MSC Cruises Reviews

Thursday 9th Feb 2012

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Cruise Reviews

Msc Cruises

Msc Splendida

Never Again

Never Again

Reviewed By: Petrie, Salford, Lancashire on 7th Sep 2010
Cruise Line: MSC Cruises	Times cruised before: 6-10
Cruise Ship: MSC Splendida	Sailed: April, 2010
Destination: Mediterranean	Age: 46-55
Cabin: Balcony

We sailled on the MSC Splendida in april 2010 it was to us the cruise from hell ! Boarding in genova was fast and efficent absolutely no complaints there. Our balcony cabin, I have to say was excellent, largest bathroom ive ever had on a ship with a tub as well as a shower, lovely soft towels and very comfortable beds. Our cabin steward was ok, but didnt put himself out his cleaning was just ok apart from changeover days when he did that bit extra. There were plenty lifts, but a major problem was kids playing in them so it could take ages for you to get one ! Apart from a few of the bar staff who were very freindly efficient and helpful that was it. Our waiters were slow and abrupt to the point of being rude, they were more interested in putting the effort into the larger tables (larger tips) than the tables for 2. Wine waiters didnt know their stuff, the dining rooms were very noisey and very cramped. The ship itself was kept very clean, was nicely decortated and the furnishings very comfortable. The guest relations staff were the most rudest, offensive people I have ever met, and its the first time on my travels that Ive ever encountered this. I could say more but at the moment for reasons that are private I cant say more.
Quality of Food

Entertainment

Shore Excursions	n/a

Staff

Children's Facilities

Onboard Activities

Cabins
Nice and roomy best sized bathjroom Ive ever had on a ship.
Overall Rating

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Comment by Rae, Walton-on-Thames (08 Sep 10 17:55) about this REVIEW

You have got me intrigued about the private problems! The mind boggles! We had a wonderful cruise on the Splendida - sorry to hear you didn't, but it sounds like you had some specific problem which reception didn't sort to your satisfaction.

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Comment by Greenwood, Maldon (08 Sep 10 21:47) about a COMMENT by Rae (08 Sep 10 17:55)

Rae, since your cruise back in October, 2009 maybe things have changed a lot. Rude and offensive staff at reception and accounts on the MSC Splendida seem to be the norm now days. Petrie I also agree with all your review and assure you Reed and Plow are in a minority when posting the positive side of msc cruises, even thou are always near the bottom on cruise ratings. Multi-national environment, Italian style cruising should never be an excuse for bad, rude offensive staff or service. MSC staff should learn that anticipating the needs of its paying customers to help create a stress free, relaxing holiday is a much better and professional way.

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Comment by Rae, Walton-on-Thames (09 Sep 10 17:40) about a COMMENT by Greenwood (08 Sep 10 21:47)

We never had cause to speak to reception. We had one encounter with accounts, where they, not us, were at fault. The girl did not apologise, as I would have expected. I therefore asked politely for an apology. She gave me one and I was happy with that. It is not an American 'have a nice day', smiley attitude, I grant you. However this one small incident did not overshadow my holiday and cause me to think I had had a bad time. I have found that at European hotels, the reception staff generally have an unfriendly attitude and suspect MSC staff are following this pattern!

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Comment by Reed, Skegness (08 Sep 10 10:19) about this REVIEW

It has taken you a long time to come up with this rather bland review. You have made no comment of the entertainment which only earned 1 star. Most people reviewing MSC consider their entertainment to be some of the best afloat even if they dislike other things. Did you visit the theatre at all? . Did you listen to teh entertainment in any of teh bars? I assume that you did not make use of MSC excursions as you have rated them N/A. Did you leave the ship or stay aboard in port? If you left, were there shuttles for getting into town? You give the children's facilities 1 star. What age were your children and what were the problems?. Most people complain about MSC compulsory service charge but you are implying that tips are the norm. Did you opt out of service charge? I do not understand the comment about bigger tables generating bigger tips. I would expect 4 tables for 2 to generate more tips than 1 table of 8, espacially if the 8 included children or an extended family group (not unusual on MSC). I am sorry that you did not enjoy your experience on MSC but I suspect it was mainly because you did not like being a minority race on a multi-national ship. MSC is not typically British, but those that embrace a multi-national environment usually enjoy the experience.

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Comment by Petrie, SALFORD (13 Sep 10 22:32) about a COMMENT by Reed (08 Sep 10 10:19)

Im sorry you think the review is bland, but that may be because the cruise and the ship experience was found to be bland.In response to your comment that i do not like being a minority race that is not a problem as I speak fluent Italian, French and Spanish, and no I didnt use the msc excursions but did use the shuttle buses. I actually picked MSC because I wanted a cruise that was not typically British. But I do accept Reed and Raes opinions and respect them, I can only comment on my experiences on my cruise and believe me I am happy they have not had the same experiences. At the end of the day, regarding reviews, people should read the good and the bad then make their own decisions, and I apolagise again if the review was bland but im still new to all this so learning as I go !

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Comment by Reed, Skegness (15 Sep 10 07:54) about a COMMENT by Petrie (13 Sep 10 22:32)

I totally agree with this and your other comment that it is important for people to express their opinions. I learn a great deal from reading them in helping me to make decisions because, like most others, I cannot afford to try end to end cruises in the hope I find something I enjoy. Two things I have learned that may help you - no-one agrees and a balance of opinions is healthy and useful and; some people agressively defend their favourite lines whatever the truth. I strive to keep a balance between he two in the hope that cruisers may be helped.

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Comment by Zaffiro, Bristol (11 Sep 10 22:57) about a COMMENT by Reed (08 Sep 10 10:19)

having just got back from a cruise on MSC Opera to the baltics, I think you need to take another look when you say their entertainment is some of gthe best afloat. Entertainment on the evenings was rubbish and only on for 20 minutes late at night. Lovely theatre mind you but mostly empty. Regarding tips, gratuities are added automatically and you can reduce or upgrade them if you like. You cabnnot however pay the waiters extra as this is not allowed and if spotted by maitre d then waiter will get a telling of so it does not really matter what size table you occupy. And before you knock me let me say that I am Italian so know about Italian idioscies but MSC is a company that needs to get thei r act together on lots of little things before they can expect people to return and cruise with them a second time. Read my review on the MSC Opera posted 12th Sept.

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Comment by Nicholas, Bere Alston (08 Sep 10 19:34) about a COMMENT by Reed (08 Sep 10 10:19)

Minority race is one thing, but sheer rudeness and ignorance form the vast majority of the staff and the guests is something that cannot be excused. I am proud to be british and proud of the fact that our manners generally supercede all around the Med. Perhaps you should work for MSC or perhaps you do.

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Comment by plows, wallsend (08 Sep 10 10:30) about a COMMENT by Reed (08 Sep 10 10:19)

love your comments, reed. you and i are in a minority when it comes to the positive side of msc cruises

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Comment by green, bradford (08 Sep 10 10:16) about this REVIEW

I agreed with everthing you have said re rude guest relation, we were on the Opera in July, and they were the same on their. They did not want to listern to anything you had to say, and then did not belive you, you had to give proof for them to see, before they would do anything about it. We will never sail on any MSC ship again.

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