Comparing our last MSC cruise to our live NCL one now.

[styles27]

Passengers-

No comparison. No chaotic lines, no pushing and shoving from fellow pax.
Pearl is full with only 1 empty stateroom this sailing to Bermuda

Almost 3,000 on board including 400 children and it’s been very relaxing.
Have not encountered one rude passenger. 
People are actually following the rules and waiting their turn at the bar and buffet. 
No over indulger’s drinking because it’s included.  
 

Another small thing that this ship is doing that MSC had problems with in January.
NCL always has plenty of rolled silverware in a basket at every single table in the buffet and Great Escape buffet. They have a crew member going around to replenish it constantly. 
 

It seems like a silly thing to compare but on many occasions MSC ran out of clean utensils. 
 

It’s clear that this crew is treated very well. We have not encountered one crew member that hasn’t greeted us with a smile and welcome aboard! 
On MSC in January the poor crew was overwhelmed by the treatment they were receiving from rude pax. 
 

Of course the freestyle dining is second to none. I love that we can eat where we want whenever we want. I’ve missed that. 
 

Food is about the same as MSC…very good. 
Drinks are better. They reach for Grey Goose and and other higher end liquors without being told to. 
Bar service on deck A+
Bar service around the ship A

 

Entertainment. Last evening a soloist in the theater with a full orchestra behind her. Haven’t seen that since HAL cruises. 
 

We love MSC and we really hope they start paying attention to the small things that make a world of difference. 

 

We are in a club balcony suite and have our grandson with us. I am doing a live review on the NCL boards if anyone is interested. 

Happy Easter!

 

Edited April 9, 2023 by styles27

[amygutman]

Following along with interest!

Have a great time in Bermuda...it's our favorite place in the world. 

Warmest, Amy

[Seas2mountains]

Have a wonderful cruise! We love NCL and MSC YC. We have future cruises booked on both cruise lines.  
 

Thank you for doing a live review. I’m enjoying following along with you. 

[mmbcater]

There is a huge difference here of 2500+ people. Its not apple to apples. Its also not a fair comparison as to make up of the make up of the guest nationalities, NCL is mostly domestic customers, while MSC has a 65% foreign make up. If you want to do a fair comparison please pick the same size ship with similar guest make up...

 

 

Have a great sail on NCL the Pearl is a great ship!  

Edited April 10, 2023 by mmbcater

[mvh]

3 hours ago, mmbcater said:

There is a huge difference here of 2500+ people. Its not apple to apples. Its also not a fair comparison as to make up of the make up of the guest nationalities, NCL is mostly domestic customers, while MSC has a 65% foreign make up. If you want to do a fair comparison please pick the same size ship with similar guest make up...

 

 

Have a great sail on NCL the Pearl is a great ship!  

Also, pick something with comparable prices. This is a ridiculous comparison. NCL is personally my favorite line, however I would not go on MSC's board while on an NCL Cruise to bash MSC either. You get what you pay for.

[Fla Mike]

Thanks for checking-in Deb.

Glad you are enjoying yourself and relaxing since your fiasco in January.

 

I'll wander over to the NCL board.

[morpheusofthesea]

1 hour ago, mvh said:

pick something with comparable prices.

I'll hazard a comparison. Sailed on NCL Breakaway in  H7 #9316 Aft facing Penthouse with Master Bedroom 655/236 sq. ft. (balconies get smaller as decks go up) for $9071.  Sailed on MSC Seashore in a Royal Suite #16026 614/355 sq. ft. $9,950. Both for one week.  Now according to YT blogger Don T.

  -"NCL is reducing staff

  - NCL has reduced the number of cabin cleanings from 2 to 1 per day

  -NCL is 'changing' staffing salaries, increasing workloads, etc.

  -NCL has cutback in entertainment

  -Besides industry increases in wifi, gratuities and beverage packages NCL is covering only fountain drinks in their drink packages and charging $5 should one request a 'can'. (This increases the number of soiled glasses left in hallways, window sills, tables, theatre floor, etc...)(cans 'may' be disposed of in recycle bins, glasses may not)

  -NCL is now charging its guests 3% to gamble unless one uses cash to load machines."

From our experience..

  - Be aware that suite cabins outside of the confines of the Haven limits ones full 'appreciation' of a suite class experience where Yacht Club suites are in a 'gated community' with exclusive key card entry.

 - YC guests have key card elevator over rides (when they are working)

  -Tippers beware that staff on some ships (like NCL) are rotated during the cruise, making 'tipping in advance' of service ineffectual.

  -Haven Restaurant does NOT bring in Specialty Restaurant meals, even for a charge. Special requests still take 2 hours with advance notice (like one grilled chicken breast with one baked potato).

 -E muster drill is better

-Yacht Club has reserved seating in the theatre for all shows

-Complimentary bottled water

- Reserved or ability to reserve pergola/cabanas on pool deck

- 'Cushioned' pool lounges (on cabin veranda)

-Escorts on and off ship avoiding long lines

- First to use tenders off the ship at ports that tender

- Dedicated restaurant that is so good one need not book Specialty Restaurants vs Haven's never changing menu

-Service that does not involve 2 hours to complete a meal

- An attentive butler

- Cabins ready upon embarkation/ key cards in hand at checkin

- Dedicated restaurant open port days

- Dedicated buffet to only suite guests

 -Both have dedicated pool and sun deck only for suite guests 

-All the advantages of a mega ship with the exclusivity of a gated community

- Walk-in shower not low profile tub/shower combo

Edited April 10, 2023 by morpheusofthesea

[JamieLogical]

I am aboard the Meraviglia right now and have not experienced anything that you mentioned in your post about your experience in January. Maybe they have improved things since then? Bar service has been fantastic. Literally just now, my husband and I were about to sit at a table at the Edge bar and after we pulled out our chairs, before we even put our butts in them, there was a server asking what we wanted to drink. No bad luck with other passengers either. We have had several great conversations with fellow cruisers already and this is only our first full day onboard.

[styles27]

6 hours ago, mmbcater said:

There is a huge difference here of 2500+ people. Its not apple to apples. Its also not a fair comparison as to make up of the make up of the guest nationalities, NCL is mostly domestic customers, while MSC has a 65% foreign make up. If you want to do a fair comparison please pick the same size ship with similar guest make up...

 

 

Have a great sail on NCL the Pearl is a great ship!  

Size is relative. Divina is 50,000 tons larger than Pearl so a full Pearl is like a full Divina. 
Have cruised out of Port Canaveral, Rome and Miami all on Divina. Miami was the worst. Loved our first 2 MSC cruises. 
 

 

[styles27]

1 hour ago, JamieLogical said:

I am aboard the Meraviglia right now and have not experienced anything that you mentioned in your post about your experience in January. Maybe they have improved things since then? Bar service has been fantastic. Literally just now, my husband and I were about to sit at a table at the Edge bar and after we pulled out our chairs, before we even put our butts in them, there was a server asking what we wanted to drink. No bad luck with other passengers either. We have had several great conversations with fellow cruisers already and this is only our first full day onboard.

Our gripe was never with the ship or the crew.  The crew was being run ragged on our cruise and some immediately following it.
Our problem was with the 3500 or so horrible passengers. I don’t know where they came from but I hope I never see them again. 
 

I’m in the minority when I say I’m happy MSC has raised their all in pricing. I hope that cuts down on the people who cannot handle their alcohol. 
 

@morpheusoftheseaNCL is back to the e-muster drills. It started with our sailing. 
 

3 hours ago, mvh said:

Also, pick something with comparable prices. This is a ridiculous comparison. NCL is personally my favorite line, however I would not go on MSC's board while on an NCL Cruise to bash MSC either. You get what you pay for.

Not bashing. Comparing. Full ship to full ship completely different vibe.
These passengers have manners passengers in January did not.

 

It’s as simple as that.

MSC with their very low pricing was attracting a party crowd over the holidays. 

 

Now that they’re in the US market I hope they raise their rates to match their competition. They have a great product they don’t need to give it away at KMart prices. (Just dated myself)

[mvh]

3 hours ago, styles27 said:

Our gripe was never with the ship or the crew.  The crew was being run ragged on our cruise and some immediately following it.
Our problem was with the 3500 or so horrible passengers. I don’t know where they came from but I hope I never see them again. 
 

I’m in the minority when I say I’m happy MSC has raised their all in pricing. I hope that cuts down on the people who cannot handle their alcohol. 
 

@morpheusoftheseaNCL is back to the e-muster drills. It started with our sailing. 
 

Not bashing. Comparing. Full ship to full ship completely different vibe.
These passengers have manners passengers in January did not.

 

It’s as simple as that.

MSC with their very low pricing was attracting a party crowd over the holidays. 

 

Now that they’re in the US market I hope they raise their rates to match their competition. They have a great product they don’t need to give it away at KMart prices. (Just dated myself)

So you're say 3500 people were horrible? I am not sure they are the issue.  Sounds like someone thinks they are a much higher class than the rest of the ship, or just hates Europeans.

[styles27]

57 minutes ago, mvh said:

So you're say 3500 people were horrible? I am not sure they are the issue.  Sounds like someone thinks they are a much higher class than the rest of the ship, or just hates Europeans.

I’m saying they had no manners. Zero. 
 

I’ve been cruising for 40 yrs. and never had that kind of experience.
They made the party crowd on Carnival look like rookies. 

 

I have been on these boards for many years and have always given an honest review.

I have no reason to embellish or exaggerate anything and I don’t. 

So please don’t put words in my mouth. I don’t hate Europeans, all 4 of my grandparents were from Europe so nice try but you’re very wrong. 

Have a good night!

[BillieJeanKaraokeKing]

I agree the comparison does seem somewhat unfair. It seems equivalent to comparing the supermarket clientele of Asda against Waitrose (UK, sorry don't know USA equivalent). 

 

I for one liked my sole MSC cruise, have booked another, and as you say like most DO NOT wish for the prices to be increased. 🤣

[morpheusofthesea]

6 hours ago, styles27 said:

I have no reason to embellish or exaggerate anything and I don’t.

I just love to embellish and exaggerate everything in life that is enjoyable and good.  As these things occur so infrequently.

Edited April 11, 2023 by morpheusofthesea

[insidecabin]

2 hours ago, BillieJeanKaraokeKing said:

I agree the comparison does seem somewhat unfair. It seems equivalent to comparing the supermarket clientele of Asda against Waitrose (UK, sorry don't know USA equivalent). 

 

I for one liked my sole MSC cruise, have booked another, and as you say like most DO NOT wish for the prices to be increased. 🤣

Would be something like Walmark/Target V Rhoche brothers

Having said that a canny shopper can do very well with Waitrose and M&S if you yellow label shop.

 

I don't think NCL and MSC are that far apart, quite  different product delivery.

With MSC you need to avoid the cruise that will be full(school holidays) or Booze(short)

 

UK MSC prices are really good at the moment  getting 7n cruises for £500($620)-£550 with premium bevs.   many have 20% solo  and free(pay for beverages) kids places, family of 4 on a weeks cruise for under £1,200

 

 

if we did not have NCL booked in May we would on Virtuosa Norway for £520pp 

[KennyFla]

8 hours ago, styles27 said:

I’m saying they had no manners. Zero. 
 

I’ve been cruising for 40 yrs. and never had that kind of experience.
They made the party crowd on Carnival look like rookies. 

 

I have been on these boards for many years and have always given an honest review.

I have no reason to embellish or exaggerate anything and I don’t. 

So please don’t put words in my mouth. I don’t hate Europeans, all 4 of my grandparents were from Europe so nice try but you’re very wrong. 

Have a good night!

I'm curious.  What were some examples of the rude behavior you saw?

[BillieJeanKaraokeKing]

38 minutes ago, insidecabin said:

Would be something like Walmark/Target V Rhoche brothers

Having said that a canny shopper can do very well with Waitrose and M&S if you yellow label shop.

 

I don't think NCL and MSC are that far apart, quite  different product delivery.

With MSC you need to avoid the cruise that will be full(school holidays) or Booze(short)

 

UK MSC prices are really good at the moment  getting 7n cruises for £500($620)-£550 with premium bevs.   many have 20% solo  and free(pay for beverages) kids places, family of 4 on a weeks cruise for under £1,200

 

 

if we did not have NCL booked in May we would on Virtuosa Norway for £520pp 

We went on the Virtuosa 15 nighter early October last year for £1200 all in, and are doing it again this year for slightly cheaper.  Also worth saying it was an inside cabin, but the best nights sleeps we've ever had on a cruise. 

 

There were a few unpleasant and uncouth people, but our view is you're gonna find that, and you either just avoid it or laugh and view it as free people-watching entertainment. 🤣

 

Edited April 11, 2023 by BillieJeanKaraokeKing

[Markanddonna]

I sailed for 17 days in Jan and Feb 2023 on the Divina MSC ship Styles27 was talking about. Before you criticize her, please realize that her comments (IMHO) are entirely accurate about the rude and surly passengers. The violaters were NOT the Europeans but passengers from central and south America and the Miami crowd. The Europeans were equally aghast at the behavior. I saw my first pool deck fight where security was called, and also was bullied twice by people who wanted my table and chairs!  (we were SITTING in them!)  Like Styles27 said, the crew was overworked but pleasant, all things considered.

 

That experience prompted us to ax the western Caribbean, Mexico, central and south America off our future travel plans. 

 

We sailed for a short cruise three weeks after that one on the Meraviglia out of Port Canaveral, where the passengers (mostly USA and Canadians) were the nicest, most pleasant group I have ever sailed with. The cruise experience with MSC was fraught with cutbacks on both ships. I have sailed on the Divina three previous times, and these cutbacks were significant. It used to be my favorite MSC ship.

 

 

[Morgsmom]

9 hours ago, styles27 said:

I’m saying they had no manners. Zero. 
 

I’ve been cruising for 40 yrs. and never had that kind of experience.
They made the party crowd on Carnival look like rookies. 

 

I have been on these boards for many years and have always given an honest review.

I have no reason to embellish or exaggerate anything and I don’t. 

So please don’t put words in my mouth. I don’t hate Europeans, all 4 of my grandparents were from Europe so nice try but you’re very wrong. 

Have a good night!

@styles27 don't worry about @mvh. He/She posts rather mean spirited and prejudiced comments often, and for seemingly little reason other than to make him/her feel better about life.  Calling people gluttons and here, accusing someone of not liking Europeans.

 

I, too, sailed the Mera in December of 2022 on a 4 nighter.  I was in YC but did venture out and about a few times and found the same sort of ill-mannered, drunken, entitled fools.  I'm talking mid-day sloppy drunk, half dressed, yelling at bartenders for some frozen fruity tooty cocktail and waving their room cards like they were hundred dollar bills. 

 

The crew was doing all they could but it was a mess.  I, too, blame it on ridiculously low intro rates including alcohol with no daily limit.  As you said, this group made the party crowd on Carnival look like rookies 🙂

[insidecabin]

29 minutes ago, BillieJeanKaraokeKing said:

We went on the Virtuosa 15 nighter early October last year for £1200 all in, and are doing it again this year for slightly cheaper.  Also worth saying it was an inside cabin, but the best nights sleeps we've ever had on a cruise. 

 

There were a few unpleasant and uncouth people, but our view is you're gonna find that, and you either just avoid it or laugh and view it as free people-watching entertainment. 🤣

 

We were the one after 12n, School hols, man took the kids out of school to do the second week quite a few feral kids, some of the parents not much better.

 

Did that one at £500pp without the drinks IIRC is was something like £900pp with the drinks

 

The current pricing for the 15n this year is looking like £1,400pp with drinks

 

30th April canaries 12n might still be at some TA for £900pp with drinks

 

After our next Virtuosa I think we will give it a rest and look at WE or Euribia
 

[morpheusofthesea]

On the occasion of leaving the confines of the Yacht Club we made use (at his insistence) our butler to get seats in Le Cabaret Rouge one evening. Venturing back to the YC I was accosted by a 4 year old who jumped in front of me and called me "Porky". Now pre covid I was 50 pounds heavier and would agree with his assessment, but I thought I was doing well with my overindulging on the cruise.I guess not. It brought back memories of being referred to as the Pillsbury dough boy.

Edited April 11, 2023 by morpheusofthesea

[styles27]

Thank you @Markanddonna and @Morgsmom I appreciate your support. 
 

 

For those saying it’s not a fair comparison who do you consider MSC’s competition?

 

 

[mmbcater]

19 hours ago, mvh said:

Also, pick something with comparable prices. This is a ridiculous comparison. NCL is personally my favorite line, however I would not go on MSC's board while on an NCL Cruise to bash MSC either. You get what you pay for.

 I am not bashing just asking you to do a fair comparison... 

[mvh]

3 hours ago, KennyFla said:

I'm curious.  What were some examples of the rude behavior you saw?

Do you have 3500 examples, since apparently every passenger had no manners?

[styles27]

I did a live review go read it.