We arrived at our assigned time on Friday. Generally, boarding was smooth. However, the MSC website says one thing about testing, but the policy differed when we boarded. While the web site stated that IF we did not have a test within 48 hours of boarding we would be required to have a test at boarding. We went out of our way to get a test within the proscribed time, but were told at boarding that we would be required to have one anyways. Even the paperwork they showed at boarding said the same thing. Perhaps MSC should be more clear and simply state that a test WILL be required at boarding time. We were also required to take a test prior to arrival in Naples. Being American, we cannot get a European green pass and, while we thought the US covid certificate was equivalent, the cruise line says no. We MUST get a test. They only offer the deep nasal swab and not the saliva or less intrusive nasal swab.

The ship is quite nice. It feels spacious and well appointed. The various venues feel expansive and airy. Our room doesn't feel cramped at all. The TV however is not easy to navigate at all. Also, when watching a movie on demand (8 euros each) the tv turns off multiple times during the movie and we have to power it back on and navigate back to the movie. It did this three times during one movie and 4 or 5 times during another. It would also be nice to be able to charge our devices while not in our room. Unfortunately, in order to maintain power at the outlets OR USB ports, a room keycard has to be in the power slot next to the door. The room attendants were unable to assist with this .Other than that, our rooms were nice

My first experience of the food aboard was the buffet. I found the food to be poor quality, and generally disappointing. I have read several reviews of MSC dining experience prior to the cruise, so was not overly surprised. Fir dinner we chose the main dining room we were assigned. The food was as good as most any other large cruise ship and service was surprisingly fast. The entire meal took just over 60 minutes. Breakfast, otoh, was frenzied and so far generally they have mostly been a disappointment. Pancakes, french toast and belgian waffles have all arrived cold. Eggs over easy come sunny side up or well done. Bacon arrives in a clump of stuck together strips of bacon...some well cooked, some under cooked and some over cooked. The juice is flavorless and generally unappetizing. While on other cruise ships, it is no problem ordering hot cocoa or a latte with breakfast,, or a better quality fresh orange juice, for example, it feels like an imposition and they are not setup to offer those things. Lunches tend to be somewhere in between the breakfast and dinner service. Read more