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MSC Cruises

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Cruising with MSC

Swiss cruise line MSC Cruises sets itself apart from other brands with its refined onboard experiences and eclectic selection of facilities, including adults-only pools and bar areas, Balinese spas and 4D cinemas. The line's 22 ships (with one more on the way) cater to a variety of travelers sailing throughout destinations in the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, Canada and New England, Bermuda, South America, northern Europe and more. Voyages frequently last between two nights and 120 nights for MSC’s World Cruises, which take place once per year on various vessels. MSC's ships carry anywhere from 2,620 (the Armonia ) to 6,762 (the World Europa ) passengers at full capacity, with approximately one crew member for every three passengers.

Although MSC's ships differ in size, the whole fleet receives praise from previous passengers for its sophisticated ambiance and the value of its itineraries. Travelers can choose from three package experiences – Bella, Fantastica or Aurea – which will determine what their cruise fare will cover. At a minimum, meals in the main restaurants and buffet are included in the price of the voyage, as are several ship activities. Food options vary by ship, though most MSC restaurants feature globally inspired cuisines.

Meanwhile, MSC entertainment includes evening concerts, live shows, parties and contests, while shore excursions cover everything from touring around Mykonos, Greece , to exploring Dunn's River Falls in Ocho Rios,  Jamaica .

U.S. News Insider Tip: If you’re looking for an easy-to-access beach experience on a Caribbean sailing, select an itinerary that stops at MSC Cruises private island, Ocean Cay Marine Reserve. This island is easy to visit from the ship even with mobility issues thanks to trolleys and beach wheelchairs you can access, and it’s located in the Bahamas near Bimini. – Holly D. Johnson, Contributor

Book an MSC Cruises cruise deal with GoToSea , a service of U.S. News.

Pros & Cons

Wide array of Caribbean and European itineraries to choose from

Loyalty club members save 5% on most sailings

Appeals to travelers from Europe as well as the U.S.

Beverages, including soft drinks, are not included in cruise fare

Shore excursions cost extra

Limited dining options compared to other lines

• Expert Rating » 3.3
• Traveler Rating » 3.8
• Health Rating » 4.5

MSC Cruises has been ranked based on an expert evaluation of the line's level of luxury, as well as an assessment of user reviews and health ratings.

• # 5 in Best Cruise Lines for Families
• # 6 in Best Cruise Lines for the Money
• # 7 in Best Cruise Lines in the Mediterranean
• # 9 in Best Cruise Lines in the Caribbean

Explore Photos

MSC Cruises Ships

MSC Euribia

MSC Bellissima

MSC Meraviglia

MSC Grandiosa

MSC Seascape

MSC Virtuosa

MSC World Europa

MSC Seaview

MSC Seashore

MSC Fantasia

MSC Preziosa

MSC Seaside

MSC Armonia

MSC Magnifica

MSC Sinfonia

MSC Splendida

MSC Orchestra

Before You Book

• Note: To see MSC Cruises' updated deposit, cancellation and rebooking policies, visit its website .
• To confirm your reservation, a deposit is required. Full payment must be received 75 days prior to departure for cruises lasting four nights or less, 90 days prior to departure for cruises of five to 14 nights and 110 days prior to departure for cruises of 15 nights or more. If you book less than 75, 90, 110 or 120 days prior to sailing (depending on the length of the cruise), full payment will be requested at the time of booking.
• The "Children Cruise Free" policy applies to kids younger than 18 (may be based on specific sailing and availability).  
• If you choose to cancel, you may lose your deposit or face percentage penalties, depending on the sailing and when you cancel. Refer to MSC's website  for the full cancellation policy. 
• Passengers with special needs should fill out the Special Needs Form  at the time of booking. At the latest, MSC must be notified two business days before departure.
• If your cruise is canceled by MSC for technical or weather-related reasons before the voyage begins, you will be refunded the full fare or given the option of rebooking on a future cruise. 

U.S. News Insider Tip: If you have elite status with another cruise line and want to enjoy some added perks with MSC Cruises, this line lets you apply for a “status match” ahead of time. Getting your status matched can help you qualify for 5% off all cruises after your first sailing, plus complimentary gifts, priority disembarkation, complimentary specialty dining and more depending on your status level. – Holly Johnson, Contributor

Before You Board

• You must check in and be on board at least two hours before departure. The time you board the ship will be listed on your cruise ticket.
• You can check in online and collect your e-tickets up to 24 hours prior to your embarkation date. Visit MSC's web check-in page  for more information.  
• All luggage should be labeled with the passenger's name, ship name, cabin number and the date and port of departure, and MSC Cruises provides luggage tags for all passengers with this information. Two suitcases and two handheld pieces of luggage are permitted per person (as long as that does not exceed eight pieces of luggage per stateroom).
• While you cruise international waters, MSC requires passengers to carry all necessary travel documents – such as passports, required visas and immigration documents– where necessary.
• You can book shore excursions in advance on MSC's website . Deadlines for prebooking shore excursions vary by itinerary.
• Passengers cannot prebook specialty dining experiences ahead of time, but dining packages can often be booked online ahead of most sailings. These packages typically include two to three specialty restaurant meals in a single sailing, and unlimited specialty dining packages may be available.

Disclaimers about ship ratings: A ship’s Health Rating is based on vessel inspection scores published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If a ship did not receive a CDC score within 22 months prior to the calculation of its Overall Rating, its Health Rating appears as N/A; in such a case, the ship’s Overall Rating is calculated using the average Health Rating of all CDC-rated ships within the cruise line. All ship Traveler Ratings are based on ratings provided under license by Cruiseline.com.

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I Went on My First MSC Cruise, Here is My Honest Review

W hen I booked my first MSC cruise, I’ll admit that I had serious doubts. I had read so many negative reviews about MSC cruises, criticizing the subpar service, basic food options, overcrowding, and chaotic embarkation process. However, my experience on the MSC Meraviglia, departing from New York to the Bahamas, was surprisingly positive. In this review, I’ll share all the details of my first MSC cruise. Having been on over 25 cruises, I’ll be comparing my MSC experience with that of many mainstream cruise lines.  

Since I didn’t book a stateroom in their exclusive Yacht Club, this review focuses on the regular non-Yacht Club cruise experience on MSC. It’s important to note that this is an unsponsored review, and all opinions in this article are based on my personal experience.

I was a bit hesitant about going on an MSC cruise because I thought I’d be stuck with basic food like pizza and pasta. I had come across reviews praising the Italian fare but hadn’t heard much else. 

Frankly, I didn’t want to go on a cruise just to eat pizza and pasta. To my surprise, the food exceeded my expectations. Despite being a budget cruise, they served sophisticated dishes such as shrimp cocktail, escargot, osso bucco, steak tartare, braised short ribs, steak, and lamb shank. They even had a gala night with lobster and steak and baked Alaska for dessert! The best part was that the food tasted amazing. 

Kudos to the chef on MSC Meraviglia. The food was some of the best cruise food I’ve had. Every dish was delicious and well-seasoned.

I have to mention that they served the best Caesar salad I’ve ever had on a cruise. In fact, my son, who typically avoids vegetables, is now a huge fan of Caesar salad thanks to our experience on this cruise. I’m forever grateful to MSC Meraviglia for transforming my son into a vegetable eater!

I also want to give credit to the pastry chef for the amazing cakes on board. The carrot cake is incredible, and I had the Grandma’s Chocolate cake almost every night!

The only thing that reminded me of a budget cruise line was the rule allowing only one entrée per person. If you wanted an additional entrée, there was a $5 charge, and certain premium entrees like the NY Strip steak also had a $5 surcharge. However, in my opinion, the $5 charge was negligible considering the quality of the food, so it was definitely worth ordering that second entrée!

The Wait Staff

I was honestly worried that my experience would be disappointing due to poor service. One of the main reasons I go on cruises is to be pampered by the cruise staff. 

I heard that MSC might have a bad staff-to-passenger ratio, resulting in subpar service. However, my experience was fantastic and comparable to major cruise lines like Royal Caribbean, Princess Cruise, and Holland America. 

Our waiter, Panarta, was attentive and friendly. The assistant waiter did a great job with our drinks, and the head waiter took good care of my son and niece, who have food allergies.

The Cabin Steward

I was also worried that the quality of service I would get from my cabin steward would be subpar. I thought my cabin steward, Komang, might be overworked and not be able to clean my room properly. 

However, I was pleasantly surprised. Komang did an outstanding job, even better than my experiences on more high-end cruise lines. The bathroom was clean when I arrived, with no lingering odors, which is a widespread issue on many other cruise ships. I usually have to ask for a re-clean on the first day due to bad odor, but not on this MSC cruise! 

Also, Komang was very attentive and promptly fulfilled all my requests. I always had fresh towels and even received evening turndown service. I wasn’t expecting it since other cruise lines, like Norwegian Cruise, have eliminated turndown.

I want to point out that my own experience with the cabin steward isn’t a one-off experience. My mom and sister’s cabin steward, Agus, was also exceptional. He put in a lot of effort to ensure their staterooms were promptly cleaned, with fresh towels, and the best part was that their cabins didn’t have any lingering bad odors. Agus was also always friendly and went the extra mile.

Guest Services

I was pleasantly surprised by the guest services desk. Unlike the long lines I’ve encountered on other cruise ships, the guest services line on my recent MSC cruise was always short. It seemed like there were only 1 or 2 people in line whenever I walked by. 

I’d like to think the short line is due to the happy passengers who don’t have many complaints! But I honestly think it’s because of the efficient guest services staff. The MSC Meraviglia is one of the most efficient cruise ships I’ve been on. They have assigned a dedicated guest services staff to assist passengers while they wait in line, which speeds up the process. 

For example, when I needed to link my credit card to my cabin, a staff member pulled me out of the line and guided me through the kiosk, reducing my wait time. When my nephew lost his key card, a staff member quickly reprinted it, minimizing our wait time again. Their efficiency and organization was truly impressive. 

On one occasion, I had to speak to a guest service staff member at the desk, she was pleasant and helped me solve my issue. 

Free Onboard Texting

One thing that I liked about the MSC cruise is the free onboard texting. You can text other passengers via the MSC cruise app chat feature even if you’re not subscribed to their WiFi plan. 

This made it so convenient to stay in touch with family members and locate them on the cruise ship. It was especially helpful for keeping track of my teenage daughter’s whereabouts!

I was really impressed by the buffet experience. On the first day of the cruise, the only option for lunch was the buffet, and I was worried it would be chaotic and overcrowded. 

To my surprise, the buffet was manageable, and we easily found a table for 8 people. We got on the cruise ship at around 12:30 pm, so it was peak lunchtime!

Even on sea days, the buffet was comfortable. There were always plenty of tables available and the lines were not too long. 

I think it’s because they have a lot of buffet staff whose main job is to clear the tables. In fact, their staff was almost too efficient – if you got up for seconds, you might come back to find your table cleared! 

Public Space

I’ve been on cruises where the public areas of the ship get overcrowded, causing bottlenecks. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the layout of the MSC Meraviglia. The ship is designed in a way that the public spaces are well-distributed, so you never feel like you’re in a bottleneck or caught in a big crowd. The only time it feels busy is when you exit the theater after a show, but that’s normal for any cruise ship.

Pool Lounge Chair

One of the things that I always find on cruise ships is that it is hard to get pool lounge chairs. But not at MSC. I’ve had no trouble finding an empty lounge chair by the pool, even by the indoor pool. I think it’s because they have a policy of clearing lounge chairs if they’re left unattended. I really appreciate how organized the cruise staff is on this ship.

Embarkation

I was pretty worried about the embarkation process. My mom had watched a YouTube video of the embarkation of MSC Meraviglia at the Brooklyn Cruise terminal, and she described it as a complete nightmare with endless lines. 

I was mentally preparing myself for the same experience! However, I was pleasantly surprised. When we arrived at the Brooklyn Cruise terminal, there was a line, but it wasn’t too long, and it kept moving. The staff was well-organized, and getting through security and the check-in process was easy. 

Once we boarded the cruise ship, they informed us that our room wouldn’t be ready until 1 pm. However, we could leave our carry-on bags in the cabin and pick up our cruise keycards, which were hanging on our cabin door. The embarkation process turned out to be smooth and effortless.

The Theater

I liked the theater on the MSC Meraviglia. Unlike other cruise ships, the theater wasn’t too big, so there were no bad seats, even if you sat at the back. They also had a reservation system, and the staff scanned your cruise card to let you in. Even if we were late, finding seats for 8 people wasn’t a problem because they had 3 shows every night, unlike other cruise lines with only 2 shows per night.

The shows were quite enjoyable. While they weren’t exactly Broadway shows, there was a good variety of performances, including singing and dancing to popular songs from different eras, some mild acrobatics, magic shows, and stand-up comedy.

One of my favorite experiences during my Bahamas cruise is the MSC private island, Ocean Cay. It’s probably one of the best cruise line private islands. 

Ocean Cay is stunning- soft, white sand and turquoise water. What’s great is that the cruise ship docks right at the island, so there’s no need for tender boats. 

Families with kids will love the calm, shallow, clean, seaweed-free lagoon—perfect for a relaxing day at the beach. Finding lounge chairs was easy. Overall, we had an amazing beach day, which is a big reason why I will go back on a Bahamas cruise on MSC.

So far, I have been giving you all the reasons why my MSC cruise was such a positive experience. Now, let’s discuss the negatives. To be fair, there aren’t many, but they are significant enough to turn some people off.

The main dining room was the biggest letdown for me. The tables were set up too close together, leaving little room to move around. They also crammed extra chairs at the tables, making it feel overcrowded. 

We were squished into a table meant for six people despite being eight people. Thankfully, we had four kids on our table, which made it less cramped, but I can imagine that it would have been extremely uncomfortable for eight adults. 

Also, because of the table set-up, the main dining room ambiance is that of a noisy restaurant rather than a refined dining experience. It doesn’t feel fancy like what I’m typically accustomed to on other cruise lines. 

Another downside is the size of the staterooms and bathrooms, which are smaller compared to other cruise lines. The cabins felt narrow, and there was hardly any closet space. Even with just myself and my two kids, we couldn’t fit all our clothes in the closet. My son had to keep his clothes in his luggage! 

One more thing that didn’t sit well with me was the electronic daily planner and menu. They don’t leave a printed daily planner in your cabin. As a result, I missed many onboard activities on the first day at sea because I didn’t realize I had to scan a QR code to access the daily planner. 

At the restaurant, there was a lack of printed menus, since they expected passengers to scan a QR code to view the menu. As a result, we were forced to share menus at my table, which was inconvenient and took away from the dining experience. 

Finally, the service in the main dining room always felt rushed towards the end. We barely had time to enjoy our coffee with dessert! I later learned that the restaurant I was assigned to had three seatings, causing the rush. Other restaurants on the cruise ship had two seatings.

Will I Cruise on MSC Again?

The answer is a definite yes. In fact, we’ve even booked another Bahamas cruise through their future cruise program on the MSC Meraviglia for the same week in June but in 2025!

We decided to sail on MSC again mainly because it’s a great value – you get good food, great service, and an amazing private island at an affordable price. I’m willing to overlook the small cabins and crowded main dining room for these benefits! (If they were to raise the price, then I don’t think I would sail on MSC.)

If you have been on the fence like me about sailing on an MSC cruise, don’t be. Don’t let the fact that it’s a budget cruise line scare you off. To be honest, I believe labeling MSC as a budget cruise line is a misconception. Apart from the small cabin size and crowded main dining room, the food and service are comparable to other cruise lines like Princess Cruise and Royal Caribbean, but at a more reasonable price! Check out: 12 Disembarkation Day Mistakes People Make When They Get Off the Cruise Ship

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The post I Went on My First MSC Cruise, Here is My Honest Review appeared first on Suburbs 101 .

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MSC Cruises Review

Tuesday, July 16th

2024 Cruise Line Reviews

• MSC Cruises
• Best for budget-friendly, Mediterranean-themed, large-ship cruising in the Caribbean, Europe, and Mediterranean
• 23 ships in the fleet
• Private island in the Bahamas on some itineraries

MSC Cruises is a family-oriented cruise line that was founded in 1960 in Naples, Italy. The company is now one of the largest cruise lines in the world, with a fleet of 23 ships that sail to destinations around the globe. MSC Cruises offers a wide range of itineraries, from short Caribbean cruises to transatlantic voyages and longer world cruises.

Spring break in the Caribbean is a go

Caribbean sailings are MSC's bread and butter, and so we weren't surprised at all to find 35 itineraries in March of the next calendar year. These sailed from Miami, NYC, and Port Canaveral (Orlando), giving travelers plenty of options for their spring break vacay or winter escape. MSC's base fares on those itineraries were extremely budget-friendly: not counting taxes, fees, and port expenses, you could take a three-night cruise to the Bahamas starting at just $139 per person. Even the most expensive itinerary in that timeframe, an 18-night cruise to the Western Caribbean sailing in and out of Miami, still came in at just $1,389 per person for the lowest-priced stateroom. And, most Caribbean sailings include a stop at MSC's private island in the Bahamas, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.

Tips are mandatory but removable

But, you'll need to factor in not just the taxes, fees, and port expenses (which are displayed in small print on each cruise listing), but also many other costs you might not be anticipating. For example, gratuities (described as a "Hotel Service Charge" ) are mandatory on MSC, usually $14.50 per person per night for guests 12 and over and half that for children ages 2-11. You can ask to have them removed at Guest Services onboard if you aren't happy with the service. (Also worth noting: unlike most cruise lines we're familiar with, MSC does not recommend tipping individual members of staff beyond the automatic gratuity.)

It gets spendy to drink anything besides water

Drinks and dining are another area where MSC guests often get taken by surprise, especially if they've sailed with another cruise line that is a little more all-inclusive. You'll get water, coffee, tea and iced tea with meals, plus juice at breakfast. Otherwise, you'll need to purchase a drink package, even if all you want are soft drinks, if you don't want to rack up massive a la carte beverage charges. Be aware that the packages are for the duration of the cruise, they can't be shared between guests, and all guests in a stateroom have to buy a package to get unlimited drinks (obviously this won't apply if one cruiser is an adult and the other is a minor; there are non-alcoholic and minor drink packages available too). Expect fees starting around $25 per person per day for the non-alcoholic options and around $70pp per day for the top tier wine, beer, cocktails and soft drinks package.

Pay extra for services that most rivals include at no cost

Finally, MSC has "Experience" packages you can apply to your reservation.

• Every sailing comes with the " Bella Experience " by default - which essentially just gets you on the ship and gives you the bare-bones services like main restaurant dining, use of the facilities, and so on.
• Upgrade to " Fantastica " to be able to request which dining seating time you prefer and get free delivery of breakfast to your stateroom.
• The top-tier package is the " Aurea " : complimentary access to the Top Exclusive Solarium, a welcome package with Prosecco and Chocolate, anytime dining, 10% discount on spa treatments, priority boarding, and free delivery of 24-hour room service.

If you've ever cruised elsewhere, you can see that MSC charges for services that many cruise lines just give you automatically, like letting you request a particular dining time or free room service whenever you wish. Plus, those "Experience" packages don't come cheap: our research indicates that you could pay an extra $50-$100 per person per day for the mid-tier upgrade and $100-$200pp per day for the highest upgrade.

Good option for families

On the positive side, MSC cruises are very family-friendly, with plenty of activities to keep cruisers of all ages entertained. Some travelers enjoy having a more international experience aboard as well, since many passengers are European (and specifically Italian, go figure ).

Worth doing some comparing before booking a cruise here

MSC definitely has its fans, especially among those who want to get away from the typical American cruise line environment and try something different. And, if you understand what you will and won't get with MSC, you could get a really low-priced cruise that reaches some top destinations. However, too many cruisers get drawn in by the low initial fare, only to find that by the time they've covered their taxes, fees, gratuities, drinks, and "experiences" , it's not so much of a bargain anymore. We encourage you to look at some of MSC's higher-ranked rivals (outside of the luxury categories, of course) before booking with this cruise line: you might be able to take advantage of a travel deal that would get you more for your money elsewhere.

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The 15 Best Cruise Lines

Which cruise line is the best.

Cruising is a popular way of traveling for many people, offering a unique experience that combines the convenience of a floating hotel with the excitement of visiting multiple destinations in one trip. In an average year, over fifteen million people say "all aboard" and set sail on an amazing vacation.

There are many different cruise lines to choose from, and each one offers a different type of experience. Some are geared towards families, while others are more focused on luxury or adventure. What would you like to see and do while you're onboard? Is a casino a must-have or a rather-avoid? Would a Broadway-caliber show tip the scales for you? Do you need a wide range of activities to keep the kiddos happy while the adults live it up or relax? The onboard activities and amenities can really make or break your vacation, so be sure you know what you're getting.

Cruise Line FAQ

Which cruise line is the best, what is included in the cost of a cruise, what is the minimum age to cruise, what are the dining options on a cruise ship, are cruise ships crowded, do i have to dress up, are activities included at destination ports, can i bring my own alcohol onboard.

Continued from above... Continued from above... -->

Another factor that can influence which cruise line you choose is the itinerary. Cruise ships travel all over the world, but some cruise lines may not have destinations available where you're hoping to go. You should also consider the size of the ship: larger ships offer more amenities, but smaller ships can access ports that bigger ships can't.

Speaking of amenities, make sure you understand what you'll get as part of your fare and which extras will come with an additional cost. For example, most cruises offer drink packages for alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, but a few have drink stations where you can get complimentary lemonade, coffee and tea. Other amenities that might be important to you are Wi-Fi, spa services, babysitting, fitness classes, and upgraded dining experiences. You can usually get a decent discount if you sign up for an amenities package before you sail, so keep an eye out for promotions in the months leading up to your sailing.

When you take a cruise, it's almost always expected that you'll tip the crew members who have attended to your needs while onboard: your cabin steward ( who probably leaves your towels folded into fun shapes every night ), your servers at your nightly meals, and the head waiter. Cruise lines have a recommended gratuity to cover all three of those staff members, usually $15-$20 per traveler, per day; the total gratuity amount may be charged automatically to your account, or you may be given envelopes to make cash payments.

While it usually isn't mandatory to pay those gratuities - you can ask to have them removed if they're applied automatically, especially if you've received poor service - it's typically considered in poor taste not to tip at the suggested levels (because crew members' salaries, much like servers at your local restaurant, are based on the expectation of tips paid by guests). And, if you receive service that goes above and beyond, adding to the recommended gratuity is always appreciated. Be aware that tips for bartenders, poolside servers, and professional services provided in the spa or elsewhere are not included in the daily suggested gratuity and may be charged automatically at the time of service.

Now that you have a good overview of the cruising experience, which cruise line should you choose? Beyond the points we already covered, here are a few additional criteria that might make it easier to pick:

• Embarkation port. You could get a great deal on a cruise, but what will it cost you to get to the port? That could involve airfare, an overnight stay or two in a nearby hotel (so that you're less likely to be affected by travel delays), and transportation from the airport or hotel to the port. This is especially true if you're taking a cruise that departs from an international destination.
• Perks for repeat cruisers. Like frequent flyer programs on airlines, most cruise lines offer benefits the more you sail. If you find yourself absolutely loving cruise vacations, it can be advantageous to put all of your eggs in one basket, so to speak. Rewards programs can include casino benefits, complimentary meals at the upgraded dining experiences, exclusive sail-away parties with free cocktails and tchotchkes, early-access booking on future cruises, and much more.
• Reputation. It's a really smart idea to see what other travelers have said about their overall experience with a cruise line before booking your trip. The ads on TV may make that private island look amazing, but someone who's been there might point out that you'll pay extra to get on that waterslide. Or, previous cruisers could tell you that despite having several formal nights on the schedule, a particular cruise line has no problem with people showing up to dinner in flip-flops and swimsuit coverups. Find out if the cruise line you're considering lines up in reality with what they advertise.

Here at Top Consumer Reviews, cruising is one of our favorite ways to travel and experience new things. And with so many different cruise lines to choose from, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. But, don't worry: take a look at our in-depth analysis of today's most popular options, find the one that's the best match for your vacation ideas and your travel party, and book that trip you've been dreaming of. Bon voyage!

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Service is diabolical

Service is diabolical, currently on Virtuosa 3 days in with 11 days to go and I really regret booking. Would love my money back to get off at the next stop and fly somewhere I’d enjoy. Around 20-30 minutes to get a drink then when you order it takes at least 5 minutes for your drink to come. The market place is like heard of buffalo’s, needs both sides open at all times plus needs more selection. I’ve travelled on every cruise line except msc until now and I can tell your never will I travel again with them.

Date of experience : July 15, 2024

We recently returned from a cruise with…

We recently returned from a cruise with MSC virtuosa. We had a lovely cruise and didn't have any complaints until disembarkment day. We tried to purchase our photos from the previous night which we couldn't do the night before as they weren't ready. We received useless customer service. After making an official complaint on the 6th July we haven't received any correspondence from MSC. A truly awful company who have completely let themselves down.

Date of experience : July 04, 2024

This was my 2nd time on msc and this…

This was my 2nd time on msc and this will be my last as the staff are over work not enough seating in entertainment areas Que’s to get off at ports and back on are insane 3 hours one day with two teenagers FOOD OK I had two friends with there child on there first cruise and I felt so sorry for them with the money they spent on this hoilday i think royal Caribbean & princess cruise are the way to go

Date of experience : July 06, 2024

Please choose another cruise liner, horrific company

I wish I had of read the reviews on MSC before I booked. We spent 5.5k on a balcony cabin in May 3 weeks later price dropped by £600 then dropped again by £1,720 just 5 weeks later. Absolutely criminal behaviour to charge such difference prices week by week. They charge you not short of the adult price for children, but throw a 12&14 year old on a thin sofa bed together not even pull out beds. Customer service is none existent, they are cold and rued. Please save your money for another cruise liner not MSC, you will regret it like us.

Date of experience : July 11, 2024

Soooooo bad

All these bad reviews people are putting on are sooo very true, there's loads more I could add and one of them is the smell of sewage in places, MSc Virtuosa, we will never ever travel with them ever again, we will stick with Princess and P&O

Hit and miss

It's very hit and miss on here Our room wasn't cleaned properly we asked 3 times for tea and coffee finally 22.30 arrived . The food was awfull warm and just poor value You didnt know what was in with the all inclusive package nokme seemed to know when we asked at reception English of staff is poor Bar services slow and long queues. Nome was informed of a white dress code party on last night Shows were very short again Plus 1 show was only showing 1 day Have to download food app that never worked service slow In restaurant. Who wants to be carrying phone around Just provide a menu Food warm I wouldn't book again

TERRIBLE customer service

TERRIBLE customer service. I can't login or checkin, called like 5 times, each time they tell me to call someone else or email someone. Called today to speak to a supervisor, after 30 minutes waiting the supervisor tells the agent that i need to email someone, won't even have the courtesy to talk to me and solve my problem after 1 week. No wonder you have a 1.7 rating, this is terrible and hope upper management would pay attention to the terrible customer service

Booked on explora 2 for maiden voyage

Booked on explora 2 for maiden voyage, even got as far as checking in with just 4/5 weeks to go for my wife’s 50th, then they advised it wasn’t ready! Had the same experience with Ritz Carlton so my advice is to be careful. Now trying to book a break at peak prices with limited availability!!! Not such a great deal after all!

Date of experience : July 05, 2024

Not worth the money

We arrived at the port to embark on the ship MSC Virtuosa, big queue but they moved fairly quickly so on board in timely manner. Shows in the evening were very good,,but were only on for 30mins. Food in buffet and restaurant was very mediocre same as everyday, very disappointing. Many bars apart for the casino bar didnt know how to make cocktails which was unbelievable but true. Advertised free WIFI but only to get into the MSC app, and anything else had to be paid for 25 pounds a day. Couldn't get an ice cream had to be paid for. No activities during the day or evening apart from some exercise, other than that sat around the pool as the only thing to do. Complained to the Security that we had problem with a drunk man bothering us, nothing was done about it. The excursions were expensive for what they were and didn't include pertinent information about 100 steps to get to the church, couldn't make it so had to wait at the bottom, asked for a partial refund was refused. On the whole the ship was beautiful but the standard for the experience was poor, would not recommend them, this was the general conscious when talking with other traveller as well.

Date of experience : June 03, 2024

Had a great experience with all the staff

Had a great experience with all the staff especially Mayur Shiva, bartender, who was very helpful and knowledgeable with drinks. He suggested cocktails that were exactly what I preferred. Very fast and hard working guy. I give him 5* review 👍🏽

Date of experience : June 17, 2024

Never again MSC!

This was my first experience with MSC and I am greatly disappointed. Personnel: Most of them speak barely English, which let to many misunderstandings. Food: The buffet offers cheap quality food and the variety is very limited. The à la carte restaurants offer basically the same poor food. The only difference is that it will be delivered to your table. The Ship: Quite outdated. Resembles a poor 3 star hotel in my perspective. Activities on board: Most employees rather listless and the prices of the games have absolutely no value. The theatre shows are acceptable to kill some time, but not too special. Excursions: The excursions are good but very pricey. In a nutshell: I would never book again with MSC and I would not recommend it to anyone. Everything costs extra and at the end you pay at least as much as you would with a more sophisticated Cruise Line.

Date of experience : July 01, 2024

Just returned from 7 day mederteranian…

Just returned from 7 day mederteranian cruise badly need a holiday to recover. Went on 3 excursions, really 3 really expensive bus ride pre booked at a cost of £300 for two people. Dining experience certainly was dinner was 9.30 pm buffet food was 90% cold and by the time we had found all we wanted and a table it was 100% cold. Couldn’t hear yourself talk as they seemed to think everyone would enjoy themselves more listening to a ghetto blaster in entertainment or eating.only good part was staff who were polite friendly and helpful even though they had to work 10hrs A Day 7 days a week for a pittance. This was our first cruise and probably our last certainly our last with MSC

Date of experience : June 29, 2024

Cannot get a callback from customer…

Cannot get a callback from customer service at all!! They keep emailing me to ask me to mail them! I want to talk to them…about how they are discriminating against my mother who because she is a widow traveling with us, (and willing to pay double price for her own cabin) has been told that if she wishes to dine with us she has to pay a double drinks package! ( because we booked a package) she expected to just pay for herself..but no! Not only has she had to put her name down twice on the booking to allow her to have the room..she now has to pay drinks package twice? And to top it off the MSC for ME app won’t work because apparently there are two people with the same name on the booking?? What the heck? Come on, why discriminate against single passengers (a widow) and expect her to pay 2 drink packages or alternatively dine on her own?

Just returned from a fantastic first…

Just returned from a fantastic first ever cruise with MSC Cruises with our two teenagers. What a fab company to cruise with for the first ever time. Brilliant every step of the way. Don’t get the negative reviews being left here if honest. The ship was out of this world, the food was great, the evening shows were brilliant and the customer service from the staff was five star. Looking to do another one next year. Have also just emailed MSC cruises to say thank your for such an amazing time. The staff work very hard.

Just cruised on msc virtuosa, good ship good time but few changes needed

Just cruised on msc virtuosa, lovely ship, crew are amazing, friendly, shows in grand theatre are top quality. Food is generally good, although thought it was better on our last cruise on this ship couple of years ago. Few things we thought should of been done differently. Day at sea cream tea buffet, considering ship was full and all on board could of done with having both sides of buffet open, as big queues. Theatre shows, people were walking in 20 ml minutes after start. Should close the doors, once started as not fair to audience or performers. Also having party's outside theatre as last show ends theatre was full, difficult to get everyone out. Party should be moved away from theatre exit or rescheduled..

Date of experience : June 22, 2024

Wish I could give 0 stars

Awful experience. Travelled on MSC Seaview recently from Barcelona. Food awful, service poor, entertainment poor, staff unfriendly, sea day like being at a festival, mess everywhere. No one senior from the ship to be seen, no rules being upheld. Dirty public areas. Expressed my disappointment to MSC and had the usual 'we will aim to do better' nonsense but looking at other reviews on here its been happening for a long time so. MSC's response to me was to offer 15% off a future cruise with them!! Yes, like I will book with them again. They've a long way to go to be challenging the likes of Celebrity, P&O, Royal Caribbean

Date of experience : June 01, 2024

THE WORST CRUISE EVER

THE WORST CRUISE EVER. We bought it as a birthday present for daughter. She decided not to buy beverage package because water, tea, coffee were included and she doesn*t drink. She was dinnied a glass of filtered water at the restaurant!!!! Not specialty. Went to guest services and spoke to a manager and agreed on giving filtered water. But were dennied again . There are no stations opened 24 hrs as they said, the telephone in the cabin doesnt work and didnt have what to drink for her medication. The company in Mexico does not help, I do not find a mail or phone ffor the main Headquarters in Switzerland. The app doesn^t work either. The food is bad quality. The tours tremendously expensive. It seems as we had bought in a 3rd class cargo ship and not in a cruise. We did not pay 2euros for the trip .!!!! Nothing works right!!! She is still on cruise till July 11th what more will we find out?

Date of experience : July 03, 2024

MSC SeaView - never again !

MSC SeaView - balcony room above the ships ice maker that kept us from sleeping for 3 hrs at night and woke us up at 5 am - no one cared when we complained - bed changed once - twirls rehung then dirty new ones provided - room not clean they basically cleaned the bathroom sink - dirty glasses put back - balcony full of bird poo never cleaned once - buffet you had to check plates and cutlery for clean ones - madness trying to get a seat / table - tables cleaned when asked with dirty cloth no disinfectant - restaurant not much variety - bar service long lines slow service - no chance of a sun lounger if your not up at 6 am putting ur towel there - staff not great English - security u friendly - customer service shocking - go to another cruise line is my advice

MSC sea view is an absolute disgusting…

MSC sea view is an absolute disgusting mess. Human faeces on the corridor floors. There was urine all over the toilet floors & toilet seats. There was used cocaine wrappers everywhere. People were out feeding the birds bread so there was seagul waist all over the sun loungers. The whole experience was terrible. The air con was not functioning in the room so it was like a sauna. The bathroom was full of mould and the water temperature fluctuates between hot and cold. The food was utterly disgusting same horrible food served daily with no change. One of the waiters was picking his nose and eating it in front of the guests. The bar staff do anything not to serve you a drink they have you waiting’s for sometimes Up to 30mins for a drink. I absolutely hated every second of it and I am going to complain directly to MSC to try and get a refund.

Date of experience : June 26, 2024

Just returned from our first ever cruise

Just returned from our first ever cruise, 5 days on MSC Virtuosa. Embarkation was quick and straight forward. The ship looked magnificent. Found our cabin easily. Very clean a reasonably spacious with a nice balcony. Activation of cruise card was easy. So far so good. Then came dinner where we discovered that unless you can scan the QR code you can't see the menu. The WIFI kept going off so took nearly 10 minutes too get the menu. Having paid £75 for Internet use this was not good. Had to wait till 2nd morning to get issue resolved. This is the start of things going downhill. We used restaurant and buffet and to put it bluntly food was AWFUL, dry, cold and in some cases inedible. We are not fussy eaters but do like our food hot. 2nd day we got off ship for a walk in Cherbourg, as it was Sunday there was not much open so went back to the ship for the afternoon. Total carnage getting back on board, huge queues and no organisation. Booked 2 excursions for Bruges and Amsterdam. First one was very good with excellent guide and getting back on board was not too bad. 2nd one in Amsterdam was a disaster. Tour guide was useless and disorganised. As it was an afternoon excursion, time was tight getting back to the ship. We got off the canal cruise with 45 mins. left before all aboard and then had to wait 10 mins. for our coach. We got back on board at 18.22, all aboard was 18.30!! Slight panick. On board service was not good apart from a couple of bars. The only saving grace was the drinks package. You could drown your sorrows every night without spending a penny more. Fortunately disembarkation was quick and easy and luggage collection well organised. NEVER GOING ON MSC AGAIN.

MSC Cruise Ships Ranked From Best To Worst According To Real Customer Reviews

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MSC Cruises is a really interesting cruise line that seems to split opinions. Some people think it’s one of the worst cruise lines going, and really don’t enjoy their time on board. Others love MSC, especially the low prices .

It’s the same with the ships – they all have mixed reviews. But which ones score highest, and which are the worst? In this guide, I’ll rank them all.

How I gathered the data

I’ve been on several MSC cruises, but I certainly haven’t experienced all 22 of the ships , so it wouldn’t be fair for me to rank them all based on my opinion.

Plus, that’s super-subjective – I might’ve had a really good or really bad experience on a ship that wasn’t normal.

So instead, I’ve ranked these ships based on the average review scores from three of the biggest cruise review websites – Cruise Critic, Cruiseline.com and TripAdvisor.

I’ve done these guides for other cruise lines in the past including ranking the Royal Caribbean ships and the Carnival ships . And I always state that “worst” is to be taken with a pinch of salt because the lowest scores are still what you’d consider to be above average.

With MSC, that’s still sort of the case, but not quite as clearly. The lowest-ranked ship on this list scores 2.8 out of 5. Bear in mind you can’t score ships as 0 out of 5, so a pure average would be 3 out of 5.

So a 2.8 out of 5 isn’t great, and also the best ship only scores 3.57 out of 5 – hardly setting the scoring chart alight.

When I tell you that the worst Royal Caribbean ship scored an average of 3.77 out of 5, and only two Carnival ships scored lower than MSC’s best score, you get a clearer idea of how people view MSC’s ships…

The best MSC ship is…

According to customer reviews across three major websites, the best MSC Cruises ship is MSC Bellissima, which launched in 2019 and was the second of the Meraviglia class. The worst cruise ship according to reviews is the MSC Seascape, also one of the newest ships in the fleet.

1. MSC Bellissima

MSC Bellissima is the second ship in the Meraviglia class, and having launched in 2019 she’s one of the newer ships in the fleet . Described as a “big, bold and boisterous” ship in an expert review, she really is packed with features, a lot of which are tailored towards families.

Highlights of the ship include two Cirque at Sea shows and an impressive kids club, but part of the ship’s charm is also her downfall – she’s so busy that finding spaces where you can enjoy a bit of peace and quiet time is often a challenge.

2. MSC Seaside

MSC Seaside launched the Seaside Class of ship in 2017 – a ship that was designed to be smaller than the recent Meraviglia Class, aiming to provide a calmer atmosphere.

While she does have water slides, a kids club and other family features, there’s more of a focus on spaces to relax.

Positive reviews focus on how attractive the ship is, and the variety of food, although there are also a lot of negative reviews about the food quality being lacking (including some criticisms that the food is too Italian-focussed – be aware this is an Italian cruise line!)

While she may have scored high in terms of reviews, unfortunately, this ship didn’t score quite so highly on its hygiene inspection. MSC Seaside failed an inspection by the CDC, meaning that it’s level of cleanliness had dropped below the acceptable level.

3. MSC Euribia

The newest ship in the MSC Cruises fleet, MSC Euribia has clearly done well since she launched, appearing high on this ranking list.

That’s been helped by the cheap cruises she’s offered – I sailed on her for just £99 !

She’s beautifully modern, has some great dining venues and lots to entertain guests so I’m not surprised she’s one of the more popular MSC ships.

4. MSC Sinfonia

It’s telling that, despite almost half the fleet of MSC ships launching since 2017, MSC Sinfonia is the fourth most popular ship in the fleet even though she is the second-eldest, having first set sail in 2002.

Like the rest of the Lirica Class, she’s much smaller than the most recent ships, and positive reviews focus more on the attentive service and the quality of itinerary rather than how much there is to do onboard.

If you want a simple, cheap cruise then MSC Sinfonia could be an ideal choice.

5. MSC Seaview

MSC Seaview is the sister ship to MSC Seaside, and she offers a very similar experience. Guests enjoy the fact that she’s a slightly smaller ship than the very largest ones, although she is still much bigger than older ships in the fleet, giving a good balance of space and features.

A lot of the positive reviews also talk about the Yacht Club and the speciality restaurants – bear in mind these both mean paying more, so you might want to look at other ship options for a budget cruise.

6. MSC Meraviglia

MSC Meraviglia is the sister to MSC Bellissima, and her average review score is only 0.2 lower, so you can expect a very similar experience – tons of things for the family to do, a huge kids club, and a very lively atmosphere throughout your sailing.

Points are lost because of the quality of the food in the main dining restaurant, but that’s a common thread across the cruise line. Some reviewers have also said that things can feel a little disorganised or even chaotic, since the ship is so busy.

7. MSC Musica

MSC Musica is a mid-sized ship – around 50% larger than the smallest ships in the MSC fleet, but also only around half the size of the biggest ships.

And based on reviews, she definitely splits opinions – one of the best-reviewed features is the crew, but they also attract some of the biggest criticisms. You can’t please everyone.

She’s a little more dated than other ships in the fleet, and would be a little more boring for families compared to the newer feature-packed ships, but she has good food, a relaxing atmosphere and a fun atmosphere that is very international.

8. MSC Divina

MSC Divina is the first of the Fantasia-class ships to appear on this list, and when she debuted she offered a few modifications on her earlier sisters, making her slightly larger.

She launched with luxury decor but in the 10+ years since that now looks a bit more dated to some guests’ taste – it’s a lot of red and gold, although the atrium still sparkles.

She is a good ‘overall’ MSC ship – positive reviews touch on everything, including the service, the food, and the evening entertainment. A reliable choice if you want the MSC experience.

9. MSC Preziosa

MSC Preziosa is very similar to her sister ship MSC Divina and it’s no surprise that they are back-to-back in this list. Indeed they have identical averages so Preziosa could’ve been placed higher.

The more positive reviews really focus on how the ship is excellent for the price you pay, while negatives tend to focus on the atmosphere being a bit too loud – not just from the crowd but from the various bars and entertainment venues playing music at high volumes.

10. MSC Grandiosa

The MSC Grandiosa launched in 2019 as the first Meraviglia-Plus ship – designed to be similar to the Meraviglia ships, but bigger and better. So why does she rank below both of them?

People love the variety of things to do, but the negative reviews all talk about how service feels poor on this ship – it’s too big, too busy and it hasn’t been thought through, so there are often long lines, or the overall quality of service just isn’t as good as on smaller ships.

11. MSC Splendida

MSC Splendida is a Fantasia-class ship that launched in 2009, so in terms of both the age and size of the ship, she’s very much in the average of the fleet. For her size there’s a lot to do on-board, but not so much that you can’t find quiet spaces to relax either.

Unfortunately, the biggest letdown seems to be the food – the free options aren’t the best quality and there aren’t too many choices for speciality restaurants when you want to upgrade to something a bit fancier.

12. MSC Armonia

MSC Armonia is the oldest ship in the MSC fleet, and is almost identical to her sister ship MSC Sinfonia. Sinfonia is the outlier – it’s not as much of a surprise that Armonia is lower since compared to other ships in the fleet she is older and has less to do on board.

While the daytime facilities may be lacking, her evening entertainment still gets positive feedback and the crew are praised for their attentive service – no doubt helped by the fact it’s a smaller ship that tends to be quieter.

13. MSC Virtuosa

MSC Virtuosa is one of the newest ships in the MSC fleet , and as the second Meraviglia-Plus Class ship she is also the third-largest (MSC Euribia, another Meraviglia Plus ship, is slightly larger). This means she is packed with exciting things to do day and night, and she looks amazing. So why is she in the bottom half of reviews?

Again, she’s a victim of poor planning. The biggest criticisms all focus on just how busy the ship constantly feels – long queues for food or entertainment, crowded spaces, and a lack of quiet locations where you can take things easy.

I’ve cruised on MSC Virtuosa twice. The first time I had a great time and the second, not so much. But this was just as cruising was returning in 2021, and the guest-to-crew ratio certainly varied a lot at that point.

Read more: 15 Fun Things To Do on MSC Virtuosa

14. MSC World Europa

MSC’s largest ship, MSC World Europa, was marketed by MSC as the future of cruising. She has some exciting features, including a lot of tech-infused attractions aimed at giving families thrilling memories.

The theme of reviews seems to be that she’s very much a work-in-progress. We know that MSC’s biggest ships often suffer with service and wait times, and while it’s early days for MSC World Europa, she’s suffering from similar criticisms. Things may improve once the crew are more experienced with the ship.

Read more: MSC World Europa Review

15. MSC Fantasia

MSC Fantasia is starting to show her age a little – she’s over 15 years old, and while she has been well-maintained she doesn’t have the same contemporary look and feel that many of MSC’s newer ships do.

Having said that, if you want a classic MSC cruise – good Italian food, a lively international atmosphere and plenty of fun evening entertainment, all for a low price – then she’s as good a choice as any other ship on this list.

16. MSC Seashore

MSC Seashore was the first of the Seaside EVO Class ships to launch for MSC, enhancing the design of the two Seaside-class ships. Her main improvements over the Seaside-class ships are behind the scenes, making her more environmentally friendly, although she does have more outdoor spaces too.

The recurring criticism of MSC ships feeling too busy repeats itself with this ship (with one review I spotted asking if cruise ships can be overbooked!) – again, guests just feel like they aren’t getting the service they deserve, even with the low cruise fares.

17. MSC Poesia

MSC Poesia is part of the Musica class, and similar to MSC Musica she’s a good choice if you aren’t looking for an overwhelming crowd or an extensive range of features – if you’re happy lounging by the pool during the day, provided there’s good entertainment at night, then Poesia is worth your attention.

Reviews even describe her as a good “old school” ship, and beyond the lack of daytime facilities the main criticisms are around the food choices, but most people acknowledge she is a budget cruise ship and that the food is fine for the price you pay.

18. MSC Magnifica

MSC Magnifica was the last of the Musica-class ships to be built and while she is slightly larger than her three sister ships, the experience is relatively unchanged. Expect a comfortable ship that isn’t super-modern but is well-maintained and plenty of space to relax during the day.

Negative reviews talk about the food again, and the lack of things to do during the day, but a lot of the feedback seems to be from people who’ve cruised with other lines, and are surprised that this cheaper ship isn’t at the same standard.

19. MSC Lirica

MSC Lirica is another Lirica-class ship, actually, the third to launch in 2003. Being over 20 years old, she is definitely showing her age in some places – she’s generally well maintained but don’t expect the same modern look and feel as the latest ships in the fleet offer.

She’s not a great choice for families with teens or anyone who enjoys a lot of daytime activities, but for that relaxing smaller ship vibe at a lower price bracket, she’s a good choice if you enjoy quiet days by the poolside.

20. MSC Orchestra

MSC Orchestra is a twin of MSC Musica and she enjoys similar praise and suffers similar criticisms as that ship. People who know what to expect from an MSC cruise enjoy the relaxing atmosphere and the friendly crew, while those choosing MSC Orchestra after experiencing other cruise lines are often disappointed with the food and the lack of things to do.

She’s a good ship for younger families, especially on busier itineraries where you can enjoy the fun kids club or the days in port, but older teens will likely be bored by the lack of excitement during the day.

21. MSC Opera

MSC Opera is the final Lirica-class ship and she offers a very similar experience – not a whole lot to do during the day, but some wholesome entertainment at night, good service and a decent selection of food even if the actual dining venues themselves are limited.

Criticisms of the ship focus on her being a little tired, and having a design that’s not always easy to navigate, but she gets a lot of positive talk too from guests who know what to expect from an older MSC ship.

22. MSC Seascape

I was surprised that MSC Seascape – a newer ship launched in 2022 – finished bottom of this list. She has so much to see and do, her design is gorgeous and families would typically have a great time on-board.

But, considering how new ships often score low due to teething problems, and seeing the wider issues for MSC with its larger ships as I’ve detailed above, it’s not as shocking as I first thought. Expect reviews to improve in time, but also don’t choose this ship if you want a quiet, calm cruise.

Read more: The World’s Worst Cruise Ships (According to Reviews)

Choosing the right MSC ship for you

There’s no single answer on which is the best MSC ship for everybody because the ships are all different. Even the lowest-reviewed ships will actually better suit some people. It always depends on what you want from your cruise ship, which is why it’s important to research your options before you book.

The newer ships are packed with more to do during the day, but as you can see from the reviews and the rankings above, that often means they feel really busy, and the service can suffer.

If you’re looking for a more relaxing cruise, you’re better off choosing one of the older ships that is smaller and tends to have more focus on outdoor space.

While all of the MSC ships to have launched in the last few years are beautifully decorated and feature attractive artwork pieces, the MSC Seaside is regarded as one of the nicest ships in the fleet – she is very stylish, not too large, and very comfortable.

The best MSC cruise ship for families is the MSC World Europa. The largest ship in the fleet, she is packed with features to keep everyone entertained, including water slides, virtual reality experiences and more.

If slides are important, then it’s worth noting that the MSC Fantasia, MSC Splendida, MSC Divina, MSC Preziosa, MSC Meraviglia, MSC Bellissima, MSC Grandiosa, MSC Virtuosa, MSC Seaside, MSC Seaview, MSC Seashore, MSC Seascape and MSC World Europa are the ones that have slides. Some older ships have small slides for children only.

And if you want a luxury experience then the MSC Yacht Club – a “ship within a ship” luxury suite club, is available on MSC Bellissima, MSC Divina, MSC Fantasia, MSC Grandiosa, MSC Meraviglia, MSC Preziosa, MSC Seascape, MSC Seashore, MSC Seaside, MSC Seaview, MSC Splendida, MSC Virtuosa and MSC World Europa.

The bottom line

Cruising with MSC definitely isn’t for everyone, but the cruise line is determined in its goal to become the biggest cruise company in the world. So expect them to keep building shiny new ships, and doing everything they can to make their current ships as popular as possible.

I think what’s clear from the reviews is that, if you go on an MSC cruise and you know what to expect from a cheap cruise line , you’ll enjoy it. But if you go with expectations that are higher than the cruise line maybe warrants, you’ll definitely be disappointed.

Related posts:

• Why Are MSC Cruises So Cheap?
• MSC Drink Packages Guide
• MSC Bella Vs Fantastica Vs Aurea

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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

Read more about me

1 thought on “MSC Cruise Ships Ranked From Best To Worst According To Real Customer Reviews”

Hello Jenni, having experienced more than 20 cruises and 6 with MSC I would like to share my observations on two of the most criticised areas based upon my most recent cruise (August 2024) onboard Virtuosa sailing out of Southampton to the Norwegian fjords. Firstly food. Probably because Virtuosa was based in the UK the food in the MDR was not the usual Mediterranean offering but based to satisfy British tastes with a roast of the day offered every evening (classic dish of the day may have been better as both fish and chips and chicken tikka masala made it onto the menu). This was very welcome and I chose it perhaps four or five times on our 7 night cruise. Secondly the entertainment. We had a British entertainments director and the acts in the main theatre were typically British and predominantly UK entertainers. Having cruised the Med. with MSC where the entertainment is produced to suit the many European nationalities onboard the entertainment on this cruise would not have been out of place on a P&O vessel (I have taken 5 P&O cruises). MSC have therefore adapted to the UK market and unless this cruise was an exception then the guests can expect different offerings based on whether the ship is based in the UK or overseas. Best wishes, Robin

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15 Things You Need To Know Before Cruising With MSC

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Stepping onto my first MSC cruise, I was prepared for a different cruise experience. I found myself in a state of uncertainty, unsure if I would fall in love with the experience or be left disappointed.

Since MSC Cruises is an Italian cruise line, the onboard experience is somewhat different from that of most mainstream cruise lines. These differences lead to a lot of uncertainty around MSC, which causes many cruisers to wonder if they would enjoy the experience.

While MSC Cruises may be different, the experience is undeniably enjoyable. However, there are some key aspects that every cruiser should be aware of before embarking on their first MSC cruise.

In this post, I share everything you should know before you take your first MSC cruise. Whether you’re a first-time cruiser or a seasoned cruise, this will help you know what to expect on an MSC cruise.

15 Things To Know Before Cruising With MSC

1. the food on msc is different from other cruise lines.

If you’ve been on contemporary mainstream cruise lines like Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, or Carnival, you’ll find MSC’s dining experience different. In particular, MSC cruise ships have fewer casual dining options.

Onboard MSC, you can eat in the buffet, main dining room, or specialty restaurants. Unlike other mainstream cruise lines, there’s no pool-side grill, cafe or included casual fast food options disbursed around the cruise ship.

Throughout the day, the main place to eat is in the buffet. However, the buffet onboard MSC is good and plentiful, serving a variety of classical American dishes, Italian dishes, fresh fruit, and other healthy options. There’s also MSC’s famous pizza, which lives up to the hype.

Furthermore, the buffet has a kids-only section, serving children’s food options at a lower counter height.

Before we went on our MSC Seascape cruise, we heard some mixed reviews and criticisms of the food onboard. However, in our experience, the food was quite tasty, and there was always a wide variety of choices.

2. MSC Safety Drill

MSC’s safety drill is done a little differently from most other cruise lines. This is important to know as it’s one of the things you’ll need to do on embarkation day.

Nowadays, most cruise lines have a virtual or e-muster drill, which includes watching a safety video on a cell phone via the cruise line app, as well as a check in at the muster station. It’s fast and efficient.

However, this is just one thing that is different about boarding day on an MSC cruise.

On MSC cruises, you must watch the safety video on your stateroom TV, then use the in cabin phone and call #881 to confirm this is done. You’ll also need to check-in at your muster station and have your cruise card scanned.

This is definately something I wish I knew before I went on my first MSC cruise. It only takes an extra few minutes, but it’s important to be aware.

3. Elevators

MSC Cruises has a different elevator system than traditional cruise lines. Instead of pressing a button to go up or down, you press which floor you’d like to go to on a screen outside of the elevator, and then it will assign you an elevator.

Although this elevator system differs, I have seen a similar elevator system on Carnival Venezia and the brand-new Sun Princess .

The elevators are different and takes some time to get used to. While sometimes we felt like we waited longer than on other cruise ships, it is fast and efficient when the cruise ship is quiet. The best part is that an accurate waiting time is indicated.

4. Bring a White Outfit

When you cruise with MSC, packing a white outfit is important. During your MSC cruise, you’ll have a white party, during which everyone will dress in white. The white night begins at dinner and ends with a deck party!

One of the most memorable aspects of our MSC cruise was the white night event. I was pleasantly surprised to see how many people had packed their best white outfits , ready to join in the fun. 

The fact that every cruise passenger participated, from the youngest to the oldest, created a sense of unity and made the white night even more special.

Our cruise was filled with a variety of themed parties, from a tropical party to the glow party. Each one was a unique experience, offering a different atmosphere and style of entertainment. 

These themed parties are a must-attend and a fun time for everyone.

Related: 25 Gorgeous White Dresses to Wear on a Cruise

5. Guests Speak Many Different Languages

When you sail with MSC, be prepared for guests to speak different languages. Compared to American cruise lines, MSC passengers come from all over the world.

During our cruise, I heard people speaking English, French, Spanish, German, Dutch, Portugese, Mandarin and more. Although you may hear many unfamiliar languages, this created a unique cruising experience.

At times, you may be in an elevator, and you’ll hear 5 different languages being spoken. For the most part, cruise passengers understand English. However, it’s not the first language for many people on an MSC cruise.

Rest assured, the crew onboard MSC is fluent in English, ensuring smooth and effortless communication throughout your cruise vacation.

Related: Why We’re Excited for the New MSC World America

6. Status Match

The MSC Status Match program allows cruise passengers to receive comparable or even better loyalty benefits than they would receive on other cruise lines. 

To receive the benefits, you must join the MSC Voyagers Club. Once approved, you will receive an immediate 5% discount on any future MSC cruises, onboard discounts for spa services, photo packages, Wi-Fi, complimentary gifts, and other valuable savings.

If you have a high status on another cruise line, you’ll definitely want to apply for the MSC Voyagers Club. They offer some great benefits that are worth taking advantage of.

7. MSC Cruise Ship Hot Tubs Aren’t Actually Hot

Something that is very different on an MSC cruise is the hot tubs. To our surprise, the hot tubs onboard were not hot!

Instead, the hot tubs were lukewarm at best, which wasn’t exactly our cup of tea. When checking the various hot tubs around the cruise ship, we came to find out that this was the norm, unless you were at the spa.

If you like a very warm or hot traditional jacuzzi style hot tub, you might be dissapointed.

8. Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve Private Island

If you’re taking a Caribbean cruise with MSC, there’s a good chance that your itinerary will include Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. Ocean Cay is MSC’s private island , and it is a perfect place for an amazing beach day.

When you visit Ocean Cay, you’ll have free beach access and lounge chairs, and your drink package works on land. Furthermore, if you’ve purchased the ship’s Wi-Fi, you will get Wi-Fi on the island.

The private island consists of eight different beach areas, each offering a unique ambiance. You’ll also find several bars, a charming lighthouse, and an included dining when you where you can eat a delicious barbecue buffet lunch.

Related: 10 Mistakes to Avoid on Cruise Private Islands

9. MSC For Me Wristband

In addition to a cruise card, MSC has an optional wristband wearable device available at an extra charge. The MSC For Me waterproof wearable device has some similarities to the  Princess Medallion  or The Band on Virgin Voyages .

With the MSC Wristband, you can get into your room and get drinks instead of using your cruise card. However, you do still need to use your cruise card to get on and off the cruise ship in ports of call.

The MSC For Me Wristband is available for guests to purchase onboard most newer MSC cruises. However, The MSC Wristband is provided free of charge for Yacht Club and Aurea members.

10. Bars Serve Espresso and Specialty Coffee

MSC offers a unique feature that you won’t find on other cruise ships – specialty coffee and espresso served at all the bars. As a coffee lover, I really enjoyed this feature.

Rather than having to go to a cafe in the atrium or promenade (like on other cruise ships), on MSC you can order a coffee at any of the bars. This was super convenient, as I never had to wait in long lines to get my morning coffee.

11. Certain Activities Cost Extra

It’s important to note that certain activities have an additional charge onboard MSC cruise ships. Attractions like Robotron and the Formula 1 Racing Simulator have an extra charge.

However, there are also many fun activities that are free or included. For example, on our recent MSC Seascape cruise, the Pirates Cove Aqua Park and 4 water slides were included.

You’ll also find a kid’s club, sports court and other included activities and entertainment options that the whole family can enjoy.

12. There Won’t Be Many Americans on European Sailings

Since MSC is a European cruise line, they are much more popular in Europe than they are in North America. So, if you’re thinking of booking an MSC cruise in Europe, something to know is that Americans won’t make up the majority of passengers.

Typically, MSC sailings in Europe attract more Europeans than Americans. There’s nothing wrong with this, but it can be a different cruise experience than other American cruise lines.

For example, announcements are likely to be in several languages, the entertainment may rely on music and visuals, so as to appeal to the multiple languages of the guests.

While MSC is growing rapidly in the USA and attracting more American and Canadian passengers for Caribbean and other North American sailings, MSC’s European cruises will feel a bit different.

Related: 10 Things I Wish I knew Before Going on my Mediterranean Cruise

13. Different Booking Process

It’s important to know that MSC has a different booking process and offers three different types of cruise experiences at different price points.

Bella is your introductory package, Fantastica is the mid-tier package, which includes choosing your own dining time and a few perks, and Aurea includes spa access and other perks.

Before booking your cruise, it’s important to consider which package aligns with your budget and vacation style. We, for instance, found the Fantastica package to be a perfect fit for our needs and thoroughly enjoyed our cruise.

14. MSC Yacht Club

MSC Yacht Club is for those who want the ultimate cruise experience. You’ll have access to private dining venues, an exclusive sun deck, and 24-hour butler service when you’re a Yacht Club member.

You’ll also get priority check-in and check-out, the premium drinks package, the premium Wi-Fi package, and a dedicated concierge.

While we didn’t have the opportunity to experience the MSC Yacht Club on our recent MSC cruise, we were captivated by this exclusive retreat. In fact, we’ve heard from many cruisers who have tried MSC Yacht Club and say they could never go back!

It’s a testament to the fact that the MSC Yacht Club offers a transformative experience that can truly enhance your cruise vacation.

15. The Pizza Lives Up to the Hype

Since MSC Cruises is an Italian cruise line, they are known for having some of the best cruise pizza at sea. As a pizza lover, I have to admit that MSC really does have a great pizza!

The pizza they served had large slices, was freshly made, and they offered a variety of tasty flavors. When you sail with MSC, you have to give their pizza a try.

Bonus: Download The MSC App

If you have an upcoming MSC cruise, remember to download the MSC App!

On the MSC App, you can view your daily activities and dining times, book excursions, dining reservations, and spa appointments, and access your spa treatments. It’s best to download the app in advance, as the Wi-Fi may not be great at the cruise port.

Video: Our First MSC Cruise Wasn’t What We Expected. Here’s Why

Related & Popular Posts:

• 50+ Must-have Cruise Essentials from Amazon
• 20 Best Things To Do & See on MSC Seascape
• 17 Cruise Cabin Essentials Every Cruiser Needs
• 25 Best Cruise Dresses: Amazon Ladies Resort Wear
• Best MSC Cruises For Families & Kids
• 12 Ways to Store More in Small Cruise Cabins
• 27 Things People Forget to Pack for a Cruise
• 10 Mistakes to Avoid on Cruise Private Islands
• 7 Money Saving Cruise Secrets I Wish I Knew Sooner

Final Thoughts On Things To Know About Cruising With MSC

MSC Cruises is one of my favorite cruise lines as it has a great variety of activities and a fun nightlife, and they offer a unique cruising experience.

As someone who has taken over 35 cruises, cruising with MSC was a better than I expected. The price was competitive and the experience was in line with what we would expect from a contemporary cruise line.

Although MSC may not be for everyone, it is worth trying. You never know, you may just love it!

Have you taken an MSC Cruise, or would you consider it? Please let me know in the comments below.

Happy Cruising!

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MSC Cruise Reviews

1 - 10 of 10,165 MSC Cruise Reviews

Sail Date: July 2024

Review for a Bahamas Cruise on MSC Magnifica

Pros & Cons I was very disappointed with the stateroom. I choose Ocean View and I had Boat view. Just be careful when choosing ocean view and make sure that it doesn’t say “OB - Ocean View Stateroom”. This means there is obstruction, meaning an emergency boat right next to the window where you don’t see anything at all. I went to information to find out, and the the lie they said it was ... Read More

Review for a Bahamas Cruise on MSC Seashore

MSC Sheashore cruise was the worst! One the food was just straight up horrible! The scrambled eggs where runny every morning and lots of people made the same complaint. Two the cheeseburgers tasted like school cafeteria burgers with an after taste. Not a whole lot of options when it came to the buffet because only about two or three things where reasonable to eat. The dinning experience was just ... Read More

Review for a Baltic Sea Cruise on MSC Virtuosa

This was our first MSC cruise, having sailed on P&O, Princess, Cunard and Royal Caribbean. We are seasoned cruisers but had mixed feelings going into this as we read so many bad reviews about the food and service. Well I can say the food was fantastic, service was faultless, cabin was clean and the atmosphere was electric! It is the best ship I have ever sailed on and I can’t wait to book again! I ... Read More

Review for a Europe - Eastern Mediterranean Cruise on MSC Splendida

The best word to summarize this ship is: overcrowded! Elevators dont function properly and are constantly packed. They automatically stop on most floors even when empty or nobody called. Three small pools to acommodate over 3000 people is ridiculous. Days at sea are a nightmare of people fighting for lounge chairs and reserving them early in the morning with no monitoring. At sea there are ... Read More

We have sailed on MSC ‘s Seaside, Seascape and now the Seashore. We took the Seaside before Covid and it was great. We sailed on the Seascape’s third voyage and that was good. Then we sailed again on the Seascape this past April and we did notice some cutting of the corners. However, we were quite disappointed when we sailed on the Seashore last week. . The Seashore was hot. Certain areas worse ... Read More

Traveled with children

Review for a Europe - Western Mediterranean Cruise on MSC Seaview

The cruise was not as expected. Details here: (+) Cleaness on the cruise, everything was on schedule and that is it for the pros. (-) Poor quality of food and drinks (we have easy package for drinks). We have paied extra to have the posibility to choose the hour of the dinner and they automatically assigned us as 10 pm wich is too late to enjoy it. The food on marketplace was poor ... Read More

Review for a Europe - Western Mediterranean Cruise on MSC Grandiosa

The food was great! 7/10; The entertainment was okay 4/10; the pool was bursting at the seams with people bumping knees in every direction 1/10; My cabins soap dispenser was broke, it didn’t hold AC very well, the fridge was locked the entire time, and the only English speaking channel was British. 2/10; If you are American born this cruise may not be for you! This cruise was not meant for ... Read More

We have been on many cruises. You have to pay more for very outdated NCL, Royal, and Carnival ships. The Seashore is an incredible ship. It is very high tech, has numerous pools, restaurants, and a great waterpark for kids! Blown away! The kids zone is also great. They take the kids to dinner every night and offer varying parties for them. They have numerous bars on every floor with ... Read More

Sail Date: June 2024

first the positive. Ship is beautiful and clean and cabin was appropriate. Room Steward Cherry was exceptional as was our wait staff Chezie. Now on to my negatives. First off, I researched prior to booking to make sure there was a kids club for 2 yr old which they advertised as so. However when we signed the kids up, they only offer it from 10am-noon or 5pm-7pm and that you had to reserve ... Read More

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MSC Cruises Review & Everything You Need To Know

There is a lot of talk about MSC Cruises right now since they are making a huge push into the American cruising market. With so many questions about MSC, we’re going to cover everything you need to know about taking an MSC Cruise!

Key Points:

MSC Cruises has gained attention in the American cruising market, sparking discussions and questions among potential cruisers. The brand’s European roots influence its offerings, with a mix of positive and negative aspects compared to other cruise lines like Royal Caribbean and Carnival. MSC emphasizes “experiences” such as Bella, Fantastica, and Aurea, each offering different benefits. The Yacht Club provides an elevated experience with exclusive perks. MSC offers beautiful, modern ships with reasonable prices and a variety of food options but may lack in included entertainment and premium dining experiences.

• MSC Cruises has made a significant push into the American cruise market, prompting various discussions and opinions.
• The cruise line’s European roots influence its offerings, with a mix of positive and negative aspects compared to other major cruise lines.
• MSC emphasizes different “experiences” like Bella, Fantastica, and Aurea, each providing unique benefits for passengers.
• The Yacht Club offers an elevated experience with exclusive perks, although it may come at a higher cost.
• MSC Cruises provide beautiful, modern ships, reasonable drink prices, affordable packages, a variety of food options, but may lack in included entertainment options and premium dining experiences.

Take a look at any cruise-related Facebook group or Reddit topic, and you’re bound to find endless questions about MSC. Not only are there questions, but there are also plenty of opinions about the newish cruise line (MSC has been sailing in Europe for a long time). The brand is polarizing.

So what is a cruise really like on MSC?

NOTE: Most people compare MSC with Royal Caribbean or Carnival. That’s the perspective we’ll take when laying out all of this information.

In response to many inquiries about the “real deal” about MSC, I would like to share some insights. As seasoned cruisers, we have traveled on many ships, including Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line , Carnival, Virgin , Cunard, Holland America , Celebrity, and MSC. Additionally, we’ve cruised with companies that no longer exist like Pullmantur. Every cruise line has hits and misses, so it’s important to keep everything in perspective when evaluating a new cruise experience. Rarely are cruises perfect.

When it comes to the ship’s overall decor and beauty, MSC has a huge advantage, especially when compared to any older or midsize ships for Carnival or RCL. However, comparing MSC’s newer ships to mega ships is an apples-to-oranges comparison. The pool decks and slides on MSC were excellent, and the service was fine, with no noticeable difference.

What to Expect from an MSC Cruise

MSC Cruises, having started in Europe, has carried over many of the European aspects of its brand to the American market. This isn’t necessarily a good thing, but it’s at least consistent.

In Europe, MSC is regarded as a “higher-end” cruise experience when compared to brands like P&O, Costa, and the now-defunct Pullmantur. However, that doesn’t cut it with American cruisers who are used to endless (Free) entertainment, expansive buffets, higher-end premium dining options, and impeccable service.

This is where you start hearing from people complaining about MSC Cruises.

If you’ve been to Europe, and understand that the cruise line has its roots based in Europe, the fact that everything is an up-charge and some services aren’t as friendly or efficient as other cruise lines, you won’t be surprised. But if you are a typical American cruiser who’s used to the big names in cruises, you’ll probably be frustrated to some extent (more on that later). However, if you are a first-time cruiser, and this is your first experience with this type of vacation, you’ll likely be elated and happy with everything, because in reality, there’s not too much to complain about, especially given the value of these vacations.

Pros and cons of MSC Cruises

What we like about msc.

• Beautiful, Clean & Modern Ships
• Reasonable drink prices
• Affordable packages (Drinks & Dining)
• Variety of food options
• The pizza is AMAZING!
• Specialty Coffee & Bottled water included in the most basic drink package
• Value for money, especially for families

What we don’t like about MSC

• The experience feels like nickel and diming, where so many things cost extra.
• Unusual approach to Dining Packages
• Customer service is disinterested and sometimes downright rude
• Food quality is average at best in the main dining rooms + buffet
• Confusing beverage and drinks packages

MSC Cruises vs Royal Caribbean vs Carnival vs Norwegian Cruise Line

To get an accurate comparison, it’s essential to evaluate apples to apples and determine what matters most to you on a cruise. This review pertains to US sailings to the Caribbean and Bermuda, not European sailings – though we have done MSC in Europe, a completely different article will cover that! Let’s be clear from the outset: there’s no comparison between MSC and the higher-end cruise lines such as Cunard or Disney which provide a superior experience at more than twice the cost. So, let’s focus on comparing MSC to Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, and Carnival, which seem to be the cruise lines that MSC is “going after” with their marketing.

A few major differences usually come down to the following:

Price – when comparing cruise lines, MSC is usually less expensive for nearly identical itineraries. But remember to take into account the paid extras like entertainment and most dining outside of the main dining room and buffet.

In addition to the lower fares, MSC Cruises’ automatic gratuities are usually lower than competing cruise lines.

Continuing with lower costs, the drink packages and dining packages are considerably less expensive than other cruise lines. See the entire MSC drink package pricing . While the drink packages are still quite expensive propositions, MSC often has the basic “Easy” drink package as a promotion, included in the fare making upgrading to a more expensive package reasonable.

It’s more of an international clientele – with MSC being known better in Europe, there will be a significantly higher ratio of international passengers, which can be entertaining and a great way to get exposed to other cultures without leaving the USA. Unfortunately, this means you also have to listen to announcements in many languages.

The cabin stewards are more like what you’d expect in a traditional hotel rather than a cruise ship. They’re efficient and good, but they aren’t chatty and visible at all times. This likely comes down to the fact that on most traditional cruise lines, Americans tip extra, sometimes quite a bit extra to the room stewards and cabin attendants, so they are happy to be known and visible. On the contrary, tipping cabin attendants on an MSC cruise is not as typical (again, with European roots).

Is MSC Cruises a good cruise line? Possibly – For Some.

This question is asked so often in forums and chat groups, it’ mind-boggling! It’s a very subjective question with so many ways to answer.

In general, I think MSC can offer an amazing cruise experience with great value, especially for families. With promotions like kids sail free and some of the most affordable cruise rates on the market, it makes for a good cruise experience and a good cruise line.

For cruisers who are experienced travelers with other major cruise lines, it will be a mixed bag on whether or not MSC is a “good” cruise line.

In general, they are just as good as any other cruise line, depending on what your priorities are. In the end, I always hate to say “it depends… ” but it depends. That’s what this article hopefully addresses for all types of cruisers.

Why are MSC Cruises so cheap? Hint: It’s in the “Add Ons”

First, “cheap” is relative and subjective. MSC Cruises feel like an inexpensive option to other cruise lines, but often by the time you add up all of the additional fees, they end up being very close in price to other similar lines like Carnival and Royal Caribbean. It’s clear that MSC Cruises is making a push into the USA market and they are discounting heavily on certain routes, but looking closer, there are some itineraries where MSC is definitely more expensive than the competition.

MSC is definitely budget-friendly when it comes to family cruises, as they often have “kids sail free” promotions. With these promotions, a family of 4, for example, can vacation together for half the cost of a traditional beach vacation. So this makes for a relatively cheap family vacation or family cruise for sure!

MSC Cruises includes only the basics, everything else is for a fee

When considering MSC for a vacation, it’s good to know that the price you see may look good, but there are going to be extras, a LOT of extras. While this isn’t all bad, it’s important to understand. I fully believe in being able to craft my own vacation experience by starting with a base price and adding on what I want rather than feeling compelled to take advantage of included items that I’m not really interested in. With MSC, the cruise rates are affordable and sometimes downright cheap but plan for extras. Any food and beverage outside of the included main dining room and buffet are for an additional fee, entertainment is often fee-based, and drinks can add up fast (although there are MSC Drink packages )

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MSC Sells Cruise “Experiences” The Aurea, Bella, and Fantastica Experiences explained and compared

MSC Cruises sells “experiences”. The cabins on the MSC Ships are effectively identical regardless of experience (with the exception of a couple of suites and the Yacht Club). So rather than purchasing a cabin or stateroom TYPE, you purchase an EXPERIENCE that grants access to different facilities and services. This approach is unique and we actually LIKE this method of selling experiences rather than a class of cabin.

The MSC experiences explained

There is the “Bella” Experience – which is the base fare and really is bare bones. It’s a cabin + the included dining onboard (buffet and main dining room) as well as the use of all the public spaces and access to the complimentary entertainment.

For a little extra, you can purchase the “Fantastica” experience , which is the Bella + the added benefit of some flexibility, with one allowed free cruise change. Additionally, you can order room service for breakfast with no delivery fee. So many people enjoy breakfast in their cabins, that this may be worth it for many passengers. Additionally, you can request which dining time (late or early) you’d like in the main dining rooms.

The “Aurea” experience is the top-level experience, which gets you all of the Bella and Fantistica experiences and more. With the Aurea experience (available on balcony rooms only), you receive :

• a premium stateroom location
• access to the Aurea solarium which is for Aurea guests only
• chocolates and prosecco in your cabin on the day of boarding
• anytime dining
• discounts on spa treatments
• priority boarding
• Free 24-hour room service

The Aurea experience is usually quite a bit more than the base fare (Hundreds of dollars per passenger), so you’d have to really ask yourself if access to the Top Exclusive (Aurea) solarium is worth the price, as the other benefits are minimal.

The MSC Yacht Club Explained

Where most cruise lines separate their experiences by class of cabins such as Norwegian’s HAVEN and Celebrity’s RETREAT, MSC has come up with the “Yacht Club”. The big difference is with the MSC Yacht Club and other cruise lines, is that it’s offered with interior cabins as an option. This is a great option for people who really want an elevated experience but don’t feel the need for a balcony room, which is generally more expensive. Additionally, speaking with passengers who have experienced the Yacht Club on MSC Cruises almost universally adores it! I’ve yet to find anyone who has spoken negatively about the MSC Yacht Club. Unfortunately, it’s not affordable for everyone, so I have an issue with the fact that the service on the rest of the ship is sometimes sub-par, so you shouldn’t have to be in the Yacht Club to have a good service experience throughout the ship.

What do you get with the Yacht Club experience on MSC?

• Dedicated priority check-in and check-out as well as priority departure and return on excursion days
• 24-hour butler service and a dedicated concierge
• Room Service is available 24 hours a day
• Premium Extra Drink Package  
• Premium Internet package (Browse – 2 devices Unlimited Internet Package)
• Complimentary access to the Thermal Suite in the MSC Aurea Spa
• Relaxation amenities in each suite (including bathrobe, and slippers)
• Pillow menu
• Other personal touches: luggage packing/unpacking service, newspaper directly delivered in a stateroom on request
• 1 free cruise change
• Upgraded and elevated suites offer a more comfortable room size and are located in the foredecks of the ship
• Dedicated, private area of the ship accessible only to MSC Yacht Club guests
• A private and spacious pool deck with whirlpool baths and sunbathing area, an outdoor bar with the very best views
• Panoramic Top Sail Lounge with bar, afternoon tea service, light bites available day and night, and live entertainment in the evening
• Gourmet restaurant with a la carte dining for breakfast, lunch, and dinner with free choice of dining time
• Tailormade experiences from shopping to excursions
• 20% discount on a prepaid dedicated specialty restaurant package
• 40% discount on a prepaid dedicated spa package
• 10% discount on all spa treatments purchased on board

The Yacht club is only available on select ships and is not usually available on the older ships sailing in Europe. Ships with Yacht club include: Bellissima, Divina, Fantasia, Grandiosa, Meraviglia , Preziosa, Seascape, Seashore, Seaside, Seaview, Splendida, Virtuosa (and on the upcoming World ships)

Entertainment on MSC Cruises

The comparable evening shows on MSC are on par with those on Royal Caribbean and Carnival, but they come with a fee, whereas other cruise lines rarely charge extra for entertainment. However, the cost for the Cirque shows on MSC are very reasonable and enjoyable. Other entertainment included with the fare are more like variety shows, singing, dancing, etc.

As expected, there are other entertainment options throughout all MSC Ships including bands, solo singers dancing, poolside music, etc. However, nothing compares to some more mainstream cruise lines with “things to do” on a cruise. So if you compare overall activities on MSC versus Carnival or Royal Caribbean, you’ll likely be disappointed.

So, if you’re looking for a ton of activities all day, every day, there appear to be fewer options on MSC, as the entertainment and daily activities are not as robust as you might expect for such modern ships.

For experienced cruisers who expect big production shows included in the fare may be disappointed with what MSC has to offer.

The Buffet, Main Dining Room & Specialty Restaurants on MSC ships

Many people consider food to be a significant factor in their cruise experience. In this regard, I find the buffets on all the ships I’ve been on to be acceptable. While MSC didn’t have as many included options like Guys Burger and the Blue Iguana, it wasn’t a deal-breaker for us. We always found something enjoyable, and the variety at breakfast, with more meats, cheeses, and bread, was a nice departure from the US cruise lines.

Regarding the included sit-down meals (main dining room), I would rate MSC last when comparing all major cruise lines, although they were not inedible by any means. I am content with the included main dining room meals because, for me, if I’m not cooking, I’m happy.

The buffets on the ships are usually expansive but not much changes on a 5 or 7 day cruise. The food is fine, but the pizza is amazing. So if we found ourselves in the buffet, it was usually for a pizza and salad.

There are a number of for-a-fee restaurants on MSC ships (basically all restaurants cost extra). For foodies and people who find the food experience on a cruise to be a priority, they may find what MSC calls “specialty” or “premium” dining lacks quite a bit. While it’s not BAD, it just doesn’t live up to the other major cruise lines when it comes to premium dining.

To get the most out of the specialty dining on MSC, consider buying a dining package. More details on the MSC dining packages here .

Specialty Dining on MSC Cruises

Butcher’s Cut – The staple steak restaurant found on most MSC ships can actually cook a great steak. our only complaint is the presentation and the odd choice of sides (as well as their presentation).

Kaito Sushi – A lovely sit-down sushi bar where most of the menu is done quite well, with a few exceptions (like salmon hand rolls)

The Teppanyaki restaurant onboard is usually attached to the sushi bar. A great family event with good food and in a show cooking style.

Hola Tacos – Think food truck / street tacos meet sit-down restaurant. The selection is great and this was by far our favorite restaurant on the ship. Not because it’s fancy or particularly high-end, but because it delivers consistent, good food every time (and they’re usually open for lunch!)

Ocean Cay Restaurant – The seafood concept found on many MSC ships was hit or miss with the prep of the food and overall food quality.

Specialty restaurants vary per ship.

MSC Cruises’ demographic and typical passenger

MSC’s overall demographic isn’t on the extreme side of young or old; it’s a nice mix. If you’re looking for a party cruise and a lot of drinking, you may want to explore other options. Not that there is a lack of a “good time” to be had, but there are usually a lot of families, meaning fewer late nights and all-night parties.

Ocean Cay, MSC Cruises Private Island

MSC’s private island, Ocean Cay , is fantastic if you want to relax and enjoy the beautiful sea and sand. The food trucks spread around were a nice alternative. However, it’s not comparable to RCL’s island, with its many slides, pools, and other activities. But we liked that. We loved the feeling of an island retreat more than a built-up water park. I think it was a great choice for MSC to make it a retreat rather than a playground.

One thing to note is that MSC’s website is the least user-friendly of all the cruise lines I’ve used. The pre-cruise registration process is quite wonky compared to other websites.

• Read : MSC Ocean Cay Excursions with Prices

MSC Voyagers Clubs Program

As with most cruise lines, MSC has a customer loyalty program they call the Voyagers Club. Unfortunately, until you get to the highest levels of the program like the Diamond live, there are not a lot of perks. However, the best benefit of being a member is a 5% discount on all bookings (and even greater discounts when booking early). What makes this program unique across the cruise industry is the fact that MSC Cruises’ status matches with other loyalty programs . Even more unique is it’s not limited to just other cruise lines, they also status match to hotel programs.

Our final thoughts

The popularity of MSC Cruises has led to a plethora of debates and opinions about the cruise line in online communities such as Facebook and Reddit. Despite MSC’s long history in European waters. The brand continues to polarize opinions, with some cruisers loving the newish cruise line and others feeling less enthusiastic. Whether you’re a seasoned cruiser or a newcomer to the world of cruising, the debate surrounding MSC Cruises is sure to captivate your attention.

Ultimately, your personal priorities will determine which cruise line is right for you. If price is a significant factor, MSC provides great value for money. If you’re looking to relax, sit by the pool, enjoy cruise ports, and aren’t hyper-focused on food, MSC is a great option. We have booked a 6-night Bermuda cruise in September for a total of $1200 +/- for a balcony cabin. In contrast, for the same dates and destination, Carnival’s prices ranged from $1950 to $2300 for a 5-night outside cabin, and RCL charged $2000. Disney, on the other hand, charged an eyewatering $3100.

More MSC Helpful Tips

MSC Status Match Program – How to match your loyalty status from other cruise lines (with Forms & Match Chart)

MSC Cruises Voyagers Club is a loyalty program that rewards its members with privileges and benefits. An MSC STATUS MATCH program available. Members can... Read This

MSC Cruises Drink & Bar Menus With Prices (2024)

MSC Cruises Drink & Bar Menus With PriceS – UPDATED We spent a lot of time on a recent voyage with MSC Cruises trying... Read This

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As an American, I found your article pretty fair. I realize it seems strange using that opening line, but I did do it to make a point. To me, it seems those who are complaining about MSC the loudest are Americans. We did a 7 day in Northern Europe in November with MSC. There is a long story behind this, but we did half of the cruise in a two room suite with a hottub on the balcony and then the other half in a duplex suite in Yacht Club.

What I noticed about the complaints, it was Americans, and it was food related. MSC does not know what a double gulp is. Perhaps they didn’t realize that they could just order more.

Your comment about service with the stewards was interesting. What we observed was that the staff seemed to be trained to be invisible to the passengers, but available when needed. If we needed our steward (pre YC), all we had to do was make a call and the steward was there within minutes. If we needed our butler in YC, it was just a quick phone call. What we learned is that all we needed to do was put forth a little effort and ask for service and it was never an issue. If not, the staff was going to leave us alone. We were happy that our steward and butler knew our names before we introduced ourselves.

YC is a whole other world. One thing that you didn’t mention that I thought was very well thought out by MSC was putting the interior rooms in YC. Imagine this scenario . . . the matriarch and patriarch of a family want to have a nice cruise with their offspring. They need a room for themselves and then 3 other rooms for their kids. They can get a nice suite in YC and the kids can have interior rooms. Because YC is not really crowded, finding a spot for 10 people by the pool, hottubs, etc, it is simple. You could go to the concierge desk and ask for a table to be put together for dinner for the 10 of you.

I commend you for being honest that there is a value prop at play. MSC, to us, offers value for what we receive. We never feel that we are ripped off and overcharged. We have friends who are trying to get us into the Retreat on a cruise in September. They got a room, it was 22k for 7 days. A comparable room in YC is the Duplex Suite (it’s a little bigger and has a hottub.) That room is 8k. To us, there can’t be 14k more in value.

Thanks for the article, again, it was fair, especially mentioning how wonky MSC’s website is 🙂

Hi David – Thanks for your great comment and feedback. I didn’t mention the YC mostly because …. (very personal opinion) I hate how all of the brands have made an option (Yacht Club for MSC) which is not available to the masses due to price and it really divides the experience. I understand why it exists, but usually when I do a review, I try to put it in perspective of what MOST people will experience on the ship. I hate that you know hove to pay extra for a class of service that used to be standard in the industry years ago. 🙂 – In the end, though, MSC, regardless if you choose their standard cabins or YC experience, it really does provide a great value if you can overcome the quirks.

Thank you! We are normally loyal to Royal and are now expanding our experiences with MSC Meraviglia out of New York… We received an offer we couldn’t refuse through our local casino! I find that people complain on all forums…I listen but do not take it to heart, because everyone is different! Your article is great and I will continue to read your reviews!

Hi Lorraine, Thanks for the positive feedback on the article!

It’s definitely worth giving MSC a try, as you said everyone is different and so many things are subjective. That’s why we try to make our reviews as objective as possible and tell it how it is while keeping polarizing opinions to a minimum 🙂 Enjoy your trip and don’t let the complaints in all the forums take away from a good time. As with everything, it is going to be what YOU make of it! MSC is unusual, but as long as you know what to expect going in, you’ll enjoy it.

Great article and very helpful. We’ve been on close to 20 cruises, all with RCL and were disappointed in the last one so we are going to give MSC a try next spring on the Seascape.

Thanks for reading the Article, Nick! I hope you enjoy the cruise. Keep in mind it’s totally different than RCL! So try not to directly compare the experiences when you cruise 🙂

Also ! Don’t forget to status match! If you’re any status with RCL, MSC will give you status which might make it even better. See the MSC status match info here .

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Yours Truly Chelsea

MSC Cruise Food: My Honest Review Of Everything I Ate On My 7 Night Cruise

December 2, 2023

Going on an MSC Cruise and wondering what the food might be like? This post goes into detail about everything I ate while on Seaside for 7 nights to give you glimpse into MSC cruise food.

What is offered on an MSC cruise might vary based on what part of the world you are cruising from and will change from time to time.

I took this cruise from Port Canaveral, FL in the US.

If you’re reading this you are most likely considering taking your first MSC cruise and are wanting to know what types of food they offer.

This post will show everything I chose for breakfast, lunch and dinner on my 7 night cruise giving you a good look into what you could expect on your cruise. It will also help you see a few items you can put on your “must try” list and a few you’ll want to avoid.

This post is all about MSC cruise food.

Another post you might be interested in reading after this one:

MSC Cruise Food Menu: 7 Night Cruise Menus, Specialty Dining And More!

Cruise food is highly subjective. What one person loves, another may hate.

I do want to state at the beginning of this post that when I think something is really good on a cruise, I’m not comparing it to the best meal I’ve ever had nor do I expect that on a cruise when it comes to their included food.

I do think there are a lot of standouts you can find on a cruise that are delicious. However, most of the food is just average and nothing to write home about in my opinion but it is still good and gets the job done.

When going on a cruise I would adjust your expectations on the quality of food compared to the price you paid/if you’re eating what’s included vs. if you were to upgrade to specialty dining.

This post will just be on what is included with your cruise fare. I did not upgrade to specialty dining or to MSC’s yacht club.

Day 1: Embarkation Day

@yourstrulychelsea What I Ate On My Cruise: Day 1 #cruise #cruiseship #cruisetok #cruisetiktok #cruiseshipvacation #cruisetips #whatiate #whatiatefordinner #whatieat #whatiateonmycruise #whatiateonacruise #whatiateonvacation #vacation #vacationfood #msc #msccruises #carnivalcruise #royalcarribeancruise #disneycruise ♬ Lucky Girl – Carlina

Since it was embarkation day we did not have breakfast. Our first meal on the ship ended up being lunch about 2pm.

We went to the buffet on deck 8 of MSC Seaside. This ship actually had two buffets. The one on deck 8 was larger and had more selection than the one on deck 16 so we ended up going to it more.

Pictured: Mashed potatoes, indian curry, rice, samosa, pasta, cheese, shredded beef.

I always find that indian food on a cruise is pretty good and they offer different dish selections every single day! If curry is your thing or you want to give it a try I would definitely do so on a cruise.

The pasta on MSC tasted fresh and had good flavor. The cheese selection was also great and seemed to be good quality.

Everything else was average in my opinion.

Not pictured but shown in the video, I did grab a small brownie on the way out of the buffet and it was delicious.

We had dinner in the main dining room at 5pm.

You have to start your dinner on a cruise with the bread basket. MSC did baked goods really well. I had bread and butter every night. 10/10.

My starter on night one was chicken croquettes. To be honest they reminded me of chicken nuggets from McDonald’s. I don’t mean that in a bad way, they were very tasty. Just the consistency and breading were similar. 7/10.

For my main course I decided to order the new york strip steak. I asked for this steak medium. I have had this dish a few times on cruises and it’s never been great.

This steak did not have great flavor and was overcooked. I rated it a 5/10.

This was the shining star of the day. My first dessert was in my top five of everything I ate on my MSC cruise.

It is called coconut pistachio dacquoise. Everything about this was delicious. I can’t recommend it enough. 10/10.

I am the type of person on a cruise who orders two desserts every single night.

This was crema catalana. It was a good dessert. In comparison with the other one though I did not like it as much. It had a light cinnamon taste to the custard but was lacking the burnt top I loved from a creme brulee making it good but not my favorite. 7/10.

Late Night Snack:

Later that night we went to the buffet to grab some pizza! Along with always ordering two desserts on a cruise every daya, I also will have pizza every single night.

The pizza on MSC I have to say is hands down the BEST pizza at sea. They seemed to do baked goods, pizza and most desserts VERY well.

I did not take a picture of my pizza but it is shown in the video above if you would like to take a look.

Overall thoughts on day 1:

I was satisfied with the food but not blown away yet. My first dessert and the pizza were my standouts of the day.

Day 2: Nassau, Bahamas

@yourstrulychelsea What I Ate On My Cruise: Day 2 #cruise #cruiselife #cruisetips #cruisetipsandtricks #cruisehacks #vacation #royalcarribean #royalcarribeancruise #carnivalcruise #carnivalcruiseline #virgincruise #virgincruiseline #norwegiancruise #disneycruise #disneycruiseline #ocean #cruisequestions #cruisequestionsanswered #qanda #cruisefacts #goingonacruise #crusingtok #cruisetok #cruisetiktok #cruisetiktoks #cruiseessentials #cruisefood #whatiate #whatieat #whatieatonmycruise #whatiatelnvacation #whatiatefordinner #vacationfood ♬ Cupid – Twin Ver. (FIFTY FIFTY) – Sped Up Version – sped up 8282

For breakfast we went to the larger buffet on deck 8. What I loved about this buffet is it had TONS of outdoor seating. It was a fantastic way to start the day to be able to have breakfast outside with the fresh air, looking at the wake view.

I kept breakfast simple this morning. I grabbed scrambled eggs, bacon and pain au chocolat.

The eggs and bacon were standard. Good but not life changing. The pain au chocolat however was AMAZING. I had so many of these over the course of my cruise. They were absolutely delicious and the best baked good I tried while on my cruise.

We decided to go back to the buffett on deck 8 to grab a quick lunch before hopping off the ship to explore Nassau. We have been to Nassau several times but had never done a walking tour of sights downtown so we decided to do that on our own.

If interested in the video of what we did in Nassau it is linked here.

This was the plate my husband and I shared. I did not have the blue cheese or deli meat but he said both were good.

This lunch was not very good for me. I noticed over the course of my cruise I didn’t like my selections in the buffet as much as I have on other cruise lines.

I had chili, pasta with asparagus, mac n cheese, a samosa, fries and a burger.

The chili and pasta with asparagus were bland in my opinion. Another favorite I had on this cruise were the buffet burgers. I liked the burgers on MSC more than I have on lines like Royal Caribbean. It was always good and never dry.

For dessert we shared a plate of four small options. The best of these four was the pineapple cake on the front right.

The others were okay, not as sweet as I like (I like these very sweet).

We had dinner in the main dinning room after coming back from exploring Nassau for the day.

I did start dinner with bread and butter. It was fresh and flavorful like always.

For my starter I had the jerk marinated pork salad. This salad was a great combination of flavors. It was slightly overdressed so I lowered my rating because of it but it was VERY good. It had chicken, onions, lettuce, pineapple and more.

I rated this salad an 8/10.

For my entree I actually chose the vegetarian option. I am not a vegetarian but I find these options on a cruise ship are usually pretty good.

I also don’t like seafood or mushrooms unfortunately (wish I did) and those are both in the majority of dishes on a cruise so it limits my choices.

This dish was called jamaican patties filled with sweet potatoes and swiss chard.

This dish was made perfectly! It had great flavor, the sauce was an excellent addition and the pastry was flaky and delicious.

I rated this dish a 9/10.

This was MSC’s caribbean rum cake. I didn’t think I was going to like this dessert as much as I did but they really hit it out of the park.

I don’t think it is your traditional rum cake, I had not had one with chocolate on the top like this one but it did make me like it even more.

I rated this a 10/10.

This was MSC’s take on a key lime pie. Key lime pie is one of my summer favorites so I was really excited for this one.

It was tangy, light and delicious. Everything you want in a key lime pie. I rated this dish a 9/10.

We grabbed some fries with a couple of sauces. Typical french fries, nothing special but just because they’re fries they were automatically pretty good.

We also grabbed another burger and a slice of pizza without any cheese.

The burger like I stated earlier was always good and the pizza again, was done very well. The sauce had so much more flavor than I’ve had compared to other cruise lines.

Overall I was much happier with the food on my second day. The buffet was still very average besides the burgers and pizza but my main dining room dishes really were excellent. One of my best nights of food on this cruise.

Day 3: Ocean Cay, Bahamas

@yourstrulychelsea What I Ate On My Cruise: Day 3 #cruise #cruisetok #cruisefood #msccruise #msccruisefood ♬ SNAP – High and Fast – Rosa Linn

We decided not to get breakfast and got off the ship at MSC’s private island, Ocean Cay as soon as possible (around 8am).

Ocean Cay has a buffet on the island that is included. They also have a few food trucks. Some are included and some are extra.

I went to the food truck that was included because it was the closest option to the part of the island we were hanging out at.

The pasta salad was pretty good, along with the fries. The brownie offered did not have much flavor and was too cakey.

We went to the main dining room for dinner.

My appetizer on night 3 was french onion soup.

I’ve found that French onion soup is something cruise lines do very well. It was delicious and just enough.

I rated it an 8/10.

For my main dish I ordered the cabernet braised short ribs.

I really enjoyed this dish. The short ribs were very tender, the vegetables were cooked well and the sauce was the perfect compliment.

I rated this a 7/10.

My first dessert was gateau opera.

I really liked the portion sizes on MSC, it was never too much, leaving room for mulitple options if wanted.

This was super chocolatey (which I loved).

I rated this a 8/10.

My second dessert was a warm apple strudel.

Having a similar dessert on other cruise lines I expected this to be better. It was just okay.

I rated it a 5/10.

We ended our day in the buffet like usual grabbing a couple slices of pizza.

Again, I have to say MSC’s pizza is the best at sea. It’s so good.

Day 4: Sea day

@yourstrulychelsea What I Ate On My @MSC Cruises US Day 4 #cruise #cruisefood #whatiate ♬ Gorgeous – Taylor Swift

We went to the buffet again for breakfast. This is what we do most days on a cruise for the convenience.

For breakfast on our sea day I chose potatoes, an egg quiche, bacon, pain au chocolat and a plain donut.

Everything today was very good. I didn’t have much expectations for the donut on the cruise ship but it actually tasted fresh. I was very happy with the quality of this breakfast.

We spent most of our sea day at the main pool with some friends we had made.

We stopped at the buffet on deck 16 for a quick bite since our dining time was so early we didn’t want much to eat.

This was the worst day of my selections at the buffet. Nothing I had was good at all.

We had dinner in the main dining room.

For my starter on night five I ordered the beef steak tartar.

I had never tried this before and love beef carpaccio so I decided to give it a shot.

I ended up not really liking this but it was more personal preference and not the execution of the dish.

The texture of the raw beef was too much for me. I rated it a 7/10 since it tasted great, just not my personal style.

For my entree I chose the surf and turf.

This meal was another bust in my opinion. I was really excited for a good steak and this dish just did not have any seasoning at all.

I was very disappointed and had higher hopes. The vegetables were actually very good though.

I rated this dish a 4/10.

We ended up leaving our dinner early and had to miss dessert because my husband was motion sick and they would not let us take dessert to go like other cruise lines have in the past.

Since I didn’t love my dinner in the dining room we went to the buffet a couple hours later.

Every variety of pizza I had on the cruise was great.

All of the desserts were also good but the chocolate crunch one was AMAZING. I probably had 5 of those little squares.

Other Posts You Might Be Interested In:

A Complete Guide To A Cruise Ship Buffet: Everything You Need To Know

10 Must Try Drinks If You Have A Cruise Drink Package

33 Best Cruise Tips Every First Time Cruiser Should Know

Day 5: Costa Maya, Mexico

@yourstrulychelsea What I Ate On My Cruise: Day 5 #cruise #cruiselife #cruisefood ♬ SNAP – High and Fast – Rosa Linn

Day five was the only day we had breakfast in the main dining room. We like to do this at least once on a cruise or more if we work out schedules correctly since the time frame is more limited compared to the buffet.

This breakfast was better than expected. I ordered the eggs benedict and it was the best one I’ve ever had on a cruise ship which is definitely saying something.

As always the pain au chocolat was perfect. The chocolate muffin was just alright, needed a bit more flavor.

After we got back from our day in Costa Maya we stopped by the buffet for a late lunch.

I had a breaded pork chop, beans, pasta with fresh feta and potatoes.

The breaded pork chop was one of the best items I had in the buffet all week. The pasta with fresh feta was also pretty good.

One thing I love about cruises is they offer small portions of most things. This gives you the opportunity to try everything you want!

The chocolate options were definitely the best but all of these were good! I was very satisfied with the desserts 95% of the time.

We ended up going to the buffet for dinner. Usually one night on our cruises we are just way too tired to make it to the dining room and tonight was the night.

I wasn’t particularly in the mood for anything I saw in the buffet this night. The fruit was good and fresh. The salad bar had lots of choices. I also made a sandwhich not pictured that was just okay. The burger and fries was great as always.

Around midnight after napping in our room for the rest of the night I went back to get a couple snacks.

The pizza was good. The desserts were good as well, but not amazing.

Day 6: Cozumel, Mexico

@yourstrulychelsea What I ate on my cruise: Day 6 #cruise #cruisetok #cruisetiktok #cruisefood #whatiateonmycruise #whatiate #whatieat #whatieatonvacation #whatieatinaday #cruiselife #cruiseship #cruiseshipvacation #cruisetips ♬ Stolen Dance (Instrumental) – Milky Chance

We were going on an early morning excursion in Cozumel for our 6th day at sea so we only had about 15 minutes in the buffet to grab something quickly.

The eggs and potatoes were average. The bacon was good. The standout of this meal was the banana bread.

It was AMAZING. Finding this baked good on the second to last day of my cruise was saddening considering how good it was and the fact I only had one more breakfast to grab it.

This food was not from the cruise line but I did want to include it because both were SO good.

We went to the mayan ruins in Tulum from Cozumel. You can check out that excursion here.

We took our tour guide’s advise and after exploring the ruins, we went to Mr. Frosty’s for tacos. They were insanely good. After the tacos I grabbed some ice cream for a few dollars. It was also delicious. Cannot recommend those two enough.

We had dinner in the main dining room tonight.

I started my meal with watermelon and feta salad. This was good but was very simple so if you like both of those ingredients, you’ll like this.

I rated this dish 7/10.

For my entree I ordered chana dal. This was the vegetarian option for the night. It was just alright. Not bad but not amazing.

I rated this dish 6.5/10.

For my first dessert I ordered the chocolate duo cake. This was another top notch dessert. It was so good.

My second dessert was the coconut cake. This was good but nowhere near as good as the first.

I ranked this a 6/10.

I grabbed the burger and fries I was obsessed with all week and a little bit of pasta salad. All good.

This is a really bad picture but the food was all good. This was the first time we saw quesadillas in the buffet for late night snacks and they were a hit.

Day 7: Sea Day

@yourstrulychelsea What I Ate On My Cruise: Day 7 #cruise #cruiseship #cruiseshipvacation #whatiateonmycruise #cruisefood #whatiate #whatieat #whatieatinaday #vacationfood #whatiateonvacation #cruisetiktok #cruisetok ♬ Coconut Mall (From “Mario Kart Wii”) – Arcade Player

For our last breakfast on the ship we went to the buffet for our favorite wake view.

Since it was the last day on the cruise I grabbed all of my 10/10 favorites. The pain au chocolat, banana bread and bacon.

For lunch we went to the buffet.

I grabbed a salad that was really good. A piece of beef, it was pretty tough but did taste good. The chicken was flavored well and the pasta was average.

We ate our last dinner in the main dining room.

For my starters I chose the sicilian style arancini and the french onion soup again.

The arancini was one of the best dishes I had all week. It was perfected fried, the taste was great and the sauce was delicious.

The french onion soup I had already had andn it was also very good tonight.

I rated it a 7/10.

For my last entree I chose the caprese salad.

I am really glad I ended up getting two appetizers because this salad was awful. The flavor was not good at all. I probably took two bites. It was way too watery.

I rated this dish a 1/10.

For dessert we decided to try three options since it was the last night on the cruise.

We started with the tiramisu. It was very well done and absolutely amazing. I rated it a 9/10.

The second dessert was a lemonchello cake. It was just alright, especially in comparsion. I rated it a 3/10.

The last dessert was actually the no sugar added warm berry cobbler but the fruit made it sweet enough. This was better than expected and really really good. I rated it a 9/10.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Overall I would say that MSC does a few things very well with food and others they need improvement on, like any cruise line.

I found their pizza, baked goods and desserts the best items on any menu.

When it comes to the main dining room I 100% think if you’re going to just be eating the included food it is the way to go. I liked or loved most of my meals in the main dining room.

Compared to the buffet that needed more variety and more flavor on most things.

Overall for the price I paid (much lower compared to other lines) I was happy with the food. I always found something to eat and did end up having a few amazing items over my week long cruise.

I think when going on a cruise you need to go into it with an open mind. Remember the price you’re paying, how many people they’re feeding and that they are trying to appeal to the masses (which sometimes means less seasoning).

I would definitely take another MSC cruise, have a few of my favorites again and try more new things.

If you find yourself not loving the food, you can always upgrade to specialty dining.

This post was all about MSC cruise food.

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• MSC Cruises

A few questions about MSC

By Eric G. , Friday at 10:13 PM in MSC Cruises

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I haven't cruised on MSC before (last cruise was Princess, and a couple before that were Carnival).

I'm thinking about an upcoming September cruise departing from Cape Canaveral, the 7 night Western Caribbean on the MSC Seashore.

I haven't found a better price (in some cases a balcony room is the same price as an interior on other cruise lines.) However, I've seen some reviews that have me concerned.

I'm a foodie, it's part of why I cruise, and I actually like buffets, but it does not sound great from many reviews I've seen. So my first question for those that have done both, is the buffet that much better on Carnival? Or are they pretty similar?

I'm keeping costs down as much as possible, so Yacht Club is out for me. I'm not even sure about the drinks/wifi, since I'm not that much of a drinker.

And there's always the option of an interior room for the most savings.

If I'm not at a show, I'm a night owl watching movies in my room. I really like a good sized screen across from a couch or bed. In some room photos on various cruise lines, I see a tiny TV up at an awkward angle near the ceiling. That's no good.

The MSC island does sound pretty nice though, and the ship itself sounds nice. I guess I'm just trying to figure out if Carnival would be a better bet for food, despite the higher cost. Any thoughts appreciated.

Also, I forgot to ask...does the MSC Seashore have a theater that screens movies?

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Best Cat Mom

Keep in mind that MSC is an Italian cruise line, so food may not be what an American expects. You might want to consider this when thinking about their food. We love the Italian aspect of everything on MSC -- food, service, language, etc. -- but the less-than-stellar reviews are sometimes because of a lack of understanding of the differences between Italy and other parts of the world.

If you go to the top of the page you will see See posts about…and next to that Select ship.  Click on Select and you get a dropdown menu.  Choose Seashore.  You will get a page or more of threads about seashore.  Among them, maybe not on the first page, is my Live from on Seashore in June…Below the Salt is me.

  I feel MSC food has improved greatly in ten years…they have caught on to the American desire for salad and salad bars.  The buffet is confusing because many sections are repeated, they all look alike, and you can’t remember which side you are on.     I am budget conscious, I don’t book balconies because I just don’t use them.  But I have a strategy for booking.  I require a couch, so on Seashore I booked an OV.  Now, on MSC there are far fewer OV cabins than the other types.  So I book an OV gty, hopefully in Fantastica experience, but the last one I had. O choice but Bella.  However, I did get upgraded free to a balcony.    I also sailed Seashore in December in an OV and that review is also in the bowels of this board.  EM

4 minutes ago, Essiesmom said: If you go to the top of the page you will see See posts about…and next to that Select ship.  Click on Select and you get a dropdown menu.  Choose Seashore.  You will get a page or more of threads about seashore.  Among them, maybe not on the first page, is my Live from on Seashore in June…Below the Salt is me.   I feel MSC food has improved greatly in ten years…they have caught on to the American desire for salad and salad bars.  The buffet is confusing because many sections are repeated, they all look alike, and you can’t remember which side you are on.     I am budget conscious, I don’t book balconies because I just don’t use them.  But I have a strategy for booking.  I require a couch, so on Seashore I booked an OV.  Now, on MSC there are far fewer OV cabins than the other types.  So I book an OV gty, hopefully in Fantastica experience, but the last one I had. O choice but Bella.  However, I did get upgraded free to a balcony.    I also sailed Seashore in December in an OV and that review is also in the bowels of this board.  EM

Thanks, I did see your Live on the Seashore! That was helpful. Still considering if the balcony...the only thing I use my room for is a 5pm nap and watching movies late at night. Don't need a balcony for that.

What is an OV?

21 minutes ago, Best Cat Mom said: Keep in mind that MSC is an Italian cruise line, so food may not be what an American expects. You might want to consider this when thinking about their food. We love the Italian aspect of everything on MSC -- food, service, language, etc. -- but the less-than-stellar reviews are sometimes because of a lack of understanding of the differences between Italy and other parts of the world.

Thanks, I'm fine with the international aspect (lived in Germany for a year). The only thing I may not be crazy about is the "slower dining" thing. I am admittedly an Eat and Run kind of person, part of why I like buffets.

I am traveling solo and I'm afraid I'd feel trapped at my table with a long dining session.

OV is ocean view cabin.  OV cabins have a couch on Sea…class ships.  I sides do not.  On any MSC ship, do not book a cabin labeled junior.  They will be smaller…. EM

20 minutes ago, Best Cat Mom said: Keep in mind that MSC is an Italian cruise line, so food may not be what an American expects. You might want to consider this when thinking about their food. We love the Italian aspect of everything on MSC -- food, service, language, etc. -- but the less-than-stellar reviews are sometimes because of a lack of understanding of the differences between Italy and other parts of the world.

Would you elaborate the Italian aspect of things? I only make that as an assumption as one of the reasons I booked my first cruise w MSC to go on a TA - to get an Immersion Italian language experience.  Thx!

Just now, Eric G. said: I am admittedly an Eat and Run kind of person, part of why I like buffets.

We like to dine very leisurely, something we learned from our holidays in Europe. I know there are a lot of complaints about how long dinner can take on MSC. We generally spend 2 to 2.5 hours on dinner -- and we don't usually have dessert. You may be right about choosing the buffet for your own dining option.

3 minutes ago, ebeluga said: Would you elaborate the Italian aspect of things?

Most of the crew can speak English and Italian, regardless of their home country. We try to learn a bit of the language of the staff we deal with directly each day, but we will speak Italian as our first "try" with everyone. It's not the same as a land holiday in Italy, but it surely comes close. 🙂

Two Wheels Only

1 minute ago, ebeluga said: Would you elaborate the Italian aspect of things? I only make that as an assumption as one of the reasons I booked my first cruise w MSC to go on a TA - to get an Immersion Italian language experience.  Thx!

Don't expect the typical southern fried chicken, mac-n-cheese, comfort food that many American cruisers desire. Even the gelato (less fat) vs. ice cream is something that certain American cruisers struggle with.

2 minutes ago, Two Wheels Only said:   Don't expect the typical southern fried chicken, mac-n-cheese, comfort food that many American cruisers desire. Even the gelato (less fat) vs. ice cream is something that certain American cruisers struggle with.

It sounds like I would be loving the alternatives!

morpheusofthesea

4 minutes ago, Two Wheels Only said: Don't expect the typical southern fried chicken, mac-n-cheese, comfort food that many American cruisers desire

Don't forget the Kid's Menu has those favorites.

I think it's important to understand that even "I'm a foodie" is subjective. There are different kinds of foodies.

That said...my wife and I are also foodies. We travel for Michelin restaurants...and on those same trips seek out hole in the wall dumplings or pizza or chop cheese.

If you're the kind of foodie who just likes to eat and enjoy the pleasure of trying different foods without worrying about paying for it then you will have a great time...that's how we are....so take that for what it's worth.

We've got selfies with Eric ripert, and Lidia bastianich, and the og russian gramma who made our borscht in Pennsylvania somewhere

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Home » Cruise » Margaritaville at Sea » We Just Returned from a Cruise on Margaritaville at Sea Islander – Here’s Our Day-By-Day Review

We Just Returned from a Cruise on Margaritaville at Sea Islander – Here’s Our Day-By-Day Review

We sailed on Margaritaville at Sea Islander and share our experiences on this newly refurbished ship in our latest day-by-day cruise review.

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Margaritaville at sea islander cruise ship overview.

Margaritaville at Sea Islander is the new cruise line’s second ship. Formerly Costa Atlantica, this 85K gross ton ship originally launched in 2000 as part of the Costa Cruises fleet. This ship was then sold to CSSC Carnival Cruise Shipping for a new joint venture for the Chinese cruise market. However, it never entered the Adora Cruises fleet and was sold to Margaritaville at Sea in 2023 instead.

This 24-year-old Spirit-class vessel holds just over 2,200 passengers at double-occupancy and underwent an extension renovation before re-entering service. Spending millions of dollars on this transformation, Margaritaville heavily invested in the accommodations. All 1,105 staterooms were fully renovated. They feature nautical decor with nods to the brand and were definitely a highlight of the ship.

With retheming of the pools, most of the bars and lounges, dining rooms, and sports deck, guests will definitely feel like they are on island time. There’s also a fun vibe with friendly staff, family-friendly activities like mini-golf and cornhole, and two new signature productions. We liked that the ship featured all the classic cruise staples with a Margaritaville twist.

There’s the Bubbles Up piano bar, Hemisphere Dancer cocktail lounge, Havana Daydreamin’ Latin bar, the lively Flip Flip Atrium Bar, and three well themed pool bars: 5 O’Clock Somewhere Bar, Landshark Bar, and Tiki Bar, among others. Each features its own signature cocktail menu. Many also feature live music and various activities like trivia, dance classes, arts and crafts, or karaoke.

When it comes to food, Islander’s options were hit or miss. The casual options shined including Frank and Lola’s Pizzeria, Cheeseburger in Paradise, and the up-charge Tiki Grill and Island Eats. However, the main dining room as well as JWB steakhouse were a bit of a let down. From long wait times to dine in the MDR, to extra charges for entrees, to lukewarm food temperatures, we actually preferred the casual dining to the sit-down meals…well, with the exception of the Port of Indecision buffet.

We did like that Margaritaville at Sea now offers dining and drink packages, but the fact that specialty coffee is not part of the drink package was a big disappointment for us.

We also missed the lack of technology. There is no cruise app, not even a place on the television to view your account balance. They even took reservations for the steakhouse with pen and paper! This also lead to another complaint of ours– excessive in-cabin announcements. While most cruise lines have reduced the number of ship annoucements, Margaritaville was the other extreme.

Further, there’s currently no online cruise planner which means you need to call to purchase packages and other add-ons after booking the cruise. There’s also still an in-person muster drill rather than a digital muster drill like most other cruise lines.

Finally, the ship still had several maintenance issues present despite the recent updates. From clearly rusted areas just painted over on the outdoor decks, to broken seats at the bars and theater marked with caution tape, to ripped up flooring in a few different areas around the ship, we were reminded of the ship’s age.

There were also buckets collecting water from leaks and some signs of water damage found around the ship too. We couldn’t help laughing that every time we walked down a hallway, we seemed to pass maintenance staff. I guess that means they are at least addressing these issues.

Nonetheless, if you are looking for a budget-friendly cruise , Margaritaville at Sea Islander is a worthy contender. It’s an easy choice for those nearby to Tampa and hardcore Parrotheads. With the lively atmosphere and varied activity offerings, families, couples, and groups alike can enjoy themselves.

If you’re considering a cruise on this “new” ship, here’s the cliff notes version:

• Newly renovated staterooms
• Signature bars and drink menus
• Most casual food options
• Family-friendly activities and entertainment offerings
• Mediocre main dining room experience
• Lack of technology and excessive announcements
• Number of up-charges
• Ongoing maintenance issues

For a more in-depth look at our experiences on Margaritaville at Sea Islander , continue reading our day-by-day review below.

Margaritaville at Sea Islander Review – Day 1

On the road again.

Home for just a short time since our Disney Fantasy cruise , we were heading back to Florida once again. This time to Tampa to sail on Margaritaville at Sea’s newly refurbished cruise ship, Islander.

We sailed on Margaritaville at Sea Paradise back in 2022 when it first launched, and unfortunately, the ship had quite a few issues. Simply put, it wasn’t ready for paying customers yet. So, we were eager to see how this experience compared. We had seen initial reports from the media sailing and were ready to form our own opinions.

Honestly, we couldn’t remember the last time we sailed from Tampa, Florida. We think the one and only time was our very first cruise together back in 2007! Since it had been a while, we planned to explore the Riverwalk a little and grab some dinner along the water.

But, with travel these days, we ended up with a flight delay of over 3 hours from Boston. So by the time we arrived at our hotel, Tampa Marriott Water Street, we ended up just ordering room service and going to sleep.

Trying to Reason With Hurricane Season

With an early embarkation time of 10:30 AM and the port of Tampa just a short distance away, we left our hotel right around that time.

We were uncertain what the day would hold. We were unfamilar with this port, and we also assumed there would be some changes to our itinerary given Hurricane Beryl. This 5-day cruise was supposed to visit Key West and Progreso, Mexico. Given its position on the Yucatán Peninsula though, it was highly unlikely we’d get to visit this port for the first time.

However, like all cruise lines, we were confident that Margaritaville at Sea would keep us out of harm’s way. When cruising during hurricane season, travelers need to be flexible. While cruises are rarely cancelled, there might be changes to itneraries and/or missed ports of call. But, an altered itinerary with still warm and sunny weather is certainly better than being in the path of a hurricane!

Arriving at the port, we noticed signage for arrival times starting at 11 AM. Thus, we attempted to bypass the line and soon realized there was quite a bit of disorganization. With staff doing little to keep the order, guests were just squeezing their way into the terminal regardless of arrival time.

Making our way through security and the actual check-in process took about 30 minutes, but we were able to board the ship immediately afterwards.

Stepping onto Margaritaville at Sea Islander, the signature flip flop in the atrium greeted us. While we wanted to explore, our first order of business was getting a JWB Prime Steakhouse reservation. With a spot secured for Day 2, it was time to begin our normal embarkation day routine.

Wasting Away Again in Margaritaville

Starting at the top of this eleven deck ship, we explored the outdoor areas like the Dis ‘N Dat Activity Zone which features themed cornhole and mini golf. There’s also a waterslide and the Caribbean Amphibian Play Pad for kids.

Additionally, there are three themed pool areas. The main pool deck, midship on Deck 9, features the Landshark Pool and Bar and the 5 O’Clock Somewhere Pool and Bar. In line with Carnival Corp.’s Spirit Class ships, the 5 O’Clock Somewhere Pool still has a retractable roof, meaning it’s a pool day no matter the weather outside. The third pool area is aft on Deck 9. This Tiki Pool and Bar is adults-only.

While in the area, we also peeked into the St. Somewhere Spa and Salon. Given the size of the ship, this area is rather small and does not feature a thermal suite. You can still get services like massages, facials, hair care, and manicures/pedicures.

Approaching 1:30 PM, it was time for lunch. The main lunch options are the Port of Indecision buffet and two poolside stands: Cheeseburger in Paradise and Mexican Cutie Cantina. We didn’t like the Port of Indecision buffet on Paradise, and this one didn’t look much better. Thus, we opted for some tacos from the cantina.

Of note, unlike MVAS Paradise, the Margaritaville Coffee Shop and Frank and Lola’s Pizzeria are actually kiosks in the buffet. Unfortunately, this does diminish the atmosphere of these two venues.

The Mexican Cutie Cantina features only tacos and rice bowls with chicken, pork, or beef. It would have been nice to have a burrito option or some nachos as well. We’d put this venue on par with El Loco Fresh on Royal Caribbean but still think that Carnival’s BlueIguana Cantina is better.

Time to Check Out Our Cabin

With the announcement recently made, we decided to head to our cabin following lunch. Our Deck 7 extended balcony stateroom, 7175, was located on the starboard side of the ship between the forward and midship elevators. At first glance, we were pleasantly surprised.

While the cabins on Paradise were refurbished too, these looked much nicer. In fact, it’s one of the ship’s biggest selling points. It didn’t appear that the bathroom had been fully refreshed, but the rest of the room looked brand new. It featured beachside decor and island vibes perfect for the brand.

Since the weather was so hot, we spent some time in our cabin cooling off and getting the necessary photos and videos prior to muster drill. Yes, unlike our huge red flag moment on Paradise, there was a muster drill on Islander. The unfortunate part is that muster drill on this ship occurs outside.

After being crammed outside in the Florida heat for about 20 minutes during this mandatory safety briefing, it was time to get this 4th of July cruise started. This is also when the Captain informed us that our itinerary was in fact changed. We would be visiting Nassau, Bahamas instead of Progreso, Mexico.

It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere

Up to the 5 O’Clock Somewhere Bar, we grabbed our first drink of the cruise, some margaritas and boat drinks of course. While we sailed away from Tampa, the Fins Up Crew hosted a pretty typical sail away party. While we were to sail under the Sunshine Skyway Bridge around 6:30 PM, the weather was starting to cloud up and I couldn’t take the heat anymore.

We decided to head back to the room to cool off and get ready for dinner. I watched the sail under the bridge from our balcony, and Don ran up to the pool deck to watch.

By now, it was close to 6:45 PM and time for dinner. Margaritaville at Sea Islander has one main dining room, Fins on Deck 2. However, it is all open seating and no reservations. When we arrived, the hostess told us there was a 45 minute wait. Back on land, we never dine at a restaurant without a reservation. We wouldn’t even wait 45 minutes for a high end restaurant, nevermind a cruise ship main dining room.

Slightly annoyed and hangry, we went upstairs to the Islander Dining Room on Deck 3. A bit odd, but this restaurant is where suite guests dine but also an up-charge venue for other guests. It’s basically just the second floor of the Fins Main Dining Room. Islander features the same main dining room menu with a small insert of additional items with a price tag of $20 per person.

There’s still no lobster or escargot or anything of that nature on the menu. So honestly, it’s not worth the up-charge but the only way to dine without a wait. With our Ultimate Dining Chill dining package, we did get one meal here for free. But, we ended up talking to the hotel director who allowed us to dine here the rest of the cruise without a fee.

Tonight, our waiter was I Made who provided some of the best service on the ship. He was friendly and attentive and went out of his way to make sure our needs were met.

For dinner, I ordered the cuban croquettes, watermelon feta salad, and grilled brick chicken. Don ordered shrimp cocktail, ahi tuna, and striploin steak all off the Islander exclusive menu. For dessert, we tried the hazelnut “honey do” cake and chocolate cappucino icebox pie. Aside from the ahi tuna, nothing was really a standout dish for us.

Our First Evening on Margaritaville at Sea Islander

Following dinner, it was showtime. Margaritaville at Sea Islander features two signature productions, along with typical headliner acts in the Stars on the Water theater. Tonight was a pretty typical welcome aboard show at 9 PM where we met the cruise director Zee-Jay, some of the production cast, and the headliners that would be performing full shows this week. While relatively new at the cruise director role, Zee-Jay did a great job and was very visible around the ship.

After the show, it was time to check out more of the interior of the ship. Margaritaville at Sea Islander has plenty of well-themed bars and lounges that all feature a signature drink menu. So, it was time to check off the second bar on our “drink around the ship”. The Flip Flop Bar on Deck 2 is the open atrium bar which has live music and pop-up performances throughout the cruise.

With a Key Lime Pie Martini on the menu, it was an obivous pick for me. Alas, they didn’t have the ingredients to make it. This seemed to be a reocurring theme during the cruise. Since it’s a “new” ship and new menus, you’d think they would have the appropriate supplies, but that wasn’t the case.

Nonetheless, we watched the Motown pop-up performance with production cast and listened to the guitar player Pedro for a bit before calling it a night around 11 PM.

Margaritaville at Sea Islander Review – Day 2

On island time.

Day 2 of this Margaritaville at Sea Islander review was our first port of call in Key West . Though, we wouldn’t be arriving until 1 PM. Since this port is on few large ship itineraries , we’ve only visited Key West a few times. So, we certainly had plans to get off the ship for a while today.

Up around 8 AM, Don set off on his normal morning routine collecting pictures and videos around the ship while I got ready. Of course, he also returned with our morning coffees. A big miss for we espresso lovers, specialty coffee is NOT part of the Ultimate Beverage Chill drink package as it is on most other cruise lines.

This meant that our twice-daily drinks from the Margaritaville Coffee Shop cost us extra. In fact, everything at this coffee shop cost extra money. Unlike the coffee cafes on most other cruise lines, the sandwiches and desserts here all came with a fee too. Another miss for me was that even though menus around the ship indicated skim milk was available, we were told the only milk options were whole, almond, and soy. So much for my nonfat caramel latte this week!

Around 9:30 AM, we opted for sit-down breakfast in the main dining room. Thankfully, there wasn’t a wait this time. The menu selections were pretty typical breakfast items, yet nothing was served warm. This was also a recurring trend during the cruise.

Following breakfast, we caught the end of trivia in the Far Side of the World Lounge and walked around exploring the remaining areas of the ship. While this former Costa Cruises’ ship did undergo a multi-million dollar renovation, it was evident which areas of the ship had been updated and which hadn’t like the Hot Hot Hot Night Club.

A Sunny and Hot Day in Key West

Back to our room around noontime, we watched Islander sail into Key West. It was a beautiful day with no signs of Hurricane Beryl lurking. But for us New Englanders, the weather was quite hot and oppressive.

With the ship finally cleared around 1:30 PM, we made our way to the gangway located on Deck A. While we had seen a few maintenance issues around the ship, nothing really impacted our experience thus far. But, disembarking the ship in Key West was a different story.

Not only was it disorganized and crowded, we could have done without this behind-the-scenes tour.

Nonetheless, we strolled Front Street and Duval Street for as long as we could take the heat. We also stopped in at Kermit’s for some key lime ice cream. While we contemplated grabbing some lunch ashore, we had reservations at JWB tonight so decided against it.

Back onboard, we grabbed our afternoon coffee and cooled off in the air conditioning for a bit. Next, we continued our drink around the ship at the Tiki Bar. This bar is located in the adult-only area and has a fairly large shaded seating area.

While the Tiki Pool itself is rather small, the sun deck is spacious. It features rows of standard loungers along with some patio-style furniture on the starboard side, two coconut-shaped loungers under a thatched-roof frame, and just one hammock.

Specialty Dinner and Some Laughs

This evening, we had a 6:30 PM reservation at JWB Prime Steakhouse. Since this was a highlight of our Paradise experience, we were looking forward to dining here once again. The price to dine at JWB is $55 per person.

This menu does feature a chicken dish for myself, along with a catch of the day, and several cuts of beef. However, a lobster tail and surf & turf were both an additional $24 up-charge which seems a bit excessive. This would mean that cruisers are paying nearly $80, more than many restaurants on land would charge for a similar offering.

Don’s filet was perfectly seared to a medium-rare temperature and was certainly on par with comparable steakhouses on other cruise lines. He also enjoyed the braised pork belly. Though, my burrata and all the sides we sampled were a letdown. Honestly, we probably wouldn’t pay to dine here again.

Following dinner, we watched the country pop-up in the atrium and grabbed some drinks at Bubbles Up while listening to some piano tunes. The Bubbles Up menu features champagnes and spritzes. We enjoyed the drinks, but the piano player was rather quirky.

Next up was a double feature in the main theater. First was Adrenaline Magic at 9:30 PM featuring a pretty standard set of disappearing acts. Then, there was an adult comedy show with Jay Whittaker at 10:45 PM. While he had a great personality and was also repping our home state of MA, he didn’t have much material. He literally just talked to the audience for most of the show.

Finishing up around 11:30 PM, we called it a night.

Margaritaville at Sea Islander Review – Day 3

Happy 4th of july.

Day 3 of this Margaritaville at Sea Islander review was a sea day and the 4th of July. And what better way to start the day than sea day brunch?

Up around 8 AM, Don headed out on his normal morning routine returning with lattes in hand. Showered and ready for the day, we made our way to the Islander Dining Room for the “Sparkling Wine Brunch”.

While the Fins Main Dining Room offers complimentary breakfast most days of the cruise, this brunch is an up-charge of $15 per person and was only available on our two sea days. It’s also included in the dining package.

This brunch was one of the better meals of the cruise as I enjoyed the overnight French toast with nutella, bananas, and strawberries and Don liked his chicken and waffles. While we would probably pay the $15 again to dine here, we aren’t really sure that it was much better than Carnival’s Sea Day Brunch which is free.

Since the weather was so hot this cruise, we alternated being outside with soaking in the air conditioning in our cabin while doing a little work for the remainder of the morning. A bit later, Don took a tour of the kids’ clubs to collect some photos and videos. He may have got a sneak peek at a secret venue on the ship too. More on this later.

Then, we enjoyed some late lunch at the Tiki Grill.

The Tiki Grill is one of the two casual up-charge food stalls in the adult-only area on Deck 9 aft. These menus feature a la carte items. With a dining package, guests get a $25 food credit at each. While they are heavy on seafood (which you probably know by now that I don’t eat), Don did enjoy the offerings. The only critique is that they should open earlier on sea days.

Today, Don enjoyed the Why Knot Wings and Buffalo Shrimp. If the cruise was longer, he would have easily ordered these items again. As for me, I grabbed a couple slices of pizza from Frank and Lola’s Pizzeria in the nearby buffet. This became my near daily lunch as there was not much else that I liked. On a positive note, it was some of the best pizza at sea rivaling Virgin Voyages and Princess Cruises. I only wish it were more like a restaurant as it is on sister ship Paradise.

After lunch, we headed midship to the pool deck for the 4th of July party and red, white, and blue parade where guests donned their best American outfits in hopes of winning the best dressed competition. We also grabbed some drinks from the nearby Landshark Bar…except they were out of Landshark beer today.

Continuing our drink around the ship, we then headed back indoors to check out the Havana Daydreamin’ Sports Bar. While it doesn’t look much like a sports bar, it’s very Cuban-inspired with a few televisions thrown into the mix. While enjoying our cocktails, we got sucked into watching the hot dog eating competition on tv.

A Captain’s Toast Unlike Any Other

Tonight was Margaritaville at Sea’s version of formal night. The dress code was “coastal country elegance”, which meant there were lots of cowboy boots on display. The captain’s toast was also ocurring at 6 PM and the first production show, Conky Tonkin’ at Sea, at 9:30 PM.

Thus, it was time to head back to our room to change up for the evening’s festivities. As we all gathered around the Flip Flop Atrium, we witnessed Captain Theo do a bit of a striptease, swapping out his captain shirt for a Caribbean one and giving a toast unlike any other–with a giant margarita!

We then headed off to dinner at the Islander Dining Room. For research purposes, we did pop into Fins a couple evenings to check on wait times, and they were always around 40 to 45 minutes. We really hope the cruise line figures out a better system. Perhaps, suite guests AND those with packages are allowed to dine in Islander nightly and the remaining guests have Fins but with the option to go standby or make reservations ahead of time.

Unfortunately, we were not sat in I Made’s section tonight. So, we went from having some of the best dining room service with him to the worst of the trip.

Additionally, there are definitely some inconsistencies on the dining room menus in terms of labeling and ingredients. Each evening, there is a signature pasta dish, which is not labeled as vegetarian but also does not detail if seafood, meat, etc. are included.

For instance, there was creole pasta which simply states “creamy vodka sauce, basil oil”. While I certainly would have ordered this dish if it were just pasta, I hesitated as I thought it might have seafood in it. When I questioned our waiter, he had no idea…which was a huge red flag. While it’s a preference not an allergy for me, waitstaff not knowing ingredients (or menus not detailing such) could lead to issues.

He eventually returned to tell me that his colleague “said there’s seafood in it”. So instead, I went with a Caesar salad, Mediterranean chicken, and pina colada lush dessert. Don did the salmon poke, sausage and onion flatbread, blackened salmon, and tiramisu. While he also enjoys cioppino and frito misto, he actually does have an allergy to scallops so passed on them just in case. Once again, nothing that we ate tonight wow’ed us.

Of note, while some cruise lines have begun charging for extra lobster tails on formal night or Carnival has begun charging for the third (and beyond) entrees, Margaritaville actually only allows one. This is true even in the up-charge Islander Dining Room. All menus state that there is a $7 supplemental charge for additional entrees, which really seems like nickel and diming to us.

A Conky Tonkin’ Good Time

Following dinner, we made our way to 90’s Name That Tune in Havana Daydreamin’. This was a standing room only activity. While we didn’t win, it definitely took us back to our high school days and was a lot of fun.

Next up was a drink at the Far Side of the World Lounge. This Pacific-inspired venue is quite large but seems under utilized in the evenings. So, we ordered a round from the signature menu and moved on to the theater for tonight’s signature production show.

Since neither one of us like country music, we weren’t expecting much from Conky Tonkin’ at Sea. Yet, it pleasantly surprised us. While still a pretty typical cruise revue show, it was high energy and fast moving keeping us entertained throughout. It also featured a talented cast and many popular hits that even non-country enthusiasts will know. Of course, it’s not a Royal Caribbean signature production, but it was better than many cruise shows we’ve seen over the recent years.

In an upbeat mood after the show, we headed to the Hemisphere Dancer Craft Spirits Bar for some cocktails and live music. Here, the Blaze Band was performing, which turned out to be our favorite musicians on the cruise. We also ordered up some drinks from the signature menu, but neither one of us liked our choices. So instead, we ended the night with some espresso martinis which were quite tasty.

Margaritaville at Sea Islander Review – Day 4

Changes in latitudes, changes in attitudes.

Day 4 of this Margaritaville at Sea Islander review was our itinerary change due to Hurricane Beryl. Instead of visiting Progreso, Mexico, we were visiting Nassau, Bahamas. Even though we’ve been to Nassau several times, nice weather here over tropical conditions in Mexico was the obvious choice.

Ready for the day and caffeinated by around 9 AM, we decided to try the breakfast burritos at Mexican Cutie Cantina. While not as good as BlueIguana on Carnival, they were still a pretty solid alternative to the buffet.

With the ship cleared and many passengers already ashore, we decided to check out the Dis ‘N Dat Activity Zone. You know we are always good for a friendly mini-golf competition. We really liked the theming of this area, and it’s a great family offering too. Although, there were a couple things that had us asking why.

First, you need to sign out golf clubs and golf balls at a towel stand that’s not even immediately nearby the mini-golf course on Deck 11. Second, the course wraps back onto itself, meaning Hole 3 and 7 are side-by-side, 2 and 8, and 1 and 9. This wouldn’t be a huge deal except there is a giant air vent near Hole 3 which makes it nearly impossible to play as the ball just rolls across onto the Hole 7 course due to the air current from the vent. Oh well, we just called the game a tie.

With the Nassau cruise port recently updated, we had yet to get off a ship in port to check it out. So, today was the day we decided to do so. It’s actually a really nice area with some shops, a Junkanoo museum, and more. You can also exit the gated area to the Straw Market which is directly across the street.

Instead, we headed for Starbucks! Since specialty coffee isn’t part of the drink package anyway, I convinced Don to go so I could get my properly made iced caramel latte with nonfat milk.

Cheeseburger in Paradise

After a couple hours ashore, we headed back onboard Islander first cooling off in the room then grabbing some lunch. For lunch today, Don decided to try a Cheeseburger in Paradise. This pool deck stall is opposite the Mexican Cutie Cantina and serves burgers only. This meant more pizza for me. While not all cruise ship burger stations serve chicken sandwiches, it would have been nice if this one did.

By Don’s assessement, these burgers were really good and defintely rivaled Carnival’s Guy’s Burger Joint. It wouldn’t be a cruise without some soft serve ice cream to top off the lunch as well. There are two soft-serve stations on Islander that are open most days from 12 to 9:30 PM.

We spent the rest of the afternoon doing a little work in our cabin and enjoying the sail away from Nassau.

Falling into Our Normal Evening Routine

Tonight was more of the same on Margaritaville at Sea–dinner, drinks, live music, and a theater show.

Back to the Islander Dining Room around 6:30 PM, we requested a table in I Made’s section. Yet, we were sat is a different section with a third different waiter. This waiter, Hedi, was good but we had I Made for two other meals and just prefer consistency.

Tonight’s dinner menu was one of our favorites. I had the Caribbean egg rolls, tortilla salad, and rotini pasta. While this pasta was also not marked vegetarian, our waiter did confirm that it only contained mushrooms. Don ordered the Cajun gumbo, flat iron steak, and 48 hour B&B pudding. All courses were solid choices this evening.

Following dinner, we grabbed some drinks at the Bubbles Up bar. Since there wasn’t much else happening this evening, we decided to attend the family comedy show in the Stars on the Water theater. While we debated heading to Hemisphere Dancer to enjoy more from the Blaze Band after the comedy show, we were tired so called it a night instead.

Margaritaville at Sea Islander Review – Day 5

Last mango…at sea.

Day 5 of this Margaritaville at Sea Islander review was already the last day of the trip; it was also our second sea day.

Wanting to test out as many of the food and drink options on the ship as possible, we decided to try the a la carte breakfast items at the Margaritaville Coffee Shop this morning. I tried the cinnamon roll for $3 and Don the muffin man sandwich for $4. While pretty good, we did miss complimentary grab-and-go options on the ship.

We then spent the next few hours checking off some of the remaining items on our to-do list, getting a little work done, and packing. This took us to lunch time, where Don sampled more of the food from the Island Eats and Tiki Grill using our dining package credit. On his menu today were a lobster roll and conch fritters, both of which he enjoyed.

Besides the complimentary burgers and pizza, our takeaway was that you have to pay for better food on Islander. Further, the casual food (both complimentary and for-fee) were better than most of the main dining room options. Of note, there’s also sushi at Far Side Sushi, but we can’t comment on this as we didn’t try it.

Dinner and a Show

Since we had express disembarkation and planned to carry off our own luggage tomorrow morning, we didn’t have to worry about putting our bags outside our cabin tonight. Still, we wanted to make sure that we mostly packed our bags, as disembarkation was early at 6:45 AM.

Still ready rather early, we grabbed some drinks at the Hemisphere Dancer Bar and listened to part of Emman’s set before dinner. The drinks we got this time around were much better.

For our final evening in the Islander dining room, we were seated in our requested section with I Made. While this was Don’s second overall favorite menu, there wasn’t much that I would eat on the menu.

Don sampled the crab cake, stir-fried rice, and braised short rib. I did a Caesar salad and was just going to get the mushroom and goat cheese app as my entree. However, our waiter insisted that he would talk to the chef to custom the stir-fried rice to include only chicken for me (no shrimp or beef). While I said it wasn’t necessary, he did it anyway. This was appreciated as I realize I’m a picky eater. We then rounded out the meal with some apple pie.

Finishing dinner a bit too early for the show, we attempted to get espresso martinis at both the Flip Flip Bar and Bubbles Up but were told they couldn’t make them. So, we just waited in line to get into the theater instead. Tonight was the second production show Caribbean Heat Remix.

This show takes guests on a musical journey through popular Caribbean spots like Cuba, Barbados, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and more. Of course, it featured songs of artists from these destinations. While this production was also upbeat, we actually enjoyed the Conky Tonkin’ at Sea show better.

Quietly Making Noise

Earlier in the cruise, we were invited to a secret event. It was supposed to occur earlier in the day but got rescheduled to immediately following this production show. This hush, hush event is invite only and reminded us of Virgin Voyages where guests get invites to the crew bar for a secret magic show.

We were escorted down A1A and through some firedoors to a secret room, which we later learned was formerly the chapel on Costa Atlantica. This speakeasy featured memorabilia near and dear to the Buffett family, including Jimmy’s first guitar and an extensive record collection.

While not complete just yet, this intimate event will eventually include signature drinks from a whiskey cart and stories from the life of Jimmy Buffett. Kai, one of the Fins Up Crew, did a great job recounting events, his interactions with Savannah Buffet (Jimmy’s daughter and godmother of this ship), and explaining the story behind each guitar in the room. There were 6 of them!

This was actually the perfect way to end our cruise on Margaritaville at Sea Islander.

If you are lucky enough to get an invite to this speakeasy during your sailing, you’ll return home with a Quietly Making Noise guitar pick as a souvenir.

Margaritaville at Sea Islander Review – Disembarkation

Given the congestion during embarkation, we weren’t sure what to expect from disembarkation. We had priority disembarkation which meant we needed to meet in the Fins dining room at 6:45 AM.

By 6:30 AM, we were still coasting into the Port of Tampa so took our time getting ready as we knew there was no way we’d be cleared to leave by then.

We did have an early flight, but we figured as long as we were off the ship along with the self-assist departure guests, scheduled for 7:30 AM, that we’d be fine.

Departing our cabin just after 7 AM, we quickly secured an elevator down to Deck 2. We could see that disembarkation hadn’t started yet, and there was a small queue of self-assist guests starting to form near the gangway. So, we figured we might as well head to Fins to meet the rest of the priority disembarkation group.

But, as luck would have it, just as we were passing the gangway, they opened it. Instead, we hopped in line and were among the first twenty or so guests off the ship. From here, it was a quick Lyft ride to the Tampa Airport. And suprisingly, our 10:30 AM flight was right on time. I think this was our first flight all year that didn’t have a delay!

Home by late afternoon, we had under two weeks to settle in before our busy stretch of travel. Next up is back to back trips on Utopia of the Seas and Atlas Ocean Voyages World Traveller. Stay tuned!

Did you find our Margaritaville at Sea Islander review helpful? Do you have plans to sail on this “new” cruise ship? Drop us an anchor below to share your thoughts on Margaritaville at Sea.

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Scheduled to cruise on the islander in February 2025, hopefully, they work out some of the kinks like fully stocking the bars. Since drinks are a big money maker for cruise lines you think this would be a no-brainer.

DB & The Princess

Welcome Aboard! We are Don and Heidi, the husband and wife travel team behind EatSleepCruise.com. We took our first cruise vacation together 13 years ago and have been hooked ever since. Follow along as we share our travel tips, cruise reviews, information on ports of call, and the latest cruise news to help you plan the ultimate cruise vacation. Are you ready to embark on your journey to “sea the world, one port at a time”?

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Environment | Cruise leaders tackle carbon conundrum on board…

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Environment | federal judge dismisses trump classified documents case over concerns with prosecutor’s appointment, subscriber only, environment | cruise leaders tackle carbon conundrum on board royal caribbean’s utopia of the seas.

Royal used the first shakedown sailing of Utopia of the Seas to bring together representatives from shipping and other maritime sectors to a Decarbonization Summit. The goal: to try and set the standards for how the industry will get to its goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

“We’re all locked in for 2 1/2 days. We can’t escape. We’re all going to be in here until the white smoke comes out,” said Bo Cerup-Simonsen, the CEO of Maersk McKinney Moller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping, referencing the Catholic Church’s tradition for when a new pope is chosen.

He was part of the keynote address for the summit Friday ahead of a three-night cruise from Port Canaveral hosted by Royal Caribbean on board its ship that arrived to Port Canaveral this past Thursday, and is set to begin sailing with paying customers for the first time on Friday this week.

The 2050 goal for net-zero carbon emissions is one set forth by Cruise Line International Association, the lobbying group for most of the world’s major cruise lines.

“We’re all here for one main reason, which is to do what’s right for our society, do what’s right for our planet. I think that should hopefully all drive us each and every day, to make the planet better, and leave it better for future generations,” said Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty, who opened the summit.

But he also raised the specter of growing costs and the threat of limits coming online from the European Union, which has enacted regulations about carbon emissions that’s forcing the cruise lines, but also other ocean-goring interests like shipping to act.

“If you’re in the maritime space, you know, one of our key risks is making sure we always have the right to operate,” Liberty said. “And if we are not able to get to our net-zero position here I think within a very short period of time, that we can we can lose our right to operate, or limit our way to operate around the world.”

Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas arrives to Port Canaveral

One part of that action was built into Utopia of the Seas. The sixth Oasis-class ship for the line is the first in class to run on the the cleaner burning liquified natural gas (LNG), and one of only six LNG-fueled cruise ships currently sailing in North America. With Utopia, Port Canaveral hosts three of them including Carnival’s Mardi Gras that arrived in 2022 and the Disney Wish that debuted in 2023.

CLIA has forecast that 26 of more than 300 vessels under its umbrella will be LNG-powered by 2027, but it’s only lowering part of the emissions problem while also producing a methane byproduct that brings its own climate change concerns.

“We don’t think and I don’t think the industry thinks LNG is the ultimate solution by any stretch, but it’s the beginning of that journey for us,” Liberty said.

He noted Utopia of the Seas is 35% more efficient that the original Oasis of the Seas that debuted in 2009.

“That doesn’t just happen by singing some type of chant or song or wish. That comes from a tremendous amount of hard work,” he said.

The fuel is only one part of that process, with other shipwide features that try to save energy where they can. One example is how the elevators on the way down on board the ship generate electricity, and a system on board tracking energy usage that can help identify overuse.

“That didn’t take Oasis from 100 to zero, but it’s built to have the capabilities to go on that journey, especially as alternative fuels become available,” he said.

Liberty said getting voices from outside the cruise industry to help guide the path to net zero was important.

“It takes a city of the best minds and thinkers in the world in order to develop the technology, scale the technology and make it available, make it affordable for society, as well as for maritime, and then of course, as well as for cruise ships,” he said.

The cruise industry only accounts for 3% of all maritime traffic.

Cruise lines’ new leaders have net-zero challenge on their mind

“So to think that everyone in the world is just going to design for us, I think, would be irresponsible, and quite naive,” Liberty said. “But I think working together and identifying alternative fuels, finding the technology that can limit the amount of emissions, capturing carbon, fuel cells, etc, I think is an important journey that we all have to get on together.”

Looking beyond LNG is already in the works for many cruise lines. Royal Caribbean Group, which also runs Celebrity Cruises and Silversea Cruises, is using its smallest vessels as guinea pigs to look into alternatives such as biofuels.

“The smaller the footprints are, it gives us an opportunity … so Silversea’s a little bit of that, kind of like laboratory for us to do that,” he said.

While alternative fuels such as green methanol and green hydrogen are all in the mix, a bigger issue for not just the cruise industry, but all of maritime is how it can be scaled up for mass use.

“Maritime not only requires that alternative fuel to be possible, but it’s got to be available,” Liberty said. “So if you’re producing green methanol, in let’s just say, in Spain, how do you get that to the Seychelles? Right? That will come over time, but the realities of it is, everything for the past 200, 250 years, it’s been designed around fossil fuels.”

And that leads to bringing on board the maritime support industry such as the shipyards and engine makers, some of whom had representatives at the conference. Liberty says, for instance, that engine manufacturers need consensus before investing.

“We’re now asking, ‘Hey, can you design it around green methanol?’ And they would say, ‘We can do that.’ But is the green methanol going to be available? Is green hydrogen going to be available? What’s going to be the energy source? Because they don’t want to invest in 10 different engines. They need to invest in a couple that they know is going to also have a financial return to them.”

So for now, cruise lines are building new vessels, which will be sailing for the next 30-35 years, with the capacity to take advantage of innovations as the come online.

New ships, for instance, are outfitted with the ability to plug into shore power at ports that have it available, such as the debut at PortMiami for limited use earlier this year. Ships are also adding fuel cell capacity so they can run on that energy as opposed to burning through fuel.

And if a better fuel than LNG becomes the industry standard, cruise lines are prepared to pivot to meet the 2050 goal.

“We keep industrywide rolling out new ships, and on those ships, we’re all trying to advance as far as possible, and create the highest level of flexibility, based off of what we know today, to take alternative fuels here into the future,” Liberty said.

And while the phrase “climate change” was not uttered on day one of the summit, there’s no argument among those attending about dealing with the industry’s carbon footprint.

“Everybody’s on board on how do you reduce emissions,” Liberty said. “So we don’t have to get into buzzwords or anything like that. What we have to focus on, is how do we improve our impact on the planet, and that’s not something that is political, or it’s not something that is something that has to be a kind of kumbaya kind of message. It’s because it’s the right thing to do.”

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