We also left Royal for MSC. Did a test MSC out of NYC and loved everything about it! We found it cleaner, more friendly staff and the food was better. Going on a 7 day in November and 11 day in January.
I've cruised on MSC twice once in 2020 and once in 2023. I have got to say they have improved so much I was impressed. But they still have some improving to do
Long time RCCL cruiser here… I still love their ships, but their price hikes since the pandemic are excessive, and insane on the new ships. MSC started sailing out of my favourite port, NYC. I tried it and was impressed. Big, beautiful ship, great staterooms, and excellent specialty restaurants, all at a price that is half or more of a similar RCCL sailing. They gave me Diamond status immediately, and have a standard 10% discount for active military and veterans. I got a balcony stateroom on their brand new World America for 50% the cost of an inside stateroom on RCCL’s newest ship. If MSC keeps this up, I can’t see going back to RCCL.
I'm happy to hear your unbiased review of the two companies. MSC gets a lot of negative press, but I adore them. Last year was my first time cruising, so I had nothing to go by except the itinerary. A trip from the UK to Rio sounded amazing. It was, and I fell in love with MSC Presozia. So, this year, I have booked another trip, this time to the Canaries. MSC Virtuosa is a much bigger ship but looks equally beautiful. The trip is in 6 days so am very excited. The draw this time was boarding and disembarking from my home town of Southampton. The 10-hour flight from Rio was too much for me, so to find this trip was a huge bonus. Loved hearing your views on the company.
I traveled in Holland America for 5 years, took an MSC Seaside transatlántic 23 days cruise and love it. Went back for 2more 7 days caribbean cruises. Lo veía. Going back to MSC Seaside in Jan, Abril and October. Enjoy the diversity of Staff, super friendlyand willing to heló.
I agree....have been on MSC several times and the same ships many times and I find them the best for me. Ocean Day is often the only stop I get off the ship and it is a delightful respite.
Like you, we used to cruise a lot with Royal Caribbean, but lately we have Cruise a lot more with MSC. We just came back from Norway with the MSC Euribia. Their activities in entertainment seem to be catching up with Royal Caribbean. Their services seem to have improved quite a lot over the years. We like how the ships look and we look forward to another MSC course
Cruised a lot on Royal in the past but everything from their food to service is getting worse and prices keep going up. Had a broken sink in our cabin for 4 days and was told use the shower to wash hands and brush your teeth. Sprinkler pipe also leaked outside, and water came into our cabin and had to sleep with blowers on for days. I understand things happen, but a little compensation would have been nice from Royal. Previous cruise was also bad on Royal so a new cruise line will be in my future. Thanks for the tips about MSC.
After having done both I can agree with the value of MSC, unfortunately my wife and I found the included food options MUCH worse than RC. The buffet was smaller with fewer options, and the MDH meals were not nearly as nice. They also have fewer options for specialty restaurants. The alcohol package was much cheaper on MSC though the internet is about the same cost and they lock you to the first device you register while RC lets you just turn off one device and then use another.
It sure is !!!! I was on msc seascape on Sept 28 cruise and we all stayed in the yacht club. Hands down the best. We hopped on because royal canceled our icon of the seas cruise due to mechanical issues. They're were like over 50 passengers from royal icon on msc. We're planning a msc cruise on world america in 2026 after we use the icon credit royal caribbean gave us
@@DA-if1ij nice! We did Grandiosa in the Med in April and are booked for this year spring break, Caribbean, I think on the Seascape. Maybe its the Seaside LOL. We did ICON in Feb 2024, it was great too, but very different experience. Enjoy it all!
I've been following MSC for some time now...they seem to be improving. We're big Holland America fans, but I can book a Yacht Club interior room for approximately the same cost as a Holland interior Have-it-All stateroom. Great video....subscribed!
And the YC will give you far more than a baseline HAL inside. It is a great choice, other perhaps than for regularly shorter y nights itineraries on MSC compared to the longer 10-14 nights ones usual on HAL.
I highly recommend avoiding MSC. I kept my DND light on pretty much constantly as i didnt want anyone messing with my stuff. Well a few days in i get a call from the front desk saying they have to have housekeeping in my room so when i go to eat just turn the light off so they can go in. Thats exactly what i did and when i got back i turned the light back on. The next morning i get woke up by security knocking on my door and he goes through all my luggage and dirty clothes looking for something, i assume drugs, and after they didnt find anything they clean my room. It was horribly embarrassing and upsetting to be treated like a criminal when i did nothing wrong. They apologized but said this is just their policy. Why couldnt they have just talked to me? They couldve asked me what time could they come to my room or something. I did what the front desk guy told me. Im so embarrassed i wont leave my cabin until we get back to port. First and last MSC cruise for me.
I’ve done 6 cruises total, all been MSC and I’ve loved them. Being British we know the brand well here. I’m going to give RC a go next year and see how I get on, but I already suspect I will stick to MSC as my go to. I love the European culture as it’s what I’m use to and you can’t beat them on price. I’m open to seeing what RC has to offer though.
I have only ever cruised with NCL, but after an atrocious experience with itinerary changes on our last cruise I am taking my loyalty elsewhere. There seems to be a disconnect between their customer service and management, which is a recipe for disaster. Our next cruise is booked on MSC, which offers basically the same things that originally brought me to NCL, and at a much lower price.
We veered away from NCL for a similar reason and bad service after doing 4 with them to start our cruising life. We have really enjoyed experiencing the other cruise lines. Have been on 4 others since including MSC. We do have another NCL booked for next year (mainly to use our cruise next deposits we purchased). MSC has its issues but well worth a try imo.
I fell in love with msc I like the style and crew Royal Caribbean is getting to out of control on cost I feel msc will be number one in cruise industry soon Watch out carnival and Royal Caribbean
I went on my first cruise 3 years ago and wanted to try the big 4 (Carnival, MSC, Royal, NCL) and started with MSC due to its prices being the lowest. I left so happy I decided to not try anyone else, because if I had this much fun on the cheapest cruise line why ruin it. I've now been on 4 more cruises and am a customer for life for sure. After trying Yacht Club 2 trips ago it got even better. I just don't understand the negative stigma for MSC, its honestly the best vacations ive ever had.
I have sailed MSC twice and booked one more cruise. I would like to see them expand to Hawaii and South Pacific cruises. Things I did not like at least on the 2 sailings, smoking in non designated areas and no action taken by crew, less free food options, they have MDR and buffet. Too many children and not supervised by parents, would be ok if there was an 18+ area similar to Carnival serenity. They also push beverage and dining packages while on board
Thanks for the information. I wondered if MSC was any good. We just got off a Princess cruise and were not impressed. If they take our status on Princess, I am sold.
I sailed on many Royal ships buy my last 2 cruises on Royal were not acceptable. Even had a flooded cabin from a toilet leak and Royal did not care about us. I am looking for a new Cruise line also, never considered MSC but thank you I will try a MSC cruise right after my first Carnival cruise in Dec.
The pizza on MSC is the best of all cruise lines. We have enjoyed all of our cruises on MSC. I cannot understand why people will pay 3 times the price to go on RC. We have a cruise booked for May 2025 on World America. The new MSC ship coming to Miami.
I too am Diamond on Royal, but have been in MSC, and, I don’t know, but ummm, looks like they giving RCCL a run for my money. I have been on the Seascape twice. Two years in a row. I have already booked my cruise for World America, and looking for another one for mid-next year. Their boats are gorgeous, I have never experienced any off prejudice from staff during the two times I’ve cruised. Food was good and entertainment was good. Their private island, absolutely love, love, love.. That lighthouse light show is awesome.. It’s quickly becoming my favorite, oh and let’s not forget their status matching.. My stairs from Royal pushed me up to their second to top tier. Let’s not forget how you gain your points.. Love that too..
RC is very overrated. I just took my last RC cruise after just 2 cruises with them. Second cruise with them felt like too much of the same despite different ships. Food in the main dining is average to mediocre, buffet is terribly crowded and the water parks and other kid activities are not for us. Their itineraries are also tired. How many times can you go to Nassau and Cozumel?
As a solo person looking to take a first cruise this December only affordable cruise I can find for a solo person is on NCL. Been hearing that NCL isn't as good anymore :(
Price is the main reason to try MSC. I enjoyed their private island, esp the lighthouse, much more than Coco Cay. But to say the food is on par is a big exaggeration. Even the pizza, which I found to be too salty, was a disappointment. I expected an improvement from an Italian cruise line. The ships are beautiful, almost on par with Celebrity's newer ships. But the amenities of the loyalty program will keep me saying on Royal, even with MSC's status match to Diamond. I hope MSC keeps improving.
Ok! I'd say my unique experience to compare is an Oasis ship in Europe to the older Musica/Fantasia MSC classes, which of course are not an apples to apples comparison. Here are my conclusions as the particular items go: Booking/Land services: RCI wins hands down. MSC used to be tricky if you don't use a good Travel Agent that works great with them. While RCI's website can also to be hit or miss, certainly they're more client oriented and you have more extra options ready to book from minute 0 of your experience. Lately MSC has improved, but still a long way from RCI. Small charter group management: MSC incredibly does that like a science, while RCI seems not to be that used to the concept here in Europe. Having a group led by a tour leader seems not RCI's beach for some reason... Embarkation/Debarkation/In transit operations: Technical draw. Here in Europe both companies are far dependent on what the any particular port's authority is able to provide. I've had great and ugly experiences with both companies. Ship maintenance and cleanliness: MSC wins hands down by a huge KO! Any 5 years old RCI ship will feel like a 15 years old MSC one if not worse. Maybe the fact that MSC is such a 300 years in business cargo transportation line makes them to do such a very impressive job of ship maintenance and cleanliness. You'll see people making preventive and repairing operations plus cleaning all over the place on your MSC sailing. Sadly not so much on RCI. Safety: Technical draw. They purchase safety personnel from basically same businesses here in Europe. RCI has some more visible uniformed agents, while MSC does the job sort of more quietly, but when needed they magically appear like from nowhere! Cabins: I'll give here an edge to RCI, but one can't to compare such an Oasis ship with a 90-125k gross tonnes ship, really. Buffet offering: Again, it is a clear RCI win, but again; size matters. You can't have an as large option palette on a 90k gross tonnes ship compared to a 225k gross tonnes one. Bear in mind also that, at least on European sailings, by design the buffet is your last chance to have a dinner on MSC, once while in holidays the Europeans enjoy mostly a sit down restaurant, so the MSC buffet is less varied by design and not by a bug that needs fixing. They have improved somewhat lately on that as well. Food quality is basically on par once they obtain ingredients from the very same ports authorized businesses and preparation is basically same 4* EU land hotel standards. MDR offerings: Here MSC wins hands down with a huge KO. Simply it is a far more civilized and refined environment. Surely you'll be surrounded by hundreds of people, but basically no waiters entertainment (other than for Baked Alaska night dance), no pestering to purchase dinning packages or other extras, little pestering for photos, and the likes. It is quite like going to a nice, while still relaxing, land restaurant at home. Food trends to the European comfort food instead of American one on RCI. Dishes are less salty in average and desserts less sugary in average as well. No coffee served at table on European sailings. Same ingredients from same vendors here in Europe and same 4* EU land hotel standards on preparation. Bar service: Technical draw. It can to be hit or miss in both lines. MSC drinks, even the non alcoholic ones seem to have such a "soul" of their own. Coffee and coffee drinks are far better at MSC though by a huge KO. Shore excursions: MSC wins here by KO at least here in Europe. Surely you'll get the same hit or miss excursions from the very same local vendors on both lines... But you'll get the MSC ones at sometimes half the price of an RCI one. While when on RCI I tend to look at independent providers or I tend to simply do my own thing, on MSC their shore excursion program is sometimes the most competitive one in offer, even when contacting the same local vendors that serve them for their private services! This is for me one of the biggest MSC advantages!... Entertainment: Huge RCI win by KO, but again: 225k gross tonnes ships compared to MSC smaller and older ones. They're not at same level. RCI can to give you some once in a lifetime moments like the aqua or the ice shows. MSC used to excel on evening lounge music entertainment though. Other services: MSC has a better logo shop. RCI seems more attractive as kids entertainment goes. The gyms are usually better at MSC. I don't normally use other services so I won't give a note on them. I hope I have helped! Once they're more similar than different I'd say that price matters. And while at least for us Europeans MSC is no longer "that" so affordable line, they're regularly on the low side of the pond especially on those out of season cruises, hence my preference, but you can go well on both companies. Have a wonderful day!
My first cruise with MSC is Nov 3rd and it's Yacht Club. I am excited and it was the same price as a regular balcony on Utopia of the Sea that I took in Aug
@@remoorepharmd it’s great! You will actually have space. Our family at times had whole pool to ourselves. Also the service in yc areas are better than standard ship areas
They are very family friendly, our teens frequent the organised clubs. I am also coeliac and eat very well. There is a separate gluten-free kitchen, and I get a personal waiter who is trained in coeliac safe dining.
@@andreamargaretlockhart75 Yes, that is the norm on MSC. They really know how to deal with dietary needs, the most strange that may feel for many. I have a strong shellfish allergy and it has been always wonderful, but bear in mind that sometimes they forgive your special needs request on booking times, so the first thing one should to do like I do when one embarks is to contact the M'd to ask for their assistance, and here we are: At my time usually the "special" waiter is near my table when I come and I'm the first one giving an immediate order, or if they have a large group they can pick my order at breakfast in the MDR the proper day morning.
MSC Seaside was the worst cruise we've been on in 30 years. It "wasn't possible" to accommodate my wife's wheelchair in the MDR. Food sucked and entertainment was so-so. I'll GLADLY pay more for RC
If you are a person of color, you better have alot of patience and thick skin. We were treated horrible on the Seascape. We did not believe all the videos saying the staff and most cruisers were prejudiced. The White American cruisers were fine. The Asians cruisers and most if the White staff were horrible. We would be the first at the bar and get ignored. We were constantly skipped . We decided to go to a different bar. It was the same behavior. They did not want to serve us in the restaurants. We were dressed nice, well spoken and kind. We watched everyone around us get spectacular service. We are willing to try it again but a different ship. If it happens again, I will be very irritated. If we wanted to put up with racism and prejudice, we would have stayed home in Kansas. We normally cruise Royal. The Seascape was a beautiful ship and the food was good when they brought it to us hot. It got to the point that we did not trust the food coming out. We stayed at the buffet.
Most cruise ships, airlines, hotels/resorts etc....are like that, and the staff base their opinions on people based on their previous experience with other passengers of the same ethnic background, unfortunately. Almost everyone walks around with preconceived ideas about all kinds of people on past experiences. Everyone does it in one way or another, but may never show it.
So sorry you had this experience. I love msc however will never get on seascape again. Seashore and meraviglia so much better. I think it starts at the top and crew follow.
MSC is turning into the new walmart of the seas. Yeah, it's cheaper, but that just means it's attracting the novice cruisers that's been plaguing carnival.
It attracts European’s as that’s where the cruise line is from. Remember, it might be new to the American market, but we’ve been using them for years over on this side of the pond.
I left RCCL and NCL too . I have a bad experience with them. Rude passengers! The kids are jumping on the table at the buffet and the mother of the kids are giving bad look to those who stare at her children behaving badly.
Video sounds like a paid ad. 😄 I'm about to go on my second MSC cruise. I chose it because it was REALLY cheap, but I was not particularly impressed on my last cruise. And looking for cruises in 2025, the prices I see are similar to Royal Caribbean.
Onboard MSC’s Meraviglia Class ships and newer ones-like the MSC Meraviglia, Bellissima, Grandiosa, Virtuosa, Euribia, World Europa, and soon-to-be World America-you’ll find cabins specifically designed for solo travelers. Yes, these cabins are smaller than the ones made for two people, but the savings more than make up for the size. Some of the cheapest cruises I’ve ever taken have been in these solo cabins, and honestly, for the price I’ve paid, I’ve got no complaints. It’s a smart way to cruise if you don’t need all the extra space.
MSC: mostly shitty cruise!! If you like an adult beverages 30-40 minutes apart, and that's only if you get in line immediately after your first order, this is the cruise line for you!!! Private cruise island is a clump of sand in the Bahamas.
@@kaylaibanez6134 it depends what you want mate if good food and good entertainment is what you are looking for I’d go somewhere else but that’s just in my experience
![25 Things Cruisers MUST Know Before Your First MSC Cruise [MSC Cruise Tips 2024]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/k0NLxi5ZzMI/mqdefault.jpg)
![25 Things Cruisers MUST Know Before Your First MSC Cruise [MSC Cruise Tips 2024]](/img/tr.png)
We also left Royal for MSC. Did a test MSC out of NYC and loved everything about it! We found it cleaner, more friendly staff and the food was better. Going on a 7 day in November and 11 day in January.
We switched from RC to MSC add well. Very accurate review
MSC is my favorite!!! I will be diamond after my next cruise
I've cruised on MSC twice once in 2020 and once in 2023. I have got to say they have improved so much I was impressed. But they still have some improving to do
Long time RCCL cruiser here… I still love their ships, but their price hikes since the pandemic are excessive, and insane on the new ships. MSC started sailing out of my favourite port, NYC. I tried it and was impressed. Big, beautiful ship, great staterooms, and excellent specialty restaurants, all at a price that is half or more of a similar RCCL sailing. They gave me Diamond status immediately, and have a standard 10% discount for active military and veterans. I got a balcony stateroom on their brand new World America for 50% the cost of an inside stateroom on RCCL’s newest ship. If MSC keeps this up, I can’t see going back to RCCL.
I'm happy to hear your unbiased review of the two companies. MSC gets a lot of negative press, but I adore them. Last year was my first time cruising, so I had nothing to go by except the itinerary. A trip from the UK to Rio sounded amazing. It was, and I fell in love with MSC Presozia. So, this year, I have booked another trip, this time to the Canaries. MSC Virtuosa is a much bigger ship but looks equally beautiful. The trip is in 6 days so am very excited. The draw this time was boarding and disembarking from my home town of Southampton. The 10-hour flight from Rio was too much for me, so to find this trip was a huge bonus. Loved hearing your views on the company.
I'm from the UK. Have sailed MSC 4 times in the last 18 months, they have all been brilliant.
Got 2 more booked including World America. Can't wait.
I traveled in Holland America for 5 years, took an MSC Seaside transatlántic 23 days cruise and love it. Went back for 2more 7 days caribbean cruises. Lo veía. Going back to MSC Seaside in Jan, Abril and October. Enjoy the diversity of Staff, super friendlyand willing to heló.
I agree....have been on MSC several times and the same ships many times and I find them the best for me. Ocean Day is often the only stop I get off the ship and it is a delightful respite.
Did my first MSC this labor day. Love it. It is now one of my top 4.
Yea! Me too ... we must be on the same sailing! ☺
BTW, I am going back on it, the same itinerary, in March. 🤗
@@ExtraordinaryLiving be going again in April. I guess we do love MSC. LOL
Driving home now from another msc cruise, I literally have zero negatives on my comment card.
Nice original content. Very thoughtful.
Love snorkelling by the lighthouse with the giant turtle. My happy place.
Like you, we used to cruise a lot with Royal Caribbean, but lately we have Cruise a lot more with MSC. We just came back from Norway with the MSC Euribia. Their activities in entertainment seem to be catching up with Royal Caribbean. Their services seem to have improved quite a lot over the years. We like how the ships look and we look forward to another MSC course
Cruised a lot on Royal in the past but everything from their food to service is getting worse and prices keep going up. Had a broken sink in our cabin for 4 days and was told use the shower to wash hands and brush your teeth. Sprinkler pipe also leaked outside, and water came into our cabin and had to sleep with blowers on for days. I understand things happen, but a little compensation would have been nice from Royal. Previous cruise was also bad on Royal so a new cruise line will be in my future. Thanks for the tips about MSC.
Royal does keep getting worse. Such a shame.
After having done both I can agree with the value of MSC, unfortunately my wife and I found the included food options MUCH worse than RC. The buffet was smaller with fewer options, and the MDH meals were not nearly as nice. They also have fewer options for specialty restaurants. The alcohol package was much cheaper on MSC though the internet is about the same cost and they lock you to the first device you register while RC lets you just turn off one device and then use another.
the food on MSC is not very good.......the Tribeca dinning room serves MRE's in my opinion...we have never had a good meal there
Thank you for this information. As of now, Loyal to Royal, but now very destination driven. I will definitely look into MSC.
The yacht club is amazing
It sure is !!!! I was on msc seascape on Sept 28 cruise and we all stayed in the yacht club. Hands down the best. We hopped on because royal canceled our icon of the seas cruise due to mechanical issues. They're were like over 50 passengers from royal icon on msc. We're planning a msc cruise on world america in 2026 after we use the icon credit royal caribbean gave us
@@DA-if1ij nice! We did Grandiosa in the Med in April and are booked for this year spring break, Caribbean, I think on the Seascape. Maybe its the Seaside LOL. We did ICON in Feb 2024, it was great too, but very different experience. Enjoy it all!
I take my first MSC cruise in two days. I booked MSC for many of the reasons you noted in your video.
I've been following MSC for some time now...they seem to be improving. We're big Holland America fans, but I can book a Yacht Club interior room for approximately the same cost as a Holland interior Have-it-All stateroom. Great video....subscribed!
And the YC will give you far more than a baseline HAL inside. It is a great choice, other perhaps than for regularly shorter y nights itineraries on MSC compared to the longer 10-14 nights ones usual on HAL.
I highly recommend avoiding MSC. I kept my DND light on pretty much constantly as i didnt want anyone messing with my stuff. Well a few days in i get a call from the front desk saying they have to have housekeeping in my room so when i go to eat just turn the light off so they can go in. Thats exactly what i did and when i got back i turned the light back on. The next morning i get woke up by security knocking on my door and he goes through all my luggage and dirty clothes looking for something, i assume drugs, and after they didnt find anything they clean my room. It was horribly embarrassing and upsetting to be treated like a criminal when i did nothing wrong. They apologized but said this is just their policy. Why couldnt they have just talked to me? They couldve asked me what time could they come to my room or something. I did what the front desk guy told me. Im so embarrassed i wont leave my cabin until we get back to port. First and last MSC cruise for me.
Interestingly, I've noticed more videos with people talking up MSC Cruises recently. Makes me go hmmmm...
And they all say Royal has gotten more expensive, claiming they're booking MSC for $400 for a weekend. I just booked RC for the same price
I have 3 MSC cruise booked next year all in the Yacht Club
@@johnsledz8823yacht club is the best ❤
I’ve done 6 cruises total, all been MSC and I’ve loved them. Being British we know the brand well here. I’m going to give RC a go next year and see how I get on, but I already suspect I will stick to MSC as my go to. I love the European culture as it’s what I’m use to and you can’t beat them on price. I’m open to seeing what RC has to offer though.
I have only ever cruised with NCL, but after an atrocious experience with itinerary changes on our last cruise I am taking my loyalty elsewhere. There seems to be a disconnect between their customer service and management, which is a recipe for disaster. Our next cruise is booked on MSC, which offers basically the same things that originally brought me to NCL, and at a much lower price.
We veered away from NCL for a similar reason and bad service after doing 4 with them to start our cruising life. We have really enjoyed experiencing the other cruise lines. Have been on 4 others since including MSC. We do have another NCL booked for next year (mainly to use our cruise next deposits we purchased). MSC has its issues but well worth a try imo.
I fell in love with msc
I like the style and crew
Royal Caribbean is getting to out of control on cost
I feel msc will be number one in cruise industry soon
Watch out carnival and Royal Caribbean
I love MSC because I love all things Italian. ☺
I went on my first cruise 3 years ago and wanted to try the big 4 (Carnival, MSC, Royal, NCL) and started with MSC due to its prices being the lowest. I left so happy I decided to not try anyone else, because if I had this much fun on the cheapest cruise line why ruin it. I've now been on 4 more cruises and am a customer for life for sure. After trying Yacht Club 2 trips ago it got even better. I just don't understand the negative stigma for MSC, its honestly the best vacations ive ever had.
I have sailed MSC twice and booked one more cruise. I would like to see them expand to Hawaii and South Pacific cruises. Things I did not like at least on the 2 sailings, smoking in non designated areas and no action taken by crew, less free food options, they have MDR and buffet. Too many children and not supervised by parents, would be ok if there was an 18+ area similar to Carnival serenity. They also push beverage and dining packages while on board
Princess has been my favourite line for years, but we are trying MSC for the first time this winter. I can’t wait!
Thanks for the information. I wondered if MSC was any good. We just got off a Princess cruise and were not impressed. If they take our status on Princess, I am sold.
I sailed on many Royal ships buy my last 2 cruises on Royal were not acceptable. Even had a flooded cabin from a toilet leak and Royal did not care about us. I am looking for a new Cruise line also, never considered MSC but thank you I will try a MSC cruise right after my first Carnival cruise in Dec.
The pizza on MSC is the best of all cruise lines. We have enjoyed all of our cruises on MSC. I cannot understand why people will pay 3 times the price to go on RC. We have a cruise booked for May 2025 on World America. The new MSC ship coming to Miami.
Thinking about dropping ncl for msc next cruise, time to change
I too am Diamond on Royal, but have been in MSC, and, I don’t know, but ummm, looks like they giving RCCL a run for my money. I have been on the Seascape twice. Two years in a row. I have already booked my cruise for World America, and looking for another one for mid-next year. Their boats are gorgeous, I have never experienced any off prejudice from staff during the two times I’ve cruised. Food was good and entertainment was good. Their private island, absolutely love, love, love.. That lighthouse light show is awesome.. It’s quickly becoming my favorite, oh and let’s not forget their status matching.. My stairs from Royal pushed me up to their second to top tier. Let’s not forget how you gain your points.. Love that too..
I am sailing on RC soon, but for the value MSC is amazing.
Might sail on MSC in 2025 once they home port in Galveston and since we're Platinum and they do loyalty match we will have to give it a try.
Preach! I will never understand the sorrento’s hype - to each their own, but not my type of pizza
RC is very overrated. I just took my last RC cruise after just 2 cruises with them. Second cruise with them felt like too much of the same despite different ships. Food in the main dining is average to mediocre, buffet is terribly crowded and the water parks and other kid activities are not for us. Their itineraries are also tired. How many times can you go to Nassau and Cozumel?
Same. I’m booked on a 2 week cruise on World America in May of 2025!
As a solo person looking to take a first cruise this December only affordable cruise I can find for a solo person is on NCL. Been hearing that NCL isn't as good anymore :(
What was that Anthillies itinerary please? Thank you!
We will be trying MSC in the near future. BUT...that pasta/spaghetti looked really dry
It sure did! LOL
Military Discount - My question does that apply to Veteran or Only Active Duty
Price is the main reason to try MSC. I enjoyed their private island, esp the lighthouse, much more than Coco Cay. But to say the food is on par is a big exaggeration. Even the pizza, which I found to be too salty, was a disappointment. I expected an improvement from an Italian cruise line. The ships are beautiful, almost on par with Celebrity's newer ships. But the amenities of the loyalty program will keep me saying on Royal, even with MSC's status match to Diamond. I hope MSC keeps improving.
Prices prices, I did the same. Two MSC cruises this year
Ok! I'd say my unique experience to compare is an Oasis ship in Europe to the older Musica/Fantasia MSC classes, which of course are not an apples to apples comparison. Here are my conclusions as the particular items go:
Booking/Land services: RCI wins hands down. MSC used to be tricky if you don't use a good Travel Agent that works great with them. While RCI's website can also to be hit or miss, certainly they're more client oriented and you have more extra options ready to book from minute 0 of your experience. Lately MSC has improved, but still a long way from RCI.
Small charter group management: MSC incredibly does that like a science, while RCI seems not to be that used to the concept here in Europe. Having a group led by a tour leader seems not RCI's beach for some reason...
Embarkation/Debarkation/In transit operations: Technical draw. Here in Europe both companies are far dependent on what the any particular port's authority is able to provide. I've had great and ugly experiences with both companies.
Ship maintenance and cleanliness: MSC wins hands down by a huge KO! Any 5 years old RCI ship will feel like a 15 years old MSC one if not worse. Maybe the fact that MSC is such a 300 years in business cargo transportation line makes them to do such a very impressive job of ship maintenance and cleanliness. You'll see people making preventive and repairing operations plus cleaning all over the place on your MSC sailing. Sadly not so much on RCI.
Safety: Technical draw. They purchase safety personnel from basically same businesses here in Europe. RCI has some more visible uniformed agents, while MSC does the job sort of more quietly, but when needed they magically appear like from nowhere!
Cabins: I'll give here an edge to RCI, but one can't to compare such an Oasis ship with a 90-125k gross tonnes ship, really.
Buffet offering: Again, it is a clear RCI win, but again; size matters. You can't have an as large option palette on a 90k gross tonnes ship compared to a 225k gross tonnes one. Bear in mind also that, at least on European sailings, by design the buffet is your last chance to have a dinner on MSC, once while in holidays the Europeans enjoy mostly a sit down restaurant, so the MSC buffet is less varied by design and not by a bug that needs fixing. They have improved somewhat lately on that as well. Food quality is basically on par once they obtain ingredients from the very same ports authorized businesses and preparation is basically same 4* EU land hotel standards.
MDR offerings: Here MSC wins hands down with a huge KO. Simply it is a far more civilized and refined environment. Surely you'll be surrounded by hundreds of people, but basically no waiters entertainment (other than for Baked Alaska night dance), no pestering to purchase dinning packages or other extras, little pestering for photos, and the likes. It is quite like going to a nice, while still relaxing, land restaurant at home. Food trends to the European comfort food instead of American one on RCI. Dishes are less salty in average and desserts less sugary in average as well. No coffee served at table on European sailings. Same ingredients from same vendors here in Europe and same 4* EU land hotel standards on preparation.
Bar service: Technical draw. It can to be hit or miss in both lines. MSC drinks, even the non alcoholic ones seem to have such a "soul" of their own. Coffee and coffee drinks are far better at MSC though by a huge KO.
Shore excursions: MSC wins here by KO at least here in Europe. Surely you'll get the same hit or miss excursions from the very same local vendors on both lines... But you'll get the MSC ones at sometimes half the price of an RCI one. While when on RCI I tend to look at independent providers or I tend to simply do my own thing, on MSC their shore excursion program is sometimes the most competitive one in offer, even when contacting the same local vendors that serve them for their private services! This is for me one of the biggest MSC advantages!...
Entertainment: Huge RCI win by KO, but again: 225k gross tonnes ships compared to MSC smaller and older ones. They're not at same level. RCI can to give you some once in a lifetime moments like the aqua or the ice shows. MSC used to excel on evening lounge music entertainment though.
Other services: MSC has a better logo shop. RCI seems more attractive as kids entertainment goes. The gyms are usually better at MSC. I don't normally use other services so I won't give a note on them.
I hope I have helped! Once they're more similar than different I'd say that price matters. And while at least for us Europeans MSC is no longer "that" so affordable line, they're regularly on the low side of the pond especially on those out of season cruises, hence my preference, but you can go well on both companies. Have a wonderful day!
I can't agree with the food comment! Great blog.
Also, claimed about boarding in different ports. Royal does that in Europe too 😂😂
MSC has made cruising more affordable for us
Once you go yacht club you never go back😂
My first cruise with MSC is Nov 3rd and it's Yacht Club. I am excited and it was the same price as a regular balcony on Utopia of the Sea that I took in Aug
@@remoorepharmd it’s great! You will actually have space. Our family at times had whole pool to ourselves. Also the service in yc areas are better than standard ship areas
Two Questions: 1. How is MSC for Families with Teens ... 2. How are they with dietary needs? I have celiac and struggled on Royal to feel safe
They are very family friendly, our teens frequent the organised clubs. I am also coeliac and eat very well. There is a separate gluten-free kitchen, and I get a personal waiter who is trained in coeliac safe dining.
@@andreamargaretlockhart75 Yes, that is the norm on MSC. They really know how to deal with dietary needs, the most strange that may feel for many. I have a strong shellfish allergy and it has been always wonderful, but bear in mind that sometimes they forgive your special needs request on booking times, so the first thing one should to do like I do when one embarks is to contact the M'd to ask for their assistance, and here we are: At my time usually the "special" waiter is near my table when I come and I'm the first one giving an immediate order, or if they have a large group they can pick my order at breakfast in the MDR the proper day morning.
Nice video! Please… can you please tell me where this is at? 2:11 which island is that?
Martinique!
@@CruiseBlogGuide thank you! It’s on my bucket list now
I love msc
You talked about how much better priced then you claimed 5% was a huge savings 😂 The two don’t add up.
MSC Seaside was the worst cruise we've been on in 30 years. It "wasn't possible" to accommodate my wife's wheelchair in the MDR. Food sucked and entertainment was so-so. I'll GLADLY pay more for RC
All this video did was convince me to stay with royal, thanks
Better then my neighborhood 🤣im dying
If you are a person of color, you better have alot of patience and thick skin. We were treated horrible on the Seascape. We did not believe all the videos saying the staff and most cruisers were prejudiced. The White American cruisers were fine. The Asians cruisers and most if the White staff were horrible. We would be the first at the bar and get ignored. We were constantly skipped . We decided to go to a different bar. It was the same behavior. They did not want to serve us in the restaurants. We were dressed nice, well spoken and kind. We watched everyone around us get spectacular service. We are willing to try it again but a different ship. If it happens again, I will be very irritated. If we wanted to put up with racism and prejudice, we would have stayed home in Kansas. We normally cruise Royal. The Seascape was a beautiful ship and the food was good when they brought it to us hot. It got to the point that we did not trust the food coming out. We stayed at the buffet.
Same treatment on msc seaview out of Barcelona. crew asking if my ladies hair was real (it is real and natural).
I'm sorry you had such a terrible experience. No one should be treated this way. How awful to ruin someone’s vacation.
Most cruise ships, airlines, hotels/resorts etc....are like that, and the staff base their opinions on people based on their previous experience with other passengers of the same ethnic background, unfortunately.
Almost everyone walks around with preconceived ideas about all kinds of people on past experiences. Everyone does it in one way or another, but may never show it.
I’ve heard this a number of Times about msc
So sorry you had this experience. I love msc however will never get on seascape again. Seashore and meraviglia so much better. I think it starts at the top and crew follow.
MSC is cheap and has good pizza. The ship was nice too. But the food overall was subpar.
MSC is turning into the new walmart of the seas. Yeah, it's cheaper, but that just means it's attracting the novice cruisers that's been plaguing carnival.
It attracts European’s as that’s where the cruise line is from. Remember, it might be new to the American market, but we’ve been using them for years over on this side of the pond.
I Strongly disagree, MSC isn't a comparison to Carnival at all.
I was on Seascape last week, and saw no Carnival activities
I left RCCL and NCL too . I have a bad experience with them. Rude passengers! The kids are jumping on the table at the buffet and the mother of the kids are giving bad look to those who stare at her children behaving badly.
It’s key, no such thing as a K.
Video sounds like a paid ad. 😄 I'm about to go on my second MSC cruise. I chose it because it was REALLY cheap, but I was not particularly impressed on my last cruise. And looking for cruises in 2025, the prices I see are similar to Royal Caribbean.
How is NSC with solo
Onboard MSC’s Meraviglia Class ships and newer ones-like the MSC Meraviglia, Bellissima, Grandiosa, Virtuosa, Euribia, World Europa, and soon-to-be World America-you’ll find cabins specifically designed for solo travelers. Yes, these cabins are smaller than the ones made for two people, but the savings more than make up for the size. Some of the cheapest cruises I’ve ever taken have been in these solo cabins, and honestly, for the price I’ve paid, I’ve got no complaints. It’s a smart way to cruise if you don’t need all the extra space.
@@laughremixsquad sweet🎉
I like royal Caribbean
MSC: mostly shitty cruise!! If you like an adult beverages 30-40 minutes apart, and that's only if you get in line immediately after your first order, this is the cruise line for you!!! Private cruise island is a clump of sand in the Bahamas.
❤
Dissing on RC yet showing video of RC’s private island… classic.
Retitle this video "Why I left Albertsons/Safeway/Kroegers/FredMeyer for Walmart groceries." Many shared points there.
Not even close Frank.
The only good thing about an MSC cruise is that it’s “cheap” apart from that it’s pretty poor quality
Honest question, would you recommend that someone should go on it at least once to say that they have experienced it?
@kaylaibanez6134 yes you can go on it for the experience. Its good overall.
Get what you pay for
MSc is not bad having tried it I would rank it 2nd best after virgin voyages, then holland america and lastly NCL from the 4 lines I have tried
@@kaylaibanez6134 it depends what you want mate if good food and good entertainment is what you are looking for I’d go somewhere else but that’s just in my experience
Msc cruise food is trash