Royal Cruiser tried MSC- what did you think?

[SPacificbound]

I decided to fill out the matching offers on MSC. They have some different/interesting voyages.

 

If you have taken an MSC cruise, what did you think?

 

TIA

 

I have asked the same question on X.

[jamesr3939]

Very interested to hear the responses as we have considered MSC recently.

[4bythebeach]

We have cruised MSC twice and to be fair, they were both chartered cruises. My experience was that the ships were absolutely gorgeous, but there it stopped, the service was poor, the food was not even up to par with an RCL buffet and the language barrier was a big problem....ie....I ordered a Margarita at the bar and they had no idea what I was talking about!

[Clarea]

Some threads from the MSC forum you might find interesting:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2401386

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2288693

[LMaxwell]

Cruised Divina with Black Card (status match) in an inside cabin this spring. Gorgeous / immaculate ship. Good entertainment and food. Always good service and, important to me, lots of live music around the ship in various lounges. Price was phenomenal. We really enjoyed it and I'm planning to book Seaside when they publish itineraries for Q3/Q4 of 2018. I did a review and comparison to RCI if you search my name; felt like the service and quality you'd get years past on RCI.

 

The Divina just has a drydock (early??) in October and some things have changed regarding black card benefits, and now the sports bar has no charge for food; but minor changes really.

 

I'd go back on Divina again for a different itinerary or if they change theater shows (they are really, really good, but I'd just want fresh ones).

[jamesr3939]

It will be interesting to see if the language issues change since they are moving heavily into the Caribbean.

[LMaxwell]

We have cruised MSC twice and to be fair, they were both chartered cruises. My experience was that the ships were absolutely gorgeous, but there it stopped, the service was poor, the food was not even up to par with an RCL buffet and the language barrier was a big problem....ie....I ordered a Margarita at the bar and they had no idea what I was talking about!

 

:confused: By and large the drink staff we met were Indonesian / West Indian, same as other cruise ships, and Margarita's are right on the main menu of top 12 cocktails.

 

The buffet blew RCI's away; open 20 hours a day, and real pizza oven always cranking out fresh pizza (real pizza, not cardboard from Sorrentos). Also at 10:30 or 11:00PM each night they open a whole section with fresh food again; never see that on RCI. The meats and cheese section was the best of any ship I've been on in 25+ years. I liked the fruit section with the butchers chopping fresh fruit, almost in a showman like way, during breakfast hours. If the taste is to your liking, that is your opinion, but the selection and presentation, to me, easily surpassed RCI.

 

I don't know about service levels on a charter, that is your own experience, but we had universally good service. Not overbearing sugary sweet trying to sell stuff to us constantly, but we never had a long wait with anyone, and everyone we spoke to was very friendly. It's just a little more laid back, less in your face. That was my experience at least.

 

Okay, now I think about it, the Maitre D was pretty rigid with the black card benefit; we each could have a dinner for 2; one at each restaurant. We wanted to take another couple and just have one dinner for four at one restaurant and they wouldn't allow us. That seemed a bit silly. He said it has to be in the same room. makes no sense to me. I understand that has changed now and they don't mind how you use the benefit.

 

Also, 18 cocktails for $84? Bargain of the century.

[riclop]

I decided to fill out the matching offers on MSC. They have some different/interesting voyages.

 

If you have taken an MSC cruise, what did you think?

 

TIA

 

Lots of threads on the same ???

[hannibal54]

We have sailed on the Divina, the most beautiful ship that we have ever been on. When we were on her, she was new to the US so the service was slow. Hopefully by now they have the routine down. As someone said the pizza was great. As far as the other food goes, we are not picky eaters so to us everything was good. At our sailing with the drink package we could go to a bar and get a bucket of beer, this was nice so we could relax by the pool and have our drinks without having to go get more after drinking 1 can. We would defiantly go back on her, even more with the matching loyalty black card.

[xxHadleyxx]

We are Diamond on RCI and sailed Spelndida with Status match this fall.

 

We sailed in the Yatch Club (a much, much better prices than the upper tiers on RCI).

 

Overall we thought the ship was lovely.

 

Pros:

The food was very good (even that which we ate out of the YC)---overall better quality than on most RCI ships most of the time.

 

The added cost items were reasonbaly priced (cupackes for 90 cents, drinks close to land prices, etc).

 

Great ship lay out with a variety of itneresting spaced, good pool decks, etc

 

Better spa prices than any other mass market line I have been on (and the quality of services was just as good if not better)

 

Pre paid laundry and dry cleanign package worked out to be about $1.25 per peice and could include dress shirts or suit jackets, etc and was WELL done. I loved this. It was one of my favourite things:p

 

We did a little shopping on board and the prices were as good or better than on land. I got some Swarovski jewelry and it was truly 30-40% less than the prices on land or online for the same pieces.

 

Good bartenders and the service for basics in the YC was really good.

 

They sail Europe year round

 

Cons:

No one really mingled---we like to meet new people on ships and even when we tried it never wored. We tried both in and out of the YC but teh culture on the ship was not conducive to meeting new people

 

Not much in the way of cruise staff run activities (only 4 trivias in a full week, few game shows, etc). We like these things and miss them

 

Show quality was not nearly as high as on RCI, DCL or Princess

 

Live music was everywhere (good) but very low quality

 

Particularly high numbers of ouit of control kids climbing over theatre seats, throwing the little bowling balls around the pub, etc day after day with no staff interference

 

LONG lines for passport checks in South Hampton (required whether you got off or not) and to disembark in other ports (by long I mean over an hour).

We thought YC should allow us to bypass the line. On the third port in a row iwth this sort of line, under pressure from three couples inssiting YC finally got a butler to escort the group to the front---but for the first two days were were told no.

 

YC was good for a nice place to sit, quieter pool deck, free drinks (but only in the club which is so odd) and the show up any time dining. But, we were surpised by the low service for what it is supposed to be---as noted above, there was no priority in lines to get off in port. No priority seating at shows. I had one issue with a prebookeed package that the spa refused to honor (I ahd all the paperwork clearly spelling out what was included). The YC conceirge agreed I should be getting all the components of the package, called the spa and hten told me "sorry, they agree it says that but it is not supposed to" I ended up contacting staff on land via facebook adn getting it resolved before leaving the ship, but was stunned the YC concierge could not handle it given that it was cut and dried clear.

Also, smoking was allowed in part of the YC lounge (the only indoor place where the included drinks and snacks are served). It was better ventilated than I would have guessed and OK when no one was actaully smoking, but they often were, and often cigars----this made the space unusable to us as often as not.

 

 

 

All in all---if DH and I want a trip for just us and to focus on one another almost exclusively, we might well do another MSC cruise---but it will not likely become a regular line for us and we will not sail them again with a teen---the teen (who is happy on even the smallest RCI ships) was pretty bored and would opt to stay home over another MSC trip

[Clarea]

We are Diamond on RCI and sailed Spelndida with Status match this fall. ...

Excellent, detailed report, thanks.

[andrew2346]

I have taken quite a few RCI cruises and one carib cruise on Divinia. I loved it. The pizza is to die for in the buffet but you must get the pizza they make in the wine bar...it is from Eataly. The service was great and the food was better all around. The price was crazy low. My mom and I got a great balcony room for a week cruise $750 each. Dinner service was the same as RCI. I would go again in a heartbeat. Ship was clean as a whistle and gorgeous. I felt like it had a lot less in your face sales of cheap crap like watches/t shirts etc. Coffee in the coffee shop was what you would expect...gourmet! MMM

 

OH and they had these drink vouchers. I got 12 for like $80 or something like that. I worked out in the gym everyday and it was nice and up to date. I also found cruising with more folks from outside the US was nice too.

[SPacificbound]

Thank you all for sharing your experience! :)

[RFerrington]

I applied for the status match months ago and never heard a word. I wonder if they are still honoring the status match. I might try again.

 

Anyone with feedback on the casino ?

[Clarea]

I applied for the status match months ago and never heard a word. I wonder if they are still honoring the status match. I might try again.

 

Anyone with feedback on the casino ?

Some months ago, MSC had problems with the web-based status match request, and requests were lost. It's been reported on the MSC forum that they can do the status match manually if you call them.

[RFerrington]

Some months ago, MSC had problems with the web-based status match request, and requests were lost. It's been reported on the MSC forum that they can do the status match manually if you call them.

 

Thanks, Bob. I will give them a call. Easier that way, anyway !

[George C]

We did MSC about 12 years ago on a old ship but loved food, we have 2 RCCL cruises next year both in GS , but would like to try MSC in a suite, everything I have read has been good, love having pool for suite people, since RCCL doesn't even have private pool sitting on some ships. I think language may be issue but not sailing caribbean

[heatherb1958]

I have been scouring the boards for comparison reviews, thought there would have been more by now, we are booked on Splendida for a B2B in Feb 2017.

 

We went for the Bella experience in a balcony cabin, got the 5% discount for the status match, the difference in price to next level was £100 per person and did not include any drinks packages when we booked. For the first cruise with the savings we purchased 3 voucher packages for bottles of wine for the dining room, premium beer for around the pool in the day and a 'Coffee Cuddle' package. None of these are unlimited but we calculated that for a 7 night cruise it should be more than enough, total £124. After we have experienced these packages will decide what we do for the next cruise.

 

On our RCI cruises we mix up evening dining depending on the length of cruise , we eat either in the MDR, the Windjammer and Speciality restaurants.

On Splendida we will do one cruise in the MDR and the other in the buffet at night to get a true comparison with our experiences with RCI.

I will be sure to do a mini review when we get back.

We are more than happy so far with the booking experience and the variety of drinks packages available to suit all needs.

[VASOXFANN]

It was a couple of years ago, but we really liked it. The Italian food was very good. Don't expect to go and eat burgers and fries every day and be happy. The cheesecake was fabulous, and the drinks were good and reasonably priced.

 

We also liked the layout of the ship, particularly the pool area. This was the Poesia rather than the newer Divinia. We enjoyed our cruise so much that booked another cruise onboard, but unfortunately, we had to cancel as DH had to have emergency surgery :) The only reason we haven't cruised with them again is because they only leave from Florida, and it is much more convenient for us to cruise from other ports.

[SPacificbound]

I applied for the status match months ago and never heard a word. I wonder if they are still honoring the status match. I might try again.

 

Anyone with feedback on the casino ?

 

 

 

I did their online application last night and had an email this morning with acceptance and Voyagers Club Black account.

 

Give them a call, the one you sent may have gotten swallowed up by the website.

[VASOXFANN]

The MSC USA website is the worst part about the cruiseline.

 

I've always had better luck calling and speaking with customer service whenever I need anything (status match, bookings, etc.)

[Clarea]

The MSC USA website is the worst part about the cruiseline. ...

Are you saying there is a worse website than Royal's?:eek:

[xxHadleyxx]

Are you saying there is a worse website than Royal's?:eek:

 

In our experience with MSC's---yes, I would say it is actually worse than RCI's---as hard to believe as that is:eek:

[matj2000]

I cancelled my RC cruise for next Nov.

 

And booked the Divina.

 

Saved about $700 in difference.

 

Plus we are in an Aurea Suite...

 

[dcgrumpy]

We are Diamond on RCI and sailed Spelndida with Status match this fall.

 

We sailed in the Yatch Club (a much, much better prices than the upper tiers on RCI).

 

Overall we thought the ship was lovely.

 

Pros:

The food was very good (even that which we ate out of the YC)---overall better quality than on most RCI ships most of the time.

 

The added cost items were reasonbaly priced (cupackes for 90 cents, drinks close to land prices, etc).

 

Great ship lay out with a variety of itneresting spaced, good pool decks, etc

 

Better spa prices than any other mass market line I have been on (and the quality of services was just as good if not better)

 

Pre paid laundry and dry cleanign package worked out to be about $1.25 per peice and could include dress shirts or suit jackets, etc and was WELL done. I loved this. It was one of my favourite things:p

 

We did a little shopping on board and the prices were as good or better than on land. I got some Swarovski jewelry and it was truly 30-40% less than the prices on land or online for the same pieces.

 

Good bartenders and the service for basics in the YC was really good.

 

They sail Europe year round

 

Cons:

No one really mingled---we like to meet new people on ships and even when we tried it never wored. We tried both in and out of the YC but teh culture on the ship was not conducive to meeting new people

 

Not much in the way of cruise staff run activities (only 4 trivias in a full week, few game shows, etc). We like these things and miss them

 

Show quality was not nearly as high as on RCI, DCL or Princess

 

Live music was everywhere (good) but very low quality

 

Particularly high numbers of ouit of control kids climbing over theatre seats, throwing the little bowling balls around the pub, etc day after day with no staff interference

 

LONG lines for passport checks in South Hampton (required whether you got off or not) and to disembark in other ports (by long I mean over an hour).

We thought YC should allow us to bypass the line. On the third port in a row iwth this sort of line, under pressure from three couples inssiting YC finally got a butler to escort the group to the front---but for the first two days were were told no.

 

YC was good for a nice place to sit, quieter pool deck, free drinks (but only in the club which is so odd) and the show up any time dining. But, we were surpised by the low service for what it is supposed to be---as noted above, there was no priority in lines to get off in port. No priority seating at shows. I had one issue with a prebookeed package that the spa refused to honor (I ahd all the paperwork clearly spelling out what was included). The YC conceirge agreed I should be getting all the components of the package, called the spa and hten told me "sorry, they agree it says that but it is not supposed to" I ended up contacting staff on land via facebook adn getting it resolved before leaving the ship, but was stunned the YC concierge could not handle it given that it was cut and dried clear.

Also, smoking was allowed in part of the YC lounge (the only indoor place where the included drinks and snacks are served). It was better ventilated than I would have guessed and OK when no one was actaully smoking, but they often were, and often cigars----this made the space unusable to us as often as not.

 

 

 

All in all---if DH and I want a trip for just us and to focus on one another almost exclusively, we might well do another MSC cruise---but it will not likely become a regular line for us and we will not sail them again with a teen---the teen (who is happy on even the smallest RCI ships) was pretty bored and would opt to stay home over another MSC trip

 

Thanks for the comparison. I've thought of trying MSC. But with 3 pre-teen/teens it doesn't sound like it would be a good fit for us. Maybe if DH and I go on a cruise without the kids.

Edited December 2, 2016 by dcgrumpy