Just Returned From Poescia- Never Again

[woodofpine]

>> MSC would earn a much greater passenger base by offering a few beverages between meals and tap water at meals.<<

 

Tap water IS available in the cafeteria, which serves breakfast and lunch. As for the law in France, we aren't talking about a French ship, we're talking about an Italian ship. And to judge from the numbers on our October 3 POESIA cruise, MSC isn't having any trouble attracting a multinational audience--including about 520 guests who were categorized as "English-speaking." (How did I get that number? Easy: I asked. The original poster might be surprised to learn how helpful receptionists, hostesses, etc. can be when you ask polite questions instead of adopting an accusatory tone.)

 

Ah - yah... Shrill sort of sucks... :rolleyes:

 

The point being that this topic comes up consistently as a chaffing point among those that don't enjoy their cruise and hence RELATE THAT FEELING TO PROSPECTIVE CUSTOMERS.

 

But then - in your view - filling a ship (with the lowest fares in the industry) makes MSC an unimproveable unqualified success... So who needs happy-ier customers? With that business philosophy, MSC might someday become the General Motors of cruising!:D;):)

[Signor John]

>>But then - in your view - filling a ship (with the lowest fares in the industry) makes MSC an unimproveable unqualified success... So who needs happy-ier customers?<<

 

There were 3,000 or so passengers (adults and kids) on our MSC POESIA cruise, and the crowd seemed pretty happy to me. I doubt if a significant number were steamed because bottled water was the norm or they couldn't get free coffee throughout the day.

 

If MSC doesn't get repeat business from people who are obsessive-compulsive about tap water or 24x7 coffee, that's probably a good thing for everyone, including the "Why isn't an Italian cruise line behaving like an American cruise line?" crowd who'd be happier somewhere else.

 

Side note: As Cruise Critic members have noted in other threads, MSC is far less aggressive in selling drinks and other products or services than many cruise lines are. In the theatre, for example, MSC doesn't even allow drinks. Anyone who feels nickel-and-dimed because bottled water is the norm at lunch or dinner needs to look at the bigger picture.

[golfngirl]

I just put a hold on a balcony cabin for the Nov. 30th sailing out of Ft. Lauderdale. My husband and I need a getaway and the price and destination are perfect. I haven't sailed with MSC, only Princess, RCI, Carnival & HAL. With MSC ships, has anyone had any issues with cigarette smoke smell :( in their cabin? This wouldn't bother my husband at all, but I'm allergic. Any ideas for what might help get rid of the smell quickly if we do have this issue? Thanks so much. We are looking forward to getting to the ocean, especially since we are dealing with 2 feet of snow here in Colorado. :cool:

[Signor John]

Golfngirl, the only times we noticed even the faintest hint of "smoky smell" on MSC POESIA were in a couple of the more crowded bars at night where people were smoking. Most of MSC's ships are quite new, so maybe they've got state-of-the-art ventilation systems and air filters--either that, or any tar and nicotine deposits are getting wiped away by the staff's constant cleaning.

 

Given the fact that Europeans tend to smoke more than Americans do, we expected to encounter more smoke (both fresh and residual), but it wasn't a problem.

[teejayess]

We've just come back from Musica. Our balcony cabin didn't smell of cigarettes at all (and I would know, because I really don't like the smell of cigarettes, especially on my pillow - eeugh)

 

At one point, somebody must have been smoking on their balcony, because I caught a whiff of it, but only that once. Other than that, I noticed the smell of smoking in the casino, and once, in one lounge. Other than that, I didn't notice it at all.

 

By the way, the claim that most Europeans smoke doesn't really apply to the British any more. Smoking is banned in all indoor public spaces now including work places, bars, restaurants etc.

 

In general we had a fantastic cruise and I would sail with MSC again. My son found it a bit disconcerting that no-one else in kids club spoke English and that reason alone would make him prefer a British or American line.

 

 

My only negative experience was perhaps that MSC tend to be in port every day, and on our itinerary it was mainly morning ports of call, which meant we had to get up and off early and back on board around lunch time. This was quite tiring and we would have preferred to sail in the morning and dock for the afternoons. I'm sure MSC have a very good reason for this, but I can't see it. As my hubby commented, they must lose bar revenue at night, because people went to bed earlier on our sailing, just so that they could be up early for our 7.00 am starts!

[boca7]

No one can promise you that your cabin had no smokers prior to your arrival, although MSC has been one of the best lines to curtail it. I`ll be on your cruise 11/30, & just got off HAL with a cgar smoker below my cabin, lucky me, they don`t have a policy against it but MSC does.

[Signor John]

At one point, somebody must have been smoking on their balcony, because I caught a whiff of it, but only that once.

 

Interesting. MSC has a rule against smoking on balconies, but somebody obviously was ignoring it!

 

By the way, the claim that most Europeans smoke doesn't really apply to the British any more. Smoking is banned in all indoor public spaces now including work places, bars, restaurants etc.

 

My only negative experience was perhaps that MSC tend to be in port every day, and on our itinerary it was mainly morning ports of call, which meant we had to get up and off early and back on board around lunch time. This was quite tiring and we would have preferred to sail in the morning and dock for the afternoons. I'm sure MSC have a very good reason for this, but I can't see it. As my hubby commented, they must lose bar revenue at night, because people went to bed earlier on our sailing, just so that they could be up early for our 7.00 am starts!

 

I don't think MSC spends too much time worrying about bar revenue. During our MSC POESIA cruise, "upsell" was about as low-key as I've seen it on any cruise line. It's almost as if the ship's staff didn't care about making money--on our cruise, most of the shops were closed for inventory during the first four or five days of the voyage!

 

I got the impression that, for many of the Continental passengers, the trip was more about the cruise experience than about the ports (even though POESIA visited a port every day except for the final sea day from Istanbul to Dubrovnik). The percentage of passengers who booked shore excursions seemed much lower than I've seen on American cruise lines, for example. Interestingly enough, there was plenty of late-night activity on our POESIA cruise: We attended a midnight show one night that was packed, and in general, the ship seemed livelier at night than the Holland America, Oceania, Windstar, Silversea, etc. ships that we've been on (maybe because a lot of the passengers weren't getting up for shore excursions?).

[dislike whingers]

sleep on the balcony,it is not possible to have a smoke allergy,but hypocondria is recognised

[camofwilliamsburg]

BOca: same for us. For all the reasons people complain are the top reasons we loved MSC. Cannot wait for our Nov 30 cruise on Poesia.

[TNGALOHA]

I just put a hold on a balcony cabin for the Nov. 30th sailing out of Ft. Lauderdale. My husband and I need a getaway and the price and destination are perfect. I haven't sailed with MSC, only Princess, RCI, Carnival & HAL. With MSC ships, has anyone had any issues with cigarette smoke smell :( in their cabin? This wouldn't bother my husband at all, but I'm allergic. Any ideas for what might help get rid of the smell quickly if we do have this issue? Thanks so much. We are looking forward to getting to the ocean, especially since we are dealing with 2 feet of snow here in Colorado. :cool:

 

 

We were on the Orchestra in Jan and the only time we smelled cig. smoke in our cabin was when we had the balcony doors open and our neighbor right next to us were on their balcony and smoking. We asked them not to smoke out there and they quit. Other then that the only place was the casino.

What part of Colorado are you from?

[TNGALOHA]

sleep on the balcony,it is not possible to have a smoke allergy,but hypocondria is recognised

 

Cigarette smoke allergy is possible, and if you had it you would know how miserable the headache is and how hard it is to breathe when you are around where they smoke. Even just walking in a room where someone has had a cig. can trigger the symptoms.

http://www.adicma.com/cigarette-smoke-allergy/

http://allergies.emedtv.com/cigarette-smoke-allergy/cigarette-smoke-allergy.html

 

Here are 2 links of many that will explain this allergy. Be glad you don't have the allergy but for those of us that do it ISN"T being a hypocondriac!!!!!!!!:eek:

[sunnyescape]

BOca: same for us. For all the reasons people complain are the top reasons we loved MSC. Cannot wait for our Nov 30 cruise on Poesia.

 

I look forward to your review when you return. :) I am booked on this ship in April and am anxiously waiting for a Caribbean review. I have read many of your posts and know you will give an honest, fair review when you return. Have a great time. :D Wish it were me!

[sjpo]

Dear All,

 

As somebody who is considering the MSC Poesia for a future cruise (and whom is booked on a Musica cruise) I read all your postings with interests (I feel that is a service of these forums: to inform other prospective passengers). May I just suggest that each one of us just try to explain or list the positive or negative points they found on their cruise rather than concentrating on 'criticising' or having fun at somebody else's posting? We are more than 7 billion people on this Earth by now and we are individuals, which is a wonderful thing so our perception of everything varies.

 

Individual perceptions are important here as I understand these postings are read by TA and, in some cases, by cruise lines executives too. I know it for a fact as a comment on afternoon tea not being served on MSC but on Costa has made MSC introduce that on the recent MSC Lirica crossing to South America (the forum is based there).

 

For myself, I read here several posting on cruises on the Louis Cruise Lines vessels Aquamarine and Aegean Pearl. Mostly they were negative. I sailed on both in September and had a wonderful trip. I must say that I did agree with some of the criticism (and there remains its value: to warn future passengers) but I also disagree with some other perceptions however I will not spend my time trying to prove that those people were wrong. They were pax who paid for their journey and felt they were not getting what they were paying for.

 

This is a forum, open for opinions and not a tug of war in which one opinion must prevail over another, I would think.

 

Lets contribute for the improvement of the cruise industry (I feel that is the final objective of these forums), but lets respect individuals, their points of view and even their allergies (I have my own and I know how much 'fun' they are)

 

Thank you

[boca7]

Oh Bonnielass, I think you have been outvoted, there are times when I have had a isolated problem that I feel everyone else has it, but everything you mention is so bogus,but to you I`m sure it was quite upsetting. Go again with a new attitude & hopefully you will enjoy it.

[bobar]

on the caribbean itinereraries, you can get coffee, water and tea 24 hours at no charge..the juices are handled just like all the other mainstream u.s. lines.

in europe they do things differently as they have mainly european passengers and have done it that way for years.

we are on the poesia on 1/9/10 and cant wait:cool:

[Man_Overboard]

Hate to tell you but Poesia is not sailing from Venice but Hamburg, don`t know where you got your info from.

 

Hey Boca

what boat did I board in Venice then? Funny, I don't recall seeing you there.

Please engage brain before typing.

[TNGALOHA]

Man Overboard, How was your transatlantic crusie on the Poesia? What was the ship like? How was the crew? Details we need Details. :D

We are on the Poesia next month and can't wait.

Thank you for your help.

[ZsmCanTO]

Oh Bonnielass, I think you have been outvoted, there are times when I have had a isolated problem that I feel everyone else has it, but everything you mention is so bogus,but to you I`m sure it was quite upsetting. Go again with a new attitude & hopefully you will enjoy it.

 

Boca7,I think that posting our experience is not about voting or outvoting....I really think that your attitude needs some changes.

[bugman of bonita]

Does the slot machines pay in coins or paper on the Poiesa?

[transatlantic cruiser]

My husband and I just returned from the transatlantic cruise from Venice to Ft. Lauderdale, 10/24 - 11/10. This was our second transatlantic on MSC, the other being the Opera in 2006. I have read all the complaints about MSC and the Poesia, and I have to wonder if we were on the same ship!! Not only did the waiters bring water - and refill it as needed - but there was always coffee available at all three meals. If you wanted bottled water, then you had to pay for it. That's no different than any restaurant in any country. Nobody is going to give you bottled water for free. Also, the cabin steward refilled the ice bucket in the room every day, sometimes twice a day. Espresso coffee, cappucino, and other specialty coffees were available for purchase in many of the ships bars, as well a for purchase at meals. The prices were consistent with prices elsewhere. It is true that coffee and juice are not available between meals, but were available for purchase in the bars and pool area. Soft ice cream was available free each afternoon on the pool deck.

 

The staff on the ship were wonderful. There was no appearance of unhappy staff. They were friendly, smiling, and very efficient. I saw many grouchy, complaining passengers who always had something to complain about, and didn't seem to have "please" and "thank you" in their vocabulary. They were not pleasant to be around, and I'm sure the response from staff is not as pleasant as it is to people who are happy and just enjoying the cruise. After all, you don't have to cook, clean, make your bed or do anything remotely domestic! And, for the price of the cruise, they offer a tremendous bang for your buck!

 

So...Get a life, you complainers! Start looking at the glass as half full instead of half empty. How can you enjoy life if you're always looking for problems instead of being grateful for the positive things. And remember ...a little kindness goes a long way. Try it. You'll live longer, and you'll be able to enjoy life a little more.

[Man_Overboard]

Man Overboard, How was your transatlantic crusie on the Poesia? What was the ship like? How was the crew? Details we need Details. :D

We are on the Poesia next month and can't wait.

Thank you for your help.

Where to start!?! What a ship, what a cruise, what a crew! All aspects of Poesia were fabulous. The crew could not be more helpful or friendly or eager to please. The reception staff did a phenomenal job of fielding question, complaints & requests. The dining rooms were immaculate and the food really was very good. Your choice of up to 6 courses every night. Who needs the buffet when you can dine like you will on Poesia, We hesitantly went to the $$$ specialty restaurant one night and while the meal was good we could not wait to return to our table in the Fontane dining room. Go with an open mind and you will have the time of your life.

You get out of life what you put into it.

[LordCapybara]

Transatlantic and Manoverboard...

 

Thanks for the insights, I am going on my first MSC 11/20 and was wavering on what I thought about it, although every time I cruise I check boards and all the negativity, then I cruise and continue to be wowwed.

 

Joe

[camofwilliamsburg]

So glad to hear it. You can see I am being raked over the coals on the other post of ...just wait... This is the kind of reviews that we experienced on our cruise. We are doing a Poesia cruise Nov 30 and cannot wait. ( BY the way, it is 7 course meal....you forgot the cheese served! And after 2 days of the same cheese our waiter brought us out the better cheeses... really good stuff! ) So glad to hear positive stuff. Pls go on that other thread and post something. Would love to lose this thread but glad you are posting positive stuff. I totally agree with all that was said. it was my experience totally.! You get what you give! A smile and a warm manner reaps rewards!

[Betsybou]

 

So...Get a life, you complainers! Start looking at the glass as half full instead of half empty. How can you enjoy life if you're always looking for problems instead of being grateful for the positive things. And remember ...a little kindness goes a long way. Try it. You'll live longer, and you'll be able to enjoy life a little more.

 

Thank you for this wonderful review. I am taking my mother on this ship tomorrow (11/15) and am glad that someone posted a honest, optimistic review.

 

Always embark on your journeys with the attitude that you'll always make the most of it! I always do, and wouldn't trade a single travel memory for anything!

[Deckhandoug]

My husband and I just returned from the transatlantic cruise from Venice to Ft. Lauderdale, 10/24 - 11/10. This was our second transatlantic on MSC, the other being the Opera in 2006. I have read all the complaints about MSC and the Poesia, and I have to wonder if we were on the same ship!! Not only did the waiters bring water - and refill it as needed - but there was always coffee available at all three meals. If you wanted bottled water, then you had to pay for it. That's no different than any restaurant in any country. Nobody is going to give you bottled water for free. Also, the cabin steward refilled the ice bucket in the room every day, sometimes twice a day. Espresso coffee, cappucino, and other specialty coffees were available for purchase in many of the ships bars, as well a for purchase at meals. The prices were consistent with prices elsewhere. It is true that coffee and juice are not available between meals, but were available for purchase in the bars and pool area. Soft ice cream was available free each afternoon on the pool deck.

 

The staff on the ship were wonderful. There was no appearance of unhappy staff. They were friendly, smiling, and very efficient. I saw many grouchy, complaining passengers who always had something to complain about, and didn't seem to have "please" and "thank you" in their vocabulary. They were not pleasant to be around, and I'm sure the response from staff is not as pleasant as it is to people who are happy and just enjoying the cruise. After all, you don't have to cook, clean, make your bed or do anything remotely domestic! And, for the price of the cruise, they offer a tremendous bang for your buck!

 

So...Get a life, you complainers! Start looking at the glass as half full instead of half empty. How can you enjoy life if you're always looking for problems instead of being grateful for the positive things. And remember ...a little kindness goes a long way. Try it. You'll live longer, and you'll be able to enjoy life a little more.

 

Thanks for posting, we love to try new cruise lines and are so excited about our upcoming MSC cruise!

 

It sounds like MSC is wonderful!