We sailed on MSC Opera, western mediterranean (Genova, Marseille, Palma, Ibiza, Olbia, Livorno) on 30 june 2018. I am Italian, my husband is from US, we sailed before on other cruise lines. We choose MSC to get the "Italian experience".
Let's start from the good things:
* cabin: a bit worn out, but extremely clean and confortable, good service and luckily we had a cabin with balcony
wardrobe and curtains a bit worn out and broken. bed confortable. cabin space ok for european standards, nice view balcony
Genova is a messy town, I suggest a visit to aquarium and to the city center behind it. It can be easily reached on foot (15 minutes)
I loved Marseille: get the free shuttle from cruise terminal, walk 10 minutes to old port. I suggest to catch the little train (8 euros), have a drink at the Old Port and relax!
Palma de Maiorca is a beautiful town, full of life, shops, ancient monuments. We took the MSC shuttle (15 euros) and used it various times. At night there are lots of nice bars and cafès.
From Ibiza you can go in 30 minutes with ferry to the island of Formentera, if not, get a water taxi and visit some beaches around the town. In the evening take a walk up to the cathedral, in the old town. you will enjoy a great view!
Olbia is a very small town, get the free shuttle bus from the port and then the public bus number 40 (5 euros buy the ticket at Tourism Board near the Town Council-Municipio) to Pittolongu beach, 7 kms from Olbia. Pristine cristal clear waters, white sands and relax. Sun umbrella and sunbeds to rent at 15 euros half day.
Livorno is an industrial port, don't expect much from it. It has been heavily bombed during WWII and it was rebuilt. So if you can't get the MSC excursion to Florence&Pisa, pay 5 euros for the Port -downtown shuttle, catch the LAMBlu public bus (tickets can be bought on board) to Livorno train station, buy a 2.5 euro train ticket to Pisa (20 minutes by train) and visit Pisa.