MSC POESIA July 6 to 13, 2019
Cabin 11178
We chose this ship as the only one in our time frame to see the Norwegian Fjords.
EMBARKATION was smooth and quiet (In Copenhagen). Two boardings for this cruise. One in Copenhagen and another in Germany. You felt the crowds after balance boarded in Germany.
Ship is huge with all lounges and public areas very nicely appointed. Two decks with lounges, shopping, Theater, library and more.
DINING First sitting is 6:30 and 2nd is 8:45 unlike what is mentioned on internet. Same times as any other cruise ship. Assigned table was in a quiet area (#754)….for 9 guests. All at table English speaking unlike what I read on the internet of several nationalities at a large table.
Engline noise in cabin 11178. I’d stay at front part of ship instead. My mistake in booking closer to the back.
THEATER is gorgeous with entertainment ok. Costumes and variety ok. Down side is having the announcements in at least 5 languages. Looses the synergy of enjoyment of the shows.
ANNOUNCEMENTS in too many languages. Italian and English is ENOUGH! Other languages can ask. You stop paying attention with so many languages. You know the poor cabin stewards, dining room stewards, bar staff, casino, shops and other staff on board do not speak all those languages.
Games spoken in too many languages, theater specials again after so many languages you lost interest in whatever it was.
Hair salon very nice, my highlights turned out very nice and friendliness of the salon staff pleasant.
Guess used to a lounge at the bow of ships and this one only has a GYM! We have always enjoyed pre dinner and post dinner drinks and quiet entertainment in a forward lounge. Serenity of watching the ocean pass us by.
RECEPTION area very pleasant and never a crowd at the desk. Very friendly and helpful staff. Welcoming questions on boarding and assistance with credit card imprint using their machines instead of personal imprint. Unlike what I read on internet of machines didn’t work and other negatives. It was fine.
SHORE EXCURSION to Berlin very disappointing due to the guides inadequacy to managing her time, leaving us only 10 minutes to see the highlight of the tour, the wall. No stop at Check Point Charlie. Disappointing visit for the long 3 ½ hr drive each way. Was supposed to be in English only and she wasted time with Italian. All knew English on board bus.
Shore excursion disembark handled calm and quiet. No announcement, just what you read in the daily program.
All other stops have hop on/off buses. Again when you have two mega ships in ports like Alesund and Gerangerfjord it was a mob scene. Worse than Alaska!
BEVERAGE PACKAGE was good. Including hard liquor, coffees, specialty drinks, juices. All had to be under Euro 6 which was enough. No need to take a premium package. We ordered special wines on our own account a few nights. We were approached to upgrade to a premium package which caused unnecessary confusion as it wasn’t worth the additional cost – since we don’t drink hard drinks.
CROWDS are awful and noisy with many children allowed to run around the ship unaccompanied, running through people, jumping around on furniture, whining, undisciplined and annoying. Although kids are out for summer, the parents gave them freedoms the ship should have addressed misbehaviors with parents. There are kids lounges and they needed to utilize this instead of full freedom of the ship. Kids were given free hand to swim in both swimming pools and allowed in Jacuzzis overcrowding them so we never used them. One of our table mates called it a “cattle call”!
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND ENGLISH SPEAKING CRUISERS TO LOOK AT ENGLISH CRUISE SHIPS ONLY! LOOK AT SHIPS AT 1200 MAX PASSENGERS.
FOOD! Absolutely inedible. No taste to any of the foods. After talking with Chiro the Matre D, he tried to appease the issue, but it was not possible. The Chef on board is not a foodie and I guess with the size of this ship doesn’t have to consider taste in mass preparation.
