We chose MSC and this particular cruise because the itinerary Ports of call, suited the half term break for the UK Schools, we booked an Air Cruise, so MSC booked our flights on British Airways, the downside of this, is our flights were booked on a group ticket, therefore, you cannot check in independently on BA website, on day of departure, early morning flight from LHR, we got shunted around Terminal 5, looking for customer advisors to book us in, the matter got sorted out eventually, but we were disappointed and considered it a bad start.

On arrival in Milan, we were transferred ok by coach to Genoa to embark the Armonia, we were bemused by the Italian officials who kept pushing bits of paper around, and bemused at the fact you do not get your cruise card issued at check in, you are pushed on to the ship, only to have to go to your cabin and pick up your cruise cards, then have them activated at electronic data points around the ship, and attach a credit card authorisation up to £250.00 with further authorisations as necessary.

So far so good, then on 1st day the life boat and muster drill went ahead, but no one told us we had to scan our cards with the lifeboat attendants, subsequently, we were reprimanded by letter for not attending when we had attended, again another trip below decks to deck 5 to tell reception we had attended, which they promptly promised to rectify, on day 3 we were asked to do the same again. Read more