Embarking on a cruise with MSC Cruises becomes even more rewarding when you join the MSC Voyagers Club Loyalty Program. This program is designed to offer frequent cruisers with MSC a range of benefits and privileges that enhance their travel experience. Loyalty programs are a cornerstone of customer retention in the cruise industry, acknowledging and rewarding repeat guests for their continued patronage.
Benefits of Joining MSC Voyagers Club
As a member of the MSC Voyagers Club, you unlock access to an array of exclusive advantages:
- Accumulation of points leading to higher membership levels
- Onboard discounts and savings tailored to your membership tier
- Priority boarding and other personalized services
- Opportunities to attend members-only events
Each time you set sail with MSC Cruises, your loyalty is recognized, making every journey more memorable. Whether you’re lounging by the pool or exploring a new port, as an MSC Voyagers Club member, your cruising experience is elevated with each advantage offered. Joining the club not only signifies your affinity for MSC Cruises but also opens the door to a world of special treatment and recognition at sea.
Understanding the MSC Voyagers Club Loyalty Program
Membership Levels
The MSC Voyagers Club has five membership levels, each with increasing benefits and privileges. Here’s what you need to know about each level:
Welcome Level
- Qualification: Enrollment in the MSC Voyagers Club
- Benefits:
- Membership card
- Subscription to the newsletter
- Access to members-only offers
Classic Level
- Qualification: Earn 1-2,199 points
- Benefits:
- All Welcome level perks plus:
- A dedicated status card
- A welcome back cocktail
- A milestone reward
Silver Level
- Qualification: Accumulate 2,200-4,299 points
- Benefits:
- Everything from the Classic level with added:
- Priority boarding in select ports
- A complimentary fruit basket
- A 10% discount on your next cruise
Gold Level
- Qualification: Amass 4,300-9,999 points
- Benefits:
- All Silver benefits plus:
- Priority disembarkation at the end of the cruise
- A free one-hour thermal area session in the MSC Aurea Spa
- A 20% cruise discount
Diamond Level
- Qualification: Reach over 10,000 points
- Benefits:
- Gold-level advantages with further enhancements like:
- Exclusive parties
- Late cabin check-out where available
- Complimentary specialty dining experience once per cruise
- A massive 30% off on future cruise bookings
How to Earn Points and Move up the Membership Tiers?
To move up from one membership level to another, you need to earn more points. Points are awarded based on your onboard expenses and the ‘MSC Experience’ you choose—Bella, Fantastica, Aurea, or MSC Yacht Club—each offering its own perks. Here’s how it works:
- Bella Experience: Standard accommodation with essential amenities; earns basic points.
- Fantastica Experience: Preferred location of standard rooms; bonus points for extra comfort.
- Aurea Experience: Premium rooms; additional bonus points for luxury services.
- MSC Yacht Club: Exclusive ship-within-a-ship area with top-tier service; maximum bonus points.
Tips to Climb the Loyalty Ladder
To upgrade your membership level, you not only need to earn enough points but also align with spending aboard MSC cruises or purchasing prepaid services before embarking. Here are some tips to help you climb up the loyalty ladder faster:
- Indulge in onboard services: Make use of onboard facilities like specialty restaurants, spa treatments, and excursions to earn more points.
- Upgrade your experience: Consider upgrading your cabin or selecting a higher-level ‘MSC Experience’ to earn bonus points.
- Stay active within the program: Take an MSC cruise every three years to maintain your earned status and prevent your account from lapsing.
Remember, the more you engage with MSC Cruises and stay active in the loyalty program, the more benefits and privileges you’ll enjoy. So keep exploring the seas and make the most of your membership!
Earning and Redeeming Points
How to Earn Points in the MSC Voyagers Club
In the MSC Voyagers Club, you can earn points by making purchases and participating in specific activities. Here’s how it works:
- Welcome level: For every €150 you spend onboard, you’ll receive 100 points.
- Classic level and beyond: As you move up in membership tiers, more ways to earn points become available.
Bonus Point Opportunities
In addition to onboard expenditures, you can also earn bonus points through the following activities:
- Purchasing an MSC Experience
- Booking a stateroom category upgrade
- Prepaid services like drink packages or excursions
Higher Points for Premium Experiences
If you opt for more premium MSC Experiences like Aurea or Yacht Club, you’ll earn even more bonus points. Here’s an example:
- Fantastica Experience: 200 points
- Yacht Club Experience: 700 points
Unlocking Benefits with Points
Accrued points can help you progress through membership tiers and unlock associated benefits. However, it’s important to note that moving up in the loyalty program isn’t just about earning more points; it’s also about strategic redemption and taking advantage of available opportunities.
Maximizing Point Value
To make the most of your points, consider redeeming them for onboard credits. Here’s a handy conversion rate: every 1,000 points will give you €50 in onboard credit.
Understanding how to earn and use your points effectively is key to getting the most value out of your MSC Voyagers Club membership.
Exclusive Perks for MSC Voyagers Club Members
Becoming a member of the MSC Voyagers Club opens the door to a host of exclusive perks. One significant advantage is the potential to save on your cruise fare through the club’s Cruise Fare Discounts.
Cruise Fare Discounts
As a member, you’re eligible for discounts on your cruise fare. This can range from 5% to 15%, depending on your membership level.
- Welcome and Classic members receive a 5% discount
- Silver members enjoy a 5% discount along with an additional 5% off on select voyages
- Gold members benefit from a consistent 10% discount
- Diamond members receive the maximum advantage with a 15% discount on their cruise fare
These discounts are automatically applied when booking your cruise. It’s important to note that these reductions are applicable only to the cruise portion of your booking and not to taxes, fees or port expenses.
To take full advantage of these savings, you should ensure that your MSC Voyagers Club membership number is linked to your booking. If you make a reservation without adding your membership number, you won’t receive the discount.
The terms and conditions for availing these discounts are straightforward. You need to be an active member at the time of booking and during the cruise. The discount is not combinable with other promotional offers unless explicitly stated by MSC Cruises.
Cruise Fare Discounts significantly reduce the cost of your holiday, making it more affordable for you and your family to explore new destinations aboard luxury ships.
Benefits of Booking Early
Booking your cruise vacation in advance as a member of the MSC Voyagers Club comes with a suite of early booking benefits that not only enhance your travel experience but also provide significant savings. The early booking benefits include:
- Cruise Fare Discounts: Members who book their cruises well in advance are privy to special rates that reduce the overall cost of their journey. This is in addition to the exclusive discounts already available through the loyalty program.
- Exclusive Discounts: On top of cruise fare reductions, early birds often have access to deals on packages and services that can be pre-purchased before setting sail, such as spa treatments, excursions, and specialty dining.
- Additional Advantages: Depending on your membership level, you might enjoy priority boarding, which allows you to begin your vacation without the wait, and cabin upgrades that enhance comfort and luxury at no extra cost.
These incentives are structured to reward members for their commitment and foresight in planning their holidays with MSC Cruises. The earlier you book, the more you stand to gain from these cumulative offers, ensuring your voyage is both memorable and value-packed.
Maintaining Membership and Other Program Features
When it comes to maintaining membership in the MSC Voyagers Club, a unique factor emerges – the absence of a “forever status”. Unlike some loyalty programs, MSC Cruises has chosen not to offer this kind of permanent loyalty status. Let’s delve into why that might be.
The Concept of “Forever Status” and Account Maintenance
The concept of “forever status” in a loyalty program refers to a tier or level where once achieved, members maintain their benefits indefinitely, without the need for continuous activity or requalification. This can be an appealing feature for many as it offers a sense of security and reward for their loyalty.
However, MSC Voyagers Club has taken a different approach. Instead of offering a “forever status”, they require members to maintain activity within their program. Specifically, members must cruise at least once every 36 months to keep their points and account active.
This strategy may seem less rewarding at first glance, but it encourages ongoing engagement with the brand. Also, by requiring regular cruises, it ensures that the benefits are being utilized by active cruisers who continue to choose MSC for their travel experiences.
On the other hand, some might argue that the lack of “forever status” could potentially discourage long-term loyalty. Yet, MSC seems confident in the value proposition of its Voyagers Club, even without this feature. The range of benefits across different membership tiers and the potential rewards that can be earned through active participation seem to hold enough appeal to keep members engaged.
The Status Match Feature
While discussing program features, another aspect worth mentioning is the Status Match feature offered by MSC Voyagers Club.
MSC Voyagers Club is aware that potential members might already hold high-status levels in other cruise lines’, hotels’, or booking sites’ loyalty programs. To smooth their transition and encourage them to try MSC Cruises, they offer a Status Match feature.
Eligibility for this feature requires proof of an equivalent status in another program. Once verified, MSC Voyagers Club will match the status in their program, allowing new members to enjoy comparable benefits right away.
This Status Match feature is a strategic move by MSC Cruises to attract and retain customers who have demonstrated loyalty to other brands. It provides a strong incentive for such individuals to experience what MSC has to offer, without feeling like they are starting from scratch.
In essence, the choice not to offer “forever status” and the inclusion of a Status Match feature are clear reflections of MSC’s strategy. They aim to engage active cruisers and attract experienced travelers, all while offering a robust rewards system through the MSC Voyagers Club.
Status Match Feature
The Status Match feature is a distinct benefit of the MSC Voyagers Club. This unique initiative enables members from other loyalty programs to transition smoothly into the MSC Voyagers Club, bringing their hard-earned status with them.
To avail of this feature, you need to provide proof of your current membership status from a competing cruise line, hotel, or travel booking site. MSC Cruises will then match your status level within their own program, allowing you to enjoy equivalent benefits right away.
Keep in mind that frequent cruising is essential to maintain your membership status:
- The MSC Voyagers Club requires you to cruise at least once every 36 months.
- Failing to do so may result in a reset of your points and loss of accrued benefits.
The Status Match feature truly sets the MSC Voyagers Club apart, providing a seamless transition for loyal cruisers and increasing the value proposition for potential members.
Wrap Up
Joining the MSC Voyagers Club Loyalty Program offers genuine value for frequent cruisers. With a variety of membership levels, you can unlock benefits tailored to your travel style. The potential rewards include cruise fare discounts, early booking benefits, and even status matching for loyal customers of competing cruise lines. Though it does not offer “forever status”, the program encourages members to stay engaged by providing a rich array of perks. Exploring the seas with MSC Cruises becomes an even more rewarding experience when you’re part of the MSC Voyagers Club.
Cory Edwards has a passion for cruising that is only matched by his knowledge of the industry. He is the owner of his own travel agency, Blue Ocean Cruise and Travel, that is dedicated to putting together dream cruises for all his clients. He has embarked on a countless number of cruises himself and he plans to keep sailing the high seas as often as possible.