We just returned from an 18 day transatlantic cruise on the MSC Divina and it was the CRUISE FROM HELL!!! We are experienced cruisers and this was, by a mile, the worst company we have ever sailed with. Although we could write a book about our experience, we will give just a few instances of what we put up with. The many people we spoke with aboard ship agreed that MSC is not a cruise line they would use again. Should you want additional information, don’t hesitate to respond.
First, and most important, the lack of sanitation standards in areas where food is available was frightening. This ship is ripe for a Norovirus! We witnessed very few people attempt to use the hand sanitizers before entering a restaurant or the buffet. There was one hand sanitizer available at each door to the buffet but 90% of the time they were either empty or broken. We witnessed people reaching into the buffet and picking up food by their hands. We witnessed people using the tongs to pick up the food and then laying the tongs back onto the food. We witnessed officers reach into the covered pasty stand at the Café Italia and take pastries using their hands rather than the tongs available.
Second, MSC stands for Mediterranean Shipping Company and from the first to the last day we were treated as cargo by the staff. In particular, the employees of Guest Services are extremely rude and unprofessional, and would rather not be bothered by the passengers. For example, we witnessed a passenger discussing an issue with a front desk staff person. He was treated rudely and was not offered any assistance. The front desk person then turned to his peers and began loudly, laughingly and expressively mocking the guest.
Each time we talked with a staff member at Guest Services we were made to feel as though we were imposing upon them. For example, the most serious issue we brought to their attention was the noxious smell of very strong fumes from the use of deck cleaning solvents and painting being done on the ship the last 9 days of the cruise, particularly in our hallway on deck 9 and in our room. We reported the issue on the second of the 9 days and were informed that no painting was being done. We returned to Guest Services the following day to report that we saw where painting was being done and solvents were being used only to be told that the chemicals were non-hazardous. In speaking with a number of guests and crew, all responded that they were bothered by the fumes as well. By the final day of the cruise we found it impossible to find an area within the ship where we could not smell the fumes.
Third, the staff did nothing to manage the disembarkation process at ports, which resulted in people shoving, pushing, crowding, and coming from all directions to use the two gangplanks, which were simultaneously used for embarkation. It was extremely stressful and unnecessary chaos!
MSC Divina - Worst Experience Ever!!!
in MSC Cruises
Posted
We just returned from an 18 day transatlantic cruise on the MSC Divina and it was the CRUISE FROM HELL!!! We are experienced cruisers and this was, by a mile, the worst company we have ever sailed with. Although we could write a book about our experience, we will give just a few instances of what we put up with. The many people we spoke with aboard ship agreed that MSC is not a cruise line they would use again. Should you want additional information, don’t hesitate to respond.
First, and most important, the lack of sanitation standards in areas where food is available was frightening. This ship is ripe for a Norovirus! We witnessed very few people attempt to use the hand sanitizers before entering a restaurant or the buffet. There was one hand sanitizer available at each door to the buffet but 90% of the time they were either empty or broken. We witnessed people reaching into the buffet and picking up food by their hands. We witnessed people using the tongs to pick up the food and then laying the tongs back onto the food. We witnessed officers reach into the covered pasty stand at the Café Italia and take pastries using their hands rather than the tongs available.
Second, MSC stands for Mediterranean Shipping Company and from the first to the last day we were treated as cargo by the staff. In particular, the employees of Guest Services are extremely rude and unprofessional, and would rather not be bothered by the passengers. For example, we witnessed a passenger discussing an issue with a front desk staff person. He was treated rudely and was not offered any assistance. The front desk person then turned to his peers and began loudly, laughingly and expressively mocking the guest.
Each time we talked with a staff member at Guest Services we were made to feel as though we were imposing upon them. For example, the most serious issue we brought to their attention was the noxious smell of very strong fumes from the use of deck cleaning solvents and painting being done on the ship the last 9 days of the cruise, particularly in our hallway on deck 9 and in our room. We reported the issue on the second of the 9 days and were informed that no painting was being done. We returned to Guest Services the following day to report that we saw where painting was being done and solvents were being used only to be told that the chemicals were non-hazardous. In speaking with a number of guests and crew, all responded that they were bothered by the fumes as well. By the final day of the cruise we found it impossible to find an area within the ship where we could not smell the fumes.
Third, the staff did nothing to manage the disembarkation process at ports, which resulted in people shoving, pushing, crowding, and coming from all directions to use the two gangplanks, which were simultaneously used for embarkation. It was extremely stressful and unnecessary chaos!