MSC Meraviglia Review
Overrated. Very disappointed with MSC. Our worst cruise ever.
Rating by category
Additional details
We heard that the MSC Meraviglia was one of the biggest and newest MSC cruise ships and thought that the ship would be spectacular so we booked a cruise for Dec 1st 2019.. We were very disappointed. The crew and service was great. No problem there but the ships policies are very bad. Cabins are only allotted one roll of toilet paper per day which is ridiculous. On two of the seven days we had to line up at customer service (5th floor) and get toilet paper. The cabins have empty metal boxes for facial tissue and for women's sanitary bags, but they are no longer supplied. You cannot even buy them on board. We had to use toilet paper.
The ship is also poorly designed. The ship has a capacity for 5,000 plus but not enough room to spread out. It felt at times claustrophobic. We have been on bigger ships like the Oasis of the Seas and we never felt the capacity being a problem, but we did on the MSC Meraviglia. It has the maximum number of cabins and the minimum area of common space.
We are also the first ship to visit MSC new island, Ocean Cay. Well if you like sand and beach you will love it but not much else. Very few were swimming. The water is shallow, and you have to go far out to swim. I was not impressed with the island. They do have jet skis, boat rides but not many took them. Must have been expensive. The food on the island was basically junk food. Better to eat in a dining room.
Cabin Review
Fantastica Balcony Stateroom
Decent size for a balcony cabin but a very small shower.
Port Reviews
Ocho Rios
We did not feel safe in Ochos Rios Jamaica. The vendors told us not to put my wallet in my back pocket and to be careful. We were hassled to take tours, buy food to the point it was like we were being bullied. You are better off staying on the ship for this port.
Grand Cayman (Georgetown)
Nothing bad. Nothing special. We bought a key chain and a frig magnet for grand children. Everything else was over priced.
Cozumel
Lots to do. Lots to see. Stay on the main street. Do not take taxi or bus tours that were not bought on the ship you could land up in places where you didn't want to go. Many stores selling fake designer purses. You can bargain. You should not pay more than $35-$40 even if they ask for $150.
Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve
If you want to bake in the sun you will have a great day. Nothing there for children. I think they need a few more years to add features. Food there was nothing special.