MSC Poesia Nov 30 had a GREAT time....

[craftycousins]

Just wanted let all those cruisers yet to sail that the Poesia was a fantastic ship during our Nov 30 sailing.

 

Embarkation was quick we arrived around 3p.m and got on the ship in about 30 mins from the time we walked in the front door. We were personally escorted to our AFT balcony room 9214 by a lovely lady and then our room steward came and introduced himself and unlocked our balcony doors and arranged for our connecting doors to be opened as well.

 

We found the staff all lovely, we were traveling with children and the staff were fantastic and loved the kids always talking to them all the time, my daughter felt very special!

 

Yes the staff sometimes are hard to understand, but I didn't really feel that I had a hard time communicating with them. A large portion of the room and wait staff were Indonesian and we found them to be really friendly and our table staff were fantastic.

 

The food on board was good, the food in the restaurant was always the right temperature. There were some dishes that weren't excellent but they were by no means inedible! We had the second seating at 8 p.m and we were always finished by 9.30.

 

The buffet was pretty good as well although I will say they do need a little more variety as we ate there a few times because the kids would not have made the late seating. But most of the times the buffet food was pretty good. Although be aware that on gala nights there is no buffet food except for pizza, hamburgers and hot dogs.

 

Ship was beautiful, very clean. Our aft cabin did have quite a bit of vibration when arriving and leaving port and it was quite loud as I have not been in a AFT cabin before I can't tell you if this is worse than on other ships. The room was a nice size and remember to store your cases under the bed, we had four cases a car seat and a pram and we fit everything in.

 

I just want to add that we heard plenty of complainers and I hate to say it but they were all American ( we are Australian) , and plenty of complaints about things that don't really matter! We heard one lady tell the reception staff quite loudly that this was the 'worst cruise she had ever been on' I would have said she was the rude one!

 

Another lady also said that they would need to change alot of things for the American market, WHY? when this is an Italian based cruise ship, this comment just seemed really self centered to me

 

Average age was around sixty as a family of four travelling with our parents we were two of around maybe 150 passengers that would have been in there 30's and there were only 39 kids on board so the kids club wasn't really entertaining for my 4 y.o.

 

Leaving the ship was easy, luckily we had changed our luggage tags to an earlier group otherwise I think we would have been close to missing our flights. We got of the ship at 9 a.m and arrived at MIA at 10 am for our flight at 12.10pm.

 

But we had a GREAT cruise and would be happy to sail on MSC again.

[mkazmer]

So glad to hear your report - we are fans of MSC and looking forward to our Jan 30th 2010 cruise with them. Americans can be the rudest people! They want everything to be like "home" - I ask - Why travel if not to experience different peoples and cultures. We love the Italian feeling of this line and don't think that they should cater to the "American" market - let the Americans experience something different.

 

:)

[wilson76]

Thanks for the report, good to hear from a "glass half full" type.

 

Doing the Dec 20-27 with young kids. I know its not what you want to be doing on a cruise, but sometimes its a lifesaver with the kids..... are there DVD players in the rooms?

[camofwilliamsburg]

I was also on that cruise and it was our 2nd caribbean cruise with MSC and our 15th cruise including ccl, rci and X. By far, msc exceeded expectations once again. We followed our 10 glorious night cruise on Poesia with a 10 night on Jewel of the Seas and we wished we stayed on Poesia. The food was superior to JOS and so was the entertainment.

We also got right on the ship with very little waiting time and was escorted to our cabin. We got to the port before noon. The food was wonderful and our waiter was fantastic. happened to be the same waiter as we had on Orchestra. Our ice tea was waiting for us before we got to late seating each night. We never got out sooner than 10 pm but that was because of our table and enjoying the meal with them. We often shared great courses and then had the waiter order more for us. Every italian dish was marvelous. The veal dish was spectacular with a great sauce. The best kept secret on that ship is the pizza they make from 6:30 pm to 9:30. That is by far the best pizza ever . We discovered it and made it a nightly appetizer before our show at 7 pm and then our dinner at 8pm.

 

There was not one thing I wish for them to change. We loved it so very much. The entertainment was tops and so were the activity staff who keep things lively around the pool all day. They also were in the Zebra Lounge each night and most of the stuff was funny! BRAVO to a fantastic cruise on MSC!

[csunshine860]

I was also on that cruise and it was our 2nd caribbean cruise with MSC and our 15th cruise including ccl, rci and X. By far, msc exceeded expectations once again. We followed our 10 glorious night cruise on Poesia with a 10 night on Jewel of the Seas and we wished we stayed on Poesia. The food was superior to JOS and so was the entertainment.

We also got right on the ship with very little waiting time and was escorted to our cabin. We got to the port before noon. The food was wonderful and our waiter was fantastic. happened to be the same waiter as we had on Orchestra. Our ice tea was waiting for us before we got to late seating each night. We never got out sooner than 10 pm but that was because of our table and enjoying the meal with them. We often shared great courses and then had the waiter order more for us. Every italian dish was marvelous. The veal dish was spectacular with a great sauce. The best kept secret on that ship is the pizza they make from 6:30 pm to 9:30. That is by far the best pizza ever . We discovered it and made it a nightly appetizer before our show at 7 pm and then our dinner at 8pm.

 

There was not one thing I wish for them to change. We loved it so very much. The entertainment was tops and so were the activity staff who keep things lively around the pool all day. They also were in the Zebra Lounge each night and most of the stuff was funny! BRAVO to a fantastic cruise on MSC!

 

This was 2nd cruise with MSC 10 day Dec.10-20 (Opera 2005) and agree with you totally. From beginning to end. Only disappointment was no hot water for shower day of disembarkation. We took SELF ASSIST and were off the ship by 7:15AM.. We will sail again with MSC without hesitation and only hope Americans would think before they complain of really nothing important.

Happy New Year to all.

[hammelala]

So glad to hear your report - we are fans of MSC and looking forward to our Jan 30th 2010 cruise with them. Americans can be the rudest people! They want everything to be like "home" - I ask - Why travel if not to experience different peoples and cultures. We love the Italian feeling of this line and don't think that they should cater to the "American" market - let the Americans experience something different.

 

:)

Glad to hear that you appreciate the European flavor of MSC. We do also. We very much enjoy the entertainment and ambiance on MSC. Our experience has been on the Lirica and we are looking forward to being on the Poesia for the January 30 sailing. We agree that Americans tend to complain too much if things aren't like they are in the USA. Nothing is absolutely perfect on any cruise line. We just came back from a transatlantic on Princess and there were also many complaints on that voyage. The ugly American rears his head no matter what ship they are on.

[camofwilliamsburg]

Email me when you get back from your Poesia cruise and let me know how it went. Take care and happy cruising!

[BusterAugusta]

So glad to hear your report - we are fans of MSC and looking forward to our Jan 30th 2010 cruise with them. Americans can be the rudest people! They want everything to be like "home" - I ask - Why travel if not to experience different peoples and cultures. We love the Italian feeling of this line and don't think that they should cater to the "American" market - let the Americans experience something different.

 

:)

So happy to see that other people want to experience new things and not have everything like "back home." Like you said, why bother to travel? My friend & I are going on the Poesia on the Jan 30 cruise also. This is our first time on MSC and we are looking forward to something new!:) She is an avid cruiser; this will only be my 5th cruise. We are in our early 50's (yikes! When did that happen?!:eek:) and are hoping to have a good time hanging out, talking about college days, and having a vacation from our families! And, of course, we're hoping to meet some nice people - like you, mkazmer! And you too hammelala (also sailing on the 30th)!

[Papillon]

I was also on that cruise and it was our 2nd caribbean cruise with MSC and our 15th cruise including ccl, rci and X. By far, msc exceeded expectations once again. We followed our 10 glorious night cruise on Poesia with a 10 night on Jewel of the Seas and we wished we stayed on Poesia. The food was superior to JOS and so was the entertainment.

We also got right on the ship with very little waiting time and was escorted to our cabin. We got to the port before noon. The food was wonderful and our waiter was fantastic. happened to be the same waiter as we had on Orchestra. Our ice tea was waiting for us before we got to late seating each night. We never got out sooner than 10 pm but that was because of our table and enjoying the meal with them. We often shared great courses and then had the waiter order more for us. Every italian dish was marvelous. The veal dish was spectacular with a great sauce. The best kept secret on that ship is the pizza they make from 6:30 pm to 9:30. That is by far the best pizza ever . We discovered it and made it a nightly appetizer before our show at 7 pm and then our dinner at 8pm.

 

There was not one thing I wish for them to change. We loved it so very much. The entertainment was tops and so were the activity staff who keep things lively around the pool all day. They also were in the Zebra Lounge each night and most of the stuff was funny! BRAVO to a fantastic cruise on MSC!

We are sailing on the POESIA Feb 6th, this will be our 4th cruise with MSC. Could you please tell me were they served the PIZZA between 6:30 and 9:00, and is there a charge?

Also have you tried the "house wine" at dinner time?

Thanks

[kobecat]

I was also on that cruise and it was our 2nd caribbean cruise with MSC and our 15th cruise including ccl, rci and X. By far, msc exceeded expectations once again. We followed our 10 glorious night cruise on Poesia with a 10 night on Jewel of the Seas and we wished we stayed on Poesia. The food was superior to JOS and so was the entertainment.

We also got right on the ship with very little waiting time and was escorted to our cabin. We got to the port before noon. The food was wonderful and our waiter was fantastic. happened to be the same waiter as we had on Orchestra. Our ice tea was waiting for us before we got to late seating each night. We never got out sooner than 10 pm but that was because of our table and enjoying the meal with them. We often shared great courses and then had the waiter order more for us. Every italian dish was marvelous. The veal dish was spectacular with a great sauce. The best kept secret on that ship is the pizza they make from 6:30 pm to 9:30. That is by far the best pizza ever . We discovered it and made it a nightly appetizer before our show at 7 pm and then our dinner at 8pm.

 

There was not one thing I wish for them to change. We loved it so very much. The entertainment was tops and so were the activity staff who keep things lively around the pool all day. They also were in the Zebra Lounge each night and most of the stuff was funny! BRAVO to a fantastic cruise on MSC!

 

Are you able to tell me what the smoking policy is on board? (non smokers here and being an Italian ship I fear the worst.)

 

Thanks.

[terryde]

We are also on the Poesia Feb. 6. Will be our 16th cruise; coming from 10 Carnival cruises and looking forward to MSC. We purchased the house wine package for dinner (7 bottles) because seemed like a good deal, but not sure what we will get.

[camofwilliamsburg]

They have very reasonable drink packages...enjoy!

The pizza is in the buffet area where you will see the pizza ovens. Just get there at 6:30 and walk around, you will find it. It is NOT the same pizza that they serve at lunch time. It is fantastic pizza. Get there when they come right out of the oven...so good!! Write to me when you all get back..!

[Papillon]

They have very reasonable drink packages...enjoy!

The pizza is in the buffet area where you will see the pizza ovens. Just get there at 6:30 and walk around, you will find it. It is NOT the same pizza that they serve at lunch time. It is fantastic pizza. Get there when they come right out of the oven...so good!! Write to me when you all get back..!

Thanks for the info. We are on the late seating and plan to snack on the pizza before the show.

John

[camofwilliamsburg]

When you get back email me. I would love to chat with you.

[USAngel]

We are Americans and love MSC - I actually just referred to this thread prior to booking an aft cabin on the Poesia, our 4th MSC booking in a year! Now, I'm not claiming that some (maybe many) Americans don't make complaints, but I have also witnessed quite a few "ugly" non-American displays of rudeness. So, try to go easy on the rest of us yanks :D

[USAngel]

There are designated smoking areas -- usually the casinos, select bars and certain areas of the decks. We are sensitive to smoke and, other than cutting thru the casino (easily avoidable, in most cases), we have never been bothered by another passenger's smoke. And, we have purchased wine packages on every MSC cruise & have always been pleased with the selections. Cheers!