entire territory of the district fell within a 5-kilometer sanitary protection zone (SPZ) from the plant, but in 2004 a new SPZ was approved with a radius of 1 km from the main sources of pollutant emissions into the atmosphere. As a result, residential development was outside this zone. Nevertheless, given that the implementation of environmental measures to reduce emissions into the atmosphere is designed for the period up to 2015, in order to reduce the exposure load on the population living in close proximity to the industrial zone, a decision was made to resettle the residents of part of quarters No. 213 and 214 In the future, the resettlement of residents from quarters 213 and 214 will make it possible to place in this zone a city career guidance center, classrooms and workshops of secondary educational institutions, a cultural center of the educational zone, office premises and objects of food, manufactured goods and wholesale and retail trade. It is planned to improve the environmental situation in the Industrial District by transferring some industries - for example, the Krasnaya Zvezda plant, reducing emissions of harmful substances - for the Cherepovets Steel Structures Plant OJSC. The same applies to other enterprises that violate the regulations of the SPZ - OJSC "Cherepovets Steel Rolling Plant", OJSC "Cherepovets Confectionery Factory", OJSC "Cherepovets Distillery". Zayagorbsky district The Zayagorbsky District is located on the left bank of the Yagorba River and is connected to the Industrial District by the Yagorbsky Bridge. The largest residential area of the city in terms of population, about 130 thousand people live in it (more than 1/3 of the entire population of the city). In the people it is called "Zarechie". On the territory occupied by low-rise individual buildings, an architectural dominant will be formed, combining residential, public and business, cultural and entertainment functions. This is one of the projects to create a "river facade" of the city. Objects for municipal, warehouse and industrial purposes are being redeveloped, it is planned to expand the Makarinskaya grove by organizing a park in the coastal zone, as well as the improvement of the Zarechensky beach. The southeastern part of the District, occupied by urban forests, is planned to be used as a sports and recreational area. Zasheksinsky district The Zasheksninsky district is located on the left bank of the Sheksna and is connected to the right bank by the Oktyabrsky and Arkhangelsky bridges. It is promising in terms of construction and expansion of the city's territories, with the aim of further looping urban roads. In the everyday life of the townspeople, this area is also called the "104th microdistrict", according to the numbering of one of the first microdistricts of the Zasheksninsky district. There is a microdistrict of new development near fire station No. 55, popularly called Severstalevsky, Cheryomushki, from the abbreviated name of the Cherepovets Metallurgical Plant (ChMK), the official name is the 112th microdistrict. In 2015, at the initiative of veterans of PJSC Severstal, the microdistrict was renamed into Yu. V. Lipukhin microdistrict. Northern region The size of the territory is the smallest of the urban areas. A plywood and furniture factory is located here, after which the area is popularly called "Plywood". There is also a match factory, a dairy plant and a meat processing plant. New Corners The village is located in the center of the industrial zone of Cherepovets - 12 km from the city center. The final stop of city routes No. 5 and No. 19. The local combined school-kindergarten - MAOU "Educational Center No. 36" - belongs to the Department of Education of the Cherepovets City Hall. The subsidiary farm "New Corners" is a project of the Cherepovets Metallurgical Plant, which was subsequently sold and declared bankrupt. The village of Yasnaya Polyana belongs to the Tonshalovsky rural settlement of the Cherepovets region, although in fact it is located between Cherepovets and its industrial zone. City routes pass through it with stops.

The basis of the economic potential of Cherepovets is formed by enterprises of ferrous metallurgy and the chemical complex. The leading enterprises of the city are PJSC Severstal, OJSC Severstal-metiz, JSC Apatit (created as a result of the merger of OJSC Ammophos and OJSC Cherepovetsky Azot, and other plants of OJSC Phosagro), which employ 40% of the townspeople . The city has wood and metal processing, food and light industries, and a construction complex. There are more than 1,500 small and medium enterprises in Cherepovets. In Russia, the city occupies one of the first positions in terms of industrial output per capita, which is more than twice the national level. The economic potential of the city is formed by the two largest metallurgical enterprises, such as Severstal and the Cherepovets Steel Rolling Plant, and the chemical production of JSC Apatit, which account for 75% of industrial products manufactured in the city. The index of industrial production in the city as a whole for 2006 was 105.3% (in Vologda - 104.1%, in the whole region - 105.2%). The share of the Cherepovets Metallurgical Plant in the output of Russian rolled products is approximately 14%; it is one of the four largest producers of this product in the country. The steel-rolling plant, reconstructed in 1996, is one of the largest enterprises in the hardware industry in Russia, annually producing 1.15 million tons of finished products. An important role in the city's economy is played by two large chemical associations - suppliers of mineral fertilizers, sulfuric acid, ammonia and carbamide "Ammofos" and "Azot". Their share in the total volume of urban industrial output is 11%. In the fuel and energy complex, the main place is occupied by energy. The region receives 50% of electricity from other energy systems - Tver, Kostroma, Kirov, Leningrad and Yaroslavl. The retail trade turnover of Cherepovets enterprises in 2007 amounted to 18 billion rubles. In comparable prices, the retail turnover of Cherepovets trade enterprises is 19% higher than in 2006. In the structure of retail trade turnover in 2007, 50.2%, or 9 billion 36 million rubles, were food products, 49.8%, or 8 billion 964 million rubles, were non-food products. Since the beginning of 2007, enterprises and organizations of the city have provided paid services to the population for a total of 10 billion 500 million rubles. In comparable prices, the volume of sales of paid services in Cherepovets increased by 12.5% this year compared to 2006. The turnover of public catering enterprises in Cherepovets in 2007 is 992 million rubles, in comparable prices compared to last year it increased by 8.7%. Since the beginning of 2009, Cherepovets, like other industrial cities in Russia, has been experiencing a global economic crisis. As of November 2009, the number of unemployed is 6800 people. At the end of 2018, Cherepovets single-industry town entered the TOP-10 leaders of the annual rating of single-industry towns. The rating comprehensively assesses the activity and efficiency of the work of local governments, the level of development of SMEs, the urban economy and the urban environment. The annual ranking of single-industry towns was formed for the first time as part of the implementation of the activities of the Integrated Development of Single-industry Towns program (2016–2018). Head of the priority program - Irina Makieva (since August 2018 - General Director of the Fund for the Development of Monotowns).

Cherepovets ranked 9th in the ranking of the largest industrial centers of Russia in 2011. Enterprises Severstal PhosAgro dairy plant Plywood and furniture factory Foundry and mechanical plant

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Cherepovets: From impoverished monastery settlement to industrial behemoth

Photographs by William Brumfield

Russia’s industrial might has long depended on a number of mid-size cities that have formed the backbone of its iron and steel production. The most famous of these is Magnitogorsk, located in the Chelyabinsk Region in the southern Urals, but equally important is Cherepovets (population around 318,000), situated at the confluence of the Sheksna and Yagorba Rivers in the western part of the Vologda Region. Although Cherepovets has a diversified industrial base, it is best known as the home of Severstal, one of Russia’s largest industrial enterprises.

Archeological excavations in the Sheksna-Yagorba area have uncovered objects dating as early as the Mesolithic period (several thousand years ago). By the 10th century, the local Finno-Ugric population was involved in distant trade, and Slavs began to settle the area, which fell within the orbit of Novgorod the Great.

In contemporary Russian, “cherep” means “skull,” yet there is no clearly accepted derivation for the town’s name. The earliest mention occurs in reference to a Monastery of the Resurrection in “Cherepoves,” a broad term for the area along the Sheksna.

The Resurrection Monastery was founded apparently around 1362 by Feodosy and Afanasy (d. 1392), monks from the Trinity-St. Sergius Monastery, the primary center of Muscovite monasticism. There is little reliable information about the monastery during the medieval period. Built of logs, it was burned in 1610 as part of the widespread devastation of the Russian North by Polish-Lithuanian forces during the Time of Troubles, a dynastic interregnum and period of catastrophic social disorder that lasted from 1605 through the following decade.

The impoverished Resurrection Monastery struggled throughout the 17th and 18th centuries. Its many troubles are exemplified by the destruction of the main Church of the Resurrection by a lightning strike in 1713. The monastery’s first masonry structure was a rebuilding of the Resurrection Church in 1752-1756, with two secondary altars dedicated to St. John the Divine and to Sts. Feodosy and Afanasy. In 1761, work began on a second brick church, dedicated to the Trinity and to St. Sergius of Radonezh, founder of the Trinity-St. Sergius Monastery.

How to get there:

Despite this modest surge, the monastery was closed in 1764 as part of the secularization of monastic holdings by Catherine the Great. Converted to parish use for the settlement that had developed around the monastery, the church became the Resurrection Cathedral with the official granting of town status to Cherepovets in 1777.

Following its designation as a town in 1777, Cherepovets gained a formal street plan in 1782 as part of Catherine’s efforts to rationalize the development of provincial centers. In 1789, the new street grid was anchored on the high left bank of the Sheksna by the construction of the Church of the Nativity of Christ in the neoclassical style favored by Catherine.

Imperial-era growth

Cherepovets had made gradual progress in consolidating its position during the reign of Catherine, but a review of the regional administration at the beginning of Emperor Paul’s reign in 1796 deprived Cherepovets of its status as a town and threatened its commercial livelihood. A petition sponsored by local merchants and craftsmen halted the bureaucratic decisions, and in 1802, at the beginning of the reign of Alexander I, Cherepovets regained its town status with slightly under 1,000 inhabitants. In further affirmation of its status, the town was granted a coat of arms in 1811.

A major stimulus to the economy of Cherepovets occurred with the opening in 1810 of the Mariinsky Canal System, which linked St. Petersburg with the Volga River Basin at the town of Rybinsk. With few other settlements on the long Sheksna portion of the waterway, Cherepovets became a base for boat building and repair in addition to barge hauling. By the middle of the 19th century, its population had more than tripled, to more than 3,000. The liberation of the serfs in 1861 deprived many peasants of a way to make a living on the land and consequently increased the available labor force in towns such as Cherepovets. Taking advantage of the situation, entrepreneurs also created new enterprises and factories.

Cherepovets benefited greatly from the energetic leadership of Ivan Miliutin, a shipping magnate and industrialist who served as the town’s mayor from 1861 until his death in 1907, and advanced the town’s river transportation facilities. Although he had only one year of formal schooling, Miliutin possessed great natural intelligence and business acumen. His charitable efforts endowed the town with several schools and led to major improvements in its infrastructure. The Ivan Miliutin house has been carefully restored in a park overlooking the confluence of the Yagorba and Sheksna Rivers.

Other restored historic houses include the magnificent Galskoi estate <hyperlink to my earlier article > on the opposite bank of the Sheksna River, and the Vereshchagin House-Museum in the center of town. The Vereshchagin house, a wooden structure dating from the 1830s, belonged to Vasily Vereshchagin, a prominent figure in the local gentry. His four sons included Vasily Vereshchagin, Russia’s most renowned painter of battle scenes; and Nikolay Vereshchagin, a leading pioneer in the development of Russia’s dairy industry.

The opening of a major northern rail line from St. Petersburg through Cherepovets and Vologda to Vyatka in 1905 provided further impetus to the town’s growth. A number of handsome brick commercial buildings from that period still stand in the center of town. Of special note is the area near at the intersection of Lenin Street and Soviet Prospect (known in the imperial period as Resurrection Prospect, because it led to the Resurrection Cathedral).

From regional center to industrial powerhouse

After the revolution, transportation continued to play a significant part in the town’s development, particularly with the expansion of the Volga-Baltic Waterway and the creation of the vast Rybinsk Reservoir in 1941. During the war years, Cherepovets played a critical role in supplying the military and serving as an evacuation zone for besieged Leningrad.

The town’s phenomenal growth began after the war with the realization of plans conceived in the late 1930s to create a giant steel mill. The area’s favorable transportation links made it possible to bring raw materials — above all iron ore and coal — and ship the finished products.

The early 1950s saw the activation of the first Cherepovets blast furnaces, which produced pig iron. Coke production began in 1956, and in 1958 the first open-hearth furnace began producing steel. The following year brought more advances, including a rolling mill, and the enormous enterprise became a completely integrated production complex. In 1993, the Cherepovets Metallurgic Factory was privatized and became Severstal.

The town’s other major enterprise is the chemical firm PhosAgro, which specializes in the production of fertilizer and was created from the combination of two major plants: Azot (nitrogen) and Ammophos. Together, these industrial giants employ some 40 percent of the city’s workforce and place it among Russia’s top 10 industrial centers.

The fate of Cherepovets’s churches          

Only a few of the town’s churches survived the Soviet period, however. The Trinity-St. Sergius Church was demolished, along with two major churches built in the 19 th century — the Annunciation Church, built from 1848-1861, demolished in 1939, and the Church of the Intercession, built in 1846, demolished in 1959. The Chapel of St. Philipp Arapskii, built in the early 1880s survived along with the Chapel of St. Nicholas, built in 1904 next to the main railroad station. It has since been renovated.

The Resurrection Cathedral also remained standing, and for several years after the revolution, it was used by a splinter, pro-Soviet Orthodox group known as the Renovationists, or the Living Church movement. After the cathedral’s closure in 1934, its five decorative domes were demolished, but its wall paintings, done in 1851, remained, as did those in a refectory expanded in 1884-1885. During World War II, the structure housed a repair facility for aircraft engines, but in 1946 it was returned to the official Orthodox Church as the city’s one functioning house of worship. The decorative domes were restored in the late 1980s.

The Nativity Church was closed in 1931 and converted to various industrial uses. It later fell into disrepair, and its remaining structure was severely damaged by a fire in 1989. A revived parish launched efforts to recreate the church at this highly visible location above the river. Thanks to an outpouring of private donations, work on a reconstruction of the church and its bell tower in their original form began in 1992 and was completed in 1997.

Despite serious economic fluctuations, Cherepovets has succeeded in maintaining an economic presence that supports numerous educational, cultural and religious institutions. Of special note is the new Cathedral of Sts. Afanasy and Feodosy of Cherepovets. Begun in 2009 and completed in 2014, the cathedral compound includes a separate bell tower as well as educational and administrative buildings. In 2015, the cathedral became the seat of the Cherepovets Diocese, part of the Vologda Metropolitanate.

Exhibit at MIT shows the beauty of ‘Architecture at the End of the Earth’>>>

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