MSC – the marmite of the cruise world

Firstly, I would like to start this weeks blog with a massive thanks to MSC and cruise.co.uk for the recent opportunity to experience 4 nights on one of the most beautiful ships I have ever had the pleasure to sail on, MSC Preziosa.

MSC Preziosa here I come Over the next coming weeks I will blog more about the ship and my experiences.

Secondly, I would like to point out that the following review is from me personally and I have not been bribed in any way shape or form and that none of the crew on board the ship new that we was part of an agents FAM trip and treated us in exactly the same way as the rest of the guests on board. However, MSC Steve if you do read this I am still open to bribery…

Now for the truth and to really see if the reviews on MSC are justified, as currently MSC is like the marmite of the cruise world, you either seem to love them or hate them, there is very little in between..

Most reviews that are not complimentary to MSC seem to suggest the following ‘MYTHS’ and I hope that I can help change those myths to facts as now I have the 1st hand experience.

The MSC Preziosa set sail from Venice on Saturday 08th November for her transatlantic sailing to Brazil, where she will be spending the winter, so please bear in mind that this is not the typical Mediterranean sailing that most would be looking to choose from the UK market. However, considering that the majority of the clientele on board was Brazilian, Italian and other European nationalities some of the MSC myths are certainly not justified…

MSC – Mediterranean Shipping Company – clue is in the name that this is a Mediterranean ship and most of the clientele are from all over Europe and other parts of the world.

Myth 1 – English is not the 1st language and everything is announced in 6 languages

Fact 1 – English is the 1st language spoken on board, all signs around the ship and in the cabin are also all in English.  Announcements in other languages are only made for specific reasons, such as the muster drill or emergency/important information announcements. In 4 nights I only heard an announcement in more than one language twice whilst on board. All crew speak English and some from different regions around the world can only speak English to one another as the common language!

Myth 2 – Entertainment is not for the English market

Fact 2 – Entertainment is always again, in English unless they are offering an Opera themed evening which we did experience and was absolutely beautiful. However, we also experienced a Queen- Freddie Mercury tribute evening and all songs sung around the various bars, lounges and theater was all in English.  The entertainment is produced in a way that all nationalities will appreciate and again English is the most common language.

Myth 3 – It’s only Italian food and there is not a lot of choice

Fact 3 – I love Italian food and could quiet happily just eat Italian all the time, however, I am pleased to say that MSC had one of the best buffet restaurants I have ever experienced on a ship and the choice was endless, offering everything from Italy to Asia and beyond. If you fancied a burger or a hot dog, beer battered fish and chips or a salad, pasta and pizza or rice and curry or even a nice piece of roast meat with all the trimmings. the choice was endless and my waist line has extended!! The food in the various specialty dining rooms or even on the main dining room, offered a great choice of different options and it was not all Italian. Unlike some other cruise lines, if you actually didn’t quiet like the large choice on offering in the main dining room, they actually had an alternative menu to choose from.. on the French themed evening, the choice was great, however I am not to fussed on French food and opted for the alternative menu and have to say it was great.

Myth 4 – Unfriendly staff and poor service

Fact 4 – The staff on board MSC are no different to the other cruise line companies I have ever experienced. When people refer to the poor service, I am not sure what they mean, however, I think they mean the waiting time between meals as this seemed to be the only thing I could safely say was slow. BUT and a big BUT, it is common in the Mediterranean to take your time and enjoy your meal, the drink and enjoy the company you are with.  We typically British folk, seem to think we need to eat and be gone with in a certain amount of time, MSC like most other Mediterranean dining places, want you to experience the full menu and enjoy. All crew I encountered be them from Asia, Indonesia or Eastern Europeans, were extremely friendly and courteous throughout the cruise.

I agree MSC might not be for everyone, but then Norwegian or Royal Caribbean might not be for all. I will certainly not push them aside any longer and would highly recommend the company and Fantasia class ships, as they offer beautiful surroundings, traditional style cruising, large spaces and above all else fantastic value for money.

Dawn

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