Glad I booked this MSC cruise first before going for the 4 months world cruise. They are focused to make as much money from their guests as possible. Breakfast and lunch were a stress, no place to relax in peace, except in your cabin. At every port they fill the ship with cheap day cruisers adding even more unrest. I would not book any MSC cruise again.
Embarkation
2 out of 5
Endless walk thru an old warehouse having to show ID multiple times - for no obvious reason - did not get the prepurchased drinks vouchers, had to visit guest services again.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
2 out of 5
Restaurants are cramped with small tables mixed in between large tables making lunch and dinners a loud hassle. Lunches were an absolute nightmare with tables moved even closer together and waiters overwhelmed. Food was mediocore at best. Buffet restaurants served the very same fast food every day for the entire 3 weeks. Restaurants and bars repeatedly refused to serve you the wine of choice, claiming that the wine package classic entitles one to housewine only, when both the cruise ticket confirmation and their very own menu confirmed you get wide choice of wines.
Onboard Activities
2 out of 5
Onboard activities are organized to earn them extra money not to provide fun for guests. Bingo - they sold sets of 3 cards for usd 20, 3 sets / 9 cards for usd 40. The host came late, the venue the Heaven lounge was a mess, no waiters, no drinks. The game (1 game only) was rushed thru in less than 30 minutes forcing everyone to hassle thru all their cards at once. No fun at all.
Entertainment
3 out of 5
I watched one show only of an Italian entertainer who spent all night praising himself.
Service and Staff
3 out of 5
Very different levels of staff. Some staff were great others a miss. Breakfast and lunch waiters were overwhelmed, while staff at dinner were friendly and attentive. Lots of problems aboard. Every day people queued all day long in front of guest services.
Ship Quality
3 out of 5
The ship is gorgeous. However the first 10 days they did not even bother to clean the windows. Tables in the buffet restaurants were a mess. Dishes and silverware in the buffet restaurants were a mess. Mugs and silverware had not been rinsed clearly and tasted from dishwasher detergent giving me some trouble twice.
Cabin / Stateroom
4 out of 5
Cabins are designed beautifully and practical. Bathroom had an ok layout. Cabin featured a large round window with a nice view. The cabin has multiple electrical outlets with Italian and US outlets, plus USB sockets to charge your gadgets.
Ship tip
Book a cabin with a balcony. It will be the only place on the ship to relax. They play music everywhere, even on the terrace outside the restaurants. There is absolutely no other place to rest in peace. Plus you can open the window and get fresh air. Book with a travel agency. I booked with MSC directly, my dinner neighbors booked the same cabin thru a travel agent for 30% less plus they got a free upgrade to a balcony cabin!
Another city with some shops and restaurants. Not too exciting. But interesting to see that just two months after the hurricanes San Juan itself was barely touched. It was all pristine, all restaurants and shops open. Next to the port shops on the boardwalk sell fake LV, Gucci, MM bags - no kidding.
Again highly disorganized. Different staff gave different information where on which deck to disembark. Small door partially blocked by their staff getting into the way. Highly unprofessional.
I have a feeling those " Cheap Day Cruisers" were more likely travel agents from everywhere who wanted to get a first-hand look at this brand new beautiful ship. First sailings on any ship are chaotic for the reason katej14 mentioned.
We cruised with MSC on the DIVINA 3 times in the last 1 year and 1/2. We had a blast each time. Service was great. We booked Yacht Club and the went out of their way in every conceivable way. Many of the staff we became friends with and many (we have their names) will be on the Seaside for our March 24th trip.
Food was great on the DIVINA as was service. We had unlimited drinks everywhere on the ship any brand they had. Coffee choices are fantastic as it the Italian brand. Italian Gelato-the best. Entertainment-1st class. Embarkation and Disembarkation were both a breeze.
I know nothing about “day cruisers”. Never saw anything like that. Doesn’t sound like MSC.
Had a blast on our excursions with many choices.
We expected the ship may need to work out a few kinks so we gave them 3 months.
The ship is so beautiful and expect the same Italian appointments.
The Italian performer, praising himself???Must have been Trump in disguise
CANT WAIT FOR MARCH
Thanks for your review but I think you should've taste the"waters" first with shorter cruise to see if you like it and not 20 days. Everything was horrible for you. MSC is not for you. Too bad you didn't enjoyed your cruise. Maybe another cruise line. 👍😆
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