My whirlwind 22 hours on MSC Bellissima

I was lucky to have just spent the last 22 hours onboard the brand new MSC Bellissima, and I was excited to have been chosen to see one of the newer ships as I had only ever been on the MSC Preziosa. As time was limited and living fairly locally to the port of Southampton I made sure I was there for when check-in opened and was onboard by 11:15am.   Here is how I spent my 22 hours onboard.

11-12pm: Was able to go straight to cabin to drop my bags off and take the obligatory cabin photos, I had been given a balcony cabin on deck10. The cabin was a good size and beds could be made into double or twin, the balcony was similar to other ships but had a huge sofa to sit on in the cabin. I tried to ask Zoe a question (like Alexa but built for MSC to answer questions about the ship etc) but couldn’t get her to work. The cabin was very contemporary and modern, bathroom an ok size and the shower was lovely.

12-4pm Met up with some other colleagues and after lunch, in the buffet marketplace, it was time for a tour of the ship starting at the top and working our way to the bottom. There are 19 decks on the MSC Bellissima so we certainly got our step count up for the day. We got to go in the MSC Yachtclub, round the kid clubs, had a go on the Interactive cinema, did some food tasting at the speciality restaurants, sadly it wasn’t the weather to play in the waterpark but did like the Grand Canyon Pool which has a retractable roof. The ship also has a ten bowling alley, F1 Racecar simulator and a VR maze (all chargeable)

5.30pm it was time for a couple of well-earned cocktails whilst uploading photos and videos to my work facebook page, watch the first half of the football and then it was time to get glammed up for pre-dinner drinks.

7 pm All met at the Cocktail bar where the prosecco was flowing until dinner at 7.30pm. We were given a set menu for dinner with just two choices for starter, main and one pudding so if you didn’t like the menu then it was up to the buffet restaurant for you.

9 pm – We watched the LED screen show which lasted approx 5 mins and then it was time to find someone for a drink and catch up with colleagues before the main entertainment of the evening started. For a launch, it did feel a bit subdued around the ship and was surprised they hadn’t put any of their own shows on in the theatre for us to see or have any bands etc playing.

11:30 pm – On came Craig David who for those who haven’t heard of him he was a singer in 99/00’s and has made a comeback as a singer/DJ over the last couple of year, he is also local to Southampton.

1 am – a quick slice of pizza from the Buffet restaurant before heading back to continue dancing the night away

2 am – Time for bed and to rest our weary feet.

7.30am – was time to get up, shower, dress and pack before heading up to the buffet restaurant for breakfast. There were options such as Cereals, cooked breakfast, pastries, omelettes, waffles etc so something for everyone.

9 am – it was time to disembark and drive home (for me was only an hours drive) and back at work ready to start the day.

Overall I liked the MSC Bellissima – I did feel the Galleria Bellissima was very similar to Royal Caribbean’s Royal Promenade but with a lovely changing LED screen (could have watched that for hours). I liked the modern, contemporary feel to the ship and decor, and who couldn’t love the glitzy staircase in the atrium.

Have a great couple of weeks

Kerry

xx