As a couple living in America, I am married to a German. We decided on a family vacation to cruise the Greek Islands with my husbands family (all German). MSC surpassed our expectations. We have cruised several times before (Alaska, Hawaii, Bahamas, and sailing cruises) MSC was the largest ship and the fastest disembarkation of all the cruises! The staff for the most was friendly and accommodating, a few not so friendly staff but they didn't deter from our experience. State room attendant was fantastic and remembered our preferences.

Positives: fast disembarkation, land excursion offerings, wardrobe flexibility for dinner (either dress according to theme or not), dinning room waiter spoke little English and no German, we had no issues with our meals or special requests during our meal time. Our waiter was gracious and we found an easy way to communicate. Food at dinner was delicious. Note to Americans they are smaller portions however, you have options for soup, salad, main entree, second entree, and dessert plus bread. If this is not enough for you simply tell your waiter and you can have another main entree. Several times I was torn between two appetizers and he brought me both. You will not go hungry. Easy to side step & avoid all the photography opportunities. Nightly entertainment in the theater: we saw 2 shows. Michael Jackson tribute was fair to good. You know the songs and will sing along. Variety of on-shore tours provided in various languages, even one that was offered in both English & German which meant neither my husband nor I had to be a translator. AWESOME! Tour desk staff very knowledgable of tours and if not taking tours advice on getting around town on your own or little known beaches. Breakfast buffet (can be crowded) just keep moving there is more than one egg and sausage station than the first one. We found it best to go all the way to the back where there were less people.

Cons: no adult only time at the pools. I knew that families would be on the cruise and I would encounter children at all venues, except if you pay for the adult only pool (yacht club) which is a daily fee. It would have been nice if one pool for a few hours each day was adult only. Not every parent monitors their children for splashing, if you want to relax in the water either pay for the yacht club or do it during a land excursion. Also, the room service while timely I had breakfast delivered (as I have done on previous cruises. I work out in the morning in the gym, shower and then come back to my cabin. I find it easier to eat in the room and then disembark) however the I checked off yogurt, and toast. And that is all I got: yogurt and toast. No jam or butter. Breakfast buffet is good, I mistakenly thought I would get some accouterments along side the yogurt and toast. Photographers everywhere, a few were strong attempting to get us to take family photographs, we knew we wouldn't purchase so we only did once. But they were at some point aggressive to take your picture. Slippery walkways (to be fair the staff was constantly wiping up around the pools but it was a never ending loop, just be careful, we saw several people slip). Elevators near reentry doors would have lines, after time spent in port of call, if you simply walk to next set no waiting. Other passengers are loud when traversing the hallways at all hours, as a guest think of it like a home when walking past cabin doors the people attempting to sleep inside will hear if you speak in above average voice. (Our bad for putting birthday signs on our cabin doors as everyone made a comment, especially the kids in loud voices at all hours). The gym: some of the equipment was out of order (several treadmills) plus the air conditioner didn't work as efficiently making the workouts more challenging. People did go over the posted time limits, but they do that at every gym I have ever been to, a gentle reminder or 'are you almost finished I am waiting thank you' worked great. Breakfast buffet is crowded, but there is plenty of food and they refill constantly. Only issue if you do not drink coffee (as I don't, I am the only one in my family that doesn't) getting a soda in the morning was challenging to find a wait staff or wait in long lines (breakfast & lunch time) to get one. Last con limited movies / tv programs offered in English, nor could I find English subtitles. If you wake up in the middle of the night and want to watch a movie you'll find one you know just not in a language you know. Read more