This was a nice getaway cruise for relaxation. If you don't know, MSC offers status match to other cruise line, hotel, and airline loyalty programs. If you have status somewhere else, make sure you apply for the status match as it can give you a couple of extra perks like specialty dining and time in the spa.
Embarkation
4 out of 5
Embarkation was fine. There were lots of people in line even though there were supposed to be assigned times, it appeared that nobody cared. We were able to board quickly due to loyalty status.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
3 out of 5
I would generously call the food okay. The main dining room fare was average at best. The specialty steak house was excellent. Service was slow even though the ship was only at 35 percent capacity.
Onboard Activities
4 out of 5
We did a dance class onboard which was good, however this was mostly a relaxation cruise for us.
Entertainment
5 out of 5
The stage shows were a delightful surprise! The singers and dancers were all excellent and the shows fit our style.
Children's Programs
No kids with us
Service and Staff
4 out of 5
This is a hard one to rate. Everyone on board was really friendly and our room steward was great. However the service in the dining room was really slow even though our waiter only had 3 tables. It could have been the kitchen staff was slow getting the food out, but it seemed to take an inordinate amount of time for everything.
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
This is where they shined. The ship is beautiful and the dome on the promenade is something to behold. You would think you were in a big hotel in Vegas if you didn't know better.
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
Cabin was big and clean, The balcony was a bit small, but big enough for the 2 of us. The design is nice, but not quite enough storage for longer cruises.
Ship tip
Be sure to bring a water bottle, especially for the day at Ocean Cay. There is no water except for bottled ($$) and a few water fountains around the restrooms.
Not a huge fan of Nassau, but we did get off and roam around a bit. A short walk form the port is the John Watlings Distillery. They have a nice little free tour and a place to sit and have a cocktail. Also have wifi there if you need it. The walk includes some uphill portions, so be aware of this before setting out.
Ocean Cay is one of the highlights. This cruise actually did an overnight stay here which allowed us extra time. They have an LED lighthouse show at night which is fun to watch from the beach. Not tons of shade except for the palm trees and they will rent you an umbrella for $13, but the island is big and it didn't feel crowded at all.
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