sidari

24 minutes ago, insidecabin said:

We status matched to Black(Diamond) and got the benefits, first being the booking discount, then all the on board benefits.

 

On board they will probably sort it out, 

The main benefit now is the meal.

 

Given there are a couple UK TA that are offering 15% discounts go through them and they should sort out any applicable voyager discount for the booking.

 

We have been Diamond for some time now, the MSC response was in reply to a question about status match. Seems someone is making it up as they go along at the UK office.

Did you receive the benefits from the get go? ie on your first cruise as a Diamond member? the response below is from the UK office claiming that it does not happen from the start!

Does anyone who status matched have a different answer to this response from MSC ? When you did your first cruise did you receive all the benefits of Diamond ?

Hi Dave, thank you for your message. We can see that there is a misunderstanding in the information above. We can guarantee that the process of Status Match does not grant new clients straight access to the Diamond Membership. Thank you.

11 hours ago, goofy7777 said:

https://frequentfloaters.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/B2B_TA_Status-Match_Conversion-Table.pdf

 

Here is a list of matched levels.

Not really helpful, I am trying to find out if those matched to Diamond are getting the benefits from their first cruise which according to MSC UK they are not!

4 hours ago, Suzieanna said:

Please go back to the "Italian" style we know and love you for.    Bring back the limoncello pudding in MDR, put the gelato back into the drink package programme, and my own personal wish - bring back the Chocolate Ship!

 

It might be worth looking at the Voyagers Club and adding a level above diamond/black.   And keep this for people who have actually cruised with you.   

 

 

Yep.

Heard from a friend that it is not him but someone aged 79. I know Gene was not that old.

Does anyone who status matched have a different answer to this response from MSC ? When you did your first cruise did you receive all the benefits of Diamond ?

Hi Dave, thank you for your message. We can see that there is a misunderstanding in the information above. We can guarantee that the process of Status Match does not grant new clients straight access to the Diamond Membership. Thank you.

On the status match issue, this is the reply I received today 16/2/23 from your UK office. It appears to contradict many posters on cruise critic.

Hi Dave, thank you for your message. We can see that there is a misunderstanding in the information above. We can guarantee that the process of Status Match does not grant new clients straight access to the Diamond Membership. Thank you

1 hour ago, ddlb said:

I would really appreciate the  pro and con remarks of this cabin.  I booked it and I’m really excited about it on deck 14 Seaside. I saw a great youtube on the cabin.  However  I am  bit concerned about the elevator if it is really noisy or a long wait.  I know it will involve a lot of walking which is ok too. If you have any helpful hints they would be welcomed. Also I am a bit confused on the anytime dining is it in the main dining room?  I understand there’s a dining area for Aurea suites but I may want to dine with other people not included. 

We had Deck 14 on Seaside on the Inaugural sailing from Miami, no issues with the lifts and they are a plus due to being used less than the others on the ship. Fantastic views all around, A great amount of wardrobe space and plenty of room. A large shower and a view of the sea from the bathroom with the door open via the long narrow window. Certainly worth the money plus you have the Top 19 sundeck with it's own bar and plenty of sunbeds. There is an area in the Aft main dining room for Aurea guests so no need to wait in line just walk in and see the host 

When are MSC going to recognise those who have remained loyal and earned their Diamond status level from the start by sailing with MSC? How about OBC or free Laundry for those of us who have done that ?

4 hours ago, elmsliebev said:

thanks, yes i've seen the info on the site. Was just wondering if you were going soon and the emails were being sent out in any order. No matter. 

Our sailing is the end of April, not sure MSC will email every customer.

1 hour ago, elmsliebev said:

when do you go? We go in 3 weeks and haven't had an email yet. 

If you are from the UK the info is on their site, same should be true for other Countries.

MSC REMOVE COVID - BREAKING NEWS 
Mediterranean, Norway, Red Sea, Dubai and Southern Caribbean (Barbados) - Starting from 12 February (departure date) for all guests of any age it will be no longer required to be fully vaccinated against covid-19 or to bring pre-boarding test.
IMPORTANT NOTE: All guests arriving or in transit from China or Hong Kong, are requested to submit a negative test result (Antigen/PCR) performed within 48 hours before departure, in compliance with the regulation of landing country
 

1 hour ago, ready2cruzagain said:

Was wondering if they have a special for Valentine's Day? They raised the price of the cruise I was going to book this weekend up and extended the kids sail free promo. I know over some holidays they will raise the price of cabins then throw a "special" then reduce the cabin price again. Was wondering if that might happen with Valentines.  Hate waiting but hate paying the extra. Should have booked the other day 🤦

They have one on the UK site but other than the Inside lead in price of £999 virtually all cabin prices are the same.

4 hours ago, mcoler181 said:

I thought USA sailings didn't have any restrictions anymore?

13 hours ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

What does “apart from USA sailings and Chinese nationals” mean? 

I am guessing for Chinese Nationals plus the USA still has restrictions on those who have not had the jab and are currently prevented from entering the US.

According to the MSC Italian website restrictions will be dropped from February 12th apart from USA sailings and Chinese nationals.

9 hours ago, Sysdeath said:

What does priority boarding really mean?  I am on the Mera in a couple of weeks and my embarkation time is 2:30 PM.   Does that mean I can board earlier than 2:30 PM?   I cannot get a clear answer from MSC.

It means you will queue in a different line to all those who are booked in Fantastica and Bella cabins, usually Aurea will have a smaller queue.

1 hour ago, kelleherdl said:

The cruise cards themselves are still RFID on the smart ships. All MSC blank cruise cards are pre-punched so folks won’t ruin the RFID.

 

Dennis

Cannot believe that the wristbands were one use only.

14 hours ago, eagletwo said:

We were told by the Meraviglia hotel manager the wristbands cost $15 each to make. Not worth it to produce them for the entire ship outside the Yacht Club. 

Somewhat pointless spending millions on RFID technology for the ship's then.

We have sailed with friends who were staying in the YC on Seaside and went in to see their room have a drink with them and then returned to the Top 19 area, when they had the Royal suite on Meraviglia we also went in to see that also but left shortly after. We were also shown around the YC areas one evening by a member of staff with whom we are still friends. I can understand that the powers that be don't want the YC areas filling with guests who are not in the YC.

23 minutes ago, Nunagoras said:

JIMHO; at the current perks per value scheme I'd say it doesn't worth it anymore. Better to have a YIN cabin a little bit above those rates than Aurea suites... To each their own though. If a particular cabin location, anytime dining and the top deck are priorities for you go for it. For me Aurea is just a glorified Fantastica with very few to add on. I'd to save those extra bucks for anything else.

We were thinking along those lines but booked an Aurea suite on Virtuosa because the premium extra drinks were with it, will miss the massage though. Our first stop is Lisbon in early May.

Did any of you report the individual's involved ? This behaviour is not acceptable in any profession.

4 hours ago, BertieRulesOK said:

I'm classic VC which gets 10% off thermal pass.  I can't see anyway to get the discount online, so I presume it must be a on board perk/discount only.  Which naturally leads to the question.... is the thermal pass more expensive to buy on board than online prior to the cruise (I know things like drinks packages increase in price onboard) taking into account 10% discount?

 

Hoping someone has come across this before and knows the answer!

It could be that once you log on to your account and you book the Spa that the 10% is taken off then, never booked it because it has been included in our Aurea bookings, hopefully someone will be able to give a definite answer.

5 hours ago, phissy said:

FYI

Just chatting with our travel agent.

He told me that MSC no longer allows travel agents to discount cruises.

He is able to offer additional OBC or rebate check at conclusion of cruise.

In the past, we were able to get discount on final price.

Is that just a USA thing? 

11 minutes ago, L1211 said:

Seasoned NCL cruiser trying first MSC cruise in March.  It’s a quick 4 day to accommodate college break.  We’re in Aurea and understand that provides access to a private sun deck.  We’re Vibe Beach Club fans from NCL. Anyone have experience with both?  Vibe has an active bar with the best bar tenders on the ship.  cold towel, water and cold fruit service,

umbrellas, hot tubs, showers, padded loungers,

etc.  I can’t find YouTube videos on Tip 19 for Mera… any insight welcome!! 

There was no fixed bar on the Top 19 on Mera only a daily pop up one which only had drinks that were included in the Easy drink package, if you had any of the others you had to go fetch them yourself unless a waiter happened to wander by. There are no showers or padded loungers and the two hot tubs are overlooking the pool deck.

The UK has the daily service charge as MSC call it added into the cruise price, as others have said the charge is added daily and paid for at the end of the cruise.

3 hours ago, rool said:

Just my luck.

The child in me always wanted the chocolate ship but just as we achieved Diamond status it changed for the little bar.

We enjoyed very much though the macaroons and prosecco  one afternoon on the balcony.

On top of that the free speciality dinner and priority embarkation still makes it a worthwhile achievement.

Similar thing happened to us,  reached Black and MSC dropped the Loyalty club which gave 20% off future cruises and brought in the Voyagers club with just 5% for almost everyone.