Everything was excellent...entertainment, food, shops, cabins whers clean. I wish i can come again..i enjoyed Music was nice, breakfast including lunch and dinner was healthy and good. Customer care inside the ship was also good. Shopping areas, service was good, remember this was my first time in the cruise, inside the ship it was the same as i was in the mall, disco time, activities etc, i really enjoyed I never sleep because of rhe entertainments, i ate diffent fruits and fortunately i found my favourate water melon, and that was my favourite. But soft drinks were expensive. And i thought i will gain weight as people told me about food for everytime but i didnt because your food was healthy. Overall i rate Msc musica cruise excellent. Please sent me your special price so that i can come again. It was so nice even in Portuguese island. Thank you Read Less

It was my first time I embark on Msc cruise were I realized Msc is the only cruise with a lot of entertainment ,on board and offshore .i chose MSc because I had been gallivanting a lot using a different mode of transport such as trains, flights touring to different places so the other day I thought of touring to other different places using a different mode of transport ,that’s when I thought of Msc cruise .my experience with Msc cruise was awesome, unbelievable , everything was so perfect starting from a warm welcome on board , beautiful cabins clean and fresh , not forgetting 24 hours room service and extraordinary service offered to all people on cruise regardless of their race,gender, religion .As for activities they were galore, restaurants so appetizing,their food were so perfect you got to choose what type food you want to eat whether you are a vegetarian or not everyone was accommodated. For fitness there was a gym with a lot of equipment for exercising, Read Less

Highlights I chose MSC because ever since I have started every time i become more crazier to take a cruise. This was my third time because I love the atmosphere, I love the hospitality and I just love being part of this family because everything is being done on professionally and efficiently on board. I should really say Musica is indeed a beautiful baby. Spacious cabins and very attractive scenery. Embarkation was a little longer but there was a valid reason which was a a result of load shedding which was beyond anybody's control. Otherwise the excitement killed the thought and waiting was no problem. From my previous experience there is normally no problem as far as that is concerned. It was only when we came back that I noticed somebody not being happy about her luggage because she could not find it. It was a little odd as I never heard of that ever since i started boarding the ship. Maybe there should be a checking point where security checks that people do take the luggage that truly belongs to them. The lady was causing an unnecessary scene drawing attention. Thank you for serving food that makes one to yen for more. The food is being served with love. Thank your kitchen team for looking after us. It is by choice to eat unhealthy but you surely do cater for everybody to eat a healthy meal. The plays are always exquisite. Thank you very much entertainment team you were just wonderful. Your costumes are always out of the world and everything becomes real. One of my highlight is this that I got to dance with one of the officials and that made my cruise the most enjoyable. Chilling around the pool more especially when there are activities is also most enjoyable experience. I love being on the Portuguese island. I love the water as well as the atmosphere around the island. It is more accommodating. The setup as well as the moving around all the activities are people friendly. Please make some improvements at Pomene as well or rather bring back the excursion of going into Maputo and cancel Pomene. I personally did not find the place enjoyable. The hot sand is unbearable, the limited space makes it very unpleasant for the people who came later and did not have any shelter to be under. The footpath leading to the beach could be at least outlined properly with wood material or so. Please take this matter seriously as it really was a low light as far as the excursions are concerned. Thank you very much for the great time that we had on the ship. The service from the people cleaning the cabins as well as the the waiters, not forgetting the personnel you meet around the ship who always are willing to help. How can I forget the teachers who so wonderfully look after our children and make their time a memorable. That gives mummy and daddy ample time to enjoy being on the ship without any hassles. My grandson was always reminding us not to forget that it is time for him to be dropped off. This is a lifetime experience as it really awakens the child in me. I would never miss an opportunity to go on a cruise. I intend cruising at the end of December to Mauritius and will share that with my sister. Read Less

A good break to destress and relax at sea. The on board entertainment was excellent and our assigned waiter for the El Poque restaurant second seating for dinner provided exceptional service - Hadi from Indonesia. The food however was average on occasion, especially the Indian cuisine - was not well prepared. Also, my other family members who traveled, had issues with their Balcony suites not being ready on time when we embarked. The waiting for embarkation was also long with MSC systems being down. There should also be more activities provided to keep all guests entertained especially for the longer cruises. Some of the service staff were very rude and disrespectful during our stay. This matter needs to be addressed by Management, as is a very poor reflection of MSC service standards. Being my first cruise, this was shocking with the bad service we received, and hope MSC will address this. Read Less

I have been on 3 cruises before this cruise. Both our previous cruises were "cold weather" cruises, one in Alaska and one in NZ. We were very excited about this cruise and I must say we did have an enjoyable time. However compared to the 2 other cruises the ship lacked "quality". The food was below average, especially in the fine dinning areas in the evenings. The entertainment was very good, décor was good but a big concern for me was the cleanliness off the public ablutions. The smelt very bad and where not clean!! We were in a non smoking section of the ship but guests close to us kept on smoking and the smell will blow into our area. This was not dealt with by the staff on board. I wouldn't rush back to a MSC cruise based on this experience. The destinations were great. Mauritius was fantastic and Reunion even better. The excursions were very expensive and can be done on your own at a much lower cost. Read Less

Trying to find the perfect gift is always daunting, luckily i decided to gift my husband a cruise with the Msc Musica, Upon Arrival at the harbour, There was a que to get into check in and to leave your luggage, each step was even more exciting as its just one step closer to boarding, When we reached check in and all was in order my two kids, husband and i literally ran to the boarding area, We stopped quickly at the refreshments area to grab a drink and off we were ( this was so though full after waiting in the ques, a thirst quench was just what we needed) The music and the friendly staff outside just set the mood, Finally we arrived inside the ship, our passports was taken and immediately we were sent upstairs to get a wrisk band for my 7 year old, so basically this as to be worn by the child throughout the cruise, as it makes it easy to locate which cabin the child is,incase they get lost. As we explored we bought our drinks package and went on the 13th deck for our buffet lunch, this was my favourite spot throughout the cruise haha hence the weight gain, everything was perfectly set up, different types of food, bread rolls, salads, dessert, tea coffee and water is always served. We sat at a table and indulged in our scrumptious lunch btw the buffet is open 20 hours, breakfast lunch and supper, And the pizzas is thee best tasting pizzas ever, Everything is always in order as soon as u done eating theres always someone to clear up ur table. Making it easier for the next person to come in, After eating we went to our cabin to change up and went on deck to do the drill, Finally we set sail, the experience of just leaving was absolutely amazing. Everyone was filled with excitement. We had abit of a confusion with our cabin and illena from reception was the absolutely best, so friendly and she even sent up a bottle of champagne and some yummy snacks for my husband on his birthday. Theres so much to do on the ship but we mainly hung out on the deck as the kids wanted to be in the pool, there is a kiddies and teens club aswell, my 7 year old loved it and still talks about his teachers, they provide activities the entire day for the kids and believe me its so safe. They even take the kids for dinner and it's so exciting for the kiddies, Again the level of quality and security is absolutely amazing these ladies and gents are so patient and caring with the kids, Everything is always in a order, at 8pm every night we were allocated a restaurant which we could dine in, the food is absolutely amazing and our waiter was so friendly and welcoming, the manager if this restaurant was extremely rude and to be honest he was the only bad experience throughout our cruise, The shopping is a must, my husband bought me the most beautiful jewellery and the 4.5 liter drinks is absolutely well worth it, Island day: Day of island was amazing such beautiful experience, u have to get a ticket on board which will tell u what boat number u are, u go to the 4th floor and a boat awaits u, nothing to be scared about again everything is always in order and safe, when we arrived at the island the blue waters and music and views was just breathtaking. There's alot of locals selling stuff so carry some cash, it was extremely hot so we went straight to the buffet, freshly caught grilled fish and the delicious water melons and mangoes was my favourite, A dj and also a live band makes u feel so blessed just to experience this.We spent the day in the water and then finally decided to leave early as we didn't want to wait long with the kids, The boats started loading up and we finally entered the ship again, As we entered there was a gentleman handing us an ice face clothe again very well thought of as coming out from the heat, this ice cloth was a bit of heaven for us, Back to sail and after refreshing up we went on board for some activities. What amazed me was everything was always in order, the staff are all very hard working, A few are abit rude but majority are so welcoming, oh please be careful when buying drinks on the deck, if u not using ur drinks package, we paid 45 dollars for two jack Daniels and two cans of coke, yet at the bar across is was 5 dollars. So always ask the price before you purchase. The theater the night before we left was absolutely amazing we got to see the captain break some moves, so friendly so creative and overall it was definitely the best experience ooooh i forgot to mention i felt sea sick for two nights so make sure u take something and they also provide some tabs at the reception area. Would i recommended this cruise? I will be off my head not too, A lifetime experience, My Kids are still talking about it and my husband says he doesn't no how to top this for my birthday hahahah. Overall I'll be back again Read Less

We chose to do a cruise to celebrate my birthday and many blessings that have come our way. It was our first time on a cruise Oh what an experience of a lifetime! The boarding process was unbelievably smooth, and the MSC staff at every point made us feel like real royalty. They were professional and helpful. The birthday cake was out of this world, and the short ceremony made me feel like I was the only Lady of the moment! Manager Antonio on the 6th deck restaurant that day, made sure that the birthday dinner went superbly. The inside of the cruise is just out of the ordinary and you feel like you own a palace for the few days that you are on board. Being a person with dietary requirements, the MSC Kitchen was on point to see that I eat the right kind of food. I have recommended the experience to family members and friends. I will do a cruise again, to Northern Europe, Carribbean or Asia. Read Less

We had an amazing time during our stay on Costa Victoria mainly because of the nice friendly and helpful staff. We travelled with our 7 year old son who was treated like a Prince by all staff on the ship but mainly the animation team and kids club. Ferdy and Sara were exceptionally good with him, most of the staff is Italian nd most of the guests were French spraking but they all made my son included and welcomed. I was happy my son made so many friends even though he can only speak Polish and English, the language is not a barrier he loved his time in the kids club. The animation team work so hard, special thanks to Ralph who was the kindest person on the ship, Francesco the sports instructor and crazy Marco. The staff at the restaurant were incredible as well and made up for the bad food at times. Donna the waitress is so lovely and helpful always smiling. The exurcions are terribly expensive, it's much cheaper to get something on the land. WE MET SO MANY nice people on the ship and on the land and visited hidden gems and that's what we are grateful for. The food, drinks packages and service charges are things we want to quickly forget about ;) Thank you to the staff of Costa Vicortia who made our journey so special Read Less

Awesome family getaway as a family we enjoyed every second . The kids were entertained at all times although they never went to the kids clubs, the kids club carers were always on hand and doing fun activities with the children. Pools were well kept and area around pool was comfortable. Clean towls was available daily.All the shows were included and even the children could enjoy them, a special children show was arranged . The Islands were well equipped and lots to do very well organized although we did not do any excursions we would definitely consider it for the future. Embarktion and disembarktion was well organized .Standard food for us but more than enough to eat at all times. The crew was fantastic always friendly and helpful. MSC will be my first choice in future cruises and would enjoy longer cruises in future and maybe make use of a balcony room for 4 people. Rooms were cleaned daily and gym was good Read Less

I wanted to explore Durban since i'm from Johannesburg. so a cruise after exploring Durban Beach was a perfect way to relax and explore other countries at the same time. It was my first time to see a ship and enter what a wonderful experience, the cabins are family friendly to share with children i would advise others to book early to get cabins that have windows to be able to see outside the ship, make use of Restaurants to experience 5 star treatment , attend all daily activities and most importantly travel with your family including children its a wonderful family experience and creates happy and unforgettable memories. I'm definitely going to Namibia for my next cruise. The service of all employees in the ship is outstanding, they always willing to help when requested. Ports and shore employees were also friendly and vigilant for our safety and made us comfortable and able to trust them with our lives. Thank you thank you and thank you for an awesome time. Read Less

I'm 31 yrs of age and I took my 59yr old mummy on a cruise for the first time.She turned 59 yrs on board. What a surprise birthday she had.She didn't know,I kept it as a surprise. I knew she was going to enjoy herself for this was my second cruise.She still can't close her mouth.Her highlight was the food and the hospitality.The best treatment ever. The stuff made it really special. I'm so glad I chose taking her on a cruise for her birthday.I'll go on a cruise anytime of the day. Anytime is cruise time. Everyone needs to go on this cruise...I can go on and on and on about this cruise.I love you guys,keep up the good job. I'm definatly taking my brothers on the next cruise which has to be very soon. and obviously my future husband has to go with me again,I mean everyone in my life have to know about this cruise,I know it's sounds funny. Experience value for money. Oh the dance ,what an entertainment. I dance my lung out.I had too much fun.The best place for socializing,good time I had wow. We also enjoyed Portugues Island,best weather ever. My mum had the best time ever.She swam literally the whole day.She was just having fun.Even when we got there,the service was still on point. I'm just all over the moon about this cruise. what a smooth embarking and disembarking on this.fast moving lines well controlled,took the best pictures in the process. Oh I must say,perfumes,bags and watches are very cheap there. I always have extra cash to spoil myself with. Read Less

Always wanted to be in a Cruise Ship but the Malaisian and Indonesian Waiters made vile and some point just had to leave with it cause i had no alternative i guess, they were very rude me and actually to black patrons, i looked forawrd to being in the Portuguese Island but clearely we just fed i big fat lie by the captain telling us of heavy and 1,5 m sweils, which did not happen and only happened on Sunday, Waiters definately very rude perhaps they are racist, white people where treated better that black on our shores, i was so disgusted and thought would never use MSC Cruiss again, perhaps the management to intevene about the service rendered by their staff especially waiters and waitreses, this happened mostly at the 11th Deck both Restaurants and the Bars, the indian oak at the bar saturday evening was full of attitude and only smiling to other races accept blacks, i had seen all of these since my experince and was not sitting very far from the bar oppiste the stage. Read Less

I had a great time,unforgettable,great expirience I have no doubt that im coming back, we just working around it.real that was our honeymoon with my wife.your stuff is amazing dedication is unbelievable .wow we real enjoy each and every moment we spent there.casino, excursion,great activities, fitness etc it amazing im greatful for spending my holiday with you and your team no regret.im proud..im a voyage member :-) Read Less

Enjoy all inclusive smaller ships. Spirit going in for a face lift and expansion so will be even nicer ship when completed. Cabins are larger than most... dining experience at lunch is excellent... dinner choices are less appealing. Excellent entertainment. Overall service is outstanding. The ports on this itinerary were very disappointing...but sea days were excellent. Fitness center is very small and poorly laid out... equipment faces the wall...and the TV's and audio were not working. Not really a family cruise...mostly senior adults.. romantic atmosphere. Venetian Society has a couple advantages, discounts, cocktail reception... but given the fact liquor is included for the cruise ...cocktail reception isn't really a perk. As with other cruise lines, if you book another cruise while on board, there's an additional discount... which we wanted to take advantage of but we waited until the last day and the consultant on board was busy with other guests so we missed the opportunity for a 10% discount. Read Less

My wife and children chose this cruise. Furthermore it would be better when you share with your customers what to expect in their destination. I believe if we were informed of the transport problems in the cities we visited , that would have prepared us better. For example what currency is used by transport people, what options of transportation etc. Dining service time it was excellent as Mr. Adismuti was always offering the best service. He deserves accolades. He was always trying his best to be efficient and always friendly. He was approachable to all of us who seating in his table 566 at Galeone dining Hall. Please make more movies available throughout the day so that children who do not take part in the clubs activities can have options. The window rubber that was sealing the glass need to be fixed. The was air that was coming through as a result I continuously experienced dry nose. Read Less

The travel with family members ,friends and their children The embarkation dint go smooth, two of the family members children accompanying us didn't have the all necessary travel document for children, the ship had to leave them fortunately we met the following day in Portuguese island. happy ending The ship was so big and luxurious with nice cabins that suits every member,balcony,Suits ,inside cabin .sea view., the ding staff were so welcoming you could think that they know you We danced at the deck and sometimes watch live performances . Port service improved a lot from the last cruise i had in 2013,, short and manageable ques . It was a life time experience. Every one want to go again with more friends and family members.we had lots of entertainment. we bought gifts for our families at the the shops. The photos were so beautiful we could live any we took every thin that was display at the photo shop. the most special one was when I get invitation as a voyagers club member to be welcomed by the captain crew, I felt so special Read Less

The first time i cruise it was Feb 2017 and embarking from Durban and disembarking was easy done as i expected, I was not enough that is the reason we decided to cruise again 1 December 2017, the vibe was was excellent with the DJ's 24hrs playing all kinds of music and the games for everyone, Service for the rooms was done accordingly, the restaurant also was always open with refreshments, Bars were always full with our favourite drinks from ciders to whisky,and the gym opened almost 2hrs. I went with my wife and the four brothers we were only disappointed by not reaching Pomona as i were looking forward to swim in that pure and still waters. partying at the different place for a change it was our ideal desire unfortunately it didn't happened and they were actually blaming me that i encouraged them to come and taste the fun only to find out that it wont happen. myself I will plan again, Read Less

This was me and my daughter's first time on a cruise ship and it was an absolutely fabulous experience on board. The ship was always, always neat, everywhere you go and the cabin was clean every day even the public rooms was also neat and tidy. The service and food was excellent and so many to choose from. There were a lot of entertainment and activities to enjoy throughout the day and night. As well as the security checks and safety drill that was done. So there were really no dull moment on the cruise. The Port and shore excursions was done smoothly and fast, it proceeded with efficient flow and in a speedy manner. We had a great time on Maputo, the Portuguese island and Pomene. It was absolutely exiting and spectacular. Every crew member was friendly and always smiled. Everything was Excellent and I will definitely do it again. Read Less

1.excellent ship with nice people who can help. 2,nice food. things which need to be changed are try to avoid long ques by introducing min receptions in eac dec.smoking should be total restricted indoors except on dec 11 open part. Embarking into the cruise it took me 3 hours to pass immigration. At the reception almost 1hr , these ques should be minimised by having more embarking points. Each Dec should have 1 or 2 man mini reception to reduce up and down moveme. More restricted smoking signs should be sticked to non-smoking areas. I enjoyed food ,fruits and all the dishes were above excellent . MSC Sinfonia is a cruise ship to be when ever feel like relaxing and taking family out ,the services are very good except long ques. Am coming back with my family in 22 December 2017 as I now know were to take my mood wife to ,Thus MSC Sinfonia cruise ship .SEE YOU THERE . Read Less

Let's start with the bottom line: A+ for the adventure/education experience and C- for amenities and even basic courtesy Flight arrangements. Getting basic information from Hurtigruten's flight team would challenge the CIA. Something as simple as baggage limitations required faxes that went unanswered and a series of e-mails that produced absolutely contradictory information. Although I began my quest for answers almost two weeks before departure, it was not until we left the U.S. that I was able to determine that the ONE 8-kg "personal item" that LAN will permit is actually the "carry-on" limit, and that a "personal item" (purse, laptop, etc.) is indeed permitted in addition. I urge potential passengers to arrange their own travel to Ushuaia. LAN flies Fram passengers from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia in an Airbus 320, which was evidently designed by the same folks who learned their ergonomics from the manufacturers of sardine cans. I am only 5 feet 7 inches tall, and I sat with my knees against my chest for three and a half hours. I have flown in military cargo planes that were more comfortable. The cafeteria quality food: Most lunches and dinners were buffet style with quality equivalent to U.S. family restaurant chains, such as Cracker Barrel or Country Buffet (exception: Cracker Barrel does NOT include reindeer stew on its menus). On one of two nights when we had a sit-down meal instead of a buffet, the pork schnitzel was so dry and hard (not tough, brittle-hard) that the cutlets could not be cut with flatware—one of our table companions demonstrated that he could take it his two hands and break it like a thin piece of wood. Can’t seem even to get the good things right. Smoked salmon available at almost every meal . . . lox, but not a spoonful of cream cheese within 500 miles. Mayonnaise? Yes. Mustard? Yes. Butter? Yes. Cream cheese? Blank stares or, to be more accurate, hostile glares, which is what one gets when he asks anything the least out of the ordinary from the Filipino hotel staff. The breakfast buffet is better, or at least more varied, than the complimentary breakfasts one gets at Comfort Inn or Motel 6, and one can actually order a breakfast from the kitchen instead of eating from the buffet, but we timed it. More than 30 minutes to arrive—with the very likely result of missing one’s scheduled landing. Regimentation of services. One cannot take a glass of wine back to one’s cabin. Fear of liability should a passenger fall and break a glass. And, room service available only to passengers who book suites. The very(!) poor service by the serving staff (The "Ugly"): They spend more time chatting, laughing, and flirting among themselves then they do waiting on passengers. And they have the audacity to scold passengers who finally, in desperation, get up help themselves. One got in my wife's face and told her that getting coffee was HIS job. She told him that she wouldn’t have to do it herself if he’d get himself over to the table and actually DO his job. They don’t even smile until a day or two before debarkation when everyone is being reminded about tipping. The hotel staff double as deck crew (at which they are superbly good—getting passengers in and out of boats, sometimes in very challenging conditions), so don’t expect any real competence when it comes to their serving duties. Up in the bar I ordered my usual very dry, dirty, and straight-up vodka martini . . . and was brought a glass of vodka. The rapacious nickel-and-diming passengers to death: The 10th-century Vikings made their living by raid and plunder. Their 21st-century Norwegian descendants have figured out how do the same thing without bloodshed. They run cruise lines and have you at their mercy. Examples. Do not forget any of your over-the-counter meds—aspirin, antihistamines, etc. There is nothing of the sort for sale in the minimal shop. The "Good": The store stocks excellent expedition quality outdoor gear--even better than the ski shop where we work. The "Bad": If you want so much as an antacid, much less something for sea-sickness, you need an appointment with the ship’s doctor. Minimum $150 fee. Don’t go into the bar and ask for a glass of carbonated water. They don’t even have a carbonated water fixture at the bar. They open a can of sparkling water and charge you bar fee for . . . water. And, should you want carbonated water with meals, you either pay by the pitcher or buy a subscription for . . . water. Don’t buy internet time. They sell by the minute, not by the megabyte. Our travel agent arranged a 1,000 NKr credit. We used some of it to buy an hour of internet access and then expended 45 minutes of it trying to forward the credit documentation to the reception desk 20 feet away from where we were sitting in the computer alcove. Subsequently, we exhausted a half-hour (200 NKr) sitting watching a screen say (CONNECTING TO GOOGLE). Never did get online, but the clock ran out nonetheless. If these folks sold you a house, you’d find out afterwards that there was a surcharge for plumbing. Nonetheless, we are contemplating another Hurtigruten cruise. Why? Because they go to some incredible places and because their expedition staff--leaders, ornithologists, biologist, geologist, photographer--are far better than the hotel staff is poor. They’re even better than on the Celebrity Xpedition. Every lecture was worthy of a PBS hour, and the personal photos that the staff have taken in the conduct of their research are often of the quality one expects from a David Attenborough presentation. Read Less

My entire life I have been terrified of anything to do with the ocean. The mere sight of a ship made me feel sick. Well now that has all ended and vanished thanks to the MSC SINFONIA. I have read lots of negative reviews on this site so far, and I've come to one conclusion - some people are just born complainers. They would even find a problem with the 7 star Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai. If complaining is in your nature, even heaven itself wont satisfy you. With that being said, let me share my experience aboard my floating castle the "MSC SINFONIA" Well firstly, queues are part of life. We all need to join them and wait our turn. This does not have to become the bane of our existence does it? My mum, aunt and myself were elated and excited right from the moment we stepped into N-Shed, Durban Harbour. Any situation can be turned into a fun one in my book. Our wait was not long before we boarded the Sinfonia, to be greeted by drop-dead gorgeous human beings who smiled at us individually and directed us towards our cabins. Finding our cabin was super easy, and we were in awe at how beautiful everything was, and we were just dying to explore! We booked an inside cabin, as I will still very nervous about overcoming my biggest fear and phobia of the water, so thought it best not to be able to see it through a window... But next I am booking a cabin with a balcony!! From that point, the rest of our experience was nothing short of a dream come true, a fairytale, an absolutely mind-blowing experience. From the decor, to the food, to the general feel aboard, we felt like we were royalty. I've been reading up on unhappy people wanting compensation for not going to Maputo or the Portuguese Islands due to bad weather conditions. Well to bring contractual liability and obligation into it, it clearly states in the always unread "terms and conditions" that the course of the ship might change due to advers weather conditions and it is at the captains discretion. And to me its a no-brainer, I mean, no ship captain has the power to have direct conversations with GOD and ask him to please postpone the cyclone because some people are cruising... Another thing people were complaining about, and being very annoying indeed, is that you wait in long lines at the buffet and that hot beverages are being served in plastic mugs. Last time I checked, a buffet always has and always will include a queue, so why would expect any different aboard a cruise ship? And the coffee/tea is still going to go to the same place whether it comes from a plastic mug or a glass one. Ridiculous complaint in my book! The theatre shows were fantastic and reminded me of being back in New York at a Broadway show! The highlight for me was a group called "The Dream Team" These guys and girls were just a bundle of energy and always doing things to make the passengers laugh and join in the cruise festivities. Hats off to them!!! I wish I could convey a personal message to them and commend them on a job well done!! My mum is a vegetarian, and that was a concern for us before the cruise. But she ended up being the happiest when it came to satisfying her tummy. The food was exceptional. Our day spent in Maputo and the Portuguese Islands also were nothing short of perfect. We were literally and visibly depressed when the final morning dawned upon us and we could Durban approaching. We so wanted to stow away and leave with her to Europe! I have travelled extensively, so I am in a good place to compare and critique this experience. And the truth is that this cruise aboard the MSC SINFONIA was the best experience of my life and it will take a lot to knock it off my number one spot. I will definitely be going on another cruise as soon as the nest season starts! Read Less

I had previously been on 2 Royal Caribbean (RC) cruises as company incentives & relished the idea of spending the December holidays with my family on a return cruise from Durban to Reunion & Mauritius. NO COMPARISON aboard the MSC Sinfonia! What a pity! My kids, 7 & 9, swam all day in the small & crowded 2 pools, played soccer, attended the excuse for a kiddies disco and spent a fortune on the Foosball and other coin machines for kids. No respectable soft drinks- package i.e. Pay upfront, get a plastic 500 ml cup and refill as often as you like, a la Royal Caribbean. My hubby purchased a couples massage special ($499) which comprised 1 x 45 minute dual massage, 2 x facials and 4 x entries to the often crowded thermal suite, open to both males & females. Unlike RC cruises, that offer surprise spa specials on an almost daily basis, the MSC Aurea Spa offered the same " specials" every day for the duration of the cruise. Ho hum! The spa massage rooms are fully lit (no dim lighting to set the relaxation mood). My husband & I also had the displeasure of our 2 Balinese therapists chatting to one another throughout the session. The sentiment is that these ladies were going through the motion of the massage without giving any consideration to the needs of the clients i.e. Asking where they should concentrate more effort, if we had any medical conditions or injuries etc. The session ended with both therapists trying to sell us products, with mine even venturing to sell me the answer to my cellulite! Thanks a million! My cellulite is the last thing I wanted to think about on my cruise! That issue should remain the concern of the other 353 days of the year! Needless to say, I was super- conscious of this "problem" around the pool area for the rest of the cruise :-)! As I did not enjoy this massage, I gave the spa another opportunity to redeem themselves by booking a second massage for the princely sum of $84 for a 45 minute session. I took the liberty of guiding the therapist to the knots on my back, neck & shoulders and found this experience more rewarding. The sales pitch at the end of the session was the only damper. Hubby found the gym a good place to vent and reported the facility adequate. Sun loungers on the pool decks were in abundance, yet, even though guests are requested to NOT reserve loungers, by 8 AM, the game of 'find-a-lounger-win-a-prize' would begin as every lounger was booked (sometimes 8 at a time by 1 person) with a towel, book, hat etc. The art of booking four in the sun and four directly behind to cool off, by the family "booker" was mastered. The fact that 99% of loungers were booked, with only a handful of guests in sight at 8 AM was due to the fact that the late- night Pasha club party-goers & casino frequenters went back to sleep or headed for a leisurely breakfast. Shady spots were like hen's teeth & in the sweltering heat; the fights & spats that ensued were worthy of WWE awards! Try as we might, we were unable to secure a cabin with a balcony and had to settle for a room with an outside view. The cabin had a double bed with 2 pull- down bunk beds for the kids. Add 2 ladders, a dresser, bar- fridge cabinet, cupboard with hanging space & drawers a tiny bathroom with a compact shower, basin and toilet unit, cabin- fever was the order of the day after 11 nights. You HAVE to truly love the people you are sharing a cabin with to survive! We saw a few early departures in Mauritius of families & half of a few cabin-sharing couples whose relationships took a knock! Sadly, with child- rearing needing a major brush-up for some parents on board, there was the daily and incessant stampeding of kids' feet up and down the corridors at night, well in to the wee hours of the morning, as children played hide-&-seek etc. Adult admonishment in every form, had no effect, and after about night 8, you are able to sleep through the pounding :-)! Food on the MSC Sinfonia was plentiful and tasty. There was something for every palate. Compliments to the South Indian Chef on his fantastic array of curries! The crew looked tired? disinterested? and gave the impression of not really wanting to be onboard. The entertainment Dream Team tried there best, but there efforts were lost among the other surly staff. No nighttime baby- sitting services meant that hubby and I could not enjoy the cruise offering beyond 10 PM. All in all, a long and drawn-out cruise. Suggestions if you wish to take this cruise in future: 1) book a balcony cabin 2) only share with people you really love! The budget- sharing on offer is not worth destroying friendships 3) take walkie-talkie type devices to communicate with your cabin members 4) go hungry :-) 5) plan your land excursions prior to embarking on the cruise as cruise excursions can be costly 6) brush-up on your foreign languages or just learn to thank the crew or compliment them verbally. The response and change in their attitude is heart- warming! 7) take sea-sickness medication for your kids. Adults get free tablets at Reception, but children must have a doctors consultation to get a suppository ($67 later!). Antihistamine cream for mozzie bites in Reunion and Mauritius. If you are sensitive to salt water (from the ship's pools), shower frequently. Cortisone cream if prone to eczema. 8) take washing powder or plenty of light clothing and underwear! Laundry services are expensive. Insecticide - bed bugs & dust mites were a HUGE issue. We stripped our own beds and fumigated regularly as this was not done, even on request. 9) DON'T book loungers! It's ugly and disrespectful. It takes one person to start the domino effect of change. Good Luck! 10) Kindle, factor 50 sunscreen, big hat, manicured toes, lots of dollars for fabulous onboard shopping and a good dose of the Chill-factor! Read Less