MSC Orchestra Review

Below Average Ship All Around

Review for the Baltic Sea Cruise on MSC Orchestra
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desertbunny
10+ Cruises • Age 60s

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Additional details

Sail Date: May 2018
Cabin: Interior Stateroom

We chose this cruise based strictly on itinerary and price. It was our first (and last) cruise with MSC. With many cruises under our belts, this was one of the worst, ranking it slightly below NCL.

A few positives: This is a very port intensive cruise, with only 1 sea day and 8 ports (2 days in St. Petersburg) on an 11 day itinerary. Best ports were St. Petersburg, Tallin, and Stockholm, in our opinion, so we were not disappointed with the itinerary. The other thing you could view as positive is that there was horrible noise in the walls from the a/c system that occurred every 60-90 seconds that made it difficult to sleep in the inside cabin we booked (#9088) and when we brought it to the attention of reception, they did relocate us to a balcony cabin.

Passengers from North America accustomed to U.S. cruise lines may find the overall experience is much different on MSC, as most of the passengers are European (70% on our cruise were German) so don't expect announcements or lectures in English. Lots of smokers on board, one side of pool deck dedicated to smoking area. People were smoking in their cabins, although this is forbidden. It may have been worth it to them to pay the 70 euro cleaning fee. Most passengers were retirees, typical of European cruises.

Cabin Review

Interior Stateroom

Cabin I1

Typical inside cabin, not very spacious. Ship is 12 years old, so furniture a bit dated. Tiny TV size of computer screen. Bathroom (shower had disgusting shower curtain that stuck to you while in the shower, bath gel and shampoo in wall dispensers) we brought our our bar soap and shampoo bottles anticipating this. Bath sink soap dispenser didn't work and was not repaired throughout the cruise, just removed. Stewards were vacuuming hallways after 10pm.

Port Reviews

St. Petersburg

We did a private 2 day tour, beautiful city with amazing palaces and churches.

Stockholm

Did our own bus and boat ride. Beautiful city with lots to see.

Copenhagen

Did our own boat and bus ride. Nice city, more a funky vibe than Stockholm.

Tallinn

Beautiful old town, nice local handmade wool items

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