Could Be Better

Item: MSC Melody (RETIRED) 498
Rating: 2
Author: SharonM9

MSC Melody (RETIRED) 498 Cruise Review to Europe - Western Mediterranean

SharonM9

Contributor Level: Deck Hand

Cruises: 4-6 cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 42

Overall rating:

2 out of 5

Verified Review

7 Night Western Mediterranean (Livorno Roundtrip)

Sail date: June 30, 2007

Ship: MSC Melody (RETIRED) 498

Cabin type: Suite

Traveled as: Family (young children)

Reviewed: 17 years ago

Review summary

The ship was old, but very clean. Most of the staff were very friendly. The dining staff could use some more training. The food was average. Not what I expected from an Italian cruise line. I didn't gain any weight, in fact, I lost six pounds. I think that is from all of the walking. I didn't go hungry, but I could have eaten more. I heard the same remarks from other passengers. More work needs to be done on the tours. The Tunis shopping tour was pure entrapment. The walking was unbelieveable. Buses could be waiting as you come from the ship to take you to your destination for the tours. This happened on one tour. Others we had to walk and walk before we even got to our transportation to start a tour. I will look for other cruise lines in the future.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

1 out of 5

Entertainment

1 out of 5

Very poor. I have seen high school performances much better than what I saw on the Melody.

Children's Programs

3 out of 5

Our grandchildren did enjoy Pluto's House.

Service and Staff

3 out of 5

The dining staff could improve. They were not very friendly. The last night and breakfast, they acted like they were doing us a favor to wait on us.

Ship Quality

3 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

3 out of 5

Ports of call

Naples, Italy

5 out of 5

I took the tour to Capri. Lots of walking, but a very interesting place to go. Our guide was not good. I think it may have been her first day. My husband took the Pompeii tour and he said it was fantastic. The staff on the ship discouraged anyone from taking that tour, but my husband and son said it was the best. They had lunch at a pizza parlor in Naples. Of course, they had pizza. It was made in a brick oven with wood for a fire. Walter Kronkite had eaten there and the owner was very proud of this fact. Have a pizza in Naples, that is where it all started.

Thumbs Up 0

Don't Miss: Pompeii and a pizza in Naples

St. Tropez, France

3 out of 5

Very expensive. A coke was $6.00. It is a quaint town. Lots of wealth. We rode in a carriage with a bicycle attached. We saw the harbor with many boats. If you are there, you should see it.

Thumbs Up 0

Tunis, Tunisia

3 out of 5

This was some experience. I felt like I was in a "B" grade movie drama. The trip to the market, even though one area was an entrapment, is a must. We wound through many alleys and saw many different wares for sale. I purchased a very nice leather case. It was fun bargaining with the salesman. Don't ever pay first price. Go with a group!!!

Thumbs Up 0

Don't Miss: Tunis Market

Messina, Sicily

5 out of 5

We did not take a tour with the ship. We hired a taxi which was cheaper and he was a great tour guide. He took us to Taromina, let us shop for a couple of hours and was there to pick us back up. This is a place I would definitely want to go back to.

Thumbs Up 1

Don't Miss: Taromina

Barcelona, Spain

5 out of 5

We took the city tour and it was awesome. The guide knew her information and everything went off on time. This tour gives you an overview of the city. We saw many monuments and churches.

Thumbs Up 0

Ibiza, Balearic Islands

1 out of 5

I guess if you are a party person, this is the place to be from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. We aren't party people and we went ashore at 9 a.m. and the place was dead. This was one stop they could take from the cruise.

Thumbs Up 0

Pros: The cabin service

Cons: C harging 2.50 euros for every soft drink. When there are children, it becomes very expensive. Other cruise lines have a wrist band that you can purchase for usually $25.00 and they can drink all they want. This is fountain drinks.

Could Be Better

Overall rating:

Review summary

Ship experiences

Ports of call

Recommends MSC Melody (RETIRED) 498? No.

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