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Tell me about MSC Cruises

15 replies

WingingIt101 · 18/06/2023 22:45

DH and I are looking at a last minute cruise with MSC cruises.

V mixed reviews but then you see that with resorts / self catered places etc too so hoping the collective MN hub can share thoughts.

Our set up and wants are:

  • it is DH and I, and our two DD aged 3 and 8months.


  • is the drinks package worth paying for? It seems the only way to get anything more than water included


  • where do we all sleep - we don't fancy going to bed at 7pm with the kids, if we say we have two children do we automatically get a family room (we can't see these listed separately on the website)


  • does anyone know what the minors package is on MSC?


  • is there enough to do with little kids?


We never thought cruising would be for us but this looks like a good deal if we can work our sleeping arrangements!
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Nat6999 · 18/06/2023 23:16

I've seen some cruise vloggers on YouTube who have nothing positive to say about MSC cruises, could you look at other cruise lines?

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PenguinLove1 · 18/06/2023 23:36

I cant answer for MSC specifically, but cruises can be great family holidays.

Yes if you book for 4 you will be given a family room - in reality they are no larger than a normal cabin and have pull down bunks or sofa beds for the kids - the rooms are smaller than hotel rooms, and unless you pay for a suite or a balcony you wont have room to do anything in the room once the kids are asleep - ideally you want them to nap enough during the day that they stay up a bit later at night.

Cruise lines ive been on (p&o, marella, RC) have great kids clubs that also run activities in the evening, and also have night nurseries, so your kids could go to sleep in the nursery while you have a later dinner or see a show. Some shows are family friendly too.

These cruise lines also often have splash parks, playparks, softplay type spaces in them, and are great for kids.

If you dont book a family ship with these amenities you wont have much to do with them - they arent allowed in the pool unless fully toilet trained usually.

Drinks packages can be great, but only if you drink regular amounts every day - if you arent up late in the bar/theatre then you are unlikely to get the moneys worth and would be better paying for drinks as you go - marella are all inclusive though which can be good.

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Scalessayeek · 18/06/2023 23:43

We enjoyed ours last year. Had a 4 year old and a 10 month old. We are mostly in the buffet restaurant for ease. Didn’t do many shows and didn’t get the alcohol package as we had to be on hand with the kids. We had a restricted view balcony which meant it was massive. Oldest slept on top bunk bed, used bottom bunk for storage and the baby had a cot. It all just fit in nicely. She did the kids clubs when we were at sea which was cool. We took a shower curtain and magnetic hooks to get a bit of privacy too.

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Brazillio · 18/06/2023 23:48

We did an msc cruise last year and loved it. Really want to book again!

We did the Canary Islands cruise and friends have done the Mediterranean and Norwegian fjords and all had a great time.

I think the short cruises can be a bit of a nightmare from the sound of it, but the longer ones are much better.

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Brazillio · 19/06/2023 07:56

We also travelled with kids, but our two are teens. Our balcony cabin was lovely and the ship was immaculate. We didn't get the drinks package and made do with the buffet drinks. We saw a few shows and they were good - the two paid shows were amazing! The evening entertainment was fantastic 🤩

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TiredandLate · 19/06/2023 08:26

I'm going on one in July. I've been following the Facebook pages since last summer so I've seen all the reviews, but I see people whinging all over about things that wouldn't bother me so it hasn't put me off. Plus a very rich family member that has done more cruises than I've had hot dinners happily cruises with MSC (not yacht club) 2-3 times a year, so it can't be too terrible.

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AuditAngel · 19/06/2023 08:41

We went with MSC although a few years ago, the kids loved it, although not enough for my then 12yo, but he was happy to roam with his book (born an old man!)

We did take the drinks package.

We took advantage of being able to leave our kids (then 6/10/12) on board whilst on excursions.

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WingingIt101 · 19/06/2023 09:43

Thanks so much everyone -

@Brazillio what was included in the buffet drinks?

I think I'm going to call them today and see what the best room option still available might be!!

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Brazillio · 19/06/2023 10:50

Tea, coffee, water and juice. We also had water and tea in the main dining room at dinner.

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Roserunner · 19/06/2023 14:40

I've looked at MSC, the only thing that put me off was people saying it feels very crowded and hard to find a seat some evenings. We eventually decided to go with P&O and booked a mini conservatory suite, this is a room with double bed, sofa bed (can have pull down bed as well) then there are patio doors to a conservatory area with sofa, then we have a balcony. We have teen DC with us so thought this would give us a bit more space and privacy. We managed to get it last minute on a save rate so worked out quite a good deal. We decided to add a drinks package however with P&O you can take a litre of alcohol aboard per adult (and our room comes with a free bottle of champagne) and you are allowed to take as many soft drinks as you like.

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Begonne · 19/06/2023 14:52

We went on an MSC cruise for a family anniversary a few years ago. Pils who cruise regularly were very disappointed with it because it didn’t compare well to other cruises they had been on.

My dc were 3 and 4 and not old enough yet to benefit from the city visits. We made the best of it and enjoyed it but a few years later they would have got more out of it.

The main dining room was not suited to dc at all. I think there was a play area which my Klingons wouldn’t go near. We just went to the buffet instead once we got our bearings.

I don’t remember any entertainment or shows for them (again they were Klingons do there might have been something) and really apart from over crowded swimming pools it wasn’t great.

I would have chosen something like a Disney cruise that actually caters for dc if I were choosing or paying. But that’s a hard sell for any adults not impacted directly by bored dc.

Our cabin had a sofa bed that pulled out into a bed. A concierge came morning and evening to make/put it away. It’s worth bearing in mind that there’s always people in and out of your cabin. Some people like that service; I prefer privacy.

Happy to answer more questions if you have any.

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grimmers44 · 19/06/2023 15:00

I think you'd either have to keep the kids up in buggies to sleep or get a balcony cabin so at least you can sit outside in the evening. Cabins are not very big at all.

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OhhhhhhhhBiscuits · 19/06/2023 15:05

I have done 8 cruises now. None with MSC though as friends reviews have put us off. Personally at your youngest age is can be a pain as they are too young for kids club. Most are 3+ , however if she sleeps in the pushchair just put the eldest in kids club in the evenings and leave the youngest sleeping in the pushchair.

One thing about MSC is people get on and depart at all different port stops, this to me would feel like a very transient ship population. We like chatting to people and making friends etc.....

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CoolShoeshine · 20/06/2023 06:56

I’ve been with a few cruise lines including MSC. The ship was absolutely stunning and there was lots to do including water slides.
The service was a little less polished than with other lines such as Disney, but it wouldn’t put me off travelling with them again as it’s reflected in the price.
Any holiday with young children I’d let them stay up later on the evening than at home and take a pushchair for them to fall asleep into. No way would I want to be confined to a bedroom at 7pm! However appreciate that some kids can be hard work if out of routine.

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Dinoswearunderpants · 20/06/2023 11:11

We went on MSC Virtuosa in September 2022. Whilst we had a lovely cruise, there were a few issues.

We found the service in the main dining room very slow. If you speak to the head waiter the first night and explain you need the little one to eat quickly, they should accommodate this.

The kids club was fantastic. All Chico toys and a clean friendly setting. We took advantage of the drop off sessions and my boy loved it.

They have loads to do onboard. The indoors sports area is fun and they have a lovely splash park too. Not to mention the pools although they need to be potty trained to use.

I highly recommend the drinks package if you like a cocktail. You can get free juice, teas, coffees and water at the buffet but it's a faff having to only go there to get a drink.

You won't automatically get a family cabin. I suggest buying a snooze shade and let little one sleep in the pram. I also highly recommend the snooze shade for the cot. That way little one can sleep in the dark, if you want to watch tv in the cabin.

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