Eastern Caribbean from New York with Stay, 7 March 2025 (10 nights)

Thank you to Iglu for arranging our booking as this was our first cruise we feel that going with MSC was a good choice for us. The Cabin was spacious and was clean. The ship was only 2 years old. The sofa in the cabin did look worn, but this did not put us off. There were lots of activities and entertainment throughout the day. There were quite a few restaurants to choose from, thought that the speciality restaurants were over priced. Chose not to eat in any of them. It appears that this ship was all about making money and did not offer much back considering what you spend on the cruise. I am disappointed in the lack of creativity and food available for Vegans and vegetarian. As I'm Vegan MSC do need to make more provisions to cater more options. The focus is all on the meats and you can get this in abundance. They told me that they ran out of vegetarian burgers, they ran out of bananas, they ran out of the cereal which is similar to harvest crunch. This is clearly not managed well. Overall we enjoyed this cruise and the iternary was on point. I was pleased to be told we were going to Jamaica instead of the cay man islands. They did return back to us $50. For the inconvenience so was pleased with that. As this was my first cruise I will be looking out to travel on other ships to compare my favourite. I have enjoyed the experience and will be looking forward to the next one.

Rate 5. We had a lovely time on this cruise. Itinerary was ideal for the Med. Ship had an informal ”all comers” welcome. Food was all good with plenty of the choices you would expect. We didn’t use the speciality restaurants, so can’t comment. Highlights of the ship was cirque du Soleil. In house entertainments were very energetic but lacking in more contemporary ideas, ( there were all ages on the ship, not just those born in the mid 20th century.) but the shows were energetically performed. Staff always helpful, and despite the 5000 plus on board waiting lines were not long. Drinks package was a marginal benefit. House wines not great, and so many nice drinks priced at 10 cents above the package limit. Finally, MSC need to work on their app which frequently frustrated, both pre cruise and on cruise. Overall I would recommend this ship and itinerary.

The ship itself was of very good standards but the whole cruise was spoiled by hundreds of screaming kids and gangs of marauding teenagers (I was informed by another passenger that MSC gave block discounted tickets to schools and university's to fill up the ship) The entertainment was also of very good standards, but again it was marred by people walking in and out of the theater, talking loudly to each other during the performances, and generally disturbing others, it was like trying to watch a show in the middle of a train station! The food was adequate, but obviously geared up to the Med taste! My wife and myself have traveled extensively all over the world and can give and take with the best of them, but we will never take another MSC Cruise

I would never book with msc again to many added extras staff was miserable go on a lot of cruises but could not wait to come home I will stick with Thomson may not be a big ship but service is great staff friendly and no hidden extras