MSC Orchestra Review

Come with the right expectations and you will be fine.

Review for the Baltic Sea Cruise on MSC Orchestra
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MaximusCruiser
6-10 Cruises • Age 40s

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Additional details

Sail Date: May 2018
Cabin: Balcony Stateroom
MDR Food
MDR Food
MDR Food
MDR Food
MDR Food
MDR Food
MDR Food
MDR Food
Shows
Sunset Pix
Cabin
Shows
MDR Food
Shows
MDR Food
Cabin
MDR Food
MDR Food
MDR Food
MDR Food
MDR Food
MDR Food
Ship

Overall... we were quite happy with the cruise. Our expectations were low based on the bad reviews. But although u can't compare food wise to other cruises like Carnival (no lobster night!)... it wasn't that bad. Some nights it was even excellent.

Cabin and steward quality is about the same. Waiter was good as well... allowed us to order what we wanted... short of lobsters of course. Didn't like that the "always available" back up menu was grill fish of the day (which we had doubts of the freshness) and chicken breast. Boring. Medium steaks came out almost raw on the 2nd night. Other than that... it was fine in the main dining room.

Don't get why people feedback that MDR food was bland. It was ok. The whipped potatoes had little taste...but was easily enhanced when we added a small cube of butter. Other than that... salt and pepper is always available. Overall, 9 out of our 11 nights... the food is good to excellent.

Cabin Review

Balcony Stateroom

Cabin B2

Decent size...but wish there was a little more storage shelves. Can't store luggage under bed. Hot water is unstable. No free movie channel but there are English News channels like CNN and BBC. Other than those, everything is fine.

Port Reviews

Klaipeda

Took a private excursion to the Cronian Split... it was ok... nothing to write home about though. It was better than spending time in town...cause it was really nothing much to see.

Riga

Please don't bother with the expensive shuttle service that tells you it takes 15mins bus ride. The timing must have included waiting and ALL possible traffic lights. It took us less time than that to walk to old town from the ship. Very nice old town with lots of old and cool buildings. Memorable.

Tallinn

Again... forget the expensive shuttle bus offered by the ship. No need. Pleasant 20min walk to center of old town. Lots to see. We prefer Riga but Tallinn is a close 2nd.

St. Petersburg

Took a 2-day tour with TJ Travels which offers discounts for CC members... so we paid only $180pp. 2nd time in the city. Definitely worth taking the tour as we skipped lines wherever we go, not to mention visa free visit! Long queues in all major attractions. St Petersburg is a gorgeous city not to be missed!

Helsinki

Long 35min walk to the city but not that bad. Took a bus back. Ok city... small and limited things to see. Since we don't have much time anyway... it was ok.

Stockholm

Need to download app to buy bus tickets... and the time starts from the moment you make payment so you can't buy in advance... and if you do not have internet access on your phone... then you are out of luck on public transportation. Visited Vasa Museum to see the ship and the city. Has a wonderful lunch at Borgmästarn Restaurang & Bar and took a free walking tour. Wish we had more time as the city seems to have much more to offer. Not cheap though. A bus ticket cost over US$5 each.

Copenhagen

It was ok... took a free walking tour which was terrible... the lady seems to be a part timer. Ruin the experience for us. Weather was also hot. It was ok to walk around the city but we probably won't go back.

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