Food anad Main dining Experience Food was very good on the Orchestra, a few things I didn't like, but it wasn't something I normally would eat either. We were happy... breakfast in the dining room was top notch!
Buffet and snacks Buffet was typical of any other line... they have the best pizza in the evening of ANY other cruiseline But food is not served after 9 pm... but they have buffets and special items between 11:30 - MN
Alternative dining Did not try
Overall Service Very good... not perfect, but acceptable... no real complaints
Cabins and Cabin Ammenities Excellent room, cat 11... liked the bowl of fresh fruit
Ambience Very pretty, clean loved the marble enjoyed very much overall
Pasenger Mix BIG mix... enjoyed
On Board Activities were available if you wanted to participate... we didn't
Pool Facilities Very nice... nicely laid out
Embarkation and Disembarkation Super FAST!
Anything Else of Note
Where does MSC excel? Embarkation, Debarkation, tours and excursions, Shows were very good, the dancers and singers were very talented.
Where do they fall a little short? Should have food availability, at least the pizza, til 11 pm.
Would you saile MSC again? Would they be your top choice, or on your short list? Yes, we would sail MSC again... Definitely would be on the short list... without a doubt!
Thanks, D! I'm sure thiss will help a lot of folks, as most of us thinkk of MSC as a new kid on the block, as far as US cruising goes. I'm sure I'm not the only one who is just a little bit curious about them.
Oh - one more thing... how does their pricing compare to RCI, CCL, and NCL?
Here are my comments for the rest of your questions:
Food and Main dining Experience
The risotto and fish are consistently good. I hardly call the food Italian. It was adequate, but nothing special. I didn't care for a lot of it and I am not really a picky eater.
Buffet and snacks
Be sure to check meal times. There is a good variety of food to snack on, but there isn't always food available. The pizza was very interesting with odd combinations of toppings.
Alternative dining
None that
Overall Service
The cabin attendants, bar tattendants and servers were good. The officers and Italian crew couldn't care less. Never a greeting when entering the dining room. Seems that officers just didn't care.
Cabins and Cabin Ammenities
Watch out for Deck 4 cabins as they are smaller than any and that is not mentioned in any brochure. Cabins were adequate. Shower was the smallest that we have ever encountered.
Ambience
The ship decor was very pleasing and soothing.
Pasenger Mix
A good mix of all ages (not many children) and nationalities.
On Board Activities
Not as many as on other cruises, but enough to keep you busy.
Pool Facilities
Adequate
Embarkation and Disembarkation
Embarkation was quick. Disembarkation had long lines and was poorly organized.
Anything Else of Note
I had heard the negatives in advance and knew what to expect, so being forewarned helped me tolerate the inadequacies.
Where does MSC excel?
I liked the string quartet and the itinerary.
Where do they fall a little short?
My reply would time out if I imentioned all the short falls. You may read my reviews and podcast.
Would you saile MSC again? Would they be your top choice, or on your short list?
I am frugal, so price always matters. We also have a good time on a cruise and just take the deficiencies(as long as they aren't hazardous to our health or unsafe) with a grain of salt. But if MSC had the same itinerary and the same price as another ship, I would go with the other cruise line.
The attitude of the staff leaves much to be desired.
One observation I have noticed in regards to MSC Cruises are that Americans dont really care to much for the product as they always compare it to the big "American" cruise lines (Carnival,RCI etc) but Europeans raves about MSC Cruises.
One observation I have noticed in regards to MSC Cruises are that Americans dont really care to much for the product as they always compare it to the big "American" cruise lines (Carnival,RCI etc) but Europeans raves about MSC Cruises.
That's very true, Lars. We were discussing this very thing earlier today at lunch with a BDM.
I don't think one can really compare the MSC ships to the "American" lines, lol. But....
The staff, whether it be officers or buffet help, cleaning staff or what have you, always said hello with a smile.
The style of cooking had a Southern Italian flare for sure. Little subtleties... the fennel was delicious and cooked liked my grandmother used to make! There were some french items when we were in St. Maarten/St. Martin... there were some Greek dishes on the buffet. There was more lamb and veal served than any other cruise I have been on, so I was loving it. Not all the food was good to me, but I tried different things. The risotto was very good... Polenta was excellent, the different cold salads on the buffet very good, I especially enjoyed the couscous...I found the toppings on the pizza normal, cheese, pepperoni, olives, ham, chicken...
Price wise in comparing them to RCL, CCL and NCL... we had a category 11 on the Orchestra, highest level balcony cabin, below the suite... We brought the kids and for the 4 of us in the cabin the "regular" price was $2400... I did compare prices when we were booking and the others were much higher for a comparable cabin... The inside cabin would have cost only $1150 (ish) for 4 people...
I am extremely happy that we sailed the Orchestra... I have a personal experience to share with clients. If someone is looking for the party atmosphere of Carnival and Royal, they will NOT like MSC... The bar staff do NOT come around begging you buy the drink of the day...if they are looking to relax and enjoy fabulous entertainment (like Princess) they will enjoy MSC. A trip of any kind is what the people make of it too.... There are many people that won't be happy no matter what! We met some of them onboard. They would point out what they didn't like... and I would spin it to the positives... People are on vacation... chill, lol. Met some wonderful people from MA who were enjoying the cruise and would sail again!
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