As a first time cruiser, it may be seen as full hardy to have jumped in with both feet and opted for an 18 day Trans - Atlantic crossing, but with nothing to compare, I still thought it valid to give a measured and balanced view of the MSC Sinfonia, Livorno to Cape Town, repositioning cruise, given some of the damning and dated reviews posted.
Cost:
A very competitively priced package, as many repositioning cruises are, but the onboard costs are high, and while drinks packages etc are available, be prepared. If cost is a major factor, consider the reverse trip at the end of the Sinfonia's South African season, as all charges are in US Dollars and the outbound Euro unit costs are not adjusted.
We had an inside cabin on deck 10, which was perfectly adequate, but with hindsight we would have paid the premium and opted for an outside with balcony. 18 days with no daylight is too much! Again, the finish and quality of furnishings were very good, and the use of space well thought out. The shower, though small, was adequate. 1140 is close to the stern, so prone to motion, but allows easy access to stern stairs and walkways and other decks.