Embarkation and Boarding – Very well organised. Dropped luggage off at port entrance as was given a numbered ticket. Went through to the terminal and took a seat until our number was called. We only had to wait around 20 minutes. In the meantime a member of staff came and gave us information on the MSC for me app and instructions on how to connect to the ships WiFi. Wee boarded very quickly but we did arrive early, around 12 noon when documents stated 2.30pm arrival, however there was no issue with us getting there earlier. It did look very busy later on though.

Cabins 14161 & 14163 – We had booked a Super Family Cabin (2 balconies with a connecting door) We could access the rooms straight away. The cabin steward was lovely and did a fantastic job. He was very helpful and accommodating. We travelled with a 4 year old and 17 month old. The settee converted into a bunk bed but the youngest is too young for a ‘proper bed’ so we had a travel cot. Obviously this took up pretty much all the remaining floor space but we took it down on a morning and the steward happily put it back up in the evening for us. It worked well, however I was expecting a bigger cabin. It didn’t feel much bigger than in inside cabin we’ve had on other ships. The balcony was very small and I was disappointed the restaurant was above the balcony so we got no sun on there and the views were obstructed by supporting poles for the restaurant above. Storage space is minimal! Prepare to strategically fold everything!!! The wardrobe doors knocked when ship vibrated slightly coming into port. Very annoying! The minibar wasn’t open as standard. We had to ask for it to be open. Ice was delivered daily on request.

Restaurant - We were allocated the early sitting in the Olivio D’Oro restaurant. We weren’t particularly happy about this from the start as we had booked this cruise on the basis that there was flexi dining. We only found out this had been removed a few days before sailing when we logged in online. MSC hadn’t even bothered to let us know themselves. We submitted a complaint but had no response and the flexi dining option is still advertised online. The first meal was terrible. It did improve over the week and the ‘Elegant nights’ were very nice. The portion sizes are very small but actually I was satisfied after 3 courses (hubby wasn’t though) you can basically have what you want, so if you want to order extra courses you can. One night we ordered a main for starter followed by another main. It wasn’t a problem at all! The ‘dress code’ may as well not exist. People dining in the main restaurant in shorts and flip flops even on elegant nights just isn’t right. If there is a dress code then it needs to be enforced by staff. The staff weren’t great. Not attentive, very slow, no personality and very little interaction. Water is free from the dispenser in the buffet but you have to but bottles in the restaurant. Read more