A taste of MSC for those X cruisers wondering how bad can it be? (Long!)

Before we sailed MSC ( We sailed Divina in the YC) we were told that on European sailings you pay for water, as is customary in restaurants in Europe. On U.S. based sailings they provide tap water for no cost, as is customary in the U.S. In the Yacht Club restaurant both still and sparkling bottled water was available for no cost.

Agreed, it's an Italian thing.

That said, for bookings made in the US for Europe they used to include a voucher book to include water. It sounds like that doesn't happen anymore.

I'm not sure about balconies, but smoking was certainly permitted on deck.

There is no smoking allowed on balconies and there are designated areas on specific open decks. There is also a small area in the casino where smoking is allowed. This is on the Seaside.

There is no smoking allowed on balconies and there are designated areas on specific open decks. There is also a small area in the casino where smoking is allowed. This is on the Seaside.

Maybe this is another US/European thing. People on the Poeaia were smoking in all areas of the open decks, including the exclusive suites and Aurea deck, (Deck 16). In the casino, there was a sign saying that smoking was allowed, but for players only.

It appears that MSC is "all over the map" with some of their policies. Depends on the ship and area of the world they are sailing in. Hopefully, when people post observations they will indicate which ship they were sailing on. :)

I have enjoyed reading your take on MSC vs. Celebrity. Thanks!

It appears that MSC is "all over the map" with some of their policies. ...!

We all know that Celebrity doesn't fit that category!:rolleyes::rolleyes:

We all know that Celebrity doesn't fit that category!:rolleyes::rolleyes:

Ha, ha!!! You are so right!;)

Here is a thread from another board where they were quite pleased with their Poesia cruise:

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2656256

Here is a thread from another board where they were quite pleased with their Poesia cruise:

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2656256

It states they were on Opera - unsure if it’s the same class?

It states they were on Opera - unsure if it’s the same class?

Opera is the older, smaller Lirica Class, built in 2004. Poesia is Musica class, built in 2008, same year as Solstice.

Source, Wikipedia

Good Morning,

My wife and I have 29 cruises with Celebrity, and number 30 coming up in a couple of months. Last year I spotted a great rate on MSC in their Yacht Club and jumped on it. It was in one of their inside Yacht Club cabins, and at less that $1,300 per person (7 day cruise), I didn't think we could go wrong.

In addition, because we are Elite Plus with Celebrity we were given Black Card status with MSC, which is their highest level. This provided a 5% discount on the cruise + $200 ship board credit each (that was the going rate back in 2017.)

Below is my take on our cruise:

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2619975&highlight=kelmac

Yes, we would love to do another MSC cruise, but only if we could score an inside cabin in the Yacht Club.

Enjoy!

Kel:D

Thanks for your review

In the last few weeks I have been looking at MSC because of price, the Yacht Club and status matching

How was the food overall? And service in MDR?

In a thread awhile back regarding Princess vs Celebrity, I mentioned that after our next 2 cruises to Alaska on Princess we might give MSC or Oceania a try. We are Elite on Celebrity and enjoy their product as well as Princess which we usually choose for itinerary.

I knew that this was probably a wide difference in price point between the two but we were looking for something new. However your review, and comments from others about Yacht Club perks may just make up our mind to look towards MSC.:D

Be advised that in order to qualify for the MSC Black Card, proof of X status must be provided in advance. At least it was when we qualified a year or two ago. You can't just walk on board and demand it..

How about entertainment is MUCH BETTER on MSC...

Thank-you OP, for this very interesting tread.

Like others have mentioned, we have enjoyed Celebrity a lot and have two more Celebrity Cruises planned. Celebrity will definitely remain an option for us after.

This said, I was curious about MSC and, thanks to info on this tread, if the combination of price and itinerary work, we may try them.

Just one quick question about matching status. Celebrity Elite is matched with MSC Black card. That much is made clear. But, If you’re only Select (one status below Elite) on X, any match on MSC?

P.s. The tipping policy on MSC seems interesting. The tipping policy on X is awkward. I don’t like to deprive hard working staff, their well deserved income, therefore we always use the prepaid gratuities. But, the staff is now expecting a little extra; which I also give. I just find “ judging” how much little extra difficult to assess without being cheap or trying to show off. I like the simplicity that comes with, here’s the price, here’ s how much tip is expected and then let’s have fun!

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Good Morning,

 

My wife and I have 29 cruises with Celebrity, and number 30 coming up in a couple of months. Last year I spotted a great rate on MSC in their Yacht Club and jumped on it. It was in one of their inside Yacht Club cabins, and at less that $1,300 per person (7 day cruise), I didn't think we could go wrong.

 

In addition, because we are Elite Plus with Celebrity we were given Black Card status with MSC, which is their highest level. This provided a 5% discount on the cruise + $200 ship board credit each (that was the going rate back in 2017.)

 

Below is my take on our cruise:

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2619975&highlight=kelmac

 

Yes, we would love to do another MSC cruise, but only if we could score an inside cabin in the Yacht Club.

 

Enjoy!

Kel:D

Kel, thanks for your review, may I ask, what were the perks with the status match? You mentioned OBC, was there any free laundry? Thanks in advance

We have had one cruise with Celebrity (2017 - Infinity) and one with MSC (2014 - MSC Divina, new ship). We thought the Divina was fabulous, and absolutely stunning. We couldn't have enjoyed our cruise more! Food (subjective) was very good, shows were excellent, lounges had great music, and accommodations (balcony, non-suite) were wonderful That said, we booked a repeat upcoming cruise on Celebrity (Silhouette - November 2018). We love what Celebrity offers (style, accomodations, food), but would consider either in the future.

Kel, thanks for your review, may I ask, what were the perks with the status match? You mentioned OBC, was there any free laundry? Thanks in advance

Hi c kitty,

There were several additional perks, many we never used as the Yacht Club provided such a unique and all-inclusive experience. Since it was a seven day cruise, I don't remember any laundry deals. We had so much OBC ($200 each), we picked up a few things from the gift shop, but most we just converted to cash in the casino by using it for a couple pulls on a slot machine, and then hitting the cash out button.

I do remember getting a free meal in an alternative restaurant, two large all chocolate ship models*, sparkling wine/fruit basket in the cabin, cheap wifi, free ice cream...,

https://www.msccruisesusa.com/en-us/MSC-Voyagers-Club/Voyagers-Club.aspx

*these looked cool (like a foot long), but we never ate one or even packed them for the journey home. Just left them in the refrigerator. They were enclosed in a plastic box with a bow around the middle. MSC is really into chocolate and it can be found all around the ship.

All the perks would probably come into play if we had booked a regular cabin.

Enjoy!

Kel:D

Thank-you OP, for this very interesting tread.

 

Like others have mentioned, we have enjoyed Celebrity a lot and have two more Celebrity Cruises planned. Celebrity will definitely remain an option for us after.

 

This said, I was curious about MSC and, thanks to info on this tread, if the combination of price and itinerary work, we may try them.

 

Just one quick question about matching status. Celebrity Elite is matched with MSC Black card. That much is made clear. But, If you’re only Select (one status below Elite) on X, any match on MSC?

 

 

P.s. The tipping policy on MSC seems interesting. The tipping policy on X is awkward. I don’t like to deprive hard working staff, their well deserved income, therefore we always use the prepaid gratuities. But, the staff is now expecting a little extra; which I also give. I just find “ judging” how much little extra difficult to assess without being cheap or trying to show off. I like the simplicity that comes with, here’s the price, here’ s how much tip is expected and then let’s have fun!

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Celebrity Select status equates to MSC Gold, still worth having. They require evidence, so I sent them a screen shot from my

Celebrity account page showing my points and status.

Celebrity Select status equates to MSC Gold, still worth having. They require evidence, so I sent them a screen shot from my

 

Celebrity account page showing my points and status.

And in case some don't know, they don't just match other cruise lines...they also will match hotel programs. I don't know specific level requirements, but that could be worth pursuing if you can't get to black status with a cruise line match.

They offered me "still or sparkling" and I asked for "plain water with ice" and had no issue getting it. So while I agree they didn't offer me "tap water" as I recall, it was there and it was free.

Actually I've been to nicer restaurants stateside and was offered "still or sparkling" and have had the same thing happen when I asked for plain ice water.

Did you sail in Europe? Their policies and practices are different for US vs. Euro sailings.

It appears that MSC is "all over the map" with some of their policies. Depends on the ship and area of the world they are sailing in. Hopefully, when people post observations they will indicate which ship they were sailing on. :)

 

I have enjoyed reading your take on MSC vs. Celebrity. Thanks!

Seems perfectly reasonable to follow Euro practices for Euro sailings and US practices for US sailings. If that is all over the map it is because the world is all over the map.

Thanks for your review

In the last few weeks I have been looking at MSC because of price, the Yacht Club and status matching

 

How was the food overall? And service in MDR?

If you do Yacht Club you won't be eating in the MDR.

Msc has a status match , so if you are elite you become black card with there perks including 5 percent off fare, better yet if you are a veteran they give you 10 percent off, but you cannot combine these two.

The Voyager's club discount is 5% for all cabins.

it is because the world is all over the map.

Lol[emoji6]