New to MSC, a few questions

[Lindypops]

We are seasoned cruisers with RCCL, Celebrity  but contemplating an Caribbean MSC cruise and have a few questions.

I have been reading the reviews and they have raised a few worrying points.

 

are announcements in 7 languages?

is smoking allowed inside the ship?

is the Buffet closed in the evenings?

 

we did a disastrous Costa cruise some time ago and found these , amongst other things , spoilt our enjoyment.

thanks

[sailco]

The buffet is open and full of rotating fresh food almost 24 hours a day. The bigger ships like the Seaview have 2 buffets on two different decks.

 

Announcements are in at least three languages, reasonably brief and I'm sure they won't worry you.

 

Can't comment on smoking except I didn't smell any, anywhere I went on the ship.

[Skier52]

2 hours ago, Lindypops said:

We are seasoned cruisers with RCCL, Celebrity  but contemplating an Caribbean MSC cruise and have a few questions.

I have been reading the reviews and they have raised a few worrying points.

 

are announcements in 7 languages? Usually in 5 or 6 languages , but announcements  are few and far between , nothingn to worry about on this issue.

is smoking allowed inside the ship? in most MSC ships there is one designated smoking bar and there may be an area of the casino designated as smoking  

is the Buffet closed in the evenings? No, evenings open until 10:00pm, but later on certain areas of the buffet are open until 02:00 ie the pizzeria and the grill. 

from 2am till 6am   all food outlets are closed

 

we did a disastrous Costa cruise some time ago and found these , amongst other things , spoilt our enjoyment.

thanks

Hope this allays your apprehensions

Edited July 7, 2019 by Skier52

[Skier52]

here is the actual wording of the smoking policy

 

24.1 MSC Cruises respects the needs and desires of all Guests, and we have considered carefully the subject of those who smoke and those who do not. In compliance with global standards, smoking is freely permitted in dedicated areas throughout the ship and equipped with a special air extraction system.

24.2 In principle, smoking is not permitted in any food service areas (buffets and restaurants, the medical centres, child-care areas, corridors or elevator foyers, areas where Guests are assembled in groups for safety exercises, disembarkation or tour departures, public toilets, or in bars close to areas where food is served).

24.3 The Carrier highly recommends Passengers avoid smoking in the staterooms because of the risk of fire. Smoking on the stateroom balconies is not allowed. MSC Cruises reserves the right to levy a fee should passengers be found smoking in not designated area of the vessel. Repeatedly smoking in non-smoking areas can ultimately lead to disembarkation.

24.4 Smoking is permitted in dedicated areas of at least one bar on each ship, and on one side (indicated by signage) of the principal outer pool deck areas, where ashtrays are provided.

24.5 Throwing cigarette butts over the side of the ship is prohibited

[TrinaLC]

The policy makes it seem there is more smoking than there is. There are some dedicated areas + casino. Very much like NCL etc with one exception - smoking on one half of poolside (I forget which one) is a bit intrusive but it is a huge ship, you can avoid. 

 

[Markanddonna]

I was pleasantly surprised during our first MSC cruise in February. Now, I have three more MSC cruises booked! I would imagine the number of language on the announcements depends on the percentage of languages onboard. We had five: English (which was the primary language spoken at events), Italian, French, German, and Spanish.

[ictcruiser]

We were just on the Seaview.  

 

Announcements were in about 3 languages:  on our cruise English, French, Italian.

 

Smoking was on certain decks, outside on the port side of the ship and on 1 aft outdoor deck.  There really wasn't that much smoking and you could avoid it if you wanted.

 

The buffett seamed open plenty; I believe they advertised 20 /24 hours a day!