Just came back from Splendida, any questions?

[TheCaveman]

Just had a wonderful cruise in the Med on board the Splendida.

 

It was 100% better than our first MSC cruise on the Fantasia.

On the Fantasia, a lot of thing went wrong, but, Splendida was such an huge improvement, was almost like sailing on a different cruise line.

 

Any questions?

[sippican]

Just had a wonderful cruise in the Med on board the Splendida.

 

It was 100% better than our first MSC cruise on the Fantasia.

On the Fantasia, a lot of thing went wrong, but, Splendida was such an huge improvement, was almost like sailing on a different cruise line.

 

Any questions?

 

Hoping to book the Splendida for a trip to the fjords in Norway during the summer of 2015. We were a little concerned after reading some of the reviews of the line in general, mainly with service.

What differences (if any) did you notice from lines that cater to an primarily American market?

What did you really like about the ship?

[CruiserFromTheRock]

Where did you embark? We are going on the Spendida in July, embarking in Messina. What did you do in Tunis? I've seen mixed opinions for that port. Also, did the passengers follow the suggested dress code? I'd love to read a review of your cruise!

[TheCaveman]

we are still debating doing a review, will answer questions in a few hours when we are home....

[soloadventurer]

Hi Caveman - due to go on her at the end off the month.

 

What did you make of Messina & Tunis ?

 

 

Also what time did you dock in Barcelona on return ?

 

 

 

 

 

sippican when is she doing the fjords ?

 

 

Many thanks

[sippican]

sippican when is she doing the fjords ?

Many thanks

 

According to the UK website, an 11 and 14 day trip next summer. They are not on sale in the US.

[TheCaveman]

Service,

we had no problem with any service whatsoever.

 

We were a group of 10, all with Allegrissimo, and we were always served, drinks, never a wait.

At dinner, for a Table of 10, once they took your orders, food followed quickly enough

 

Room Service / Cleaner were great as well. (Although I never met him)

 

MSC vs USA Cruises

 

Yes, there are differences, food is more European, and less fried food, more pasta, risotto, etc, but, you

Announcements, It starts in Italian, and continue in few other languages until they reach English. Depending on the breakdown of language on the ship.

 

Entertainment staff:

Was great, although we did not partake in anything, but we usually do on American cruises.

It is just not the same. ( Still fun to watch though)

 

We embarked in Barcelona, approx 11am,

 

Dress Code – we did dress us, but, nobody followed the dress code

 

On Gala night, 60% of ship was dressed up, other were walking around in jeans, shorts, etc, did not bother us inat all

 

Other nights, you can wear smart shorts to the dining room if you want to; we saw 25% of people doing so

 

Ship was beautiful, clean, no complaints there.

 

Messina, 2nd time we were there, just walked aroung

 

Tunis – We did to go town on our own, ( group of 9) Took the train to town, walked around, and taxi back

 

but, this is one port where I would just do a ship excursion.

[TheCaveman]

On our first MSC cruise, service & especially customer service was really- really bad…

Worst we ever had, on any holiday or day to day encounter.

 

But, we tried them again, and it was great, so, I think it is just luck of the draw…

 

Will we cruise with them again, defiantly, we already for Davina booked, and will prob be doing another European cruise with them next year.

[sippican]

TheCaveman, thank you for your helpful reply.

[CruiserFromTheRock]

Thanks for the information, Caveman!!

[hatjohn]

Hi am going in her on Sunday, what was the weather like and the theatre shows ?

 

 

 

 

RCL Serenade Of The Seas Dec 2012

MSC Opera July 2013

Island escape Oct 2013

MSC Divina Jan 2014

MSC Splendida May 2014

MSC Preziosa Oct 2014

MSC Divina Feb 2015

[soloadventurer]

Thanks Caveman - 11am embarkation was that walk off ? just need to get off as soon as it docks - did it dock at 8am

[TheCaveman]

To be honest, if you want to get off ASAP, just go to the front desk the night before, and get tickets to be the first people off

 

or, just ignore it, and do it the Italian way. Just wait in reception area until ship docked, have all your luggage with you, and, as soon as people start getting off, just join the que, as nobody checks it anyway.and walk off

 

Shows, we only saw the first and last one, they were good, ok, but not Great

 

if we missed them, i would not have cared either way

Edited May 8, 2014 by TheCaveman