We have cruised 20 plus times. We were excited to try MSC. We went with an open mind due to all of the bad reviews. I really wanted to love it but there were just too many problems and zero customer service.
Embarkation
4 out of 5
Check in was easy. Plenty of agents that moved quickly. Received a text the morning of telling us which terminal to go to which was very helpful. More signage directing you to drop off luggage would be helpful. Also more information from check in agent explaining where are keys would be located would have helped as well.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
3 out of 5
This is the first ship we've sailed on that actually had better buffet food than in the dining room. The pizza was the best cruise pizza we've ever had. Many unique breakfast and lunch choices on the buffet but dinner in the dining room was mediocre at best. Also beware - late dining is at 9:30pm and we were served at 10:45pm.
Onboard Activities
4 out of 5
The pools are nice, however, the paint was rubbing off on our skin and suits in the infinity pool.
Entertainment
2 out of 5
Hokey shows, no adult comedy and quest game and karaoke were scheduled in a room that was too small.
Service and Staff
1 out of 5
Our room steward, Jesus, was great. Other than that, we received very poor service on the ship. Most employees did not understand us and just shook their head yes and said ok when they had no idea what we were saying. Many higher ranking employees were quite rude. We were part of a group of 8 and all had the same opinion.
Ship Quality
3 out of 5
The ship has a nice theme and was clean. We prefer a more open design and this ship is very honeycombed and closed off. There are 5000+ passengers and some areas become very crowded with long lines such as the buffet and elevators. The elevators are terrible. They are "smart" elevators and we tried every cheat code and ended up just taking the stairs many times because the wait was so long and then they would be full when they arrived. We are lifelong Floridians and the ship was very hot. Buffet areas and elevators were unbearably hot. The casino was also very warm. Our room was not near as cool as we prefer and even with the curtain closed during the day and the thermostat at the lowest setting, it heated up to an uncomfortable temperature.
Cabin / Stateroom
3 out of 5
We had a balcony room on deck 12. We were surprised to have a full bathtub. The room was fine except that it stayed very humid the entire trip despite the fact that we had the air on the lowest setting. Our pillows, clothes and money were all damp at all times. The air conditioning could not compete with the humidity.
Ship tip
Proceed with caution. I boarded with an open mind but was really disappointed.
Ocean Cay is a beautiful island and has the most beautiful beaches and water that I've seen on a ship owned island. However, there is very little shade, you have to rent umbrellas and it's a long walk to the non-rocky beaches. Their transport can only move 48 people at a time and there are 5000+ on the ship. That equates to long, hot waiting times.
I was on the MSC Seascape, which is a sister to this ship, and I had a great time with great food and service. Service was a little slow at times, but that's to be expected. It's a Mediterranean cruise line, and as with most of Europe, they have little use for air conditioning. Tge Seascape was a bit warmer in parts of the ship, but was no way unbearable like this person posted.
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