As a first time cruiser I have nothing to compare but the Magnifica was a gorgeous ship and I loved every minute of the cruise. I traveled from Canada with Sunquest so it was a package deal with air, hotel in Venice, transfers. It was so easy. I was personally escorted to my cabin; port side, deck 10, with a lovely balcony. My cabin steward was very attentive - ice in the bucket everyday, towels in animal shapes etc. I found the food very good. Regional Italian dishes with many choices...if you didn't like your choice you could opt for another. I ate breakfast and lunch in the buffet restaurant by the pool - no problems with line-ups - but did enjoy one breakfast and one lunch in the main dining room which was lovely. Every morning I ordered coffee and croissants and it showed up promptly at the time I requested.

I was on my own for the first 4 days of the cruise so I opted for the ships excursions. They were expensive but they were excellent tours and getting on and off the ship was no problem at all. Everything was very well run.

There is smoking on board but is limited to a few bars, the casino and the port side of the pool deck. This was not an issue. The day at sea was crowded in the pool area and you had to get a lounger at breakfast time if you wanted to be around the pool. They say you can't save chairs but everyone does. The pool area could be a bit noisy in the afternoon but it was easy to move to the back of the ship and you couldn't hear the bingo games, dance lessons, aerobics classes etc. There is a quiet library on board as well as a card room. Read more