The enticement? Interesting ports in Europe, Africa and South America. Our first cruise experience. We agree it might be the last one. Looking back it was frantic from the moment of embarkation in Genoa. Long line ups, hours of waiting. It's true that the ship houses over 3000 passengers, but knowing that beforehand, the process should have been smother. The cabin we had , with balcony, was really nice. Crew attendant for the cabin was hard working and really personable as were the people serving in the restaurant. The rest of the staff was silent, in general not very friendly. The food in the buffet wasn't so bad, but very salty and considering that most passengers were seniors, not healthy. Menu in the buffet section was almost the same every day and this was a 20 day cruise. The quality of the water and coffee was bad. However, the most problematic circumstances of all were the contaminated air circulating in the ship, with the result that the majority of people were sick. Another really vexing situation was the total isolation we endured during the crossing of the Atlantic, almost six days. No TV, no internet, no information. Movies offered in the cabin, did not display well. The price of the internet connection offered in fliers to the cabin was misleading as they would charge more if you signed for it. We believe that the economics of scale for such a huge crowd have something to do with this situation. We probably will think twice before signing up for this kind of cruise. Read Less

I have travelled extensively,incl. 35 cruise,and on Oriana' ship around the World in 2001/2.So, I think I have a full picture of cruising. small ship Aegian Odyssea' to huge ship 'Independence of the seas' The Msc Magnifica, the worst experience ever.In fact I have sent an 8 page letter with attachments to the new Man Director of MSC. an ex Cunard man.. Cunard are up market so he should make changes. This was a cruise to Brazil.a lot of passengers were like animals. Everything that could go wrong went wrong.flights/transfers/embarkation,diembarkation, poor main meals,no veg served, few deserts. Sent 3 meals back.How can you get beef strogannof/chicken kiev/ lamb chops wrong???? waited upto 40 mins for starters. The waiters were running ragged. We gave up on meals in the Sahara buffet. the passengers.Brazilian/Italian .were like locusts.Dont queue,push in, grab loads of food,noisy and monopolised most of the main seating.The main restaurants were more civilised,and you are served,but not the visual choice. The Purser/reception were sullen not helpful,promised action,wrote cabin numbers on scraps of paper,which duly were forgotten.Charged 15e for tatty paperbacks in the library,having given 4 new books we brought on board. Then had serious issues trying to get refunds on this and Service charges of 6euro per day.VERY BAD!! THis is a lovely ship ,run badly for passengers.I would not even go on a free cruise with MSC.In fact I took my brother on this trip.again a World traveller. His first cruise. He was going to get off in Madeira,after 4 days. Read Less

I flew with BA to Milan(mxp),then over 2 hour coach trip to Port.check in was OK apart from MSC "conviscating" 2 cans lager I'd bought to drink on coach(but didn't!) Had nice Balcony Cabin on Deck12 PortForward...good for early morn swim but long hike to Dining Room(Deck6 Aft).Beautiful ship and very clean as was Cabin. Food very good as I had FISH every night for main course..Desserts not MSC strong point! Buffet lunch(Deck13) had fresh Pasta+Pizza(bit cold often) but very "iffy" salads...buffet could be a McDonald's at times, so always had breaklfast in Dining Room(Deck 5)to avoid the scrum!! If U ask for WATER ,they think U're from another planet...so had to go up to buffet to obtain very mini plastic glasses of H2O..I had 8 or 9 to hydrate myself!! Tea and Coffee not available for lunch or dinner but Ok with Afternoon tea!! Buffet does NOT OPEN for dinner. Evening Shows good but only 30 mins Entertainment tried hard but in all honesty failed with silly pathetic deck games.Few Quizzes, although a good Team Quiz for the 5 Sea days crossing Atlantic. Swimming pool is NOT heated, so freezing water in Med but sea water warmed up after we reached Tenerife!!!! Crew 40% Brazil,owing to law,and they speak PORTUGUESE..but some good English. 2200 on board incl 900 Brazilian 400 German 300 Brit 200 French Only did one tour which was to Sao Paulo to avoid 6 hour wait for BA return flight.Pricey @ 57E but included good buffet lunch but we only saw ONE attraction(paid for 5!) To be fair it was FRIDAY RUSH-HOUR!!! My main gripe is the drink prices which are just plain CRAZY..Cheapest wine bottle was E20..beer E5..so went teetotal and felt good for it!! Pity others didn't vote with MOUTH,then prices WOULD go down! With MSC U get what U pay for and for SINGLE's it's the best deal going. The old adage applies,aa Brits EXPECT(but don't get)Roast Beef/Yorkshire +stodgy puds!! ONE MAN'S MEAT IS ANOTHER MAN'S POISON Read Less