MSC CRUISES HIT OR MISS?
MSC Cruises, like Marmite you either love them or hate them, although I do feel the latter is a tad too strong, but whatever your thoughts are on MSC , I hope the following will answer any questions you have and also put to bed any mis-conceptions you may have heard regarding what MSC is really all about.
If you want my honest opinion I previously had my doubts about experiencing MSC but its only now that I feel able to write this blog and finally shout about what an amazing Cruise Line MSC Cruises are becoming. All cruise company’s have received negative reviews on particular ships, I have blogged about these in the past and don’t get me wrong MSC are no different with MSC Opera receiving a long list of interesting reviews and not all particularly appealing, but what inspires me about MSC is the way they have dealt with the issues at hand, done a complete turn around and are now up there playing with the big boys. Why? because they are not only the ‘Biggest cruise line in the Mediterranean’ they are the 3rd largest cruiseline in the world.
So what can I tell you about MSC Cruises, well to be honest where do I start, dubbed as ‘The Most Modern Fleet in the World’ they have 12 ships that are refined in style and give you the best welcome in true Italian Tradition, with elegant decor, contemporary design and noble materials, such as marble and Swarovski Crystal they certainly are in a class of their own. Take a look and see if you agree.
Not only that but they have recently ordered 2 ‘revolutionary new ships’. The 154,000-ton vessels will feature innovative sea-level promenades with outdoor spaces, shops and restaurants. The project has been named Seaside. With 2,070 cabins, the new ships will carry 4,140 passengers at double occupancy and have room for up to 5,300 passengers including pull-down bunks and pull-out sofas. Scheduled to debut in November 2017 and May 2018, they’ll cost nearly $1 billion a piece. These ships really will be a force to be reckoned with and if they are anything like their newest ship Preziosa then they are sure onto a winner.
I really wanted to give you MSC Cruises in an nutshell and to give you the opportunity to make up your own mind about this Italian cruise company aiming for the high seas. To do that I wanted to reveal some myths that surround MSC Cruises. So I have listed some common questions I am asked and answered them honestly in my own opinion.
ANNOUNCEMENTS ARE IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES – Yes as with all cruise lines with multinational guests, important safety and excursion announcements are made in languages most widely recognised. English is the main language on board but MSC are no different to any other cruise line carrying multi national guests, announcements are made in English first then can be Italian, French German or Spanish depending on their itineraries.
FOOD ON BOARD IS ONLY ITALIAN PASTA AND PIZZA IS THIS RIGHT? MSC are proud of their Mediterranean roots and heritage, which is reflected in the delicious award winning pizza and pasta handmade fresh on board every day. They arn’t the only food options. The food served in the buffet and main restaurants varies depending on the itinerary, with food served relating to the destinations visited on the cruise. Along with Neapolitan Pizzerias, there are speciality restaurants including Oriental restaurants, a sushi bar, Tex-Mex, Steakhouses, Sportsbar and Mediterranean Fusion in the Galaxy restaurant offering a 7 course taster menu with a different glass of wine served with each course.
ENTERTAINMENT IS NOT CATERED FOR ENGLISH PASSENGERS – MSC offers a wide range of entertainment options catering for all the different cultures and tastes, from circus shows to operas and musicals. there are up to 6 stage shows a week in the theatres and amazing live music played every night in the bars. Theme days.nights on board include a Beer Festival, MSC Factor, Hollywood night, 70’s ‘Flower Power’ party and Karaoke and live sports coverage is available on big screen TV’s in public areas. In fact, MSC have even been nominated for a best entertainment at Sea’ award in this years Cruise International Awards so they must have been doing something right. What you do find with MSC is that the musicals and tribute acts are often the WestEnd so are all in English, and all other shows are all about music , performance and dance. I can assure you that you wont find a comedian on board telling a joke in five different languages lol.
ALL INCLUSIVE £20 A NIGHT? REALLY? Yes its true for just £20 per adult and £10 per child on all cruise from the Uk, Mediterranean Cruises and Dubai winter cruises. For Caribbean Cruises £29 per adult and £15 per child. Child age is 2-17 years old. MSc have one of the cheapest All Inclusive drinks Packages at sea. Impressive!! Click on the link and see for yourself what is included!
MSC All Inclusive Drink Package
I HEAR GRATUITIES ARE EXPENSIVE ON BOARD IS THIS TRUE? – No- not compared to other cruise lines . What’s great about MSC is that they don’t charge gratuities for children age 2-14 years and no one more than me believes this should be the case on every cruise . Children over the age of 14-17 are only expected to pay 3.50 Euros a day. Adults between 6 and 7 euros depending on the duration of your cruise. Gratuities shouldn’t be anymore than this for European itineraries and of course are optional.
Just to finish off I have to say that they also have one of the best campaigns on the market, not just including the drinks package that they offer but with Free Flights on at the moment and every child can cruise for only £99 there really isnt a better time to experience MSC.
Just a note that as I mentioned earlier MSC Opera is one of MSC’s oldest ships and you will see her regularly sail out of Southampton with many English guests on board. Like all the older ships in anyones fleet you can sometimes encounter a few negative comments but with some of her prices selling or have sold from £399 please dont expect anything else but a great value for money cruise.
If you require any further information then please do give me a call. Not every cruiseline suits every passenger but for me I am proud to sell MSC and true to my word I will always be upfront and honest if you ask me for any feedback. Positive or otherwise.
Holly xx
11 Comments on “MSC CRUISES HIT OR MISS?”
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I couldn’t agree more with your comments about MSC cruises. We have been on 2 cruises on Poesia and returned in May this year from a 19 night cruise on Opera from Cape Town to Southampton. My only negative comment about MSC is that I booked this cruise in May last year and all the balcony cabins had gone. When on board we learnt that the cruise had gone on sale to South African passengers before being offered to UK passengers.
I am sure that when Opera goes in for her refurb and stretch next year she will be fantastic again.
MSC are very good value for money and the South African passengers all told us that they sail to Europe because it is cheaper than flying!!!
Have to agree 100%.what a wonderful cruise ship MSC Preziosa is !! we were on the Mediterranean Cruise for 7 nights ( Yacht Club).two words to describe the cruise food entertainment and service .ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT !!!!!…….one small complaint as such, too much smoking in the casino, it really stinks BUT still a wonderful wonderful cruise.
Michael and Rita ( been on many cruises but MSC..Briiliant..keep up the great work.
Love MSC !
I have travelled twice with them as a solo passenger,for no extra supplement! Marvellous!
My only complaint was my last cruise in May was full of Flemish! Suppose that is why it was cheaper!
Some local Radio station had taken over the ship and MSC had sold a couple of hundred to British passengers!That was a nightmare because of this!
But fear not MSC Marmite! I still love you!
Patricia Pickford
I have been on MSC’s ships twice in the last year. Prior to that I have sailed with NCL, Ocean Village (a now defunct part of P&O) and Royal Caribbean.
I cannot deny that MSC was not up to the same standard of the others in some respects but they were very cheap. It’s like comparing a Ford with a BMW – you will pay more for the BMW and because of that you should get more features and better quality.
Of all the ships I have sailed on, the cleanest and the most pristine were MSC who clearly have very high standards.
Some aspects of the food let MSC down but it was edible and only the most picky could not find something to their taste.
The daytime entertainment on MSC’s ships was lacking on at-sea days and the check-in on both cruises was not the best I have experinced.
As a single person I paid £37.50 and £55 per night for my two MSC cruises. That’s an incredible bargain – you cannot even stay in a Travelodge for that and with the latter there is no food provided.
I would happily travel with MSC again.
We, a family of 4, took our first cruise last year on the Opera and could not fault it. We were so impressed that we rebooked it within a week and will sail in 2 weeks time. The all inclusive drinks package was a no brainer as cocktails and spirits were 6,50 euros each. As all ports of call were within walking distance of most city centres there was no need to take on any excursions. My children were 13 and 11 and just loved the freedom they had to do there own thing and its the only holiday we have had that they have never complained on.
Can’t wait till July 9th.
eddie
my partner and myself went on msc armonia on 3rdjan this year for two weeks, canaries from teneriffe. the first week was more orientated towards euorpeans mrw than brits, as there was only about 60 brits on board. the second week 600 brits were on board and it was great( first week good to no other complaints) there was a few people saif they wouldn’t do msc again????. we found ship very clean nice layout, entertainment team great, we did not go to shows, but others said they were good. we took allinclusive package for drinks great value. bar staff were fantastic. also restaurant staff great to, we got table for two, altho we were allocated a table for 8 but I don’t like to sit with lots of people at my meal times, that’s just me!. so we were accomondated the next night with a table for two smashing waiter juleo.
Hi
It’s a double edged sword, if you tell everyone how great they are (Preziosa Oct 13, Lyrica Jan 14 & Opera May 14 and looking forward to Orchestra Nov 14) then the prices might go up. I love the fact that it is not all British guests on board and yes they do have some excellent shows to. We have found the ships, newest to oldest, to be equally appealing with super staff. I am a fussy eater but still manage to put a decent amount of pounds on by the end of a cruise – and it’s not all alcohol. I like the fact, that when on a drinks package, they are happy for you to take a bottle of water/can of pop (diet coke) off the ship when sight seeing. They serve smiles with everything and if they haven’t got a smile it usually because some horrible passenger has demanded something they’re not entitled to.
Is it my first choice of cruise line, perhaps not yet as I do love celebrity, but if you go on service and the best price then MSC have got both.
Well done MSC
Sailed on the Preziosa 5th April 14, from Venice. Embarkation time 12 noon actual time onboard 4pm in time for drill, no lifts working so couldn’t go to cabin to get lifejacket. Drill in the casino SMOKY very unpleasant. Staff rude, surly and indifferent, everything was greeted with the same Mediterranean shrug. Most days the food was poor quality, lukewarm and on one occasion the pork was almost raw. Melamine plates were poor quality and on several occasions were not clean. Every port call was late docking and the provision for transportation to the towns was absolutely useless with long queues for the shuttle bus, queues to get on and queues to get off. The ship itself was spotlessly clean and the inside cabin was spacious and we were well looked after. Disembarkation was a complete fiaso and we onlyjust made our lunchtime flight home because the taxi driver put his foot down. Never again would we cruise with MSC and we were so disgusted with the fact that the no smoking areas were ignored and the stench of cigarette smoke was appalling, I am asthmatic and have been on antibiotics and steroids since I returned, despite the fact that msc assured me that smoking was kept to the casino and designated areas on deck!
Hi, myself and my husband had a wondeful holiday aboard the Preziosa in May, leaving from Venice, to go to Croatia, Turkey and Greece. We pre booked the Allegrissimo package which was exceptional value for money! The only criticism I do have is that they need to adopt a queueing system in the buffet restaurants, it was a nightmare at lunchtime, (we only actually used the buffet one day when the restaurant was closed). I do feel that this should be addressed as it is also a health and safety issue! We have booked to go on Musica next year and hope to have as good a time!
I think your summary of MSC is very accurate and accords with my own experience. One point that might help cruisers with specific requirements is that the new ships like Preziosa are brilliant for families, but not so good for more mature adult couples as they have no quiet spaces at all – no card room, no real library etc. whereas the older smaller ships like Musica and Magnifica do making them more enjoyable for people like me.
Have to agree with you about msc, we do 3/4 cruises a year, last October we could only get the opera and to say it was one of the best deals & cruise we have had is a understatement. In fact I e-mailed msc to tell them. But yes entertanment is song & dance but remember you are on an italian ship and the pizza & pasta are worth it alone. One other thing you must take up the drinks package we do not drink a lot but we do like a drink at dinner a class of wine about £5.00 +15% so take 3 classes at dinner you come to about £20 this May sound crazy but at the end of our cruise I added up my drinks and it came to about £650 and honest I never drink a lot “I can’t now” to old. So do not take in all you read go and see yourself some will like it others will not but this can happen on any ship. Happy sailing.