sealynx

I'm not very impressed by this swing thing. Although I'm very much into theme park like attractions, but this one just seems booooring. I believe cruise ships just aren't the place for really good attractions. Not impressed by Robotron or Bolt (on Carnival) either. I'd rather see MSC (or any other cruise line) offer rock climbing walls, rope courses and/or even more waterslides. Those things might not be innovative or unique, but they are proven providers of ever repeating fun.

38 minutes ago, alserrod said:

They aren't the same loop at all!!!

I did not mean to say all 4 ships offer just one loop, I mean the four loops they sail are reused for a different ship every year.

Thank you for this overview.

You mentioned Seascape twice. One should be Seashore, right?

2 hours ago, alserrod said:

It seems Norway will lose 3 cruises (from 5 to 2 in summer)

4 in 2024 to 4 in 2025 right? In both years I see Euribia, Virtuosa, Poesia and Preziosa in your list.

I am a bit disappointed in their mediterranean itineraries. MSC seems to recycle them a bit to much for my taste. World Europa, Seaview, Seaside + one seem to be offering the same loop every year. Only they change ship. For example, last year Opera, this year Grandiosa, next year Seaside do the same loop Genua, Marseille, Barcelona, Tunis, Palermo and Napoli.

Also they seem to always offer Armonia, Lirica, Sinfonia and Opera on the Adriatic. Me wanting to change both itinerary AND ship every time I cruise, is left with limited choice.

On 12/20/2023 at 3:25 PM, Ryan82 said:

Now you've said that @stuart2468 - I can see ambition is basically the same as Opera. Its just the Opera has been stretched. Im going to check out the anbition deckplans now. Proper geeking out.

They are basically the same, but Opera was the only one fitted with external balconies during construction. The other 3 MSC ships of the kind only got them during the stretching process. So Lirica and Opera are closer sisters to each other than to the other 3, but still were 'born' with differences.

On 12/20/2023 at 1:53 PM, stuart2468 said:

There is also another sister ship (actually the very first 'Mistral Class') still operating for Ambassador Cruise Line. Sailing as MS Ambition. This ship was delivered origionally, as the Mistral, to Festival Cruises. I believe (open to correction on this) this ship is still the length as origionally ordered and hasn't been extended like her sister ships.

Although she has never been lengthened indeed, she did get additional cabins on her stern superstructure, where the other 4 still have several decks of out door space. Also her night club was changed into cabins. I believe it happened when she transferred to Ibero, but I'm not sure.

On 12/20/2023 at 4:58 PM, sidari said:

Preziosa was built for Gadaffi and his family complete with a shark tank, when they fell from grace MSC bought the ship as it was the same hull as Fantasia, Splendida and Divina.

I'm really glad she ended up with MSC. For more than one reason, but I'll stick to the cruise ship related one: I don't like sister ships to be spread over several companies or even brands. I makes the lines less unique.

In Rotterdam they had a tram (streetcar) beautifully decorated in their ships livery (maybe even still). Even though Dutch (Nederlands) and German (Deutsch) is kind of similar (both Germanic languages), not too many Dutch people speak German. So apparently they are actively trying to get non German speaking passengers onboard as well. Rotterdam is not just a embarkation port for Germans from the south of the country (for whom Rotterdam might be closer to home than Hamburg).

It wasn't just a missed port of call I understand, but a shortened cruise. If so, than I agree they should compensate the whole day/night, not just the port tax. In Europe that is even the law, but I don't know about the US-law.

I was on the Opera May last year, because they swapped her with Fantasia after I booked. We did get € 200 OBC as compensation, but still I was hesitant. I was actually the OBC that got me to keep my booking, and I must admit I was pleasantly surprised. Of course she has fewer amenities and smaller cabins, but I had a great week.

Don't worry about overhang on this ship, it doesn't have any. All balconies stick out from the ships superstructure (MSC Opera was the only ship of this class to have this type of balcony at time of built, so also well before the lengthening). Your balcony will only be covered by the balcony above. The deck below doesn't have balconies, so you can look freely down to the water. The deck above is also cabins, so no risk of being woken up early by crew setting up deck chairs.

What do you wear in the sauna and steam baths? Go European and wear just your birthday suit, of do you have to cover up with a bathing suit? Or does it differ to where the ship is sailing?

I always fill my own bottle at the buffet (via a cup, since they don't want you to hold your own bottle under the machine for hygiene reasons), this has never been a problem and nothing was ever charged.

You can really recognize some elements of existing cruise ships. I see Costa Diadema, AIDAnova, Silver Shadow, Celebrity Edge, Celestyal Crystal and Viking Cinderella. Does anyone see another?

I laughed at the curved one. A never ending cruise, forever going in circles. That would be a little too much even for me.

They'll check you in, no Ryanair/Frontier-like charges, at the terminal. They'll take a photo of you there. Only draw back is that it'll take a little more time (which for 1 passenger is surely not a problem, but might become a problem if a shipload of passengers didn't check in online).

Probably not, but it can be a reason for a full refund of the cruise far when you cancel. But then you're still stuck with your flight to Athens.

Shade is indeed something MSC seems to be forgetting in designing their new ships. I've seen similar complaints about YC pool decks, with hardly any shade. I think you have the best chance around the indoor pool.

I've been on several cruises to Genua. Although is a nice city, after visiting it two times, you've seen about everything there is. Therefore I started looking for something else to do when in Genua, and I've found a great alternative for active people who like nature. We took the Funicolare from Zecca (25 min walk from the ship) to Righi and walked all around the city westward to the Granarolo rack tramway at Via B. Bianco. This walk will take you 3-4 hours incl. rest stops. You'll see the old city wall, several ancient outposts and fortresses and you can have a great view over the valley north of the city. A great way to get a way from the crowds, and above all: completely free of charge (incl. the funicolare and the tramway)

I've tried several options. Two adult, or two adults + one kid. And I've tried both outside- and balcony-cabins, on several different ships and itineraries. Nowhere can I select Bella.

MSC has just opened up bookings for 2024-2025. Of course I imminently looked if there is anything to my liking. I believe 13 out of 23 ships have been planned (when looking at april-may). I've looked up prices for several Mediterranean cruises and I noticed that it is currently not possible to book Bella-experience. Does anyone know whether this will be released later on?

On 7/29/2023 at 12:44 AM, CruisingFox27 said:

We've just sailed on Lirica and it really didn't feel like an old ship at all. Not as glitzy and sparkly as the new ships but, nothing like an old ferry.

I have the same experience on MSC Opera. It was the second cruise since the restart after the pandemic. She'd gotten many metres of new carpet, in hallways and in the theatre. Stewards were constantly chasing fresh dustbunnies with their hoovers. If however MSC plans on keeping them for a few more years, then a few upgrades wouldn't hurt. I'm thinking about a waterslide (also for the Musica-class please), better maintenance on the waterpark and waterfall, a new bar at the current library-location and/or the shore excursion area (both areas were greatly underused) and if possible on such small vessels a speciality restaurant (they could reduce the size of the deck 5 MRD for that).

I did notice price increases, but not as sharp as some people are mentioning. Maybe that is because I only look for European cruises (both northern and Mediterranean)?  But I guess as long as people are willing to pay, they can ask whatever they like. A cruise line has no reason to leave cabins empty, so I believe that if people will not pay, prices will go down again.

I hope that MSC will start offering more variation in ports and itineraries in the Mediterranean. Most cruises call at at least 3 ports out of Barcelona, Marseilles, Genua and Civitavecchia. Sooner (Genua, Civitavecchia) or later (Barcelona) this really gets old. I'd like to see more cruises calling at various ports on Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily, Balearic Islands, or at Alicante, Valencia, San Remo, Cannes, Saint Tropez, Sète, etc.

13 hours ago, jules815 said:

After a long day in port, imagine how nice it would be to come back to the YC. 

 

After a long day in port, imagine how nice it would be to sit on your own balcony and enjoy the wonderful views of the Norwegian and Icelandic coasts and fjords. Especially for this region I would recommend at least having a window, so you don't have to miss anything.

11 hours ago, patrice1 said:

I just went on a 4 day Med cruise on Orchestra, the same class as Sinfonia.

 

Nope, different class. Sinfonia shares class with Opera, Lirica and Armonia. Orchestra is actually part of the class with Musica, Poesi and Magnifica. The latter a approximately 1/3 larger than the former.

I totally agree. Although I wouldn't likely consider YC anyway, not having a shade on the designated deck area makes it a definite no go area for me.

On 7/13/2023 at 8:10 PM, mscdivina2016 said:

Have you been on this ship or a sister ship? The only real dancing area on this ship will be the Garage much later in the evening.

 You are correct that they teach useless lessons that are not even correct, but a vacation version.

 My Splendida cruise this past May had karaoke and I believe the Meraviglia also in the TV lounge.

 

 

I've guessing they'll be on Seaside. Then you can dance earlier in the Haven Bar, opposite side of the ship on the same deck, live music & dancing every evening. And the Atrium is a fav. dancing spot for many. I'm not sure about the Piazza Grande, there might be a dance floor.

Even without a gala night (elegant night on MSC), there will be plenty of dancing opportunities every night, probably in several bars and if weather permits on the top deck as well. There are also several dancing classes daily, but don't expert too much of it. Its fun, its exercise, but how much of a dance can you really learn in 30-45 min.?

I haven't seen any karaoke on my MSC cruises, although I might not remember correctly (I would have avoided it anyway).

The 'easy' drink package includes basic coffees: black (most comparable to an americano I guess), cappuccino, espresso and latte. If you want your cappuccino to be dry, just ask for it, I'm sure they'll want to be of help.

I liked MSC Seaview best. Best thing of this ship would be the huge promenade all around deck 8, with plenty of outdoor seating at the buffet. We always had breakfast outdoors and loved it.