New to MSC

[hoyasaxa]

After two decades and 20+ cruises of being "loyal to Royal," we're considering our first MSC cruise (Splendida) due to a late booking and RCCL's lack of suites on the dates we need.

 

A few questions from a MSC newcomer:

• Suite advice - What are the differences between the suite classes? For a party of four, which would be the best option? Any photos and reviews would be greatly appreciated.

• Accessibility - We are a party of four (two 50+, one mid-20s, one 70+) and want to ensure that our most senior family member won't have issues aboard.

• MSC vs. Royal - What are the biggest differences you've noticed aside from clientele?

 

Many thanks.

[TopSecretAdam]

The suites on royal are much bigger vs the D1 and D2 rooms. The balcony's are much smaller on MSC. The "suites" on MSC are as big as the D1 rooms on royal so its' not that much better. I would just go with the regular balcony on MSC as it's not much smaller then "suite" so your not getting more value really.

 

 

You might like MSC if you really like being treated like a stow away. If you like the slow, and low pace and nobody being nice to you, it's definetly for you! We went on the MSC and when we got off got on a royal ship and it was like waking up from a nightmare. You are so thankful for the customer service and niceness of the staff when you get on a royal ship.

 

MSC is an aquired taste, that's for sure. You will either really love it, or really hate it. My guess after being a royal cruiser you will hate it. Just my two cents!

 

It seems to be about 60% of the folks love it and 40% hate it. So then you can make your own choice, but my advice is read ALL of the reviews thouroughly and really dont think that your getting a good price and a good room so thats why you will take it. If your going to do MSC do it for the clenliness of the ship and the granduer of it. But dont expect royal caribbean class service and food. MSC doesnt offer the "Euro" experience at all except for the people being rude. Make up your own mind but be warned... it's NOT even close to RCCL in any manner.

 

as for accesibility: I brought four 50 to 60 year olds, two 80 year olds, and four 30 year olds and the "grannies who are warriors at heart... (went on the Zip Line in Jamaica at 80 haha) they had zero issues getting around. There were plenty of folks in wheel chairs, walkers and oxygen bottles in toe. So no issues there.

 

the younger one, might not really like this at all being alone. But if this is for the older folks, then I guess thats what they will have to deal with.

[hoyasaxa]

I should also note that we are planning on cruising Europe. Although we have traveled the continent extensively and keep a home there, it will be our first cruise in the region. (No "ugly American" or "pushy Italian" commentary needed - I'm primarily focused on the rooms, amenities, and activities for a diverse group like ours.)

[catharina]

I understand the Yacht Club rooms in Splendida and Fantasia are really nice. But then again I never been in a suite on RCCL so can't say anything about it.

 

accesability is never a problem on a newer ship, so I hear from a lot of people coming back from cruises in the med.

 

I think it might be a bit harsh to state that OP will most likely hate MSC because she comes from RCCL. it all depends on your own perception of things. Some people are very liberal and just enjoy any cruise experience, others are more demanding or expecting. Which is their good right! The one is definately not better than the other. But with a lot of research, so you know what to expect, and an open-mind and foremost a mindset to just ENJOY, it can't be a disaster.

 

The major differences are:

-no buffet at night time, only MDR and speciality

-speciality rest. are not for a fee, but pricing ala carte

-no free coffee or tea after dinner (but they have a lovely coffee house which seels divine capuccino for not super expensive money I heard)

-no ice water at dinner, although some people reproted having succes asking for tap water

-roomservice priced ala carte (only free for breakfast)

-Italian waiters can seem rude or uninterested. Waiters in Europe are not as friendly as in the States

-multi lingual announcements, but as I understand, far fewer announcements than on american lines

-maybe onlye one (or two) activities per time slot as opposed to 5 things to chose from in the daily activities at each given time

-if I read correctly from other CCers, alcohol can be brought on board no problem on MSC

-or if you buy it on board, you get it directly

-MSC has packages for everything: 14 softdrinks for 28 euros package (as opposed to 2,80 euros sold seperately. also packages for beer, wine, water, cocktails and gelato. Can be pre-ordered or just bought on board

-because of mutli-languages, shows are not very talkative. Maybe more active like dance performance, puppet show, cirque du soleil kind of acts, magician (so I heard!)

-casino is probably smaller than on american ships, but more dancefloors.

-maybe diffferent smoking policy or enforcement thereoff.

 

Those are the ones I can think off that I noted down in the back of my mind, preparing for our own MSC cruise.

 

well I hope this helps a bit

greetings from Holland

cat

[buggins0402]

Hi Hoyaxasa,

 

Sorry I can't comment on the club suites. However, we found our inside room on Splendida to be much larger than those on NCL.

 

One thing I can offer is if someone in your party has mobility issues is to choose your suite wisely as to it's location on the ship. She's big - only 23,000 tonnes smaller than Freedom class. Our cabin was up near some of the club suites and it would be a long trek to MDR for someone mobility impaired. There might be other club suites that are better positioned.

 

We didn't do any onboard activities, except going to some of the shows, which were pretty good. Our cruise was a Western Med and was port intensive (one a day), so the few hours we had free we just liked to read.

 

Ship is beautiful. Service outstanding. If the constant upsell, art auctions, are not your thing on the U.S. market lines, then you might be pleasantly suprised by MSC. Service tends to be more like a country club - you catch a waiters eye and nod - rather than being handed the specialty drink of the day and chit to sign. Cruise directors will not be barking over the PA constantly. English speakers are definitely in the minority however, which can be a problem for ship based excursions.

 

Anyone who owns a home overseas and has traveled extensively on land there should have no problems reconciling themselves to the cultural differences.

[AmoMondo]

Hi Hoyaxsasa

 

Sorry can't help you with the exact sizes of Yacht Club suites other than to say the Royal one is the largest. Also check the deck plans as some don't have balconies. I'd echo what buggins said re the Yacht club, it is right at the top and front of the ship, so you are going to have a fair bit of trailing around if you want to use the other main facilities on the ship. That said, you will have your own pool, restaurant and bar and easy access to the spa. If you are not so concerned about having a concierge, butler etc, you may be better off with a non yacht club suite situated midship, for easier access to all the other bars and restaurants onboard. Again, I'd recommend checking deckplans for facilities compared to cabin category locations

[camofwilliamsburg]

After 9 Royal Caribbean cruises our 2 on MSC ( caribbean) were by far superior. Just recently we did a b2b on Poesia for 10 nights and then Jewel of the Seas for 10 nights. We kept saying to one another that we wish we stayed on Poesia. The food on MSC was better. The activities were all staff interactive which was so much fun. The entertainment was by far in a class of its own. Even the magic was part of a theatrical display. Not just a magician on the stage doing tricks. Words cannot describe what the shows involve. Fine art is all I can say. The soprano on the ship was trained in the London Conservatory...need I say more. My back of my neck tingled when she sang. It was beautiful to witness such talent. This we do not get on any other cruise line. I have always been treated well on any cruise..maybe because I treat others well. If I were to have an issue with someone I would find someone else to resolve it with, not bash an entire cruise line because of the one employee or the one incident. WE tried MSC because we were tired of the same old thing on RCI. The differences we embraced and enjoyed. Actually we do more things on MSC than on any other cruise because of how they schedule things. Most activities we enjoy on MSC are played outside around the pool. On RCI many games and trivia are done indoors throughout the day. There is something to do at all times, all over the ship. Obviously you are looking into another cruise experience. Try it...you may be hooked! We are!