MSC OPERA - Mini Review

[eroller]

I'm back from another great cruise and wanted to share some initial thoughts. A full review will follow sometime in the future. I had hoped to fly directly home after the cruise but mother nature decided against that. An ice storm in Atlanta wreaked havoc and almost every flight into the city was canceled. I spent the night at my mom's who lives across Florida outside Naples and made it back to Atlanta on Sunday. As fate would have it, I'm missing a bag and I only hope it turns up. After working 11 years at Delta I've never had them lose a bag, and I hope my luck doesn't change now. Regarding the ice storm ... well it's a distant memory and it's all but melted.

 

I sailed on this cruise with my mom and a couple friends and I like to think we

all had a great time. I know I did! I absolutely loved the ship ... there is

so much public space per passenger. The MSC OPERA is practically a brand new and her size is around 58,000gt so she is not too big or too small. She is

considered a medium to small sized ship by today's standards. For a smaller

ship, the amount of public rooms is amazing not to mention the variety of bands, bars, and dance floors. In fact there seemed to be more public areas than ships almost double her size. Most of all, I loved the Italian/European atmosphere. MSC Cruises is an Italian cruise line that is just breaking into the North American market. It was a breath of fresh air and the most refreshing cruise I have taken in a long time. I can't say enough about the staff, entertainment, and of course the energetic Animation Team! They were amazing. What other cruise line schedules an activity at 1:15am?? These guys (and gals) always looked like they were having such a great time and I just wonder where they get all their energy from?? I really admired them.

 

Dinners were fantastic. The best I've had since Silversea. The pasta dishes and bread were to die for. Our dining room staff was excellent and food was served at a very good pace. Our waiter Pepe would never bat an eyelash at special requests or orders for extra entrees. We were even granted a specific table I requested in advance. I had faxed the Maitre d' directly before the cruise and requested a large, round table by the aft windows of the smaller L'Approdo Restaurant. A reservation card was waiting in my cabin, and sure enough we were escorted the first night to the exact location I had requested.

 

There were a few minor details that could use improving. Better cabin TV

programming. More equipment in the gym (such as elliptical machines). More MSC logo items in the gift shop. Larger cups in the buffet. As I stated, they are minor and easily corrected. Even so, MSC gets really high marks from me and I would sail them again in a heartbeat. My only wish is that they don't change and become too Americanized. It was everything European about the line that I truly enjoyed. I felt more like I was cruising the Mediterranean than the Caribbean. English was definitely not the first language spoken by the staff, crew, singers and musicians. Italian was #1 but everyone did know at least some English. It was also the things MSC Cruises doesn't do which I found refreshing. No bargain basement tables in the lobby selling $10 t-shirts. No art auctions. No revenue producing announcements. No "inch of gold" being hacked everywhere. No pushing drinks. Unlimited large towels by the pool. No waiters singing "hot, hot, hot" in the dining room. Fresh fruit everyday in the cabin. No automated gratuities. No pushing for "excellent" grades on the comment form. In a nutshell, it was very civilized. I might also add it was the easiest and quickest embarkation I have ever experienced. What is really odd about embarkation is that absolutely no forms were required to be filled out, nothing! They did scan our passport but that was it. I've never had that on any other cruise line. I'm thinking if MSC can get away with it, why not other lines?

 

On a side note, I felt the officers, staff, and crew onboard were probably the

best looking I have seen on a cruise ship. There was also much more

officer/staff interaction with passengers then I have seen before. This made for a great evening atmosphere in the lounges. The entertainment staff such as the dancers and Animation Team also worked much harder compared to other cruise lines. They were everywhere at all hours interacting with passengers and trying to make sure everyone had a great time. The dancers and entertainers also don't get away with just two production shows during a 7-day cruise (as on most lines). In fact they had some type of performance almost every night in the show lounge, either with their own show or complimenting the other entertainment acts where were featured.

 

In closing, I truly wish MSC all the success in the world. They are not for

everyone but for those that enjoy a multi-cultural experience at sea on a

quality product you can't beat it.

 

Ernie

 

Click Link for pics:

http://public.fotki.com/eroller/msc_opera_-_1222005/

[Benitad]

Ernie, the photos are GORGEOUS ... your mom is absolutely fab. ...

so what happened to you?;) (sorry, mom, jk!)

Thanks for sharing. I'm looking forward to hearing about the --probly few -- issues with the cruise. Oh, it really is so beautiful! Great to know who to say hi to on a flight, too. And as you know ... it's 36F in ATLANTA at the moment. Sheesh! February 26 and counting!

Benita

[scperk]

Very nice info Ernie..I can't wait till i'm on the Lirica feb. 15.....Dennis

[Kaibigan]

Nice pics! I notice there's a mini golf course. Is there a fee or age limit to use it? I know my 7 yr old son will want to play every day!

[eroller]

Ernie, the photos are GORGEOUS ... your mom is absolutely fab. ...

so what happened to you?;) (sorry, mom, jk!)

Thanks for sharing. I'm looking forward to hearing about the --probly few -- issues with the cruise. Oh, it really is so beautiful! Great to know who to say hi to on a flight, too. And as you know ... it's 36F in ATLANTA at the moment. Sheesh! February 26 and counting!

Benita

 

 

Hi Benita,

The few issues were already mentioned. Larger cups needed in the buffet, better TV programming, more gym equipment, and a better gift shop selection. They are all really minor and basically had little to no impact on my enjoyment of the cruise. They are also all things that can be very easily corrected as well.

 

Can't believe this cold weather. :( Send me back the Caribbean please!

 

Ernie

[eroller]

Nice pics! I notice there's a mini golf course. Is there a fee or age limit to use it? I know my 7 yr old son will want to play every day!

 

 

I don't believe there is any additional charge or age limit. That was one of the really nice things about MSC ... they were not trying to nickel and dime you 24/7.

 

Ernie

[Benitad]

Oops. I didn't notice you'd added the "issues" to your mini-review. Thanks.

 

Did you take advantage of any of the spa services? Price range?

[Oakville]

Your pictures brought back very pleasant memories from our December 11 trip. As well, your comments echoed ours. But - the real star of this posting seems to be your Mom - are you sure this isn't really your sister?

[eroller]

Your pictures brought back very pleasant memories from our December 11 trip. As well, your comments echoed ours. But - the real star of this posting seems to be your Mom - are you sure this isn't really your sister?

 

 

She would love to hear you say that ... but she doesn't read CC.

She looks great doesn't she!

 

My mom has more energy and is more outgoing then people 1/3 her age. She has a way with making friends with everyone and she always has a great time. She tends to be the life of the party, and has always been this way.

 

I might also add she has been a wonderful mom over the years to myself and my siblings.

 

I'll pass on your comments and she will get a kick out of them.

 

Ernie

[eroller]

 

Did you take advantage of any of the spa services? Price range?

 

I was planning on it, but never did. On day two I was going to book the "Sun Shower" which you stand in for 10 minutes to get a little full body color. I was planning on getting a tan one way or the other. Then the weather improved and we had sun the remainder of the cruise ... so it was not needed.

 

Like the gift shop prices, the spa was not what I would call cheap (not that any are). The plus side is the spa is not operate by Steiner's like on all the other ships. It's some Italian company and the staff was very nice, polite, and quite good looking. I did not hear of anyone getting the hard sell to buy products after their treatment.

 

Here are some prices:

 

Balinese Massage

30 minutes - $84

45 minutes - $120

60 minutes - $149

 

Stone Therapy - $130 for 45 minutes

 

Manicure - $39

Slimming treatment - $84

Body Exfoliating - $143

 

Sport Therapy Massage - $123

Shiatsu - $117

Cranial Massage - $26

Facial - $58

Complete Facial Treatment - $84

Electronic Stimulus - $32

Presotherapy - $39

 

Sun Shower - $15

Face UVA - $15

 

Shampoo & Blowdry - $41

Haircut - $39

Color - $71

 

There are other treatments but that should give you an idea.

 

Ernie

[Benitad]

Thanks, Ernie, for the prices. Now I can budget accordingly.

 

And BTW, has anybody ever told you that you look a lot like Alan Rickman?

So 'tisn't just Mom blessed with the good looks!

 

Benita

[eroller]

 

And BTW, has anybody ever told you that you look a lot like Alan Rickman?

So 'tisn't just Mom blessed with the good looks!

 

Benita

 

 

LOL Benita. :D Never heard that one but I have been told I look like Vin Diesel. Now if only I had Vin Diesel's body!!! ;)

 

Ernie

[Benitad]

Me too, Ernie ... me too:D

[pgrob]

Can you please pass along that FAX number for seating?

Thanks, your pictures were great!!!

[eroller]

Can you please pass along that FAX number for seating?

Thanks, your pictures were great!!!

 

The direct fax number (if calling from the US) is:

011-874-335762711 (dial it exactly as written).

You will be charged International overseas satellite rates. In other words, it's probably not cheap! ;)

 

Put the fax attention to: Maitre d'Hotel - MSC OPERA

 

You don't want to send it until the Monday or Tuesday prior to the weekend you are sailing. The Maitre d' only works the table assignments one cruise in advance, and if you send it too early it will most likely get misplaced or forgotten.

 

Include your names, booking numbers, cabin numbers, and any specific requests (sitting, table size, dining room, location). I would also recommend writing in very plain English ... remember that Italian is the Maitre d's first language and his English (especially the written word) might be a bit rusty.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Ernie

[pgrob]

Thank you- your information seems quite helpful.:p

[popcorngal]

Really enjoyed seeing the pics, especially those of the Legend, since we were sailing away on her then, taking pictures of you taking pictures of us! We were not familiar with MSC before, but I think we will be checking into them, as we like the sounds of cruising like it used to be! Thanks!

[Jana]

Damn, Ernie! No pics of Marco! How did THAT happen???

 

(And here I thought I was too old to swoon).

 

My experience almost exactly mirrored yours (but we did have Hot Hot Hot a couple of times, and I am glad... but I think it was on Il Patio with the Popcorn Band). I thought all of the entertainment was absolutely stellar.

 

The TV programming was strange but not the choice of the ship. It was a failure on the part of the satellite provider. It sounds like it is fixed now.

 

The things that were "different" or quirky were actually charming. I don't know how anyone could complain...

 

By the way, the spa is not run by an "Italian company." It's a U.S. company based in Austin. Their only other seagoing client is a ship in Spain so far. The spa is gorgeous and gets little recognition because they call it the "health center," so people think it's the medical center. There are beautiful steam and sauna rooms and relaxation rooms with wicker chaises... all free. The spa manager is fantastic, an Italian named Mimmo.

 

It was too windy (and really, really rough) to go to the mini-golf on my cruise, although I could have gone while we were in St. Thomas.

 

I'll post my pictures soon. I missed getting one of Marco too. And I also wished there were more logo items, I love the MSC logo and would have purchased a tote if they had them.

 

jj

[czechmate]

 

The things that were "different" or quirky were actually charming. I don't know how anyone could complain...

 

 

jj

 

Jana I must 100% agree with you. This so endorses our experiences with MSC for some years now and I am pleased and delighted for you.

[Dianne828]

I'm sure I have one of Marco on one of my 9 rolls of film. As soon as I get them developed, I'll scan it and post it. I, personally, thought Luca was a cutie. Marco was a bit standoff-ish whereas Luca was a total flirt.

[Dianne828]

JJ, they did have a tote, one blue and one white w/ the MSC logo. My mom bought one for $40.

[Jana]

Dianne,

 

They didn't have one when I was in the store. They had wrist bands and a sippy cup. I saw someone with a back pack, but I wouldn't have purchased one of those in any event.

 

I didn't think Marco was standoffish, just crazy-busy. My God, all those balls in the air he has to coordinate all day and night! Anyway, I got to spend a little time with him and he restores my faith that great-looking men can also be intelligent :-)

 

Here are my photos, not yet annotated and it appears that I will have to take another Opera cruise because of all that is missing:

 

http://sleeping-around.com/mscopera/index.shtml

 

And oh, I do know of something that is "complainable." The Internet service on board is outrageous. The system is fantastic, just put your card in and you are online, but it is excruciatingly slow, costs a king's ransom, and only allows you to have one window open so if you are waiting for an e-mail to send, for example, you can't be looking up something else at the same time. You can have five drinks for what it costs to compose and send one e-mail, so do that instead. And then you won't care about whether or not you need to work!

 

Jana

[dougnewmanatsea]

Here are my photos, not yet annotated and it appears that I will have to take another Opera cruise because of all that is missing:

Good to hear from you Jana - haven't seen you around much lately!

 

Those are great photos - the more I look at photos of OPERA and LIRICA, the more I like them.

 

At first I thought I preferred LIRICA's decor but now I'm not so sure. At any rate, they both look great. MSC is definitely on the agenda for 2006 (next cruise is Baltic on CENTURY in August - haven't been on Celebrity since 1995; after we try them again I think it's time to move on to things other than US mass-market lines which are really becoming old hat at this point).

[Spring]

Jana

 

Its about time I could see what the Opera looks like, your photos are just what I needed. Im on the Mar 5th sailing and its nice to see the inside when there are people around instead of just pictures of empty rooms. I now know what it will be like with 1700 others onboard, thanks.

 

Spring

[eroller]

Damn, Ernie! No pics of Marco! How did THAT happen???

 

(And here I thought I was too old to swoon).

 

 

 

Welcome back Jana!! I'm so glad you had such a great experience. I think anyone that can have an open mind and not expect HAL or Princess will love MSC. It was truly a refreshing change from the humdrum.

 

Oh and the great looking staff ... did I mention them??? ;)

 

Look closer Jana ... I do have a picture of Marco. I enjoyed working out with him in the gym everyday. Great looking and smart too. I liked Luca a lot too! ;)

 

Can't wait to look at all your pics!!

 

Ernie