Different “tiers”

[Drew B 58]

I’m looking into booking with MSC for the first time and I’m really confused by the different tiers.  I understand the Yacht Club.  I’ve been on other lines with the ship-inside-a-ship concept.  What I don’t understand is the Bella/Fantastica/Aurea differentiation.  Am I understanding correctly that if you go with the lowest tier, you can’t choose your cabin or your dining time and you are restricted from a bunch of things on the ship?  Does this create a caste-system mentality where Bella “guests” feel like they are in steerage on the Titanic?

 

Can someone please explain (better than the MSC website) how these tiers actually impact the experience on board?

[Native Floridian 26]

We book Bella.  No difference in experience.  They pretty much lay out the difference on the booking page.  Differences such as no choice of cabin now (before you could pick on Bella) and confirmed dining preference are all I can think of.  We always go straight to the dining room on boarding to meet the maitre d for that.  If they are not ready, they'll tell you to come back a bit later for that. 

[gaunerdog]

I think you are right about the Bella category as far as Cabin selection and dining times. I did not see any restrictions on various activities. We just booked yesterday and chose the Fantastica Balcony  category and selected early dining. We did receive $200. onboard credit and was able to select our cabin number. It is my understanding there are some activities and venues that require additional pricing or may be available with higher categories such as the Yacht Club. We didn't explore the Aurea category as we did not want to pay the higher price. We are leaving out of Port Canaveral and this itinerary will spend 2 days at their Private Island. This will be our first MSC cruise, and have sailed on numerous lines in the past. Hope this might answer some of your questions.☺️

[perakcruiser]

46 minutes ago, Drew B 58 said:

What I don’t understand is the Bella/Fantastica/Aurea differentiation.  Am I understanding correctly that if you go with the lowest tier, you can’t choose your cabin or your dining time and you are restricted from a bunch of things on the ship?  Does this create a caste-system mentality where Bella “guests” feel like they are in steerage on the Titanic?

Your problem as MSC beginner is that your research is more or less useless because all the Bella/Fantastica/Aurea stuff changes constantly. And many ships are older than these "tiers", that is relevant when we talk about cabins. So older reviews are outdated. 

 

Let me give you an example. To make Fantastica more attractive MSC decided that some activities in the Kids Club were only free with Fantastica tier. I am not sure if the kids club staff really enforced this. It was a stupid idea and removed fast. 

 

Some years before you also could select your cabin will Bella, get the free breakfast delivery to the room and so on. Basically there was almost no difference. So during covid MSC finally found the key to promote Fantastica, the choice of cabin. This is something many people seem to like. During the cruise there is no difference if you booked Bella or Fantastica. Aurea is a different thing, as they have their private sun deck and restaurant and the best cabins can only be booked with Aurea. But while the price gap between Bella and Fantastica is very small, the gap to Aurea is very big.

 

 

[shipgeeks]

We chose Bella because we wanted a set dining time, and we don't use room service.

Aurea passengers have "anytime" dining, and some perks related to the spa, neither of which we wanted.

I don't think there were any activities or amenities we didn't have, related to being Bella.  We would do it again.

 

[cellfree]

Bella - you choose your type of cabin and will be assigned one

Bella - you cannot choose early or late dining time (but we have never been denied a different choice once on board)

Bella - no complimentary room service

Fantastica - you choose type of cabin and cabin number

Fantastica - you can choose dining time

Fantastica - room service available for breakfast

(Aurea is only level that gives you “anytime” dining and has other spa-type perks)

(Yacht Club - their own little ship within the larger ship, people seem to love it, we jave never experienced it a cost is considerably higher)

[1kaper]

To add to the other posts, I don't think it creates a caste system.  I don't think anyone else knows what you booked. 

[Two Wheels Only]

2 hours ago, 1kaper said:

To add to the other posts, I don't think it creates a caste system.  I don't think anyone else knows what you booked. 

 

Other than walking around with different color towels, most of the ship won't know if you are or are not a Yacht Club guest. 

 

(Yes, the YC towels can get you to the front of the line when returning to the ship after an excursion. 😁) 

[1kaper]

Just now, Two Wheels Only said:

 

Other than walking around with different color towels, most of the ship won't know if you are or are not a Yacht Club guest. 

 

(Yes, the YC towels can get you to the front of the line when returning to the ship after an excursion. 😁) 

 

Or if your butler is escorting you. 🤣

But for the other tiers, I don't think there is a dead giveaway you booked Bella. 

[asalligo]

I booked Bella and was able to select early dining and on my reservation it says Dinner time preference: early dining. So is this just a preference and I may be assigned late dining when I arrive on the ship? Then have to go to the maitre de to get changed?

[perakcruiser]

52 minutes ago, asalligo said:

I booked Bella and was able to select early dining and on my reservation it says Dinner time preference: early dining. So is this just a preference and I may be assigned late dining when I arrive on the ship? Then have to go to the maitre de to get changed?

Just don´t touch the booking and nothing will be changed. But yes, if you read "2nd seating" on your cruise card, you have to go to the maitre d to change. 

[Aeroplex]

In Aurea you will get a Prosecco + Strawberries. 

[Tierun]

2 hours ago, Aeroplex said:

In Aurea you will get a Prosecco + Strawberries. 

It’s was Prosecco and chocolate on both seashore and Divina.

[Native Floridian 26]

4 hours ago, asalligo said:

I booked Bella and was able to select early dining and on my reservation it says Dinner time preference: early dining. So is this just a preference and I may be assigned late dining when I arrive on the ship? Then have to go to the maitre de to get changed?

Yes, with Bella, you don't get to pick, it's just a preference.  We always go straight to dining room to get it sorted out when we get on.

[Drew B 58]

Thank you all very much for your answers.

 

To me, things like selecting a room or a dining time are a base-level option.  Kind of like having a bathroom in your cabin.  While I could just opt for Fantastica level and pay more for it, I’m not comfortable with that.  The same way I would be uncomfortable opting and paying for a cabin with a bathroom, knowing that other passengers are sailing in cabins where they have to share a communal bathroom with other cabins on their hall.  
 

One of the things I love about cruising is that it’s a pretty equitable environment.  People in the lowest inside cabins get to enjoy much the same vacation experience as those in the highest suites.  I understand that the industry as a whole is moving away from this model and offering a more “exclusive” experience for extra $.  This MSC system is, for me, for now, just a bridge too far.  I am forced to concede that this may simply not be the right line for me.  A shame, as the ship I was considering seems beautiful and the itinerary was perfect.

 

Again, thank you and happy sailing!

 

Edited October 14, 2022 by Drew B 58

[Two Wheels Only]

47 minutes ago, Drew B 58 said:

This MSC system is, for me, for now, just a bridge too far.

 

To be fair, even Bella guests can walk across the Bridge Of Sighs and the Infinity Bridge. 🤭

[Native Floridian 26]

Drew, you're really not considering that the base price to get on an MSC cruise is an excellent value, and probably the best price point among their competitors.  If you don't feel it's for you. that's your choice, but you should really try it.  There is no "class" system other than Yacht Club, which all the cruise lines have migrated to. You can tell by my signature, I've been cruising my whole life, and MSC being new to the US market over the last several years, has definitely gained our business because they deliver an excellent product.

Edited October 14, 2022 by Native Floridian 26

[Morgsmom]

2 hours ago, Drew B 58 said:

This MSC system is, for me, for now, just a bridge too far.  I am forced to concede that this may simply not be the right line for me.  A shame, as the ship I was considering seems beautiful and the itinerary was perfect.

Just want to chime in having done Bella, Fantastica, Aurea and YC I can honestly say that no one knows which "category" of services you have in the first 3.   Only Yacht Club is different.  Of Bella and Fantastica the only difference is room service breakfast, choosing your dining time (but you can switch once onboard) and picking your cabin. That's pretty much it.  Aurea adds some experiences, but nothing that different...  I'd think about trying MSC.  

[shipgeeks]

Drew, I'm a bit confused by your response.  What about flying, where you can pay base rate for economy, or a bunch more for first class?  Or a hotel in which you can book a standard room or a suite? Is it unfair that some passengers get more "benefits" - or as in our decision to book Bella - set dining (our preference) instead of anytime dining?

I hope you know that all cruiseship cabins have private bathrooms - but if they didn't, wouldn't it be okay if some passengers freely chose that category because the price is lower?

We never ever felt any caste system while aboard; we were treated fabulously throughout.  We even mingled - unintentionally - with YC passengers in the theater, as their section was adjacent to where we happened to choose to sit, being farsighted.

 

[GonzoWCS]

4 hours ago, Two Wheels Only said:

 

To be fair, even Bella guests can walk across the Bridge Of Sighs and the Infinity Bridge. 🤭

I think that sums it up folks!

 

Cheers

[Drew B 58]

1 hour ago, shipgeeks said:

Drew, I'm a bit confused by your response.  What about flying, where you can pay base rate for economy, or a bunch more for first class?  Or a hotel in which you can book a standard room or a suite? Is it unfair that some passengers get more "benefits" - or as in our decision to book Bella - set dining (our preference) instead of anytime dining?

I hope you know that all cruiseship cabins have private bathrooms - but if they didn't, wouldn't it be okay if some passengers freely chose that category because the price is lower?

We never ever felt any caste system while aboard; we were treated fabulously throughout.  We even mingled - unintentionally - with YC passengers in the theater, as their section was adjacent to where we happened to choose to sit, being farsighted.

 

That’s a fair point.  I don’t have a problem with first class vs. coach in the same way I don’t have a problem with suites vs. interior cabins.  And that’s probably because I’m used to it and it is the same on pretty much all airlines.  When the airlines start charging more for new things that used to be free and that I expected to be included in the fare, I find that distasteful.  And they DO do that, with extra $ for seats with more leg room or checked bag fees.  As a result, I resent the experience, pretty much hate flying and only do it if I absolutely have to.  And cruise lines do it, too.  So far, though, it hasn’t been enough to dampen my enthusiasm.

 

A cruise is something I do because I want to.  And if I go in with resentment, I probably won’t enjoy it.  I’m guessing that MSC is just ahead of the curve and other lines will probably move in a similar direction sooner rather than later.  When that happens, I will either adjust my expectations or decide cruising is no longer for me.  Time will tell.  Or, perhaps, after I become adjusted in my head to this system on MSC, I’ll change my mind.  Like I said, for me, FOR NOW, this is a bridge too far.  It just makes other options more appealing to me…

 

I get that some people LIKE having different levels - either because they want to be at a higher level and feel “superior” or because they want to go with the cheaper option and feel like they got a good deal.  That’s great for people who like it.  It’s not appealing to me…

[Drew B 58]

4 hours ago, Morgsmom said:

Just want to chime in having done Bella, Fantastica, Aurea and YC I can honestly say that no one knows which "category" of services you have in the first 3.   Only Yacht Club is different.  Of Bella and Fantastica the only difference is room service breakfast, choosing your dining time (but you can switch once onboard) and picking your cabin. That's pretty much it.  Aurea adds some experiences, but nothing that different...  I'd think about trying MSC.  

Picking my own cabin is HUGE to me.  Cabin location is probably an even more important consideration than cabin type.  And on the lines I sail with, there is a cheaper option for a “guarantee” cabin, but I never take that because I want to choose.

 

So in all reality and honesty, MSC probably isn’t THAT different from what I’m used to.  It’s mostly the idea that there are actual named tiers that turns me off.  I admit it is probably petty and childish, but that is the visceral reaction I get…

[perakcruiser]

8 hours ago, Drew B 58 said:

Or, perhaps, after I become adjusted in my head to this system on MSC, I’ll change my mind.

Totally strange as ALL cruise lines I know charge you for picking the cabin by yourself. Maybe some where the base fare is already 10 times higher than MSC not. And the surcharge for Fantastica is so tiny, all others I know charge much more.

 

And definitely MSC is the not the best line, but the line with the most "equitable environment".But I guess you are right not to go with MSC, it is probably just not the suitable product for you. 

Edited October 15, 2022 by perakcruiser

[tbmrt]

Picking a cabin is the reason we choose Fantastica.  I'd be too disappointed if we chose Bella and were assigned a very obstructed balcony since one of the best parts of the cruise to  us is sitting outside enjoying peace and quiet inbetween the many cruise activities.

[RudiRatlos]

9 hours ago, Drew B 58 said:

Picking my own cabin is HUGE to me.  Cabin location is probably an even more important consideration than cabin type.  And on the lines I sail with, there is a cheaper option for a “guarantee” cabin, but I never take that because I want to choose.

 

So in all reality and honesty, MSC probably isn’t THAT different from what I’m used to.  It’s mostly the idea that there are actual named tiers that turns me off.  I admit it is probably petty and childish, but that is the visceral reaction I get…

I´d say "Bella" is for now just another name for "guarantee cabin"...

So just choose "Fantastica" and be happy... 😀

Once on board, you will not be treated differently than any other Bella, Fantastica or Aurea passenger (with Aurea guests being there a few minutes earlier because of priority boarding 😀).

Edited October 15, 2022 by RudiRatlos