MSC (first time)

[DrewCC2225]

Good Morning All!

 

I have never sailed on MSC before but I have been curious about them for a long time. I have over 10 cruises with Princess and another 4 with RC and Norwegian. My family and I have a Princess cruise booked for summer 2024 but I want something in between now and then. 
 

I asked my travel agent to look at MSC but she keeps trying to talk me out of it. She keeps telling me that MSC isn’t good and the food is terrible. She also mentioned that everything is an “add-on”. I have my doubts about the information I am getting from her so I figured I would come to the source and get an honest review from you guys. 
 

I will be traveling with my two kids ages 5 & 12. What is everyone’s opinion on MSC? Any information would be greatly appreciated!

 

thanks!

[Essiesmom]

Has your travel agent ever sailed MSC?  Doesn’t sound like it.  Give them a try.  Try for a 7 day cruise to get a better idea, and stick with ‘downtown’ instead of the Yacht Club.  With young kids you wouldn’t be wanting to hang out all the time in the YC.  You can get kids sail free sharing a cabin with two full fare guests.  The newer ships have a bunk sofa, couch that raises up to become upper and lower bunk.  Go with an open mind.  Yes, it’s different.  But you might find you like different, especially for the price.  EM

[Homosassa]

Are you sure your travel agent isn't confusing MSC with NCL? Her comments about add ons and the food sounds like NCL to me.

 

 MSC is not a good choice for everyone. It is geared to an international clientele which means that for someone from Middle of No Where, Fly over State, USA, often has a hard time dealing with a passenger composition where everyone does not look like them, dress like them, eat like them , or act like them.

 

Instead, MSC is an Italian cruise line that embraces their Italian heritage by serving Italian food, not Italian -American Olive Garden cuisine. This can come as a shock to the person who expects spaghetti and meatballs, garlic bread, or pineapple and ham or pepperoni on the pizza.

 

MSC will also offer in the buffet various  food items that will appeal to the different passenger populations from some where other than the USA.

 

MSC is also not booze centric. While drink packages are offered as a convivence for the passengers, a large number of staff is not dedicated  to the pushing of alcohol. Many of the booze cruise crowd do complain that they have to stand in line at a bar or that alcohol is not  served in the theater or easily obtained in the Dining Room (wine is available in the Dining Room).

 

The service on MSC is not the obsequious "give me a ten" fawning on many US cruise lines.  It is professional and discreet (i.e.; European). Some US passengers interpret the service as "cold" or impersonal.

 

MC prides itself as a family cruise line  However, this does not mean that one can dump the kids at a camp in the morning and never see them again.  

Instead, there will be many intergenerational groups or affinity groups enjoying each others company and socializing at dinner. The idea of enjoying dinner and socializing is a real downer for the "Gobble and Go" crowd.

 

There are children's programs and family activities available. However, the hours of the children's program are felt to be inadequate by some.  Also the requirement that an adult must be present for the children to attend  family activities interrupts some parents' time on the pool deck.

 

There will be some posters who will post on here that they will only cruise in the Yacht Club and refer to the rest of the ship as steerage or Gen Pop (General Population).

 

As someone who has been cruising for forty eight years on many of the middle and upper tier cruise lines, I have always been very happy with my MSC cruises at the Bella experience level (will be going up to Fantastica  as Bella has been changed to a guaranty cabin category). 

 

 

[FamilyAtSea.travel]

39 minutes ago, Homosassa said:

Are you sure your travel agent isn't confusing MSC with NCL? Her comments about add ons and the food sounds like NCL to me.

 

 MSC is not a good choice for everyone. It is geared to an international clientele which means that for someone from Middle of No Where, Fly over State, USA, often has a hard time dealing with a passenger composition where everyone does not look like them, dress like them, eat like them , or act like them.

 

Instead, MSC is an Italian cruise line that embraces their Italian heritage by serving Italian food, not Italian -American Olive Garden cuisine. This can come as a shock to the person who expects spaghetti and meatballs, garlic bread, or pineapple and ham or pepperoni on the pizza.

 

MSC will also offer in the buffet various  food items that will appeal to the different passenger populations from some where other than the USA.

 

MSC is also not booze centric. While drink packages are offered as a convivence for the passengers, a large number of staff is not dedicated  to the pushing of alcohol. Many of the booze cruise crowd do complain that they have to stand in line at a bar or that alcohol is not  served in the theater or easily obtained in the Dining Room (wine is available in the Dining Room).

 

The service on MSC is not the obsequious "give me a ten" fawning on many US cruise lines.  It is professional and discreet (i.e.; European). Some US passengers interpret the service as "cold" or impersonal.

 

MC prides itself as a family cruise line  However, this does not mean that one can dump the kids at a camp in the morning and never see them again.  

Instead, there will be many intergenerational groups or affinity groups enjoying each others company and socializing at dinner. The idea of enjoying dinner and socializing is a real downer for the "Gobble and Go" crowd.

 

There are children's programs and family activities available. However, the hours of the children's program are felt to be inadequate by some.  Also the requirement that an adult must be present for the children to attend  family activities interrupts some parents' time on the pool deck.

 

There will be some posters who will post on here that they will only cruise in the Yacht Club and refer to the rest of the ship as steerage or Gen Pop (General Population).

 

As someone who has been cruising for forty eight years on many of the middle and upper tier cruise lines, I have always been very happy with my MSC cruises at the Bella experience level (will be going up to Fantastica  as Bella has been changed to a guaranty cabin category). 

 

 

 

I'm not sure if you were genuinely trying to promote MSC or if you were just trying to show why you're superior to people who don't like MSC, but whatever it was did not put you or MSC in a very positive light.

 

Yikes.

[steveknj]

I got off our first MSC cruise a week ago (3 night cruise) and while not everything was perfect, a lot of what people complain about, food, nickel and diming etc. were no better or worse than most cruises I've been on.    Firstly, I upgraded to the Aurea package, so that does have SOME influence on our impression.   That gave us access to a couple of special perks, a special area on the ship (The Seashore out of Port Canaveral), and we got some chocolate and a bottle of Italian sparkling wine.   We are not big drinkers and indeed we didn't drink on this cruise, but we did like that the drink package gave us access to specialty coffees (really excellent cappuccinos).   As far as the food, like just about every other cruise, it's hit or miss, with mostly hit.   The pizza is the best I've ever had on a cruise line (and I'm a native NYer and somewhat of a pizza snob).  The buffet was the same every day but what we tried was actually pretty good.  We enjoyed the breakfast in the MDR.   And we ate dinner in the MDR two of the three nights.  The first night, I had some pulled pork thing that was pretty good with a good portion.   The second night I had some blackened grouper that was overcooked.   We also did the taco joint for dinner one night.  We wanted to do the steakhouse but it was all alacarte and TOO expensive, So like I said, hit or miss.  We really liked the private island, which was definitely better than what NCL and RCCL offers (though since we've last visited, they've updated that island, but haven't experienced it).  Problem was it was too cold (in the 50s) so we couldn't enjoy the water and didn't stay as long as we would have liked.  The entertainment was on par with Carnival, but not as good as NCL/RCCL.  I liked the little cabaret where they had rotating acts everynight, 3 or 4 different ones each doing a 15-20 minute set.  That was different and interesting.  Embarkation and Debarkation was seamless, despite the horror stories I read on here about it.  We were on the ship within 15 minutes of arriving at the port and off the ship in like 20 minutes after standing on a continuously moving line (we did self checkout and took our own bags).

 

Like I said, there were a few things we didn't like.   Desserts were mostly subpar (and considering this was an Italian ship, that surprised us).  We are used to having sliced cake options at the buffet but all they had were mini pastries (but no Napoleans!!).   Muster drills were confusing, but really didn't take a whole lot of time.   We don't gamble a lot, but while I do appreciate that the main casino was smoke free, there were only two draw poker machines, so we didn't play.   The trivia games were few and far between.   No coffee was offered at dinner, which we normally enjoy with our dessert.

 

Would I do another MSC? Absolutely.  We are not actively going to book another cruise any time soon.  We have some other expenses and plans, but when we are ready again, we'd book another one.

[JT1962]

2 hours ago, DrewCC2225 said:

Good Morning All!

 

I have never sailed on MSC before but I have been curious about them for a long time. I have over 10 cruises with Princess and another 4 with RC and Norwegian. My family and I have a Princess cruise booked for summer 2024 but I want something in between now and then. 
 

I asked my travel agent to look at MSC but she keeps trying to talk me out of it. She keeps telling me that MSC isn’t good and the food is terrible. She also mentioned that everything is an “add-on”. I have my doubts about the information I am getting from her so I figured I would come to the source and get an honest review from you guys. 
 

I will be traveling with my two kids ages 5 & 12. What is everyone’s opinion on MSC? Any information would be greatly appreciated!

 

thanks!

I had similar concerns before trying MSC in January 2022. I have found it to be perfect for me traveling solo and will be boarding the Seashore on Thursday for my 8th MSC cruise. There are differences as compared to Carnival, Royal Caribbean & NCL, but there are more similarities than differences, from my experience. Outside of their website and Customer Service issues prior to boarding, I have enjoyed my cruises.
 

I have found the food to be equivalent to or better than the other lines, although there are probably a few less choices on the menus in the dining room compared to other lines. Unless someone has some very restrictive dietary requirements, or is very choosy, finding something good to eat at each meal should not be a problem. The pizza is the best I have had on any cruise line.
 

I have found that some travel agents refuse to book with MSC. The agency I had used for years refuses to book with MSC due to the Customer Service issues they experienced in the past. I did find a travel agent who was able to book me on an MSC cruise last year, but she said she would never book anyone on MSC again after she had to spend three hours on the phone over multiple calls trying to resolve one minor issue. I now book directly with MSC, but make sure I choose the cabin / experience I want and try to never contact them after booking. 
 

My advice is to try it and see. People either seem to love or hate MSC. If you go with an open mind and don’t compare every difference to what you’ve experienced on other lines, I think you will enjoy it.

 

Edited January 30 by JT1962

[Mark_T]

36 minutes ago, steveknj said:

We wanted to do the steakhouse but it was all alacarte and TOO expensive

If you go again, you'll see there is an 'Experience Menu' option which is usually at a very reasonable price and offers a limited selection from the full menu.

 

There are also package options available which gives you access to that same 'Experience menu' at even lower prices...

[morpheusofthesea]

2 hours ago, DrewCC2225 said:

What is everyone’s opinion on MSC? Any information would be greatly appreciated!

The more cruises one goes on, the more one is able to have their own list to look for.

That is why cruising has so many types of ships. If exotic destinations are ones 'wish list' like Antarctica or the Society Islands, then smaller ships are the only way to go. If "dancing" is a priority a good travel agent could research which ships and theme cruises would satisfy ones desire. I recall dancing every evening on NCL Breakaway in their 'Manhattan Supper Club'. One just has to make up ones own list'. Here is our list for those that might have missed it, that Yacht Club has all of them.

Never sailed on a MSC ship in a cabin outside the Yacht Club. But we can list now all the things to look out for when booking any cruise ship.

#1 E muster drill is better

#2 Two cabin cleanings per day

#3 No % charge for gambling if using credit card

#4 No extra charge for can sodas vs fountain drinks

#5 Reserved seating in the theatre for all shows

#6 Complimentary bottled water (not ship distilled with unsanitary reusable bottles)

#7 Reserved or ability to reserve pergola/cabanas on pool deck (avoiding chair hogs)

#8 'Cushioned' pool lounges

#9 Escorts on and off ship avoiding long lines

#10 First to use tenders off the ship at ports that tender

#11 Dedicated restaurant that is so good one need not book Specialty Restaurants

#12 Service that does not involve 2 hours to complete a meal

#13 An attentive butler not hard to find when needed

#14 Cabins ready upon embarkation/ key cards in hand at checkin

#15 Dedicated restaurant OPEN port days

#16 Dedicated buffet to only suite guests

#17 Dedicated pool and sun deck only for suite guests with ample lounges

# 18 All the advantages of a mega ship with the exclusivity of a gated community

#19 walk-in shower not low profile tub/shower combo

#20 No non-suite paying Pinnacle/Zenith/Diamond passengers taking up prime real estate in the Yacht Club

#21 Elevator over-ride key cards for suite guests

#22 Pristine out island with NO bugs crawling all over cabanas

#23 short distance between cabin and restaurant decks

#24 At least a 100 sq ft balcony accommodating a cushioned lounge chair

#25 A reserved table for 2 for all meals in a dedicated restaurant with the same waiters for 'most' every meal

[DaKahuna]

@morpheusofthesea   I find your #1 very interesting considering the way MSC does their E-muster.  Can you explain why you think the E-muster drill for MSC rates and "is better?"  From what I have read of the procedure, MSC's is much more convoluted than Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, Princess, and others. 

 

[steveknj]

35 minutes ago, Mark_T said:

If you go again, you'll see there is an 'Experience Menu' option which is usually at a very reasonable price and offers a limited selection from the full menu.

 

There are also package options available which gives you access to that same 'Experience menu' at even lower prices...

 

Thanks.  I'm more used to one surcharge and getting (mostly what I want).  And to be fair, one of the things I used to like is that I could eat at one of these specialty restaurants for a small upcharge, with food that was equivalent to what I'd pay on land and enjoy the experience.  But over the last few years, many of these have gone a la carte with prices that are on par with what is on land.  For example, at one time, eating at Cagney's on an NCL cruise was just a $30 upcharge.   Well where on land can you got a top grade steak dinner for $30.  But when looking at the MSC menu, the prices for their steaks were not really any cheaper than I could get on land, thus, we just decided it wasn't worth it.  In fact, most of the specialty restaurants were a la carte (we did the Mexican place on an $18 all you can eat deal).  It's one of the things I'm not that fond of on MSC.

[JT1962]

47 minutes ago, DaKahuna said:

@morpheusofthesea   I find your #1 very interesting considering the way MSC does their E-muster.  Can you explain why you think the E-muster drill for MSC rates and "is better?"  From what I have read of the procedure, MSC's is much more convoluted than Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, Princess, and others. 

 

From my experience the MSC Muster Dril is only better than what most ships did prior to Covid. It is definitely not better than what Carnival and many others do now where are you watch the video at home or on your phone before you board the ship, then just check in at your muster station as soon as you board. MSC has everyone watch the video in their cabin, then go to the Muster Location all at once or in groups by floor. MSC is much more chaotic than the process on other lines, with hundreds of people crowding the stairways to all go to their muster station at the same time.

[morpheusofthesea]

1 hour ago, DaKahuna said:

@morpheusofthesea   I find your #1 very interesting considering the way MSC does their E-muster.  Can you explain why you think the E-muster drill for MSC rates and "is better?"  From what I have read of the procedure, MSC's is much more convoluted than Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, Princess, and others. 

 

We are not FORCED standing around bunched together shoulder to shoulder for 20 minutes withstanding 'others' coughing and sneezing spreading contagions. And MSC is the ONLY cruise line we know of that has a second muster drill the following morning at 9:30 am in the theatre.

P.S. (Don't follow the crowd)

Edited January 30 by morpheusofthesea
P.S.

[Mark_T]

1 hour ago, steveknj said:

 

Thanks.  I'm more used to one surcharge and getting (mostly what I want).  And to be fair, one of the things I used to like is that I could eat at one of these specialty restaurants for a small upcharge, with food that was equivalent to what I'd pay on land and enjoy the experience.  But over the last few years, many of these have gone a la carte with prices that are on par with what is on land.

Personal choice, but I don't find the 'Experience Menu' pricing expensive, especially when purchased in a package and when compared to the up-charge that Celebrity are asking these days...

[steveknj]

1 hour ago, JT1962 said:

From my experience the MSC Muster Dril is only better than what most ships did prior to Covid. It is definitely not better than what Carnival and many others do now where are you watch the video at home or on your phone before you board the ship, then just check in at your muster station as soon as you board. MSC has everyone watch the video in their cabin, then go to the Muster Location all at once or in groups by floor. MSC is much more chaotic than the process on other lines, with hundreds of people crowding the stairways to all go to their muster station at the same time.

 

Agreed.  Where I was confused, is they asked us to go to our cabins and watch a video.  I tuned to the TV, and it brought me to a screen that said, "Safey video will begin shortly"  and we had the announcement via PA that the video was now starting.  The TV never showed the video on the channel I was tuned to, nor was there instruction on what channel to tune to.  So, when the next announcement came to go check in at your muster station, we did that without actually watching the video.  We checked in and were done.  Which is bad if you think about it in an emergency.  When we got back to the cabin, I flipped around the channels, and there it was, on an entirely different channel that we initially tuned to.  If they had just said, "tune to channel 10" or whatever, we would have.

[steveknj]

27 minutes ago, Mark_T said:

Personal choice, but I don't find the 'Experience Menu' pricing expensive, especially when purchased in a package and when compared to the up-charge that Celebrity are asking these days...

 

I never saw an option for any type of "experience menu"  It was just the a la carte menu, with the cheapest steak in the $45 range.  A far cry from the $30 upcharge on Cagney's we used to get.   How much is the "experience menu" and what steaks are available?

[Mark_T]

4 minutes ago, steveknj said:

I never saw an option for any type of "experience menu"  It was just the a la carte menu, with the cheapest steak in the $45 range.  A far cry from the $30 upcharge on Cagney's we used to get.   How much is the "experience menu" and what steaks are available?

Full menu attached, scroll down below the 'Brunch' section for the 'Experience' menu.

Butchers-Cut.pdf

[steveknj]

1 minute ago, Mark_T said:

Full menu attached, scroll down below the 'Brunch' section for the 'Experience' menu.

Butchers-Cut.pdf 1.87 MB · 1 download

 

Thanks!  $60 is still expensive, too expensive for my blood and they don't have my favorite cuts of beef (Rib Eye, TBone/Porterhouse) as a choice.   That said, NCL has gone a la carte as well (though most of the cruises I've taken with them included a two meal specialty restaurant package...no extra charge).   But, while a Rib Eye on MSC is $68 a la carte, on NCL it's $39 (though the MSC one is a little bigger, but not almost double size).    So yeah, the MSC specialty restaurants are more expensive then NCL.   Carnival is $49 per person surcharge.    So that's something else to consider if you are not a MDR or Buffet person and want to eat more elegant.  They WERE offering a $99 per person 2 meal package, so that MIGHT be worth it if you go on a longer cruise.  

[DaKahuna]

1 hour ago, morpheusofthesea said:

We are not FORCED standing around bunched together shoulder to shoulder for 20 minutes withstanding 'others' coughing and sneezing spreading contagions. And MSC is the ONLY cruise line we know of that has a second muster drill the following morning at 9:30 am in the theatre.

P.S. (Don't follow the crowd)

 

 I have not stood shoulder to shoulder for 20 minutes since the restart on other cruise lines.  As far as I know, Disney is the only one that has gone back to that muster drill format.  If I u nderstand it correctly, instead of being stuck standing outside on the deck with other, you are forced onto crowded stairwells shoulder to shoulder/front to back for up to 20 minutes going up and down. 

 

 I will grant you MSC is the only one that does have the next day follow-up but personally, I am not sure how safe that is.  The Theater is not everyone's muster station and by having everyone go there, how are "stragglers" meeting the purpose behind the drill of everyone know where to go when the emergency alarm sounds.   Surprised the US Coast Guard let's them get away with it for cruises sailing out of the US. 

 

Not being antagonistic, I just do not see MSC's way of doing it as better than the other lines we have sailed. 

 

[Mark_T]

5 minutes ago, DaKahuna said:

Not being antagonistic, I just do not see MSC's way of doing it as better than the other lines we have sailed.

It certainly isn't as 'frictionless' as the way Celebrity handles it for example, but in one way I think the MSC approach might be considered a little better is that it does help highlight those who would have difficulty getting down the stairs in a real emergency and enables MSC to have a real idea of who may need help in those circumstances.

 

The Celebrity approach makes it just a bit too easy I think...

[DaKahuna]

1 minute ago, Mark_T said:

It certainly isn't as 'frictionless' as the way Celebrity handles it for example, but in one way I think the MSC approach might be considered a little better is that it does help highlight those who would have difficulty getting down the stairs in a real emergency and enables MSC to have a real idea of who may need help in those circumstances.

 

The Celebrity approach makes it just a bit too easy I think...

 

 We can discuss this over an adult beverage soon 🙂   Not sure how it highlights those that would have difficulty but will keep an open mind. 

 

[Mark_T]

1 minute ago, DaKahuna said:

 

 We can discuss this over an adult beverage soon 🙂   Not sure how it highlights those that would have difficulty but will keep an open mind. 

 

Indeed, there will be plenty of time to debate the matter in a more convivial environment 🙂

 

[Homosassa]

6 hours ago, CruisematicVA said:

 

I'm not sure if you were genuinely trying to promote MSC or if you were just trying to show why you're superior to people who don't like MSC, but whatever it was did not put you or MSC in a very positive light.

 

Yikes.

I was trying to explain the various reasons that MSC receives a bad review from some.

 

My statements include actual complaints that have been posted here in Cruise Critic and, as a long time member with familiarity with the cruise experiences of the posters, reflect the type of cruiser unhappy with MSC.

 

Included was an explanation of what the MSC philosophy is on the type of cruise experience that is offered on board ship.

 

Maybe my comments hit too close to home....

[FamilyAtSea.travel]

14 minutes ago, Homosassa said:

I was trying to explain the various reasons that MSC receives a bad review from some.

 

My statements include actual complaints that have been posted here in Cruise Critic and, as a long time member with familiarity with the cruise experiences of the posters, reflect the type of cruiser unhappy with MSC.

 

Included was an explanation of what the MSC philosophy is on the type of cruise experience that is offered on board ship.

 

Maybe my comments hit too close to home....

 

I agree with much of what you said, it's how you said that gave me second hand embarrassment for you.

 

I guess some people find great pride in their arrogance, but I think you'd find your words will carry a lot more weight if you can try to help people without being condescending. 

[Scottdalfonso]

6 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

We are not FORCED standing around bunched together shoulder to shoulder for 20 minutes withstanding 'others' coughing and sneezing spreading contagions. And MSC is the ONLY cruise line we know of that has a second muster drill the following morning at 9:30 am in the theatre.

P.S. (Don't follow the crowd)

You know almost every line does this now.  Royal caribbean started the "e-muster" and all of the lines followed suit. But MSC still has the worst of the e-musters from everything I read. 

[capriccio]

We are long time Princess cruisers most often booking a mini-suite or (before we retired) a full suite.  In 2019 when I first told my long time TA that we were thinking of booking MSC (the Meraviglia) for a January 2020 cruise there was a long pause.  Then I added "in the Yacht Club" and she let out her breath and said "you will love it." 

 

We really had nothing to lose.  The fare was reasonable, we status matched to Diamond, and we received a 10% discount because my DH is a retired federal civil servant.  The YC experience was wonderful but I was overwhelmed by the size of the ship and the more I read here about the different 'experiences' the happier I was that we took the 'easy' way out (but obviously not the cheapest) and booked the YC.  Last month we were in the YC on the Seascape for a week and enjoyed it even more.

 

Princess is introducing a 4,000+ passenger ship next month that will have more of the ship within a ship concept that their other ships.  We've booked a suite for next January to try it out and see how it compares.