MSC Meraviglia Review

4.0 / 5.0
829 reviews

Nice Ship for COVID family cruise

Review for the Western Caribbean Cruise on MSC Meraviglia
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pvpollock
6-10 Cruises • Age 40s

Rating by category

Cabin
Family
Embarkation
Dining
Public Rooms
Entertainment
Fitness & Recreation

Additional details

Sail Date: Oct 2021
Traveled with children

I want to write this because I rely on reviews myself. This is our 2nd MSC cruise, we chose it because the ship is a newer/larger vessel with pricing that was amazing for a family of four since kids are deeply discounted or free (pay taxes) on MSC. There were multiple other family members, ranging from grandmothers to kids ranging from ages 3 to 9. We booked late Spring when COVID vaccines started to improve the pandemic but COVID shutdowns flared off and on since. When it came to departure at the end of October, the vaccinated adults still needed a negative test 48 hours prior and the unvaccinated kids needed a negative test 72 hours prior. Everyone completed the test at a local CVS pharmacy prior to flying down to Miami, the results were all back within 24 hours of testing so no issues. Getting on board in Miami and off the ship returning was super fast and easy, probably due to the low passenger load.

Our cabin was 13280, look at the ship layout when picking your cabin. Our balcony was 2-3 times the size of a normal balcony because it was at a bend in the ship. All the balconies in that section are under an overhang which is actually great because it protects from the wind/rain/sun. I knew the balcony was big so I brought a hammock and slung it up for the week. The staff can open the dividers if you have balconies next to each other, so we had 4 balconies in a room open and that allowed us to coordinate/visit without knocking on doors. There is never enough space in any standard cruise cabin with a family of four, I do recommend taking a multiple outlet plug or power strip if you charge multiple devices nightly. MSC has a couch that turns into a bunk bed which we love for the kids.

The rest of the review is based on the COVID circumstances and as cruising changes some aspects may change. The ship holds 4500 passengers but I believe it sailed with just over 1000. That changed a lot I suspect, because the service was absolutely amazing and I never waited for anything. At the buffet, there are multiple extra staff willing to save you a trip up to get another drink and they were willing to walk along with my mother (uses a cane) so they could fill her tray with what food she wanted. You could not serve yourself anything including drinks, but there was never a wait in line. The 2nd day was Halloween and the ship was decorated, with loads of well carved pumpkins and amazing Halloween cakes made.

Cabin Review

Cabin 13280 has an extended balcony that is huge, and its under an elevated overhang that doesn't block views but protects from sun/wind/rain. I love the couch that transforms to a bunk bed. Oh, the shower while modest is still the biggest shower I've had on an interior/oceanview/balcony room and it had a glass door instead of the blah curtain. The pressure and hot water were great

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