Orchestra, just back from 2-07 to 2-21

[pmcrr]

The Orchestra should change its name to the Hurricane, Exciting at first but ends in disaster.

The good things: Well appointed state rooms. Nice towels, changed twice a day, In room safe. Comfortable furniture. The ship is absoultly beautiful, very tastefully decorated with an abundance of lounges and bars with nitches to socalize. The cocktail and or wine package is a bargin. All of the staff seemed really nice and helpfull most of the time. Public rest rooms were easy to find,clean and seemed to be everywhere. The Gellato ice cream was just over the top, so good. I heard others complaining about the charge but well worth it I thought. Pleanty of pool chairs and towels for all who wanted one. Public seating on the pool deck was also pleantyfull.

The bad things: Too much smoking everywhere, pool deck says no cigars, but the rule isnt inforced. Amber lounge on deck 6 all smoking. Gag city as you walk thru the lounge to go to the dining room. Even the staff personell were smoking. Casino is also all smoking, like the place was on fire. Smoke everywhere. Some people had adjoining cabin rooms and the smoke odor was creeping under the adjoining room door from the smoker in the other room. When calling the front desk to report they were told that smoking was not permitted in the state rooms. Again there were rules but not enforced. The casino has 3 blackjack tables, (1) 3 card poker table and (1) carribean stud poker table, (4) roulette tables, (1) craps table and 1 poker table texas hold em no limit. The casino staff was rude and not friendly, if they dont like their job then quit. I 'am on vacation to have a good time, Dont bring my spirts down because your unhappy. In 14 days I only went to the casino 3 times. Second seating is too late as you sit down at 8 eat at 9 or 9:30 didnt get out till 10. every nite. Missed a few conflicting activities due to dining time . No adjustment was available after the 2nd day. The food was poor at best, I thought it would be just fantastic. I didnt realize Chef Boyardee was in the kitchen. The Aldente pasta was spot on for the way Italians like there pasta. The snails with Cambells condensed mushroom gravy served over a potato cup was just awfull. I could not believe that a chef would actually serve that thinking it was good. The fish every nite was overcooked dry and tasteless. The pasta and spinach cheese wrap was very good. Lobster nite ,the Lobsters were overcooked. I think we the 2nd seating got alot of the first seatings over runs so our food tended to be overcooked. The best food is the pool deck cafeteria style. Overall food, Typical family restaurant food. OK not great without alot of creativity. I am an accomplished cook and could do better than that. New York Italian people are too loud and tend to think everyone around them is interested in what they have to say. One Italian family of 6 was seated 7 tables away from me and I could hear there entire conversation. We even had one idiot play a drum in the hallway at 2:00 am. Security took the drum away. Way to many children without any parental supervision. I watched 2 young girls approx. 6 and 8 put (6) apples and (8) pineapple rings each on their plate. Then watched the food attendent make presentable the fruit tray for others, after the girls messed it up. Their mothers just sat there and watched. Where do these people come from? Another screaming baby in the dining room at breakfest as the mother held the child over her head ane tossed her into the air a little. Well that didnt work so they just passed the kid around till it stopped crying. The music out on the pool deck is loud, the kids running around are louder and the Italians trying to find each other are the loudest. The music in the disco I expected to be loud and boy was it. We walked in and out before the door closed. We went to 2 shows the Magic show and the Opera. The Magic show was so lame and hokey we walked out. The Opera was better and stayed thru till the end. However, far below the standard for other cruise lines. The ports were ok as predicted. I should have payed more attention to our port arrival and departure times. We didnt arrive till late or early afternoon at some ports. limiting time there. After 14 days of Broken English of Italian decent, Loud adults and more kids than the Disney Line, I had enough. In summary If you travel with children, are looking for a low cost cruise line, enjoy so so food, are happy with loud music, rude guests that butt in front of you in food line, are a smoker, and enjoy the fowl smell of second hand smoke,in the common meeting areas, as well as loud New York Italians, then the MSC line is your perfect choice. The old saying : You get what you paid for. How true.

[nevis92]

The Orchestra should change its name to the Hurricane, Exciting at first but ends in disaster.

The good things: Well appointed state rooms. Nice towels, changed twice a day, In room safe. Comfortable furniture. The ship is absoultly beautiful, very tastefully decorated with an abundance of lounges and bars with nitches to socalize. The cocktail and or wine package is a bargin. All of the staff seemed really nice and helpfull most of the time. Public rest rooms were easy to find,clean and seemed to be everywhere. The Gellato ice cream was just over the top, so good. I heard others complaining about the charge but well worth it I thought. Pleanty of pool chairs and towels for all who wanted one. Public seating on the pool deck was also pleantyfull.

The bad things: Too much smoking everywhere, pool deck says no cigars, but the rule isnt inforced. Amber lounge on deck 6 all smoking. Gag city as you walk thru the lounge to go to the dining room. Even the staff personell were smoking. Casino is also all smoking, like the place was on fire. Smoke everywhere. Some people had adjoining cabin rooms and the smoke odor was creeping under the adjoining room door from the smoker in the other room. When calling the front desk to report they were told that smoking was not permitted in the state rooms. Again there were rules but not enforced. The casino has 3 blackjack tables, (1) 3 card poker table and (1) carribean stud poker table, (4) roulette tables, (1) craps table and 1 poker table texas hold em no limit. The casino staff was rude and not friendly, if they dont like their job then quit. I 'am on vacation to have a good time, Dont bring my spirts down because your unhappy. In 14 days I only went to the casino 3 times. Second seating is too late as you sit down at 8 eat at 9 or 9:30 didnt get out till 10. every nite. Missed a few conflicting activities due to dining time . No adjustment was available after the 2nd day. The food was poor at best, I thought it would be just fantastic. I didnt realize Chef Boyardee was in the kitchen. The Aldente pasta was spot on for the way Italians like there pasta. The snails with Cambells condensed mushroom gravy served over a potato cup was just awfull. I could not believe that a chef would actually serve that thinking it was good. The fish every nite was overcooked dry and tasteless. The pasta and spinach cheese wrap was very good. Lobster nite ,the Lobsters were overcooked. I think we the 2nd seating got alot of the first seatings over runs so our food tended to be overcooked. The best food is the pool deck cafeteria style. Overall food, Typical family restaurant food. OK not great without alot of creativity. I am an accomplished cook and could do better than that. New York Italian people are too loud and tend to think everyone around them is interested in what they have to say. One Italian family of 6 was seated 7 tables away from me and I could hear there entire conversation. We even had one idiot play a drum in the hallway at 2:00 am. Security took the drum away. Way to many children without any parental supervision. I watched 2 young girls approx. 6 and 8 put (6) apples and (8) pineapple rings each on their plate. Then watched the food attendent make presentable the fruit tray for others, after the girls messed it up. Their mothers just sat there and watched. Where do these people come from? Another screaming baby in the dining room at breakfest as the mother held the child over her head ane tossed her into the air a little. Well that didnt work so they just passed the kid around till it stopped crying. The music out on the pool deck is loud, the kids running around are louder and the Italians trying to find each other are the loudest. The music in the disco I expected to be loud and boy was it. We walked in and out before the door closed. We went to 2 shows the Magic show and the Opera. The Magic show was so lame and hokey we walked out. The Opera was better and stayed thru till the end. However, far below the standard for other cruise lines. The ports were ok as predicted. I should have payed more attention to our port arrival and departure times. We didnt arrive till late or early afternoon at some ports. limiting time there. After 14 days of Broken English of Italian decent, Loud adults and more kids than the Disney Line, I had enough. In summary If you travel with children, are looking for a low cost cruise line, enjoy so so food, are happy with loud music, rude guests that butt in front of you in food line, are a smoker, and enjoy the fowl smell of second hand smoke,in the common meeting areas, as well as loud New York Italians, then the MSC line is your perfect choice. The old saying : You get what you paid for. How true.

 

You clearly have disdain for Italians. Why would you even consider an Italian cruise line for your vacation???? You set yourself up for disappointment.

[babygirl722]

The Orchestra should change its name to the Hurricane, Exciting at first but ends in disaster.

The good things: Well appointed state rooms. Nice towels, changed twice a day, In room safe. Comfortable furniture. The ship is absoultly beautiful, very tastefully decorated with an abundance of lounges and bars with nitches to socalize. The cocktail and or wine package is a bargin. All of the staff seemed really nice and helpfull most of the time. Public rest rooms were easy to find,clean and seemed to be everywhere. The Gellato ice cream was just over the top, so good. I heard others complaining about the charge but well worth it I thought. Pleanty of pool chairs and towels for all who wanted one. Public seating on the pool deck was also pleantyfull.

The bad things: Too much smoking everywhere, pool deck says no cigars, but the rule isnt inforced. Amber lounge on deck 6 all smoking. Gag city as you walk thru the lounge to go to the dining room. Even the staff personell were smoking. Casino is also all smoking, like the place was on fire. Smoke everywhere. Some people had adjoining cabin rooms and the smoke odor was creeping under the adjoining room door from the smoker in the other room. When calling the front desk to report they were told that smoking was not permitted in the state rooms. Again there were rules but not enforced. The casino has 3 blackjack tables, (1) 3 card poker table and (1) carribean stud poker table, (4) roulette tables, (1) craps table and 1 poker table texas hold em no limit. The casino staff was rude and not friendly, if they dont like their job then quit. I 'am on vacation to have a good time, Dont bring my spirts down because your unhappy. In 14 days I only went to the casino 3 times. Second seating is too late as you sit down at 8 eat at 9 or 9:30 didnt get out till 10. every nite. Missed a few conflicting activities due to dining time . No adjustment was available after the 2nd day. The food was poor at best, I thought it would be just fantastic. I didnt realize Chef Boyardee was in the kitchen. The Aldente pasta was spot on for the way Italians like there pasta. The snails with Cambells condensed mushroom gravy served over a potato cup was just awfull. I could not believe that a chef would actually serve that thinking it was good. The fish every nite was overcooked dry and tasteless. The pasta and spinach cheese wrap was very good. Lobster nite ,the Lobsters were overcooked. I think we the 2nd seating got alot of the first seatings over runs so our food tended to be overcooked. The best food is the pool deck cafeteria style. Overall food, Typical family restaurant food. OK not great without alot of creativity. I am an accomplished cook and could do better than that. New York Italian people are too loud and tend to think everyone around them is interested in what they have to say. One Italian family of 6 was seated 7 tables away from me and I could hear there entire conversation. We even had one idiot play a drum in the hallway at 2:00 am. Security took the drum away. Way to many children without any parental supervision. I watched 2 young girls approx. 6 and 8 put (6) apples and (8) pineapple rings each on their plate. Then watched the food attendent make presentable the fruit tray for others, after the girls messed it up. Their mothers just sat there and watched. Where do these people come from? Another screaming baby in the dining room at breakfest as the mother held the child over her head ane tossed her into the air a little. Well that didnt work so they just passed the kid around till it stopped crying. The music out on the pool deck is loud, the kids running around are louder and the Italians trying to find each other are the loudest. The music in the disco I expected to be loud and boy was it. We walked in and out before the door closed. We went to 2 shows the Magic show and the Opera. The Magic show was so lame and hokey we walked out. The Opera was better and stayed thru till the end. However, far below the standard for other cruise lines. The ports were ok as predicted. I should have payed more attention to our port arrival and departure times. We didnt arrive till late or early afternoon at some ports. limiting time there. After 14 days of Broken English of Italian decent, Loud adults and more kids than the Disney Line, I had enough. In summary If you travel with children, are looking for a low cost cruise line, enjoy so so food, are happy with loud music, rude guests that butt in front of you in food line, are a smoker, and enjoy the fowl smell of second hand smoke,in the common meeting areas, as well as loud New York Italians, then the MSC line is your perfect choice. The old saying : You get what you paid for. How true.

 

Sorry that you didn't enjoy yourself. As you know, I was on the same ship during the same time and had a COMPLETELY different experience. I enjoyed the Italian "flavor" of the ship, both from its passengers and crew. I am not a smoker and hate smoke, so I simply avoided the smoking areas. As to the overcooked food, if something wasn't prepared properly, I sent it back. The lobsters are a perfect example - the first tail was way overcooked. I told the waiter so and asked for one that wasn't.

[parisienneatheart]

just couldn't help to make a comment about "chef boyardee" was in the kitchen. i went to italy last year, and felt like everything there tasted just like chef boyardee and have told people numerous times that chef boyardee ought to claim that they are authentic italian b/c that is how it tasted to me as well. so, the ship's cuisine must be right on with italian standards. i had to laugh when i saw that you also thought of chef boyardee.

[WhoDat]

The Orchestra should change its name to the Hurricane, Exciting at first but ends in disaster.

The good things: Well appointed state rooms. Nice towels, changed twice a day, In room safe. Comfortable furniture. The ship is absoultly beautiful, very tastefully decorated with an abundance of lounges and bars with nitches to socalize. The cocktail and or wine package is a bargin. All of the staff seemed really nice and helpfull most of the time. Public rest rooms were easy to find,clean and seemed to be everywhere. The Gellato ice cream was just over the top, so good. I heard others complaining about the charge but well worth it I thought. Pleanty of pool chairs and towels for all who wanted one. Public seating on the pool deck was also pleantyfull.

The bad things: Too much smoking everywhere, pool deck says no cigars, but the rule isnt inforced. Amber lounge on deck 6 all smoking. Gag city as you walk thru the lounge to go to the dining room. Even the staff personell were smoking. Casino is also all smoking, like the place was on fire. Smoke everywhere. Some people had adjoining cabin rooms and the smoke odor was creeping under the adjoining room door from the smoker in the other room. When calling the front desk to report they were told that smoking was not permitted in the state rooms. Again there were rules but not enforced. The casino has 3 blackjack tables, (1) 3 card poker table and (1) carribean stud poker table, (4) roulette tables, (1) craps table and 1 poker table texas hold em no limit. The casino staff was rude and not friendly, if they dont like their job then quit. I 'am on vacation to have a good time, Dont bring my spirts down because your unhappy. In 14 days I only went to the casino 3 times. Second seating is too late as you sit down at 8 eat at 9 or 9:30 didnt get out till 10. every nite. Missed a few conflicting activities due to dining time . No adjustment was available after the 2nd day. The food was poor at best, I thought it would be just fantastic. I didnt realize Chef Boyardee was in the kitchen. The Aldente pasta was spot on for the way Italians like there pasta. The snails with Cambells condensed mushroom gravy served over a potato cup was just awfull. I could not believe that a chef would actually serve that thinking it was good. The fish every nite was overcooked dry and tasteless. The pasta and spinach cheese wrap was very good. Lobster nite ,the Lobsters were overcooked. I think we the 2nd seating got alot of the first seatings over runs so our food tended to be overcooked. The best food is the pool deck cafeteria style. Overall food, Typical family restaurant food. OK not great without alot of creativity. I am an accomplished cook and could do better than that. New York Italian people are too loud and tend to think everyone around them is interested in what they have to say. One Italian family of 6 was seated 7 tables away from me and I could hear there entire conversation. We even had one idiot play a drum in the hallway at 2:00 am. Security took the drum away. Way to many children without any parental supervision. I watched 2 young girls approx. 6 and 8 put (6) apples and (8) pineapple rings each on their plate. Then watched the food attendent make presentable the fruit tray for others, after the girls messed it up. Their mothers just sat there and watched. Where do these people come from? Another screaming baby in the dining room at breakfest as the mother held the child over her head ane tossed her into the air a little. Well that didnt work so they just passed the kid around till it stopped crying. The music out on the pool deck is loud, the kids running around are louder and the Italians trying to find each other are the loudest. The music in the disco I expected to be loud and boy was it. We walked in and out before the door closed. We went to 2 shows the Magic show and the Opera. The Magic show was so lame and hokey we walked out. The Opera was better and stayed thru till the end. However, far below the standard for other cruise lines. The ports were ok as predicted. I should have payed more attention to our port arrival and departure times. We didnt arrive till late or early afternoon at some ports. limiting time there. After 14 days of Broken English of Italian decent, Loud adults and more kids than the Disney Line, I had enough. In summary If you travel with children, are looking for a low cost cruise line, enjoy so so food, are happy with loud music, rude guests that butt in front of you in food line, are a smoker, and enjoy the fowl smell of second hand smoke,in the common meeting areas, as well as loud New York Italians, then the MSC line is your perfect choice. The old saying : You get what you paid for. How true.

 

Thanks for your honest review!

 

I agree, you get what you pay for - the value vs quality. Guess some of us who cruise alot have gotten too use to the other lines, that when a new and different type line arrives, we automatically expect it to be similar.

 

And also for Praise... The "chef boyardee" comments were funny. Thanks for making me laugh! LOL!:D