If you built up elite status sailing with Royal Caribbean and hoped to carry it over to MSC Cruises, your window may be shorter than you think. The MSC status match Royal Caribbean path still works for U.S. residents today, but MSC switched off new requests in Spain, France, Italy and Portugal on October 15, 2026.
Nothing on the U.S. page says the program is ending here, and MSC told Cruise Critic the change applies only to those four markets, with U.S. and Canada status match continuing unchanged. Still, when a cruise line closes a perk in four markets on the same day, it is fair to ask whether other countries are next. Below is how the request works, what you get, and the gaps MSC has not filled in.
What MSC changed in Europe on October 15
The FAQ sections on MSC’s Spanish, French and Italian Voyagers Club pages now carry the same message: the form no longer accepts new submissions as of October 15, 2026. Requests sent before that date will still be reviewed under the usual process, and members in that position do not need to take any action.
Anyone who already received a tier this way keeps it. That level stays subject to the normal Voyagers Club rules on keeping, renewing and moving up.
The explanation MSC offers is thin. The Spanish FAQ calls the move part of the ongoing evolution of its commercial and customer loyalty strategy, and nothing more. None of this touches the MSC status match Royal Caribbean option in the U.S. so far, but it shows how MSC handles a shutdown.
Who can still use MSC status match Royal Caribbean
The MSC status match page for the U.S. remains live. The form only lets you pick the United States or Puerto Rico as your country, so it is built for American cruisers.
Royal Caribbean sits in the drop-down list of eligible programs, alongside Carnival, Celebrity, Disney Cruise Line, Norwegian, Princess and Virgin Voyages. Hotel programs such as Hilton, Marriott and World of Hyatt are there too. So the MSC status match Royal Caribbean route is possible, but so is one built on hotel status or a different cruise line if that status is stronger.
How to submit the request, step by step
There is no fee to enroll. Keep an image of your Royal Caribbean loyalty card handy before you open the form, because the upload is the part that trips people up.
- Enter your details. Name, birth date, mobile number and email. If you already belong to MSC Voyagers Club, type your name exactly as you did when you joined.
- Add your address. Choose the United States or Puerto Rico, then add your ZIP code and city.
- Pick your program and tier. Select Royal Caribbean from the list, choose your current membership level and type in your member number.
- Upload proof and sign. Attach that image of your loyalty card (JPG, JPEG, PNG, DOC, DOCX or PDF, up to 4MB), then type a signature that matches the first and last name you entered.
After that, MSC reviews the file and reaches out once you are approved and placed in a Voyagers Club tier. The U.S. page does not give a turnaround time. If you hear nothing, MSC’s general contact number is 877-665-4655.
What the match actually gets you
After an approved MSC status match Royal Caribbean request, MSC promises a level with comparable, or possibly better, privileges than the one you hold elsewhere. Once approved, you instantly qualify for a 5% discount on future MSC sailings, plus onboard savings on photos, Wi-Fi and spa treatments, and some gifts.
For context, here is how MSC defines its own tiers by points. These are the thresholds you would otherwise need to earn by sailing.
| MSC Voyagers Club tier | Points range |
|---|---|
| Welcome | 0 |
| Classic | 1-2,199 |
| Silver | 2,200-4,299 |
| Gold | 4,300-9,999 |
| Diamond | 10,000-24,999 |
| Blue Diamond | 25,000 or more |
Skipping straight to a mid or upper tier is the real prize. Earning thousands of points through sailings alone takes time, which is why the MSC status match Royal Caribbean shortcut appeals to anyone who already sails often with the competition. Our guide to how MSC Voyagers Club tiers and points work covers the earning side in more detail.
The catches MSC does not spell out
No published chart. The U.S. page does not show which Royal Caribbean level lines up with which MSC tier. You find out what you get only after MSC emails you, so the MSC status match Royal Caribbean result can differ from what you expect.
Old terms. The linked status match terms are a PDF whose file name marks it as a UK version from November 2018. MSC has not posted a fresh U.S. version, and the page itself does not say how long a matched tier lasts.
No U.S. end date, yet. MSC has not said whether the European shutdown will reach the U.S. form, so treat the MSC status match Royal Caribbean option as open but not guaranteed.
One practical point follows from the European FAQ: requests filed before a cutoff were still honored there. If you plan to sail MSC in the next year or two, filing your MSC status match Royal Caribbean request now costs nothing and protects you if the U.S. form closes the same way. If you want to see what the top of the ladder looks like, our look at the MSC Blue Diamond tier covers the highest tier.
Frequently asked questions about MSC status matching
Is there an MSC status match chart?
Not on the U.S. page. MSC lists the programs it accepts but does not publish which outside tier maps to which Voyagers Club level, so you learn your tier when MSC contacts you.
Does MSC status match Carnival?
Yes. Carnival appears in the list of eligible programs on the U.S. form, along with Celebrity, Disney Cruise Line, Norwegian and Princess.
Do I lose my MSC level if status match ends?
Not based on what MSC told European members. Levels already granted through the program stayed valid and follow the normal Voyagers Club rules for renewal and upgrades.
Filing is free, and Europe just showed how fast the form can close, so I’d submit now if MSC is even a maybe.
Should you file an MSC status match with Royal Caribbean status now?
If you hold mid or upper Royal Caribbean status and an MSC sailing is even loosely on your radar, send the MSC status match Royal Caribbean request this week, since filing it is free. Cruisers loyal to one line with no plans to try MSC can skip it. Europe just showed how fast this door can shut, and a screenshot today beats an apology email later.
