MSC have a brand new ship this year - any one sailed on her yet and can give me any info.? Also any general comments regarding MSC/Italian style cruises.
Many thanks
Supermum
MSC Musica is an almost identical twin. She sailed the same routing last year. Any reviews or information you read regarding Musica should also apply to Orchestra. Try to remember though that she is very much a European ship and not a homogenised American or British one. I love the united nations atmosphere, but a few reviewers, who didn't know what to expect, evidently didn't.
She looks to be a very stylish ship and one I would dearly love to sail on. I sailed on Opera (the Istanbul route), the second of MSC's newbuilds two years ago, and Armonia a close sister of Opera in December (voyage to Rio), and i had a fantastic time.
The food is, as you would expect, Italian, with a choice of 6 courses for dinner. Usually 4 was more than enough! I love fish and shell fish so I was very happy with the variety of sea creatures on offer. There is grilled beef, chicken and spaghetti bolognese for the less adventurous. Freshly made risottos, pastas and ice cream and sorbets are among the best you will taste anywhere. I have developed a real taste for truffle and champagne flavoured risotto since sailing MSC! Unlike the American lines food isn't available 24 hrs a day, but i can assure you, i never went hungry. I was disappointed with the lack of free tea and coffee availability - limited to only a few hours per day, at breakfast and afternoon tea. They provide a free fruit bowl in your cabin, which is a nice touch, and makes a healthier snack if needed.
Passengers are of all nationalities, with English speakers making up around 15-20% of the passengers. Announcements are made in 5 or 6 languages, but are mercifully rare. Some staff communication can be difficult, but English is widely spoken as a second language. The entertainment is non verbal, but I enjoyed it all the same, although some were disappointed. There are usually at least two bars with live music in the evenings. I love to try and guess the nationalities of fellow passengers, with the characters you will find on board you hardly need entertainment.
If you decide to book I am sure you will have a fantastic time.
Craig.
She looks to be a very stylish ship and one I would dearly love to sail on. I sailed on Opera (the Istanbul route), the second of MSC's newbuilds two years ago, and Armonia a close sister of Opera in December (voyage to Rio), and i had a fantastic time.
The food is, as you would expect, Italian, with a choice of 6 courses for dinner. Usually 4 was more than enough! I love fish and shell fish so I was very happy with the variety of sea creatures on offer. There is grilled beef, chicken and spaghetti bolognese for the less adventurous. Freshly made risottos, pastas and ice cream and sorbets are among the best you will taste anywhere. I have developed a real taste for truffle and champagne flavoured risotto since sailing MSC! Unlike the American lines food isn't available 24 hrs a day, but i can assure you, i never went hungry. I was disappointed with the lack of free tea and coffee availability - limited to only a few hours per day, at breakfast and afternoon tea. They provide a free fruit bowl in your cabin, which is a nice touch, and makes a healthier snack if needed.
Passengers are of all nationalities, with English speakers making up around 15-20% of the passengers. Announcements are made in 5 or 6 languages, but are mercifully rare. Some staff communication can be difficult, but English is widely spoken as a second language. The entertainment is non verbal, but I enjoyed it all the same, although some were disappointed. There are usually at least two bars with live music in the evenings. I love to try and guess the nationalities of fellow passengers, with the characters you will find on board you hardly need entertainment.
If you decide to book I am sure you will have a fantastic time.
Craig.
Hi Craig
Thankyou so much for all of that extremely helpful information. I have now booked a cruise on the Orchestra for Christmas so it will be a real treat.
Love the sound of all that lovely food, I think cruises like holidays are what you make them yourself so look forward to enjoying the cultural mix. We have a balcony cabin and I guess we can get away from it all there and on other parts of the ship if we choose to.
Just a question about tipping is this added automatically to your account or is it voluntary.
Once again many thanks and of course I will post a review after the cruise .
Supermum
Thankyou so much for all of that extremely helpful information. I have now booked a cruise on the Orchestra for Christmas so it will be a real treat.
Love the sound of all that lovely food, I think cruises like holidays are what you make them yourself so look forward to enjoying the cultural mix. We have a balcony cabin and I guess we can get away from it all there and on other parts of the ship if we choose to.
Just a question about tipping is this added automatically to your account or is it voluntary.
Once again many thanks and of course I will post a review after the cruise .
Supermum
Have booked a Christmas cruise on this brand new ship launched in May/June by Sophia Lauren no less. There are no reviews as yet - just wondering if any one out there has sailed on her yet or can comment on the MSC cruise ships compared to other large cruise companies. I understand that British passengers are in the minority generally but I don't see this as a negative point.
Any comments gratefully recieived
Supermum
Any comments gratefully recieived
Supermum
I have sent you a PM re reviews.
Merged with existing topic.
We have loads of reviews of various MSC ships. If you put MSC into the Search facility at the top of the page you will find all the discussions and you will find the reviews by clicking the link at the top of the page.
luci
We have loads of reviews of various MSC ships. If you put MSC into the Search facility at the top of the page you will find all the discussions and you will find the reviews by clicking the link at the top of the page.
luci
Many thanks everyone Looking forward to a 'different' cruise from usual for us. It will be lovely to have a very new ship and a balcony as well - spoiling ourselves but we deserve it.
best wishes
Supermum
best wishes
Supermum
Only five weeks before this cruise. No reviews yet on HT, Anyone out there travelled on this ship? If no replies I will post a review in the New Year when we get back.
Supermum
Supermum
Just returned from a very disappointing Christmas Cruise on the Orchestra. Have posted a detailed review in the cruise reviews for information,
Supermum
Supermum
Many thanks for the review. Sorry to hear it was disappointing.
I noticed you said in November that there were still no reviews of this ship. I see that there was one posted in July.
Your review won't show until it has been approved by Admin in the next couple of days.
I shall merge this with the existing topic.
luci
I noticed you said in November that there were still no reviews of this ship. I see that there was one posted in July.
Your review won't show until it has been approved by Admin in the next couple of days.
I shall merge this with the existing topic.
luci
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