URComped CEO and Co-Founder, Craig Shacklett, sits with MSC Cruises' Director of Casino Marketing, Jon Wamba, to get some answers to commonly asked questions as well as dive into the current casino program and how it works. (This interview was filmed on January 9, 2024).
What do guests experience onboard MSC Cruises?
While ship classes may differ in various aspects, there is a consistent experience shared among all MSC ships. Each vessel boasts an elegant aesthetic, incorporating top-notch textures, surfaces, and materials in both interior and exterior decor, prominently reflected in their casinos. The ships are very clean and polished. The staff is very friendly and MSC creates a fun atmosphere for guests to enjoy themselves onboard.
How does MSC differ from other cruise lines?
While MSC is developing its niche in the United States, they are a European-based company. The owner's Italian background significantly influences the design of the ship as well as the service and personality of the staff. There is an international flair onboard within the American Market. The combination of influences results in a delightful blend, creating a comfortable and luxurious ambiance aboard the ships.
What's the Yacht Club experience and what's included?
Yacht Club is a VVIP experience onboard MSC Ships. It is a "ship within a ship" designed to provide a private yacht ambiance. This exclusive service encompasses dedicated butlers and 24-hour concierge staff, attending to all guest needs, from excursions and reservations to addressing inquiries and fulfilling special requests. The Yacht Club boasts a distinctive dining room serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, along with a spacious lounge featuring live entertainment each evening. A private pool deck caters specifically to Yacht Club guests, ensuring exclusive access. Only those with Yacht Club cabin reservations are permitted in this designated area of the ship. Yacht Club members enjoy expedited embarkation and disembarkation at all ports, in addition to premium perks such as a premium drink package and premium wifi package.
Do MSC offers include free play or other upfront comps?
Yes, MSC does have offers that will include free play. Guests can also earn free play through their play onboard the ship. They have a matrix for future cruise credits in the casino that at different stages and hurdles guests can earn a fully comped cabin at various types and earn levels of additional freeplay. To learn more and see the point breakdown and matrix, go to https://urcomped.com/blog/details/3011709/msc-you-choose-signature-rewards-for-dream-points
Can players book cabin categories different from what they earned on their onboard certificate?
For example, if a player earns a balcony offer onboard but would rather have an ocean view with free play on a selected sailing instead, MSC can do this. If a guest earns a certificate on board, it is transferable to other levels of that offer. There are 3 different areas of the onboard cruise certificate program. On a short cruise(5 nights or less), the threshold to earn a comp cabin is lower as well as the free play tiers. Once guests earn a comp for a longer cruise, that can be traded in for a lower-level cabin with free play. This would need to be done through URComped. To learn more and see the point breakdown and matrix, go to https://urcomped.com/blog/details/3011709/msc-you-choose-signature-rewards-for-dream-points
Why do some MSC offers require a deposit and some taxes and fees?
The typical MSC offer that most guests are used to requires a $400 deposit for a fully comped cabin, which they receive back as an onboard credit once the cruise begins. The reason MSC requires this deposit is that they pay the port fees and taxes in addition to the cruise fare for the guest and the deposit is their way to ensure the guest is committed to sailing with MSC. This way the guest is truly getting a fully comped experience. On occasion, MSC will receive special offers from their revenue department which the casino department does not have to pay for. Under those circumstances, the taxes and fees still have to be paid and the casino department cannot pay them under those parameters, so the guest will have to pay them. These types of offers are not as common and only happen on select sailings and are typically very short notice.
Do URComped players get free drinks in the casino on MSC?
Yes, as an invited VIP guest on a comp offer you are entitled to free drinks in the casino while gaming. This will either be coded on the guest's sea pass card or they will require a sticker on their card to identify them as a casino VIP customer. Comp guests are encouraged to check in with the casino staff on Day 1 upon the casino opening to find out which way it works on that particular ship.
Are there fees for URComped players while withdrawing money? What are the daily limits? Cash Advances?
When guests embark, they will need sure to have a registered card on file that is connected to their Sea Pass Card. This can be done through the app or self-serving kiosks located throughout the ship and in the casino. While playing, guests can charge their gaming funds onto that card through their folio without any additional fees. They can do this by downloading credits directly onto a slot machine, handing their sea pass card to the dealer, or they can make a transaction at the cage. The limit is $50K per day. There are cash advance kiosks onboard near or at the casino cage, however, there will be fees with cash advances according to the guest's bank.
Can you wire money on MSC?
If a guest does not want to take cash onboard, they can do a wire transfer to MSC. Guests can get wire instructions upon request either through URComped or directly through MSC's casino department.
What can players expect from an MSC host onboard?
Casino hosts are there for all your gaming needs and guests are encouraged to make contact with them on Day 1. Feel free to ask them questions, give them comments, and make any special gaming requests you may have. The hosts are also there to educate you on the certificate program, available games, different limits, etc. as well as bring the fun and run any lottos, casino promos, tournaments, and raffles.
What is MSC Cruise Lines' Loyalty program? Is there a status match?
Voyager Club is MSC's loyalty program with multiple tiers. The tiers have been matched with all the other cruise lines so that MSC can do a status match for guests who have not sailed with them before. This can also work with certain hotel loyalty programs as well! Apply before your next cruise and ALWAYS use the highest tier card that you have. https://www.msccruisesusa.com/en-us/MSC-Voyagers-Club/Loyalty-Match-Program.aspx
Does MSC have a casino loyalty program? What is the foundation of the Casino Program?
The loyalty program specifically for the casino has not launched yet. The foundation for the casino program has been laid out and guests can see their points, know how they can accumulate them through play, and earn onboard certificates and digital offers. You can learn more by going to https://urcomped.com/blog/details/3011709/msc-you-choose-signature-rewards-for-dream-points
What can players use their points for during the cruise? Do they carry over from cruise to cruise?
As guests earn points, those points go to their certificate offer and also can be used to download as free play. This will not detract from their earnings that go towards their onboard certificate offers. They will not carry over, so guests will want to use all the benefits before the end of each sailing.
How does comp solo travel work with MSC?
On the casino offers that require a deposit, it is still a $400 deposit, which they receive back as an onboard credit once the cruise begins. Sometimes as ships start to fill up, there will not be any single-capacity cabins available, but the casino program comps are based on double occupancy cabins. This means that comp solo travelers don't need to worry about being restricted to single occupancy capacity.
What is new onboard MSC?
MSc is going through a rapid casino expansion with its US ships. On MSC Seashore and Seascape, they've expanded the casino by adding games into their sports bar, repurposing a private pool room with machines as a smoking room, as well as adding craps tables into their casinos. The MSC Meraviglia has expanded its casino into the atrium across from its champagne bar along with the addition of a Craps table. MSC Divina has also received new games and craps onboard. The casinos still offer smoking in designated areas or separated rooms with slots. All the machines are new and state-of-the-art. This expansion happened between October 2023 and November 2023.
What is in store for MSC as we look to the future?
MSC is currently working on its new terminal in Port Miami. This will be the largest terminal in North America. This will be opening soon. In addition, MSc has a brand new World-Class ship, the Word America, which will start sailing in April 2025. There will also be a new home port coming in November 2025 as MSC will offer new itineraries from Galveston.
What enhancements are MSC making at Ocean Cay?
This spring 2024, MSc's private island is going to be enhanced. There will be a few weeks that MSc will not port at Ocean Cay, but will reopen as soon as the revamp is completed. They are improving and adding infrastructure, food and beverage outlets, an excursion center, the marine institute, and additional staff housing.
What is MSC's environmental footprint?
MSC World Europa has achieved a lot of "firsts" in the cruise industry. The new MSC Euribia also had the first Net Zero Greenhouse Gas Emissions Cruise sailing not only on the sailing but across the entire supply chain. These efficient LNG-powered ships are an example of how MSC strives to make its carbon footprint as low as possible. MSC's Ocean Cay will also have an additional solar farm
What is the dining like on MSC?
Other than the buffet which is known for its incredible pizza and the main dining, there are lots of choices for specialty dining onboard MSC. There is Butchers Cut Steakhouse, Kaito Teppanyaki Hibachi, Ocean Cay Seafood, Hola Tacos and Cantina, and Kaito Sushi. There are also gelato and chocolate eateries as well!