MSC Orchestra semi-review/reflection

[Celandine]

Hello all, I didn't take notes so I can't call it a full review.... but I'll do some day by day stuff and final thoughts.

 

Intro- myself, first cruise on MSC, 9th cruise total travelling with my dad who also enjoyed his first MSC cruise and either his 8th or 9th total.

 

We both flew into Rome (FCO) on the 29th (Good Friday- which cancelled our touring plans, but we enjoyed a day of rest at our hotel, would totally stay there again) My dad flew in from Canada, I flew in from Egypt.

 

The next day we booked a private transfer with romeinlimo to take us to the ship, and they were also picking us up at the end.

 

Private transfers are pricey, but I was on vacation and didn't feel like carting my luggage anywhere, the nice car picked us up and we enjoyed a stress free ride right to the ship (practically)

 

Embarkation- today was not their big embarkation day, that happened in Genoa the previous day... so we essentially walked on the ship. No lines, no hassle.... best embarkation ever.

 

Cabin- 9042, inside, roomy enough, bathroom larger than expected. very nice bedding in my opinion, and comfortable room with enough storage for clothes, luggage and everything else.

 

Ship- gorgeous, and well maintained. People were always cleaning ,repairing etc. And the décor was lovely except in the L"Ibiscus Dining room...

 

DIning- we had asked for first seating, and were told we were confirmed, but upon boarding found we had second seating which was at 9:30 pm.... this is far too late for our liking (heck first seating was at 7 pm)

This caused us to only go to the dining room once (where we saw how ugly it was), and we just did dinner at the buffet except the one night we ate at a specialty restaurant (Shanghai for sushi)

 

Breakfast was always in the buffet, and lunch was always in the dining room except for 1 port day we missed

 

The quality of the food exceeded our expectations (A theme for this trip), some favourites included pasta in the dining room, fish in the dining room, and pizza at the buffet.

 

Desserts were hit and miss, but the tiramisu, coconut cream cake and cannoli were fantastic.

 

 

 

Back to the first day, we skipped the show tonight (Italian songs or something like that) and I think called it early, neither one of us had been sleeping well the previous 2 nights.

[Celandine]

Day 2- Palermo, Italy

 

We woke up, no excursions booked, had breakfast and got off the ship around 10/11 am. Walked a bit, then found a 10 Euro pp tourist 'train', and got on.... great little tour of the city, confirmed mostly closed for Easter, and then literally headed back to the ship.

 

Cleared up a problem in that we were receiving French papers in our room, we did need English, this took a trip to the front desk and leaving a note for our room steward (who we never met) to get fixed, but it did.

 

today we looked excursions and booked the ones we wanted. One in Tunis to see Carthage, one in Villefranche to see Monaco and Monte Carlo and one in Genoa to go to the aquarium.

 

Tonight we did catch the show "Land of the Pharohs' again, above our expectations. We went to the rest of the shows, and overall really really enjoyed them.

 

We are starting to find out that the ship caters more the English than we anticipated.

 

Tonight we likely went to the casino for a bit, and this was a formal night, we did the one dinner in the dining room....confirming we do not like eating at 9:30 at night, especially with a 6 am wake up call for an early excursion in Tunis.

 

Bed time.

[Skipper Tim]

Tonight we likely went to the casino for a bit, and this was a formal night, we did the one dinner in the dining room....confirming we do not like eating at 9:30 at night, especially with a 6 am wake up call for an early excursion in Tunis.

 

Bed time.

 

It is easy enough to change sittings. Just see the Maitre D' who will be stationed at one of the entrances to the dining room (often the one not in use). I agree, a 9:30 pm start is just too late when you have to wait over 30 mins for the first course.