If you’re looking into sailing with MSC Cruises, you’ve probably come across mention of the line’s “experiences.” But what are these MSC experience levels, exactly? Instead of being able to upgrade your cruise experience with an optional add-on inclusive package, MSC integrates some of its extra perks at the time of booking based on the stateroom you book.
Sounds confusing? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Here’s our overview of the MSC experience levels, along with comparisons so you can decide which is right for you.
MSC Experience Levels
MSC Bella Experience
The MSC Cruises Bella Experience is the cheapest package and is what you get if you book a guaranteed stateroom. When booking a guarantee cabin, you are paying the lowest price and allowing the cruise line to pick your exact cabin closer to the sailing date. You get to choose your cabin category, but you have no control over your cabin number. This means that you could end up in an undesirable location on the ship, though sometimes you can get a great spot — it’s a gamble.
It’s also important to note that if you choose a guarantee balcony cabin, you may end up with one that has a metal railing rather than glass, meaning your view will be obstructed if you’re sitting down.
With the Bella Experience, you get the base inclusions that you can expect on any cruise: meals in the buffet, main dining room, and other free dining venues; use of most of the ship’s amenities and activities; entertainment; and use of the kids and teens clubs. You also have the option of purchasing a drink package at a discount at the time of booking.
The Bella Experience allows you to request your preferred dinner seating (early or late). However, your request being accommodated is subject to availability as those with the Fantastica and Aurea packages are given first pick. Bella guests get free continental breakfast room service, but there is a small delivery fee.
Like with any level, you also receive MSC Voyagers Club points for your cruise. These points go towards loyalty levels that afford you discounts and perks on future sailings.
Guests booking the Bella Experience can choose from interior, oceanview, or balcony cabins.
MSC Fantastica Experience
The Fantastica Experience is a step up from Bella, and is the experience you get when you choose your own cabin. This means that you will be able to choose from more desirable locations on the ship, including the best spots for interior and oceanview staterooms. However, the very best areas for balcony cabins are reserved for Aurea Experience guests, as are the suites.
Having Fantastica means you also have more booking flexibility than Bella. You are afforded one free change to your cruise, either on the cruise dates or the destination. As well, if MSC needs to change your stateroom for operational reasons, you will receive a cabin category upgrade.
The Fantastica Experience includes free continental breakfast room service with free delivery. Other room service delivery is also complimentary, but food items are priced individually. Similar to Bella, Fantastica guests can request their preferred dining time: early or late. Neither Bella nor Fantastica guests have access to My Choice dining, which allows guests to come to dinner whenever they want each night.
Like Bella, there’s a discounted drink package option at the time you book your cruise. Fantastica also adds the option for a discounted specialty dining package.
The MSC Fantastica Experience is available for interior, oceanview, and balcony cabins.
MSC Aurea Experience
The Aurea Experience is the best of the MSC Experience Levels aside from The Yacht Club. It allows you to choose from the best locations for balcony cabins on the ship, as well as the ship’s suites that aren’t part of Yacht Club. Aurea also offers the same free cruise change that Fantastica does.
The MSC Aurea Experience is also the only experience that allows guests to enjoy My Choice dining in a dedicated dining room or section of a dining room. This allows you to come to dinner whenever you want without the restriction of being locked into an early or late seating.
It also includes 24-hour room service with free delivery (though there’s still a per-item cost) and free continental breakfast with free delivery. A welcome package of prosecco and chocolate is included with Aurea as well. The specialty dining package discount and drinks package discount also apply to Aurea guests.
Aurea has several wellness inclusions as well, the first being bathrobes and slippers in the cabin for use during the voyage. There’s also a pillow menu so you can choose your pillow preference. You also get exclusive access to the Top Solarium and access to the spa’s thermal suite — the latter of which is for adults only. A 10 percent discount on all spa treatments purchased on board is also included with Aurea.
Aurea guests also have the perk of getting priority boarding on embarkation day along with priority luggage drop-off.
MSC Bella vs. Fantastica Experience
When it comes to deciding whether you want the Bella or Fantastica MSC experience levels, it will likely come down to your cabin preference. If you want to be able to choose your own cabin, Bella isn’t an option.
Bella is best for people who want to get on the ship for the cheapest price. They aren’t concerned about their cabin location or any additional perks during the sailing. Fantastica offers both the ability to choose your exact cabin number, as well as a free cruise change if you want to adjust your sailing date or destination.
The other perks for Fantastica are nominal. Therefore, we suggest you choose from these two experiences solely based on whether you want to book a guarantee cabin or whether you want to be able to choose your exact accommodation.
MSC Fantastica vs. Aurea Experience
Choosing between Fantastica and Aurea is a bit more tricky than Bella vs. Fantastica — especially if you’re planning to book a balcony stateroom. If you are choosing your own interior or oceanview stateroom, you have no choice but to get Fantastica. If you’re going for a suite, you automatically get Aurea unless you choose the MSC Yacht Club. Balconies can be either one.
Let’s go over the perks of Fantastica and Aurea again:
MSC Fantastica:
- Your choice of interior, oceanview, and most balcony staterooms
- Choice of early or late dinner seating
- Free breakfast room service
- One free cruise change
- Drinks package and specialty dining package discounts
MSC Aurea includes all of the perks Fantastica has, plus:
- Your choice of the best balcony cabin locations as well as non-Yacht Club suites
- Your choice of pillow from a pillow menu
- Welcome prosecco and chocolates
- Access to the Top Exclusive Solarium/sundeck
- Access to the spa’s thermal suite
- My Choice dining
- Priority boarding
- Discounted spa treatments
The exact cost difference between Fantastica and Aurea is not a set price, and will vary depending on factors like the ship, itinerary, and time of year. Based on the above factors, look at the price difference between them and decide from there if you think Aurea is worth the upgrade, or if Fantastica provides everything you’ll want to have a wonderful vacation.
For many guests, the most important aspects to consider when choosing between Fantastica and Aurea is access to the spa’s thermal suite and the solarium, as well as whether having a flexible dinner time each night is important to them. It’s worth noting that kids aren’t allowed in the spa or the exclusive solarium/sundeck area, which can impact this decision for families.
The Bottom Line
If you’re on a tight budget and just looking to get on the ship without extra perks, choosing a guarantee stateroom — which is the Bella Experience — might be the best fit. If you’re looking to choose your stateroom but don’t need it to have a balcony or be in a particularly popular spot on the ship, Fantastica might be the right choice — especially if you’re okay with having set time dining for dinner each night. For some of the best cabins on the ship and an elevated experience, you might want to go for Aurea.
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