Christmas cruise

Once we made it through the very long line for security, there was no organization to the check in, not by deck, and no priority line for suite guests or diamond members, it was all one more long line. Upon checking in my room key could not be found. This then took extra long as they needed to verify I had a ticket! This was a new experience. I had checked in online with all of my information and no key at check in. When I was handed my new key it did not reflect my Voyager’s Club status and I was told they could not find it. Again, it was all there as I completed the online check in. I was told I would have to go to guest services upon boarding the ship to get a new key card and confirm my status.

Upon boarding, there was a long line for speciality dining reservations even for those who had already pre-purchased a dining package. We purchased an unlimited dining package online prior to sailing. Upon attempting to make reservations for the week we were notified that we could only use the package at Butcher’s Cut twice throughout the week and we couldn’t use the prepaid package for dinner on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. We have sailed on MSC previously, and have used a prepaid package on a holiday so we knew this was not a true statement. It was a deceptive attempt to upsell a special holiday meal. After a visit to guest services to confirm that we were given misinformation, we were able to book our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinners at the specialty restaurants using our unlimited package. Food is not unlimited in the specialty restaurants with a dining package; there is a tasting menu that you are required to order one starter, one main and one dessert from. Anything extra ordered in the restaurant is charged to your account. The dining staff in the speciality restaurants seemed overworked and we were consistently told they were shorthanded. It became obvious about midway through the cruise that many staff were sick as those remaining to work were masked. The buffet always has pizza available, which I do believe is the best at sea. The bar staff in the sky lounge and the tv studio were bright spots. We had the premium extra drink package and they kept our glasses full. There were other bars throughout the ship where it seemed getting drinks was a bother and bar staff was tired and overwhelmed. I am unsure why large bottles of water seemed to be difficult to get and the bar staff only wanted to give away the smaller ones.

Our older teenager was enjoying karaoke each night, and those attending seemed to be enjoying the group of teenagers that were having fun and cheering on other guests. On Day 5, the crew suddenly decided to change the rules and tell them there was a minimum age to be able to sing. This was infuriating for everyone as the venue and the experience had been so much fun all week and out of no where to create an age ruling. It did not go over well with the adults and we were able to get it corrected for the evening, but just added more stress to the week.

The broadway style shows were in the main theater were outdated and song choice was odd. We did chose not to pay to attend the cirque shows that cost extra. There were football games being shown at pool and pub with music played over them and no volume. One Sunday night NFL game was advertised to be shown at the pub and when we got there to watch on the small screens at the bar there was a live musical performer in the pub at the same time!

Aside from a handful of bartenders, the crew members were not very friendly or willing to assist. In one particular trip to guest services I was told by one agent that I was not the only with problems and that everyone had problems. I suppose that will be evident in the reviews that follow in the weeks ahead.

I did love the design of this ship. The spaces make sense and it is a beautiful ship. It was also one of the most immaculate ships I have been on as far as cleanliness.

Announcement for staterooms ready made around 2.15pm. We arrived at our cabin to find the room steward still cleaning. Again, a clear sign of the lack of communication among the crew and management. Unlike so many other cruises that we have been on there was no welcome letter, snacks or anything else to be found in the room. Absolutely nothing for diamond member status as we have found on other MSC ships and other cruise lines. We had to convince the room steward on day 2 that we should have been given robes and slippers for diamond status which he hesitantly brought. Our balcony room was standard size and was cleaned twice each day after day 1.

We were given very little information on the walk off express disembarkation. We did not even know what deck. We made a guess and found a very long line. I will say at the very least the line was well organized. Once the ship was cleared the line moved fairly quickly and it was a smooth process.