Back to MSC in 2014

[MTL=CRUISEFAMILY]

It's back to MSC for us in 2014, the Divina looks spectacular.

 

After trying NCL and Celebrity, we realized that day/evening entertainment is important to us.

 

NCL (for us) has no appeal, Celebrity is great on food and ship, but lacks entertainment, not many evening options, dancing (at the disco) is non existant, teens somewhat bored.

 

Not for a younger clientele, pool activities and restrained as well.

Although I enjoy some quiet time, I do not enjoy it ALL the time.

 

I started a thread in the roll calls if any one wants to join us

 

February 22, 2014 and March 1st 2014 Back to Back

 

Here is the link:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=37968791#post37968791

[Skier52]

It's back to MSC for us in 2014, the Divina looks spectacular.

 

After trying NCL and Celebrity, we realized that day/evening entertainment is important to us.

 

NCL (for us) has no appeal, Celebrity is great on food and ship, but lacks entertainment, not many evening options, dancing (at the disco) is non existant, teens somewhat bored.

 

Not for a younger clientele, pool activities and restrained as well.

Although I enjoy some quiet time, I do not enjoy it ALL the time.

 

I started a thread in the roll calls if any one wants to join us

 

February 22, 2014 and March 1st 2014 Back to Back

 

Here is the link:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=37968791#post37968791

You're absolutely right she is spectacular

 

You can read my review of a trip in the Yacht Club on her and also get a link to images other areas of the ship here

 

http://www.cruisingmates.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=4472

 

 

 

I hope you get to sail on her; the Venice - Istanbul itinerary is one to be recommended

Pete

[MTL=CRUISEFAMILY]

You're absolutely right she is spectacular

 

You can read my review of a trip in the Yacht Club on her and also get a link to images other areas of the ship here

 

http://www.cruisingmates.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=4472

 

 

 

I hope you get to sail on her; the Venice - Istanbul itinerary is one to be recommended

Pete

 

Europe will have to wait...want to do a longer cruise/land trip when we do decide.

 

Great review and pictures.

[cruisingcanadian]

Hi MTL,I was wondering how you enjoyed your second cruise with Celebrity....too bad you were disappointed with entertainment:(.Maybe it was because you sailed on the smallest ship in their fleet-the Century,I am not sure:confused:.

May I suggest that one day you try their S-class ships (Solstice,Equinox,Reflexion etc). In my opinion they have spectacular entertainment-definitely comparable to the newest MSC ships,with better food and service-again,my opinion,no need for flaming:rolleyes:.

Hope you enjoyed Hawaii:D!

PS.We were booked on the Century for February 2014 (Panama Canal) but changed it for the Infinity (both Celebrity),because Century is going to dry dock in February/March 2014-she is the oldest Celebrity ship.

Sorry for "highjacking" the thread,I wanted to "talk" to MTL ;-).

[pmacher61]

You can read my review of a trip in the Yacht Club on her and also get a link to images other areas of the ship here

Isn't comparing the Yacht Club to the rest of any MSC ship comparing apples with oranges?

[MTL=CRUISEFAMILY]

Hi MTL,I was wondering how you enjoyed your second cruise with Celebrity....

 

I enjoyed Hawaii, especially Hilo, lots of natural beauty and waterfalls.

 

I agree the smaller ships offer less, and is probably one reason the entertainment fell short for us. The food, staff were great, and will certainly cruise the larger Celebrity ships soon.

 

Still want to try RCI (OASIS) as well...

 

As for MSC, we want to try this larger ship and guage for ourselves if we still enjoy MSC or hooked on Celebrity. I am to understand that recent changes are receiving positive reviews, and more favorable comments (no need for anyone to give me the cc rating and MSC rankings) To each his own and many reasons for it to be subjective.

 

Hope you enjoy your next cruise as well...

[Skier52]

Isn't comparing the Yacht Club to the rest of any MSC ship comparing apples with oranges?

The review is of the Yacht Club as the guests use it and not mean to be a direct comparison with the rest of the ship.

 

The Yacht Club is not a prison from which you can't escape and so a link to images of other areas of the ship is perfectly valid. In fact it may be useful to YC guests as it gives them an idea of where they might like to meet friends( in non YC cabins) and/or people they have met on the cruise for an evening's entertainment.

 

 

Pete

[papcx]

no need for anyone to give me the cc rating and MSC rankings

 

I'm sure we have no idea what you mean!

[pmacher61]

The review is of the Yacht Club as the guests use it and not mean to be a direct comparison with the rest of the ship.

Pete

That's exactly what I meant. Yacht Club cruising can not be compared with the rest of the ship nor should it given the enormous price differential.

 

I'm sure we have no idea what you mean!

You may have no idea but I think what this poster had in mind was the fact that every single MSC ship is rated lower than every single HAL, Carnival, and RCCL ship by the universe of Cruise Critic reviewers in the CC poll.

[sthelder]

Just off MSC Splendida yesterday, can't comment on teens entertainment (disco etc) as we didn't have one in our group. But I have to say (for our family and friends group), kids club (3-6, 4-11), wine bar, disco, theatre etc are better than what we had on Celebrity.

 

Even my DD3 enjoyed the shows, dancing at the wine bar, live music at the atrium and lounges etc. We didn't stay up past 11pm as our DD needs to go to bed early, but our mates usually enjoy themselves till 1am.

 

Btw, since OP is placing a lot of importance on entertainment, Yacht club is still relevant, as YC guests also go to the same shows and lounges. And the YC upsales price is more comparable.

 

My biggest disappointment is they didn't have theatre show on our last night. Instead they were holding something they called circus (mini games), which we didn't take part, and I spent the time with my DD at the La Pizzeria (sp?) waiting for my wife to finish her shopping.

 

I think the food is not on a par with Celebrity (mainly MDR, to us, the food was hit and miss, 2 out of 5 times were miss, menu translation could be Googlesque at times...buffet lunch exceeds our expectations by miles, and the bar/drink/snacks prices are very reasonable), not as spacious (we used baby stroller on shore, luckily the aft lifts were less crowded...deck 18 solarium and aft Zen area were always full early but we could always find window seats in the buffet and empty sun loungers, so not a big deal too) and reception a slight let down (they put us in the priority disembarkation log book but failed to keep our passports at the main reception for collection, however, we got ours back at Tex Mex restaurant within min, so, no big deal in the end).

 

We are happy with service level in general, didn't encounter rude fellow passengers or staff (though on American ships, we could interact better), account was efficient (I decided to pay half of my onboard exp in Euro, about 400, minutes before we disembarked), were assigned an accessible aft balcony, the cabin was large and nice but we did find a cigarette butt on our balcony once (we are non-smokers and we only felt the smokes slightly when walking past the casino). MSC staff also gave basic direction on port info, alternative transport, local weather info etc even we didn't use the ship excursion.

 

Overall, it was a good value cruise and I think if the itinerary is right, we have no hesitation to cruise with MSC again.

[papcx]

Just off MSC Splendida yesterday, can't comment on teens entertainment (disco etc) as we didn't have one in our group. But I have to say (for our family and friends group), kids club (3-6, 4-11), wine bar, disco, theatre etc are better than what we had on Celebrity.

 

Even my DD3 enjoyed the shows, dancing at the wine bar, live music at the atrium and lounges etc. We didn't stay up past 11pm as our DD needs to go to bed early, but our mates usually enjoy themselves till 1am.

 

Btw, since OP is placing a lot of importance on entertainment, Yacht club is still relevant, as YC guests also go to the same shows and lounges. And the YC upsales price is more comparable.

 

My biggest disappointment is they didn't have theatre show on our last night. Instead they were holding something they called circus (mini games), which we didn't take part, and I spent the time with my DD at the La Pizzeria (sp?) waiting for my wife to finish her shopping.

 

I think the food is not on a par with Celebrity (mainly MDR, to us, the food was hit and miss, 2 out of 5 times were miss, menu translation could be Googlesque at times...buffet lunch exceeds our expectations by miles, and the bar/drink/snacks prices are very reasonable), not as spacious (we used baby stroller on shore, luckily the aft lifts were less crowded...deck 18 solarium and aft Zen area were always full early but we could always find window seats in the buffet and empty sun loungers, so not a big deal too) and reception a slight let down (they put us in the priority disembarkation log book but failed to keep our passports at the main reception for collection, however, we got ours back at Tex Mex restaurant within min, so, no big deal in the end).

 

We are happy with service level in general, didn't encounter rude fellow passengers or staff (though on American ships, we could interact better), account was efficient (I decided to pay half of my onboard exp in Euro, about 400, minutes before we disembarked), were assigned an accessible aft balcony, the cabin was large and nice but we did find a cigarette butt on our balcony once (we are non-smokers and we only felt the smokes slightly when walking past the casino). MSC staff also gave basic direction on port info, alternative transport, local weather info etc even we didn't use the ship excursion.

 

Overall, it was a good value cruise and I think if the itinerary is right, we have no hesitation to cruise with MSC again.

 

I'll put this review down as another positive.

[pmacher61]

I'll put this review down as another positive.

Well said.

[MTL=CRUISEFAMILY]

Just off MSC Splendida yesterday, can't comment on teens entertainment (disco etc) as we didn't have one in our group. But I have to say (for our family and friends group), kids club (3-6, 4-11), wine bar, disco, theatre etc are better than what we had on Celebrity.

 

Even my DD3 enjoyed the shows, dancing at the wine bar, live music at the atrium and lounges etc. We didn't stay up past 11pm as our DD needs to go to bed early, but our mates usually enjoy themselves till 1am.

 

Btw, since OP is placing a lot of importance on entertainment, Yacht club is still relevant, as YC guests also go to the same shows and lounges. And the YC upsales price is more comparable.

 

My biggest disappointment is they didn't have theatre show on our last night. Instead they were holding something they called circus (mini games), which we didn't take part, and I spent the time with my DD at the La Pizzeria (sp?) waiting for my wife to finish her shopping.

 

I think the food is not on a par with Celebrity (mainly MDR, to us, the food was hit and miss, 2 out of 5 times were miss, menu translation could be Googlesque at times...buffet lunch exceeds our expectations by miles, and the bar/drink/snacks prices are very reasonable), not as spacious (we used baby stroller on shore, luckily the aft lifts were less crowded...deck 18 solarium and aft Zen area were always full early but we could always find window seats in the buffet and empty sun loungers, so not a big deal too) and reception a slight let down (they put us in the priority disembarkation log book but failed to keep our passports at the main reception for collection, however, we got ours back at Tex Mex restaurant within min, so, no big deal in the end).

 

We are happy with service level in general, didn't encounter rude fellow passengers or staff (though on American ships, we could interact better), account was efficient (I decided to pay half of my onboard exp in Euro, about 400, minutes before we disembarked), were assigned an accessible aft balcony, the cabin was large and nice but we did find a cigarette butt on our balcony once (we are non-smokers and we only felt the smokes slightly when walking past the casino). MSC staff also gave basic direction on port info, alternative transport, local weather info etc even we didn't use the ship excursion.

 

Overall, it was a good value cruise and I think if the itinerary is right, we have no hesitation to cruise with MSC again.

 

Thank you, great mini review...

[Skier52]

That's exactly what I meant. Yacht Club cruising can not be compared with the rest of the ship nor should it given the enormous price differential.

 

When we went on Divina lat Oct the YC1 suite we had was only £100 pp (for the whole cruise) more than a Cat 11 balcony. Considring that the AI package that would be needed with a Cat 11 was £20 pppd the overall cost of the YC 1 was CHEAPER. So it was a NO BRAINER and we got all the extras as well for less than a Cat 11.

 

There are bargains to be had if you look carefullly.

 

Most of last season there was an offer of book a Cat 11 and get a free upgrade to YC

 

 

pete

[tbmrt]

When we went on Divina lat Oct the YC1 suite we had was only £100 pp (for the whole cruise) more than a Cat 11 balcony. Considring that the AI package that would be needed with a Cat 11 was £20 pppd the overall cost of the YC 1 was CHEAPER. So it was a NO BRAINER and we got all the extras as well for less than a Cat 11.

 

There are bargains to be had if you look carefullly.

 

Most of last season there was an offer of book a Cat 11 and get a free upgrade to YC

 

 

pete

 

Hi Pete,

 

We really considered the Yacht Club upgrade from our Cat 12 Balcony, but it was ridiculously higher pp....So we will stick with the Balcony unless MSC comes up with an offer to upgrade before our cruise.

 

Also the Allegrismo standard package wasn't offered in the US and the premium Allegrismo package wouldn't be worth it to us since we'd have to take it for 11 days, etc.

 

BUT cruising in a balcony cabin in December and paying MSC's drink prices will still be wonderful!

Barbara

[MTL=CRUISEFAMILY]

When we went on Divina lat Oct the YC1 suite we had was only £100 pp (for the whole cruise) more than a Cat 11 balcony. Considring that the AI package that would be needed with a Cat 11 was £20 pppd the overall cost of the YC 1 was CHEAPER. So it was a NO BRAINER and we got all the extras as well for less than a Cat 11.

 

There are bargains to be had if you look carefullly.

 

Most of last season there was an offer of book a Cat 11 and get a free upgrade to YC

 

 

pete

 

It will be our first balcony (cat 9) for us, difference between OV and balcony was $50, time to try it!!!

[monicajay]

It will be our first balcony (cat 9) for us, difference between OV and balcony was $50, time to try it!!!

 

Oh oh, you'll be hooked now!

 

I keep trying to convince myself I don't really need a balcony but I just keep booking them.:o

 

Wish we could join you on a B2B but only have the week of March break off from school. We cruised on the Poesia this year and froze in Florida on the Friday night and all day Saturday pre-cruise and Sunday the first cruising day. Gave us the urge to try cruising out of San Juan.

 

We'll be back to MSC one day though as we really like it.

[AmoMondo]

It will be our first balcony (cat 9) for us, difference between OV and balcony was $50, time to try it!!!

 

That's a great price difference. I love having a balcony. I'm quite a solitary soul at times, so just love sitting out there in the early morning with a cuppa enjoying the quiet swooshing of the Ocean and the early morning light as we head into port. I also like to prop the door open at night so I get fresh air and the sound of the ocean, it's so relaxing.

[MTL=CRUISEFAMILY]

That's a great price difference. I love having a balcony. I'm quite a solitary soul at times, so just love sitting out there in the early morning with a cuppa enjoying the quiet swooshing of the Ocean and the early morning light as we head into port. I also like to prop the door open at night so I get fresh air and the sound of the ocean, it's so relaxing.

 

I can definitely picture myself doing just that, early morning and sunset , just chilling on the balcony....total relaxation indeed.