First time cruiser going on MSC Musica - Eastern Mediterrean

[Chris62eng]

Hello

I am booked on the MSC Musica in May for the Eastern Mediterrean Cruise. I am travelling with 2 friends and we are going to celebrate our 50th birthdays. Any helpful hints, feed back on Musica and other general cruise "tips and secrets" would be appreciated.

 

Thank you from 3 frozen Canadians waiting for the month of May

[CruiserBruce]

Welcome to Cruise Critic!

 

For tips, you need to be reading on the MSC board, here:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=80

 

For port info, look at the Med Ports boards, here:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=603

 

And, to meet others on your cruise, here is the MSC roll calls:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=524

 

Find your ship and sailing date. If you don't find one, start one!

[John Bull]

Hello

I am booked on the MSC Musica in May for the Eastern Mediterrean Cruise. I am travelling with 2 friends and we are going to celebrate our 50th birthdays. Any helpful hints, feed back on Musica and other general cruise "tips and secrets" would be appreciated.

 

Thank you from 3 frozen Canadians waiting for the month of May

 

MSC cruise ticket prices are a bargain, but on-board prices are high & tea/coffee are charged other than at breakfast. So check out their drinks packages, generally considered a worthwhile purchase.

 

On-board currency is euros. Euro going down fast at the moment :)

Assuming you pay your on-board account by card, MSC will offer to convert the charge from euros to the currency of your card.

Decline that offer, allow your card company to be charged in euros & let your card company convert to Canadian $ at a much better exchange rate.

Likewise, get your cash euros (for spending ashore) from ATMs on-shore, not on-board.

 

Tell your card issuer that you'll be using your card in europe.

 

Some english-speaking tours get cancelled or merged due to low numbers. If the transport is the main objective its no problem to be on an Italian or German-speaking bus, but of course that can foul up a guided tour. Most ports are easy to DIY without a ship's excursion.

 

MSC have the most modern & stylish fleet on the planet, but the on-board experience is very Italian.

For instance, their clientele tend to push & barge, rather than form a line. Don't get me wrong, they're very bubbly & friendly, you'll get a genuine beaming smile as they shove you out of the way :D

Expect things to be the North American way & you'll be disappointed.

Go with the flow & you'll have a ball.

 

Stax of info on the links provided by Bruce

 

JB :)