How to jump the queues with MSC

I had a very interesting Welcome Home call with one of my customers the other week. He had not long come back off the MSC Seaview for 7 nights around the Mediterranean. He had never done MSC before and found the ship to be very stunning. However getting on and off the ship in the ports was always particularly busy and he was finding that some passengers were strolling past the queue, presenting their pass and walking straight onto the ship. At this point i was hoping he had found out why as i was really intrigued as to how these guests could bypass the queue. He says that he understood these to be Yacht Club guests.

Now i have always had the understanding that Yacht club guests get priority check in and check out but i would never have guessed priority boarding would apply to the ports of call. As outlined in our Cruise.co.uk Yacht Club guide click here i understand the following benefits are included as part of the Yacht Club –

• Dedicated priority check-in and check-out
• Butler service available 24 hours
• Dedicated concierge 24 hours a day
• Relaxation amenities in each suite
• Unlimited drinks in all MSC Yacht Club venues or from your mini-bar
• Complimentary beverage selection in all onboard bars and restaurants according to the drink selection available in the venue
• Complimentary access to the Thermal Suite in the MSC Aurea Spa
• 24-hour room service
• Earn MSC Voyagers Club points
• Lavishly fitted suites with ergonomic mattresses, fine sheets, pillow menu, marble bathroom, LCD TV, ample mini-bar
• All-inclusive lunches and dinners in the private MSC Yacht Club restaurant
• Free time dining at dedicated restaurant
• Entry to exclusive areas “The One Sun Deck” and “Top Sail Lounge”
• Access to all ship’s amenities (bars and lounges, specialty restaurants, pools…)
• Premium 20-hours-a-day buffet
• Varied programme of Broadway-style theatre shows available almost every day
• Entertainment activities for adults, infants and children (Clubs…)
• Recreational activities for children: foreign language learning games and Doremi Chef cooking sessions with our onboard staff (subject to availability)
• Open-air sports facilities
• Extremely well-equipped gym

Have you ever come across this on your MSC sailings? Or have you done Yacht Club yourself? Let us know your thoughts and experiences.