Over all not as bad as Carnival was, but worse in so many ways! MSC took over last place on my list of cruise lines. The ship was beautiful, but service was horrendous. I had someone make a comment to me that they are a European cruise line and they have different standards on guest service. Well my suggestion would be if you want to compete in an American market you better research guest service and what is expected a little harder!
Embarkation
1 out of 5
We were assigned an embarkation time of 11:30am. We arrived a little before stood in line and then were told to go up the stairs for boarding. We sat waiting for 2 hours to get on the ship. Very disorganized as people were pushing and yelling. My husband is a disabled VET and they did nothing to help him even though they were told this. I don’t suggest anyone go early even if you have an early time scheduled wait until 2:00pm to arrive! Save yourself the headache.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
1 out of 5
Food in MDR and buffet always cold! Same food everyday. No coffee creamer available early morning at the 24 hour beverage station, coffee was Luke warm everywhere on the ship, no flavored water, ice tea or fruit drinks available other than lunch or dinner time. Even with drink package if you were awake at 4am and wanted a coke they would tell you, no we are closed!
Brooklyn Cafe
2 out of 5
Located on deck 8 servicing smoking area. Constantly closing down service for private events. No service for smoking guest and told we’d have to go get our own drinks. The area outside was constantly littered with trash, empty drink glasses and full ashtrays! Very disappointing! Took forever to get drinks!
Onboard Activities
1 out of 5
There were activities?
Entertainment
3 out of 5
Went to 2 shows they were ok at best mostly recorded singing. Didn’t see any dj’s.
Children's Programs
No children traveled with us, but I do believe activities for kids were lacking due to the fact that the couple they upgraded with a child from an interior to a whirlpool suite had nothing to do with their kid because the kid ran laps in the room and the whirlpool was their person kiddie pool! We were not even able to sit on our balcony due to this kid always screaming, crying and yelling!
Service and Staff
1 out of 5
The guest relations manager had no business in the position, he was rude, and refused to even ask the people he upgraded to the room next to us to please keep their kid from running and screaming. He told us he didn’t want to upset them! His solution was to move us to a room that was smaller and with a smaller balcony! Excuse me I paid full price! When I asked him if there was anything else he could do since we did not want to move he stated “NO I made you an offer and you did not COMPLY” yeah sorry wrong word to use! The front desk gentleman when I asked about finding a beverage or cream for my coffee looked at me like I had 4 heads and told me to order room service but there will be a charge! Ummm I have a drink package (and not bottom drink package for that matter) and was told everything was closed! Except water or black coffee and hot black tea! Never had this happen on any other cruise line!
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
Ship was beautiful and clean, service was horrendous!
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
I choose this cabin for the extra space it provides in the cabin as well as the balcony! But couldn’t enjoy it because of the screaming, crying, running back and forth kid they put next to us when they upgraded his family!
Ship tip
I wouldn’t advise anyone to sail on MSC. Only way they are changing my mind is to make up for how poorly we were treated! Wouldn’t mind so much had we received a sorry what can we do to make it better, instead of being told we were given and offer and didn’t comply! We paid over $2,000 to be treated like we paid $600!
Beautiful island crystal clear water. Service on the island was horrible. People using chairs as foot rest, no beverage servers, long lines for drinks, no towels that we could find.
Ok arrived at 5pm, found a place for dinner, it was ok, it started to rain sidewalks and streets very slick and almost busted my ankle walking on the sidewalk because there are metal covers over holes about 4 inches deep had i no5 been looking I would have walked into it and snapped my ankle!
Breakfast ended promptly at 9am, service and food horrible once again. Elevators didn’t work, line was like a snake to get off, again my husband is a disabled VET they did nothing to help him, just stand and wait your turn. Had to go back and run my credit card again because even though they held the funds they didn’t finalize the bill, so had to run card again for another $583 charge and still waiting for holds to drop off.
I have taken to Cruises with MSC this year for a total of 26 days and loved it. I have 4 more booked next year. I thought the food, entertainment, and service were equivalent to or better than Carnival or Royal Caribbean.
Given your review, I can understand why you didn't like your cruise. Thanks for the review. It helps others decide what cruiseline and ship to go on or stay away from.
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