A ship within a ship. That’s how I’d describe my stay in the Yacht Club on MSC World Europa. This private enclave — a luxury offering becoming more sought-after on cruise lines — includes amenities available only to passengers in this floating oasis. And, as I learned during my voyage, the Yacht Club lends a feeling of exclusivity to the onboard experience.

Yacht Club perks start with check-in, as I was ushered directly to a private lounge, where attendants in tails and white gloves took care of registration details while I sipped Champagne. They led me into Top Sail Lounge, wrapped in windows, with curved sectional sofas and other sumptuous seating, a patio, top-shelf bar, and nightly entertainment. A pre-dinner glass of bubbly with a bowl of handmade potato chips became my evening ritual.

I met my butler, assigned to tend to my needs 24/7, including making restaurant, spa and show reservations; mine even offered to escort me to dinner each evening since I was a solo cruiser. He gave me a tour of my spacious deluxe suite, which had the largest bathroom I’ve ever had on a cruise ship. The shower was especially roomy, with gloriously strong water pressure. It also had a queen-sized bed, two armoires, a living area with sofa and table, daily stocked minibar, unlimited WiFi, and a large balcony with patio table and chairs.

© MSC Cruises

One of the major perks of the Yacht Club is its exclusive restaurant, which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner (and an elegant afternoon tea several times each sailing). All meals are included, no reservations are necessary and I always found the cuisine and service top notch. The à la carte menu changes daily (no buffets here), with some favorites always available. I had so much fresh Mediterranean fish; other standouts included grilled prawns, hamachi crudo over avocado, filet Oscar and a duo of broiled tails during the ever-popular lobster night. Staff was accommodating if you wanted substitutions or something prepared a bit differently. For more casual fare, Yacht Club Bar & Grill serves breakfast, burgers and sandwiches at lunch, and late afternoon snacks.

One evening during the week, La Brasseria buffet becomes an additional à la carte dining option solely for Yacht Club members. I noshed on passionfruit salmon tiradito, crispy ponzu-glazed pork belly, whole fried fish and grilled Greek-style lamb chops.

If you want to explore the culinary options on the rest of the ship, you can pay extra to dine at one of the specialty restaurants — or add on a dining package. My favorite by far was La Pescaderia, where I had eggplant spread with still-warm pitas, light and flaky fritto misto, Greek salad, and roasted Sardinian sea bass served tableside.

However, it is definitely worth venturing out of your private abode to try some of the drinks onboard. That’s not to say Yacht Club can’t make a great cocktail, and they also pour Champagne by the glass and fab European wines. But the ship boasts some pretty incredible bars, and Yacht Club guests receive a premium drinks package. The Gin Bar serves upwards of 75 kinds to mix into creative variations of the G&T, spritz and martini. Fizz Champagne Bar pours bubbly from around the globe including Crémant, Franciacorta and Cava. Masters at Sea is one of the only breweries on a cruise ship. As a tea devotee, I loved the selection of brewed beverages (including cocktails) at Raj Polo Tea House. There’s even a hidden speakeasy, if you’re lucky enough to snag an invite.

© MSC Cruises

When you’re not eating, drinking or thinking about it, you can work out in the massive fitness center or sunbathe on Yacht Club’s pool deck. While the pool itself is small compared to the others on deck (there is a decently sized whirlpool), the area itself is less crowded. Yacht Club passengers also get daily access to the co-ed thermal area in the adults-only MSC Aurea Spa. A pool-sized whirlpool with various jets is surrounded by heated stone lounge chairs; other areas include aromatherapy showers, cold-plunge pools, an ice room, salt room, steam room and a duo of saunas overlooking the water.

Of course, you’ll also want to get off the ship and explore. My seven-day Mediterranean itinerary was unique in there were passengers arriving and departing at each of the port stops. After my adventures on land, I always reboarded via a (much shorter) security line dedicated to Yacht Club passengers.

MSC World Europa can accommodate 6,762 passengers, but you wouldn’t know it from inside Yacht Club. Every time I left the area, though, it was as if I were suddenly transported to a different ship, with more people, more lines and more of that “regular” cruise vibe. I’ll admit it was all too easy to get accustomed to this self-imposed quarantine. Yet I found exploring the rest of my surroundings from time to time made me appreciate this rarefied experience even more.

MSC World Europa
MSC Cruises