Having sailed with American companies before, the complete lack of service from MSC was a bit of a shock. There were no nice little touches like towel animals, which is irrelevant really, but you missed it when it wasn't there. We had a package that included room service and on three occasions we were refused it as they wanted us to pay. No loss really as once some of us received room service, it was warm and with curling bread edges that was stale. As it was seafood it was a food poisoning risk. Even my children turned their noses up at it. We were charged for minibar items we didn't use and we could not get customer services to understand due to the language barrier. We ordered breakfast with a wake up call once, and it arrived cold, forty minutes early. My teenagers weren't happy! We asked on three occasions to have the balconies between our cabins opened and this was ignored.

The food was ok, just ok, except the bread which was lovely. You could always get food, but it was limited at times, which we haven't had on other cruises. They shut half the buffet daily but we still don't understand why as it was always crowded, especially after embarking at the ports. When eating in the restaurants you did not have the choice of free tap water. We were refused it so had to buy water every night. The ice machine in the buffet rarely worked...I think so you had to purchase drink. At every opportunity they were trying to sell you something. It didn't stop. We refused photos taken on a couple of occasions and the staff were just downright rude...like street hawkers almost...they wouldn't take no for an answer. The waiters in the restaurants did not understand what was included in the dishes, or in what order to serve them. We were served mains at the same time as starters. The food was rarely hot, in fact I recall only once mine was, other times luke warm. Any sauce that came with meals was based on the one same sauce which to be honest, wasn't great.

The swimming pools and hot tubs were supposed to be open until ten at night but we were made to leave before 9:40, again rather rudely. If you think a cruise is a luxury holiday, this line will put you off. Having said all that, the places we visited were lovely. We visited Istanbul, Bari, Katakolon, Ismir and Dubrovnik. Also we stayed awhile in Venice which was beautiful, even in the rain! If you want decent service, look elsewhere