MSC World America - Quantum + Oasis class in one?

[KKB]

On 8/25/2023 at 11:45 AM, seasidemama said:

Yes, I know this is the RCI forum - but with RCI's current pricing shenanigans, I was looking at MSC sailings and came across this new ship that MSC is debuting 2025..  Preview video shows bumper cards, promenade like deck, Abyss like slide and Boardwalk balcony rooms... Certainly peaked my curiosity and looks a lot more inviting than the new icon... Thoughts?

OK I have sailed RCCL 3x (including Allure & Anthem...plus Quantum in a few weeks).

I sailed MSC for the 1st time in Feb--B2B on Divina then B2B on Preziosa in May.

(I realize these ships do not compare to MSC's newer larger ships)

I got a DEAL on all those cruises. Seriously, DIRT CHEAP.

But will never sail MSC again.

Why?

In Feb I was texting DH saying I didn't love it (but didn't hate it) but was having a hard time putting a finger on why.

I began to realize that I experienced more rude passengers than I had ever experienced before on another cruise. Is it the price point? Cheap cruises bring out cheap people with no sense of common courtesy?

I chose to refrain judgement after one experience. 

Went in May--TOTALLY difference demographic.

RUDE PASSENGERS AGAIN!

HOW is this possible?

But so little regard for orderly lines; people bumping others in the back w/ trays in the buffet; dragging loungers EVERYWHERE so there is no path for others to make their way around the deck; ignoring requests to hold the elevator; walking down stairs side by side so no one could go up the stairs; PHYSICALLY moving children to the side. I saw these behaviors (and more!) REPEATEDLY--on both cruises! 

I was floored.

(Don't get me wrong, I met some lovely people on both cruises...and we discussed the behaviors of far too many others that we experienced, so not just me. Most said they too were 1 & done with MSC)

Look--I'm a glass is half full kinda gal. I know things can happen & I generally find things are situational. But I had read reviews regarding rude passengers...and bizarrely it was the same for me on both ships.

 

I also found the ships crowded--not enough loungers on deck, not enough interior space when cold outslde. Now, smaller ships w/ only 2K passengers.

Never had an issue with crowds on Allure except during Muster.

 

Now, if you are going to sail Yacht Club, you may have an entirely different experience--it seems this is where MSC excels.

Edited August 26, 2023 by KKB

[KKB]

6 hours ago, sgmn said:

@GenerationXwho writes great blogs on Celebrity did a blog last month. I havent read it yet so not sure how it compares, but she has a great writing style if anyone is interested in MSC. Though it's Seascape not World

 

 

Gen X LOVED MSC--BUT this was Yacht Club. 

She even comments that she might not be too happy NOT in Yacht Club.

(We sailed with her in Beyond Retreat in April--she is LOVELY)

[deliver42]

If you stay in the Yacht Club on MSC, you have no idea what the rest of the ship is like. We've sailed both ways, and wouldn't consider MSC outside of the Yacht Club. More Carnival than Carnival.

[seasidemama]

2 hours ago, deliver42 said:

If you stay in the Yacht Club on MSC, you have no idea what the rest of the ship is like. We've sailed both ways, and wouldn't consider MSC outside of the Yacht Club. More Carnival than Carnival.

 

For half the price I will be trying it next summer. Last three on Oasis passengers were very very carnival like...

[FamilyCruiserUK]

We sailed MSC Virtuosa this year..whilst the ship is beautiful i would say for those that expect the level of staff service, speed and attentiveness then you will be disappointed on MSC. Everything takes longer, bars, food etc. Buffet was packed although the food was good. 

Royal Customer service from the staff is excellent as expected from an american cruise line. MSC totally different. Both crowded but MSC how should i put it 🤔 wont bow down as much as you would fine on royal. 

That said a different experience, gorgeous ship and decor and good food. 

On P&O Arvia at mo and she blows MSC and any Royal ship lower then Oasis class out of the water. Including Quantum class, Better all round, food, entertainment, costs, staff just as nice and friendly and dont have to tip for everything. 👍

That said i do love Oasis class 👍

[Hutcha]

I sail in yacht club on MSC Seascape in two weeks. This will be my first time on MSC, and from my research, I don't think I'd book outside of YC on MSC. I'll have a better idea on that soon. 

 

It looks like MSC (Seascape at least) does a better job at dispersing the crowds for activities (bars, pools, entertainment venues) than Royal, but eating is where you really feel it. Main dining and the buffet are the only places for complementary dining. As such, the buffet is usually very crowded. If you just want pizza or a burger, you have to go through the buffet. This is one of the most common complaints about MSC.

 

I'm looking for a summer 24 cruise for me and my teenage son. I want a newer ship. I can get an OV balcony on Wonder for $5,800 (plus drinks and wifi), or a YC balcony (ship in a ship, drinks, wifi, butler) for a little less.

[sgmn]

2 hours ago, FamilyCruiserUK said:

 

On P&O Arvia at mo and she blows MSC and any Royal ship lower then Oasis class out of the water. Including Quantum class, Better all round, food, entertainment, costs, staff just as nice and friendly and dont have to tip for everything. 👍

That said i do love Oasis class 👍

Good to know about P&O, we are looking at other lines too, though Roysl is still our first choice 

[seasidemama]

5 hours ago, sgmn said:

Good to know about P&O, we are looking at other lines too, though Roysl is still our first choice 

 

Made me look 🙂 the Arvia looks AMAZING! but nothing out of US (let alone northeast) unfortunately.

[Saab4444]

10 hours ago, seasidemama said:

 

Made me look 🙂 the Arvia looks AMAZING! but nothing out of US (let alone northeast) unfortunately.

Arvia is same class of ship as Carnival Mardi Gras or Jubilee….

[little britain]

Personally, I didn’t like being in YC as I felt I had no connection with the rest of the ship. It’s like sitting upstairs on a 747 and ignoring there are people “downstairs”. 
Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed the restaurant and the lounge area, and the butler got a few things for us… but I missed the buzz and vibes of the different bars downstairs. 

For me the perfect combo is having a JS and bring guaranteed to dine in YC so you get peace and quality at dinner; but you can still enjoy the rest of the ship without feeling you are “slumming it” going downstairs. 
 

When I book my next MSC (with in 3 years to maintain status) it probably won’t be in YC ( unless there is a crazy cheap bargain) 

[Ocean Boy]

50 minutes ago, little britain said:

Personally, I didn’t like being in YC as I felt I had no connection with the rest of the ship. It’s like sitting upstairs on a 747 and ignoring there are people “downstairs”. 
Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed the restaurant and the lounge area, and the butler got a few things for us… but I missed the buzz and vibes of the different bars downstairs. 

For me the perfect combo is having a JS and bring guaranteed to dine in YC so you get peace and quality at dinner; but you can still enjoy the rest of the ship without feeling you are “slumming it” going downstairs. 
 

When I book my next MSC (with in 3 years to maintain status) it probably won’t be in YC ( unless there is a crazy cheap bargain) 

I think I definitely see your point. It is a bit like having your own balcony but sometimes you want to leave the peace of the cabin and enjoy the energy of the ship.

[seasidemama]

1 hour ago, little britain said:

Personally, I didn’t like being in YC as I felt I had no connection with the rest of the ship. It’s like sitting upstairs on a 747 and ignoring there are people “downstairs”. 
Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed the restaurant and the lounge area, and the butler got a few things for us… but I missed the buzz and vibes of the different bars downstairs. 

For me the perfect combo is having a JS and bring guaranteed to dine in YC so you get peace and quality at dinner; but you can still enjoy the rest of the ship without feeling you are “slumming it” going downstairs. 
 

When I book my next MSC (with in 3 years to maintain status) it probably won’t be in YC ( unless there is a crazy cheap bargain) 

aren’t you able to venture outside of the YC area?

[2chiefs]

On 8/25/2023 at 11:37 PM, smokeybandit said:

 

Gross tonnage is based on indoor space.

Oh, and all this time I thought it was based on the weight of the water it displaced.

[2chiefs]

On 8/25/2023 at 11:37 PM, smokeybandit said:

 

Gross tonnage is based on indoor space.

 

3 minutes ago, 2chiefs said:

Oh, and all this time I thought it was based on the weight of the water it displaced.

Interesting. All this time my assumptions were wrong.  I guess there's so many ways to measure "tonnage" that all quotes should be taken with a grain of salt.

 

From Wikipedia:

Gross tonnage (GT, G.T. or gt) is a nonlinear measure of a ship's overall internal volume. Gross tonnage is different from gross register tonnage.^[1] Neither gross tonnage nor gross register tonnage should be confused with measures of mass or weight such as deadweight tonnage or displacement.

Gross tonnage, along with net tonnage, was defined by the International Convention on Tonnage Measurement of Ships, 1969, adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in 1969, and came into force on 18 July 1982. These two measurements replaced gross register tonnage (GRT) and net register tonnage (NRT). Gross tonnage is calculated based on "the moulded volume of all enclosed spaces of the ship" and is used to determine things such as a ship's manning regulations, safety rules, registration fees, and port dues, whereas the older gross register tonnage is a measure of the volume of only certain enclosed spaces.

[little britain]

20 minutes ago, seasidemama said:

aren’t you able to venture outside of the YC area?

Yes of course you are, but it feels (to me) like you are looked on differently as your card is a different colour; your access to the elevators overrides others choices ( but that is fun to try!!!), and you have your butler trying to escort you everywhere which I found embarrassing. JMHO.

[smokeybandit]

7 minutes ago, 2chiefs said:

Oh, and all this time I thought it was based on the weight of the water it displaced.

That's displacement tonnage.  Why they picked a unit of "tonnage" to measure volume is beyond me.

But that's why Icon class, while being 25k gross tons bigger than Oasis has largely the same dimensions of Oasis (360m x 47m compared to 365m x 48m)

[neverbeenhere]

24 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

That's displacement tonnage.  Why they picked a unit of "tonnage" to measure volume is beyond me.

But that's why Icon class, while being 25k gross tons bigger than Oasis has largely the same dimensions of Oasis (360m x 47m compared to 365m x 48m)

Good to see Matt ripping the smokeybandit.  🙂

[goldfish65]

I'd give up cruising before taking the chance on any MSC ship. 

[PlanetX]

Before you book MSC, take a look at the food and service reviews across the various ships. As they say, you get what you pay for…

[seasidemama]

10 minutes ago, PlanetX said:

Before you book MSC, take a look at the food and service reviews across the various ships. As they say, you get what you pay for…

 

I've actually read really good reviews online. Haven't been impressed with Royal's food since last summer. I can deal with it and if I wanted to pay double, I would just book MSC yacht club for what RCI is charging for regular balconies with zero perks. Service on Royal's ship is amazing though. Won't fault the crew for corporate greed. 

[seasidemama]

12 hours ago, little britain said:

Yes of course you are, but it feels (to me) like you are looked on differently as your card is a different colour; your access to the elevators overrides others choices ( but that is fun to try!!!), and you have your butler trying to escort you everywhere which I found embarrassing. JMHO.

 

I would tip him a bit extra to take a break... 😆

[little britain]

2 hours ago, PlanetX said:

Before you book MSC, take a look at the food and service reviews across the various ships. As they say, you get what you pay for…

Freshly made mozzarella on board and the best pizza… ✔️ 

[Scottdalfonso]

5 hours ago, seasidemama said:

 

I've actually read really good reviews online. Haven't been impressed with Royal's food since last summer. I can deal with it and if I wanted to pay double, I would just book MSC yacht club for what RCI is charging for regular balconies with zero perks. Service on Royal's ship is amazing though. Won't fault the crew for corporate greed. 

Same...it seems that the bad ones are just louder. But I've seen many good reviews of the newer MSC ships, and I'm willing to take my chance at a cruise on a pretty new ship (Seascape) going to good ports for almost half what I'm paying for a cruise next month on RC to pretty lame ports. 

[deliver42]

We've been on 3 MSC cruises and always found something good to eat, including the buffet and MDR. The only problem with the buffets is that the choices are limited, and repetitive. The service, lately, has improved tremendously, as they have gone to more Asian and Caribbean crews in the U.S.

[Ocean Boy]

On 8/26/2023 at 12:58 PM, KKB said:

OK I have sailed RCCL 3x (including Allure & Anthem...plus Quantum in a few weeks).

I sailed MSC for the 1st time in Feb--B2B on Divina then B2B on Preziosa in May.

(I realize these ships do not compare to MSC's newer larger ships)

I got a DEAL on all those cruises. Seriously, DIRT CHEAP.

But will never sail MSC again.

Why?

In Feb I was texting DH saying I didn't love it (but didn't hate it) but was having a hard time putting a finger on why.

I began to realize that I experienced more rude passengers than I had ever experienced before on another cruise. Is it the price point? Cheap cruises bring out cheap people with no sense of common courtesy?

I chose to refrain judgement after one experience. 

Went in May--TOTALLY difference demographic.

RUDE PASSENGERS AGAIN!

HOW is this possible?

But so little regard for orderly lines; people bumping others in the back w/ trays in the buffet; dragging loungers EVERYWHERE so there is no path for others to make their way around the deck; ignoring requests to hold the elevator; walking down stairs side by side so no one could go up the stairs; PHYSICALLY moving children to the side. I saw these behaviors (and more!) REPEATEDLY--on both cruises! 

I was floored.

(Don't get me wrong, I met some lovely people on both cruises...and we discussed the behaviors of far too many others that we experienced, so not just me. Most said they too were 1 & done with MSC)

Look--I'm a glass is half full kinda gal. I know things can happen & I generally find things are situational. But I had read reviews regarding rude passengers...and bizarrely it was the same for me on both ships.

 

I also found the ships crowded--not enough loungers on deck, not enough interior space when cold outslde. Now, smaller ships w/ only 2K passengers.

Never had an issue with crowds on Allure except during Muster.

 

Now, if you are going to sail Yacht Club, you may have an entirely different experience--it seems this is where MSC excels.

Doesn't sound much different from my experiences on RCI. Crowds and lack of space are an expected outcome of more and more cabins being retrofitted onto ships. Cram more people into a confined space and behaviors take a turn for the worst. And don't try to tell me that RCI's O class ships don't feel crowded during inclement weather. The only people who would believe that are those who have never been aboard on a rainy day.