Summary of MSC reviews, costs, expectations

[chrtran]

Hi All,

I am going to be on the Magnifca next year. I thank you all for your inputs so I know what to expect when cruising MSC. I organized all the reviews into a few lists that hopefully can help others and myself understand what services MSC provides.

Please give it a look and let me know if I am missing some information:

http://www.traveltripreport.com/about/cruising/msc

 

Thanks!

[Thecat123]

Thats very good chrtran and it sounds like MSC Fantasia and MSC Musica as well. Somehow your post should go to the top of the MSC page each week so it doesn't get lost in a couple of days as it slides off the page. It must have taken you along time to put all that together

[mapsmith]

Very good analysis.

 

Some comments.

 

Service Staff is European Trained. They are there to Serve, not converse. That is the European Way.

 

The food is actually quite good. For the North American palate, a little salt or pepper will actually bring out the flavor. (we had a tablemate that put a little garlic powder on all of his pasta and meats to flavor) And the Cold Cuts in the buffet at breakfast and lunch are really really good. Proscuitto (about $9.00 per pound in a deli) Capacolla (about $8) Mortadella, etc. Enjoy the Italian hams they are great. (My wife has to drag me away from Prosciutto)

 

My experiences have been in the Caribbean, so I cannot comment on the Mediterranean market.

[chrtran]

Thank you for the comments. Yes, it took me a while to look through most of the posts and understand the issues. I always do thorough research before purchasing something.

I just post the comment about Proscuitto. I love Italian ham! Also loved Spanish Ham.

[owl61]

Hi All,

I am going to be on the Magnifca next year. I thank you all for your inputs so I know what to expect when cruising MSC. I organized all the reviews into a few lists that hopefully can help others and myself understand what services MSC provides.

Please give it a look and let me know if I am missing some information:

http://www.traveltripreport.com/about/cruising/msc

 

Thanks!

A serious project. A couple of comments. With respect to water, bear in mind that that all modern ship tap water is of higher quality than most bottled water. Less salt and minerals. Just take a container of it with you in case the waiters are so incredibly obstinate to refuse a request for tap water at the dining room table.

It is not always right to do as the Romans when in Rome. They threw Christians to the lions. I refuse to do so and will cheerfully but adamantly reject/correct any other inappropriate barbaric behavior should it arise. Maintain an internal ethical gyroscope with respect to the conduct received from the persons you are paying to provide you with a cruise service.

[hat776]

Well done.

 

Is it really possible to take water with you to the MDR ? To be honest I never thought of it, and doubt if I would have the guts anyway.

[chrtran]

"When in Rome do what Romans do" refer to the fact that we need to follow their rules when we are in their country. Of course, don't exhibit barbaric behaviors :-) At least, the Romans did convert to Christianity eventually and so there's hope for them yet! As I told my kids, when you go to some one's house for play dates do follow the parents' rules (of course, I also mention the exceptions are ....)

 

I will add the tap water comment to the summary. Thanks!

[owl61]

"When in Rome do what Romans do" refer to the fact that we need to follow their rules when we are in their country. Of course, don't exhibit barbaric behaviors :-) At least, the Romans did convert to Christianity eventually and so there's hope for them yet! As I told my kids, when you go to some one's house for play dates do follow the parents' rules (of course, I also mention the exceptions are ....)

 

I will add the tap water comment to the summary. Thanks!

 

You are hedging. The point at which the "rules", which we should follow, end and the "barbaric behaviors", which we should oppose, begin is always subject to interpretation...both in life in general as when your kids visit the neighbors and in the context of conduct by ship´s crew and staff. One might not be willing to insist on a glass of tap water at dinner because he considers it an acceptable rule that tap water is unavailable. Another might consider the waiter´s failure to bring him a glass of tap water to be so patently absurd that it amounts to unacceptable behavior. The line is not always clear and one has to determine what is correct in accordance with one´s moral compass and level of sophistication. In no case, however, should we willy nilly follow inapproppriate "norms" that others seek to unreasonably impose upon us just because we are on their turf. You would not want your kids to do it and you should not when travelling.

[chrtran]

Please see the updates .. I also added comments regarding barbaric behaviors. My only thoughts on this is American really do have a bad rep in Europe. My friend from Sweden always complain about Americans and I feel so frustrated too and told him that not all Americans are the same! We don't act like we own a place when we go somewhere. We wouldn't insist that we will not pay for water in an Italian restaurant in Italy. We do what Italians do and just pay for mineral water. If we don't like it, we'll just do take outs.

 

Anyways, any more comments on MSC will be appreciated!

[AmoMondo]

Hi chrtran

 

You have certainly put a lot of work in to this. My comments are

- there are no announcements in 5 languages during the shows - only at the start and end by the CD

- you don't need to be fluent in Italian to participate in games - they are multilingual too. The netretainment team will check what languages people speak before a game starts and conduct in all 5 if necessary

=dress code will be either formal/Informal or casual. There is a fair varaition on the interpretation of the published code for the evening and others will ignore it. It (like many things) is not strictly enforced. They will escort you out if you ignore the need to wear shoes or a shirt one though!

 

PS - I do subscribe to the "When in Rome philosophy". If a countries traditions are so barbaric or deplorable, I simply would not go, otherwise I try to fit in as best as I can, respect traditions and try not to cause offence.

[chrtran]

Thanks AmoMondo! I will clarify the entertainment section with your comments.

[Rhea58]

not so fast on the entertainment team checking for languages.

 

I was on the Splendida recently and not only did they not check but heavily geared to the Italian-speakiing audience. It might vary on each ship but this was my experience.

[chrtran]

not so fast on the entertainment team checking for languages.

 

I was on the Splendida recently and not only did they not check but heavily geared to the Italian-speakiing audience. It might vary on each ship but this was my experience.

 

 

That's what I thought so I added that this is one of those instances where it's ship dependent. Just updated summary to reflect this. http://www.traveltripreport.com/about/cruising/msc

[obendus]

Very good analysis.

My experiences have been in the Caribbean, so I cannot comment on the Mediterranean market.

 

What is the proceedure and methodology for 'muster' on MSC's Caribbean sailings?

[chrtran]

Muster Drills - I've read it some where ... let me add that in too!

[chrtran]

Thanks to AmoMondo and a few others who have posted very details on Muster, I have added their comments. Please check: http://www.traveltripreport.com/about/cruising/msc under General Services. This is an important section for me because I have kids and I remember that there's a different life jacket for them.

[Man_Overboard]

I see that the number one complaint is "Water is not free" and I would urge you to change that to "Bottled water is not free". To suggest that a cruise line would risk having passengers die of dehydration is wrong. I wish folks would think this through. On Poesia last month, whole trays of ice water were set out. In the mdr, ice water and ice tea were freely poured.

It has to be.

[obendus]

Thanks to AmoMondo and a few others who have posted very details on Muster, I have added their comments. Please check: http://www.traveltripreport.com/about/cruising/msc under General Services. This is an important section for me because I have kids and I remember that there's a different life jacket for them.

 

Very informative. I'm wondering if the ships lounges and internal meeting areas are used, or if the passengers are assemebled at the life boat areas.

 

I've seen muster conducted in both fashions, and wonder how MSC conducts muster.

[chrtran]

Very informative. I'm wondering if the ships lounges and internal meeting areas are used, or if the passengers are assemebled at the life boat areas.

 

I've seen muster conducted in both fashions, and wonder how MSC conducts muster.

 

 

I believe MSC conducts musters at lounges ... I've seen people posted sports bar or casinos etc ...

[chrtran]

I see that the number one complaint is "Water is not free" and I would urge you to change that to "Bottled water is not free". To suggest that a cruise line would risk having passengers die of dehydration is wrong. I wish folks would think this through. On Poesia last month, whole trays of ice water were set out. In the mdr, ice water and ice tea were freely poured.

It has to be.

 

I am in agreement with you... BUT I've seen a lot of people complaining that TAP water is not free in the dining room if you didn't bring it in yourself. what's the verdict on this anyone?

[buggins0402]

I am in agreement with you... BUT I've seen a lot of people complaining that TAP water is not free in the dining room if you didn't bring it in yourself. what's the verdict on this anyone?

 

I don't think anyone has ever been charged for tap water that I have read. What might have happened is they ask for water and get bottled (and charged for it). Or, have had a difficult time convincing a waiter to bring tap water. You will usually encounter the same thing in a southern European restaurant.

 

The major difference from the US is that a water glass is usually endlessly filled with tap water here. Not so in Europe or on MSC on European cruises.

 

Even high end restaurants here in the US went through a phase of asking if you wanted bottled mineral water (for a charge) before pouring the water. Pendulum swings and now for environmental reasons, some are not even offering bottled water for a charge (primarily California).

[AmoMondo]

Ah that too varies... I've often been out on deck actually at the muster station beside your lifeboat. the newer bigger ships seem to have them in lounges and they also do this on the older ones if the weather is dreadful.

[AmoMondo]

I don't think anyone has ever been charged for tap water that I have read. What might have happened is they ask for water and get bottled (and charged for it). Or, have had a difficult time convincing a waiter to bring tap water. You will usually encounter the same thing in a southern European restaurant.

 

The major difference from the US is that a water glass is usually endlessly filled with tap water here. Not so in Europe or on MSC on European cruises.

 

Even high end restaurants here in the US went through a phase of asking if you wanted bottled mineral water (for a charge) before pouring the water. Pendulum swings and now for environmental reasons, some are not even offering bottled water for a charge (primarily California).

 

No, noone has very been charged for tap water on a MSC ship - but just try getting it in Europe - practically impossible. The only water available is bottled water and that you pay for. if you are lucky, you may occasionally be able to persuade them to get you a glass of water but it is rare, so mostly don't even bother asking these days. it is very different on the repositioning trips out of the med and in the Caribbean though

[chrtran]

I will modify my post to say getting the waiter free tap water in the dining room is difficult to impossible. :-)

[Man_Overboard]

I will modify my post to say getting the waiter free tap water in the dining room is difficult to impossible. :-)

I still think this is unfair to MSC. My experience on MSC Poesia was that water flowed freely in the mdr. But I do know that if one no longer even asks for tap water than one will be guaranteed no tap water at all. A lot of folks on cc demand to know when MSC will change policies. What if they already have? I cannot speak for Med cruises but I can for transatlantic on Poesia. Water was free and was freely flowing in all dining areas at all times. To be accurate then I feel your post should include this info as well. Thank you.