Your favourite MSC ship... and why.

[Ryan82]

So far I've sailed on Preziosa (Oct 22), Virtuosa (April and June 23) and Grandiosa (May 23).

 

My favourite is Preziosa. Probably because it was my first cruise experience but I really liked the mix of Lounges and bars that all felt separate and distinct venues - unlike the indoor bars on the meraviglia ships, that just feel like one continous venue off the Galleria.

 

I preferred the Grandiosa over the Virtuosa mainly due to styling and because the Virtuosa wastes a alot of space with the Starship club which is a novelty that wears off 5 mins after you see it. I also preferred the speciality dinning restaurant options (L'Atellior Bistrot remains one of the best meals I've had in my entire life).

 

Keen to try the Seascape / Seaside class.

Edited July 6, 2023 by Ryan82
Typo

[JAGR]

Good question! Unfortunately, the answers will run the gamut.  We have always sailed Yacht Club, and mostly Caribbean cruises from USA ports.  My favorite is Seashore, and primarily for one reason - the specialty restaurant common area cocktail lounge on deck 16!  We usually stay on deck 16 on MSC, and on Seashore, just outside of the main entry doors are the specialty restaurants.  They have one central cocktail lounge, and it is excellent!  It is usually staffed by fully-trained bartenders, and they specialize in smoked drinks and upscale cocktails.  Most importantly, they are willing to make any drink you want, or will happily make you one of their specialty drinks, or they will offer to just make on on the fly.  It was never crowded, and the bartenders were more than happy to chat on any subject.

 

We enjoyed all three of the "Sea-class" ships we were on, and appreciate the general similar feel and layout. 

[JAGR]

59 minutes ago, JAGR said:

Good question! Unfortunately, the answers will run the gamut.  We have always sailed Yacht Club, and mostly Caribbean cruises from USA ports.  My favorite is Seashore, and primarily for one reason - the specialty restaurant common area cocktail lounge on deck 16!  We usually stay on deck 16 on MSC, and on Seashore, just outside of the main entry doors are the specialty restaurants.  They have one central cocktail lounge, and it is excellent!  It is usually staffed by fully-trained bartenders, and they specialize in smoked drinks and upscale cocktails.  Most importantly, they are willing to make any drink you want, or will happily make you one of their specialty drinks, or they will offer to just make on on the fly.  It was never crowded, and the bartenders were more than happy to chat on any subject.

 

We enjoyed all three of the "Sea-class" ships we were on, and appreciate the general similar feel and layout. 

Sorry!  Fat fingers on a small keyboard!  I meant Seaside, not Seashore!  Seashore has the specialty dining and a very small common cocktail lounge on deck 8.  Sorry about that. Seaside is the favorite.  Back to my typing lessons!

 

[Two Wheels Only]

8 hours ago, Ryan82 said:

Keen to try the Seascape / Seaside class.

 

Seaside/Seaview and Seashore/Seascape are very similar. The newer/larger ships (Seashore/Seascape) have some changes from the older/smaller 2 ships as far as layout and location of a few things. I enjoyed being on both and found both to have plenty of open space. Unfortunately, too many people congregate in certain areas making the area feel crowded. IF guests don't discover the open spaces, they might complain that the ship is crowded. For example, if you're looking for an available lounger, don't go where everyone else goes. There are plenty of available loungers with a great view of the ocean all over the ship. 

 

I've only been on Meraviglia as far as the Meraviglia/Meraviglia Plus classes but I did enjoy that one, too.

 

I have World America booked but I've never been on World Europa. 

 

I'm not much help as far as any ship built before Meraviglia.

 

I'm partial to the larger/newer ships.....

 

 

 

...but some people do prefer the smaller ships. 

[jules815]

We've only been on Seaside and Meraviglia, both times in the YC and had great cruises. I think layout wise I almost preferred Meraviglia because having that promenade area made it a little easier to navigate the entire ship, however, we really loved all the sea views from the multi-level atrium on Seaside. On Seaside though, it felt like just as we were learning our way around the ship, our cruise was almost over. 

[Nunagoras]

Only done the older Musica and Fantasia class ships. Prefer Fantasia for the better crowd management, IMHO.

 

I would like to go on the brand new World Europa just for a change and to see how MSC is doing the over 200k GT segment in comparison with RCI... But, while the new ships may be great, but I feel like MSC is trying to mostly mimic the other more American lines, instead of just doing their own thing and then create a division with another name and different ships for the pure US market. Both Meraviglia, Seaside and World classes go on that direction, one or the other way. Of course nothing against trying to capture a new cruising generation, but they could have been more creative on that though.

[titangas]

Just got off of Seaside today - I will say that the service on that ship was incredible.

I have been on Seashore and Meraviglia too, all in the YC.

I would rank #1 Seashore, #2 Meraviglia and #3 Seaside.

 

The number one reason for the Seashore is the Topsail and YC restaurant.

While the Seaside has that also, I think there are some definite layout flaws that were fixed on the 2 newer ships. I loved the large hot tub on the YC pool deck on Seaside it was 2 small round ones and a lot of wasted space. Because of the location of Specialty restaurants to navigate to the back of ship you have to go up or down a deck from 16, them back  up or down to 16 if you want the hit buffet for pizza or soft serve. It also felt more open on the Seashore on the public space decks especially on the front half casino area.

 

I loved the Meraviglia and the promenade, just prefer the connected topsail lounge and restaurant on the Seashore, and the pool deck layout.

[sverigecruiser]

 

I have only been on Meraviglia and Divina. I prefer Meraviglia and the main reason for that is that on Meraviglia the Yacht Club restaurant in located within the Yacht Club and on Divina the restaurant is at the other end of the ship.

 

We will soon, next week, embark the MSC World Europa and are very excited!

[sealynx]

I liked MSC Seaview best. Best thing of this ship would be the huge promenade all around deck 8, with plenty of outdoor seating at the buffet. We always had breakfast outdoors and loved it.

[xcell]

Seaside is my favorite -- feels very open in the lounge and the colors are bright.  The pool deck needs more shaded area if you are not a sun worshiper but the buffet/bar up there is great.

 

Grandiosa -- darker in color, and feels more cramped.  I did like the pool deck because it had more shade but the buffet/bar was a lot smaller.

 

All this relates the the YC ....basically, you can't go wrong being in the YC -- but if you are asking about the rest of the ship, we just stayed in the YC....

[Tierun]

Seashore was my favorite ship. It was my first on MSC and not fully knowing how quirky the cruise line is made things miserable at times, but the beauty of the ship made me come back. The Aurea thermal suite was a highlight along with the bridge of sighs and the aft panoramic elevators. Meraviglia was a very nice ship as well and even topped Seashore in some ways. Later this year I’ll find out how World Europa stacks up to the competition.

[Ryan82]

7 hours ago, xcell said:

Seaside is my favorite -- feels very open in the lounge and the colors are bright.  The pool deck needs more shaded area if you are not a sun worshiper but the buffet/bar up there is great.

 

Grandiosa -- darker in color, and feels more cramped.  I did like the pool deck because it had more shade but the buffet/bar was a lot smaller.

 

All this relates the the YC ....basically, you can't go wrong being in the YC -- but if you are asking about the rest of the ship, we just stayed in the YC....

Seems a bit of a shame not to explore and enjoy the rest of the ship. Didn't you find it a bit insular / small just staying in YC?

[xcell]

14 minutes ago, Ryan82 said:

Seems a bit of a shame not to explore and enjoy the rest of the ship. Didn't you find it a bit insular / small just staying in YC?

Oh I've explored but nothing really interests me...

 

First time, did all the shows, walked the ship, went to a few different bars, etc....  Next time on MSC less shows cuz they weren't my cup of tea. Walked around a bit but found haven in my yacht club area so didn't really want to do much more.

 

[quattrohead]

Armonia by a mile, my best time ever on the Cuba run, lovely SHIP and fun fantastic crew. We had such a great time, wish all cruises could be like that on was.

Liked the Meraviglia very much, love Divina been on her several times.

Poesia was the first, so pretty.

 

Can you go wrong on a cruise ???

[JamieLogical]

59 minutes ago, quattrohead said:

Armonia by a mile, my best time ever on the Cuba run, lovely SHIP and fun fantastic crew. We had such a great time, wish all cruises could be like that on was.

Liked the Meraviglia very much, love Divina been on her several times.

Poesia was the first, so pretty.

 

Can you go wrong on a cruise ???

 

Would you mind commenting on my Meraviglia vs. Divina thread?

 

 

[Stockjock]

I'd have to say Divina, because it was our first MSC cruise back in 2015 and we had such a great time.  I also liked the layout of Divina, as it's not too big and not too small.  Plenty of nice venues.  The soaring atrium with softly lit elevators gliding seemingly to the stars.

I haven't been on anything similar or older since then, so not sure if I'd still feel the same, but we really loved Divina.

[Steff79]

MSC Seaview, because my first, love that ship class, best MSC Shows of what i saw.

( But i cruised 3 times Seaview, 1 Seaside, 1 Seashore, at Seashore i loved the two Pianos at the chocolate bar )

Edited July 8, 2023 by Steff79