South America from Rio de Janeiro with Stay, 5 January 2027 (13 nights)

The cabin was ok, very nice but there was a lack of kettle and tea making facility unlike we had have had on previous cruises. The cleaner was also very friendly. The staff around the ship were very friendly and made us feel very welcome with the exception of the reception staff, there was one girl with glasses that was rude and didn’t even know her stuff!! She was a very big disappointment. In the restaurant our server at the our table 826, Villa Verde was very attentive and helpful. Merry in one of the bars (green one) was amazing always smiling and asking if we were having a lovely time, he is a credit to your team. Other disappointments, were the lack of butter in the restaurant, Bora Bora, may I suggest that this is placed by the bread and no serviettes/tissues on the tables. The food overall was ok, whilst there was plenty and the variety was good, the quality wasn’t as good as I have experienced on previous cruises. My friend also stated that on previous MSC cruises the food was better. At times we also felt that the lack of English announcements was lacking too. I know we were in the minority but English was lacking. The entertainment was nice, the shows in the theatre were very good, the acrobats with the girl in the hoop was good, but we didn’t need to see this 5 evenings out of 7! It was a little repetitive. We didn’t really join in the activities but it was nice to see and watch so many of them happening around the ship. We joined some excursions. In Marseille, we joined the walking tour and visited the Xmas markets, the guide was very pleasant although I did feel that he should have supported us around the markets, from here he gave good directions on how we made make our own way back to the ship, but for some he could have given more support, I. e. waiting for us have free time around the markets and meet back to take us back to the ship. In Paloma, the guide was very helpful and informative she was assisted throughout the day and was very interesting. In Tunis we also had a lovely day, the guide was very pleasant and friendly, she was a little repetitive on some info but overall she made the day a happy one. Despite the few little touches that were missing, Overall we had a lovely holiday and would travel with MSC again.

Good variety of places visited although very much in ports on arrival and transport often needed to get to cities. Good quality and variety of food. Crew smiling and helpful.

The ship needs a good deep clean it is very dirty and dusty and really needs a refurbishment. Our cabin was not the cleanest although they did change bedding and towels it was very dusty and needed a good hoover in the corners.

Loungers were uncomfortable as they were in a fixed lying down position chairs on the balcony were also old and uncomfortable due to a metal bar across the back. The seating in all areas were stained and carpets on deck 13 were also stained. The ship is very tired The food was excellent as were the staff. At breakfast in the buffet there were never enough cups or glasses.