Nunagoras

It's a mix in between their price point and their very international approach to deliver a true worldwide product for all cultures to enjoy. Here where I live they're now far from being the cheapest ones in the market, other than for some out of high season sailings or specialty small charter group travels. Here where I live their brand new MSC World Europa is, price wise head by head with the RCI's Oasis Class ship that does the same itinerary. If it wasn't for the cheaper gratuities and drinks packages and I'd say they'd be always above that line either. The good value is mostly on the US based sailings and for US market residents purchasing Euro sailings. Not anymore here for the Europeans!...

If you enjoy Carnival, you'll likely to enjoy MSC more, unless a party ship is really your cup of tea. It's sort of a more refined environment and slightly higher hotel standards at solid 4* while Carnival would be solid 3.5*. No party line!... I'd describe MSC as being such an X/Princess lite, while Carnival with due respect would be Ibis at sea, if you have traveled with one of those companies you'll understand . Classic style cruise ships with an Italian flavor at an affordable price point. Their afternoon tea is not that fancy about. They'll have some tea, some scones and some assorted pastries to go with in the buffet. Nothing like a classic Afternoon Tea you'd find on specialty places on the newer ships.

There are a few Youtube videos that go on that direction. Nice way to spread crowds round the ship during the day. Carrossel Lounge on the Euribia is far different than on the older ones in class due to Cirque du Soleil disappearance.

The Musica class where the Orchestra lives out was imagined on such a time when MSC was mostly an Italian business for the Italians. They were what I can call an Italian "X lite" style of cruising company back then. With time they have "downgraded" to global mainstream with the average prices reflecting that precisely. Now it seems they're slowly going the opposite trend. Go out of the discount market to become something a little bit higher in the market with same ships, but what saddens me is that, while at that time some 15-20 years ago, they were doing mostly their own thing, now they're going to somewhat mimic all their competition round the clock, when what I think they should have done would have been, retain their lovely Italian look and feel by creating their own thing in the market, while at the same time trying to higher up their service level to where the best ones on the upper-mainstream market are today. That way they could have continued to be such a "X lite" Italian venue for our enjoyment!... Surely; the World Europa is on my bucket list for the next years, just for a change of perspective... But anyway; Musica and Fantasia class ships remain my fave ones till they will be, because they still reflect to an extent an era when MSC decided to serve our southern Med culture like it deserves to be for a larger audience. Maybe I'll just have one or two more trips on those ships on the next years to come till they're within us! Have a wonderful day!...

They had such a French Bistro like restaurant back in the day on the back part of the buffet for dinner, but I believe that has been discontinued by 2016 or such and never returned, so the Eastern one is really your unique specialty venue aboard. They'll likely to have a premium steak option on the MDR, but I don't know if that is good for your Diamond benefit. If Eastern is your cup of tea, go for it.

If the venue doubles as internet cafe, they'll have a printer there for certain, as a paid service though, like the cyber cafes on older ships.

As previously mentioned: If a transfer wasn't part of your deal (and chances are that it may be), then use a taxi to go there. Far away from nearest metro station.

X works certainly. I've conflicting information on whether Marriott works or not. If yes and higher level there, go on! Have a wonderful day!...

That's it. A Deluxe or a Grand Deluxe for parents and an inside for the teens will do the trick. 2 bathrooms and perhaps less than booking an OS/RS or one of the duplexes. Unique loss would be the "free" cabana on the pool deck which is exclusive for top suites, but again; you wouldn't use it that much, or at least the teens not so much... Oh; and don't forget: Send MSC your highest rank on another cruise line of your choice and they'll status match you to the corresponding MSC's level. MSC's loyalty perks aren't that great lately, but a 5% off your booking fare would certainly to be appreciated!... Have a wonderful day!...

Only done the older Musica and Fantasia class ships. Prefer Fantasia for the better crowd management, IMHO. I would like to go on the brand new World Europa just for a change and to see how MSC is doing the over 200k GT segment in comparison with RCI... But, while the new ships may be great, but I feel like MSC is trying to mostly mimic the other more American lines, instead of just doing their own thing and then create a division with another name and different ships for the pure US market. Both Meraviglia, Seaside and World classes go on that direction, one or the other way. Of course nothing against trying to capture a new cruising generation, but they could have been more creative on that though.

Norway is hard limiting cruising these days over ecological reasons, and there are port congestion eventually elsewhere, yes. As per ship deployment it would to be wonderful for a Lisbon's better than Musica class vessel for the usual summer southern Med 10 nighters loops, but little hope...

Usually 3 weeks after debarkation day to get an MSC's refund, at least here in Europe. Meanwhile, interesting they've got away with the final bill paper signature, but hey, we're in 2023 digital world.

Yup!... MSC trends to less formal, generally, than the more US established mainline cruise lines on this gala night tradition. Back in the day, when lady Allure of the Seas came first time to Europe, at my sailing, I felt quite nude in the Captain's reception wearing a dark suit and tie!... They dressed up to the nines!... It is getting my impression though that formality is being abandoned altogether wherever else on these post pandemic days. Sooner rather than later, captain's reception will be held as just another pool activity, obviously receiving you as you're on a pool deck everyday!... Times are changing!...

Same or slightly higher industry standard, but better once it is classier: I'd say MSC would be somewhat what I can call an X or Princess lite. X/P classy style on an affordable ship. No party ships on MSC either other than on the odd less than 5 nights cruises that is not the case here. You'll find generally a wonderful crowd, even though some of the Russians may be slightly abusive and introvert. MSC is great on different nationalities management despite what some CC members may say! Have a wonderful day!...

In a quick summary: It's a relatively older ship. She has been refreshed quite recently though and if living to at least near the before the pandemic standards, MSC's general maintenance level is superb across the board, so ship's age will be pretty much unnoticeable. No "bells & whistles" though if that is your cup of tea. With a smaller capacity comes usually a more intimate cruise environment. Those ships do have such a classy decoration with an Italian influence to them that calls for that simple sophisticated intimacy. Fellow passengers will be mostly a mix of European citizens, in a not so long past with quite a strong presence of the Russians and other Eastern European citizens out there. Food will be your typical RCI/CCL/NCL, 4* like European land hotel chain food with such an European comfort food accent to its all instead of american centered. Of course forget the Oceania level, and even perhaps the X/Princess to an extent. JIMHO: MSC's food is good enough to feed you for the week (if it wasn't, I wouldn't have 7 cruises with them under my belt), but nothing memorable to write home about it. On the Musica class ships where the Poesia lives in, other than the included food they'll only have a smallish sushi bar on one of the decks, a wine and sports bar which usually served a small included buffet at some times along the day and a tiny gelato parlor on one of the pools, so no really specialty dining for you. A wonderful thing about MSC for those so port intensive cruises that typically will only have a sea day, if really any, against all the competition are their ship sponsored shore excursion prices. Here in Europe you'll have the very same shore excursions that X/P/O or any other cruises will offer you, run on the same buses with the same local operators which are by the way the ones authorized to operate within the port's range, but at a fraction of the price they're usually set in, sometimes in line or even occasionally cheaper than to book it on your own. You'll be long hours exploring the sites and use the ship mostly to have dinner, some night entertainment and sleep in preparation for next days adventures. As the clientele will be so international with several languages spoken onboard, expect announcements in some 5 or 6 languages (they are kept to bare minimum needed though!), and expect the entertainment to be more music and visuals centered. No comedians and such if that is you cup of tea. Permit me a side note: MSC is doing a status match offer where they'll give you a status on their loyalty scheme that will reflect another cruise line where you have a status. Send them a proof of your higher status on other cruise line, in your case X, and among other things you'll receive a 5% off your cruise fare. Hope to have helped a bit and have a nice day!...

Registering on site is the easiest and safer way. I recommend you just a little trick: Await till very late on first night of the cruise to do so, once that way you'll avoid the long lines. Enjoy!...

Congrats to the wonderful review!... Can you remember where they had piano music for regular passengers? I've read elsewhere they had it at Raj Polo during the UAE time, is it still there, or elsewhere? And what about TSL for YC, what kind of music did they have there? Many thanks!...

2PM is doable, mid day a little risky. Port to airport is quite an hour, but on the other hand, once it is a "domestic" EU zone cruise you'll only go through immigration at the airport. Exiting at say 8:30 you'll be at the airport below 10, then check-in, immigration, security and the likes. OK.

Been there, done that 6 hour excursion you're talking about. The historic train is just done one way and it is a very short ride. The other trains are regular Norwegian inter cities with tourists in the mix. This explains the difference. Want to see anything more, go with the larger excursion, otherwise it only going on the historic train and return on regular inter cities. As you state those shore excursions book very early and sometimes they're only available through the ship once they purchase entire blocks for themselves. Have a nice day!

It really depends on both each cruisers and the market from where they're coming from. Back in the day when MSC's drinks package scheme was really all inclusive and there were even gelato inclusions, their drinks package was a no brainer really even from just a non alcoholic perspective. Now it is different. In some countries you really can only purchase an MSC cruise within the promotional, whatever package they'll offer you inside it. That was the case here in Portugal till very recently. Now we have the 2 options. And on the other hand drinks packages are far from all inclusive these days, even the Premium one. Not valid on the coffee shops, no gelato, not valid in certain specialty bars and restaurants, the newer the ship the lower the inclusions. JIMHO: For the most part and for an average drinker, having the package is like purchasing insurance. You go on your holiday without thinking on what you'll spend day after day, no matter the number of drinks you purchase. Need a bottle of water for shore excursion? Just pick it from the nearest bar. The thing I most dislike on a cruise is to go midweek to guest services just to verify my account status which will consist almost entirely on drinks. But; considering I'm a non alcoholic drinker myself, and my usual companions only drink the odd beer or cup of wine with the meal, I trend to go a la carte. Of course; I'd to endure the midweek guest services call, but to compensate it, I'll have already some spare money saved to go on the nice coffee shop and enjoy the wonderful coffee concoctions!

In hard print theory it isn't possible, but in practice it will be. Happens all day them sitting you with strangers that have the package while you not. It depends really on the demographics of a sailing. For the ones doing account of how many drinks one needs to break even, bear in mind you can drink anything else alcoholic and non alcoholic. Non alcoholic stuff is cheaper, but you add those little nothings to the cart. A bottle of water here, a little coffee there and that hot chocolate elsewhere... They add to you count!...

The termal area is co-ed, like explained above. There are male and female restrooms and dressing areas though. It is a quite small area on the Musica class where the Poesia belongs, and then quite basic, but nice enough for the purpose if that is your sort of thing. They also have a small bar at the entrance where you can find a quite nice healthy drinks menu.

Both Poesia and Spendida itineraries are actually very similar in some ways to the main attractions provided. If coming to Rome is a once in a lifetime dream for you, then the Poesia is the itinerary for you, especially if you can have some 3-4 days before or after cruise for that. If not, the Splendida is in my opinion slightly better ship than the Poesia in what crowd management concerns. JIMHO; while as an European, the World Europa would be my holiday of choice as it is a destination of its own where I can stay for a week without even going outside those ports, most of them I traveled vastly in the past, on the other hand, for someone that needs a so long flight to come to their holidays here, I firmly recommend such a better itinerary than the one offered by the World Europa! If you intend to come second time to Europe, save that itinerary to then and enjoy one of the others as your time permits!...