msc cruises embarkation form

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Cruise Embarkation

Embarkation begins at the check-in time shown on your cruise ticket. Check-in closes 2 hours before the ship is due to depart in all embarkation ports. Before arriving at the port, please ensure that all personal details shown on the embarkation form in your e-ticket are checked and correct. You will be required to show your embarkation form before boarding.

Planning to sail with us soon? Click here  to find out more about our enhanced Health & Safety measures and our new, even safer onboard experience.

Useful Information

At the terminal.

1. Deliver your luggage to the designated staff, who will then have it sent directly to your cabin. All bags must be labelled beforehand with your name and surname, the name of the ship, the cabin number and the date and port of departure.

2. Go to the embarkation area with all personal travel documents required for the cruise, and show staff the embarkation form on your cruise ticket or via the MSC for Me app (if available). Collect your Cruise Card and MSC wrist band (if available). Guests of the MSC Yacht Club will find an exclusive Check-In area and will be assisted with their luggage by the butler team at the terminal, who will escort them to the dedicated line for priority Check-In. On request, the butler will also unpack guests’ suitcases.

3. Proceed to the security control. Please note that staff may search you and/or your luggage and confiscate any articles that could represent a safety risk. NOTE: All embarking guests will be required to show their face for security.

4. Board the ship where staff will take your security picture, if you have not already done so via the MSC for Me app or  web check-in  (if available). Then proceed to your cabin.

5. Go to your cabin. Your Cruise card will serve as your cabin key, this magnetic card can also be used to pay for products and services onboard. For MSC Yacht Club Guests, it is also used to access the MSC Yacht Club area. If your cabin is not yet ready, you may begin your onboard purchases in the bars and restaurants by providing crew with your cabin number and full name

6. Activate your Cruise Card for onboard purchases. (See the  Onboard Payment  section below for further information on how to do this.)

7. Take part in the obligatory safety drill.

8. Don’t miss the MSC Cruise Guide, an important presentation where we will tell you all you need to know in order to live your cruise to the full. The embarkation process might differ for MSC Seaside and MSC Divina.

Embarkation and disembarkation procedures for guests in Barcellona and Tarragona

If you are embarking at either Barcelona or Tarragona, Spain, you will find here all the information you need to know to have a smooth start to your holiday.

CORPORATE INFO

Travel info, social links.

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Sunday – Thursday: 9-17:00

Cruise Embarkation

Embarkation begins at the check-in time shown on your cruise ticket. Check-in closes 2 hours before the ship is due to depart in all embarkation ports. Before arriving at the port, please ensure that all personal details shown on the embarkation form in your e-ticket are checked and correct. You will be required to show your embarkation form before boarding.

Planning to sail with us soon? Click here  to find out more about our enhanced Health & Safety measures and our new, even safer onboard experience.

Useful Information

At the terminal.

1. Deliver your luggage to the designated staff, who will then have it sent directly to your cabin. All bags must be labelled beforehand with your name and surname, the name of the ship, the cabin number and the date and port of departure.

2. Go to the embarkation area with all personal travel documents required for the cruise, and show staff the embarkation form on your cruise ticket or via the MSC for Me app (if available). Collect your Cruise Card and MSC wrist band (if available). Guests of the MSC Yacht Club will find an exclusive Check-In area and will be assisted with their luggage by the butler team at the terminal, who will escort them to the dedicated line for priority Check-In. On request, the butler will also unpack guests’ suitcases.

3. Proceed to the security control. Please note that staff may search you and/or your luggage and confiscate any articles that could represent a safety risk. NOTE: All embarking guests will be required to show their face for security.

4. Board the ship where staff will take your security picture, if you have not already done so via the MSC for Me app or  web check-in  (if available). Then proceed to your cabin.

5. Go to your cabin. Your Cruise card will serve as your cabin key, this magnetic card can also be used to pay for products and services onboard. For MSC Yacht Club Guests, it is also used to access the MSC Yacht Club area. If your cabin is not yet ready, you may begin your onboard purchases in the bars and restaurants by providing crew with your cabin number and full name

6. Activate your Cruise Card for onboard purchases. (See the  Onboard Payment  section below for further information on how to do this.)

7. Take part in the obligatory safety drill.

8. Don’t miss the MSC Cruise Guide, an important presentation where we will tell you all you need to know in order to live your cruise to the full. The embarkation process might differ for MSC Seaside and MSC Divina.

Corporate Info

Travel info, social links.

M.S.C (Israel) Ltd

• MSC Cruises

Embarkation forms?

By kittinfeld1966 , April 15, 2019 in MSC Cruises

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kittinfeld1966

Are the "embarkation form" and "E-Ticket" two different documents, or are they one and the same?

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Share on other sites, carolnlarry.

The embarkation form is on page 2 of my cruise ticket that I received electronically

Ok good, thanks for the reply.

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MOBILITY, MEDICAL AND DIETARY REQUIREMENTS

MSC Cruises and its staff have always been attentive to the needs of their guests, and constantly strive to offer the best possible service, meeting international accessibility standards.

For information on the assistance provided on board and at our port terminals, please consult the sections below.

You can also find information related to special needs in the General Booking Conditions , the Conditions of Carriage  and in the FAQ  section.

Informing us on any mobility, medical and dietary requirements

Guests can inform MSC Cruises of any special requirements by filling in the relevant form ( Special Needs Form ) available online  and at all accredited travel agencies. This information should preferably be provided at the time of booking, or, at the very latest, no fewer than two working days before departure. This allows us time to provide the best possible service for our guests, which depends on the facilities and resources on board each ship. If we are notified after this deadline we will do everything in our power to provide the services requested, but this may not be possible at such short notice.

Guests will only be prevented from booking or embarking in exceptional circumstances, and only in the event of a serious or urgent threat to the safety of the guests or the crew.

All personal data provided by guests will be treated in a manner that fully conforms to our privacy policy. For further information on the services offered on board, on how to inform us of any special needs or other requirements not expressly mentioned in this section, please get in touch with your travel agent.

Cabin Facilities

Accessible cabins, fitted out especially for guests with disabilities and/or reduced mobility, are available on every ship in the fleet. Guests requiring an accessible cabin can request it at the time of booking.

The accessible cabins are larger and offer more space for movement than regular cabins, and come with extra facilities and equipment to meet special needs.

Check the facilities available on your preferred ship: MSC Armonia , MSC Bellissima , MSC Divina , MSC Euribia ,  MSC Fantasia ,  MSC Grandiosa, MSC Lirica , MSC Magnifica , MSC Meraviglia , MSC Musica , MSC Opera , MSC Orchestra , MSC Poesia , MSC Preziosa , MSC Seashore ,   MSC Seaside , MSC Seascape , MSC Seaview , MSC Sinfonia , MSC Splendida , MSC Virtuosa ,  MSC World America  and MSC World Europa  .

Reduced Mobility

All decks, public areas and tenders are designed to be as accessible as possible for guests with reduced mobility. There might be ports or tender services you may not access with a mobility device.  In addition, there are varying numbers of specially fitted-out cabins available on each ship in the fleet. For safety reasons, guests requiring assistance may be requested to travel with a carer, depending on the specific route.

Wheelchairs are available on board our ships, for the use of guests during embarkation and disembarkation only, or in case of emergency. Guests that require constant use of a wheelchair or any other form of support must bring their own equipment with them. It is the responsibility of the guest to check with the relevant producers/suppliers that this equipment is safe to take on board and use on a cruise ship, and to organise both its delivery to the departure terminal in good time for embarkation, and its collection at the end of the cruise.

For detailed information on the ports of call and excursions suitable for passengers who experience mobility problems, read the relevant pages in this section, and once on board check the accuracy of the information provided.

Visual Impairments

MSC Preziosa, MSC Divina, MSC Splendida and MSC Fantasia have Braille signs in public areas, in lifts and at the entrance to the cabins; all the ships have deck indicators in the lifts and fully accessible public areas, decks and tenders. For their safety, and depending on their level of disability, guests may be requested to travel with a carer or guide dog.

For detailed information on accessible shore excursions, read the relevant pages in this section, and once on board check the accuracy of the information provided.

Hearing Impairments

For safety reasons, guests with hearing disabilities must travel with a carer. Passengers with partial hearing disabilities can travel alone, only if they request the installation of a TDD System kit in their cabin. This kit, available in limited numbers on all ships, includes light and vibrating devices, a text phone and an analogue alarm clock.

Service Animals

Suitably trained and certified guide dogs are allowed on board all ships, assuming that they are in a good state of health and possess all necessary documents for entering the foreign countries visited during the cruise.

The guest is personally responsible (with the aid of the carer if applicable) for the custody, feeding and general care of the animal during the whole stay on board.

Guests undergoing peritoneal dialysis treatment can travel as normal, bringing with them all medicines and equipment that may be required during the cruise. 

Equipment and machinery for haemodialysis treatment will only be carried on board by specialized independent companies on certain routes. For further information on this service, please contact your travel agent.

Children with Special Needs

Children with special needs have normal access to all on-board services and facilities. Although the entertainment staff do not offer a childcare service, they are trained to provide a wide range of entertainment aimed specifically at children.

All children, including those with special needs, are assigned to a certain entertainment area depending on their age. If necessary, children or young people with special needs can be placed with a lower age group (with the agreement of their parents), or they can take part in specific activities, together with their parents if required.

Special Diets

MSC Cruises holds a certification for its food safety management system in accordance with ISO 22000 standard requirements. MSC Cruises offers a gluten-friendly selection on most of its ships. On MSC Armonia, MSC Sinfonia, MSC Opera and MSC Lirica guests can find only a limited selection of pre-packaged gluten-free snacks such as, biscuits, croissants, sponge cakes and muffins. Please check availability when booking.

Guests with food intolerances and/or allergies must inform MSC Cruises of their needs via the Special Needs Form and, once on board, confirm their requirements at Reception-Guest Service and/or with the Maître d’hôtel. Kosher meals (pre-packaged breakfast, lunch and dinner) may be available on board for an additional charge starting from €25 pp/day. Kosher meals can be consumed in the main restaurants and must be booked at least 3 weeks before ship’s departure. Halal products (beef, lamb and poultry) may be available on board following former request of the guest at least two months before departure;

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• MSC Cruises

Embarkation Form & Check in time

By debnjoe1438 , November 16, 2023 in MSC Cruises

Recommended Posts

debnjoe1438

My apolagies if this is repetaive. I remember seeing something about the Embarkation form, and now can't find it. At any rate I keep getting an error message when I try to download the embarkation form, and so is my daughter. I was, however able to email the ticket to myself. Will the email ticket have the embarkation form I need? (The ticket is only like 100, well maybe 20 pages long)

Is the embarkation time checked at the port? I have on my MSC app I have a boarding pass with one time and I selected another time on the website. I also plan on being there before my check in time.

Getting a picture taken was a trial. It's a joke trying it on the phone. Web site somewhat easier. I am hoping they take new pic's at the port.

Thanks any and all information appreciated.

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Share on other sites.

 Nobody CHeck’s your arrival time at the port.  Your eTicket is page 2 of those 20 or so pages, the one with the bar code on it.  EM

You don't need to take your own photo.  They usually just redo it anyway, and it's not like it saves any time at check in.

10 hours ago, gizfish said: You don't need to take your own photo.  They usually just redo it anyway, and it's not like it saves any time at check in.

I hope they retake the photo. My eyes look like they are closed as I was looking down trying to read instructions, and my nose in the air  😔

I'm not sure which ship the OP will be sailing on, but I have a quick question about embarkation in Miami fir the Seascape. We have the 11:30am chech in time. Does anyone know what time is the earliest check in time, like when doors open to start checking in? I'm asking because I'm wondering how many groups of folks will be ahead of us and how long of a wait or line there might be for the 11:30 time-frame. I know no one has a crystal ball, hahaha. Just wondering if check in slots usually start at like 10, 10:30, or 11 maybe. Then maybe I will have an idea how many groups are ahead of us. Thanks 

24 minutes ago, blueslily said: I'm not sure which ship the OP will be sailing on, but I have a quick question about embarkation in Miami fir the Seascape. We have the 11:30am chech in time. Does anyone know what time is the earliest check in time, like when doors open to start checking in? I'm asking because I'm wondering how many groups of folks will be ahead of us and how long of a wait or line there might be for the 11:30 time-frame. I know no one has a crystal ball, hahaha. Just wondering if check in slots usually start at like 10, 10:30, or 11 maybe. Then maybe I will have an idea how many groups are ahead of us. Thanks 

Hi, I was asking about the Seascape. I hope someone comes in and answers your question. However, I believe my son has an 11am check in time. This is my first MSC cruise, however if my memory is correct, NCL and Carnival had check in times starting at 10am. I would think, all would be about the same. (I could be wrong) 

Enjoy your cruise.

36 minutes ago, debnjoe1438 said: Hi, I was asking about the Seascape. I hope someone comes in and answers your question. However, I believe my son has an 11am check in time. This is my first MSC cruise, however if my memory is correct, NCL and Carnival had check in times starting at 10am. I would think, all would be about the same. (I could be wrong)    Enjoy your cruise.

Yes, I'm thinking 10 or 10:30 might be the earliest. I will see what is posted from people that have sailed recently on Seascape out of Miami.

Thanks, and happy sailing to you too 

I have a 10-10:30 check in time for the MSC Meraviglia on 1/15 helps.  But I too wonder if I should show up earliet to avoid a huge security check in line just to get inside the terminal?

We were in YC but the regular lines were very short.  Got to the port at 11:30 on 10/15 and were on before noon.  We did all of the pre-boarding online but so many things had to be repeated.  Still, it was easy and well organized.

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Cruise Embarkation

Embarkation begins at the check-in time shown on your cruise ticket. Check-in closes 2 hours before the ship is due to depart in all embarkation ports . Before arriving at the port, please ensure that all personal details shown on the embarkation form in your e-ticket are checked and correct. You will be required to show your embarkation form before boarding.

Planning to sail with us soon? Click here  to find out more about our enhanced Health & Safety measures and our new, even safer onboard experiences.   

Online Web Check-In

Web Check-In has been created for your convenience and peace of mind, helping ensure your cruise gets off to an easy start. Login to your computer and get set for your travels. It only takes a few seconds to complete online!  Check-in online in just 3 clicks 

• Go to the Web Check-In  at least 48 hours before your sailing date. 
• Enter your booking information and you will find a section dedicated to you. 
• Fill in the mandatory fields for your personal information and documents, then click Save. 

At the terminal

  1. Deliver your luggage to the designated staff, who will then have it sent directly to your cabin. All bags must be labelled beforehand with your name and surname, the name of the ship, the cabin number and the date and port of departure.

2. Go to the embarkation area with all personal travel documents required for the cruise, and show staff the embarkation form on your cruise ticket or via the MSC for Me app  (if available). Collect your Cruise Card and MSC wrist band (if available). Guests of the MSC Yacht Club will find an exclusive Check-In area and will be assisted with their luggage by the butler team at the terminal, who will escort them to the dedicated line for priority Check-In. On request, the butler will also unpack guests’ suitcases. 3. Proceed to the security control. Please note that staff may search you and/or your luggage and confiscate any articles that could represent a safety risk.

4. Board the ship where staff will take your security picture, if you have not already done so via the MSC for Me app or  web check-in  (if available). Then proceed to your cabin.

5. Go to your cabin. Your Cruise card will serve as your cabin key, this magnetic card can also be used to pay for products and services onboard. For MSC Yacht Club Guests, it is also used to access the MSC Yacht Club area. If your cabin is not yet ready, you may begin your onboard purchases in the bars and restaurants by providing crew with your cabin number and full name

6. Activate your Cruise Card for onboard purchases. (See the  Onboard Payment   section below for further information on how to do this.)

7. Take part in the obligatory safety drill.

8. Don’t miss the MSC Cruise Guide, an important presentation where we will tell you all you need to know in order to live your cruise to the full. The embarkation process might differ for MSC Seaside and MSC Divina.

Fly & Cruise Embarkation

Thank you for visiting msc cruises.

Your browser may be out of date or not compatible with our new site and may not be secure.

For a better experience and to continue your booking with MSC, please update your browser by downloading the latest version below.

Thank you for visiting our site and we look forward to seeing you on board soon!

MSC Cruises

Mon-Fri 9am - 7pm EST Sat-Sun 9am - 6pm EST

MOBILITY, MEDICAL AND DIETARY REQUIREMENTS

MSC Cruises and its staff have always been attentive to the needs of their guests, and constantly strive to offer the best possible service, meeting international accessibility standards.

For information on the assistance provided on board and at our port terminals, please consult the sections below.

You can also find information related to special needs in the General Booking Conditions , the Conditions of Carriage  and in the FAQ  section.

Informing us on any mobility, medical and dietary requirements

Guests can inform MSC Cruises of any special requirements by filling in the relevant form ( Special Needs Form available online and at all accredited travel agencies. Please email the completed form to [email protected] . This information should preferably be provided at the time of booking, or, no fewer than 45 days before departure. This allows us time to provide the best possible service for our guests, which depends on the facilities and resources on board each ship. If we are notified after this deadline we will do everything in our power to provide the services requested, but this may not be possible at such short notice. Guests will only be prevented from booking or embarking in exceptional circumstances, and only in the event of a serious or urgent threat to the safety of the guests or the crew. All personal data provided by guests will be treated in a manner that fully conforms to our privacy policy. For further information on the services offered on board, on how to inform us of any special needs or other requirements not expressly mentioned in this section, please get in touch with your travel agent.

Cabin Facilities

Accessible cabins, fitted out especially for guests with disabilities and/or reduced mobility, are available on every ship in the fleet. Guests requiring an accessible cabin can request it at the time of booking.

The accessible cabins are larger and offer more space for movement than regular cabins, and come with extra facilities and equipment to meet special needs.

Check the facilities available on your preferred ship: MSC Armonia , MSC Bellissima , MSC Divina , MSC Euribia ,  MSC Fantasia ,  MSC Grandiosa, MSC Lirica , MSC Magnifica , MSC Meraviglia , MSC Musica , MSC Opera , MSC Orchestra , MSC Poesia , MSC Preziosa , MSC Seashore ,  MSC Seaside , MSC Seaview , MSC Sinfonia , MSC Splendida , MSC Virtuosa , MSC World Europa .

Reduced Mobility

All decks, public areas and tenders are designed to be as accessible as possible for guests with reduced mobility. There might be ports or tender services you may not access with a mobility device. In addition, there are varying numbers of specially fitted-out cabins available on each ship in the fleet. For safety reasons, guests requiring assistance may be requested to travel with a carer, depending on the specific route.

Wheelchairs are available on board our ships, for the use of guests during embarkation and disembarkation only, or in case of emergency. Guests that require constant use of a wheelchair or any other form of support must bring their own equipment with them. It is the responsibility of the guest to check with the relevant producers/suppliers that this equipment is safe to take on board and use on a cruise ship, and to organize both its delivery to the departure terminal in good time for embarkation, and its collection at the end of the cruise.

For detailed information on the ports of call and excursions suitable for passengers who experience mobility problems, read the relevant pages in this section, and once on board check the accuracy of the information provided.

Visual Impairments

MSC Preziosa, MSC Divina, MSC Splendida and MSC Fantasia have Braille signs in public areas, in lifts and at the entrance to the cabins; all the ships have deck indicators in the lifts and fully accessible public areas, decks and tenders. For their safety, and depending on their level of disability, guests may be requested to travel with a carer or guide dog.

For detailed information on accessible shore excursions, read the relevant pages in this section, and once on board check the accuracy of the information provided.

Hearing Impairments

Passengers with partial hearing disabilities can travel alone, only if they request the installation of a TDD System kit in their cabin. This kit, available in limited numbers on all ships, includes light and vibrating devices, a text phone and an analogue alarm clock.

Service Animals

Suitably trained and certified guide dogs are allowed on board all ships, assuming that they are in a good state of health and possess all necessary documents for entering the foreign countries visited during the cruise.

The guest is personally responsible (with the aid of the carer if applicable) for the custody, feeding and general care of the animal during the whole stay on board.

Guests undergoing peritoneal dialysis treatment can travel as normal, bringing with them all medicines and equipment that may be required during the cruise.

Equipment and machinery for haemodialysis treatment will only be carried on board by specialized independent companies on certain routes. For further information on this service, please contact your travel agent or our contact center.

Children with Special Needs

Children with special needs have normal access to all on-board services and facilities. Although the entertainment staff do not offer a childcare service, they are trained to provide a wide range of entertainment aimed specifically at children.

All children, including those with special needs, are assigned to a certain entertainment area depending on their age. If necessary, children or young people with special needs can be placed with a lower age group (with the agreement of their parents), or they can take part in specific activities, together with their parents if required.

Special Diets

We can accommodate most special dietary requirements in our main restaurants where there is a greater degree of control over the production and service of special meals. We cannot guarantee no cross-contamination at the buffet. MSC Cruises holds a certification for its food safety management system in accordance with ISO 22000 standard requirements. MSC Cruises offers gluten-free menus (breakfast, lunch and dinner) in the main restaurants on most of its ships. On MSC Armonia, MSC Sinfonia, MSC Opera and MSC Lirica guests can find only a limited selection of pre-packaged gluten-free snacks such as, biscuits, croissants, sponge cakes and muffins. Please check availability when booking. Guests with food intolerances and/or allergies must inform MSC Cruises of their needs via the Special Needs Form and, once on board, confirm their requirements at Reception-Guest Service and/or with the Maître d’hôtel.

Kosher meals (pre-packaged breakfast, lunch and dinner) may be available on board for an additional charge of €25/$30 pp/day. Kosher meals can be consumed in the main restaurants and must be booked at least 30 days before ship’s departure. Halal products (beef, lamb and poultry) may be available on board following former request of the guest at least two months before departure. Vegetarian and Vegan -friendly dishes are incorporated into our main restaurant menus and buffet restaurant culinary offer.

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For a better experience and to continue your booking with MSC, please update your browser by downloading the latest version below.

Thank you for visiting our site and we look forward to seeing you on board soon!

MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises’ MSC Voyagers Club loyalty program: Everything you need to know

Compared to some of its closest rivals, MSC Cruises has a relatively modest loyalty program.

Unlike the frequent cruiser programs at Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line , the MSC Voyagers Club loyalty program doesn't offer its members a free cruise after reaching the top tier. It does not offer a massive discount on the single supplement charge for solo travelers, as Royal Caribbean offers its top-tier members, nor does it grant priority access to onboard shows.

For more cruise guides, reviews and news, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Still, the MSC Cruises loyalty program offers several valuable perks at higher levels, including a complimentary meal in an extra-charge specialty restaurant once per cruise and priority access to tenders in ports.

The MSC Voyagers Club program also allows you to status match your way into one of its top tiers — something that no other major cruise line loyalty program offers.

Ways to earn points

The points-earning system for MSC Voyagers Club is a bit convoluted, as the number of points you earn on any given cruise depends on various factors.

For starters, you earn points based on the length of the cruise you take and which MSC Cruises "experience" you book. As regular MSC Cruises customers know, the line offers four onboard experiences, each with different inclusions and price points. Bella is the most basic — and least expensive — experience available. MSC Yacht Club is the top experience available. Experiences called Fantastica and Aurea are in between.

For sailings of four nights or fewer, each passenger in the cabin will earn the following number of points depending on experience type:

• Fantastica: 400
• MSC Yacht Club: 800

For sailings of five to nine nights, every guest will earn the following number of points depending on experience type:

• Fantastica: 700
• Aurea: 1,000
• MSC Yacht Club: 1,500

For sailings of nine or more nights, they'll earn the following number of points depending on experience type:

• Fantastica: 1,000
• Aurea: 1,500
• MSC Yacht Club: 2,000

In addition to the above, you can also earn points for extras when spending money on MSC Cruises ships or when booking in advance of sailing. You'll earn 100 points for every $150 you spend on prepaid and onboard expenses.

One caveat: Only the MSC Voyagers Club member who makes the final payment for onboard expenses will receive those points. For expenses for prepaid services that apply to all cabin occupants (and not single occupants), points will be equally distributed among the cabin occupants.

For example, say the total amount of prepaid onboard services that apply to all cabin occupants before the cruise is $600. If there are four cabin occupants, the spending for the points calculation of each member will be $150, which is equal to 100 points.

Related: The ultimate guide to MSC Cruises ships and itineraries

The final way to earn points is by updating your contact details up to 72 hours before departure on your next cruise. This will earn you 100 points.

All points, including for the cruise, onboard spending and updating your profile, will pop up in your account about 10 days after the cruise is completed.

MSC Voyagers Club tiers and benefits

There are four tiers to the MSC Voyagers Club program:

• Classic : 1 to 2,199 points
• Silver : 2,200 to 4,299 points
• Gold : 4,300 to 9,999 points
• Diamond : 10,000 or more points

As is typical for cruise line loyalty programs, the entry-level tier (Classic) doesn't provide many truly valuable rewards. By far, the most alluring benefit at this level is the 5% discount members receive when booking future sailings. (This discount is not valid for MSC Grand Tours and when booking Tandem cabins, which are specially discounted cabins that parents can book for kids.) That's real savings every time you book a cruise.

Additionally, Classic members receive:

• An extra 5% discount on Voyagers Exclusives sailings made six to nine months before departure
• An MSC Voyagers Club e-newsletter
• MSC Voyagers Club personalized luggage tags for embarkation in the e-ticket
• An MSC Voyagers Club card
• An invitation to a "welcome back" cocktail party
• A dedicated number to call on board
• Discounts on many packages and amenities, including onboard pictures, digital accessories, Wi-Fi and spa and fitness offerings
• An MSC Shops discount (for each $50 spent in any onboard shops, you will receive a $10 discount)

Note that the MSC Shops discount has a lot of fine print. The discount is not combinable with promotions available on board and is not available for spending on tobacco products and electronics. It's also only valid on the first day of a cruise. That final point prompts us to downgrade the value of this perk considerably.

Upon reaching the second tier of the program, Silver, you get a couple of additional perks. The most notable to us is a $50 onboard credit per person, plus double MSC Voyagers Club points, for all bookings made more than 12 months before departure. (If you book nine to 12 months in advance, you get the $50 credit but not the double points.)

The Silver level also brings an unspecified milestone reward and all the perks of the lower-tier Classic level.

Related: Everything you need to know about MSC Cruises cabins and suites

You will be a member of the Classic level as soon as you take a single cruise, as it takes only 1 point to reach the Classic level. You also might be able to reach the Silver level in just one cruise if you take a long voyage of nine nights or more, pay for the top MSC Yacht Club experience and do a modest amount of onboard spending.

Still, a more typical cruiser sailing seven-night trips at a mid-tier Fantastica or Aurea experience level would need two or three cruises to reach the Silver level.

The elite level that makes a difference

Being loyal to MSC Cruises starts paying off in a more meaningful way once you reach the Gold level of the MSC Voyagers Club program. Even here, though, the rewards are still relatively modest.

The Gold level comes with one solid perk: priority disembarkation in ports where a tender boat is required. This can make a real difference in your cruising experience, as it means you can get off the ship much faster in some cases than the majority of other passengers. That will allow you to maximize your time in tender ports.

Additionally, Gold status brings all the perks of the tiers below it plus:

• A complimentary one-hour thermal area session once per cruise
• A complimentary gift
• A complimentary photo taken during the "welcome back" cocktail party
• A complimentary birthday cake when it's your birthday

It could take you as few as two cruises to reach the Gold level if you sign up for longer sailings and pay for the top MSC Yacht Club experience. Someone sailing seven-night trips at a mid-tier Fantastica or Aurea experience level would need four or five cruises to reach the Gold level.

The best elite perk with MSC Voyagers Club

Alas, there isn't a "wow" perk in the entire MSC Voyagers Club menu. As noted above, unlike some lines, MSC Cruises doesn't award top-tier members with truly high-value perks such as a free cruise. Still, MSC Voyagers Club's top Diamond status tier does come with a few enticing benefits.

Our favorite perk in the entire MSC Voyagers Club program is the complimentary dinner at a specialty restaurant that comes with Diamond-level status. That said, be warned that the complimentary dinner comes with a lot of fine print (so much fine print, in fact, that to use it verges on the ridiculous).

The complimentary dinner, in theory, is for you and a cabinmate. However, among the fine-print caveats is that two Diamond members staying in the same cabin don't get two free dinners.

If you and your spouse are both Diamond members, and you dine together using the perk, MSC Cruises counts that as you both using your perk for that one meal. That said, if you had two other people staying with you in the same cabin, you and your spouse could each use your perk to take one of them out for the free dinner, resulting in two free dinners for your cabin.

Additionally, the complimentary dinner privilege at specialty restaurants might not be available on all ship classes. Members under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult at dinner. Also, drinks are not included with the complimentary dinner, nor are you allowed to bring outside drinks into the restaurant.

Related: The 6 types of MSC Cruises ships, explained

Should all that prove too confusing, MSC Voyagers Club Diamond status thankfully also offers two other solid perks:

• A priority line for boarding on embarkation day
• Priority disembarkation at the end of the cruise

Diamond level also provides all the perks of the tiers below it plus:

• Courtesy bathrobe and slippers available during the cruise
• A complimentary dance class
• An invitation to an exclusive Diamond Party
• Late cabin checkout on disembarkation day
• A chocolate gift

Someone sailing seven-night cruises at a mid-tier Fantastica or Aurea experience level would need to take about eight to 10 trips to reach the Diamond level, depending on onboard spending.

In contrast to every other major cruise line loyalty program, MSC Cruises customers do not get "forever status" once they reach a certain tier of the MSC Voyagers Club. Once achieved, your status is only good as long as you take a cruise at least once every 36 months.

If you don't take a cruise once every 36 months, you will see your points in the MSC Voyagers Club disappear and your entire account erased. You'll have to reenroll and start all over again.

This is a notable difference from other cruise line loyalty programs, as "forever status" is one of the great allures of such programs. Many airline frequent flyer programs, by contrast, require loyalty members to requalify for status each year.

MSC Voyagers Club status match

As noted above, the MSC Voyagers Club program allows you to status match your way to its top tiers — something other major cruise line loyalty programs don't offer.

If you show proof of a high loyalty program status level with a competing cruise line, a hotel company or even a booking site such as Expedia, you can catapult your way from no status to a top-tier status with MSC Cruises in a jiffy. A high status level at an airline, alas, won't get you a status match at MSC Cruises, with a handful of exceptions such as a high status level at Air China.

This MSC Cruises status match, to us, is a big deal. It's one thing that sets MSC Voyagers Club apart from other cruise line loyalty programs.

The status match process at MSC Cruises is simple. Go to the dedicated enrollment page for MSC Voyagers Club status matching at the MSC Cruises website. You'll find a short online form where you enter some personal details (including name, birth date and address) and details about your status level with another loyalty program. You'll then have to upload a picture of your membership card for that program (or, if you don't have a membership card, a screenshot of your online account page showing your name and status).

That's it. Within a few days, you'll get an email or text welcoming you into the MSC Voyagers Club program at a status tier that matches your status with the other brand.

The dedicated enrollment page lists more than 60 loyalty programs from which you can status match into the MSC Cruises loyalty program. They include such cruise line loyalty programs as Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor Society and Carnival Cruise Line's VIFP Club program . Your status in the loyalty programs run by such major hotel chains as Hilton , Hyatt and Marriott also can be submitted for a match.

MSC Cruises doesn't offer a chart showing which tier of its loyalty program you will receive based on your tier at each of the other brands. Our staff members at TPG have had luck matching into the top Gold or Diamond tiers of the MSC Voyagers Club program from high levels of competing programs. One TPG editor received top Diamond tier status in the MSC Cruises program as a match to World of Hyatt Globalist status, for instance. Another staffer received Gold status in the MSC Cruises program as a match to the Diamond level in Royal Caribbean's program.

You can enter your status in only one program when seeking a match, so pick the program in which you have the highest status level.

Bottom line

MSC Cruises offers some decent perks in its four-tier loyalty program, including discounts and onboard credits when you book additional cruises. It also allows cruisers to status match their way to the top tiers of the program.

Still, the MSC Voyagers Club program is not nearly as robust a frequent cruiser program as those offered by such rivals as Royal Caribbean and Norwegian.

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Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.