MSC Cruises has been investing heavily in making its mark on the U.S. cruise market.
The company has moved more ships to American ports and wants to win market share from Royal Caribbean, Carnival and Norwegian.
Part of its marketing appeal has been that unlike Carnival and Royal Caribbean, MSC offers cruise packages that include drinks and WiFi.
Related: Carnival Cruise Line quietly confirms major dining change
In many cases, the cruise line sells cabins that include a WiFi connection and its mid-tier beverage package. That bundle enables passengers to order a selection of beers and wines as well as cocktails made with well liquor and lower-tier brands,.
Many MSC cruises, with alcohol and internet, are much better values than what Royal and Carnival are offering. That has been a sales driver for the cruise line.
Now, MSC has very quietly made a major change to its three alcoholic beverage package options that passengers are not going to like.
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MSC makes a Carnival-like change
When a Royal Caribbean passenger buys the cruise line's deluxe beverage package, they're truly buying an all-you-can-drink package. There's no limit on alcohol consumption as long as you remain in control.
The cruise line, of course, can shut people off or slow them down if they appear drunk, but if you can handle your alcohol, the deluxe package is truly unlimited.
Carnival Cruise Line's Cheers package does not offer unlimited alcohol. It caps passengers at 15 alcoholic links a day. A la carte passengers face the same cap.
That limit is about passenger safety, the cruise line says. Carnival gains some credibility on that statement since it won't sell Cheers or non-Cheers passengers a drink once they hit the limit of 15.
MSC Cruises, which used to be truly unlimited, has added a Carnival-like 15-drink limit. The cruise line is making the change as of April 1.
"Effective for package purchases made after Dec. 18, 2024, the changes include a new daily limit of 15 alcoholic beverages per person on all-inclusive packages, making the packages less inclusive and more restrictive," CruiseHive reported.
MSC may have dual motives
Like Carnival, MSC Cruises sells the change about passenger safety and creating the best possible onboard experience.
“There’ll be plenty of time to savor all our delicious cocktails, beers, wines, and spirits, while also promoting a healthy and balanced approach to indulgence, allowing us to maintain high-quality service whilst creating an enjoyable and responsible atmosphere for all our guests,” MSC said in an email to passengers.
Unlike Carnival, however, once guests hit the 15-drink limit on an MSC cruise, they will still be allowed to purchase more alcohol. passengers just have to pay for drinks above 15 a day.
The limit resets at 15 each day.
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For years Carnival passengers have complained that someone who drinks 15 beers might be spending $8-$10 while a person who orders cocktails gets a much higher value for their purchase.
Many have argued that the limit should be either dropped or at least changed to reflect what passengers are actually drinking.
Nonalcoholic drinks are not capped. Suite passengers still get unlimited alcohol as part of their packages.
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