Anyone with positives about the orchestra??

[TNGALOHA]

I truly believe that there are way too many people in the world that complain (and rightfully so, I might add) about service issues but don't take it to the next step. It's important to let senior executives know what's wrong with the companies they are managing. Perhaps I'm naive, but I do believe that if more people took the initiative, we'd see improvement. So, I suggest that those of you that have not yet cancelled and not yet sailed, please, write a letter.

 

BTW, I have heard back from the Sr VP of passenger services, who did fix a problem I had with my cabin assignments. I'll let you know when and if I hear back from Richard Sasso.

 

 

I too sent an email to MSC late last night and recieved an answer to my problem early this morning. They had actually fixed the problem before they emailed me, which I thought was pretty cool. It shows that they are trying to work out the kinks.

[babygirl722]

I don't know if I will get a reply or not but I did write expressing my concerns. I mentioned that I have also traveled in second and third world countries! I asked them to let me know what MSC is planning to do to correct the problems -- FWIW.

 

Babygirl, are you going on the Feb. 14 cruise? Do you have teens sailing with you? I have one teen and a tween.

 

Great! I'm glad I'm not alone in the letter writing campaign. Yes, we're on the Feb 14th cruise with our 2 kids, ages 8 and 10. We're traveling with friends who will be sailing with their tween daughter and I do know of several other families coming with teens and tweens. I'm planning on a good time, irrespective of the food and other issues.

[lovetexas]

Please... for anyone going on a regular 7 day cruise, please post as soon as you get back......

 

We are scheduled for March, and I am really trying to stay calm.

 

Several of the issues that bothered people are stuff that I have experienced on other cruises.

 

Is the room service free? Can you order room service at any time of day?

 

Thanks--

[WhoDat]

 

Here is a practice I thought was weird. At the bar when you order a drink the bartender cannot ring you up. The register is facing the floor so that the waitress can ring you up. There several times I was told I could not be served until someone was available to swipe my card. Very stupid.

 

Avoid this cruise line like the plague.

 

I think it depends on the bartender. In the wine bar' date=' we were served and the bartender himself swiped our card since the waitress was busy. The 2nd time he served us she did swipe the card. We just thought these two were helping each other out. IMHO, the wine bar was the best lounge on the ship.

 

I was curious so I went to the member reviews to see what people wrote about other ships. To me, and maybe I am not right, but it seems there are many more "negatives" on TA and Caribbean sailings than Med sailings. I read many Med sailings made by cruisers from the US and service and organization was outstanding. There was only one ship where the reviews were good on TA and Caribbean sailings, I forget which but you can find it if you wish.

 

We went on this cruise as a test run as we are planning our first Med cruise for 2010. We expected there to be some "kinks", but what actually happened were not "kinks". It was total chaos; a complete disaster; an experience we will not forget. Thank goodness we spent only a few hundred dollars. We did enjoy the sun and the ocean and being together and socializing with others, but it just is not the same without the service you come to expect when cruising. I am on vacation, I paid for what they proclaim - to exceed my expectations, "the genuine warmth and hospitality of our Italian officers", "our renowned European service and hospitality".....on MSC's own website it states " MSC staff has been selected among professionals with a

vast experience in all sectors of tourism. Each crew member

is fluent in English, French, German and Spanish, to put guests

at their ease."

On this cruise we didn't receive this as we should have. Sure we received it

from some staff, but it should have been ALL staff.

Will I cruise MSC for our Med cruise - no. A cruise line should be able to provide

a high level of service and organization no matter what part of the world they

are in. What happened on this cruise should NEVER have happened.

You had to see it in COLOR.

[DavidA23]

Lovetexas asked about room service and we were not able to get any. The interactive TV did not display any menu as it usually does and every time we called the extension, all we got was ringing with never an answer. I waited several minutes once trying to get ice. We just put the bucket outside our door and within 20 minutes the room steward took the hint and knocked. Others said that they were able to order snacks, but not meals. There was no mention of room service on any literature we received once onboard.

The biggest negative was the poor service and lack of attention from the crew. We did a similar two day pre-inaugural on Celebrity's Soltice and had an eerily similar lack of service there. Celebrity is our cruise line of choice, so we were terribly disappointed with the decline in service and we decided to chalk it up to newness.

[lovetexas]

i guess when we stop at ports I will sneak food back on the ship!

 

But, I think for a week we could find something-- anything--

 

I wonder if there was no room service for the 2 day cruise, but will be for the 7 ??

[lawton54]

Ok, back to the useful exchange of info. The room service menu is located in a big blue book that may or may not be in your cabin when you arrive. We got ours two days into the trip. This book has ship info in various languages, but don't go to the English section looking for the menu. It is in the first few pages at the front of the book with all languages listed. The interactive screen on the TV only lists a few items such as wine, strawberries, etc. that you can have delivered for a charge.

Be sure to keep up with you book, as it costs $85 to replace it if you take it from the room.

 

DW wasn't feeling well one evening and we decided to order room service. We hadn't found the "book" yet and the TV menu wasn't anything you would want to make a meal of. The only option was to go to the deck 13 pizzaria and order off the menu. I lovingly volunteered to go and get a pizza and bring it back to the room for her. After selecting a $12 small pizza from the menu I explained that I would like it to go, so that I could take it back to my DW who didn't feel well enough to go out. I was immediately told that that was not possible. I COULD NOT take food back to my room. Duh... isn't that what room service does? Another lesson in customer care from MSC.

[3dogmom]

lawton54 ~ did you try the chinese or steak specialty restaurants?

[Galveston Cruiser]

I have listened to passengers gripe about the cruise and everything they hated and read the negative reviews. I have never heard so much whining and negativity, all from Americans.

 

First, this is an Italian cruise line, not American. If you want McDonalds, only english, staff that must tolerate rudeness and constant food, go somewhere else.

 

It was a foreign crew who were probably scared and overwhelmed by the unending rudeness and dealt with it the best way they could - ignore. I found once I spoke with a smile and asked a personal question, they opened up like a flower and were so cordial and ready to please.

 

I do agree there are some items that need to be worked out and the 3 hour delay in Ft. Lauderdale was frustrating. However, I was on the Splendour of the Seas in Galveston for 3 hours waiting for customs to show (how can one forget a ship is arriving). Half the passengers missed flights - Should have heard everyone complain about that!

It is a lot further than 10 minutes to our airports. Everyone was swearing they would never sail RCCL again.

 

Second, perhaps we were on a different ship, but we boarded with ease at 4pm and our luggage arrived shortly thereafter. Our cabin steward, Novi and his assistant, were outstanding. Room service arrived in minutes when called (unlike other cruises) and pre-ordered room service was always on time. We did change dining from l'Hibsicus as the yellow was overwhelming. Our waiter, Sorowono and assistant, met every need and we never waited for anything. Eduardo, the captain, was always checking tables and visiting with guests.

 

We never had a problem ordering a cocktail or a large glass of ice water (which I regularly received everywhere on the ship), nor did anyone ignore us. Perhaps a smile, please and thank you caused us to have great service.

 

I can't say how many times I heard American passengers yelling (I do mean yelling) at staff over something they didn't like. This is when I told DH to not speak english to me as they were truly an embarrassment.

 

The absolute best part, not hearing the darn P.A. announcing every 30 minutes the next bingo game or belly flop contest. We went for relaxation and received it.

 

Third, I do agree the Italian food was a flop, but the Italian dishes specially cooked were outstanding and the menu was much more varied than any cruise we have been on. The steak, lamb and veal were cooked to perfection. We ate in the dining room breakfast (unless room service), lunch and dinner and enjoyed the varied menus. The menu was the same, night after night, on RCCL for 18 days and two ships. I wonder how many complained about that.Learned on the Navigator how crowded the buffet can be and it is institutional food when serving so many. It all tastes bad, on any ship.

 

The buffet could be greatly improved along with beverage service carts going to the tables AND increasing the size of the glasses to something larger than a thimble.

 

It is not the ship's fault if you don't look at the voyage book in your cabin and why would anyone want to take it?. Every ship (and hotel) provides one for information and they charge lots of $$$'s if it is taken.

 

One can make the best or worst of any vacation. Negativity can breed more negativity. I absolutely hated to have someone start a conversation with how much they hated everything. Find something positive to say and before long most are happy or at least have a better disposition. We were not going to pulled down by anyone as we thoroughly enjoyed our trip. We knew coming home meant many more months of not having a home to go to.

 

Count your blessing you went on a trip and are now home.

 

Would we sail MSC again - YES - preferably without all the complainers.

[br0kwrx]

I dont understand why there are so many complainers and negative people posting either. I thought it might be an American thing alo , but was afraid to be the first to say it :p

 

I have often noticed that people that pay discount prices somehow expect more than those that pay premium prices. Stand by a Walmart service desk one day and just listen. No class...and the workers are treated horribly.

 

Not to harp on the American thing, but I have also found that Americans tend to be less tollerant of culture differences, where as other welcome and embrace it:

 

http://ca.yahoo.com/s/835113

[Galveston Cruiser]

Thank you my friend.

 

I am of an age where I don't mind speaking out. I truly believe it is an American thing. We (Americans) expect the entire world to speak english and provide us with the same things we have at home when traveling to their country.

 

Why leave home?

 

However, when a foreigner comes to our country, we demand he speak english, use dollars and do exactly as we do. Then we have the audacity to criticize the way he lives in his own country.

 

I have traveled the world all my life and, though I don't speak many other languages fluently, I have learned the amenities in every language and to also say "je parle un peu francais", as an example.

 

My education has been through travel and I have learned so much more by learning from those who I am now so fortunate to call 'friend" in places all over the world.

[HERMAN HERMAN]

:( We have been on 7 previous cruises. Thank goodness that this cruise was not our first. We would never have cruised again. We make the best of everything. We were thankful to have the opportunity to go on our vacation. This cruise was enough to dampen even our spirits, and that is saying something!

I speak Spanish, Italian, and English. I lived in Madrid, Spain for 3 years and loved it. The language situation was definitely not a problem for me. The differences in culture were no problem for me. I embrace cultural differences, if I didn't what would be the point of traveling abroad? The problem was the way that MSC runs, or does not run a ship.

 

MSC Orchestra Dec., 16 - January 2

[MMDown Under]

:(

I speak Spanish, Italian, and English. I lived in Madrid, Spain for 3 years and loved it. The language situation was definitely not a problem for me. The differences in culture were no problem for me. I embrace cultural differences, if I didn't what would be the point of traveling abroad? The problem was the way that MSC runs, or does not run a ship.

 

MSC Orchestra Dec., 16 - January 2

 

I agree.

[lovetexas]

Thank you Galveston Cruiser!! I have been waiting on your review.

 

We are on the ship in March.

 

I was starting to think that people were about to cause a mutiny on the ship.

 

I find it hard to believe everything was THAT bad..

 

Thanks again, and I am sure there are more positive people out there!!!!!!

[jt1120]

I dont understand why there are so many complainers and negative people posting either. I thought it might be an American thing alo , but was afraid to be the first to say it :p

 

I have often noticed that people that pay discount prices somehow expect more than those that pay premium prices. Stand by a Walmart service desk one day and just listen. No class...and the workers are treated horribly.

 

 

I'll agree that us American folk can be a darn right picky bunch, but seriously, if you're going to play in my sandbox, you have to play by my rules. I have visited Montreal (an incredible city) and I don't speak French, so it was a bit difficult at times, but I wasn't in my sandbox, I was in yours. I didn't complain. I played by your rules.

 

Are you suggesting that MSC did its due diligence when reviewing the American cruise market before deciding to come here? Doesn't sound like it to me. All they had to do was cruise on the other lines to see what Americans like and dislike about cruising. Not having food available 24 hours is like not having beer. Oh wait, some of the bars onboard didn't have beer. See what I mean? It truly seems like the company did not do its homework, and to that end, may be growing a bit faster than it can handle.

[johnlcruise]

I am of an age where I don't mind speaking out. I truly believe it is an American thing. We (Americans) expect the entire world to speak english and provide us with the same things we have at home when traveling to their country.

 

Why leave home?

 

However, when a foreigner comes to our country, we demand he speak english, use dollars and do exactly as we do. Then we have the audacity to criticize the way he lives in his own country.

 

I have traveled the world all my life and, though I don't speak many other languages fluently, I have learned the amenities in every language and to also say "je parle un peu francais", as an example.

 

My education has been through travel and I have learned so much more by learning from those who I am now so fortunate to call 'friend" in places all over the world.

 

Very Well Said!

[br0kwrx]

I'll agree that us American folk can be a darn right picky bunch, but seriously, if you're going to play in my sandbox, you have to play by my rules. I have visited Montreal (an incredible city) and I don't speak French, so it was a bit difficult at times, but I wasn't in my sandbox, I was in yours. I didn't complain. I played by your rules.

 

Are you suggesting that MSC did its due diligence when reviewing the American cruise market before deciding to come here? Doesn't sound like it to me. All they had to do was cruise on the other lines to see what Americans like and dislike about cruising. Not having food available 24 hours is like not having beer. Oh wait, some of the bars onboard didn't have beer. See what I mean? It truly seems like the company did not do its homework, and to that end, may be growing a bit faster than it can handle.

 

I understand your point, but MSC is trying to enter a market already saturated with American ships. If MSC is succesfull (and I agree they are off to a bad start) then they will win over the niche market of North Americans that are looking for a multicultural cruise experience in the Caribbean.

 

It's like saying all restaurants in the US should serve American food. No...American's chosing to dine at a non-American style restaurant should expect something different. If thats not what you are looking for, there's bound to be a McDonalds drive-thru arround the corner

[snookymom]

We were on the Nassua cruise & it was our first time. We're going to Bermuda in April & our friends thought we might enjoy the experience of a short cruise to see how everything goes. We try to make the best of every situation but it was hard at times. We loved our cabin with the balcony, the ship is beautifully decorated, lost in the casino like we always do.:D We recieved great service in the bars. However, the food, when available was awful & the service pathetic. I thought we would have some delicious Italian food one night. Ha. :eek: None of our firends can believe about the food. Getting on & off was another story & I sure hope it improves. The credit is a nice gesture but I'm hoping for better food & service.

[HuskerFan2]

Snookymom,

 

I cannot imagine what your thoughts and feelings were being on the New Year Cruise and knowing you would be going again! Oh my goodness. I bet it will be like night and day for you - totally opposites. Your April cruise will be really great.

[lonelybob]

I am trying to keep an open mind. Maybe if I lower my expectations it won't be that bad? We are sailing 1/24 with our 5 young children and my parents so it is too late to cancel. We got an OV for an inside price and are barely paying more for the 7 of us than DH and I paid for just the two of us on a shorter cruise on RCCL with a balcony cabin the same time last year. So unless the experience is absolutely abysmal I won't be TOO upset. But I AM getting worried.....can someone with a positive experience reassure me? Do I need to bring my own bottled water and food on board? Is that even possible??

 

J

 

I can cite a few good things about the ship learned from the 18 day transatlantic recently. First, the ship is beautifu and easily navigated. Balcony cabins are nicely decorated and showers are very adequate. Most of the front desk people are goo, multuilingual and competent. Two minor exceptions. Entertainment we loved, although it's different with many acts in the production numbers. Our waiter was superb. That says it all for good things. Ports were really good and tours not too rich.

 

Bad were embarcation (a nightmare), life boat drill (chaotic and useless) food choices ok but almost always cold. The kitchen seemed chaotic, according to our waiter. Our cabin steward spoke no English, but grreat in Madagascaran. No ice the whole trip. Christmas and New Years had very little attention paid, but was nice.

 

My biggest complaint: The MSC Club promises discounts on lots of things. You will not get them. The Club is a waste.

 

All in all, we enjoyed the ship the ports and other passengers so it was a fine voyage.