crib kids

[CRIB KIDS]

Just booked the MSC Splendida for 7 days on Oct 9/09.
Fist timers on the MSC and first timers sailing the Mediterranian.
Do not know what to expect, rough water, food quality, enterainment etc
If any one is booked on the same cruise, or has past experience with the MSC lines, please let us know.
Thank you.

[AmoMondo]

Hi Crib Kids - Welcome to these boards and the world of cruising.

Septemeber is a fantastic time to be in the Med. You'll still get loads of sunshine but it won'y be quite as blistering hot as the height of summer and with chiren back at scholl it also wont be quite as busy in port. You should have fairly calm sea at that time of year but you can get stormy weather anytime of the year. if you are unlucky and do, it will be short lived. You certainly wont get bad weather the entire week.
Entertainment has to cater for 5 different languages onboard (Italian, French, Spanish, German and English), so no stand up comedians or acts that depend on the spoken language. The shows are very good each evening and are musical and visual acts, some a bit like Cirque du Soliel type, others more like musicals or the odd one with classical music. There is also a variety of live music throughout the evenng in different bars - somre to dance to, some to just chill out and listen to. They also have some other games, quizzes, bungo etc and these will be conducted in all 5 languages which irritates some and amuses others.

English speaking guests are likely t be in the minority with the vats majority being Italian. there will also be a lot of French and germans onboard.

Food gets mixed reviews - part of this depends on personal preferences. For breakfast you can have continental delivered to your cabin or a wider selection at the buffet or dining room. I perdonally prefer the dining room as there is no queueing (and pushing and shovving to contend with - as many Europeans don't do queues in the way the North Americans and Brits do), the food is prepared freshly to order and it is generally quieter and more relaxing. Doesn't bother me if it takes slightly longer (although I'm not certain that it actually does)
For lunch you will have the choice of the main dinig rooms (usually 12-2 or 12.30 -2.30), the buffet (open longer to 4 or 4.30 and the speciality restaurants at extra cost. In the ding room there will be up to 6 courses (appetizer, salad, soup, pasta/rice, main, dessert). Mainly Italian dishes although there are some international ones and hamburgers and hot dogs are always available. They always have a sandwich and a lighter egg dish available at lunch.
For dinner there is no buffet so it si the dining room and table and time that you have been allocated to (there are 2 seatings) or a speciality restaurant at extra cost. You will have 2 gala (formal) evenings on a 7 night sailing. There are 6 courses (same as at lunch) but each night they feature a different region of Italy. There is always salmon, chicken and beef available from the grill and spaghetti. I particularly like the appetizers, soups 9especially the chilled fruit ones) pasta nad risotto dishes. Some of the main dishes are very good and some just ok. The beef can sometimes be a bit tough or a bit overcooked. The gelato is excellent and available free of charge at lunch and dinner in the dining room when they have a different flavour each day. It is also available at the pool and one of the cafes at other times at extra cost.
There is plenty of food available but not 24/7. Tea and coffee is only provided at breakfast and costs extra at other times of the day. On European cruises they will offer bottled water at extra cost if you ask for water. However if you are persistent and insist you just want tap water, you should be able to get it.

[CRIB KIDS]

Thank you very much AMO MONDO for all that info.
Sailing on Oct. 9, even if we get stormy weather, the Esplendida is a large ship and it should be OK.
Fortunately we all speak Italian, so we should feel like being at home.
I am hoping that the specialty restaurants have great food with good a wine selection. I am also hoping to buy wine in France, Spain & Sicily.
My wife loves her espresso and capuccino, I`m sure it will be available throughout the day.

[AmoMondo]

Originally Posted by CRIB KIDS

I am hoping that the specialty restaurants have great food with good a wine selection. I am also hoping to buy wine in France, Spain & Sicily.
My wife loves her espresso and capuccino, I`m sure it will be available throughout the day.

Never tried the Fantasia speciality restaurants as my cousin did not want to pay extra. they do have an extensive Italian wine list though. I love the Amarone de valpocello! The official line is you can't bring food or drinks onboard but they never seem to enforce that rule.
Capuccino and espresso can be had at all the bars and coffee shops throughout the day (7am right through to 1am), so your wife should not get withdrawal symptons!