OmegaSeamaster

Yes, anyone in the cabin can share the fun pass, so it can be used for anything. However, make sure the fun pass is applied to your 12yo's card otherwise you will need to be with them whenever they wish to use the credit as it will be on your card. You need to do this before boarding, ideally.

Make sure the fun pass is applied to the person's card that will most likely use the credits. Then, ASAP upon boarding, go to the desk (next to the sportsplex) and register the fun pass. They will add a small sticker to your card and then you will be able to use the pass. If not you'll just rack up additional expenses without actually using the value of the fun pass.

Indeed, very true about the pub. It had a great selection of beers and the food was excellent. Maybe because it was so hot, people don't like to sit inside, in a place with no view to the outside. I would imagine on winter/cold weather cruises, this would be a nice place to spend time. The design on the Meraviglia class ships, with only outdoor venue at the top of the ship, is a missed opportunity in my view. We look forward to sailing on Seaview in October where there is an outdoor promenade on the lower deck. I had no issues with the food at the buffet, but it wasn't capable of catering to thousands of guests, so not fit for purpose unfortunately.

Yes, very doable, but you haven't met my kids, the cards would be lost in no time 🤣

Entertainment, Shows, and Summary: Fun and Flaws This is mainly about the pools, slides, hot tubs, and the daily and evening shows, as I've already covered the Fun Pass entertainment in a previous review. Starting with the pools, the atmosphere pools were of decent size and kept at a refreshing temperature. To secure loungers near the pool, we found it necessary to arrive around 8 am, which was manageable. Spending time there, relaxing and swimming on port days, was definitely worth it. However, the pool area became overwhelmingly crowded on sea days, making it less enjoyable for us. The poolside entertainment was frequent, ranging from quizzes and dancing to aerobics lessons and football or mini-golf competitions. Personally, the entertainment didn't quite align with my taste. The compere and music were too loud, resembling what you might find in a budget holiday village. However, that's just my personal opinion. The Horizon bar and pool, located aft of the ship, were much smaller and not an area where we spent much time, except for a quick post-dinner drink as we sailed off into the sunset. The smaller pool wasn't a viable option, except for a quick dip to cool down. Similarly, the Safari, a small indoor pool with a retractable roof, was usually busy and mainly frequented by families with younger children. Interestingly, our kids were fond of the hot tubs, but they were too warm for my liking and often overcrowded. They also enjoyed the water slides, and the wait times were manageable for them. Inside the ship, especially in the Galleria, there were some entertaining acts in the evenings. However, the large crowds could make one feel quite claustrophobic, so personally, it was an area I tried to avoid. Now, let's talk about the shows. I had pre-booked the Sweet show Carousel for Saturday evening, but upon arrival, we were informed that it had been canceled. Unfortunately, we were departing the next day, so there was no opportunity to reschedule. We are currently waiting for a refund on that. As for the free shows, we managed to secure a booking for the Abba show in Theatre La Comedia. A tip for others: you need to book these shows on the day, and they fill up quickly. Try to reserve as early in the morning as possible using the screens throughout the ship. The Abba show, however, was truly amazing, with incredibly talented singers and a fantastic dance performance. Very briefly on the casino. It was quite smokey, so we only ventured in once, just for the experience. I inserted €20 into a slot machine and won €320. I quickly cashed out and called it a day. I managed to get plenty of exercise during the cruise by using the stairs instead of the lifts. Although it could be exhausting at times, it was a great way to burn off some calories. Lastly, a quick note on disembarkation. We left our luggage outside our room by midnight on the final night and picked it up when we disembarked around 10am. Paying the bill, I thought was automatic since I had registered my credit card, but alas it's something you have to do manually. Didn't take long to disembark, but maybe luck in our timing. Our car keys were ready and waiting for us near our luggage in departure lounge. The process was simple and hassle-free. In summary, we thoroughly enjoyed our first cruise aboard the Grandiosa. The ship itself was beautiful, our cabin was great, and the staff were excellent and attentive. There was plenty to keep us busy, and the cities we visited were interesting to explore. While it wasn't perfect, I attribute some of the flaws to sailing during peak season at full capacity. I imagine most cruise lines would face similar crowding issues. There are certainly areas where MSC could improve, but overall, they offer a fantastic cruise experience. For those disembarking in Genoa, if you can it's worth spending one night in or near Portofino, it's a truly beautiful little place to visit (about one hour from Genoa).

Interesting view on the wrist bands 🙂 For us it was just much easier to wear around the wrist rather than a card/lanyard around the neck, especially for the kids.

Ports of Call: One Excursion and Exploring On Our Own We had only pre-paid for one MSC excursion, which was the Tunis shopping tour: Medina & Sidi Bou Said. Unfortunately, it turned out to be quite a disappointing experience. We boarded a subpar bus with no air conditioning, which immediately set the tone. The bus first took us to the medina, where we endured a sales pitch at a carpet store and a perfumery. Frankly, there was nothing of high quality to buy on this tour, and we were forced to wait for an extended period—squeezed into narrow, smoke-filled indoor lanes that became unbearably crowded when other tours converged at the same spots. I had hoped it would be somewhat similar to the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, but the reality was far from it. Sidi Bou Said was equally underwhelming, resembling nothing more than a large car park with vendors peddling low-quality goods and a scarcity of pleasant spots to sit and enjoy a drink. There are a couple of decent photo opportunities with the white and blue buildings but it definitely fell short of being the "Santorini of Africa" as some had described. The entire tour took about 6 hours, with the majority of the time spent at the medina. As for the other ports, we decided to venture out and explore on our own. In Barcelona, we hopped in a taxi from the port and headed straight to the Sagrada Familia, where we had pre-booked tickets. We spent a considerable amount of time admiring this remarkable cathedral, which was well worth the visit and the cost of entry. Afterwards, we indulged in some delicious lunch at the La Boqueria Food Market, tucked away just off Las Ramblas, offering a charming bohemian atmosphere. In Palermo, we took a taxi and made our way to Mondello beach, costing us €35 each way (so worked out cheaper than MSC's shuttle service). The beach was absolutely stunning, with its soft sand and crystal-clear blue waters. We rented loungers and an umbrella for the four of us, which amounted to around €60. It was a worthwhile expense for the serene and picturesque beach experience. We also disembarked in Naples, but instead of opting for the Sorrento tour due to its early departure time of 7:15 AM, we decided to explore the port area on foot. Unfortunately, it didn't leave a lasting impression on us, but did allow us to do a much needed pharmacy visit. Overall, I would rate the Tunis excursion a 3/10. As for the other ports, it really comes down to personal choices and preferences. Each port had its own unique offerings, and we enjoyed the freedom of exploring independently.

Our Dining Experience on the Grandiosa: Let's discuss the MDR (Main Dining Room) for Aurea guests—Il Campo restaurant. It's located next to the champagne bar on deck 7, and I must say, anytime dining is a delightful perk of the Aurea experience. The restaurant itself exudes elegance, with comfortable seating. Most evenings, we were fortunate to secure a window table, which added to the ambiance. The menu offered a decent selection, although the food was average in terms of taste and quality. Nonetheless, it served its purpose. The only time we encountered a wait was when we dined around 9 PM. We were asked to wait for approximately 20 minutes in the adjoining champagne bar, which allowed us to enjoy a quick game of rummy. Typically, we preferred dining between 7 and 8 PM when the restaurant was only about half to three-quarters full. The service was prompt, and the waiting staff were attentive and friendly, making our dining experience at Il Campo quite enjoyable. Breakfast and lunch were exclusively served in the Purple Crab MDR, although we found it to be a more bustling and less pleasant environment. Now, let's turn our attention to the Marketplace buffet—it was an absolute frenzy! We did eat there on several occasions. The pizza unsurprisingly stood out, and the selection of ethnic food and salads was decent. However, it was a stressful and overwhelmingly crowded affair, even in the supposedly quieter back section that we had heard about. . We didn't venture to the buffet late at night, but during all other times, it was an absolute madhouse. Moving on to the main bars outside, such as the Atmosphere Bar on deck 15 by the main pool and the Horizon Bar on deck 18. I must admit, they presented a challenge. However, it wasn't solely due to the crowd or the limited bar service staff. The real issue was the inefficient system implemented by MSC. Ordering a drink involved a tedious process of the server tapping away on their tablet, followed by waiting in line due to the shortage of bartenders. Unlike a typical bar on land, one couldn't simply approach the counter, take a seat, and place an order. Instead, we were required to queue at a designated spot, patiently awaiting the attention of a single server before locating a seat. The same inconvenience applied to the marketplace entrance, where a separate table was set up for canned beverages and bottled water. The process of registering our details from the card or wristband took an unnecessarily long time, roughly 90 seconds per person. MSC ought to address this issue, as it understandably led to growing frustration among guests. I must commend the staff, though, for handling the situation with calmness and apologies. The staff were excellent, but the overall system suffered from significant inefficiency and flaws. As for specialty dining, we didn't indulge much, except for one dinner at Hola Cantina, which proved to be excellent (especially the chili beef nachos!). The dishes were reasonably priced, but with drinks and service charges, the bill amounted to nearly €100 for the four of us. A word of advice—skip the €17.99 "all you can eat" option, as it's nearly impossible to consume more than €10 worth of food per person. On one evening, we opted for a meal at the Master of The Seas pub. We ordered fish and chips as well as burgers, and they were truly fantastic. The food came at an incredibly affordable price of just €5 per dish. However, we did experience a one-hour wait, despite the pub being practically empty. Now, while it may not be a bar, the Top19 solarium exclusively for Aurea guests provided a great retreat during busy times. Nevertheless, obtaining a drink proved to be a lengthy process due to the presence of only one server catering to a considerable number of parched guests. MSC should consider implementing a more efficient solution, such as a pop-up bar. Let's touch upon the drink packages. The two adults in our group opted for the basic easy drinks package, while the kids had the minors package. The quality of drinks, including wine and cocktails, met our expectations. In instances where the easy package didn't apply, such as the champagne bar, we were able to pay a small additional amount for delightful drinks, such as a strawberry mimosa and a bellini (totaling around €4.60). Upgrading to higher-tier packages proved unnecessary due to the challenges encountered in obtaining drinks. Fortunately, we're not heavy drinkers, but it's worth noting that those with the Premium extra package may not find it particularly valuable unless they spend a significant amount of time at the bar throughout the cruise. We even overheard one passenger expressing frustration at having to repeatedly remind the staff of their entitlement to premium brands included in their package. Overall, we would rate our dining experience at the bars and restaurants a solid 7/10 (with the Marketplace Buffet scoring a low 1/10).

Our long-awaited first cruise finally became a reality as we embarked on the Grandiosa in Genoa on Sunday, July 2nd. To enhance our journey, we opted for the pre-paid MSC valet parking package, which proved to be remarkably convenient. Although it took a short while to be attended to, the process of handing over the keys and our luggage lasted no more than 20 minutes. From there, we made our way to check-in, a mere 50 meters from the car park. As Aurea guests, we were granted priority boarding, scheduled for 12:00 PM. Within 15 minutes, we successfully completed check-in and security, obtained our cards, and stepped foot on the ship promptly at noon. Our embarkation experience was genuinely pleasant, deserving a perfect rating of 10/10. As expected, the ship exuded beauty and opulence, with an immaculate environment evident throughout (one could scarcely go far without encountering a crew member engaged in cleaning or vacuuming). After strolling through the Galleria, despite the stores being closed, we made our way to our rooms. Our accommodations consisted of a mid-ship Aurea balcony cabin on deck 13. The prompt arrival of our luggage allowed us to unpack swiftly. Alongside one large suitcase and two cabin-sized bags, we also brought four backpack-sized bags for our party of four, including two adults and two teenagers. It's worth noting that all cabins designed for four guests follow a specific configuration, with the main bed situated near the entrance and the bunk beds positioned by the balcony side of the room. For those staying in a cabin for three, the bed is closer to the balcony, while the sofa bed occupies the area near the entrance. We were surprised at the room's storage capacity , we were able to fully unpack our clothes, utilising the wardrobe and drawers (although we did request an additional six hangers). Additionally, we conveniently stored our luggage under the bed. We brought five magnet hooks with us, which proved useful in hanging wet swimming costumes, hats, and lightweight bags in the bathroom and cabin. Our room steward was great, always around when we needed him and kindly removed the mini-bar contents when we arrived so we could use it for our own drinks. Our Aurea welcome gifts were awaiting us, a chilled bottle of prosecco and some chocolate. Our overall rating for the ship and stateroom experience: 10/10. Our initial task involved visiting the services desk to inquire about the fun passes we had purchased. As these had been assigned to the adults' cards, we sought clarification on how the children could enjoy their own activities and remain entertained. Unfortunately, we encountered a problem. The staff informed us that transferring the fun passes to the children's cards was not possible and should have been done during the booking process. Despite their initial assertion, it took a full 24 hours before they successfully accomplished what they had deemed impossible. Our subsequent endeavour involved purchasing wristbands as a practical alternative to prevent potential loss of the cards. However, this transaction required a considerable wait in the queue at the Photo Services desk, and we had to wait overnight to receive the wristbands. Thanks to a family discount, we paid €20 instead of €40, but we were mistakenly charged twice: once during the initial order and again upon pick-up, unbeknownst to us. We discovered this error by checking the MSC for Me app for billing discrepancies, prompting us to queue once more to obtain a refund. Moreover, contrary to what we were told, it is advisable to keep your room cards on you at all times, as they are often required even when you are aboard the ship, contrary to the staff's information. It is crucial to highlight a couple of points regarding the fun passes. First, registration of the cards at the entertainment deck is necessary. Any activities you engage in using your cards will be billed to your account and not deducted from the fun passes. Additionally, please note that certain games in the entertainment deck corridor are not included in the fun pass activities, so exercise caution. Regrettably, there seems to be an insufficient number of staff members available to manage the desk in the fun/sportsplex deck, making it challenging to engage in activities requiring their assistance, such as booking F1, bowling, or the 4D cinema. Therefore, it is advisable to allocate sufficient time and maintain patience. Bowling reservations can be made a maximum of two days in advance and tend to fill up quickly, so we recommend arriving at 10 AM when the desk opens to secure a slot. Following this guidance, we patiently waited for two days to secure our bowling slot, only to encounter an attempt to reschedule us for another day upon our arrival. The staff explained that technicians had experienced an issue that required some time to resolve, but rather than push everyone’s time back, they opted to reschedule us. However, we stood our ground and endured an additional 40-minute delay. Unfortunately, we encountered several glitches with the bowling. When paying €54 for a family of four to partake, experiencing multiple breakdowns during the activity becomes unacceptable. If it was free then you take the good with the bad, but that’s not the case. I’d also add that, unfortunately, half of the arcade games were also out of order. Consequently, during our upcoming cruise with MSC in October, we have decided not to purchase the fun passes. If we wish to engage in any fun activities, we will opt to pay for those activities individually. Nonetheless, we did thoroughly enjoy the 4D cinema experience. Regrettably, we did not have an opportunity to try F1 or the VR Maze. Considering the aforementioned aspects, our rating for the Fun Passes/Sportsplex: 4/10.

All right, but apart from the sanitation, the medicine, education, wine, public order, irrigation, roads, a fresh water system, and public health, what have the Romans ever done for us? sorry, couldn’t resist 😂

I understand the frustration especially given you've paid (probably double) the cost to be YC. I think, and you said it yourself, and it's true for everything in life, it's not as much about the experience as it is about your expectations. If the reality is above your expectations - you'll be happy, if the reality is below your expectations - you'll be disappointed. The other thing I would say, is not let the small issues spoil your experience. I get it, they add up, but only if you let them, it's all in the mind. Try to let things slide, especially if they're not huge issues. Relax a little and block out the negative things that are going on. You've paid a lot of money for this well deserved vacation, please make sure you don't let things outside of your control spoil it in any way.

MSC probably have the data to suggest otherwise, but I'm sure there are plenty of solo travellers that spend more on-onboard, on things like a spa or excursions, than couples or families sharing a cabin. It's short sighted of MSC to treat Solos like this. Solos also keep the capacity down which can only benefit/please the collective, which in turn may increase repeat bookings.

Good to hear. Are you enjoying yourselves? Hopefully things continue to get better. Relax and have fun.

It doesn't sound like day 1 was too smooth for you. Probably quite stressful when expectations aren't met initially, but I hope you start to relax and enjoy yourselves more as the cruise goes on.

Great review, thank you for taking the time and effort.