Beautiful but never again

Item: MSC Meraviglia
Rating: 2.9
Author: Ryujin

MSC Meraviglia Cruise Review to Caribbean - Bahamas

Ryujin

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 13

Overall rating:

2.9 out of 5

Verified Review

7 Night Caribbean & Bahamas (New York Roundtrip)

Sail date: August 11, 2024

Ship: MSC Meraviglia

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: GUA

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 3 months ago

Review summary

Unfortunately, I cannot recommend MSC Meraviglia. As a frequent cruiser, simple processes were very unorganized. Little signage, bad queues, and poor communication skills. Needs more staff or less people. The buffet is not designed to encourage flow of people; cups, silverware, and beverages were constantly out of stock. Fewer wait staff walking around to guests and the bars need more staff, dedicated runners or better queue management. For a 2017 ship, it seems dated, dingy and not cared for. Worst part, we checked in 2 luggages, only 1 made it. Spent first 2 days constantly checking in with Customer "Service". Only received emergency pack with cheap toothbrush, razor & too small tshirt. They were not compassionate, knowledgeable or forthcoming with how to continue a 7 day cruise with no clothes, deodorant, socks or toiletries. We finally got someone to confirm they cannot locate the luggage and we will be receiving $50 credit to spend at overpriced shops on board. If you think $50 would be enough to at least cover a 3 pack of underwear, you'd be wrong.

Embarkation

1 out of 5

Checked in 2 Luggages, Only 1 made it to the Room, the other has been lost

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

Food was good, fresh pizza dough & mozzarella, but the layout of the buffet created congestion, and not enough staff to assist in restocking the cups, silverware, juices, etc

Onboard Activities

1 out of 5

Trivia is my favorite cruise activity, second trivia she duplicated the questions from the first time. A number of people stated this and she continued anyway. There was no others for the rest of the cruise.

Entertainment

4 out of 5

Service and Staff

1 out of 5

Going to the bar for coffee or a drink was hectic. No organized line, and staff would just pick at random who to serve next.

Ship Quality

3 out of 5

For a 2017 ship, it did not seem as well maintained as you would think.

Cabin / Stateroom

4 out of 5

Be wary if you're tall, the shower stall is very short

Ship tip

If you lose a guest's luggage, have a proper policy in place to assist that passenger. Giving them $50 on board credit to buy overpriced deodorant is not a solution.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Brooklyn, New York

1 out of 5

Port Canaveral, Florida

3 out of 5

Nassau, Bahamas

5 out of 5

Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, Bahamas

5 out of 5

Disembarkation

1 out of 5

Having all walk off guests leave at the same time causes a huge crowd and long wait. It should be staggered, even for walk offs with their luggage

11 Comments

Cruisers4Lyfe 1 month ago

Thanks for sharing

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

JANDB1988 3 months ago

We just sailed on her in May and cannot believe she looked outdated and dingy as you described. The ship was being cleaned constantly and was sparkling clean.

Thumbs Up 1

Flag

outtoseapatty 3 months ago

So sorry about luggage. Did you ever recover it to this day? I loved Meraviglia. I think the luggage issue got you off to a terrible start.

Thumbs Up 1

Flag

Gwbigdog 3 months ago

Oops sorry thanks

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

Skooby 3 months ago

Too bad about your lost luggage. The port authority is responsible for luggage, unfortunately. Several months ago an entire trolley containing suitcases accidentally fell into the water and some were lost for good. The ones that floated were easy to recover. Those were Cunard Queen Mary 2 passengers with evening gowns and tuxedos.😲

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

AuntPinkie 3 months ago

Appreciate your feedback. Sorry your luggage was lost.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

TheVegasSphere 3 months ago

It is bizarre how everyone goes to the right in the buffet on most ships. On the Meriviglia they serve the same food on the left hand side. You can skip most of the buffet crowds by just going to the left and the back. But unless something has badly changed, we found the ship to be spotless. Regarding the luggage, to be fair, the port is horribly managed and it is very likely your suitcase never made it to the ship. MSC has no control over that.

Thumbs Up 3

Flag

cruising2004 3 months ago

Sorry you were disappointed with your cruise.

Thumbs Up 1

Flag

javawoody 3 months ago

Appreciate your view

Thumbs Up 1

Flag

Gigimartravel 3 months ago

What?? I love that ship! I can't say enough good things about it. Just because you had a few hiccups doesn't mean it's a bad ship. It's basically my home ship now.

Thumbs Up 1

Flag

HeavySeas 3 months ago

Thanks for sharing your cruise experience

Thumbs Up 1

Flag

Other reviews of this sailing

Pleasant surprise