My husband and I have just returned from a 7night Canaries cruise, first piece of advice if you book a private transfer through Travel Republic A2B Private Hire, it will tell you to go to desk 16, after queing up for 45mins we were told we were at wrong desk and should be at desk 4, if there's a que at desk 16 check out desk 4 first! We were slightly anxious about cruising with MSC as I had read some bad reviews. We picked this cruise up at a bargain price and decided to make up our own minds.

Basicaly if you want excellent food, entertainment and luxurious cabins then book with Royal Carribean as on MSC the food was adequate, though usually served cold in the buffet and the Marco Polo Restaurant, it offers Steak or chicken and chips as an alternative but I would advise to stay well clear as the 'steak is a piece of thin frying steak and the chicken fillet battered to within 1" of it's life and looks anemic! Bedding was old fashioned woolen blanket and the pillows are so bad they feel like they were filled with cotton wool balls. I have been on quite a few ships but have to say that although weather was a little windy it was hardly the High Seas and the ship rocked and rolled at all time of the day and night in fact I am home now 3 days and still feel like I am on board!!

Hopefully I have been of some help if you are thinking of booking a cruise on MSCArmonia, if you get it at the right price and you want a winter break go for it as long as you don't expect too much in the way of luxury, ship was clean staff (some very nice and smiley) others grumpy especially in the English Pub, ports lovely La Gomera especially, we met some wonderful people on board and had great company and a good few laughs, drinks package is a must for value and dress code although varied I didn't feel overdressed when I put on a nice cocktail dress for dinner in the evenings quite a few people did go to some effort.