MSC splendida
 

Msc

I really enjoyed the Mediterranean cruise on MSC Splendida march 3-10 2017
Ports of call were Barcelona Marseille genoa Rome and was supposed to be Sicily and Malta but high winds and waves had us alter to And Palma de Mallorca instead
Thee weather was not great for the first part of the cruise, but it was march after all

The ship holds 4000 people and did not seem as crowded as some smaller ships. It was very international with people from all parts of Europe, Russia, Japan, china and a couple from USA and Canada. All announcements were in seven different languages
Lots of Russians as well as Chinese and Japanese groups

Staff was also very international speaking many languages, but most spoke a bit of English. We found all the staff to be very kind and helpful

The cafeteria was crowded at breakfast but no one was pushing or shoving. There were seats for all and there were many food stations , it was a huge area

The cafeteria food was great, good flavor, and lots of vegetarian and healthy options with some spice to it

The dining rooms was hit or miss with food. Service was excellent but the food quite often bland

The ship was very clean and modern. Midship was a lounge with piano and at night some great music, classical with a piano violin trio or else opera music

It was a bit Las Vegas style, lots of glitz and glamour in this area

Kids travel free it seems so there were a number of small children. The staff were excellent with them and there appeared to be a daycare. A few high school groups as well, it seems they get a good rate ( Italian schools)

The shows in the theatre were so so. We did not participate in any other activities.

Shore excursions were reasonably priced, we only did one in Rome which was fine.

You can start your seven day cruise in almost any of the stops so the guests changed all the time and it meant less congestion on checkin and check out. Barcelona and genoa were the major stops however


What I did not like:
When there was a major announcement it would be broadcast inside your stateroom, very loud and in seven different languages. It always seemed to be when I was in the rooms resting before dinner at 530PM and it took forever

Late seating for dinner was 9PM and early was 630PM. I found 9 way too late so did the early

I got a hair cut and highlights on board and was quoted 70 euros. The bill came in at 110. There were lots of things added on that were not disclosed. Shampoo was one. How can you color your hair and not get a shampoo ? Just beware
They are not counting on repeat customers so they just play dumb and say " oh sorry"

If you are getting off the ship and did not book an excursion you disembark at a different departure point. Don't go when it first opens. Wait at least 15 minutes or you will find the pushing and shoving to get off first intolerable

All in all I would book MSC again. The value was great, staff excellent and food the best of all others I have cruised on.

Thanks for posting, liv42. We're booked on the Splendida in May. How many English speaking passengers were there on your cruise? Were you seated at a large table with English speaking cruisers? I enjoy chatting at dinner and though I'm fluent in Spanish I'm afraid I'm lacking in Italian, French, German, etc.

Our first night we were with two Americans and two Canadians but we changed to an earlier seating and were with five Germans. They spoke a bit of English and we could have moved but they were so nice we didn't. You can request English speaking and I think they try to accommodate accordingly. A lot of people did speak English but it was not their first language. Only the Russians didn't, and some of the others but we didn't find it s problem

Thanks for the review.

The 40 euro up charge which included of all things shampoo would have been enough for me to say arrivederci! for a future cruise for me unless they honored the posted price. Sorry.

Also I am a not sure about your evaluation of the food. You say at the end "food the best of all others I have cruised on." But before that you said: "The dining rooms was hit or miss with food. Service was excellent but the food quite often bland."

Thanks, liv42. I see the late dining is at 9:30! Way too late for me! We'll request the earlier dining time and I'll definitely ask for English speaking dining companions, if possible.

Jacketwatch. Yes I did not make that clear. Being a vegetarian I have always had problems with dining in the dining room with very few choices and bland food on every cruise I have been on. ( I have only been on seven, but they were all a problem for me)
MSC was better than the other lines, some nights it was great and other nights it was so so. ( in the dining room)

but the food in the buffet was very good in my opinion every day. They had a healthy choice and vegetarian station as well as mediteration and ethnic station. Of course there was lots of pizza and pasta and salad bars as well as many meat choices
Personally I would have eaten in the buffet all the time but my companion wanted the dining room.

Thank you for that.

When you travel, for many finding a good vegetarian option can be very hard. We have always requested and received on all of our 15 cruises Indian food for my wife and its usually vegetarian though sometimes she gets chicken. However I don't know if you like spicy food or if MSC will do that. Its been done for us on CCL, X, Princess and NCL and actually as many of the chefs are Indian its pretty good usually. Perhaps thats an option for you for future cruises but only if you like spicy food. I do!!!

Cheers, Larry. :).

The food in the buffet had a lot of Indian and Mexican that had a real nice spice to them which I love
Debbe

You can also request it for your MDR meal too!!