Stay Away!! bunch of amateurs with no concept of customer service, clear communication and organization

MSC Splendida Cruise Review to Europe - Western Mediterranean

skippy975

Contributor Level: Deck Hand

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 26

Overall rating:

2.8 out of 5

Verified Review

7 Night Western Mediterranean (Rome Roundtrip)

Sail date: November 04, 2022

Ship: MSC Splendida

Cabin type: Inside

Cabin number: 11228

Traveled as: Large Group

Reviewed: 1 year ago

Review summary

Stay Away, this company has a lot to catch up with its peers. No customer service, poor organization and communication. Visa process for some ports was a complete nightmare. Just go with the other guys.

Embarkation

1 out of 5

Poor expeierence, such a disorganized company, forced us to take test and pay 55 euro per person just to make a buck. All preboarding info was not requiring Covid tests, when on site to board they changed the policy. Got gazilion emails about beverage package no metion of revision of requirements for testing. What a louzy way to make a buck by double crossing your customer with last moment policy changes in Nov 2022 when the entire cruise industry have moved away from testing...at least be transparent about it. We could have made the test in advance and comply no problem.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

Carbs Galore, pasta pasta and again pasta, and when you are done with pasta then switch to pizza. On the positive side pizza was quite delicious. And when you get to other food I think the cooks never heard of the term flavor or spices or salt. Most deserts were tasting the same. If you are blindfolded you cannot make the difference between them in most cases. (For sure I had my full taste range since we got tested before boarding so, MSC don't pull the covid excuse)

Onboard Activities

2 out of 5

Always had to chase someone to get any gear, the entertainement team was not up to par to industry standard. And this 6 languages announcements takes the joy out of you. takes 2 minutes just to say "Good evening"

Entertainment

1 out of 5

Entertainment what a joke, only one show per night, no late adult shows, same repeat venues. All the songs felt like a B rated movies DVD purchased from the Dollar store. I guess someone doesn't want to pay the license fees for the nice songs. 2 nights of opera as the main show is a stretch...heads were falling left and right from snoozing. Never seen a second act getting on stage while another act was performing...that felt rude and disrespectful to both the current performers and the audience. I am ok with 20 seconds of transition rather to see 2 different bands cramped on the same stage and ruining the mood. (this was in one of the bars venues with the colored glass) The acrobatics show saved the whole week, with top-notch performers.

Service and Staff

2 out of 5

Customer service is an alien term. People with back-to-back cruises had to stay in long lines to get their cards reactivated and in some cases, they move them to different cabins...who wants to pack and unpack?

Ship Quality

3 out of 5

The ship is ok not the most modern however better decorated than the tacky old carnival cruises. Appreciated the art installations. Weird font for cabin numbers, always had to take a second or 2 to realize what is a 1 or a 7 etc

Cabin / Stateroom

3 out of 5

Nothing fancy, however had all the standard confort.

Ship tip

Stay wth standard well known companies. This company is years behind in customer service and entertainment. Unless they have an amazing port that you need to see, just choose another company same applies for Costa. MOST IMPORTANT DOUBLE CHECK YOUR BILLS THEY HAVE A TENDENCY TO DO "MISTAKES" IN BILLING. LOUSY WAY TO DO A BUCK!!!!!

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