When MSC Cruises’ first Meraviglia Plus class ship debuts later this year, the vessel will have a number of new innovative features added to the cruise line’s ‘MSC for Me’.
MSC Grandiosa, the largest new cruise ship of 2019, will debut in November and will be christened in the Port of Hamburg on November 9. The new features on ‘MSC for Me’ include a free chat feature so passengers can stay connected without purchasing an internet package.
MSC for Me is a multi-channel digital program that enables guests to interact with the ship and crew members to better serve their needs, save them time and really get the most of their cruise. Since its introduction on board MSC Meraviglia in 2017, the digital innovation program has been expanded to four more ships — MSC Seaside, MSC Seaview, MSC Splendida and MSC Bellissima, each time adding more features to improve guest experience.
What new features will passengers be able to take advantage of on MSC Grandiosa? Here’s a rundown of the new features on ‘MSC for Me’ that will make your cruise even better.
MSC for Me Chat: Guests are now able to message each other directly through the MSC for Me app, without the need for an internet package. To begin chatting, guests simply scan the QR code on their friend’s app and begin chatting. The chat feature makes meeting up simple, like where to enjoy a pre-dinner drink or afternoon cocktail together.
Guests can begin to plan their time aboard by adding selected pre-booked experiences to their pre-cruise personal agenda, whether it be excursions, specialty restaurant reservation or that exciting Cirque du Soleil at Sea show.
Pre-registering of a credit card through the app prior to the cruise is then one less thing that guests need to do when they embark, giving them more time to enjoy their cruise once on board.
Friends and Family Locator: This new paid-for service means friends and family traveling together will never get lost. Guests can purchase a special MSC for Me wristband with Bluetooth, Low Energy technology, and find their loved ones at any time on the ship map shown on their MSC for Me app. This new feature is being introduced in addition to the Kids Locator service launched in 2017, where parents can keep track of and see their kids’ location on board.
*Guests booked with Aurea, Wellness or MSC Yacht Club experiences receive a complimentary NFC enabled MSC for Me wristband, all other guests can purchase their wristband for $4.99 and activate it at Reception – Guest Services. Kids Locator service can be purchased for $18 while the Friends and Family Locator is $15. Bundle prices are available for families and/or friends who need multiple bracelets and save more.
ZOE, developed in partnership with HARMAN and Samsung Electronics, is MSC Cruises’ industry leading voice-enabled artificial intelligence (AI) found in every stateroom on MSC Bellissima, and coming soon on MSC Grandiosa. Speaking seven languages, she can answer hundreds of questions about the cruise, provide information about onboard facilities, offer guidance and suggestions, and help book services.
A handy ‘what to eat’ feature has been added to the MSC for Me app to give guests insight into the local must-eat ingredients or dishes to try in port as they cruise from destination to destination. For example, in Barcelona, try “LA BOMBA”, one of Barcelona’s most iconic tapas dishes, a potato croquette served with two different sauces: a white garlic aioli and a rich and spicy tomato sauce.
Designed as a ship for all seasons, MSC Grandiosa will spend winter in the Mediterranean. This is a wonderful time of year to discover some of the the most beautiful destinations in this popular region such as Barcelona, Palermo, Marseille or Valletta in Malta. There are less visitors at this time of year and the climate in Italy, France and Spain is perfect for exploring and discovering everything that these incredible ports have to offer.
