Our first time on MSC, but we have taken lots of cruises on other lines from Silversea to NCL

We went with open minds, expecting a more Euro experience than RCCL or Celebrity. However, the greediness, rudeness & loudness of some of the large groups of Europeans & Eastern Europeans was astounding, and we travel extensively through Europe regularly. This of course is not the fault of MSC, but beware if this is your first time.

This was a back to back cruise, the first part was over Xmas, the second over New Year. The difference was noticeable, especially in the quality of food, for some bizarre reason. The Xmas part of the cruise had mainly good, sometimes very good food. The second part, in the same dining room( Villa Rossa) & with usually a very similar menu to the previous week, had mainly bad, sometimes very bad food! What could have happened? Had the executive chef fallen overboard!? The maitre d' shrugged off our question rather rudely. In fact we encountered rather abrupt rude service from several areas arounf the ship, including the bars where staff are seriously overworked, the excursions desk, where total indifference was present, & of course, Guest Services desk, where one hand didn't seem to know what the other hand was doing. Training is certainly required I feel. The highlight of the cruise( apart from the pizza & gelato!) was the lovely waiter in Villa Rossa, Anna Maria from Romania. If all staff could be like her then MSC would have no problems whatsoever. Read more