MSC OPERA - January 22, 2005

[eroller]

Anyone booked on this sailing? It's a 7-day Western Caribbean cruise out of Ft. Lauderdale.

 

I'm looking forward to trying a line other than the "big boys" like Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Princess. MSC is relatively new to North America and I'm hoping the Italian atmosphere they promote is really true.

 

Please reply if you will be sailing as well.

 

Best,

Ernie

[Oslo Dutch]

Hey Ernie,

 

Will not be joining you unfortunately but would love to hear about this ship and cruiseline. Did see her sailing out of Palma de Mallorca in September.

 

Have a wonderful trip!

 

Reint

Oslo, Norway

[digby]

Sofia Loren was on Larry King last night. She was sitting in front a background with MSC Cruise Line repeated all over it. I missed the beginning of the show. Is she the spokesperson for the line.

[bepsf]

Sofia Loren is the godmother of MSC Opera

[eroller]

Hey Ernie,

 

Will not be joining you unfortunately but would love to hear about this ship and cruiseline. Did see her sailing out of Palma de Mallorca in September.

 

Have a wonderful trip!

 

Reint

Oslo, Norway

 

 

Hi Reint,

I wish you were going! One of these days we have to end up on the same ship again. Once on the QE2 is just not enough. I've got a nice little group of family/friends sailing with me on OPERA. Should be fun.

 

Hope all is well with you and thanks for the good wishes.

 

Ernie

[NewHopeFrank]

Eroller, sure would love to hear your experience....but we'll be crossing paths at the dock. :(

[eroller]

Eroller, sure would love to hear your experience....but we'll be crossing paths at the dock. :(

 

 

Well I'm back ... sort of. I'm at my mom's in Naples, FL since Atlanta is iced-in (crazy weather!). All the flights were canceled. It must really be a nightmare for all those passengers trying to get to the ships today. I'm sure many missed their cruise. Anyway, I'll fly home tomorrow morning.

 

Regarding the cruise, it was really fantastic! I loved the ship ... there is so much public space per passenger. The amount of public rooms is amazing not to mention the variety of bands, bars, and dance floors. Most of all, I loved the Italian/European atmosphere. It was a breath of fresh air and the most refreshing cruise I have taken in a long time. I can't say enough about the staff, entertainment, and of course the energetic Animation Team! They were amazing. What other cruise line schedules an activity at 1:15am?? These guys always looked like they were having such a great time and I just wonder where they get all their energy from. I really admired them.

 

Dinners were fantastic. The best I've had since Silversea. The pasta dishes and bread were to die for. Our wait staff was wonderful and I was even granted a specific table I requested. I actually faxed the Maitre d' directly four days before the cruise and requested a large, round table by the aft windows of the smaller L'Aprodo Restaurant. My wishes were granted so I was quite impressed. A reservation card was waiting in my cabin, and sure enough we were escorted the first night to the exact location I had requested.

 

There were a few minor details that could use improving, and I'll discuss those in the full review I'll be writing. Even so, MSC gets really high marks from me and I would sail them again in a heartbeat. My only wish is that they don't change and become too Americanized. It was everything European about the line that I truly enjoyed. I felt more like I was cruising the Med. than the Caribbean. It was also the things MSC doesn't do which I found refreshing. No bargain basement tables in the lobby selling $10 t-shirts. No art auctions. No announcements. No pushing drinks. Unlimited large towels by the pool. Fresh fruit everyday in the cabin. In a nutshell, it was very civilized.

 

I wish MSC all the success in the world. They are not for everyone but for those that enjoy a multi-cultural experience at sea, you can't beat it.

 

Ernie

 

ps - what a great looking crew! Probably the best looking I have ever seen on a cruise ship. Also much more officer/staff interaction with passengers then I have ever seen. This made for a great evening atmosphere in the lounges.

[eroller]

Eroller, sure would love to hear your experience....but we'll be crossing paths at the dock. :(

 

 

NewHopeFrank ... I forgot to mention I was born and raised just outside New Hope. I attended Central Bucks High School East. Small world. It was a wonderful place to grow up ... especially if you were gay. I did my share of underage drinking at the Cartwheel and Purple Prelude (when it was still there!) while I was still in high school. Nothing like have several gay bars minutes from the house you grew up in. Fond memories. ;)

 

Ernie

[Oslo Dutch]

Hey Ernie,

 

Thanks for sharing your experience with us. I personally allways appreciate it.

 

Great to hear you had a good time. So will consider MSC too for the future!

 

Thanks

 

Reint

[RMS Olympic]

Now I have to sail them for sure......maybe next Feb unless they keep a ship in the Caribbean this summer.....already have 3 boats chosen for 2005.

New Hope Frank...lets meet at the Raven upon your return so you can tell me all the details.

Gee Eroller...the Prelude.......now those were some interesting evenings.....and the Cartwheel...in the basement bar........memories.... :^)

Cant wait to read your full review.......I measure a ship by its bread,,,,,if they cant get that right most other details are missed........You convinced me to give them a try just on the bread alone.....and I agree.....I love the European atmosphere...like the way it was on Costa before the were Carnivalized....yetch..... I still say an Italian crew in the dining room is the best.......

Ciao for now....I want my Sitmar back...if you know what I mean.

Tom the terrible.

[NewHopeFrank]

Now I have to sail them for sure......maybe next Feb unless they keep a ship in the Caribbean this summer.....already have 3 boats chosen for 2005.

New Hope Frank...lets meet at the Raven upon your return so you can tell me all the details.

Gee Eroller...the Prelude.......now those were some interesting evenings.....and the Cartwheel...in the basement bar........memories.... :^)

Cant wait to read your full review.......I measure a ship by its bread,,,,,if they cant get that right most other details are missed........You convinced me to give them a try just on the bread alone.....and I agree.....I love the European atmosphere...like the way it was on Costa before the were Carnivalized....yetch..... I still say an Italian crew in the dining room is the best.......

Ciao for now....I want my Sitmar back...if you know what I mean.

Tom the terrible.

Tom,

JUST signed on today and saw your message and noticed you're right down the road. I'll be sure to post a review when I return on 2/12. I'm VERY heartened by eroller's review. Nothing wrong with an exceptionally good looking crew, either. I was on the Oosterdam Thanksgiving week and only managed to become "friendly" with one of the cruise staff.

I lived in Europe off and on in the early 90's and am really looking forward to this experience !

 

Fun Frank

 

PS: Guys, the Prelude has been closed a long time. Never saw it, as there's a bank there now, but folks STILL tell stories about it. drat !

[NewHopeFrank]

Ernie, thanks for posting your "capsule" review so promptly ! I'm really even more looking forward to getting off of the Tundra here in No Hope and getting on the Opera now.

 

It's a shame we can't email from the board, but please feel free to copy me on anything to NewHopeFrank@yahoo.com !

 

Sorry you're returning to the ice storms. . .

 

I'm also thinking of doing the Transatlantic to Lisbon on the Legend of the Seas in April. Do you guys know anyone else who might be going? They've marked it WAY down at this point.

 

All the best,

Frank

[bdjam]

Ernie – glad to hear the MSC experience was a positive one for you. I’ll pass the word!

[eroller]

 

It's a shame we can't email from the board, but please feel free to copy me on anything to NewHopeFrank@yahoo.com !

 

 

 

Hi Frank,

I sent you off an email with some information.

 

Also posted some pics of the cruise at:

http://public.fotki.com/eroller/msc_opera_-_1222005/

 

Take care,

Ernie

 

ps - let me know if you have any specific questions. I'd be happy to answer them for you.

[Rotterdam]

Ernie -

 

Thanks for the post & pictures.

 

Can you tell us the dress code & how the passengers observed it please.

 

Yes those Italians...was the food really that good or the "ambiance" overwhelming the senses(it wsa both on the Italian. Home & Sitmar Lines).

[eroller]

Ernie -

 

Thanks for the post & pictures.

 

Can you tell us the dress code & how the passengers observed it please.

 

Yes those Italians...was the food really that good or the "ambiance" overwhelming the senses(it wsa both on the Italian. Home & Sitmar Lines).

 

 

The dinners were really that good! The breakfasts and lunches were just ok (typical buffets), but the dinners were truly amazing. In 7-days every single dinner was memorable. Mouth watering good. Each night they had at least two special pasta dishes, and a signature specialty bread as well. Delicious! They also had some pretty innovative salads. Unlike most lines which name their salads something different each night yet serve the exact same salad + an extra tomato or cucumber, MSC truly has different and unique salads each night. Appetisers, main courses, and the deserts were all FANTASTIC! In true Italian tradition, Flaming Baked Alaska was served on the last night and it was truly "flaming" (no pun intended!). No corny singing or dancing on tables though. Of course all those Italian waiters didn't hurt the appetite either! ;)

 

Regarding the dress, there were two formal nights. I wore a tux (it's actually easier than carrying two suits) and I would say I was in the minority. Plenty of guys wore them, but most just wore a suit. All other nights were casual. People seemed to dress pretty well. Being that there were a lot of European's onboard, I think in general they dressed up a little more then the Americans. America has become such a casual society and this is very apparant when sailing on cruises these days.

 

I updated my mini-review a little so I'm going to repost it below. I included some things that I orginally forgot about (there goes the memory).

 

Take care,

Ernie

 

 

UPDATED REVIEW:

=========================================

 

I'm back from another great cruise and wanted to share some initial thoughts. A full review will follow sometime in the future. I had hoped to fly directly home after the cruise but mother nature decided against that. An ice storm in Atlanta wreaked havoc and almost every flight into the city was canceled. I spent the night at my mom's who lives across Florida outside Naples and made it back to Atlanta on Sunday. As fate would have it, I'm missing a bag and I only hope it turns up. After working 11 years at Delta I've never had them lose a bag, and I hope my luck doesn't change now. Regarding the ice storm ... well it's a distant memory and it's all but melted.

 

I sailed on this cruise with my mom and a couple friends and I like to think we

all had a great time. I know I did! I absolutely loved the ship ... there is

so much public space per passenger. The MSC OPERA is practically a brand new and her size is around 58,000gt so she is not too big or too small. She is

considered a medium to small sized ship by today's standards. For a smaller

ship, the amount of public rooms is amazing not to mention the variety of bands, bars, and dance floors. In fact there seemed to be more public areas than ships almost double her size. Most of all, I loved the Italian/European atmosphere. MSC Cruises is an Italian cruise line that is just breaking into the North American market. It was a breath of fresh air and the most refreshing cruise I have taken in a long time. I can't say enough about the staff, entertainment, and of course the energetic Animation Team! They were amazing. What other cruise line schedules an activity at 1:15am?? These guys (and gals) always looked like they were having such a great time and I just wonder where they get all their energy from?? I really admired them.

 

Dinners were fantastic. The best I've had since Silversea. The pasta dishes and bread were to die for. Our dining room staff was excellent and food was served at a very good pace. Our waiter Pepe would never bat an eyelash at special requests or orders for extra entrees. We were even granted a specific table I requested in advance. I had faxed the Maitre d' directly before the cruise and requested a large, round table by the aft windows of the smaller L'Approdo Restaurant. A reservation card was waiting in my cabin, and sure enough we were escorted the first night to the exact location I had requested.

 

There were a few minor details that could use improving. Better cabin TV

programming. More equipment in the gym (such as elliptical machines). More MSC logo items in the gift shop. Larger cups in the buffet. As I stated, they are minor and easily corrected. Even so, MSC gets really high marks from me and I would sail them again in a heartbeat. My only wish is that they don't change and become too Americanized. It was everything European about the line that I truly enjoyed. I felt more like I was cruising the Mediterranean than the Caribbean. English was definitely not the first language spoken by the staff, crew, singers and musicians. Italian was #1 but everyone did know at least some English. It was also the things MSC Cruises doesn't do which I found refreshing. No bargain basement tables in the lobby selling $10 t-shirts. No art auctions. No revenue producing announcements. No "inch of gold" being hacked everywhere. No pushing drinks. Unlimited large towels by the pool. No waiters singing "hot, hot, hot" in the dining room. Fresh fruit everyday in the cabin. No automated gratuities. No pushing for "excellent" grades on the comment form. In a nutshell, it was very civilized. I might also add it was the easiest and quickest embarkation I have ever experienced.

 

On a side note, I felt the officers, staff, and crew onboard were probably the

best looking I have seen on a cruise ship. ;) There was also much more

officer/staff interaction with passengers then I have seen before. This made for a great evening atmosphere in the lounges. The entertainment staff such as the dancers and Animation Team also worked much harder compared to other cruise lines. They were everywhere at all hours interacting with passengers and trying to make sure everyone had a great time. The dancers and entertainers also don't get away with just two production shows during a 7-day cruise (as on most lines). In fact they had some type of performance almost every night in the show lounge, either with their own show or complimenting the other entertainment acts where were featured.

 

In closing, I truly wish MSC all the success in the world. They are not for

everyone but for those that enjoy a multi-cultural experience at sea on a

quality product you can't beat it.

 

Ernie

 

Click Link for pics:

http://public.fotki.com/eroller/msc_opera_-_1222005/

[Rotterdam]

gee - I hope your suitcase shows up...

 

You have quite a varied cruise resume...whats next???? Also how do you go about choosing a cruise? What really sells you on a particular voyage?

 

I agree about the tuxedo...for a one week cruise I just have my shirt cleaned & change the tie.....with the airlines restrictions on baggage these days every ounce counts.

[RMS Olympic]

Well unless RSVP or Atlantis does something I cant miss...I guess Ill book the Opera for my annual get out of the cold get away.

Thanks for all the info..........cant wait to see the 2006 intineraries.

Ciao for now.

[eroller]

gee - I hope your suitcase shows up...

 

You have quite a varied cruise resume...whats next???? Also how do you go about choosing a cruise? What really sells you on a particular voyage?

 

I agree about the tuxedo...for a one week cruise I just have my shirt cleaned & change the tie.....with the airlines restrictions on baggage these days every ounce counts.

 

 

Thanks. I don't think the suitcase will turn-up though. The fact that one arrived and not the other indicates that someone may have taken it from baggage claim (by accident or on purpose). It's a shame they don't have people checking claim tags like they used to. :mad: Anyone can just show up and take whatever bag they want. I'm starting to fill out a claim form for all the lost items. 97% of all missing bags at Delta are located within 24 hours. Not mine. Oh well, it's the first time in all the years I've been traveling that I've had a bag lost/stolen. It was bound to happen sooner or later. I'll even miss the bag, it was a Tumi suit bag. Bummer.

 

MSC OPERA was my 59th cruise. I don't know what #60 will be. Hopefully something really exciting. I usually don't pick cruises based on the destination anymore. It's all about the ship. MSC was a line I really wanted to experience so that is how that came about. My partner is not really into cruises so when I go with him it's more about the ports. I'm sure he will be along for #60 so hopefully it will be something back to SE Asia and Australia (two of my all time favorite spots). The Greek Islands is another favorite. I think I would like to try some of the niche ships for the next one. Something like Star Clippers, Windstar, or SeaDream Yacht.

 

We just sold our current house and are buying a new house back in Midtown Atlanta. For this reason it might be a little while before the next cruise.

 

Take care,

Ernie

[Rotterdam]

A couple of years ago one of my suitcases was "gone" also. It was a HAL cruise(Volendam) ...I was in the first group off the ship(supposedly VIPs) & couldn't locate my second suitcase. My luggage is green(Italian of course) so somewhat distinguished from the sea of black.

 

After a while i notofied teh pier manager...another search came up empty handed. I waited on the pier until the last bag was claimed. The pier manager basically suggested that I made up the story & the bag never existed - it contained 2 weeks of dinner clothes & shoes. After I firmly said that certainly I didn't need to do that & reminded her that the cameras in the pier shed would of caught any hanky panky she backed off.

 

I persisted when I got home & called airlines & tracked down the bag - it was picked up by mistake to be taken on a post cruise tour. HAL did nothing...after 10 days the bag arrived at my apartment. All intact ----thank G-d all the shoes were there!

 

Don't give up hope....

 

As to the 60th - make it a good one....hold off on the new china & buy overseas!

[RMS Olympic]

Next Feb will be my 60th cruise as well....or is it 61......gotta go back and do the list. This year it is the westerdam, followed by the Atlantis trip on RCI and then finishing off the year with Radisson in December. Gee, I wonder why my wallet is always empty.

The number of ships does not seem great to me until I mentally picture them all in the same habor at the same time......what a sight that would be.

Make # 60 special kiddo........Bon voyageeeeeee!

[eroller]

 

Don't give up hope....

 

 

 

Thanks for the words of encouragement. I guess it still could turn up as yours did after 10 days. I went ahead and filled out the loss claim form. Now that I've taken the time to do that maybe the bag will turn up?? ;) If it doesn't show up by Friday then I'll submit the form.

 

Ernie

[eroller]

Make # 60 special kiddo........Bon voyageeeeeee!

 

 

Same to you!

 

Ernie

[spongerob]

Ernie, thanks for your comments about MSC Opera. It sounds like an interesting line for a zig. Ask BD.

[bdjam]

Ernie, thanks for your comments about MSC Opera. It sounds like an interesting line for a zig. Ask BD.

Or a zag, huh? :D