MSC Preziosa Review

4.5 / 5.0
386 reviews

Norway Fjiord Cruise, Yacht Club Makes All The Difference

Review for the Baltic Sea Cruise on MSC Preziosa

We booked a Norway cruise a year prior on Norwegian and they canceled our cruise three months later! We had used points for the flights and booked a longer vacation around this cruise so we had to scramble. Thankfully, the MSC Preziosa was doing a nearly identical cruise. A quick look showed limited restaurants and an overall heavy lean towards Italian preferences which was understandable. Thankfully, there was one cabin left in the Yacht Club category which provided us with the accommodations we would have received on Norwegian (and then some), so we booked it.

Yacht Club makes everything less stressful and luxurious. During embarkation, there is easy boarding where you are guided everywhere and chill with champagne and snacks in your own private little space at the port and then in the concierge lounge on-board. The cabin we had was unusually large for the category and as with everyone in Yacht Club, we had a balcony.

Unlike other cruise lines, the Yacht Club is a significant upgrade as compared with a suite on the three other cruiselines we have sailed on. At least on the Preziosa, Yacht Club cabins, deck area with pools & hot-tubs, bars and concierge lounge occupy a private (card access) area at the front of the ship. A private high-end restaurant is located in the rear of the ship with a nice view. Yacht Club space is huge compared to the number of cabins. There were 10 times as many lounge chairs as needed so you were never crowded - ever! Nobody putting their towel down to save a spot here and there were great views with large window screens to keep out the wind. Service was readily available in all the Yacht Club spaces where-as the rest of the ship, it looked like a lot of people trying to fend for themselves in very crowded conditions.

Cabin Review

Yacht Club Deluxe Suite

Cabin YC1

This cabin is larger than the rest in this category as it is the last cabin before an outside door to the yacht club pool area. Despite being next to the outside doors and the entrance door for the yacht club entrance, we never heard doors slamming or people passing by. The bathroom was well appointed and clean, but small when compared to the room. We were comfortable and very happy to be in this cabin.

Port Reviews

Flam

As someone who has traveled in over 75 countries, I feel confident in saying that this is one of the most beautiful places on Earth. Cruising quietly through the tight fjord in a giant cruise ship very early in the morning (4:30-6:30AM) is breathtaking. I highly recommend waking up to enjoy this unbelievable experience and then take a nap when the ship starts to dock.

We went for a nice hike, took a scenic train ride and went for quiet smooth cruise up a couple fjords in an electric tourist yacht. All were great. Be wary that docking and disembarkation take forever, so don't book an early train. We missed ours, but thankfully managed to get one later in the day.

Bergen

Lots to see and do! Very cute town with outdoor dining, museums, and a historic old town center. Generally easy to travel by foot.

Copenhagen

Tons to see! Great city to explore by bus to the center and then by foot! Give yourself plenty of time to return to the ship as buses are intermittent and taxis hard to come by (at least on a Sunday).

Kiel

Nothing of note to see here as far as I know.

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