Are MSC cruises kid friendly?

[booboo925]

Hi all,

 

Hoping someone can help. My sister would like to take my 13 yo daughter on a cruise in Europe - preferable Greece, Italy, etc...Is MSC kid friendly? My daughter and I have sailed on Carnival numerous times, and she always has a blast - I would just hate for her to be the only kid on the ship...We are looking at a late May 2011 cruise.

 

Thanks in advance for any info you can offer!

[Satincruz]

Hi booboo925,

 

There should be lots and lots of kids onboard at that time, and they'll be from many different countries. She'll especially like it, if she's interested in learning about different international cultures.

[Capricruiser]

If you were going a couple weeks later the ship would be crawling with kids (European school holidays run generally from mid-June to early-mid September). Be that as it may, she will still have lots of companions with loads of activities.

[booboo925]

Thanks for the replies!

 

One last question if you don't mind - how smokey are MSC cruises? My sister is pretty sensitive to smoke, and would prefer a ship that is not super smokey...Is it like Carnival where they restrict smoking to one side of lido, only in casino, etc...or is it a smokers paradise?

 

Thanks again!

[Capricruiser]

MSC is definitely not a smoker's paradise. Since the line instituted their new anti-smoking regulations last year many CC members who smoke no longer book MSC cruises. Basically it's as you mention, one half of the lido, casino, and a restricted area in certain bars. No smoking in cabins, on balconies, corridors, restaurants, theatre, etc.

[AndrewK]

... how smokey are MSC cruises? ...

 

It may vary from ship to ship and cruise location to cruise location on MSC ... but smoking has been an issue for some MSC passengers. I'm not trying to put you off but I feel it's only fair that you get an accurate response as I find it helps if you're prepared for all eventualities. The smoking topic has been discussed previously on these forums and here is a link to one of the more recent theads:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1291691

[lousk]

MSC is definitely not a smoker's paradise. Since the line instituted their new anti-smoking regulations last year many CC members who smoke no longer book MSC cruises. Basically it's as you mention, one half of the lido, casino, and a restricted area in certain bars. No smoking in cabins, on balconies, corridors, restaurants, theatre, etc.

 

as a smoker & having been on the poesia for 19 days last may, i find this statement to be very accurate.

 

LOU