Previously "Royal loyal" now to try MSC - confused!

[Sancho_proudfoot]

We have previously been 'loyal' RCCL cruisers ( apart from once on Celebrity) but are looking very seriously at MSC. We know about "status match" ( we have applied and will be 'black carded' for MSC).

 

If (when?) we book a suite on MSC, apart from the obvious (bigger room, bigger balcony, bath tub not just a shower etc) what could ws expect? These "experience" levels their website talks about confuses the heck out of me. Can someone explain to us quite simply and briefly the suite perks?

 

Thanks cruisers!

Edited February 18, 2019 by Sancho_proudfoot

[Into Cruising]

Do not base  your experience  on the word "suite"   The equivalent experience you are looking for is Yacht Club.   For MSC a suite is just a room, albeit a very nice one.  Even better than some in the Yacht Club,  but they do not get the perks of the Yacht Club.  They will get the associated experience of Fantastica or Aurea. 

 

Trust us, go for the Yacht Club

[Markanddonna]

The Yacht Club is the ship area within the ship and may not be within your budget.  We returned a week ago from our first MSC cruise and were granted black status. Here are some of the benefits and I bolded some I thought were more important.  We had a wonderful experience and our coupon for the free dinner stated it was for two people- we are both black card status.  We had the Fantastica level which meant the selection of rooms was supposedly better and your dining time selection was assured (probably not if you booked last minute.)  

 

PRE-BOARD PRIVILEGES

Pre-board MSC Voyagers Club special e-newsletter

MSC Voyagers Club personalized luggage tags for embarkation in your e-ticket

Priority boarding on embarkation day only, available at all ports

 

 

ONBOARD PRIVILEGES

MSC Voyagers Club infopoint

MSC Voyagers Club card

Welcome back cocktail

Onboard dedicated number

A collection of flexible onboard offers

Milestone Reward

Complimentary fresh fruit basket per stateroom (once per cruise)

Complimentary one-hour thermal area session (once per cruise)

Complimentary gift

Priority disembarkation in ports where a tender boat is required

Complimentary photo. Photo offered will be from the Welcome Back cocktail.

Complimentary birthday cake

Complimentary specialty restaurant "Tasting Menu" dinner for two (no beverages, one dinner per stateroom) [FAQ's Section 4.3]

Complimentary spumante with chocolate-dipped fruit per stateroom (once per cruise)

Priority disembarkation at end of cruise

Courtesy toweling bathrobe and slippers available during the cruise

Complimentary dance class

MSC Voyagers Club exclusive Black Card Party

MSC Voyagers Club Chocolate Ship

Late stateroom check-out at disembarkation

[SeaTheW0rld]

This explains the different "experience" levels nicely. 

 

https://www.msccruisesusa.com/en-us/Discover-MSC/Our-Fares.aspx

 

 

[Beachin2]

Another 'Loyal Royal" trying MSC for the first time this fall.  Note on your status match:  you will now match to MSC Black if you are Pinnacle with RC.  D and D+ now match to MSC Gold, which was a disappointment for us anyway.  We had applied for the match last year well before the change, but apparently they rarely process them unless there is a booking number associated with the request.

 

We opted for the Yacht Club on the Seaside for 14 nights in October.  Interesting that pricing for that sailing was about $1K higher than the B2B we had reserved on the Adventure in a balcony for about the same time period - and, of course, the YC basically comes with a drink package so I can't say it's really more $ at the end of the day.  Besides, everything I read looks like it is definitely well worth the $1K difference for the 2 weeks.

 

There are a ton of videos on the net of their ships and various experience levels.  Research, read and watch for yourself.

Edited February 18, 2019 by Beachin2

[Shippy]

On 2/18/2019 at 5:24 AM, Sancho_proudfoot said:

We have previously been 'loyal' RCCL cruisers ( apart from once on Celebrity) but are looking very seriously at MSC. We know about "status match" ( we have applied and will be 'black carded' for MSC).

 

If (when?) we book a suite on MSC, apart from the obvious (bigger room, bigger balcony, bath tub not just a shower etc) what could ws expect? These "experience" levels their website talks about confuses the heck out of me. Can someone explain to us quite simply and briefly the suite perks?

 

Thanks cruisers!

   I think you are a bit confused with your 'obvious' remarks....

I personally cannot stand the YC1 cabins on Seaside. I think a minisuite on Royal is bigger.

BUT......the yacht club experience...nothing else like lt.

Starts at the beginning at the port.....you do not go in. You go to the tent outside where a butler takes your luggage and escorts you to a room where you have champagne and cookies until you board....escorted of course by your butler.

and it just goes on from there.

 The Divina has spacious YC2 cabins that are 2 rooms. I have no idea why, but I think they are the grand area suites on the Seaside and not eligible for yacht club entry.

[Essiesmom]

The Fantasia class ships have some balcony cabins on decks 8&9 that have a tub/shower.  They are also present on Seaside, I had one on deck 14 and saw several others.  EM