MSC Meraviglia LIVE Review Northern Europe June 10-June 24

After 313 days of waiting, my journey began with a flight to Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) on a Delta 333. The seats in most of the main cabin are a 2 x 4 x 2 configuration and I was in an aisle seat (G) and I was lucky enough to have the seat to my left empty. *Before takeoff the flight attendants came through the cabin with a headphones, eye masks and a menu.

I decided to order the chicken and after not too long the flight attendants started their service with hot towels and a beverage service before dinner. As a note, there were two more beverage services and a water bottle service before the night was over. The chicken was good (I’ve always thought the stereotypes about airplane food were a bit overblown) and after dinner I spent my time doing a whole lot of nothing before eventually going to sleep for a little bit. About 1 hour and 15 minutes before our scheduled landing time the FA’s served the pre-arrival meal. The box had a single serve honey Noosa yogurt, Tillamook colby jack cheese, peach(?) muffin and a Minute Maid orange juice. The breakfast was fine, I usually prefer a hot breakfast because I feel like the cold items are never cold enough but the yogurt and cheese seemed to be the appropriate temperature. I was super happy to see Noosa yogurt, it’s a brand I really like.

We landed on time, if not a bit early, and I made my way to the NS International Lounge. I booked a 1st class ticket on the 1pm train to Hamburg and with a first class ticket you’re able to use the NS International Lounge so that’s where I hung out at Schiphol until it was time to start the next part of my journey. Coffee and tea were unlimited but soft drinks were limited to 1 per person. I booked my train ticket on bahn.de for €59,90 which covered the journey from Schiphol to Hamburg Hbf. The hotel was ~15 minutes away from Hamburg Hbf via train and bus and I purchased that ticket from the kiosk at Hamburg Hbf. I also spent a little time in the DB lounge at Hamburg Hbf. The carbonated mineral water was from the fountain and unlimited so it was nice to have as many glasses as I liked and both lounges had wifi included. I got a lot of great information about train travel in Europe from seat61.com

I went carryon only for this trip so all I had was a backpack (the Osprey Fairview 55) which I kept above my seat during the journey, but I did see luggage shelves at the beginning and end of each train car. Finding the correct carriage and my assigned seat was very simple. During the first leg of the train journey I had lunch, sausages and sauerkraut with a roll which was okay, but in the future I would pick something up at Burger King in the airport. The seat/compartment was very comfortable and with the door closed the a/c got the temperature nicely cool. There were three of us in the 6 seat compartment and one of the guys was in my (window) seat when I arrived and curiously didn’t move to the far seat but decided to sit right next to me for most of the trip. As a note, there was no wifi on the train.

After I got to my hotel, I went to a local Aldi*and bought some food and drinks and also an Aldi Talk prepaid SIM. *The starter kit was €12,99 (€10 credit included) and I purchased a €5 top up which gave me enough credit to purchase the €14,99 Internet-Flatrate XL package. That includes 5.5GB of data and due to the EU “roam like at home” agreement enacted in June 2017 I’ll be able to use the data through the whole journey (off the ship) because Norway participates in the agreement although they aren't part of the EU. I got all my info on setting this up from this Europe subsection on this Fandom wiki http://prepaid-data-sim-card.wikia.com/wiki/Category:Europe. I did have to register/activate my SIM through the PostID service and I used my my phone and the hotel wifi. Officially activation could take up to 48 hours but mine was activated in about 12 hours

For practical and safety purposes I won’t be posting exact details (e.g. stateroom room number, hotel name, port plans) until after they’ve occurred. For maximum enjoyment of my vacation proposes I also won’t be answering any questions that are answered on the official MSC website. Tomorrow is the big day! I am SO excited to board the MSC Meraviglia I can hardly contain myself.

Following, as we are scheduled to board 24th September!

I'm so excited for you! I'm gonna post the daily planners every day but if there's anything you haven't found on the MSC site that you want me to find out lmk and I'll be sure to get the info/a photo.

Hey Tina,

I wish you a really nice cruise!

For your boarding Meraviglia in Hamburg tomorrow:

We learned the hard way, that the suggested boarding time is not the best boarding time...

I would suggest boarding at noon and have lunch already on Bord, if you do not have excursions planned for Hamburg. For our cruise they scheduled all information sessions on Bord about 4 hours before our listed boarding time.

Cruise cards and prepaid vouchers are distributed in Hamburg directly during checkin, and not as for some other MSC cruises in the cabins, so you will have them right after checkin.

Sebi,

Thanks for the suggestion. My original check in time was 1300, then it was changed to the honestly laughable 1745. My plan was always to show up around 1100. I wasn't expecting my cruise card at check in so thanks for alerting me of that!

Thanks

Following with great interest.

Hey Tina,

 

I wish you a really nice cruise!

 

For your boarding Meraviglia in Hamburg tomorrow:

 

We learned the hard way, that the suggested boarding time is not the best boarding time...

 

I would suggest boarding at noon and have lunch already on Bord, if you do not have excursions planned for Hamburg. For our cruise they scheduled all information sessions on Bord about 4 hours before our listed boarding time.

 

Cruise cards and prepaid vouchers are distributed in Hamburg directly during checkin, and not as for some other MSC cruises in the cabins, so you will have them right after checkin.

Sent from my SHIELD Tablet K1 using Tapatalk

True to form, I left the Holiday Inn Hamburg on Sunday later than I intended. It was after noon, but that’s the wonderful thing about traveling solo, you can leave whenever you want, and no one is bugging you or inconvenienced becase you’re running late.

My room was 315 and the contents of the minibar were included, but I have to say, by night two, the ineffiiciency of the air conditioning system was overwhelmingly apparent and I wouldn’t stay there again due to the temperature at night being much, much warmer than is comfortable for me.

I had a free drink due to my IHG status, but besides that I did not eat or drink in the hotel. I previously mentioned I went to Aldi, it was ~350 meters away and super convnient for snacks, drinks and cold breakfast food as the buffet in the hotel was hilariously €19,50.

In any case, when I was all ready to leave I used the MyTaxi app and called a taxi as I was getting into the elevator and by the time I got downstairs it had arrived. The ride was unremarkable and I paid via the app and headed into the terminal, bypassing the line for back check since all I had was my backpack. Inside the line to check in was non-existent, I went to the front and was called to an agent within a minute and my cruise card and MSC for Me bracelet were given to me at this point. The security/ metal cdetector line was simiarly short and within a minute I was throught that as well. As a note, at the check in desk they do request your printed documents, and at the metal detector you must remove tablets from your bag. My printed documents were buried so the agent was able to go a few spots down his colleague and print the page that was needed.

After going up the escalator there was a photo opportunity in front of a wheel, or not. I chose the wheel, and it was a green screen so there were 2 or 3 different backgrounds they transposed when the photos were printed. It was about 1245 when I got to my room and it was ready, however as a note, the card and bracelet did not work until 2pm. The door was slightly propped open but when I left and tried to get back in I was locked out. I found my cabin attendant and asked him to let me in, which he did. I also asked him for 14 more hangers and about 5-10 minutes later he knocked and delivered some simple wire hangers.

Inside my room was the Daily Program but I want to note some inconsistencies. There was no lunch in the dining room, and there was no room service available. I wonder why they don’t print accurate documents, but that’s done with and I know what to expect for the future. I’ve started a new thread for the Daily Planners/Daily Programs which you can find here (https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2644407)

DAY 1

Here are the hangers that were in my room when I arrived, and the additional ones that were brought.

The shower had shower gel and shampoo, and there was a hanger in the room for ordering continental breakfast.

Here are photos of the FULL room service menu, with a HUGE note. Maybe I was the only one confused by the menu, but near the bottom between 15 and 16 where it says "Price for one dish of your choice/Price for two dishes of your choice" that applies to Aurea guests as well. It was my understanding that food AND deliver was free but I was wrong and only delivery is free in Aurea.

Thank you so much. It is very interesting.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Forums mobile app

Dinner menus for night 1 are photos because I hadn't gotten the MSC for Me app working yet, but MDR menus from day 2 on out will be screenshots. I ordered the first two appetizers - and before we get too into this, a few notes. I am so not that person who takes photos of their food for the gram so when my food comes I usually start eating, not photographing what's in front of me. Some of what you’ll see has bites taken out of it because of that..... my food comes, I start eating, then I hate myself just a little when I remember I need to whip out my phone and point it at my plate, but whatever, it’s what I’ve chosen to do for this trip. Also, I’m ordering 1, 2, maybe even 3 appetizers, entrees and desserts so don’t be alarmed. Yes, it’s just me and yes, I am ordering all that food. Hashtag come back fat (thanks HonestCrusing on Youtube for the inspiration)

I think I'll rate the food on a scale of 1-10.

White fish ceviche; 6/10. The fish was much chunkier than I imagined. And yes, I do see the irony in my dislike of something chunky when i'm ordering 6+ dishes a night for one person

Tomato appetizer; 7/10 Typical caprese type appetizer. No photo because I ate it all before I remembered I was supposed to take a picture

Artichoke risotto; 4/10. I've never had risotto so I'm not sure if this was trash or if i just don't like risotto

Filet of cod, 8/10. Very good. Not much to say, fish is fish, pine nuts are super expensive in the US so I appreciated the extra touch.

Coconut pistachio dacquoise; 2/10. The texture of this was off. It reminded me of tres leches cake at a quinceañera. Granted it's been probably 15 years since I've had tres leche at a quince, I like to think I still remember how not for me it was.

I also had the warm apple crumble :D ;7/10. Good. Not FANTASTIC but truly good. I ate most of the ice cream (and the main dish) before I remembered the picture thing.

I also had the warm apple crumble :D ;7/10. Good. Not FANTASTIC but truly good. I ate most of the ice cream (and the main dish) before I remembered the picture thing.

Glad this got a reasonable score as I had heard that it was nothing like a real apple crumble previously, it must have improved!

Well what is an apple crumble? It wasn't an apple crisp, but if I understand correctly that's a different dish. It was apples covered with some sort of, well, crumbly topping. And honestly I might raise my score for that humble apple crumble to a 7.5

I wonder if you have cracked the secret to having a good meal in the Meraviglia MDR- order lots of things in the hope you get a few decent ones! You are already doing better than I did on that front.

Hope you are enjoying your cruise!

Sent from my SM-G930F using Forums mobile app

Hey Tina,

Just some quick questions (we are about to board in 11 days when you‘re suppose to leave):

First: your departure time was originally set to 8pm, but it changed (as we can see on the dailies) to 9pm, your departure was 9:20 any reasons for that delay? When does the muster drill took place? Same afternoon or the morning after?

Second: is there any special place on the ship you would recommend for the sail away? Deck 18 above the Horizon Pool at the Horizon Bar? Or is/was it really crowded?

Third: Can you please check/ask if there is any change in the itinerary for the Iceland trip starting 24th of June out of Hamburg. We‘ve heard some rumors that they must have switched Akureyri and Reykjavik. MSC did not officially comment so far but the websites of these two ports talks a different language, so it would be really great if you find someone on board who could confirm these changes.

Thanks a LOT in advance, your post has been a BIG help for us so far...

Cheers Callimero

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Callimero,

I have no idea why the departure time changed an hour, or why it was further delayed 20 minutes. I didn't even notice really.

The muster drill was at 1700.

I don't know where a good place for sail away is, I think I was eating dinner when we sailed away? Or maybe I was in my room? Sail away and the related festivities have never really interested me much.

Next time I pass by reception and it's not busy AND I remember, I will ask about your itinerary.

More review to come in the next few hours.

Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Tapatalk

Ah okay, that helps a lot. Thanks again and have a wonderful cruise.

Cheers Callimero

DAY 2

Tonight was elegant night.

Breakfast in the MDR ended at 930 and of course I woke up at 927 so that was a bust. I went to the buffet and had a good meal, omelette made to order (salmon, cheese, onions, bell peppers and tomatoes) bacon, hash brown triangle (very good, I had two) and grilled/stewed(?) tomato. I saw fried eggs that looked good so I plan to try those next time.

Even though I didn't make it to MDR breakfast I snagged the menu.

Edge Cocktail Bar has a case with little pastries available until noon.

I had lunch in the MDR, I was sat at a table that seated 12, and there was one empty seat. The service was…..not very fast. I couldn’t work out if it was because there were dishes to prepare for 11 people, or if we were waiting on people to finish eating before the next course came out. In any case it was annoying.

Cream of sweetcorn soup; 6.5 Unremarkable.

Musky Octopus; 7. No complaints but again, just good.

Tropézienne; 7.5/10.

Coffee ice cream; 9/10. I love coffee ice cream.

Also my black card member spumante and chocolate covered strawberries was delivered mid day.

Today was the day I started to think that pushing the DND switch ment absolutey nothing to anyone who might come knock on your door. I was taking a nap and my cabin attendant knocked, called out my name and I think tried the door handle multiple times. Turned out he was delivering the Daily Program which he just slid under the door.

DAY 3

Alesund

So I was treated to a 4 song wake up call of sorts at 1110 delivered through the in room speaker. Why MSC decided to play 4 English country-esque songs through the speaker at 1110 is a mystery. Since I was awake, I got up, got ready and disembarked to go get lunch in Alesund at Lyst.

I had the fish soup; 8/10.

Then I was still hungry so I had the smoked salmon and shrimp sandwich; 7.5/10. The mix of sweet potato and regular fries was cool. It was really messy.

I paid $40.20 for those two dishes. They all say Norway is expensive, and that is not a joke.

Dinner was business as usual.

Fried calamari and shrimp; 6/10. I understand from a culinary pererpctive why chefs leave the tails on shrimp, but the entire shell? Come on.

Greek Salad; 8.5/10. Delicious. Mixed it before I remembered the photo.

Linguine with shellfish; 6.5/10. I don't think I like mussels, and the shellfish was mostly mussels. I ate about half.

Pineapple sorbet; 9.5/10. Absolutely amazing.