MSC The Bottom 10

This week (the first of a two part series) we're having a little fun poking holes in MSC. We're MSC fans... but that doesn't mean we love everything about the cruise line. Let's examine the 10 worst things about MSC, before next week... when we look at the 10 best things!
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[@garyfun2drum]

Although I think MSC has been going through a learning curve, I also think their goal is to do the right thing. We had such a great time in December, we booked another cruise with them next winter. As for your bottom 10, we didn't experience any annoyance to them EXCEPT for: 1: Their enthusiastic sharing of packages, though we never saw them in the buffet. We just told them we already bought. Their photographers were a little annoying as well, but we had fun with them too. One guy with a camera in particular, who recognized us as the ones who never allowed a picture, on the last day we found him and asked him to take our pictures. He laughed and said "Really? Wow Great!" and we had a great time with him. 2: We actually had a great customer service experience overall, but that part where you talked about getting kicked out of the pool with a drink made me bust out laughing! That exact thing happened to me at the Infinity Pool on Seascape. My wife and several other people were with drinks in hand in the chairs IN THE WATER in the Infinity Pool. They're in shallow water at the edge of the pool, not in the deeper portion. I walked down there and sat beside my wife with my drink. The pool police guy came over and started with the hand motions pointing me away, and I was like "What?". He said "No drinks in the pool!" Must get out with the drink!". Seriously, the guy on the other side of my wife was looking on, kind of moved his drink down beside him, a look of confusion on his face. The others never got called out - just me. The other guy got up and left with his, but just because the whole thing was awkward. While finishing my drink (away from the pool), I asked the "pool police" crew member why I was called out for doing what others were doing, but he didn't seem to understand. Just repeated that I can't take my drink into the pool. lol

[@Stephanie-vx4zi]

It's through Hygiene. MSC being European. We don't consume whilst in pools or hot tubs .The line’s number one priority has always been the health and safety of its guests and crew.

[@garyfun2drum]

@@Stephanie-vx4zi I understand that part of it, but why was I singled out and made to leave while several others were allowed to keep their drinks in the pool?

[@Taste-Try-Travel]

Kinda frustrating to be singled out. But sometimes us handsome folk just get noticed more! 🤪😜🤪

[@garyfun2drum]

@@Taste-Try-Travel Lol, ain't that the truth

[@Dave17101]

I just had a hilarious thought of Chris on a bar crawl and getting a drink with a pinapple in it and falling off the barstool as he screams "No pineapple, no pineapple. I am not like that "😂

[@Taste-Try-Travel]

🤣😂🤣

[@shinjumorris8161]

I also carry my own small salt shaker. Mucho importante!

[@Taste-Try-Travel]

Well you are my kind of person!!! Mucho importante!!

[@RoLin4u]

Beth- make sure you include regular salt in your diet too. It’s important!

[@Taste-Try-Travel]

Always do 😁

[@ronbowers7944]

I thought Chris would add lack of steampunk Humpty Dumpty

[@Taste-Try-Travel]

Ha ha he had that one but I vetoed it 🤪🤪

[@Dave17101]

25 years, huge congratulations on a huge milestone in your lives! I'm cracking up here picturing Chris feverishly searching all his cruise clothes to make sure he doesn't have any pineapples on them. Or what he does if the cabin next door has upside-down pineapples. MSC coffee on the balcony as you watch the whales and seals does sound wonderful. The lack of included food options is a big deal and overcrowding the food venues happens all the time. Not a wide variety of choices in quick grab and go meals. The muster drill is my #1 complaint, it is almost as bad as the pre pandemic muster drills. It is the American expectation of customer service where our backsides are kissed and the staff constantly check up on you that people are not seeing on MSC or other Europen tours. I think it is for tips above and beyond the included tips on out tabs. MSC specifically requests no cash tipping (I still do it) and it is just the European way. I have actually enjoyed the not in my face wait staff asking if I need another drink after my second sip.

[@Taste-Try-Travel]

Thank you! 25 years… seems like we’re newlyweds… wrinkly, gray-haired newlyweds! 🤪😊🤪 We are really hoping the muster drill has changed fleet-wide… we’ll know for sure in a few days when we board Seashore for our next MSC adventure!🥳

[@Dave17101]

@@Taste-Try-Travel It is great to see the way you two interact together, keeping each other on your toes and laughing. Chris needs sound effects like at midnight on New Years Eve for further announcements of your 25th anniversary, minus the singing of course. I can hardly wait to meet you on the group cruise

[@RoLin4u]

I agree with number one and I haven’t even got on ship

[@Taste-Try-Travel]

😂😂 thankfully no issues this last week but you just never know

[@ryarosh]

I have to agree about the security picture. I redid it three times and still had the same scrunched up face. Ugh. lol.

[@Taste-Try-Travel]

Ha! 😊😝😊

[@suzannesponsler]

On MSC Magnifica (6/7/24) they have fixed the Muster Drill !!! 😂

[@Taste-Try-Travel]

Isn’t it great!!!! You can’t get any alcohol before you scan in at you muster. This cruise was the first one that didn’t have announcements for people to go scan. Love this change!

[@odkbull]

Tough love in this video. #1 - I have visited guest services/concierge a few times over the years. They are always helpful if not fake US happy. Have never left the ship without things resolved. So, that is good. When not in YC, I always bring gifts to them at start of cruise. They deserve it and it always helps. :-) #3 - sometimes MDR has a miss here and there, but then I just ask for another option. We love the variety in the buffet! #4 - maybe twice in 15 ish cruises have I had a bed that was not as sleepable. More challenges with pillows. But, have never been denied when asking for more, different, others. #5 - # of announcements and length has def been reduced/shortened over the years. #9 - why do they bother asking for the pic if they are going to retake it at the port...bless.... #10 have not had the sea lice yet? Are they better than the YC lobster rolls?! :-) LOL - love you guys!!!

[@Taste-Try-Travel]

Ha! If I see the Ocean Cay food trucks with a “Fresh Bahamian Sea Lice with a Spicy Remoulade/$13” sign…😳 MSC’s food is outstanding… we just haven’t experienced what the negative reviews are describing. We’ve never encountered a really bad meal either. 😊

[@odkbull]

@@Taste-Try-Travel right?! And, I will forever maintain that if someone complains about food on an MSC Cruise, it should be mandatory that they submit a week's worth of what they consume at home! I suspect there will be some PBJ's, chicken tenders, fries, etc. in that menu. MSC is so much more than that!

[@Jon_T19]

I have only seen one couple who was obviously a swinging couple on the Norwegian Joy. Every single bathing suit, shirt and shorts worn the entire time had an upside down pineapple stitched on. I had no idea before that, lol

[@Taste-Try-Travel]

Ha! As the Beatles once said: “Ahhh, look at all the lonely people!” 🤪😊🤪

[@mismatmom]

MSC new to american market but changes in recent years obvious. Perhaps some are just not comfortable with diverse atmosphere. Little more chill. Floating disco ball with swarovski crystal staircase. Beautiful. Every bar has an esspresso machine so get your coffee from bar service. Even with non alcoholic package. Cruise twice a tear, one is a solo cruise. Befriend my steward for little more safety. Sent me home with free bottle of wine and engraved msc glasses. Take my own snorkel mask and float and book overnight at island. Turtle hangs out by lighthouse inside fence barrier. Flounder, live conch, lots of fish. Changes with seasons. I want balcony and book fantastica so i can pick my cabin. Last cruise in june took 15 minutes from stepping onto escalator at entrance to walking onto ship. Room immediately ready.

[@MC-ys4yf]

I agree with 90% of this list, I’d probably remove the dull names and add: Every MSC forum on the internet seems to be swamped with individuals who are loyal fans of another line, most often Carnival, RCCL, or NCL that flock to MSC pages to complain about how much they dislike MSC because it isn’t like their preferred cruise line. It makes sorting through reviews really difficult because its hard to find facts rather than biased opinions. Previously I would’ve also included the muster drill but I’m hearing the process has been streamlined and simplified the first week of June and excited to see how it plays out next week.

[@Taste-Try-Travel]

Great point!😊

[@thomasmurphy502]

Was not aware that Sea Lice existed. There was a VLogging couple last year that claimed that he got bitten by bedbugs on one of the MSC ships but the crew could find no evidence of bedbugs. Interestingly it was the night they visited Ocean Cay and he spent lots of time in the water. This explains it in my mind.

[@Taste-Try-Travel]

We have never experienced it but they are too small to see so can understand the bed bug theory

[@simplywanda1065]

So does Chris know about Flamingos as well now?

[@Taste-Try-Travel]

🦩🤔🫤

[@Pirtosi]

bwahahahahahaha how is it that Beth knows about "Pineapple" and Chris doesn't...? 🤨🤐🤣 Number 7 is no good salt....... in a bottom 10 list..... 🤣 Great gads that funny! Number 6 - No West Coast, I agree completely! They need to get presence in the Alaskan Cruising. We have a Cruise booked out of long Beach for Cabo etc, and I so wish I could have done it through MSC. Number 3 - subpar food options, We love the food on MSC it is always really good in our opinion, but the lack of options is glaring. Even on the Buffet. It seems like it is the same options every day, they are tasty options but they seem to be the same day to day. Number 2 - Selling packages - It gets sooooo annoying, especially if it is the same person asking you each time. The Drink Package one is the worse. Although they only do that for like the first two days. But when you tell them you already have the drink package, then they ask if you wanna upgrade it. Then they look surprised when you tell them you have the highest one already. Like how many of the top one don't they sell if they are that surprised? 🤣 Number 1 - The lack of C.S. is absolutely spot on. OH my GODS!!! Pre-cruise and Post-Cruise just the absolute worse! It has gotten better, but it is still very lacking. And don't even attempt to go to the Guest Services on the cruise... the line is ALWAYS a Mile long. (Although Melana is Diamond/black and we get the short line LoL) Good list.... The salt thing not with-standing. 😛

[@Taste-Try-Travel]

Ha! 😊 I think MSC might hire actors to stand in the customer service line and make it seem long 24 hours a day… so people walk up, look at the line, and just give up!🤪😜🤪

[@johnkean6852]

Cruise channels never tell me if l can sit in the Sauna free - obviously, no treatments. I think we could use the Sauna free on Costa every day? What was annoying is ships that made us pay eg MSC weren't charging the gymsters who popped in there after their workouts Of course the gym was free so they assumed the Sauna was too but noone policed it. Just seemed unfair. So clarity would be a plus please if you / anyone knows the position.

[@Taste-Try-Travel]

Hi there. We used our gold status to get 1 free hour in the thermal spa. Other than that you have to reserve it for a day pass $$ or week pass $$. If you book Aurea experience or YC you also get access but typically you need to make reservations on sea days for 1 hour slots. On Seashore, the gym was not connected so there was none of those issues. I hope that answers your question 😊

[@johnkean6852]

@@Taste-Try-Travel Brilliant. Thx so much.

[@gretchenhebert5858]

Forgot to mention to earlier… from we understand MSC makes announcements in a particular language when a certain percentage of passengers (not sure threshold) are on board and that is their native language. It’s kinda cool to think about that!!

[@Taste-Try-Travel]

That makes sense why sometimes we hear a lot and then others only English 😊

[@Stephanie-vx4zi]

Only in Europe. In the USA no

[@annintheland6659]

I thought the smart elevators would make the list LOL

[@Taste-Try-Travel]

So those are not on Meraviglia or the smaller ships… we are going back to Seashore so will update

[@garyfun2drum]

@@Taste-Try-Travel We were on Seascape in December, and we liked the elevators. They were easy to operate, and I think they made the elevators more efficient. It was very clear that you were supposed to press the floor selection outside, no different from pressing a button to call other elevators, just a floor number instead.

[@RoLin4u]

I’m doing MSC for the first time soon. Can you not have drinks beside the pool?

[@Taste-Try-Travel]

Drinks near the pool are okay, but not right next to or in the pool. So a drink in a deck chair is okay, but not on the edge of the pool. Hope that makes sense. Have a great cruise! 🥳

[@annintheland6659]

They have a pillow menu for Aurea

[@gretchenhebert5858]

I meant to mention that too

[@amandajohnson4348]

when I do the security photo I do the opposite person- Hubby me/ me hubby. then at check in they do another picture that Im much more ready for. I've seen a few folks bring their own hot sauce.

[@Taste-Try-Travel]

“Bring your own hot sauce people” are our kinda people! 🤪😊🤪

[@bzilla4670]

You should start haunting g chris with pinnapples, pack a can in his suitcase without him knowing!!!

[@Taste-Try-Travel]

Yeah we will have fun with that!

[@CraigH-ep5db]

Have to chuckle with your spelling. LOL😅

[@Taste-Try-Travel]

At least I spelled “Beth” correctly… I think… 🤔🤪🤔

[@Taste-Try-Travel]

I’m rewatching it right now… the spelling just keeping getting worse and worse. 😟 And I even won 3rd grade spelling bee… I have no excuse!🤪😊🤪

[@thomasmurphy502]

Another great and entertaining podcast. I'm already picturing Chris pointing out all of the pineapples on the doors on your upcoming cruise and snickering.