Status Match

[Captain-John]

You're not wrong about Priority lines turning into regular lines - I see the odd post on the NCL forum that the Platinum + check-in queues can take longer than the regular lines, if all the stars align (e.g. lots of people arriving all at once).

 

That said, from my recent Orchestra cruise (and this is purely anecdotal, not backed up by any kind of hard numbers), I only saw a handful of other Black cards and the odd Silver/Gold card - but the very vast majority of other passengers had Blue room cards. Of course I only noticed this when they were buying drinks, or if it was visible on a lanyard, or at the spa where the collect them all in pigeon holes. I think a good 70-80% didn't have any kind of status worth bothering about.

[Beamafar]

That's on a Med cruise, CJ. Status-match has caught on big-time Stateside due to the heavy advertising MSC is doing in that region and highlighting the policy as an incentive to other CL regulars to try them. I was primarily thinking about cruises out of Miami, TBH. It'll get to a stage where TRUE priority embarkation will only work with a YC booking. :rolleyes:

[Captain-John]

That's on a Med cruise, CJ. Status-match has caught on big-time Stateside due to the heavy advertising MSC is doing in that region and highlighting the policy as an incentive to other CL regulars to try them. I was primarily thinking about cruises out of Miami, TBH. It'll get to a stage where TRUE priority embarkation will only work with a YC booking. :rolleyes:

 

 

Yes, I commented on this on another thread yesterday (it was one asking if any other line does a Status Match like MSC - https://boards.cruisecritic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=2613137).

 

Wonder how that will work if those YC-only ships get launched! Suppose they will be holding far fewer people in total though so not as much of a pain.

[mafig]

You can status match between Royal Caribbean and Celebrity (and vice versa) and (I think) between Celebrity and Azamara

[sptrout]

You can status match between Royal Caribbean and Celebrity (and vice versa) and (I think) between Celebrity and Azamara

 

Yes they do, but this is a little different situation. The lines you mention are all owned by the same corporation (RCCL, Inc., or something like that), so they are just matching status within the corporate family. IMO, other cruise lines should do the same, especially Carnival, Inc., which own so many different lines, but do not cross match. MSC is generous in their cross match program, which I have taken advantage of (Black Card for my Celebrity Elite status), and I would totally understand people on MSC that earned their Black status the old fashion way; sailing a whole bunch of times with MSC, not being happy with their hard earned Black status becoming less of a true high status.

 

To me, it would seem likely that MSC may add a higher than Black level available only for their long term loyal cruisers. It is going to get to the point where Black status does not mean much like Elite on Celebrity and Platinum on Princess, for two examples.

[Beamafar]

Yes, I commented on this on another thread yesterday (it was one asking if any other line does a Status Match like MSC - https://boards.cruisecritic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=2613137).

 

Wonder how that will work if those YC-only ships get launched! Suppose they will be holding far fewer people in total though so not as much of a pain.

 

I suppose it'll be similar to the way it's handled by luxury cruise lines - something I have zero experience of! :rolleyes: :D

[Beamafar]

To me, it would seem likely that MSC may add a higher than Black level available only for their long term loyal cruisers. It is going to get to the point where Black status does not mean much like Elite on Celebrity and Platinum on Princess, for two examples.

 

There have been rumours of a new tier for some time now. I've even heard the name "Platinum" mentioned by at least 2 different members of MSC staff from 2 very different locations, which leads me to believe that it's being discussed, at least.

 

They need to give some kind of incentive for people at Black to continue cruising with them, IMHO. Even for those who've status-matched. They start off at 10000 points but will accrue more if and when they cruise with MSC again. What's the point of accruing more points if there isn't another tier to achieve? I'll have about 33,000 points after next month - the more I accrue, the less the benefits are as they're slowly being eroded.

[lcpagejr]

As follow up we did hook up with our MSC person. Apparently she was swamped and out for a few days. Anyway I think she got things squared away. It appears I will be black and my wife silver.

I was not focused on the status perks so much but the significant discount available for status which was mentioned when we booked initially but could not be applied until status was granted. That is where much of my concern/ confusion was.

So unless something changes we will be on Seaside early next year.

 

I am also thinking it is a great value. While Seaside reviews haven't been stellar, haven't heard too many knocks on the YC.

 

So look forward to visiting the boards and learning more in the next months.

 

IMO...If you continue to book YC (which I plan to do all the time).....Black Card Status is really irrelevant. I have Gold so I get my discount....Other than the free specialty dinner....which really isn't a "must" for me...what else would I gain?? Educate me....LOL

[Beamafar]

Not everybody can - or wants to - sail in YC so the Black Card perks have added value for them.

[lcpagejr]

Not everybody can - or wants to - sail in YC so the Black Card perks have added value for them.

 

I totally agree.... but is my logic correct if you cruise YC regularly??

[Beamafar]

... or even you only cruise YC once - yes! In YC, (you get a welcome glass of bubbly while waiting to board - depending on the terminal, this can be in a specially-designated waiting room) - priority boarding (escorted by a butler), a bottle of bubbly (in your cabin at embarkation), a bowl of fruit (replenished if used and replaced with fresh fruit after a couple of days, if not), plates of treats such as choc strawberries - all the things that Black will get you. The extras in YC (that Black doesn't get you) are what I've included in brackets.

 

However, these are very nice perks if you're in even the lowest category cabin - Bella inside - if you have Black Card status.

[sidari]

ICP ... you need to look at the benefits chart to decide if moving up to Black will benefit you! We never cruise in the YC though have been tempted on a few occasions but prefer Aurea currently.

Even in the YC there are some benefits of Black that can be useful.

 

The Big loss of Black was the taking away by MSC of the 20% discount on future cruise bookings.

[chisoxfan]

IMO...If you continue to book YC (which I plan to do all the time).....Black Card Status is really irrelevant. I have Gold so I get my discount....Other than the free specialty dinner....which really isn't a "must" for me...what else would I gain?? Educate me....LOL

 

That was my point also...Black Card (like many 'elite' status cards) doesn't do much for you particularly in YC.

 

When I initially spoke to my agent I had the impression from her that Black Card would add significant savings which I was interested in. Subsequently I learned that Silver, Gold, etc, all had the same discount applied.

[asctony]

The Big loss of Black was the taking away by MSC of the 20% discount on future cruise bookings.

I believe you still get this. We booked for the Seaside on the Divina and did get an additional 20%.

[Beamafar]

I believe you still get this. We booked for the Seaside on the Divina and did get an additional 20%.

 

Only on Voyagers Club "Selections" where they offer 5% + 15% - not quite 20%, but that's splitting hairs, which is what MSC is doing in this regard! Often the price has been jacked up for these and the "discounts" aren't worth any more than if you opt for the same sailing with the regular prices.

[lcpagejr]

ICP ... you need to look at the benefits chart to decide if moving up to Black will benefit you! We never cruise in the YC though have been tempted on a few occasions but prefer Aurea currently.

Even in the YC there are some benefits of Black that can be useful.

 

The Big loss of Black was the taking away by MSC of the 20% discount on future cruise bookings.

 

Thanks..... I agree if the 20% was still there, there is incentive to reach that level!

[chisoxfan]

Only on Voyagers Club "Selections" where they offer 5% + 15% - not quite 20%, but that's splitting hairs, which is what MSC is doing in this regard! Often the price has been jacked up for these and the "discounts" aren't worth any more than if you opt for the same sailing with the regular prices.

 

I am new to MSC and don't know all the ins and outs. The discount (Voyager's Club)was significant (almost 20% as you indicated) and all I can evaluate at this point (without trying the product) is that the price is extremely attractive compared to suites on other lines. I did look at pricing for other similar MSC cruises and I did not see the 'jacked up' fares you spoke of. The MSC YC benefits seem much greater than other mainstream lines except perhaps for the Haven on NCL.

I am hoping it meets our expectations as I could see this (YC) as an ongoing choice for future cruises.

[Beamafar]

Thanks..... I agree if the 20% was still there, there is incentive to reach that level!

 

I had only just reached Black when that perk was removed - 2 weeks before the introduction of status-match!

 

Those of us who 'earned' our points have said it so often on this forum that most have given up, but I'll say it again for those that missed it - our beef is with MSC and not with those who status-match!

[Beamafar]

I am new to MSC and don't know all the ins and outs. The discount (Voyager's Club)was significant (almost 20% as you indicated) and all I can evaluate at this point (without trying the product) is that the price is extremely attractive compared to suites on other lines. I did look at pricing for other similar MSC cruises and I did not see the 'jacked up' fares you spoke of. The MSC YC benefits seem much greater than other mainstream lines except perhaps for the Haven on NCL.

I am hoping it meets our expectations as I could see this (YC) as an ongoing choice for future cruises.

 

Did you look at the Voyagers Club section of the website where the "Selections" are located? I have, many a time, and I can assure you that a lot of the time the prices are higher than in the main 'body' of the website.

 

Our upcoming cruise is in YC in 12 days time - our 5th YC cruise and our first >7 night one (it's 28 nights!). YC is a fantastic experience!

[asctony]

Only on Voyagers Club "Selections" where they offer 5% + 15% - not quite 20%, but that's splitting hairs, which is what MSC is doing in this regard! Often the price has been jacked up for these and the "discounts" aren't worth any more than if you opt for the same sailing with the regular prices.

I'm sure there are always differences to pricing a cruise. Been doing it for years and when I go on a cruise I have already priced out what I want and what the prices are. This time on the Divina I priced out the Seaside Balcony and it was only $150 (TOTAL) for 2 guests more than an Inside. In fact, when I booked the Balcony at that time and turned it over to my TA I got a better price. So, I computed the price from onboard and it was over 20% less than the regular prices. So, it was not Jacked up. Get to many offers from too many online TAs not to know the difference. JMHO!

[Beamafar]

To understand the point I'm trying to make, you need to go onto the MSC website and compare the prices of the cruises under the Voyagers Club "Selection" to the prices being offered for the same cruise under their normal promotions. MSC claims to offer 5% + 15% discount on the Voyagers Club Selection cruises, but it's not really a discount at all.

[asctony]

To understand the point I'm trying to make, you need to go onto the MSC website and compare the prices of the cruises under the Voyagers Club "Selection" to the prices being offered for the same cruise under their normal promotions. MSC claims to offer 5% + 15% discount on the Voyagers Club Selection cruises, but it's not really a discount at all.

We normally do 7 to 8 cruises a year on various cruise lines. Done over 100 cruises. Example, Harmony OTS Central Park balcony 7 day $1,650 for 2 in Nov 2018. I think that is good. If you can find me a better rate, please tell me how. I don't look at normal rates regardless of where they are posted. Yes, been there done that. Thanks for your input.

I would be interested in what you can get too compare Seaside B1 Nov 2018. Always willing to share info.

[diesel1973]

We got Oasis 10/28 7 day Central Park Balcony for $620 p/p with $100obc. Much less than the terrible cruise we went on the Seaside in Jan.

[lcpagejr1]

We got Oasis 10/28 7 day Central Park Balcony for $620 p/p with $100obc. Much less than the terrible cruise we went on the Seaside in Jan.

 

Good for you, but not to pop your bubble.... that is considered normal pricing that time of year....Ships aren't full and its considered "low cruise season". Deals that low and lower are on every cruiseline

[diesel1973]

Good for you, but not to pop your bubble.... that is considered normal pricing that time of year....Ships aren't full and its considered "low cruise season". Deals that low and lower are on every cruiseline

Didn't burst my bubble. Just more reasons to cruise that time of year!!!:p:p:p