We gave MSC a second try. The nightly main theater shows were great, and what WE like. Having to try and get a reservation for a too small capacity venue was sometimes a real pain.
To much chaos in buffet.
Sooooo much wasted time, elevators.
Embarkation
4 out of 5
Smooth.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
2 out of 5
Aurea experience dedicated restaurant, poor cuts of meat. Prime rib was thin, full of gristle.
Buffet TOTAL CHAOS . Avoid.
Dinner at Teppanyaki well worth it!
Onboard Activities
4 out of 5
We did the water park. Long lines.
Entertainment
5 out of 5
This was our 2nd MSC cruise. What we remembered about the 1st, always a show in the main theater every night! That's what we enjoy. It held true for this cruise, with the exception that the theater holds approximately 1200 guests per seating, x 2 seatings. With 5K passengers, if you don't get a reservation, well you do the math. Frustrating.
Children's Programs
No kids
Service and Staff
4 out of 5
Our steward was great. His contract had just restarted.
The help works hard, maybe overworked in some areas. Definitely more is needed.
Ship Quality
3 out of 5
The ship is beautiful. BUT, elevator system is totally inadequate. Be prepared for frustration, and long waits and walks, if you are able to do so, up and down the stairs. (We lost weight on this cruise).
Some elevators don't go to the floor you need. Lead to more wasted time.
Cabin / Stateroom
2 out of 5
Upon entry into our Jr Suite, the smell is what we noticed first. (They must be aware of it too, (they provided, in the room upon arrival, a new boxed oil diffuser).
Room was a Balcony cabin (nothing suite about it). Tiny bathroom, shower was so small, I weigh 125, couldn't dry off in it. 1 bathrobe was found balled/tied up in closet. After unwrapping, it was a shorty robe, nothing comfy about it. I called it, my exfoliating robe. At least the slippers provided did get use! I'll explain. The balcony was the same size as room. After the first 3 ft, which provided some privacy, the rest was a total fishbowl for All decks above. Then it snowed in the Caribbean, no that's just the SOOT from the ships stacks hitting you. What a mess! Soot smeared on our deck. Clothes got dirty. The 2 loungers, and the 2 chairs and ottoman are suppose to be used/stowed under that small covered area to avoid?
Our big balcony did not provided the enjoyment we expected, for what was paid. Of course towards the end of your cruise they provide balcony maintenance, they wash it down, was that for us? Or getting it ready for YOUR Jr Suite Aurea experience. I'm disappointed also; I was told I was working with a Sr. Travel Planner, am I wrong to think some knowledge goes with such title, such as cabin location privacy etc.
I'm guessing the expansive balcony is what made this a Aurea Jr Suite, a suite? Well, for what we paid for this experience, it was a big let down.
I have never been on a cruise where the elevators were not an issue, NCL, RCCL and Carnival, they all had elevator issues. As someone said being on a cruise is better than not being on a cruise. Some people just want perfection
I guess Seashore is not the best MSC ship. Seaside and Meraviglia were fantastic that i went on. But you never know. Sorry. But being on a cruise is better than Not Being on a cruise!
I was on an MSC cruise in January, first one, we didn't make reservations for the theatre. Is this something new? I don't even remember it being an option. We didn't have any problems finding a seat. And that was for 6 of us.
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