MSC Preziosa Review
Rating by category
Additional details
We completed our 15 nights Northern Europe cruise which set sail from Southampton Port on 30 April 2019. There were 6 of us, my husband and I and 2 other couples.
After booking the cruise, I had cold feet when I read the many negative reviews on Cruise Critic. So I switched from a balcony room to an interior as I was not going to pay for a poor experience. However the whole cruise turned out to be unexpectedly good.
Embarkation started at 3 pm despite some passengers saying you could get a queue ticket when you arrive at Southampton. We were there at 11.30 am and checked in our luggage before walking out to Ikea for lunch. When we returned, embarkation had already started and we had to join a queue which took almost 30 minutes to clear.
Cabin Review
Interior Stateroom
The cabin was about 169 s.f., the largest of all interior rooms. It was big and square and had lots of storage space. The room steward was very helpful and he gave me extra hangers. He also kept the room very clean. This is the first time I am staying in an interior cabin and I am happy to say it was a good experience.
Port Reviews
St. Peter Port (Guernsey)
This was a tender port and my friend queued up early to get tender tickets. We booked a 3.5 hours tour around the island with Island Coachways. Only £20 each. Good tour around the island with a stop at a cafe. There were many tourist board staff at the port to help passengers.
Lisbon
There were many taxis at the port. We took a van tour with a driver who spoke reasonably good English and paid only 150 euros for 5-hour tour.
Southampton
We arrived in Heathrow and took a National Express bus to Southampton Coach Station. Not many taxis in sight but when one came around, we asked him to call his taxi friends at the port to come over to pick us.
Cadiz
We decide to stay in Cadiz and took a tip based walking tour which started at the city hall. The guide Pablo was very good and he also recommended a good tapas restaurant at the end of the tour.
Malaga
We took a van tour at the port and paid only 100 euros for a 4-hour tour.
La Coruna
We could not dock at this port because of poor weather. The ship docked instead at Vigo. There were also taxis at this port and we took a van tour which cost 80 euros for 3 hours.
Rotterdam
From the port it was quite easy to walk into the city. Nothing very special about the city.
Hamburg
We booked a return port shuttle for 5 euros each and it took us to the nearest train station where we hopped on to a train into the city. We joined a walking tour which covered most attractions. There was a festival at Landungsbrücken and it was really crowded. Enjoyed ourselves.
Le Havre
We took the Bee Bus 1-hour tour around Le Havre in the morning then their shuttle to Honfluer and back.