olesiabr

I have recently returned from a 6 day sailing on the Preziosa from Marseille to Genoa, Civitavecchia, Palma Majorca and Barcelona. I have cruised approximately 20 times in the past on Celebrity, Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Princess, Norwegian and Paul Gaugain. This was my first Mediterranean cruise (but hopefully not my last!)

I must say I was overall very pleasantly surprised with MSC, and was expecting the worst after reading reviews...My opinion is that overall the mass market lines are more similar than different.

Some pluses:

The ship is aesthetically pleasing, not tacky in the least

The Garden Pool is lovely, and has a true infinity sensation off the aft deck 15. This was a favorite spot for sail away.

The wine list is extensive, and the prices of bottles of wine and individual drinks are well below those of "American" ships. NCL, in particular, is going off the deep end as far as drink prices IMO...I especially enjoyed the small wine tasting with tapas in the pizza/wine bar for 7.99 euro.

The inside cabins are large and well appointed...I was in one of the square insides on deck 11

Some minuses:

Hate the fact that so much of the ship is "off limits" with the yacht club, but hate it on NCL haven as well. There is no way to access the front of the ship and be outdoors.

Generally a lack of outdoor deck space, no promenade deck that circles the entire ship, sometimes you lose that "being on a ship" feeling on Preziosa.

It's a fact that more Europeans smoke, and MSC allows smoking in some of the indoor lounges, not just the casino.

No live music on the pool deck

Everything else: dining room, buffet, service, crew and shows, are on par with the other lines (except, of course, for the PG)

Oh yeah, there's the having to pay for water in the MDR thing, but I figure I saved so much money on the wine I still came out ahead!

As for ports:

In Marseille we stayed at the Sofitel (fantastic rate from Hotwiredotcom) the day prior to the cruise and the day after. Lovely hotel, great views, central location. We walked to the Basilica of Notre Dame prior to boarding the Preziosa on Saturday.

Genoa

Walked off the ship toward the old port and aquarium, to San Lorenzo, down via Garibaldi, funicular to Spianata Castelletto, then back to the ship. Much gelato consumed along the way!

Civitavecchia

Arranged online for a private driver from Limousinecruiseservicedotcom . 300 euro for the day, I purchased skip the line tickets for the Coliseum and the Vatican as well. Best money spent!

Palma

Again DIY port for us: city bus to the beach, then leisurely stroll back to the ship with some shopping, tapas and kava thrown in.

Barcelona

We had pre-purchased online tickets for Sagrada familia, so cab from the pier to the basilica. Then two metro stops to plaza Catalunia (no worse than NYC subway), walk down the Ramblas, tapas, kava, shopping down to the marina. We caught the port bus back to the pier.

FYI, we were two 40- something female cousins together for a "girls trip," and we never felt unsafe or uncomfortable not using MSC excursions, but we were both used to navigating large cities and public transportation.

Bottom line: would not hesitate sailing MSC again, and can't wait to return to Europe!

Would be happy to answer any questions...

OK, thanks!

On MSC Mediterranean cruises, can wine be brought on board and consumed after paying a corkage fee?

Starboard had a lovely view of Diamondhead Saturday morning coming back into Honolulu

And for the ladies out there: how dressy is the main dining room in the evening? Would black pants/dressy top be ok, or are dresses more appropriate? How many gala nights on a 6 day? I don't mind dressing up, but I just got off the ncl Jade and it was pretty casual in the dining room...

Thanks all!

Leaving for my first MSC cruise next month and have a few questions:

Are shampoo and body wash available in the shower? Anything by the sink?

I understand there will be one North American style outlet, so will not need an adapter, correct?

No coffee maker or tea kettle in the stateroom?

We are in an inside cabin.

Thanks!

The Breakaway may be different, but just got off the Jade and all the bars had the same wine by the glass options. The chard was Mirrasou, and the remaining varietals were of similar quality There was a prosecco, moscato, white zin, chard, sav blanc, pinot gris, pinot noir, North and South red blend, Blackstone merlot, and cab. Pretty disappointing for the wine lovers.

Shadow1234:

Coxen Hole, and Dawn always gets the pier!

Lineaway:

To be more clear, I got tender tickets for 11 people one day, and nineteen the next, so only one person per group needs to be standing....

We were a family and friends party of 25!

Sorry guys, life and unpacking has intervened!

Lineaway:

When I got to the towel exchange on the pool deck (12) at 6am, there were 4 others sitting on chairs mid deck. I came up to them and found out they were waiting for tickets. Deck hands were just starting to put out the lounge chairs. Once about a dozen folks arrived we stood up and formed a line. Around 7 they set up a table with a double line and we all "fell in." Nobody left any shoes, but I was in line for eleven on Belize day, and 19 on Roatan day. My hubby brought me food, and the lady next to me took turns with her husband.

7am would probably be ok if your tour starts 10 or later.

We loved Spinnaker, Great Outdoors, Atrium and Whiskey Bar. Pool bars were pretty busy, and I don't like the plastic wine glasses.

Karoo:

Texas local tax about 70 cents per drink until you leave TX waters. No biggie.

Bryanjayne:

They will only announce that the buffet is open, but Grand Pacific was lovely and quiet! Unlike some other lines, we were able to stow carry ons in our rooms, even thought they were not ready.

Shadow1234:

I think around 11am...

Yeah, for Belize if you want the first tender, you need to line up at 6am...luckily we turned the clocks back the night before so it FELT like 7am. We had to physically be in line...not like you could put a towel down or anything

We arrived at the terminal around 11:30, took about 45 minutes to get on board. Easy!

Wine choices, at least those offered on UBP, not affected by Texas liquor laws! We were out of Texas waters by about 8pm. No delays at all in Bayport

Have a few hours while driving home, so will offer a capsule synopsis!

Will find something to love on all vacations, and this one was no exception:

Port of Houston is easy, parking is super close.

We are used to the layout of the ship and have sailed Jewel class in the past.

Ship is super clean, although I am not a huge fan of the colorful Hawaii theme.

Staff was responsive and generally happy, although bar service virtually non existent except for the atrium. This not really a problem for us!

LOVED the UBP, but a double edged sword (see later).

Spa pass worth the $129 for a calm, quiet oasis.

Top three snorkels of my life at Hol Chan marine reserve in Belize. Roatan not too shabby either.

Elements was a great show, as were the acrobat duo.

MDR food and service just fine, no better or worse than years past.

My 11yo joined the Splash Academy first and last sea day, my 14yo did not use Entourage.

Now for the not so good...

We didn't have the best weather, and the first sea night was ROUGH! I know this has nothing to do with NCL, but thank goodness for the spa pass!

The tender situation, ugh. In line at 6am on Belize day, got group 1 and was ashore by 9:20. In line at 6:10am on Roatan day, got group 5, ashore by 9:30. Really a hassle.

UBP..... sigh. It's great if you're a beer or mixed drink lover, not so great for those that prefer wine. By the glass options are the same ship wide, about the equivalent of what is served on a plane. In coach.

This was a spring break cruise, so 4 times out of of seven we were woken up by drunk young adults banging on doors down the hallway. No biggie, didn't last long, but I think overall there was a lot more drinking than usual.

Also, regular drink prices now, if you don't have the package, are truly high. Drink of the day still reasonably-priced.

Last note: we had three in a balcony cabin, and it is truly the tightest stateroom I have ever been in on any line. Honestly, with the third berth out there was room for only one person to get dressed at a time...no floor space. A better bet is a sideways inside, or ocean view, where the third berth comes down from the wall.

I'd be happy to answer any questions!

Happy cruising!

I agree! Just got off the Jade, weather was cool and overcast. Spa pass saved the trip for me.

In Roatan, got on line 6:10am for 7:30 distribution, was 25th in line, got group 4. Took longer in line for actual tender because of Dawn docking

We just got off the Jade today.

We booked a private snorkel/ dive excursion with Sea Sports Belize. I got into line for tender tickets at 6:05 am for 8am distribution, and was fifth person in line, got group one. We were on Belize by 9:20am...

Johnny C,

Great review, thanks!

We are also booked with Sea Sports Belize for diving/snorkeling.

In regards to tendering in Belize, the process is line up on 12 at 7:30, get tender ticket, and then proceed to deck 6, but at what time? Well there be time to grab breakfast before tendering starts?

Thanks!

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Is it worth taking a small boat tour BOTH from Seward and Whittier? Are there significant differences?

Thanks!

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Uh,oh...I was afraid of this happening with the "free" UBP. Can anyone else confirm that there has been a significant downgrade in the wines by the glass availability?

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This is my first cruise and I'm not sure how the whole tender ticket thing works. Can you go get your tender tickets and then go get breakfast? Or do you have to stay in the general area where you got the tender tickets? Do they announce what tender group is boarding over the whole ship or just by where you got the tickets?

 

Thanks for the report! We'll be on the Jade in just a few weeks!

I'd like to know the answer to this question as well...can one person stand in line for the entire party?

And is there then a line up to proceed to the tender? Do they allow the group ones to go before the group two's or is it a free for all? What deck does the tender depart from?

Thanks!

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Shorts, not shirts!

Well, obviously shirts are necessary too!

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Thanks for the review! I will be on the Jade in four weeks and your comments are helpful.

I think the dress code at the Grand Pacific is for dinner only, so at breakfast and lunch shirts and flip flops are ok...Does anyone else know for sure?

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First of all, happy birthday!

Second of all, you are on the Jade!!

And I will be there in four weeks, so this is definitely a gift from above!

What I would really like is the lowdown of how terrible the tendering truly is for Belize and Roatan, and whether the wine list and wait times to get a drink at the bars is truly suffering because of all the UBP.

As a fellow planner, I am just wondering how you feel going into this without all the meticulous research....I would be freaking out!!

Happy 50th!

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