Loyalty Match....Very Clever or Risky

[Paulette3028]

DH completed the MSC application and made a copy of our most recent Seapass card which clearly states our status, we are Diamond. Now let's see what offers come our way for cruises.....if any.

 

We looked at their program, cannot figure out much from it, so we will just wait and see, what happens next from their marketing department to us.

[maureencruiser]

Maybe I'm not looking in the right place, but I took a look and could not find where it mentions how what MSC level they would assign to a C&A D+ member.

 

Bob, Come on over to the dark side! ;) I'm Diamond with Royal, still trying to figure out how to get match for my upcoming (2nd) MSC cruise. Hey, a free drink is a free drink! :eek::D

[dorisis]

I was very pleased to become Diamond on my first RC cruise because I was Elite on Celebrity. I would be pleased with a high status if I ever took an MSC cruise.

[Beamafar]

For those of you considering trying out MSC for the 'status match' experience, here is a link to the "benefits" you may receive.

 

http://www.msccruises.ie/ie_en/MSC-Voyagers-Club/Membership-Benefits.aspx

 

 

I have a feeling this is going to backfire on MSC as I expect there to be quite a lot of negative reviews from those who avail of this particular "offer" and discover just how poor the "Loyalty" programme is ............... and I say that as a Black card member who is very disillusioned with the recent downgrading of perks.

[American Bear]

I checked their benefits for their highest levels and they don't come close to what D and D+ receive with RCCL.

 

Very True now, but their cruises were on sale last year with balconies at $399. for 7 days, and that's before the % off for the loyalty club!

And this falls balcony prices are still running about 50% less then RCL.

MSC's alcohol drinks bought through a voucher book bring the price of a drink to about $5. with gratuity! A bottled beer to less then $4. with gratuity.

And they have the 'Yacht Club' with 'over the top service', that exceeds anything RCL has for a similar price.

So RCL's extra benes only go so far!

[American Bear]

Thanks Peggy.

 

Maybe I'm not looking in the right place, but I took a look and could not find where it mentions how what MSC level they would assign to a C&A D+ member.

 

Bob, as a D+ you'll be a Black card member in their club.

Last year we were looking for a B2B to celebrate our wedding aniv., and priced out B2B's in the Caribbean.

MSC won our business easily with a B2B East/West Caribbean cruise over a '$1,000. per person' less then RCL, even with our D+ benes.!

Their ship out of Miami, the Divina is a beautiful large ship (abt. 140,000 tons) their food is very Italian, very good, and the service is old world relaxed!

Drinks were amazing low priced, voucher books bought a mixed drink to about $5. with gratuity, and bottled beers to less then $4. a beer.

So there's a lot more to check out besides their loyalty benes..:)

[Clarea]

Bob, as a D+ you'll be a Black card member in their club.

Last year we were looking for a B2B to celebrate our wedding aniv., and priced out B2B's in the Caribbean.

MSC won our business easily with a B2B East/West Caribbean cruise over a '$1,000. per person' less then RCL, even with our D+ benes.!

Their ship out of Miami, the Divina is a beautiful large ship (abt. 140,000 tons) their food is very Italian, very good, and the service is old world relaxed!

Drinks were amazing low priced, voucher books bought a mixed drink to about $5. with gratuity, and bottled beers to less then $4. a beer.

So there's a lot more to check out besides their loyalty benes..:)

Thanks for the info.:)

[John&LaLa]

DH completed the MSC application and made a copy of our most recent Seapass card which clearly states our status, we are Diamond. Now let's see what offers come our way for cruises.....if any.

 

We looked at their program, cannot figure out much from it, so we will just wait and see, what happens next from their marketing department to us.

 

I'd say this program is working if it can attract a loyal cruiser like you. Enjoy the change

[Paulette3028]

I'd say this program is working if it can attract a loyal cruiser like you. Enjoy the change

 

Where did I say I was changing....I want to see the marketing material that they will be sending out, is what I believe I wrote. They are a long way from getting my money.

[John&LaLa]

Where did I say I was changing....I want to see the marketing material that they will be sending out, is what I believe I wrote. They are a long way from getting my money.

 

Fine. As usual, you missed the point. :rolleyes:

Edited August 2, 2015 by John&LaLa

[Paulette3028]

Fine. As usual, you missed the point. :rolleyes:

 

I am sorry, yet again....sarcasm with online writing is impossible....I read the words, just as they are....since there really is no tonality, which is what makes sarcasm work.

[gkbiiii]

Fine. As usual, you missed the point. :rolleyes:

 

 

Your point is pathetic!!! :eek::rolleyes::p

[deliver42]

I believe that MSC is doing that because they are the new kids on the block. Since a lot of people stay with the lines they know best, this is a way to get people to at least try MSC, then make up their own mind whether to stay or not. I'm platinum on Royal, and will be Emerald after my next cruise in December. I sent in my request to MSC and haven't heard back yet. Many other people are in the same boat. Their web customer service makes Royal seem like royalty. Definitely the worst of the lines I check (Royal, Carnival, Celebrity,NCL).

[suzyluvs2cruise]

I sent my application in yesterday. Got a phone call and 2 emails this a.m. One email said I would have my Loyalty Club status in 48-72 hours. 2nd email and call were giving me a contact at MSC. Pleased so far....

Edited August 3, 2015 by suzyluvs2cruise

[MattInFLL]

It took them about 2 days to let me know I am "Black" level in their program, and I also got two marketing/cruise planner specialist emails wanting me to call and book.

 

MSC can do this because they have nowhere near the base of customers here in the US that Royal does. Royal doesn't need to do this kind of promotion. It's like a new Las Vegas hotel opening and trying to steal the whales from another casino.

 

I would like to try MSC, and this would certainly make it more tempting.

[jamon]

thanks for the info...

[Paulette3028]

I sent my application in yesterday. Got a phone call and 2 emails this a.m. One email said I would have my Loyalty Club status in 48-72 hours. 2nd email and call were giving me a contact at MSC. Pleased so far....

 

My DH sent it in on Saturday and he has heard nothing yet at all.

[travelplus]

Here is an idea. If you can prove that you have sailed with Royal Caribbean once then you could be on the second tier and then work your way up from there. Then that way you would not have to start as a "Never cruised" before passenger and not be invited to the Welcome Back Parties etc.

 

I would like to see Cruiselines acknowledge that we have status in other cruiselines but want to try theirs so they can give us an incentive by giving us their second tier status and perhaps a bonus $50-$100 OBC just for sending them a copy of your current status with Royal Caribbean.

 

What are your thoughts?

[Sole]

It took them about 2 days to let me know I am "Black" level in their program

 

Hi, what status/level are you on Royal? And (if you want to tell me) how many points do you have?

I'm Diamond and I sent my docs a week ago... but still no answers from them...

 

Anyone know how they compare levels between MSC and Royal Caribbean (or Celebrty/Azamara?)

[Paulette3028]

Here is an idea. If you can prove that you have sailed with Royal Caribbean once then you could be on the second tier and then work your way up from there. Then that way you would not have to start as a "Never cruised" before passenger and not be invited to the Welcome Back Parties etc.

 

I would like to see Cruiselines acknowledge that we have status in other cruiselines but want to try theirs so they can give us an incentive by giving us their second tier status and perhaps a bonus $50-$100 OBC just for sending them a copy of your current status with Royal Caribbean.

 

What are your thoughts?

 

What you are suggesting is that because a person has simply taken one cruise on Royal, then they should start at their second tier and if you cruise more on that new line work up from there. That wasn't the way I interpreted the MSC offer, it surely would be nice -- IF I was going to try a new line and potentially continue cruising on it.

 

Would I want Royal to do it that way.....not sure. My first thought would be 'no'. But then if I was a marketing person and could get that newly impressed cruiser who has moved over from another line and tried us once, I might have a different POV, to continue to get their cruise dollars.

[ChipLondon]

Maybe you would like to get back onto the UK office, and tell them that this match is available to UK cruisers, as I have just been sent my Black Membership details. The big question now is will the benefits entice me to try another MSC cruise, I enjoyed my previous cruises, but feel my loyalty remains with Royal. :D

 

Just been on the phone to MSC in the UK and have been told this match is only available to US and Brazilian cruisers not those in the rest of the world.

 

Apparently they are already getting complaints in the UK office. Not such clever marketing after all, if other people think like me it will give MSC a bad name in Europe.

 

Julie

[Sole]

Just been on the phone to MSC in the UK and have been told this match is only available to US and Brazilian cruisers not those in the rest of the world.

 

 

It's incorrect... I live and I'm Swiss citizen, I wrote an email to MSc Italy for asking some information and they said to me how to do...

After that, I sent my form and now I'm waiting an answer to know which level/status they will give me. Moreover I participate in an Italian cruise forum and I know that for a lot of users they give a match (for example with Costa cruisers members...)

So, I'm sure that this match is available for other people, not only US, Brazilian or UK...

At this moment I'm just curious to discover what status they give my, because I'm Diamond on Royal and I have no idea about about their response

Ciao [emoji4]

Edited August 4, 2015 by Sole

[kernow]

Maybe you would like to get back onto the UK office, and tell them that this match is available to UK cruisers, as I have just been sent my Black Membership details. The big question now is will the benefits entice me to try another MSC cruise, I enjoyed my previous cruises, but feel my loyalty remains with Royal. :D

 

Thanks for that:) We're currently on holiday in the US but will definitely call again when we get back to the UK. While not as good as D+ benefits the black benefits would still be nice to have.

 

Julie

[DEIx15x8]

I was amazed how smooth and easy this whole process went. I submitted the form and included a screenshot of the box that includes my name, number, points, and level on the Royal Caribbean website. I believe it took about 3 days and I received a single email welcoming me and informing me that my number was in the attached pdf. The pdf had my number and said that I was a black card holder. I am Diamond with Royal Caribbean. Never received a phone call, any emails asking for communication, or even marketing items. Only communication I received (and have received since) is the welcome email with my level and number.

 

The MSC Seaside certainly has me interested and getting to start at the highest loyalty level takes away the only reason to stay with Royal instead of giving it a try. Seems like a brilliant move on their part and I'm sure they will gain a lot more people willing to give them a shot than they would have otherwise. With the level of anger on these boards lately that could be huge. It only takes one good cruise to jump lines permanently (or even just change to 50/50 which is still huge), this makes that decision much easier.

Edited August 4, 2015 by DEIx15x8

[gkbiiii]

Matched to Black Card today, yea!!!

 

 

I think I will book a 7 night December cruise on the Divina instead of the 5 night Celebrity cruise I was planning. As well, I am now very interested in the MSC Seaside Maiden Voyage!!

Edited August 5, 2015 by gkbiiii