Voyage to SouthAfrica Nov19

MSC Orchestra Cruise Review to World Cruise

sefton

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 17

Overall rating:

3 out of 5

29 Night Msc Grand Voyages (Genoa To Durban)

Sail date: October 18, 2019

Ship: MSC Orchestra

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 15026

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 1 year ago

Review summary

Overall I was disappointed with the MSC Quality but my main issues were in the ships communication skills to clients which was very poor. Excursions very expensive and lack of knowledge and information from the excursion department left a lot to be desired. Excursion staff lack leadership and organisation attributes and at times were dismissive and rude. Waiters and Bar Staff were very engaging and polite but guest services are on the defensive as soon as you speak to them about anything and their internal communication skills between departments leaves a lot to be desired. This was my first cruise with MSC mainly due to the locations the ship was visiting but in future I would seriously reassess any cruises I would take where MSC are concerned. I have enjoyed far better quality and MSCs reputation of “The Ryan Air” of cruising seems to me to be appropriate. There was no facility on the cabin TV to view my bill hence the requirement to visit Guest Services every few days to obtain a printed copy of my updated statement to ensure my bill was correct. Pre Paid gratuities were also added to my bill and no explanation was forthcoming from Guest Services as to why they had done this even though I had already paid. If I had not pointed this out they would have expected double payment from me.

Embarkation

3 out of 5

Slightly disorganised and watch out for the Luggage handlers in Genoa who demand money for doing their services

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

Main dining areas good Buffett area crowded selection of food available poor variation of menus good but no plain food option or GI or Gluton Free

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

The Spar was adequate

Entertainment

2 out of 5

Generally poor entertainment 2 Stars at the most.

Service and Staff

4 out of 5

The waiters and bar staff were excellent with the exception of the excursion staff who were inpolite Ill informed and dismissive and had a total lacked any knowledge of excursion venues or options. Organisation and communication skills were minimal

Ship Quality

4 out of 5

Ship was very clean and easily accessible fo all areas

Cabin / Stateroom

3 out of 5

Clean but very small for the Aurea Experience other Aurea cabins were bigger location was very good near lifts and deck 15 sunbathing facilities.

Ship tip

Don’t expect top notch food or entertainment check your bill diligently as charges are added without your knowledge

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Genoa, Italy

2 out of 5

Not very enticing poor entertainment and facilities have been to better places in Italy

Thumbs Up 0

Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy

3 out of 5

Clean small town but the main reason to visit would be to go to Rome 90mins away by coach or train

Thumbs Up 0

Chania, Crete

3 out of 5

Very attractive fishing village plenty of tourist shops but all very similar.

Thumbs Up 0

Suez Canal Transit

3 out of 5

Interesting passage disrupted by previous vessels holding up the transit resulting in no time in Eilat to visit Jerusalem very disappointing

Thumbs Up 0

Eilat, Israel

2 out of 5

Small town not much happening

Thumbs Up 0

Aqaba (Petra), Jordan

5 out of 5

Aqaba was very interesting but the hehighlight would be a visit to Perta which was amazing

Thumbs Up 0

Salalah, Oman

3 out of 5

Interesting location and excursion was interesting but could have been a lot better if a bit of innovation had been applied

Thumbs Up 0

Male, Maldives

1 out of 5

Male was very disappointing no tourist facilities Mosque and Sultans Palace five minute wonders Male itself very disappointing nothing to see or do. The only option would be to visit an outlining island if you have the time.

Thumbs Up 0

Victoria, Mahe, Seychelles

4 out of 5

Excellent location and the Island of the Seychelles was the best part of the cruise with beaches and shopping excellent

Thumbs Up 0

Port Louis, Mauritius

2 out of 5

Port Louis waterfront modern and excellent but the remaining part of the city very poor. Excursion to Ille De Neuf Paradise Island a total waste of time building trucks on site facilities for changing etc third world food in the buffet had flys all over it we asked and got our money back from the excursion desk very disappointed

Thumbs Up 1

Pointe Des Galets, Reunion Island

1 out of 5

Total waste of time 8 x separate bus journeys from the ship and back for beach and shopping would not recommend

Thumbs Up 0

Durban, South Africa

2 out of 5

Did not get opportunity to review

Thumbs Up 0