This was a Dubai round trip through Middle East ports and back to Dubai. We had done the same trip back in February 2011 on RCI Brilliance of the Seas and were therefore seeing this current trip as a chance to unwind rather than sightsee. We had read some awful reports about the ship and also some OK ones so we were more than a little apprehensive when boarding as to what it would be like.

We had got a good deal direct with MSC. This involved having an inside cabin which we had not had on any ship before but we were happy to give it a go. We also purchased an all inclusive drinks package (package no 415) which gave us unlimited access to basically all drinks on the ship except those selling for more than 7 Euros and also those which contained champagne. We were also entitled to bottles of the house wine and to use the contents of the mini bar which was restocked daily.

Our cabin on deck 9 was compact but adequate providing you did not want to spend too much time in it. There was plenty of storage space - more than we needed - and it was clean but the lighting was dim. The bed was comfy. The shower was however, a different story. We do not think we have ever had a smaller shower on a cruise ship. It was basically a triangular shape with 2 fixed sides measuring 36 inches and 27 inches respectively. The hypotenuse was between the 2 ends of these sides and this took the shower curtain. Then you had to take into account the shower unit itself, and a large grab handle sticking out of one of the sides. You just about had room to give yourself a rudimentary wash and there was a constant battle with the plastic shower curtain!! There was however, plenty of hot water and the shower itself was good. Read more