MSC Cruises Reviews

Thursday 24th May 2012

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Msc Lirica

MSC? Never Again!

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MSC? Never again!	30 of 36 people found this review informative

Reviewed By: Read, Jupilles on 4th Feb 2012
Cruise Line: MSC Cruises	Times cruised before: 6-10
Cruise Ship: MSC Lirica	Sailed: November, 2011
Destination: Dubai	Age: 56-65
Cabin: Balcony

We have cruised a number of times before but this was our first cruise with MSC, and definitely our last. On the plus side the ship was clean, accommodation was very good, cabins adequate and our cabin steward was very helpful. We were with two of our friends who have also cruised a number of times before. After a couple of days we were aware that this wasn't up to the standard we have come to expect on Royal Carribean and Celebrity. The restaurant was poor, the food very average and generally cold, we sent a few meals back, but the worst thing was the attitude of the staff, particularly in the restaurant but all the staff in general. Unlike other cruise lines there was no impression that they wanted to be helpful and wanted you to have a good time. It appeared that they just didn't care! The buffet restaurant and quality of the food was dismal. After a couple of days we realised we were not enjoying ourselves and had a group get together and decided we must make an effort to enjoy this, look for all the positives and try and ignore the negatives. We did that and made the best of a bad job, but never again will my wife and I, or my friend and his wife travel with MSC cruises. It was nothing to do with the food being Italian, we love all food, especially Italian, it was just very average,very bland, limited in choice, repetitive and unappetising. The organisation in general was awful, I recall standing in line for nearly two hours on the morning of departure just to get my passport back! We never go on holiday looking for problems because if you do you will find them but this was very, very dissapointing. The worst thing for us, and I appreciate I will now tread on a lot of toes, was the smoking! Smokers were everywhere, you just could not get away from them, the smell of tobacco permeated throughout all areas. People were actually walking around the ship with cigarettes alight! There was no information available about places we were visiting, even though we did a couple of their trips there were no maps or plans of the towns or places we were visiting available. The captain and senior members of the crew were very conspicous by their absence. Activities during days at sea were non existent, no talks, lectures, information on places we were to visit, nothing. The shows were very good for the first couple of nights but they became repetetive so we stopped going, same old stuff night after night! Never again!
Quality of Food
Restaurant
Entertainment

Shore Excursions

Staff

Children's Facilities

Onboard Activities

Cabins

Overall Rating

30 of 36 people found this review informative

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Comment by Reid, London (06 Feb 12 11:20) about this REVIEW

Oh dear .. I am going on the cruise this Sunday and after all the reviews am fearing it wont live up to Princess Cruises which I have been on in the past but thought a change of scenery would be good. Was the food that bad? I don't smoke and I know the smoking will be a problem - I suppose they are allowed to smoke on deck (not looking forward to that I must say). I thought the ship might have teething problems earlier on in the cruise (i.e. December and before) but would have ironed out any problems by now as the last sail is 4 March for Abu Dhabi then she is going back to the Med

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Comment by Mayhew, King's Lynn (12 Feb 12 12:04) about a COMMENT by Reid (06 Feb 12 11:20)

Maybe I am too late with this reply and you have already left!! We have done 3 MSC cruises and 1 Princess. Although I cannot deny that Princess have the edge, they ARE more expensive. Just enjoy yourselves/I hope you are enjoying youselves!!

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Comment by Yorke, Atholone (07 Feb 12 19:58) about a COMMENT by Reid (06 Feb 12 11:20)

Do not worry, while food in buffet was not great, dining in restaurant while not outstanding was enjoyed by all eight on our table, lunches were also good, we found all staff we met to be pleasant and helpful, entertainment good in theater and lounges and no problem with smokers and our passports were not taken from us, just go and enjoy yourselves

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Comment by Greenwood, Maldon (08 Feb 12 13:54) about a COMMENT by Yorke (07 Feb 12 19:58)

MSC took our passports and with their usual efficient way, lost my Wife's Passport for the first three days of our MSC cruise. Which prevent us taking the pre-paid booked excursions, which as many people have found once you give MSC money they never give it back, as was the case when we tried. They said, although my wife had no choice, I could have gone on my own so they wouldn't pay anything back, for their mistake. We also found MSC had some very rude dismissive reception staff and the food was badly prepared, undercooked that was close to raw and invariable arrived cold. ...... In short no matter how cheap it is NEVER TRAVEL THIS LOT if you want a relaxing, stress free cruise where the needs and the safety of the passengers comes first.

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Comment by hughes, Rochford (05 Feb 12 11:47) about this REVIEW

yes there is almost nowhere to go to escape the puffing billies. The casino was where most of them sat with the cigarette smoke wafting over everybody else. I had forgotten how bad it was. They just dont care because they are a smoking race of people like the Spanish and Greeks . One side of the casino was supposed to be smoke free, that's a laugh . Food was great , entertainment boring, not enough entertainment provided on sea days. Shambles on embarkation but you are quite right you must not let it spoil your holiday, every ship has something not quite right and I am most proberly going to spend a fortune trying to find the right one , if ever.

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Comment by Cairns, Newcastle Upon Tyne (04 Feb 12 14:02) about this REVIEW

Thanks for the tip - it sounds awful. Apparently, the smoking ban as we know it, is practically non-existent in Italy; and Spain & France for that matter! Sounds like a real sloppy outfit. I'll keep well clear!

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