Second cruise with MSC

Item: MSC Splendida
Rating: 5
Author: mec9emb

MSC Splendida Cruise Review to Europe - Western Mediterranean

mec9emb

Contributor Level: Second Mate

Cruises: 2-3 cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 90

Overall rating:

5 out of 5

Verified Review

9 Night Western Mediterranean (Barcelona Roundtrip)

Sail date: October 22, 2016

Ship: MSC Splendida

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 12068

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 8 years ago

Review summary

Love this cruiseline. We had aurea experience which meant checkin was super fast, despite being told that preferred checkin is only available in Italy. We were dealt with immediately at embarkation in front of hundreds of people queuing. The balcony stateroom was beautiful, large, spotless, extra touches like bathrobes and slippers, the steward made different animals from towels every night which had us in stitches. My choice dining was excellent. We met many nationalities and were served immediately, whatever time we arrived. Food was good to excellent. The inclusive drinks package is a must. I won't go on P and O anymore because they don't have an all inclusive drinks package. Lisbon was our favourite port, Casablanca our least favourite - dirty, not a real 'bazaar' like Tangier, nothing to do. Very disappointing. We are now looking for another MSC cruise. The service in cabin and restaurant is superb.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5

Dozens of small sized courses makes for excellent discussions with your fellow diners.

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Entertainment

5 out of 5

Loved the acrobat/gymnast/stongmen

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Brilliant.

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

Glamourous, glittering - perfect

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

Spotless, large enough, great balcony. Still can't work lout the interactive tv though.

Ship tip

Enjoy the continental life, the elegance of the evening and the fantastic atrium entertainment.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Barcelona, Spain

3 out of 5

5 minutes on a bus to the Ramblas. There is a local port shuttle for 4 euros return.

Thumbs Up 6

Marseille (Provence), France

2 out of 5

Use transport from the ship. We walked for miles out of the port, caught a local bus because the port opens up onto a massive dual carriageway and it is miles from the old port.

Thumbs Up 0

Genoa, Italy

3 out of 5

Take the little train from the port. It's only 8 euros for a 45 minute tour of the city with commentary and if it's raining, it keeps you dry!

Thumbs Up 4

Malaga, Spain

3 out of 5

Casablanca, Morocco

1 out of 5

Getting off the ship onto a smelly, industrial port, your feet sink into layers of compressed oil and diesel. I would not recommend trying to walk off ship. You have to take a shuttle or excursion because it's too far and dangerous to walk - through an industrial area with no safeguards for pedestrians and a massive military area.

Thumbs Up 2

Lisbon, Portugal

3 out of 5

Beautiful. Hard work climbing up all those hills but worth it. Visit the castle. Superb views over old Lisbon.

Thumbs Up 1

3 Comments

Gwbigdog 2 years ago

Thanks for sharing your cruise.

Thumbs Up 0

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fungooleyruley 5 years ago

I had been scrolling through trying to find a review from someone who had the aurea experience and finally found your review. We are due to do the Arabian Sea with aurea experience in early March and your comments have given us good reason to believe it will be a great cruise.

Thumbs Up 1

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rmancuso 7 years ago

Was this a Mediterranean cruise? I'm thinking of taking a cruise in September on the Meravigila departing from Spain. I was wondering what the primary language is spoken on board. I'm fine if people are from all over but more concerned we will miss out on shows and other entertainment if it's all in Italian or other language.

Thumbs Up 0

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