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I liked the burgers on MSC more than I have on lines like Royal Caribbean. My first dessert and the pizza were my standouts of the day. I am the type of person on a cruise who orders two desserts every single night. The one on deck 8 was larger and had more selection than the one on deck 16 so we ended up going to it more.
Comparison to Competitor Cruise Lines
Most of MSC’s ships are quite new, boasting modern amenities and facilities. The regular opening of new ships keeps the fleet refreshed and inviting. For families, MSC shines brightly, its pricing strategy is great for multigenerational groups.
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They are distinctive for their split-hull design, allowing for interior-facing cabins, and themed neighborhoods, which help disperse foot traffic and make it easier for guests to navigate the ships' 18 decks. My family was on the Seaside last November and are going back this November. We loved the ship, the itinerary, the shows/entertainment, kids clubs, buffet restaurants. One negative difference compared to other lines (been on Celebrity, RC, NCL, Princess) are dinners in MDRs. Quality and selection wise, MSC is not, in my view, on par with other major cruise lines.
Innovative Facilities and Activities
MSC and Royal Caribbean primarily appeal to value-focused guests seeking affordable cruise fares, but more-affluent cruisers can also book higher-priced suites featuring elevated amenities. Factors such as food quality, customer service, cleanliness, and overall value for money can significantly impact a passenger’s experience, and these factors can vary from ship to ship and itinerary to itinerary. This lack of quality customer service significantly impacted the overall cruise experience for these passengers. This re-enforces the view that MSC Cruises offers a high-quality cruise experience at a reasonable price, providing excellent value for money. The overall ambiance has an obvious European flair which, in my humble opinion, makes the experience much more enjoyable.
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For instance, at the time of publication, four-night sailings from Miami to the Bahamas in September 2024 start at just $249 per person, not including taxes and fees of $100. That works out to just $87.25 per person, per night, with taxes and fees, for a package that includes your lodging, transportation and meals. The bigger MSC Cruises ships offer vacationers a ton of options for dining (some vessels have more than a dozen distinct places to eat dinner or at least grab a quick bite) or entertainment.
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What can I expect on an MSC cruise?
For instance, the MSC Preziosa, one of their ships, features the longest single-rider body waterslide at sea. These unique features provide a variety of entertainment options for passengers of all ages, making the cruise experience more enjoyable and memorable. I guess because of our more than 40 years of extensive cruising experience (with 15 cruise lines) we just laugh when some folks say that the cruise lines (mass market or otherwise) are all alike. There are differences between each line and even between various ships of the same line.
There are many different cruise lines to choose from, and each one offers a different type of experience. Some are geared towards families, while others are more focused on luxury or adventure. Do you need a wide range of activities to keep the kiddos happy while the adults live it up or relax? The onboard activities and amenities can really make or break your vacation, so be sure you know what you're getting. There is the “Bella” Experience – which is the base fare and really is bare bones.
Otherwise, you'll need to purchase a drink package, even if all you want are soft drinks, if you don't want to rack up massive a la carte beverage charges. Expect fees starting around $25 per person per day for the non-alcoholic options and around $70pp per day for the top tier wine, beer, cocktails and soft drinks package. Either of these cruise lines can be a good option for those seeking an action-packed, value-focused cruise vacation. Guests on World Europa and Seaside- and Meraviglia-class ships can expect dining room menus to change each night and offer a good selection of globally inspired selections. MSC's food quality, presentation and portion sizes have improved with each new ship as the cruise line has adapted to U.S. customer feedback. Still, guests should plan to spend more time at the table, since MSC's service tends toward a slower European pace.
Themed parties transform the ship into a lively epicenter of entertainment. The bars, discos, and casinos are always bustling, offering plenty of options for adults to enjoy a night out on the sea. Compared to other cruise lines, MSC offers significantly lower rates, making it an attractive option for various budgets.
Each package gives you drink options up to a certain dollar amount. The Easy package offers drinks up to $8 each, the Easy Plus package offers up to $10 each, and the Premium Extra gives you any drink up to $16 per glass. What we’ve found, however, is that these dishes usually aren’t that great on many cruises. Frankly, the pizza on many ships is usually a bit bland and has a cardboard taste that you’d find at a cheap buffet. MSC charges a relatively low $14.00 per person, per day for passengers that are 12 years and older. Kids aged 2-11 are charged just $7.00 per night (typically kids are charged full price on other lines).
You can only choose between the broad categories of inside, ocean-view or balcony cabin, and a cabin is later assigned to you. You must be at least 21 years old to consume alcohol on sailings in the U.S. and the Caribbean. The drinking age on sailings everywhere else in the world is 18. For cruises in the Caribbean, South America and South Africa, as well as on MSC Grand Voyages going to Europe and to Australia, the onboard currency is the U.S. dollar.
The largest suites on most MSC ships are in the MSC Yacht Club, an exclusive enclave on newer MSC ships offering private spaces and added amenities. MSC Yacht Club perks include a private lounge and restaurant, a private sundeck and butler service. Top-tier accommodations are known as Royal Suite Class and rank among some of the most spectacular suites in the mainstream cruise line sector. They are available on Oasis- and Quantum-class ships and range from relatively modest 290-square-foot Junior Suites to two-level, 1,800-square-foot Royal Loft Suites that rival a contemporary penthouse apartment.
Recognizing the diverse needs of families, MSC has integrated features such as expansive water parks, dynamic kids clubs partnered with popular brands, and specially designed family cabins. These elements work together to create an engaging and comfortable atmosphere for both parents and children. Regardless of the available private spaces, overcrowding issues can be a significant concern on MSC Cruises. The ship often sails at full capacity, leading to crowding in shared areas like the buffet or pool decks. This heightened passenger-to-space ratio sometimes affects comfort and accessibility which makes it challenging to find a quiet spot or even a seat during peak periods. When the sun sets, MSC’s vibrant nightlife springs to life.
Hence, we are now looking at MSC over some other lines when considering cruises. With many exciting and tailored excursions to enjoy, there is no end of opportunity to be curious and adventurous with MSC Cruises. If you find yourself not loving the food, you can always upgrade to specialty dining.
There's also a selection of Spanish beer, fresh fruit juices, spiked milkshakes and other fun concoctions. The service was so great there that I returned on a different night just to order drinks. You spend half your night lining up for drinks and can’t get for anyone else in your party most of the time (sometimes it’s ok). Very few tables about too so you lose your seat if you get up to get a drink…Unless you pay extra, won’t get out anywhere near others in your group.
So many people enjoy breakfast in their cabins, that this may be worth it for many passengers. Additionally, you can request which dining time (late or early) you’d like in the main dining rooms. Continuing with lower costs, the drink packages and dining packages are considerably less expensive than other cruise lines. While the drink packages are still quite expensive propositions, MSC often has the basic “Easy” drink package as a promotion, included in the fare making upgrading to a more expensive package reasonable. Specialty restaurants vary from ship class to ship class, although a few such as Chops Grille (for steaks and seafood) are aboard most vessels.
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