Terrible.
I regret taking this cruise. What was supposed to be a vacation turned into a nightmare. I was not aware that this company treated customers according to nationalities. I’m a USA citizen and I have cruised with various companies all over the world. I have never experienced anything like this. I was under the impression that the MSC Splendida was an Italian company ship under a Panamanian flag and as such would comply with International Maritime Laws.
I sailed on the MSC Splendida from Genoa, Italy to Sokhna, Egypt - November 14-26, 2022. I was unable to select this itinerary. There was no problem with the excursions in Italy or Greece but the ones in Jordan and Saudi Arabia were a complete disaster. An honest rating would be -***.
Embarkation
3 out of 5
I
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
1 out of 5
It was OK at the beginning of the cruise. Then, terrible. Complete chaos. Liquor was removed from the cabins to comply with government regulations on some ports yet the passengers who embarked on those ports were drinking, smoking, etc., everywhere on the ship with no restraints. Children were allowed to run in the hallways late at night and eat sitting on the dining room tables with their shoes on. The food was lousy to say the least.
Onboard Activities
1 out of 5
OK at the beginning then it became a nightmare. The pools were closed to males until 1 pm disrupting everyone’s routine. Nobody was aware of what was happening as the announcements were made in Arabic.
Entertainment
2 out of 5
We spent most of our free time waiting in line at the Registration and Excursion counters. The few performances we attended were very poor.
Children's Programs
I did not travel with children.
Service and Staff
1 out of 5
The service from waiters and room stewards was very good under the circumstances. The ship personnel was unable to solve any issues as they lacked the information and/or the experience. One heard a different story every time. There were issues with everything embarkation/disembarkation, visas, excursions, bills, etc.
Ship Quality
2 out of 5
Yes under the circumstances. I’ve never been on a cruise where some customers are allowed to do as they please and disrupt others in the common areas. Very unsanitary to eat on a table with shoes on. Discriminatory to close the pools to male guests without any prior warning. Discriminatory to make announcements in one language when there are guests from all over the world.
Cabin / Stateroom
4 out of 5
OK - very satisfied
Ship tip
At this time I have to say, don’t do it. Even though I took another cruise on the MSC Splendida from Civitavecchia to Genoa and it met my expectations.
Replying to javawoody - Of course I’m aware and respect the cultural differences as I’ve travelled all over the world and speak four languages. Needless to say, I’m also aware of the need to research the destinations to be visited.
When I mentioned Maritime Law I was referring to the MSC Splendida, a cruise ship owned and operated by MSC Cruises and registered in Panama. Obviously Maritime Law doesn’t apply to individual countries or their customs.
Replying to JT1962
That is not the issue. It’s the double standard and the discriminatory treatment. All alcoholic beverages were removed from our cabins when we arrived at a certain port yet we witnessed how crew members had to escort intoxicated male and female guests who had embarked on that port to their cabins. No action was taken when women complained about some male guests taking their pictures in bathing suits without their permission. The list is endless. None of us have ever experienced such lack of information, communication or concern and we’ve cruised all over the world.
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