The majority of the people who have written reviews have all said that the reason they booked was because of the price of the cruises offered by MSC. This is the reason I booked a cruise for myself and my son on the MSC Splendida. However, be warned - the "hidden" costs make this a cruise which is not as good value as you think.

The "hidden costs" include added a daily charge to your cabin for the number of people in it. Every time you use something on board they charge you for it irrespective of whether you have a drinks or game package. This is what they call a "service" charge. I would have no objection to paying such a charge if I felt I received a "service". At the end of a week in which we ate food I could have made myself with a microwave in my cabin, we were charged 161 euros. We paid for a drinks package and although the drinks were not charged, a 15% service charge was added on to our bill which was equivalent to the cost of the drink if you had paid for it. You are also charged 15% for the pleasure of eating in their restaurants - based on the cost of the food if you had paid for it. You pay service charges for everything you eat or drink. If they could find a way of charging you for breathing I have no doubt MSC would do so.

The entertainment was so bad we paid for a "games" package which included entrance to the F1 simulator, 4D cinema and bowling (obviously paying a service charge on top). Unfortunately only the 4D cinema was working after day 1. Both the bowling and F1 simulator were out of action. When I complained to MSC on my return they said they apologised but the policy of MSC was that they would put a notice on the machines to say they weren't working. If it wasn't so pathetic an answer it would be laughable. Read more