Nice boat and ports - Food substandard

Item: MSC Fantasia
Rating: 3.9
Author: stbrendan

MSC Fantasia Cruise Review to Europe - Western Mediterranean

stbrendan

Contributor Level: Deck Hand

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 24

Overall rating:

3.9 out of 5

Verified Review

Mediterranean from Barcelona

Sail date: November 18, 2023

Ship: MSC Fantasia

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 8108

Traveled as: Family (older children)

Reviewed: 11 months ago

Review summary

Nice boat and excellent staff, good ports- bad food.

Embarkation

5 out of 5

quick and efficient

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

1 out of 5

I have cruised on Princess, Royal Carribean, and Celebrity previously. MSC Fantasia was by far the worst food quality. Meats were mostly HORRIBLE - overcooked/tough/dry. On the first night, I ordered "Short Ribs in red wine sauce" - I am pretty sure I was served beef chuck, not short ribs, it was TOUGH and overcook, and the "red wine sauce" was just a brown gravy with no wine flavor. It only got slightly better than that as the week went on. Fish and chicken were reliably better than meats (beef/pork/lamb). We noticed a lot of overlap between dining room menu and buffet items - not allowing much choice between venues. Pizza was pretty good. Pasta was OK, nothing special. The dining staff were EXCELLENT. very pleasant and helpful staff. Food quality just was not there. Buffet was ok - there was usually something that was satisfying, but it was far below quality I have experienced on other cruise lines. High points of the buffet were ethnic/mediterannean corners where something with some more flavor or quality was available like manchego cheese, mozzarella balls, Indian beans/greens, etc. Burgers worse than Mcdonalds - overcooked/dried out meat patty. Even our kids noticed that the food was mediocre! We did not try and specialty restaraunts.

Onboard Activities

4 out of 5

Fitness center was good quality- equipment was high quality and clean. Pools (spas in particular) very busy -they should add a couple of spas. We played a lot of foosball (table soccer).

Entertainment

3 out of 5

Lounge musicians were pleasant, but not as good as I have experienced on other lines. Main theatre performances were similar to what you would see at a well funded junior college - far from broadway quality/low budget.

Children's Programs

our kids did not join in these activities.

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Our dining room staff and our cabin staff were excellent! We had pleasant interactions with front desk and lounge hosts as well.

Ship Quality

4 out of 5

Good overall- clean, modern, etc.

Cabin / Stateroom

4 out of 5

It was a good cabin - clean and comfortable and modern enough.