MSC Preziosa - any questions?

[Captain-John]

Hi CF. No luck with the wine so far, they only have 2 reds but I'm going to make a point of bringing my own as Bea did and hope it gets attention, or if not I'll be explicit about it. 

 

The Grill is open but as far as I'm aware there's not a 'made to order' facility for burgers and the like as on Mera. We found the selection available on boarding extremely unappetising and that's set the tone for us, although we do check the selections periodically. Pic below of the boarding day offering. 

 

As luck would have it, I'm on the sundeck now, and my phone professes to have an app that measures distances - although it returned 20cm which I think is not the case! 

 

Instead I've photographed the cruise card against it. Hopefully you've got an old one lying around and can make the comparison, but if not I'll persist with the app and hopefully have a 'scientific' answer for you by the end of the cruise.... 

 

No the niggles are just that - but it wouldn't be Cruise Critic if I didn't call them out! 🙂

[CruisingFox27]

Brilliant Capt' thank you very much. I've measured an old card and it comes in at 40cm. I can measure my bolts accordingly.

 

As I recall there was nothing to indicate food could be ordered but it was available at the pool grill, pizza, burger, chips, hot dogs (best avoided).

 

Good luck with the wine. I'm looking forward to an enhanced selection on Mera as we're on the same sailing as Bea 😀

 

 

[mickey89]

We discovered quite late on that if you want a decent pizza, order via room service.  

If you order at the One Pool grill you get the inferior MDR pizza.

[Beamafar]

I was never fond of the offerings at the grill on Fantasia-class, but was amazed at the selection on Seaview.  For the first time, we had lunch on the pool deck most days last month.  I can't recall what they had on Mera - guess I'll be reminded in a few weeks' time.

[Captain-John]

Room service pizza as of 3pm this afternoon - 'four cheese' with a fancy name (number 7). The menu in the room still says it's coming from Eataly mind you. It was tasty and hot. 

 

Edited October 4, 2019 by Captain-John

[Captain-John]

5 minutes ago, Beamafar said:

I was never fond of the offerings at the grill on Fantasia-class, but was amazed at the selection on Seaview.  For the first time, we had lunch on the pool deck most days last month.  I can't recall what they had on Mera - guess I'll be reminded in a few weeks' time.

Yep our feeling also compared to Mera. DW feels the snacks in TSL were superior on Mera in terms of variety and number. I was so looking forward to lunch in the pool deck on this sailing, given the better weather compared to Baltic route in May but I doubt we will, unless we have luck ordering items as-hoc per CF's comments

Edited October 4, 2019 by Captain-John

[CruisingFox27]

We've always really enjoyed the pizza in the MDR and were disappointed with the room service pizza on Preziosa. Yours does look much better, admittedly, we only ordered due to illness so possibly impacted our view. Although ordering 3 times without receiving the correct pizza topping didn't help matters.

DH enjoyed the fresh pasta dishes at the pool grill, I'm not always interested in lunch but was disappointed with the salad on a few occasions.

I'm very much looking forward to the TSL snacks following your previous Mera review Capt 😀

I have us both on a pre-cruise diet so DH is just looking forward to treats full stop 😂

[mickey89]

Thought Eataly was replaced by Butchers Cut on Preziosa 

[Captain-John]

As requested CF - we're sailing away now but this hopefully tides you over until I'm back in range!! 

 

It has been Mickey - but the branding is still on the menu. 

[mnocket]

I've been looking at a Norwegian Fjords cruise on the Preziosa.  I hadn't been on MSC before so I recently took a trial cruise on the Seaside in Yacht Club.  I loved the Yacht Club on Seaside, but from what I've read so far it seems that the YC on Preziosa is a lesser experience.  If you get a chance would you mind commenting on the following questions?  Thanks

1. We often ate lunch at the pool grill. Is the grill on the Preziosa really that much worse in offerings?  Do they really not have cooked to order hamburgers?
2. The picture above is a bit underwhelming compared to the TSL snacks available on the Seaside.  Is this typical of the daytime offerings?
3. Since the weather will be cool on a Norwegian itinerary I wonder if the pools will be usable.  Is the YC pool heated or covered?  Are there any pools on Preziosa that are heated and/or covered?
4. The casino on the Seaside was very crowded in the evening - I mean it was hard to find an available slot machine and the tables were always full.  Is the casino on the Preziosa also very crowded?
5. Would the TSL be a good location for scenic viewing while sailing the fjords?
6. The YC on Seaside never felt anywhere close to being crowded.  It seems that on Preziosa it may feel a bit more crowded?

Any other observations you may have comparing the YC experience on Preziosa and Seaside would be appreciated. Thanks again.

[mickey89]

On 10/4/2019 at 8:09 PM, mnocket said:

 

1. We often ate lunch at the pool grill. Is the grill on the Preziosa really that much worse in offerings?  Do they really not have cooked to order hamburgers?  No Grill just selection of hot dishes which change daily. Hamburger are available- staff will collect from buffet a few decks below.
2. The picture above is a bit underwhelming compared to the TSL snacks available on the Seaside.  Is this typical of the daytime offerings? Yes
3. Since the weather will be cool on a Norwegian itinerary I wonder if the pools will be usable.  Is the YC pool heated or covered?  Are there any pools on Preziosa that are heated and/or covered? One Pool is not heated. Has a canvas awning.
4. The casino on the Seaside was very crowded in the evening - I mean it was hard to find an available slot machine and the tables were always full.  Is the casino on the Preziosa also very crowded? Yes very crowded and full of smoke
5. Would the TSL be a good location for scenic viewing while sailing the fjords? Absolutely with panoramic views 
6. The YC on Seaside never felt anywhere close to being crowded.  It seems that on Preziosa it may feel a bit more crowded? Never felt crowded, I suppose will depend on weather.

Any other observations you may have comparing the YC experience on Preziosa and Seaside would be appreciated. Thanks again. Seaside based in Miami has poor itinerary compared to Preziosa. The only really negatives are uncomfortable sun loungers and location of YC restaurant, although we enjoyed the walk. Both fail miserably on the lack of shade on the sun deck but in the Fiords that shouldn’t be a concern. Love Preziosa..............Seaside too big.

 

[Captain-John]

I'll answer fully on my return, but quick thoughts from Lisbon:

 

1. I'm not impressed with the grill offerings, but plenty of people do partake. Not like Mera though. 

 

2. Definitely not as expansive a snack selection as Mera either. Smaller choice and variety. 

 

3. It's heated for us - to around 26c. 

 

4. Yes crowded and smoky. 

 

5. The views are gorgeous out the front windows. 

 

6. YC does not feel crowded at all and I'm led to believe it's full. 

 

[Beamafar]

There's no doubt that MSC has upped their game when it comes to the pool grill and TSL buffet offerings on the new-builds.  The sweet treats on Seaview were to die for (I avoided them like the plague, despite them being so tempting).