Not impressed with new pricing structure

[legion3]

You have a problem if you think that's true. WOW. So that means that you wont cruise on any line because they all have different color cards for the different classifications. How about a land based vacation?

 

Your argument only holds water if those different colored cards were true representations of the cost of the cabin and the "experience." They are not.

 

Someone with a gold or platinum card may be staying in a lower deck inside, while the red card might be in the captains suite. But all of their kids can go to the kids activities, all get the same room service system and all can pick their dining time (may not get it but it won't be because the company mandates it) and can choose whatever cabin they wish and not be shunted to "those" cabins for "those" people.

 

 

 

But if you have a Bella card you are a cheapskate ;) and MSC has chosen to single you out as such.

[Mikesa1721]

I suppose it's time to ring up Cruise Critics MSC representative and have her shed some light on what is and what is not included in each package,,especially when it comes to dining times and kid's club.

[legion3]

Bella Experience guests' children can NOT participate in our DoReMi cooking classes, where children learn basic baking skills, and the DoReMi language course, where children learn basic sentences in 6 different languages.

 

Fixed it for you. doesn't quite look as good in this version.

 

I actually didn't think about the kids club not allowing Bella kids in...perhaps you shouldn't give anyone any ideas. ;)

[legion3]

I suppose it's time to ring up Cruise Critics MSC representative and have her shed some light on what is and what is not included in each package,,especially when it comes to dining times and kid's club.

 

 

That should be insightful given all the wonderful customer service threads and comments.

[mikesteg]

Fixed it for you. doesn't quite look as good in this version.

 

I actually didn't think about the kids club not allowing Bella kids in...perhaps you shouldn't give anyone any ideas. ;)

 

I may have read too much into some of the prior comments. :o

 

Carnival, and I suspect all the others, have up-charge events related to kids camp. They actually shut down camp for a couple hours to do build-a-bear once or twice per cruise. They also have a late night party, I believe, separate from the regular 'after 10' charge.

 

The MSC model is different, but I don't have a problem with them offering premium options related to kids camp as the other lines do. However, if these things can't be paid for ala carte, like the booze vouchers, etc, that could be a problem. That remains to be seen, right?

[houstoncruisers2001]

I also hate MSC class system, and their MSC Yatch club concept.

 

Just off the Divina and I never gave those Yacht Club cruisers a second thought.

 

If i was a lower class passenger you could have fooled me, i had a blast.

[AmoMondo]

I don't mind Yacht Club existing and people having the choice of paying more to experience it. Just as I don't mind there being first, business and economy plus on airlines in addition to economy. If people want to pay for better facilities, that's fine by me.

 

What I hate with the other 3 experiences is that none of them shot me personally. The packaging isn't optional but mandatory. Before I could book the cabin I wanted in the location I wanted. If I wanted a drink package, I could choose which one and add it on. Like wise with spa treatments and excursions. I object to paying extra for things I neither want nor will use in order to get other things that I do want. I would have no problem at all if there were a variety of upgrade packages.

[Janet&Carl]

My 2 cents.....

 

Just because we don't drink....we are now not entitled to nice cabins in good locations!

 

I don't know who came up with "the experience" concept....but it has to be adjusted.

 

I'm with you on this one - we like a nice suite in a nice location. We don't use the spa packages or drink a lot - but with Aurea we are now forced to pay for what we won't use.

[Janet&Carl]

Kids can access entertainment. I think you are all jumping the gun a bit here - I have read the inclusions in the new fares on the MSC web site and it does not say anywhere where kids are excluded. Here is a cut and paste of the entertainment section ......

 

SPORT & ACTIVITIES

· Broadway-style theatre shows available almost every day

· Pool area

· Open-air sports facilities (Power Walking Track, Basketball…)

 

Click here to download the Benefit Chart

 

· Extremely well-equipped gym with panoramic view

· Entertainment activities

· Entertainment for infants, children and teens (Clubs…)

[Janet&Carl]

I may have read too much into some of the prior comments. :o

 

Carnival, and I suspect all the others, have up-charge events related to kids camp. They actually shut down camp for a couple hours to do build-a-bear once or twice per cruise. They also have a late night party, I believe, separate from the regular 'after 10' charge.

 

The MSC model is different, but I don't have a problem with them offering premium options related to kids camp as the other lines do. However, if these things can't be paid for ala carte, like the booze vouchers, etc, that could be a problem. That remains to be seen, right?

 

 

No extra charge for Kids club and booze vouchers will still be available - its in the FAQ - I was worried about the booze vouchers because we don't drink a lot and an all inclusive package doesn't work for us.

[riclop]

Just off the Divina and I never gave those Yacht Club cruisers a second thought.

 

If i was a lower class passenger you could have fooled me, i had a blast.

 

You have the right idea go and have a blast and don't worry about what card color or category anyone else had.

[VASOXFANN]

You have cruised Carnival and RCL, both have loyalty cards of different colors that show what level you are, and how much benes. you get! Have you ever been treated rudely by someone with a higher level club card?

 

RCL has a Casino Club that would also show up on your cruise card, and 'tell someone nosey' you paid less, maybe nothing for your cruise then they did!

 

Some RCL ships have Diamond, and Diamond Plus premium seating in their show rooms, so if you can't sit there, imagine what those people think of others!:eek:

 

Some RCL ships have Concierge, and Diamond Lounges set aside for the 'upper crust'! Just imagine how they're talking about those who can't access these Lounges!:eek:

 

RCL gives pins for people to wear showing what level they are in the loyalty program, and we've never seen a higher level cruiser with their pin looking down on others with lower levels of pins!

 

Carnival and RCL allow higher level club members 'first off, first on' the ship, and set aside special/shorter lines at guest services, and at embarkation, what do you think the people in these shorter lines think of you?

 

Seriously, if you're going to worry about a few people(idiots) who might look down their nose at you because of how much you spent on a cruise, forget it cause you've probably already had it done on Carnival and RCL, and never realized it!:D

 

Enjoy your cruise, forget the little things and little people!:)

 

I've never been prohibited from whole areas from the ship on my Carnival and RC cruises. My cabin service has been the same as every non-suite guest on the ship, and my card color (which I already stated doesn't matter as much as how I am treated as a passenger) is determined by my loyalty level.

 

As I and many others have said, this new structure creates class systems which I do not appreciate, and will not subject my family to while cruising!

[VASOXFANN]

duplicate

Edited October 13, 2014 by VASOXFANN

[VASOXFANN]

You have a problem if you think that's true. WOW. So that means that you wont cruise on any line because they all have different color cards for the different classifications. How about a land based vacation?

 

Did you even read my comments? :rolleyes:

 

It's not just the cards. It's being treated differently! It's being excluded from areas of the ship, having lesser cabin service, etc. No thanks!

[mom2tcdx2]

Personally I don't care for the pricing structure either. Basically to get a good cabin you also have to take the drink packages, spa package, etc. Which I am not interested in. Personally I liked them as available options. Also too many times we can only manage to afford an inside cabin, so that basically means no extras at all, which to me is a bit on the ridiculous side. With the new pricing structure I don't see me looking at MSC to book again anytime in the near future.

[VASOXFANN]

Just off the Divina and I never gave those Yacht Club cruisers a second thought.

 

If i was a lower class passenger you could have fooled me, i had a blast.

 

Good for you. The "experience levels" haven't started on the Divina yet.

 

From the MSC website:

 

Inclusive Experiences will be available for reservations starting Sept. 23, 2014 for sailings from the following dates onward:

 

• MSC Armonia – November 19, 2014

• MSC Divina – October 18, 2014

• MSC Fantasia – November 13, 2014

• MSC Lirica – October 26, 2014

• MSC Magnifica – November 8, 2014

• MSC Musica – November 17, 2014

• MSC Opera – October 7, 2014

• MSC Orchestra – November 25, 2014

• MSC Poesia – November 17, 2014

• MSC Preziosa – November 8, 2014

• MSC Sinfonia – November 27, 2014

• MSC Splendida – December 14, 2014

[MsTabbyKats]

This is really just Marketing 101.

 

They gave us an attractive product for a great price.

 

Now they're targeting in on the people they pleased..and charging them "the going rate".

 

Those who can't afford will go elsewhere; those who won't pay for what they won't use will go elsewhere.

 

I never thought that MSC was trying to get the Carnival crowd (although the prices said otherwise)...and they certainly won't get them now.

Edited October 13, 2014 by MsTabbyKats

[Mikesa1721]

This is really just Marketing 101.

 

They gave us an attractive product for a great price.

 

Now they're targeting in on the people they pleased..and charging them "the going rate".

 

Those who can't afford will go elsewhere; those who won't pay for what they won't use will go elsewhere.

 

I never thought that MSC was trying to get the Carnival crowd (although the prices said otherwise)...and they certainly won't get them now.

 

I agree Ms Tabby!!! In fact,,,here's a little reasoning into this decision:

 

[sidari]

It is stupidity to downgrade from what was the base for everyone and every cabin to what they have now, a sensible cruise line would have kept the base and increased the benefits for those those categories above the base.

 

This could well come back to bite MSC on the rear end!

Edited October 13, 2014 by sidari

[VASOXFANN]

This is really just Marketing 101.

 

They gave us an attractive product for a great price.

 

Now they're targeting in on the people they pleased..and charging them "the going rate".

 

Those who can't afford will go elsewhere; those who won't pay for what they won't use will go elsewhere.

 

I never thought that MSC was trying to get the Carnival crowd (although the prices said otherwise)...and they certainly won't get them now.

 

I've been on several lines, and let me tell you, we had a fabulous time on our Carnival cruises. We aren't big drinkers either.

 

I realize Carnival has a certain reputation, but we haven't seen that on our cruises, and they certainly offer an excellent value for the money. Sadly, now more so than MSC, which is unfortunate because DH really enjoyed the food on MSC.

Edited October 13, 2014 by VASOXFANN

[Janet&Carl]

Personally I don't care for the pricing structure either. Basically to get a good cabin you also have to take the drink packages, spa package, etc. Which I am not interested in. Personally I liked them as available options. Also too many times we can only manage to afford an inside cabin, so that basically means no extras at all, which to me is a bit on the ridiculous side. With the new pricing structure I don't see me looking at MSC to book again anytime in the near future.

 

 

 

Actually, you can book and inside cabin in both the Bella and Fantastica Experiences. You can book a balcony in Bella, Fantastica and Aurea experiences - you can only book a suite in the Aurea and Yacht Club experiences. I think you still have choice - my beef is that the pricing structure for a suite has doubled because it includes things I won't use. I think passengers will now compare MSC to other lines and find it priced similarly. I know that we use MSC because a suite is so much cheaper on this line than on others. I am paying the same (near AU $4000) for a suite 11 nights in the Med as what it costs me for an inside on our 11 night Carnival cruise around the Pacific Islands.

 

In future our choices may be different but when the ships don't fill because people are going elsewhere - it will no doubt change in structure again. Plus, there will be more bargains to be had in order to fill cruises :eek:

Edited October 13, 2014 by Janet&Carl

[VASOXFANN]

Congratulations on your recent marriage and I hope you enjoyed your honeymoon cruise, Well done for not "biting" at the bait dangled out there!!

 

I do not agree with the new fare/cabin structure introduced by MSC and cannot see it lasting long on the Divina, maybe for the European market where "package holidays" have been the norm for over 50 years.

 

My wife and I have only cruised once and splurged on Yacht Club. The thing we enjoyed the most about it was the peace & quiet, and knowing that it was all inclusive and the only out of pocket expenses on board would be the casino and maybe some "top shelf" brandies after dinner in the cigar room.

 

Thank you! We were married on the ship before we set sail. It was wonderful, and the cruise was great too :)

 

I'm glad you enjoyed the Yacht Club service. I've heard wonderful things about it.

 

I hope you're right that this will not last long on the Divina. DH and I want to take his daughter on a cruise, and we both wanted to give Divina a try. We had an 11-day Southern Caribbean booked on her last year, but we had to cancel because he had emergency surgery :(

 

I completely understand people wanting to pay more for additional amenities. Although it might shock some on this thread, we actually pay extra for balcony cabins, drink coupons, spa services, premium ice cream, etc. WHEN WE WANT THEM. We've also had the freedom to choose our cabin, unless we CHOSE to book a last minute, bargain fare in which the cruise line assigned our cabin.

 

With these "experiences," let's say I'm a sun worshiper and want access to the special sun deck...I would be forced book the "Aurea experience" even though I may not be interested in the all-inclusive drink package or spa treatment. If I didn't drink and didn't care to receive drink coupons that are worthless to me, I would have to book the "Bella experience," receive lesser cabin service, and miss out on the Aurea sun deck.

[KeywestK]

One of the things I have always loved about cruising is that it always seemed to eliminate class status, at least while you were on the ship. Everyone dined together, went to the same shows, shopped in the same shops, visited the same ports, etc. Maybe at the end of the day some went to fancier staterooms with butlers, but at least I could walk in that area of the ship if I wanted. I always met wonderful people on cruises and we often got together in each other's cabins for drinks and talks. Sometimes we arranged to have a meal together in the main dining room and share a bottle of wine. Now it seems like the cruise lines have decided that there are certain people who would rather not associate with me while on a cruise. At first I decided that I would never sail on Cunard due to their class structure with the dining rooms, then I avoided NCL with their "Haven" concept. I don't like the Yacht Club concept on MSC either, but at least these people have to walk through the rest of the ship to go to dinner. Don't get me wrong, some of the nicest people I have ever met on a cruise were staying in an "Owner's Suite", but now it looks like I won't meet them in the future. We are indeed returning to the "Golden Age" of cruising where class status does make a difference. Please MSC, rethink this terrible idea. After this rant please note that I am sailing on the Divina in December and the NCL Breakaway next July. While I don't like the concept, I still love cruising. Bob

 

Well said. We were considering booking the Divina for late next year, and I have been reading a lot about the new pricing tiers. I'm not impressed, and this could be the deal breaker for us. I hope MSC rethinks this pricing strategy. It's not a good way for them to successfully break in to the American market.

[American Bear]

I've never been prohibited from whole areas from the ship on my Carnival and RC cruises. My cabin service has been the same as every non-suite guest on the ship, and my card color (which I already stated doesn't matter as much as how I am treated as a passenger) is determined by my loyalty level.

 

As I and many others have said, this new structure creates class systems which I do not appreciate, and will not subject my family to while cruising!

 

 

Having cruised long enough to where we get the extras on Carnival and RCL, yes we get more in our cabins, and yes we do get to go to places others with less benes. get to go! Perhaps you haven't reached the levels of loyalty to experience the extras in the cabins, and around the ships?

That is a form of 'class structure' also!

I also said I don't know much about the new pricing structure yet, but I think the pricing structure shouldn't have been changed!

Edited October 14, 2014 by American Bear

[American Bear]

The kids not allowed to go to kids activities that are open to other kids will certainly feel less worthy.

 

Carnival and royal carribean are largely "class" less products. Even suite cruisers get little extra beyond a larger room and a few priority things and a few added niceties.

 

Even NCL now has the Haven as compared to the YC an upscale and up charged class.

 

Only MSC seems to suggest a step back from 2014 to 1914 and to bring back steerage class. Lets hope the staff does not differentiate between Bella and 2nd class.

 

Kids activities director; "Welcome to all the children... oh, are you from Bella? Oh well, you can't come in I'm afraid."

 

 

 

Can't agree with you, RCL and Carnival are every bit as involved in giving more to people who spend more, and to those having more benes.!

A few niceties(?), go to a line on one of these ships and see the dirty looks people give those who can go to the shorter lines because of their 'loyalty status', or can sit in the nicer reserved areas of the theater, or who can go to the front of the line on Port days! You've never seen the Diamond Lounge, or the Concierge Lounge where only higher members, and suite cruisers can go! Yes, money spent, and class status gets you more on RCL and Carnival, you just haven't noticed!

 

As far as MSC goes,,,

Are children of lower ages still going to cruise free?

Are children aged 12-17 still going to cruise at half price?

We don't have young children, and thought this past practice unfair to the rest of the paying guests!

We didn't complain about it, we accepted it as what MSC wanted to do!

There's too much to enjoy on a cruise to complain about every little thing!

Edited October 14, 2014 by American Bear