MSC Preziosa Review

4.5 / 5.0
386 reviews

Better than expected, but paying for water?

Review for the Western Mediterranean Cruise on MSC Preziosa
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kbinbkk
2-5 Cruises • Age 70s

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Additional details

Sail Date: Dec 2015
Cabin: Balcony Stateroom

Having read quite a few poor reviews of this cruise company I had low expectations of my Mediterranean Christmas cruise but overall was pleasantly surprised. There are certainly faults with MSC that could be easily rectified if the management felt that customer opinion was of any value and they were prepared to act upon it.

This was my third cruise having previously cruised to Alaska with Carnival and to Scandinavia with P&O. Like a very recent reviewer, we happened to occupy the very same cabin, 8121, and if that reviewer is missing a lime green sweater then it is still on the top shelf in the wardrobe!!!

Embarkation in Rome was a real irritant because once you have registered to go on board you must then experience a gauntlet of pushy MSC employees trying to sell you drinks packages, excursions and spa treatments. I couldn't believe one drinks package was for water - why should I pay to drink water when I have already paid over £100 per person per day for everything else? This is an outrageous policy and I told him so. Like a number of things with MSC, there are options but nobody tells you because they only want to take your money for their overpriced products. Examples are - paying for bottles of water when it is on free supply in the buffet and paying for very expensive bus transfers when free port shuttles are available. This was not a good start to a cruise and MSC management should really do something about it.

Cabin Review

Balcony Stateroom

Cabin B1

Clean and reasonably spacious with a partially obstructed view due to the lifeboats being on the deck below. Only one comfortable chair although there is a stool under the desk. Very comfortable bed with a sack of potatoes for a pillow! Plenty of hanging and drawer space. Lots of noise from adjacent cabins.

Port Reviews

Rome (Civitavecchia)

We transferred from Rome airport directly to the ship using CCS. Outstanding value at 69 Euros booked online. The driver collected us at the terminal, took us into Rome to collect someone (free city tour!) and then to the ship. Highly recommended.

Palermo (Sicily)

A really interesting and photogenic city. We walked into the town and took a tour of the Teatro Massimo (seen in The Godfather) and then strolled the streets and the promenade back to the ship. We couldn't see much justification for other reviewers opinions that this is a poor place to visit - it is full of atmosphere. Yes it is busy, driving is a little crazy and it is pretty 'rustic' in places but that is all part of it being a very atmospheric place which can be enjoyed.

Malta (Valletta)

A short walk into town and then a lift to take us up into the old quarter. We viewed the noon gun being fired and took a tour of the Battery with Alfredo in hid army uniform for 3 Euros. I recommend this because you get a close up view of the gun being fired however I guess it is just as good from the balcony. Then into the streets to view St John's Cathedral - incredibly ornate with a couple of Caravaggio's on display.

Barcelona

We took the MSC transfer into town (about 9 Euros each) when there is a port transfer for 3 Euros which is a small way of showing how MSC go for every cent they can! Anyway, we then walked La Rambla, saw 2 unusual Gaudi designed buildings and then visited Sagrada Famillia which is an amazing Gaudi designed cathedral. Take a tower tour for panoramic views over Barcelona and book online before you go to avoid the queues. You must adhere to the times shown on the ticket. We then took the underground to return to the end of La Rambla and the port entrance where either the MSC bus or the port bus were waiting.

Marseille

We took a free port transfer into the city rather than pay MSC 17 Euros each for the same journey! You just need to walk a little way following a green line to catch the port bus. We then walked 30 minutes to the old port and took the ferry to Isle D'If in order to visit Chateau D'If, the setting for Dumas's The Count of Monte Christo. A really good trip, an atmospheric castle/chateau converted into a prison and with great views over Marseilles.

Genoa

We walked about a kilometre into town and bought an inclusive ticket to visit the Aquarium (brilliant), the open air museum and a retired submarine. Finally we wandered along the narrow back streets to return to the ship - a great day.

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