MSC AUREA EXPERIENCE COMPARISON

[RikB2000]

It can be really difficult to find out what the various 'extras' are before choosing this package. I have searched many websites and watched even more  You Tube videos with varying success. The ships all offer different things and - as we wouldn't pay extra simply to get a quieter place to sunbathe (without nearby access to pool to boot!) - we are swayed by two or three things:-

 

1/ The TOPXX Sundeck:- Does it have it's own jacuzzi's? Does it have it's own bar?

2/ Is the TOPXX Sundeck:- Is it more (or appears more) luxurious?

3/ The AUREA SPA:- Does the thermal area have a jacuzzi or similar or just the bog standard sauna/steam room?

 

So to kick it of:-

 

MSC MAGNIFICA - (WOULD recommend Aurea)

1/ Jacuzzi's X2; Fixed Bar.

2/ Nothing too special but partitions and also offered good viewing of pool entertainment.

3/ Yes - A couple of nice jacuzzi's with floor to ceiling windows. Good steam rooms.

 

MSC OPERA - (Would NOT recommend Aurea)

1/ NO Jacuzzi's; Temporary bar.

2/ Nothing too special.....some rattan 'dome' sunbeds.

3/ NO Jacuzzi's.

 

MSC FANTASIA - (Would NOT recommend Aurea)

1/ Large Jacuzzi (I think only one?); No bar - but was winter!?

2/ Nothing too special.

3/ NO Jacuzzi's.

 

When it comes the the second criterion - I am thinking of what I have seen on You Tube for the MSC SEASIDE.

The sundeck has everything you need and looks very classy with more comfortable seating. Haven't been on the

ship but it looks like it is a plus for #2 - although this is not as important as 1 & 2.

Would be great to get reviews of other MSC ships. Thanks!!

 

 

 

 

 

[mcoler181]

We have booked Aurea for next year on World America, assuming its the same as World Europa...

 

1, Jacuzzi's x 2 (I think) and a bar.

2. Looks a lot more spacious and less crowded.

3. Not Sure.

 

We also went for it as it was only about £600 more for the Infinite Balcony Room for a family of 4 compared to either inside or ocean view, cant remember which. I also liked the idea of anytime dining in a dedicated restaurant. 

[notley-cruise]

MSC Davina

Good thermal rooms - sauna, steam and chills

Top 18 deck with jacuzzi aft, no permanent bar, intermittent drinks service

Balcony and suites worth the money.

 

MSC Virtuosa

Excellent modern thermal rooms - Multiple wood saunas, steam rooms, ice rooms and jacuzzis

Top deck 18 aft with hot tub, above adults only lounge, regular drinks service

Balcony and suites well worth money.

 

MSC Sinfonia

Top deck 13 above suites forward, regular bar service

dated stone steam rooms, not working properly

Don't overpay for room due to spa.

 

In all cases, Top Deck will be Windy on sea days !

Edited April 19 by notley-cruise

[peder]

Good idea for a thread. Seascape/Seashore Aurea sundeck is great with the 2 whirlpools and having its own bar. Thermal spa on Seascape/Seashore is large and very similar to the Meraviglia-class ships.

[morpheusofthesea]

16 minutes ago, peder said:

Seascape/Seashore Aurea sundeck is great with the 2 whirlpools and having its own bar.

[RikB2000]

46 minutes ago, peder said:

Good idea for a thread. Seascape/Seashore Aurea sundeck is great with the 2 whirlpools and having its own bar. Thermal spa on Seascape/Seashore is large and very similar to the Meraviglia-class ships.

Thanks - the idea was born out of the ships all being different and it being really difficulty to find out what you are paying for in advance!

[BirdTravels]

Seascape 

[Heartgrove]

We have sailed on the MSC Splendida in YC and MSC Preziosa in Fantastica. Both of these cruises have been in Europe. Of course nothing beats YC but we were pleasantly surprised with sailing in Fantastica on the Preziosa. It does depend on which sailing you are on but I don't think that I would spend the extra money for Aurea sailing in Europe.

 

Next up for us in the MSC Seashore in YC. We like the Fantasia-class YC so we are curious to see if we will like one of the larger ship's YC.

[HappyInVan]

Doesn't Aurea have their own dining room?? Is this available on all ships?

[Essiesmom]

No, only on the newest?  On Seaside we ate in a section of one MDR.  On Seashore they have their own MDR.  EM

[ajoneen]

Meraviglia- Top19 

Attendant & towel service 🙂

Side area only separated from public space by posts and belt barriers

whirlpool ✔️

temporary bar ✔️

2 'conversation/relaxation areas' (coffee table, love seat & 2 chairs- w/pads) where folks camp out all day

overlooks main pool (watch big screen & games)

Has its own music but is drowned out by main pool speakers (so why?)

Though it was supposed to be adults only- but not.

One side was smoking area

Aurea in general

My time dining in own dining room🙂

Nicely scented room diffuser 🙂

slippers and robe (both kinda small size)

Special embarcation line (only slightly faster)

Edited April 21 by ajoneen

[notley-cruise]

MSC Top decks are never Adults only, they are Aurea experience and Yacht club only, that doesn't exclude children.

[RikB2000]

On 4/20/2024 at 2:24 PM, Heartgrove said:

We have sailed on the MSC Splendida in YC and MSC Preziosa in Fantastica. Both of these cruises have been in Europe. Of course nothing beats YC but we were pleasantly surprised with sailing in Fantastica on the Preziosa. It does depend on which sailing you are on but I don't think that I would spend the extra money for Aurea sailing in Europe.

 

Next up for us in the MSC Seashore in YC. We like the Fantasia-class YC so we are curious to see if we will like one of the larger ship's YC.

Look forward to your MSC Seashore review....curious why you wouldn't spend extra for European sailings??

[Heartgrove]

9 hours ago, RikB2000 said:

Look forward to your MSC Seashore review....curious why you wouldn't spend extra for European sailings??

Just boarded the MSC Seashore a few hours ago and have yet to form an opinion. I will try to follow up later this week.

 

Speaking of our cruise on the Preziosa to Scotland and Ireland, I didn’t see any advantage to Aurea on a Fantasia-class ship on a Northern Europe cruise. Perhaps a Mediterranean cruise with warmer weather may make a difference for being out on deck.

[deliver42]

We've been on the Seashore and loved the pool in the spa. For me, that alone was worth it. The deck also has a hot tub.

[Lbsahm]

On 4/19/2024 at 10:12 AM, peder said:

Good idea for a thread. Seascape/Seashore Aurea sundeck is great with the 2 whirlpools and having its own bar. Thermal spa on Seascape/Seashore is large and very similar to the Meraviglia-class ships.

Is there any shade? The Top 19 on the Seaside was wonderfully place, with abundant shade. 

[peder]

Less shade on the Seashore and Seascape, @Lbsahm. There are cabanas available on a first-come-first-serve basis, but they tended to be very full on my Seascape sailing. People would camp out and be very possessive of them. Was kinda annoying to see folks claim a cabana AND chairs while not actually using the cabanas because they wanted to be in the sun, and all I wanted to do was sit outside an enjoy a coffee for 15 mins.

 

Your mileage may vary. If the weather is a little less than ideal, you might get easy access to the cabanas.

[morpheusofthesea]

14 minutes ago, peder said:

People would camp out and be very possessive of them. Was kinda annoying to see folks claim a cabana AND chairs while not actually using the cabanas because they wanted to be in the sun, and all I wanted to do was sit outside an enjoy a coffee for 15 mins

Same thing on our sailing of Seascape.The YC OnePool deck with the 10 up for grabs pergolas. They were commandeered by the same people for the entire week. I have no reason to complain. Complaints will only get those 10 pergolas removed as like other past complaints are any indication..... (Seafood Extravaganza for example). 

[peder]

We're flexible, and we managed. Just wanting to set expectations for anyone that if the weather is great and your sailing is full, there's going to be some demand for the primo lounging spaces, even in Aurea and Yacht Club.

[Best Cat Mom]

1 hour ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Same thing on our sailing of Seascape.The YC OnePool deck with the 10 up for grabs pergolas.

Are there 10 total or 10 after the OS/RS reserved pergolas? We're on Seascape in September so I'm focusing in on planning for that now...

[morpheusofthesea]

14 minutes ago, Best Cat Mom said:

Are there 10 total or 10 after the OS/RS reserved pergolas? We're on Seascape in September so I'm focusing in on planning for that now...

14 total

[morpheusofthesea]

49 minutes ago, peder said:

Just wanting to set expectations for anyone

Exactly what we all try to do here on CC.

[Jeal]

There is no shade on Top Sail on the Seashore. There are few “pergolas” with slotted coverings. The sun shines right through the open areas. The bar is very small. The Seaside did have a little more shade created by a wall on one side of the ship. 
We have decided not to book Aurea any longer. My husband does not like that the spa is dark and very wet. 

Edited May 8 by Jeal

[Heartgrove]

On 5/5/2024 at 4:49 AM, RikB2000 said:

Look forward to your MSC Seashore review....curious why you wouldn't spend extra for European sailings??

 

Back from our Seashore cruise. Very enjoyable and without a major complaint. Due to the increase of passengers in the YC, the restaurant gets a bit loud when full. Otherwise no problems. We had a YC1 Deluxe Suite. Missed having the walk-in closet that the Fantasia-class have but still very comfortable. The balcony is wider and longer than the Fantasia-class. I am not sure if there would be enough room but I wish that they had put a pair of lounge chairs there as well. 

 

YC service was excellent with a very attentive Butler and Junior Butler, Anton and Sonji. The restaurant offerings were very good and cooked to perfection. It must have been good as I gained four pounds! All in all, it surpassed our expectations as I was skeptical of USA vs European MSC sailings.

[Lbsahm]

The thread was about how the Aurea experience differs from ship to ship. How does Yacht Club enter into that equation other than they have their own exclusive area and should leave the Top 19 to the Aurea folks.