My girlfriend (now fiance :-))and I went on the MSC Poesia from November 14-19, 2011 from Fort Lauderdale to Costa Maya and Cozumel. I'd probably rank our cruise about 6/10... here is why:

The boarding process was chaotic. We went through security in the port, then were told to sit in a "holding pen" until the security personnel decided we should be permitted to enter the queue for a check-in agent. It only lasted about 15 minutes, but it seemed arbitrary and the order in which people were chosen did not seem completely chronological.

We then boarded the ship. It is a beautiful ship. Barely a speck of dust, let alone any dirt. Our cabin balcony had a great view. However, once we began wandering around the ship, we had a hard time avoiding second-hand smoke. On our previous Carnival cruise, smoking was permitted on one side of the Lido (pool) deck and was not permitted in any of the public indoor areas, except the casino. MSC permitted smoking on one side of the pool deck, as well as a few select areas indoors (incl. at least one or two bars/lounges, as well as the casino). I expected smoking in the casino, but because of the great latitude of indoor areas where it was permitted, the smell permeated most indoor areas of the ship (even "non-smoking lounges) with the exception of the main theater and the dining room. Even on the "non-smoking" side of the pool deck, people were occasionally lighting up. To their credit, the staff did talk to someone for us at one point when they were smoking with their feet in the pool. Read more