Ben & David's worst cruise ever? MSC, of course!

[Stockjock]

3 hours ago, TnTom said:

As a solo traveler, I find that MSC is usually the only cruise line that makes itineraries affordable for me. I have been cruising with them since 2009. I love NCL and Celebrity, but I can seldom afford them. My personal experience has been that MSC's landside operation is terrible, but once I am on a ship, it changes much for the better.

 

I was on the Meraviglia in September, and I had a really good experience with customer service. I was traveling with a friend who was a stroke victim (had speech and mobility issues) and I felt our cabins needed to be in close proximity... preferable next door. My TA wasn't able to accomplish that, but once on the ship (before we even visited our rooms), I went to customer service. The agent I dealt with worked hard to get our rooms together. Of course, the ship was sailing at a vastly reduced capacity and there were tons of empty cabins available, but she didn't have to be so accomodating. She spent about 30 minutes taking care of us. On the other hand, the CSR next to her was condescending and belittling to everyone who approached him. I guess blanket judgements on either side of the spectrum are a little unfair.

 

As for Ben and David... I have read commenters elsewhere complaining that they are always cheerleading and never say anything negative. I was quite taken aback when I saw their video running down MSC. They could have just made their point and moved on, but they droned on and on. It was really weird and out of character for them.

 

I don't get on an MSC ship expecting great food- but food isn't my reason for cruising. There have been some rude staff members along the way, but for the most part I have been treated well and had good service. MSC ships are the most beautiful vessels I have been on, and they still provide economical, very comfortable transportation to the same ports I would pay double or triple or more to get to on other lines.

 

I will be on Divina (for the second time) in February, and I am really looking forward to it.

I think that many of their points were legit, but I do agree that they went on more than necessary.  And the negatives weren't properly balanced against the positives.

I've written many negatives about MSC, but anyone who has read my reviews would see that they are mostly positive.  Indeed, I've never had a bad time on an MSC cruise.  It's mostly the pre-cruise and post-cruise issues that are the problem.  While I have had issues crop up onboard, we tend to try hard to shrug them off and have a good time.

I suppose I could afford more expensive cruises, but I do sometimes book MSC as I find them to offer good value.  But yes, there are areas where they could improve (customer service) that might not cost them a lot of money but would go a long ways towards improving the passenger experience.

Edited November 30, 2021 by Stockjock

[Seadweller001]

When you are in someones residence and they have rules, ie, no videoing in this room, no smoking etc, you should respect the rule.

 

There appeared to be an overreaction and MSC was not seen in a good light.

 

We do listen to the rules and abide by them and have amazing cruises.  We booked the YC on our last cruise and Capt Pietro (first name) visited with us twice in the YC lounge joining us for coffee at 8:30 if he was not busy.  Just a very down to earth man with interesting stories.

 

The HD Manoj was very visible each day and we had great conversations.  The YC experience is sublime based on the great service and food.  We will be on the Meraviglia in December for another great adventure.

 

MSC, highly recommended..       

[Stockjock]

17 minutes ago, Seadweller001 said:

When you are in someones residence and they have rules, ie, no videoing in this room, no smoking etc, you should respect the rule.

 

There appeared to be an overreaction and MSC was not seen in a good light.

 

We do listen to the rules and abide by them and have amazing cruises.  We booked the YC on our last cruise and Capt Pietro (first name) visited with us twice in the YC lounge joining us for coffee at 8:30 if he was not busy.  Just a very down to earth man with interesting stories.

 

The HD Manoj was very visible each day and we had great conversations.  The YC experience is sublime based on the great service and food.  We will be on the Meraviglia in December for another great adventure.

 

MSC, highly recommended..       

If you read my MSC Comedy of Errors thread, you'll see the stuff that drives me crazy.  4 night cruise out of Barcelona moved to a 20 night out of Brazil on a different date with no notification.  

Pricing and cabins screwed up just about every time I call about something minor and often unrelated.  I'm literally afraid to call MSC. And when things do get screwed up, it takes months and an Act of God to (maybe) fix them.  I had 2 cruises that had been cancelled for about a year, but MSC wouldn't even admit they were cancelled.  Then, I had to contest the charge with my credit card company because they hadn't refunded me months later.

One example is a tour I took where the bus broke down.  Stuck in the Caribbean heat with no air and not just that, but blocking both lanes of the main road in Saint Maarten diagonally with the police there and everyone honking at us, while we sweated our buns off.  MSC refused to refund the tour and refused to respond to my very polite e-mail about that and other onboard issues (engine failure, broken compressor that filled the restaurant w/diesel smoke each evening, rude Maitre'D, etc).

One thing that has bothered me recently is the fact that MSC has been yanking cabins from booked passengers for no obvious good reason.  They are now going to a GUAR only option on Bella bookings, which I'm fine with, but they're yanking the confirmed cabins from those who booked before that policy took place, which I think is horrible.  They've cancelled Yacht Club bookings and put guests in standard balcony cabins but at the YC price.  Cancelled adjoining family cabins.  Just a bunch of nonsense that simply shouldn't happen with little apparent effort to rectify.

They are definitely imperfect, but the frustrating thing is that many of their major issues wouldn't take a lot to drastically improve them, imo.

Edited November 30, 2021 by Stockjock

[BoundForSea]

I’d like to add one point that folks should at least consider or keep in mind with these videos.  This may not be the case here but to be considered. High Profile YT and Social Media Cruise Influencers are invited to special inaugurals, given upgrades, free sailings (sometimes many by one line), perks, and special opportunities because of their viewership in order to influence their influencing!  I know one Vlogger/Influencer who will tell you the 3 hour tour on the SS Minnow (With Skipper and Little Buddy) was the best cruise ever if they got a free ride! I also have seen one Influencer completely bash MSC around things on an MSC cruise that are typical issues on every influencer’s hero- Carnival (and why do you think they can do no wrong EVER with an influencer and they always seem to be coming back????? Yup that’s right!!! ) and I truly really believe they were butt hurt because they didn’t get any back door freebies. 

 

Anyway again this may not have any bearing on this influencer or their report, but it’s worth being made aware of with these high profile influencers and “News” YT content creators. 

 

One last point:

 

Here’s a perfect example. When Carnival brought their new Mardi Gras to Port Canaveral for the first time, the shores of the channel were filled with influencers and high profile YT vloggers and such doing live broadcasts. It was a big deal and highly publicized by them. Then once their first sailing took place they were all on board and some getting interviews with their CEO (that’s great for more views=more money) ….. There’s a reason for that!!  They get a lot of influence from Carnival Corp. 

 

Now when Seashore came to Miami last week, where were they all? None of them lined the banks of South Pointe Park with live coverage. Nobody has been on the first Seashore Sailings all of a sudden these past couple of weeks. They weren’t at the naming ceremony on OC. MSC doesn’t cater to influencers like CCorp does. 

 

We all know Carnival’s product has the same issues on board that MSC does and some much more major cleanliness, service, and ship reliability issues. Ironically they can never do wrong and miraculously every food item served is perfect and every crew member is perfect. 

 

Just a perspective I wanted to share… Sometimes things aren’t as simple and transparent as what they seem on the surface. 

 

 

 

 

Edited November 30, 2021 by BoundForSea

[Fla Mike]

44 minutes ago, BoundForSea said:

 I know one Vlogger/Influencer who will tell you the 3 hour tour on the SS Minnow (With Skipper and Little Buddy) was the best cruise ever

 

It wasn't??? 😇

[karmamule]

6 hours ago, Seadweller001 said:

When you are in someones residence and they have rules, ie, no videoing in this room, no smoking etc, you should respect the rule.

 

There appeared to be an overreaction and MSC was not seen in a good light.

 

We do listen to the rules and abide by them and have amazing cruises.  We booked the YC on our last cruise and Capt Pietro (first name) visited with us twice in the YC lounge joining us for coffee at 8:30 if he was not busy.  Just a very down to earth man with interesting stories.

 

The HD Manoj was very visible each day and we had great conversations.  The YC experience is sublime based on the great service and food.  We will be on the Meraviglia in December for another great adventure.

 

MSC, highly recommended..       

 

You could say that about the first incident they talked about, being yelled at for recording in public areas. But, there is no excuse for the second incident they mentioned, being seated at *separate tables* for the main dining room, and getting treated rudely when they wanted it corrected. The maitre'd should have apologized profusely and fixed it immediately rather than treat them badly.

 

In contrast to that, we've always had GREAT service in the Yacht Club, and they always treat us like gold. I remember when my partner Rich and I showed up for dinner in the YC restaurant the second night of the cruise and the crew member seating us mistakenly said "I assume your two lovely ladies will be joining you soon?" and, after a moment of confusion, we laughed and said "Oh no, we're partners, there's no one else" and she was absolutely mortified that she hadn't remembered that and apologized several times just for that simple mistake.

 

We have zero worries about getting more stellar service in our upcoming Seashore cruise. 

 

Having said that, Ben and David are not ones to overreact and almost always look for the positive side of everything, so I suspect they were treated atrociously in order to provoke that sort of reaction out of them, which is quite atypical. (As opposed to many other vloggers who go hunting for reasons to be offended, and love slamming MSC every chance they get.)

[Elkins45]

13 hours ago, TnTom said:

As a solo traveler, I find that MSC is usually the only cruise line that makes itineraries affordable for me. I have been cruising with them since 2009. I love NCL and Celebrity, but I can seldom afford them. My personal experience has been that MSC's landside operation is terrible, but once I am on a ship, it changes much for the better.

 

I was on the Meraviglia in September, and I had a really good experience with customer service. I was traveling with a friend who was a stroke victim (had speech and mobility issues) and I felt our cabins needed to be in close proximity... preferable next door. My TA wasn't able to accomplish that, but once on the ship (before we even visited our rooms), I went to customer service. The agent I dealt with worked hard to get our rooms together. Of course, the ship was sailing at a vastly reduced capacity and there were tons of empty cabins available, but she didn't have to be so accomodating. She spent about 30 minutes taking care of us. On the other hand, the CSR next to her was condescending and belittling to everyone who approached him. I guess blanket judgements on either side of the spectrum are a little unfair.

 

As for Ben and David... I have read commenters elsewhere complaining that they are always cheerleading and never say anything negative. I was quite taken aback when I saw their video running down MSC. They could have just made their point and moved on, but they droned on and on. It was really weird and out of character for them.

 

I don't get on an MSC ship expecting great food- but food isn't my reason for cruising. There have been some rude staff members along the way, but for the most part I have been treated well and had good service. MSC ships are the most beautiful vessels I have been on, and they still provide economical, very comfortable transportation to the same ports I would pay double or triple or more to get to on other lines.

 

I will be on Divina (for the second time) in February, and I am really looking forward to it.

You made a point that has a big influence on my opinion that I failed to mention. I had never even heard of MSC a year ago, and the only reason I booked a cruise with them over a known commodity was the lack of a single supplement.
 

When my wife and I cruise together it’s free because she plays the slots and the casino gives her a ton of free cruises. I’m only there as a companion to their real favorite customer. Because she’s still working full-time and I’m really not post-covid I had some time and really wanted to cruise. With any other line I would be paying a 30% supplement at best, and with most it would be 100%. I don’t have the save level of expectation when I’m literally paying less than half than I would with any other line. I agree that getting yelled at would probably drive me off as a customer, but the staff couldn’t have been more pleasant on my Divina cruise.

 

I hope they expand to some of the mid-Atlantic ports. It would be nice to have an MSC option within driving distance.

Edited November 30, 2021 by Elkins45

[RICHARD@SEA]

The problem here is that the Original Poster & the You tubers need to book a ritz carlton...obviously their expectations do not align w MSC price point & product.  Im sure they would be happier on CRYSTAL(yech) or Seabourn(if they would pay for it)

 

If the cruise was that bad...why on earth would they return....because it was very inexpensive.

As far as filming...it is annoying...the bloggers are trying to produce an income off another companys product.

 

After several MSC cruises(5) Ive never had a problem w crew(they are some of the hardest working I've ever seen).  I always book through a TA & any issues are adressed in a timely manner.  Its an international line w international customers.

 

Its unfortunate that the internet allows crass people as such just to spew out their ut ridiculous opinions.

 

As I said the OP & Ben & Davis should sail on Ritz Carlton, Seabourn, Silver Seas & pay for it themselves....

[deliver42]

Ben and David have been on multiple lines, including MSC in the past. This was the first negative piece I've ever seen from them> They are always positive about their cruises. So maybe this time, on this cruise it really was that bad.

[Stockjock]

I find Ben and David to be good guys and funny as hell.  I have asked them a question or two and they were very good about promptly answering the question.  I like the fact that while they are mostly positive, they also try hard to be honest, imo.

I write reviews for one of the big online retailers and have been in the Top 250 out of hundreds of millions of reviewers.  As such, I can choose from roughly 40,000 "free" items at any given moment, although some items are taxable and others are not.

There's a challenge to writing a review that is concise, meaningful and fair to all involved.  I've seen some who seem to be shills with little bad to say ever, and of course that isn't really very helpful.  

Reviewers need to be credible, and I find Ben and David to be credible, although as mentioned, I thought maybe they laid it on a touch too thick in a couple of areas, but not in other areas.  I think the food is a good example.  Is MSC food amazing?  No, typically not.  For most who aren't overly fussy, are most meals acceptable given their price point?  Yes, in my view.  But separating them at dinner and then giving a married couple a hard time about wanting to sit together?  Beyond unacceptable.

Edited November 30, 2021 by Stockjock

[jamesboat]

On 11/30/2021 at 5:39 AM, BoundForSea said:

Now when Seashore came to Miami last week, where were they all? None of them lined the banks of South Pointe Park with live coverage. Nobody has been on the first Seashore Sailings all of a sudden these past couple of weeks. They weren’t at the naming ceremony on OC. MSC doesn’t cater to influencers like CCorp does.

 

 

I noticed this too. I was expecting a flood of Seashore videos but the only ones Im finding on Youtube and randoms with 400 followers. Not a single big account appears to have gone on the new ship in the US.

 

Mind you, with all the IT problems theyve been having (2 hour lines to fix the missing drink/web packages) this was probably smart on MSCs part lol

Edited December 1, 2021 by jamesboat

[shipgeeks]

And supposedly Sophia Loren was here to christen her.  Is that not worthy of at least a bit of coverage?

[Fogfog]

We have loved MSC and had nothing but great service and meals, great employees etc

We love the Italian/european product 

 

I doubt this video--as IF crew was shouting--they should have taken the issue to the Hotel Director.

Also-- we don't know what disturbances they were causing and how they behaved.

 

In all of our sailings ever--we had only 1 bad employee--a wine steward on Celebrity in Blu.... The Head sommelier  addressed the issue immediately (a long sailing of about 2 weeks) and we never had to deal with the steward again.

 

IF they had such problems with no fault of their own-- MSC mgt would have addressed it--I feel certain about that

 

The only "hole" was debarkation which was a mess--as the port/berth didn't have facial recognition/ visual immigration for US  citizens terminating in the US etc..no separate US vs other lines like other lines etc...

All of that I blame on US immigration and hope MSC pushes for better 

 

While we have high status with Celebrity--and particularly like the aqua and suite class for smaller dining as well as specialty dining packages... we have been quite unhappy with their changes in fares and this all-in product. Celebrity has been our go to for many years and frankly they care little for their frequent pax/Captn Club loyalty.

 

Give it a few years and things will continue to change.

Some folks say they will never sail again.

And certainly lines are pursuing younger affluent pax...as gen before they drop off

Edited December 1, 2021 by Fogfog

[deliver42]

I just gave my opinion of Ben ad avid, and their review of the Ship they were on. We love MSC, having cruised twice on the Divina, and are booked on the Seashore May, 14, 2022  and looking forward to that cruise. As you can see by my signature, I've sailed all the major lines except HAL, which will be in the future if my wife has anything to say, which she does. The only negative on one cruise on the Divina was a LOUSY cabin steward. No welcome. and when we were leaving, she was on the phone and couldn't care less. The only time in my life, I didn't tip the steward extra. Rags had been left in our room,and the cleaning was meh. Did not report her to anyone. Not worth the hassle.

[Missymssy]

As next October will be my first time sailing with MSC, I have been watching youtube, reading any reviews online I can, etc. It seems to be a mixed bag, some love it, some hate it. Unless food it outright inedible, I think we'll be happy. 

My first cruise was on Regent, and I read such glowing reviews everywhere that I expected it to be wonderful. And my experience? I was appalled at what I paid that much $$ for! Granted, I was on their oldest, smallest ship, which was the problem. That is not something that should even still be sailing, let alone at such ridiculous prices. lol, a lot of $ for a dingy 🙂

So, everyone is going to have their own opinions

[shipgeeks]

I love youtube for some music videos I watch over and over.  Otherwise, not at all useful regarding cruises, to me, nor do I gain anything from the few reviews I have read.  Mostly just boring and self-promoting.

I was curious about B&D's video, but found I didn't have the patience to watch more than a couple of minutes.

Interesting about your Regent cruise, and your expectations.  I would have high expectations, too, as it is known as a high-end line.  Another downfall of reading other people's reviews, etc., before experiencing the product.  I think there's a lot to be said for discovering things for ourselves, after doing some basic research.  Do I need to know what every bar/pool/shrimp cocktail looks like before I cruise, or that someone's bed was too soft/hard?

I wish you a wonderful MSC cruise!  (At the risk of setting you up for disappointment, lol, MSC is our favorite!)

[Nunagoras]

On 12/1/2021 at 10:37 PM, Fogfog said:

We have loved MSC and had nothing but great service and meals, great employees etc

We love the Italian/european product 

 

I doubt this video--as IF crew was shouting--they should have taken the issue to the Hotel Director.

Also-- we don't know what disturbances they were causing and how they behaved.

 

In all of our sailings ever--we had only 1 bad employee--a wine steward on Celebrity in Blu.... The Head sommelier  addressed the issue immediately (a long sailing of about 2 weeks) and we never had to deal with the steward again.

 

IF they had such problems with no fault of their own-- MSC mgt would have addressed it--I feel certain about that

 

The only "hole" was debarkation which was a mess--as the port/berth didn't have facial recognition/ visual immigration for US  citizens terminating in the US etc..no separate US vs other lines like other lines etc...

All of that I blame on US immigration and hope MSC pushes for better 

 

While we have high status with Celebrity--and particularly like the aqua and suite class for smaller dining as well as specialty dining packages... we have been quite unhappy with their changes in fares and this all-in product. Celebrity has been our go to for many years and frankly they care little for their frequent pax/Captn Club loyalty.

 

Give it a few years and things will continue to change.

Some folks say they will never sail again.

And certainly lines are pursuing younger affluent pax...as gen before they drop off

This exactly!... As a former Market Risk Analyst I was before the pandemic, I wouldn't to say it better than what you have said! Congrats!... Things are not as black and white and as transparent as they might to seem at a glance!...

 

Finally, regarding your final paragraph I underlined, this is exactly one of the causes for many (most?) of those social media complains regarding MSC, or regarding their competitors. If one goes to their CC forums one could note that while mostly on sort of a softer tone, the naysayers are there too... Simply the market is changing... Let me to just take the most radical example, but one that may impact the whole industry, no matter on whether one enjoys it or not: If Virgin cruises succeeds, it will to be just a question of time till the cruising industry as we now know it becomes a thing of the past. They'll simply to follow the money... And as you very well noted the money is starting to be with that younger Affluent clientele... And if they want Virgin style (and they may very well to want...), there will perhaps to be a day when classical affordable cruising will be such a Cunard exclusive, till even Cunard "falls"... Surely: I'll to be one of those whom will be out... 100 younger affluent individuals to replace at see though. They're the cruising's future!...

 

Have a nice day!...