Just back from MSC Splendida out of Barcelona and returned there on 4th November. First cruise on this line and I had read all the posts I could find, and whilst some of the naysayers were correct in their comments, there was nothing awful or even vaguely unpleasant about the cruise line. The ship is very very large and beautifully appointed, although I did think there was no real flow from one space to the other in terms of decor, unlike Celebrity which is always co-ordinated. Certainly whoever thinks the Pizzetta is reminiscent of a Tuscan street ain't been near Tuscany! The public areas and the cabins are very clean, and the crew, and this includes everyone I met, were extremely professional, particularly noticeable in the main dining room where the waiters were highly competent and always available - one never felt to be in the forgotten corner!

My sister and I shared a twin balcony cabin midships; quite good space, lack of hangers as always, although we could probably have asked for more, would be difficult to accommodate more things if on a longer trip than 7 days I think. Very quiet, although there was a communicating door but no noise from the adjacent cabin. The official announcements were all but unintelligible because of feedback but this is often the case on cruises.

We had taken the Allegrissimo 24 package after all, as we reckoned it would be easier to keep track of our costs that way, but I am not a big drinker, so the one wine glass of 40 cl at dinner, the coffee after breakfast and again after dinner, with a cocktail pre dinner, and only time for one ice cream on an at sea day, didn't give me a winning hand, although my sister did rather better. I personally wouldn't bother again. Read more