We did this cruise mainly for the price and the convenience of departing from Zeebrugge.
We cruised with our son (aged 2,5) and this was his second cruise.
Let me start by saying that we had a very good week and really enjoyed ourselves. The criticism below are actually details on the cruise. We will sail MSC again if the price is right.
We had a nice walk in the town. We didn't like the many coffeeshops though. For people unaware of this: in these places, you can legally purchase and use weed.
We found them a bit disturbing (mainly the smell walking by and some of the people hanging out around them).
Southampton seemed like a really nice city and we will visit it again to stay for a few days. People were very friendly as well.
A very nice city, but we hated the way MSC pushed its shuttle service (priced at 15€ per person for a 10 minute busride). The flyer left in our cabin the night before stated that it was a 9km trip and took 40 minutes. The 40 minutes is actually when you walk to the city (a lot shorter than 9km that way). Also, a taxi to and from the city would cost you less.
Did not like the city very much.
We took the 4€ shuttle to the city centre and basically walked to the Docks shopping mall and then back to the ship.
We embarked/disembarked here. The port is actually Zeebrugge.
We rate it excellent because Brugge is a very nice city. We know it very well as we've visited it many many times before.