Has any Royal Diamond members done status match on MSC?

[John&LaLa]

So that's how Royal will get rid of the overcrowding in the DL lounge - C&A status reverts to Gold if you don't cruise every 3 years.:eek:

 

Nah, you just drop a level every year ;)

[Dave85]

Never really felt compelled to try MSC, but Seaside looks like something else. I'll probably take a wait and see approach and see how the early reviews are before pulling the trigger. The status match is quite nice though!

 

I'm also interested in trying Virgin Cruises in a few years when they start operations. Can't wait to hear more details on what they come up with.

[hannibal54]

I may have to try MSC Divina, even before their new ship gets to Miami. From what I read, Divina is a beautiful ship. Thanks for the link. Hi to Leslie.

 

Bob, we took a cruise on the Divina when she first started sailing out of Miami. The ship was the best looking one that we have been on. At the time, the service was somewhat slow but I am sure by now they are accustom to the US market.

[Clarea]

Bob, we took a cruise on the Divina when she first started sailing out of Miami. The ship was the best looking one that we have been on. At the time, the service was somewhat slow but I am sure by now they are accustom to the US market.

Thanks for the feedback Paul.:) Do you remember if the MDR menu is similar to Royal?

[MADflyer]

The competition between RCI and MSC just heated up this morning when MSC signed a private island 100 year lease agreement with the Bahamas.

 

This will be the largest private island development in the Caribbean and will include 6 beaches, including one family beach with a children's restaurant.

 

Also of interest is a 2000 seat venue for shows and entertainment and a night life complex.

 

This last feature made me think of how ideal this stop might also be for Virgin Cruises.

 

http://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/13400-confirmed-msc-closes-deal-on-private-island-in-bahamas-.html

[MADflyer]

Thanks for the feedback Paul.:) Do you remember if the MDR menu is similar to Royal?

 

Here are some sample menus from MSC. I am not sure how much the modification for Divina in the US market has been, but I would imagine they maintain European standards while making the adjustments for taste and customs.

 

Normal Dinner

http://crew-center.com/sites/default/files/crew-board/files/msccruisessampledinnermenu0.pdf

 

Formal Dinner

http://crew-center.com/sites/default/files/crew-board/files/msccruisessamplegalanightmenu0.pdf

 

Yacht Club Dinner

http://crew-center.com/sites/default/files/crew-board/files/mscyachtclubdinnermenus0.pdf

 

Dessert

http://crew-center.com/sites/default/files/crew-board/files/msccruisessampledessertmenu0.pdf

[Clarea]

Here are some sample menus from MSC. I am not sure how much the modification for Divina in the US market has been, but I would imagine they maintain European standards while making the adjustments for taste and customs.

 

Normal Dinner

http://crew-center.com/sites/default/files/crew-board/files/msccruisessampledinnermenu0.pdf

 

Formal Dinner

http://crew-center.com/sites/default/files/crew-board/files/msccruisessamplegalanightmenu0.pdf

 

Yacht Club Dinner

http://crew-center.com/sites/default/files/crew-board/files/mscyachtclubdinnermenus0.pdf

 

Dessert

http://crew-center.com/sites/default/files/crew-board/files/msccruisessampledessertmenu0.pdf

Thanks for this, looks interesting. Have not had "Rabbit Thighs" on a cruise yet. I know, probably tastes like chicken.

[MADflyer]

Thanks for this, looks interesting. Have not had "Rabbit Thighs" on a cruise yet. I know, probably tastes like chicken.

 

That is always a safe bet.

 

That may be one item that did not make the cut though on the move over the Atlantic.

 

I seem to remember them having an 'available every day' menu with some very basic staple items for those not wanting to go the more 'exotic' route.

[MisterFidgetpants]

Here are Menus from last year in the US

 

http://www.cruisewithgambee.com/msc-cruises-divina-drink-lists/

 

A review

 

http://www.cruisewithgambee.com/msc-divina-review/

 

Great photos here

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/eroller/albums/72157643234679793/page1

 

Easy to scroll through for food / menus / ship photos here (if you can ignore 75% selfies)

 

https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/mscdivina/

 

 

For the week I wanted to go MSC 7 day is $1375 for 3 with all taxes. My sailing did not qualify for the BOGO balcony but many others do.

 

Same week on Freedom of Seas to caribbean 7 day is $2190 with $100 OBC.

 

Comparable class cabins. Time to try the dark side...

 

That's a pretty significant difference

[Zermatt]

We have booked a MSC Cruise to Iceland in July, 2016. We have submitted our request for the Loyalty Match program twice online, the first one back on November 11th, but so far have not received a response. When we called them they just say to resubmit it. Has anyone else had this problem?

[Clarea]

We have booked a MSC Cruise to Iceland in July, 2016. We have submitted our request for the Loyalty Match program twice online, the first one back on November 11th, but so far have not received a response. When we called them they just say to resubmit it. Has anyone else had this problem?

Our request was handled in about a week.

[roquejo]

We have booked a MSC Cruise to Iceland in July, 2016. We have submitted our request for the Loyalty Match program twice online, the first one back on November 11th, but so far have not received a response. When we called them they just say to resubmit it. Has anyone else had this problem?

 

I also submitted it via website twice already and no response yet. First I used my Hilton Honors Diamond card, then at my 2nd attempt I provided a screenshot of my RCCl Diamond profile...

 

Still no response.

[MisterFidgetpants]

For those saying they haven't gotten a response; did you create a Voyagers membership online and THEN submit for a status match? The phone rep told me to do that and I got my discount same day; although have to call back today for the new invoice and black card welcome packet I was supposed to get in email but did not.

 

Call them up, they are pretty good on the phone walking you through the process if you have issues with their website.

 

Bonus - Their automated phone system uses the same "bong" sounds as the Seapass card mades on RCI ships.

[tampadee]

I don't understand why MSC would match Royal Caribbean Diamond.

[OfTheSeasCruiser]

Does anyone know the Platinum or Emerald equivalent?

Edited December 18, 2015 by OfTheSeasCruiser

[Dave85]

I don't understand why MSC would match Royal Caribbean Diamond.

 

 

They're trying anything they can to poach customers in a market where they don't have a historical presence... It's not rocket science. If such a small incentive earns them a new customer then they've won.

[MisterFidgetpants]

They're trying anything they can to poach customers in a market where they don't have a historical presence... It's not rocket science. If such a small incentive earns them a new customer then they've won.

 

To be honest a unique itinerary won me over. Then the price was unbeatable with KSF. Third the ship looks beautiful and gets raves for entertainment. So I figured I have nothing to lose.

 

All the additional perks are a great sweetener and they automatically applied a 5% discount to my cabin fare. They do this on all cabin types.

 

Thanks everyone here for chiming in and being helpful. I'm looking forward to trying out something totally new and seeing how it measures up and how it differs. I hope this post raised awareness of the status match program and others take advantage of the offer.

[mcatmcat]

I'm emerald and I did it like 2 weeks ago. I followed the instructions took a pic of the crown member of etc and sent it. I don't remember what status I got in MSC but I got an email 5 days after summoning the info with a welcome to MSC and status update

 

Btw Divina is a beautiful ship, the food at the MDR was delicious but buffets and service was really bad in my opinion. I could ago again with MSC since it might be 200-300 cheaper but definitely doesn't feel like royal at all

Edited December 18, 2015 by mcatmcat

[FLSteve11]

Bob, we took a cruise on the Divina when she first started sailing out of Miami. The ship was the best looking one that we have been on. At the time, the service was somewhat slow but I am sure by now they are accustom to the US market.

 

I would say same thing. We did the Divina on 2 short cruises (when it first came out and then the next fall). It's a beautiful ship. The service was still kind of slow the second time around as well. Food is ok, nothing special. The entertainment shows were really good in the evening, though there was a lack of things to do during the day (so it seemed to me at least).

 

This is an Americanized version of their regular fleet, so they don't have the heavy smoking issue that their European cruises do.

[Beachammo]

I was told there was no smoking in the Casino on the Divina.....

 

Is this true? I don't gamble much.....but I do cross through the casino a lot during a cruise.

[poncho1973]

This is an Americanized version of their regular fleet, so they don't have the heavy smoking issue that their European cruises do.

 

Thanks!

[cot427]

I got a status match to black when they first started the program. Went on the MSC website a few minutes ago and I was still black status.

 

I reread the email that I got from MSC when they gave me the match and it doesn't show a time limit.

 

I haven't sailed with MSC yet.....but the do have a new cool looking vessel sailing out of Miami December 2016.

 

I was looking at the same ship Shelton. Looks very interesting.

 

I am looking at that as well...the MSC Seaside. I think it actually comes out December 2017 so it looks like I'm going to have to start booking cruises for 2018 already.

 

I was looking at the deck plans and while it looks interesting, the buffet is mid-ship (maybe deck 6 or so,) which seems weird because I noticed there was nothing but specialty restaurants up top, unless I missed something.

 

Also, thanks OP for posting the link. Just sent the request with the C&A screenshot!

[goneclear]

Bob what did you use for " Proof of Existing Loyalty Membership"? I've no idea where my D+ cards are.

 

I would like to know this also.

Thanks.

[John&LaLa]

Bob what did you use for " Proof of Existing Loyalty Membership"? I've no idea where my D+ cards are.

 

I don't recall getting a D+ card. I do have a D+ luggage tag, but no name on it.

[MisterFidgetpants]

I logged in to C&A and made a screen capture of my page showing name, status level, current points, member number. Pasted it into MS Paint, cropped and saved as a jpg. Uploaded that to the MSC page. For the "date since" i just put in today's date.