Started the cruise in Genoa Italy. This was in cruise crossing the Atlantic to the Caribbean, the first few days were spent at different Mediterranean ports then onto the island of Tenerife, now there was five days at sea,this is when the problems started, the largest populations on the ship were German,French,Italian with smaller groups of Spanish and British, all sunbeds on the top deck were taken by 6 o'clock in the morning,towels were placed on sunbeds all day with many not being used at all. Complaints were made to the ships staff but nothing was done, then some Italian families actually had fist fights around the pool area because they had taken"there sun lounger area by the pool" staff were called but refused to get involved. Many complained again but nothing done. The theatre shows were Italian in origin rather than international and became monotonous after a few days. We were on an all inclusive drinks package 25 Euros a day, but many of the drinks were not included! Although it says beer is included its not, only Heineken lager is included, all other beers are chargeable, when you order you have always to ask if it's included which is embarrassing as people think you cannot afford it. The bar and cabin staff go out of there way to make your stay enjoyable and always pleasant, on the other hand the security staff on the exit and entrance onto the ship were anything but. They would grunt at you take your hats and glasses off, stand still while we check your card,no smiles no talking to you, just as thought you were entering a country, inside the ship they would walk into you as though you shouldn't be in the way, had no respect for any passengers ( but they would not attend to the fighting by the pool , cowards). Yes people join the ship in most ports but that dosnt cause a problem, although you get a little tired of the safety drill at every port. Be aware that there is no self service laundry facilities on-board, although the ship will do your laundry for a price. Read Less

Choose a short cruise as a break between our longer holidays. Overall we had a good time the Preziosa is a nice ship very similar to the Meraviglia that we sailed on in Jan 2018. Our Cabin 11011 was a good cabin, great location with a very comfy bed. Nice and spacious and plenty of stowage. Lacked hooks around the cabin having said this I would not let this stop me from booking into this cabin again. Entertainment was limited the theatre show was poor to say the least. Service was better on this ship than the Meraviglia. We upgraded to All Inclusive, great for most drinks but not great for wines or beers. They did not even have a Sav Blanc available & only one larger (Heineken). Food on MSC really is where things go wrong. It is very hard to get a hot meal on MSC be it buffet or table service. Pasta with basic tomatoe sauce and pizza with the same tom sauce is plentiful however try to get fresh veggies, protien choices and you will struggle. Breakfast offering is all Buffet even in the sit down and dine facility they have set up a buffet where you walk up and get your own. MSC really need to address there catering it lets them down everytime. Note also if you are on a longer cruise unless you take the dining options to pay for the upgraded eateries you will only have 2 dining options the one you are assigned too or the buffet... you could become bored very quickly!! It is true MSC have people boarding at most ports for us we did not mind this although the safety briefs do get annoying in the 7 or so languages. MSC are what they say in the name Mediteranian Shipping Company (MSC) therefore expect the Med influences onboard, enjoy the shouting at each other, large families taking up tables, the pool, the hot tubs or at the very least expect this! Do not bother with the SPA facility on this ship we paid extra and well it was certainly not work it. Cold steam rooms, cold sauna's not enough chill out beds (4) for the whole ship overall the poorest SPA we have ever known on any ship. We hope this review is helpful too you, a nice ship, a nice break but not GREAT!! D&J (UK) Read Less

This was my first MSC cruise - I just got off the Preziosa this morning. Here are a few thoughts about the experience, coming from an a American 20-something year-old who has been on other cruises. First, know that there is a smoking area down by the middle pool - you’ll sometimes walk through a cloud of smoke often on your way to the buffets. The food was a 2.5/5 ... honestly, the dinners weren’t that great and the buffets were...ok? Our food for dinner was sometimes cold or undercooked. Having an assigned dinner time worked ok ... but I prefer the flexible dining options on Norwegian. The hot tubs? We wouldn’t call them “hot” - warm, would suffice. And they often had so many people in them... The announcements are made in multiple languages at times, which can be obnoxious. The WiFi is iffy - not always dependable. The staff members were generally friendly - didn’t encounter too many problems there. The cruise passengers are mostly Europeans. So, hearing English spoken among fellow passengers is a rarity. This ship serves Pepsi products on its European voyages - not Coca Cola. Beware of that if you’re looking for a Coke. If you’re an American or Canadian, you’ll receive a free, large bottle of water at dinner - but you’ll have to show your cruise card and sign a receipt each time you receive it. We didn’t encounter many problems at our port stops or disembarking ... the weather in late October / November was often chilly and rainy - so, don’t expect to work on your tan while onboard. We went to two shows - the first one was fine, but the second one was in Italian - so we walked out. Would I sail with MSC again? Maybe. But I’ll definitely look elsewhere first. Read Less

Staff rudeness and experience: -Our party of 6 were split to a table of 4 and share a table of 6 with another party of 4. The other party of 4 agreed to switch table so they can have a private table and we 6 can dine together. After making arrangement with the Dining Room host who said it is fine and he will send info to our cabin. The next evening we were asked by 3 different staff, including the dining room host to see our cabin ID and rudely said there was problem with our sitting. - Out waiter NEVER introduce himself nor his assistant. We told him that 1 member of our party is allergic to mushrooms so please warn us when there is any mushroom in the foods. He never ask or forewarn us of any dish that could have mushroom. - For Dessert we ask for the flavors of the ice cream he said he need 15 mins to find out what choice of flavors they are serving. Latter the Vanilla ice cream came almost completely melt. -Another nite a waiter in the Inca buffet tipped a glass of red wine all over me and my sister who wear white pants, light color blouse and white jacket. He was stunned and did not know what to dọ We told him it was just an accident but he should get his manager to a) get laundry done for us and b) refill our glasses. There were a few officers in the vicinity and NONE seems to care. After a more than 15 mins, I went to see the manager of the bar and he asked me to report to buffet officer or manager. 30 mins later the waiter returned with his manager who DID NOT apologize and only offer to take care of the laundry for my sister. We have to asked for a new glass of wine to replace the almost empty spilled glass. - All 6 of us have beverage package, 2 other couples also have wine/beer/coffee package as well as Soda package. The coupons were NOT delivered to 1 couple for 3 days. When asked Guest Services kept saying they will be delivered to their room. For the first 2 dinner the waiter kept saying he has to charge them even after they show receipts that they paid for the 2 packages. BTW, they issue COUPONS for the beverage package instead of electronically recording them on the cabin ID. - For the mineral bottle water package the main dining room staff kept telling us that we can go to the buffer bar to get it BUT the latter kept refusing to provide the bottle and send us back to the main dining room waiters. - On the first nite, one lady order Sex on the Beach drink. She did not get it until almost at the end of dinner, he showed up with the drink and said he thought she was kidding. We later found out that he just got this job 3 weeks earlier!!!! Embarkation/Disembarkation: - At Genoa port we have to stand in line for 1 hour to be able to get out of the ship walkway. We later leaned that they let Genoa disembarking guests in the same line as visiting port guests. - The day before our cruise ends, we attended the Disembarkation orientation and was told that if we pay by credit card, just review the 2-copy statements and if there is no dispute, just sign 1 copy and leave it in the cabin before 10AM of the disembarkation day. at 1:15 PM as we departing the ship we were told that we owed them money and have to go back to deck 5 to see the Guest Services to pay. Since we have arrangement for a van pickup at 2:00 PM and seeing a LONG LINE at the Guest Services we had to pay almost 300 Euro in currency at the Disembarkation table and got NO RECEIPT that we paid. Foods: - We were shocked to learn that they do NOT serve coffee in the main dining room after dinner. The waiter told us to go to the buffet upstairs to get our coffee. - Most dishes served in the main dinning room are similar to what being served in the buffet. Needless to say, after 2 dinners we STOPPED returning to the dining room and ate our dinners in the buffet. Read Less

we choose this ship for the ports, the cruise included Lisbon, Marseilles, Casablanca, Malaga and Genoa, with three days at sea. we had sailed with MSC in September on the Poesia, and really enjoyed the experience. from the outset, we were really impressed with the ship, and we had a really lovely holiday. However, we have decided never to sail with MSC again for several reasons. the first is that, there are too many ports of embarkation and disembarkation, on our cruise, people boarded in Barcelona ( us ), again in Marseilles and again in Genoa and Lisbon. this led to a chaotic environment, with sections of the ship closed off to passengers on each occasion, with bars and restaurants closed, fire drills every time , naturally, and general mayhem. Secondly, we were appalled to see tiny babies in the Jacuzzi every day, as a nurse, i couldn't believe this practice was allowed, very dangerous for young children to be in such hot water. also, these children were naturally in nappies, which we saw people remove, and then dump at the side of the Jacuzzi. what a way to spread infection. Lastly, and unforgivable, there was no emphasis on hand hygiene, with no enforcement by staff, when boarding the ship , or in the restaurants. all the time, people were entering the restaurant without applying the antibacterial lotion, any never once, did we see staff enforcing this so although we had a great holiday, we were really glad we did not get sick, and wouldn't risk it again, . Read Less

This is my 1st true cruise (other than day cruises to the Bahamas). I was with well-seasoned cruisers. My experience was better than theirs beciase I had nothing to compare it to. Here are my pros and cons: Pros: The ship is lovely. It is not a huge ship but large enough. The staff was wonderful. We were especially grateful to our waiters, Wira and Eduardo, our maitre 'd, O'Neill, and our room steward, Marion. I enjoyed my excursions, although the meal on the Flamm trip was fair. The Flamm train excursion was well worth it (although my brother was not impressed). The meals were ok. They were not fabulous. A few were very good however. Food was plentiful and if you are hungry, you are an extremely picky eater. The shows were ok, not great but were definitely something to do. (Last night show was a "con" being at 8 pm when yiu would be in the dining room. Ship was very clean. They were constantly cleaning all over the ship. The room was comfortable and clean. Cons: If you want anything to drink beyond tap water you have to get drink packages and you are nickled and dimed. You can get bottled water and wine at lunch and dinner with one package. If yiu want any sodas, bottled water, drinks, coffee, including espresso and cappuccinos and gelato all day, get another package. Premium drinks are a higher level package. They sold lobater and steak dinners separately. This has nothing to do with the ship, but I'd never met so many rude people in my life. Pushing and shoving to go anywhere. A man actually took me by the waist to push me aside beciase I wasn't moving fast enough for him. There were few English speaking people on the trip and those of us that did, American, New Zealand, and Australia, all thought the people on the trip were quite rude. The lounges were very crowded. I did not use the pools. They were crowded however, especially the indoor pool as it was cool out The people smoked even where they were, even where they are not supposed to - balconies, on non-smoking decks. The smoke in the casino was horrible. Unfortunately you can smell the smoke from the casino area in non-smoking lounges 1 and 2 floors up from the casino. I was 2 floors up and could smell the smoke at the elevator banks. Read Less

Was going to Norway with a car tour on my own but did not have time to plan it , so opted for a cruise at the last minute . All in all , a nice experience with good memories , but the organization left much to be happy about . Beautiful scenery and good photo experiences IF the weather permits , about 50% of rainy days in Norway . Some points of disappointment . 1) The cabin , Bella with balcony , was a bit claustrophobic for my usual style. Had to hide the baggage under the bed and kept falling over my own shoes , and dried myself out of the bathroom due to lack of space . 2) The Buffet , Breakfast was usually good with a lot of choice of food . The main problem for me was finding a seat to eat my food , within 100 metres of the serving plates . Like eating with 2000 other people in a 1000 seat deck ? 3) The evening meal , Good food , even if on the small portion size , but could order double portions some times . On one night , the food got stuck or was delayed and even if I ordered at 8.30 , at 10.00 I was still waiting for my main dish . The said CHOICE of table is non existent and you have to stick to your table number , if you like it or not . I was in a group and had to lump it . 4) The day tours , I took my camera along to take some photos , but did not get any photos , mainly due to the lack of time that we were allowed off the tour bus , like 15 minutes or you will be left here ? And most times , the place is full of another 7 coachloads of tourists taking the same photo spot. Also booked a train trip , scenic yes , but in a thunderstorm , the window panes where all misted and the views weremainly dark clouds . If a problem delayed the tour , there was no buffer time , so if we delayed 20 minutes as the driver had to go to the restroom , we got 5 minutes chopped off the 15 minute stop , to get off a 50 passenger bus and take a pic and return to a 50 passenger seating . Never again ! 5) The photo booth , you are always asked to take a photo with the captain or the boat backdrop ...but the prices are a ripoff ...you have been warned . All in all , I managed to enjoy my few days , even if ripped off and not 100% satisfied with anything . Do not believe the lovely photos of the ship , most times there are a few hundred people in the picture if you try to take the same . The fjord photos ar taken on a sunny day and photoshopped , a sunny day in 364 rainy days maybe ? I am a 60 year old , grumpy 120 kilo experienced traveller on my first cruise who was disgusted by my tour leader from the local travel agent , as she never translated a word of the MSC tour leader into our language fro those that did not understand English . Not MSCs fault . If I ever take a cruise , I will try to take it in a low season ,so thet the ship is not so crowded that you cannot find a seat to sit down for a drink ! Thank you MSC for a well organized cruise for 3500 travellers of varied nationalities . Read Less

We chose this cruise because it was going to the places we wanted to visit, The embarkation process was seamless and efficient. the ship itself is a magnificent example of floating grandeur, beautiful furnishings, decor, everywhere spotlessly clean, cannot fault the ship in anyway. The staff for the most part were lovely, helpful, although i did feel sorry for the waiters and especially the 1s in the buffet......bedlam is the only word for the experience there! on embarkation days i.e Kiel, instead of looking after the customers already onboard they seemed more intent on selling drinks packages to the newbys! leaving 1 very stressed guy to look after everybody else's needs at lunch time..... the evening meals were good, although not very big portions! the waiters there work tirelessly and where a credit to themselves, countries and the company. The cruise itself i cannot fault, the fellow passengers on the other hand, mainly Italians, French and Germans,....need i say more! THE MAIN Complaint i have is the organization....or the lack of it on our day in Stockholm we had to wait nearly a hour to get off ship to then face a scrum of people all trying their best to either get a hop on hop off bus or a shuttle into the city......we ended up with NO more buses we were sent to go by boat....free! but when we got to it they stopped us getting on as they knew nothing about it!, Fiasco so we had lost roughly 2 1/2 before we even got into the city. It was my birthday and i had tickets for the Abba museum, which we found no trouble at all via the hop on bus, we duly got back on it to go into the city, but after about a hour we were told that it wasn't going into the city as there were road works so would take us back to the ship, and as we had to be back onboard for 3.30 we decided that was going to be our only option, this part wasn't the ships fault but if it had been better organised in the morning maybe we would of had more time. The other cities we visited were fine as 2 of them we walked into from the ship...not relying on anybody!! The disembarkation process was very good too, again cannot fault that part, but i feel disappointed with the running of the excursions. Read Less

This is our secund cruise with MSC Preziosa. This time we cruised to Baltic. The tour of the cities is magical. My family was most thrilled with St. Petersburg and Tallin. Definitive recommendation for a mandatory visit. You will not see this kind of beauty anywhere. Do not forget to book a trip to Petersurg in advance because you do not pay an additional 15%, and you have to consider that many people need a visa to enter the city at all (if you do not have a trip you can not go out of the ship). Do not get caught in Tallinn with transportation - center is very close and you can walk all around. Note to those who come from the Mediterranean. Do not forget the warm clothes !!! There is a big difference in temperatures. We went with 36 degrees of Celzius and landed in Copenhagen at 16 !!! For us the gluten free food was excellent (although last year at Meraviglia much better). They have homemade pasta that is really great. Cakes are not something (just biscuit with cream and always the same. Ice cream perfect ! They have a good gluten free bar with a educated waiter. . For breakfast be careful!!!- you must warn the waiter for contamination (they dont know it). Music was terrible. I did not go to the theater for the first time because they are very similar every year. The kids enjoyed it. If I sumarize: good gluten free food and beauty of the Baltic - I recommend it !!! Read Less

We made the Santos / Kiel crossing, and Kiel / Saint Petersburg / Kiel crossing for 28 days on the Costa Preziosa. I have reported problems with cockroaches, hair in the food, the smell of sewage in the pool that was in the stern of the ship, problems and stress in the excursions, where people stayed inside the bus more than 4 hours without being able to go to the bathroom, staff of the stressed animation and shouting at the passengers at the landing in Kiel, dirt on the buffet, poorly laundered cutlery, dirty cloth napkins and counter tops of dirty food and dirty tables, and when cleaned they were poorly cleaned as well as refreshments at night like sticky pasta of the buffet that of so reheated did not detach from the spatula, besides the terrible service staff at the reception where I got in line several times to solve problem with improper collection, with service fees that were already included in the "experience" voucher, just as we tried to solve the problem of my wife's loyalty card that generated two loyalty numbers on these two cruises, we tried to solve with the Tour Marina who was stupid, arrogant and nothing solved. And if all that was not enough, on the date of landing, my new polycarbonate case was broken, where she took part of it and one of the wheels, as well as several passengers with the same problem, where a lady from Germany broke the suitcase in the middle, and a group of Brazilian ladies who broke the 4 wheels. We waited for hours for the ship's officer to come down and say that nothing could be done at that moment. I have only to regret the terrible experience. Read Less