MSC Bellissima Review
Disappointed - Cirque shows not ready. Underwhelmed with staff and entertainment
Rating by category
Additional details
Chose this as a short cruise for a last minute break. Was looking forward to travelling as one of the first passengers on a brand new ship. As seasoned cruisers, this was our 15th Cruise (RCI, Princess, NCL, TUI) but 1st on MSC (my 2nd but 1st for my husband - I was looking for a vast improvement in the entertainment from last msc trip last year).
I’ve only given 2 stars ‘cos I’ve come home really disappointed with the cruise and quite glad it’s over. This is not my usual reaction after a cruise, you’ve usually to shoehorn me off and I’m planning the next one before I’ve collected my luggage. I will definitely cruise again but NOT with MSC.
First thing to say was that the weather could not have been much worse for the first 4 days of this cruise. It was so bad that we could not port for the first stop and so had Monday to Thursday at sea. It was extremely windy and boy did the ship roll! Glasses were falling, chairs rolling across the deck, stuff falling off shelves and people learning how to walk in a zig zag pattern. The outside doors were kept shut. This was actually quite worrying at times and there was no reassurance from the staff at any time. The only announcement made was to tell us we were not going to La Coruna. The staff were not very helpful either, choosing to ignore trays of tumblers falling and let passengers clear them up. The weather was not MSC’s fault, obviously, but some reassurance from the bridge that the ship was well equipped to cope wouldn’t have gone amiss.
Cabin Review
Fantastica Inside Stateroom
Small sized cabin, very comfy bed, nice layout BUT.....VERY small wardrobe space. Two doors about 50cm wide each, one side full length other side half length with 2 small (undies only sized) drawers and a high shelf across both sides. That was it for storage! Was just enough for 2 of us for 5 days but hopeless for much longer. No other storage in the room apart from a tiny drawer with the hairdryer and a small bedside shelf big enough for the pj’s. Fortunately room under bed for suitcases and we kept all swimwear and other not used much clothing in them. Only space for my shoes in the wardrobe, hubbies had to line up on the floor. There was also the smallest safe I’ve seen in a room yet. Big enough for phones, wallets and passports but couldn’t get in Ipad, jewellery box etc that I would have normally had locked away. Shower room was very nice, large shower with glass door. No better storage here tho. Small shelf unit for makeup bag etc but only tiny cupboard under the sink so one toilet bag always on the floor. Goodness knows what it would be like for 2 people both with makeup and the accompanying toiletry products! Good magnifying mirror on the wall.
Port Reviews
Lisbon
Hills tram tour with yellow bus tours is really good and let’s you see areas the buses can’t go. Ticket for this tour lets you use yellow trams and includes a trip in the tower lift. It does not include any of the yellow buses tho’.