The MSC Status Match Program in Detail
What is the MSC Status Match Scheme?
When Anita and I considered our next family cruise, we discovered the MSC Status Match Program, sometimes called the MSC Croisières Status Match.
We had never heard of this before, but as we found, this program has many untold benefits if you are eligible for the scheme. MSC will match the valid loyalty club memberships you have earned with certain Hotels, Cruise lines or Tour Operators and translate these into their MSC Voyagers Club benefits. This is an MSC loyalty match scheme whereby you receive all the benefits that the equivalent loyalty program on MSC Cruises would provide.
The most significant advantage is that once you are a member of the MSC Voyagers Club, you are eligible for a 5% discount on all MSC Cruises. There are many other onboard privileges, which we will cover later in this article, plus membership offers on specially selected cruises with additional discounts of up to 15%.
The MSC cruises status match program is an excellent way of encouraging loyal guests from other cruise lines to try MSC. Promoting this scheme is also a unique way for travel agents to add value to their guests.
We suggest you take the time to read this post and then apply for an MSC Status match with your current cruise line loyalty program. As it costs you nothing it’s well worth doing if you plan to cruise with MSC Cruises. If you don’t take a cruise with MSC Cruises within three years of an MSC Status match, you will lose your loyalty status completely.
What is the MSC Voyagers Club?
There are five membership levels to progress through: Welcome, Classic, Silver, Gold and Diamond. Each time you cruise with MSC, you will earn points and as your points grow, along with your privileges and status. Don’t forget to provide your membership number at the time of booking to ensure you receive your benefits!
The MSC Cruises Voyages Club Cards
What is the MSC Voyagers Club?
The Voyagers Club is MSC Cruises Loyalty Rewards scheme and being a member means entering a world of privileges that continue to grow the more you cruise with MSC. The program MSC’s way of saying thank you to loyal guests who share a passion for discovery and keep coming back, year after year.
There are five membership levels to progress through: Welcome, Classic, Silver, Gold and Diamond. Each time you cruise with MSC, you will earn points and as your points grow, along with your privileges and status. Don’t forget to provide your membership number at the time of booking to ensure you receive your benefits!
MSC Voyagers Club membership is subject to a minimum of one cruise every three years. If you don’t take a voyage with MSC within three years after the enrolment date or your last disembarkation date, your membership will expire. Should your membership expire, you must subscribe again and you will be assigned the Classic status and a new Club identification number.
The Voyager Club Membership Benefits
At the time of writing the benefits of being an MSC Voyager Club member are scaled depending on your status. A snapshot of the actual benefits is as shown below. We were lucky enough to be granted Diamond Status following our successful Status Match
CLASSIC – MSC VOYAGERS CLUB BENEFITS
5% cruise discount valid all year round. Not valid on Tandem and MSC Grand Tours
5% + up to 15% cruise discount on Voyages Selection departures
Pre-board MSC Voyagers Club special e-newsletter
MSC Voyagers Club personalised luggage tags for embarkation in the e-ticket
MSC Voyagers Club card
Welcome back cocktail
Onboard dedicated number
A collection of flexible onboard offers
MSC Ambassador (online poll)
MSC Voyagers Club e-newsletter
MSC Voyagers Club online personal area
Our assigned Diamond Status in the MSC Voyagers Club Loyalty program gave us these wonderful, priviledges. Having read reviews of these benefits online, it does seem they are worth having.
DIAMOND – MSC VOYAGERS CLUB BENEFITS
In addition to all the Classic level, additional for being a Diamond include:
50€/$ onboard credit p.p. on Voyages Selection departures
Milestone reward
Complimentary fresh fruit basket per cabin once per cruise
Complimentary one-hour thermal area session once per cruise
Complimentary gift
Complimentary photo during Welcome back cocktail
Complimentary birthday cake
Priority disembarkation in ports where a tender boat is required
Priority line for boarding on embarkation day
Complimentary speciality restaurant “Tasting Menu” dinner per cabin (no beverages)
Complimentary spumante with chocolate-dipped fruit per cabin and once per cruise
Courtesy towelling bathrobe and slippers available during the cruise
MSC Voyagers Club exclusive Diamond Party MSC Voyagers Club chocolate ship
Complimentary dancing class
Late cabin check-out disembarkation
Priority disembarkation at the end of the cruise
What you will need for MSC Status Match
Ideally, you need a scanned copy of your current cruise line or hotel loyalty card. They accepted file formats including .jpg, .doc, .docx, and pdf. We could have used one of several cards, including Cunard, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, or Crystal cruises, but we chose to use our Seabourn Diamond membership.
By doing this, we matched to the highest level within the MSC Voyagers Club Status Match program, which is also Diamond. If in doubt, it is worth contacting the status match department at MSC for clarification. We needed their help, and they were brilliant. To take advantage of the 5% cruise discount, you need to have completed the staus match process. We did, and it worked, thanks to our trusty travel agent.
How to sign up
We Status Matched our Seabourn Diamond Club membership with MSC Cruises Black and received the 5% discount on of first booking and now look forward to the additional benefits when we sail on the MSC Seaview soon. To take advantage of the offer, you need to visit the dedicated Staus Match web sites which are as follows :
Germany: http://www.msc-kreuzfahrten.de/de_de…-Programm.aspx
Italy: http://www.msccrociere.it/it_it/MSC/…tus-Match.aspx
France: http://www.msccroisieres.fr/fr_fr/Of…tus-Match.aspx
UK: https://www.msccruises.co.uk/manage-booking/msc-voyagers-club/status-match
USA: http://www.msccruisesusa.com/us_en/M…h-program.aspx
In case of difficulty, you can also print, complete and sign a registration form which should be scanned and sent to MSC Cruises. Different countries have separate email contact details, but for the UK this is statusmatch@msccruises.co.uk.
You then receive an email confirming successful registration with details of the MSC Voyagers Club membership number. The tier level you are assigned ‘Classic’, ‘Silver’, ‘Gold’ or ‘Black’ will match as closely as possible with the level of benefits you enjoy from your loyalty program.
Your Membership Card is available to you on your first MSC cruise.
Be aware that the MSC Status Match can only be done once. Make sure you pick the membership with the highest level to avoid missing out. If you later realise you have a higher level on another line, you can’t match again.
Which Cruise Line Loyalty Programs are eligible for Staus Match?
At the time of writing the following cruise lines loyalty programs are eligible for MSC status match. The list may change from time to time, but if in doubt we suggest you contact MSC cruises direct.
Azamara Cruises, Carnival Cruises, Costa Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Cunard Cruises, Princess Cruises, Silversea, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Holland America, P&O Cruises, Seabourn Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line, Ponant Yacht Cruises, Aida Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Oceania Cruises, Star Cruises
Which Hotel Brands Loyalty Programs Status Match with MSC?
Club Med ITA, Club Med FRA, Club Med DEU, Expedia, Hilton, Marriott, Ritz Carlton, Hyatt Hotels, Orbitz, Shangri-la, Accor Hotels, Melia Hotels, Fairmont, Starwood, Kampinski, Pestana, Best Western, ClubCarlson, Othon Hotels, International Hotel Group, NH, Centara Hotel Resort, Sandals, Steigenberger Hotel Group, Mosturflot, Infoflot, Vodokhod, RIU Hotels and Resorts, Wyndham Hotels, MGM Resorts, GNV, Alipay, Air China, China Eastern, China Southern, Jin Jiang Hotels, H, Club Med US & CAN, Mohegan Sun, C-Trip.
How Long Does it Take To Have Your Status Matched?
Ours took a few days, and we have heard of other people receiving confirmation on the same day as they applied. You should probably wait and give it a few weeks and if you haven’t heard then contact MSC direct or through your travel agent.
About MSC Cruises and their Ships
MSC Cruises is the fastest-growing cruise line in the world. Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, MSC Cruises is part of the Cruises Division of MSC Group, the privately-held Swiss-based leading shipping and logistics conglomerate.
MSC Cruises’ fleet of 17 modern and innovative ships is one of the most environmentally-advanced in the industry. The Company is committed to environmental stewardship and works to minimise and continuously reduce the environmental impact of its fleet both while at sea and ashore by employing innovative marine and environmental technologies.
An industry-unprecedented €11.6 billion investment plan will see MSC Cruises’ fleet increase to 25 ships by 2027. Additionally, MSC Group’s Cruises Division is investing an additional €2 billion in a new luxury cruise brand comprising four super-yacht ships, launching one per year between 2023 and 2026.
Sailing to more than 200 destinations across five continents, MSC Cruises brings together more than 180 nationalities from around the world, offering an enriching and immersive cruise experience inspired by the Company’s European heritage. Expect to find international dining, world-class entertainment, award-winning family programmes and the very latest guest-friendly technology onboard.
An industry-unprecedented €11.6 billion investment plan will see MSC Cruises’ fleet increase to 25 ships by 2027. Additionally, MSC Group’s Cruises Division is investing an additional €2 billion in a new luxury cruise brand comprising four super-yacht ships, launching one per year between 2023 and 2026.
Sailing to more than 200 destinations across five continents, MSC Cruises brings together more than 180 nationalities from around the world, offering an enriching and immersive cruise experience inspired by the Company’s European heritage. Expect to find international dining, world-class entertainment, award-winning family programmes and the very latest guest-friendly technology onboard.
MSC features large resort-style ships that sail over 1,000 routes around the world — the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Caribbean, South Africa, and South America.
Recent innovations on the newest MSC ships include the MSC Yacht Club, a marvellous “ship within a ship” area for those passengers in the Yacht Club staterooms.
Passenger Profile
MSC cruise ships have a decidedly European, cosmopolitan feel, and are best suited for couples and families with children. Children under 17 sharing a cabin with two adults sail free on all MSC sailings, so expect to see a lot of children during school holidays.
MSC markets to numerous nationalities and therefore there are many languages represented onboard. This diverse group of passengers can be appealing and exciting for some, but turn others off who are more accustomed to North American ships.
Staterooms
The MSC ships have most of their cabins on the outside, and many of those have balconies. MSC introduced a new concept on the MSC Fantasia class ships — MSC Yacht Club Suites. These suites are concentrated in a private area on two decks and feature full butler service, a pool, an observation lounge, and other amenities. The two private deck areas in the MSC Yacht Club connect with a crystal glass Swarovski staircase.
Cuisine and Dining
The MSC ships have either one or two main dining rooms with two seatings for dinner. Passengers can also have open seating breakfast and lunch in the dining rooms, which could be interesting (or awkward), depending on which languages your table mates speak. All the ships also have a nice Italian-theme speciality restaurant, and some of the newer vessels have other speciality restaurants for an extra fee. Like most ships, MSC guests can also dine in a buffet-style restaurant for casual fare.
Onboard Activities and Entertainment
Like other large-ship cruise lines, MSC Cruises features big production shows, with lots of colourful music and dancers. The ships also have small combos that provide live music in some of the lounges. The main theatre on each vessel is large and has modern facilities and equipment equal to almost any theatre venue found ashore.
Common Areas
Since MSC Cruises’ ships are relatively new, they are modern in decor, with a European look with understated elegance and quality furnishings. As would be expected, the ships have Italian influences in their interior design. All in all, the ships’ decor works well and are pleasing to most cruisers.
Spa, Gym, and Fitness
The MSC spas offer all the regular treatments you would expect on other large cruise ships. These include massages to well-being body treatments to aromatherapy and thalassotherapy. The fitness centers are well equipped with all the latest equipment and classes such as Pilates, Tae-boo, aerobics, and Latin dancing.
Conclusions
The MSC Status Match program is an innovative development within the cruise industry. If you have cruised before you will already be a member of your cruise line loyalty program, so if you plan to give MSC Cruises a try, this is a great perk to have. We have completed the MSC Status Match process and are ready for our first MSC Cruise.
Some images courtesy of MSC Cruises
FAQ’s – Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MSC status match program?
MSC Cruises will match your loyalty membership from another cruise line, hotel or tour operator! Cruise with MSC and get all the privileges you are used to!
What cruise lines match loyalty programs?
Here are the top seven cruise ship loyalty programs you should join.
- Latitudes Rewards Loyalty Program — Norwegian Cruise Line.
- Castaway Club — Disney Cruise Line.
- Captain’s Club Cruise Rewards — Celebrity Cruises.
- Crown & Anchor Society — Royal Caribbean.
- VIFP — Carnival Cruise Line.
Princess Cruises — Captain’s Circle
Does MSC honor Carnival status?
MSC Cruises – MSC Voyagers Club
So, if you already have reached status with Royal Caribbean or Carnival you can reap some of those rewards with MSC if you quality. By applying for the Status Match program with MSC Cruises you will be assigned a membership level from Classic to Black.
Does MSC Cruise match status?
For members of other hotel, cruise line or tour operator loyalty programmes, MSC Voyagers Club will status match, offering a matching level from Classic to Black and guests can take advantage of the 5% discount on any cruise and a similar or higher privilege status than their current loyalty programme.
Do cruise lines match status?
Historically, the cruise line’s have not matched elite status the way the airline programs you may be more accustomed to having. However, elite status reciprocity is a term loyal cruisers should get to know, especially if they frequently cruise with Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd
Thanks for your email. We have found from experience that MSC can be a little slow, but they do get there in the end. The benefits are well worth waiting for. I would keep trying with MSC and give them a polite reminder.