RCI vs MSC

[livingonthebeach]

12 hours ago, Tall-Cruiser said:

Back in 2017 we took our first and only MSC Cruise thus far and it was on the Seaside. We loved it and enjoyed ourselves very much. While they do things differently than RCI, it was still great, the ship was beautiful and the food was excellent. I will definitely cruise with MSC again but, next time in the Yatch Club.

 

I did a review after that cruise which was my first time doing a review. Enjoy.

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2491965-first-msc-cruise-msc-seaside-12-30-2017-sailing_review-with-pictures/

Excellent review!  Thanks for sharing.

[LorraineP]

37 minutes ago, Tree_skier said:

We have done one MSC cruise.  It was a Med cruise on Orchestra.  We enjoyed the cruise but would probably never book again.  I found MDR to be mediocre at best. The buffet was a little better.  If memory serves me correctly they served Coke products but that was three years ago so a lot could have changed.  I felt service was indifferent.  It didn't matter if it was GS, cabin attendant, MDR waiter or bartender, they all did their respective job but without any enthusiasm.  The entertainment was definitely a step down from Royal and had far less variety.

 

 If you are the kind of person who like to sit by the pool or pool bar and enjoy drinks you will be disappointed. Attempting to get service during peak times or anytime on a sea day was almost impossible. Someone at MSC made the unfortunate decision to put the gelato bar in the pool bar, requiring bartenders to serve gelato as well as mix drinks.  There is always a crowd of a dozen kids surrounding the bar, as well as the usual crush of drinkers trying to get served.  It was a constant state of chaos.  If you depend on the limited servers wandering the pool deck for bar service you will remain thirsty and sober.  

 

Our cabin, which was a balcony cabin on deck 8 forward port was very nice. The size and decor were commensurate with what we have experienced on Royal.

 

You will hear every announcement in five to seven languages. Every variety show will also have the same thing going on.

 

Overall I thought the ship was very well maintained and the common area looked lovely.  I know the overall tone of my review is negative and that isn't really intention.  It's just that we left that cruise without any enthusiasm to do it again.

 

One of the constant chorus' that these threads repeat is you must do Yacht Club.  We did not do YC and when we cruise we have never done anything other than a standard balcony cabin.  Based on what I have read here on CC, if I were ever to consider booking an MSC cruise again, I would pay the premium price for Yacht club or not book at all.  When you select YC you lose one of MSC's biggest benefits and that is their better price.  Comparing Harmony in a 1 bedroom Grand suite to MSC in a Yacht club deluxe suite your pricing levels out.  

 

I think your decision depends on your willingness to purchase the deluxe Yacht Club package.  If that is not in your budget I'd give MSC a pass.

Totally agree with you it’s YC or RCL. 

[Tall-Cruiser]

2 hours ago, livingonthebeach said:

Excellent review!  Thanks for sharing.

You are welcome. 

I think MSC will do well sailing out of PC. Their ships are beautiful and the pricing is generally very good. While I didn't have a Yatch Club suite on that sailing, I agree with most that if one can afford it, it's the way to go. For the price, you get a lot more than other cruise lines offer at that price point. 

[John&LaLa]

4 minutes ago, Tall-Cruiser said:

You are welcome. 

I think MSC will do well sailing out of PC. Their ships are beautiful and the pricing is generally very good. While I didn't have a Yatch Club suite on that sailing, I agree with most that if one can afford it, it's the way to go. For the price, you get a lot more than other cruise lines offer at that price point. 

 

I've been looking, and YC with balcony is fairly pricey

[LorraineP]

18 minutes ago, John&LaLa said:

 

I've been looking, and YC with balcony is fairly pricey

But well worth it unlike RCL suite life, which absolutely not worth it. 

[molly361]

22 minutes ago, John&LaLa said:

 

I've been looking, and YC with balcony is fairly pricey

Just read this thread  4 nights in Sept 2021 for $2700 was the least expensive short cruise I saw

 

$4900 for 7 nights October 2021

Edited August 16, 2020 by molly361

[grandgeezer]

We've done the YC twice, in August of 2018 and October of 2019. Both were on the Seaside and both were 14 days (two 7 day B2B). Both times we paid about $2850 p.p. all in. The internet was based on usage and we only used about 3/4 of it. We also paid the grats ($12 p.p. per day, no matter what category your in) and that's in the all in price. It also included the drink package which covered every bar on the ship plus full mini bar, replenished twice a day). Individual drinks were so much cheaper than the other lines so we had no trouble getting our drinks of choice plus trying some new ones.

Because of the growth in popularity, the prices have rose dramatically to the point of chasing us out of the market. If after the pandemic, the prices drop back to reasonable, we'll be in the front of the line to book.

[Tall-Cruiser]

16 minutes ago, John&LaLa said:

 

I've been looking, and YC with balcony is fairly pricey

Would you say pricier for the same amenities compared to RCI. A while back when I looked the price of the YC Suite was in the range of a JS to GS on some Oasis class. But with demand things can obviously change.

[sandebeach]

YC prices have greatly increased since we did our first YC sailing on Divina a few years ago. At that time it was under $3000 total for 2 people. I am booked for Seaside next March and the current price is $5000 for two people. I do play slots in the casino and they have variable slot points (each type of machine has a different point value). If you get 1200 points, you can get a 30% discount on your next cruise. I always aim for the casino discount. The only other discount you can combine with casino discount is the Voyager 5% discount. So we are paying about $3600 for a 7 day cruise. 

[LorraineP]

43 minutes ago, Tall-Cruiser said:

Would you say pricier for the same amenities compared to RCI. A while back when I looked the price of the YC Suite was in the range of a JS to GS on some Oasis class. But with demand things can obviously change.

RCL doesn’t have anything to offer on any of their ships like MSC YC so can’t compare. 

[George C]

2 hours ago, John&LaLa said:

 

I've been looking, and YC with balcony is fairly pricey

MSC has matching status which will give you a 5 percent discount and lots of other perks. If you are a veteran you get ten percent off price. Agree rccl has nothing like YC , Celebrity suites on edge are about the same , pool area , suite lounge open all day with high end liquor and even a better restaurant than YC.

[hloakes]

We did a two week trip (B2B East and West Caribbean) on the Seaside last summer. We really enjoyed our time on the ship. The service and food was different because it seems to be a more European line than RCI. The buffet was fine, but not great. I thought the evening shows were some of the best I have seen on a ship. We did the Bella Experience, which is the basic service, with a balcony. The cabin was roomy enough for us. We paid around $4000, which we thought was a good value. We did not visit their private island which may not have been open at that time. We ate in the dining room most evenings and the food was good. We did skip one night the second week because we did not like the options the first week on that particular evening. 

 

We will definitely go on another MSC ship in the future.

[John&LaLa]

2 hours ago, LorraineP said:

RCL doesn’t have anything to offer on any of their ships like MSC YC so can’t compare. 

 

You don't think STAR is comparable 

[LorraineP]

54 minutes ago, John&LaLa said:

 

You don't think STAR is comparable 

Absolutely not. Where’s the STAR private pool & spa? 

[John&LaLa]

1 hour ago, LorraineP said:

Absolutely not. Where’s the STAR private pool & spa? 

 

Not my cup of tea. Did that with Haven, to many kids. There was so much to do on Allure TA.

 

Front row Mama Mia

Cupcake class multiple times

Guacamole class 

Sushi Class

Aqua Theater balcony

Any specialty restaurant 

In suite parties

In room coctails delivered

Custom cake

 

You can get these services with YC

 

Edited August 16, 2020 by John&LaLa

[George C]

26 minutes ago, John&LaLa said:

 

Not my cup of tea. Did that with Haven, to many kids. There was so much to do on Allure TA.

 

Front row Mama Mia

Cupcake class multiple times

Guacamole class 

Sushi Class

Aqua Theater balcony

Any specialty restaurant 

In suite parties

In room coctails delivered

Custom cake

 

You can get these services with YC

 

What was the cheapest 7 day star cruise? I am a rccl fan but for the dollar YC is a better deal . Most of the things listed I really would not be interested in, also not sure Of the perks of the large suites that would be equal to the size of the star suites . We paid a little over 2k for our seaside YC, and we have mentioned many things YC has that rccl doesn’t offer even with star. We did like entertainment on msc but that can’t compare with rccl. Surprised newer rccl ships do not have a dedicated pool area like YC and celebrity for suites. Really enjoyed my Johnny Walker blue which was unlimited when I upgraded the free drink package for 17 a day which I doubt star offers. Agree plus’s and negative on both . 

[Tall-Cruiser]

I just did a dummy booking for March 21, 2021 for Seaside vs Harmony. While the two ships are not comparable, still there is a huge difference in price with a Seaside YC Balcony for about $5.2k vs a GS on Harmony at $11.2k.

 

 

[LorraineP]

52 minutes ago, John&LaLa said:

 

Not my cup of tea. Did that with Haven, to many kids. There was so much to do on Allure TA.

 

Front row Mama Mia

Cupcake class multiple times

Guacamole class 

Sushi Class

Aqua Theater balcony

Any specialty restaurant 

In suite parties

In room coctails delivered

Custom cake

 

You can get these services with YC

 

Anyone can buy these: Cupcake class, Guacamole class, Sushi Class, any specialty restaurant, order specialty cake & decorations. We eat at specialty restaurants on RCL most nights, MDR food is not good. Perks in YC can’t be bought only available if staying in YC. 

[BecAus]

11 hours ago, livingonthebeach said:

 

Grand suite and above on Royal gets free wine and beer all day in Coastal Kitchen.  Don’t know if that will change when cruising resume.  I’ve heard good things about Seaside and will try it.  Is the status match a one time only thing? 

 

I hadn't heard of this perk.  We are booked in a GS on Quantum for a NZ cruise in Jan' 22 - REALLY hoping we will be sailing by then although I don't have any real confidence at this stage, just fingers crossed.

 

Now we are Diamond my husband and I don't usually bother with the drink pkg, I just get the Refreshment pkg for our son, so this would be great if it is still offered if we have lunch in CK and would like a drink.

[George C]

11 minutes ago, BecAus said:

 

I hadn't heard of this perk.  We are booked in a GS on Quantum for a NZ cruise in Jan' 22 - REALLY hoping we will be sailing by then although I don't have any real confidence at this stage, just fingers crossed.

 

Now we are Diamond my husband and I don't usually bother with the drink pkg, I just get the Refreshment pkg for our son, so this would be great if it is still offered if we have lunch in CK and would like a drink.

Suite perks are much nice addition to diamond really like CK for breakfast and lunch . I sure you will be able to get free beer , soda and wine all day, I really dislike there wine, drinks at night basically same as diamond. We love GS suites.

[sandebeach]

1 hour ago, Tall-Cruiser said:

I just did a dummy booking for March 21, 2021 for Seaside vs Harmony. While the two ships are not comparable, still there is a huge difference in price with a Seaside YC Balcony for about $5.2k vs a GS on Harmony at $11.2k.

 

 

I have been trying to upgrade to a GS on sailings from November to next September. The prices are higher than I ever remember seeing. 

[John&LaLa]

2 hours ago, Tall-Cruiser said:

I just did a dummy booking for March 21, 2021 for Seaside vs Harmony. While the two ships are not comparable, still there is a huge difference in price with a Seaside YC Balcony for about $5.2k vs a GS on Harmony at $11.2k.

 

You picked an odd week for Royal. GS on Harmony for March of '22 is only 6 grand

 

Now, if we want to Cherry Pick, I have an OS on Symphony for March of 22 for $3,400😁

[maureencruiser]

I have loved my MSC cruises.  Now, my budget is  nowhere near YC prices, I usually travel solo, so, lots of inside cabins for me.  I've done a few MSC reviews, sadly my pictures are gone, but, still plenty of information.  As other posters have said, lots of changes to drink packages, etc.  My first one I was unable to finish, but, the first couple of days are there...

 

And, back on the Divina in 2016, live this time....

 

That is not my picture, lol, not sure why it shows up...

 

[George C]

1 hour ago, sandebeach said:

I have been trying to upgrade to a GS on sailings from November to next September. The prices are higher than I ever remember seeing. 

Keep on checking the price we booked a GS a couple of years ago for 2500 price eventually went down to 2k and we were able to get a OS for the original price of a GS, this was on Oasis 

Edited August 17, 2020 by George C

[Tall-Cruiser]

21 minutes ago, John&LaLa said:

Now, if we want to Cherry Pick, I have an OS on Symphony for March of 22 for $3,400😁

An OS on Symphony for $3,400! Now that's a super great deal.Good for you.