I chose this cruise for many reasons: dates, ports, ship offerings and price. There were 4 in our party (2 adults, 2 kids ages 13 & 10). We stayed in a Balcony cabin on Deck 14 mid-ship. The ship is beautiful and there are lots of things to do on it. Nobody should have had a reason to be bored on this cruise. The website photos and video are a true representation of what we saw and experienced on our trip.
We are pretty easy travelers. We like clean, comfortable sleeping quarters, good food, and drinks in our hands. We also like there to be answers to our questions should we have some.
MSC did a great job with the clean, comfortable sleeping quarters and good food. Where they lacked was bar service and communication. We rarely had a drink in our hands. The bars were greatly understaffed for the number of guests on board and the size of the drink menu. Also, if you dine in the main dining rooms, prepare yourself for water and wine. There were a few evenings we placed orders for soda, beer and mixed drinks but they never arrived. Many bartenders could not understand a drink as simple as a 7 and 7, a screwdriver, etc. A couple of times we tried to explain what was in it and they brought us only what they understood.
The cabin was clean, beds and pillows comfortable. Balcony furniture was comfortable. We did not have drawer/closet space for clothes for 4 people so we had to leave about half of our stuff in suitcases under the bed and pull it out as needed.