Excellent Mediterranean Cruise

Item: MSC Sinfonia
Rating: 3.7
Author: usandcruises

MSC Sinfonia Cruise Review to Europe

usandcruises

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 4-6 cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 33

Overall rating:

3.7 out of 5

France, Spain, Malta, Italy

Sail date: December 17, 2018

Ship: MSC Sinfonia

Cabin type: Balcony

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 5 years ago

Review summary

MSC Sinfonia is a lovely ship and although it is a bit older, it is well maintained. There are very few areas where the carpet is a bit worn and the vessel is constantly being cleaned around the clock. The staff is mostly friendly and helpful. The food (at The Covo) is exquisite. The Spa staff and fitness trainers are professional. The cabins (we had a balcony) are a bit small, but well appointed with every convenience necessary. The entertainment shows at the San Carlo Theatre are tops and worth the visit. Franco is an exceptional personality for cruise entertainment and really helped keep smiles on people’s faces!

Embarkation

4 out of 5

Swift

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

4 out of 5

The food was exquisite in The Covo dining room. The upstairs buffet closed at 4pm. (for cleaning) a few times, which was a surprise as the buffet had been advertised as being open 20 hours a day. However, the specialty dining venues were open during the buffet closing hours, so there was always plenty of food available.

Il Galeone Restaurant

4 out of 5

The food was good and the staff were perhaps, amongst the best on the ship.

Sinfonia Lounge

3 out of 5

Not bad, neither here nor there.

Pasha Club Discotheque

3 out of 5

We were surprised to find adolescents on the dance floor, especially since there are signs in the ship stating age requirements which would prohibit adolescents from entering during dance hours.

La Terrazza Buffet

3 out of 5

Good alternative, but we, as many, were surprised when they closed for cleaning at 4pm.

Irish Pub

3 out of 5

Great staff

Il Covo Restaurant

5 out of 5

Superb! Exquisite! Exceptional!

Buddha Bar

5 out of 5

Enrico is a marvelous pianist and the service is tops!

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

The main San Carlo Theater Shows were all excellent. The jacuzzis were mostly too crowded so we only found space to try them on the last couple of days. The spa was nice although there too, overcrowding in the saunas and turkish baths was a bit of an issue, at certain times.

Tour Office

1 out of 5

The excursion staff were very unprofessional.

Steam Room

3 out of 5

A bit crowded.

Gym

3 out of 5

There were quite a lot of people and it’s not so large to handle many people.

Reception Area

3 out of 5

Guest services team was professional.

Spa

4 out of 5

We had two massages which were well done.

Sauna

3 out of 5

A bit crowded.

Pools

3 out of 5

Are the pools heated?

Photo Gallery

3 out of 5

A bit disorganized.

Jacuzzis

2 out of 5

Always too full.

Cigar Room

2 out of 5

It’s a beautiful room with lovely decor, but the air ventilation system is sub standard, which basically consisted of turning on the air conditioning. A bit too cold for our December cruise.

Entertainment

3 out of 5

The Buddha Bar and pianist Enrico, made a great ambience. The DJ at Pasha seemed to do a good job although we only stayed briefly. The ship states that only adults are allowed into the Pasha DJ Club, but it was full of small children the night we went.

Library

1 out of 5

We almost didn’t see it because it is very small. Just a corner in one of the many lounges. Very few books in foreign languages.

Theatre

4 out of 5

Great shows and Franco is a great announcer!

Children's Programs

4 out of 5

The kids seemed to really enjoy themselves.

Service and Staff

3 out of 5

The waiters and room stewards were superb. Always smiling and greeting us. Room stewards who were not in charge of our room, even smiled and always greeted us, making us feel very welcome and appreciated. Also the Maitre D’s of The Covo at dinner and Galleone during lunch, always stopped by our table to check that everything was well. Other ship personnel smiled and greeted in the hallways, for the most part. Only the excursion staff were polar opposites. The staff for the excursions were very unhelpful, aggressive and impolite.

Ship Quality

4 out of 5

Impeccable is the word that comes to mind when thinking of the cleanliness of the MSC Sinfonia. Also, there was a beautiful scent wafting through the air which also helped promote feelings of cleanliness and well being. We were pleasantly surprised to see people constantly cleaning the common areas of the ship at all hours, day and night. Impeccable and exceptional.

Cabin / Stateroom

4 out of 5

The size could have been a bit more as the overhead (unused) bed occupied space in an already small balcony cabin. Most other ship lines have larger cabins for their balcony clients, however the cabin was comfortable and practical.

Ship tip

Do not buy “The Wellness” package. It was not worth the cost. Be sure to try afternoon tea at 5 (ends before 6pm) as it is full of delicious treats. Definitely book The Covo for dinner as it is one of the most memorable dining experiences of our voyage and try the Pasha Club for exceptional onboard indoor seaside views!

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Marseille (Provence), France

4 out of 5

Definitely the best place to find authentic Marseille soaps!

Thumbs Up 1

Barcelona, Spain

5 out of 5

Amazing! Just amazing! We had wanted to go to the Salvador Dalí excursion but there weren’t enough people signed up for it and consequently, it was cancelled. However, we had a ball seeing the city on our own!

Thumbs Up 4

Valencia, Spain

4 out of 5

La valletta

4 out of 5

Messina, Sicily

3 out of 5

Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy

3 out of 5

Genoa, Italy

3 out of 5