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To get the most out of the specialty dining on MSC, consider buying a dining package. When it comes to the ship’s overall decor and beauty, MSC has a huge advantage, especially when compared to any older or midsize ships for Carnival or RCL. However, comparing MSC’s newer ships to mega ships is an apples-to-oranges comparison. The pool decks and slides on MSC were excellent, and the service was fine, with no noticeable difference.
Bars
While the big three cruise lines — Carnival, Norwegian, and Royal Caribbean — may get most of the headlines, MSC is actually just as large and even larger than some of those names. The popularity of MSC Cruises has led to a plethora of debates and opinions about the cruise line in online communities such as Facebook and Reddit. The brand continues to polarize opinions, with some cruisers loving the newish cruise line and others feeling less enthusiastic. Whether you’re a seasoned cruiser or a newcomer to the world of cruising, the debate surrounding MSC Cruises is sure to captivate your attention. One thing to note is that MSC’s website is the least user-friendly of all the cruise lines I’ve used.
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This ship features more than 2,600 cabins, 33 restaurants and six swimming pools. As you’d expect, the most expensive cruises on MSC are the longest. For example, the 127-night World Cruise costs $21,929 per person. Maybe it’s because MSC has roots in Italy, but they take their pizza seriously. It’s on par with anything you’d find at a popular pizza joint (and much better than chain restaurants).
Customer Service
The ultimate guide to MSC Cruises ships and itineraries - The Points Guy
The ultimate guide to MSC Cruises ships and itineraries.
Posted: Wed, 15 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
If you're a coffee lover who's heading ashore at MSC's private island, Ocean Cay Marine Reserve, you won't want to miss the extra-fee Coco-Nilla Latte, found at The Smiling Fish. A combination of espresso, vanilla syrup and coconut milk, either hot or iced, it's far and away my favorite coffee drink anywhere, ever. However, on the first day, when I had questions about dining, the person who assisted me waived me off in the face of a long line at the desk and told me to ask my butler. My interactions there improved markedly after the stress of the first day calmed down, and all of my subsequent questions were answered promptly and cheerfully. My butler, Meri, went above and beyond to help me make spa and specialty restaurant reservations, and she met us each evening to escort us to dinner and to the theater, where reserved Yacht Club seating was waiting. She did her job superbly, but I generally like to do things for myself.
On the final night on board, she held an intimate performance for Yacht Club passengers in the suite area's private lounge. Again, I shivered as she took on the likes of Adele, AC/DC and others. Other limited-engagement performers include comedians and pianists. Speaking of children, the ship has a dedicated kids club, called Doremiland (named after the cruise line's mascot, Doremi, as in the first three notes of a musical scale).
MSC's newest ship, Euribia, however, has swapped high-flying theatrics for retro-inspired kicks with its reimagined Carousel Lounge. The space is now a sophisticated home for Big Band at Sea, a 19-piece orchestra with a genre-spanning playlist (although mid-20th-century crooner classics best match the room). Figuring out which vibe appeals most to you — more North Americans (Royal Caribbean) or a predominantly international crowd (MSC Cruises) — can help you choose between these two megaship cruise brands. In 2025, the cruise line will christen MSC World America, a Miami-based megaship sibling of 2022's MSC World Europa. Both use cleaner-burning liquified natural gas (LNG) as fuel.
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This diversity allows travelers to explore a wide range of destinations from the sun-kissed beaches of the Caribbean to the historic landscapes of Europe, depending on the time of year. The area of Entertainment and Activities also has space for improvement. The shows and activities rely on a more classic style, lacking the scale and spectacle of larger productions found on lines like Royal Caribbean.
If you'd rather get your groove on, keep an eye out for dance lessons and themed parties hosted by the entertainment team. My favorite was the Snow Party, when the crew blasted fake snow (which appeared to be suds of some sort) as we danced on the blazing hot pool deck. The ship's TV Studio & Bar is where you can find the cruise director filming the ship's daily morning show the night before. It's also the site of trivia competitions, several of which were standing-room-only.
Innovative Facilities and Activities
At this level and above, you can pick a specific cabin when booking. Members earn points based on the length of the cruises they take and which "experience" they book on those sailings. There are four different "experiences" you can book on an MSC Cruises sailing, each with different inclusions and price points. The most basic "Bella" experience will get you fewer points than the top "MSC Yacht Club" experience.
Radiance-class ships are the smallest in the fleet, carrying 2,100 guests at double occupancy. There are, however, key differences in the onboard experience. Both cruise lines offer thrilling activities (just not the same kind), and each has its own approach to entertainment, kids clubs and dining.
This lack of cleanliness not only affected the comfort of passengers but also raised concerns about health and safety. Passengers found them to be expensive and the food served did not meet their expectations. Its important to note, these do not reflect the overall experience of MSC Cruises and we have covered the good points separately above. However, its only fair to expect an experience that isn’t on par with its competitors.
The buffet was still very average besides the burgers and pizza but my main dining room dishes really were excellent. This post will just be on what is included with your cruise fare. I did not upgrade to specialty dining or to MSC’s yacht club. You'll also be presented with a wristband that acts as your cruise card, so it opens your door and pays for drinks and onboard purchases, like a SmartWatch. MSC Meraviglia offers some of the lowest prices in the industry.
If you're willing to shell out the money, you can have a fantastic meal on this ship. MSC Cruises' Meraviglia was the first in the line's Meraviglia Class of ships. When it debuted in 2017, it became the line's largest vessel, with space for up to 5,655 people at capacity (4,475 at double occupancy). It has since been overtaken, in terms of passenger capacity, by subsequent vessels in the Meraviglia Class, as well as those in the World Class. For the first time, MSC Cruises has based a ship in New York.
Most cruise lines seem to be pushing toward full-scale production shows. Norwegian Cruise Lines, for example has productions of Footloose and Kinky Boots on some of its newer ships. Royal Caribbean offers big budget programs and even aqua shows on its Oasis-class ships. Fewer Included RestaurantsLike other cruise lines, MSC also has a mix of included restaurants and specialty restaurants where you will pay extra to dine.
Should you do some of the more extreme things on other cruises, it’s likely you have to sign something. For instance, the Flowrider surf simulator on Royal Caribbean requires you to complete a form before you can enjoy. We’re used to meeting the room steward on the first day of the cruise, and then seeing them regularly each day coming to and from the room.
The free room service was handy when I just had to order late-night pizza. Plus, the priority boarding perk meant we went from shore to ship in less than 10 minutes while other passengers waited two to three hours in rainy conditions to embark. Gratuities, room service and premium alcohol and Wi-Fi packages are included in all Yacht Club fares. You do not need to purchase add-ons or pay added fees like you would in cabins outside the Yacht Club. Standard amenities included a hair dryer and a TV (with a random smattering of TV channels, for-fee movies and ship-created programs like jewelry and port seminars and navigational information).
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