Food and Service All Time Low
MSC Opera Cruise Review by katryn88
- Sail Date: Sep 2015
- Destination: Europe - Black Sea
- Cabin Type: Oceanview Stateroom
MSC Opera. Experienced cruiser and this was the worst. Service Mgr said that cruise caters to Europeans and not to American standards...what? Expecting decent food, timely beverage and meal service is too much to expect? Lousy entertainment is acceptable? Never again. I will stick to Holland, Carnival and Royal Caribbean for top notch food, service and entertainment. Do your own research on port activities, sights and shopping as this ship offers slim & shady for port excursions. Charging 12EU for a 600m bus to town center. Luckily I had already done all t he research so ports were on our own and fabulous, with outstanding meals...what a difference from shipboard. Embarkment and disembarkation was quick and easy. Not many ship workers spoke understandable English so communication was difficult to understand
Cabin Review
Regular cabin with excellent, unobstructed view of ocean.
Port & Shore Excursion Reviews
Rent a private water taxi for an excellent tour of the grand canal and see the sites of the city. Approx 100 EU up to 5 ppl.
Easy walk/stroll to see the sights around this lovely city. Finish off with a bicycle cart for an hour around the city (approx 50 EU) while you relax and your guide shares their knowledge and history. Stop for pasta making.
Very inexpensive Hop on/Hop off bus right outside port (16 EU) and you can see everything at your pace. Parthenon, Zeus Temple, Angora, museum, etc.
turn right after leaving port and catch the tram for 4TL. Change machine available at ticket site. 5th stop takes you to Sultanamehet Square to see the Blue Mosque, Haga Sophia, Topakia Palace....short walk to Grand Bazaar and down the hill to spice market then back to tram for 3rd stop back at port
Boat from port to city center about 10 min. Easy walk around town for great shopping, beautiful sunsets at the 5 windmills.
Take the "fast" boat to Oia which includes a bus to top ( you will be grateful) stunning views, vistas, shopping, dining, churches. Bus leaves in 2 hours for a trip to Fira where there is more stunning views, vistas, shopping, dining, churches...for a real treat, pay the 5 EU and ride the donkey down the 5000 steps back to port.
You will need to get a taxi to city center, it is far to walk. Walk the walls early as it can get hot but there are a few little stops for refreshments along the way around. Well worth the cost. Stroll the streets and enjoy amazing resturants.