Save your $$$, Time and Nerves - Avoid MSC

Item: MSC Meraviglia
Rating: 2.3
Author: Ellee2223

MSC Meraviglia Cruise Review to Caribbean - Western

Ellee2223

Contributor Level: Deck Hand

Cruises: 4-6 cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 4

Overall rating:

2.3 out of 5

12 Night Western Caribbean & Bahamas (Port Canaveral Roundtrip)

Sail date: December 18, 2022

Ship: MSC Meraviglia

Traveled as: Family (older children)

Reviewed: 1 year ago

Review summary

MSC showed no concern for their passengers with regard to overall satisfaction and value. Safety and cleanliness were the top positive areas for them but when handing over 7k for a long-awaited trip that is hard to schedule these days as it is, I'd recommend booking with a Cruise line that is consistent and wants return passengers who had a good experience. MSC will no doubt be gone soon as a vacation choice if they continue to run their company so poorly. We truly feel duped and ripped off. Beware of classic bait and switch marketing.

Embarkation

1 out of 5

Confusing and the opposite of a welcoming experience

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

2 out of 5

Good luck obtaining a watered down version of pretty much any mixed drink. Water was difficult to obtain. Bar servers were selective with who they gave attention to. Don't waste your money on the drink package. We arrived back dehydrated.

Onboard Activities

1 out of 5

We purchased the game passes but many were broken, not in service, not able to use because of wait list. If your only desire to is to spend money on shopping the overpriced jewelry, scarves, purses, and used perfume, or stay in your room and read, you'll do ok. Otherwise we spent most of our time waiting in line to deal with surprise charges on our account, luggage missing, credit unused due to cancellation of port stops, etc

Entertainment

3 out of 5

piano player was good, bar band female was horribly off-key and at one point I assumed just random staff were asked to perform. Budget (if they were paid) must've been low for entertainment.

Bowling

1 out of 5

not able to participate. Times were booked up right away. $80 sports pass NOT worth the money for the game room.

Service and Staff

3 out of 5

Salon stylist was the highlight of the trip. Ms.Yang is a gem and the best part of the cruise.

Ship Quality

4 out of 5

the ship is gorgeous and it appeared that staff were constantly cleaning

Cabin / Stateroom

2 out of 5

we upgraded but I've been in RVs that were more spacious. The room was contemporary. Bed was hard and extremely uncomfortable. Balcony was half the size of RC and Carnival

Ship tip

find and stick with the best bar server right away to get your beverages at otherwise you'll be very thirsty. Be wary of Marketplace buffet. Not the most hygienic dining experience and food choices were extremely limited. Burgers were cold. Fries were great. Pizza was good. Ice cream is a joke and pretty much nonexistent w/regard to how it's advertised. Room service will deliver half of your order or totally wrong order and never at requested time. Expect NOT to do 75% of what they advertise. Leaving the ship was a nightmare.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Costa Maya (Mahahual), Mexico

2 out of 5

Disembarkation

1 out of 5

Seriously MSC do you HATE your passengers? Express disembarkation was chaotic, traumatic, 2 hours too long, unorganized, and a legit fire hazard!

Traveler Photos

Best part of the Cruise compliments of Mother Nature

4 Comments

Saisa 1 year ago

I am confused, I was at the same Cruise, same date, we always had water and great water with drink package and if people did not pay for drink package anyhow, there were always water. Anyway, it is good to confirm that we always have a different perspective on life. Sorry you couldn’t find water 🤔

Thumbs Up 2

Flag

AuntPinkie 1 year ago

Sorry you were disappointed.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

javawoody 1 year ago

Appreciate the feedback

Thumbs Up 1

Flag

CruzeFan 1 year ago

Your experience is the complete opposite of my experience with MSC. I was on the Meraviglia and Divina this past year and had great time. I have 4 more cruises booked in 2024. I don’t know how you spent $7000 on a short cruise unless it was a family of four or more in the best yacht club suite they had. All of my sailings with MSC have averaged $ 60 per day or less per person.

Thumbs Up 9

Flag

Other reviews of this sailing

Great cruise could be improved