I just got off a nine night cruise on the Meraviglia on Feb.4. Overall it was a fine cruise. I will say the ship only had about 2500 passengers so that probably made things easier. I arrived about 1:30 and basically walked right on the ship. I've said this before, if you have to be first for everything than expect lines! You're one of the people that's causing the lines. This goes for almost everything when it comes to cruising. I avoid the mass crowd times like the plaque. Someone mentioned that MSC didn't give them the dining time at check in and immediately ran to the restaurant to get it fixed. No. It's on your card when you get to your room. All they had to do is ask. I had my time moved because it was too early for me. The dining room food was fine, in fact the pasta is excellent and I'm Italian.. Better than I had on the Oasis in December. The buffet was typical buffet and again was fine. The pizza was great. bar service was fine, I had the drink package. The specialty restaurant package was a steal when I booked, three restaurants for $71 including gratuity. I had a really good steak at Butchers Cut, Hibachi at the Terryaki place and a nice blackened cod dinner at the seafood restaurant. The muster drill could be better, but they call it by floors. But once again the "I have to be first people" ignore it and just run down and cause a mass pileup. Again just wait a bit and let things calm down.
The ship is beautiful, the prices are way below RCL and NCL out of NY right now. I've already booked another Bahamas in December with a group of friends and a solo ten nighter to the Caribbean in January on the same ship. The Bahamas cruise is offering the drink package and wifi for $20. Not per day - $20 for the entire cruise! People will still complain lol.