Pirate Jumps Ship! A Live Carnival Vs. MSC Comparison 8/20/23 - 8/27/23

[pirate4me2]

33 minutes ago, d-lite-n-cruisin said:

Hello!  Very interested in this!  How do you get the status match from Carnival Platinum to MSC XXXX?

 

Thanks in advance!

Hey there!

Our TA that we used back in 2000 helped with the status match, we didn't do it ourselves. All she needed from us was a printout from Carnival showing our names and VIFP status. I think if you go on the MSC website tho they have a place you can apply for it yourself, their loyalty program is called the Voyagers Club.

[Frank12]

This should be interesting. Looking forward to it.  We have 37 on Carnival and are looking to branch out also!

[pirate4me2]

3 minutes ago, Frank12 said:

This should be interesting. Looking forward to it.  We have 37 on Carnival and are looking to branch out also!

Welcome aboard!

[d-lite-n-cruisin]

53 minutes ago, pirate4me2 said:

Hey there!

Our TA that we used back in 2000 helped with the status match, we didn't do it ourselves. All she needed from us was a printout from Carnival showing our names and VIFP status. I think if you go on the MSC website tho they have a place you can apply for it yourself, their loyalty program is called the Voyagers Club.

Thanks so much!  Hope you have a great cruise!

[undertoes10]

We are in the same "boat" as you, with 28 Carnival cruises and tired of the mundane entertainment or lack thereof.  We are going to try MSC Seaside in October to see how the other half lives.  They seem pretty rigid, giving us a 12:30 embarkation time without us choosing it.  We won't be there by 12:30 ! Dress attire will be an issue with us since we travel lightly and not fancy.  But will go with the flow and throw in some dressy clothes. Keep us posted as to what you see.

[pirate4me2]

24 minutes ago, undertoes10 said:

We are in the same "boat" as you, with 28 Carnival cruises and tired of the mundane entertainment or lack thereof.  We are going to try MSC Seaside in October to see how the other half lives.  They seem pretty rigid, giving us a 12:30 embarkation time without us choosing it.  We won't be there by 12:30 ! Dress attire will be an issue with us since we travel lightly and not fancy.  But will go with the flow and throw in some dressy clothes. Keep us posted as to what you see.

I will report back as to how things go! The attire is my biggest worry, as like you, I try and pack light and not fancy....I have to dress up for work every day, I want to be relaxed on vacation! We shall see how it goes. 🙂

[marci4tony]

I have a friend that worked on Seaside - I am not likely to book MSC Seaside anytime soon.

My Choice.

I am happy with Carnival.

[momof3cruisers]

What a fun idea! I’m looking forward to reading your comparison and want to read your live review too. I feel like it’s harder to find things out about MSC. I’m also considering trying them out especially due to the status match.

[pirate4me2]

15 minutes ago, marci4tony said:

I have a friend that worked on Seaside - I am not likely to book MSC Seaside anytime soon.

My Choice.

I am happy with Carnival.

Enjoy your upcoming cruise on Celebration! 🙂 

 

6 minutes ago, momof3cruisers said:

What a fun idea! I’m looking forward to reading your comparison and want to read your live review too. I feel like it’s harder to find things out about MSC. I’m also considering trying them out especially due to the status match.

The full live review is started on the MSC boards, I’m hoping the internet onboard will allow me to do an update every day. 
It has been more challenging to find out stuff about MSC, I think because they are really just starting to get big over here in the States maybe? That’s part of what’s driving me to do this. 

[Essiesmom]

The key to packing is to have versatile clothing.  I have three knit tank dresses that can be daytime , evening with jewelry and a shawl, beach coverup, and nightgown.  I’m on Seaside now for a 4/3 B2B.  I also travel carryon and backpack.  Fortunately I can drive to port Canaveral.  I packed two dresses, three long pants and one pair shorts;  one skirt and to my shame, 10 tops.  One pair pewter sandals for evenings, two daytime sandals and water shoes.  And a nightgown.  And I didn’t have to expand my suitcase.  Oh yes, and a bathing suit, though I likely won’t wear it.  And some underwear.  Everything I travel with is lightweight and can be hand washed if necessary.  EM

[shipgeeks]

Many passengers will be dressed up in the evening, especially the Europeans and South Americans. I don't think I saw anyone indoors in the evening in shorts, t-shirt, flip flops.  Maybe on pool deck.

[CruizinSusan70]

On 8/14/2023 at 3:21 PM, dmet0225 said:

Status match?  Do other cruise lines do this other than MSC?  That idea never occurred to me.

Virgin is the only other line to match

[CruizinSusan70]

On 8/14/2023 at 3:52 PM, pe4all said:

Looking forward to reading your comparison.  You are off to a great start, imho.  The status match thingy always intrigued me, but every time I price MSC they can't touch the fares I get with CCL - even with leaving from NY and saving on airfare and hotel.

If you add Cheers and also are able to get the wifi/easy plus drinks combination on MSC, then MSC comes out way ahead.  We were on the Meraviglia last month and our all in was 799 per person including taxes, wifi and the easy plus drink package. Carnival can't touch this unless you're a gambler. 

 

But, we'll still choose Carnival every day of the week and twice on Sunday when compared to MSC.  Have 25 on Carnival and another 5 booked.  Did MSC twice, including Yacht Club.

[CruizinSusan70]

3 hours ago, momof3cruisers said:

What a fun idea! I’m looking forward to reading your comparison and want to read your live review too. I feel like it’s harder to find things out about MSC. I’m also considering trying them out especially due to the status match.

The status match with MSC means nothing unless you are Diamond on Carnival and match up with MSC's Diamond, which gives you a free specialty dinner.  The other levels really don't give you anything of importance 

[CruizinSusan70]

52 minutes ago, shipgeeks said:

Many passengers will be dressed up in the evening, especially the Europeans and South Americans. I don't think I saw anyone indoors in the evening in shorts, t-shirt, flip flops.  Maybe on pool deck.

And the OP will be staying in the Yacht Club, which is a bit dressier than Class 2 (Aurea) Class 3 (Fantastica) & Class 4 (Bella).  MSC has a four class system on their ships.  Just one of many differences between those accustomed to cruising on a US based line versus a European one.

[CruizinSusan70]

To the OP....best of luck and enjoy your cruise.  Just beware that you are comparing an apple to an orange for the most part.  You're sailing in the Yacht Club, which Carnival has nothing on any of their ships to compare to.  The Yacht Club is the ship within the ship concept similar to the Haven on NCL, the Retreat on X, and the Star Class on RCI.  The closest thing Carnival has is the Havana area, but that is just a private area with hot tubs and a pool, nothing like a closer comparison that the other cruise lines I mentioned have.

[momof3cruisers]

48 minutes ago, CruizinSusan70 said:

The status match with MSC means nothing unless you are Diamond on Carnival and match up with MSC's Diamond, which gives you a free specialty dinner.  The other levels really don't give you anything of importance 

Well, I figure if I like them, I’m not starting from scratch. Or do you still need to get the same number of days starting from zero to move up to the next level from their status match from Platinum on Carnival? (Does that question make sense? I can’t figure out how else to word it.)

[pirate4me2]

3 hours ago, Essiesmom said:

The key to packing is to have versatile clothing.  I have three knit tank dresses that can be daytime , evening with jewelry and a shawl, beach coverup, and nightgown.  I’m on Seaside now for a 4/3 B2B.  I also travel carryon and backpack.  Fortunately I can drive to port Canaveral.  I packed two dresses, three long pants and one pair shorts;  one skirt and to my shame, 10 tops.  One pair pewter sandals for evenings, two daytime sandals and water shoes.  And a nightgown.  And I didn’t have to expand my suitcase.  Oh yes, and a bathing suit, though I likely won’t wear it.  And some underwear.  Everything I travel with is lightweight and can be hand washed if necessary.  EM

You’ve got it down to an art! I’m jealous 😂

 

1 hour ago, CruizinSusan70 said:

If you add Cheers and also are able to get the wifi/easy plus drinks combination on MSC, then MSC comes out way ahead.  We were on the Meraviglia last month and our all in was 799 per person including taxes, wifi and the easy plus drink package. Carnival can't touch this unless you're a gambler. 

 

But, we'll still choose Carnival every day of the week and twice on Sunday when compared to MSC.  Have 25 on Carnival and another 5 booked.  Did MSC twice, including Yacht Club.

I was suprised at how the prices stacked up when I compared. I figure if I like MSC, it’ll be a great way to toss in a sailing on a different line here and there to keep things fresh. 
 

1 hour ago, CruizinSusan70 said:

The status match with MSC means nothing unless you are Diamond on Carnival and match up with MSC's Diamond, which gives you a free specialty dinner.  The other levels really don't give you anything of importance 

Agreed…I was a bit bummed with the benefits listed, but oh well. I will live! 
 

1 hour ago, CruizinSusan70 said:

To the OP....best of luck and enjoy your cruise.  Just beware that you are comparing an apple to an orange for the most part.  You're sailing in the Yacht Club, which Carnival has nothing on any of their ships to compare to.  The Yacht Club is the ship within the ship concept similar to the Haven on NCL, the Retreat on X, and the Star Class on RCI.  The closest thing Carnival has is the Havana area, but that is just a private area with hot tubs and a pool, nothing like a closer comparison that the other cruise lines I mentioned have.

Thank you. I plan to venture out into “gen-pop” as I’ve seen others refer to it to get a taste of the “real” MSC, as well as the YC. And I can compare the entertainment, deck parties, etc for others that are curious. 
 

55 minutes ago, momof3cruisers said:

Well, I figure if I like them, I’m not starting from scratch. Or do you still need to get the same number of days starting from zero to move up to the next level from their status match from Platinum on Carnival? (Does that question make sense? I can’t figure out how else to word it.)

You move up as normal from what I was told, no need to start from zero. 

[Illbcruzn4life]

10 hours ago, undertoes10 said:

We are in the same "boat" as you, with 28 Carnival cruises and tired of the mundane entertainment or lack thereof.  We are going to try MSC Seaside in October to see how the other half lives.  They seem pretty rigid, giving us a 12:30 embarkation time without us choosing it.  We won't be there by 12:30 ! Dress attire will be an issue with us since we travel lightly and not fancy.  But will go with the flow and throw in some dressy clothes. Keep us posted as to what you see.

Dont worry about fancy. Most wear shorts every day. They had one gala night i wore black jeans.

[Illbcruzn4life]

On 8/14/2023 at 3:52 PM, pe4all said:

Looking forward to reading your comparison.  You are off to a great start, imho.  The status match thingy always intrigued me, but every time I price MSC they can't touch the fares I get with CCL - even with leaving from NY and saving on airfare and hotel.

Casino deals with CCL?

[Illbcruzn4life]

On 8/14/2023 at 7:34 PM, Knights on the Beach said:

I'm happy to see your post! We would also like to try out MSC and Seaside looks really pretty. I'm looking forward to hearing all about it! We're also branching out a bit and will be on Disney Fantasy 8/26. That will definitely be different for us!

Have a great time on the Fantasy. We are on the sailing after yours. 🙂

[CruizinSusan70]

5 hours ago, momof3cruisers said:

Well, I figure if I like them, I’m not starting from scratch. Or do you still need to get the same number of days starting from zero to move up to the next level from their status match from Platinum on Carnival? (Does that question make sense? I can’t figure out how else to word it.)

No, you'll be gold and then you go to Diamond, but you need to cruise on MSC once every 3 years in order to not lose your status.  We cruised on then back in January of 2018 on the Seaside when she first came over in the Yacht Club in an inside at a great rate.  We gave them another shot last month on the Meraviglia out of Brooklyn.  We stayed gold the entire time because the three year rule was on hiatus during the shutdown.  Having gold this time meant nothing.  The first time we got invited to a great cocktail party with the Captain and we got our picture taken with him.  Back then if you were Diamond, you got a solid chocolate replica of the ship.  That perk has disappeared I believe.

At this point MSC is in our rear view mirror.  Our new line of choice these days is Princess.  Their plus package is 60 per day and you get their drinks package with included tips, wifi and gratuities all included.  That same package would cost about 103 on Carnival.

[CruizinSusan70]

2 hours ago, Illbcruzn4life said:

Dont worry about fancy. Most wear shorts every day. They had one gala night i wore black jeans.

They dress a bit more fancy in the YC.   Shorts were not allowed in the YC dining room at night, at least when we were there in 2018.  

[pe4all]

11 hours ago, CruizinSusan70 said:

If you add Cheers and also are able to get the wifi/easy plus drinks combination on MSC, then MSC comes out way ahead.  We were on the Meraviglia last month and our all in was 799 per person including taxes, wifi and the easy plus drink package. Carnival can't touch this unless you're a gambler. 

 

But, we'll still choose Carnival every day of the week and twice on Sunday when compared to MSC.  Have 25 on Carnival and another 5 booked.  Did MSC twice, including Yacht Club.

Thanks for the info.  We do get casino promos on CCL, which is why we really haven't wandered too much in the past few years.  Our January cruise is costing me a total of $950 dollars for 2 in a balcony cabin, including taxes, drinks on us all over the ship for me, $200 obc, $200 casino cash.  That number also includes my pre-paid grats, premium wi-fi, bottomless bubbles for dd, and a 12 pack of water I pre-purchased.  Using points for pre-cruise hotel. Round-trip  airfare to Miami is not included in the price, so add on $500 for that.  Still pretty cheap for 8 day cruise, imho.  I would never pay extra for a drink package on any cruise, as we really don't drink alcohol that much- maybe one per day, if that.   Will keep an eye on MSC though - status match to Diamond might pay off in future. 

[TxTeach79]

Followin'! Thanks for doing this!