MSC Orchestra Review
Rating by category
Additional details
Initially we chose this cruise to fit in with holiday availability of family members - and certainly had some trepidation given some of the reviews. We need not have worried.
Simply put this was a great cruise - if you are looking for a Mediterranean style cruise in the Med. If you are looking for a British cruise experience in the Med, then you will no doubt be critical, but this is not P&O nor Cunard....it is MSC, and it suited us perfectly.
We wanted Mediterranean food on board - and that is what we got - pasta, risotto, pizza and plenty of other choice.
Cabin Review
Suite
A very quiet location on deck 15, at the front, port side. Large, with a large balcony (easily able to have 4 people sit on it, though only two rather low backed chairs provided).
Shower was over the bath - with shower curtain - and worked well.
Plenty of storage space, and comfortable bed.
Sofa was rather inadequate - it was a sofabed - and the bottom cushions keep slipping out making it rather ridiculous.
No tea making facilities.
Have to pay for water - unless on a drinks package which we were.
Port Reviews
Rome (Civitavecchia)
Whilst we embarked here - i must say it is some distance from Rome itself - well over an hour away by coach/taxi. Not too bad for airport connection as same side of Rome.
La Spezia (Cinque Terre)
A superb place to explore Cinque Terre - it does take a good 30 minutes to walk to the station from the Cruise Terminal.
Genoa
A delightful port - the old town is superb - the narrow streets a real maze, and we enjoyed going into the Maritime Museum, mainly so we could get into the Italian submarine moored up... the museum itself is good but only with limited English explanations of the exhibits.
Cannes
Swanky, with ridiculous prices along the famous promenade. Elsewhere more reasonable.
Barcelona
We took a taxi to the bottom of the Rambla - less than 10 Euros, and cheaper and more convenient for four persons than the shuttle bus.
We would have walked - but it was very hot, and a dull walk over a concrete bridge.
Corsica (Ajaccio)
A fun smaller port - good restaurants. You moor up right by the centre of the town on the quayside.