We booked this cruise as a trial to see why so many people rave about cruises - and although I know realise that MSC is probably about the bottom of the pile. First the positive: the cabin was absolutely fine, spotless and well enough appointed. The cabin crew were also very good. The ship itself was also very clean. However, the food both in the buffet and for the evening meal was incredibly basic and cheap. Tea and coffee were not part of the meal and had to be paid for separately and nor was water! No, you cannot have a jug of tap water on the table, you must buy a bottle! We wanted to change our meal time from late (9pm) to the early sitting (6.30pm) which took us ages to find a Maitre d' - being sent from one restaurant to another. Nobody offered to page him and when we did finally track down someone to help us, it was made clear that we were quite a nuisance! - but they did swap us. There was really nothing much to do in the day time - unless you count "Stretching" at 4.30pm! The show was OK - lasted 40mins. Finally, when we checked our bill $9 per day each had been added "for our convenience" to save us tipping, having already been charged 15% service charge on everything we bought! Also $1.50 per day as a donation to UNICEF. We already give to several charities, of OUR choice. If MSC wish to support Unicef, fine but it doesn't mean we necessarily do. We objected strongly - - and have written accross our account that they are authorised only to deduct what we owe them, without the extras. We'll see what happens.
One other thing, their excusions are really expensive. Certainly in Copenhagen we used the local hop on, hop off buses for 18 Euros each when MSC wanted minimum of 68 Euros each.
All in all, really glad this was only three nights, we spoke to several people who had come all the way from Brazil to Kiel - 19 nights - and they were not impressed either. We have been advised to try almost any other line for a good experience.
