Has anyone taken an MSC cruise???

[shellyfive]

I was trying to book a cruise for xmas this year----w/ grandparents
I saw that kids sail free, we have five....will they let me stash 2 w/ grandparents and keep 3 with me
Anybody know about the boat POESIA???
Thanks in advance!!

 

[DisneyDreams4P&B]

there is a website named cruisecritic dot com and you might get alot more information.

 

[esk]

All I can tell you is that I've seen MSC boats twice, both in Venice, and they BLOCKED OUT THE SUN. I mean huge. Like Empire State Building huge.

Looked nice though.

 

[paladin]

As a previous poster mentioned, you should check out http://www.cruisecritic.com.

It is a website similar to these Disboards, but for cruising. You can find reviews and individual boards for various cruise lines and ports. I would imagine that you could get the info you need there; I know I have found a wealth of info.

 

[G's mommy]

Check out the reviews on cruisecritic. This ship gets pretty bad reviews, especially in the areas of service, food, and organized activities for kids. I would check out Carnival or RCL for a family cruise.

 

[HamTown]

MSC only allows 2 children per room to sail free so it doesn't sound like it will work for you.

Reviews on cruisecritic are very decidedly mixed for MSC. They are not an "American" cruiseline. They are an Italian company and with very European customs. There is no 24hr food and they do announcements in five languages as they have a diverse clientele.

Good luck planning. I have a family of 5 so I know firsthand how difficult it is to find travel arrangements for any group larger than 4!

 

[shellyfive]

I was hoping someone from here actually took a cruise on this line.....Looks like now RC has a fuel surcharge????, and anyway one of the stops over the holidays is still listed as the port that was demolished in Haiti!!!!!!!
Costa only does Mediterr. over december.....
anyone else out there been on this boat???

 

[HamTown]

The RC port in Haiti had no damage and they are using their stops there to bring supplies into the country. No worries about that port.

The Poesia is doing the Caribbean in December, Sunday departures out of Fort Lauderdale.

I really echo others here that recommend Cruise Critic. They have lots of reviews and boards dedicated just to MSC. Lots of good info over there.

 

[peyjax]

Count me another as someone who has not sailed it but.... The ship was in dock with us in May at Nassau. We were wowwed to say the least by the size.

We spoke with quite a few of their passengers while out at port. They had nothing but bad things to say. We kept saying "well it can't be all that bad, just look at the ship". They said yep it is big but that is about it. I was intrigued by it as well, but those first had experiences will keep me at bay.

Side note- Our Cruise Director on the Wonder asked if we had noticed that ship and everyone in the crowd went Oohh LaLa! He said yeah but on DCL we like to say "they may have the house but they ain't got the mouse!" it was too funny!

 

[pickleo]

I personally haven't sailed on it, but my step-grandfather did and he said it was horrible. This coming from a cruiser. His opinion was to NEVER sail on it.

 

[Hartbrken38]

We won a cruise on the MSC Orchestra this past March. The ship and staff are wonderful. The food is good. The desserts are fair, but the overall experience is wonderful. The cabins are very nice.

 

[Mom2apirate&princess]

My best friend went on one and hated it. They said they would never sail with them again.