I will never cruise with this line again. Their communication is poor. The captain (Cpt. Pietro) never showed his faced. While at sea, our Cuba port got cancelled due to new regulations by Trump administration, and the communication was poor, inconsiderate, and the Captain delegated to other crew members to deal with the issue. Other cruise lines (i.e. Royal Caribbean) offered ½ cruise credit. This company said they will give us $200 dollars as a "favor". They substituted the 2 days at Cuba with one extra day at sea and Key West. When the passenger pressed them, they increased the $200 dollars to $400, but MUST BE USED WHILE IN THE CRUISED! I understood that the Cuba cancellation was beyond their control, but they could have provided better communication and the Captain should have had the courage to face the passengers. They could have stayed at Cozumel an extra day and bring a Mariachi band on board. I made the recommendation to Carlos, the Assistant Cruise director, but nothing! They said Cozumel was full the following day. What not sail at 2:00 a.m. after bringing some additional fun to the vessel? They said it costed them more to go Key West! That is not the passenger's fault. There were other options. When the Cuba port got canceled, they decided to stay an extra 5 hours in Cozumel. I went to the excursions counter and asked if the excursion to Excaret could be three hours longer. The answer: NO! They weren't concerned about the passenger's experience. They could have done better. I will never recommend MSC!
Embarkation
2 out of 5
Nothing outstanding. I believe Europe was better organized.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
1 out of 5
When I compare to Celebrity, the buffet was small, without any variety (same food every day). It was difficult to find tables. The formal dining had better service, although the fish and meats were always overcooked. The lobster dinner was a joke (they took the tail and slitted it in about three pieces). The waiter had too many tables, and he always was in a rush. I asked for a pillow for may wife's back (lumbar support) and was told it was not possible. (Celebrity brought it without even asking). The waiter never learned our names! We ordered a cake for my mother's 80th birthday and they lost the order (they pulled me aside and the assistant manager prepared one in a rush).
Onboard Activities
1 out of 5
Pools were small (two of them) and they were deep, having few guess swim in them. The fitness room was small and you had to wait to be able to secure a machine (i.e. only two elliptical for over 2,000 guests).
Entertainment
2 out of 5
The shows were performed by the same crew members. The show was always singing and dancing, and a little acrobatics as part of the "show". Celebrity always brought outside performers to compliment their crew cast and it included magicians, acrobats, and circus acts. Very disappointing! The only reason I give it a two stars was the Karaoke, who was crowded and energized.
Service and Staff
2 out of 5
The waiter never learned our names, even though we ate at the same table every night. He seems rush and cut you short when you tried to ask questions or explained what you wanted to eat ("yeah, yeah, yeah... just tell me and I'll take care of it" was the usual answer). The front office and excursion office did not communicate with each other. I bought some excursions at MSC website and when I embarked, I found out the dates were incorrect. I had to make a long line to make an exchanged. Also, I bought an excursion and when they printed the names, they were incorrect (both on the same name). I ask to have them corrected and they charged me again. When I checked my bill, the front desk send me back to excursions to have them make the correction. Another long line! The room steward was very friendly and helpful, but the mildew on the shower was never removed!
Ship Quality
1 out of 5
Extremely difficult layout to learn. Some of the elevators only stopped at certain floors (but no signage to let you know). May times, you needed to get out of the elevator on one floor, walk through the cabins hallway, get to a different elevator, to proceed to the top desk. The forma dinning room was split by elevators. To get to the ship's middle you needed to cross through the restaurant. It is an old ship without the comforts on newer, larger ships.
Cabin / Stateroom
1 out of 5
Compared to Celebrity, it was half the size, including the balcony. The bathroom was small and storage space was limited, although the wall above the bed head was empty (many cabinets/shelves could be installed). The bathroom is extremely small, specially the shower. I'm a big man and could hardly move in the shower. The shower had mildew and it was never removed. Th e room steward was very friendly and helpful.
There is only the seaport to do any activities. It's designed for shopping and the prices are outrageous. For example, a hammock was being sold for $100 US dollars, and I paid for the same hammock $20 US dollars at Cozumel.
Can people just be civil and respectful when talking about the change in itinerary including Cuba? As I posted on another review, I am disappointed that my upcoming cruise is switched from Cuba to Key West, just like many of you are, but I’d rather spend my money in the USA than Cuba and stand behind and support my country’s decision to not go there. I’m fortunate to be on a cruise to relax and enjoy, and will go with a positive attitude and not a “blaming our administration” one.
Sounds like cruising and maybe travel in general are not for you. You didn’t seem to enjoy much of anything. Cruise itineraries get changed for a variety of reasons and happen more often than many realize. I can’t imagine being on a cruise or vacation and letting a few issues ruin my enjoyment.
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