RCCL vs MSC

[sbussert]

I have been on 12 cruises but all on RCCL. Seen much of MSC recently (they are really pushing to grow market share) Looking to maybe try the Seaside in 6/18. For those who have sailed both lines, what are the pros and cons of each? Most likely book a YC suite as we enjoy the perks. I kinda like the idea of what appears to be a separate deck for suites which is not really how RCCl does it.

 

Have 3 late teen/college age kids that will be joining us.

 

Thoughts?

[Beamafar]

Never sailed RCCL nor do I ever intend to with the prices they charge! However .......... I've sailed Yacht Club on 4 occasions now at a fraction of what RCCL charge for their higher end cabins. You will not get anything near the value offered by MSC for a similar experience! Not only do you get a separate haven to include concierge, dedicated restaurant and lounge, private pool and sundeck with bar and buffet, butler service, priority boarding with escort, priority tender off the ship, mini-bar, room service, free access to the thermal area of the spa, etc. You also get the premium drinks package included for use around the rest of the ship!

[lifeasme123]

We are Diamond + on RCCL. Just went on our first MSC cruise 2 weeks ago on Meravigilia. We will be back on Seaside in Jan 2018. DH and I liked MSC. We will cruise again with RCCL ONLY to keep our status (I believe we have to do one cruise with them every 36 months).

 

Beautiful ship. Can' beat the price. We like that we can pick the type of cabin and experience we want, and pay for what we want.

 

We typically travel with my mother and our young daughter.

 

What do your teens/college age children on RCCL that maybe unique to RCCL?

 

Don't forget to get your status matched!

Edited July 15, 2017 by lifeasme123

[lifeasme123]

Never sailed RCCL nor do I ever intend to with the prices they charge! However .......... I've sailed Yacht Club on 4 occasions now at a fraction of what RCCL charge for their higher end cabins. You will not get anything near the value offered by MSC for a similar experience! Not only do you get a separate haven to include concierge, dedicated restaurant and lounge, private pool and sundeck with bar and buffet, butler service, priority boarding with escort, priority tender off the ship, mini-bar, room service, free access to the thermal area of the spa, etc. You also get the premium drinks package included for use around the rest of the ship!

 

I am learning from you Bea! Better believe after Seaside I will be YC, now that you said it's ok with our young daughter. :-)

[lifeasme123]

Here are differences I can think of. Whether it's a pro or con is a matter of opinion.

 

• Price: No competition - MSC wins here. See Bea's response. We typically cruise in a balcony cabin.
  
• Passengers: MSC is a mixed of international passengers. For some people, this is an issue. For us, we enjoyed meeting people from other parts of the world on our cruise couple of weeks ago.
  
• Food: Tied. We were on a Med cruise, so the food was catered toward Europeans. I am hoping Seaside will have food geared to US pax. With that said, I was getting tired of the food on RCCL. We cruised so often that we got tired of the food, as they tend to be the same over and over. With MSC, the $ saved in the cabin price, we would spend that money on the specialty restaurants. There seems to be more "Free" eating areas on RCCL (this is for Quantum and Oasis class only). Also, menu are most likely different between YC and the rest of the ship.
  
• Entertainment: MSC shows are more for everyone, regardless of language. They had shows where it was a lot of singing, magic shows, etc. RCCL had plays like Cats, Mammia Mia, We will Rock You, which require an understanding of English.
  
• Activities: Our daughter loved the water park. DH and I enjoyed the Himalayan Bridge and tubing on the ship. And best part, it was rarely crowded. On Oasis class ships, we would wait for a while for the zip line ride that lasted seconds. On Anthem this past Jan, we stood in line for almost an hour for a 3 min bumper car ride.
  
• Guest Services: They both stink at this. I could never understand why people who work in Guest Relations are just cranky.
  
• Officer Presence: I saw more officers around on RCCL ships than MSC. If this matters at all to you.
  
• Drink Prices: MSC hands down lower than RCCL.
  
• We loved the "smart" technology on this new ship, which Seaside would have as well.
  
• We liked the kiosk where you would activate your onboard spending accounts.
  
• Kids Club: RCCL is better by a hair. This is because we were on the Med cruise and they spoke mainly in other languages.
  
• Black Card perks: MUCH MUCH better than Diamond perks on RCCL. It seems like RCCL was taking away C&A benefits, little by little.
  

[Beamafar]

WOW ....... incredible comparison, L!

 

I'm assuming that the 'We will rock you' refers to a Queen tribute. MSC does a Queen tribute on some of their ships, too.

 

The usual tributes that MSC do weren't on Meraviglia like Starwalker (Michael Jackson tribute) or Wonderland. In fact, I've just looked thru' the Daily Programs to see what shows were on (we didn't go to any) and they were nothing like what's usually on offer on MSC ships. There was a huge departure from the usual MSC experience on this ship.

 

MSC seems to be moving in a very different direction to what they've been offering up 'til now. I said it before and will re-iterate here: they want to please everyone, but may end up pleasing no-one.

[riclop]

I have been on 12 cruises but all on RCCL. Seen much of MSC recently (they are really pushing to grow market share) Looking to maybe try the Seaside in 6/18. For those who have sailed both lines, what are the pros and cons of each? Most likely book a YC suite as we enjoy the perks. I kinda like the idea of what appears to be a separate deck for suites which is not really how RCCl does it.

 

Have 3 late teen/college age kids that will be joining us.

 

Thoughts?

RCCL prices are ridiculous and they now came up with a NON REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT !!! Bea said it best.

[sbussert]

We are Diamond + on RCCL. Just went on our first MSC cruise 2 weeks ago on Meravigilia. We will be back on Seaside in Jan 2018. DH and I liked MSC. We will cruise again with RCCL ONLY to keep our status (I believe we have to do one cruise with them every 36 months).

 

Beautiful ship. Can' beat the price. We like that we can pick the type of cabin and experience we want, and pay for what we want.

 

We typically travel with my mother and our young daughter.

 

What do your teens/college age children on RCCL that maybe unique to RCCL?

 

Don't forget to get your status matched!

 

 

 

I thinks the kids will do fine on MSC.

 

What do you mean "Status Match"?

 

 

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[markf]

you are not doing your homework--MSC will match you loyalty for any line. fillin the form and show proof-

 

we became Black after being on NCL platinum and RCCL Diamond, you don't need both just one

[sbussert]

you are not doing your homework--MSC will match you loyalty for any line. fillin the form and show proof-

 

 

 

we became Black after being on NCL platinum and RCCL Diamond, you don't need both just one

 

 

 

Good to know, we are Diamond so will look into it. Thx

 

 

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[Beamafar]

RCCL prices are ridiculous and they now came up with a NON REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT !!!

 

Welcome to our world, Ric, where deposits have always been non-refundable!

[Beamafar]

I am learning from you Bea! Better believe after Seaside I will be YC, now that you said it's ok with our young daughter. :-)

 

You won't regret it .................. and your daughter will be spoiled rotten by the butlers and waiters.

[lifeasme123]

Good to know, we are Diamond so will look into it. Thx

 

 

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With the voyager club you will get 5% off the price as well.

 

Also, if you have anyone in your family or group who are diamond or higher, it's worth submitting their match as well. That way each person can enjoy the Black card benefits.

[love2cruiseforfree]

We are Diamond + on RCCL. Just went on our first MSC cruise 2 weeks ago on Meravigilia. We will be back on Seaside in Jan 2018. DH and I liked MSC. We will cruise again with RCCL ONLY to keep our status (I believe we have to do one cruise with them every 36 months).

 

Beautiful ship. Can' beat the price. We like that we can pick the type of cabin and experience we want, and pay for what we want.

 

We typically travel with my mother and our young daughter.

 

What do your teens/college age children on RCCL that maybe unique to RCCL

 

Don't forget to get your status matched!

 

 

been on RCCL many times and don't recall the policy being that you need to sail on them once every 36 months or you will loose your status. ? is this something new. only cruise line i know with that policy is msc.

[lifeasme123]

been on RCCL many times and don't recall the policy being that you need to sail on them once every 36 months or you will loose your status. ? is this something new. only cruise line i know with that policy is msc.

 

I hope this is true!! When I decided to try other cruise lines, I called RCCL C&A to ask if my status will expire after a certain period of inactivity.