MSC Cruises
Is This Your Business?3.2
4.1
Overall Score
Author: Kalicia Bateman
LAST UPDATED: November 5th, 2021
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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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Cynthia DeCicco Blackwood, NJ
We sailed on the MSC Divina in April and had an incredible experience. Although some reviews are not flattering, we went in with an open mind and had a wonderful time! MSC is as close as you can get to a European experience, and it's right in our backyard! No expensive trans-atlantic flights needed. The crew is friendly and doing well learning English, the food is served in welcome European portions, so we didn't stuff ourselves at every meal. The coffee bar was one of my favorite spots to sit and relax while listening to the piano entertainment from then lobby below. The evening shows in the Pantheon Theater were fabulous with some of the best talent I've ever seen. Really, some of them deserve to be on Broadway! I'm already planning my next cruise, and can't wait to take my kids this time as well. MSC is a family friendly cruise line, and all then parents I talked to said their children were having so much fun!!! We'll be on the Divina again in October 2016, and hoping to get on the inaugural cruise for the Seaside when she comes to Miami. Keep up the great work MSC!!
11 years ago
Jennifer Pete Desrochers Thayne, WY
Last August my family and I went on an eight day Mediterranean cruise on the MSC Preziosa. It was our first time on a cruise and I am so very glad we choose this cruise line as our first. My son in law is military and they gave us a military discount when we purchased the cruise. From the time that we boarded the ship until we debarked, we had the time of our lives. The entertainment staff were the best. The food was outstanding. We met so many wonderful people and made friends that will last a lifetime. Oh and not to mention the memories that were made along the way. We will definitely do another cruise with MSC. I was thinking the Carribean next time.
11 years ago
Karen Kasten Ocala, FL
Absolutely loved my MSC Divina cruise, what a beautiful ship and smooth sailing and did I mention that beautiful crystal staircase?! Had a balcony room, a little on the smaller side, but how much time did we spend there other than to sleep. Sliding balcony doors, which glided with perfection, so no listening to a door slamming shut. Bed was awesome, comfortable, clean and we had several great nights of sleep.
Service awesome, no pushy wait staff like on Carnival cruise lines. In fact if I had to complain it would be for not having enough wait staff. I loved the drink ticket concept and if you purchase ahead of time, you save tax and gratuities. All the wait staff we had, aimed to please, not hard to take when you are on vacation.
Dinner menus, awesome - had some excellent meals and compliments to the chefs because some of the food we ate was to die for.
No problems with any excursions as well.
All in all, we rated MSC a number 10 and we actually cannot wait to get back on one of their ships to do another Caribbean cruise with them. I am very surprised that the average is only a 6 - maybe the Mediterranian cruises are not as good as the Caribbean??
11 years ago
Sandie Keefe Albany, NY
a vacation any vacation is what you make it your surrounding are how we see them and how we enjoy them if you are rude youll see rude if you are happy and of good faith and good intentions you will receive that in return people places and things do not make your life you do they just enhance it, MSC makes it so we can enhance our life with family and friends and look and enjoy beautiful things along the way
thank you
MSC
11 years ago
John Topeka, KS
Don`t understand all the bad talk about MSC. We sailed on Divina last November and had a wonderful time. Had an oceanview room that was close to everything. Perfect location. Service was wonderful. Food was topnotch. Loved the time it took for the food. Did not feel rushed to get out of the diningroom. Entertainment was first rate. We are platinum on Princess. But plan to sail MSC again.
11 years ago
Virgie Wong Fort Lauderdale, FL
Our experienced and cruise with MSC ( Divina) was awesome!!! was our first time to cruise with the company, we've been cruising with different cruise, and we can compare all of them, MSC, DIvina first we say great is the FOOD... indeed, delicious and lots of menus choices, the staff's are awesome and over all the whole crew, the ship was amazingly fantastic...Salud!!! keep up the good work and Yes we're booking for our next MSC cruise ( 4 of us who always go on a cruise....here we come...yay..
11 years ago
Tamira Selee Caldwell, ID
My husband and I sailed on the Divina in March 2015 in the Yacht Club. From the private check in area at the Port of Miami, our butler, our private dining room, private pool, private lounge and concierge, the week was amazing. This is a small private club onboard a large ship. The food was amazing, the service was outstanding and our overall experience has spoiled us to only wanting to travel in the yacht club.
11 years ago
Virgie Wong Fort Lauderdale, FL
Our first time to cruise with MSC, been seen the ship along with our past cruise befire.. and we did experienced and awesome time, if you want to be in a real vacay time, quiet, yet fun peaceful and still lots of activites and the whole staff, crew and the intire ship is just lovely, awesome and we ( 4 of us always cruising) looking forward to sail with MSC next year..Love the delicious exotic food and Yes I tell everyone to cruise and have funtabulous time like our experienced, Bravo MSC !!!!
11 years ago
Antonio Macungie, PA
We did 2 back-to-back cruises on the beautiful DIVINA in September. ... Should have done FOUR! ,,, We did not want to get off. ... 14 days on a ship with a crew like this and you are bound to make friends. Thank you MSC Cruises USA. ... You REALLY try. And you REALLY care.
11 years ago
carol Parrott Orlando, FL
We went on the Divinia out of Miami and had a wonderful vacation. The ship is fantastic and the food was some of the best that we have had, we have sailed with 4 different cruise lines and would definitely choose MSC again.
11 years ago
Marta Hollywood, FL
Last year we went 3 times on MSC Divina...The luxury of the cruise ship is awesome and the ambience..We loved they had a place for Spanish people to dance their music..The shows were excellent as well as the food..We would likely go again...
11 years ago
phyllis jones Saint Petersburg, FL
It was great ! My grandson and my self take a cruise every year. We are taking one in Sept. with another cruise line.W e tried you but for some reason could not. We did enjoy our cruise with you. Hope to cruise again with you.
Thanks
Phyllis Jones
11 years ago
Diann Wellman Ada, OH
We were on the MSC Divina shortly after it came to Miami. We had never cruised before and it was an AMAZING experience!! Everything was top notch and we can't wait to go again!
11 years ago
Dianna Davis Tampa, FL
We had a wonderful time. The service and all the crew members went overboard to see that we had everything we needed for a memorable cruise. Would I go again...yes with no hesitation.
11 years ago
jean stevens Bronx, NY
one of the best times I had on a cruise ship was my 4 days on the Divina, MY room, and the whole ship was a wonder, would go again tomorrow.
11 years ago
Dianne Thomas Kennesaw, GA
Took 7 day cruise last October. Beautiful ship, great food and super entertainment. Best cruise line. Looking forward to next cruise with MSC.
11 years ago
Mukund Mohan Las Vegas, NV
I have been on the MSC Divina and MSC Poesia. Amazing ships and fantastic service! MSC always gives the best cruise experiences!
11 years ago
Mark R. Urick Lady Lake, FL
The last cruise I was on Was MSC and it was wonderful, Great Food, Fine Service and the staff was amazing.
11 years ago
Thomas
Excellent communication, low rates, easy to contact, no problems
8 years ago
Vicky Nutile North Port, FL
we had fun on the divina twice
11 years ago
