The amazing view from the Top Sail lounge
Dinner at the Yacht Club's private restaurant
A spot of tea, perhaps?
Chief Butler, Vinod Valiyaparambil
When I told friends in the industry that I was sailing the Med on the MSC Splendida, they all had the same reaction: “It’s very European.”
What does that mean? That the women can negotiate cobblestones on 4 inch heels? That the men have an abiding fondness for hair product? That they dine at 9 p.m. with their kids?
Yes to all that – and more. It meant that while the crew seamlessly shifted from Italian to Spanish to English (to German to French), we North Americans were definitely the minority. You know, just like in Europe.
“We like to say that on MSC, it’s Europe by day – and Europe by night,” said Mary Anne LaChance, MSC’s Regional Sales Manager. And indeed, it was an amazing slice of middle class Europe afloat.
But not just middle class – in the lofty surroundings of the Splendida’s highest decks is the elegant Yacht Club.
Comprised of generously-sized staterooms accommodating just 160 passengers happy to pay a sizeable premium, this “ship within a ship” also features a spacious lounge with a million dollar view; non-stop elevator service from the lower decks; and butler service.
Oh those butlers. These 17 gents and 2 ladies will make you feel like you are living upstairs at Downton Abbey. They’ll escort you to dinner at the Yacht Club’s private restaurant in the aft of the ship (where the sommelier offers 28 white wines, 25 reds and 3 rosés). They’ll ensure you have primo seats on the excursion buses. They’ll serve you afternoon tea from a choice of 7 blends (“Strong or weak?” murmured our butler). And other goodies include 24 hour room service, complimentary drinks, afternoon canapés with full tea and free wifi.
According to the Chief Butler, the extremely accommodating and kind Vinod Valiyaparambil, the many nationalities who comprise the Yacht Club clientele enjoy what they experience. “Repeat business? Oh yes. Recently we had a passenger who came back 2 weeks later.” Of course he wouldn’t tell us who. Butlers are known for their discretion.
Good to know: Here are some miscellaneous tips about MSC that your clients may find useful. Plugs in the staterooms accommodate North American appliances. Shampoo is provided, but conditioner is not. Smoking is permitted in quite a few public areas, but as in Vegas casinos, the ventilation system is very good. Evening shows are of the magician/theatrical style, so language is not an issue.
