This was our 5th cruise but first experience of MSC and we wont be using them again even if it were free ! We were so bitterly disappointed having been with Princess, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity and are now of the opinion that MSC is not even 3 star compared to these three. Two good things - our cabin was very spacious and to have a bath tub was nice. (always had balcony cabins before but never a bath) The food in the Restaurant (there is only one) was good but the Buffet was very poor. It was a real bun fight and more like a school canteen that after the second day we took breakfast in the Restaurant. Afternoon Tea was a joke and not worth the bother. We had requested 2nd sitting - as on all previous cruises, but this was not until 9.30 ( 8.30 in all our literature) far too late. The entertainment was really an embarrassment, very amatuer and low budget. It lasted all of 40 mins. On the second night we asked for 2 glasses of champagne only to be told there was nt any ! Having found a" senior" looking man in a white jacket we complained and he dispatched a barman to find some. This poor lad who spoke very little English returned with a bottle of something fizzy from Spain and tried to serve us this. A bottle of Moet was eventually found but no apology from the man in the white jacket.
Even worse was the Waiter in the Restaurant (they don t bother with Wine Waiters) who when asked by a lady diner if a particular wine on the list was dry, looked at her in amazement and said "Dry ? wine is wet not dry" Unbelieveable.
The general attitude of the staff is apathetic, surly and at times downright rude. From the very first impression there is a feeling of unhappiness and one can only wonder at MSC s policy on staff training and customer care. I asked for cold milk for my tea only to be met with a shrug, a shake of the head and a waiter who walked away. Would be interested to hear any other experiences.
