Royal Caribbean fans react to MSC Cruises' Super Bowl ad
Some “loyal to Royal” cruisers are curious about MSC’s mix of American comfort and European style.
Some vacationers are ready to turn holiday mode on after watching MSC Cruises’ Super Bowl commercial.
The European cruise line leaned on two well-known actors to show American football fans how a European holiday and an American vacation come together aboard its new MSC World America cruise ship. The new ship, which will be MSC’s largest ship to serve the North American market, launches on April 9 from Miami offering seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises.
Related: Celebrities sing praises for Norwegian, MSC Cruises
The 60-second Super Bowl commercial kicks off a new national campaign for the MSC Cruises brand that highlights its signature blend of European style and American comfort while showcasing all the amenities aboard its new flagship.
The ad features two iconic actors, Orlando Bloom and Drew Barrymore, cruising together aboard the upcoming MSC World America and engaging in playful American vs. European banter to describe the ship’s onboard activities.
According to posts on social media channels, the ad was effective in piquing viewers’ curiosity about the cruise line and its new ship. Social media users reported that there was a long wait time to get into the MSC Cruises website after the commercial aired during the first quarter of Super Bowl LIX.
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Royal Caribbean cruisers discuss MSC Cruises’ commercial
After watching the Super Bowl spot, some “loyal to Royal” cruisers shared on Reddit that they’re making the switch from Royal Caribbean to MSC for their upcoming cruise vacations.
“I am definitely booking this ship,” Reddit user overly_curious_cat wrote in a thread about the MSC Cruises Super Bowl commercial. “Definitely before Icon or Star. I am loyal to Royal but this ship looks gorgeous and so promising!”
Another Royal Caribbean cruiser responded to share how they had already made the switch after sailing on MSC Seascape. The passenger reported that MSC’s lower prices have been a key factor in the decision to switch.
Related: Norwegian Cruise Line, MSC Cruises to debut new cruise concerts
“I was loyal to Royal until I tried MSC Seascape two months ago, now they have me hooked,” noted Firm_Airport2816. “Just moved a deposit for Symphony to NEXT summer because I was able to book a back-to-back 14-day cruise with drinks and wifi for the same price as the one-week Symphony cruise going to sh***ier ports and no extras at all this summer.”
A Royal Caribbean passenger who posted about watching the Super Bowl at the pool on Royal Caribbean’s Liberty of the Seas noted that the cruise line did not show the MSC Cruises ad (or any others) on the ship.
“Did they show the MSC ad on the Royal ship?” asked Reddit user DigitalMaverick. “Would be funny.”
“Lol. No ads at all! They did show the halftime show though,” noted NathanJax.
(Royal Caribbean pays for an international feed which does not include the American advertising and usually just has ads for the network its airing on).
MSC Cruises ad is a miss for some vacationers
Not all the responses to the MSC Cruises commercial were positive, however.
“That MSC cruises commercial looks like you taking a cruise in a floating shopping mall,” wrote Threads user peraltaprjct. “I’m Good!”
Others didn’t like how the cruise line used Drew Barrymore to represent Americans.
“Misfire by MSC Cruises. I love Drew Barrymore, but most Americans won't love her representing them in the story,” wrote X user @BadNewsBajwa. “Then again, most Americans can't afford an MSC cruise. So I'm just torn all over on this one.”
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Some weren’t sold that the actors truly endorsed the cruise line.
“Bloom and Berrymore in front of a green screen with less than believable opinions on a cruise line. Sorry, MSC,” noted X user @amykpsh. “Clearly, it takes more than celebrity.”
“As an avid cruiser, cheap celebrity spots to NOT make me want to cruise with you,” echoed X user @joetolley. “Terrible miss on that one MSC.”
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