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The MSC Cruises Voyagers Program announced the addition of a new top-tier level to its loyalty program. The new top-tier status is Blue Diamond, supplanting Diamond level. Although the new status is being placed ahead of Diamond, MSC Cruises stresses that cabin upgrades will be prioritized for both levels whenever possible.
Here's what MSC loyalists need to know about this new elite tier.
How To Earn MSC Blue Diamond Elite Status
One aspect differentiating the Blue Diamond level from others is that it cannot be earned via status matching or other means. You can only earn status by cruising with MSC Cruises.
You need to earn a lot of points!
When it comes to the qualifying points requirements, MSC Cruises has seriously upped its criteria to reach Blue Diamond status. You will need to earn a massive 25,000 points to get the status. The number of points you earn depends on the length of your sailing and what type of stateroom you stay in.
That is a significant increase in the current requirements to reach Diamond level. To earn Diamond, you need to earn a mere 10,000 points. This increase is designed to create a tiny, ultra-exclusive group of elite customers.
Related: How To Use Hotel Elite Status for Free Cruises
MSC Blue Diamond Benefits
Beyond the benefits available to Diamond members, Blue Diamond members receive the following unique benefits.
- Flexible port arrival.
- Yacht Club drop off luggage.
- Access to Yacht Club Lounge for check-in (when available).
- Free choice for the exclusive pillow selection.
- One complimentary shuttle bus ticket (when available).
- Complimentary internet browsing package.
- My choice dining option.
- Private meet and greet with the MSC Officer/Captain.
- Tender boat priority access.
Other MSC Voyagers Club Changes
Alongside introducing the new Blue Diamond status level, MSC has tweaked another of its program features. MSC Voyagers Club levels are now valid for five years instead of three years. This will allow members more time to move between levels, and they only need to cruise once every five years to retain their membership.
Related: How To Book a Cruise With Points and Miles
Our Take
Considering how easy it is to qualify for current top-tier Diamond status either via status match or cruising, it makes perfect sense for MSC to add a new level. Setting the bar so low has clearly meant that the program has a large number of elites, and a new level can further differentiate its most loyal customers.
However, current Diamond members will not be happy to go from top-tier elites to having to more than double their commitment to the cruise line to retain their status. Whether some of these members stay or jump ship to another cruise line remains to be seen — but this is where status matching can come in handy.
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