Is a New Top Level in The Voyager's Club in the Offing?

no ,I don't book cruise line for status .BUT if I have Black card and before only 10-20 pas. would have it on one cruise ,now it's 200-300 and my priority embarkation and other perks become useless. Plus its really piss me off as a loyal customer .

So, reading the anger in your post, my question to you is...do you cruise MSC because you like the product or because you can board the ship faster? If we do not like MSC after our first cruise with them, we will not continue to sail her.....as stated before, I do not, nor will I ever care about status. Shaming new pax because there happens to be a status match is not our fault and if after all of the research I did, found that I wasn't interested in the new product (had no idea MSC came to the States) then I would not have booked it. I really don't think people are going to shell out thousands of dollars because of a status match. They are going to book because they are interested in the product.

So, reading the anger in your post, my question to you is...do you cruise MSC because you like the product or because you can board the ship faster? If we do not like MSC after our first cruise with them, we will not continue to sail her.....as stated before, I do not, nor will I ever care about status. Shaming new pax because there happens to be a status match is not our fault and if after all of the research I did, found that I wasn't interested in the new product (had no idea MSC came to the States) then I would not have booked it. I really don't think people are going to shell out thousands of dollars because of a status match. They are going to book because they are interested in the product.

Again I love the product and no status much will drag me to NCL again for example, but it's just not fair . And lots of people booking now just because of status match. Shaming new pax? where did you get this idea? We are talking about MSC wrong movement .

It's that age old thing. We find a good thing. We love it. But, word spreads, and now we have to share it with others...that's how the cookie crumbles!

We have always been "loyal to royal" - but their service levels dropped so badly that we started to look elsewhere.

Had we stayed with them and would have been Diamond Plus next year.

However, we were attracted by the Status Match which got us looking at MSC - we'd never heard of them before.

We liked what we were reading and what others were saying; mostly about positive levels of service onboard.

We looked at prices and have now booked 5 cruises with MSC, totalling 43 nights..........that has certainly worked the way Status Match was intended for MSC.

Sorry if us joining some of you Black Carders causes you personal upset BUT you do need to understand that loyalty means NOTHING to these businesses.

The more cruises you have sailed with them means an increased possibility that you will cruise with them again but that's all - if yet another chocolate ship encourages you to spend then it's $5 well spent by them.

If you don't take the cabin, be sure someone else will - and perhaps they won't be quite as demanding as many long-time loyalty cruisers can be.

On my recent cruise I spoke to the MSC voyager's club/Future cruise consultant who said a new top level is being considered.

She went on to say that members of staff, mainly MSC future cruise consultants, had been asked to submit possible names for the new level and she told me her suggestion. I thought her idea was pretty good but won't post it as she may have a good chance of winning. Suffice it to say it wasn't Diamond or Platinum or Rhodium or any other exotic precious metal.

She didn't have any idea at what number of points the new level would start.

 

 

 

Another bit of information that I think I heard correctly, but can't be sure I did, was that the status match scheme was valid for only one cruise and after that the points were reset to zero and then the points applicable to that cruise added to their account, leaving many who thought they were BLACK members at CLASSIC or SILVER .

 

IF I heard correctly then there may well very many disgruntled new MSC cruisers to join the disgruntled real BLACK CARD HOLDERS who earned the level the hard way.

 

I reiterate that this second piece of information is my interpretation of what I think she said and it may well be completely wrong.

 

 

Pete

I spoke to them yesterday and was referred to the Q&A section of the status match area......

For how long are points valid?

Points earned at the end of a cruise have a validity date of 36 months from the date of disembarkation. You will need to complete at least one cruise in 36 months since your last

disembarkation date to extend your membership for another 36 months from your last disembarkation date

I did a Voyager Club match also. I was only a Silver, so I don't really care if all I nave now is what I earned on my first cruise with them. I loved the product and have booked the Seaside in a Yacht Club. I'm Platinum on Royal, but I don't sail by my status, but because of the product, and my perceived value.

A lot of the people posting here have missed the fact that the loyal Black card holders, who worked there way up the system had to sacrifice some very good rewards and a couple of ordinary rewards.

1) out went the 20% discount on any cruise ( to replaced with 5% which all members get).

2) A complimentary bottle of Champagne ( Moet and Chandon) per member to a bottle of prosecco per cabin.

3) Dinner with the officers ( replaced by a cocktail gathering)

4) best cabin upgrade available

5) 30% discount on laundry

6) Complimentary dinner for two in a speciality restaurant ( replaced with a tasting menu)

7) 20% discount on excursion purchased on board.

All given up so they can have more black members through Status match.

it's no wonder the Genuine Black card holders, (you can tell them by the fact they have a genuine plastic Black Cards), were and still are peeved.

Pete ( a peeved Genuine Black Card holder)

Bring on the next top level (hopefully at 20,000 points, Which will get to in Oct on my next cruise)

A lot of the people posting here have missed the fact that the loyal Black card holders, who worked there way up the system had to sacrifice some very good rewards and a couple of ordinary rewards.

 

1) out went the 20% discount on any cruise ( to replaced with 5% which all members get).

 

2) A complimentary bottle of Champagne ( Moet and Chandon) per member to a bottle of prosecco per cabin.

 

3) Dinner with the officers ( replaced by a cocktail gathering)

 

4) best cabin upgrade available

 

5) 30% discount on laundry

 

6) Complimentary dinner for two in a speciality restaurant ( replaced with a tasting menu)

 

7) 20% discount on excursion purchased on board.

 

 

All given up so they can have more black members through Status match.

 

it's no wonder the Genuine Black card holders, (you can tell them by the fact they have a genuine plastic Black Cards), were and still are peeved.

 

 

Pete ( a peeved Genuine Black Card holder)

 

Bring on the next top level (hopefully at 20,000 points, Which will get to in Oct on my next cruise)

I don't blame you for being peeved. I would be also but in this case I am one of the ones being given a black status for my first sailing with them. I think it is a great marketing ploy.

I would not have booked with them otherwise. I as a rule don't book short cruises but I will try them because of the match offer.

In all fairness there should be a 2 tier black status. You should get your earned benefits as you earned them and the rest of us the current.

Since they did not do that what would be a solution as the bottom line is their goal. What could they do to lure the big loyal cruisers away from the other lines?

Steve

I wonder if the reductions in the perks are because of the Status Match program or the cruise line making simple bottom line decisions?

 

Bring on the next top level (hopefully at 20,000 points, Which will get to in Oct on my next cruise)

I'm already there, Pete, and I reckon so are a lot of other legit (as opposed to Status Match) Black Card holders. The next level may be at 30000 before decent perks are offered. MSC really needs to incentivise loyal customers. I, for one, would like something to aim for! I really miss the thrill of closing in on the Black.

I MAY get to Platinum next year on Carnival..but they have announced that they are changing their loyalty program, so who knows...I like to try different cruise lines so I doubt I'll make any status on any line any time soon. If I was loyal to only cruise line, I never would have sailed MSC or Disney...(I didn't get a status match...just wanted to try them..and now I'm hooked.)

Can't blame MSC for wanting to expand their market...they are in the business of making money.

I can certainly understand the desire to reach new levels...we humans enjoy goal setting and goal attainment.

But, the "legitimate" versus "Status Match" ire feels beneath all of you great people! You are better than this! Let all that negative energy go and just continue enjoying wonderful cruises with MSC!

I, for one, think the Status Match is a great business choice for MSC. And, clearly, it is bringing more people to the line. And, a profitable cruise line is what we want MSC to be!

If I was loyal to only cruise line, I never would have sailed MSC or Disney....just wanted to try them..

Can't blame MSC for wanting to expand their market...they are in the business of making money.

Totally agree L2C ................

I'm not blindly loyal to MSC. I gave Celebrity a try as my (erstwhile) TA thought it would be "a good fit" for me (he hated MSC). It wasn't for me - MSC offers great value and I love the vibe onboard. But the perks offered at Black gave one a sense of being a valued customer. That has since been eroded, both by the watering down of benefits and by the Status Match programme.

....... the "legitimate" versus "Status Match" ire feels beneath all of you great people! You are better than this! Let all that negative energy go and just continue enjoying wonderful cruises with MSC!

I used the term "legit" to distinguish between those who've spent a lot of money with MSC to attain the top level vs those who could match status due to spending big money on other lines. It doesn't spoil my enjoyment onboard hence the fact that I have 4 other cruises booked with MSC within the next 10 months as well as doing 3 others since the perks were originally reduced.

I, for one, think the Status Match is a great business choice for MSC. And, clearly, it is bringing more people to the line. And, a profitable cruise line is what we want MSC to be!

I agree that it's a terrific marketing ploy by MSC but how them being a profitable cruiseline benefits the passenger is lost on me.

My thought is this. A profitable cruise line is a viable, healthy one. One that can add ships, itineraries, grow, etc. Thus, staying in business, allowing repeat and new customers alike to enjoy it.

I was a loyal customer of Sports Authority. But, my loyalty means nothing now as they are closing...

I'm already there, Pete, and I reckon so are a lot of other legit (as opposed to Status Match) Black Card holders. The next level may be at 30000 before decent perks are offered. MSC really needs to incentivise loyal customers. I, for one, would like something to aim for! I really miss the thrill of closing in on the Black.

Looking points required for each level..............1(CLASSIC)........2200(SILVER)...........4300(GOLD)............10000(BLACK)

2200 x 1.95 = 4300 (SILVER to GOLD)

4300 x 2.33 = 10000 (GOLD to BLACK)

so 10000 x 2.5 = 25000 (BLACK to NEW LEVEL)

so the gradual increase in multiplier would be in keeping with the system as it is,

meaning:-

perhaps 25000 would be better than 30000

too big a jump would deter people from striving to get there

I would guess the average European guest would get 700 points for a Fantastica cruise + 300 - 500 points for spend, making it 13 to 15 seven night cruises to go from black to 25000 whereas it only takes 8 to 10 to get black from welcome at present.,

a total of 21 to 25 cruise to get from start(welcome) to a new top tier

Pete

A lot of the people posting here have missed the fact that the loyal Black card holders, who worked there way up the system had to sacrifice some very good rewards and a couple of ordinary rewards.

 

1) out went the 20% discount on any cruise ( to replaced with 5% which all members get).

 

2) A complimentary bottle of Champagne ( Moet and Chandon) per member to a bottle of prosecco per cabin.

 

3) Dinner with the officers ( replaced by a cocktail gathering)

 

4) best cabin upgrade available

 

5) 30% discount on laundry

 

6) Complimentary dinner for two in a speciality restaurant ( replaced with a tasting menu)

 

7) 20% discount on excursion purchased on board.

 

 

All given up so they can have more black members through Status match.

 

it's no wonder the Genuine Black card holders, (you can tell them by the fact they have a genuine plastic Black Cards), were and still are peeved.

 

 

Pete ( a peeved Genuine Black Card holder)

 

Bring on the next top level (hopefully at 20,000 points, Which will get to in Oct on my next cruise)

Very good points Pete !!!

.............perhaps 25000 would be better than 30000

It certainly would ...... I'd be close to that after my cruise to Durban :D

too big a jump would deter people from striving to get there

I agree with you Pete .............. I felt the road from Gold to Black was a looong one.

Even after attaining Black (and the subsequent dumbing down of benefits) I continued to focus on accumulating points (by having the onboard spend attached to my account so DH only achieved his Black as a result of points awarded for nights onboard) in expectation/hope of another tier being added.

It's been mooted for some time now and, from what I can glean, there are a lot of peeved off Black Card holders unhappy with the Status Match system .......... and I'm not talking about those on the boards here. From talking with others onboard and also from TAs I deal with who have a lot of Black Card members as customers, they're letting Voyagers' Club reps onboard know exactly how they feel about it so MSC is certainly getting enough negative feedback from loyal customers.

It's beyond time that a new level was introduced (that won't be status-matched!) to make us believe that we are what they claim we are - valued repeat customers. I'll still sail MSC though even if it doesn't happen. I'm not loyal for the sake of it - I have many reasons for cruising with MSC - just spare me the marketing bullsxxt that my loyalty is valued when clearly it's not if you can offer the same benefits to others who've never cruised with your company as you do to those who spent hard-earned time and money to gain them!

It's beyond time that a new level was introduced (that won't be status-matched!) to make us believe that we are what they claim we are - valued repeat customers. I'll still sail MSC though even if it doesn't happen. I'm not loyal for the sake of it - I have many reasons for cruising with MSC - just spare me the marketing bullsxxt that my loyalty is valued when clearly it's not if you can offer the same benefits to others who've never cruised with your company as you do to those who spent hard-earned time and money to gain them!

You really think so?

If they create a new top level tier they still could match it. Remember some cruise lines have even higher tiers such as Diamond, but RCCL has Diamond, Diamond plus, and Pinnacle and what a great ploy to steal those customers.

Steve

If they create a new top level tier they still could match it. Remember some cruise lines have even higher tiers such as Diamond, but RCCL has Diamond, Diamond plus, and Pinnacle and what a great ploy to steal those customers.

Steve

That was my thinking, Steve. But MSC could keep the status match level to the Black and offer some incentive to their repeat customers by having a top tier as an exclusive reward for loyalty.

That was my thinking, Steve. But MSC could keep the status match level to the Black and offer some incentive to their repeat customers by having a top tier as an exclusive reward for loyalty.

#firstworldprobs j/k

You seem a lovely person, Bea! I hope MSC sees this thread and takes you up on your suggestion!

#firstworldprobs j/k

 

You seem a lovely person, Bea!

Thank you, SC ..... that's very kind of you to say. :o

 

I hope MSC sees this thread and takes you up on your suggestion!

It's highly unlikely - I sometimes think feedback falls on deaf ears within MSC :rolleyes:

Though, in fairness, I've seen some great changes come about since I started sailing with them in late 2011. "A bit done, more to do" !

Thank you, SC ..... that's very kind of you to say.

 

 

 

It's highly unlikely - I sometimes think feedback falls on deaf ears within MSC :rolleyes:

Though, in fairness, I've seen some great changes come about since I started sailing with them in late 2011. "A bit done, more to do" !

Here's how the club has changed since 2009

2009 benefits (pre Black Card)

2010 Benefits post introduction of Black Card

2012 benefits

Discount on excursions dropped

free champagne dropped

free casino chip dropped

some other discounts dropped

2014 benefits

champagne reinstated

now compare with what is left in the voyager's club

Pete

Just a thought! A lot of the new black card holders who have obtained this via status match have since taken their first MSC cruise. However from this number how many have decided it wasn't for them? What I am trying to get to is that they should then cancel their status match if they are not going to cruise MSC again thus reducing the number of black card holders.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

Pete ............ I agree that the Voyagers' Club benefits have been eroded over the years.

However, I was referring to the improvements onboard since I started cruising with MSC, such as the introduction of the Allegrissimo packages, the recent addition of being able to upgrade the package for the price difference, the increase in wine choices on the premium package, the food has improved with more beef/steak offerings than they used to have, the new embarkation procedures which are designed to speed up the process - credit card validation machines and, the most recent introduction, cruisecards in the cabin (which I've yet to experience). We've had 2 posters on here so far indicating a positive experience with that.

Perhaps it's unfortunate that I made the (general) comment on a thread specifically about VC which could be misinterpreted as "some great changes" to it - though there certainly have been: some great negative changes :mad: It was an attempt to give credit to MSC that they may listen to feedback which has resulted in the changes I've seen. I wish and hope they're taking note of the feedback regarding the Voyagers' Club and act accordingly!!!