Coming back to Royal!

[Fitzget]

Haven't been on a cruise since pre-covid, until our bday cruise we just took last week - on MSC. Never again. I have learned my lesson and will never stray again. Well, at least not with MSC. Booking Harmony for October, and bringing my 82 year old mother, who has never been on a cruise. She's never been interested, until now. Anyway, she has a ton of questions and she's actually excited, which makes me happy because she has barely left the house since early 2020, when her partner passed, and then Covid hit. Does my heart happy that she's ready to travel again, and I get to take her on her first cruise. I can't wait to see her face when she boards Harmony! I don't think she really has any idea how massive the ship actually is. 

[moposh]

What was wrong with MSC?

[Fitzget]

5 minutes ago, moposh said:

What was wrong with MSC?

I don't wanna complain too much here as I'm not one for complaining. We had a great time regardless, and the ship was beautiful. But by the end of the cruise, we had named them "Spirit Airlines of the Seas".  They nickel and dime you for everything, even shows. Drink package not available at shows or in certain dining venues. Only main dining room and buffet were included, everything else, even little cafes, were extra. Not a single other complimentary venue. It just wasn't Royal, and it wasn't our cup of tea. But like I said, we were on a cruise and had a great time, so that's really all that matters. 

[goldfish65]

That's a wonderful feeling to know your Mom is excited for her first cruise at 82! 

 

Just started cruising last year, I researched all the lines and settled on Royal, glad I did because I like them. I'll never be tempted to try MSC, ruthless as they may be with their wealth from shipping trying to take over the cruising market. 

[Fitzget]

10 minutes ago, goldfish65 said:

That's a wonderful feeling to know your Mom is excited for her first cruise at 82! 

 

Just started cruising last year, I researched all the lines and settled on Royal, glad I did because I like them. I'll never be tempted to try MSC, ruthless as they may be with their wealth from shipping trying to take over the cruising market. 

totally agree - could not be happier that she's so excited to travel again!

 

MSC can try all they want to "take over the industry", but they have a long way to go. 

[George C]

I am pretty sure you weren’t in MSc yacht club, which is way better than rccl suites , yacht club was one of the best cruises we ever experienced, it’s a ship within a ship with private lounge with live music from 5 to 11, great outdoor area with pool restaurant and hot tub, also there is a butler who can escort you to shows , reserved seating in shows for yacht club.

[Fitzget]

24 minutes ago, George C said:

I am pretty sure you weren’t in MSc yacht club, which is way better than rccl suites , yacht club was one of the best cruises we ever experienced, it’s a ship within a ship with private lounge with live music from 5 to 11, great outdoor area with pool restaurant and hot tub, also there is a butler who can escort you to shows , reserved seating in shows for yacht club.

Yes, we had friends with us who were in Yacht Club - the perks were nice. I wasn't comparing suites though - I was comparing like for like. You get A LOT more with Royal in a standard room. Their butler did make dinner reservations for all of us, so that was nice. But again, Royal is just a much better product. 

[moposh]

1 hour ago, Fitzget said:

I don't wanna complain too much here as I'm not one for complaining. We had a great time regardless, and the ship was beautiful. But by the end of the cruise, we had named them "Spirit Airlines of the Seas".  They nickel and dime you for everything, even shows. Drink package not available at shows or in certain dining venues. Only main dining room and buffet were included, everything else, even little cafes, were extra. Not a single other complimentary venue. It just wasn't Royal, and it wasn't our cup of tea. But like I said, we were on a cruise and had a great time, so that's really all that matters. 

Thanks for the info.  It's good to know.  I've only cruised on RC.  I did see MSC on a Mighty Cruise Ships, but of course, they don't tell you everything.  😄

[Itchy&Scratchy]

2 hours ago, Fitzget said:

Booking Harmony for October, and bringing my 82 year old mother

I'd bring mom on a Princess cruise instead. Fewer kids (aka, germ factories), less noise, better food, less crowded.

 

But then - we only travel during school holidays with our own germ factory....

Edited January 25, 2023 by Itchy&Scratchy

[matj2000]

There is nothing wronq with MSC

 

Some people just don't take any type of change well.

 

Anything other than what they are used too is not good.

[George C]

Minor point , rccl has terrible pizza , MSC has great pizza , drink package that is free with yacht club you can drink anywhere. 

[barb in ga]

We recently returned from a 10 night New Year's cruise on MSC Divina from Miami. We were very disappointed and will not consider another MSC cruise. Poorly staffed especially in the buffet, messes left on tables and floor, few lunch choices other than pizza, cheeseburgers, hot dogs and mountains of french fries! The ship was very over crowded with 4200 passengers. Lines everywhere. 

The entertainment was repetitive and embarkation and disembarkation were hours long nightmares!

We're headed back to RCI. All of this is based on over 30+ cruises on 5 lines, mostly RCI.

Barb

[Ret MP]

2 hours ago, Fitzget said:

I don't wanna complain too much here as I'm not one for complaining. 

That's the main reason why I call my least favorite cruise line Rustbucket Cruise Line, has nothing to do with rust.  It would be a long list of issues we had on our last cruises with Rustbucket, a long list.  I swore that I would never use their actual name again, and I plan to honor that promise to myself (well, I did use the name once, a weak moment).  I think most people know what cruise line I'm talking about.  So, Rustbucket Cruise Lines is just my way of expressing my total and complete disgust with the company.  Nothing more, nothing less.

[Fitzget]

41 minutes ago, matj2000 said:

There is nothing wronq with MSC

 

Some people just don't take any type of change well.

 

Anything other than what they are used too is not good.

To each their own. I've been on more than just Royal and MSC, and MSC is a very different product than anything I've been on before. I like the additional dining options on Royal. I like the fact that I can use my drink package anywhere. I like the fact that I don't have to wait 30+ minutes for a drink at a bar. Like I said, we had a great cruise, but it just wasn't for us. Royal just has an overall much better product, and MSC has a lot of learning to do. MSC even charges extra for shows, which really surprised me. We're all entitled to our own opinions, and our own likes and dislikes. 

[Fitzget]

50 minutes ago, Itchy&Scratchy said:

I'd bring mom on a Princess cruise instead. Fewer kids (aka, germ factories), less noise, better food, less crowded.

 

But then - we only travel during school holidays with our own germ factory....

We're also bringing my sister and nephew, so RCCL is a better fit. But Princess is definitely something to look at. Although my mom did say "I want the ship with the mall" LOL

[Fitzget]

42 minutes ago, George C said:

Minor point , rccl has terrible pizza , MSC has great pizza , drink package that is free with yacht club you can drink anywhere. 

Yes, MSC did have much better pizza. I actually enjoyed the food on MSC, just wish they had more options. Their steakhouse was great! 

[Fitzget]

17 minutes ago, barb in ga said:

We recently returned from a 10 night New Year's cruise on MSC Divina from Miami. We were very disappointed and will not consider another MSC cruise. Poorly staffed especially in the buffet, messes left on tables and floor, few lunch choices other than pizza, cheeseburgers, hot dogs and mountains of french fries! The ship was very over crowded with 4200 passengers. Lines everywhere. 

The entertainment was repetitive and embarkation and disembarkation were hours long nightmares!

We're headed back to RCI. All of this is based on over 30+ cruises on 5 lines, mostly RCI.

Barb

We had the opposite on MSC - food in buffet was plentiful - so many options for breakfast and lunch. We never had dinner here. Embarkation was simple - we got in line at 10:00 am, and were checked in by 10:15. Boarding started at 11:00 and we were first group on. Debarkation, we did self assist and were off the ship and through immigration in 10 minutes. But I agree with your other points. 

[moposh]

17 minutes ago, Fitzget said:

We're also bringing my sister and nephew, so RCCL is a better fit. But Princess is definitely something to look at. Although my mom did say "I want the ship with the mall" LOL

Mom wants to shop!!!!  🛍️

[Itchy&Scratchy]

27 minutes ago, Fitzget said:

But Princess is definitely something to look at. Although my mom did say "I want the ship with the mall" LOL

Enchanted Princess had a very beautiful mall inside. 🙂 Just saying. 🙂

Just look at this perfume store:

 

 

 

We love RCI for all the fun stuff we can do with our kiddo. We love Princes for its food and general ambiance. We are yet to try MSC (third time is a charm, right?).

 

P.S. My parents loved Harmony.

Edited January 25, 2023 by Itchy&Scratchy

[Fitzget]

17 minutes ago, moposh said:

Mom wants to shop!!!!  🛍️

LOL Yes she does! She'll be excited to dress up too, for dinner 

[Fitzget]

8 minutes ago, Itchy&Scratchy said:

Enchanted Princess had a very beautiful mall inside. 🙂 Just saying. 🙂

Just look at this perfume store:

 

 

 

 

We love RCI for all the fun stuff we can do with our kiddo. We love Princes for its food and general ambiance. We are yet to try MSC (third time is a charm, right?).

 

P.S. My parents loved Harmony.

Thanks! I will definitely check it out. Is Enchanted Princess a new ship? Funny enough, after I saw your reply I went on and checked their cruises for that time of year and came across Sky Princess. No joke, just as I was searching, I saw Mighty Cruise Ships on TV, and it was Sky Princess. Maybe the universe is trying to tell me something lol

[Mikew0805]

59 minutes ago, Fitzget said:

To each their own. I've been on more than just Royal and MSC, and MSC is a very different product than anything I've been on before. I like the additional dining options on Royal. I like the fact that I can use my drink package anywhere. I like the fact that I don't have to wait 30+ minutes for a drink at a bar. Like I said, we had a great cruise, but it just wasn't for us. Royal just has an overall much better product, and MSC has a lot of learning to do. MSC even charges extra for shows, which really surprised me. We're all entitled to our own opinions, and our own likes and dislikes. 

Probably need to set expectations on the highlighted one, during certain times. Lines are almost everywhere lately.

 

Also to be fair, so people do not think that MSC charges for all shows... not all shows cost extra on MSC. All shows that are in the main theater are included, and you can use your drink package. The ones that cost extra are the Carousel productions, which are currently only on 4 ships, in the Carousel Lounge. The drink package does not work with that experience, but a drink comes with the price of admission, and is reduced if booked pre-cruise.

[Ret MP]

I see many posts that compare on cruise line's food with another, especially in here vs Rustbucket Cruise Lines.  A lot of people say that the food on the other cruise line was better than RCCL's.  Well, if I were the mothership at RCCL HQ, I'd be paying very close attention to these boards.  There are a lot of people that choose a cruise line based almost totally because of the cruise line's food.  

 

Me personally, I've only got one cruise line to compare to, Rustbucket  Cruise Line.  I personally think that the vast majority of the food on RCCL is better, not to mention that the cliental/clientele is better on RCCL.  But, I have to say that Rustbucket does a much better job on desserts.  JMHO

[Itchy&Scratchy]

1 hour ago, Fitzget said:

Is Enchanted Princess a new ship?

yes, and it's lovely.

[Morecruisesplz]

9 hours ago, Fitzget said:

I don't wanna complain too much here as I'm not one for complaining. We had a great time regardless, and the ship was beautiful. But by the end of the cruise, we had named them "Spirit Airlines of the Seas".  They nickel and dime you for everything, even shows. Drink package not available at shows or in certain dining venues. Only main dining room and buffet were included, everything else, even little cafes, were extra. Not a single other complimentary venue. It just wasn't Royal, and it wasn't our cup of tea. But like I said, we were on a cruise and had a great time, so that's really all that matters. 

And watch how fast MSC lovers jump on you. It's the CC way.