Never again? MSC Cruises: Our HONEST review for one of the most CRITICIZED cruise lines!

[@ritzytravelguide]

If you enjoyed this video, please do leave a comment in the box! By the way you can watch our latest video on the best Celebrity ship here here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qoPGdKyAZ8ScjMU

[@andiswaxakana2546]

I’ve been there before

[@MindJoeBusineess]

Absolutely one of the best reviews on a cruise ship online. Very thorough and real! I appreciate the professionalism and hope you review more ships in the same way! Keep up the great work!

[@ritzytravelguide]

Very kind of you to say, many thanks indees! We have several other reviews on our channel, and more coming all the time!

[@kmarshie]

Absolutely. You actually provided real footage of the ship and capacity everywhere.

[@themoulaphokou7956]

MSC is such a different experience when you go out of season. Went on Virtuosa in Feb and did not queue for anything. We had a fabulous time. Staff were so friendly, and agree the food in the MDR was lovely.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Agreed, the staff are fabulous. They always had a smile on their face 🙂

[@garyatkinson5699]

How many where on board?

[@ritzytravelguide]

For our sailing 6000

[@themoulaphokou7956]

@@garyatkinson5699 ours only had 3600 so big difference to school holidays when there could be 6000 and more.

[@manasbhave8943]

@@themoulaphokou7956 I think it also depends on the size of the ship. I sailed on Fantasia earlier this year and we had close to 3900 people on board, was still crowded in the outdoor pool area but nowhere else in the ship did it feel crowded other than the outdoor pool.

[@TheOriginalMarimoChan]

thank you for this very honest review. normally the vids I watch on KZbin don't show the "other side" and you did that exceptionally.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Hi, thank you so much, really appreciate that!

[@guillermoreyes54]

I like very much your cruise videos (the first I saw was the one about QM2, so good that I subscribed to your channel at that very moment I finished the video). Great great narration (your diction is impeccable, the humor is perfectly subtle, the pace in the narration keeps us interested in the content), very good takes, very very valuable information, good arrangement of the sections of the video, great music at the background , and good editing. Can I make a suggestion? When you talk about prices or interesting numbers, it could be a good idea to display that briefly (2-3 secs.) on the screen. Thumbs up and please keep going on this very good work! 👍

[@ritzytravelguide]

Hi there, thank you so much for your kind compliments on the videos. Very gratifying to read! Noted on the display time for numbers on the screen.... I will keep them up for longer, in future editions!!

[@gavinnaylor1428]

Great video

[@ritzytravelguide]

@gavinnaylor1428 Thanks Gavin

[@marlenejohnston9046]

Thank you for your video! After being on 22 cruises, I went on my first MSC in April'24 and absolutely loved everything about it. I'm in my late 80's, and not exactly a party animal, but I do enjoy seeing other people having fun. I was on the Meraviglia and it never seemed crowded other than at the pool, silent disco parties and dance areas (and we have a choice to either go or not go to those activities/areas)......I chose to go! I have never been on a cruise that has had a quiet pool area on sea days! I also found the food to be excellent in the main dining room and in the buffet and I enjoyed a lot of the more healthy choices being offered there. Crew members were great and my cabin and common areas were spotlessly clean. I booked another cruise while onboard and I'm now looking at booking yer another.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Hi Marlene, fantastic to hear from you, and always great to get messages from a range of cruisers. All credit to you, age is just a number, and you are absolutely living life to the full. Kudos to you! Hoping I am as vivacious and brimming with spirit as you are in your late 80s. Thanks so much for writing in!

[@Sashacolin7530]

You can be on cruises 100 times, but that's not an indicator for comparison. It is enough to see one view to understand the level of MSC.

[@PaulWilde-k6t]

We have just come off the subsequent cruise to yours on the virtuosa and whilst your review is fair I think there are a few things worth pointing out. This is our fourth cruise and first using MSC (others being p&o, Norwegian and royal Caribbean). All have been in the Med and in the school summer holidays. That is my first point - they have all been extremely busy on sea days and it has been difficult to find sun beds on all. If you are clever about it then it works fine. In sea days we found indoor activities to do in the morning/early afternoon such as talks by Eddie the Eagle, cake decorating classes and then went to the pool about 3pm when poolside beds were becoming available (still hot and plenty of time to enjoy it). On port days we went to the pool first - very easy to get sunbeds and swim splash free before heading onto land in the afternoon. Apart from p&o they have all been quite loud ‘party ships’ so MSC was not a surprise although I agree there are fewer quiet places than on other ships. Part of this is because they are in the yacht club. By having this paywall it does push the majority of people into less space. Also there are fewer attractions than royal Caribbean so the main option is the pool area. No problem with the food - all good but possibly less menu choice than others. We were really impressed that there were 3 show times and 3 meal times which corresponded. Booking shows on the app was really easy and made for very smooth evening arrangements. Finally our disembarkation was really smooth - no queuing at all and got off ship before our allocated time. I think our embarkation suffered due to your slow disembarkation (we were told the uk immigration were to blame). I wouldn’t be put off by msc so long as you know what to expect. It is cheaper for a reason. If you have the luxury of a bigger budget and don’t need to go in school holidays then choose something else. For us the other option for the same price was a cheap all inclusive in Tenerife and this was a much better option which we don’t regret taking at all.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Many thanks indeed for your detailed response. Well done on your daily planning to get the best out of the ship. Agreed concerning the App. It worked well and was efficient. I would have liked to attend a talk by Eddie the Eagle!

[@timterrell5133]

We just completed a7 day cruise on the Seashore and when we disembarked we were off the ship and on the curb waiting for our transportation in 10 minutes. We carried our own bags off the ship and did not have a line at all. We never stopped moving.

[@ritzytravelguide]

That's great. Well done

[@syberdawg]

I was booked on an MSC crusie and read so many reviews that were negative but the cruise was fantastic! Lots of things said in the reviews were untrue. Im doing another in Dec on MSC.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Hi, many thanks for your comment. Indeed, that's what makes the world such a fascinating place .... we all see things from contrasting angles. MSC does get repeat customers, so for some, they are going it right! Have a great cruise in December. I guess it will be in the Caribbean at that time of year?

[@syberdawg]

@@ritzytravelguide It’s in Europe lol. Dec 22 to 29 so xams time touching France Netherlands Belgium and Germany. I don't mind the chilly weather ! But MSC it is.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Have a great cruise, December is always a nice festive time to be aboard!

[@ithinkilovehim81]

I’ve never had a bad experience on MSC

[@julescates8149]

I did 2 back to back over the summer, my first time with msc, one on this very ship from Southampton and another out of Venice to the Greek isles, I usually go with American cruise ships, but decided to give MSC a try, his review is spot on, my 19th cruise and have never experienced anything like this in my 20 years of cruising, and it's in a negative way...but I must agree their prices is unmatched, but it doesn't deter me, I make the best of everything because I love to cruise

[@nismo8319]

My wife and I just got back from a cruise on the MSC Seaside to the Bahamas and I will say, the staff was very friendly, the food was good and while some areas were crowded or loud, there was always somewhere quiet and peaceful to sit and relax and the on-board shows were entertaining. We saw their comedian and the star walker show. A few down sides are that the wifi was terrible, the packages we ordered to our room were not delivered so we had to visit guest services four times to sort it out. All in all, we had a good time though and would do it again.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Hi, sounds like you had a great time! I agree the food on MSC is one of their selling points, particularly given their price point. Better than some of the more expensive lines!

[@christinaremiszewski2591]

May be different in the Mediterranean

[@conspiracybeliever1749]

Sounds very different from my experience in 2018 on the Seaside out of Miami. Food and entertainment were the worst of any previous cruise ( Royal, Celebrity, Princess and Norwegian).

[@eastwoodsfamilyvacations8783]

We got off Saturday, it was crowded however didn’t have any issues really. We’ve done 26 cruises and 1st in school holidays. The staff like you mention are a credit along with food to what was good. This is the busiest cruise we have done but loved it.

[@ritzytravelguide]

So glad to hear you didn't have the same disembarkation problems, and that you had a great time!

[@tunethemoon]

We just got back from a family cruise last week and we're pleasantly surprised by the whole experience. Will definitely be cruising with them again

[@martinfranks7723]

We are a senior couple who both loved the Virtuosa so much we rebooked. Food was very good and so was the entertainment. So clean everywhere. The lifts were impressive. Have been cruising for 50 years with several cruise lines and the Virtuosa has a great vibe and gets a thumbs up from us.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Hi Martin, that's great to hear. I do feel that MSC unfairly gets a bad rap for it's food, we found it to be very good. The lifts are clever, aren't they . I notice a few other cruiselines are starting to use them same concept too. Saves a lot of time

[@TheCurlyclub]

I feel very sorry for the MSC crew. With all the queueing most of their interactions would be with justifiably annoyed passengers. What a stressful way to work 😢. I would not choose their cruise on that basis alone. It’s hard to have an enjoyable holiday when the crew have it so tough. Their quality of life is important too. Thank you for this thorough review.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Hi, I'm sure the crew hate these full ships, yes!

[@jenniferrrrr71]

However that is customer service. I've worked at Universal Studios, Walt Disney World and hotels for 20 years. The job is to try to make folks happy and be pleasant no matter how annoying your guests are.

[@TheCurlyclub]

@@jenniferrrrr71 you deserve a medal 🥇❤️

[@jean-louisfrossard8818]

Thank you for that video. We joined MSC three times during spring, autumn and winter, and we enjoyed it very much. It was not crowded at all, and I think that's the point. So, choose a different time of the year, and you will enjoy it, too.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Hi, many thanks for your comments. That is great to hear. Next year, if we find an interesting itinerary, on the right ship, at the right time... we may give MSC another go. It's only fair to give them another chance, and see

[@GoergeSkiller]

You get what you pay for !!!!! 1. Boring, nothing to do 2. Cold , bad, bland, samey food 3. Hidden fees everywhere 4. Bad staff, rude, yelling, ignorant 5. Crowded, no seats, long lines 6. Dirty, dangerous, ripoff cruise

[@ritzytravelguide]

@user-lj4iv8tf9i Hi George, which MSC ship was this? Was it sailing from the States or Europe?

[@GoergeSkiller]

@@ritzytravelguide Florida, we paid about $1000 more on RC and it was 10x better...on all levels. Like McDonald's to PFchang

[@marlenejohnston9046]

@@GoergeSkiller I'm sorry that you feel this way about MSC because other than the crowded pools I don't agree with any of your comments. I have been on 23 cruises and 4 different cruise lines and not once have I experienced a pool area that has NOT been crowded. I went on my first MSC cruise in April '24 and absolutely loved everything about it. So much so, we booked another while onboard and I'm looking to book yet another. I was on the Meraviglia out of New York and will be doing the same cruise again. My daughter who was with me enjoyed it soooo much that not only is she going with me again, she is going in two weeks time with her husband. I feel different ships operate slightly differently, kind of like a resaurant chain......we prefer some locations over others! I have two other cruises booked with Royal Caribbean at the moment, and to tell you the truth, I wish I didn't have as I'd much rather go with MSC. I guess you can tell, I love everything about MSC.

[@Cmbuie123]

Thank you for your objective review. It looks very similar to RCL - wonderful for families. I have taken 3 cruises with MSC and enjoyed them, but I tend to cruise during the low season - less crowds. C.Buie

[@ritzytravelguide]

Yes, it's extremely crowded in high season

[@suetieu3667]

Really enjoyed your video. We've just come back of a Med cruise on the Vurtuosa, had a great time. I definitely agree on some of your points, getting a bed by the pool was an issue if you weren't up early (7.30ish). We always found a table in the buffet although it was busy, on previous RCL cruises we have struggled. Disembarkation...this on our cruise was a very different experience though. We were given our meeting time and point, 8.50 in the theatre. We waited just 5 mins and were then then led straight off the ship. I could see a lot of people in your queue, I wonder why it was such a different experience. 🤔

[@ritzytravelguide]

Thanks so much for your comments, lovely to hear from others who have been on the same ship. I wish our disembarkation had been like yours!

[@cruisecrazy7066]

Remember.... When the buffet is crowded, the food is replaced constantly, and is FRESH.

[@urbanprojectz]

The queues are shocking, really poor quality food.

[@tessasweet5792]

MSC food is horrendous!

[@Arvidje]

@@tessasweet5792 the buffet better then most normal 4 class hotel.. the dinner is very high quality..

[@BrianCoates-np5rp]

À​@@tessasweet5792

[@tessasweet5792]

@@Arvidje I stand by what I say that food was HORRENDOUS!!! It's really too bad because the ship I was on was absolutely beautiful. My suite was absolutely beautiful... But between the too many children and the horrendous food ...both at dinner and lunch... I will never ever go on an MSC Cruise again. They would have to give it to Me for free in order for Me to ever sail any of their cruises again. I've never had such bad food in My life. It was so bad that We had to buy all of our food when we were off the ship 🌹..SO BAD.SO SAD! 🌹

[@rockydaleo6998]

You are correct with to many people at the pools. Many cruises have the same problem. On sea days on all cruise lines I don’t even try to go to the pool. I usually try to limit my port time so that I can use the pools while people are out at locations. Unless of course I’m on an excursion myself!

[@steveseal9427]

I’m surprised you didn’t mention the lifts on Virtuosa. Whoever programmed the control software pulled a master stroke - you just punch in what deck you want and it tells you which lift to wait at. Other cruise lines can learn from this. Been on Virtuosa twice now and going to the fjords on it in a couple of weeks. Never experienced the disembarkation chaos seem here, so will let you know how that goes. Enjoyed the video. Thank you!

[@ritzytravelguide]

Good point, the lifts are very clever! Enjoy your Fjords cruise 🙂

[@garyatkinson5699]

Are you going on the 2nd of September cruise?

[@steveseal4492]

@@garyatkinson5699 yes! 👍🏻

[@garyatkinson5699]

@@steveseal4492 i was annoyed to find out ship was full , was hoping it would only be half capacity with kids at school

[@steveseal9427]

@@garyatkinson5699 we have no control over that unfortunately…but it may be mainly full with adults, and less families, i.e. all cabins can be occupied but circa 4200 passengers as oppose to 6000. Fingers crossed 🤞🏻. We’ll still have a great time…beautiful ship, helpful crew, lots to do, no cooking or cleaning or domestic jobs and beautiful Norway…..beats staying home or going to work 😉

[@MadeNCda]

Great review Bill, and I must echo what others have said: your narration is a pleasure to listen to. I would have to pass on ever cruising with MSC if that disembarkation is the norm. I am Virgo and that disorder would grate on me terribly 😂 Thank you for this thorough review. Cheers!

[@ritzytravelguide]

Hi there, thank you so much for your kind compliments, gives a real boost to the day 🙂

[@nodirasart230]

This is not a norm at all on MSC. If you disembark at the designated time and place - everything goes super smoothly. MSC is just the same as other cruise lines in that regard.

[@jasonross-collins6033]

We've sailed with MSC twice. Both on Meraviglia, both in Med and both in the height of summer. The first was Aurea class and the second YC. On both occasions whilst very busy it never felt over full...The ship was very much like others on non sea days being quite empty and easy to get sun beds etc. On any day in the evening we found the bars quite empty. I suspect some of that may be to do with the international audience (lots of Italians and Spanish) and the fact they tend to dine later etc. compared to the UK. Food has never been an issue for us on MSC. Certainly bar service in the main ship was a challenge on occasion on the second trip simply because it was very full. Clearly our experience on YC was completely different and the service was as good as we've had anywhere. If we could afford YC every time then we would do it.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Hi, thanks very much for your comments and observations. The Yacht Club experience is very different. Outside of it, MSC cruises have a very different feel and character

[@susanshepherd2997]

Great video!! We are taking our 1st MSC cruise Nov '24 and very excited. We r new to cruising so we have no expectations. Our 1st cruise was ladt Nov on a Carnival ship. The food was ok, nit amazing but not bad. The pools and hot tubs were extremely crowded and could never use. So i believe that issue is on a lot of ships. Thanks gor your great videos & reviews. Look forward to watching more..

[@ritzytravelguide]

Thank you so much Susan, wishing you a great cruise in November!

[@broadsword6650]

Excellent video! Comprehensive, even-handed, and revealing.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Thanks indeed, comments much appreciated!

[@bgregg55]

Of the people I know that have cruised on MSC they universally disliked their experience. You are spot on about their target market. I'll stick with RCCL.

[@ModLil6520]

Very objective and informative videos. 👌 Your family is adorable!

[@ritzytravelguide]

Awww, thank you so much!

[@Swanseatravelcouple]

Excellent video, we’re off on the Virtuosa on the 30th September for 15th nights. We naively thought the ship wouldn’t be full in October - it’s just sold out apart for a few Aurora & Yacht club cabins! Ah well we’ll have to come up with strategies to try and avoid the worst of the crowds. We’ve just bid an upgrade to the Yaught club internal room but after watching your video I think I might increase my bid, although none of these cabins are available so success is unlikely. Also thinking of bidding on a superior Aurora cabin with flex dining, spa, breakfast in your cabin, seperate sun deck. All 4 of your videos have been very informative, look forward to viewing the other’s.

[@ritzytravelguide]

I like your strategy concerning the Yacht Club! We also took a good look at the Aurora, whilst on board. They have a nice deck area, with segrated loungers. That could well be a good choice. Hope your cruise goes well, and good luck with your bids!

[@Swanseatravelcouple]

Thanks@@ritzytravelguide - If we’re unsuccessful with our bids I think we’ll be spending a lot of time on our balcony during the day & probably heading to the sky lounge in the evening - other cruisers have recommended the L’atelier bar for a more chilled evening. Looking forward to your other videos, hope you release a survivors guide to being on the Virtuosa - top tip about going to breakfast early! Thanks Phil.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Survivors Video Guide to the Virtuosa is indeed in the works! Should be ready in the next week, together with the Speciality Dining video. Breakfast in the Main Dining Rooms is excellent. Almost nobody goes, and it's nice and relaxed

[@gavinnaylor1428]

​@@ritzytravelguidehave you done the buffet video

[@peterbennett4663]

Excellent review - always interesting how cruise experiences very even on the same ship. We've been on the Virtuosa twice and had 2 quite different (but not horrible) experiences - 2 of us (in our 50s) travelled to the fjords in June last year and 4 of us (us plus our 2 grown-up daughters) on a long weekend to Rotterdam. 100% agree that the way the ship is designed means that there are insufficient quieter spaces/lounges to get away from the main hub. During the day it is much calmer around the ship (away from the pools) - that main promenade is quite quiet - particularly on port days we found. I wouldn't travel on MSC during school holidays - that's when the ship will be at 100% capacity. Yes - buffet is always busy but - as you say - just go to the far end and you will usually find seating - people just can't be bothered to walk far sometimes. We found the main dining room food to be OK but that's it. Sorry you had such a nightmare disembarkation - makes me wonder if there were immigration or customs issues as we had very smooth and quick disembarkations on both of our cruises - with everyone seemingly sticking to there time slots. It's a very pretty ship with lots for everyone but I'd be careful about dates and itinerary :-)

[@ritzytravelguide]

Hi Peter, many thanks indeed for your detailed and considered comments. Yes, absolutely the dates you cruise can be critical. By and large I think the MSC product has various points to commend it. Unfortunately, anyone who travels peak, as you mentioned, is unlikely to see this aspect. If only MSC cut 25% of the passenger numbers, to make the ship more manageable. It would cost more to cruise of course, but I wager many would pay a little more, for a better experience. Once again, thanks for taking the time to comment.

[@vinettechisholm5135]

You're spot on about the offerings. I think there's a big buffet offering with a lot of choices. For departure , take a seat and allow the rush to go. It's best to go to the dining room and have your breakfast then leave.

[@ritzytravelguide]

We did exactly that. Sadly the extremely delayed disembarkation would have tested the patience of a saint

[@oneworldvideo]

Fantastic video! The solution to crowded ships is simple: take repositioning cruises! They have far fewer people on board!

[@ritzytravelguide]

Hi, yes they certainly do!

[@teknodopamine0479]

I subscribed because this guys voice reminds me of one of the guys in the James Bond movies, great content! Im cruising with MSC in Feb 2025, im looking forward to it.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Hi, thanks for subscribing, have a great cruise next February!

[@macpduff2119]

I hate noise and crowds, so this is a helpful video. This looks like my vision of Hell. Why do people pay for such abuse?

[@acg_trader]

What a pleasant experience it is to see your reviews. Even in bad experiences you put them in their proper context, not spoiling what is positive in your experience. In other words, with objective assessments. Thank you.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Hi, many thanks for your kind words, and comments. I do try to be balanced and fair, even if on occasion, your patience is tested with MSC!

[@carolriordan5520]

We had a fantastic experience with MSC, and have since booked for more cruises with them! I would highly reccomend them!

[@ritzytravelguide]

Thanks Carol 🙂

[@scottyphillips7799]

Just discovered your channel and absolutely love your reviews on MSC. I’ve been considering going on one and this has given me more insight. My wife and I don’t like huge crowds but we always manage to handle cruising well. But this might be a little too crowded. Definitely gave us a lot to consider.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Thank you Scotty. Yes, MSC will often be crowded, and then some. There's no real way to overlook that!

[@bar10ml44]

Superb, in depth well presented insights into cruising. If I had my fairytale dream it would be the Normandie. I was fortunate to work on board Holland America Line and did the world cruise. It was sublime, sophisticated without stuffiness and reminiscent of past elegance.

[@ritzytravelguide]

The Normandie did indeed look an absolutely gorgeous ship!!

[@notme222]

Excellent video. Nicely organized with clear evaluation and a great choice of video footage to demonstrate each point.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Thank you!

[@tmac9972]

This guy sounds like the guy that narrates all the European nature videos, sounds like a fair review.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Thanks!

[@mariavano9616]

Loving your content, as I enjoy a bit of lux when I can (and have saved a year for it LOL) -- what I find interesting is that you said "the worst disembarcation of any cruise line you've been on". Have you been on Costa (specifically, Costa Pacifica, an absolute nightmare)? I've given them two chances now (and I'm Italian LOL) and they are forever off my list. Have you found MSC to be different if you're going Med as opposed to other areas? I've taken Queen Victoria twice now and just disembarked about a week ago and I'm looking to branch out to other lines, but obviously ones that are affordable. I could never do a 5-6K passenger one though. Anyway -- wonderful content, I'm really enjoying watching! (Yacht Club allows children of all ages, so that kind of kills the whole "peaceful" vibe :-( )

[@ritzytravelguide]

No, we have not tried Costa, and it isn't currently on our list 😂. We have tried quite a few of the different Lines in Europe and find the small to mid sized ships are best for this. If you need inspiration, you can see our video aboard Cunard Queen Elizabeth, where we went round the Mediterranean. That video is here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jKjMlKSifKukhdE Earlier this year we were on Celebrity in Europe. You can see that here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aqikeYVood6emposi=6SuCXCZ6758isR-g

[@mariavano9616]

@@ritzytravelguide didn't think Costa would be on your list ;-) I am looking into north, so fjords and Iceland with a secondary being river cruise . But solo supplement is a big issue, hence the research. Of course also obviously looking at NCL offerings.

[@ritzytravelguide]

@mariavano9616 We're heading to the Fjords imminently, with Cunard Queen Anne. Keep a look out for that video

[@mariavano9616]

@@ritzytravelguide awesome, I will! She was in port with us (on the Victoria) at Civitavecchia on Monday (5th) -- some of the people on ours were disembarking to immediately embark on Anne as part of the "three Queens" voyage. I believe they are going Civi-Southampton, where they'll change to Mary to go transatlantic. So that puts you on Anne to the fjords in just about 1.5 weeks! Looking forward to the video! I've seen two other fjord/iceland videos by two solo traveler vloggers I follow. Show me 'da ritz ;-) But I'm especially interested in seeing it because Anne has been getting such mixed reviews.

[@merrivale47]

We were on Virtuosa July 1st to 15th so disembarked as you boarded and 100% agree with everything you have said - your experience was our experience. We are 2 ‘fifty-somethings’ and this was our first MSC cruise. Embarkation & disembarkation - chaos Virtuosa though was magnificent, it was clean and everything worked , as was our cabin. Every member of staff we interacted with from our cabin host (Omega - who was lovely ) to all in our dining room , were courteous and efficient. We were on anytime dining in minuetto at the rear of the ship and we never had to wait more than 15 mins to be seated. The lady at the entrance who coordinated it all was brilliant. Every item of food we had from either the main dining room or marketplace was good. We did all the speciality dining as well and thought they were good. The Mexican one wasn’t quite to our taste , but that’s purely our own preference - but again the gentleman who looked after us was lovely. The entertainment in the main theatre we enjoyed as well - Paul the West End singer , the Elvis and Tina Turner evenings , Adam the pianist and the classical evening with the two guys I think from Ukraine , were all good. We booked our seats on the app and always got in. The Galleria with the hi-tech ceiling we thought was great , often pausing to watch the mini shows that were put on with music and images. And I can’t say we didn’t enjoy the music events in there as well - it was quite fun to have a bit of a boogie before bedtime ! But - sadly all of the above was tainted by the same issue you highlighted - far too many people in the public areas and not even close to enough seats day or evening. We never got near the pool , and hardly ever found anywhere to sit and have a drink after our evening meal which was really irritating - perhaps 2 out of 14 attempts. Such a shame as MSC do have a good offering and for us get a lot right.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Hi. Thank you so much for your comprehensive reply. It's always invaluable for potential future passengers to read real life feedback, and insights such as yours, are extremely helpful to others. Yes, totally agree that the experience was dragged down by the over capacity of passengers onboard. The sheer numbers and layout of the ship make it very challenging to relax, or enjoy yourself. It's a crying shame, because in parts the MSC product is good. But goodwill ebbs away when disembarkation descends into chaos, full bars and facilities, and packed deck areas cancel it all out

[@christopherplacak3579]

I have watched several of your reviews and they are all wonderful! In Las Vegas, Nevada in the late 1990s there was a revitalization effort in the downtown area that was called the "Fremont Experience". The crown jewel of this development was a light canopy that consisted of probably well over 100,000 light bulbs capable of displaying 4 colors. Any scene imaginable could be displayed, underwater, jets flying over your head with sounds, mountains, forests, et cetera. The display canopy aboard the ship doubtless uses LEDs, light emitting diodes, that results in a much finer and more detailed display. It is a wonderful idea for entertaining and displaying important information. You are a really neat couple and family.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Hi Christopher, thank you so much for your very kind comments! We visited the Freemont Experience in the late 1990s, I remember it well! Now you mention it, you are absolutely right, it is very similar to what's on MSC. Remarkably so!

[@thescallytrader]

The Pool area on the MSC Virtuosa made me feel sick. There is an element of Butlins at sea on the MSC. I went on the Wonder of the Seas (RC) ship then went on MSC Virtuosa 2 weeks later. Opposite ends of the Spectrum and experiences but one cost 5x times more than the other.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Hi, yes it's a conundrum. MSC is ridiculously overloaded most of the year, incredibly frustrating for any number of reasons, is an embarkation and disembarkation nightmare.... but does offer value for money

[@NinjaPuppy.2]

I am currently on the MSC Seascape. Your video is spot on.

[@gehmalbierholenlol7076]

my MSC Virtuosa Cruise Ship Tour across Europe was absolutely insane. I loved it in everyway! And the food was great 👀

[@ritzytravelguide]

👍

[@gehmalbierholenlol7076]

​@@ritzytravelguidebut I have to add, it was out of season

[@ritzytravelguide]

That's possibly the key part!

[@gogglespaisano59]

@ritzy Thanks for being so helpful. After watching this, I am so stressed 😫. Never doing it!

[@ritzytravelguide]

Ha ha!

[@AmyShaw]

Completely agree! We boarded on the day that you disembarked and unfortunately, it was exactly the same. Having cruised previously with Royal Caribbean and P&O - we would NEVER go with MSC again. It was not what we expect from a cruise at all. They definitely have their target market - but not for us at all.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Sorry to hear it didn't go so well for you. All the more reason to get planning for your next dream cruise!

[@AmyShaw]

@@ritzytravelguide Next 3 already booked! P&O x 2 and then our first ever Celebrity - which I am sure will be much more our style. Great videos, we watched before we departed and on return, really helpful and extremely informative. Thank you

[@ritzytravelguide]

Wow, well done, enjoy your cruises. I think you'll love Celebrity, especially if it's one of their Edge Class ships!

[@reo7575]

Agree, have cruised once MSC but not again. Have cruised Princess 2 and booked next one, Celebrity 2, Carnival2, Royal 4

[@ritzytravelguide]

@reo7575 That's a lot of cruises! Living the life!

[@nickprince8623]

My wife, myself and 2 young children have just come off the ship this morning after the 12 nights Spain/Portugal cruise, your review is pretty spot on and accurate, we got up early this morning to self Assit and it only took us about 20mins to get off, we did enjoy parts of the ship but also had a few red mist moments, it wasn’t awful, but like yourselves we have previously been on Royal Caribbean and Princess, hence we will not be going with MSC again.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Hi there Nick. Many thanks for your thoughts and feedback

[@pacomusical]

A well balanced review. Crowded maybe, but enjoyably experience in many aspects

[@LesleyCobley]

The ship looks beautiful, but I certainly don't fancy those crowds. I'm looking forward to my first cruise on a more sedate ship. We're going on the Queen Mary 2 next July to Norway, for my daughter's wedding.

[@ritzytravelguide]

That sounds fabulous, what a way to celebrate a wedding with the QM2! Have an an amazing cruise!

[@terryimber23]

The crowds, lines and children did it for me. I have cruised on smaller ships and found the lack of privacy , lines and crowding to nearly pushed me to jump overboard. Thank you for the viewpoint.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Thanks Terry!

[@tommccarthy3171]

7 day cruises where kids are free is going to be an issue. Try 14 days or longer off season

[@yanadashevski8243]

Just came across your channel, probably because I was preparing for my next cruise, and watching some videos. Thank you very much for the video, very useful. Starting from my first cruise, I have been cruising only with Norwegian , I don't want to compromise on the service and quality, but since the prices are way higher, in comparison, I always wonder, whether I should try another cruise company, but I am afraid to get disappointed. 🙈

[@ritzytravelguide]

Yes, there is often a big price difference between NCL and MSC. It's difficult to predict how you would feel on MSC. As you can see from all the comments on here, there are extremely divergent opinions on MSC. Very polarizing. You could get lucky and have a fantastic time.... or absolutely not. It can be a bit of a lottery with MSC. But if there is a pattern emerging from all the feedback on here: their Cruises departing from Northern America tend to get better scores and opinions. The MSC outfit appears to be run slightly more professionally and slick than their European division

[@VraiPerenoel123]

J’ai fait 3 croisières avec MSC,la première sur le Seaside en Méditerranée en novembre 21,super souvenir,bateau grandiose très propre et très bien entretenu,cuisine très bonne et variée,la deuxième sur le Splendida en Mer Rouge en février 23 très beau navire également et rejoint entièrement le Seaside avec une petite différence malgré tout niveau intimité on retrouve des endroits plus isolés et en juillet 23 sur l’Armonia en mer adriatique vers Les iles grecques,bateau plus ancien mais avec un charme différent et qui rejoint les deux autres au niveau qualité.bientôt en mars 24 la quatrième sur le Seaside vers les Caraibes.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@tinale9458]

Thanks for sharing the video! I have been seascape on last August! This is best food , fun and best island Ocean cat. We will be back on this August for Bermuda. Especially the price from MSc is cheaper than others cruise line.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Have a great cruise in Bermuda

[@SueHagen1]

Our disembarkment was just awful, too! It was slow and crowded, but in the end we were in a line outside trying to catch rides….with the building they pushed us out of minutes before not allowing anyone back in, we had to stand for almost 2 hrs. In pouring down rain. It was horrible. Our suitcases got wet, we were drenched and the whole event still seems like a nightmare!

[@ritzytravelguide]

MSC just don't seem to get disembarkment right. It happens over and over again!

[@franklinrwful]

We have been on two MSC cruises to the Med and Norway and never experienced that much crowding. Also the embarkation and disembarkation were fine (I suspect that the disembarkation issues here were due to over zealous immigration officials) Just choose the right time to go. Note the Aurea experience was not mentioned which has access to the spa, special anytime dining in a separate restaurant and a more secluded sundeck. The Aurea cabins are also in quieter areas and had great uninterrupted views. As stated the crew were wonderful.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Hi there. Yes, well noted about Aurea. It is a good suggestion for those wanting more flexibility and peaceful areas of the ship. Albeit at a cost upgrade, it's worth considering for some

[@randa200771]

We are on this one in early December from Dubai. We didn't realise it had a party ship reputation when we booked or we might not have. However we did book the Aurea (or whatever it is) accommodation and should be getting our Princess Elite status matched so hopefully it will be a bit less chaotic.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Hi Rob, I think Aurea will help out with things. Gets you choice of dining, Spa access, private deck etc. Hope your cruise goes well for you.

[@dawngrudziak7879]

We were on the same sailing as you and for the most part had a different experience to you. We did however pay the additional premium and booked into yacht club. We are so glad we did as when we booked we weren’t aware it was school holidays. We’d been on the ship previously different itinerary, outside school holidays and the ship was 50% capacity, so it’s not always rammed as you say. During this July sailing there were sunbeds every day in the main ship many people just didn’t look far enough to locate them. I think you find MSC can offer so much more than you give it credit for.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Many thanks for your comments. As you say, I think Yacht Club gives a very different environment. It's just that it only caters to 5% of the ship, by passenger numbers

[@dtr1pgaming845]

I went on the MSC Virtuosa from Southampton Feb this year for 7 days around northern Europe. It took around 20 minutes from dropping off bags to get onto the ship and never found the ship to be too crowded or noisy at any time of the day. No queues for anything and the food was pretty good for what you are paying. Better than P and O in my experience. There are a lot of hidden costs though so take your own movie on a laptop to watch in you room as the ones onboard are ppv. Also found a lot of members of staff trying to sell shows with drinks packages and speciality dining. Personally I wasn't too bothered and was never pressurised into buying anything I didn't want. It's a budget cruise which can be great value for money if you are savvy and not drawn into making purchases that you do not want.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Hi there, many thanks for your comments. I would agree the upselling isn't too pressured. You can take or leave it. Food I thought was excellent for the cruise fare. I found the staff to be very good natured and approachable (except for some guest services who were curt and especially security, who were unecessarily off hand)

[@petfeeder7236]

Hi, I’m planning a trip on MSC Euribia in February next year. How is the weather in February for a 7-night journey from London to Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and France? We are a first time traveler and should I get a interior cabin or the Balcony? I wonder because of the cold whether balcony would be useful.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Hi, personally I wouldn't take a balcony in February in the Northern European countries you mentioned! AS it will be bitterly cold, with icy winds. But that's just me. Others might give a different response! I couldn't say you will never use the balcony, but I'd be surprised if you used it much in February. I'd book an inside or ocean view, and put the money you'd save, towards the bar tab/speciality dining/ or the Spa.... which will be nice and toasty in February!

[@petfeeder7236]

@@ritzytravelguide Thank you for your prompt reply. Understood about the balcony.I would go with ocean view probably. When booking, is it worth doing the booking on the MSC website itself or using any other third-party website? I’ve noticed that prices tend to be lower on third-party websites. Also if I’m using the buffet I hope there won’t be any other extra charge?

[@ritzytravelguide]

It wouldn't matter whether you book direct with MSC or a 3rd party agent. Whichever gives you the best deal. Both the BUFFET, and the Main Dining Room are included in the fare price, and neither would incur an additional costs. But Speciality Restaurants are additional cost. We have videos in our playlist that cover the restaurants onboard. These would give you some useful pointers

[@elsie911]

Bill, Excellent video & I think your description of Butlins at Sea appears to be very pertinent! After watching this review we almost cancelled!!! However we paid to upgrade to Yacht Club! (We’re in our early 50’s & 1st time cruisers!) But one question we have for you… who’s the artist of those two paintings of the ladies over your shoulder? Enquiring minds need to know!

[@ritzytravelguide]

Hi there! I think upgrading to Yacht Club has probably saved you! Have a fantastic cruise. Please let us know in the comments how it goes. Concerning the paintings, we bought them in Indonesia, from an art market in Java, and are part of a series. We loved the place so much we shipped back about 15 paintings!

[@gmoonster2]

Seemed like a very fair review. We're heading out on an MSC ship in March, we now know what to expect.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Have a great cruise. Which itinerary are you on?

[@jofrog3]

I have sailed with MSC twice, both times it was a winter Bahamas itinerary. Never did I see lines like this or crowded pools. The buffets were busy but it never took more than a few minutes to get something delicious to enjoy and there are quiet areas if you seek them out. Our disembarkation took maybe 30 minutes and the staff are absolutely 1st class. I would not hesitate to book another cruise with them. My travel companion has already booked another.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Hi there, many thanks for your comments. It does seem to be a recurring theme, based on the feedback coming in, that Cruises operated out of North America, by MSC, are better run and organised.

[@moirasutherland7443]

When disembarked msc in Durban South Africa self disembarking was not allowed you had to leave at the time you were given and it all went smoothly

[@ritzytravelguide]

Thanks Moira

[@tinkwilkinson9446]

Thanks, no msc

[@stacistein702]

Finally! Bravo on a well-balanced cruise video. Very informative. We've been on 20+ cruises on 6 different lines, and I agree with you, MSC isn't for everyone. We sailed on a week-long MSC Meravigilia trip on spring break 2023 to the western Caribbean. Maybe it is a US cultural thing, but we almost never qued for anything unless we were reboarding from a port. It wasn't crowded for us, since we don't drink or dance. Even the silent disco was utterly silent! It was so bizarre! The food was decent, extra-pay shows were outstanding, crew was helpful and friendly, ships were clean and bedazzled, and hard cabin beds were abysmal. We'd sail MSC again for the bargain prices.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Hi Stevie, many thanks for your comments, great to hear from you! So glad to hear your Meraviglia cruise went well. MSC management onboard seems to be a little better in the North American market place, compared to elsewhere worldwide. Perhaps they all went to training camp at Disney first!

[@kennethpreston9813]

An MSC cruise would not be an enjoyable experience for me

[@ronv6637]

Have to be a Hard No! Just noise level would be intoleraable(hearing damage from military service). Looks almost as much fun as queuing on a Amphibious Assault Ship.

[@GlassHalfFullLife]

We went on the newest Seascape, we actually heard from people that it never seemed crowded. Now, this was our first cruise so we have nothing else to compare it to but we had a fantastic time, embarkation was less than an hours, disembarkation was about 45 minutes and I completely agree with you on the food both in the dining rooms as well as your evaluation of the buffet.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Hi there, great to hear you had a positive experience!

[@GoldenQuill16]

I've cruised twice with MSC and had two vastly different experiences! My first was msc magnifica around the Mediterranean and the second was on the msc virtuosa to the fjords. I much preferred the Magnifica for ambience and tranquillity, much smaller ship nearly every bar was like the skylounge in size and atmosphere so you could always find a nice bar to relax in, pool area was busy but not like some of the videos I've seen for the virtuosa, I think I'll be sticking to their older, smaller ships. My next cruise is on the Poesía which I'm really looking forward to.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Hi, many thanks for your thoughts. We are getting a lot of people, such as yourself, remarking that they much prefer the smaller, older MSC ships. I can understand the thinking behind it

[@gregorysims3697]

Reminds me of my last trip to Disney World 22 years ago. Ok for kids, families and young people, but not for me anymore. I was mentally comparing everything to my Holland America experiences, and being very glad I chose them and Viking the last 15 years. There was a time when I loved big ships and crowds, and didn't mind standing for long periods. But in all my cruise experiences I never saw anything like the disembarkation you documented. It reminds me of my last time through customs in Terminal 5 at O'Hare. Never again! Your great videos help people know what they are getting. Thanks for doing them.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Hi Gregory. Thanks so much for your kind comments. I do try to be very honest, fair and accurate with my videos. But I do at the same time get a lot of criticism from people asking why I'm showing the negatives, or the not so good side, and 'how dare I do that!' Some people get quite salty when I show both sides of the situation, but I feel it's important that people can take a look, and form their own decisions. Once again many thanks for your kind comments

[@sheilawhenham8209]

Couldn't do noise on a cruise.

[@JulieWest-b5s]

Really enjoyed the video x We have sailed on the Virtuosa twice , once round Dubai and the Emirates which we really enjoyed as the ship wasn't full and also the Fjords a different experience as the ship was busy ! Would we sail with them again? It would all depend on the itinerary and price point to be honest but would definitely avoid school holidays!!!!

[@ritzytravelguide]

Hi, thanks so much for your comments. That itinerary round Dubai and the Emirates sounds fascinating. Would love to cruise that part, as I've only done it on land, and that was some time ago.

[@garyatkinson5699]

When did you do Norway ? Where schools off ?

[@JulieWest-b5s]

@@garyatkinson5699 Hi , we went in May last year not school holidays!

[@nathanflanery2285]

Finally, a PARTY BOAT!!! If people want a quiet cruise with only a theater and casino for entertainment, they can literally pick ANY OTHER cruise liner! If someone knows of another "party boat" that offers the same level of service, quality, entertainment, and activities to do for the same price or less, PLEASE let me know! I live in Tampa Bay, Florida. You can read the rest if you'd like.....or not, lol. I have taken 2 cruises in my life, and they were both in the Carribean. One was Royal Caribbean (7 day) and the other was Carnival (5 days). Both ships were similar experiences. The ONLY thing to do on BOTH ships after about 10:00pm was gambling, assuming you were at sea, not at port. Both ships had a "club/disco" that was open until something like 1am, but NOBODY was ever there; they were empty! The only girls onboard were either married, engaged, or under 18. There were no arcades, water slides, LED ceilings, fancy promenade, pianist (there were pianos, but nobody to play them), rock climbing, etc. There were just a few pools, that were nothing special. Then there's the music, or lack thereof. The only live music was a couple of "bands" that played uninspiring music by the pools. If the ships were playing background music, it always sounded like something you would hear at Walmart. Both ships also had NO real entertainment. The "menu" of activities to do on both ships was mostly a joke, like "arts and crafts for kids," "meet the captain," "work-out session" with John Doe, "lecture by Jone Doe," which is actually a high-end sales pitch. Heck, there were almost NO SHOPS except an art gallery, duty-free store (almost everything was so expensive it was cheaper to pay the tax at home!), and the equivalent of a very small and expensive Circle-K that was only open from 8am-8pm. Both ships had a large theater, but nothing sounded interesting, and NO other passengers had anything great say about the theater entertainment. The only things to do while at sea were eat, drink, gamble, and get lost on a very large boat. The food was good, but there was no "dining room" breakfast OR lunch. Breakfast and lunch were buffets only, but good. I wasn't bored, but I wasn't entertained either after about 3-4 days. There was NOTHING to do after 10pm and most people (80-85%) were in their cabins by 10:00pm. I expected Carnival to be more of a "party boat," than Royal Caribbean, but the passengers weren't big "partiers" on Carnival either.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Hi many thanks for your comprehensive reply, and taking the time to give your thoughts. It's always great to hear from people, and MSC, almost more than any other cruise line, garners very differing opinions! Did you get a chance to try Virgin Voyages yet? Whilst it is more expensive than MSC, the cruise price does have many inclusions, and the ship, the activities, and entertainment definitely have a lively vibe!

[@paulstevenson3877]

I always thought MSC wasn't for us & your video makes me realise how much we would hate it. We followed Virtuosa out into the Channel from Zeebrugge last November. It looked like a very large floating disco with flashy coloured lights. It reminded me of the disco boats I've seen in Bodrum, but on a much larger scale.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Hi there, thanks for your comment. Yes, MSC is very much a love or hate situation. If you like a party ship, with a busy, pulsating feel, it's for you. But for many people, it wouldn't be

[@cigarboss1]

Went on the MSC Seascape this past August for 7 days. Only thing good about the ship was the staff and that it was newer ship. Literally everything about the cruise was a negative exp. This was my tenth cruise with this being my first and last with MSC. I knew it was too good to be true when I booked the balcony with drink package as cheap as I did. The following negatives for me are things that I have not exp on any other cruise line/ship in the past. Here goes: The food was bland. Only 1 night with steak options at main dining unless you paid for a premium restaurant. The passengers were rude and inconsiderate. The buffet was literally a mad house at all times of the day. Could never find anywhere to sit and eat. The elevators didn't work often and if they did they were turned off for "Maint" or "crowd" control. Elevators were way over crowded and over the weight limit. The layout of the ship was difficult. Always huge long lines at any of the bars. The bartenders seemed to not have any "pep" in making the drinks. I could go on and on but does anyone really want to hear all of it? Prob not. We talked to many guest and a cruise staff on board about our exp and they all seemed to agree with my opinions. Of course a few passengers didn't get the same vibes as we did. Many passengers we talked to were back to back cruisers on the same ship for multipe sailings. They had agreed with my opinions but said that week prior was a complete difference. Much better exp. Like many here and other places have stated... probably will have to stay away from the these new super large ships and go back to the smaller/normal size ships were the passenger to staff ratio is more even. This will probably eliminate half the issues I had. Cheers!

[@ritzytravelguide]

Hi there. Many thanks for your thoughts and comments. I have to agree with many of the points that you brought up. The ship at all times feels very crowded, too crowded actually. It was almost impossible to get away from the large numbers. Meaning that getting a drink took forever, getting a place at the buffet was loud, noisy, and frustrating. Getting on and off the ship at each port stop meant queing up in very long lines, and could often take up to an hour. For us, though the ship was new and seemed to have been well maintained, that couldn't overcome the issues of the overcrowding. MSC seems to be struggling with their mega ships, getting the passion passenger to crew ratio correct. To balance the books they are stuffing the ship to the gills. Not trying to stop anybody booking on MSC, but please be aware that unless the ship is half empty it could lead to a frustrating experience for you

[@stevendouglas6997]

Loved the format of the video. My wife is disabled, and spends a lot of time on the ship, so it’s a bit busy on deckI. I think I’ll give it a miss 😂

[@ritzytravelguide]

Hi Steven, thanks for your kind comments.

[@AnonyMous-nl7ig]

I hope msc will not start gouging cruisers as the others do and will continue giving cruisers the best bang for their buck...they can only get better with anything you may think is lacking... Looking forward to my first msc cruise in May '24 , from Bklyn NY.

[@MJ-bi9bh]

How'd it go?

[@rich11a15]

Having been on Virtuosa I would say this is a fair assessment, we enjoyed it and will be booking our 11th and 12th in a few days time. We have boarded this ship and it’s sister, in Southampton all bags were on the dock when we got off, having put them outside our cabin before retiring, and we just collected from the hall, from leaving the buffet to driving out of the carpark gates no more than 20 minutes! We didn’t go to the designated area one of the staff who we had been friendly with just waved us through! These two ships are very much more (Erubia) glitzy than some of the older ships , none are actually old, and all are bright, clean and friendly, my guess is that all have similar menus, but the cooking is better on some than others! We can have four or six weeks cruising in a year, probably nearly twice the time that our money would buy on other cruises, the premium drinks package is expensive for me and my wife but we can drink champagne all day and we make it pay😜

[@ritzytravelguide]

Wow 12 Cruises, you are MSC pros!!

[@nadmak9093]

I think it is generalizing to say that all MSC experiences are like this, crowded and loud. I have been on three MSC cruises so far and none of them were like this. In fact, I found that, compared to NCL, Royal and Carnival, the MSC Seaside/Seashore class of ships were amazing at dispersing crowds! You never felt crowded and there was so many great quiet nooks both indoors and outdoors. Absolutely lovely time and we are not partiers nor crowd lovers! We did Yatch Club on one of those three cruises and OMG, it was heaven at sea!! By far our best experience ever and we cruised on Celebrity and Azamara in the past.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Hi thanks for your comments. Sailing in Yacht Club I think certainly does make a difference. As several people have suggested we make a video from Yacht Club, we may have to dip our toes in next year. We'll keep an eye out for an intriguing itinerary.

[@davidc5191]

Never been on MSC but I heard the way to go is the Yacht Club as you mention - escorted embarkation/debarkation so maybe 10 min. Guaranteed seating at theaters. Private dining and lounges. Plus your room is a suite.

[@markomaenpaa8552]

They do have inside cabins in Yacht Club and those definitely are not suites.

[@KMA66]

Thank you, Mr. Ritzy, you have changed my mind. I just might give MSC a chance.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Let us know how it goes!

[@aaronpat123]

Great informative Vid!What month was this Cruise?

[@ritzytravelguide]

Hi, in July last year

[@conradlogan5201]

I just sailed on Magnifica 9/9-9/13/24. I was very pleased. GREAT VALUE Is it as good as others like RCCL or Virgin ?…. I’d say overall, no. But the VALUE is where they excelled

[@adilharis2001]

I just finished an MSC cruise to the Bahamas on the Margevilia. The general theme of our experience is MSC pulls off a B minus on most things (food, entertainment, pools, etc) and an A+ on the staff. We didn’t have the same problem of crowding but I think that’s cos the Margevilia is a smaller ship with a 4000 person capacity. Our disembarkation also just took 20 minutes.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Hi thanks for your feedback. Generally the MSC operations in North America seem to run more efficiently than in Europe. It's a recurring theme we get back, after so many comments coming in.

[@queensadorned]

Your experience was much better than mine. Staff, onboarding, departure, and buffet were horrid. This was at the end of 2022. Still haven’t booked another cruise with MSC even with the price

[@ritzytravelguide]

That doesn't sound fun.

[@jon134a]

Very thorough review. Thank you so much!!!

[@ritzytravelguide]

Thanks very much

[@emmabourke6565]

Great, informative vlog and it was fantastic how you spoke about the good with the bad. We've cruised with Celebrity, Princess, RC (which we didnt like) and we're on VV this year. I was always curious about MSC, especially because of the price but ill be honest, it looks too claustrophobic and noisy for me. Ill definitely be looking at your other reviews, a new follower here❤

[@ritzytravelguide]

Hi Emma, great to hear from you. If I'm being honest, if you enjoyed Virgin Voyages, and Celebrity (particularly if it's any of their Edge Class of ships) I'm not if MSC is for you. Most of the MSC ships are huge 6000 capacity, and have a very different vibe. They are large, slightly manic, larger than life ships. MSC Yacht Club is a possibility, but that's triple the price of 'regular' MSC.

[@emmabourke6565]

@ritzytravelguide the yacht club would definitely be an option but if you're paying that price, I'd imagine you'd be better off going with Celebrity/Princess

[@ritzytravelguide]

@emmabourke6565 Yes, that would be my thought

[@notme222]

Interesting at 11:40. I've heard others say that the MSC main dining room felt shoulder-to-shoulder. And some photos I've seen of the main "Waves" dining room on the Meraviglia seem a little less spacious. But your footage looks nice.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Hi, it does vary by ship and section of the dining room you are sitting at

[@paulcostello6329]

very fair review maybe do a comparision cruise outside of school holidays probably be a much improved experience. I wonder where thee disembarkation queues the result of people waiting for the lift when u could take the stairs .

[@ritzytravelguide]

Hi, sadly the stairs were equally packed.

[@Abbysum1]

Oh my goodness, that is a nightmare! We are older and on a vacation we to go on the excursions and dine in peace! I've never seen a video explaining just how bad that is, itlf as you said, you're not their target audience. Being older, we had our time to party. As life gets louder, your surroundings get quieter. Thank you!!! 😊

[@ritzytravelguide]

NTTA.... Not their target audience!!

[@NinaSimone24U]

I must say -- What an EXCELLENT Review -very CLASSY and very INFORMATIVE ❤IT! Looks so crowded...I am looking at MSC Mediterranean Cruise for June and now have paused...

[@ritzytravelguide]

Thanks a lot!

[@rdangrgamez4647]

Thanks for the info We will stick royal for now Still at a good price point, not as crowed feeling is what im going for. However, i tend to think the pool decks never have enough seating. I think that's just a cruise ship thing. Anyone ever been on a curise where ther was more than enough seatting?

[@seapops]

Oh, it's Mr. Ritzy Travel Guide! Sir Billy, if you please! I recently heard some mixed feedback about MSC cruises. A coworker of mine actually sailed on the MSC MERAVIGLIA here in NYC, and they had a similar experience to what you described. They mentioned that the ship was quite crowded and noisy, and the food wasn't anything extraordinary. Apparently, many people seemed to be eating pizza and the pasta dishes became a bit repetitive. The entertainment wasn't up to par either, so they mentioned they won't be cruising with MSC anymore. I'm glad I didn't give it a try myself. We tend to prefer cruising on NORWEGIAN, particularly their Haven accommodations, or Celebrity. I'm sorry to hear that you and your family didn't fully enjoy your time on the MSC cruise. On a brighter note, at least now you know what to expect from that particular cruise line. How are the kids and your wife? What was their reaction to the experience? By the way, I always look forward to your videos and comments, and I must say you are truly amazing! Keep up the fantastic work, and I can't wait for more cruise adventures from you.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Thanks for your kind comments!

[@brianfever3927]

I sailed on the MSC Seashore last November....7 day Caribbean cruise. I had a wonderful experience....great staff, spotless clean ship, excellent food, excellent bar service.....all aspects were flawless.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Hi, thanks for your comments. Yes, I totally agree with the ship being spotless, the staff and great food!

[@sharongroves6691]

We are sailing on Seashore this November, leaving on the 26th. Glad to hear you had a wonderful experience.

[@lisahopkins5145]

My husband and I have been on three MSC cruises and not once did we have a problem with embarking or disembarkation. Don’t cruise when the kids are on Break, I don’t think the ship has enough staff for that. Way too crowded everywhere. I’m sure it’s like that at Resorts and Beaches everywhere during Spring and Summer breaks. The food was just like other cruise lines we’ve been on.. after five days or more, it’s all the same. The Entertainment Shows were good, normally they’re bad on all ships I’ve been on. The entertainment in the Main area of the ship was fun .. The only thing is not a lot of variety for a 7-10 day cruise ABBA was played far too many times. The cruise out of South Hampton was the most boring for me since I’m from the U.S and use to having fun.. I do have to say MSC need more hang out spots and lounges. More chairs by the pool and should not allow people to save seats with towels (unless they Are physically present) no need to spend money on the drink package unless you and your travel partner will drink $700 of liquor in 5-7 days. Drinks and beer are reasonably priced. I’ve been on the Virtuoso and the Meragvilia and it’s the same setup. For the price , I have no complaints. If you want luxury you may want to try Viking cruises or something else.. but for the price, it’s perfect!

[@ritzytravelguide]

Hi, many thanks for your detailed thoughts, and comments.

[@LawdJay]

We sailed the MSC Seascape last year, and a lot of your sentiments and issues are the same that i experienced. the line to leave was wrapped around the ship, the buffet was always packed, music always loud! the quality of food was not up to par. service was usually pretty good, but that wasn't enough for me to book again.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Thanks Jay

[@jeffspartz5724]

Well done. This is the first time I've seen a video by Ritzy Travel Guide. I'll be looking for more.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Many thanks! Lots more coming up over coming months, across various cruise lines. Next in 5 weeks time, a total change from MSC... we're on board the Cunard Queen Elizabeth, from Barcelona 🛳

[@joannlee7239]

I'm thinking of booking with MSC for Feb/March 2025 out of Port Canaveral on the Seashore. The reviews I've watched on that ship for that itinerary are overall positive. That added to the price is really winning me over. Another bonus is their private island in the Bahamas - Ocean Cay.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Yes, the MSC experience in North America comes in for much better reviews than in Europe

[@mark-davis-dc5rs]

About the disembarkation, always try and get the self assisted where you keep your bags and take them off yourself, don't hang about getting those last few minutes it clearly does not work. We were in a wake view cabin so a long walk. We left our cabin at 06:45, got in an empty lift and we were driving out of the car park at 07:10, get breakfast on the way home. Apart from the waiting for the lift we did not stop walking until we got to our car. With a bit of planning and getting up early its not a reason not to book MSC. (The port was Southampton). With regard to the crowds, if you have balcony you can retreat to as the 6000 people are not going to follow you into your cabin. We spent a week on the ship and apart from coming out of the 1st show we did not notice the crowds, we are not party people so did not venture out late at night. We were always able to get a drink without much of a wait. As I said you just have to be flexible. For example when leaving the first show instead of pushing through the crowd, get the first set of lifts up to deck 15 and walk across the pool deck which at that time of night was almost deserted. I will agree somethings were not as good as others, we did not like the food in the MDR (more to do with our food tastes), but we did not starve the buffet and specialty dining was more than adequate. I will say that this was our first cruise so we have no reference points, we may think differently after our next cruise on Sky Princes. PS Completely agree about the staff they are fantastic.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Many thanks for that. Do let us know how you feel after Sky Princess, the experience might be totally different!

[@mark-davis-dc5rs]

@@ritzytravelguide Hi, will do.

[@mandyjacotin8321]

Enjoyed watching that. Will definitely come back for a review of other cruise ships before paying for them. Thanks a lot.

[@ritzytravelguide]

You're welcome, thanks for watching

[@CaptScott-ff6mf]

Thank you. I was thinking of sailing with MSC, but only in the Yacht Club. Now I'm not sure I even want to risk my time there.

[@ritzytravelguide]

Hi. Yacht Club certainly has its fans. But it is quite pricey. Approximately 3 to 4 times more than the standard section of the ship. That then puts it firmly in the same price bracket as high end lines.

[@janetpeacey1604]

Early on (2010 to 2015) we really enjoyed MSC - they were sparkly and we liked the Mediterranean feel and enjoyed our cruises. We now will only cruise MSC in Yacht Club although would still not cruise on the mega ships. We have switched to Azamara - more our style :)

[@ritzytravelguide]

Hi there thanks so much for your comments. Interesting to read your comments about Azamara. It's one of the few Cruise Lines we haven't tried yet. We really must do so. Strangely enough we did sail on the Azamara Pursuit back in 2007....but it was sailing under the Swan Hellenic brand at the time, and was called Minerva II. I believe it's had a total refit since then. Is it their service and smaller size that appeals?