Rare John&LaLa Posted December 17, 2015 #26 Share Posted December 17, 2015 So that's how Royal will get rid of the overcrowding in the DL lounge - C&A status reverts to Gold if you don't cruise every 3 years.:eek: Nah, you just drop a level every year ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave85 Posted December 17, 2015 #27 Share Posted December 17, 2015 Never really felt compelled to try MSC, but Seaside looks like something else. I'll probably take a wait and see approach and see how the early reviews are before pulling the trigger. The status match is quite nice though! I'm also interested in trying Virgin Cruises in a few years when they start operations. Can't wait to hear more details on what they come up with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hannibal54 Posted December 17, 2015 #28 Share Posted December 17, 2015 I may have to try MSC Divina, even before their new ship gets to Miami. From what I read, Divina is a beautiful ship. Thanks for the link. Hi to Leslie. Bob, we took a cruise on the Divina when she first started sailing out of Miami. The ship was the best looking one that we have been on. At the time, the service was somewhat slow but I am sure by now they are accustom to the US market. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted December 17, 2015 #29 Share Posted December 17, 2015 Bob, we took a cruise on the Divina when she first started sailing out of Miami. The ship was the best looking one that we have been on. At the time, the service was somewhat slow but I am sure by now they are accustom to the US market. Thanks for the feedback Paul.:) Do you remember if the MDR menu is similar to Royal? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MADflyer Posted December 17, 2015 #30 Share Posted December 17, 2015 The competition between RCI and MSC just heated up this morning when MSC signed a private island 100 year lease agreement with the Bahamas. This will be the largest private island development in the Caribbean and will include 6 beaches, including one family beach with a children's restaurant. Also of interest is a 2000 seat venue for shows and entertainment and a night life complex. This last feature made me think of how ideal this stop might also be for Virgin Cruises. http://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/13400-confirmed-msc-closes-deal-on-private-island-in-bahamas-.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MADflyer Posted December 17, 2015 #31 Share Posted December 17, 2015 Thanks for the feedback Paul.:) Do you remember if the MDR menu is similar to Royal? Here are some sample menus from MSC. I am not sure how much the modification for Divina in the US market has been, but I would imagine they maintain European standards while making the adjustments for taste and customs. Normal Dinner http://crew-center.com/sites/default/files/crew-board/files/msccruisessampledinnermenu0.pdf Formal Dinner http://crew-center.com/sites/default/files/crew-board/files/msccruisessamplegalanightmenu0.pdf Yacht Club Dinner http://crew-center.com/sites/default/files/crew-board/files/mscyachtclubdinnermenus0.pdf Dessert http://crew-center.com/sites/default/files/crew-board/files/msccruisessampledessertmenu0.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted December 17, 2015 #32 Share Posted December 17, 2015 Here are some sample menus from MSC. I am not sure how much the modification for Divina in the US market has been, but I would imagine they maintain European standards while making the adjustments for taste and customs. Normal Dinner http://crew-center.com/sites/default/files/crew-board/files/msccruisessampledinnermenu0.pdf Formal Dinner http://crew-center.com/sites/default/files/crew-board/files/msccruisessamplegalanightmenu0.pdf Yacht Club Dinner http://crew-center.com/sites/default/files/crew-board/files/mscyachtclubdinnermenus0.pdf Dessert http://crew-center.com/sites/default/files/crew-board/files/msccruisessampledessertmenu0.pdf Thanks for this, looks interesting. Have not had "Rabbit Thighs" on a cruise yet. I know, probably tastes like chicken. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MADflyer Posted December 17, 2015 #33 Share Posted December 17, 2015 Thanks for this, looks interesting. Have not had "Rabbit Thighs" on a cruise yet. I know, probably tastes like chicken. That is always a safe bet. That may be one item that did not make the cut though on the move over the Atlantic. I seem to remember them having an 'available every day' menu with some very basic staple items for those not wanting to go the more 'exotic' route. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MisterFidgetpants Posted December 17, 2015 Author #34 Share Posted December 17, 2015 Here are Menus from last year in the US http://www.cruisewithgambee.com/msc-cruises-divina-drink-lists/ A review http://www.cruisewithgambee.com/msc-divina-review/ Great photos here https://www.flickr.com/photos/eroller/albums/72157643234679793/page1 Easy to scroll through for food / menus / ship photos here (if you can ignore 75% selfies) https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/mscdivina/ For the week I wanted to go MSC 7 day is $1375 for 3 with all taxes. My sailing did not qualify for the BOGO balcony but many others do. Same week on Freedom of Seas to caribbean 7 day is $2190 with $100 OBC. Comparable class cabins. Time to try the dark side... That's a pretty significant difference Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zermatt Posted December 17, 2015 #35 Share Posted December 17, 2015 We have booked a MSC Cruise to Iceland in July, 2016. We have submitted our request for the Loyalty Match program twice online, the first one back on November 11th, but so far have not received a response. When we called them they just say to resubmit it. Has anyone else had this problem? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted December 17, 2015 #36 Share Posted December 17, 2015 We have booked a MSC Cruise to Iceland in July, 2016. We have submitted our request for the Loyalty Match program twice online, the first one back on November 11th, but so far have not received a response. When we called them they just say to resubmit it. Has anyone else had this problem? Our request was handled in about a week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roquejo Posted December 17, 2015 #37 Share Posted December 17, 2015 We have booked a MSC Cruise to Iceland in July, 2016. We have submitted our request for the Loyalty Match program twice online, the first one back on November 11th, but so far have not received a response. When we called them they just say to resubmit it. Has anyone else had this problem? I also submitted it via website twice already and no response yet. First I used my Hilton Honors Diamond card, then at my 2nd attempt I provided a screenshot of my RCCl Diamond profile... Still no response. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MisterFidgetpants Posted December 17, 2015 Author #38 Share Posted December 17, 2015 For those saying they haven't gotten a response; did you create a Voyagers membership online and THEN submit for a status match? The phone rep told me to do that and I got my discount same day; although have to call back today for the new invoice and black card welcome packet I was supposed to get in email but did not. Call them up, they are pretty good on the phone walking you through the process if you have issues with their website. Bonus - Their automated phone system uses the same "bong" sounds as the Seapass card mades on RCI ships. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tampadee Posted December 18, 2015 #39 Share Posted December 18, 2015 I don't understand why MSC would match Royal Caribbean Diamond. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OfTheSeasCruiser Posted December 18, 2015 #40 Share Posted December 18, 2015 (edited) Does anyone know the Platinum or Emerald equivalent? Edited December 18, 2015 by OfTheSeasCruiser Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave85 Posted December 18, 2015 #41 Share Posted December 18, 2015 I don't understand why MSC would match Royal Caribbean Diamond. They're trying anything they can to poach customers in a market where they don't have a historical presence... It's not rocket science. If such a small incentive earns them a new customer then they've won. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MisterFidgetpants Posted December 18, 2015 Author #42 Share Posted December 18, 2015 They're trying anything they can to poach customers in a market where they don't have a historical presence... It's not rocket science. If such a small incentive earns them a new customer then they've won. To be honest a unique itinerary won me over. Then the price was unbeatable with KSF. Third the ship looks beautiful and gets raves for entertainment. So I figured I have nothing to lose. All the additional perks are a great sweetener and they automatically applied a 5% discount to my cabin fare. They do this on all cabin types. Thanks everyone here for chiming in and being helpful. I'm looking forward to trying out something totally new and seeing how it measures up and how it differs. I hope this post raised awareness of the status match program and others take advantage of the offer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare mcatmcat Posted December 18, 2015 #43 Share Posted December 18, 2015 (edited) I'm emerald and I did it like 2 weeks ago. I followed the instructions took a pic of the crown member of etc and sent it. I don't remember what status I got in MSC but I got an email 5 days after summoning the info with a welcome to MSC and status update Btw Divina is a beautiful ship, the food at the MDR was delicious but buffets and service was really bad in my opinion. I could ago again with MSC since it might be 200-300 cheaper but definitely doesn't feel like royal at all Edited December 18, 2015 by mcatmcat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLSteve11 Posted December 18, 2015 #44 Share Posted December 18, 2015 Bob, we took a cruise on the Divina when she first started sailing out of Miami. The ship was the best looking one that we have been on. At the time, the service was somewhat slow but I am sure by now they are accustom to the US market. I would say same thing. We did the Divina on 2 short cruises (when it first came out and then the next fall). It's a beautiful ship. The service was still kind of slow the second time around as well. Food is ok, nothing special. The entertainment shows were really good in the evening, though there was a lack of things to do during the day (so it seemed to me at least). This is an Americanized version of their regular fleet, so they don't have the heavy smoking issue that their European cruises do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beachammo Posted December 18, 2015 #45 Share Posted December 18, 2015 I was told there was no smoking in the Casino on the Divina..... Is this true? I don't gamble much.....but I do cross through the casino a lot during a cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poncho1973 Posted December 18, 2015 #46 Share Posted December 18, 2015 This is an Americanized version of their regular fleet, so they don't have the heavy smoking issue that their European cruises do. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cot427 Posted December 18, 2015 #47 Share Posted December 18, 2015 I got a status match to black when they first started the program. Went on the MSC website a few minutes ago and I was still black status. I reread the email that I got from MSC when they gave me the match and it doesn't show a time limit. I haven't sailed with MSC yet.....but the do have a new cool looking vessel sailing out of Miami December 2016. I was looking at the same ship Shelton. Looks very interesting. I am looking at that as well...the MSC Seaside. I think it actually comes out December 2017 so it looks like I'm going to have to start booking cruises for 2018 already. I was looking at the deck plans and while it looks interesting, the buffet is mid-ship (maybe deck 6 or so,) which seems weird because I noticed there was nothing but specialty restaurants up top, unless I missed something. Also, thanks OP for posting the link. Just sent the request with the C&A screenshot! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goneclear Posted December 18, 2015 #48 Share Posted December 18, 2015 Bob what did you use for " Proof of Existing Loyalty Membership"? I've no idea where my D+ cards are. I would like to know this also. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare John&LaLa Posted December 18, 2015 #49 Share Posted December 18, 2015 Bob what did you use for " Proof of Existing Loyalty Membership"? I've no idea where my D+ cards are. I don't recall getting a D+ card. I do have a D+ luggage tag, but no name on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MisterFidgetpants Posted December 18, 2015 Author #50 Share Posted December 18, 2015 I logged in to C&A and made a screen capture of my page showing name, status level, current points, member number. Pasted it into MS Paint, cropped and saved as a jpg. Uploaded that to the MSC page. For the "date since" i just put in today's date. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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