Overall-- 5 out of 10
Obviously, I don’t take the above scores and average them out. Overall is the feeling I had about my MSC experience from start to finish. They had a terribly confusing check in with no signs or direction and no logical flow. Bad first impression.
My biggest complaints are these: The Aurea experience, which I paid to upgrade from their basic Bella experience, was basically Bella on coffee. Yes, the suite was grand (no balcony, but that view!). It included access to the Aurea spa, which was a great let down. The spa was full of people lacking manners or spa etiquette. They should ask guests to sign a sheet providing these tips.
I was excited having access to an exclusive area, thinking it would be great to avoid people while worrying about covid. But this experience was more like being punished than rewarded. The area called the Solarium, is on the top deck and didn’t have an inch of shade. After surviving melanoma, the sun is the last place I want to be.
Several months prior to my voyage, MSC ditched free wine at dinner. Of course, looking at reviews, I didn’t know this until long after booking. They offered free bottled water at dinner, so many left the dining room carrying extra bottles. I don’t drink more than 1 or 2 drinks a day, so it didn’t warrant paying for a drink package. It was far less expensive to pay for each drink.
I do not like a class system on cruise ships. One thing I love about cruising is feeling as if I am just as rich as anyone else on board. Sure, they may have a special dining room for the elite. But I am used to sauna access and a view over the bow with my fare, without paying extra. And I can’t stand being nickled and dimed. A cruise should be all-inclusive. In taking away the free 1 hour spa treatment, the free wine with dinner, and offering the terrible Solarium, they are squeezing out the middle class. I would be better off with the Bella experience and paying for the extras. But that’s not all-inclusive. There is little that made the Aurea experience worth it, even with a glorious suite.
This sailing was enjoyable and I do not regret any of it. I simply wish MSC offered a little more value. Bring back wine at dinner. Include 2 servings of gelato. Something. Anything. Add some actual value. Most like to be pampered and made to feel special, but can’t afford thousands more for the Yacht Club.
Embarkation
3 out of 5
Check in at Embarkation-- 4 out of 10
I arrived at the port in Rio de Janiero. At drop off, a porter took my bags and led me to the furthest building. After tipping, I was directed to the next area. The next area was not for cruise passengers; they instructed me to continue to the next building. This was to inspect medical documents. Then to a booth for another covid test before waiting in a seating area for results.
The results came in 10 minutes. A woman with a very thick accent said something where the only word I understood was ‘two’. She must mean group 2, so I returned to my seat. There were 20 others seated there. I logged onto the port’s wifi and next thing I knew, it was half an hour later and I was alone. Two meant building 2, and I could have left half an hour sooner. Maybe had I realized I was in building 3, the 2 could have had a different meaning.
Building 2 had no signs to direct passengers. Using past cruise experience, I figured out where I should get in line, which was again, the furthest area possible from the entrance. The exit to get on board was back at the entrance of the building. Why the room wasn’t arranged with a flow was asked by many. It could have easily been rearranged.
Checking in was difficult. Nice woman, no English. She used her phone app in attempt to communicate. There were many papers she wanted to see. I was given a card with a 5 on it. I was the 5th group called. I boarded an hour later than expected; my Aurea experience upgrade did not offer priority boarding, as expected.
The entire process was confusing and disjointed. The room was too warm. At least I was now extremely eager to get on board.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
5 out of 5
Food-- 10 out of 10
Phenomenal food. We used our 2 dining experiences for lunch instead of dinner. Every dinner in the main dining room was delicious. Order as many appetizers, mains or deserts as you want. We were disappointed that they did not enforce the dress code on formal night, allowing flip flops and shorts.
The buffet was better than expected. The food varied widely, including a vegetarian zone. In the back was the best kept secret...daily dishes from the far east. One day was Indian. The next Philippines. Then Chinese. Fan-freaking-tastic, using actual heat. One dish was almost too spicy for me.
No more pizzeria on deck, but pizza is available in the buffet at lunch and nearly all day until late night. I still say MSC has the best pizza at sea. No Parmesan cheese (there is a bit near the pasta, but it was often empty). At lunch I sampled a bite of each pasta daily, always wonderful and fresh. There was always a crowd dining late night.
The hot dogs and burgers were the worst of any cruise. They didn’t appear to use real meat. It was soft, like biting into a sponge. The rest of the buffet is fantastic, so for 2 weeks, did without a burger.
The dining “experience” is not with the chef or any ship officers. It’s simply a meal in 1 of 2 specialty restaurants. The steakhouse was nice, with good food, but not worth $25, considering how good the food was in the MDR. The sushi restaurant was a waste of time and space. Skip it.
El Diraldo Piano Bar
4 out of 5
Loved the art deco here, and fantastic music bt 2 talented musicians, but the cigarette smoke from the casino down the main staircase drove me out at night.
The Golden Lobster
5 out of 5
Food-- 10 out of 10Phenomenal food. We used our 2 dining experiences for lunch instead of dinner. Every dinner in the main dining room was delicious. Order as many appetizers, mains or deserts as you want. We were disappointed that they did not enforce the dress code on formal night, allowing flip flops and shorts.The buffet was better than expected. The food varied widely, including a vegetarian zone. In the back was the best kept secret...daily dishes from the far east. One day was Indian. The next Philippines. Then Chinese. Fan-freaking-tastic, using actual heat. One dish was almost too spicy for me.No more pizzeria on deck, but pizza is available in the buffet at lunch and nearly all day until late night. I still say MSC has the best pizza at sea. No Parmesan cheese (there is a bit near the pasta, but it was often empty). At lunch I sampled a bite of each pasta daily, always wonderful and fresh. There was always a crowd dining late night.The hot dogs and burgers were the worst of any cruise. They didn’t appear to use real meat. It was soft, like biting into a sponge. The rest of the buffet is fantastic, so for 2 weeks, did without a burger.The dining “experience” is not with the chef or any ship officers. It’s simply a meal in 1 of 2 specialty restaurants. The steakhouse was nice, with good food, but not worth $25, considering how good the food was in the MDR. The sushi restaurant was a waste of time and space. Skip it.
Onboard Activities
5 out of 5
Whirlpool Bath
2 out of 5
Miserable experience with guests lacking decorum, manners, and common sense. Loud, crowded, no slippers or robes, poor sanitation.
Millineum Star Casino
1 out of 5
Too much damn smoke.
Entertainment
5 out of 5
Entertainment-- 10 out of 10
I am amazed at the amount of quality entertainment. From lounge acts to big production shows on the main stage, there was real talent on board. The big production shows were among the best I’ve seen. Each lounge had a featured singer/band, and in many cases two. The El Dorado had a great piano player playing hits from the 70s and 80s. During his break, a guy played guitar and really wowed the crowd with unique renditions of popular songs (Dire Straits, Pink Floyd, Eric Clapton).
Sailing from and to Portuguese countries, MSC peppered the place with bands appealing to the Portuguese crowd. They also made those who didn’t speak the language feel a part of the audience. Well done.
The cruise staff were engaging and fun, leading entertainment events by the pool, such as trivia, dance lessons, etc. They were personable and present in the lobby of the main stage each night greeting guests. Often, they knew nothing of the night’s show. The cruise director was rarely seen meeting guests, unlike nearly every cruise I’ve taken in 20 years. He was funny and entertaining on stage, as was his sidekick. She was much more engaging with guests. Their skill at speaking multiple languages is impressive.
The smaller acts were fantastic. A comedian had everyone in the room laughing, difficult with various cultures. Several singers delighted crowds. There was a singer many adored, but I found her voice annoying.
Service and Staff
4 out of 5
Staff-- 9 out of 10
Impeccable. For the most part. There were some who took things too seriously. You are no longer able to get a cup of ice water from the pool bar. You must purchase a bottle or go into the nearby buffet to get your own. When returning to the pool, I was told I could not leave with the cups. I spoke to a supervisor. He apologized and stated that the staff member would be instructed properly.
Leaving my suite one day, I realized I forgot my towel. I was headed to the beach at a port stop. To the man at the towel exchange table I explained this, stating that I was an Aurea level member, and asked if I could get a towel, promising to bring it back. I was told no, and had to walk back to my suite.
One of the dining experiences, I asked if I could trade the dessert for a 2nd appetizer. First guy said yes. When I sat down, I was told no. Staff meandered the ship at all hours pushing hard to up sell this steakhouse. It annoyed most.
I’m not used to being denied minor requests. Most advise that it’s against policy, but historically, they yield to make a customer happy. Not on Preziosa.
I also met some fantastic crew members. One, who worked in the shop, overheard me complaining about my Aurea experience. Concerned, he made a call. It was suggested I speak to the future cruise consultant, who might be able to enhance my experience. However, he was only available for 4 hours a day, in a noisy bar area in close proximity to passengers, and always with a line. I did express concerns to the front desk and was provided a plate of canapes (following the evening show, after I’d eaten and was about to go to bed, so they were a waste) and a bottle of champagne.
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
The Ship— 9 out of 10
Beautiful, bold and comfortable. Preziosa is a larger ship than what I prefer. Being a transatlantic and so fresh on the heels of covid, the ship was about 60% full (as best as we could estimate). It never felt crowded except for leaving the ship in port, or returning later. The buffet was also crowded because they kept half closed except at peak times. So much for social distancing.
I loved this ship. It was stately and not garish. It was lively and colorful. I appreciated the number of bar areas and how each had a distinct look. My favorite was the art deco inspired El Dorado. However, a grand staircase here leads to the casino...where people smoked. At night, the El Dorado was like a smoking section. The Green Sax was a smart bar decked in dark greens but had the main walkway right in front of the stage.
There were many bars and clubs from which to choose. So many cruise lines opt for specialty restaurants at the expense of entertainment. There were numerous specialty shops that were pleasant.
The forward pool was often covered to keep out the rain or cold. The mid ship pool was outside, with fun activities led by cruise entertainers. Many passengers held chairs empty with a towel all morning. The aft pool overlooked the stern and was popular with adults. A kids water park with water cannons and slides was aft. And the main slide, for kids of all ages, was so much fun that I went down 15 times in a row. In the forward whirlpools, guests were asked to leave after 20 minutes if there was a wait. Another positive- they were also strict with no more than 3 guests at a time.
There is no proper Promenade deck, normally, my retreat to hide from the sun during the day. No lounge chairs, and because of the lifeboats, no views. There is no public space with a view over the bow, except the gym. Only those who pay for the elite Yacht Club get to relax with this view.
The large gym had a variety of machines. Access to locker rooms and sauna/steam rooms is not included. The spa area was a miserable experience. People were loud in the relaxation area. They saved empty heated and wicker loungers with towels and then disappear into the saunas for half an hour. Others used their phones to listen to shows and such. I suspect one youth was filming others. I commented to staff, who appeared eager to investigate, but the following day the same issues occurred and when crew did walk through, nothing was said or done.
I found no areas of rust nor broken equipment, etc. The ship was in great shape and I enjoyed the refined elegance of the public spaces. It was easy to move forward and aft.
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
Cabin-- 9 out of 10
Suite 10003, overlooking the bow; large/spacious and in great shape. Lots of storage in the room, in the closet, and under the bed. The restroom was standard, with a tub and shower combo.
Much time was spent in my suite. I moved the couch facing over the bow for the floor to ceiling window views. My steward was amazing, able to accommodate special requests. She was often not seen, but always with things in order and taken care of.
Cabins have no tissues or lotion.
Ship tip
Warning, the Aurea experience had little value. They seem to be squeezing out the middle class. You might save money with Bella and adding on some extras. I wouldn't do it again unless MSC adds a few perks back.
Thanks for sharing your cruise experience. You were very detailed about your experiences and that is helpful. Sorry that your cruise did not meet all of your expectations.
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