drsel

Another Major difference-- MSC is the only cruise line to have never sold or scrapped any ship during the entire Covid pandemic. Instead they built and launched more new ships. Almost all other cruise lines including Costa have sold ships or scrapped them. Costa sold neoClassica, neoRiviera, Mediterranea and neoRomantica ( later scrapped ) Costa scrapped Victoria. Right now Costa has 13 ships

Actually I have not even contacted the MSC customer care for a long time, because my agent is quite efficient and does all the work for me. TA also gives me 6.6% of the fare as a discount, which is better than OBC. MSC is usually much cheaper than Carnival, especially considering the Wi-Fi and drinks package; but I really love Carnival also.

Some more differences-- MSC has got many new ships--Meraviglia, Bellisima, Seaview, Seaside, Grandiosa, Virtuosa, Seashore, Seascape, Euribia, World Europa and even more being constructed; whereas Costa has only 4 new ships--Venezia, Toscana, Firenze & Smeralda MSC is right now the fastest growing cruise line and is expected to overtake both Royal Caribbean and Carnival in the near future.

Exactly what I am thinking. But don't worry, Costa bargains will come. As the sailing date approaches, the prices will keep falling and you may actually get some last minute deals

You are correct on both counts. I also noticed that Costa 2023 fares have gone up substantially for no apparent reason. Hence I mentioned earlier that I cannot find many bargains on Costa right now. The only bargain is a Transatlantic from Santos to Barcelona. We have already been on many Costa cruises, most were really good bargains. Like the 29 night grand voyage for $1017 + €290 service charge. But right now, they are not quite the value they were till as recently as October 2022

Even the naked man in the Costa Firenze sauna was sitting on the bench without a towel . But what was the most gross thing you saw?

You mean a naked man on the bench with hot coals beneath?

MSC is the only cruise line which offers a status match. MSC will match the highest status you have achieved in any of the major Cruise lines or major Hotel chains. Costa does not offer any such status match, nor do most of the other Cruise lines

MSC is the only cruise line which offers a status match. MSC will match the highest status you have achieved in any of the major Cruise lines or major Hotel chains. Costa does not offer any such status match, nor do most of the other Cruise lines.

Another major difference is in their loyalty system. In Costa club, even if you sail with them every year, your accumulated points have to expire after 3 years, and the status level you have achieved will change (fall) accordingly. Whereas in MSC Voyagers club, you will always retain your lifetime accumulated points and highest status if you sail them at least once every 3 years. In the American Cruise lines, your points and status never expire, even if you stop sailing with them.

Another major difference is in their loyalty system. In Costa club, even if you sail with them every year, your accumulated points have to expire after 3 years, and the status you have achieved will fall accordingly. Whereas in MSC Voyagers club, you can retain your lifetime accumulated points and highest status if you sail them at least once in 3 years

How much did you pay per person per night and for how many nights? What is your deal breaking price point for unlimited alcohol and unlimited Wi-Fi?

If I wanted to cancel or change a cruise in 2023 which was booked using a FCC (future Cruise credit,), I would first choose a new Cruise in 2024 and then ask my travel agent to transfer my FCC from the 2023 cruise to the 2024 one.

There was no classic violin or piano concert. If you compare a good acrobatic show Vs a spectacular grand production show featuring outstanding performances, fabulous costumes and elaborate sets, both on the same Costa Firenze; you will see a clear difference!

Right now Costa Favolosa has a cheap 15 night transatlantic cruise from Santos to Barcelona on 13 Apr 2023 Prices starting just from 339 pounds + 165 euros service fees.

Costa Firenze had 3 spectacular production shows & guest artists (acrobats, singers, etc) on the other 4 nights.

I agree with you regarding the respective websites, customer care, beautiful ships and onboard service. But I disagree regarding the embarkation time. On one of the excellent Costa bargains, which was a 29 nights grand voyage from Venice to the Greek Isles, Suez canal, Red Sea, Jordan, Oman, Maldives & Bombay for just $1017 plus €290 service charge; the embarcation took over 2 hours and the ship was also late by two and half hours. Which meant we were waiting for 4.5 hours in Venice. On all MSC Cruises we embarked within 20-30 minutes. I also think that both Cruise lines are extremely clean, no problem at all regarding cleanliness or hygiene. I agree with you that the Yacht club passengers on MSC are given VIP treatment, and they well deserve it considering how much more they are paying. The MSC Alcohol and Wifi package is extremely low priced if you buy it along with your Cruise, at the time of booking your Cruise. I also agree with you that the MSC excursions are very expensive but it doesn't matter to us, because we always go out on our own. Regarding the grand shows-- although MSC had 7, the 3 grand shows on Costa Firenze were truly top class with outstanding performances, fabulous costumes and elaborate sets. These shows were in the same league or even better than those on the premium cruise line Celebrity

I got many excellent bargains on Costa in the past, which is why I sailed with them so often. but nowadays I cannot seem to find many bargains on Costa, unlike MSC.

Well I am getting Costa last minute Dubai and Abu Dhabi Cruises for just 152 pounds, including all port fees and taxes, excluding service charges. Costa Transatlantic cruises to South America were also very cheap, around 30 pounds per night Costa Cruises are worth buying up to 40 pounds per night

One thing in which Costa beats MSC hands down is last minute prices. As the sailing day approaches, often you get amazingly low fares on Costa, as they try to sell off the last few cabins. No such luck with MSC!

I was just wondering whether or not to choose the Easy Plus package for MSC Cruises in the Norwegian fjords and Baltics from 17th May to 18 June 2023, considering how cold it will be. As you well know, in the MSC Easy Plus package, the best drinks are the frozen cocktails, and even the other cocktails have got plenty of ice . Without ice, they would not taste as good. So considering how cold it will be in the Norwegian fjords and Baltics from 17 May to 18 June, I expect that we will be mostly having hot coffee and hot water. Hot water is freely available in all the bars and hot coffee is also free in the Buffet. Hence I thought that it does not make sense to pay for the alcohol & WiFi package, even though it is economical, because we will not feel like having any cold drinks or frozen cocktails. What is the majority opinion?

Let me explain . In the MSC Easy Plus package, the best drinks are the frozen cocktails and even the other cocktails have got plenty of ice . without ice, they would not taste as good. So considering cold it will be in the Norwegian fjords and Baltics from 17 May to 18 June, I expect that we will be mostly having hot coffee and hot water. Hot water is freely available in all the bars and hot coffee is also free in the Buffet. Hence I thought that it does not make sense to pay for the alcohol package., which also includes free Wi-Fi by the way.

Considering how cold it will be in the fjords and the Baltics between 17 May and 18 June 2023, does it make sense to take the alcohol package?

At these nude Cruises, the passengers are allowed to be nude at the pool side, but not in the main dining room, nor at the shows. I am not sure what the rules are for the lounge bars. These nude Cruises are also highly overpriced.

So tell him to make it with a double or triple peg of alcohol and tell him to reduce (or remove) the ice and reduce the sparkling water. and yes you can order drinks in the Specialty restaurants without a reservation, and without paying anything for the food. Just walk into any specialty restaurant which is always empty, and order as many free drinks as you want, after telling the bartender the above instructions