Everything You Need to Know about MSC Cruises

You may not have heard of MSC Cruises, but they're planning on that changing with the launch of their first purpose-built cruise ship for the North American cruise market, aggressive pricing strategy and national media campaigns. With 13 ships including the recently launched MSC Meraviglia in May 2017, MSC Cruises is the largest privately owned cruise line in the world. They have their eyes on growth within North America and the rest of the world with an impressive 10 additional new ships scheduled for delivery by 2026. MSC Cruises from North America The MSC Divina has been sailing year round from Miami since 2013, after being re-positioned from Europe and has been well received by cruisers. In December 2017, MSC Cruises will launch the MSC Seaside. As the first ship designed specifically for North America, MSC Seaside will home port year-round in Miami, Florida and offer weekly alternating Eastern & Western Caribbean itineraries. The design of the the MSC Seaside is a departure from most modern cruise ships. In fact, her aft section resembles more of a South Beach condo and will fit perfectly in her new home. MSC has taken elements from other cruise lines and made then even better on the MSC Seaside. Grand exterior promenades, dual ziplines, expansive private sundeck area for suite guests and a multitude of dining options are just some of features guests will experience onboard. At the same time, MSC Cruises will have a newly refurbished terminal at Port Miami to be able to handle the increased capacity of MSC Seaside year-round and MSC Divina (during winter season). MSC Cruises has also announced plans to bring MSC Meraviglia to Miami in 2019. Preview of MSC Seaside Six Things to Know about MSC Cruises 1. Loyalty Status Match Program Every cruise line offers a loyalty program where you receive varying level of benefits depending on the number of cruises you have taken. How would you like to receive benefits onboard MSC ships including a 5% discount before your very first cruise? MSC Cruises has a program called Status Match. The free program allows anyone, even if they've never cruised with MSC before, to receive a matched level of benefits based on other cruise line or hotel loyalty programs they belong to. The process is initiated by completing a simple form on MSC Cruises Website where you would register for their MSC Voyagers Club by providing your pertinent contact information and proof of other loyalty program membership. It is important to note that this matching process can only be done once per account, so make sure you match to the loyalty program where you have the highest status. Varying cruise line and hotel loyalty programs will be weighted differently and your starting level in MSC Voyagers Club will be based on your other program's current level. Here are examples of status matching to Royal Caribbean Crown & Anchor Loyalty Program. Download Full list of MSC Voyagers Club Benefits Crown & Anchor Gold Level = MSC Classic 5% cruise discount Pre-cruise newsletter MSC Voyagers Club Card MSC Voyagers Club Luggage Tags Welcome Back Cocktail Onboard Special Offers Crown & Anchor Platinum Level = MSC Silver All benefits of MSC Classic Milstone Reward Complimentary basket of fresh fruit Crown & Anchor Emerald Level = MSC Gold All benefits of MSC Silver Complimentary one-hour thermal area session MSC Voyagers Club complimentary gift Priority disembarkation for tendered ports Complimentary MSC Voyagers Club photo Complimentary birthday cake Crown & Anchor Diamond Level & Above = MSC Black All benefits of MSC Gold Priority Boarding Complimentary Specialty Restaurant Dinner for two Complimentary Spumante with chocolate-dipped fruit Priority disembarkation at end of cruise Courtesy bathrobe & slippers Complimentary dance class MSC Voyagers Club Black Card party MSC Voyagers Club Chocolate Ship Late stateroom check-out as disembarkation *Exact Royal Caribbean Crown & Anchor status match levels and benefits subject to chan