The reason for the cruise was to celebrate my 30th birthday. When looking for a cruise to match my birthday, MSC had the perfect dates , great itinerary and was quite cost effective for a 7 night cruise which are some of the other reasons I chose the cruise. The cruise departed from Miami which meant us flying from Johannesburg in South Africa Via London to Miami. Having arrived a day before the cruise departure, we stayed at the Courtyard By Marriot hotel which was approximately 10 minutes away from the airport and offered a free shuttle between the airport and hotels which was very convenient. On the day of the cruise we made our way to the cruise port with uber which cost approximately 10 dollars with a promo code . Upon arrival at the MSC cruise terminal our bags were taken from us and we were directed into the cruise terminal building. Passing through security was quick and easy and it was not very busy, we then proceeded upstairs to check in area where our cruise cards were issued. This did take some time as there were quite a few people here still filling in paper work etc. After receiving our cruise cards , we were allowed to embark the ship but before that we took a group pic which we could view and purchase later on the ship. Once on board we eventually located our room as many people were running around doing the same. We had booked an inside cabin which was quite nice and spacious for 3 grown adults. The reason behind booking an inside cabin was because we spent most of our time out and about on the ship so did not make sense to book a balcony suite unless our plan was to just stay in the room. After dropping our bags were started exploring the ship and started trying to figure out what was located where and how to get there. This took a while and by then we were hungry so off to buffet we went. There was an array of things to eat , so we were really spoilt for choice. We had a vegetarian in our party , and she was quite pleased with the selection of food . Other than he buffet there was pizza place where we could get pizza 23 hours of the day so this also kept us quite happy.There was also a formal dining restaurant which were we allocated to as well called the Marco Polo. This was an option should you not want to eat at the buffet an face long queues . The food here was also quite good . Our pots of call included Montego Bay Jamaica, George Town Gran Cayman,Cozumel Mexico and Havana Cuba. For the first 3 ports of call we have a few hours shore to go around and explore, either on our own or with a excursion booked through MSC. When it came to to Cuba , we arrived early in the morning and only departed the following afternoon giving people lots of time to go into Cuba and have a real feel of what the place is like. The weather in most of these places was quite unpredictable due to it being the Caribbean but all in all it was quite nice. With regards to entertainment, each morning an daily itinerary is sent to each cabin detailing the event of the day from about 6 am each day until 11pm each night.There is something to please everyone , whether you want to dance, watch a game, watch a theater show or simply chill at the pool and just take it all in. The entertainment team do a great job and getting people to have fun and engage with others aswell. Disembarkation is also a lengthy process and it is done deck by deck . The night before , a seminar is held in the theatre detailing how disembarkation is done and what to do. this is quote handy as it avoids chaos and its done in many languages to avoid any confusion that could take place. according to the deck you are staying on, you are given a time and meeting place to disembark which moves the process along. As you disembark , you cruise card is scanned and you are on your way ,As a momento, you are allowed to keep your cruise card which i thought was really cool for those reminiscing moments . Once you disembark, your bags are color coded and waiting for you to pick them and make your way home after amazing 8 day cruise across the carribean