The worst vacation I have ever had.... in fact I have never had even an average vacation experience and always make the best of every adventure! However every requirement and expectation was a horrible disappointment- EVERY DAY. I have never experienced such poor service and incredibly atrocious food in my entire life. We tried very hard to constantly try to make the best of things, but every day presented a new set of disappointments. I regret listening to the United Travel Agents recommendations and descriptions for a "LUXURY" MSC cruise over the NCL cruise we had been considering. I will never be able to reclaim the time or money wasted on this horrible experience. That being said, no one should ever have to be subjected to a horrible cruise experience like this... there is no excuse for such horrible food, service, and accommodations.
Embarkation
1 out of 5
We arrived at the appointed time only to be told embarkation would not begin for 2 hours. This resulted in several hours of wasted time sitting in an un-air conditioned warehouse.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
1 out of 5
The food was one of the most horrible parts of the cruise. United Cruise Travel Agents are not educated or knowledgeable about MSC Cruises. I was told there were several dinning options on the ship but this is not true and "Anytime Dining" = 10pm Dining or Buffet.
Buffet was completely inedible and was a health risk as food items were NEVER served hot.
Dining Room food was "OK" but 9:30 PM was the earliest time we were allowed and the service was so slow that it became an exhausting 2.5-3 hour ordeal every night.
I was also told there was a fine dining Steakhouse option that we pre-purchase for an up charge- NOT TRUE. There was only a casual Mexican Restaurant that was basically empty. Upon arrival our reservation could not be found but getting a seat was not an issue. We quickly ordered 2 steaks Med-Rare and when our steaks came out, we immediately sent them back because they were ice cold and barely cooked. Apparently the cook did not know how to cook a steak or test for temperature nor did he seem to realize that the "open kitchen" allowed guests to see and hear his actions; since in his anger over the re-cook request he tossed one of them on the floor, picked it up, quickly rinsed it in the sink, tossed it on the grill for 1 minute and served it... with dirt still clinging to the surface and uncooked. The picture provided is of the 2nd recook. We informed the waiter of what we had witnesses and that we had no interest in eating a steak that had been dropped on the floor and served raw a 2nd time. We have yet to receive credit for the pre-purchased dinner.
Unlimited Drink Package is misleading. Our understanding was that the only thing not included was top shelf liquors and wines but we found that beer was also not included along with many other items.
If the United Travel Agents had the correct facts around the dining options, I would never have booked this MSC Cruise. I was provided false information from Travel Agents.
Onboard Activities
1 out of 5
The over crowded pools and hot tubs were very run down and were 100% closed by 9 PM every evening. We were told we would have access to an adult only pool area... but kids were allowed to run around even in the Serenity area; which only included a hot tub with a very minimal bar area and no bathrooms.
The Spa experience was unfortunately also very horrible and regrettable.
Entertainment
1 out of 5
Horrible... There is more talent in a High School talent show. With so many talented performers available in the world, there is really no excuse for such poor off key performers who clearly do not want to be there.
Service and Staff
1 out of 5
Bartenders went out of their way to avoid serving people. Overall the staff was uncaring and unhelpful.
We did find 2 bright spots in the dining room with Preetishka Purgass and Bambang who tried very hard to keep guest happy.
Ship Quality
3 out of 5
Overall, the ship and our room appeared clean. However, we became very ill upon returning home. In previous cruises guest hand washing and sanitation stations are emphasized but not the case for MSC.
Cabin / Stateroom
1 out of 5
We were sold a Balcony Suite by our United Cruise Travel Agent. I was very clear that a balcony was the highest requirement for our cruise. Before booking the travel agent provided pictures of a wonderful balcony suite that met our needs perfectly. However, upon arrival to our room, we learned that our suite did not include a balcony; but only a sealed window that random people could walk by and look in our room while we were getting dressed. In speaking to MSC Guest Services, we were told that this happens quite often but they were unwilling or unable to move us to a room with a balcony.
Poor quality sheets and mattress.
Ship tip
DO NOT EVER book an MSC Cruise! It was sold to us as a "Luxury Cruise" but it was nothing of the sort.
It would have been nice to have been able to have my bill corrected before departure but I was told because I prepaid for several items nothing could be done.
Thank you for your review. The photo's help boos the credibility of your review.
I hope your next cruise is on a good line. I went on Celebrity in Europe twice and had a great cruise each time.
In the future I'd look up the deck plan of the ship and your cabin before you book. TA's do not know all about every ship. They may have been on one MSC ship but not all of them.
I think a conversation with several persons are needed starting with the agent and manager at United Travel ,what type of kickback or payola did they Receive for steering your booking their way and also the cruise line informing them of h
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