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We had the worst cruise ever on Holland America Veendam, buy still enjoyed Bermuda. Also sailed on Divina & Seaside and found the service and dining to be just fine. The lower scores are a result of guests finding a dip in service standards in recent years. Most people are still impressed, but some guests have criticised issues with housekeeping, and said that the food isn’t always the same quality.
Overall Experience
Similarly, while MSC cruises may not have the best food and drink options, they may be a more affordable option for those on a budget. From limited menu options and poor quality food to cramped cabins and lackluster facilities, MSC Cruises and Hurtigruten have been rated as the worst in various areas by disappointed passengers. Most of the bad reviews concern something that went wrong and the inability for MSC customer service to solve the problem. It is also important to remember that MSC is a new company in American waters and has had teething problems.
The 14 Worst Cruise Lines (According to Reviews)
In my experience, while MSC Cruises and Hurtigruten may not be the most luxurious cruise lines out there, they do offer budget-friendly options for those who want to see the world without breaking the bank. To keep this in perspective, one must also take into account that most MSC negative reviews on CC are written by Americans who what everything to be like it is on American cruise lines. It should have been "Costa, Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC, Princess ranked among the worst cruise ships...." Before everyone loses their mind, YES we acknowledge many people love MSC.
thoughts on “The 12 Worst Cruise Ships (According to Real Reviews)”
Overcrowding appeared to be a persistent issue, with cruisers describing difficulty finding seating for meals and noting that the pools were small, dirty, and packed. The elevators were criticized for being slow, constantly packed, or reserved for luggage, forcing some passengers to resort to taking the stairs. Another point of contention was the ship’s approach to announcements. As is commonplace on a Costa Cruise, multiple languages were used, leading to lengthy and disruptive interjections throughout the day.
Overall 3.3 is not a bad score, it indicates an average to good experience. Understanding these differences upfront can help manage expectations and enhance your overall enjoyment of the cruise. Remember, ratings are subjective and can vary significantly based on individual expectations and experiences. One of the best ways to gauge how good a cruise line is, is to read the reviews. This wide range of options allows passengers to choose a cruise that fits their interests and travel goals. One of the unique features of MSC Cruises is its “Children Cruise Free” policy.
MSC Preziosa is very similar to her sister ship MSC Divina and it’s no surprise that they are back-to-back in this list. Indeed they have identical averages so Preziosa could’ve been placed higher. While it may have scored high in terms of reviews, unfortunately, this ship didn’t score quite so highly on its hygiene inspection.
What Passengers Say About MSC Cruises
For the agency to report a cruise-ship outbreak, 3% or more of passengers or crew members must report symptoms of gastrointestinal illness, such as vomiting and diarrhea, to the ship's medical staff. One of the most significant issues raised by many reviewers on Trustpilot was the problem of overcrowding on MSC Cruises. Passengers reported that the ships were packed to capacity, leading to a number of inconveniences and discomforts. However, it must be noted that Trustpilot reviews for cruise lines tend to be much more negative than an all-round balanced view of cruisecritic. Moreover, the cabins on MSC Cruises are designed with comfort in mind.
How Bad Are Msc Cruises
Many passengers have complained about the lack of attention given to their needs by the crew. Some have even reported incidents of rudeness and unprofessional behavior from staff members. However, it’s important to note that personal preferences and expectations play a significant role in how one perceives their experience on board. So, let’s dive deeper into the reasons why MSC Cruises and Hurtigruten have earned their reputation as the worst cruise lines, and what you can expect if you choose to sail with them. Carnival is one of the biggest cruise lines in the world, with a massive fleet of ships. Particularly popular in the US for cruises to the Caribbean, Bahamas and Mexico, the cruise line calls its fleet “Fun Ships”, with a focus on a party atmosphere.
Overall, MSC Cruises can indeed be a good cruise line for those seeking a cost-effective, European-style cruising experience. However on Trustpilot it was rated around the middle of the cruise lines. The overall experience on MSC Cruises received mixed reviews on both Trustpilot and Cruise Critic. Some passengers on Trustpilot had issues with MSC’s refund and cancellation policies. This constant noise could significantly detract from enjoying the cruise, particularly for passengers seeking a peaceful and relaxing holiday. However, some passengers praised the staff for their professionalism and friendliness, indicating that experiences may vary.
Additionally, logistical issues with time management in ports, poor quality TV channels, subpar cabin conditions, and overpriced onboard amenities left many travellers frustrated. Several reviewers also expressed concerns over safety and hygiene, citing instances of passengers grabbing food with their hands. MSC Grandiosa was the first ship of the Meraviglia-Plus class, very similar to the Meraviglia class but with some improvements and a slightly larger gross tonnage. The ship is renowned for its imposing size and wide range of entertainment. At the same time, the ship may seem a bit complicated, especially for inexperienced cruise passengers. But, considering how new ships often score low due to teething problems, and seeing the wider issues for MSC with its larger ships as I’ve detailed above, it’s not as shocking as I first thought.
Factors such as food quality, customer service, cleanliness, and overall value for money can significantly impact a passenger’s experience, and these factors can vary from ship to ship and itinerary to itinerary. This lack of quality customer service significantly impacted the overall cruise experience for these passengers. On Cruise Critic, the quality and variety of food received mixed reviews. Some passengers were unsatisfied with the food, describing it as “disgusting” or “poor”, while others seemed to enjoy the dining experience. With a total capacity for 4,363 passengers, MSC Cruises offers a good choice of accommodation options for everyone from budget-conscious families to couples who want to splurge with a stay in the exclusive Yacht Club. The cabins are designed to cater to different budgets and preferences, ensuring that every passenger can find a suitable accommodation option.
Guests have also criticised the organisation, with last-minute cancellations along with how crowds are managed in particularly busy areas. There are also mentions of the age of passengers in a negative way, but that’s as much on the guests to research before they travel so that they understand what the likely audience will be. Ambience was the first ship acquired, which was first built in 1991, while sister ship Ambition is a little newer having been first built in 1999. As always, it’s essential to weigh costs against potential compromises, ensuring your hard-earned cruise holiday provides the experience you truly desire. Despite the affordable pricing of the cruise, many reviewers concluded that there are better options available and expressed a reluctance to recommend MSC to others. Dining was a particular sore spot, with the dining area on deck 11 often overcrowded, causing many to eat in their rooms or outside.
The quality of the food served on MSC Cruises was another common complaint among reviewers on both Trustpilot and Cruise Critic. As well as using past feedback I also read through hundreds of recent reviews to get a good overall idea of guests current impressions from a range of recent MSC cruises. A 3.3 out of 5 score suggests that the product, service, or experience is deemed average to slightly above average.
The entertainment onboard also received flak, with the main grievance being the repetition of the same dance crew and the underwhelming performance of some acts, particularly the duelling pianos. Reviewers have extensively voiced their dissatisfaction with the MSC Seascape, citing a plethora of reasons for their negative experiences. The cleanliness of this ship was often brought into question, and one family even discovered small cockroaches in their cabin.
When it came to dining, choices seemed scarce, especially for vegetarians, vegans, or those with dietary restrictions against pork or seafood. The food quality was repeatedly described as lacklustre in reviews, with the same menu on rotation for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. MSC Seashore was the first ship of the Seaside EVO class, essentially an enhanced version of its sister ships Seaside and Seaview. Its strengths include more spacious cabins and excellent outdoor areas. However, like the other ships, the main drawbacks include overcrowded areas and sometimes a lack of good service. Like many larger ships, some negative reviews mention excessive crowding in common areas, but only during peak season.
The 6 types of MSC Cruises ships, explained - The Points Guy
The 6 types of MSC Cruises ships, explained.
Posted: Thu, 09 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
But before going on your next cruise adventure, it doesn't hurt to check out the ship's most recent sanitation rating. To try to help prevent the spread of stomach viruses at sea, the CDC randomly inspects cruise ships and scores them on a scale of 0 to 100 through the Vessel Sanitation Program. Inspection scores of 85 and lower are considered "not satisfactory" by the agency. Some passengers have reported issues such as overcrowding, less-than-ideal food quality, and subpar customer service.
