First time with MSC - what we thought...

[jimmy twotimes]

OK so we got back last week from our Norwegian Fjord cruise on the MSC Opera. I can only compare it with last years NCL cruise but i spose this gives me both ends of the cruising experience spectrum.

 

I hope these ramblings help as MSC seems to divide many cruisers.

 

1 - Embarkation. Was about as hectic and chaotic as last years NCL cruise. But infinately better than boarding an aeroplane. I think your always gonna have to suffer a bit when boarding anything this day and age with all teh security checks.

 

2 - Luggage. Arrived much quicker to our cabin than NCL last year, but the NCL ship was much bigger so i spose its luck of the draw when your bags get picked up.

 

3 - Cabin was functional and clean. BUT, id say NCL cabins were much cleaner and in slightly better condition. Not a problem though either way.

 

4 - Dining. We have 2 children (3 and 8) and we were wrongly booked on the second sitting. We enquired and they changed us to first dining as per our holiday ticket. The food at dinner was superb, made the stuff we ate on NCL look like something out of greasy spoon cafe. Fine dining every night and we all looked forward to it every night.

 

5 - Breakfast. We only ate in the buffet but you could have gone to the restaurants. Was fine, plenty of cooked food (full english style) and plenty of cereals or pastries and fruit for continental breaksfast. Free tea, coffee and squash available as well as water. This finished around half ten/eleven, but only for an hour or so as lunch starts at midday.

 

6 - Lunch. Buffet area again, plenty of hot and cold items. Fruit and desert also available as well as tea, coffee and water. No squash. Food was excellent and plenty of choice. Seating area is somewhat limited indoors and if u left it a bit late the buffet got pretty busy. The issue was really the weather not being very nice, not many people wanted to eat 'al fresco' in the other seating areas which are only partially covered.

 

7 - Entertainment. Our kids enjoyed the clubs and facilities. The hot tubs were hot but swimming pool was icy cold and nothing was done to fix this. Gym was adeqaute, we didnt do any of the saanas or massages, bit too expensive for us! TV in room showed films but not much in the way of English speaking channels. Only CNN and CNBC as well as the film channel.

 

The entertainment team were OK - plenty of quizzes, dance lessons and talks. The theater was good, usual cruise type shows but enjoyable none the less! We weren't bored...

 

8 - The only thing that would not make me book MSC again. CIGARETTE SMOKE. We complained bitterly that we could smell stale cigarette smoke in our cabin but they could do nothing to prevent it. They thought someone was smoking in a cabin as all the air is circulated. If i was in charge i would have physically done a room to room knock to make sure nobody smoked. It wasnt absolutely awful but enough to put a downer on waking up in the morning to that odour. Same issue on other part sof the ship that were supposedly non smoking.

 

9 - Staff. Very friendly and helpful but not so smiley as the NCL team. Didnt bother me, but i can see how the NCL american politeness can make the MSC staff appear uninterested.

 

Now, one final thing. Some people seem to think that the issues with MSC are 'italian' issues. I think i am one of the few people who can comment about this because I am italian but have been born and bred in the UK.

 

Italians can be rude and disrespectful to others. But so can English, Americans, Dutch and French. I experienced this on the ship, when i asked for one of the TVs in one of the lounges to be changed so i could watch a football match. The member staff had to check that no one minded and he asked some American crusiers, who had their backs to the TV (that was stuck on the ships info channel) if he could change. They happily and with big smiles said 'Yes no problem, we arent watching anyway'...So far so good. As soon as it switched to the football, huge groans went up and they insisted it was put back to the info channel. I regarded that as arrogant and rude, they werent watching and there was no sound. I went and watched it in my cabin. :mad:

 

Some crusiers have complained about havin to listen to announcements in 5 languages. What are they sposed to do??? The ship is full of different people from all over. They have to make sure people understand and to be honest English was always said first and on all occasions. To say the ship caters only for Italians is a nonsense.

 

In conclusion, sorry if i've bored u senseles, the ship does have an Italian feel. But this isnt at the expense of non italians. Italians can be rude and do not respect queuing and waiting in line like Brits. Its a much more European experience, like being in the center of a busy capital city as opposed to a rural town were everyone knows everybody.

 

Im not sure i would MSC again, but only cos of the cigarette smoke issue. This was bad enough for us to consider another line, had it not been for this I would probably crusie MSC every time.

 

If anyone has any more questions id be happy to answer :)

[Gelbel]

Shame about the smoking issues putting you off Jimmy Twotimes - I'm a 'given-upper' and, while I don't mind people smoking, I just find some people's smoking habits disgusting (ie when they totally disregard the rules - especially when they are well catered for). But I think you have written a very fare review, although I am surprised you have found cleaner cabins elsewhere - we've not.

 

And interesting how your kids' kids club experience was the opposite of the hearsay from another thread.;)

[Capricruiser]

I also am sorry to hear about the smoking problem on the Opera. MSC is one of the cruise lines that prohibits smoking in the cabins and their balconies and that (since last year when the anti smoking policy began) is why I now enjoy cruising more with MSC. However while we've heard that on certain other MSC ships the cabin crew will knock on a door if they smell tobacco, apparently the crew of the Opera hasn't been motivated to do so. As for the rest of the ship the smoking areas are few and I just avoid them (particularly the casino). It's been my experience that most smokers are considerate of the rest of us and would never think of lighting up in a no-smoking area. Too bad that there are still too many bad apples around.

Oh yeah, regarding the freezing cold swimming pool, you must know that these are salt water pools that get continuous flushing as the ship moves along. If the sea is warm where you are the pool will be warm but the North Sea is never warm, thus the pools are only for the bravest North Europeans.

[gosport11]

on our trip on the Oprea,smoking wasnt banned in cabins but not encouraged, there was an ash tray in the bathroom !! we could smell smoke in several places

[jimmy twotimes]

Yeah - we had an ashtray in the bathroom and the sign on the door said "we strongly discourage you not to smoke in the cabin"...

 

Thats not the same as "it is forbidden to smoke in the cabin".

 

Its such a shame that this issue tainted our view of MSC - other than that it was almost perfect.

 

But it was a big deal for us, especially to wake up at 7am to the smell of stale smoke in the cabin...

 

:(

[Ann Halliday]

I'm so sorry that this has tainted your view of MSC cruises. I absolutely hate the smell of smoke so I'd be upset if my cabin smelled of stale smoke too. I was on the Magnifica this summer and there was no smoking in the cabins or on the balconies. Smoking was allowed in some bars and the casino and one one half of the pool deck. Perhaps next time you could try another ship in the fleet?

I'm glad you enjoyed the rest of your experience; I loved the cruise I was on.

[Capricruiser]

The MSC smoking policy applies to the entire fleet, not just a particular ship.

The ashtrays in the bathrooms of the older ships are fixed, and were installed prior to the 2009 smoking policy.

I'm surprised the cabin stewards didn't notice the smoke odor in jimmytwotimes' cabin and do something to eliminate it before he checked in.

[UKBayern]

Thank you very much for your balanced report!

[CentaurTheFirst]

Thank you all for your comments - we are sailing on the Opera on friday, I dont smoke but DH does and he religiously ensures that it is in a designated area but I too would be offended if we were allocated a fag fume cabin!On the whole I think Brits are very careful were they smoke and on the continent they are mainly free to smoke where ever they like, its a European thing as we experienced this in July in Italy. CTF

[GolfMom321]

I am SO happy to read this thread! I've read on other forums about the smoking issue on MSC, so I'm very glad to learn that they've instituted a no-smoking policy.

[jimmy twotimes]

It was the only thing to put a slight dampner on the cruise...

 

I cant fault them in any other way. And the price we paid, maybe i can almost forgive them for the smoke....

 

Then again...:p

[fayruz]

People who smoke in cabins should be fined : when tha room steward does their cabin, he should report of the smell.

I thought the fire/smoke alarm in cabins should detect smoke but maybe smokers are very carefull :)

I'm an Ex smoker, gave up 20 years ago.

 

PS : on Costa never smelled smoke but once had a smelly bathroom due to previuos occupant who evidently did non lift the seat when he used it standing... The room steward had it changed immediately.

Hope they billed the passenger.

Rude persons : found them everywhere, not only on ships.

[woodofpine]

Seemed quite fair and balanced. Smoking is a sensitivity issue that continues to evolve. Europe has followed North America but is catching up quick. There's considerable debate among other line's cruisers about how it ought be handled. In a few years, it'll almost certainly be nearly non-existent on ships... How far we've come though.

 

A couple years ago, I recollect seeing a Hepburn-Tracy movie made around 1950. There's this amazing scene that takes place in a hospital. One of the stars enters a 'typical' hospital room where one of the characters is laid up. The patient and doctor are both conversing, both with cigarettes in hand - puffing away! How far we've come.

[cutecat]

It was the only thing to put a slight dampner on the cruise...

 

I cant fault them in any other way. And the price we paid, maybe i can almost forgive them for the smoke....

 

Then again...:p

 

 

I've just returned from a cruise around the Adriatic with MSC - I must say that I was pleasantly surprised - I was on MSC Armonia , the cabins and ship were absolutely spotless, the staff great , and generally a nice casual atmosphere.

I would definitely cruise with MSC again - especially the larger and newer ships. Embarkation and Disembarkation at each port was well organised and swift, I actually quite liked hearing all the announcements in different languages it does give you more of ' holiday' / ' cosmopolitan ' feel. The only complaint I would have is the non provision of drinking water and tea and coffee outside of mealtimes. There was plenty available but you had to buy it - though given the reasonable prices of the cruise itself no big deal. Drinks on board were very reasonable too, a glass of wine no more than 3 Euro , and tea/ coffee around 1.5 euro. A 7 euro tip was added to the daily bill but this was made clear on booking anyway. I was travelling alone and never once felt lonely - so many opportunities to make new friends. Probably one of the best holidays I 've ever had as covered 4 different countries in one week.

As it was my first cruise I had no complaints as I had nothing to compare to - though I would def go with MSC again.

[AmoMondo]

I've just returned from a cruise around the Adriatic with MSC - I must say that I was pleasantly surprised - I was on MSC Armonia , the cabins and ship were absolutely spotless, the staff great , and generally a nice casual atmosphere.

I would definitely cruise with MSC again - especially the larger and newer ships. Embarkation and Disembarkation at each port was well organised and swift, I actually quite liked hearing all the announcements in different languages it does give you more of ' holiday' / ' cosmopolitan ' feel. The only complaint I would have is the non provision of drinking water and tea and coffee outside of mealtimes. There was plenty available but you had to buy it - though given the reasonable prices of the cruise itself no big deal. Drinks on board were very reasonable too, a glass of wine no more than 3 Euro , and tea/ coffee around 1.5 euro. A 7 euro tip was added to the daily bill but this was made clear on booking anyway. I was travelling alone and never once felt lonely - so many opportunities to make new friends. Probably one of the best holidays I 've ever had as covered 4 different countries in one week.

As it was my first cruise I had no complaints as I had nothing to compare to - though I would def go with MSC again.

 

Really glad to hear you enjoyed your cruise cutecat.

 

One thing to watch out for in the future is that they very often do the longer repositioning trips with no single supplement which makes a huge difference to cost. My next trip from Venice to Rio for 18 nights is costing me less than a week in the Med in July (and that is with a cat 10 balcony cabin). Lasst year I did a 21 night cruise from Livorno to Durban, down the West Coast of Africa for around £1600 an that was in a suite.

[cutecat]

Really glad to hear you enjoyed your cruise cutecat.

 

One thing to watch out for in the future is that they very often do the longer repositioning trips with no single supplement which makes a huge difference to cost. My next trip from Venice to Rio for 18 nights is costing me less than a week in the Med in July (and that is with a cat 10 balcony cabin). Lasst year I did a 21 night cruise from Livorno to Durban, down the West Coast of Africa for around £1600 an that was in a suite.

 

Hi Amomondo - thanks for yor post - yep...I had a lovely time with MSC,and I have also thought about the repositioning cruise on The Armonia to Bravil from Venice - my only issue is that as I am employed I doubt my boss would let me off for so long , def worth thinking about when one is between jobs etc. Also that would mean almost all my annual leave allowance used up in one stint! I shall do it if I get laid off - haha.

 

Hope you enjoy the sail to Brazil sounds fab.

[AmoMondo]

I'm also employed but get 6 weeks paid holiday and can buy a further week, so I can manage one long trip every year and a shorter one too. However if I had to use all my leave up at once, I wouldn't consider it.

 

They occasionally do slightly shorter ones e,g from the Baltics to the Med or sometime you can join or leave before the end. So say in the example of the Brazil crossings, istead of getting on in venice get on at a later port of call say in Spain and that kncocks off a few days. usually means you have to sort out your own transport though

[SuiteCruzin]

I'm a very considerate smoker of cigarettes and never smoke in prohibitive places including hotels, restauraunts and even outside. Where ARE the allowable smoking areas on the Magnifica so non smokers can avoid them?

[cutecat]

I'm also employed but get 6 weeks paid holiday and can buy a further week, so I can manage one long trip every year and a shorter one too. However if I had to use all my leave up at once, I wouldn't consider it.

 

They occasionally do slightly shorter ones e,g from the Baltics to the Med or sometime you can join or leave before the end. So say in the example of the Brazil crossings, istead of getting on in venice get on at a later port of call say in Spain and that kncocks off a few days. usually means you have to sort out your own transport though

 

 

Yes that's an issue using up all leave in one go , plus as a new cruiser I should get used to them before doing a really long one. Good idea about getting on a little later - that way can avoid ports that have already visited and save a few days - I'll bear this in mind for sure.

 

I feel a bit silly only looking at MSC cruises - but there's something about them that I really liked ...not sure what ...a certain ' je ne sais quoi' ! not sure how one would say that in Italian ..

[AmoMondo]

I feel a bit silly only looking at MSC cruises - but there's something about them that I really liked ...not sure what ...a certain ' je ne sais quoi' ! not sure how one would say that in Italian ..

 

probably "non so che" but my Italian is fairly basic! Know what you mean though. I enjoyed my first experience so much, just kept going back gain and again. Now I get really good discounts through their loyalty programme. That said I'm giving Costa a go next Jan (Mauritius, Seychelles and Madgascar). From what I've read it is suppossed to be fairly similar