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Described as a “big, bold and boisterous” ship in an expert review, she really is packed with features, a lot of which are tailored towards families. I’ve done these guides for other cruise lines in the past including ranking the Royal Caribbean ships and the Carnival ships. And I always state that “worst” is to be taken with a pinch of salt because the lowest scores are still what you’d consider to be above average. Some passengers were not impressed, citing disorganized shore excursions, a lack of amenities, and poor customer service.
Unique Mediterranean Atmosphere
However, cruisers have found the layout of the spaces sometimes confusing, and it may lack some of the attractions of newer ships. Launched in 2010, it belongs to the Musica class but is slightly larger than its three sisters (Orchestra, Musica, and Poesia). Its positive points are the good mix of restaurants and entertainment activities, suitable for all ages. Splendida, the sister ship of Fantasia, offers elegance, comfort, and fun.
Comparison to Competitor Cruise Lines
Even though the majority of the crew spoke some English, most of the ship’s announcements were in other languages, leading to communication challenges. Another significant pain point was the lack of consistent and efficient service. Cruises promise sun-soaked decks, luxurious amenities, and ports bursting with exotic adventures. But not all ships sail to the same high standards, and some offer a much better experience than others.
MSC Cruise Ships Ranked From Best To Worst
The biggest MSC cruise ship is MSC World Europa, which launched in 2022. Part of the new World Class of ships for MSC, it has a maximum guest capacity of 6,762 and an internal volume of 215,863 gross tons. MSC Seashore was the first of the Seaside EVO Class ships to launch for MSC, enhancing the design of the two Seaside-class ships. Her main improvements over the Seaside-class ships are behind the scenes, making her more environmentally friendly, although she does have more outdoor spaces too. But this was just as cruising was returning in 2021, and the guest-to-crew ratio certainly varied a lot at that point. Unfortunately the biggest letdown seems to be the food – the free options aren’t the best quality and there aren’t too many choices for speciality restaurants when you want to upgrade to something a bit fancier.
Costa Firenze
MSC Orchestra is a twin of MSC Musica and she enjoys similar praise and suffers similar criticisms as that ship. Points are lost because of the quality of the food in the main dining restaurant, but that’s a common thread across the cruise line. Some reviewers have also said that things can feel a little disorganised or even chaotic, since the ship is so busy. MSC Bellissima is the second ship in the Meraviglia class, and having launched in 2019 she’s one of the newest ships in the fleet.
Can you bring pets on board MSC and Hurtigruten cruises?
However, I endured my own pain, and it included my first-ever voyage with MSC. Contrary to what some might think, the oldest ship is not necessarily the worst. However, there are some criticisms regarding the food, perhaps explaining why this ship is only in the middle of the rankings.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
The entertainment was noted to be primarily in Italian, leaving those who didn’t understand the language feeling excluded. Another grievance was related to room service, with one diabetic cruiser stating that their breakfast, vital for their condition, was not delivered as requested. Costa Smeralda is built using the same hull as ships like P&O Cruises’ Arvia and Iona as well as Carnival Celebration and Mardi Gras. Drink packages seemed to be an area of contention, with limitations on offerings and the exclusion of bottled water being especially galling for some. This was exacerbated by poor communication about package details and a lack of clarification on additional charges.
If you choose a budget cruise, expect more of a budget cruise experience. I think Cruise Critic reviews are helpful at times, but what really matters is return passengers. I think MSC made some mistakes when they first entered the American market but now most of the reviews are positive. While I'm not a rapid MSC cheerleader, I see they offer great value and a unique experience. They are perfect for families who love the bells and whistles, those seeking refuge in the Yacht Club, and those who aren't bothered by the majority European passengers on the ships.
MSC Cruises is another Italian cruise line that offers affordable ocean cruises on mid-size and large ships. While the cruise line is Italian and offers some European touches through its dining options, it is really more of a European-American blend of cruise styles, and many of the ships sail out of the US too. With a score of 3 out of 5, there are a lot of people who have a great time and an equal number who rate the cruise line very poorly. Customer service tends to be mentioned frequently, with staff described as everything from “unhelpful” to “aggressive” in their manner. In particular, the Yacht Club, designed to be an epitome of luxury and service, failed to match the expectations of several guests, with many comparing its service unfavourably to other cruise lines.
Guests also recounted issues like overcrowding, with one likening the buffet area to a “rush hour underground.” This resulted in extended waits for almost everything, from drinks to water slides to shows. Lines for basics like restrooms and breakfast were disappointingly long. The onboard experience was continually marred with pushy solicitations to dine in extra-charge restaurants and an agonisingly long wait for drinks at the bar. One of the more dramatic events shared by a reviewer was a meeting arranged with an English-speaking hospitality representative in response to the multitude of complaints. The ensuing conversation was less than satisfactory, with passengers being told they could leave the ship if they were unhappy – a suggestion met with disbelief given their location in the middle of the ocean. Just remember, A bad day on a cruise is better than a good day at work.
MSC has a great yacht club product but IT and customer service are the worst. MSC Poesia launched just before MSC Magnifica (mentioned previously), is known for its calm environment, perfect for a stress-free cruise. The cabins are comfortable, and there’s a good variety of culinary choices onboard. MSC Preziosa, launched in 2013, is the sister ship of the Divina I mentioned earlier.
We also spoke to CD Gene Young when he had his coffee chat in the Loft Cafe one morning about the entertainment not being up snuff like past guest performers on Seaside and Seashore. He gave the example of the 3 exceptional tenors they had that garnered standing ovations nearly every performance. They went to Venice and are making more money being street performers and cannot be coaxed back. That MSC has backed their own production company to create stage shows, all trained and choreographed in Italy. Felt they were kind of all the same, no story line, just singing, dancing and acrobatics woven into the show. Went on the new Celebrity Beyond and found their show productions the same.
Passenger Overboard from the MSC Preziosa During New Year Cruise - Cruise Law News
Passenger Overboard from the MSC Preziosa During New Year Cruise.
Posted: Sat, 30 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Being very similar ships, the customer ratings were almost identical. The only thing that changes is the interior decor in terms of colors and design. It has gained many points for the refined atmosphere onboard and a good selection of restaurants. In short, it is an excellent ship for those who are looking for a good ship without excesses. Launched in 2018, Seaview offers an experience similar to Seaside, with a focus on outdoor areas. Therefore, its strengths include spacious outdoor decks, swimming pools, and numerous outdoor activities.
