Musica

[Thecat123]

There doesn't seem to be any feedback about Musica. Anybody been on her lately?

[scruffts2007]

musica is in s america..went on ship last november from venice to brazil and had a lovely time, only drawback was avoiding the intolerant germans who vant everyting ach so...and the british who did nothing but whine and whinge

 

apart from them, crew food entertainment was very good and the price was the bargain of the century

[Thecat123]

We are travelling on her beginning of Sept for a seven day Med cruise so if you have any tips of what to do or not do would you like to share them? We are from New Zealand so how do you think we will get on? They might not let us board :D:D

[scruffts2007]

well here is my review from last year..hope it helps..you can also go to you tube and see an 8 min company video plus assorted videos filmed by passengers

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=880501

[Thecat123]

Thanks for that. Most I had seen weren't giving MSC a good report but the ones I saw were saying that things were improving. We are pretty easy to please and my TA recomended MSC. He would not dare steer me wrong as we have a good understanding :)

[scruffts2007]

well I have noted that just because people become "passengers" doenst make them nice people or always right in their views

 

in fact I know a few people who have worked on cruise liners and they can also relate some "passengers from hell" stories

 

so enjoy you trip, a friendly smile and a please and thankyou will go a long way...most of the crew are say from Bali (eg) and so have some empathy with them have to deal with 6 or 7 languages being spoken..and then the intolerance that goes when some passengers demands are not met AND NOW:(

[AmoMondo]

Hi Thecat123

WHAT IS YOUR ITINERARY IN THE MED? i'VE DONE A FEW msc CRUISES THERE AND MAY BE ABLE TO HELP YOU WITH SOME THINGS.

[Thecat123]

Hi Thecat123

WHAT IS YOUR ITINERARY IN THE MED? i'VE DONE A FEW msc CRUISES THERE AND MAY BE ABLE TO HELP YOU WITH SOME THINGS.

 

 

The cruises we are doing do not seem to be advertised even though I have a copy. TA first looked at a 7 day on the Fatasia with the Yacht Club which gave us free flights from NZ which is on the MSC Site. We are doing a back to back cruise out of Venice for 7 days on the MSC Fantasia returning to Venice then they are transfer us to Genoa for a 7 day cruise on the MSC Musica returning us back to Genoa. The ships might be in the wrong order. This seemed to be a better deal even though we now have to pay for the flights.

It was just that I couldn't find much information on the Musica. We are new to this cruising only having done a 7 day Alaska cruise with Holland America and a 14 day Panama cruise with Princess. MSC just seemed to be "different" from other cruise lines. I kinda like to know what to expect

[AmoMondo]

Hi there TheCat123

 

The cruises that you are going on are advertised on the UK website if you want to find out more about them (msccruises.co.uk). The Musica is sailing out of Venice and the Fantasia out of Genoa. Looks like you will be visiting some pretty interesting and varied places between the 2 cruises. I'll be doing the Fantasia sailing in just over 4 weeks, so I'll post when I get back. Haven't been on the Musica but do know that she is the same as the Orchestra and Poesia, so reading about them will give you an idea of the layout etc. I did some of your itinerary on the Opera, it was my first cruise, so I did the ship's excursions. I found theBari one 9which was a walking tour) ok but really there was not a lot of interesting things in the town (unless you count seeing the remains of St Nicholas in the local church crypt!). At Katakalon, I did the Olympus trip. We had a great and very knowledgeable guide, who had detailed info on every remain at the site. It was interesting to start with but as there was no shade and a very hot day in June, it really lasted too long. perhaps if you are from the North Island of NZ you won't mind so much but if you are from the south of the South island with temoeratures similar to what I get here in Scotland, you might find it a bit too hot too, to be traipsy around dusty ruins for more than 2 hours.

[Thecat123]

Thanks for that AmoMondo you seem to like MSC. Reading a lot of posts there seemed to be a lot of negativity to wards MSC. On the last two cruises we preferred the buffets so would be interested on what you think about them

Actually today somewhere in the South Island was warmer than Auckland where we live. We seem to do the ships excursions as well so will probably do the same again this time.

Hope you have a good cruise and I will look forward to your comments.

[scruffts2007]

the buffets are fine, I mentioned in my review that there was 32 dishes on offer at breakfast, 48 at lunch....enough choice for anyone methinks

[scruffts2007]

the trouble with food is that "one mans meat is another mans poison" , I think as well that like all ships we are dealing with mass catering, I wonder in all honesty how 2000 meals can be served at night let alone debates about the "texture of the prawns" was better on ncl etc

 

I dont know in new zealand if you have ever seen Gordon Ramseys Kitchen Nightmares tv show...I used to think it would be nice to have a restaurant but having seen that show if someone gave me one I would sell it the next day, so I think anyone to cook for so many (MSC or whoever) deserves a medal

 

How even bigger ships like the fantasia cope beggers belief

[scruffts2007]

if you go to you tube you can see the programme, but heres a "taster" if you excuse the bun (DOH)

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_72astF3rTU

[scruffts2007]

and part two...this rest event throws the customers out!!

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWugCh7GKYM&feature=related

 

perhaps crusie liners could bring back the plank for complaining customers:confused:

[Thecat123]

Yes we have that TV program here but I find better things to watch :)

I looked at that English site and it has a lot more information than the site I found. Thanks for that. We are pretty easy going on food, we even eat McDonalds. Don't they have a buffet in the evenings or did I read it wrong?

[AmoMondo]

They don't do a buffet in the evenings in Europe. It's the main dining room or one of the extra cost speciality restaurants.

 

I tend to avoid the buffets myself, not because the food is bad, but because I find it a lot more quieter and relaxing in the dining room, so I tend to eat most of my meals there. No hassles standing in a queue and having people barge in on you, and no problems trying to find a table. I do go to the pizzaria on every cruise as they are very good and very popular, so they tend to made within only a few minutes of you getting them. the ice cream is fantastic too.

[clarksnavy]

We sail on the Musica next week to the Greek Isles. I know some of the other MSC ships do not have any bathroom extras but was wondering, since she is new, does the Musica have shampoo, soap, etc.. in the shower? I really don't want to pack my own and have it spill everywhere. Can't wait to sail.:D Oh, well, while I'm at it, what is the payout at the Casino like????;)

[scruffts2007]

they had shower gel and soap etc, dont know about the casino as I dont play.

[AmoMondo]

As scruffts says they do have the little bottles of shower gel, shampoo and soap which they replenish as you use them. They dont provide conditioner though