The Best and Worst MSC Cruise Ships: Full Ranking for 2024!

Table Of Content

• MSC Cruise Reviews
• What is the best MSC cruise ship?
• Regent Seven Seas Cruises
• Comparison to Competitor Cruise Lines
• Are there any restrictions on bringing your own food and drinks on board MSC and Hurtigruten cruises?
• These are the cruise ships with the best — and worst — sanitation scores so far this year
• The 12 Worst Cruise Ships (According to Real Reviews)

MSC Cruises offers a wide array of European itineraries to choose from. Beyond just cost-effectiveness, MSC Cruises stands out for its unique Mediterranean atmosphere, diverse facilities, and multinational entertainment. I actually enjoy having all those different language speakers on board. I got to practice my French when a woman asked for directions to the ladies room. Where I live, I sometimes hear more French and German in the grocery store than English during "season."  The concierge on the Seaside last fall told me he spoke six languages fluently. Nice post, but there are some of the ships names incorrect, MSC Meraviglia, Costa Venezia...

MSC Cruise Reviews

50+ violations found aboard Florida-based MSC cruise ship in recent inspection - FOX 35 Orlando

50+ violations found aboard Florida-based MSC cruise ship in recent inspection.

Posted: Tue, 16 May 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

On the other hand, there are also passengers who have had positive experiences, highlighting the modern ships and diverse itineraries. Therefore, it wouldn’t be accurate to label MSC or any other cruise line as the “worst” based solely on some negative reviews. Some Trustpilot reviewers mentioned issues with children’s behavior on the ship. The quality of the entertainment on board was criticized by some reviewers on Trustpilot. Many reviewers on expressed dissatisfaction with the level of customer service on MSC Cruises.

What is the best MSC cruise ship?

The cruise ships with the best and worst sanitation scores in 2023 - Business Insider

The cruise ships with the best and worst sanitation scores in 2023.

Posted: Sun, 09 Jul 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

MSC Seaside failed a recent inspection by the CDC, meaning that it’s level of cleanliness had dropped below the acceptable level. I’ve been on several MSC cruises, but I certainly haven’t experienced all 21 of the ships, so it wouldn’t be fair for me to rank them all based on my opinion. MSC has a European style, which might feel different from cruises that are more geared toward American travelers. This is also evident in the food, which tends to be more European and with fewer choices of Asian and South American food.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Expect reviews to improve in time, but also don’t choose this ship if you want a quiet, calm cruise. She is a good ‘overall’ MSC ship – positive reviews touch on everything, including the service, the food, and the evening entertainment. In the past 10 years, only three other cruise ships have received sanitation scores below 70, CDC records show. Violations can include something as small as not posting a raw-eggs advisory on the omelet station or a single fly hovering in a food area.

Some travellers even compared the buffet’s bustle to a rush-hour subway. I recently took a cruise on Costa Smeralda, and I don’t think it’s too bad, for the money. The ship’s aesthetic was appreciated by a few, and the ports visited during the cruise were highlights for many. Entertainment was a mixed bag, with some praising offerings while others found it lacking. However, several pointed out the subpar service, especially at buffet counters, where staff could sometimes ignore guests or make inappropriate comments in other languages. Many reviewers conveyed strong dissatisfaction with their experience on the Costa Pacifica.

Are there any restrictions on bringing your own food and drinks on board MSC and Hurtigruten cruises?

Entertainment aboard the Costa Deliziosa also received a slew of negative reviews. From lacklustre performances by dancers who seemed more in rehearsal mode than ready for the spotlight, to an activities director who didn’t cater to English-speaking passengers, many felt excluded or simply bored. A significant number of guests also experienced issues with the staff’s attitude. From being denied basic services with rudeness to having a spa treatment disrupted multiple times, there seemed to be a lack of hospitality. Some even mentioned feeling discriminated against based on nationality.

Most of the negative reviews focus on things outside of the cruise line’s control, including the weather either causing itinerary changes or spoiling excursions for the Northern Lights. Amadeus is a river cruise line that also trades as Luftner Cruises for the German market. Under the Amadeus brand, the marketing is more global, but the result is a fleet of ships that attract a multicultural group of guests. The crew are comfortable in English as well as German so communication issues aren’t anything to worry about.

These are the cruise ships with the best — and worst — sanitation scores so far this year

Although it was an excellent ship, several years have passed since its launch, and it’s starting to show signs of aging compared to newer ships. Several customers have complained about long lines at both the buffet and reception. For this reason, cruisers consider it one of the best ships for cruises during the summer or for cruises in warm destinations. Be sure to join my email list for my best cruise tips and handpicked deals each week.

The 12 Worst Cruise Ships (According to Real Reviews)

They are elegantly furnished and offer a cozy retreat after a day of activities. The cabins range from interior staterooms to luxurious suites with private balconies, catering to different budgets and preferences. I found it interesting that while MSC Cruises is rated worst for food and drink, their pizza served on board is actually pretty good. However, the other food and drink options do not necessarily stack up well against what other cruise lines offer. I'm not surprised about the two RCL ships because they have been sailing primarily outside the Caribbean/US.

If you want to really delve into the regions that Pearl Seas Cruises offers, then it’s still worth considering – an average score of 3.7 out of 5 shows that most do have a good time. Cruises are also more inclusive than other cruise lines – you don’t have to pay tips and you get a wide range of drinks covered by your fare too. The quality of the ships does get some negative attention in the reviews – the ships are older and the renovations haven’t always made everything brand-new. Some guests have reported broken furniture, dirty cabins and general wear and tear around the ships. I’m a little surprised that the average score is just 3.5 because I’ve loved my cruises with P&O and never really had a bad experience. But other long-time P&O Cruises fans don’t seem to be as enamoured as they once were.

The ship’s old and outdated décor was a major letdown for many who expected a cruise of a lifetime. Several passengers experienced inadequate customer service and felt that the cruise line failed to provide the expected satisfaction on multiple occasions. From pre-paid internet packages that rarely worked to delayed luggage delivery causing inconvenience to passengers, the initial experiences onboard seemed to set a tone of frustration. The experiences of past passengers and third-party reviews reveal a mix of pros and cons, indicating that the ‘goodness’ of MSC Cruises largely depends on individual preferences and expectations.

Guests generally like the ship overall, finding it to be the right size and spacious. The entertainment on this ship has been particularly well-received, with guests reporting never feeling bored. MSC Magnifica was the last of the Musica-class ships to be built and while she is slightly larger than her three sister ships, the experience is relatively unchanged. Expect a comfortable ship that isn’t super-modern but is well-maintained and plenty of space to relax during the day.

This could mean a variety of things, from the quality of food, the number of passengers onboard, to the range of amenities and activities available. This re-enforces the view that MSC Cruises offers a high-quality cruise experience at a reasonable price, providing excellent value for money. For dining on MSC and Hurtigruten cruises, dress code expectations vary by ship and restaurant. The dining experience ambiance is generally casual, but some restaurants may require more formal attire.

With that said we have been on MSC twice and yes on the Armonia and both those cruises rank as some of the best we have experienced. We have been on over 50 plus cruises to include Cunard, Costa, Princess, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Carnival. Avoid Carnival if you don’t like the idea of a loud, hectic cruise but if you love a lively atmosphere, it could be perfect. Most guests enjoyed a luxurious getaway with Scenic, but there are occasional issues which dampen the experience. Regent has very high standards, and those can sometimes mean guests are even more critical in their reviews – arguably with these prices, they’re entitled to be. The approximate prices I’ve quoted are without flights but you can choose fares with flights included too.

I have read reviews of all 13 listed above, and must say that it seems the author did due diligence before reporting. Even among those members who frequently post here who are also very much fans of MSC, the over whelming response to Meriviglia as been less than stellar. Below are the 13 'worst' cruise ships identified by "far and wide'. You can determine if this study is credible or not. In most cases, with a little bit of research and prep, you can find the perfect cruise line for you, and it could well be any of the cruise lines on this list. Dining is another element of Carnival that can come under fire, both for the lack of variety (especially on the older, smaller ships) and for the overall quality. With Carnival, you aren’t paying luxury prices, so you shouldn’t expect fine dining.

THE WORST CRUISE I'VE TAKEN and the RESPONSE FROM MSC MSC Cruises Cruise Critic Community

Table Of Content

• I Went on a Cruise Completely Alone: Here’s My Experience!
• Stunning Ship Decor
• Regent Seven Seas Cruises
• Food Quality
• Comparison to Competitor Cruise Lines
• The 15 cruise ships with perfect scores of 100
• MSC Seascape

The company’s Swiss-based operations allow it to maintain a reasonable high standard of service and quality, while its Italian heritage is reflected in the ship’s design, cuisine, and onboard activities. For instance, the MSC Preziosa, one of their ships, features the longest single-rider body waterslide at sea. These unique features provide a variety of entertainment options for passengers of all ages, making the cruise experience more enjoyable and memorable.

I Went on a Cruise Completely Alone: Here’s My Experience!

If I am cruising without my kids, Crystal is tops for me, leaving for a cruise on Crystal within 2 weeks. The negative reviews I read about MSC all start with something that went wrong and then almost everything becomes an issue with the ship, the food, the entertainment, the staff and guest relations. I suspect that those that love MSC are going to be terribly offended by this latest report. But for those considering a booking on MSC, this might be helpful as an overview.

Stunning Ship Decor

Some passengers on Trustpilot complained about changes to the itinerary, with ports being skipped without clear explanation. On Cruise Critic, the cleanliness of the rooms was praised by some passengers, but others reported issues such as a sewage smell. On Trustpilot, some reported that their cabins were not clean upon arrival, and that communal areas such as toilets were infrequently cleaned and lacking in sanitation equipment.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Above all, several passengers expressed serious concerns about security and customer service. Reports of theft, mismanagement of passports, and apathetic responses from the crew cast a shadow over their cruise experience. Some even mentioned that the staff seemed to lack motivation, attributing this to their supposedly low wages.

MSC Cruises are a good choice for travelers seeking an affordable, Mediterranean-style cruise experience. They offer a unique blend of innovative facilities, diverse accommodation options, and multinational entertainment. Looking for top rated entertainment and family friendly activities on a cruise? Limited facilities and basic evening entertainment on Hurtigruten, while MSC offers extra charge specialty dining and small portions.

The ships are older, and so there is some criticism of their upkeep, especially in the cabins. Broadly though, the refurbishments have kept them to a good standard. That’s not what I found though – check my Celestyal review to read my own experience. Many of the ships have launched in the last few years and so are modern and well-kept but there are some older ships in the fleet that are a little more dated now.

This is simply a meta-analysis of Cruise Critic reviews and subject to all the appropriate limitations of self reporting data. In other words, Cruise critic reviews were tallied and the 13 worst cruise ships identified. A score of 3.8 out of 5 tells you that most people have a great cruise, but there are some negatives. And with average reviews of 3.7 out of 5, there are more hits than misses, but a common complaint of the negative reviews is that customers didn’t feel that the ships were luxurious enough for the price paid. It’s not so much in the styling or furnishing, but in the layout, which is clumsy and counter-productive for relaxation.

The best and worst cruise lines of 2023 revealed by Which? - and Noble Caledonia is number one - Daily Mail

The best and worst cruise lines of 2023 revealed by Which? - and Noble Caledonia is number one.

Posted: Fri, 03 Mar 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

The 15 cruise ships with perfect scores of 100

NCL is one of the bigger cruise lines in the world, with a large fleet of ships. While none are close to being the biggest ship in the world, they’re all at least mid-sized and some of the newer ships have capacity for around 4,000 guests. Costa’s cruises are some of the cheapest available, and that can show with the quality of a cruise holiday onboard, but if you’re on a budget and you know what to expect then you can still have a great time. I’ve included the fleet size, because sometimes the worse reviews are only for a part of the fleet – if a cruise line only has a small fleet, you know the experiences are more likely to be typical across them all. And I’ve given an approximate price per night, because that adds important context for the reviews. Though some passengers have found joy in the small wins aboard these ships, many feel the quality of service, amenities, and overall experience doesn’t match up to the industry’s higher standards.

MSC Lirica is another Lirica-class ship, actually, the third to launch in 2003. Being over 20 years old, she is definitely showing her age in some places – she’s generally well maintained but don’t expect the same modern look and feel as the latest ships in the fleet offer. MSC Seaview is the sister ship to MSC Seaside, and she offers a very similar experience.

MSC needs to work on improving their customer experience by training their employees to be more attentive and responsive to their passengers’ needs. Space is also a concern on MSC cruises, with many passengers reporting cramped and uncomfortable rooms. The cabins are often smaller than those on other cruise lines, with limited storage space and basic amenities. Customer service and space are major issues on MSC cruises, as reported by reviews.

MSC needs to work on maximizing space utilization by redesigning their cabins to make them more spacious and comfortable. This would greatly improve the overall experience for passengers and make their cruise more enjoyable. As the saying goes, ‘not all that glitters is gold.’This is especially true for cruise lines, where the luxurious amenities and breathtaking views can sometimes be overshadowed by subpar service and accommodations. But when you average in 1,000's of reviews on Cruise critic it appears  MSC has 4 ships that ranks among the lowest 13. Some of the negative experiences will be justified, but some people just love to complain. The experience is advertised as one of luxury – guests can expect all dining and snacks to be covered along with soft/hot drinks, complimentary cocktail parties and entertainment on the ship.

Went back on the Seascape a month later and saw the same production shows, but this time new guest performers in the Cabaret Rouge, atrium, Uptown Lounge and Loft Cafe. (Actually thought the production shows in the Chora Theatre were getting better). Bumped me from a yacht club grand suite to a regular cabin on deck 8 with no reduction in fare.

But there are a few themes that do stand out, including the food, which some guests found repetitive and a little bland, although there were just as many reviews praising the dining options too. P&O Cruises is an established cruise line catering to the British market. The ships have traditionally been mid-sized, though the more recent additions of Iona and Arvia are definitely large cruise ships, offering even more variety of bars and restaurants onboard. It’s relatively small, which might limit daytime activities or food options. It could be a good choice for experienced cruisers who know what they want and what to expect from a smaller ship. Launched in 2021, MSC Virtuosa is one of the newest ships in the fleet.