MSC Poesia

[Laura3762]

Has anyone been on the MSC Poesia caribbean cruise leaving from Ft. Lauderdale? What is it like? and is it fun. We have cruised with Carnival twice and were wondering what the difference between the two are. We also read that no jeans in public areas after 6:00pm. Is this true? Planning on booking cruise within the next couple of days and would like some feedback from anyone that has been on this cruise. Thanks

[arf2005]

Has anyone been on the MSC Poesia caribbean cruise leaving from Ft. Lauderdale? What is it like? and is it fun. We have cruised with Carnival twice and were wondering what the difference between the two are. We also read that no jeans in public areas after 6:00pm. Is this true? Planning on booking cruise within the next couple of days and would like some feedback from anyone that has been on this cruise. Thanks

 

We specifically asked this question since we are also new to MSC (we've only cruised with Carnival). We were told the dress code is not enforced except in the dining room and theatre, and even there you can pretty much wear anything as long as it's not a swim suit.

[AmoMondo]

You will need to look at either reviews of the Poesia in europe as it has not been to the Caribbean yet or the Orchestra (pretty similar ship) in the caribbean.

 

I would say that if carnival and fun is what you want from a cruise, then MSC is probably not for you - it is very different.I like it but would loathe being on a Carnival ship. A lot of people who really do enjoy carnival find MSc doesn't have enough activities or party atmosphere. It is best suited to those who like thisngs quieter and like to amuse themselves rather than have lots of contstant activities and noise.

[camofwilliamsburg]

Did Orchestra in the Caribbean and LOVED it so much we are booked for Poesia on Nov 30, out of fll for 10 glorious nights. If you love the loudness of CCL then maybe MSC is not for you. IF you love beauty in a ship then maybe it is for you. The staff is gracious and do not bother you. Around the pool there is bar service but not asking you for drink order every few minutes. The shows are beyond FANTASTIC. best we have seen in 14 cruises. We have cruised CCL, RCI, X and MSC. If you love laid back but fun atmosphere then maybe it is for you. The ships are very clean... environmentally friendly and totally wonderful. There is not food or drinks allowed in the main theater for the nightly shows... it is a class act. The dress code was relaxed except on Formal nights. Other than that it was resort casual..many people were in capris. Best gelato on board...cheap too. But people complained about having to buy that. Hey RCI charges a small fortune for Ben and Jerry ice cream and people are buying that. This is worlds apart from Ben and Jerry...this was REAL Gelato. I heard after our Orchestra cruise they had free soft serve ice cream, so maybe they would do the same for Poesia. Also, there is full court tennis, mini golf, full screen movie for outside viewing. We had a blast. Any other questions, just ask....

[mommy_of_3]

Did Orchestra in the Caribbean and LOVED it so much we are booked for Poesia on Nov 30, out of fll for 10 glorious nights. If you love the loudness of CCL then maybe MSC is not for you. IF you love beauty in a ship then maybe it is for you. The staff is gracious and do not bother you. Around the pool there is bar service but not asking you for drink order every few minutes. The shows are beyond FANTASTIC. best we have seen in 14 cruises. We have cruised CCL, RCI, X and MSC. If you love laid back but fun atmosphere then maybe it is for you. The ships are very clean... environmentally friendly and totally wonderful. There is not food or drinks allowed in the main theater for the nightly shows... it is a class act. The dress code was relaxed except on Formal nights. Other than that it was resort casual..many people were in capris. Best gelato on board...cheap too. But people complained about having to buy that. Hey RCI charges a small fortune for Ben and Jerry ice cream and people are buying that. This is worlds apart from Ben and Jerry...this was REAL Gelato. I heard after our Orchestra cruise they had free soft serve ice cream, so maybe they would do the same for Poesia. Also, there is full court tennis, mini golf, full screen movie for outside viewing. We had a blast. Any other questions, just ask....

 

I totally agree with this. This was my family's first cruise, and we LOVED it!! We booked again for next year on the Poesia. The shows were excellent, and yes, the Gelato was delicious. It was a very laid back and relaxing time for all of us. The ship was beautiful and always kept clean. We can't wait until April!!

[Nauti Nancy]

Booked on MSC Poesia for Big Band Cruise Dec10-20. Interested in chatting with others booked on same cruise.

Nauti Nancy

[camofwilliamsburg]

I am going the cruise before you, Poesia, Nov 30-Dec 10. Email me at camofwmbg@yahoo.com and we can share info about travel.

[island57]

We are looking at this cruise and my interest is peaked by nauti nancy's comment that this is a Big Band Cruise. Can you tell us more? I have not seen this particular cruise described this way. Where can I go to learn more details?

[island57]

we are interested in this cruise but did not know it has a Big Band Theme. What more can you tell me about that and where can I go to find out details?

[MonaM123]

Me too! We are booked on the Nov 20th cruise too. Do you have any information about the ports? Pls see the MSC roll call forum, and join the Nov20th post if you haven't done that yet.

[camofwilliamsburg]

I specifically stayed away from the big band cruise and opted for the one before on Nov 30 . I felt I did not want to be on board with such a large group. I think you will have lots of big band music... that is fun to dance to, but for 10 days? I felt their entertainment was so wonderful I did not want to trade it in for 10 days of big band. If anyone wants to talk about groups in more detail, I was on the Orchestra with a group.... but I do not want to gossip here. I did find out that a group of Jazz musicians will be doing the cruise with us on Nov 30 , enough to hear one concert only I hope and maybe some lounge stuff. But I loved all the different dance music in all the lounges and would not want it to be all one type.

[Toni12345]

I totally agree with this. This was my family's first cruise, and we LOVED it!! We booked again for next year on the Poesia. The shows were excellent, and yes, the Gelato was delicious. It was a very laid back and relaxing time for all of us. The ship was beautiful and always kept clean. We can't wait until April!!

 

 

Looking to go 4/3/10 please let me know what you thought of the food and if smoking is an issue. I heard people smoke all over ship... Thanks

[camofwilliamsburg]

We heard the same about Orchestra. maybe in the med but not in the Caribbean. i felt it was very smoke free. The lounges were no smoking except one of them.

[mommy_of_3]

Looking to go 4/3/10 please let me know what you thought of the food and if smoking is an issue. I heard people smoke all over ship... Thanks

 

We will be going the week after. As for the smoking, it was never an issue. My youngest son has asthma, and he was not affected by any smoke. I don't even recall seeing anyone smoking. Let me say this about the food-there were some dishes that were outstanding-but there were also some that I wouldn't even try-frog legs, for example. The buffet at breakfast and lunch were amazing. The cold soups in the dining room were delicious!! We especially enjoyed the Strawberry Soup. We don't care much for seafood, so I can't comment on how the lobster was, but the Prime Rib was out of this world!! My oldest son is one of the pickiest eaters known to man, and not once did he walk away from any meal hungry. It's all what you make of it, and hey, I didn't have to cook or wash a dish for 7 straight days-that was a little piece of heaven for me! You will have a great time!!

[camofwilliamsburg]

The fresh fruit, do you remember how amazing that was: we got fresh papaya. I have only gotten unripe fruit on other lines. And the avocado in the salad! Do you remember the chicken wings at the lunch buffet with that delicious sauce! YUMMY! We ate mostly in the dining room and the lunches were great. I especially recall the lamb skewer...totally the best lamb I ever had on any cruise! We are doing Nov 30... and I love big band music to dance to, but in all honesty I did not want to have to only have that type of music so I stayed away from that cruise. Also, I read earlier that you were only admitted into special shows when you booked directly with a special agent who was running this big band thing. Any truth to this? If anyone is thinking of cruising on NOv 30, contact me. WOuld love to swap travel with you.

[AmoMondo]

camofwilliamsburg, you are right about only those that have booked for the big band cruise through the special agenct being allowed in to all the events. They pay extra over and above the normal cruise price for this. Don't think it is a good idea to go on this type of cruise unless you are part of the big group, otherwise you'll find your entertainment choices ssomewhat limited compared to a normal cruise as a lot of the lounges will be taken up by the events. Think you made the right decision there going for a different week

[camofwilliamsburg]

Thanks for that vote of confidence. MSC has such fantastic entertainment I would not want to give any of that up for any one genre of music.

[katiel53]

Cam,

I am interested in going on an MSC cruise to the Caribbean. Were there a lot of kids on your cruise? I think I have read that on many MSC cruises kids sail free or very low priced.

 

Is the casino a good size? Can shorts (men's dress shorts) be worn at dinner? If you would rather I email you to ask you questions, I can certainly do so.

 

Thanks for your help.

[awesome1294]

hi guys

i was just about to book a Carnival cruise until i saw a similar price one with MSC..My kids are 15 and 7 and i don't really want the party type cruise..Do you think there is enough to keep the kids occupied on the poesia..

Many thanks

[camofwilliamsburg]

Yes You can email me. Feel free! Include when you are thinking of going... the cruise makes a big difference as to kids club too.

[boca7]

I sailed MSC 5 times & enjoyed every one, once on Carnival was enough for me, it was so annoying sitting on deck being constantly asked to buy a drink, please i`m reading leave me alone. The costant parade of fellow guests with there beer buckets screaming & being obnoxious. I`m no prude & I do like my liquor but please this is overdone. As far as evening entertainment I was very diasappointed with Carnival, we love to go nightclubing, the only decent lounge to go to the smoking was so heavy & the lounge semi enclosed it was impoosible to breathe. I~m in awe why anyone likes Carnival.

[camofwilliamsburg]

I agree again. We left CCL about 8 yrs ago after 3 cruises and went to RCI and now I just love MSC. I have some info for you Boca that will take up too much room here and cannot be scanned. Email me Boca. My cousins live in Boca too, and my nephew is a cop in ft Lauderdale area....

[AmoMondo]

Boca - just being docked along side a Carnival ship was enough for me - it was so unbelievably noisy. Dont need to go on it to know I'd just hate it!

[camofwilliamsburg]

Although MSC does not do a sail away party per say, we had more fun sailing away on our Orchestra cruise out of Ft Lauderdale than on any other of our other cruises on CCL (3), RCI (8), X (1). They were playing music at the pool and the entertainment group were out there getting people to play games, and their was fun going on...

Boca, email me....

[TNGALOHA]

I have to agree with ya'll about Carnival. I get really tired of the massive amounts of smoke everywhere on the ship, the pushy bar people and of course the unruly, nasty, drunken people on these party ships.

I go on a cruise to relax and enjoy not to be asked every 2 minutes if I want a drink. That is why we keep coming back to MSC. No pushy bar people and it seems to have a whole different class of people on it. Not the ones that start partying the minute they get on the ship and are still drunk when they get off!!!!!!

Msc has such beautiful ships with the marble floors and marble counters and real wood used in the ship. Not the plastic stuff used on Carnival ships.

Even the crew seems to take so much better care of the ships on MSC then they do on CCL. You will always find the crew cleanning on MSC very seldom on CCL. In fact on our last 3 day cruise on CCL we didn't see a single person outside of the dining areas cleaning on the ship and 2 of the 4 elevators in the aft area quit working right after we got on the ship and quit shortly after that but were miracously working the morning we disembarked. (they worked for the crew to load and unload the luggage only)

There really can't be enough good things said about MSC. It is by far one of the finest cruise lines around. They really take care of the guests and I for one can't wait to be on the Poesia in Dec.;)

We are so excited about the MSC Poesia coming to the Carribean.