Beamafar

On RCI I usually have a Grand suite and you definitely get double points for nights on board. In fact all cabins from Junior suite upwards get double points. But the climb through the SIX grades is very slow. I've reached the 4th level, DIAMOND, and it's only there that any decent perks are given eg 3 hrs free drinks in the diamond lounge every day!! But then again only MSC give points for onboard spend , well of the lines I've been on.

 

As for MSC priority boarding It's now only Black card holders, it used to be all members, then went to Gold and Black,, now as I said it's only black card.

As for inside cabins take a look at post 23 of the thread below. Insides were the same price as B2 balcony!!!

 

http://cruiseforums.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1968036&page=2

 

 

 

 

Pete

Thanks for all the info, Pete. I hadn't noticed the changes to the benefits. I have an old copy of the benefits which includes the Black Card level which I often refer to. I've just checked out the MSC Club section of their site, not because I doubted you as you always provide evidence to back up any claims,

but your "copy" of the benefits list layout is different to the old one and I was curious to see if the Ireland website looks the same as yours, which it does. I had looked at this only very recently and hadn't noticed the changes.

Do you know when this benefit was removed for members other than Black Card holders? I know I received "preferential check-in" in Barcelona last February and I was looking forward to it next Monday. I'm not very happy with this development.

The more I follow these threads the more I realise I'll have to get more proactive about keeping myself informed with the constant moving of goalposts! I realise how people, especially those new to cruising, can depend heavily on guys like you for information. It's just that we're not all au fait or adept with internet search engines and I'm just so grateful for this site and the posters who can and do share their efforts with others.

You quite right, I did mean that you only needed to spend $50 to get the 6th point.

lookimg at your posts And assuming you are on a 7 night cruise

the points you will get are 7 for 7 nights

 

plus spend Allegrisimo premium (which I believe is €44 pppd) , service charge of €7pppd and Unicef donation of €2pp

 

7 + ((€44 x 7 x 2) + (€7 x 7 x 2) + (€2 x 2))/ 200

 

so get 7 + (€616 + €98+ €4)/200

 

giving 7 + 718/200 = 7 + 3 = 10 points with a remainder of €118. so another €88 will get the 11th point. I can recommend using the laundry if they have one of their "bundle" offers, eg 25 items for €20. So goimg on one excursion of €44pp will get the extra point.

 

 

BUT , bear in mind what you are stiving for is in fact only an extra 2% discount on the cruise price over and above what you get as a Silver member

 

 

The other benefits you will get as a Gold rather than a Silver are

 

1) discount on Photographs:- 8% (5% for silver)

2) discount on Spa teatments:- 15% (10% for silver)

3) discount on laundry:- 30% (20% for silver) I don't think that applies to the special offers

4) discount in logo shop:- 15% (10% for silver)

5) discount in a speciality restaurant:- 30% (20% for silver) ( the discount on beverages in the speciallity restaurants won't be applicable if you have the Allegrissimo premiium)

6) internet discount:- 20% (10% for silver)

 

Not a lot of advantage of Gold over Silver IMHO as I don't use items 1, 2, 5 or 6.

 

Your bigger picture target should be getting to Black and the 20% discount on the cruise price.

 

I've just done the calculation backwards on your figure of €690 which I worked out would be the result of having the drinks package for €42pppd.

 

Pete

Thanks, Pete. The laundry "bundle" offer only applies to items being laundered - not ironed. I found that out when I requested it before. I'm hoping to convince them to apply the offer next Monday when I hand them my suitcase-ful for attention.:D

I agree with you about aiming for the Black Card which was my ultimate goal 'til I heard they may be introducing a Platinum one! By the time I reach Black, the benefits will have been trimmed back as was the case when the Black card was introduced.

It's true there isn't much of a muchness between Silver & Gold. When I was making my September next booking, I was advised that I wouldn't qualify for the 10% discount as, although I'm within achieving Gold, I haven't "earned" the points yet but I was offered onboard credit to make up for it - thought that was a very nice gesture. I was going to wait 'til I actually have the points before booking but, as there's a good rate for Yacht Club at present, I didn't want to lose out for the sake of as you say - 8% v 10%.

I don't use those services either but I have experienced priority boarding even though it seems from some posts that it's only Black Card holders who are entitled to it. I can't remember seeing a separate line for this category - only one for general clubcard members but I'm not saying it doesn't exist. As it doesn't apply to me I wouldn't be watching for one. I know where to look when I'm Yacht -Clubbing I can assure you! Where's my butler??:rolleyes:

One issue I have with the awarding of points is the fact that you're only allocated a point for every night on board regardless of category of cabin you've opted for. I feel it's unfair to only receive the same number of points when paying for e.g. YC as someone who's paid a lot less for an inside cabin on the same cruise. I've read on other threads that other companies award extra points for higher category bookings. It would be nice if MSC considered offering one or two bonus points per higher category cabins.

I've seriously considered doing a lot of cheaper cruises in inside cabins just to build up the points but I experienced an inside cabin once and found it claustrophobic. I get very uncomfortable in places where there are no windows so I have to have a balcony cabin every time and budget accordingly.

By the way, the Premium Allegrissimo is €42pppd

Non-qualifying spend is lost.

 

I think Pete was referring to buying the drinks package onboard so the 15% service charge is onboard spend (even though you'll be paying more overall for the package.)

Thanks. I thought about it afterwards and figured he meant that another $50 spend would get you to that extra point. As I'm very close to qualifying for the Gold Card, I'm looking at the quickest way to getting there and I was probably grasping at straws in my haste:o

I love this programme. I'm black so love the 20% off the most. Preferential tender service and breezing onto the ship in minutes are good perks to. Always appreciate the chocolate dipped strawberries and the bottle of Moët. Free trip to the a la carte restaurant on the Musica class always gets used too. Never use my free casino chip and don't bother to go to the dinner with the captain or officers anymore. First one was special but I it's more of an ordeal than a perk now. So I politely decline that one. I only go to the cocktail party if there are other club members that I know onboard.

 

Looking forward to Platinum coming out to see what else I'll get. With well over 200 points I'm sure I'll automatically be on it.

You certainly deserve to qualify with that number of points - WOW!!

Have you ever been in receipt of the complimentary upgrade that the Black Card entitles you to. I know it's "subject to availability" so how often is it "available"? I've always wondered about that. I'm quite close, now, to a Gold Card and my goal has always been to reach the Black. Now I hear they may be introducing this new Platinum level. I think I'll have to do a lot of cheaper cruises, in steerage even! to attain that level:eek:

1) Yes your preordered packages are counted in onboard spend

 

2) $1000 dollars gives you 5 points; $1150 gives you 5 points, but puts you closer to the 6th point.

 

Your service charge will also count for onboard spend and earn you points.

 

 

Pete

Pete, do you mean that you carry over any remaining balance which hasn't gone towards points to your next onboard spend? e.g. You say that the $150 over in your example puts you closer to the 6th point. I've been trying to calculate what my next onboard spend would be so I can insure that it will come to an amount which can be converted into points. My definite spend will be (premium Allegrissimo package + Hotel Charge) x2 + €4 "Unicef Donation" = €690. I thought I'd have to spend at least another €110 to make up the 4 points and, while I will have other costs (I always get clothes ironed on arrival, some souvenir shopping in the Logo shop, etc) I had assumed that any amount not qualifying for points was automatically lost.

Thank you all for your quick replies to the first 2 questions.

 

Now the hard part...trying to find the menus for the different nights.

Here's a copy of the full post from MSC USA:

"To view a sampling of menus on MSC Divina, please visit http://www.pinterest.com/msccruisesu...-divina-menus/.

Since the daily programs are made on board by the team, they are not available online as they change frequently. On all MSC Divina sailings, there is a White Party and an Italian night, and other possible theme nights include Hollywood Stars, Flower Glory Party, and Carnival.

Hope this helps!"

__________________

MSC Cruises (USA)

Thank you all for your quick replies to the first 2 questions.

 

Now the hard part...trying to find the menus for the different nights.

Try this link for sample menus: http://www.pinterest.com/msccruisesusa/msc-divina-menus/

Apparently yes. Have a look at the screenshot he posted and that is what the details on the right say.

Thanks - I should have read that first before posting. I wonder what "MSC Clubcard discount applied correctly" at the top of the listings means? Mind you, even if that includes Black Card membership discount of 20%, it's still an awesome price for Yacht Club! Fair dues to Pete - in that example it certainly would make more sense to book YC. It's such a pity you have to pay for drinks in other areas of the ship if you want to sit in one of the music lounges and enjoy the entertainment in the evening.

The example he is using is for a 14 night sailing.

While he's calculating what the Allegrissimo package will cost for 14 nights, the Yacht Club price of £999.20 could not possibly apply to a 14 night cruise, could it?

RESULT!! The TA have come up trumps, msc said they sent a letter to the TA NOTIFYING THEM OF THE CHANGE of schedule , ta says they never received it, they did receive a call saying the times had changed as previously stated. So whilst MSC are behaving like they can survive without any customers at all , and don't feel the need to help sort this mess out, the TA , are footing the bill for all the changes, which MSC quoted as being an extra 3/4/k for flight & accomodation changes. So after a week of worry , wrangling of hands and annoyance, we are finally cruising again.... Feb 14th from Rome on splendida. Afew days earlier than intended, but I am not arguing that point!

Thank you all for your input.

I'm absolutely delighted for you - I'll watch for you boarding at Civitavecchia, haha.

I went to the Holiday World Show in RDS yesterday and met an MSC rep - it was great to talk to her. I outlined some of my experiences and difficulties. She took everything on board (no pun intended) and said she'd pass it on - which I suppose is as much as she can do considering everything is decided in Italy.:mad: She was also very helpful with a minor problem I'm having with a booking, so a big thank you goes to her (MSC themselves still have a way to go).

That is so awful for you.

I'm beginning to think that TAs who are having to deal directly with their clients being let down by MSC should boycott the company. It seems to be causing nothing but headaches for them (not to mention us would-be/wannabe cruisers). I know in my case, my TA couldn't apologise enough even though, as she said herself, it was "outside my control".

You'd have to wonder if MSC has any idea how cancellations or changes affect their consumers. For those, like Macro, who are time constrained due to school-going children, or others who only have a particular time off at work and don't have the luxury of re-configuring their holidays, it has a huge impact. The disappointment and frustration one feels is acute and, while I know some could say there're worse things in life, that's not to say it doesn't take its toll. It also comes with an extra cost as in cateyes2u's case. The decisions seem arbitrary rather than from situations outside of the company's control, such as weather, dangerous conditions or political unrest, etc. which would be understandable at least.

This is absolutely shocking stuff. Your experience with this company, coupled with my own very recent dealings, including involving the same 17th Feb sailing, is really putting me right off MSC which is a pity as I've enjoyed cruising with them up until now.

I was in Yacht Club on Splendida Feb 2012. Like everything else, it had pros and cons. What's pros for one person could be cons for another!

I loved the Yacht Club Lounge -it's panoramic vista as you sail in or out of ports is wonderful. The YC exclusive dining room is another wonderful experience where you can dine anytime between the opening hours that suit you e.g. Dinner opening is usually from 6.30pm til 9.30pm. If there's a particular table you take a fancy to you can book it in advance. The menu is also better so, if you love your food you'll enjoy it. Waiter service is top-notch, too.

One of the downsides for me is that drinks are only inclusive in the YC lounge so I didn't go to any of the entertainment lounges as I would not enjoy sitting without a drink in the evening and didn't want to add to my costs. If that's not an issue for you and you can afford to upgrade my advice would be GO FOR IT. It's worth the experience.

I would advise, however, to avoid the balcony cabins at the front of the ship as the hull blocks your view of the ocean - it's like having a wall in front of your window!

If you go onto MSC website on the left-hand side of the homepage is a section about the Allegrissimo package. Click on that and you'll be directed to the page that outlines what's included. It really is great value as it's surprising how much your bill can add up if buying drinks, etc. individually. Especially when 15% service charge is added on. It's €23pppd and you need to pre-order it - if you get it on board the 15% is added on. It doesn't include the minibar or bottled water in your cabin or the pastries, etc from the Gelateria menu but it does include the ice-cream cones. Voucher packages are bought onboard and stipulate the number of drinks, e.g. 7 beers or 7 bottles of wine or water or coffee. You surrender a voucher each time you order whatever it covers. If you opt for the Allegrissimo -even if you're not a big drinker - you can order speciality coffees, non-alcoholic beverages & cocktails, water and wine at mealtimes without worrying about the final bill.

The premium Allegrissimo includes the minibar, room service menu, bottled water in the cabin, premium (top shelf) whiskies, brandies, etc. and all items on the Gelataria menu and champagne cocktails. As this is €42pppd it may not seem such great value. I get the premium package as I enjoy having a drink from the minibar as I'm dressing for dinner, being able to order food to the cabin if I don't feel like going for lunch and having that extra-special XO brandy after dinner. Just sitting in the (equivalent of) Phoenician Plaza (it's called La Piazzetta on Splendida but same area of ship) having a helping (or two) from the scrumptious Gelataria menu with a coffee (and Baileys`s) feels like total indulgence.

Happy sailing - hope you have a great time. Which ship are you travelling on?

When we travelled on Splendida last year, the TA mailed the MSC luggage tags to us. They were attached to the information booklet required by MSC for embarkation. They did not have adhesive tape and were stapled onto the luggage at the terminal by MSC staff.

I've never checked-in online so cannot speak about boarding passes, sorry.

I'm travelling on Preziosa in May. The gratuities are included in the price of the package my travel agent has put together. It'll be my 5th MSC cruise and it's the 1st time I've had to prepay so I'm not sure what way it'll work. Maybe it'll be in a voucher to be submitted when settling the final bill. I'd prefer to pay the tips at the end of the cruise as it goes towards onboard spend which, in turn, gets converted into club card points so am hoping that the voucher will appear as a payment. They obviously have a system to accept prepayments so check it out with your TA.

I would agree with you, Pete, that, taking your examples, there can be savings to be made. It really does depend on the special deals MSC offer on different sailings and times of the year. At the moment, they're offering great deals on the Yacht Club for this summer. For those who wish to experience it the price is worth it.

My balcony cabin cost me €299. The premium allegrissimo package €294 making a total of €593 for the week. YC1 price is €1599!!!! Having experienced THE PERKS and the Butler service all I can say is it's not all it's cracked up to be. I boarded faster last year at Barcelona as an MSC club card holder with priority boarding than I did with the "Butler assisted" boarding the previous year.

My balcony cabin on Preziosa in May is €799 - YC1 €1349 - a difference of €550 and a saving of €256 after the premium allegrissimo package is taken into account. I won't be confined to one specific bar, I can avail of the minibar in my cabin, order from room service and enjoy the delightful gelatos and pastries from the Gelateria menu which is not included in Yacht Club.

I agree with you, sharecruises, about paying for extra packages when in the Yacht Club. I was in YC on Splendida in 2012 and I found that I stayed in Top Sail Lounge most of the time because of the all-inclusive in that area, only. In 2013 I did Splendida again but chose a balcony cabin with the premium allegrissimo package and found that to be much better value. The only thing I missed was the L'Olivio restaurant. I'll be on Splendida in 3 weeks time and am doing the same thing again - the price difference for YC isn't worth it IMHO

So sorry for your predicament. This is the second time I've had a problem with MSC changing a route. I'd booked to travel to the Black Sea on the Sinfonia on May 15th next. I received a letter from my TA advising that the route had changed to West Med and Canaries. I asked to be moved to the sailing of 2nd May as I was only interested in the Black Sea itinerary but MSC would not facilitate that so I cancelled that booking. This happened at the same time I was booking the Splendida cruise and, as I've had difficulties with the refund on the Sinfonia booking (it's being sorted) I decided that the easier option was to just accept the date change. So I'll be embarking on Feb 10th, hopefully!!

Drinks in the Top Sail Lounge are included (the Yacht Club private bar) - also a choice of 2 red, 2 white and 1 rose wines in Yacht Club dedicated dining room on Deck 15. The minibar in the cabin is also included. You have to pay for the drinks everywhere else on the ship.

I had booked the Feb 17th sailing too on 1st November only to receive an email from my TA on 4th Dec saying MSC had called her to say that it had been changed to a 5 day cruise ending at Genoa and that they wanted to cruise-move me to Feb 10th.