sealynx

Yep, that is MSC, short dinners. Suits me fine. About the buffet, I did notice that the buffet would often offer some of the same desserts as the MDR offered the day before. Excellent way to reduce waste, and a great opportunity to enjoy something taste twice.

Thanks for bumping this topic. It still is very interesting. Also thanks for the additions. In Europe going to the sauna in your birthday suit is de norm. Personally I prefer it this way, as long as people don robe or towel when they get out. Since this is the norm, it should be made very clear if the rules are different. Europeans might not even consider keeping on their trunks (or speedo's) if they aren't told to do so. Back to topic. I've (unfortunately) never been on a full Costa-cruise, but I did enjoy a lunch once on the Luminosa while she was docked in Amsterdam. I've been on several MSC-cruises, on different classes of ships. I thought the Luminosa had a impressive interior, but nearly all rooms looked alike. MSC-ships have a more differentiated interior (although ships of the same (sub)class tend to be carbon copies of each other). The food on both companies was excellent, but the Costa lunch took about 1,5 hours (which was very enjoyable in this occasion), while on MSC you can be ready in 45 minutes. I've read reviews that say this is the same with dinner (although 2,5 hours vs. 75 minutes). If you prefer a not too long meal on Costa, go to the buffet. But be aware, where the buffet is (at least partially) open 20/7 on MSC , Costa's buffets are know to be open 3 times per day for some 3-4 hours on end, and close between meals. During my cruises we've passed several Costa-ships. I've noticed that there is a big party atmosphere on deck, with loud music and many people dancing. On MSC only the sailaway-party is like this (which might not the your first night onboard), while other nights are more relaxed with music on a lower volume. Plenty of party possibilities in indoor venues though.

They are often opened for cleaning and maintenance. As far as I know, all can be opened. The rattling problem is something I know from nearly all ships. I always use some paper or tissues to fix is, so I don't have to worry about it blowing away into the sea when they open it. Big change they don't notice it being there.

I can only find them oktober '23 and onwards, and other cruises up to may '23, though nothing in between. Not to keen on the itinerary either, but could be worse. Many second best cities if you ask me. Also Tarragona on a sunday, with everything closed, is not much fun. I've once had the same experience in Toulon, which at least had a little local market, but not much else. It's a good thing though they do 12-hour stops in Civitavecchia. Gives you time to visit Rome (including the 1 hour+ bus trip).

MSC has said they don't want to sell ships, because that wouldn't only help building the competition. That would mean the plan is to use the older tonnage for at least another 10 years, and then beaching them in Turkey. In my experience even the oldest in the fleet have plenty of live left in them. I fully agree that MSC is unreliable lately. Magnifica not going to the US is the newest on a long list of changes, leaving many would-be-passengers disappointed. This could cost them future passengers. Then again, they offer such good prices, that many people would probably choose MSC again, even when disappointed before. I don't think the yacht club matters to much whether ships will be deployed in the US or not. 90% of the passengers aren't booking YC anyway, and YC is just as popular outside the US.

Announcements indeed in multiple languages, so they often take a while. But don't expect many, just the necessities. Be aware that with many nationalities on board, not just the languages heard might be different. Also customaries. Italian kids for example don't go to bed until 21:00 or 22:00. Kids disco's start way after my kid's bed time. People from southern Europe also tend to eat late, they often prefere second seating. First seating higher percentage from northern Europe. Food portions are much smaller than in the US, but don't be afraid to ask for a second serving. Also, don't expect to many 'hi how are you?' or other insincere questions, but just a friendly 'hello, what can I do for you?' or even just 'hello'.

They are also building their own dedicated terminal, so I'm quite sure they have enough reason to have ships there nearly every day. Not just because of many (dis)embarking passengers, but also because it is by far one of the most popular destinations. In my opinion Barcelona is also one of the few ports worth visiting several times.

You can certainly go to the terminal earlier, and there will be a chance that you can also board earlier, but that is no guarantee. They'll want the leaving passengers off first.

1. yes, full functions only while on board 2. via the app, whilst on board, or via big screens (at least for shows, I don't know about dinner), also whilst on board 3. that differs from port to port, but most often deck 4. Yes you can do a self disembarkation, if you do not wish to wait till your luggage has left the ship before you do, and then again in the terminal to pick up. If you don't want to carry your luggage down the stairs, you could always use an elevator. Because your cabin might not be ready when boarding, I would suggest not to do a self embarkation (I don't even know if that is possible). 4. There are limits, and exceptions, but do remember you will have to carry it along with you until your cabin is ready 5. On my last cruise 1 pool was heated, 1 wasn't (or just very little). This was in may in the Med. They will close the pool when there is bad weather. So in the current season, be prepared for the outdoor pool not to be open every (hour of the) day. 6. Even if passengers can board at (almost) every port of your cruise, there are often some ports that are more busy than others (Genua, Barcelona, Southampton and Hamburg being the bigger ones). In those port you might have to wait longer, since more cabins need to be cleaned. We once boarded around 11:00 and our cabin was ready somewhere at 13:00. Our luggage arrived somewhere at 15:00. 7. I've never been on Virtuosa, or any of the sisters, so I can't be ship specific, but I would suggest for you to start with ohhs and ahhs while walking around the ship, and then sit back and relax with a drink and maybe a snack. Enjoy!

Because, as you have told us about very often yourself, MSC uses inadequate computer systems that don't connect the dots automatically. You will probably also know, since you might be the person on this board to have cruised MSC the most often, that registering your card while on board is a matter of minutes, with plenty of machines available and hardly ever a line.

On MSC Opera this was an absolute joke. At least the kids version, only one version there was. Kids were given a slice of apple ('apple donut') and three colours of frosting. After three minutes of smearing around, all apple slices were binned and the show was over. The highlight was one of the tables collapsing, although that was quite sad for the kids at that table who were standing in tears.

When they changed Fantasia to Opera, I was offered € 200 OBC, which was fair. If I was offered half of that, the change wouldn't been much higher that I'd cancelled. Too many ship changes lately with MSC. I hope they get their game together soon, so you can actually start trusting your booking.

Is Costa now the only line left with still ships on operational pause?

I read that on many cruises and many cruise lines have these problems after repositioning to the US (and also the other way around). That makes me wonder whether it would help if they would insert a day between the two sailings, to fix things. Anyone any ideas?

I don't see a Costa/AIDA-merger working either. There are too many differences: fleet wise, experience wise, passenger origination wise. I do see a future for Costa, but they need to redesign large part of their product.

I think there is more to it than just the Chinese market being closed as well as the lack of Russian passengers. Other companies in Europe, even part of the Carnival corp, are growing. MSC is growing big time, taking a large part of the Italian market, but also from almost any other European country. German market has also always been a big one, but is turning towards MSC, AIDA and Mein Schiff. Costa seems to have lost their game. They are the only of the big companies with still ships in lay up, even though plenty of ships have left the fleet completely. While other companies are not only investing in new tonnage, they also invest in new amenities. The new Costa ships are big, and new, but hardly innovative in regards to the passenger experience. Costa can't even keep open their buffer for more than a few hours on a row. It would be saddening, but I wouldn't be surprised if there wouldn't be a Costa Crociere in ten years time.

Not only there is no need for tipping, it is not allowed. Crew is not allowed to accept your tips. They get wages + service fee, and according to MSC (and the crew members I spoke to) that makes a decent and fair salary.

Sorry, I don't know the answer to your question, but I would like you to be aware that with a speciality dining package, you will not get the normal menu from that venue, but a limited one.

There are several activities, but don't expect to be entertained throughout the day and certainly not in every venue. They often have dancing classes, some thing like ring tossing, a sail away party and some theme parties. The shows are entertaining, but no big broadway extravaganza. The big screens are seldom used to show movies. Also no belly flopping, conga lines, wet t-shirt contests, or anything of the like. We always bring a pile of books and a card game, because that comes closer to our definition of 'fun'. MSC does match your status from other cruise lines (and hotel chains). I don't know how though.

Costa has cancelled the winter season for Venezia and Diadema. No alternative itineraries have been announced. It seems to me Costa is struggling. First the announcement that Luminosa, Venezia and Firenze will leave the fleet, now an additional reduction in winter capacity. Of course winter season is always a season with low demand, but still. Read on CruiseIndustry I've been thinking more about Venezia and Firenze leaving the fleet semi-permanently. These ships were designed for the Chinese market. Their interior is highly influenced by the cities they've been named after. Could be a factor in this decision be that Italians are not eager for a cardboard version of their own cities?

My latest cruise was changed from MSC Fantasia to MSC Opera, but still in a bella-balcony (which they officially don't have on MSC Opera) though much smaller. I got to choose between cancelling and full refund, or € 200 OBC (for 3 persons). I chose the latter, because that is aprox. half of what we normally spend onboard and I was still happy with the ship (even in hindsight 🙂

Biggest downside on Bella for me is that you cannot choose your cabin location anymore, so you might end up on a more nosy part of the ship. Then again, don't expect the ship to be as nosy as a Costa of Carnival ship to begin with, so perhaps their aren't necessarily bad cabin locations? Either way, Bella is no reason for your cruise to become a negative experience. I just believe that a relatively high percentage of YC-pax. is part of the CruiseCritic-community.

I haven't done boarding in Cannes, but I did see it happen when it was a port of call on my cruise from Genua. The ship didn't use its own tenders, but a vast fleet of local ships was operating a constant shuttle service. (Dis)embarking passengers had their own dedicated ships, and apart from that barges were used for luggage. Also a dedicated part of the quay was used for these passengers, but don't expect crowds since most passengers will board in different ports. I don't know how to answer your question though, sorry. Crew handling luggage shouldn't be a problem though, since they can save luggage up on the quay for later. In most ports its not a problem to come early. If I were you, I'd give it a shot. Worst case scenario is that you'll have to wait a little longer while in Cannes, for which I would find a nice little park or spot on the beach and make it a pick nick with one or more cruise ships on the horizon.

I was once on a cruise from Amsterdam to Hamburg and back to Amsterdam, that was actually the last night of a cruise ending in Hamburg and a first night of a cruise starting in Hamburg. But because they also sold both cruises with (dis)embarkation in Amsterdam, they would have several empty beds the last and first night. They sold that separately as a mini cruise. I seems you have the same thing.

The experience of both companies is very different indeed. What I mean to say is that both companies have a long list of misses, especially when compared to many other cruise lines. The misses are also different (I don't ever say MSC has a lack of proper pools, and I won't call their cabins IKEA-like either), but both just have many.