MSC Cruises | MSC Armonia | The making of a nice cruise spoiled by poor food

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The making of a nice cruise spoiled by poor food
Reviewed By: adam, lanark on 29th Sep 2008
Cruise Line: MSC Cruises	Times cruised before: 10+
Cruise Ship: MSC Armonia	Sailed: September, 2008
Destination: Northern Europe	Age: 46-55

This was our first time on a European cruise line (all other cruises have been on British / American lines), with British guests in the minority, we felt MSC did everything very well except the food. We've been used to lines that offer 24/7 dining and were dismayed that the buffet restaurant closed completely by 5pm daily ... there was no other place to eat until you went to the main dining room for dinner. If you didn't want to eat in the main dining room, then tough as there were no other options at all in the evening unless you wanted a limited room service menu in your cabin. The overall quality and presentation of the food was the poorest we've ever had, and we are no food snobs. This was our biggest disappointment. The other two English couples on our table felt exactly the same. The price of drinks was very steep... £4.70 for a 40cl glass of beer.. only bottled water available in the dining room at extra cost as well. Fortunately they didn't add in the usual 15% gratuity that you get on most other lines. We also noticed that hardly anyone used the hand cleaning gels at all when entering the restaurants - a touch worrying. The let down in the food and lack of eating options means we won't sail with MSC again. The staff and their attitudes couldn't be faulted. Cabins were just fine, and the ship overall was great, especially the public lounges and bars. If the food is important to you, think about another line.
Quality of Food
Only just satisfactory, but for a 4 star cruise line, very poor overall in both quality and presentation, especially as they are Italian and the brochures tell you how good it's going to be.
Entertainment
Evening entertainment very good. British guests please bear in mind that all public announcements are made in 5 languages.
Shore Excursions	n/a

Staff
We had read previous reviews about poor staff attitudes, but found everyone on Armonia to be very polite and helpful, and always smiling.
Children's Facilities	n/a

Onboard Activities
Good choice of activities and bars
Cabins
Cabin was modern and clean. Bathroom compact but nothing to find fault with.
Overall Rating

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Opinion: Agree Comment by Bradbury, Coventry (29 Sep 08 19:46) about this REVIEW

Have commented several times in answers to peoples questions about the food situation on MSC - in particular the evening Dining Options and couldnt agree more with your comments. I have also replied in answers that they will try to ply you with bottled water. You simply have to ask for a Jug of Iced water which is freely available - but of course they dont tell you this - you have to ask!

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Comment by Musti, Ipswich (03 Oct 08 17:13) about a COMMENT by Bradbury (29 Sep 08 19:46)

Yes, we did ask for a jug of water along with a lot of other people, but we were all told that it was not possible to provide this owing to the location of the facility - or some such waffle that didn't make any sense - it was definitely not freely available on Armonia or Melody!

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