Casino Cruise Program Changes

[GPPhilly]

I have seen some posts and some posts on facebook and youtube about changes to the points need to earn free cruise certificates and percentages off.  I also saw that the discounts no longer apply to the YC.  Does anyone know if the possibility to upgrade from a free cruise cert has changed and is the dollar amounts still the same?  I plan to call but work is crazy and I don't know when I will get the chance.  I figured maybe someone here might know.  Thanks 

[voyagerL]

21 hours ago, GPPhilly said:

I have seen some posts and some posts on facebook and youtube about changes to the points need to earn free cruise certificates and percentages off.  I also saw that the discounts no longer apply to the YC.  Does anyone know if the possibility to upgrade from a free cruise cert has changed and is the dollar amounts still the same?  I plan to call but work is crazy and I don't know when I will get the chance.  I figured maybe someone here might know.  Thanks 

Useful video just uploaded on YouTube which covers this: 

 

This is a bit of a gutting change - headlines being:

- 5000 points for 20% off now or a 7 night interior free (which is a reduction from the original 9,999 threshold) 

- 1200 points for 1/3 off voucher is no longer

-  % discount vouchers cannot be used against YC fares 

[GPPhilly]

This video is what lead to my question about the free cruise certificates and being able to upgrade.  

[Georgia_Peaches]

14 hours ago, voyagerL said:

discount vouchers cannot be used against YC fares 

Wow. Glad I used my 30% off voucher when I did. Booked last month for a cruise in August 2023. Used it on a YC interior stateroom. If the vouchers are no longer applicable to YC then I see no reason to continue racking up casino points. Unfortunate change, MSC!

[no1talks]

12 minutes ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

"Unfortunate change, MSC!"

When I saw this post, GP, I thought of you and @psmarkle because of the recent casino activity, about which you both posted.

If MSC thinks they can fill (or nearly fill) YC at the going rate, it hurts their bottom line to put casino folks in those suites, without gamblers undertaking an increased risk to get the YC reward.

The budget US cruiser, which MSC needs in abundance for their increasingly large ships in Florida, still gets a little something at the bottom of the prize list. Remember, getting 1200 points is not particularly tough and 1500 is not the end of the world.

So, the budget cruiser who already looks for a Voyagers Club 5% price break can now make it 5% + 10% with a bit of extra casino play. That's a brass ring the cruisers in that bracket can look forward to capturing. After all, why wouldn't the budget US cruiser risk some coin in the casino? MSC's seemingly unending sale already gave that cruiser free drinks & Wi-Fi and let the kids join the cruise gratis.

 

Some might ask, "Well, if MSC wants to throw a bone to the bargain cruiser, why not keep the 30% and just exclude YC?" I suspect MSC believes 10% will keep those cruisers at the slots just a bit more, but 30% would be giving away too much. The Bella spots, with the freebies added, are already cheap, comparatively speaking.

This is another part of MSC's plan to nab a big bunch of Carnival cruisers, who are quite often in the budget-minded column.

[ginger123snaps]

Well it was fun while it lasted.  We only recently learned about this deal.  We booked 3 cruises using 30% discount casino vouchers.  Without this incentive...I'm open to other cruise lines again.  Still love the yacht club but this was a reason to keep coming back.  They may be making more in on the room but when you factor in what is spent onboard, in the casino, etc....not sure this is smart.  Specially, when you consider that they are getting repeat customers with this.  

Edited December 30, 2022 by ginger123snaps

[GPPhilly]

So I emailed the Casino department last night, they told me that you are still able to do the paid upgrade to the YC with your free cruise voucher.  The price to do this has increased a few hundred dollars.  

[ginger123snaps]

Does the upgrade to YC work out to a better deal then then how I've been doing it with the 30% off.  Had no idea you could upgrade the free room to yacht club.  

[GPPhilly]

17 minutes ago, ginger123snaps said:

Does the upgrade to YC work out to a better deal then then how I've been doing it with the 30% off.  Had no idea you could upgrade the free room to yacht club.  

It has in the past for me.  The cost is a set fee depending from the room level your certificate is.  Oceanview to YC was a better value than 30% off.  

[Captain-John]

11 hours ago, no1talks said:

If MSC thinks they can fill (or nearly fill) YC at the going rate, it hurts their bottom line to put casino folks in those suites, without gamblers undertaking an increased risk to get the YC reward.

 

YC (and lots of other 'premium' concepts - NCL Haven, Celebrity Retreat etc.) pricing is simply astronomical and I cannot see how this will be sustained. Or rather, I hope it cannot be sustained - plenty of people are happy to part with the going rate at the moment - which makes it difficult for those of us who like to secure a good deal!

[ginger123snaps]

Well good to know.  We are on the Seascape in March and July.  I will look into future cruise bookings to see how it all works out.  Thanks for the tip.

[ginger123snaps]

18 minutes ago, Captain-John said:

 

YC (and lots of other 'premium' concepts - NCL Haven, Celebrity Retreat etc.) pricing is simply astronomical and I cannot see how this will be sustained. Or rather, I hope it cannot be sustained - plenty of people are happy to part with the going rate at the moment - which makes it difficult for those of us who like to secure a good deal!

Agree.  NCL Haven was affordable in the early days.  Similar pricing as Yacht club.  Once the new CEO took over and they started the bidding process the prices skyrocketed.  We sailed Haven 3 times before being priced out of it.  I can't justify that sort of pricing for the Caribbean.  

[Georgia_Peaches]

22 hours ago, no1talks said:

When I saw this post, GP, I thought of you and @psmarkle because of the recent casino activity, about which you both posted.

If MSC thinks they can fill (or nearly fill) YC at the going rate, it hurts their bottom line to put casino folks in those suites, without gamblers undertaking an increased risk to get the YC reward.

The budget US cruiser, which MSC needs in abundance for their increasingly large ships in Florida, still gets a little something at the bottom of the prize list. Remember, getting 1200 points is not particularly tough and 1500 is not the end of the world.

So, the budget cruiser who already looks for a Voyagers Club 5% price break can now make it 5% + 10% with a bit of extra casino play. That's a brass ring the cruisers in that bracket can look forward to capturing. After all, why wouldn't the budget US cruiser risk some coin in the casino? MSC's seemingly unending sale already gave that cruiser free drinks & Wi-Fi and let the kids join the cruise gratis.

 

Some might ask, "Well, if MSC wants to throw a bone to the bargain cruiser, why not keep the 30% and just exclude YC?" I suspect MSC believes 10% will keep those cruisers at the slots just a bit more, but 30% would be giving away too much. The Bella spots, with the freebies added, are already cheap, comparatively speaking.

This is another part of MSC's plan to nab a big bunch of Carnival cruisers, who are quite often in the budget-minded column.

This is a very insightful take on MSC’s pivot and I have to say I agree with your assessment. As we are fairly new to MSC we are still learning the nuances of their state-side business model. Truthfully though, we would have still booked the YC w/o the casino voucher because compared to the suite pricing on Celebrity and NCL, it’s still better even without the 30% savings. Now I guess the next question is, will MSC continue to undercut their competitors with YC pricing?  As long as the answer is yes, we will continue to sail with MSC. 

[no1talks]

2 hours ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

"Now I guess the next question is, will MSC continue to undercut their competitors with YC pricing?"

If were to find myself in MSC's C-suite, I'd call for undercutting just enough on Florida departures to offset the downside of limited Florida itineraries, which I think is a bigger weakness than the website/call center. If one wants to get to the Windward and Leeward Islands on MSC, one has to fly out for an island embarkation. Other cruise lines go there from Florida.

[GPPhilly]

So I thought I would update based on my experience.  I was able to use a free cruise certificate earned on my last cruise in October.  I was also able to upgrade to the Yacht Club for the normal upgrade fee.  The upgrade fees have increased for 2023 by about $500 from the last time I upgraded.  I had no issue.  I have found that if you have some time that using the casino email to book was extremely efficient.  It does take a day or so sometimes to get a response but it was so easy.  When I called the first time to book they could not find my certificate in the system so they said to email.  I did and attached a copy of the certificate.  I asked is it possible to still pay for the upgrade and their response was absolutely.  Just sent the information requested ad a day later I had my booking.  I just needed to call in and pay the upgrade fee.  

[def0715]

Out of curiosity, what was the “normal upgrade fee” (before it increased), if you don’t mind sharing? Is the upgrade fee different for sailings of different lengths? Thanks.

Edited January 6, 2023 by def0715

[GPPhilly]

4 hours ago, def0715 said:

Out of curiosity, what was the “normal upgrade fee” (before it increased), if you don’t mind sharing? Is the upgrade fee different for sailings of different lengths? Thanks.

I assume it is still the same concept.  There is a set fee from each room level you earn for your certificate and it is the same for 7-10 night sailings.  I did not do any shorter so I am not sure for a 3 or 4 night.  The upgrades range from $1,000 to $2,500 total depending what level you start and were you are going.  If you want exact numbers feel free to message me