Live review: MSC Armonia from Las Palmas to Venice

[AmoMondo]

Packing mostly done, although haven't tried to weigh it. I have26 kg checked baggage allowance + no weight restriction on the carry on - just a size. Just got all the electronics and chargers and adapters still to go in on Thursday.

 

Still have the paperwork to print off though. Only 3 sleeps now!

[moomoocow]

Packing mostly done, although haven't tried to weigh it. I have26 kg checked baggage allowance + no weight restriction on the carry on - just a size. Just got all the electronics and chargers and adapters still to go in on Thursday.

 

Still have the paperwork to print off though. Only 3 sleeps now!

 

I'm looking at a tower of freshly washed clothing to rival Pisa. Sadly not a stitch of it is ironed. Mr Moo started his holiday today and didn't leave the house or the controls of the PlayStation.

 

I hope he takes up an iron tomorrow. Or I might be travelling solo on Thursday.....

[Willow1686]

OK, I've made it to San Diego, had a great time here, and the Balmoral awaits, once they've boarded the crew. I hope that the piles of un ironed clothes has diminished, preferably without the need for bloodshed, and that you all have a great time. I'm fairly sure they don't have Starbucks in Guatemala so my appreciation of the live blogging may be somewhat delayed :)

[steph7021]

This ship sails today...hope to see something soon!

 

 

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[AmoMondo]

So here's my first update from onboard. Not sure when I'll actually be able toots it as the wifi does seem to extend to my cabin, so just jotting down my thoughts and recollections on notes and will post when I can get connected on one of the public decks. (Most of the newer ships have wifi extending throughout the ship, but this one seems to still only be public areas).

 

Embarkation was fairy smooth, getting to the port not so much. There were 5 of us leaving the hotel Verol and although not a long walk, there were spits and spots of rain, so we grabbed 2 taxis and set off. I clearly told the driver in Spanish that we were hoping to the port and then Wendy and I started chatting. It eventually occurred to me that we seemed to be going further than I'd expected, so asked whether it was far to the port. He replied the airport is .....and I stopped Jim right Way and said no, the port, where the cruise ships are. So we about turned and headed back. The same happened to Mr & Mrs Moo and Neil. They see Brits leaving hotels with luggage and think airport and don't listen. Next time I'll say cruise terminal!

 

So we dropped our luggage where the taxi stopped and headed into the terminal. We were given a ticket for the second group.. I asked about priority boarding and was told to go inside and I wouldn't have long to wait. After about 10 minutes, a crew member with a paddle called out for VIPs. Showed him my clack card and asked if the 4 others could also come. Whe escorted us downstairs to a free checkin desk and ll of us were processed I. Around 10 minutes.

 

I went to my cabin first to unpack my hand luggage and then off to the spa to get my appointments made for the 2 treatments I had on my package I'd prebooked. I then headed out on to the pool deck and headed to the open cafe area at the back of the ship where I found 4 others from my roll call and had my first mojito of the day. ....and as good as ever it was!

 

We chatted for a while, some left, others arrived. Although not a sunbathing day, it was still pleasant sitting out in the fresh air. We grabbed some of the pizza from the outside grill on starboard side (they make them fresh all day long practically. Only 3 to choose from at a time, but really good).

 

Eventually headed down to reception to set up a wifi account, only to find out they know put an internet access code on your cruise card, so you just need to connect to the hotspot homepage and set up your account. I'll tell you later whether this works better or not, once I actually find a location where I can connect! Another new thing, is the now print your MSC club level on your card.

 

After that it was around 4 and muster was due at 5.30 so went to my cabin to see if my suitcase had turned up which it had. So got completely unpacked and organised well before the muster started. For those not familiar with the Lirica class ships, currently the only cabins with balconies are the suites on deck 10 and front of deck 12 (the opera is the exception having balcony cabins on deck 10 and just a few suites at the front of deck 12). I'm in cabin 1024, a starboard suite on deck 10 and although under the pool deck, I'm far enough forward to be under the vitamin bar, so don't get noise from sun loungers getting dragged around. The suites have masses of storage and even me with around 45kg of luggage can't use it all. Nice walk in wardrobe with a set of 8 drawers (which have a tendency to slide open and shut when the sea gets choppy as it is right now). There are also 2 full length shelved cupboards either side of a vanity area near the door. There Re another 2 cupboards either side of the mini bar in the sitting area where the small flat screen TV is. 2 bedside little cupboards as well. The sitting are has a decent sized 2 sweater sofa which I think is a sofa bed (but can't be certain as I've not attempted to open it up) and a small armchair and coffee table. There is a desk with a mirror above it that has power sockets. Behind the mirror is another cupboard where the safe and hairdryer are kept. The balcony is a standard side with 2 chairs and a small table. However the table (and chairs) are made of a fabric mesh stretched over an aluminium frame. The wide sides of the table curve downwards and make a very comfy footstool.

 

The bathroom is larger than the standard cabins as it has a bathtub instaed of a shower cubicle. It's a small bath tub. I'll be able to sit in it with my legs straight out but I won't be able to lie down in it unless I stick my legs up in the air! There are 2 baskets where the shower is and also 2 small racks by the sink area. Yet more cupboards under the sink - 4 of them to be precise.

 

So that's the details in the cabin over. Now onto muster drill. Have to say it was the quickest one ever for MSC. 15 minutes and it was done. They still did the usual 5 languages and provided all the information they usually do it was just very slick and professional and done before you knew it. Half an hour or more is the norm.

 

Our roll call had a meet up at 6 in the white Lion pub. Not many attended as a lot were just boarding that day from flights arriving late afternoon. Most seem to be on first sitting or have changed to first which is at 6.30pm. I like to eat late so am happy to stay on 2nd which is at 9. We didn't have a show last night, so I went back to the cabin to change before dinner after our meet up. I'm allocated to Marco Polo on deck 5 which is the larger of the 2 dining rooms and the only one open for breakfast and lunch. There are 2 6 top tables allocated to our roll call, but only 5 of us were there as those arriving late elected to go to the buffet. The menu was the usual Italian choices but enjoyable all the same.

 

This morning I had tea and rolls delivered as my wake up service. They now phone you a few minutes before the delivery arrives, which I think is nice, especially as they have a tendency to turn up 10 minutes early, so it gives you time to get your bathrobe on before they get to your door! After that, went down to the Marco Polo for my omelette and fruit sailad.

 

I'm about to head up to the spa for my massage and then we're having a roll call lunch in the MDR since it's a sea day today. Tonight will be the first gala dinner. Well I've definitely rabbited on far too long, so I'll close by saying, so far, so good. The Armonia is a pretty little ship and the crew friendly and attentive (the waiter seating me this morning sung " only you" to me as he escorted me to a table!!)

[Skipper Tim]

Sunday, 23rd March. Good morning from the Vitamin Bar of the MSC Armonia! We departed Gran Canaria on time yesterday around 8:10pm and, according the the tannoy announcement still ricocheting around the deck in different langauges, we are currently making 18 knots on a course of 61 degrees towards Casablanca, some 360 nautical miles distant. Hence our first full day on the ship is also a sea-day.

 

Weather conditions are currently rather wild with the wind howling across pool deck and the sea building all the time. The ship's stabilisers are doing a fine job but those who don't like the idea of being on a moving ship look rather disturbed and probably did not sleep well last night. We have been advised to avoid walking on the outside decks, to take care on the stairs and expect sudden movements. So I am sitting at the Vitamin bar because it is tucked into a relatively sheltered corner of the almost-deserted pool deck and yet the area is still serviced by the main 'Lido' pool bar with their comprehensive range of considerably less healthy drinks options.

 

We arrived at the cruise terminal yesterday around 4pm, as per plan, and were soon smoothly through the check-in. By that time, all the professional all-inclusive cruise-goers would have been onboard for hours and probably on their second wind. My mother and I have neighbouring inside cabins to the rear of deck 9. No sooner had we found them than our cabin attendant, Gene, introduced himself,

 

"And if you want anything, I am here".

"Where?", I asked.

Pointing to the corridor he said with a beaming smile, "Here. I am here all the time".

 

If true, this contrasts with the other experiences I have had on MSC ships when cabin attendants worked in pairs and were rotated through different areas of the ship.

 

We went up two decks to see daylight again - the downside of having an inside cabin - sit on deck and have the final 'Allegrissimo' conference at Il Girasole bar - immediately forward of the buffet. We had pre-booked all-inclusive many months ago and then pre-cancelled it. Our reasoning had originally been that the included wine was acceptable and Allegrissimo included so much more besides - ice creams, speciality coffees, smoothies, freshly squeezed juice, cocktails, etc.. Then we thought it would encourage us to drink too much, all we really wanted was wine and for the same money we could have some good quality wines rather than the merely acceptable included wine. In the final conference, the winning argument was that as almost everyone else in our immediate group of 9, as well as in our roll call of 35, had booked Allegrissimo and we did not wish to feel like second class citizens (even more so than we already do in inside cabins). Of course, we had to pay an additional 15% service charge as penalty for our indecisiveness. Ce la vie.

 

After this major decision was reached, the ship's horn blasted seven times. It was time for the muster drill. Our muster station is also our life-boat station and was relatively painless and short, considering it was in five languages. MSC seem to have optimised the recorded announcement made during the muster drill There were, however two minor incidents.

 

One of the officers criticised the way I had fastened my lifejacket. Apparently the two halves at the front should form a perfectly horizontal shelf - perhaps to line-up one's drinks on from the bar before the sinking? Anyway, he made me do it again and I was then satisfied that, bobbing around in the open sea, I would have among the best-supplied personal bars in the immediate search area. The officer wandered off before I noticed that all of the the crew doing the demonstration at our station have life jackets which were badly askew. The hypocrisy of it all!

 

The other was that my mother could not find her red card that was meant to be handed in as proof of her attendance at the drill.

"It's alright, just tell them you have lost it" I said, which she did and her details were duly noted. I handed mine to the crew. When I returned to my room after the drill, there was a red card on my dressing table but it was not my mother's, it was mine. So it appeared that 1) my mother both claimed to have lost her card yet handed it over and 2) I had not attended. I went to reception to sort out the mixup lest I be summoned as a naughty boy for non-attendance.

 

I explained the best I could being aware of the language issue.

"Do you understand?", I asked.

"Yes", came the terse reply followed by words of wisdom giving an isight into the Italian psyche.

"When the letter comes informing you that you did not attend e safety demonstration and that you must attend a special class by order of the Captain...",

"Yes", I said hanging on to every word,

"... just ignore it."

"And the card", showing it to him, "you don't want it?"

"Keep it as a memento of your happy time aboard MSC Armonia!".

 

We did an early buffet dinner in favour of the 9pm second sitting in the MDR. The buffet food was not particularly impressive but it is too early to call judgement. A few drinks later in Cafe San Marco - a very pleasant area indeed occupying the surprisingly narrow full width of the ship around an atrium over the reception - and I left for bed via Il Girasole on deck for a nightcap or two. Keith had pointed out that Caipirinhas were listed on the bar menu. The name of this Brazillian cocktail brought back so many memories of the Fantasia repo from Brazil to Europe a year before waking up happy in the mornings with no recollection whatever from part-way through the second caipirinha the evening before.

 

I have had to withdraw below decks due to worsening weather conditions and orders from the bridge. Besides, it is almost time for our scheduled first roll call meeting. This had been arranged days ago when we though the 'bar next to the MDR open for lunch' would be deserted with everybody else sunning themselves on deck. As is the daytime entertainment has been switched to this venue and bingo is due to start when we meet. I am not sure how perfect strangers are going to find each other in a packed bingo hall. We shall see.

 

Until tomorrow....

 

Ciao,

 

Tim.

Edited March 23, 2014 by Skipper Tim

[steph7021]

Thank you for the updates! Can't wait!

 

 

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[Norwegian Cruiser 73]

Thanks a lot for the updates, I enjoy reading :) I can see from the webcam of the ship that you have rough seas in the Atlantic Sea.

[Skipper Tim]

Monday 24th March. Good Morning from Il Girasole, pool deck. We docked at Casablanca around 7:30 a.m. in perfect cloudless conditions. Casablanca is not a pretty port but rather an industrious commercial port full of containers and cranes. The authorities appear to have just made enough space between two rust buckets for the Armonia to squeeze in. Squeeze in she did while we had breakfast on deck in the sunshine.

 

I am pleased to report that all 35 of our roll call members plus two or three hangers-on managed to find each other in the chaos of what passes for MSC's mainstream, daytime entertainment. As soon as we were all present and correct we went through en-masse to the Marco Polo MDR. Asking for "a table for 38 please" one of the head waiters took charge and seated us at five adjacent tables. I had the "fish fingers" (small fillets of cod served with a little salad garnish and tartar sauce) followed by "lamb madras" which was lamb and curried. Had it been true madras I may not have been able to eat it but, as expected, it was an Italian interpretation of madras probably from that little known Madras region of Italy. I finished with the "cheese plate" which always comes on MSC with a small dollop of marmalade. We all, even the historically most critical of us, agreed that the food was excellent.

 

Last night was gala night and was preceded by enjoyable cocktails but six of us still had one issue to resolve before we could enjoy the remainder of the night. We wished to change from our previously requested second sitting to first. Second begins at 9pm but that really means that the first course arrives around 9:30 and the meal can easily last until 11:30. Some of us are larks and some of us owls. None of the six of us are owls and some are most certainly larks. First sitting is at 6:30, with a guaranteed finish well before 9pm which suits us far better.

 

The first opportunity to catch the maitre d' was just before first sitting. I presented all six cruise cards to the jolliest maitre d' I have ever encountered and he gave us a new table, 62, near some of our friends on 60 and changed our cards within two minutes. This was a result or so we thought. We found tables 60 and 58 on the far side of the restaurant but we found the table sign for 62 among a collection of others which were obviously not in use nearby a few tables which were not set. Showing impressive presence of mind, the others decided which of the unset tables was the best, grabbed the table 62 sign and claimed claimed the table for the group. We sat down to reinforce the point. It appeared to be fait accompli. However we had a succession of waiters and supervisors in panic mode wishing to see cards, check computers, etc. and even a junior waiter attempting to move us to join a larger table until they all accepted the inevitable and set the table for us. The maitre d' may have given us a table in his mind and changed our cards but he apparently had not told anyone. The annexation of the 'new table 62' had been a resounding success.

 

I had salmon, beef and again finished on cheese and marmalade. Again, we were all impressed with the food and service. Keith pronounced it the best meal we had ever had on MSC. It would be hard to disagree.

 

The night went on in a whirl of venues and range of company until I found myself in the disco seeing my friend dance embarrassingly in the disco. The sight was sufficiently shocking to bring me to my senses and decide to go to bed.

 

After breakfast this morning I tried out one of the two jacuzzis in the very middle of the pool deck. Not since the QE2 have I struggled to get into a jacuzzi due to the extreme heat of the water. Once I was in, I was away. I opened my eyes at one point to find someone taking a photo of me and I became aware of the sheer volume of steam I was producing in the cool morning air.

 

Today's mission, in twenty minutes or so, is a sandal-buying expedition into Casablanca Medina. I will be leading a gaggle of women and, being the only man, will be required to protect their honour. Wish me luck!

 

Ciao,

 

Tim.

[steph7021]

Though Casablanca isn't on my Armonia cruise; we will be flying into Casablanca post cruise....then heading to Chefchaouen but would be interested to know something to see there for a couple of hour layover.

 

We are in a suite on deck 12. I presume they are the same as deck 10?

 

Nightlife....will have two 18 year old girls (eek!). Wondering what they may be interested in on the Armonia?

 

Spa...anxious to hear more about prices and services. Is there a sauna room that is free?

 

Thanks!!

 

 

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[maryann2]

Thank you so much for taking the time to do the updates. It seems that you are having a wonderful time.

I will be on the Armonia in May.

Would love some photos. Personal photos of your huge group not ship photos. Dining room tables especially 62 LOL.

Edited March 24, 2014 by maryann2

[Elmartellama]

There's no doubt they take the muster drill very seriously!

[Katgoesonholiday]

Loving the review so far! Sounds like you are having a great time!

[AmoMondo]

So picking up from where Tim left off yesterday. The unofficial sandal buying mission. Think he had a few more turn up than had booked, but we all made it out of the very big port and up the road to the Medina - well done Tim! We then split into 2 groups, Tim taking his ladies to find sandals, the rest of us going for a general wander through the medina. I was pleasantly surprised that we weren't on the receiving end of the hassle you expect in places like that. Even the two gauntlets of taxi drivers we had to pass through to reach the medina were fairly unaggressive and accepted the "no taxi, no thanks" in good grace. After a while, our group split again, with 6 of us wanting to go and see the Hassan II Mosque and the rest wanting to go back to the ship. We negotiated a fare of €10 per taxi and off we went to the mosque. I'm so glad I went. Although relatively new, the craftsmanship was stunning and that was just the outside. They have some very talented stonemasons. The blue mosaics and inlays were just beautiful (actually that is too tame a word to do it justice).

 

After that we grabbed another couple of taxis and headed back to the port passing by Rick's cafe enroute. The negotiated price was once more €10. I was very glad to travel back that way and avoid the long walk in the port again.

 

Once back onboard, all 6 of us headed to the Marco Polo dining room for a lovely lunch, some cold beer and great company.

 

We finally had a day warm enough and sunny enough for some sunbathing. I found a nice quiet spot at the front of deck 12 and whiled away a couple of hours, before heading to the thermal area. Like the Sinfonia, the Armonia has the best thermal area in the fleet. There is a cold shower with 3 different settings and hot tropical one with 4 different settings including side jets, rain effect (see I can tell you more about the hot one than the cold one!), a calamine grotto, a Laconium (which had seats so not, I had to get my towel to sit on or I'd have needed skin grafts). And my two favourites the Osman hamman and those gorgeous toasty tepidarium loungers.

 

After that I headed back to my cabin to demolish my chocolate strawberries that had been delivered the night before and crack open the Moët and relax for a bit.

 

First sign of good weather and I'm getting the cold and a sore throat, so I decided to skip dinner in favour of dosing myself with a cocktail of Beechams and amoxicillin and an early night. Seems to have done the trick as the sore throat and headache are no more, but still have the sniffles. We arrive in Cadiz in around 30 minutes and I'm meeting Wendy at 11 for a stroll around the city and lunch. I've just dripped my. Appucino over my (just had to be) white trousers, so I'd better get back to the cabin to change. Looks like I'll be taking advantage of the laundry package again this cruise.

 

Ciao!

[sidari]

There's no doubt they take the muster drill very seriously!

 

If that was the case the officer would not have singled Tim out and would have made his point to his crew that Tim mentioned considering they were the people telling others how to put them on!

 

It never fails to amuse me that they tell you to put on Lifejackets, stand you in lines and then begin to tell you how to put one on, Cart before the Horse comes to mind.

 

Amo .. Good to hear things are going well apart form the sore throat etc, we went to the Hassan 11 mosque and as you say it is a great building.

[papcx]

Hi all.

 

Skipper Tim and AmoMondo. Great writing styles, the detailed review is in your hands I think.

 

I will add that unfortunately, even Jane's superb Gangnam style didn't help us win the Music Quiz

 

 

And Michael - Watch out for those bow thrusters!

 

 

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[northerncomfort16]

Hi all.

 

Skipper Tim and AmoMondo. Great writing styles, the detailed review is in your hands I think.

 

I will add that unfortunately, even Jane's superb Gangnam style didn't help us win the Music Quiz

 

[ATTACH]307115[/ATTACH]

 

And Michael - Watch out for those bow thrusters!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

I can report there were no early morning bow thrusters today, just the standard other type!

 

Enjoying a lovely sunny afternoon in Cadiz and about to have a walk along the beach..

 

Oh and Paul = come on you blues!!

[papcx]

Oh and Paul = come on you blues!!

 

 

I can report that this is the end of a beautiful friendship. :D :D :D

 

 

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Edited March 25, 2014 by papcx

[Skipper Tim]

Tuesday 25th March. Good morning from the pool deck of MSC Armonia! It is a beautiful sunny day and as I type this, we are just approaching the outer breakwater of the port of Cadiz. First things first though.....

 

There were twelve of us on the sandal-buying mission to Casablanca medina yesterday - and I was not the only man as I had expected. There were two main gauntlets of taxi drivers to pass through and shake off, one at the inner gates and one at the outer. None of the hassle was too annoying but it did persist for 100m or so each. We were set on our mission to walk to the medina and determined not to go on a "three hour city tour" that they all seemed to be hustling.

 

It is an unpleasant walk through the port of Casablanca. No compromise has been made for the comfort or safety of cruise guests. This is a huge commercial port busy with antiquated trucks hurtling their loads to and from rust bucket ships and dilapidated warehouses. What pavements there are are in dire need of repair and are sporadically blocked with road signs at body height requiring a dangerous diversion into the road. Half of the walk to the medina from the ship was merely to escape the port. Although the distance is not great, I would not recommend it. A taxi beyond the first set of gates should be willing to do the journey to the entrance of the medina for 5 to 10 Euros (we returned by taxi for €7).

 

We entered the medina from a side street leading off the main dual carriageway passing through the centre of Casablanca. The medina is essentially the old city of Casablanca comprising a maze of narrow streets with different areas specialising in different types of merchandise. Necia, my mother and I were plied away from the group by the first leather shop. From that point onwards we spent a solid two hours negotiating for sandals, handbags and leather foot stools. Necia, despite her friendly and unassuming manner, is a particularly hard negotiator. Only once she had eventually found a suitable footstool did she ask how much.

 

"Do you want the bartering price or the last price?"

Somewhat unexpectedly for all of us she said, "The bartering price".

He smiled and opened the negotiating with "Fifty Euros".

At which point she threw her hands in the air, looked to the sky and cried out, even more unexpectedly,

"I seek refuge with God!"

Apparently she had taken secret lessons with our friend Ali on board just beforehand. Well, after the initial shock, we all, shopkeeper included, fell about laughing.

 

Then there was the "what animal is the leather from?" episode. The merchant didn't know the word for sheep so he made quite a convincing noise of a sheep baaing. Necia rose to the occasion, "So it is not a mooooooooooo". He advanced with a whole a collection of different sounds of animals that the leather did not come from made all the funnier because the Arabic impersonation of animal noises is not the same as the English. Then he made a sound we didn't recognise followed by a turn to the side and a spit. We looked at each other, "I don't know that one", I said. He repeated it and Necia started howling with laughter, "It's a camel'. He repeated it until not only were we in in hysterics but a whole audience of locals who had appeared in the street outside were laughing.

 

We spent two hours negotiating and laughing. By the end our laughing muscles were exhausted but we had managed to obtain two pairs of slippers (10 and 12 Euros), a handbag (€14) and a leather foot stool (€23). Despite the unpleasant walk there, it had been an excellent excursion.

 

I will catch up with the questions and post some photos tomorrow when I can use the free wi-fi near the cruise terminal in Malaga tomorrow.

 

For now,

 

Ciao!

 

Tim.

[sidari]

Hi Guys ... You may be interested to know that MSC have sent out an E mail (received mine this morning) regarding 2015 and 2015/16 cruises asking you to pre register for them.

 

Tim ... Don`t you just love those Casablanca road signs ... :)

[Skipper Tim]

Wednesday, 26th March. Good afternoon from the White Lion, the 'English pub' all the way forward on deck 5.

 

We docked in Malaga around nine this morning. We are not alone. In before us were P&O's Ventura and the Norwegian Spirit. Trailing us were the Regent Seven Seas Mariner and a rather elegant-looking, old ocean liner currently called the MS Albatross. I must research her when the wi-fi is free-flowing.

 

We parked quite some distance from the cruise terminal and I had to take the obligatory but free shuttle bus to the terminal. I walked 10 minutes further to the row of designer shops and trendy bars and restaurants fronting the port with the intention of obtaining free wi-fi but, alas, none were open at 11 a.m.. Hence I am back on the ship. I know Malaga well so I don't feel compelled to venture any further in to the city on this occasion. Besides it cold with the winds currently howling outside. Photos will have to wait.

 

Yesterday, Andi, James, Jeffrey, my mother and I walked though the paved streets of Cadiz and enjoyed a Rioja in one of the stunning squares. It was perhaps the most obvious touristy place to sit but sometimes it is worth paying the extra Euro for a glass of wine for the location. Cadiz juts out on a peninsular and is an atmospheric, old Andalusian town. The ground level of Cadiz has been beautified and is packed full of famous label shops. Just look above however and the buildings would probably have looked the same a century or two ago. The town is also very accessible from the port being an easy few minutes walk from the ship to the heart - in stark contrast to our experience in Casablanca. Overall it is easy to recommend a wander around Cadiz.

 

Angela, Keith and Necia had booked a tour of Cadiz specially selected because its difficulty rating was the lowest - '1'. However they had to abandon the tour part-way through because of the amount of walking involved. This was a significant and very unwelcome error but refunds have thus far been refused - the blame being passed, incorrectly, onto the local agents. They also have a tour booked for Dubrovnik which will now be cancelled unless someone onboard is personally prepared to underwrite the difficulty rating given to it.

 

The scene on pool deck a few moments ago is seven staff with little to do as they outnumber the guests. The wind is starting to blow deck furniture around and it is too cold out of the sun. There was an old sea dog supervising the pool towel and deck cleaning operation speaking away in Italian. One of the crew is translating into English for the benefit of his colleague. Yesiani, a delightful Indonesian waitress who has learned my habits, asked if I wanted a glass of wine. I had to decline and come down below.

 

The food of MSC Armonia continues to exceed the expectations developed on my previous MSC cruises. Either MSC have raised their game across the fleet or the head chef on the Armonia is very gifted. My mother and I had lunch on the outside section of the buffet at the stern yesterday. We both chose the 'Moroccan-style lamb' and it was as tender as lamb ever gets - it fell apart in the mouth. Today we had lunch in the Marco Polo MDR. I had tuna salad and fillet of trout and finished with cheese, all of which were superb.The service was also excellent. I am really being spoilt on this cruise.

 

For now I shall end with the curious incident of last night. It goes without saying that I had a drink or two. I remember talking to James in the Red Bar on deck 6 but little else - this has been pieced together from contemporaneous accounts. Mrs Papcx approached us and showed how she had caught the sun. James admitted this morning that he was a little shocked at the region used to illustrate this. Although I was unfazed, this must have had an effect on the conversation because a couple of comments later James was telling us that some animals have unusual ways of saying hello to each other. I apparently said something about spreading legs to have a smell. I was merely suggesting an adoption of an alternative social etiquette but apparently I shocked the unshockable Mrs Papcx and I was sent to bed early wondering, "What did I say?".

 

We have our only other sea-day tomorrow crossing to Tunis. Every day is interesting and I could not hope for more than that.

 

Ciao,

 

Tim.

Edited March 26, 2014 by Skipper Tim

[moomoocow]

Apologies that I have been very remiss in adding to this live review.

 

As I have yet to find free wifi and my service provider wears a mask and totes pistols when selling data abroad I have resorted to quickly reading and typing. Tomorrow I may well purchase wifi to continue further.

 

We have noticed various "improvements" on this MSC cruise. Twinings instead of Everton tea. A concerted effort by wait staff to ask if you require serving. Food is always hot and plentiful and the menus are less tricky to navigate.

 

It bears repeating that the company is exceptional and we are enjoying ourselves immensely. The ratio of British guests and English speakers far outweighs any other MSC cruise we have been on. Either Mr Hawke is doing a stirling job or the price was a bargain. Whichever it is I hope that the impression that MSC is somehow an inferior cruising product is reducing.

 

Sea day tomorrow. Pray for much sun and little wind.

[steph7021]

Apologies that I have been very remiss in adding to this live review.

 

 

 

As I have yet to find free wifi and my service provider wears a mask and totes pistols when selling data abroad I have resorted to quickly reading and typing. Tomorrow I may well purchase wifi to continue further.

 

 

 

We have noticed various "improvements" on this MSC cruise. Twinings instead of Everton tea. A concerted effort by wait staff to ask if you require serving. Food is always hot and plentiful and the menus are less tricky to navigate.

 

 

 

It bears repeating that the company is exceptional and we are enjoying ourselves immensely. The ratio of British guests and English speakers far outweighs any other MSC cruise we have been on. Either Mr Hawke is doing a stirling job or the price was a bargain. Whichever it is I hope that the impression that MSC is somehow an inferior cruising product is reducing.

 

 

 

Sea day tomorrow. Pray for much sun and little wind.

 

 

Great to hear!

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[sidari]

Saw earlier on the oh so slow MSC UK site a Canaries Armonia cruise for £299 for next year!

[AmoMondo]

Very glad the rest of the gang have been keeping this going.

 

I didn't even make it off the boat yesterday in Malaga. Still trying to recall just how much I got through in Cadiz and that evening but definitely had great company with my new tablemates(we combined 2 roll. All tables to one larger one). I most certainly hadmy Allegrissimo money's worth that day or may have been several days!anyway lounging around on deck and a 2 hour session in the thermal area restored me.

 

Cadiz is a lovely quaint place and ideal for aimless strolling which is my speciality. Wendy and I spent the day together strolling around and had a very pleasant lunch and some of the local vintages in a very pretty square before getting some bargains later in the day. I now have my own straw trilby for the grand sum of €4.

 

So as the others have said, we have our seconds waddy. There is a black card lunch with the officers, which I'm going to go to as another of our roll call is also going,so guaranteed to have at least one person I'll be able to talk to. This afternoon we're having a rollcll party (bring your own glass and tipple) and our second gala night.

 

I'd agree with the others that food is definitely hotter and better than usual. Not sure if that is down to the smaller ship and our table locations at the rear of the restaurant or the chef, or a combination of both. Either way, all good. Service is on the whole good and friendly apart from a dragon in the coffee shop. Her standard greeting of "What?" Can be a tad off putting. Still we persevere. She also makes you have doubles to save our time....think it's more to save her time!

 

Watch out for the instalments tomorrow of our social gatherings today from whomever manages to recollect what happens!

 

Ciao!