MSC Cruises
Is This Your Business?3.2
4.1
Overall Score
Author: Kalicia Bateman
LAST UPDATED: November 5th, 2021
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Disney Cruise Line
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Royal Caribbean International
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4.2
The Good
- Affordable cruises
- Children under 11 years old travel free
- Great amenities
Affordable Cruises
Cruises are easily affordable with a three day cruise available for less than $200 per person. Children under 11 years of age travel free. On select cruises, all inclusive drinks packages may be purchased for a of couple dollars. MSC Cruise Lines also features an exclusive ship within a ship known as the MSC Yacht Club. This club features a set of air-conditioned suites featuring marble bathrooms, butler service, LCD televisions, Nintendo Wii consoles, and Internet access.Amenities
Enjoy outdoor pools, sports tournaments, and tennis and volleyball courts. Sign up for complimentary classes including yoga, or dance lessons. Relax at the Aurea Spa at an extra charge. Evening activities include casino gambling, live bands, and nightclubs. There is also a theater hosting nightly performances. Standard amenities found on all cruise ships include:- Specialty Restaurants
- Bars and Lounges
- Spa and Fitness Centers
- Sports & Sports Tournaments
- Pool Games
- Live DJ
- King and Queen of the Sea Contests
- Live Music Bands
- Theatre and Live Shows
- Boutique Shopping
- Casino
- Beauty Salon
Destinations
MSC has expanded in recent years in terms of the number of destinations travelers have to choose from. With their fleet, MSC Cruises is able to service more people and introduce them to new countries all around the world. Destinations for their cruise ships include:- Bermuda
- South Caribbean
- Northern Europe
- South America
- Transatlantic Grand Voyages
- Caribbean
- Mediterranean
- Canary Islands and Morocco
- South Africa
- the United Arab Emirates
Dress Code
The dress code is resort casual onboard MSC ships in the evening. No jeans, T-shirts, or shorts are permitted in the dining venues after 6 p.m. for formal evenings, women are advised to wear cocktail dresses and men should expect to dress in suits, or jackets and ties.Insurance Protection
Valuable Insurance Protection is conveniently available with all of MSC Cruises' packages. Troubles such as illness, medical emergencies, delayed flights or lost luggage can occur when you least anticipate them and may affect your vacation. Insurance Protection safeguards you before, during and after your trip with important insurance coverage, 24-hour emergency assistance services, identity theft protection, and concierge services.The Bad
- Dining options
- Limited featured cruise trips
- Extra charges and fees
Dining Options
Cuisine consists mainly of Italian and Mediterranean flair. There are several dining options to choose from while onboard. However, seating is pre-assigned at boarding and dinner times are also scheduled based on cabin selection. Guests have reported that the meals are of standard quality and were disappointed that dinners were not more gourmet style.Featured Cruise Trips
There are only two featured cruise trips at any given time when there are discounts on upcoming travel. With the number of cruise ships that run year-round, it is surprising that there are not more options. Also, the cruises to the Caribbean, Alaska, Mexico, and Europe can be rather expensive. The information is broken down below:- Book 2016-2017 Caribbean Cruises from $449 per person and get up to $400 shipboard credit and a free beverage package
- Balcony Staterooms from $799 on Mediterranean Cruises if booked before May 31, 2015
- Caribbean: $379-$1,049 per person
- Europe: $1049-$,2345 per person
Extra Charges
Beverages are not included in the cruise fare and dining options are fairly limited. Offshore excursions cost extra. There is an automatic 15 percent hotel service charge tacked on daily to cover service by hotel staff. Other services that cost extra include:- Photographer
- Casino
- Video games
- 4D cinema (MSC Splendida, MSC Fantasia and MSC Magnifica) and F1 simulator (only on MSC Splendida and MSC Fantasia)
- Golf simulator (only on MSC Sinfonia)
- Bowling (only on MSC Splendida and MSC Magnifica)
- Internet stations
- Hairdresser
- Barber
- Beauty salon
- Turkish bath
- Sauna and massages
- Laundry and ironing.
The Bottom Line
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Stephen Jones Gallitzin, PA
I was on this cruise line for the first time last yr, hadn't heard of it before then. Was on a type of "themed" cruise last Nov, Celtic Thunder and had fun. If you go on this ship, check out the glittery stairs in one of the main lobby areas/with elevators...loaded with swarovski crystals what a sight. Have been on other cruise lines that had better or worse or different variety of food, no major complaints in this area. Had this stuff that I thought was in a big bowl of milk one morning for breakfast with a long german type name which was basically muesli...oats, dried fruit, nuts, milk or yogurt and a banana taste too...it was so good i ate it every morning...not ONLY that but still...ha Lots of great areas with statues, busts, painted murals etc to take pics if you like doing that or posing for pics.
11 years ago
Eddie Shanks Indianapolis, IN
Great cruise! Good itinerary, Monaco and Cannes were amazing. Barcelona may be the best city in Europe!! Pompei and Cinque Terre definitely worth seeing. Rome is far from the port, St Peter's Basilica was closed for the day when we got there (boy scouts convention) and Trevi fountain is still closed! (for 2 years now!) Very good food, shows, and Italian music. Fun dance classes. The 2 tours we took were very good, a little expensive. Felt more European than Royal Caribbean, that's why we're in Europe, right? Drink packages are a ripoff, unless you drink a lot, we didn't get them. Lots of sales pressure before you board to buy drink packages.
11 years ago
Kathy McGilvery New York, NY
It's been several years (2008) but it was my favorite cruise and I still have very fond memories. We left from Miami or Ft. Lauderdale. Went to Cozumel, Costa Rica Panama, Cartagena and the Bahamas. Of course I enjoyed all of the ports, but the cruising days were wonderful also, lounging by the pool. We had aerobic classes on the pool deck on cruising days—much more fun than inside a gym! The staff was great. The few children that were on the cruise seemed very well behaved (unlike the several Carnival cruises I've been on!). It seemed to be the perfect mix of ports of call and cruising days.
11 years ago
Ken Mor San Bruno, CA
I have sailed on MSC twice. Both times I had a fantastic cruise experience. I sailed on the Divina (really beautiful) and the Poesia. I felt the service was great and the food was pretty good. I only experienced 1 bad customer service experience on the Divina, but that didn't determine the entire cruise. I think vacations are what you put into them. If you go on a cruise looking to find fault, you will probably be miserable and find fault. If you go on a cruise to relax and have a great experience, you will probably have a great time. I LOVED my MSC cruises!!!
11 years ago
Jamie Ryan Lockman Missoula, MT
As first time cruisers, my husband and I were pleasantly surprised by the accommodations on the MSC Orchestra. We found the room remarkably spacious with plenty of closet and drawer space to stow our belongings. We loved having a balcony to listen to the water at night and for the views during the day. The staff was professional and warm. The food was very good - and there was enough fresh and healthy options to help us stick to our diets. We were both pleased with the amount of activities available on the ship and enjoyed each port of call.
11 years ago
Warren Curling Charlotte, NC
As a Gold Member we have cruised the Divina in both the Caribbean and the Med. We have also cruised aboard the Norwegian Jewel. There are things we like about both. The open seatings at dinner aboard the Jewel was preferred but enjoy sailing with the Divina out of Miami. I thought the overall service was much better on the Divina cruising the Caribbean rather than the Med. We will cruise MSC again.
11 years ago
Cassidy Gundersen Orem, UT
My husband and I went on an MSC cruise for our anniversary. The cruise is geared more toward older Europeans, and we didn’t fit that category. However, the entertainment was some of the best entertainment I’ve seen on a cruise line. And I’ve been on a ton of cruises. The suite we stayed in was really nice too. And the price was way cheap!
8 years ago
Michael Gallegos San Jose, CA
Out of 16 cruises. Great ship, great service, good food selection, good ride in stormy seas, over all exceeded our expectations. And what a very classy and beautiful ship. This ship looks nothing like the most other line's fantasy land décor. Adult and very well decorated.
11 years ago
Elissa Overland Park, KS
We enjoyed our cruise on Divina last year. We got a great price. We would do it again if we got that price again. This was our 26 th cruise. It wasn't our best cruise or our worst. We thought the food, shows, pools were great. The staff tried hard to please everyone.
11 years ago
William Griffith Monroeville, PA
Great time and beautiful ship. One of the best deals for a cruise you can find. Our cruise was in the Fall along the Eastern Seaboard. We traveled to Nova Scotia and Quebec City. Beauty along with hospitality is all that I can say. We would cruise with MSC again.
11 years ago
Aurora Miami, FL
I've been on the MSC Divina twice, Last year Caribbean cruise and this year Mediterranean Cruise with Airfare. It was a great value. Overall fantastic cruise. Excursions were fairly priced and I never went to bed hungry. Will sail MSC again!
11 years ago
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James Crawley New York, NY
My wife and I took an MSC cruise in the Mediterranean a few years ago and were pleasantly surprised. It was by far the lowest end cruise available so we weren't expecting much but it turned out great. They upgraded us to a balcony room complimentary and there were plenty of activities to do on board. The food was fine (not great) but got the job done. Would go again!
8 years ago
Ray Gau Centralia, IL
Good over all, some of the steaks warlike leather. Did not like have dress jp to eat and the buffet is you have. Lip snyc good, cleansess good. if you hike the upper class cruise its ok for the price.
11 years ago
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Jon Robinson Riverton, UT
Absolutely beautiful boat. First class! The food had more of a European feel to it which wasn't my favorite, but the accommodations and staff were awesome.
6 years ago
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Jani Crawley New York, NY
Not the newest ship. But the food was great and the service was even better. We got upgraded to a balcony room which made the whole trip.
8 years ago
Nicholas Jacobellis Miami, FL
It was good, i went on a week long cruise during spring break. Eastern Caribbean
11 years ago
