Thinking about cruising on MSC

[island visitor]

We normally cruise on Royal Caribbean.  I really like the price of the cruises on MSC that I have been looking at.  Will I see much difference in the two cruise lines?  Also do you have to buy extra packages on MSC?  I am curious about what the yacht club is.

Edited May 3, 2023 by island visitor

[1kaper]

I haven’t done yacht club but they say it is a totally different experience. I think it would be much better than a regular RC experience. 
 

I haven’t sailed RC but from what I have read, the service is similar to Carnival. What you will find on MSC is the service is different.  More “European”. For example, room Stewards aren’t the same. It is more “behind the scenes”. They aren’t as super chatty. People read it as rude but it’s more the idea of them being in the background. 
the shows are also different. 
 

I book the free drinks and wifi package and haven’t had to buy extra. I do believe there are extra packages for the arcade if you have kids. And there are upgrades restaurants but that is the same on most lines. 
 

you can pay to upgrade the drink package but it isn’t necessary. 

[Georgia_Peaches]

Depending on the ship you’re used to sailing with RCI and the one you pick with MSC, you will likely find many similarities as it relates to amenities for children, teens, young adults and the young at heart. For example, I equate the seaside class on MSC to the Oasis class on Royal (not necessarily due to size as I think Oasis class are bigger) but to what is offered on the upper decks:  ropes course, water park, splash park, solarium, variety of pools and bars. MSc ships are beautiful and grand. They sparkle. Service is more European and the shows in the theater seem more generic to appeal to a wide variety of patrons from all over the world. 
MSC has quirks as well depending on the class one books. We have only booked YC and can attest that it is a far superior Suite experience than we ever had with Royal. 

[Illbcruzn4life]

4 hours ago, 1kaper said:

I haven’t done yacht club but they say it is a totally different experience. I think it would be much better than a regular RC experience. 
 

I haven’t sailed RC but from what I have read, the service is similar to Carnival. What you will find on MSC is the service is different.  More “European”. For example, room Stewards aren’t the same. It is more “behind the scenes”. They aren’t as super chatty. People read it as rude but it’s more the idea of them being in the background. 
the shows are also different. 
 

I book the free drinks and wifi package and haven’t had to buy extra. I do believe there are extra packages for the arcade if you have kids. And there are upgrades restaurants but that is the same on most lines. 
 

you can pay to upgrade the drink package but it isn’t necessary. 

Of course you are paying extra for the “free” drinks and wifi package. On some 7 day Caribbean I have been looking at the prices are about $500 more than if you booked without it.

 

it is still cheaper than if you booked those separately.

[morpheusofthesea]

7 hours ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

We have only booked YC and can attest that it is a far superior Suite experience than we ever had with Royal.

We agree compared to RCCL suite class or even Celebrity Retreat. For example on RCCL when one books a suite one is not a 'second class' passenger to a non suite paying Pinnacle guest. We had to wait for a reservation in the Coastal Kitchen because non suite Pinnacles took our time slot. On embarkation day the hallways are closed for cabin cleaning and one cannot retrieve ones key card or drop off carry on luggage. The key card is needed to get into the Coastal Kitchen/Lounge for suite guests to wait until cabins are ready and no concierge was available to let us in and wait. Had to wander around to find a spot to wait. MSC YC key cards are in hand at terminal checkin and cabins are ready upon embarkation. Also Comedy Club requires a reservation for suite guests, not for non suite Pinnacles. Not the same for MSC non YC Diamonds over riding YC guests. Here is our list of things to appreciate about MSC Yacht Club.

  

Never sailed on a MSC ship in a cabin outside the Yacht Club. But we can list now all the things to look out for when booking any cruise ship.

#1 E muster drill is better

#2 Two cabin cleanings per day

#3 No % charge for gambling unless using cash

#4 No extra charge for can sodas vs fountain drinks

#5 Reserved seating in the theatre for all shows

#6 Complimentary bottled water

#7 Reserved or ability to reserve pergola/cabanas on pool deck

#8 'Cushioned' pool lounges

#9 Escorts on and off ship avoiding long lines

#10 First to use tenders off the ship at ports that tender

#11 Dedicated restaurant that is so good one need not book Specialty Restaurants

#12 Service that does not involve 2 hours to complete a meal

#13 An attentive butler not hard to find when needed

#14 Cabins ready upon embarkation/ key cards in hand at checkin

#15 Dedicated restaurant OPEN port days

#16 Dedicated buffet to only suite guests

#17 Dedicated pool and sun deck only for suite guests with ample lounges

# 18 All the advantages of a mega ship with the exclusivity of a gated community

#19 walk-in shower not low profile tub/shower combo

#20 No non-suite paying Pinnacle/Zenith/Diamond passengers taking up prime real estate in the Yacht Club

#21 Elevator over-ride key cards for suite guests

#22 Pristine out island with NO bugs crawling all over cabanas

#23 short distance between cabin and restaurant decks

[KennyFla]

6 hours ago, Illbcruzn4life said:

Of course you are paying extra for the “free” drinks and wifi package. On some 7 day Caribbean I have been looking at the prices are about $500 more than if you booked without it.

 

This is for 2 people, right?  For 2 people that would be $35 pppd.  

[1kaper]

7 hours ago, Illbcruzn4life said:

Of course you are paying extra for the “free” drinks and wifi package. On some 7 day Caribbean I have been looking at the prices are about $500 more than if you booked without it.

 

it is still cheaper than if you booked those separately.

I'm well aware it costs extra. 
On the last three cruises I booked with them it was still a significant savings. 
On one I was looking at it was cheaper to book then add it on. 
It’s the same on all the entry level lines that offer “free drink package”. 
The question was do you buy extra packages as compared to RC. I don’t have to buy it. And it is much cheaper than RC. 

[shipgeeks]

On MSC you can book one of four "experiences": Bella, Fantastica, Aurea, Yacht Club. Each will give you certain benefits.  For example, if anytime dining is important to you, book Aurea, as the first two have set dining times.

The main differences we notice on MSC are the European style of service and amenities. Service is more formal and less friendly/gushy. Foods might not always be exactly what we have on RC.  And many of the passengers will probably be non-Americans.  We like that, as it feels more like being away on vacation; others might find that a negative, to not be able to talk with everyone around them.

We sail Bella, and have never bought drink/wifi/dining packages.  Our experiences were excellent.

If you have a good loyalty level with RC, apply for a status match with MSC.  That will give you some additional benefits.

[JamieLogical]

I have never sailed RCL, but I had sailed NCL, Celebrity, and Princess prior to my recent first sailings on MSC. I found everything to be as good or better than NCL and Princess. I would say only the food was slightly below what I would expect on Celebrity. I never had any issue with stand-offish or unfriendly service. I had several crew members actually hug me goodbye on the last day of my most recent cruise!

 

What I liked most about MSC is that they haven't made as many cuts to service as the "big three". They still have nightly turndown service in addition to your daily room cleaning. They still have free continental room service breakfast for Fantastica & above. They still have a different menu in the MDR every night. The buffet is still open and fully stocked for dinner. These are all things I have seen disappear from other lines in the past year or so.

 

The main things that were different for me were the set dining times/rooms/tables, the fact that drinks aren't allowed in the theater, and that you are limited to a "tastings menu" if you buy a specialty dining package. All of those were things I could easily live with (well, maybe not the no drinks in the theater), which is why I am now booked on three more MSC cruises over the next 9 months.

[Georgia_Peaches]

45 minutes ago, JamieLogical said:

What I liked most about MSC is that they haven't made as many cuts to service as the "big three". They still have nightly turndown service in addition to your daily room cleaning. They still have free continental room service breakfast for Fantastica & above. They still have a different menu in the MDR every night. The buffet is still open and fully stocked for dinner. These are all things I have seen disappear from other lines in the past year or so.

Most significant differences right here!  I said recently that MSC didn’t bleed money during the shutdown like the other lines because of their parent shipping company keeping them afloat. The proof is spelled out right here, JL!  Other lines have made these cuts (and will likely continue to make more) because they are in a perpetual cycle of trying to dig out of a very big financial hole. 

Edited May 4, 2023 by Georgia_Peaches

[Illbcruzn4life]

5 hours ago, 1kaper said:

I'm well aware it costs extra. 
On the last three cruises I booked with them it was still a significant savings. 
On one I was looking at it was cheaper to book then add it on. 
It’s the same on all the entry level lines that offer “free drink package”. 
The question was do you buy extra packages as compared to RC. I don’t have to buy it. And it is much cheaper than RC. 

Thanks , that’s exactly what I said.😊

Edited May 4, 2023 by Illbcruzn4life

[Illbcruzn4life]

7 hours ago, KennyFla said:

This is for 2 people, right?  For 2 people that would be $35 pppd.  

Yes thats for 2 for drinks and wifi with 1 device. Price for easy plus drink package is $427 pp and wifi is I think around $70 something pp. 

 

so much cheaper paying $500 additional when you book compared to close to $1000 after the fact .

[1kaper]

2 hours ago, Illbcruzn4life said:

Thanks , that’s exactly what I said.😊

I totally read it the wrong way round. Sorry. 

[Illbcruzn4life]

1 hour ago, 1kaper said:

I totally read it the wrong way round. Sorry. 

No harm, no foul. 👍🏻

[island visitor]

Thank you everyone for your responses.  We are definitely going to book with MSC for a cruise in January 2024.