MSC Cruises Reviews

Thursday 9th Feb 2012

www.cruise.co.uk - Cruise Deals, Cruises & Cruise Holidays

0800 408 6200

All of these MSC Cruises reviews are written by REAL cruise passengers are their opinion & we DO NOT moderate or change any of the review. You can agree or disagree by posting up your own comment. You can write your review and we will send you a Fodor's Guide to Cruising for FREE, Get Cheap Cruise Deals 2012 Today

Cruise Reviews
120,921 Opinions Cruise Answers
182,410 Q&As Cruise Photos
14,133 Real Photos Cruise Videos
1,443 Real Videos Shore Excursions Our Cruise
Consultants Cruise Info
Guides Cruise Forum Get a Quote Special Offers Last Minute Cruises Luxury Cruises Tailor Made Cruise River Cruises Family Cruises Free Brochures Make a Payment

Cruise Reviews

Msc Cruises

Msc Splendida

Nice And Breezy!

Nice and breezy!

Reviewed By: Baxter, Basildon on 2nd Feb 2010
Cruise Line: MSC Cruises	Times cruised before: 10+
Cruise Ship: MSC Splendida	Sailed: January, 2010
Destination: Mediterranean	Age: 56-65
Cabin: Balcony

We made our own way to Genoa and there was a fair size queue to board. We spent about an hour from arrival at the terminal to entering our cabin. Not bad at all given that every cabin was supposedly occupied. We had a balcony cabin on Giotto (deck 8) and were pleasantly surprised to find that the bathroom actually had a bath. Impeccably clean with the usual features as described in the brochure. The steward and his assistant did a great job throughout. Unobtrusive but not difficult to find if needed. We ate occasionally in the Bora Bora buffet at lunch time and had afternoon tea there a couple of times. Customary lines at the various stations but not too onerous and no problem finding a table. We preferred to eat in the restaurants but were surprised that there was no buffet facility for dinner and those who prefer this type of dining would have been disappointed. The standard and variety of food in the Bora Bora were adequate. We were assigned to La Reggia restaurant and enjoyed varied menus both at lunch and dinner. For the most part, food was of a good standard and there was only one item that I chose that I did not eat. My fault, not theirs. There was a language problem with some of the waiters and the service at times could have been better but generally things were acceptable. MSC invoke an obligatory service charge of 6 euros per person per day. They do not provide vouchers to give to waiters or cabin staff so providers of good or bad service get the same reward. Having had several holidays in Italy, it came as no surprise to find that water and coffee in the restaurants and buffet came as an extra. This seemed to upset quite a lot of passengers who were constantly moaning about many things having lost sight of how much they had paid. At one lunch, we were seated with a man who complained loudly that he had to ask for horseradish sauce for his beef rather than be offered it as he would have been on a P&O cruise. A rather pathetic figure. There were lots of little Englanders who thought the language problem was caused by anybody who could not speak good English. Wine and beer packages are available. We had a seven bottle of wine and 7 bottle of water package for 119 euros. Single bottles of wine are available starting at around 20 euros and a single bottle of water is 1.9 euros. Generally, the wine is expensive for it's quality. Beer, is 4.9 euros for 400ml on draft. There are no additional gratuties. One evening a couple at our table wanted to take out of the restaurant, a half glass of wine they had not drank but were stopped from doing so. This seemed rather petty to me and I still can't understand the logic behind it. The weather on this cruise was by no means great. Indeed, hurricane force winds prevailed for a day and a night at the begining ( the ship's stabilisers were very effective) and later, we bypassed Alexandria as the port was closed due to bad weather. However, we did backtrack to Alexandria but had to miss out Tunis altogether. Getting on and off was quite quick except at the port of Ashdod and I think this was due to the Israeli authorities rather than MSC. The entertainment in the Strand theatre was mediocre at best. If slick shows like those on Royal Caribbean are important to you then this might not be the cruise line for you. However, I prefer MSC to Royal Caribbean as I prefer the design of the ships. MSC has nothing like the hideous Royal Promenade of RCCL. There are lots of bars where you have a choice of seats unlike RCCL where on some nights no seats are available in any bar. Like many other cruise lines, shore excursions are expensive and do not guarantee that you'll get to see all as advertised. Be bold, hire a car, take public transport or walk. To summarise. We paid £629 each for cruise only in a category 6 balcony cabin for 11 nights. I have not yet been on the perfect cruise with any line and this one has its shortcomings but we feel we had great value for money. If it's the right itinerary at the right price, I'd go again.
Quality of Food
Better in the restaurants rather than the buffet.
Entertainment
Not good in the theatre or some of the bars. Great modern jazz band in the Jazz Bar with an exceptional drummer.
Shore Excursions
Only went on one in Israel. Expensive as usual
Staff
Cabin staff
Children's Facilities	n/a

Onboard Activities

Cabins

Overall Rating

Was this review informative to you?

Report this review

Question by Maude, Mainsforth (13 Jul 10 14:08) about this REVIEW

Just wanted to ask you about your cabin. We are currently looking at a Category 6 cabin on Deck 8 of the Splendida- above the Aft Lounge at the rear of the ship for us and at the front of the ship above the theatre for my mother-in-law. We were a little worried though about the possibility of noise, though the price is excellent. Do you have experience of either? Thanks, Julie

Report this comment

Answer by Baxter, Basildon (24 Jul 10 19:07) to a QUESTION by Maude (13 Jul 10 14:08)

Hi Julie, We had a Cat. 6 cabin on Deck 8. It was fine and I wouldn't worry about the noise. Unusually, the production shows are not high volume in the theatre. Bear in mind what the cost is, that they are an Italian company and it won't be the same as P&O or Cunard (not that they are British owned anymore!) The other passengers will be multi-national , the service won't be impeccable, the food not cordon bleu but our cruise was excellent value for money. Hope you enjoy it as much as we did. Ron

Report this comment

Comment by Bosscat, Argolida, Greece (03 Feb 10 09:57) about this REVIEW

I had to be dragged away from the computer when I saw this cruise (it was only another 70 quid for fly-cruise) and having read your review, seriously wish I'd ignored the 'we can't afford it' voice from the other side of the room and gone ahead and booked it!

Report this comment

Comment by Greenwood, Maldon (03 Feb 10 12:24) about a COMMENT by Bosscat (03 Feb 10 09:57)

Wow, Bosscat you sure get dragged around a lot when you see a half reasonable MSC SPLENDIDA cruise review. Here is a copy to remind you of a similar previous post of yours on the Splendida. Comment by Bosscat, Argolida, Greece (04 Dec 09 15:23) about a COMMENT by plows (04 Dec 09 12:53) I had to be dragged away from the computer physically a few nights ago, having found an incredible bargain on the Splendida - but we just can't fit it in with other commitments at the time. I've done 4 MSC cruises and loved them and would - as you can tell - do another in a moment.

Report this comment

Comment by Bosscat, Argolida, Greece (04 Feb 10 07:43) about a COMMENT by Greenwood (03 Feb 10 12:24)

I didn't realise my comments were being monitored. Do you have a problem with what I said on both occasions?

Report this comment

Comment by plows, wallsend (03 Feb 10 07:28) about this REVIEW

fantastic price. did you book it last minute. thanks judith

Report this comment

Comment by Baxter, Basildon (03 Feb 10 12:39) about a COMMENT by plows (03 Feb 10 07:28)

We booked about 4 weeks prior to leaving. We had an opportunity to get it for £589 two months before departure but dithered!

Report this comment

Comment by plows, wallsend (04 Feb 10 07:36) about a COMMENT by Baxter (03 Feb 10 12:39)

we are looking for a cruise for oct 2010 and have almost booked one but am now going to wait until 4-8 weeks before. thanks for this. judith

Report this comment

Comment by morgan, 29711 alcaucin (14 Mar 10 09:30) about a COMMENT by plows (04 Feb 10 07:36)

Dear Plows, Wallsend. We have just a balcony cabin on Splendida from 29th March/5th April (7 nights)(over Easter) for only £756 AND this is a fully all inclusive drinks package included. This cruise company and MSC have special deal on at the moment. Book any cruise on Splendida or Fanatasia, for any dates between 29th March and 5th November, in a balcony cabin or suite aqnd you get the ALL INCLUSIVE DRINKS included. BUT you must book before 31st of this month MARCH. Also cruise.co.uk is also giving a extra 15% off there price as well. Thought I would pass it on incase you re thinking of another cruise for later in the year. Carol

Report this comment