msc cruise lines

tc1 · October 19, 2009

I notice that there is not much info on cruise crazies from fellow members about this line. Does anybody know about the quality and experience for cruisers with them ?

Sam aka TC1

DebbieandJerry · October 19, 2009

Sam, we looked at MSC last year. Our TA told us that they are smaller ships which means in and out of ports that the bigger ships don't go to. Last year was their first full year in the U.S. and she advised us to wait at least one more year. She also said that they are "heavily Italian" and that many of the meals might not be to our liking. I found that odd because we love Italian and I had never said anything about meal preferences.

I find their prices to be extremely reasonable. So if you find anyone that has indicated go for it, I say "go for it"

tc1 · October 19, 2009

Sam, we looked at MSC last year. Our TA told us that they are smaller ships which means in and out of ports that the bigger ships don't go to. Last year was their first full year in the U.S. and she advised us to wait at least one more year. She also said that they are "heavily Italian" and that many of the meals might not be to our liking. I found that odd because we love Italian and I had never said anything about meal preferences.
I find their prices to be extremely reasonable. So if you find anyone that has indicated go for it, I say "go for it"

Thanks for the comments. I had heard some negative on them but that was a while ago. Thier prices are reasonable which is why I am looking at them for a possible short cruise to tide us over until next June cruise. Italian food is usually pretty tastyso that wouldn't stop us either.

Sam

jobowl · October 20, 2009

We went over Easter this Year. I took my grandkids and kids. the price was very reasonable. The ship was very clean.The Service was good. Wine onboard for dinner very very inexpensive. Galoto was good and very cheap. The Int. was unbelievable. The shows were some very good and some not so good. The food was equal to carnival or RCCL. Would I go again in a minute. Is it RCCL no. Worth the money yes. I hope this helps you.

Sam, we looked at MSC last year. Our TA told us that they are smaller ships which means in and out of ports that the bigger ships don't go to. Last year was their first full year in the U.S. and she advised us to wait at least one more year. She also said that they are "heavily Italian" and that many of the meals might not be to our liking. I found that odd because we love Italian and I had never said anything about meal preferences.
I find their prices to be extremely reasonable. So if you find anyone that has indicated go for it, I say "go for it"

Thanks for the comments. I had heard some negative on them but that was a while ago. Thier prices are reasonable which is why I am looking at them for a possible short cruise to tide us over until next June cruise. Italian food is usually pretty tastyso that wouldn't stop us either.

Sam

DebbieandJerry · October 21, 2009

Go for it!

JohnG · October 21, 2009

MSC is a privately held Italian company. They are one of the largest container ship companies in the world. About 10 years ago they decided to go into the cruise business. They started by buying some older ships, but they started building new ships. They have one of the youngest fleets in the world now, an the ships are as big as the Carnival Conquest class, and the new ones are even bigger.

I sailed on MSC Orchestra last March in the Caribbean. The food is European in style. Not as focused on North American tastes, but when they bring the ships over here for the winter they work to "north americanize the crew and food". Our tastes are different than the Europeans. In Europe they charge for room service and dining is at 7 and 9. Over here room service is free and dinign is 6 and 8:30. The Italian wines are great and reasonably priced. We were very satisfied with the ship.

There were many Europeans aboard and there was music and dancing in many venues. They even had me trying to merenge, and I don't merenge!

It's not Carnival and it's not focused solely on North Americans. I met a number of US couples onboard wheo had cruised MSC a number of times and were very satisfied.